THE TORAH READING FOR 12 IYAR 5781 APRIL 23-24, 2021
PARSHA
From ReformJudaism.org https://reformjudaism.org/torah/portion/acharei-mot-kdoshim
Acharei Mot – K’doshim (אַחֲרֵי מוֹת – קְדֹשִׁים — After the Death [of the Two Sons of Aaron] / [You Shall Be] Holy or Holy Ones) – Leviticus 16:1-20:27
The Eternal One spoke to Moses after the death the two sons of Aaron who died when they drew too close to the presence of the Eternal. – Leviticus 16:1
The Eternal One spoke to Moses saying: “Speak to the whole Israelite community and say to them: You shall be holy, for I, the Eternal your God, am holy.” – Leviticus 19:1-2
SUMMARY
- The duties that the head kohein must perform on Yom Kippur are delineated and the ceremony of the scapegoat is outlined. (16:1-28)
- Moses instructs Aaron about the Yom Kippur laws for fasting and atonement. (16:29-34)
- Warnings are issued against the offering of sacrifices outside the Sanctuary and the consumption of blood. (17:1-16)
- Moses condemns the sexual practices of some neighboring peoples. Certain forms of sexual relations are prohibited. (18:1-30)
- God issues a variety of commandments, instructing the Israelites on how to be a holy people. (19:1-37)
- Various sex offenses are discussed and punishments for them are presented. (20:1-27)
HAFTARAH
From Wikipedia.org https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acharei_Mot#Parashah_Acharei_Mot-Kedoshim
- for Ashkenazi Jews: Amos 9:7–15
- for Sephardi Jews: Ezekiel 20:2–20
From My Jewish Learning.com https://www.myjewishlearning.com/torah-portions/parashat-achrei-mot-kedoshim/
In the Torah portion Achrei Mot, God speaks to Moses after the death of Aaron’s two sons, who were killed for coming too close to the presence of God. God instructs Moses and Aaron on the procedures surrounding Yom Kippur. God describes all the laws surrounding sexual prohibitions. In Kedoshim, God describes to Moses many ethical and ritual laws aimed at helping people live lives of holiness. The laws described include some of those recorded in the Ten Commandments, such as respecting one’s parents, keeping the Sabbath and not stealing. God also introduces laws about farming and about belief in supernatural beings.
[The Triennial Reading – Lev. 17:8-19:14 – covers the last three sections from Acharei Mot and the first section of Kedoshim. The sections from Acharei Mot deal with the prohibitions and requirements related to the slaughtering and consuming of animals, setting them apart from the practices of the Egyptians and Canaanites; prohibited sexual relationships with specified female relations and the offering of children to Molech; and lastly, a prohibition on male same sex relations as well as bestiality, practices the Canaanites engaged in. The section from Kedoshim, called the “Holiness Code”, includes a significant command not to reap to the edges of fields but to leave some for the poor and the stranger.]
STRUGGLING WITH TORAH
This week’s combined set of readings from Acharei Mot and Kedoshim contain deep and complex ideas each of which merit much discussion in their own right. The focus today is on same sex relations excluding the relationship between David and Jonathan. That is a whole separate discussion and there is much written about them.
First of all, it is important to know that the various Jewish movements differ in their interpretation of the law on homosexuality in Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13. Secondly, the Central Conference of American Rabbis of Reform Judaism adopted a resolution in 1977 encouraging the decriminalization of homosexual acts between consenting adults and the prohibition of discrimination against them. Lastly, Temple Kol Hamidbar is associated with the Reform Movement and supports its stance on same sex relations.
From Wikipedia.org https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acharei_Mot#Leviticus_chapter_18_3
[In] 2013, the Central Conference of American Rabbis Responsa Committee adopted a responsum holding that Reform rabbis officiate with the full support of the CCAR at the marriage ceremonies of Jews of the same sex and Reform rabbis may consider these same-sex marriages to be kiddushin, utilizing in the marriage ceremony the Jewish forms and rites that are most appropriate to the partners involved.
This raises the question, what is Torah actually prohibiting in terms of same sex relations? Those who interpret the words literally and out-of-context have their own take on this. That take has caused more pain and suffering as well as death to untold numbers of individuals in any given age.
Those who accept scholarly and literary approaches to Torah have different takes both on what is actually being prohibited and on what same sex relations represent. One such take, given the reference to the Canaanites in Leviticus 18:22, is that it actually may be male sacred prostitution/sex that is being prohibited as part of the worship of YHVH (see below). Presumably, men commonly engaged in sacred sex with a male or a female depending on which god was being worshipped. It is remarkable that female same sex relations are ignored. What is sacred prostitution/sex?
From Wikipedia.org https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacred_prostitution
It has been argued that sacred prostitution, worked by both males and females, was a custom of ancient Phoenicians[, Canaanites and others. For example, among the Phoenicians it] would be dedicated to the deities Astarte and Adonis, and sometimes performed as a festival or social rite in the cities of Byblos, Afqa and Baalbek (later named Heliopolis) as well as the nearby Syrian city of Palmyra.
The Hebrew Bible uses two different words for prostitute, zonah (זונה) and kedeshah (or qedesha) (קדשה). The word zonah simply meant an ordinary prostitute or loose woman. But the word kedeshah literally means set apart (in feminine form), from the Semitic root Q-D-Sh (קדש) meaning holy, consecrated or set apart. Nevertheless, zonah and qedeshah are not interchangeable terms: the former occurs 93 times in the Bible, whereas the latter is only used in three places, conveying different connotations.
Male prostitutes were called kadesh or qadesh (literally: male who is set apart). The Hebrew word kelev (dog) below may also signify a male dancer or prostitute. [Neither Kadesh nor Kelev appear in either Leviticus 18:22 or 20:13.]
None of the daughters of Israel shall be a kedeshah, nor shall any of the sons of Israel be a kadesh. You shall not bring the hire of a prostitute (zonah) or the wages of a dog (kelev) into the house of the Lord your God to pay a vow, for both of these are an abomination to the Lord your God. Deut. 23:17-18
The Law of Moses (Deuteronomy) was not universally observed in Hebrew culture under the rule of King David’s dynasty, as recorded in Kings. In fact Judah [purportedly] had lost “the Book of the Law”. During the reign of King Josiah, the high priest Hilkiah discovers it in “the House of the Lord” and realizes that the people have disobeyed, particularly regarding prostitution. Examples of male prostitution (“sodomites” in KJV, GNV: see Bible translations into English) being banned under King Josiah are recorded to have been commonplace since the reign of King Rehoboam of Judah (King Solomon’s son).
Most Bible translations do not reflect the latest scholarship, and modern translations refer to King Josiah’s bans on “male temple prostitutes” [NRSV] or similarly “male shrine prostitutes” [NIV], whereas older translations refer to the ban of “Sodomites” and “the Houses of the Sodomites” [KJV, GNV]. Under the uncentralised religious practices that were commonplace, homosexual prostitution experienced a degree of cultural acceptance along with heterosexual prostitution among the Hebrew tribes, but under the religious reforms prostitution was not allowed in conjunction with the worship of [YHVH], where these had been expressly forbidden in Deuteronomy, their sacred Book of Law under King Josiah.
[Notice that the reference here is to Deuteronomy and not Leviticus, however it provides some insight on the motivation behind the Leviticus prohibitions. It is possible that the prohibitions in Leviticus were added later. If the Leviticus prohibitions predate those in Deuteronomy it is noteworthy that they were being ignored or even possibly generally unknown.]
In my own Sefardic culture, same sex relations are still considered wrong. It is common for parents of homosexual children to reject them and treat them as if dead. The Torah passages on this are read literally rather than with an understanding of what is actually being prohibited, i.e., sex in the worship of gods. Perhaps someday soon all will treat their sons and daughters in same sex relations with understanding, compassion and acceptance as many in the Reform Movement do, including Temple Kol Hamidbar.
COUNTING THE ‘ÓMER https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/how-to-count-the-omer/
We are in the 49-day period of Counting the ‘Ómer, which began Sunday evening, March 28 and continues until Shavuot, which starts the evening of Sunday, May 16. The ‘Ómer is counted each evening.
Today, Friday, day 27 begins this evening at sundown. Before the ‘Alëinu, after stating that one is ready to count the ‘Ómer, the following blessing is said:
Baruch atah Adonai Elohëinu Mélech ha’olam, asher kid’shánu b’mitzvotav, v’tzivánu ‘al S’firat Ha‘Ómer.
Blessed are you, Adonai our God, Ruler of the Universe, who has sanctified us with your commandments and commanded us to count the ‘Ómer.
After the blessing, one recites the appropriate day of the count. After the first six days one also includes the number of weeks that one has counted. For example:
“Hayom shivah v’esrim yom, shehëm sh’loshah shavuot v’shishah yamim la‘Ómer/ba‘Ómer.”
“Today is twenty-seven days, which is three weeks and six days of/in the ‘Ómer.”
PIRKË ‘AVOT – Ethics of the Fathers
From Pesach to Shavuot on each Shabbat some study a chapter a week from Pirkë ‘Avot. Following are a few selections from the fourth chapter.
From Sefaria.org https://www.sefaria.org/Pirkei_Avot.4
1: Ben Zoma said: Who is wise? He who learns from every man, as it is said: “From all who taught me have I gained understanding” (Psalms 119:99).
3: {Ben Azzai} used to say: do not despise any man, and do not discriminate against anything, for there is no man that has not his hour, and there is no thing that has not its place.
15: Rabbi Yannai said: it is not in our hands [to explain the reason] either of the security of the wicked, or even of the afflictions of the righteous.
FOR OUR COUNTRY p.516
THUS SAYS ADONAI, This is what I desire: to unlock the fetters of wickedness, and untie the cords of lawlessness; to let the oppressed go free, to break off every yoke. Share your bread with the hungry, and take the wretched poor into your home. When you see the naked, give clothing, and do not ignore your own kin.
O GUARDIAN of life and liberty, may our nation always merit Your protection. Teach us to give thanks for what we have by sharing it with those who are in need. Keep our eyes open to the wonders of creation, and alert to the care of the earth. May we never be lazy in the work of peace; may we honor those who have [served, suffered or] died in defense of our ideals. Grant our leaders wisdom and forbearance. May they govern with justice and compassion. Help us all to appreciate one another, and to respect the many ways that we may serve You. May our homes be safe from affliction and strife, and our country be sound in body and spirit. Amen.
FOR HEALING
We recite MI SHEBËRACH for the victims of brutality, abuse, fear, natural disasters, pandemics, violence especially against all minority communities including us, and war; for all those at home alone or lonely; for all those in need of physical, emotional, and mental healing. “R’fuah sh’lëmah” – a complete recovery!
YAHRZEITS/ANYOS
We say KADDISH YATOM for those of our friends and families who have died and been buried this last week; those in the period of Sh’loshim (30 days since burial); those who have died in the last year; and those whose Yahrzeits/Anyos occur at this time; as well as the victims of brutality, disease, pandemics, natural disasters, war and gun violence.
This coming week, the 12th through the 18th of Iyar, we lovingly remember:
Jill Alexander
Temple Kol Hamidbar Memorial Board
Those victims of the Sho’ah (Holocaust) who died at this time of year.
“ZICHRONAM LIV’RACHAH” – MAY THEIR MEMORIES BE FOR BLESSING.
TORAH STUDY AND SHAZOOM
We will meet as usual at the regular times for Torah Study and Shazoom this evening, Friday, April 23, 2021.
Zoom continues updating its security and performance features. Making sure you have the latest version of Zoom, please join us online this evening:
Topic: Torah Study – Triennial Reading Lev. 17:8-19:14
Time: Apr 23, 2021 06:00 PM Arizona
and/or
Shazoom – Erev Shabbat Service
Time: Apr 23, 2021 07:30 PM Arizona
To join the Torah Study and/or Shazoom click on the following link [you may need to copy it into your browser]: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/72510500854?pwd=Z3VQZWF4U1BBZytNYmh3aHFTWkFDZz09
Meeting ID: 725 1050 0854
Passcode: 4NrMk0
Hint: The last character of the password is the number zero.
Shabbat Shalom – Buen Shabbat!
-Ruben