DAY 558: The Power of Torah

January 9, 2014
By bethmordecai
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DAY 558: The Power of Torah

Dear Hevreh,

The Ramban, among others, teaches us that what we understand to be the Torah of the Five Books of Moses was actually created before the creation of the world as this supernal gift that was waiting for the right time to be given to God’s creations. As Walter and I learned yesterday at Yeshivat Panera, this view of the Ramban that Torah is supernal, existing beyond time and space, is epitomized by his teaching that when the Torah was given it was written as black fire upon white fire. That is to say the (black) letters and the (white) parchment of our physical Torah contains an inner flame, or passion, that when accessed has the power to illuminate hidden teachings that can connect us to the highest reaches of the spiritual world.
 
Today, Master Sofer Rabbi Gedaliah Druin of Sofer On Site will be coming to share his knowledge and skills on repairing and perfecting the “black fire on white fire” of one of our Torah scrolls. His expertise, which was on display last year when he checked two of our scrolls, contains a certain spiritual openness in which he invites the community to participate in his purposeful work of upholding, revering, and celebrating each jot, tittle, and letter of the Torah. It is truly a wonderful experience that exposes us to the wonder and the power hidden within the markings of our Torah (and if you are available around 11 am today, feel free to join us for this great opportunity!).
 
Yet, writing or fixing the words of the Torah is only as valuable as the time spent reading and interpreting those words to understand the power of its visible and hidden teachings.This Shabbat morning (Saturday January 11, 10 am), we will have the privilege of listening to one of our own — Harriet Pearlman — share a meaningful D’var Torah about the power of women in the Torah through the prism of Miriam the Prophetess who plays a prominent role in this week’s Torah portion. So come join us for this special Shabbat to explore a power of Torah — a power embedded within the black fire on white fire of our newly, refurbished Torah — that is often hidden but very visible if you look for it. Let’s share in discovering the power of Torah.
 
Kol Tuv,
 
Rabbi Ari Saks

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