Rabbi Yaier Lehrer
ylehrer@gmail.com
412-820-7000
Thought for Shabbat
When a Jew prays in the morning, the person praying wears a tallit that includes strings on the corners of the garment. When we recite the Shema we gather together the tzitzit for the recitation of the Shema and then kiss the tzitzit at the end of the prayer as well as the three times we say the word tzitzit/fringes. The only time the tallit is worn at night is at Kol Nidre.
The tzitzit represent the commandments Jews are required to observe. We approach God dressed in the commandments, proving that we are worthy in being in conversation with the Holy One. Further, we are reminded by this garment of our obligations. And it is not just in life that we wear the tzitzit. Jews are also buried with a tallit. So just like we add holiness to our lives with the tzitzit, we also elevate ourselves in death.
Rabbi Hizkiyah ben Manoah, a follower of the famous commentator Rashi, said that “When God created the world, he did not create anything that could not be used to fulfill a commandment. In other words, from the clothing we wear, to the food we eat, to our work, and every other area of our lives, the world has been set up for us with a buffet of opportunities to connect with God, even through simple objects.
We live in a time that many Jews are afraid of publicly using the objects that identify them as Jews. They advise that we don’t wear a kippah or jewelry such as a chai necklace or mezuzah that identify Jews. And while the fear is understandable, especially in certain communities in the world, it is important that we continue to represent our Judaism, both literally and colloquially, to give others the strength to do the same. At the same time we get to validate our own Jewish identity.
The opportunities to be conspicuously Jewish are too numerous to mention but they can be done either by object, word or deed that reflect positively on our people. And the opportunities exist everywhere, from home, to work, to public places. Whichever way we choose to do it, we will strengthen ourselves and our people. Represent.
Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Yaier Lehrer
Should you fail to represent your people for even one moment, I fear the probable course of nature will come back with vengeance….
Mordechai to Esther as he encourages her to act to save her people.