This week, our cycle of Torah reading leads us to the beginning of Bamidbar, “In the Wilderness” — the book of Numbers. The book begins with a lengthy census of the Israelites, a month after the Mishkan was completed (at the end of the book of Exodus). For all that was covered in Leviticus, there was virtually no narrative progression in that book. Despite starting in the same narratively low gear as Leviticus, Numbers will eventually shift into a whirlwind of events carrying the Israelites from Mount Sinai to the edge of the land of Canaan. Our human sense of time, likewise, has lulls that seem to stretch on forever and periods of sudden activity, when every conceivable event seems to be compacted into a single instant. March 2020 feels like it was both yesterday and years ago.

The census in this week’s Parsha is a reminder that counting helps ground us in the reality of the regularity of time. Just as the people are counted, we have been counting the days. We are nearing the end of the counting of the Omer, the weeks that new grain was brought to the Temple in Jerusalem, between Pesach and Shavuot. Many of us have also recently completed counting the weeks until our vaccinations have taken hold.

Another counting reaches its end this Shabbat: it will be my last serving as co-student-rabbi of Nafshenu. It has been a joy and an honor to serve this community. I have delighted in learning Torah alongside you and leaning into tefillah with you. My time with you is ending on a high note: a hybrid Shabbat morning service, both on Zoom and in person, outdoors and socially-distanced, complete with a Torah reading! I invite you to join the Nafshenu community in whatever capacity you feel most comfortable.

May we all go from strength to strength.

— Rabbi Josh
 

Prince of Peace Lutheran Church and Nafshenu have partnered with BookSmiles to host a book drive during the month of May.  BookSmiles is a nonprofit organization that redistributes children's books to those in underserved communities in the greater South Jersey area.

We are accepting gently used and new children's books, agents infant to young adult. We are also accepting gently used/new adult books.

The drop box for donations is located at the back door of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church throughout the month of May:
 61 E Rte 70, Marlton, NJ 08053

If you have any questions, please reach out to info@nafshenu.org with the subject line "BookSmiles May Book Drive".

Nafshenu is and always has been a donation based community. 
To support the work that we do, please donate using the link below. 
Thank you, in advance, for choosing to support Nafshenu's sacred work in re-imagining Jewish life!