TONIGHT ON ZOOM: bit.ly/NafTorah

What's wrong with taking a census? And was the Golden Calf so bad?

Please join Nafshenu's weekly Bible study class on Zoom tonight (March 5), 7-8pm, at this link:  bit.ly/NafTorah

Here's the source sheet we'll be using:

bit.ly/Naf5March26

A US Census taker at work, image courtesy of britannica.com
 

from Rabbi David

Jewish tradition has a taboo against counting people. Why? It's not clear. Perhaps it's considered an intrusion of human beings into what's considered the divine: God's the one who "kicks butt and takes names." In any case, God is recorded as punishing King David for conducting a census of the Israelites. And in this week's Torah portion, God tells Moses to collect a half-shekel "atonement tax"  from the people as he carries out a head count.

We also have the Golden Calf episode in this week's Torah portion as well. I want us to ask ourselves what's so bad about making images of God. Many other religions allow the practice. And can we make an idol of God with our conceptions of divinity, even without painting a picture of God?

Best wishes to all of you! -- Rabbi David Goodman

rebdovid@nafshenu.org, 248-508-0874

nafshenu.org

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DEADLINE EXTENSION FOR SEDER: 

Our caterer has given us until Friday to submit our own "head count" of those attending Nafshenu's Passover seder on Thursday, April 2.

So please consider signing up if you haven't already done so. Here's the link:

bit.ly/NafSEDER