Rabbi's Blog

Tifereth Israel Community,

This week, I had a chance to spend a few days in Buffalo, visiting my mom. She had knee replacement surgery just over a month ago, spent some time in rehab and has been home for about a week. While she is doing well, my brother who lives in town was going away for a week and I wanted to cut down on the number of days she was there without someone in town if she needed anything. It was also good to see that she is really in good shape and able to be self sufficient. So, I wasn't really needed but it was good to be there with her.

While there, I did something I don't normally do here. I watched the local evening news. Doing so gave me a good perspective. While this week's shooting in Texas has rocked the whole country, in Buffalo there are still memorial services and funerals going on for those killed in the supermarket shooting just under two weeks ago. While, unfortunately, the country has been forced to move on to the next devastating tragedy, there are those who are still deeply feeling the last one.

How, as we prepare to enter Shabbat, one we pray is filled with healing and comfort, can we take my experience and use it in our lives? What I take from this is that we never know what it is that someone else is facing, what someone else is coping with. What is the biggest thing someone is facing? We don't know? Is it something out in the open, like the economic situation, world affairs or one of the recent tragedies? Or, is it something personal, like an illness, a financial situation or a difficult relationship?

This Shabbat, take time to understand someone else better. Learn what it is that is forefront in their mind. Express support and understanding. 

​​​​​​​When I was in USY, we sang Lo Yisa Goy (Nation shall not lift sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.) with English words that weren't a translation but somehow got put with the song. The words were:

     Don't walk in front of me, I may not follow.
     Don't walk behind me, I may not lead.
     Just walk beside me and be my friend and together we will walk in the path of Hashem.

Side by side, we can support one another. Side by side, we can feel the care and compassion of someone else. Side by side, we can help someone else make their way in the world. Side by side, we can go on together.
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Unfortunately, I will not be with the community this Shabbat. I am heading with the boys to Family Camp at Camp Ramah New England. But, please know that even when away, my mind is with TI, striving to walk with you all, side by side.

Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Werbow