A Message from our Esteemed Rabbi
Rabbi Chaim Marcus
The week of our 48th Annual Gala Dinner, our Shul will start a new section of the Chumash by reading Parshas Vayikra. When you look at the beginning of Vayikra in a Sefer Torah, or even in a Chumash, you will notice a striking textual anomaly. There is one letter, the aleph at the end of the word ‘Vayikra’ that is written in a smaller font than all of the other letters! Tradition teaches that Moshe, the most humble of any human being, wanted to deflect the special attention showered upon him by the unique, affectionate method with which God calls out to him, and hence he wrote the diminished alpeh as way to minimize himself. Essentially, Moshe was looking to place the focus of the mission, as opposed to the man. This is especially appropriate at the commencement of Sefer Vayikra, also known as Torat Kohanim, the book of Chumash primarily focused on the role of the special Divine Messengers in this world: to always remember it is about the mission, not the messenger.
The honorees of the 48th Annual Gala Dinner epitomize this timeless lesson of Moshe Rabbeinu, and they continue a treasured legacy in our blessed kehilla, Congregation Israel of Springfield, of so many who have been willing and ready to serve on behalf of the community, without concern for credit or recognition. We are deeply grateful to them for allowing us the honor to honor them, and to highlight their communal efforts and accomplishments:
- Jennifer and Joel Shulman, Guests of Honor, Rabbi Israel Turner Memorial Award;
- Dr. Michelle & Eytan Burstein, Young Leadership Award;
- Sheila Hanover, Aishet Chayil Award;
- Dr. Victor Dishy, Edward Konigsberg Memorial Award;
- Zevi Nusbaum, Joseph Tammam Memorial Youth Community Service Scholarship Award.
May Hashem continue to grant our honorees and their families, and our entire kehilla, the blessings and rewards that come from Divine and communal service.
Mazel Tov!!!