7 Nisan 5781 March 20, 2021

PRIDE OF ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE 59 Lissom Crescent, North York, ON M2R 2P2

(416) 226-0111; Fax: (416) 226-0128

Website: www.prideofisraelshul.org

SERVICE TIMES

Friday, March 19 7:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Shabbat, March 20 8:20 p.m.

ALL SERVICES ON ZOOM

Vayikra

Rabbi Leslie Lipson

Cantor Charles Weinberg

Ritual Director Larry Spring

Interim Ritual Director Larry Shilling

Synagogue Chairperson Michelle Epstein

Society President Willy Lindo

Ritual Chairman Carl Zeliger

Sisterhood President Carol Arshoff

Candle Lighting

Mar. 19 – 7:11 p.m. DST Mar. 26 – 7:19 p.m.

Sunday, March 21 9:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday March 22 - 25 7:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.

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TALKING TORAH

“Call For Me And I Will Be There” Robert Hunter & Jerry Garcia - Lazy River Road

For the past few months, only our 16-year-old son has been living at home. He will remain the only child in our home through Pesach and on into the middle of May. For his sake, one of his older sisters is scheduled to return. Yes, there are moments when he enjoys being the only child. For example, he

doesn’t have to battle his sisters for bathroom rights. On the other hand, he can’t get away with pawning off his chores onto anyone else. Certainly, he cannot get away with winning the “Ignoring Game,” a game that he quickly mastered while his sisters were home.

The “Ignoring Game” is one that all children play with their parents and sometimes their grandparents. I remember playing it with my parents when I was a teenager. It can be played at any time of day and under nearly any circumstance. The rules of the game are relatively simple. The parent initiates play by calling out to the teenager with a simple request. Assuming that a sibling will actually respond, the teenager ignores the first request. The parent waits approximately 30 seconds before calling out to the teenager with the same request. Again, the teenager ignores the parent’s request, hoping the other sibling will respond. Now the parent waits 45-60 seconds before calling out for the same request. This time the request is louder, sterner, and more specific. “Hello, (child’s name), yeah I am talking to you” or “can you hear me (add child’s name)? I am talking to you.” Now the game changes slightly. The teenager needs to respond. Generally, the response involves a grunt, “Huh” or a question such as “what?” or a statement such as “Ok, ok, I heard you” or “Ok, I’ll do it in a minute.” Keep in mind that those statements are code for “I am ignoring you doing something else that I prefer to be doing rather than anything you request.” Now the game escalates. The parent needs to get the teenager’s attention and focus on the request. To accomplish this, the parent still utilizes leverage, however, does so in a quiet disarming manner. At this point, I try to close the physical distance by approaching them. If they are in their room, I will stand in their doorway.

With as much calm as I can muster, I turn the request into a transaction. I rely on my inner Don Corleone and try to “make an offer they can’t refuse.” I try to speak quieter and in a colder, more calculating tone. First, I confirm that they will ultimately fulfill the request. Then I make a business arrangement. I remind them that they will make requests of me and ask for favours, and it will become tough to fulfill them. We agree on a reasonable timeframe for my request to be fulfilled. With mutually agreed upon

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deterrents to prevent potential “forgetfulness,” I thank the teenager for fulfilling my request, and the “Ignoring Game” concludes.

This Shabbat, we begin the third book of the Torah, Sefer Vayikra, by reading from the Parsha with the same name Vayikra. For all of Bereshit (Genesis) and the first half of Shmot (Exodus), we read narratives. In the Second half of Shemot, we read the blueprints of and then the actual construction of the Mishkan – the portable worship station that would accompany Bnai Yisroel on their journey towards Eretz Yisroel. Now the Torah takes a break from narrative and construction. We begin reading the various offerings that Kohen Gadol, the High Priest, will make on our behalf. These offerings were how God permitted the individual or the community to approach. We approach Hashem for a variety of reasons, including special occasions and for personal reasons: repentance, thanksgiving, and special occasions for communal reasons: seasonal festivals or daily service.

We are familiar with the language that usually appears when Hashem speaks to Moshe. VaYomer Adoshem el Moshe Leimor – Hashem said to Moshe saying, or VaYiDaBeR Adoshem El Moshe Leimor – And Hashem spoke to Moshe saying. Now for the first and perhaps only time, Hashem neither ‘says’ nor “speaks” to Moshe. Instead, we read Vayikrah el Moshe -God called to Moshe (Lev 1:1).

Imagine, God calling out to a person before speaking? The word “VaYiKRa” ends with a letter that is in a smaller font size than the rest of the letters that are found in the Torah. So clearly, this type of VaYiKRa is different than the typical kind of VaYiKRA, with all the letters being the same size. Rashi, the 11th-century French vintner, and commentator explain that God speaks in a loud booming voice, a voice that can shatter trees and be heard throughout the world. However, this VaYiKRa was only heard by Moshe. The calling was done so in a loving manner. The small final letter – Aleph; suggests two possibilities. First, Hashem whispered Moshe’s name in a tone that only Moshe could hear. Second, Moshe was humble enough, as symbolized by the small letter, that his soul was receptive to God’s calling. The result of which Moshe quickly and eagerly responded with Hinneni –“Here I am.”

I can’t imagine Moshe ignoring God’s call. I can’t imagine Moshe saying, “I’ll be there in a minute,” and not showing up. On those rare occasions when our son doesn’t feel like playing the “Ignoring Game” and, instead, immediately responds to my call the first time, he always seems surprised that I am more pleasant and easy-going. He even displays surprise because my request never seems so neither overbearing nor unreasonable. He even thinks that I am in a good mood. Usually, his immediate response elicits a smile from me, or I tell him that I “appreciate” it. I remind him that no one likes being ignored. On more than one occasion, he has sheepishly smiled and told me that it is tough to ignore when he is the only child in the house or when I call out to him by name.

Peace,

Rav Yitz Rabbi Leslie Lipson

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Access to Mount Sinai Cemetery

The Pride of Israel section at Mount Sinai Cemetery is open for visitations Sundays through Fridays. Please verify the hours on Mount Sinai’s website before visiting. These hours are subject to change. Social distancing rules apply. As we are updated from both the Province and Mount Sinai Cemetery directly, gatherings must adhere to Provincial rulings. There cannot be more than the permitted number of people at any gravesite at any time. Any more beyond that number, the cemetery workers will ask you to leave. Other cemeteries are also opening. Each has different rules. Please check the websites or call the individual cemeteries directly for more information. Placing monuments at the cemetery can now take place. Check with individual cemeteries for their current position regarding unveilings.

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YAHRTZEITS FOR THE WEEK OF: MARCH 20 – 26

MAY THE SOULS OF OUR LOVED ONES

REMAIN FOR AN ETERNAL BLESSING

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