Friday, August 16, 2024/12 Av, 5784

Friday, August 16, 2024/12 Av, 5784

Parashat D’varim Deuteronomy 1:1−3:22

Dear Friends,

This week’s Torah portion is the second portion in the Book of D’varim (words or matters or things), known as Deuteronomy in English. Moses is continuing his (long) oration to the Jewish People before he leaves them, and before they begin the real conquest of the promised land. Moses is retelling the history of the Jewish People, as he experienced it. The title of this parashah is “V’etchanan,” which can mean ‘I sought grace from the Divine on your behalf (and perhaps mine as well).’ In spite of the stubbornness of the Children of Israel, and in spite of their seeming lack of faith, Moses was still able to find the inner strength to ask for understanding from God. And more than that, not just understanding but forgiveness and even favor, whether deserved or not. In large part, he succeeded.

We do not talk much about grace in Jewish circles, let alone amazing grace (that saved a wretch like me), but that never stopped my mother (aleha hashalom) from saying, “There but for the grace of God go I.” Being human, I can attest the value of forgiveness or understanding that can about from grace, rather than necessarily being deserved, or earned. And, if that is a Divine attribute, a willingness to forgive just because a person is a human being (and therefore not perfect) it is an attribute which we should all aspire to make our own.

Yet, there is so much more contained in this Torah portion than just its opening line. In addition to a restatement of the Ten Commandments (which are not called commandments “Mitzvot” in Hebrew, but rather the Ten Statements “Aaseret Hadibrot”) this portion is also the place where the “Shma” is found. It has come to be so foundational to Judaism that the Tradition requires us to state, or perhaps restate it, twice a day. Morning and evening the Shma is to be recited, forming the bookends, the encapsulation of every day.

Why? There are those who would say that is because in the V’ahavta it talks about morning and evening, and from that the rabbis determined when it should be said. Yet, that approach overlooks the spiritual and emotional component of the prayer and what we can draw from it. The Shma and V’ahavta are a very special coupling of listening and love. We are told to listen, to hear, and then to love, and it is not just about God. This listening and loving is to take place in the home, and in our moments outside of the home. It is to encompass the entirety of our lives and guide us.

By listening with love in our hearts, we can build a community, a home, that is filled with light and caring. When we disagree, a loving and open discussion can allow us to learn from each other, and grow in our understanding of the world. When we lovingly listen, divisions can be bridged. And when we do this not from a place of ego, but a desire for the greater good, it will be said of us, as it was said of Hillel and Shamai in the Talmud, “Both these and those are the words of the Living God.” Shma Yisrael, listen O Israel, grace abounds if we allow it to and cause it to, and it will take us to a Shabbat Shalom, a Sabbath of Wholeness.

Shabbat of Shalom,
Rabbi Marv
rabbischwab@bethelsp.org

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Ilan Davidson

Cantor

Cantor Ilan Davidson has been pleasing audiences with his singing since before he could read. At age five, he began singing with his Cantor, Philip Moddel, and hasn’t shut up since. At ten, he made his Operatic debut with the Fullerton Civic Light Opera’s production of Bizet’s Carmen, as a street urchin. Since then, he has performed roles in opera and musical theatre, performing, directing, and producing world-class productions.

Among his many accomplishments, Cantor Davidson is also known as a contemporary Jewish songwriter and performer, having delighted audiences all over the world, including Israel and Lithuania with the soulful sounds of his music. His recordings, Stained Glass (1995) and In A Hanukkah Mood (2007) are collections of original and covered songs by himself and many contemporary Jewish artists. His most recent recording, God Is In This Place (2020), is a collection of original liturgical pieces for the Friday night Shabbat Service, commissioned and written in honor of his 25th Anniversary as the Cantor of Temple Beth El.

Cantor Davidson left the stage and in 1995 joined the Temple Beth El family, in San Pedro, where, in his nearly 30 years of service, he has brought many new programs and much enthusiasm to all he does. Coming from a long line of Cantors, it must have been Besheret for Cantor Davidson, although talented in all areas of musical performance, to finally settle down into his career as Hazzan for Temple Beth El in San Pedro, California. In 2007, Cantor Davidson founded a new foundation, KindredSPIRITS, producing an annual world humanitarian aid event. KindredSPIRITS premiered on June 5, 2008 at Walt Disney Concert Hall, adding that prestigious concert hall to the ever growing list of venues around the world, where Davidson has performed. During the 10 years of humanitarian events, Global KindredSPIRITS, Inc., as an official 501©3, raised awareness and close to $500,000 for its beneficiaries over the decade.
As a past president of the South Coast Interfaith Council, Ilan fought for tolerance and understanding of ALL faiths in a difficult climate. For the past 7 years, Cantor Davidson has been service as an LA County Commissioner, representing the 4th District on the Human Relations Commission, where he currently serves as President. Whether it is raising his voice for justice, Hazzanut, Pop, Opera, Musical Theatre, or folk music, Cantor Ilan Davidson shares his soul and genuine love in every note.

When asked about his finest accomplishment, Cantor Ilan invariably responds, “After all the great concerts, services, and roles, my finest role in life is that of husband to my beautiful wife, Jodi, and daddy to my gorgeous daughters, Jordan and Zoe.”

cantor@bethelsp.org

Office: (310) 833-2467 Ext. 106

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