Friday, September 13, 2024/10 Elul, 5784

Friday, September 13, 2024/10 Elul, 5784

Parashat Ki Teitzei Deuteronomy 21:10–25:19

Dear Friends,

This week’s Parasha, “Ki Teitzei L’milchama,” begins rather ominously with the words, “When you go to war against your enemies.” It could also be translated as “If” rather than “When” but with the perfect vision of hindsight, sadly, “when” seems to be the more accurate word.

Somehow, my expectation is always that we are going to find rules of engagement for warfare early in this portion. Instead, we get very human rules dealing with how we treat people. The rules come from a different time and place, and in retrospect may seem to be still a bit cruel or harsh, but in the context of that ancient time may actually have a real leap forward in providing at least some kindness. Perhaps this is why a spiritual interpretation of this passage turns the war into an internal struggle with our own flaws.

On the practical side, it seems that female captives were not to be raped. If a man took a “liking” to one of them, the Torah’s approach would require, at least in the actions taken, require the man to acknowledge that her old life had been, if not destroyed, been upended. The man would have to bring her into his house, but not touch her for a month. She was to be allowed to mourn for the loss of her mother and father, temporarily made less attractive. After this “cooling off” period, if the man still desired her, he could take her to be his wife. Afterwards, if he decided he did not really like her, he could not sell her off as a slave, but simply let her go.

As we look at these rules we cannot help but be struck by the implicit sexism involved in them. Yet, we also must recognize how terribly cultures up to that time must have treated their captives. At least here some modicum of protection was being offered. We also have to acknowledge the fact that the woman captive was not being given any choice in the matter. For me, this is a two-edged sword. On the one hand, we look at the idea of reining in the baser instincts of the conquering army, and on the other, see that the Torah is only a starting point, trying to move in the direction of greater understanding and human decency.

This is one reason why Jewish oral law is referred to as halacha, a way forward. Our understanding of the world changes with time. Our perceptions of what is acceptable behaviors evolve as well. Our historical experience should lead us to build on the foundations of the Torah, and move us in the direction of greater sensitivity and inclusiveness.

As we come to the end of this week and enter Shabbat, we would do well to ask ourselves, “What have we done to add to the storehouse of good in the world?” Did we in some way act in accord with the values we supposedly expose? Did we reach out to comfort another human being? Did you do some act of kindness, or simply share a smile? If yes, then this Shabbat should be one filled with Shalom. If not, then perhaps we can decide to make our next one to be a true Shabbat 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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