Rabbi Howard Morrison

Each one of us is sacred, unique, and special. Each one of us forms an integral part of a larger group, called "Am Yisrael - the people of Israel."

Many of us know the Talmudic expression, "Kol Yisrael Areivim Zeh La'Zeh - All the Jewish people are responsible for one another."

Many of us know the famous legend about the four species of the Lulav - the four species represent four different characteristics of Jews but which all must be bound together for performing the Mitzvah of taking the Lulav.

These statements of collective responsibility are also found at the outset of the Kol Nidrei service:

"Anu Matirin L'Hitpalel Im Ha'Avaryanim - We are permitted to pray with the Avaryanim." In other words, we are discouraged to pray alone. We are encouraged to pray with others. But who are these others? Who are these called "Ha'Avaryanim?" 

From the Hebrew term, "Ovair - One who transgresses," it could mean we are permitted or encouraged to pray with those who transgress. Let me ask you - if you have not committed a single wrongdoing in the past year, please raise your hand. I have a gift waiting for you. No one raised a hand???? Right - because we have all committed mistakes, some we recognize, and some we do even know that we committed. We are all transgressors. We all are linked together and pray together over these next 25 hours.

Alternatively, "Avaryanim" in Hebrew sounds like "Iberian" in English. The Jews of the Iberian peninsula refer to the Jews of Spain and Portugal in the late 1400's who had to conceal their Jewishness at least publically lest they be put to death, as in the Inquisition. While the term "Marranos" should never be used, for it literally means "pigs," those Jews who hid their Jewishness in public but who practiced Judaism in secrecy, as in the basements of their homes, became known as "Conversos." Accordingly, the Kol NIdrei prayer was composed during that time period (Not at Sinai) and exclaims we are permitted and encouraged to pray with our Iberian Jews who became Conversos.

Soon after the famous paragraph of Kol Nidrei, we pray the following words to God: "V'Nislach L'Chol Adat Bnai Yisrael - May all the segments of the Children of Israel be forgiven." In other words, every Jew is preciously linked to every other Jew. AND every Jew has transgressed in some way over the past year. We are a singular people based on the union of every single Jew. In every culture, there is the expression, "A stick alone is breakable, but a bundle of sticks is unbreakable." This is so true in Judaism.

On this Kol Nidrei night, I want to implore upon you an easy but significant Mitzvah which binds every Jew together. You do not have to read Hebrew to do this Mitzvah. You do not have to attend shul every day to do this Mitzvah. You can call yourself religious, traditional, cultural, or secular and do this Mitzvah. This Mitzvah is called TZEDAKAH.

Literally, Tzedakah means "Justice" or "Righteousness." It has come to be understand as an act of charitable giving which, in Judaism, is considered mandatory and not voluntary. Did you know that in antiquity, Jews were expected to give up a "Maaser," a tenth of their equity and leave it for the unfortunate. Depending on the specific year, that percentage may have gone to support the Kohain, or the Levi, or the widow, or the orphan, or other vulnerable members of society. While no Jewish institution demands the giving of a tithe, that literal ten percent, many Churches do so.

I implore unto each of us, without hurting yourself or your family's genuine needs, make this a Tzedaka year, locally and for Israel.

Locally - our shul, BEBY. Little or no Tzedaka was requested during the pandemic. During the last twelve months, it felt unethical to ask Tzedakah for the shul, when Israel was under attack. Tragically, all Jewish communities are under attack. We need our shuls to be as strong as ever.

Local Tzedakah alone, however, is incomplete, and maybe even, still unethical. 

We need to continue more than ever to support Israel. 

Yes, there are hundreds and hundreds of Tzedaka sources that benefit Israel. You all know that we are splitting HHD contributions between the shul and Beit Ha'Lochem, which assists the needs of wounded soldiers in Israel and their families, disabled Israelis and their families. When you give your HHD donation this year, you are helping Beth Emeth locally and Beit Ha'Lochem in Israel. In addition, every you gift you make is being matched dollar for dollar.

For those who can do more, please continue to listen. For those who cannot do more, I ask you also to continue listening.

Israel Bonds is technically not a donation but an investment. It has a long history and has been supported by many synagogues in Canada and around the world at Kol Nidrei services. Large envelopes are available to you, or you can invest on line.

Did you know that over the course of this past Summer, Jewish National Fund Canada had its charitable status revoked by the Canada Revenue Agency. Can you believe it???? Is this the latest form of anti-Semitism, which has reached subtle levels of prejudice and discrimination? Many people may not make their regular commitments without the ability to receive a tax deduction. While JNF is legally contesting the CRA decision, I for one recently donated to JNF, not to receive a tax receipt, but because their work directly benefits the trees, agriculture, land, and communities in Israel. If not us, who will support JNF?

On our website, there over twenty more Tzedaka sources which benefit Israel. And without looking too hard, you will find hundreds of Tzedaka sites for Israel. Choose the one or ones that speak to you.

If there is any single Mitzvah that easily unites every Jew into a collective entity, it is the Mitzvah of Tzedakah. Perhaps that is why our Sages have taught, "Shekula Tzedaka K'Neged Kol Ha'Mitzvot - The Mitzvah of Tzedaka is analogous to all the other Mitzvot put together.

Gmar Chatima Tova,
Rabbi Howard Morrison