Every week I wait for the inspiration that will be the basis of my Parsha musings.
Sometimes I have to wait till late Thursday night for an idea, a moving story or a nugget of wisdom to much tied in to the weekly Parsha.
It never fails.
Because the Parsha is always relevant.
If I can’t find a connection it’s only because I haven’t tried hard enough.
Tonight there is only one message.
As Israel fights for its existence and endangers itself to protect the world from nuclear threat, we must pray.
The prayers can be the verses of Tehillim or Psalms, or heartfelt prayers from the heart.
So what’s the message to strengthen us in this week’s portion.
It’s actually mind blowing.
In this week’s portion there is a once in the Torah phenomenon.
Parentheses.
No where else in the Torah are there any parentheses.
That might not sound so earth shattering but it is unique.
Now, if you have ever looked into a Torah scroll you will immediately question my assertion.
There are no parentheses or brackets in the Torah script.
In our portion the letter NUN, written upside down serves as”brackets”.
These nuns are inserted around a number of verses.
They serve to separate and highlight those particular verses.
These verses are actually quite familiar as they are the ones which are often sung as the Torah scrolls are removed from the Ark in the synagogue.
“Vayehi Binsoa HaAron VaYomer Moshe. Kuma Hashem Veyafutzu Oyvecha vYanusu Miponecha.”
When the Ark was ready to move Moses would intone these words which mean:
“Arise Hashem, scatter Your enemies and make those that hate You flee”
In the desert, when the Israelite encampment would begin to move with the Ark leading the way, the enemies would scatter. This particular Ark went in front to smooth the path and ensure safety. This Ark is one that specifically housed the broken tablets, the shards of the Tablets Moses had destroyed.
What protected the Jewish people with this Ark in front, the broken tablets?
Even though we made a mistake as portrayed by the broken tablets, even when we are broken, we still have the ability to turn to Gd to request Gd destroy our enemies.
As long as we remain connected to our spiritual source, to the Torah and one another, even if we aren’t perfect the power of that connection will prevail.
This could not be a more relevant request at such a daunting time.
Now we call upon Hashem again and beg for the destruction of our enemies.