Next Year in Freedom
“The priests were fed and sustained by these sacrifices, and this was an expected outcome of their worship practice, which I was really, really compelled by. And I’m not saying that we should be trying to compete with the sacrificial system by any means, but our prayer, the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts, need to be accompanied by some sort of tangible action if we are to sustain ourselves and each other. Our prayer brings us into right relationship with God, and our actions – the manifestation of our prayers – bring us into right relationship with the world and each other.
One of the Hasidic masters, Rabbi Moshe Leib of Sassov, a disciple of the Maggid of Mezritch, taught that if someone comes to you and asks for help, you will not turn that person away with pious words, saying, Have faith. God will help you. You shall act as if there was no God, as if there were only one person in all the world who could help this needy individual, only you yourself. I’m going to say that again, only you, yourself.
Each of us, every person in this room, is part of at least one community, and probably multiple communities. And what makes these communities strong and powerful and loving and resilient is the understanding that each and every single one of us has a unique sacrifice, an offering, a gift. Or, as Rabbi Abraham Isaac cook would teach, a candle whose light needs to be revealed to the world, and at their very best, a community is a collection of people who bring the light of their unique offerings and gifts and recognize that same light in others.”
Cooperberg-Rittmaster Rabbinical Intern Marques Hollie gave this drashah on Friday, April 4, 2025 / 7 Nisan 5785. Watch the full talk above.
Be in community with CBST at Kabbalat Shabbat services, every Friday at 6:30pm EST, either in person or streaming live on CBST’s website at cbst.org/livestream.
CBST is an LGBTQ+ synagogue for people of all sexual identities and genders and a joyful, spiritual, proud community. All are welcome 🌈✨