Words From Rabbi White

We celebrate this week the bar mitsvah of Naor Dawit. I regret that it is impossible for me to attend.

Naor's father was the first person of the Ethiopian community that met me back in '95, when I first became the Rabbi of Chevra Shaas. He spoke passionately about the Beta Israel community, and the difficulties they were facing. Naor's mother has been a great friend to me and to CS. His uncle is Yair, whom we all loved when he was working here, before his return to Erets Yisrael. And we all know of Wudi's great devotion.

The name Naor appears in Psalms chapter 76, verse 5. ""na'or 'attah 'addir." In the name, we see the letters of the word meaning "light." We pray that Naor will be a light for the Jewish people.

This week is Shabbat Zachor: "Remember." It refers to remembering the evil acts perpetrated by Amalek upon our people. But remembering evil is not healthy, unless we also remember good.  We are certain that Naor's parents will teach him about all of the glorious history of Beta Israel, and he willl learn in school and from his parents the laws of Judaism, and as his name implies, he will grow to be a light to his fellow students and to the Jewish people.

Mazal tov to Naor and to his great family.

Shabbat shalom and happy Purim to all,

Rabbi Menahem White