CHOCHMAS NASHIM: VAYIKRA: SSSSALTY
By: Suri Davis
In Genesis 1:6, G-d separates the waters to the water in the heavens and the water that is on Earth. The water on Earth complained that it was relegated to earth, whereupon, says Rashi, G-d promised the earthly water that its salt would be used for sacrifices on the alter in the holy Temple.
In this week’s Torah portion of Vayikra, Leviticus 2:13 it states “You must salt every one of your grain-offering sacrifices. You must not omit the salt of you G-d’s covenant from upon your grain-offerings. You must offer up salt on all your sacrifices.”
The rebbe comments on You must offer up salt: “All four kingdoms of creation are incorporated in the sacrifices; Salt is the mineral element; the oil, wine and flour that accompany the sacrifices are the vegetative element; the animal itself is the animal element; the person offering up the sacrifice and the priest officiating at the sacrifice are the human element. Through these representatives, the sacrifice elevates all four kingdoms of creation into holiness.”
This is why we eat with salt on our table to remind us that our table is similar to an altar. On Shabbos and Jewish holidays we dip our bread in salt when we bless it, to elevate our food from mere base material desire, to the service of G-d in nourishing ourselves and spirit with festive food.
We learn in Genesis with the story of Lot in Sodom, that he and his family were warned as they rushed out of Sodom before its destruction not to look behind them. Lot’s wife, looked behind her and she turned into a pillar of salt. Query, of all the punishments, why was this hers? Because Sodom was known for having an anti-hospitality policy, they did not welcome guests. Lot’s wife, under the guise of needing salt for her guests, informed the residents of Sodom that she was having guests, so they would work with her to get rid of them, against the wishes of her husband, Lot. That is why she was punished with salt. Salt so fundamental a hosting offer.
So, here we are in social distancing/quarantine. A community so well known for its hospitality, charity and kindness. We say at our seders that all who want and need should join us, and break matzoh with us. This seems to be our focus with Passover on the horizon.
I want to focus on the giving in our community going on at this very moment. The Jewish Women’s Leadership Council made up of Women Leaders in our community, sponsored by UJA and the Gural JCC shared thoughts last night on the needs of the community outside the boundaries of each individual shul. There are many people who are in need of meals. UJA is providing in excess of 1,300 Passover meals in our community alone, distributed by the dedicated workers and volunteers at the Gural JCC. They have been working all week to keep the SHOP in Cedarhurst open to those who are need of food and staples.
Then there are younger individual heroes in our community who have brought together their friends who have returned from college and Israel to form individual Whatsapp volunteer groups.
Women like Nichole Van Amerongen, daughter of Dr. Robert and Susie Van Amerongen and Stephani Ulmer, who also has formed an army of volunteers helping the elderly, handicapped and immuno-suppressed with their needs. These young leaders and their corps of volunteers, ARE SALT OF THE EARTH. I commend them for taking their free time, or time in between mid-terms to look outside of themselves and see and address the needs of the vulnerable in our community.
Their parents and families should have a lifetime of Yiddishe Nachat from them and their other children, and in the merit/zchus of these acts of kindness throughout the community, HKBH should hasten the geulah/redemption, both physical and spiritual, remove all plagues and illness from among us and bring the Messiah speedily in our day.
Shabbat shalom.
Refuah shlaimah.
Stay well.
-Suri