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Rabbi's Corner
Rabbi Yerachmiel Shapiro (Rabbi's Bio) RABBI'S MESSAGE - MEMORIAL DAY - MAY 2011 Shalom Chaveirim! Hello Friends! We ask You oh God, Creator and Sustainer, Source of the universe and Giver of all wisdom, that You protect and watch over the armed forces of the United States of America wherever they may be- on land, at sea, or in the sky. Each and every one of us knows in our hearts that it is only because of the great sacrifice of these men and women that we are able to live here in Baltimore, free from fear. Oh God, who desires the gift of freedom for all humanity, we don't take our freedom for granted. You have bestowed upon us the greatest blessing of all- we have known the gift of peace. Those of us, myself included, who have not served in our armed forces, may not fully appreciate this blessing. We have lived in the embracing shelter of peace our whole lives. Death is not something that comes by the sword, but through too many Big Macs. Let us never forget that if not for our courageous soldiers, peace in our land would be a dream, a fleeting illusion. And so we consecrate this day as a memorial, a holy and hallowed tradition, to honor, thank, recall, and praise those soldiers who paid the ultimate price for you and for me, for our parents and for our children. And though we remember them today, it is incumbent upon each and every one of us, that we should take a moment every day, to thank America's fallen soldiers. Without soldiers, there is no peace for our country, but without dedicated citizens, there is no purpose for our country. Each of us has an invaluable role to play here in America. May each of us be blessed in our individual roles to enhance and protect our society. May we live to honor our historic role as builders and servants of this great nation. May you only know from goodness and blessing all the days of your life. Love, Rabbi Yerachmiel Shapiro RABBI'S MESSAGE FROM ISRAEL - MARCH 23, 2011 Dear Beloved MMAE Family, I stood at the Kotel today and poured out my heart for the good of our congregation and our families. I prayed that Hashem would bring health and healing, opportunity and employment. As I davened, I felt so fortunate to once again stand in the place that is the center of our religion. I also realized that it felt very close to home. Our sanctuary at MMAE is a little replica of the Western Wall. This is true in spirit as well as in design. As my mind's image of our shul was superimposed on the Kotel plaza, I felt so happy and blessed to be your rabbi. Going to the Kotel felt like coming home. Then I heard the sirens. First one, then another and another. I remembered that sound from 2001 when I was living here. Those sirens can only mean one thing. My heart fell. It is so difficult for me, your rabbi, to hold this great happiness and gratitude in one hand, while trying to hold the pain, the horror, and the sadness of today and of the last few weeks in the other. We live in such an imperfect world. It is impossible to understand. Why is Hashem so hidden? Even your rabbi does not have an easy answer for this. My instinct, though, is to respond to evil with great acts of kindness and piety. As I have said in the past, "If you believe in the power of destruction, then you must also believe in our power to create, to fix, and to heal" (Rav Nachman). I am deeply moved that as a congregation we raised over $300 for the Jewish poor of Baltimore and over $600 for the Fogel family children on Purim alone. We breathed new life into an old Torah, and brought smiles of joy to the faces of all who participated in our Purim party. I miss you and cherish all our time together. From Jerusalem with love, Rabbi Shapiro |
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