Standing in the CSS sanctuary last Friday night, for the first time in a little while, I was overcome by a sense of grief. This is a space that is meant to be open on all sides, welcoming all who are in need to come in. Now, during the pandemic, we can only do that in a very limited way, careful to keep ourselves and our community safe.
Looking at the beginning of this week’s Torah portion, Vayera, I am a little jealous of our forefathers and foremother’s ability to freely invite in anyone who came in their direction. According to rabbinic tradition, Abraham and Sarah were constantly on the lookout for any strangers passing by, hoping to be able to exhibit the mitzvah of Hachnasat Orchim, welcoming the guest. In the first few verses of Vayera, we see them run out to greet three strangers in the distance, showering them with food and affection and imploring them to rest after their long journey. Abraham and Sarah are rewarded for their efforts with the announcement that Sarah will give birth to a child a year later. The guests, as it turns out, are secretly angels.
At CSS, we are currently in the process of opening our tent flaps just a little bit wider than they have been in the past eight months. To accomplish this heavy lift we have opened up the doors to the social hall and arranged chairs sporadically around the room, spaced well apart from one another. Quietly, we have been meeting in committee to determine the safest possible way, and, as a result of this effort, have put together a survey that you should have received this past week. As space will be limited, we are interested in knowing how many of you would be comfortable sitting through services with masks and how often you might want to attend.
If you have not done so already, we encourage you to fill this out, and let us know where you are on this particular issue. Click here to take survey. Once the results are tabulated, assuming there is enough interest, we will begin to solidify our reopening plan. We thank you in advance for your cooperation and understanding in these unprecedented times. We look forward to the day in the future when the pandemic will be behind us and where all of us can gather safely in the tent of our ancestors to enjoy one another’s company together in peace.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Alex