Rabbi's Messages

on Wednesday, 28 January 2015.

I really like sushi. I don't think that's a secret.

And over the past few months, I've discovered that apparently, other people do too. That was really clear last month when more than 15 members and guests of Kol Ami gathered at a sushi restaurant to eat, to be together, and to have an amazing conversation about their Jewish beliefs.

We've been holding these "Torah & Sushi" sessions for several months now. As a group, we are engaged in the ongoing study of PirkeAvot, which is an ancient text that lists the Rabbis' favourite ethical sayings. We have read, pondered, and debated such well-known passages as "Turn the Torah again and again" and "You are not required to complete the work, but neither are you at liberty to ignore it." We have discussed such heady issues as work-life balance, war and peace, the efficacy of worship, and the nature of God. The words of PirkeAvot were written thousands of years ago, by sages who are separated from us by time and space, but they continue to speak to us and to our lives today.

What is it that makes "Torah & Sushi" successful? Is it the Torah or the sushi? I actually think it's the combination. As Jews, we learn in order to better ourselves and our world, in order to grow as individuals and as a people. And as Jews, we eat in order to build community – to cement relationships between ourselves. You can do that over matzah balls at the Seder, over brownies at the Friday night oneg, or over miso soup and sashimi the fourth Monday of every month!

I'm often asked whether it's OK to just drop in for a session. The answer is absolutely! You do not need to have any prior knowledge, and you do not need to have been there last month in order to join us this month. All you need to bring is your appetite – for knowledge, for learning, and for Japanese food.

The next "Torah & Sushi" is Monday, February 23 at noon. We meet at Sano Sushi, 8143 Yonge Street (just south of Highway 7). If you're coming, please send me a note at rabbistreiffer@kolami.ca, so that the restaurant knows how many to set up for.

L'shalom,

Rabbi Micah Streiffer