There are many ways to be part of the Jewish community.  The time that stretches between the lead up to Purim and the lead up to Passover is a good opportunity to think about what makes our Jewish identity tick.  During this time there are four special Torah readings whose themes provide an interesting perspective on aspects of Jewish involvement.* The last of these is read tomorrow, but it is best appreciated by looking back at the first three.

The first anticipates the month containing Purim and is called Shekalim, which means "Money".  At this time is recalled the half shekel contribution made by each Israelite household.  For us, Shekalim is any way we contribute to the community with our bank account.  To give from the heart to support institutions such as our synagogue, Federation, JNF, organizations that support Israel  or others is important and necessary to our survival.  However, Shekalim on its own is not enough.

The second special Shabbat is right before Purim and is called Zachor, "Remember".  Zachor recalls the heinous acts of Amalek who mercilessly attacked the Israelites when they were at their weakest.  Amalek is the biological ancestor of the evil Haman and the spiritual ancestor of Hitler, Bin Laden, and Ahmadinejad.  To remember such evil and dedicate ourselves to being a force for good in the world, such as our Tolerance Education Program does, is a fitting response to Zachor.  But by itself it is not enough.

The third Shabbat was last week and is called Parah, "The Heifer".  Set aside to highlight the cryptical purification rite involving a perfectly red cow, Shabbat Parah displays the mysterious side of Judaism.  Parah shows us that as rational as Jews can be, religion is ultimately based on a faith beyond reason and that many are drawn to the esoteric teachings of Kabbalah and Jewish Mysticism.  However, as powerful and moving as these teachings are, they are meant to play a part, not be the whole story.  Unless your Madonna, this isn't enough either.

Finally we reach HaChodesh, "The New Month", which marks the month of Nissan and the anticipation of Passover.  On HaChodesh we read about how the Israelites in Egypt were instructed to prepare for the Exodus with rituals that we incorporate into our own seder.  In many ways the Passover holiday brings together all of the themes of the special Torah readings but makes them a part of a more meaningful story.

Rather than a monetary donation only (Shekalim), each Israelite contributed toward buying a share of the Passover lamb which they would then enjoy with several families to celebrate the holiday.  Instead of a command to remember the pure evil of Amalek (Zachor), the Haggadah inspires us to see the Pharaoh as a part of all of our lives and reminds us how difficult it is to overcome our own bad inclinations and do what is righteous.  As for Parah, instead of an incomprehensible red cow, the Passover story is full of miracles and wonders whose meaning is easily understood.  In fact, the entire Seder is about teaching and learning new ways to appreciate what our own story is all about and how it relates to the grand drama of the Exodus from Egypt.