From the Desk of Rabbi Samuel M. Cohon | Congregation Beit Simcha, host of the Too Jewish Radio Show + Podcast
This week we read the sedrah of Behar-Bechukotai, the double portion at the end of the book of Leviticus. In these final sections of the middle book of the Torah there are interesting oddities—and lessons—at the beginning and the end of each portion.
Behar begins with the statement, “God spoke to Moses at Mt. Sinai saying”, a seemingly unambiguous phrase. And at the end of the opening covenantal section of Bechukotai the Torah reiterates that God gave all the regulations and laws contained here at Mt. Sinai. Finally, Bechukotai concludes the book of Vayikra, Leviticus, by telling us “these are the commandments that God commanded Moses for the Israelites on Mt. Sinai.”
All well and good. These rules of holiness and personal conduct must have been commanded at Mt. Sinai.
Yet earlier in Leviticus it makes it clear that God has given most of these commandments not at Mt. Sinai itself, but in the Tabernacle in the Wilderness, the Ohel Mo’eid, the Tent of Meeting, as the people wandered around the Wilderness of Sinai, far from the mountain itself. In fact, the whole book of Leviticus is apparently given after we left Sinai and began our journey to the Promised Land. Clearly, as Behar begins the Israelites aren’t at Mt. Sinai at all.
What gives?
The question troubles the rabbinic commentators, who believe the Torah never wastes a phrase, or makes a mistake. Their rather brilliant answer teaches us a profound truth.
In the rabbinic understanding, Mt. Sinai is not just a geographical location, not a simple matter of a specific place. Wherever we learn and do mitzvot, whenever we complete ethical acts, do tzedakah, observe religious rituals with sanctity and meaning, study Torah, or work to perfect the world through tikkun olam, wherever and whenever we strive to make the world a holier, more Jewish place, we are standing at Mt. Sinai.
Almost literally, as committed Jews we take Mt. Sinai with us, and bring God’s very presence into the world. It’s a powerful message indeed.
As we conclude the book of Leviticus, a text focused fully on creating holiness, we learn that we can make our own lives as holy as the revelation at Mt. Sinai simply by studying and living Torah each day, every day, wherever we are: in Israel, but also in Tucson, Arizona.
May we find ways to do so today, right here.
With an emphasis on the commandments and the mitzvot that since ancient times have guided us as a people, this week’s double Torah portion, Behar-Bechukotai, brings us to the heart of sacred responsibility—toward the land, toward one another, and toward the values that sustain community. At the Tucson J, our work to enrich lives, build community, and foster Jewish connection is deeply rooted in these very principles. Just as Sinai represents a space where the sacred and the everyday converge, we strive to create a space where all people of all ages can find meaning, wellness, and a sense of belonging.
Over the last two weeks, Camp J staff have been busy in team training preparing for our biggest summer ever—with more kiddos and even more fun coming up Tuesday! Among many other activities, the team heard from a behavioral specialist Stephanie Buchler to ensure our campers have the most positive experience—big feelings and all, participated in a water safety training, and did plenty of team bonding. On Tuesday, campers met their counselors and connected with the kids they’ll be spending time with all summer and on Wednesday our DPS campers did the same! As we ramped up for Camp, JCare wound down with time in the PlaySpace and their last cooking project of the year — chocolate covered pretzel bark!
Wednesday evening we welcomed over 80 community members to the ballroom for a beautiful, timely, and thought-provoking performance by the Odaiko Sonora Taiko drumming group in celebration of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month titled, Rhythms of Resistance: Internment, Identity + the Power of Taiko. The show was accompanied by a conversation between Odaiko Sonora Director, Karen Falkenstrom, and Dr. Kate Alexander, Associate Professor at the UA about the social value of art-making as resistance.
On Thursday, we shared the latest episode of Total Wellness at the J featuring
Zack Bodner, CEO of the Oshman Family JCC and founder of the Z3 Project, and Rabbi Daniel Septimus, CEO of Shalom Austin—two visionary Jewish leaders and longtime friends of Tucson J President + CEO, Todd Rockoff. The conversation explored what it means to be one Jewish people in 2025—across ideologies, denominations, and borders. We talk about the trauma and solidarity experienced since October 7, the role of JCCs as welcoming “town squares,” and how we can move beyond fear and fragmentation toward a Jewish future rooted in joy, pride, and purpose.
As we make our way to Shavuot to celebrate the giving of the Torah and the commandments at Mt. Sinai and we remember, as Rabbi Cohon shared above, that anywhere can be holy if we make it so, we invite you to join us for Proudly Jewish Together at Sinai: A Community Shavuot Experience on June 1.
As we move into Shabbat, pause and take a moment of reflection: where did you find holiness in your life this week? What sacred responsibilities do you have and what values guide you? Shabbat Shalom.
Reminders, Resources + Learning
Each week we share resources for more learning:
This week’s resources:
- The Dark Side of Torah Ethics by Dr. Sara Ronis (My Jewish Learning)
- Once is Not Enough by Rabbi Eliyahu Safran (Orthodox Union)
Last week’s resources:
- Parshat Emor: Your Exclusive Social Event Calendar of the Year (BimBam)
- Emor: Insiders and Outsiders by Rabbi Julie Hilton Danan (T’ruah)
- On Not Being Afraid of Greatness by Rabbi Johnathan Sacks
Is there a topic you’d like to learn more about? Email Jenn Selco with requests.
