October 14, 2022/19 Tishrei 5783
Torah Reading and Haftarah for the Intermediate Sabbath of Sukkot
Torah:(Exodus 33:12-34:26; Ezekiel 38:18-39:16)
Haftarah: Taken from the Book of Ezekiel
The episode of the golden calf created a rift between G-d and the Israelites. Moses begs for G-d’s forgiveness. G-d instructs Moses to hew another set of stone tablets to replace the first which had broken. At the second revelation G-d makes known His Thirteen attributes, which includes mercy, graciousness, patience, generosity, truth, and forgiveness.
G-d renews His covenant with the Israelites, reminding them that they must reject idolatry and worship only Him.
The Haftarah is a prophecy of the messianic time to come. Ezekiel foretells that the restoration of Israel to the land of its ancestors will include battles and invasions under the leadership of Gog, an apocalyptic figure of unknown identity. The enemy shall suffer defeat. An old tradition to the effect that this battle will be waged during Sukkot determined the choice of the Haftarah for the Intermediate Sabbath.
Sukkot ends with HaShanah Rabbah on Sunday night. This is when people who procrastinate can still rid their bad behaviour with letting the leaves of the willow fall off (symbolic of remaining sins), Monday, Shemini Atzeret (Eighth final day of Sukkot / Yizkor is recited (light the candles the night before), Tuesday, Simchat Torah pure joyous celebration with the Torah, since the Torah never ends it is continuous. The last word in the Torah is Israel (Lamed is the last letter), Bereshit is the first word, however the Torah has no vowels thus the first letter is a Vet! Lamed and Vet = Lav (Heart) the Torah is the Heart of the Jewish people.
What a spiritually and happy celebration in the Sukkah and “Pizza in the Hut” with 22 of our congregants! Friends are the family you choose for yourself. Even though our congregation is growing, our friends are increasing, too. Breakfast with the rabbi is also another way to meet and schmooze with your congregation friends.
I will be writing the recipe for the Shabbat Challah that everyone enjoyed, please read the next newsletter.
Shabbat Shalom v’Hag Samayeach,
Rabbi Helene Ainbinder
