From The Rabbi’s Study…Shabbat, August 6, 20201/28 Av 5781
Torah Reading: Re’eh(Deuteronomy 11:26-16:17)
Haftarah: (Isaiah 54:11-55:5)
The summary of the Torah Parshot(portions)…
Destruction of places of idolatry, prohibition of private altars, prohibition against eating blood, attitude to false prophets and seducers, prohibition of heathen abuses, clean and unclean animals, tithing, the year of release and the three pilgrimage festivals are read this Sabbath.
Judaic values of freedom of choice.
Deuteronomy 11:26 states:
“Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse.” Moses points out the paths that lead to happiness and the ways that result in misfortune. He implies that it is up to each individual to choose which of the two paths to take. The Vilna Gaon(Chief rabbi of Vilna and the yeshiva(university of study) explains that G-d continually gives us choices day by day. We can choose the good and reject the evil. Or we may choose the evil and reject the good. A good life is dependent upon our ongoing choices, not upon what we have done in the past or what we intend to do in the future.
Today, the leadership may seek to take actions that may bring fear and anxiety to many good people that dwell throughout our communities in our country and the world. Please try to comprehend that science and viruses change and issues are reevaluated. Please also remember that it is your “Freedom of Choice” and that you take the proper course of actions to maintain your health and way of life.
If you feel healthy and safe wearing a mask, then feel free and wear one. If you listen and read all the information that is out there, speak to your health professional and receive a vaccine or not that is your freedom of choice. Rabbis in ANCIENT Times were healers as well as leaders for their people. Today, maybe some rabbis are doctors or nurses, however they should NEVER give medical advice to any individual unless they are their patient. This may help ease your anxiety. Rest assured all of us will get through these dark days of the Pandemic. We are also living in a beautiful area and state, so that is a blessing, too.
As the Yomim Noraim (High Holidays and Ten Days of Awe) are approaching Beit Chaverim will have services in person and continue to hold virtually on Zoom. The Dates and Times will be sent out shortly. Please keep in mind this is the time that Jewish people give Tzedakah/ funds to help their synagogues provide the congregation with their spiritual needs. Please also send Ellen Nathan your loved ones names for the Book of Remembrance.
In September we will have a time change of Shabbat services to 7pm on Zoom and for the second Friday, Shabbat services held at the education wing of the Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church. First one will be during the High Holidays on Friday,Shabbat on September 10th at 7pm along with Zoom for those that wish to stay home and not attend in person.
This year our family is blessed to have our grandson, Benjamin, who will become a Bar Mitzvah. Michael and I will be traveling to Pennsylvania. I will be conducting Rosh HaShanah, however I will not be leading Yom Kippur or Sukkot services. No worries please, our Board and many individuals will help lead your Yom Kippur Service. Todah Rabah! Thank you all for your leading our Yom Kippur and other services.
*This year we will have a special musical duo to enhance the service. Other information will follow on all the services, dates and times.
Some people may be asking questions about the Pandemic of “how and when is this ending”? It is upon the good people that chose righteous actions that they do not remain silent. We see how the police, firefighters, armed forces, and many others in the communities are working together to overcome this darkness that is upon many of the cities here and around the world, but you may also do righteous actions. We are having the worst drought in many years. Try cutting back on using water. Yes, shower, however you do not have to wash your car as well. Just one of many ways to help.
Our congregation prays for everyone.Words of kindness brightens their souls and brings a smile to their faces because then they still know there are many good people thinking and praying for them to prevail in their endeavours. This includes the many individuals that will lead our services. Even now some people have volunteered to precipitate in leading a few prayers during Friday, Shabbat services. Todah Rabah! If you wish to lead a prayer kindly let Ellen Nathan know and we will include you in the Friday weekly services.
Let us pray this Shabbat that everyone could do just a little bit more good actions.
Please remember that you are never alone, and I think of you and other people, too. Together we pray for Misberhot for everyone’s wellness. Many of our congregations also recite blessings of healing for us and the world!
All these righteous actions are bringing Light Into The World!
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Helene Ainbinder
