From The Rabbi’s Study…Shabbat, March 8, 2024/28 Adar I, 5784
Shabbat Shekalim: This Sabbath is a leap year and on Monday night will be Rosh Chodesh 1 Adar II, which this month has Purim. The Shekalim (coins) are being requested by each male Jew to contribute half a Biblical shekel for the upkeep of the Tabernacle or Mishan. (Exodus 30:11-16)
“And he gathered” (Exodus 35:1) The Torah begins with the Israelites gathering together to hear from Moses. The commandment of the Sabbath is repeated. Moses now asks the Israelites to donate gifts of gold, silver, copper, precious stones, and more precious items to be used for building the Tabernacle. Moses appoints Bezalel and Oholiab to oversee the construction . They report that the people are giving more gifts than are needed. Moses tells the people to stop bringing their donations. Under the directions from Bezalel and Oholiab, skilled craftsmen work to construct the Tabernacle.
Who knows where the Israelites obtained the precious gifts? I realize Purim is coming soon, however the hint is …from Passover! Guess the answer. During the plague of Darkness! Keep in mind that the Egyptians’ main god was the Sun, so darkness and no sun was scary to them. While this plague of darkness had the Egyptians frozen and they could not move, the Israelites slaves entered their homes (they could see in the darkness:short explanation). The answer is…The Pharaoh let the Israelites leave Egypt and they received the gold, silver, precious stones, fine materials as payment for their 400 years as slaves(reparations).
You may tell all your friends that the first Jewish Fundraising for a synagogue(Tabernacle or Mishan) was Moses! Moses had an extremely successful fundraising campaign! The Torah answers: “They brought free will offerings, everyone whose heart stirred him up” (Exodus 35:21). The original concept of tzedakah was a free will offering of the heart. It was Rabbi Hillel who once said: “ The more charity, the more peace” (Pirkei Avot 2:7/Sayings from the Forefathers is from one part of the Talmud).
This Shabbat our Congregation will start praying from our new siddur.
The ritual leaders and I will be instructing you throughout the service. Most of the service follows many prayers from the older siddur. Please keep in mind the flow of the service will be slightly different.
We are blessed to have Ellen Margles and Evan Sanders as our ritual leaders that have been working alongside me to develop a beautiful service for everyone. To that end, we included more prayers conducive for chanting and singing along with Ellen or Evan or your rabbi. Your participation enhances our Ruach (Spirit) and service.
Each prayer will have Hebrew and transliteration next to each other, which makes it more comfortable to follow along.(English is in all prayers for those that enjoy reading them, too.)
While the Aleinu will be arranged on 3 different pages, since the new siddur has all the variations of the Aleinu. (Aleinu is recited 3 times a day; morning, afternoon, and evening services. Also, a version for Shabbat that we are comfortable reciting).
The flow of Aleinu will start with standing, the bow, and the concluding verses during praying.
Please know that if you must remain seated that is fine with all standing and bowing praying. It is one’s Kavanah (intention and concentration) of praying that G-d is enjoying and you should be enjoying, too.
Praying through the over three millennia with all beginnings of change that may have been challenging, however, even Zoom was a modern change and challenge that as Jews we adapted with great success and triumph! Kol Kavod/ Job well done!
This Shabbat I will be starting a new way of having the Misherberot list.
Some individuals may have chronic issues, while others have surgeries and illness that we pray for all to have a Speedy Recovery. If I remove someone by accident, I always add at the end:“for those that I did receive notification before the Sabbath, I and the congregation are praying for you,too.”
Shabbat Shalom v’ Am Ysrael Chai,
Rabbi Helene Ainbinder
