Shabbat Greetings
Tonight marks exactly four weeks until we gather to welcome the new year, 5787. Elul began yesterday and the horizon of the New Year is coming into view. We read Shoftim (Deuteronomy…
Shabbat Greetings
This week’s Torah portion, Re’eh (Deuteronomy 11:26-16:17)begins with a powerful invitation: “See (Re’eh), I place before you today a blessing and a curse.” (11:26) The Torah does not say, “Listen,” or “Understand.” It says, “See.” Seeing…
High Holy Days Services 5787
All High Holy Days services will be both in-person and streamed live. Tickets for services must be ordered ahead of time. They can be ordered as follows:– Temple Shalom members…
Shabbat Greetings
There is a quiet irony in the Jewish calendar. Just a little more than a week after we mourn the destruction of the Temples on Tisha B’Av, we begin reading Ekev (Deuteronomy 7:12-11:25),…
Shabbat Greetings
Having just emerged from Tisha B’Av (the ninth day of the Hebrew month of Av), we carry with us the memory of destruction; not only the destruction of the Holy Temple, but…
Shabbat Greetings
This Shabbat has a name. It is called Shabbat Chazon – the “Sabbath of Vision,” named for the opening words of Isaiah’s haunting vision (Isaiah 1:1-27): “Chazon Yeshayahu…” We read these words on the…
Shabbat Greetings
In our double-portion concluding the Book of Numbers, Matot-Masei (Numbers 30:2-36:13), the Torah does something unexpected. It lists every place the Israelites camped during their forty years in the wilderness. Forty-two stops.…
Shabbat Greetings
We read Pinchas (Numbers 25:10-30:1), a Torah portion that looks toward the future of the Jewish people. Tomorrow, we will celebrate the 250th anniversary of America’s Declaration of Independence, giving thanks for…
Shabbat Greetings
There is something fitting about reading the double portions of Chukat/Balak (Numbers 19:1-25:9) while preparing to sit beside the ocean this evening with our friends from Monmouth Reform Temple. The Torah portions take us…
Shabbat Greetings
In this week’s Torah portion, Korach (Numbers 16:1-18:32), we encounter a story about leadership, responsibility, and the challenges that arise when people lose sight of what binds a community together. Korach and his followers…
Shabbat Greetings
This week we read Sh’lach L’cha (Numbers 13:1-15:41) the story of the twelve scouts sent to explore the Land of Israel. Ten return with a report shaped by fear. They see obstacles, dangers,…
Shabbat Greetings
This week’s Torah portion, Beha’alotecha (Numbers 8:1-12:16) opens with a simple but powerful image: Aaron is instructed to kindle the lamps of the menorah so that they shine forward. The Torah could…