Parashat Re'eh (See) Deuteronomy 11:26 - 16:17
HafTorah Isaiah 54:11 - 55:5
Dear friends,
As we are now beginning Labor Day weekend, the summer is behind us and we look forward to the High Holy Days and the activities of the fall season, hopefully with our batteries recharged and with the knowledge that our actions and studies have afforded us to meet the challenges and the rewards of the coming year of 5785.
This Shabbat, we continue our reading of the Book of Deuteronomy in the Torah with the conclusion of Moses's second discourse summing up much of the history and the giving of the mitzvot in preparation of entering the Holy Land. This week's portion of Re’eh (רְאֵה) details a series of laws in advance of the Israelites’ entrance into the Land of Israel. These include the obligation to destroy idolatry, laws of tithing and charity, dietary laws, and the observance of the three pilgrimage festivals of Pesach, Sukkot, and Shavuot. We are once again admonished with the introductory words "behold I set before you this day a blessing and a curse". Today, these words ring true more than ever. Individuals and nations have choices to make. We are given the bodies, the minds, and the frameworks to make decisions that will either better our lives and/or the life of our planet and its inhabitants (blessings) or those that will cause conflict and destruction (curses).
We have inherited a good earth with all the resources for all to benefit. Yet decisions to grab power and disinherit others from sharing in the world's bounties will result in the curse of unimaginable hunger, poverty, and the destruction of our ecology. We have the tools to make the decisions that will lead to blessings and in 5785, let us act to make our community and our world a better place for us and for all.
And to help us prepare for the Holy days ahead, we read Isaiah's third Haftorah of Consolation, and we welcome the new Hebrew month of Elul which begins on Monday night, September 2nd. This is the final month leading up to Rosh Hashanah and we begin many of the rituals that lead us to the Holy Days. During the entire month, it is customary to blast the Shofar every morning except for Shabbat. We also add Psalm 27 every morning and night where we pray to be guided on the right path:
לְדָוִ֨ד ׀ יְהֹוָ֤ה ׀ אוֹרִ֣י וְ֭יִשְׁעִי מִמִּ֣י אִירָ֑א יְהֹוָ֥ה מָעוֹז־חַ֝יַּ֗י מִמִּ֥י אֶפְחָֽד
"Adonai is my light and my help. Whom shall I fear? Adonai is the strength of my life. Whom shall I dread?"
And as we near the end of Elul and the High Holy Days are imminent, we chant Selichot prayers for forgiveness on Saturday night, September 28th and continue those prayers throughout the Holy season. Then the next day (Sunday, September 29th), to practice the ritual of remembrance (Zachor) for those who came before us, we will gather at three cemeteries (Beit Olam in Trinity where we will also have the unveiling of the monuments to our late beloved Rabbi and Rebbetsen Al and Sandy Goldberg, and then on to Grace Memorial in Hudson and the National Cemetery in Bushnell). Whether you have friends or relatives interred in any of those three locales, you are encouraged to attend one or more of the visitations where we will chant memorial prayers for your loved ones. And that brings us to the long anticipated days of Rosh Hashanah which this year will be innaugurated with a dinner following the evening service on Wednesday October 2nd.
I hope to see you in-person or virtually on Zoom tonight at 7:30 pm and tomorrow (Saturday) at 9:30 am and throughout the month of Elul and the fall season.
Shabbat Shalom!
Ron Becker,
Spiritual Leader
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FRIDAY:
JCC is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Shabbat Service, Friday 08/30/2024 7:30 pm
Time: Aug 30, 2024 07:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
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Meeting ID: 497 903 0958
Passcode: 5QdVaA
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SATURDAY:
JCC is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Saturday Service, 08/31/2024 9:30 am
Time: Aug 31, 2024 09:30 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 497 903 0958
Passcode: 5QdVaA
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