Tidbits of Torah

Shabbat Seventh Day of Passover Beloved, Beautiful, Black Yizkor

Posted on April 2, 2021

Dear Friends, This Shabbat we will have a virtual Friday night service followed by a virtual Shabbat morning service on Saturday morning. During our virtual Saturday morning service, we will recite the Yizkor prayer. But, we will also read the traditional Torah reading for the Seventh Day of Passover, including the Song of the Sea. Continue Reading »

Shabbat Parashat Tsav Four New Questions for the Seder Shabbat HaGadol (Erev Pesach)

Posted on March 26, 2021

Dear Friends, We approach Passover this year with the understanding that not all is well in the world around us. It has been a truly difficult year. This is the second Passover that we are experiencing under the shadow of the pandemic. Yes, the shadow is lifting. But, it is still with us. And now, Continue Reading »

Shabbat Parashat Vayikra Filling in the Blanks (and see “Pesah Tips 5781” below) March 20, 2021 – 7 Nisan 5781

Posted on March 19, 2021

Dear Friends, We are used to having to fill in the blank on so many forms that we use both online and offline. The forms exist. They are prepared for us. All we have to do is fill in the blanks. “Filling in the blanks” is often a thoughtless process – one that we do Continue Reading »

Shabbat Parashat Ki Tissa Shabbat Parah Passover is Approaching!

Posted on March 5, 2021

Dear Friends, I hope you will join us this Friday night as we celebrate Shabbat and the bat mitzvah of Gabby Gipson! Mazal Tov to Gabby and to her entire family! This Shabbat is the 3rd special Shabbat preceding Passover! It is called “Shabbat Parah” [The Red Heifer Shabbat] because, in a special Maftir Torah Continue Reading »

Shabbat Parashat Tetsaveh Shushan Purim Showing Up!

Posted on March 1, 2021

Dear Friends, There were over 60 Zoom windows for our online Purim celebration on Thursday night! Yasher koach to this wonderful congregation and to all the volunteers who helped make this Purim extra special!!!! While we are still in the Purim spirit, I note how wonderful this congregation really is by comparing our “showing up” Continue Reading »

Shabbat Parashat Terumah Shabbat Zakhor A Work in Progress

Posted on February 19, 2021

Dear Friends, It’s the Shabbat before Purim! I hope you join us for our online Megillah reading this coming Thursday evening and join in the fun! There will be costumes, a Purim Shpiel and, of course, the reading of the Megillah! Thanks to all the volunteers who are working so hard to make all of Continue Reading »

Shabbat Parashat Mishpatim Rosh Chodesh Adar – Day 2 Shabbat Shekalim Holy People

Posted on February 12, 2021

Dear Friends, All of the laws of Mishpatim support the Torah’s central idea that we are encouraged to strive for holiness through our human interactions with one another, as well as through our human actions as they relate to our connection to God. Human interactions are intended to raise us up beyond the realm of Continue Reading »

Shabbat Parashat Yitro How Quickly We Forget! Shabbat Mevarekhim HaChodesh

Posted on February 5, 2021

Dear Friends, One might wonder: Why is our Torah portion, Yitro, named after a non-Jew? Yitro, Moses’ father-in-law, was a Midianite priest. Yet, our Sages named this entire Torah portion – which contains the story of the momentous event of our people receiving of the 10 Commandments on Mount Sinai – after Yitro, the Midianite Continue Reading »

Shabbat Parashat B’Shallach Styles of Praise and of Prayer Shabbat Shira

Posted on January 29, 2021

Dear Friends, This Shabbat is called “Shabbat Shira [the Shabbat of Song]” because we read the Song of the Sea which our people recited after they experienced the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea. There are actually two Songs of the Sea recorded in our Torah portion: one led by Moses; the other led by Continue Reading »

Shabbat Parashat Bo Being Seen and Being Heard

Posted on January 22, 2021

Dear Friends, I think we all know what a difference it makes to each one of us when we feel that we are seen and heard by those around us, even as we disagree with one another. Equally important is our own willingness to be there for others – whether we agree or disagree with Continue Reading »