Make a Plan and Say It Aloud “Speak to the Israelites: When a man or woman commits any wrong toward a fellow man, thus breaking faith with the LORD, and that person realizes his guilt, he shall confess the wrong that he has done. He shall make restitution in the principal amount and add one-fifth to it, giving it to him whom he has wronged.” (Numbers 5:6-7)
Verbalizing is an important way to live. Whether it is verbalizing our feelings, our wants, our hopes or even our guilt adds a significant starting point to correction. Once we say something, we are making a pact to try and achieve that goal. Sometimes it is not enough to just think about something. We have a strategy and a step by step plan to achieve that goal. Saying it aloud is the first step.
Don’t Look Behind the Curtain “But let not [the Kohathites] go inside and witness the dismantling of the sanctuary, lest they die. (Numbers 4:20) I have often joked that if you want to remain a spiritual Jew, don’t join the board. The reason is because part of synagogue life is a business. Security must be maintained, garbage must be picked up and bills have to be paid. All of this requires mundane activities that can easily turn a person off. That is why another cliche is, if you are enjoying the dinner party don’t go into the kitchen. Sometimes keeping a distance allows us to keep the mythical side of ecstatic experience alive. The lion, the scarecrow and the tin man all had what they needed already inside. They didn’t need to look behind the curtain to confirm it. Spiritual living requires a certain leap of faith and sometimes that jump is easier if you don’t look down.
Shavuot Please join us for our Evening of Learning - Tikkun Layl Shavuot. Our theme is “Community.” If you would like to share some ideas, please let me know. I’d be happy to help give you some perspective. It will take place both in person and via zoom If you would like to present, please let me know by Wednesday. Topic: Tikkun Layl Shavuot Time: Sunday evening, May 16, 2021 08:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/98721597385?pwd=N2d6cDN0SWYrQW5nWklzSDZSalg0dz09 Meeting ID: 987 2159 7385 Passcode: 415552 One tap mobile +16465588656,,98721597385# US (New York)
Regular Shavuot services including Yizkor will take place live and via livestream Monday, May 17, 2021 at 9:30 am.
Don’t Kill the Messenger “If you reject My laws and spurn My rules, so that you do not observe all My commandments and you break My covenant.” (Leviticus 26:15) “Reproof leads to peace; a peace where there has been no reproof is no peace.” (Bereshit Rabbah 54:3) Everything we do has consequences, some positive and some negative. Understanding this is important, reminding ourselves is difficult. That is what friends are for. A real friend steps in and gives perspective and helps us to live the life we want to live rather than living in reaction to the moment. Being a good friend means delivering the good and the bad reminders and comes with tremendous risk. How we deliver the message becomes just as important as what the message is and can only come from a true friend.
Please stay up to date on our new COVID Protocols on our website.
Please join us for our Evening of Learning - Tikkun Layl Shavuot. Our theme is “Community.” If you would like to share some ideas, please let me know. I’d be happy to help give you some perspective. It will take place both in person and via zoom on Sunday evening, May 16, 2021 at 8:00pm It will take place in person and on zoom. click here for link Meeting ID: 987 2159 7385 Passcode: 415552 One tap mobile +16465588656,,98721597385# US (New York) Regular Shavuot services including Yizkor will take place live and via livestream Monday, May 17, 2021 at 9:30 am.
Make Today Count "And from the day on which you bring the sheaf of elevation offering—the day after the sabbath—you shall count off seven weeks. They must be complete: You must count until the day after the seventh week—fifty days; then you shall bring an offering of new grain to the LORD." (Leviticus 23:15-16)
Some get caught up on the idea that you must finish what you begin. I say, just make everyday count. These two verses from Leviticus point to the fact that the period between Passover and Sahvuot must be seven complete weeks. We are supposed to count every day (counting of the omer) trying to never to miss a day.
Rather than focussing on, “They must be complete” I choose to focus on, “you must count.” Keep trying. If you are unsuccessful today, maybe tomorrow will bring great achievement.
This week’s sermon is titled “Be Scrupulous” if you would like to see the text click here.
Please join us for our Evening of Learning - Tikkun Layl Shavuot. Our theme is “Community.” If you would like to share some ideas, please let me know. I’d be happy to help give you some perspective. It will take place both in person and via zoom on Sunday evening, May 16, 2021 at 8:00pm for zoom link click here
Regular Shavuot services including Yizkor will take place live and via livestream Monday, May 17, 2021 at 9:30 am.
וּשְׁמַרְתֶּ֣ם אֶת־מִשְׁמַרְתִּ֗י “You shall keep My charge not to engage in any of the abhorrent practices that were carried on before you, and you shall not defile yourselves through them: I the LORD am your God.” (Leviticus 18:30)
The Rabbis use this verse as an opportunity to suggest that within their authority to interpret and apply laws from the Torah. Whether it is in the Talmud, the early or even late codes, the Rabbis reserve the right to explain laws and sometimes even explain away laws. We are part of a movement that continues to take seriously the demands of our day to see people over structures, to see the pain of others over a desire to preserve institutions.
I reccomend two important papers: One on Homosexuality click here and one that will add to your understanding of people who are Transgender. To read click here
“It is chronic leprosy on the skin of his body, and the priest shall pronounce him unclean; he need not isolate him, for he is unclean.” (Leviticus 13:11)
This sentence is packed with so many lessons about illness and community. The phrase “need not isolate” is significant. Isolation is something we have all felt in the past year. The pain and suffering of isolation has softened because of a variety of technologies. Yet we still need human contact.
Reports of the rapid decline of religious affiliation in America remain a concern for all in the faith community. We must push ourselves to recommit to our community. Therefore, I invite you back and start with Shabbat morning services.
“Now Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu each took his fire pan, put fire in it, and laid incense on it; and they offered before the LORD alien fire, which He had not enjoined upon them. And fire came forth from the LORD and consumed them; thus they died at the instance of the LORD.” (Leviticus 10:1-2)
Reading this passage each year brings new meaning and understanding. Some years I feel angry at the two sons of Aaron for not doing as they were told. Some years, I am angry at God for the death of these two young, potential innovators of religious life. This year, in the face of the loss of so many, I just feel sad.
Death brings so many different emotions, anger, guilt, regret. The rabbis show the vast array in their commentaries. Sadness must not be overlooked, discarded or even minimized. This year, we have all lost and we all must take the time to grieve.
Welcome to Rabbi's Corner. This is a stream of Rabbi Stein's דברי תורה (divrei torah, words of Torah).
