Hard Questions

Shabbat Shalom from Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow

September 29-30, 2017 / 10 Tishrei 5778

Shabbat v’Yom Kippur

“Hard Questions”

Dear Friends,

This Friday evening we will gather to begin our Yom Kippur worship.  Even though we might feel some safety in numbers, our tradition teaches that each one of us is standing alone before God.  This has led some to interpret that Yom Kippur is both the Day of Atonement and the Day of At-One-ment.

Rabbi Jack Reimer offers the following interpretation of Unetaneh Tokef to help us look deep within ourselves to make good choices in the coming year.

Hard Questions

Let us ask ourselves hard questions

For this is the time for truth.

How much time did we waste

In the year that is now gone?

Did we fill our days with life

Or were they dull and empty?

Was there love inside our home

Or was the affectionate word left unsaid?

Was there a real companionship with our children

Or was there a living together and a growing apart?

Were we a help to our mates

Or did we take them for granted?

How was it with our friends:

Were we there when they needed us or not?

The kind deed: did we perform it or postpone it?

The unnecessary gibe: did we say it or hold it back?

Did we live by false values?

Did we deceive others?

Did we deceive ourselves?

Were we sensitive to the rights and feelings

Of those who worked for us?

Did we acquire only possessions

Or did we acquire new insights as well?

Did we fear what the crowd would say

And keep quiet when we should have spoken out?

Did we mind only our own business

Or did we feel the heartbreak of others?

Did we live right,

And if not,

Then have we learned, and will we change?

Jack Riemer

G’mar Hatimah Tovah - May you be sealed in the Book of Life for a good year

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow

Our Place in History

Shabbat Shalom from Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow

September 22-23, 2017 / 3 Tishrei 5778

Shabbat Ha’azinu - Shuva

Torah: Deuteronomy 32:1 - 32:52

Haftarah: Hosea 14:2-10; Micah 7:18-20; Joel 2:15-27 | Shabbat Shuva

“Our Place in History”

Dear Friends,

What is our people’s place in history?  As we approach Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish calendar, we must ponder our past, present, and future as a people.

Abba Eban taught this about Jewish history and purpose. “A robust sense of identity has not prevented this people from sending the repercussions of its influence far and wide into the oceans of universal history.  It is when historic Israel is most persistently distinctive that its universal vocation is enlarged.  The lesson of history is plain.  There is no salvation or significance for the Jew except when he aims high and stands straight within his own authentic frame of values.” (My People)

This Yom Kippur, recognize and celebrate the place of the Jewish people in world history.  Be inspired by our ongoing mission, to be a Light Unto the Nations – bringing compassion, kindness, justice, fairness, and love the world.

Shabbat Shalom and G’mar Chatimah Tova – Easy Fast.

Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow

From Generation to Generation

Shabbat Shalom from Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow

September 15-16, 2017 / 25 Elul 5777

Shabbat Nitzaveem-Vayelech

Torah: Deuteronomy 29:9 - 31:30    Haftarah: Isaiah 61:10 - 63:9

“From Generation to Generation”

Dear Friends,

What is our responsibility to the younger and upcoming generations?  As we approach the High Holidays, so much emphasis is placed on self-introspection and repentance.  Yet, whenever services begin, I marvel at the young adults who are with us – some making their way through high school, others returning from college for a visit, and still others with mates and even babies!  My, how they have grown and matured!  We have raised a generation at Shir Hadash!  What is their place at High Holidays?

This week’s Torah portion describes Moses passing on leadership to Joshua.  After 40 years in to wilderness, in front of all the people, Moses places his hands upon Joshua and transfers the power of leadership, saying “Be strong and resolute… Fear not nor be dismayed.”  We took over from our parents’ generation.  And, in turn, we must train and prepare the next generation of leaders.

Torah commentator Pinchas Peli said, “A good leader must know his own mind; he must be able to stand up for his views; and he also must be capable of changing his mind, of freeing himself from preconceived ideas.  He must not be the type who declares: ‘My mind is made up – don’t confuse me with the facts.’”

These High Holidays, work on yourselves and support our future leaders – from generation to generation.

Dawn joins me in sending you and your families our fondest wishes for a Shanah Tovah – a good year, a healthy year, a happy year, a prosperous year and a year of life!

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow

With God's Help

Shabbat Shalom from Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow

September 8-9, 2017 / 18 Elul 5777

Shabbat Ki Tavo

Torah: Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8 / Haftarah: Isaiah 60:1-22

“With God’s Help”

Dear Friends,

When we complete a good job, there comes a moment when we step back, smile, and recognize the achievement.  While we are tempted to congratulate ourselves for a job well done, is there more to it?

In this week’s Torah portion, our Jewish tradition tells us to thank God for all that we have been given that has enabled us to enjoy such success. The model is the Shavuot holiday of first fruits when our ancestors were told to bring offerings of spring produce to the Temple in Jerusalem.  Standing before the cohen priest, our ancestors were to repeat a formula recognizing our people’s history from wandering, to Egyptian slavery, to freedom in the Promised Land, to God’s gift of the abundant springtime produce which is now presented.

According to Rabbi Jacob J. Weinstein, “Each Israelite was religiously commanded to recall in the time of prosperity that his father was a wandering Aramean, a hobo, a sojourner, a rootless and homeless refugee.  The intention of the admonition was to curb the conceit of the self-made person.  He was reminded that it required more than industry, skill, ambition, and contriving to rise from poverty to affluence. It required also the help of God… True piety, philosopher Santayana said, is a sense of reverence for the sources of our being.” (The Place of Understanding).

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow