Wisdom, Ability, and Knowledge

Shabbat Shalom From Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow

March 1-2, 2019 / 25 Adar I 5779

Shabbat Vayak’hel-Shekalim

Torah: Exodus 35:1 - 38:20

Maftir: Exodus 30:11 - 30:16 | Shabbat Shekalim

Haftarah: II Kings 12:1 - 12:17 | Shabbat Shekalim

“Wisdom, Ability, and Knowledge”

Dear Friends,

What does it take to do work that inspires others?  In this week’s Torah portion, Moses gives instructions to the Children of Israel on how to construct the Tabernacle, the portable shrine, in the desert as they move from Egypt to the Promised Land. The plans and descriptions are elaborate and complicated.  The materials needed to build the worship place, the Tent of Meeting, also called the Mishkanin Hebrew, were of the highest quality. The Israelites brought free will offerings of gold, silver, copper, fine yarns, leathers, woods, and more. Yet, someone special was needed to do the work to turn the materials into holy vessels. That fell to Betzalel, the chief craftsman.

The text tells us that God endowed Betzalel with the qualities of wisdom, ability, and understanding. The combination of these three attributes would allow Betzalel to see to it that the Mishkan, all the implements within, as well as the clothing of the priests and Levites would be splendid and inspiring.

And so it is with us as well.  As we go about our daily life, let wisdom, ability, and knowledge guide us in the work that we do. Let these qualities help us to inspire others and live life to the fullest.  Make every day a blessing.

Shabbat shalom.

Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow

Keeping the Shabbat

Shabbat Shalom From Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow

February 22-23, 2019 / 18 Adar I 5779

Shabbat Ki Tissa

Torah: Exodus 30:11 - 34:35 / Haftarah: I Kings 18:1 - 18:39

“Keeping the Shabbat”

Dear Friends,

This week’s Torah portion teaches us to keep the Shabbat throughout all the generations. Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson, in his book, “The Bedside Torah,” gives a beautiful description of Shabbat and what it can mean to us in contemporary times.  Let me share it with you:

“Shabbat offers a period of sanity, a time for centering, that is otherwise absent in our culture.  Shabbat assures each observant Jew that there will be twenty-four hours in which nothing will interfere with spiritual growth, strengthened community, and family. Chores and obligations can wait; cultivating family ties and spiritual values cannot…

Shabbat is our eternal sign with God, a timely reminder of a timeless bond.”  [The Bedside Torah. Page 152]

This weekend, and every weekend, find some time to explore and enjoy the power and meaning of Shabbat.  It is a special part of our Jewish tradition and heritage that makes Judaism and Jewish life so special.

Shabbat shalom.

Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow

Bringing Light into the World

Shabbat Shalom from Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow

February 15-16, 2019 / 11 Adar I 5779

Shabbat Tetzaveh

Torah: Exodus 27:20 - 30:10 / Haftarah: Ezekiel 43:10 - 43:27

“Bringing Light into the World”

Dear Friends,

This week’s Torah portion instructs the Israelites to kindle the Eternal Light or Ner Tamidin the sanctuary with pure olive oil. In Genesis Rabbah, the rabbis of the Talmud interpret the light as a symbol and reminder of Israel’s mission to bring good deeds into the world based on Proverbs 6:23, “the mitzvah is a lamp, the Torah a light.” Every act of loving kindness brings illumination and understanding into the world.

Whatever we can do to help heal the world, every act of tikkun olam – giving tzedaka (charity), feeding those who are hungry, helping a person in need, caring for the ill, and more – brings more light into the world.  Every mitzvah keeps the Eternal Light burning.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow

Lighting the Way

Shabbat Shalom from Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow

February 8-9, 2019 / 4 Adar I 5779

Shabbat Terumah

Torah: Exodus 25:1 - 27:19     Haftarah: I Kings 5:26 - 6:13

“Lighting the Way”

Dear Friends,

What is the symbol of the Jewish people?  Most will answer that it is the six-pointed Star of David.  We wear the Magen Davidsymbol on necklaces and it is emblazoned on Israel’s flag.  We even call it the ‘Jewish Star.’  Yet, the Star of David is a relatively new symbol for Judaism and the Jewish people, dating probably to the late Middle Ages.

The older and more traditional, and some say more authentic symbol of Judaism is the seven-branched candelabrum called the ‘Menorah.’  The menorah is first described in this week’s Torah portion as one of the implements to be fashioned for the Israelites’ portable desert shrine.

Some say that the seven branches stand for the days of the week.  All are lit on the Shabbat.  Others say that the number seven stands for wholeness and completion.  The seven lights at the top of each branch are to be on the same level with none raised higher than any of the others.  This indicates equality and fairness.

Our Shir Hadash logo contains an impression of a menorah through the seven globes across the upper horizontal element.  The spheres are of ascending size representing all the different ages in our congregation that comprise our community – from children to adults.  Thus, the menorah comes to represent a fundamental Jewish value. Everyone has an important role to play in building our community.  Everyone is welcome.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow