The Generation of the Flood

Shabbat Shalom from Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow

November 1-2, 2019 / 4 Cheshvan 5780

Shabbat Noach

Torah: Genesis 6:9 - 11:32          Haftarah: Isaiah 54:1 - 55:5

“The Generation of the Flood”

Dear Friends,

Why did God bring on the flood that destroyed nearly all life on earth?  What was the immorality that upset God so much?  There are many explanations in the rabbinic commentaries.  The Midrash Tanchuma states that the people of the flood generation used to move the boundary markers and landmarks of their neighbors in order to enlarge their own properties.  They would also steal farm animals from widows and orphans.  This all indicates lawlessness where people focused on selfish behavior and disregard for others.

Noah, however, was a righteous man. So, God selected him to live.  Through this story, the Torah portion wants us to understand that Judaism is all about creating a society respecting the rule of law and promoting justice and thoughtfulness.  Our system of mitzvot is designed to help us focus our lives towards acts of loving-kindness, meaning, and obedience to the greater good.  Our Jewish heritage, tradition, and spirituality help us become our best selves.

Zay a mentsch – Be a Good Person.

Shabbat shalom.

Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow

Awe

Shabbat Shalom From Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow

October 25-26, 2019 / 27 Tishrei 5780

Shabbat Bereisheet

Torah Portion: Genesis 1:1-6:8 / Haftarah Portion: Isaiah 42:5-43:10

“Awe”

Dear Friends,

As the fall progresses and the leaves turn to a myriad of colors, take some time to appreciate the beauty all around us.  On this Shabbat, we read of the creation of the world as we start reading the Torah from the very beginning. The account of the days of creation provides a great opportunity to pause in awe of the miracle of all existence – the earth, the heavens, and all life.

The fifteenth century rabbinic commentator Don Isaac Abravanel noted the fragile balance that was contained in the perfection of creation.  Abravanel noted that had the sun been closer to the earth or larger in size, we would burn up.  Likewise, had the sun been further away or smaller, the earth would be too cold to maintain human life. Everything was placed in the exact position.  God’s creation is a work of awesome perfection.

As we read the creation story, take some time to experience the wondrous world in which we live.  Note how everything works in amazing harmony, a balance with stirs the soul and fills the spirit. Awe.

Shabbat shalom.

Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow

Sukkot – Appreciating the Gifts of Nature

Shabbat Shalom From Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow

October 18-19, 2019 / 20 Tishrei 5780

Shabbat Chol Hamo’ed Sukkot

Torah Portion: Exodus 33:12-43:26, Deuteronomy 16:13-17

Haftarah Portion:  Ezekiel 38:18-39:16

“Sukkot – Appreciating the Gifts of Nature”

Dear Friends,

You shall live in booths seven days… in order that future generations may know that I made the Israelite people live in sukkot when I brought them out of the land of Egypt... [Leviticus 23:42-43]

In Jerusalem on the day after Yom Kippur, sukkah booths suddenly appear all over the city. They are beside houses, on apartment balconies, and even next to restaurants. These feeble huts remind us of the dwellings of our ancestors as they travelled through the desert for 40 years from Egypt to the Promised Land.

Through the flimsy roofs, we let in the wind and the rain.  We see the stars and moon when we look up through the branches. Tradition tells us to read the book of Ecclesiastes to remind ourselves how small and insignificant we are when compared to the immensity and majesty of all creation.  And yet, while feeling tiny and minute in the cosmos, we also come to appreciate how fortunate we are to be alive.  We pause to take in all that the natural world has to give us.

Spend some time in a sukkah and pause to reflect on how lucky we are.  Let your senses remind you of how good it is to be alive and how fortunate we are to share in nature’s bounty.

Shabbat Shalom and Hag Same’ach – Happy Holidays,

Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow

Recalling Our Jewish History

Shabbat Shalom from Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow

October 11-12, 2019 / 13 Tishrei 5780

Shabbat Ha’azinu

Torah: Deuteronomy 32:1 - 32:52

Haftarah: II Samuel 22:1-51

“Recalling Our Jewish History”

Dear Friends,

We Jews love to recall our Jewish history.  In this week’s Torah portion, Moses told the Israelites to “Remember the days of old. Consider the years of ages past.” Throughout our Jewish civilization we have many opportunities to remember.  Our rituals and celebrations have historical roots.  Passover is about our deliverance from bondage in Egypt.  Shavu’ot is about receiving the Torah on Mount Sinai. Hanukkah is about the victory of the Maccabees. Purim is about Queen Esther defeating Haman. When we recite the Kiddush on Shabbat, the prayer reminds us about our liberation from Egyptian slavery to freedom.

The message is clear.  It is critical for us to learn and remember our Jewish history. History is a path to strengthening our sense of Jewish identity.

As we enter a New Year, I encourage you to learn more about Jewish history.  Discover your Jewish past, present, and future.

Zay a mentsch – Be a Good Person.

Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow

L’shanah Tovah – A Healthy and Happy New Year

Shabbat Shalom v’Shanah Tovah From Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow

October 4-5, 2019       6 Tishrei 5780

Shabbat Vayelech/ Shuvah

Torah Portion: Deuteronomy 31:1-30

Haftarah Portion: Hosea 14:2-10, Micah 7:18-20, & Joel 2:15-27

“L’shanah Tovah – A Healthy and Happy New Year”

Dear Friends,

This Shabbat is called “Shabbat Shuvah” which literally means "Sabbath of Return," but it is also a play on the word "Teshuvah," which means “Repentance.” It is the Shabbat that occurs between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur and is a time for reflection and introspection. Amongst the special Haftarah readings are one from Hosea dealing with the importance of true repentance and one from Micah praising God's mercy.  What intrigues me about the word “Shuvah” is that it is in command form.  It says to us, “Return!”

Returning to a correct and proper path in life is hard. Habit seems to rule us and temptation distracts us.  Nevertheless, we must make changes for the better.  This is the moment to make some commitments.

What will you change about your life and your behaviors in the coming year? 

This is the question of Shabbat Shuvah.

I wish you a healthy, happy, and sweet New Year.

Shabbat Shalom v'Shanah Tovah,

Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow