Completion

 Shabbat Shalom from Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow

 

July 2-3, 2021 / 23 Tammuz 5781

Shabbat Pinchas

Torah: Numbers 25:10 - 30:1     Haftarah: Jeremiah 1:1 - 2:3

 

“Completion”

 

Dear Friends,

 

With every project, there comes a time when you can see the completion nearing.  There is a moment when things fall into place, and you realize that you are almost done.  In this week’s Torah portion, Moses came to that moment.  His brother Aaron and sister Miriam were gone. God told him that it was his turn.  His life was near an end.  Moses asked to ascend a mountain to see the Promised Land, even though he would not enter. Looking out on the Land of Israel, I can imagine Moses sensing that the great enterprise of guiding the Children of Israel to the Promised land was coming to an end.   He understood that his life’s work was meaningful, valuable, lasting, and complete. That was a holy moment.

 

As we go about our daily work, and from time to time notice the completion of projects approaching, take some time to reflect.  Say a shehecheyanu prayer and give thanks for the opportunity to do good work and complete a project.

 

Zay a mentsch – be a good person.

 

Shabbat Shalom,

 

Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow

The Enemy of My Enemy

 Shabbat Shalom from Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow

 

June 25-26, 2021     16 Tammuz 5781

Shabbat Balak

Torah Portion:  Numbers 22:2-25:9 / Haftarah Portion: Micah 5:6-6:8

 

“The Enemy of My Enemy”

 

Dear Friends,

 

How do we choose our alliances?  As the Children of Israel were making their way towards the Promised Land, they passed through Moab. The king feared being overwhelmed and defeated by Israel. So, he called on Bil’am, a prophet of Midian, to curse the Israelites.  One fascinating aspect of this story, is that Moab and Midian were sworn enemies.  How is it that they were suddenly allied?  As the adage goes, “The enemy of my enemy is my friend.”

 

Choosing our allies based on a common enemy is pragmatic in the short run.  It still goes on today and is a regular feature on the daily news.  Hopefully, we can choose our allies and friends for more positive reasons, such as common values and aspirations.

 

Zay a Mentsch – Be a Good Person.

 

Shabbat Shalom,

 

Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow

A People of Fighters

 Shabbat Shalom from Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow

 

June 18-19, 2021 / 9 Tammuz 5781

Shabbat Hukat

Torah Portion: Numbers 19:1 - 22:1 / Haftarah Portion: Judges 11:1 - 11:33

 

“A People of Fighters”

 

Dear Friends,

 

What is the Israelite legacy? In this week’s Torah, the Children of Israel made their way through the region east of the Dead Sea on their way towards the Promised Land.  Along the way, they were opposed by the armies of Arad, Edom, and Aram.  In each confrontation, the Israelites won the battle. Thus, began a series of encounters which taught the Israelites how to fight and how to win. This would serve them well when Joshua took them across the Jordan River to enter the Promised Land of Israel.

 

Too often we think of Judaism as simply a tradition of Tikun Olam – Be nice to others and they will be nice to you. But the world is much, much more complex and our Jewish tradition is multi-faceted.  While Tikun Olam is an essential teaching and aspiration of our moral and ethical tradition, we are also a people seeking freedom and independence. Sometimes, when absolutely necessary, we have to fight for it. Yes, we are a people of peace and compassion.  We are also a people of fighters.

 

Zay a Mentsch – Be a good person.

 

L’Shalom,

 

Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow

Almond Blossom Special

 Shabbat Shalom from Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow

 

June 11-12, 2019 / 2 Tammuz 5781

Shabbat Korah

Torah: Numbers 16:1 - 18:32  /  Haftarah: I Samuel 11:14 - 12:22

 

“Almond Blossom Special”

 

Dear Friends,

 

How do we choose our leaders?  How do we know that they possess something special that sets them apart? In this week’s Torah portion, the Children of Israel were complaining and clamoring for new leadership.  Moses gathered the walking staffs of the leaders of the twelve tribes and placed them in the holy tabernacle so that God could choose who will lead.  By morning, Aaron’s staff sprouted almond blossoms – a clear indication of God’s favor.  Thus, Aaron’s tribe, Levi, became the tribe of leadership.  Aaron and his descendants served as priests, or Kohanim. Other Levites assisted them.

 

Today, we look for indications of worthiness and ability when we choose our leaders.  While we have no almond sprouting staffs, we rely on policy statements, speeches, records of achievement, and personality to guide us in our selection.  Hopefully, the leaders we choose will serve with compassion and integrity.

 

Zay a Mentsch – Be a Good Person.

 

Shabbat Shalom,

 

Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow