Belonging

 Shabbat Shalom from Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow

 

February 4-5, 2022 / 4 Adar I 5782

Shabbat Terumah

Torah: Exodus 25:1-27:19

Haftarah: I Kings 5:26 - 6:13

 

“Belonging”

 

Dear Friends,

 

What is the glue that unites us as a Jewish people?  In this week’s Torah portion, God commanded Moses to instruct the people to build a portable worship complex, called the Mishkan.  God said, “Let them build for Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them.”  It is an interesting sentence, as we might have expected for God to dwell in the sanctuary.  Instead, even with the sanctuary constructed, God intends to dwell amongst them - the people.

 

From this we learn that even though worship and study are very important in Jewish life, more fundamental is how we dwell in community.  The source that binds us together as a Jewish people is our sense of belonging.  We are all part of this huge Jewish family through space and over time.  Belonging is the foundation of our Jewish peoplehood.

 

Zay a mentsch – Be a good person.

 

Shabbat Shalom,

 

Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow

Science and Religion

Shabbat Shalom from Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow

 

January 28-29, 2022 / 27 Shvat 5782

Shabbat Mishpatim

Torah: Exodus 21:1-24:18

Haftarah: Jeremiah 34:8 - 34:22; 33:25 - 33:26

 

“Science and Religion” 

 

Dear Friends,

 

How do we become our best selves?  In last week’s Torah portion, the Children of Israel received the Ten Commandments.  In this week’s Torah portion, they got the “fine print” – a long series of laws to assist with the issues of everyday living. Why are laws contained in a religious text?  What is the connection?

 

Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan wrote: “To know human nature as it is, the scientific approach is sufficient. To know human nature as it ought to be, we need also the ethical approach.  To be sure that it can be what it ought to be we need, in addition, the religious approach.”

 

If laws are part of the ethical and religious approach, then Jewish religion is our path to good living and becoming the best we can be.

 

Zay a mentsch – Be a good person!

 

Shabbat shalom.

 

Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow

Who is Wise?

 Shabbat Shalom from Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow

 

January 21-22, 2022 / 22 Shevat 5782

Shabbat Yitro

Torah: Exodus 18:1 - 20:23     Haftarah: Isaiah 6:1 - 7:6; 9:5 - 9:6

 

“Who is Wise”

 

Dear Friends,

 

What is the essence of true wisdom?  Is it life experience, good judgement, or persistent preparation?  In this week’s Torah portion, Moses was having a tough go with leading the Children of Israel.  They had just left Egypt and already they were arguing and fighting amongst themselves.  Moses was the only one to judge and settle disputes. The task was overwhelming.  Yitro, Moses’ father-in-law came to the camp and offered some advice, suggesting that Moses establish a legal system of lower courts and appellate courts.  Moses should deal with only the toughest cases.  Moses listened and did as was explained, thus easing his burden of leadership.

 

The Talmud asks, “Who is Wise”.  It then answers, “He who learns from all people.”  No one is completely self-made.  The wise person is the one who listens to and gleans the knowledge and advice of others.

 

Zay a Mentsch – Be a Good Person.

 

Shabbat Shalom,

 

Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow

A Time for Action

Shabbat Shalom from Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow

 

January 14-15, 2022/ 13 Shevat 5782

 

Shabbat Beshalach - Shira

Torah - Exodus 13:17-17:16 / Haftarah - Judges 4:4-5:31

 

“A Time for Action”

 

Dear Friends,

 

They say that the hardest step to take on a journey is the first one.  In this week’s Torah portion, the Children of Israel had reached the Sea of Reeds and were blocked in forward progress. Pharaoh’s army was pursuing them.  There was only one option before the Israelites and that was to enter the sea, wet or dry. Moses prayed for deliverance.  The sages commented in Shemot Rabbah that God said to Moses, “There are times to shorten your prayers and a time to draw them out. My children are in dire distress, the sea has fenced them in, and the enemy is pursuing. So how can you stand there and multiply prayers!? Tell the Children of Israel to go forward.”

 

Thus, our Jewish tradition instructs those in positions of leadership.  Instead of talking endlessly about our dreams and intentions, it is much better that we get to work and take the necessary action to make those dreams a reality.

 

Zay a Mentsch – Be a Good Person.

 

Shabbat shalom.

 

Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow

Emotions

 Shabbat Shalom from Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow

 

 

January 7-8, 2022 / 6 Shevat 5782

 

Shabbat Bo

Torah - Exodus 10:1-13:16 / Haftarah - Jeremiah 46:13-28

 

“Emotions”

 

Dear Friends,

 

We are so fortunate to possess emotions. Feelings can be a wonderful guide for experiencing the world. Is there a way, however, for emotions to get in the way of good sense?  In this week’s Torah portion, Pharaoh’s emotions got carried away.  His hatred and fear of the Israelites drove him into ever increasing madness as he ignored the message of the plagues and refused to free the Hebrew slaves.  Ironically, his refusal to concede ultimately led to the liberation of the slaves and the horrible punishment inflicted on his kingdom, the death of the first born.

 

The Torah’s message is clear. Do not let emotions run away in defiance of rational thinking.  Rather, bring the two together to make the best decisions.

 

Zay a Mentsch – Be a Good Person.

 

Shabbat Shalom,

 

Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow