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Bare Bones Front

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Oneg and Shabbat Services Schedule

Shabbat Services Schedule

Programs Schedule

Weekly ZOOM Live Schedule with Rabbi & Penny – We invite you to attend

Meeting number is 810 155 1107

Friday 7:30 p.m. Friday Evening Service

Saturday 10:00 a.m. Saturday Morning Service

Tuesday 4:00 p.m. Open Forum discussion/Torah Talk

torah

This Weeks Torah Parasha

Torah Portion of the Week
Torah Portion: >-פנחס

The haftarah for Pinchas consists of the entire first chapter of Jeremiah and continues through the first three verses of Jeremiah 2. The Book of Jeremiah opens with a description of God’s selection of Jeremiah as a prophet. The youthful Jeremiah is reluctant to prophesy, claiming that he is unqualified because he is but a lad. God touches his mouth, and tells Jeremiah to have no fear after all, God will put His words in to the prophet’s mouth.

The first prophecy of Jeremiah concerns a vision of an almond-wood staff that God shows him. The second prophecy is a vision of a boiling caldron that is bubbling over from its northern side. God explains that the boiling caldron represents the evil that will burst forth from the north, symbolizing the Babylonian nation, who will emerge from the north, bringing great destruction in their wake.

While the meaning of the prophecy of the burning caldron is quite straightforward, the opening prophecy of the almond-wood staff is opaque and confounding. In Jeremiah 1:11, God asks the prophet, ?מָה אַתָּה רֹאֶה יִרְמְיָהוּ “What do you see, Jeremiah?” The prophet responds, מַקֵּל שָׁקֵד אֲנִי רֹאֶה, “I see a staff made of almond-wood.” Continuing his prophecy, Jeremiah says, (Jeremiah 1:12): וַיֹּאמֶר השׁם אֵלַי, God said to me, הֵיטַבְתָּ לִרְאוֹת כִּי שֹׁקֵד אֲנִי עַל דְּבָרִי לַעֲשֹׂתו, “You have seen very well, for I will hasten to fulfill My word!“

The representational message of the almond-wood staff is clearly the message of “speed.” Since the almond is the first tree to blossom in Israel, it symbolizes speed and alacrity–that God will hasten to bring the ominous fulfillment of His prophecy of destruction upon the Jewish people. (See the reference to almonds blossoming on Aaron’s staff in Numbers 17:23).

For us, this is a most profound lesson of life. Whether the issues concern Jews or non-Jews, the land of Israel or other lands and other people in various parts of the world, the message of Israel prevailing over its enemies must be conveyed with care and consideration. Even when we speak of those who seemingly deserve to be punished, for the Jew, the message of suffering can never be a joyous message. Says the book of Proverbs–Mishlei (24:17), בִּנְפֹל אוֹיִבְךָ, אַל תִּשְׂמָח, When your enemy falters, do not rejoice. As much as we would like to rejoice, (and perhaps, even deserve to rejoice), it is never proper to rejoice. It must be difficult for Jews to see even our most deserving enemies suffer.

Other topics in our Torah portions are the deputation to Edom to sojourn through its territory on their way Israel. Diplomatic efforts failed and Israel goes to war and win a victory.

1) During this period of mourning, certain restrictions have become customary. These restrictions intensify at the beginning of the Month of Av during the period known as the “Nine Days.”

2) The following activities are avoided or prohibited during the three weeks:

a) Weddings (according to Ashkenazic custom)

b) Listening to live music

c) Dancing to music (instrumental)

d) Pleasure-trips

e) Hair cuts (Sephardim only prohibit haircuts during the Nine Days)

f) Saying a Shecheyanu, the blessing said over a new fruit or new outfit

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