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Pinchas (Numbers 25:10-30:1)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: Pinchas (Numbers 25:10-30:1)

Five women: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah – the daughters of a man named Tzelofchad – stand up before Moses and Eleazar the Priest and all the people at the entrance of the Tabernacle and claim their right to inherit their father’s portion in the Land of Israel. 

Unlike the Rebellion of Korach which we read in the Torah portion just two weeks ago, here in Parashat Pinchas Moses listens to their plea, consults God for an answer, and grants their request – changing the law for them and all the generations of women in Israel. 

Why is the challenge which these women bring considered praiseworthy while Korach’s challenge is an affront against God? Because the daughters of Tzelofchad asks to inherit to preserve their father’s name and the rights of their family among all the households of Israel. Korach seeks power. The daughters of Tzelofchad seek justice. And for justice sake the Torah was created. 

May all our disagreements be for the sake of justice for us all. 

PINCHAS SUMMARY:

SUMMARY:
Pinchas is rewarded for killing the Israelite and the Midianite woman who cursed God. (25:10–15)
Israel fights a war against the Midianites. (25:16-18)
A second census is taken. (26:1–65)
The daughters of Zelophehad force a change in the laws of property inheritance. (27:1–11)
Joshua is chosen to be Moses’ successor. (27:15–23)
The sacrificial ritual for all festival occasions is described in detail. (28:1–30:1)

Summer Intern Update – Music

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Summer Intern Update – Music with Avery Curtis

This week I worked on cleaning and organizing the 5th Grade classroom in the Religious School. In that room, thanks to the many shelves on the back wall, we store resources for holiday events, activities, curriculum, etc. I tidied up by moving everything into clear, labeled bins and file boxes so that everything is visible and easily accessible. Now teachers and staff can easily find what they need for each holiday.

I also worked on digitizing all of Shir Chadash’s music. I scanned, labeled, and organized every music file. I also went through each piece of music to see if any lyrics, prayers, or blessings were written in our prayer book.

This was done because we plan on making a program for each time Shir Chadash sings for a service. This way, congregants will know where to find each prayer and/or be given the lyrics so they can follow along.

I was also given the great opportunity to substitute for Jennifer Diamond at Erev Shabbat Services this past weekend and this week (7-26). I am very excited to participate in such a meaningful way to our congregation.

Summer Intern Update – Music with Avery Curtis

This week I worked on cleaning and organizing the 5th Grade classroom in the Religious School. In that room, thanks to the many shelves on the back wall, we store resources for holiday events, activities, curriculum, etc. I tidied up by moving everything into clear, labeled bins and file boxes so that everything is visible and easily accessible. Now teachers and staff can easily find what they need for each holiday.

I also worked on digitizing all of Shir Chadash’s music. I scanned, labeled, and organized every music file. I also went through each piece of music to see if any lyrics, prayers, or blessings were written in our prayer book.

This was done because we plan on making a program for each time Shir Chadash sings for a service. This way, congregants will know where to find each prayer and/or be given the lyrics so they can follow along.

I was also given the great opportunity to substitute for Jennifer Diamond at Erev Shabbat Services this past weekend and this week (7-26). I am very excited to participate in such a meaningful way to our congregation.

Balak (Numbers 22:2-25:9)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: Balak (Numbers 22:2-25:9)
Horses were cherished in Biblical society, but not so the donkey. At best the “aton”, or she-ass, was a steady beast of burden. The word “aton” appears 34 times in the Hebrew Bible, 14 of which occur within the context of our Parashah, Balak. The 20 other references are considerably less positive. Donkeys were commonly portrayed in ancient literature as foolish, stubborn, wicked or servile at best, and generally represented the lowest classes of society.

Here in our Torah portion the famous seer Bilaam cannot see the angel which God has placed in his path, but his donkey can. There are three confrontations with the invisible messenger of the Lord, each one increasingly difficult to ignore. Even a dumb animal can see that Bilaam is acting against God’s plan, even though the great “seer” cannot. The question for our Torah portion is, can this great seer raise himself to the level of a she-ass and see what is right and what God requires of him? The question for us to answer is – can we?

BALAK SUMMARY:

SUMMARY:
Balak, the king of Moab, persuades the prophet Balaam to curse the Israelites so that he can defeat them and drive them out of the region. However, Balaam blesses the Children of Israel instead and prophesies that Israel’s enemies will be defeated. (22:2-24:25)
God punishes the Israelites with a plague for consorting with the Moabite women and their god. The plague is stayed after Pinchas kills an Israelite man and his Midianite woman. (25:1-9)

Governor’s Scholars Tour Temple

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On Thursday, July 18, Rabbi Rapport and his son Lev hosted over 40 students from the Governor’s Scholars program at Bellarmine University. They toured our prayer spaces and archives, asked questions about Judaism, and learned about Jewish mindfulness.

Rabbi Rapport has served the congregation since 1988. He teaches in a variety of adult education classes, as well as teaching the Religious School’s sixth grade class and the High School of Jewish Studies, guiding The Temple Confirmation Class, and working closely with Bar and Bat Mitzvah students. Each summer, he works with Jewish children during a two-week session at Goldman Union Camp Institute in Zionsville, Indiana. He oversees many congregational programs, serving as rabbinic liaison for the Brotherhood, the Temple Archives, and the Building Committee, among others. In all of these areas, he brings a particular commitment to social action and Tikkun Olam – repairing the world.

On Thursday, July 18, Rabbi Rapport and his son Lev hosted over 40 students from the Governor’s Scholars program at Bellarmine University. They toured our prayer spaces and archives, asked questions about Judaism, and learned about Jewish mindfulness.
Rabbi Rapport has served the congregation since 1988. He teaches in a variety of adult education classes, as well as teaching the Religious School’s sixth grade class and the High School of Jewish Studies, guiding The Temple Confirmation Class, and working closely with Bar and Bat Mitzvah students. Each summer, he works with Jewish children during a two-week session at Goldman Union Camp Institute in Zionsville, Indiana. He oversees many congregational programs, serving as rabbinic liaison for the Brotherhood, the Temple Archives, and the Building Committee, among others. In all of these areas, he brings a particular commitment to social action and Tikkun Olam – repairing the world.

Chukat (Numbers 19:1 -22:1)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: Chukat (Numbers 19:1 -22:1)

This week’s Torah Portion marks the passing of Miriam, the first of that remarkable family of leaders who brought us forth out of Egypt. But consider this simple lesson in the numbers of Numbers: Moses is mentioned 766 times in the Torah, Aaron’s name is mentioned 347 times, and Miriam is mentioned by name 12 times. In sum, one generation of one family of Israelites is mentioned in the Torah 1125 times and Miriam represents only 12.

What does that teach us? Well, it teaches us that the words of women are undercounted in the Torah, and yet it also teaches us that Miriam mattered. Miriam is remembered as the first woman to be called a prophet in Israel. Miriam who protected Moses as a child, who led the women in Song as we crossed the Red Sea, who found water for our thirst during our wanderings through the desert, Miriam who is mentioned just 12 times in the Torah is remembered by millions still today. May we all be worthy of such a memory.

CHUKAT SUMMARY:

The laws of the red heifer to purify a person who has had contact with a corpse are given. (19:1-22)
The people arrive at the wilderness of Zin. Miriam dies and is buried there. (20:1)
The people complain that they have no water. Moses strikes the rock to get water for them. God tells Moses and Aaron they will not enter the Land of Israel. (20:2-13)
The king of Edom refuses to let the Children of Israel pass through his land. After Aaron’s priestly garments are given to his son Eleazer, Aaron dies. (20:14-29)
After they are punished for complaining about the lack of bread and water, the Israelites repent and are victorious in battle against the Amorites and the people of Bashan, whose lands they capture. (21:4-22:1)

Summer Intern Update – Yahrzeit

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Summer Intern Update – Yahrzeit with Clayton Oppenheimer

In between the tutoring sessions of B’nei Mitzvah students, I’ve been working on improving how we organize the Yahrzeit plaques and updating the database so we can locate each of them with ease.  It is not as exciting as tutoring, but this will help a family wanting to remember or honor their lost loved ones in finding their memorialized plaque. These plaques perpetuate and cherish the legacies of our fallen loved ones. Honoring the people you love should be stress-free.

As I learn patience from this monotonous task, I also feel this a very important aspect to the congregation and all the loved ones of those memorialized.  It is beautiful to be able to spark memories from these plaques to current loved ones, but through time it will spark interest of lost distant relatives and their legacies to the future families of our congregation.

Summer Intern Update – Yahrzeit with Clayton OppenheimerIn between the tutoring sessions of B’nei Mitzvah students, I’ve been working on improving how we organize the Yahrzeit plaques and updating the database so we can locate each of them with ease.  It is not as exciting as tutoring, but this will help a family wanting to remember or honor their lost loved ones in finding their memorialized plaque. These plaques perpetuate and cherish the legacies of our fallen loved ones. Honoring the people you love should be stress-free.As I learn patience from this monotonous task, I also feel this a very important aspect to the congregation and all the loved ones of those memorialized.  It is beautiful to be able to spark memories from these plaques to current loved ones, but through time it will spark interest of lost distant relatives and their legacies to the future families of our congregation.

Independence Day Shabbat

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Thank you everyone for attending our Independence Day Shabbat!  We had a cookout, Tot Shabbat, patriotic service, and the famous WRJ Red, White, & Blue Shabbat Oneg.

 

Shabbat (the Sabbath) is a key part of Jewish life; it is observed as a day of rest and spiritual rejuvenation. Shabbat takes place from nightfall on Friday to nightfall on Saturday. In the home and synagogue, blessings are made and candles are lit to welcome Shabbat and signify the start of the festival. The Kiddush prayer is recited to represent the holiness of the day. Blessings are made over wine and challah. (See information on Shabbat services with our new Guide to Jewish Services.)

SPECIAL

Special Shabbat Services are held throughout the year. Just a few of these services include: Brotherhood and Sisterhood Shabbats, Independence Day Shabbat, Martin Luther King Jr. Shabbat, Interfaith Shabbat, and a Yom Hashoah Shabbat service led by the Grade 6 class. These services often have a special guest who speaks in place of a sermon by one of our rabbis.

Saturday Morning Shabbat Services are always held at 10:30 am, after Torah Study which begins at 9:00 am. On many Saturdays of the year, a Bar or Bat Mitzvah student leads the Shabbat service and a kiddish luncheon for everyone takes place following the service. On those occasions, there is usually a special table – the Rebbe’s Tisch – where congregants can continue studying the weekly Torah portion with the rabbi.

Summer Intern Update – ECEC

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Check out Summer Intern Update – ECEC from Avery Curtis!

This week I worked with ECEC, getting to know the kids and making friendships with them. I love working with kids and I’m so thankful that I get to spend a few hours with them every morning. There are several kids who now know me as a regular presence so they run up to me when they see me in the morning.

It is my goal in life to become a music teacher for young children, so I feel that I am gaining valuable experience in being able to work with these children, learning how every child is so different in how they see the world and interact with others.

I can’t wait to see what more I learn from these kids.

Check out Summer Intern Update – ECEC from Avery Curtis!

This week I worked with ECEC, getting to know the kids and making friendships with them. I love working with kids and I’m so thankful that I get to spend a few hours with them every morning. There are several kids who now know me as a regular presence so they run up to me when they see me in the morning.

It is my goal in life to become a music teacher for young children, so I feel that I am gaining valuable experience in being able to work with these children, learning how every child is so different in how they see the world and interact with others.

I can’t wait to see what more I learn from these kids.

Korach (Numbers 16:1 – 18:32)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: Korach (Numbers 16:1 – 18:32)

Korach is the story of a rebellion against the authority of Moses and Aaron. The ground beneath Korach’s feet literally gives way, a symbol of the rootlessness of his rebellion. Moses on the other hand, stands on solid ground, sure of his footing because he leads in God’s name.

After the rebellion, Moses gathers the staffs from each of the Tribes of Israel inscribing the name of the leader upon each staff, with Aaron’s name representing the Tribe of Levi. Miraculously, Aaron’s staff sets roots and bears fruit, a symbol of the strength of their leadership which is rooted in God’s law. The Torah is called “a tree of life to all who hold fast to her” (Proverbs 3:18). May all our leaders be rooted in the justice and righteousness which we call by the name of Torah.

KORACH SUMMARY:
Korach and his followers, Dathan and Abiram, lead a rebellion against the leadership of Moses and Aaron. God punishes the rebels by burying them and their families alive. Once again, God brings a plague on the people. (16:1-17:15)
The chief of each tribe deposits his staff inside the Tent of Meeting. Aaron’s staff brings forth sprouts, produces blossoms, and bears almonds. (17:16-26)
The Kohanim and Levites are established and assigned the responsibility of managing the donations to the Sanctuary. All of the firstborn offerings shall go to the priests and all the tithes are designated for the Levites in return for the services they perform. (18:1-32)
TOPICS: Plague, Rebellion, Tithe

Bar Mitzvah in Israel

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Mazel tov, to David Kaplan, as he was called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah in Israel at the Egalitarian Wall.

What is Bar/Bat Mitzvah?

Bar or Bat Mitzvah is a title a Jew earns at the age of 13. The title indicates a new status in the Jewish community with accompanying privileges and responsibilities.

Bar means “son” and Bat means “daughter.” A mitzvah is a ‘commandment.’ Thus, to become a Bar or Bat Mitzvah is to become a son or daughter of the commandment, that is, one who is obligated to learn about and to observe commandments and Jewish practices as an adult.

Mitzvot teach us to sanctify life. They foster both selflessness and self-esteem, so crucial to the life of a young Jew. They can bring Jewish families closer to the Jewish people, to all people, and to God. Getting ready for Bat and Bar Mitzvah provides a perfect opportunity to bring mitzvot into our Jewish lives. The terms Bar and Bat Mitzvah can therefore be understood as “old enough to do mitzvot.”

The Bat/Bar Mitzvah child at The Temple leads part of the Saturday Shabbat service and reads or chants the Torah and Haftarah portion and blessings for that particular Shabbat. Reading the Torah and Haftarah is an honor and a privilege, but it is also a challenge. It requires knowledge of the Hebrew language and an understanding of sections of our sacred texts. It also affords the students an opportunity to take an adult role in the synagogue and the Jewish community.