We are in a period post Tishah B'Av when we read special Haftarot of consolation for seven weeks leading to Rosh Hashanah. This week's Haftarah for Parashat Eikev is from Isaiah. Isaiah includes the much quoted phrase “light unto the nations,” the privileged position for which God chose Israel and made it God's emissary to humanity.* The Haftarah walks us through the ups and downs of our people, recognizing that we will have times of despair but ultimately will rise again.
Israel’s first Prime Minister, David Ben-Gurion, emphasized his vision of Medinat Yisrael, the State of Israel as a moral and social beacon to the world, and by that, in his view, it shall implement the vision of the Prophets. The election of the Menorah as its symbol was derived from the image of the nascent state as a “Light Unto the Nations.”
The Haftarah this week ends with one of the great lyrical verses in Scripture, the assurance that the wasteland will turn to the Garden of Eden and dirge to joyous song. Even in the despair of the weeks from Tishah B'Av leading to Rosh Hashanah, we are being consoled, and those words have become all the more prophetic for those of us who have witnessed what has become of the Land of Israel: it really has become a "light" to the world with all of the technological, scientific, literary, humanitarian, business and medical contributions to humankind.
Beyond the State of Israel, we have all been struggling these last few months as we move through this pandemic. This time period leading up to the High Holy Days is a reminder that we must continue to rise up in the face of adversity and work together to bring blessings to one another. Our Parshah begins with reminding us that there are blessings and curses that will befall us, but ultimately if we stay true to ourselves and our God, the blessings will prevail.
As we continue to work together as a community, my plea for us is that we all find our “light” collectively in the coming weeks leading up to the High Holy Days.
*When I put this together, I was “sure” the well known phrase “light unto the nations” was in this week’s Haftarah. This statement is actually found in Isaiah 49:6, and the Haftarah begins at 49:14.
Shabbat Spotlight
Parshat Parshat Eikev Candlelighting: Friday, August 7 at 7:47 pm Shabbat Ends: Saturday, August 8 at 8:33 pm
Please click the links below for this week's Torah and Haftarah commentary
Virtual Friday Evening Services, Shabbat Services and Havdalah
Friday, August 7 Friday Evening Services with Cantor Sharon with Nikki Goldfeder, Marit Sosnoff, David Schenberg, Judy Abrams, Karen Noss, Matt Smith, BelleAnne and Andy Curry and Benny Abraham: 6:00 pm
Our B’nai Amoona’s Minyan Program consists of our amazing, dedicated Minyannaires who assure warm and welcoming ongoing daily Minyanim, morning and evening. These services support those in our community who have lost loved ones and may be feeling lonely and isolated. Our BA virtual Minyanim are a constant source of strength and comfort for those who wish to recite the Kaddish. Moreover, our Minyanim are a wonderful opportunity for spiritual uplift, social connection, community building, and the ability to fulfill one's daily Chiyuv, duty, to thank God for all that we have. This combination of Kehillah and Kibbitzing allows up to remain spiritually connected despite being socially distant. All are warmly welcomed! Please join us!
Virtual Morning Minyan
Sunday Morning Minyan will take place virtually at 9:00 am Monday - Friday Morning Minyan will take place virtually at 7:00 am Available via Zoom, Livestream and FB Live Zoom link is for all morning Minyan Services
Virtual Evening Minyan
Sunday - Thursday Evening Minyan will take place virtually at 6:15 pm Available via Zoom, Livestream and FB Live Zoom link is for all evening Minyan Services
MAZEL TOV TO... Amy & Brock Atchley on the birth of their daughter Tikvah Tamar Atchley. Proud siblings are Christian, Keelie, Keira, Hadassah and Yochanan.
WE MOURN THE PASSING OF...
Terry Hieken; beloved wife of Harvey Hieken (Z"L); mother of Shelley Edwards (Bruce) and Andrea Mintz (Mike Jennings); granmother of Sara Uribe (Luis), Julie Rosenberg (Fredric), Lisa Spector (Kevin) and Charlie Mintz; great-grandmother of Oscar and Oliver Uribe, Hamilton, Harry, Felix and Solomon Rosenberg and Jacob and Zoe Spector; dear sister-in- law of Charles Hieken (Z"L) (Donna Z"L), Milton Hieken (Barbara) and Suzanne Cohan (Paul). Our dear aunt, cousin and friend.
Esther Lyss-Greenstein; beloved wife of Harvey Greenstein; loving mother of Sheryl Lyss (Paul Lewis), Julie Lyss, and Pamela Lyss-Lerman (Jason Lerman); her children by marriage Janet (Barry) Lutz, Mike (Lisa) Greenstein, Jim Greenstein (Lori Linder), Davia Loren and Sharon Gorman, loving grandmother of 21 grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and dozens of devoted relatives and lifelong friends. She was predeceased by her first husband, Stanley Lyss (Z"L), brother Bernard Bryan (Z"L), and her loving parents and in-laws, Ida (Z"L) and Irving (Z"L) Bryan and Bluma (Z"L) and Paul (Z"L) Lyss.
Joseph Jules Dolgin, uncle of Judy Borah and great-uncle of Alli Ornberg.
