D'var Torah From Rabbi Carnie Shalom Rose
-Mishpatim-
In Parashat Mishpatim, which we will read this coming Shabbat, we find ourselves situated between a mountain (Mount Sinai) and a Mishkan (the portable desert Tabernacle). The juxtaposition of the other-worldly grandeur of the Sinaitic revelation and the very earthly architectural plans for a mini-Temple, is jarring to say the least. So, how are we contemporary readers to understand the positioning and purpose of our Parashah?
To my mind, Parshat Mishpatim comes as a way to help us synthesize and integrate the epiphany at Sinai into our everyday, mundane lives. It comes to teach us how the power of Sinai can guide our existences even millennia after we gathered at the foot of the sacred mountain upon which the Holy One revealed the Decalogue. And Parshat Mishpatim is an attempt at integrating the intense pyrotechnics of Sinai into our often mundane and routine daily lives and routines.
It should, therefore, come as no surprise that our Sidra includes dozens of individual Mishpatim - laws and statutes - that come to consciously regulate and mandate daily life. In fact, Parshat Mishpatim includes four entire Prakim of rules and regulations and in this way, stands in sharp contrast to the terse Ten Utterances we find in our previous Parashah of Yitro. Our teacher Rabbi Lipnick (Z’L) once remarked to me on the Bimah that Mishpatim was the “Cliff Notes for the Ten Commandments, which makes it as important - if not more important – than the Decalogue itself. For everybody knows that though holy matrimony begins with the hoopla of the Chuppah, married life is truly tested in the crucible of the lived mundane experiences of the passing years”.
It is noteworthy that our Parshah begins with the words: “VeEleh – AND these are the rules that you shall set before them.” (Exodus 21:1). The little Hebrew letter Vav – which appears unnecessary in this verse - comes as a way to remind us that though our relationship with the Almighty began on a mountaintop, it is operationalized and lived out not in some transcendent realm, but rather here on earth. Our loftiest of goals and aspirations, as noble as they might be, can only be realized when married to the realities of our lived experience. Sinai was the moment when Divinity erupted into the human realm. However, this Holy Otherness can only be acted upon if it has earthly containers in which to reside. In the wilderness, it was the Mishkan that served this purpose, and in our era, dear friends, it is we who are called upon to be these vessels.
May we have the insight and fortitude to make ourselves into such repositories so that the profundity of the Sinai Revelation continues – through us – to make positive impacts on our own lives, the lives of our communities, and the lives of all who sojourn on this earth. Amen!
When we have Congregants participating in Services from their homes via Zoom on Friday and Saturday Evenings, we recognize that the audio may be difficult to hear on our Livestream or Facebook Live. To insure you hear all of our wonderful participants, we highly encourage you to join our services via Zoom. The links to join in on Zoom are provided in the schedule below.
If you need help connecting to our services or classes via Zoom, please contact Liessa Alperin atliessa@bnaiamoona.com. Todah Rabbah!
Friday, February 12
Friday Afternoon & Evening Services with Cantor Sharon Nathanson in the Guller Chapel: 6:00 pm
Saturday, February 13 - Repro Shabbat (see more details below) Tefillah with Rabbi Carnie Shalom Rose, Rabbi Jeffrey Abraham and Cantor Sharon Nathanson in the Main Sanctuary: 9:00 am
Torah read by Mitchell, David, & Alyssa Smith
Repro Shabbat speeches given by Jennifer Bernstein & Rachel Bray Spezia
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
via Zoom, Livestream and FB Live
Virtual Evening Minyan
Sunday - Thursday Evening Minyan will take place virtually at 6:15 pm
via Zoom,Livestream and FB Live
B'nai Amoona is proud to join congregations nationwide and the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) to celebrate Repro Shabbat: The Shabbat of Reproductive Rights, Reproductive Health Access, and Reproductive Justice on Saturday Morning, February 13, 2021. We will be joined by two guest speakers: Jennifer Bernstein and Rachel Bray Spezia.
Jennifer Bernstein currently serves as the advocacy manager at NCJW St. Louis. She grew up in Denver and moved to St. Louis with her family the summer before her senior year in high school. After graduating from George Washington University, Jennifer spent a year at Hebrew University in Jerusalem in a non-degree graduate studies program. Upon her return to St. Louis, she obtained a Masters in Social Work from the Brown School at Washington University.
Jennifer, her husband Scott and their son Ari (a sixth grader at Mirowitz) love being members of B’nai Amoona. In her spare time, you will find her either walking her rescue dog, Scout, listening to music, needlepointing, volunteering as a programming liaison for Alpha Epsilon Phi and spending time with her family.
Rachel Bray Spezia grew up in Belleville, IL, but has lived in the St. Louis area for the past seven years. She is a graduate of Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville, IL (SIUE) with a degree in studio art. While at SIUE, Rachel learned she had a medical condition that affected her reproductive system - she later used her diagnosis as the theme for her final art show in college.
Years later, Rachel received various treatments and procedures to get pregnant. During this time, she became familiar with topics like the lack of insurance coverage for fertility treatments, the dangers of Personhood Legislation, and the challenges minorities and marginalized groups often face when looking into Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART). Rachel also hosts periodic Zoom classes for individuals newly diagnosed with infertility. In 2020, Rachel exercised her right to "choose" by donating her remaining two frozen embryos to science.
Rachel, her husband James, and their son Wolfie are members of B'nai Amoona. Rachel is also B'nai Amoona's Communications Coordinator.
In-Person Shabbat Service Registration
We are now offering the opportunity to attend Shabbat Services "in-person." Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Please click the image below to reserve your spot - see you in Shul!
In Our Community
MAZEL TOV TO...
Jackie & Barry Gross and Sharon & Gordon (Z"L) Kuhr on the birth of their granddaugher, Goldie Danielle Kuhr. Proud parents are Michelle Gross Kuhr and Ben Kuhr. Excited big brother is Ari Gordon Kuhr.
Together in Song with Cantor Sharon & Friends
Sunday, February 21
Our Winter Concert Series with Cantor Sharon Nathanson and Friends continues this month on Sunday, February 21, beginning at 7:00.
Keep an eye on your inbox for the concert link, it will be sent in an email closer to the performance date.
This will NOT be replacing Cantor Sharon's Sweet 16 Concert! This is an addition to the future in-person Sweet 16 concert with Cantor Sharon Nathanson and Friends (date TBD).
Our virtual “Together in Song” mini-Concert has been
generously underwritten by these sponsors:
Anonymous Donor
Goldberg/Dalin Families
& Oscar and Elaine Goldberg New Idea Fund
Covid-19 Vaccine Prayers
As more people receive the Covid-19 vaccine, we encourage you to download and print the prayers below. We recommend you say them when you receive your vaccination.
