There is a Psalm for every day of the week, known as Shir Shel Yom. Wednesday's is Psalm 94, and it tells us, “For the law shall return to righteousness, and all those of upright heart shall follow it.” Implicit is the reality that the law is not always righteous. As the Torah warns us, sometimes there is Avale Be-Mishpat, or Perversion in the Law. Norms are essential for any functional society, but obedience to the law is never a sufficient religious posture. The truly pious jurist is zealous not so much for enforcing the law as for protecting the integrity of the system so that it can be an effective tool for righteousness.
There appears to be a connection between our Parshah Terumah and last week’s that I like to think is not accidental. Last week’s Parshah, Mishpatim, focused primarily on civil law. The association of the ritual with the mundane exposes us to all enlightening insight into Judaism. The Torah considers them all one. In Mishpatim we encounter the penalties for causing bodily injury, damaging property of others, sympathy for the poor, offering them free loans, and closing with the Jewish people finalizing their commitment to do what God mandates.
Parshat Terumah solely deals with the detailed construction of the Mishkan, the portable sanctuary considered to be the earthly dwelling place of God. We have the rules for a stable society, and then we are given a sacred center to worship together in. Tyrants can establish stable societies (think Saddam Hussein or Muammar Gaddafi), but not in a moral and just way. We, the Jewish people, are shown that with justice comes righteousness as the next rung in a progressive approach to God. What personal strategies are helpful in making this approach? Are they self-sacrifice, resolve and resistance, and reverence? Yes, all of these are needed, but they alone will not suffice.
The final words of Psalm 94 raise the question of how one becomes “upright of heart.” When a person is despondent, it is hard for them to act with sympathy and compassion. But when a person feels joy, he or she can afford to lend support. And then, in acts of righteousness, one discovers a sense of purpose and accomplishment, and this leads back to joy. It is a positive feedback loop, or “virtuous cycle,” to practice righteousness and cultivate joy.
The way that I understand Reb Nachman of Bratzlav’s (1772-1810) well-known dictum, Mitzvah Gedolah Lihyot Bisimchah Tamid, is that it is a great Mitzvah, or commandment, to always be joyous. Rabbi Shai Held, a well-known Jewish scholar once said to me, only a person who finds happiness to be challenging would call it a commandment. Reb Nachman is well-known for his moodiness, much like the Psalms, and it is perhaps this swing of emotions that makes his writings so spiritually accessible. Still, I sense that what Reb Nachman means is that cultivating joy augments the practice of Mitzvot, and cultivating Mitzvot augments joy. Let's cultivate such joy in our community and beyond during the coming weeks of Adar.
This Shabbat, we welcome Benjamin Robert Landy to the Bimah for his Bar Mitzvah. Ben is the son of Jessica Landy and Michael Landy. He is the younger brother of Samara, Jacob and Avi. Ben’s grandparents are Craig & Terri Weldon, Edward Landy (Z”L), and Rozalind Landy.
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 19 - Organ Donor Awareness Shabbat
Friday Afternoon & Evening Services with Cantor Sharon Nathanson in the Guller Chapel: 6:00 pm
Saturday, February 20 - Organ Donor Awareness Shabbat Tefillah with Rabbi Carnie Shalom Rose, Rabbi Jeffrey Abraham and Cantor Sharon Nathanson in the Main Sanctuary: 9:00 am
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
Together in Song with Cantor Sharon & Friends
THIS SUNDAY, February 21
*CONCERT LINK BELOW*
THIS SUNDAY, February 21 at 7:00 pm is Together in Song: A Virtual Mini Concert with Cantor Sharon Nathanson & Friends!
Simply click on the button below at 7:00 pm on Sunday, February 21 and enjoy the sweet sounds of our mini-concert! You may also join a few minutes earlier for some pre-concert chit chat!
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” Concert has been
generously underwritten by these sponsors:
Anonymous Donor
Goldberg/Dalin Families
& Oscar and Elaine Goldberg New Idea Fund
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...
Rabbi Carnie Shalom Rose who will receive his Honorary Doctoral Degree from the Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS). This prestigious honor is awarded to only a select group of Rabbis to recognize their important achievements and thank them for their leadership. Rabbi Rose will receive his degree during the JTS virtual convocation ceremony taking place on Sunday, June 6, 2021 from 1:00 - 2:15 pm. Mark your calendars and stay tuned for details!
Barbara & David (Z"L) Green and Natalie & Abdul Ben-Zikri on the birth of their granddaugher, Sabrina Lianne Ben-Zikri. Proud parents are Abigail Ben-Zikri & Sam Ben-Zikri. Sabrina Lianne is the great- granddaughter of Anne (Z"L) & Aaron (Z"L) Rosenthal and Wolf (Z"L) & Bina (Z"L) Green.
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.
