D'var Torah From Rabbi Carnie Shalom Rose
-Ki Tissa-
Shalom Yedidim Yekarim (cherished friends)!
This week's Parshah of Kee Tisa contains, within it, one of the ugliest transgressions in the long history of the Jewish people, Chet HaEgel, the sin of the forging and worshipping the Golden Calf. Quite honestly, if I had my druthers (and the Chutzpah to do so), I would consider excising this sordid tale from our public Torah Readings in Shul. After all, what good does including this humiliating story do for our people? Think about it…How tragic that mere weeks after the greatest revelation of all time, Matan Torah - the epiphany at Sinai - when our forbearers saw and heard God up front and personal, they sank so low as to prostrate themselves before a human-made golden idol? How fickle and capriccios! How ungrateful and insensitive!
And yet, our Torah is a Torat Emet, an unflinchingly honest portrayal of our people (and all of people!) and fully records even the most unflattering and embarrassing moments of our lives – in full colored excruciating detail! The obvious question is why? Why be so brutally honest and unvarnished? What does this kind of unmitigated candor accomplish or come to teach us – at least in potential?
Perhaps the most profound lesson we can draw from this humiliating episode is that humans, all humans, misstep, stumble and sin. And despite this inconvenient truth, we never lose sight of the fact that atonement is possible. Despite our foibles and shortcomings, there is always a chance for expiation. Jewish Tradition has built into its very fabric – recorded in its formative text - the notion of second chances, do-overs, and, for you golf enthusiasts, Mulligans! In fact, later on in our Sidra, the Almighty instructs Moses to carve a second set of Luchot, Holy Tablets, to replace the first set which he brusquely smashed. This second set, unlike the first which were forged BeEtzba Elohim - by the Hand of the Divine, were the work of a human-being; the very person responsible for their shattering.
At a recent wedding, one at which we were all required to wear protective face coverings and remain socially distant, I shared an insight about why we break a glass underneath the Chuppah at the conclusion of a Jewish wedding ceremony. Counter intuitively, immediately following the smashing of the glass all those assembled joyously exclaim "Mazal Tov – good fortune and good luck!" But why celebrate the smashing, the utter destruction of the glass? I think the message is profound. Things break; that is the reality of our existence. But we cannot wallow eternally in the brokenness. We must move beyond the tragedies – both big and small - and move forward with life knowing we have another chance to create, to enjoy, and to celebrate. As my teacher and mentor Rabbi Lipnick (Z’L) would often quip following a moment of challenge, reversal or adversity: “It shouldn’t be worse”.
As we read this week’s Parashah, let us not only celebrate the receipt of the second set of Tablets by our ancient ancestors, but also be uplifted by the notion that we are blessed by a tradition that generously offers us opportunities for second chances. May we be wise enough to never squander this gift, Amen!
With love and blessings for a Shabbat Shalom!
This Shabbat, we welcome Jacob Baris to the Bimah for his Bar Mitzvah. Jacob Baris is the son of Jon and Melissa Baris. He is the younger brother of Danny Baris. Jacob’s grandparents are Larry & Sheryl Zigler and Shirlene & Irl (Z”L) Baris.
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, March 5
Friday Afternoon & Evening Services with Cantor Sharon Nathanson in the Guller Chapel: 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
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
Congregation B'nai Amoona's
"Lehrhaus" - Adult Education Institute
Please click the button below for a list of our Adult Education Opportunities including class schedule, descriptions, registration information, and Zoom links.
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!
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.
