This Shabbat, we will read Parashat Emor from the Book of Leviticus. Like many of the other Parshiot in this Holy Sefer, Emor highlights the special responsibilities and obligations placed upon the Kohanim, the Priestly Class of Ancient Israel.
One of the major questions, which has occupied the attention of our Rabbis for centuries, is why the Torah in this particular Parashah choses to utilize the word “Emor” rather than the more common Hebrew word “Vayedaber” when describing the communication between the Almighty and Moses and then the subsequent transmittal of God’s message from Moses to his brother, Aaron the High Priest’s progeny, the Kohanim?
As the Torah shares: “The LORD said to Moses: Speak (“Emor”) to the priests, the sons of Aaron, and say to them (“VeAmarta”): None of you shall defile yourself for any [dead] person among your kin.” (Leviticus 21:1)
My teacher, Rabbi Lipnick of blessed memory, who celebrated both his 1st and 2nd Bar Mitzvah on Shabbat Parashat Emor, and was a master orator as well as a keen student of Torah, once pointed out to me a Midrash from the collection known as the Tanchuma to Parashat Tzav. This Midrash posits that the difference between these two terms is predominantly a difference in inflection and tonality. It considers the word “VaYedaber” as a harsh or strident way of communicating and “Amar” as a gentler, softer approach to the sharing information.
Thus, the term “Daber” connotes an intentional distancing between the speaker and those being addressed, while “Amar” endeavors to underscore a closeness, a kind of intimacy, between the parties.
Clearly, the relationship between the words “Daber” and “Amar” is complex and nuanced. And this, of course, should come as no surprise to us as the whole arena of communication, which is the cornerstone of all human relationships, is convoluted. Thus, our Torah in its infinite wisdom and its profoundly deep understanding of the human condition, provides us with a series of varied terms to describe our interactions with one another and with our Divine Parent. Each term in our Holy Writ helps us better appreciate the challenges and opportunities presented to us in our quest for healthy, constructive and fruitful interactions.
As we know, we the Jewish People are referred to as a “Kingdom of Priests and a Holy Nation”. Thus, especially in this day and age as we desperately quest for the numinous and the transcendent, each of us is a Kohen. And as such, each of us must consider the best modality in which to share thoughts, ideas, feelings and insight. Moreover, we must communicate to those around us how we need to be communicated with. Whether we employ a “Daber” or an “Amar” modality, let us do so with love, respect and most especially with a sense that we are participants in sacred and holy interactions – with one another and with the Almighty.
With love blessings for a Shabbat Shalom - a Shabbes filled with healthy and productive communication.
Omaira was born in Cali Colombia and grew up in Venezuela. Omaira has two wonderful daughters, Omily who is twenty-one years old and Nyvene who is eight years old. She is also a dear friend of Paul and Diane Gallant.
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, April 30
Friday Evening Services & Confirmation Ceremony with Cantor Sharon Nathanson in the Main Sanctuary: 6:00 pm
Mazel Tov to our Confirmation Students who will be honored during Services:
Ilana Boyer, daughter of Marci & Marty Boyer
Aydan Bricker, daughter of Jamie & Cory Bricker
Evan Canis, son of Terri & Randy Canis
Samuel Deutsch, son of Lisa & Jimmy Deutsch
Ariela Grad, daughter of Mihaela & Matthew Grad
Adli Jacobs, son of Jennifer & Morrison Jacobs
Pre-Bat Mitzvah participation of Omaira Rustemeyer.
Torah For Today with Rabbi Neal Rose: Insights into the Weekly Torah Portion: The Holiness of Time: 11:00 am
Torah read by Benjamin Kruger
via Zoom (only)
Shabbat Play at BA: 3:00 - 5:00 pm (come when you want and stay as long as you want)
Families are invited to bring their children (of all ages) to the B'nai Amoona fields, basketball court and north side playground for a Shabbat afternoon of fun together.
We kindly request that everyone wears a mask and that all children have their own water bottle. We also ask that an adult accompany their child during this program.
Shabbat Afternoon/Evening Services: Minchah and Ma'ariv led by David Kantor and Special learning session with Rabbi Neal Rose: 7:30 pm
Torah for the Third Meal (Shabbat Afternoon): The Ethics of Counting the Omer with Rabbi Neal Rose
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 Services and Minyanim
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 Services and Minyanim
Sunday - Thursday Evening Minyan will take place virtually at 6:15 pm
via Zoom,Livestream and FB Live
Shalom! Registration for in-person Shabbat Morning Services is now open to the congregation when there is NO Bar or Bat Mitzvah taking place. We are, at the recommendation of our physicians, currently permitting to 100 people in our Sanctuary and those spots are reserved initially for the family and friends of the Bar or Bat Mitzvah. If we should have space available on a particular Shabbat morning and after confirming with the Bat/Bar family, we will post that information via our website and registration will be available for members of the B’nai Amoona family.
In addition, beginning on May 1, we will be permitting up to 50 participants in-person for our Friday Night and Saturday afternoon services in the Guller Chapel. Because of Bar and Pre Bar and Bat Mitzvah Participations, we will be following the same process as Shabbat Morning Services; the family will be given the option of inviting 50 guests to attend and then will let us know how many openings they have. We will then post that information for registration on our website.
Currently, we have B’nai Mitzvah scheduled each Shabbat morning through June, but you are welcome to register for Saturday Afternoon/Evening Services when online registration opens. As always, we encourage everyone to join our Services virtually, on Facebook Live and Livestream, if you are not able to join us live in Shul!
Todah Rabbah for your understanding and support as we inch ever closer to our new normal!
Congregation B'nai Amoona's
"Lehrhaus" - Adult Education Institute
Please click the button below for a list of our Adult Education Opportunities including class schedules, descriptions, registration information, and Zoom links. Please note our newest classes.
Nancy Joy Deitch Goodman; beloved wife of Aaron Goodman; dear sister and sister in law of Bob Deitch and Susan (Stuart) Spiegel. Nancy was a beloved “Fur-Mommy” to Rosie and Penny. Nancy was the former President of the St. Louis Hadassah Chapter and the former president of B’nai Amoona Sisterhood. Dear wife, sister, sister in law and friend to many.
Jewish tradition teaches “Kol Yisrael Arevim Zeh Bazeh,” meaning that we are all
responsible for each other (B.Talmud Shevuot 39a).
Our B'nai Amoona Klei Kodesh is proud to join other local Jewish spiritual leaders in issuingTHIS STATEMENTin favor of receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, continuing to wear a mask and practice social distancing as recommended by the CDC and other medical and other public health authorities.
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.
