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This Week's Torah Portion is

Ki Tisa

D'var Torah From Rabbi Jeffrey Abraham

Parshat Ki Tisa opens with the admonition, “This is what everyone who is entered in the records shall pay...” (30:13) God’s command was for every male between 20 and 60, rich or poor, to be counted by their half-shekel contribution for the upkeep of the Tent of Meeting (Ohel Moed) and to raise the spiritual level of the contributors.  Our foremost commentator, Rashi, tells us that this was to effectuate a census and that God showed Moses a coin that had an image of fire on it to actually accomplish the enumeration.  Rashi teaches, “[The Holy One] showed [Moses] a coin of fire whose weight was a half-shekel and said, ‘Like this they shall give.’” Why did God show Moses a coin of fire? Why not show him a regular coin? This is the immediate question.

Rabbi Nachman of Breslov (1772-1810) explains that money and fire share unique qualities.  Fire is one of the most indispensable elements known to man when used properly.  When used improperly it has the potential to destroy.  The same is true for money.  Wealth carries great danger if it falls into the wrong hands and if misused could lead to destruction.

Moses was shown a coin of fire to emphasize that both fire and money carry incredible powers for good or for evil.  When used properly, they bring great well-being to the world.  In the wrong hands, they can cause pain, destruction and death.

We can take several teachings from the seemingly straightforward (and short) admonition.  Each of us, rich or poor, is equal before God.  The “close” of this short admonition is the reference to “atonement.”  Addressing the expiation aspect, the Kotzker Rebbe (1787-1859) reminds us with a flourish: If one seeks atonement by giving, the good deed should be done with “fire” and passion.

Shabbat Shalom!

Rabbi Jeffrey Abraham
rabbi.abraham@bnaiamoona.com

314-576-9990 x136

Shabbat Service Schedule
& Candle Lighting Times

Shabbat Candlelighting:

Friday, February 18, at 5:24 pm

Havdallah, Saturday, February 19 at 6:14 pm 

Friday, February 18

Friday Evening Services with Cantor Sharon Nathanson in the Guller Chapel: 6:00 pm

• Pre-Bat Mitzvah participation of Ayden Nelson

In-Person, Livestream, FB Live, Kosher Zoom (Password: Shabbat)

Saturday, February 19
Tefillah with Rabbi Carnie Shalom Rose, Cantor Sharon Nathanson, and Rabbi Jeffrey Abraham: 9:00 am

• Bat Mitzvah of Ayden Nelson
• Following Services, we will have Kiddush together in the Weissman Simchah Center (Banquet Hall). As a reminder, please wear your mask any time you are not sitting down and eating.

Torah For Today with Rabbi Neal Rose: 10:00 am

The Mishkan and the Divine Feminine Part II

Shabbat Afternoon/Evening Services with Rabbi Neal Rose and David Kantor: 5:00 pm

• Torah read by David Kantor
• We will once again offer Seudah Shlishit, the joyous third meal of Shabbat. As a reminder, please wear your mask any time you are not sitting down and eating.

In-Person, Livestream, FB Live, Kosher Zoom (Password: Shabbat)

Havdallah: 6:14 pm

Kosher Zoom Information:

Kosher Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/113973471?pwd=OThFbDdQcmI5UWpnc2pEaEJBV0lmUT09
Meeting ID: 113 973 471
Password: Shabbat

Looking Ahead To Next Shabbat, February 26

Consecration 

Consecration is a ceremony celebrating the beginning of a student’s Formal Jewish Education. Our students will be blessed as we wish them a big "Mazel Tov!"

Traditionally this is for Kindergarten students, however, due to the Pandemic, we did not hold a Consecration ceremony last year. Therefore, any students in Kindergarten, First Grade, and Beyond are welcome to join us for the ceremony.

In Our Community

Weekday Minyan Information
Join us In-Person or on Zoom, BA Livestream or Facebook Live

Regular Morning Minyanim

Sunday Morning Minyan: 9:00 am
Monday - Friday Morning Minyan: 7:00 am
In-Person, Zoom, Livestream, and FB Live 
Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/97189645201 
Meeting ID: 971 8964 5201
This Zoom link is for all morning Minyan Services

Regular Evening Minyanim

Sunday - Thursday Evening Minyan: 6:15 pm
via Zoom, Livestream, and FB Live 
Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/97924715014
Meeting ID: 979 2471 5014
This Zoom link is for all evening Minyan Services

Additional Torah Commentary Resources

Please click the links below for this week's Torah and Haftarah commentary
USCJ Torah and Haftarah Commentary, TORAH SPARKS
JTS Torah Commentary Podcast
AJU Ziegler School Rabbinic Studies Weekly Torah Portion Commentary