This Friday night we will celebrate Veteran’s Day through Shabbat services. Jews have long served honorably in our armed services. We have stood tall for the best of America’s ideals and, too often, we have paid the ultimate price. In this we are no different than other groups that make up America, but this fact itself is something to lionize: that we Jews, through our brave women and men who served and continue to serve, do our part with open eyes and valor. The same would be true for those who have served, or are active, in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Our Torah is full of exemplars who were forced to fight for their land, and in defense of their loved ones; including Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Deborah, and King David (the list is long, these are just a few). Almost without exception, all of our spiritual heroes were reluctant to take their people into battle. We Jews have a long history of being uncomfortable with violence, and this is a good thing. But … [Read more...]
What’s All This Bowing About?
As a child I remember standing in services looking forward to the chance to bend my knees and bow. It was this exciting change of pace, a time for me to do what the adults were doing. As a teen, I remember seeing how some people bowed and others didn’t and I wondered what was going on — so I went to the rabbi with my question, “What’s all this bowing about?” Maybe you have wondered the same thing. Perhaps you’ve been standing in prayer and suddenly you notice people are bowing and so, you too bow! But you’ve always wondered, why do I bow here and not there? Sometimes it may even look like people are bowing more than others, so who’s doing it “right”? This question of “doing it right,” is an interesting one in prayer, especially in Reform Judaism, where we tend to focus much more on how it makes us feel and less on “is this exactly how we were prescribed and commanded to do it.” As has been codified in our law codes (like the Shulchan Aruch), there are in fact specific moments … [Read more...]
Shabbat Service-Chapel
7:30pm-8:45pm … [Read more...]
Shabbat Service-Sanctuary
7:30pm-8:45pm … [Read more...]
Shabbat Service-Sanctuary
7:30pm-8:45pm … [Read more...]
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