Dear friends,
Chag Shavuot Sameach!
It was great to see familiar faces at the Yom Tov Torah study session and at last evening's Yizkor (memorial) service. We very much appreciate the hospitality of my New Jersey shul, Congregation Neve Shalom, who have invited us into their virtual family for services and special holiday events.
This Shabbat is a very special one because at the same time, we are celebrating the last major holiday before the High Holy Days. Shavuot commemorates the anniversary of the day G-d gave the Torah to the entire Israelite nation assembled at Mount Sinai. Our Torah portion includes the giving of the Ten Commandments. Having read the Book of Esther on Purim, We will now read the inspirational story found in the Book of Ruth, a story that is as relevant today as it was in ancient times by celebrating the inclusiveness of our faith and the dedication of contributions of women that have throughout the years, meant so much to the survival of our faith.
Tonight, Friday, May 29th at 7:30 pm, we will again offer the choice of attending services at the synagogue with proper social distancing and protection or tuning in on Zoom. Here again are the Zoom instructions for accessing the service.
Beth Tefillah is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Beth Tefillah's Zoom Meeting
Time: May 29, 2020 07:20 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/6082149425?pwd=dithaCsranRzSjQxeU50MGZSZ0Jadz09
Meeting ID: 608 214 9425
Password: 2YcUE0
When lighting the Shabbat candles this evening, we recite the festival prayer, adding the words for Shabbat (blue page 3 in Likrat Shabbat prayer book).
Hebrew text for the blessing for the lighting of the candles for Yom Tov with parenthetical inclusion for Shabbat.
Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech haolam, asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu l'hadlik ner shel (Shabbat v'shel) Yom Tov.
Blessed are You, our God, Ruler of the world, who sanctifies us with mitzvot and calls upon us to kindle the lights of (Shabbat and) the Festival day.
We then, chant a special Kiddush (blessing of the wine) for Shavuot and Shabbat. It is found on page 268 of the Likrat Shabbat prayer book.
And then we add the Shehecheyanu prayer to thank God for keeping us in life, sustaining us, and allowing us to reach this season.
Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech haolam, shehecheyanu, v'kiy'manu, v'higianu laz'man hazeh.
Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of all, who has kept us alive, sustained us, and brought us to this season.
Because it is Yom Tov in addition to being Shabbat, we do not recite the introductory Kabbalat Shabbat prayers. And, in addition to the Veshamarum declaration on page 96 of the Likrat Shabbat prayer book, we add Va-y'daber Moshe et mo-adei Yisroel
וַיְדַ בֵר מֹשֶ ה אֶ ת מוֹ עדֵ י יְיֲָּ ,אֶ ל בְ נֵי יִשְׂ רָ אֵ ל
And Moses proclaimed the festivals of the Lord to the people Israel (Leviticus 23:44)
We then will recite a special Amidah for the festival of Shavuot during the service. You will find it in the Likrat Shabbat siddur pages 254-262.
Finally, we will recite a condensed version of the Book of Ruth which is found in Siddur Sim Shalom (the prayer book that we normally use on Shabbat mornings) on pages 383-384. If you will be participating virtually from home and need a copy of Siddur Sim Shalom, please let me know and I'll get one to you!
Sorry to end on a sad note, but one of our former members Rose Mitrani, beloved wife of Joseph Mitrani has passed away. The funeral took place yesterday afternoon at Grace Memorial Gardens. Because of the intervening of the festival of Shavuot, the shiva period was cut short. Condolences can be sent to the Mitrani family at 7640 Roycroft Dr., New Port Richey, FL 34654. May her memory always be for a blessing.
I'm looking forward to participating in tonight's service with you and again, wish you a Chag Shavuot Sameach and a Shabbat Shalom!
Ron Becker,
Spiritual Leader
Comments