Weekly Message 06.26.2026 Parashat Chukkat/Balak
- jccwestpasco
- 1 day ago
- 5 min read
Parashat Chukkat/Balak
HafTorah Michah 5:6-6:8
Dear friends,
Congratulations to our Vice President, Wendy Seldin on her election to represent Pasco County on the Board of the Jewish Federation of Florida's Gulf Coast. Wendy will provide the Federation with updates on our community and bring information back to us which will result in better communication and support from them. We look forward to our future collaborations with the Federation.
This Shabbat, at our services this evening at 7:00 pm and tomorrow (Saturday) morning at 9:30 am, our Torah reading in the Book of Bamidbar (Numbers) will be the double portion of Chukkat/Balak, the first Aliyah of which is the same Parashat that we chant on Shabbat Parah prior to the observance of Passover detailing the sacrifice of the red heifer symbolized at the Pesach seder. The first triennial part that we will study this year includes the deaths of Miriam and Aaron, and the frustration that Moses suffers leading him to strike a rock to quell the complaints and to his banishment from entering the Promised Land with his constituents. Despite Hashem's support in delivering the Children of Israel from enemies and providing sustenance, the "qvetching" continues and it becomes clear that most are not ready to enter the land and govern themselves.
Reading through this portion exposed our own failures to progress to our individual and community "Promised Lands". We will never simply be handed over peace, security, and freedom for all from above. Rather, we are all given the tools to help make this a better world for us and all who inhabit our world. If like our forebears in the wilderness, we continue to complain and "qvetch" rather than using our Adonai given tools to do something about our environment, we will continue to wander in our own desserts and fall short of progressing to a future of happiness and fulfillment. So please, let's support our synagogue and our community through our volunteer time and our funds. Don't follow the misguided behavior shown in the wilderness but instead, break out of complacency and complaining and help heal the world about us one step at a time.
This Shabbat's Haftorah to be chanted by our President, Eileen Hochstadt contains the words of the Prophet Michah (5:6-6:8) which ends with one of the most resounding and inspiring statement of our liturgy.
הִגִּ֥יד לְךָ֛ אָדָ֖ם מַה־טּ֑וֹב וּמָֽה־יְהֹוָ֞ה דּוֹרֵ֣שׁ מִמְּךָ֗ כִּ֣י אִם־עֲשׂ֤וֹת מִשְׁפָּט֙ וְאַ֣הֲבַת חֶ֔סֶד וְהַצְנֵ֥עַ לֶ֖כֶת עִם־אֱלֹהֶֽיךָ׃
“You have been told, O mortal, what is good,
And what Hashem requires of you:
Only to do justice and to love goodness,
And to walk modestly with Hashem."
Michah simplifies and summarizes all of the mitzvot. If we can act humbly and love justice and goodness, we too can make this world a better place beginning with ourselves, our families, our communities, and so forth.
This coming week beginning with the 17th day of the month of Tammuz (Thursday, July 2nd) and leading up to Tisha B'Av, the 9th day of the month Menachem Av (Thursday, July 23rd), we observe the "3 Weeks" of mourning to reflect on the loss of the Temple and other calamities and to cause us to reflect on some of the reasons that these sorry events occurred. So, as we read our upcoming Torah portions and Haftorahs, let us think on how we can turn sadness, anger, and of course "qvetching" into positive thinking and behavior that benefits our brethren and all on earth.
Please see the summer and early fall schedule below which contains volunteering opportunities beginning this Tuesday at Metropolitan Ministries.
Shabbat Shalom,
Ron Becker,
Spiritual Leader
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COMING EVENTS - MARK YOU CALENDARS
Tuesday, June 30 We will volunteer at Metropolitan Ministries bringing sustenance, clothing, and hope to those in need at the headquarters at 3216 US-19, Holiday, FL 34691, at 11am-2 pm. Please sign up to help at this link: https://vhub.at/1L1BLIK
Wednesday, July 8 We will be participating in Jewish Heritage Night at Tropicana Field when the Rays take on the New York Yankees at 6:40 pm. We will be carpooling from the synagogue parking lot at 4:30 pm. In addition to the game and sitting with our Jewish friends from throughout our region, each participant will receive a commemorative jersey.
Saturday, July 11 Game Night and Havdalah, 7 pm
Thursday, July 23 We will observe Tisha B'Av with the reading of the Book of Lamentations (Eicha) composed by the Prophet Jeremiah at 9 am.
Tuesday, July 28 We will volunteer at Metropolitan Ministries bringing sustenance, clothing, and hope to those in need at the headquarters at 3216 US-19, Holiday, FL 34691, at 11am-2 pm. Please sign up to help at this link: https://vhub.at/1L1BLIK
Saturday, August 8 Game Night and Havdalah, 7 pm
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HOLY DAYS SCHEDULE
Selichot Saturday, September 5, 2026
Social hour 7 pm
Havdalah and Selichot services 8 pm
Cemetery Visitations, Sunday, September 6, 2026
Beit Olam Cemetery in Trinity 10 am
Grace Memorial Cemetery in Hudson 11:30 am
Erev Rosh Hashanah, Friday, September 11, 2026
Services followed by community dinner 6:30 pm
Rosh Hashanah, first day, Saturday, September 12, 2026
Morning services 9:30 am
Mincha/Maariv services 6:30 pm
Rosh Hashanah, second day, Sunday, September 13, 2026
Morning services 9:30 am
Tashlikh at the Cotee River on Grand Blvd between Vermont and Kentucky Aves 3 pm
Erev Shabbat Shuva, Friday, September 18, 2026
Kabbalat Shabbat and Maariv services 7 pm
Shabbat Shuva, Saturday, September 19, 2026
Services followed by luncheon honoring adult B'nai Mitzvah anniversary 9:30 am
Community Sukkah decoration, Sunday, September 20, 2026, 10 am
Kol Nidre, Sunday, September 20, 2026
Kol Nidre and Erev Yom Kippur services 6:30 pm
Yom Kippur, Monday, September 21, 2026
Morning services 9:30 am
Mincha service 6 pm
Yizkor service 7 pm
Neila service 7:20 pm
Havdalah followed by community break-the-fast meal 8 pm
Erev Sukkot, Friday, September 25, 2026
Services followed by Kiddush in the Sukkah 7pm
Sukkot, Tuesday, Saturday, September 26, 2026
Services followed by Kiddush in the Sukkah 9:30 am
Hashanah Rabbah, Friday, October 2, 2026
Services 9:30 am followed by community brunch at Panera's
Erev Shemini Atzeret, Friday October 2, 2026
Services 7 pm
Shemini Atzeret, Saturday, October 3, 2026
Services 9:30 am including the Yizkor memorial service
Simchat Torah, Saturday, October 3, 2026
Social hour 7 pm
Services 8 pm
Saturday, October 10, 2026, Game Night and Havdalah, 7 pm
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