Weekly Message 07.17.2026 Parashat Devarim
- jccwestpasco
- Jul 16
- 4 min read
Parashat Devarim (the Words) Deuteronomy 1:1 - 3:22
HafTorah Isaiah 1:1 - 27
Dear friends,
I hope that you have enjoyed a pleasant summer week. Over the past few years, I have been lecturing in Professor Eric Theodore's comparative religion classes at Pasco Hernando State College. Because the classes have been taught at night, I have only been able to appear virtually on Zoom. However, for this summer session, the class is being held in the afternoon on the Brooksville Campus and this week, I was finally able to appear in person and meet his students. It was a great learning experience for me, Professor Theodore, and the students as we explored how Judaism related to other religions and cultures and we realize how much we have in common and the potential for the betterment of our world as more come to that realization and we work together to advance the principles of our faiths: truth, justice, kindness, and compassion.
As we move through the summer months we have reached Shabbat Hazon, the Sabbath immediately preceding the observance of Tisha B'Av. Hazon (Hebrew word for "vision") is named for the first word of this week's Haftorah from the Prophet Isaiah (1:1-27). Isaiah's words are replete with admonition and warnings that immoral behavior will lead to disaster. However, he and other prophets hold out hope for redemption.
לִמְד֥וּ הֵיטֵ֛ב דִּרְשׁ֥וּ מִשְׁפָּ֖ט אַשְּׁר֣וּ חָמ֑וֹץ שִׁפְט֣וּ יָת֔וֹם רִ֖יבוּ אַלְמָנָֽה
"Learn to do well, seek justice, relieve the oppressed, procure justice for the orphan, and plead for the widow" (1:17)
צִיּ֖וֹן בְּמִשְׁפָּ֣ט תִּפָּדֶ֑ה וְשָׁבֶ֖יהָ בִּצְדָקָֽה
"Zion shall be redeemed with justice, and they that return of her with righteousness" (1:27)
In anticipation of Tisha B'Av, the Haftorah is chanted to the tune of the Book of Lamentations (Eicha) which will be read in its entirety in Hebrew and English in the synagogue on Thursday, July 23rd at 9 am followed by a discussion of its meaning to us in modern times.
On this Shabbat Hazon, we also begin reading the last book of the Torah, Devarim (Deuteronomy). Devarim provides a compendium of the entire journey of our ancestors through the wilderness as they are on the brink of entering the Promised Land. In this week's first triennial reading 1:1-2:1, Moses begins his final words of instruction to the Children of Israel, focusing first on recounting their physical journey. He then reviews the people’s reactions to the negative reports of the spies and the appointment of Joshua to succeed him. He stresses the core values that make up the mitzvot of our faith with the goal of creating a holy nation in the future.
Please join me this evening at 7 pm and tomorrow (Saturday) morning at 9:30 am in-person or virtually on Zoom as we pray and study together as a minyan. And please attend the reading of the Prophet Jeremiah's Book of Lamentations (Eicha) on Thursday, July 23rd at 9 am in-person at the synagogue or virtually on Zoom. Our friends at Temple Beth David will be joining us for the reading and discussion as we observe the commemoration of Tisha B'Av. If you would like to explore the text in advance, you can find it at Sefaria: a Living Library of Jewish Texts Online
Please see the summer and early fall schedule below and take note that volunteers at Metropolitan Ministries are needed more than ever during the summer when the young residents are not in school. Our next session will be on Tuesday, July 28th at 11 am. You will find the signup link below.
Shabbat Shalom,
Ron Becker,
Spiritual Leader
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ZOOM LINK FRI & SAT
JCC is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Shabbat Service Fri & Sat
Time: Jul 17, 2026 7:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Jul 18 9:30 am
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Meeting ID: 497 903 0958
Passcode: 5QdVaA
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COMING EVENTS - MARK YOU CALENDARS
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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HIGH 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, 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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