Parashat Va'ecthanan (and I pleaded) - Deuteronomy 3:23 - 7:11
HafTorah Isaiah 40:1 - 26
נַחֲמו
Nachamu Nachamu (Take Comfort Take Comfort)---
Dear friends,
Now that Tisha B'Av and the mourning period that preceded it is behind us, this Shabbat we begin the seven weeks of consolation which lead us directly to Rosh Hashanah and the High Holy Days. For the next seven weeks, we will read and study the words of the Prophet Isaiah through the Haftorot that follow our readings from the Book of Deuteronomy. In the midst of the surrounding destruction, Isaiah reminds us that we are still here and that there truly are second chances in life, second chances that allow us to heal ourselves and to heal the earth. The wonders of providence are pronounced, and life can be rebuilt on a stronger foundation of morality resulting in gladness and thanksgiving. Thus, we can imitate G-d's ways of loving kindness.
In our weekly Torah portion V'Etchanan, we hear Moses's first discourse as he prepares to depart from the people he has led so faithfully for so long. The Ten Commandments are repeated as is the Shema. We are reminded that G-d sets before us both blessings and curses and gives us the option of choosing blessings. How appropriate for the times in which we are living!
It is good to be back in town after a wonderful reunion (the 52nd!) with my college friends and their expanded families at the beach in Delaware. I am looking forward to joining you in-person or virtually on Zoom tonight at 7:30 pm and tomorrow morning at 9:30 am as we spend our Shabbat together in prayer, study, and camaraderie.
Ron Becker
Spiritual Leader
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FRIDAY:
JCC is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Shabbat Services
Time: Aug 12, 2022 07:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4979030958?pwd=YXJPT2FGVTdzVVV2bVQ3c1ZnS1lMZz09
Meeting ID: 497 903 0958
Passcode: 5QdVaA
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SATURDAY
JCC is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Saturday Services
Time: Aug 13, 2022 09:30 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4979030958?pwd=YXJPT2FGVTdzVVV2bVQ3c1ZnS1lMZz09
Meeting ID: 497 903 0958
Passcode: 5QdVaA
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