Weekly Message 08.14.2026 Parashat Shoftim
- jccwestpasco
- 10 minutes ago
- 4 min read
Parashat Shoftim (Judges) Deuteronomy 16:18 - 21:9
HafTorah Isaiah 51:12 - 52:12
Hi friends,
Shofetim v' Shotrim! !שופטים ושוטרים Judges and Officers!
Tzedek, Tzedek, Tirdof! !צֶ֥דֶק צֶ֖דֶק תִּרְדֹּ֑ף Justice, Justice Shall You Seek!
This Shabbat we have come to one of the most important chapters (Chapter 16) in the Book of Devarim (Deuteronomy), a chapter that forms the basis for civilization and government in a free society. We are told that justice must be free, accessible, and absolutely impartial. Judges must be competent and cannot discriminate on the basis of social status, wealth, or background relying only on facts. They cannot be appointed for social or family reasons. They must be righteous, have compassion and lead exemplary lives themselves. The concept of justice is expanded to include peace, philanthropy, lovingkindness, and every endeavor to bring out what is best in others. We are commanded to "do justly and to love mercy". Justice is not limited to individuals but to all society and nations. International justice demands respect for all who live on this earth.
We will read and study the first triennial portion (Devarim 16:18-18:5) of Shofetim and the 4th of the 7 Haftorahs of Consolation (Isaiah 51:12-52:12) between Tisha B'Av and Rosh Hashanah at our religious services at 7 pm this evening and 9:30 am tomorrow (Saturday) morning both in-person and virtually on Zoom as always.
To quote the words of Rabbi Jacqueline Mates-Muchin, the senior Rabbi at Temple in Oakland and the first ordained Chinese-American Rabbi:
"There is no state of perfect justice because we are always learning new things, seeing different subtleties, and the world and circumstances are always changing. We might not be able to establish a perfectly just society, instead, we must establish ourselves as a society that pursues justice, adjusts as necessary, and continues to be flexible with situations as the world around us changes. If we think we have perfect justice, then we didn't set our ideals high enough. Whatever we imagine will be limited by our experiences as human beings, even with the collective knowledge of generations' past. May we, as a society, continually strive toward justice by enforcing the pursuit of justice. Justice, justice we shall pursue!"
Thanks to all who made our wonderful Game Night/Havdalah get together possible last Saturday night! And please check out the calendar below and participate in our many services and activities!
Shabbat Shalom,
Ron Becker,
Spiritual Leader
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COMING EVENTS @ JCC - SIGN UP AND MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Thursday, August 27, 2026 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/1L1BLI__
Thursday, September 24, 2026 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:
Saturday, October 10, 2026, Game Night and Havdalah, 7 pm
Tuesday, October 27, 2026 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
HIGH HOLY DAYS SCHEDULE
Friday, August 28, 2006 Services followed by community dinner, 6:30 pm
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
Hoshanah 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
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