From the Rabbi's Desk...
 
Rabbi Irwin Huberman
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February 5, 2010
Jewish Name Shabbat
This Shabbat is an important one at Congregation Tifereth Israel.
Not only will we read the Ten Commandments from the Torah, we will also be sharing some great “new commandments” as suggested by our Limud Hebrew school students.
This will also be the week that a number of our children and adults will be given Jewish names. Tradition says that each of us carries in our name the spiritual DNA of those who preceded us. In many cases we are named after grandparents, uncles, aunts, or other important people who have passed on.
But for some, those names have been forgotten or need to be refreshed. That’s why on Shabbat morning, we will be naming or reconfirming the names of more than a dozen congregants.
We will also briefly share the stories behind some of these names from our families and traditions. Each person will receive a special naming certificate.
It is said that the Jewish people survived hundreds of years in Egypt because they did not engage in immoral behavior, and kept their traditions, style of dressing, and their Hebrew names. We will continue that tradition on Saturday morning.
As well, during the service, there will be a special story and discussion for students.
Jewish naming will take place at about 10:15 am, and our kids program will begin at about 10:45 am.
Tot Shabbat
If you or someone you know has children of pre-nursery age, then here’s a reminder about tonight’s Tot Shabbat.
We will provide a special Shabbat meal, blessings, songs, and story for families with children under five years of age.
The program is open to families of all religious backgrounds. Everyone is welcome, member or not. We begin at 6:30pm.
Snow
All programs will proceed this weekend whether it snows or not.
CTI will ensure that walks and stairways will be shoveled. In the event that the snowfall is heavier than predicted, we will reschedule some parts of our naming service.
Please do not travel if you feel it is unsafe to do so, but please be advised that the shul will be open and operating regardless of the weather conditions.
Notes in the Wall
One of our congregants will be leaving for a few weeks in Israel next week and has graciously offered to place notes from any congregant in the cracks of the Western Wall in Jerusalem.
It is said that the Shechina, God’s spirit, floats above the wall. It is customary to place notes for healing or for other assistance in the wall cracks.
Any notes should be delivered to me prior to Tuesday morning. This congregant is of the highest integrity, and as always, all prayers remain confidential.
There is a site where you can view the Western Wall, 24/7. It is http://www.aish.com/w/
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Tefillin Wrap
In the Shema Yisrael, we are reminded to teach Jewish values to our children.
One of the ways we do this is to hang a Mezuzah at the entry to our houses. Each Mezuzah contains words of the Shema to serve as a personal reminder as we enter or leave our homes to act in an ethically responsible way.
The other way mentioned in the Shema is to wrap or place Tefillin on our arms, and between our eyes. These scriptural passages contained in small black boxes are there to guide both our hearts and our minds as we begin our weekdays.
This Sunday morning at 9:30am, CTI will join other congregations in a “World Wide Wrap” sponsored by our Men’s Club. Adults and children will join together to put on Tefillin, or to observe, as I explain “what’s inside the box,” and why this is an important part of Jewish tradition.
Although the putting on of Tefillin has traditionally been a male practice, we are reminded that the daughter of the great 11th century commentators Rashi, Miriam (among others), wore Tefillin. Men and women are encouraged to participate.
Therefore, at the beginning of services on Sunday morning, we will devote a few minutes to study this practice. The Cantor and I will assist anyone who wishes to put on Tefillin for the first time, or who has forgotten how.
Following services at 10:15am, we will be treated to a meal of breakfast wraps sponsored by Men’s Club.
Why I Love CTI
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Someone this week responded to a request to provide a refrigerator to a needy family. Delivery is now being arranged.
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The family who had asked our assistance to locate affordable housing found appropriate accommodation.
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We received more donations of food cards for those in need.
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We received a number of donations to the Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund to help a friend of this congregation attend the funeral of a parent in Central America. Donations are still being accepted.
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Photo Selected
Last month, Kim Schweitzer, our Executive Director, noticed an invitation from the United Synagogues for Conservative Judaism for submissions to next year’s calendar.
Kim contacted Mike Swirnoff, who snapped a photo of the beautiful Eitz Chaim (Tree of Life) Mosaic in our lobby. Last week we were advised that the photo has been selected to appear in next year’s Conservative calendar.
Yasher koach to both Mike and Kim.
Volunteers Needed
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CTI is always in need to volunteers to help stuff envelops and to step in at certain times to answer phones. Please e-mail me if you are able to help.
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CTI will be assisting health and rehab facilities in our area conduct Seders for those who are not able to travel for Passaver. Please contact me if you are able to assist the Cantor or me next month.
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CTI conducts revolving Friday afternoon services at assisted living facilities in Glen Cove. Volunteers are needed to help turn pages, and hand out Challah and grape juice. Please Contact me if you are able to help.
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Our Covenant with God
This Saturday morning, we will recite the ten core values of Jewish tradition.
We call these the Ten Commandments, and although there are more than six hundred other obligations in our tradition, these commandments, delivered on Mount Sinai thirty five hundred years ago, continue to constitute the moral core of our Judeo-Christian tradition.
What is amazing about these commandments is that this “leading edge” series of directives continues to guide us to this day. The beauty of the Ten Commandments and Judaism is how we continue to interpret, discuss, and even argue about what they mean.
It is said within our Jewish tradition that we favor a good question more than we desire a good answer.
To this day, the Ten Commandments continue to inspire. What does “honor your mother and father” mean? What does “honor the Shabbat” mean?
There is so much rich information in these 10 commandments which continue to inspire us to agree, disagree, accept, and reflect upon to this day.
And by engaging in Torah discussion in our homes and synagogues, with friends, family, and those across the religious spectrum, we continue to inject Judaism with life every day.
The prophet Micah wrote (Chapter 6:8) some words twenty seven hundred years ago to help us navigate this difficult journey. The Talmud states that all six hundred and thirteen commandments and even the Ten Commandments themselves revolve around three central values. Here’s what Micah wrote, which is echoed in the Talmud.
“God has told you what is good, and what is required of you. Only to do justice and to love goodness and walk humbly with your God.”
In spite of all the debates within religions and denominations, if we filter our behavior through the words of Micah, then we can live our lives according to the intent of what was delivered on Mount Sinai.
Let us be good people. Let us follow our traditions. Let us meet our
obligations as Jews and as citizens of the world. And, as our great teacher
Hillel reminded us, “all the rest is commentary.”
Have a peaceful Shabbat. Please join us tonight for our regular Musical Shabbat, and tomorrow morning for our Jewish name Shabbat and the reading of the Ten Commandments.
Shabbat shalom, v’kol tuv (with all goodness)
Rabbi Irwin Huberman
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