February 3-4, 2023 Parashat Beshallach
13 Shevat 5783 Shabbat Shira
Chased by the Egyptians, the Israelites fled slavery and encountered the Sea of Reeds — with no way to get across. Suddenly, Moses held his arm out over the sea, and everything changed. The Israelites crossed onto dry land. Rabbi Elliot Kukla argues that this was the pivotal moment in Jewish history, that in this moment our people realized that nothing is immutable. The Israelites responded with a song of praise: Shirat Hayam, the Song of the Sea. But the miracle of the Sea of Reeds is not simply that the ocean parted. According to Rabbi Kukla, the miracle is that the Israelites saw that things could change and had the courage to charge “forward into the narrow dry path which appeared like a sliver of hope between the waves.”
What would it take for us to realize that things can change and that we too can charge forward?
Tu BiShvat is coming!
Tu BiShvat or the “birthday” of all fruit trees, is a minor festival on our Jewish calendar. The name is Hebrew for the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Shevat. In ancient times, this date was the time when Jewish farmers brought their fourth-year produce of fruit from recently planted trees to the Temple in Jerusalem as first-fruit offerings.
Sign up for our Tu BiShvat Seder – Tuesday, February 7 at 1:30 PM in the Music Room. Limited Seating! We will celebrate the environment with blessings and readings, and with fruits from different types of trees.
“Torah Talk” — Saturday Afternoons at 1:30 PM
Join us in a study of The Book of Proverbs: A Social Justice Commentary by Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz. In his introduction, Rabbi Yanklowitz writes that the Book of Proverbs is “spiritual but not religious.” Let’s learn how these ancient proverbs can have spiritual meaning in our lives today. Masks required. Previous knowledge of Proverbs or the Hebrew Bible NOT REQUIRED.
Please join our Shabbat celebrations in the Synagogue (masks required) or on Channel 1960
Friday at 5:00 PM Shabbat Blessings in the Dining Room
Friday at 6:30 PM Shabbat Musical Birthday Service with Rabbi Sherman & Cantor Shikler
Special Blessing for Residents Celebrating February Birthdays
Music made possible by the Surie Family Jewish Music Fund
Saturday at 10:00 AM Shabbat Morning Service followed by Blessings in the Dining Room
Welcome Guests from Temple Bath Yahm Religious School
Candle lighting time for Shabbat for the city of Mission Viejo: Friday evening at 5:06 PM
Shabbat ends Saturday evening at 6:03 PM
Shabbat Shalom! Rabbi Sherman