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Rabbi Sherman’s Weekly Torah Commentary – July 9-10, 2021 (1 Av 5781)

July 9-10, 2021                                     Parashat Mattot/Mas’ei
1 Av 5781                                              Rosh Chodesh Av

Do you associate certain places with specific events and memories? In this week’s parsha, we find a list of places along the Israelites’ journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. The text lists the stops along the way but does not reveal events at each one. Later texts try to fill in the gaps in the story. A midrash (story) compares this to a king whose son was ill. The king took his son to a distant place to cure him. Along the route home, the father reminded the son of things he had done in various places. In our life journeys, the stops are certainly important; even more significant are the events and people in each place. We can find holiness in even the most mundane steps of our journey.

The Nine Days
The Rabbis instructed: “From the time Av arrives, we diminish our rejoicing.” From the first through the ninth of the month of Av, some people observe a period of mourning the destruction of the Second Temple. Customs include refraining from the following pleasures: eating meat, drinking wine, getting a haircut, and purchasing new clothing. These restrictions are suspended on Shabbat.

Please join in this week’s Shabbat celebrations on Channel 1960 or in the Synagogue
(Limited seating in the Synagogue; Residents only)

Friday at 4:15 PM: Kabbalat Shabbat & Ma’ariv (Evening Service); Blessings in Dining Room at 5:15
Saturday at 10:00 AM: Shabbat Shacharit (Morning Service); Blessings in Dining Room at 12:15

Candle Lighting in the Dining Room – As you know, Residents are not permitted to light flame candles in Resident apartments. Shabbat candles are available in the Dining Room; you are invited to light before or after your Shabbat dinner.

Candle Lighting in the Synagogue – If you would like to have the honor of lighting candles in the Synagogue, please contact Gitta

Torah Talk – Shabbat afternoon at 1:30 PM in the Music Room (limited seating)

Candle lighting time for the city of Mission Viejo: Friday evening at 7:45 PM
Shabbat ends Saturday evening at 8:46 PM

Shabbat Shalom!                                   Rabbi Sherman