Shabbat Thoughts The hand of G-d

Our hands are marvelous feats of engineering. Skin, muscles connective tissue, nerves, blood vessels and 27 bones afford us the opportunity of constructing, gripping, shaping, massaging and so much more. We can embrace and we can strike; we can clap, we can uplift and we can bring low.

     Our hands, capable of brute force and causing terror, can caress and provide a loving touch. Imagine what we as a species would be without our hands!  I remember as a child doodling on my hands. Occasionally, I see children drawing pictures or making notes upon their hands. Sometimes nurses and doctors, in the midst of an emergency, quickly scribble upon their hands for they have no time to waste in finding paper as their patients' lives are in their hands

     Now ask yourself how often you have heard or used the phrase "in God's hands."

      I do not imagine that many people think of God as literally having 10 fingers. However, the symbolism of being in God's hands is great.  We instantly appreciate the drama of the gentleness offered, the potential for power, the capacity for reassurance, the artistry affected and so much more.  As Creator, God fashions the universe of which we are a part.  As lawgiver God handed the plaques of the 10 Great Words to us. As artist, God paints each unique sunset; as Lifesource, God cradles each of us at birth and death.  Imagine God as writing a message upon God's own hands -a message intended for each and every one of us- a private, specific and unique message. Now see these hands, as enduring as Heaven itself, reaching out to you. How do you feel?

      In this week's Haftarah we experience God as engraving upon God’s own hands the reassuring message that each of us will have a home in which to dwell. Of all the promises that God could make as we read this Haftarah two weeks after Tisha B'Av, why does Isaiah offer us a picture of God as homebuilder? It may be that Isaiah knew we all need to have a home; a sanctuary in which to feel secure from the threats of marauders, thieves, foes and onslaught. In our own days of the modern 21st Century we see many threats against our individual and communal lives. Do we not all seek a safe and secure home for ourselves and our loved ones? 

     Reflect upon the phrase "Behold I have engraved you upon the palms of my hands, your walls are ever before me"(Isaiah 49:16).  In your own thoughts seek the reassurance of the faith expressed in Isaiah's Shabbat message. I hope we all can take hold of a Divine embrace and feel the gentle and vast power of God's own hands enfolding us in times of fear or need. May it be that God applauds for and rejoices with us in times of celebration as well.

Shabbat Shalom.

Rabbi Steve Silberman

Shabbat Thoughts The hand of G-d

Our hands are marvelous feats of engineering. Skin, muscles connective tissue, nerves, blood vessels and 27 bones afford us the opportunity of constructing, gripping, shaping, massaging and so much more. We can embrace and we can strike; we can clap, we can uplift and we can bring low.

     Our hands, capable of brute force and causing terror, can caress and provide a loving touch. Imagine what we as a species would be without our hands!  I remember as a child doodling on my hands. Occasionally, I see children drawing pictures or making notes upon their hands. Sometimes nurses and doctors, in the midst of an emergency, quickly scribble upon their hands for they have no time to waste in finding paper as their patients' lives are in their hands

     Now ask yourself how often you have heard or used the phrase "in God's hands."

      I do not imagine that many people think of God as literally having 10 fingers. However, the symbolism of being in God's hands is great.  We instantly appreciate the drama of the gentleness offered, the potential for power, the capacity for reassurance, the artistry affected and so much more.  As Creator, God fashions the universe of which we are a part.  As lawgiver God handed the plaques of the 10 Great Words to us. As artist, God paints each unique sunset; as Lifesource, God cradles each of us at birth and death.  Imagine God as writing a message upon God's own hands -a message intended for each and every one of us- a private, specific and unique message. Now see these hands, as enduring as Heaven itself, reaching out to you. How do you feel?

      In this week's Haftarah we experience God as engraving upon God’s own hands the reassuring message that each of us will have a home in which to dwell. Of all the promises that God could make as we read this Haftarah two weeks after Tisha B'Av, why does Isaiah offer us a picture of God as homebuilder? It may be that Isaiah knew we all need to have a home; a sanctuary in which to feel secure from the threats of marauders, thieves, foes and onslaught. In our own days of the modern 21st Century we see many threats against our individual and communal lives. Do we not all seek a safe and secure home for ourselves and our loved ones? 

     Reflect upon the phrase "Behold I have engraved you upon the palms of my hands, your walls are ever before me"(Isaiah 49:16).  In your own thoughts seek the reassurance of the faith expressed in Isaiah's Shabbat message. I hope we all can take hold of a Divine embrace and feel the gentle and vast power of God's own hands enfolding us in times of fear or need. May it be that God applauds for and rejoices with us in times of celebration as well.

Shabbat Shalom.

Rabbi Steve Silberman

Shabbat Thoughts - The hand of G-d

Our hands are marvelous feats of engineering. Skin, muscles connective tissue, nerves, blood vessels and 27 bones afford us the opportunity of constructing, gripping, shaping, massaging and so much more. We can embrace and we can strike; we can clap, we can uplift and we can bring low.

     Our hands, capable of brute force and causing terror, can caress and provide a loving touch. Imagine what we as a species would be without our hands!  I remember as a child doodling on my hands. Occasionally, I see children drawing pictures or making notes upon their hands. Sometimes nurses and doctors, in the midst of an emergency, quickly scribble upon their hands for they have no time to waste in finding paper as their patients' lives are in their hands

     Now ask yourself how often you have heard or used the phrase "in God's hands."

      I do not imagine that many people think of God as literally having 10 fingers. However, the symbolism of being in God's hands is great.  We instantly appreciate the drama of the gentleness offered, the potential for power, the capacity for reassurance, the artistry affected and so much more.  As Creator, God fashions the universe of which we are a part.  As lawgiver God handed the plaques of the 10 Great Words to us. As artist, God paints each unique sunset; as Lifesource, God cradles each of us at birth and death.  Imagine God as writing a message upon God's own hands -a message intended for each and every one of us- a private, specific and unique message. Now see these hands, as enduring as Heaven itself, reaching out to you. How do you feel?

      In this week's Haftarah we experience God as engraving upon God’s own hands the reassuring message that each of us will have a home in which to dwell. Of all the promises that God could make as we read this Haftarah two weeks after Tisha B'Av, why does Isaiah offer us a picture of God as homebuilder? It may be that Isaiah knew we all need to have a home; a sanctuary in which to feel secure from the threats of marauders, thieves, foes and onslaught. In our own days of the modern 21st Century we see many threats against our individual and communal lives. Do we not all seek a safe and secure home for ourselves and our loved ones? 

     Reflect upon the phrase "Behold I have engraved you upon the palms of my hands, your walls are ever before me"(Isaiah 49:16).  In your own thoughts seek the reassurance of the faith expressed in Isaiah's Shabbat message. I hope we all can take hold of a Divine embrace and feel the gentle and vast power of God's own hands enfolding us in times of fear or need. May it be that God applauds for and rejoices with us in times of celebration as well.

Shabbat Shalom.

Rabbi Steve Silberman

Shabbat Thoughts

1)     Each one of us has an opportunity to touch the lives of others. The crisis in Louisiana is heartbreaking! We know the damage that is done by extreme flooding. Please share diapers, wipes, personal hygiene products or cleaning supplies with people in need. Bring them to the Shul and we will arrange transport to Louisiana.We are partnering with Volunteers of America, a service organization which has offices across the US and an affiliate in Baton Rouge.

(Under ordinary circumstances VOA’s two main areas of support include people with intellectual disabilities and abused children. In disaster situations their networks ramp up their collection of and provision of goods and supplies.  100 % of funds donated to VOA for emergency relief go to local need!)

        We must assist those in need. Please support our neighbors in Louisiana!

Those of us who wish to donate money may do so through the Jewish Federation of North America at this secure site. (https://secure-fedweb.jewishfederations.org/page/contribute/baton-rouge-flood-relief-fund)

2)     In two weeks, a new exhibit opens at the History Museum of Mobile. It is an opportunity for us all to learn, open our minds and deepen our hearts. The exhibit, Filming The Camps, consists of film footage and other materials of three award winning film-makers taken during World War II. The museum is seeking volunteer docents to guide the public throughout the exhibit.

      A training session for docents will be held on Thursday, August 25 from10:00a.m.-Noon at the History Museum of Mobile, 111 South Royal Street.

    Those interested may contact Lindy White. Her email address is :Carmen.white14@yahoo.com. Her phone number is 251-301-0268. Volunteer docents are welcome to offer tours according to their own schedules. Each one of us has the ability to touch the lives of others; strangers, friends, neighbors and acquaintances.

How shall you and I touch others this day and tomorrow? Our choice is before us.

May we all pray for shalom for us all.

Shabbat Thoughts- Parshat Pinches

 Each of us needs to be appreciated, respected and most of all, remembered. Perhaps that is why we developed the tradition of emphasizing names many centuries ago. Yet, our names are not limited to us. Jewish names automatically label us as children of someone else and frequently honor loved ones of prior generations. Out of deep respect for one another and strong connections to the generations which have gone before, we announce these names at our most important events. Births and Bris, Namings and B’nai Mitzvah, weddings and funerals-all of these major life events include the names of the most important loved ones in our lives. Whether it is a celebration of a birth or the death of a loved one, all of us are included. Our names proclaim our own importance as well as the importance of others in our lives.

      Tomorrow evening, immediately after our service we will share an Oneg Shabbat with a family which has been part of our Shul for 6 generations. Sharon and Robert Livitz, grandchildren of Annie and Harris Lubel who are some of our founding members, are dedicating two Yahrzeit plaques. Their loving gesture is to weave their relatives ever deeper into the tapestry of our congregation.

      By eating and drinking together we will dedicate these Yahrzeit plaques and strengthen the bonds between individual members and the Shul itself. All are invited to our Friday evening service (6:00-7:00 p.m.) and are requested to remain for a bit of schmooze and nosh. After all, food and time shared are the best ways of marking time.

      Speaking of families and names, this week’s  Parshah named Pinchas, is filled with family significance. One of the most compelling episodes in the ENTIRE BIBLE occurs when 5 sisters challenge Moses for the right to inherit land. Against the backdrop of Moshe’s allocating land parcels to the clans which are headed by men, we learn that five sisters have recently lost their father. They seek economic independence as well as being accorded human dignity and respect. Standing before Moses they assert their right to inherit land just like men. Moses does not know how to respond. Famously, God calls out ‘the daughters of Tzelophechad are right’. Jewish inheritance law is explosively changed in one fell swoop because of 5 gutsy women who refused to accept the status quo.

     Ever after Noa, Machla, Chogla, Milka and Tirtzah have been among my heroes! 

Shabbat Shalom!

Rabbi Steve Silberman

In response to an attack in Germany

         As I sit at my desk, I answer the phone. Routinely, many times per day I lift the receiver to my ear. “There is a shooting in Germany! People are shooting children in the face!”

An ordinary day- answering the phone and I learn of the ever-more- routine announcements of mass shootings.  Excruciating!  For us to become ever more accustomed to hearing of a vicious attack is a great sin. We should never become desensitized to attacks, to injuries, to loss of life.

     Last week, Baton Rouge and Dallas- Nice and Germany-today Munich. When shall our prayers for safety and peace be heeded? How much longer until the shooting stops? Who will become wise enough to realize that murdering human beings does not eliminate problems?

     God of creation- create humanity with greater understanding for the essential nature of all life.

     God of life- fashion men and women of all ages and backgrounds with an unbreakable appreciation of life and dignity.

    God of awareness- instill within us all an awareness of the beauty and complexity of every person.

    God of love- place the power to control hate within all of your children and let hate gradually diminish, one person, one community and one nation at a time.

     Heed this prayer as Shabbat arrives. Let there be peace to all creation- from my heart to all – Rabbi Steve Silberman 

Shabbat Thoughs-Parshat Balak- July 21, 2016

My grandfather, Ed Leyton, used to say ”sweets only go in the mouth when sweets come out of the mouth.” As a child not always interested in being courteous to my younger sister but motivated by sweets, I did my best to speak politely. Obviously, I was interested in having sweets and desserts more than speaking respectfully for its own sake.

     Poppa’s goal of encouraging kind speech may have been limited to his two arguing grandchildren or it may have been broader in scope. Could he have anticipated that 35 years after he began to share this message with his grandson those very words would be transmitted to future great-grandchildren as well as members of a Shul in Mobile, AL? I wonder if Poppa, z”l, had any inkling that his simple and true message would extend beyond his grandchildren to many other people.

      Every one of us has a choice to make. Every moment of our lives, as we open our mouths, we can choose to insult and ridicule, to comfort and love, to offer emotional support or hateful insult. The choice is ours. It may be that during a business meeting or telephone call we not receive instant encouragement to speak politely in the form of a candy bar. Maybe while schmoozing with friends the conversation takes a turn and we don't have a piece of cake prompting us to speak courteously about so-and -so. It’s tempting to mock someone and to feel superior for a few moments. But, part of being grown up is knowing when and how to speak.

      In this week’s Torah reading, a man named Bilam is not offered sweets to speak politely. Instead he is offered great wealth, prestige and a seat at a king’s table in exchange for cursing people. As Bilam steps forward enjoying a beautiful mountaintop view, the choice is upon him. Shall he be carried away by the beauty of a view overlooking the tribes of Israel and wax poetic or will he succumb to the draw of wealth and fame?

     According to the Torah it appears that he is about to make the wrong choice and to sell his soul at the expense of cursing defenseless strangers. At the very last moment words of beauty and poetry emerge instead of insult and criticism.

     From the point of view of the Israelites who were not cursed it is a happy ending. They were saved from insult by God’ s prompting Bilam to speak differently.  However, the text indicates that Bilam did not alter his own behavior. If indeed he had opened his own mouth and cursed the Children of Israel for the sake of gold and a star on Hollywood Boulevard, what would have been gained and what would have been sold?

     These are difficult days for us all. Our national leaders hurl insults and allegations against one another; tweets and posts on social media ridicule children and adults alike and Person X’s brand of self-righteousness is better than Person Y so X feels he is allowed to shoot Y.

Shall we not learn to be more careful with the words that come forth from our mouths?

Shabbat shalom.

Rabbi Steve Silberman

Tonight Guitar Shabbat