Shabbat Thoughts- Beresheet "at the beginning of "

  

 How exciting! Both the Cubs and the Indians are in the World Series. It has been 108 years since the Cubs have taken home the Series title and 68 years since the Indians have boasted of being World champs. Pitting two huge fandoms against each other, this series is definitely one for the record books. Excitement over who ‘deserves it more’ rivals the enthusiasm of fans comparing the quality of their favorite players. It is a beginning of a sort; a beginning of a renewed interest in America’s pastime and a way of looking ahead into the 2017 season with optimism for fans who have too long watched other sports-cities brag over their hometown athletes.

     This week is a beginning of a sort for us as well. Not only have we just concluded the Yamim Noraim (Days of Awe) but we are beginning the Torah anew on the day after tomorrow.

     Genesis (Latin for beginning) depicts the start of an entirely new reality. From chaos emerges order, from nothingness emerges beauty and from emptiness a unique voice calls out- ensuring that humanity be centered amidst the universe. God places us at the center of reality just a few cosmic moments after illuminating the void. Our place is to add meaning to a world which hitherto had been dark. Torah teaches that all humans have the moral and intellectual role of transforming the world in which they dwell. No mention is made of any ethnic/religious identity, save that of being human, borne by Adam and Eve. How magnificent is our Torah –sharing profound religious insight with all people. In other words, the purpose of living within reality is not exclusive to any one religion.

      May we all learn from the open-minded view of Beresheet (‘at the beginning of ‘-Hebrew). May we share this perspective with others in a respectful and honorable manner.

Shabbat Thoughts-Parshat Vayelech

Today's  weather is pleasant. The skies are blue and the breezes are gentle. It is easy to enjoy Mobile's version of Fall and to forget that many millions of people are in the path of a potential Category 3 hurricane. It is easy to become wrapped up in our own lives and to forget the needs of others. Of all people, we who live along the Gulf Coast know how devastating a hurricane is. Of all people, we must attend to the needs and concerns of our fellows who are battening down and evacuating. 

     We just concluded two days of communal Rosh Hashanah prayer, celebrating life, health and awareness of being part of our world. In the hours ahead, please offer this prayer for the many people in the path of Hurricane Matthew.

     God of all life, place shalom and strength upon all of your children dwelling in many vulnerable lands. Preserve them all from worry and hazard. Keep them safe from  harm. Ensure that the many who may be in harm's way are safeguarded from all danger and threat. Grant courage to all. Protect your valiant First Responders who place themselves in hazardous situations in order to support and tend your children.

Let there be safety and shalom.

     In this week's Parhsah, Vayelech, Moses recognizes that his time to lead the people is coming to an end. Even though Torah describes him as physically strong, he feels his energy slowly diminishing. He turns his focus to the People of Israel and to Joshua,offering them his prayers for  "courage and strength."  Even in his final hours Moses recognizes his responsibility to others. How much more shall we, who are blessed with a New Year, think of others and keep their concerns in our hearts.

Shabbat Shalom.

Rabbi Steve Silberman

Shabbat Thoughts

 Tonight Israel is playing Great Britain in a baseball elimination game in Brooklyn! Israel is a favorite in this level of competition. Also playing are Pakistan and Brazil. Hosted by the World Baseball Competition, this particular series of games over the upcoming weekend is part of an extensive series of double elimination games. Twelve teams which played in 2013 are already set to take part in March 2017. The last 4 qualifiers include Israel!

      Most of the players on the teams are semi-pro. Check out this Facebook post courtesy of the Israel Association of Baseball. https://www.facebook.com/IABIsraelBaseball/  The games will be streamed on the website http://www.worldbaseballclassic.com/

      It is exciting to see Israel nearly at the head of the class in yet another endeavor. Time and again, she distinguishes herself. We have grown accustomed to seeing her achievements in fields of engineering, aerospace research, medicine, robotics, hydrology and more. This weekend, just a week before Rosh Hashanah when we anticipate newness and achievement, we may see Israel excel, taking top honors and earning a place in the World Baseball Competition in March 2017.

      Speaking of being at the head of the class, a phrase from this week’s Torah reading named Kee Tavo, comes to mind. “God will make you the head and not the tail” (Deut. 28:13). This overall parshah does not have anything specific to do with Rosh Hashanah. However, the thought that God wants us to succeed is very uplifting! What a compliment it is that God is going to make each of us a head! The fact that this verse is being read in Shuls all over the world as the Israel Baseball team prepares to make history nearly on Erev Rosh Hashanah may be more than coincidence!

      Wow!  May we all be the head and not the tail!

     As you know, it is traditional to dip Challah or apples or both into honey at Rosh Hashanah mealtimes and say 'You are blessed God, for creating the bread which comes forth from the ground’ (or the apples which grow on trees)' and then say 'May this be a sweet new year.'

     Thereafter, some Jews say ‘May we be the Rosh and not the tail.’

Shabbat Shalom

Ten ways we can prepare for and enhance our Rosh Hashanah

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlcxEDy-lr0

Ten ways we can prepare for and enhance our Rosh Hashanah Experience-

1) Psalm 27 is traditionally recited at this season. Choose one phrase and mull it over twice per day.

2) Incorporate honey as a condiment or flavoring at every meal until Oct.25 (Simchas Torah ends).Be creative in your cooking. Have a sweet year!

3) Carry a small memento, piece of jewelry or snapshot from a loved one with you as you enter Synagogue for services. Reflect upon what you have learned from that person.

4) Call a friend or acquaintance with whom you haven't spoken and have a good and caring conversation.

5) Observe the Moon's phases over the next two weeks and remember that we Jews have been telling time in this way for 3,000 years.

6) Wish your loved ones L'Shanah Tova Tikateivu (means May you be inscribed for a good year) with Hebrew words instead of saying Happy New Year which doesn't mean the same thing.

7) Sing a little louder in Synagogue and don't be so self-conscious!

8) Invite a friend to your home and watch this video together.  (Fountainheads is the group’s name )https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlcxEDy-lr0

9) Donate Tzedakah to a Jewish organization which you have not yet supported.

10) Commit to eat in the Sukkah at least once this year!

Rosh Hashanah is nearly upon us! Jewish tradition associates Rosh Hashanah with the creation of the universe. Such an association is very insightful. A threshold into Yom Kippur whereby we are challenged to improve our lives through seeking and granting forgiveness, Rosh Hashanah celebrates the sum total of all reality. Moral and spiritual improvement of and by Jews is connected to the entire universe. Put another way, the universe is the physical scaffold upon which we Jews are obligated to improve our lives! May this year of 5777 be a year of moral and spiritual improvement for us all, influencing all reality which surrounds us! L’shanah Tova Tikateivu! –Rabbi Steven Silberman

A Jewish Idea- Drop and GIVE ME 22!

    

A few days ago I learned of the 22 push-up challenge; the goal being to sensitize us to the tragic loss of 22 veterans every day. Many of our soldiers and sailors have experienced extreme trauma while serving our nation and assuring us a life of peace and security. Some veterans, overwhelmed by stress, feel they have no options and tragically end their lives.

     While the actual number of suicides of veterans has been of some discussion in the media, what truly matters is that we be sensitive to the extreme stress under which our servicemen and servicewomen operate. If each one of us paused just a few moments per day to take stock and to appreciate all that our veterans have sacrificed in order that we might live more securely, it would change our entire nation.

     The past few days I have been doing push-ups. Unaccustomed to push-ups, I have slowly progressed from 20 to 21. This morning, with some grunting I managed to do 22. It has certainly been a challenge. I do not need to post these exertions on the web. For me, doing some difficult exercise is a small symbol of some of the extreme difficulties encountered by our military personnel every day. While I attempt a push–up, I shake my head in wonderment over personnel who deploy away from their families for a year and place themselves in very hazardous conditions so that we might live more comfortably and freely.

     Over the past few days, I have begun to recite a particular Psalm. For the past 2,000 years, Psalm 27 has been a doorway into the month leading up to Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. As we spiritually prepare for entering a new year and bidding farewell to the previous year, we are ever-desirous of an improved spiritual condition. Reviewing the words of Psalm 27 prompts me to prioritize. For a few moments every day I ask myself to consider what is truly important; to dwell in the house of God, to conquer fear and to examine my interactions between myself and others whom I hold dear.

     The 22 push-up program challenges us to pause for a few moments every day to consider the importance of veterans and our shared relationship with them and dependence upon them. Let us also take note of where we are in our calendar and our daily life. As Rosh Hashanah approaches please consider meditating upon Psalm 27.  Over the next six weeks reflect upon one verse per day. It may open your heart and mind as we gather in Shul to greet our new year.

Shalom,

Rabbi Steve Silberman

 You, Lord, are the light that keeps me safe.
I am not afraid of anyone.
    You protect me, and I have no fears. Brutal people may attack and try to kill me, but they will stumble.
Fierce enemies may attack, but they will fall. Armies may surround me but I won’t be afraid; war may break out, but I will trust you.

 I ask only one thing, Lord: Let me live in your house, every day of my life
    to see how wonderful you are & to pray in your temple.

 In times of trouble, you will protect me.
You will hide me in your tent and keep me safe. You will raise me above all of my enemies. I will celebrate, as I enter your tent singing.

    Please listen when I call! Answer my prayer. My heart seeks you. I am eager to see your face, don’t turn from me in anger. You alone keep me safe.
    Don’t reject me or leave me. Even if my father and mother
may leave me, you will take care of me.

 Teach me to follow, Lord, and lead me on the right path.
     Don’t let my enemies do to me what they want.
People tell lies about me and make terrible threats, but I know I will live to see how kind you are.

Trust the Lord! Be brave and strong and trust the Lord.

(Contemporary English Version- modified)

Shabbat Thoughts- You Cheated!

We all cheat. We may not want to admit it but we all cheat. Taking a second or third serving of a dessert, stealing a glance at a cell phone while driving, missing a workout session at the gym – we all cheat. I don't like thinking of myself as a cheater. I see myself as being honest and I imagine you do as well. The question is... “Does cheating in small ways prompt bigger cheating?”

We all encourage our children to never cheat on tests. Parents may get very upset over a small infraction such as an allegation of cheating by glancing at a schoolmate’s homework but most parents give very little thought to exceeding the speed limit by 5 miles per hour. How do we reconcile our diligence in preaching against the ills of classroom cheating with our own tendency to speed or to include a ‘few’ personal expenses in our business deductions?

This week’s Parsha is called R-ay. It opens with one of the most famous verses in the entire Torah.

“Look, today I give you blessing and curse.”(Deut. 11:26). Each of us is faced with dozens of choices every day. How we steer our way through those choices is up to us. Parents, friends, TV and the latest trends all influence our behavior. Torah offers us a different influence. Ask yourself ‘How does this choice incline me to a blessing? How does this choice lead me towards a negative spiritual experience?’

The guilt of a “near miss” accident due to texting and the anxiety over cheating on taxes contribute to a hollowing out of our spirits. Is this how we wish to live our lives?

May we all grow in the opportunity of bringing Brachah into our lives and the lives of others on a daily basis.

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