DON’T LET THE LIGHT GO OUT!

Parashat Tetzaveh

Torah: Exodus 27:20-30:10

Haftarah: Ezekiel 43:1-27

11 Adar 1 5779 / 15-16 February 2019

Dedications and this week’s calendar are below. For more information about our community, visit: http://bnaihayim.com

Please feel free to pass this on to a friend, and please cite the source.

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DON’T LET THE LIGHT GO OUT!

"And you will command the Israelites to take to you clear oil of beaten olives for lighting, to give off light continually." Exodus 27:20

Jewish law requires that a symbolic Ner Tamid, a continuous lamp, also known as the Eternal Light, be found in every synagogue. Interestingly, this is the only mitzvah associated with the Tabernacle that is still observed today. (Rabbi Harold Kushner, in “Humash Etz Hayyim”) Why do we still observe this commandment, in altered form, today?

The Talmud says that the Ner Tamid of the Tabernacle and Temple is symbolic of the Shekhinah, God's Divine Presence. The Midrash adds that the Ner Tamid symbolizes the spiritual light that emanated from the Temple. Rabbi Kushner suggests that light, a favorite symbol for God, cannot be seen - we are aware of it only when we are able to see other things. For all these reasons, we sense God's presence in the world when we see the wonders of creation. Thus, the Ner Tamid is a reminder of what was, what is, and what will be.

It also reminds us that God is always with us, giving off light, even if we are unable to detect the source of the light. We find that light in the synagogue, more than any other place, because that is most often where we seek to draw close to God. It is where we pray and study together, where we hear the reading of the Torah, where we celebrate occasions both joyful and mournful. And if that is so, then the commandment to keep the lamp burning continually takes on added significance - the lamp must have a place where it can be lit! There must be a synagogue, built up and supported by the entire community, in order for the lamp to exist. Please, take an active role in your synagogue! Attend services, Torah study, and other programs; serve on the board or committees; bring your friends and family. Don't let the light go out!

Shabbat Shalom!

Der Heiliger Shlabodkieviller Rebbe Abba Reuven ben Menachem Mendel Flom
Av Beis Din - Chelm

Slivovitz Taste Tester

משנכנס אדר, מרבין בשמחה

From the beginning of Adar, we increase joy.

BT Ta’anit 29a

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CALENDAR

Candle lighting: 5:20 pm

Friday – Shabbat Evening Service – 7:30 pm. Oneg Shabbat follows

Saturday – Breakfast and Torah study - 8:45 am. Shabbat Morning Service - 9:30 am. Kiddush luncheon follows.

Sunday – NO Religious School – Presidents’ Day weekend. Resume February 24 at 9:30 am.

Tuesday – Lunch and Learn – 12:00 noon. Continuing with our learning Midrashim on Purim! Open auditions (no one turned away!) for this year’s Disney-themed Purim Shpiel – 7:00 pm.

Friday, February 22 – Shabbat-a-Palooza! Shabbat Rocks, with Reb Jason and the Shul of Rock – 7:30 pm. Oneg Shabbat follows. 

Saturday, February 23 – Breakfast and Torah study - 8:45 am. Shabbat Morning Service - 9:30 am. Kiddush luncheon follows.

Sunday, February 24 – Religious School at 9:30 am.

Friday, March 8 – Tot Shabbat Service. More info to follow.

Sunday, March 17 - We need help in assembling and delivering Mishloach Manot baskets on.  Please contact Susan Burke or Melinda Trauman if you can pitch in.

Wednesday, March 20 - Purim dinner, shpiel and megillah reading, beginning 6:00 pm. RSVP to TBH office.

Sunday, March 31 - Movie Time! Yentl, starring Barbara Streisand. 2:00 pm. More info to follow.

Saturday, April 13 – Sh’MA Service (Shabbat Morning Adventure). A Guitar-led, singalong service with Dr. Steve Pearlman. Designed for the whole family! Followed by kiddush luncheon. More info to follow.

Sunday, May 19 – TBH/CBM Concert and Fundraiser – with music, comedy, silent auction, and food and drink. Check our website http://bnaihayim.com for details. Or contact the TBH office.

Sunday, June 2 - Afternoon at the Colony Theater – “Old Jews Telling Jokes” – a bawdy (may not be suitable for minors) visit to the Catskills with Jokes, Skits, Song & Dance! More info to follow.

Next time you come to TBH/CBM, please bring some non-perishable canned and packaged foods and personal items (no glass) for SOVA.

TBH Religious School and TBH Preschool have open enrollment. Enroll your children now! Contact the TBH office for information.

And be sure to tell your neighbors, friends, and relatives about our warm and welcoming community and our programs!

We are looking for volunteers for services: chant Torah or Haftarah, daven, lead English readings, and have aliyot and other Torah/bimah honors. Training available! Contact Rabbi Flom by e-mail for details and to sign up!

This d’var torah is offered for a refuah shleimah for Elisheva bat Malkah, Ze’ev ben Adeline, Liora bat Sarah, Eilite bat Miriam, Sarah bat Devorah, Susan Arbetman, Ken Bitticks, Jerry Daniels, Beverly Erenbaum (Blimah bat Sarah), Maya Fersht (Maya bat Esther), Dr. Samuel Fersht (Shmuel Natan ben Gittel), Annabelle Flom (Chanah Bella bat Kreina), Bernard Garvin, Leah Granat, Brandon Joseph, Gabor Klein, Philip Kovac, Tonya Kronzek (Zlata Malkah bat Sarah Imanu), Marilyn Lee, Barbara Levy, David Marks, Debra Schugar Strauss (Devorah bat Chaya Feiga), Helen Schugar (Chaya Feiga bat Kreina), Bernie Seeman, Irwin Silon, William Sragow, and Jonathan Woolf.

Please let me know if there is anyone you would like to add to this list or if there is anyone who may be removed from this list.

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