Upcoming Events:
Friday, January 25:
6:30 p.m. 7th Grade service
7:30 p.m. Family Shabbat dinner. Thank you to Sandra & Jack Whitton for chairing this Shabbat dinner!
Saturday, January 26:
9:45 a.m. Shabbat Services
10 a.m. Learner Service in the Kline auditorium (main service, as usual, will be in the sanctuary).
7 p.m. Screening & Discussion. Join us as we watch "Trembling Before G-d," the documentary which explores the challenges of committed Jews who are gay, struggling to reconcile their sexual and religious identities, followed by a discussion on the experience of homosexuals in the Jewish community.
Sunday, January 27:
10 a.m. Tu B'Shvat - Class Sederim
10 a.m. Adult Education Seminar: Topic: "Understanding the Conservative Movement's Latest Pronouncements on Homosexuality" led by Rabbi Siff. Bagel & lox breakfast, $4 per person.
Tuesday, January 29:
6:30 p.m. Sisterhood Meeting in the library.
6:30 p.m. Intermarriage Committee Meeting in the social hall.
Thursday, January 31:
5 p.m. Harvest Hope Food Bank project - volunteers will staff the emergency food pantry from 5-8 pm.
6:45 p.m. Minyan service at Harvest Hope Food Bank (2220 Shop Rd).
7 p.m. Adult Education Academy Classes
8:10 p.m. Adult Education Academy Classes
Friday, February 1–6:00 p.m. Bat Mitzvah of Sydney Bland.
Saturday, February 2:
9:45 a.m. Bat Mitzvah of Sydney Bland.
10:30 a.m. Junior Congregation
Sunday, February 3–10 a.m. 3rd & 4th Grade Family Education-Mezuzzah Making⁄Blessing Books.
Thursday, February 7:
7 p.m. Adult Education Academy Classes
8:10 p.m. Adult Education Academy Classes
Friday, February 8:
6 p.m. Early Shabbat services
7 p.m. "Sharing Shabbat at Home" Shabbat dinners held at hosts homes.
Saturday, February 9:
9:45 a.m. Special Shabbat services and kiddush will be held in honor of the rededication of the social hall to the Carol O. Bernstein Social Hall.
10:30 a.m. Junior Congregation
Tuesday, February 12–6:30 p.m. Board of Education Meeting in the library.
Wednesday, February 13–7:30 p.m. Board of Directors Meeting in the library.
Saturday, February 16–10 a.m. Learner Service in the Kline auditorium (main service, as usual, will be in the sanctuary).
Sunday, February 17:
10 a.m. No Hebrew School
11 a.m. Beth Shalom Sisterhood Membership Brunch. All Women of Beth Shalom invited to attend. No Charge for Paid-Up Members. RSVP by February 11th by calling 782-2500.
11 a.m. Unveiling of the stone for Irving "Jeff" Sunshine at Arcadia Lakes Cemetery.
Tuesday, February 19–7 p.m. Jewish Women's Book Club Meeting in the library. Join us for: "A Day of Small Beginnings" by Lisa Pearl Rosenbaum.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Learner's Minyan, Saturday, Jan. 26
Do you have a hard time following services? Do you get bored, and wonder what all these words are for? Rabbi David Siff holds a monthly Learner's Service once a month at 10:00-11:15 a.m., in the Kline auditorium (main service, as usual, will be in the sanctuary).
Each session, Rabbi Siff takes a section of the morning prayers, teaches their meaning and significance, and also leads us in it together at a slower pace. This service is good for anybody not yet fully comfortable in a traditional service, whether Jewish or not, whether you went to Hebrew School or not, and for those who simply would like to find more personal meaning. We will do some chanting in Hebrew, but we will mainly be studying and discussing the content of the prayers.
Babysitting will be provided from 10:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. with snacks.
Each session, Rabbi Siff takes a section of the morning prayers, teaches their meaning and significance, and also leads us in it together at a slower pace. This service is good for anybody not yet fully comfortable in a traditional service, whether Jewish or not, whether you went to Hebrew School or not, and for those who simply would like to find more personal meaning. We will do some chanting in Hebrew, but we will mainly be studying and discussing the content of the prayers.
Babysitting will be provided from 10:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. with snacks.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Gift Shop Can Solve Your Problems
Beth Shalom Sisterhood Gift Shop
Can solve your problems
Is your husband still wearing his Bar Mitzvah tallis?
Are your kiddush cups chipped and dented?
Are your mezuzzahs weather beaten?
Is it ok to replace Aunt Sadie's challah knife?
If YES is the answer to any of these questions -
Beth Shalom Gift Shop - can solve your problems!
Are you looking to spend a couple of hours in a worthwhile activity?
Are your days long, with nothing to do?
Volunteer at Beth Shalom Gift Shop.
Beth Shalom Gift Shop - can solve your problems!
Hours: Wednesday - 4:30 - 6:15 p.m.
Sunday - 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Or by appointment 782-2500
5827 North Trenholm Road
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Weekly Announcements, 1/19
Upcoming Events:
Saturday, January 19–9:45 a.m.
Magen David Award presentation to Bill Stern; Special kiddush luncheon following services in honor of Bill Stern.
Sunday, January 20
10 a.m. No Hebrew School
10 a.m. Unveiling of the stone for Tillie Gendil at Hebrew Benevolent Cemetery.
Tuesday, January 22–7 p.m. Jewish Women’s Book Club meeting in the library. Join us two books: "Suite Francaise" by Irene Nemirovsky and "The Angel of Forgetfulness" by Steve Stern.
Thursday, January 24:
7 p.m. Adult Education Academy Classes
8:10 p.m. Adult Education Academy Classes
Friday, January 25:
6:30 p.m. 7th Grade service
7:30 p.m. Family Shabbat dinner. Adults: $10, Children (under 12 yrs.): $5, Maximum cost per family: $25. Your mailed-in check will be your reservation. Checks need to be received by Wednesday, January 23rd. You can drop off your check and RSVP form with the office or mail it to: Beth Shalom Synagogue, 5827 N. Trenholm Road Columbia, SC 29206. Thank you to Sandra & Jack Whitton for chairing this Shabbat dinner!
Saturday, January 26:
9:45 a.m. Shabbat Services
10 a.m. Learner Service - Rabbi Siff has started a monthly Learner's service, which will be held from 10:00-11:15 a.m., in the Kline auditorium (main service, as usual, will be in the sanctuary). Each session, Rabbi Siff will take a section of the morning prayers, teach their meaning and significance, and also lead us in it together at a slower pace. This service is good for anybody not yet fully comfortable in a traditional service, whether Jewish or not, whether you went to Hebrew School or not, and for those who simply would like to find more personal meaning. We will do some chanting in Hebrew, but we will mainly be studying and discussing the content of the prayers.
7 p.m. Screening & Discussion: "Trembling Before G-d" Join us as we watch this documentary which explores the challenges of committed Jews who are gay, struggling to reconcile their sexual and religious identities.
Sunday, January 27:
10 a.m. Tu B’Shvat - Class Sederim
10 a.m. Adult Education Seminar: Topic: "Understanding the Conservative Movement's Latest Pronouncements on Homosexuality" led by Rabbi Siff. Bagel & lox breakfast, $4 per person.
Tuesday, January 29:
6:30 p.m. Sisterhood Meeting in the library.
6:30 p.m. Interfaith Committee Meeting in the social hall.
Thursday, January 31:
5 p.m. Harvest Hope Food Bank project - volunteers will staff the emergency food pantry from 5-8 pm.
6:45 p.m. Minyan service at Harvest Hope Food Bank (2220 Shop Rd).
7 p.m. Adult Education Academy Classes
8:10 p.m. Adult Education Academy Classes
Friday, February 1–6:30 p.m. Bat Mitzvah of Sydney Bland.
Saturday, February 2:
9:45 a.m. Bat Mitzvah of Sydney Bland.
10:30 a.m. Junior Congregation
Sunday, February 3–10 a.m. 3rd & 4th Grade Family Education-Mezuzzah Making⁄Blessing Books.
Thursday, February 7:
7 p.m. Adult Education Academy Classes
8:10 p.m. Adult Education Academy Classes
Friday, February 8:
6 p.m. Early Shabbat services
7 p.m. “Sharing Shabbat at Home” Shabbat dinners held at hosts homes. See insert page for more information and to RSVP for this dinner.
Saturday, February 9
9:45 a.m. Special Shabbat services dedicating the Carol Bernstein Social Hall. Special Kiddush to follow services in honor of the dedication in loving memory of Carol Bernstein.
10:30 a.m. Junior Congregation
Tuesday, February 12–6:30 p.m. Board of Education Meeting in the library.
Wednesday, February 13–7:30 p.m. Board of Directors Meeting in the library.
Saturday, January 19–9:45 a.m.
Magen David Award presentation to Bill Stern; Special kiddush luncheon following services in honor of Bill Stern.
Sunday, January 20
10 a.m. No Hebrew School
10 a.m. Unveiling of the stone for Tillie Gendil at Hebrew Benevolent Cemetery.
Tuesday, January 22–7 p.m. Jewish Women’s Book Club meeting in the library. Join us two books: "Suite Francaise" by Irene Nemirovsky and "The Angel of Forgetfulness" by Steve Stern.
Thursday, January 24:
7 p.m. Adult Education Academy Classes
8:10 p.m. Adult Education Academy Classes
Friday, January 25:
6:30 p.m. 7th Grade service
7:30 p.m. Family Shabbat dinner. Adults: $10, Children (under 12 yrs.): $5, Maximum cost per family: $25. Your mailed-in check will be your reservation. Checks need to be received by Wednesday, January 23rd. You can drop off your check and RSVP form with the office or mail it to: Beth Shalom Synagogue, 5827 N. Trenholm Road Columbia, SC 29206. Thank you to Sandra & Jack Whitton for chairing this Shabbat dinner!
Saturday, January 26:
9:45 a.m. Shabbat Services
10 a.m. Learner Service - Rabbi Siff has started a monthly Learner's service, which will be held from 10:00-11:15 a.m., in the Kline auditorium (main service, as usual, will be in the sanctuary). Each session, Rabbi Siff will take a section of the morning prayers, teach their meaning and significance, and also lead us in it together at a slower pace. This service is good for anybody not yet fully comfortable in a traditional service, whether Jewish or not, whether you went to Hebrew School or not, and for those who simply would like to find more personal meaning. We will do some chanting in Hebrew, but we will mainly be studying and discussing the content of the prayers.
7 p.m. Screening & Discussion: "Trembling Before G-d" Join us as we watch this documentary which explores the challenges of committed Jews who are gay, struggling to reconcile their sexual and religious identities.
Sunday, January 27:
10 a.m. Tu B’Shvat - Class Sederim
10 a.m. Adult Education Seminar: Topic: "Understanding the Conservative Movement's Latest Pronouncements on Homosexuality" led by Rabbi Siff. Bagel & lox breakfast, $4 per person.
Tuesday, January 29:
6:30 p.m. Sisterhood Meeting in the library.
6:30 p.m. Interfaith Committee Meeting in the social hall.
Thursday, January 31:
5 p.m. Harvest Hope Food Bank project - volunteers will staff the emergency food pantry from 5-8 pm.
6:45 p.m. Minyan service at Harvest Hope Food Bank (2220 Shop Rd).
7 p.m. Adult Education Academy Classes
8:10 p.m. Adult Education Academy Classes
Friday, February 1–6:30 p.m. Bat Mitzvah of Sydney Bland.
Saturday, February 2:
9:45 a.m. Bat Mitzvah of Sydney Bland.
10:30 a.m. Junior Congregation
Sunday, February 3–10 a.m. 3rd & 4th Grade Family Education-Mezuzzah Making⁄Blessing Books.
Thursday, February 7:
7 p.m. Adult Education Academy Classes
8:10 p.m. Adult Education Academy Classes
Friday, February 8:
6 p.m. Early Shabbat services
7 p.m. “Sharing Shabbat at Home” Shabbat dinners held at hosts homes. See insert page for more information and to RSVP for this dinner.
Saturday, February 9
9:45 a.m. Special Shabbat services dedicating the Carol Bernstein Social Hall. Special Kiddush to follow services in honor of the dedication in loving memory of Carol Bernstein.
10:30 a.m. Junior Congregation
Tuesday, February 12–6:30 p.m. Board of Education Meeting in the library.
Wednesday, February 13–7:30 p.m. Board of Directors Meeting in the library.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Weekly Announcements, January 12
Upcoming Events:
Saturday, January 12–10:30 a.m. Teen Shabbat; Learner Recognition; Junior Congregation.
Sunday, January 13:
10 a.m. 5th-7th Grade Family Education Program–Havdalah.
10:30 a.m. Sisterhood Open Meeting. It's time to re-energize & re-organize BSS Sisterhood! Please make plans to attend this very important meeting.
Monday, January 14–6:30 p.m. Ritual Committee meeting in the library.
Tuesday, January 15–5:30 p.m. Membership Committee meeting in the library.
Wednesday, January 16:
5 p.m. Finance Committee meeting in the library.
7:30 p.m. Board of Directors meeting in the library.
Saturday, January 19–9:45 a.m.
Magen David Award presentation to Bill Stern; Special kiddush luncheon following services in honor of Bill Stern.
Sunday, January 20
10 a.m. No Hebrew School
10 a.m. Unveiling of the stone for Tillie Gendil at Hebrew Benevolent Cemetery.
Tuesday, January 22–7 p.m. Jewish Women’s Book Club meeting in the library. Join us two books: "Suite Francaise" by Irene Nemirovsky and "The Angel of Forgetfulness" by Steve Stern.
Friday, January 25:
6:30 p.m. 7th Grade service
7:30 p.m. Family Shabbat dinner. Adults: $10, Children (under 12 yrs.): $5, Maximum cost per family: $25. Your mailed-in check will be your reservation. Checks need to be received by Wednesday, January 23rd. You can drop off your check and RSVP form with the office or mail it to: Beth Shalom Synagogue, 5827 N. Trenholm Road Columbia, SC 29206. Thank you to Sandra & Jack Whitton for chairing this Shabbat dinner!
Saturday, January 26:
9:45 a.m. Shabbat Services
10 a.m. Learner Service - Rabbi Siff has started a monthly Learner's service, which will be held from 10:00-11:15 a.m., in the Kline auditorium (main service, as usual, will be in the sanctuary). Each session, Rabbi Siff will take a section of the morning prayers, teach their meaning and significance, and also lead us in it together at a slower pace. This service is good for anybody not yet fully comfortable in a traditional service, whether Jewish or not, whether you went to Hebrew School or not, and for those who simply would like to find more personal meaning. We will do some chanting in Hebrew, but we will mainly be studying and discussing the content of the prayers.
Saturday, January 26–7 p.m.
Screening & Discussion: "Trembling Before G-d." Join us as we watch this documentary which explores the challenges of committed Jews who are gay, struggling to reconcile their sexual and religious identities.
Sunday, January 27:
10 a.m. Tu B’Shvat - Class Sederim
10 a.m. Adult Education Seminar: Topic: "Understanding the Conservative Movement's Latest Pronouncements on Homosexuality" led by Rabbi Siff. Bagel & lox breakfast, $4 per person.
Thursday, January 31:
5 p.m. Harvest Hope Food Bank project - volunteers will staff the emergency food pantry from 5-8 pm.
6:45 p.m. Minyan service at Harvest Hope Food Bank (2220 Shop Rd).
Friday, February 1–6:30 p.m. Bat Mitzvah of Sydney Bland.
Saturday, February 2:
9:45 a.m. Bat Mitzvah of Sydney Bland.
10:30 a.m. Junior Congregation
Sunday, February 3–10 a.m. 3rd & 4th Grade Family Education-Mezuzzah Making⁄Blessing Books.
Saturday, January 12–10:30 a.m. Teen Shabbat; Learner Recognition; Junior Congregation.
Sunday, January 13:
10 a.m. 5th-7th Grade Family Education Program–Havdalah.
10:30 a.m. Sisterhood Open Meeting. It's time to re-energize & re-organize BSS Sisterhood! Please make plans to attend this very important meeting.
Monday, January 14–6:30 p.m. Ritual Committee meeting in the library.
Tuesday, January 15–5:30 p.m. Membership Committee meeting in the library.
Wednesday, January 16:
5 p.m. Finance Committee meeting in the library.
7:30 p.m. Board of Directors meeting in the library.
Saturday, January 19–9:45 a.m.
Magen David Award presentation to Bill Stern; Special kiddush luncheon following services in honor of Bill Stern.
Sunday, January 20
10 a.m. No Hebrew School
10 a.m. Unveiling of the stone for Tillie Gendil at Hebrew Benevolent Cemetery.
Tuesday, January 22–7 p.m. Jewish Women’s Book Club meeting in the library. Join us two books: "Suite Francaise" by Irene Nemirovsky and "The Angel of Forgetfulness" by Steve Stern.
Friday, January 25:
6:30 p.m. 7th Grade service
7:30 p.m. Family Shabbat dinner. Adults: $10, Children (under 12 yrs.): $5, Maximum cost per family: $25. Your mailed-in check will be your reservation. Checks need to be received by Wednesday, January 23rd. You can drop off your check and RSVP form with the office or mail it to: Beth Shalom Synagogue, 5827 N. Trenholm Road Columbia, SC 29206. Thank you to Sandra & Jack Whitton for chairing this Shabbat dinner!
Saturday, January 26:
9:45 a.m. Shabbat Services
10 a.m. Learner Service - Rabbi Siff has started a monthly Learner's service, which will be held from 10:00-11:15 a.m., in the Kline auditorium (main service, as usual, will be in the sanctuary). Each session, Rabbi Siff will take a section of the morning prayers, teach their meaning and significance, and also lead us in it together at a slower pace. This service is good for anybody not yet fully comfortable in a traditional service, whether Jewish or not, whether you went to Hebrew School or not, and for those who simply would like to find more personal meaning. We will do some chanting in Hebrew, but we will mainly be studying and discussing the content of the prayers.
Saturday, January 26–7 p.m.
Screening & Discussion: "Trembling Before G-d." Join us as we watch this documentary which explores the challenges of committed Jews who are gay, struggling to reconcile their sexual and religious identities.
Sunday, January 27:
10 a.m. Tu B’Shvat - Class Sederim
10 a.m. Adult Education Seminar: Topic: "Understanding the Conservative Movement's Latest Pronouncements on Homosexuality" led by Rabbi Siff. Bagel & lox breakfast, $4 per person.
Thursday, January 31:
5 p.m. Harvest Hope Food Bank project - volunteers will staff the emergency food pantry from 5-8 pm.
6:45 p.m. Minyan service at Harvest Hope Food Bank (2220 Shop Rd).
Friday, February 1–6:30 p.m. Bat Mitzvah of Sydney Bland.
Saturday, February 2:
9:45 a.m. Bat Mitzvah of Sydney Bland.
10:30 a.m. Junior Congregation
Sunday, February 3–10 a.m. 3rd & 4th Grade Family Education-Mezuzzah Making⁄Blessing Books.
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
Parshat Bo
(Jeremiah 46:13-28)
5 Shevat 5768
January 12, 2008
Rashi captured the rabbinic attitude toward the interpretation of Scripture in the following anomalous words: "Therefore I say: 'Let Scripture be explained in its literal sense so that each statement fits in its proper place, but the Midrashic interpretation may also be given, if you like, as it is said: 'Is not My word like fire, said the Lord, and like a hammer which, by the force of its own blow, the rock which it strikes shatters it to pieces, sending sparks in all directions.'" (Rashi on Ex. 6:9) The Jewish tradition is interested both in the plain or pshat meaning of Scripture as well as the midrashic or interpretive tradition because it is our sense that God's words have depth and that there is more there than the surface meaning. Both senses of the text have religious significance for us and we treasure them.
Jeremiah's message, in this week's haftarah, is first of all, a message aimed at the world power which subjugated Judea in his day, Egypt. He predicts with certainty its downfall at the hands of the new rising world power, the Babylonians because of God's desire to punish it for its traitorous behavior to the small Judean nation: "As I live, declared the King, whose name is Lord of Hosts, as surely as Tabor is among the mountains and Carmel is by the sea, so shall this [the Babylonian attack on the Egyptians] come to pass." (Verse 18)
This verse, however, had a second life in the Jewish tradition. It came to be understood as a description of the response of certain mountains to the revelation of the Torah at Mount Sinai. In an earlier midrash, found in the Mechilta, these mountains ran to participate in that revelatory experience before they realized that the revelation was meant for the children of Israel. (See Haftarah commentary 5762.) The midrash, below, is a later version of that same midrashic idea. In this version, however, the mountains fight over the right to be the mountain on which God reveals Himself:
"Rabbi Nathan taught: When the Holy One Blessed Be He sought to give the Torah to Israel Carmel came from Aspamea and Tabor came from Beth-Elim. As it is said in the tradition: 'As I live, said the King, whose name is the Lord of Hosts, surely like Tabor among the mountains, and like Carmel by the Sea, so shall he come'. (Jer. 46:18) One mountain said: 'I am called Har Tabor. It is fitting that God's presence (the Shechina) dwell on me, since I am the highest of all the mountains and the waters of the flood [in the days of Noah] did not fall on me.' The other mountain responded: 'I am called Har Carmel. It is fitting that God's presence dwell on me, for I placed myself in the middle [of the sea] and on me [the children of Israel] passed through the sea.' Said the Holy One Blessed Be He: 'Both of you have already rendered yourselves unworthy of My presence through your pride.' The mountains answered in return: 'Are you favoring another mountain or is it that you wish to deprive us of our reward? The Holy One Blessed Be He said to them: 'Because you troubled yourselves on My behalf, I shall reward you; Behold I shall give over to Mount Tabor the deliverance of Israel in the days of Deborah and the deliverance of Israel on Mount Carmel in the days of Elijah.'" (Adapted from the Askenazic tradition of Midrash Tehillim 68:9 Buber ed. p. 318)
This new version of the story turns the story into a morality play from which human beings are intended to learn. God refused these mountains a role in revelation because they overplayed their role and responsibility in previous miraculous events and exhibited excessive pride. The story, as a lesson for human beings, speaks for itself.
This study piece is offered as a service of the United Synagogue Conservative Yeshiva. It is prepared by Rabbi Mordechai (Mitchell) Silverstein, senior lecturer in Talmud and Midrash at the Conservative Yeshiva. He is a graduate of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America.
With the permission of The United Synagogue Conservative Yeshiva in Jerusalem, Rabbi Edward S. Romm - Director of Education
© 2007
Shabbat Shalom,
Henry Ray Wengrow
For the Ritual Committee
Beth Shalom
5 Shevat 5768
January 12, 2008
Rashi captured the rabbinic attitude toward the interpretation of Scripture in the following anomalous words: "Therefore I say: 'Let Scripture be explained in its literal sense so that each statement fits in its proper place, but the Midrashic interpretation may also be given, if you like, as it is said: 'Is not My word like fire, said the Lord, and like a hammer which, by the force of its own blow, the rock which it strikes shatters it to pieces, sending sparks in all directions.'" (Rashi on Ex. 6:9) The Jewish tradition is interested both in the plain or pshat meaning of Scripture as well as the midrashic or interpretive tradition because it is our sense that God's words have depth and that there is more there than the surface meaning. Both senses of the text have religious significance for us and we treasure them.
Jeremiah's message, in this week's haftarah, is first of all, a message aimed at the world power which subjugated Judea in his day, Egypt. He predicts with certainty its downfall at the hands of the new rising world power, the Babylonians because of God's desire to punish it for its traitorous behavior to the small Judean nation: "As I live, declared the King, whose name is Lord of Hosts, as surely as Tabor is among the mountains and Carmel is by the sea, so shall this [the Babylonian attack on the Egyptians] come to pass." (Verse 18)
This verse, however, had a second life in the Jewish tradition. It came to be understood as a description of the response of certain mountains to the revelation of the Torah at Mount Sinai. In an earlier midrash, found in the Mechilta, these mountains ran to participate in that revelatory experience before they realized that the revelation was meant for the children of Israel. (See Haftarah commentary 5762.) The midrash, below, is a later version of that same midrashic idea. In this version, however, the mountains fight over the right to be the mountain on which God reveals Himself:
"Rabbi Nathan taught: When the Holy One Blessed Be He sought to give the Torah to Israel Carmel came from Aspamea and Tabor came from Beth-Elim. As it is said in the tradition: 'As I live, said the King, whose name is the Lord of Hosts, surely like Tabor among the mountains, and like Carmel by the Sea, so shall he come'. (Jer. 46:18) One mountain said: 'I am called Har Tabor. It is fitting that God's presence (the Shechina) dwell on me, since I am the highest of all the mountains and the waters of the flood [in the days of Noah] did not fall on me.' The other mountain responded: 'I am called Har Carmel. It is fitting that God's presence dwell on me, for I placed myself in the middle [of the sea] and on me [the children of Israel] passed through the sea.' Said the Holy One Blessed Be He: 'Both of you have already rendered yourselves unworthy of My presence through your pride.' The mountains answered in return: 'Are you favoring another mountain or is it that you wish to deprive us of our reward? The Holy One Blessed Be He said to them: 'Because you troubled yourselves on My behalf, I shall reward you; Behold I shall give over to Mount Tabor the deliverance of Israel in the days of Deborah and the deliverance of Israel on Mount Carmel in the days of Elijah.'" (Adapted from the Askenazic tradition of Midrash Tehillim 68:9 Buber ed. p. 318)
This new version of the story turns the story into a morality play from which human beings are intended to learn. God refused these mountains a role in revelation because they overplayed their role and responsibility in previous miraculous events and exhibited excessive pride. The story, as a lesson for human beings, speaks for itself.
This study piece is offered as a service of the United Synagogue Conservative Yeshiva. It is prepared by Rabbi Mordechai (Mitchell) Silverstein, senior lecturer in Talmud and Midrash at the Conservative Yeshiva. He is a graduate of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America.
With the permission of The United Synagogue Conservative Yeshiva in Jerusalem, Rabbi Edward S. Romm - Director of Education
© 2007
Shabbat Shalom,
Henry Ray Wengrow
For the Ritual Committee
Beth Shalom
Adult Ed classes begin Thursday evening
ENTIRE COMMUNITY IS INVITED TO THE
BETH SHALOM ADULT EDUCATION ACADEMY
Thursday evenings: 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Class Meeting Dates: January 10, 17, 24 & 31 and February 7, & 21.
*Please call the office (782-2500) to register for classes by Tuesday, January 8, 2008*
Want to learn in an atmosphere where curiosity and enthusiasm are encouraged? Then Beth Shalom Synagogue is the place for you. Our Winter Academy is set to begin, offering these courses:
- Introduction to Hebrew
- Our Tradition's Treasures: The Bible and Beyond
- Inner Fire: A Mystical Master in 18th Century Ukraine - The Teachings of the Baal Shem Tov
- Introduction to the Study of Talmud
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