We light our Shabbat candles this week at 7:36 pm. This Friday
evening is a special one, as we will gather for the annual
barbeque and services “under the stars” at 739 Harristown Road.
The Barbeque will begin at 6 pm and then the Shabbat evening
service will begin at 8 pm. We will observe yahrtzeits as usual
during the service. Even if it’s wet outside, we will be
cozy under the tent. Temperatures are expected to be in the mid
70s tomorrow evening.
A few minutes before the service begins we will get warmed up with
a couple of songs from last year’s Zimriya, Israel song festival.
To all students and adults who sang in the Zimriya: Join us at
the front of the tent around 7:45 and we will sing Hine ba
Ha’shalom and Haleluya la’olam.
Then, we will join in with our new Cantor, Cantor Michelle
Freedman, as she leads us in a lively service to welcome Shabbat.
Saturday morning services will also be held at 739 Harristown
Road, under the tent, at 9 am.
We read this week from the second parasha in Sefer Devarim, the
Book of Deuteronomy. There is a parallel in this week’s portion
with cooking.
When we make a recipe, there are often in the margins some notes
as to what we can add to enhance the recipe and what we can
remove, or rather substitute, in the recipe. The possible
additions usually upgrade the flavor, texture, or features of the
finished product. The substitutions often suggest a healthier
alternative to an ingredient or perhaps something that is more
readily available in the average kitchen than a hard-to-find
ingredient.
God teaches in this week’s reading, “You shall not add anything to
what I command you or take anything away from it, but keep the
commandments of the Lord your God that I give you.”(Deut. 4:2)
Here we find that the “Torah-recipe” appears to allow neither
additions nor substitutions. If we were to take this statement at
face value, then the Judaism we practice today would look like the
ancient Judaism of the Temple days. Based on the larger context
of the “don’t add, don’t take away” statement, the statement
itself is a warning against worshipping gods other than the One
God.
The Torah’s teaching, then, is not intended to inhibit theological
creativity when that creativity is for the purpose of expanding
the influence of the Torah. The more difficult scenario is what
to do when a teaching in the Torah appears to challenge our moral
or ethical understanding of the world. There are any number of
issues that may fall into this category, and there are both
traditional and more modern ways of approaching these issues. For
the moment, though, it is sufficient to mention that the Rabbis
who developed the Talmud and codified Jewish law struggled with
similar questions. For example, they restricted the application
of the severe punishments the Torah requires for the “wayward and
rebellious child” to the point that the laws in the Torah could
never be applied. There are other cases as well.
Our tradition grows, evolves, and, at the same time, we strive to
maintain our connections to history and tradition. It is an
ongoing project, le dor va’dor, from generation to generation.
We will celebrate Friday evening with multiple generations, new
members and long-time members, family, friends, and all of nature
surrounding us. See you there!
With blessings,
Rabbi Tow
CONDOLENCES TO
Amy Raiss and her family on the loss of Amy’s sister, Robin Raiss.
There will be a shiva minyan at 8:00 pm this Sunday, August 17,
at the Raiss/Victor home.
MAZEL TOV
To all the wonderful volunteers who helped us with donations, with
shopping, and with filling 50 backpacks for underprivileged
students in Bergen County. We had a wonderful time last week
filling the backpacks with fresh school supplies, and we hope to
fill at least twice as many next year!
COMING SOON
Bat Mitzvah of Ilana Druker next weekend. Bat Mitzvah of Elaina
Hirsch in two weeks.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Adult Choir Practice for High Holiday services begins next
Thursday, August 21, with Cantor Michelle Friedman. Practices are
held in the GRJC Youth Lounge from 7:30-9:30 pm. No auditions or
prior experience necessary!
Senior Aerobics on Tuesday and Thursday, August 19 and 21,
10:00-10:40 am in the Social Hall.
*Membership Registration Form – Please return with your initial
payment.
The deadline for any articles or other copy for the September GRJC
Bulletin is upon us…please send any submissions to
bulletin@grjc.org
by next Monday at the latest.
The deadline for signing up for the Whitewater Rafting Trip on
Sept 14 is August 21. (Forms will be available at the beginning
of the BBQ).
And the deadline for Book of Remembrance submissions is August
25. Please return the form (sent to you online and in the Summer
Bulletin) with your donation by that date. (This form will also be
at the BBQ).
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