Category Archives: From the Rabbi

I would like to share an update on TBA’s social and environmental justice programming. TBA members are very generous with their time when it comes to the Monday Night Suppers at the First Baptist Church. These suppers are an opportunity for our community to reach out to those in need. Last month, about 30 people from TBA came out to cook and serve. Thank you to all of our volunteers, and especially to Dave Carnevale, who does most of the shopping and schlepping each month. The Social Action Committee has taken on the responsibility of making sure that there continues to be funding for the food. To that end, on Friday, February 3, the Social Action Committee will sponsor an oneg in honor of the Helman family for redirecting their fund to the Monday Night Suppers. Linda Helman thought this would be a good way to honor the memory of her husband, Stephen, because he was committed to the Monday Night Suppers. The theme of Shabbat services that evening will be Homelessness and Economic Justice. I hope you can join us. Donations may also be made to the Stephen Helman Monday Night Supper Fund through the TBA office. This month … Continue reading →

“These are the activities whose income people can enjoy in this world but whose principal remains undiminished in the world to come: honoring father and mother, deeds of loving-kindness, making peace between two people. Talmud Torah ke-neged kulam, the study of Torah, however, equals all of these put together.” (Talmud, Peah 1:1) How can Torah study be the equivalent of so many significant mitzvot? The rabbis teach that study leads to action. Study of Torah should lead to acting in caring ways. Study of Torah should lead to heartfelt prayer. Study of Torah should bring meaning to our lives. The Board is sending out a survey about adult Jewish education, asking you what you are interested in studying. Ethics? History? Hebrew? Mysticism? Something else? We hope that your responses will spark an increase in offerings that are meaningful and enriching. We have already introduced adult learning programs at TBA this year. We held well-attended  Learner’s Services, started a series of Jewish Holidays for Adults with a program on Hanukkah, and women participated in the first of monthly Rosh Hodesh (new moon) learning sessions. Saul Axelrod has been teaching a bi-weekly class on Yiddish, and on Shabbat mornings I have turned … Continue reading →

We find the following in the Talmud: Mai Hanukkah? What is (the reason for) Hanukkah? Our rabbis taught: On the 25th of Kislev commence the days of Hanukkah—eight days on which lamentation for the dead and fasting are forbidden. For when the Greeks entered the Temple, they defiled all the oils therein, and when the Hasmonean dynasty prevailed against and defeated them, they searched and found only one cruse of oil with the seal of the High Priest, but it contained sufficient oil for one day’s lighting only. Yet a miracle occurred and they lit the lamp that burned for eight days. (BT Shabbat 21) Over the generations Jews have loved to tell this story about the small cruse of oil and the miracle that it lasted for eight days. The rabbis ask, why celebrate for eight days instead of for seven days, since there was in fact in existence one day’s oil, so really only seven days might be seen as miraculous. Rabbi David Hartman teaches that the miracle of the first day was expressed in the community’s willingness to light a small cruse of oil without reasonable assurance that their efforts would be sufficient to complete the rededication … Continue reading →