Dear Friends,
In the midst of our Torah reading portions relating a myriad of details regarding the construction of the Tabernacle in the desert, we read, at the beginning of this week’s Torah portion, about the gift of the Shabbat!
Truly, Shabbat is a gift to our people. A gift to all of our people. Not only to a small segment of our people. What is the nature of that gift? It is a time to “let it go!” It is a time to breathe. To reduce stress. To appreciate the gift of time, rather than to struggle with the demands of life.
Yet, so often, we are tempted to steal time away from Shabbat; to cut Shabbat short – to start Shabbat late, or to end it early.
Our Sages have pointed out that when we leave the gift of Shabbat to others, or when we abbreviate our Shabbat – stealing time away from Shabbat by continuing our regular weekday activities – we are, in fact, stealing from ourselves! We are denying ourselves the fullness of the gift of Shabbat. The fullness of the time to “let it go”…
So, on this Shabbat, Shabbat Shekalim, the first of four special Shabbatot leading up to Passover, I hope that you will take the time to “let it go” and that you will join us for services!
I look forward to seeing you on Friday night and on Shabbat morning as we gather to reflect on our lives, to enjoy the wisdom of Torah, and to catch up with one another in a uniquely Jewish combination of sacred space and of sacred time!
Rabbi Gilah Dror
P.S. This Shabbat we will recite the blessing for the new Jewish month of Adar II. Rosh Chodesh Adar II will be on Wednesday night, Thursday and Friday of this coming week. May it be a month of blessing and of great joy!
