Torah Tidbits

A Different Light on the Subject

Shabbat Parashat Beha’a’lotechafeatured-rabbi

June 5, 2015 – 19 Sivan 5775

Dear Friends,

This Friday night we will be celebrating the Confirmation of John Brooks and of Nir Diskin.  Mazal Tov to our confirmands and to their entire families!  John and Nir will be leading our service.  And, they will share some comments with us reflecting their different perspectives on what being Jewish has meant to each of them over the years.

Our weekly Torah portion of Beha’a’lotecha begins with the description of the eternal light and of the 7 branched Menorah.  Our Sages teach us that each of the 7 branches of the Menorah was unique and distinct from the other branches of the Menorah.  At the same time, all 7 of the branches were solidly connected to the unifying base of the Menorah.   And so, the Menorah became a powerful symbol that although we all receive light from One source, each of us sees that light from a different perspective.   And, each of us sees that light differently as we grow in wisdom, in learning and in experience.

I hope you will join us for the Friday night service and I know that we will all enjoy hearing the words of our confirmands as they reflect a bit of their own light back onto our congregation!  And, may we have much light and many simchas to share in the days to come!

Shabbat Shalom!

Rabbi Gilah Dror