Dear Friends,
I hope you will join us for services at Rodef Sholom Temple this Friday night and Shabbat morning as we celebrate the bar mitzvah of Josh Kostiner. Mazal Tov to Josh and to his entire family!
In our Parsha, Moses says to Pharoah: “We will all go, young and old; we will go with our sons and daughters, flocks and herds; for we must observe the festival of Adonai.” (Exodus 10:9)
In regard to this verse, a Chassidic master once taught:
“We will all go, young and old, meaning we will act and walk in holiness in both our youth and in our old age. Our sons and daughters, we will also guide on holy paths. Our flocks and herds, even our material occupations – business, eating, drinking and the like will all be part of our path toward the blessed One.” (Speaking Torah by Arthur Green, p.182)
Judaism strives to invigorate us spiritually and to educate us all to be better human beings and better citizens in our world. It connects Jewish ritual, Jewish ethics, Jewish values, and Jewish learning, so that each supports and enhances the other.
We are never too young or too old to benefit from Jewish life and Jewish learning. That is why, at Rodef Sholom Temple, we strive mightily to translate Jewish wisdom into multiple levels of meaning and of experience for all who seek to be inspired to greater holiness and to greater blessing in life. Each Shabbat, we get to pray, to study, and to celebrate together as an extended multi-generational family seeking holiness and joy, opportunity and blessing. During the week, we come together in prayer, in community and in learning, to deepen our connection to one another and to our Judaism.
I look forward to seeing you at Rodef Sholom Temple this Shabbat and at our weekday services and events as well!
