Shabbat Parashat Shelach Lekha Shabbat Mevarekhim HaChodesh Courage and Faith June 16, 2023 – 28 Sivan 5783

Dear Friends,

I hope you will join us for services this Shabbat as we celebrate the aufruf preceding the upcoming marriage of Marissa Arager and Jacob Perdue.  Mazal Tov to Marissa and to Jacob and to their families!  Their simcha is our simcha!

This Shabbat morning we will also be reciting the blessing of the new Jewish month of Tammuz.  Rosh Chodesh Tammuz will be on Sunday night, Monday and Tuesday of this coming week.  May it be a month of joy and of blessing.

All of this is taking place as we prepare to celebrate Father’s Day on Sunday, June 18th.  Happy Father’s Day to all who celebrate!

Our weekly Torah portion of Shelach Lekha touches on issues of courage and faith.  Our ancestors moved forward following God’s instructions.  That took both courage and faith.  Yet, at times, they rebelled.  At times, they hesitated.  At times, they held back.  Such is the story of our ancestors.

As the Torah describes our ancestors’ actions and omissions, we realize how very human and, at times, flawed they were.  Nevertheless, it was through the legacy of their imperfect lives that we have been granted the precious legacy of our sacred tradition and the gift, the wisdom, and the guidance of our holy Torah.

With appreciation for those who have come before us, in ancient times and in more recent times, and the contribution they have all made to our lives, we look forward to many more meaningful days, weeks, months and years ahead.  And, we look forward to leaving a meaningful legacy of courage and of faith to those that will come after us.

May this Shabbat be a sign of blessing to us at Rodef Sholom Temple and to all of our people everywhere.

Shabbat Shalom and a Happy Father’s Day!

Rabbi Gilah Dror