"On the day that the Tabernacle was set up, the cloud covered the Tabernacle, the Tent of the Pact; and in the evening it rested over the Tabernacle in the likeness of fire until morning. It was always so: the cloud covered it, appearing as fire by night. And whenever the cloud lifted from the Tent, the Israelites would set out accordingly; and at the spot where the cloud settled, there the Israelites would make camp.” Numbers 9:15-17.
This comes from our parsha this week Beha’aloTehcha in which our ancestors were fortunate enough to see the presence of G-d by means of a cloud or fire. This cloud watched over them on the journey and protected them as they made their way through the wilderness to the Promised Land.
Today many of us wish we could see the presence of G-d in our lives to help us make the right choices or to give us a sense of security and peace. We ask this every night in the Hashkivenu prayer- “spread over us your shelter of peace”. I believe what this section of our parsha is telling us is that while we may not be able to see G-d’s presence like our ancestors did, G-d is all around us and is in the things we do and don’t do every day. When we see people lifting each other up and supporting one another G-d is there. When we see adults giving love and teaching and helping children, G-d is there.
When we offer ourselves in prayer, G-d is there. All we have to do is to open our eyes, we may not see a cloud or a pillar of fire but what we will see is the power of loving kindness, which is a central element to being Jewish.
Shabbat Shalom, Cantor Diamond
Remembering American Jewish Casualties of Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, New Dawn and Freedom’s Sentinel.
Memorial Prayer for Servicemen O God full of compassion, grant perfect rest beneath the cover of Your Presence to all who have bravely laid down their lives for our country.
Shelter them among the holy and pure, who are as radiant as the luminous firmament. O source of compassion, bring them ever near to You that their souls be bound up in the bond of eternal life as are the souls of the righteous. And the work of righteousness shall be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and confidence forever. Nation shall not lift up sword against nation; neither shall they learn war anymore. Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together. Amen.
CLICK HERE to view the list of American Jewish Heroes.
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CELEBRATIONS & GRATITUDE Mazal Tov to Evan Scharf upon his graduation from the University of Delaware. Proud grandparents are Elaine and Jesse Scharf. Proud parents are Rachel and Steve Scharf.
Mazal Tov to Mason Waldinger, grandson of Elane & Steve Tarnofsky who received an honor at John F. KennedyHigh School.
If you would like to include any simchas (your child/grandchild's graduation information or weddings), please let us know and we will include it in the June 18th edition of the Shabbat blast.
Congregation Beth Ohr 2550 South Centre Avenue Bellmore NY 11710 (516) 781-3072 officestaff@cbohr.org
Affiliated with United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism