Shabbat Blast

From Rabbi Dahlia Bernstein
Friday, September 17, 2021

Dear CBO family,
 
What were your first words after the final shofar blow last evening? Did they reflect the kind of year you want to have or the kind of person that you want to be? We spend 25 hours depriving our bodies of food and water, to place ourselves in a mindstate of clarity and cleansing and almost immediately, we flood ourselves with sarcasm and foods that we normally would not eat. These actions, while understandable, do not reflect the essence of Yom Kippur, the day of deprivation to empty ourselves of what fills our lives, but does not truly satisfy us.
 
I had a professor in college who discussed how he would extend his fast another 24 hours. It was a spiritual experiment, one that I am not actually suggesting right now. What I am suggesting is that the sincerity and seriousness that we cultivated in 25 hours should not dissipate the moment juice touches our lips. The real work begins when the fast ends. It is the holding back from sarcasm and biting remarks. It is refraining from the type of “venting” which is truly just gossip in disguise. These are all poisonous breads that might seem satisfying in the moment, but really erode our respect of self and others.
 
How will you extend your fast this year? Maybe you won’t do so with food or water, but I strongly recommend that you try to choose one worthy endeavor, one issue of abstinence for another 24 hours and see where it takes you. Try one of the following:
 
Blaming
Gossiping
Sarcasm
Interrupting
Rejecting ideas right away
Apologizing for things you did not do
Trying to change others
Using the word “should” to shame yourself
Starting sentences with “but,” “no,” or “rather” (it’s dismissive)
 
May 5782 be one of exploration, growth, and good health.
 
Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Bernstein

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Sunday morning minyan will continue to be on Zoom.  We will notify you once we begin in-person.
 

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Mazal Tov to Lauren, Matthew & sister, Charlotte Weiner on Emily becoming a Bat Mitzvah, September 18th, 2021

CANDLE LIGHTING
Friday, September 17th - 6:41 pm

Havdalah
Saturday, September 18th - 7:38 PM 

Sunday Morning Minyan Update
We have decided not to do Sunday morning minyan in person just yet.  We will come up with a new date  after the holidays.  We are going to continue on zoom.

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