Shabbat Blast

Dear Congregation Beth Ohr,
​​​​​​​
We are beginning the book of Shemot, Exodus, this Shabbat and a stunning moment happens to Moshe. He is tending his flock when he sees a bush on fire, which is not consumed. We read: 

וַ֠יֵּרָא מַלְאַ֨ךְ יְי אֵלָ֛יו בְּלַבַּת־אֵ֖שׁ מִתּ֣וֹךְ הַסְּנֶ֑ה וַיַּ֗רְא וְהִנֵּ֤ה הַסְּנֶה֙ בֹּעֵ֣ר בָּאֵ֔שׁ וְהַסְּנֶ֖ה אֵינֶ֥נּוּ אֻכָּֽל׃
An angel of the LORD appeared to him in a blazing fire out of a bush. He gazed, and there was a bush all aflame, yet the bush was not consumed. (Exodus 3:2)


We learn in the Midrash (Shemot Rabbah)  that someone once asked Rabbi Joshua bar Karhah: “Why did God choose a thorn-bush from which to speak to Moses? He replied:...To teach you that no place is devoid of God’s presence, not even a thorn-bush.”

We often look for proof of God in great miracles, ones we cannot explain. Maybe we look for God in magnificent waterfalls or sunsets. Conversely, the choice of a thorn bush reawakens us to the possibility of transcendence within a thorn bush. We can find the splendor of creation, the force in the world that makes for creativity and healing, connectivity, and intricate design in the mundaneness and thorniness of a bush. 

We don’t need to go to the kotel, the Western Wall, for transcendent moments. When we itch for our souls to rise high and feel something, we don’t need to trek far distances. We don’t even need to go to shul (although it helps). We can simply turn aside, like Moshe did, to that which was right in front of him, and open our eyes, slow down, and challenge ourselves to see what is holy in the every day.

Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Bernstein

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Mara Schwartz, beloved mother of Ralph, mother-in-law of Victoria and grandmother of Elana & Jack Schwartz.  

The family will be sitting shiva from 2-5pm Friday, January 5th, at Central Synagogue, 652 Lexington Avenue (at 55th St), New York, NY.
Long Island Shiva details to follow.

Our sincere condolences to the Schwartz family.  May the soul of Mara Schwartz be bound up in the bonds of life eternal, and may the family be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

If you would like to learn more about Mara Schwartz, please click here to listen to her informative and moving Shoah - Holocaust - interview. 

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If you have taken this course 3+ years ago or have points on your license.
Take the Defensive Driving Course sponsored by Temple Israel of S. Merrick
February 6th and February 13th 2018 from 7 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
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Cost: $45.00
Please register no later than January 26, 2018. Send your:
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