This week we read Parshat Bo. We become a people, God helps us break the shackles of slavery, and we learn about the customs of the holiday of Passover. When I was studying Parshat Bo there was so much to choose from, however I noticed this weekend is the World Wide Wrap. This is the Conservative movement’s day to educate people about Tefillin and try to have as many people wrap as possible. The end of our Parsha says, “And it shall be on your hand and a symbol between your eyes that with a strong hand that God brought us out of Egypt.” (Exodus Chapter 13:16) Why is the last sentence of our Parsha about Tefillin? Tefillin have both a physical and a spiritual significance. The putting on of Tefillin symbolizes the way in which God took a mighty hand and brought B’nai Yisrael out of slavery and into freedom. The Tefillin are often put on the weaker arm, for most people the left. This is “because our arm was weaker in Egypt and it was only by God’s mighty hand that we were rescued.” (Kli yakar)
Our Chumash tells us the word “Totafot (symbol) is plural The Tefillin worn on the arm has a single receptacle for the scriptural verses placed therein, whereas the Tefillin worn on the forehead is divided into four. Although Jews may be divided in their beliefs and opinions, with no authority to compel their belief, they should be united in action.” (Etz Chayim 394) We live in a physical tangible world, every day that we are putting on the Tefillin we are reenacting the way God used a mighty hand to free us and bring us out of Egypt. We bind ourselves to God with the Tefillin so that God can help us become free from the various forms of slavery in our own lives.
Shabbat shalom, Cantor Kowitz
SERVICES
Friday, January 31 - Friday, February 7
Friday 6:30 PM Super Bowl Shabbat Dinner 8:00 PM Kabbalat Shabbat Service
Saturday 9:00 AM Nosh and D'rash 9:45 AM Shabbat Service - Bar Mitzvah Drew Romanick
Sunday
9:00 AM Minyan
Monday 6:30 AM Minyan
Thursday 8:00 AM Minyan
Friday 6:00 PM Tot Shabbat 6:30 PM Kabbalat Shabbat Service
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Our Alix Rubinger Kosher Food Pantry needs Increased membership contributions as well as ideas for other sources of income. We are now serving 15 to 20 families per week. While a lot of food is contributed to our pantry from supermarkets and other synagogues, it is still necessary to purchase needed food items.
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