Shabbat Shalom, The Torah conveys an amazing story about a donkey acting like a human and a human acting like, well, a ‘donkey’, to teach a lesson about humans appropriately using the power of speech, a trait that distinguishes us from animals. Parashat Balak is named for Balak, King of Moab. Fearful of the approaching Israelites and their military power, Balak hired a magician (Balaam) to curse them. As Balaam became aware of God’s presence in the ‘everyday’, his curse became instead a blessing: blessed be everyone who blesses you and cursed be everyone who curses you….Balaam’s words form the opening of the morning service, part of our siddur/prayerbook from the early middle ages: Mah tovu ohalecha Yaakov….How goodly are your tents, o Jacob, your dwelling places, o Israel! A kavannah for candlelighting on Shabbat Balak. Dear God, let me feel Your Presence and hear Your voice, even in the most unexpected places and from the most unexpected sources. Shabbat Shalom! Rabbi Bonnie Sharfman Please join us in the sacred work of building community through membership or by purchasing High Holy Day tickets. Contact us at: 602-369-7667 or [email protected] Congregation Kehillah and I greatly appreciate your support, without which we would not be able to be here for you and others.
Posted on: Sat, 22 Jun 2013 01:48:21 +0000
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