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HaMadrich - Weekly Guide to Emeth
Torah reading: Parshat Ekev
Devarim/Deuteronomy 7:12-11:25
20 Av 5770
July 30-31, 2010
In this week’s Torah reading, Moses continues his final discourses to the Israelites, assuring them that they will have prosperity and good health if they follow the commandments. Moses said that the 40 years of wandering was a loyalty test for the Israelites, …in order to teach you that a human being lives not on bread alone, but on all that goes forth from the mouth of the Eternal One (Deut. 8:2-3).
Rabbi Chaim Stern wrote, “You and I are spiritual beings and our spirits need nourishment; we are also formed of matter, so we literally need bread. What then am I, who am compounded of dust and spirit? What is it that makes me conscious that I am who I am?”
The Spanish philosopher and essayist, Jose Ortega y Gasset, posed the same question this way: “Tell me what you pay attention to and I will tell you what you are.”
We are very close to the first of Elul, the Hebrew month that precedes the High Holidays, the month that begins our period of introspection. This is the perfect time for us to begin this kind of thinking about ourselves in order to determine what changes in our behavior are needed.
Hebrew Word(s) of the Week
Todah – thank you; todah rabbah – thank you very much!
Our Emeth Dictionary:
- shalom - hello, goodbye, peace
- l’hitraot - until we see each other again
- po – here
- sham – there
Try to practice these words during the week! Todah rabbah!
May you have a week of blessings and a Shabbat shalom.
Rabbi Debbie Israel
Congregation Emeth
408-778-8200 cell 408-348-5339
rabbidebbieisrael@gmail.com
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Photo courtesy of the Van Zantes, Santa Cruz
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Rabbi Debbie Israel is beginning her fourth year as spiritual leader of Congregation Emeth. She received her smicha (Rabbinic ordination) from the Academy for Jewish Religion (AJR-CA) in Los Angeles, a transdenominational Rabbinic school that trains its students to serve all Jews and Jewish movements.
In addition to her rabbinic knowledge and training, Rabbi Debbie has an extensive understanding of the synagogue, expertise working with volunteers, and a lifetime career as a Jewish educator. As a professional and as a volunteer, she served in many Jewish institutions, including being president of her 500-member synagogue, Congregation Brith Shalom in Houston, Texas. Prior to entering Rabbinical school, she was Regional Director of Jewish Women International and co-publisher, managing editor and writer of Noah’s Ark, an international newspaper for Jewish children, which had over a million readers.
She has received many honors and awards, including: “Outstanding Alumnus” (B’nai B’rith Girls National Award); “Distinguished Service to Jewish Education” (the Bureau of Jewish Education of Greater Houston); and “Rising Star Award for Outstanding Volunteer Achievement” (B’nai B’rith Women International).
Rabbi Israel can be reached by email. Click here to go to our contact page.
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