Taste of Torah - Shabbat Re’eih
August 30-31, 2019 – 30 Av 5779
Torah: Deuteronomy 11:26 – 16:17
Haftarah: Isaiah 54:11 – 55:5, 66:1-24

Blessings and curses – often the counterpoints coming from our ancient Torah readings, like they do this week, and often our question as we attempt to understand the news coming our way.

Last week the news was harrowing – accusations against the Jewish people from high office holders and politicking about visits to Israel and more. Members of the TBZ community were quick to contact me and chat with me about what we should be doing and saying in response.

We are blessed by our diversity. Jews are loyal Americans who vote on every side of every issue. We have proven our loyal citizenship in almost every country of the world in the millennia of our exile and alas, we have suffered the curses of being punished despite our devotion to the countries we live in.

Now we must actively advocate for a society that calls out those who speak words of hatred and organize around hatred. American society truly depends on our voices. The blessings we seek and the curses we hope to avoid will come upon us based on our behavior. The message of our teachings is clear, we cannot wait for anyone to save us, our fates depend upon our own actions.

Wishing everyone a better week,