Rabbi Shmuel's Weekly Newsletter for week of 14 January 2024
- Rabbi Stephen Epstein
- Jan 14, 2024
- 4 min read
Kabbalah Thought for this week
"The power to triumph over dark forces within us, and those in our midst, is given to us through the Light of Blessings that reveal deeper, mystical truths."
Each day, Jews end their prayer service with Aleinu. There is an affirmation afterwards that is especially timely in addressing today's strife:
"Do not fear sudden terror, or the destruction of the wicked when it comes (1). Plan a conspiracy and it will get annulled; speak your piece and it shall not stand, for God is with us (2). Even when you age, I remain unchanged; and even till your ripe old age, I shall endure. I created you and I shall bear you; I shall endure and rescue (3)."
These verses express confidence in God's protection and are regarded as auguries of redemption.
Proverbs 3:25 Do not fear an evildoer's intention, no matter how dangerous it seems.
Isaiah 8:10 Let the enemies of Israel conspire and plan; they will not succeed
Isaiah 46:4 God remains the eternal protector of Israel, even though we may have sinned.
Announcements
-Office Hours
-This week’s 10-Minute
-Events
-Candle Lighting Times for Shabbat (Ontario, CA)
-Shabbat Services
-School
Calendar
This is an overview of upcoming events. Details of each event are below
Sunday, 14 January 2024-Miller Course
Monday, 15 January 2024-Torah Study
Thursday, 18 January 2024-Judaic Studies
Friday & Saturday, 19 & 20 January 2024-Shabbat Services
Sunday, 21 January 2023-In-Person Hebrew School & Miller Course
Monday, 22 January 2024-Torah Study
Thursday, 25 January 2024-Judaic Studies
Friday & Saturday, 26 & 27 January 2024-Shabbat Services
Sunday, 28 January 2024-Hebrew School & Miller Course
Monday, 29 January 2024-Torah Study
Thursday, 1 February 2024-Judaic Studies
Friday & Saturday, 2 & 3 February 2024-Shabbat Services
*For your information, I have included below my schedule, including office hours for the next two weeks and specific classes in which I am involved.
**For your convenience and information, Zoom links will be provided in separate emails for security purposes.
***I continue to update our Mi Sheberach מי שברך list for those in need of healing. For your convenience, I am attaching this revised list to this email that only goes to members of Temple Sholom of Ontario. Thank you.
Office Hours for the next few weeks:
Going forward, I am planning on conducting Hebrew School from my office and making Sunday an office day to be more available.
Sunday, January 14, 2023 9:00am - 2:00pm (Hebrew School 10:00am - 11:30am & Miller Course 11:45am - 12:45pm)
Thursday, January 18, 2024 12:00pm - 7:00pm (Board Meeting @ 7:00pm, rescheduled from last week)
Friday, January 19, 2024 2:00pm - 7:30pm (Friday Night Shabbat Ma'ariv @ 7:30pm)
Sunday, January 21, 2023 9:00am - 2:00pm (In-Person Hebrew School 10:00am - 12:00pm & Miller Course 12:15pm - 1:15pm)
Monday, January 22, 2024 9:00am - 2:00pm
Friday, January 26, 2024 2:00pm - 7:30pm (Friday Night Shabbat Ma'ariv @ 7:30pm)
Sunday, January 28, 2024 9:00am - 2:00pm (Hebrew School 10:00am - 11:30am & Miller Course 11:45am - 12:45pm)
Monday, January 29, 2023 9:30am - 2:00pm
Thursday, February 1, 2024 - Tuesday, February 6, 2024 Out of Office
(Subject to change. Please call for appointments)
Adult Torah Study Class
Next Session: Monday, January 15 at 7:30 pm PT
Zoom Links sent in separate email Monday morning. Please reply if you do not receive them.
Parashat Bo 5784 / פָּרָשַׁת בֹּא
20 January 2024 / 10 Sh'vat 5784
Parashat Bo is the 15th weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading.
Torah Portion: Exodus 10:1-13:16
Bo (“Come”) recounts the last three plagues that God inflicts on the Egyptians: locusts, darkness, and death of firstborns. God commands the Israelites to offer a Passover lamb sacrifice. After the last plague, Pharaoh and the Egyptians demand that the Israelites leave. [1]
Commentary and Divrei Torah
Hertz Chumash: pp. 252 – 258 Triennial Year 2 (Full Kriyah pp. 248 – 263)
Artscroll Chumash: pp. 346 – 357 Triennial Year 2 (Full Kriyah pp. 340 – 339)
Etz Chaim Chumash: pp. 379 – 386 Triennial Year 2 (Full Kriyah pp. 374 – 365)
Board Meeting
Thursday, January 18, 2024
Rescheduled from last week
Judaic Studies
Next session: Thursday, January 25, 2024 @ 7:30pm
Preepted January 18 due to rescheduling Board Meeting
What next?
We’ll go back to the “what do we study next?” drawing board.
Shabbat Times for Ontario, California, USA
🕯️ Candle lighting / הדלקת נרות Friday, January 19⋅4:49pm
✨ Havdalah (50 min) / הבדלה - 50 דקות Saturday, January 20⋅5:49pm
Powered by Hebcal Shabbat Times
Upcoming Services
Shabbat Ma'ariv Service Friday, January 19, 2024 @ 7:30 pm
Shabbat Shachrit Service Saturday, January 20, 2024 @ 9:30 am
Zoom Links sent in separate email Friday afternoon. Please reply if you do not receive them.
We are now incorporating guitar accompaniment with our Friday Night Shabbat Ma'ariv
Parashat Bo 5784 / פָּרָשַׁת בֹּא
20 January 2024 / 10 Sh'vat 5784
Parashat Bo is the 15th weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading.
Torah Portion: Exodus 10:1-13:16
Triennial year 2
1: 11:4-10 · 7 p’sukim ·
2: 12:1-10 · 10 p’sukim ·
3: 12:11-13 · 3 p’sukim ·
4: 12:14-16 · 3 p’sukim ·
5: 12:17-20 · 4 p’sukim ·
6: 12:21-24 · 4 p’sukim ·
7: 12:25-28 · 4 p’sukim ·
maf: 12:25-28 · 4 p’sukim ·
Haftarah: Jeremiah 46:13-28 · 16 p’sukim
Commentary and Divrei Torah
Hertz Chumash: pp. 252 – 258 Triennial Year 2 (Full Kriyah pp. 248 – 263)
In-Person Hebrew School at Temple Sholom of Ontario
Sunday, January 21, 2024 Hebrew School 10:00am - 12:00pm
Our special in-person learning will feature a special Tu B'Sh'vat seder.
Next Miller Course
Sunday, 21 January 2024, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
*The titles in blue and underlined are "hyperlinks". If you click on any of those, it will lead to that site/URL. The hyperlink gives a descriptive title with the actual link embedded in that title. Anyone who is concerned about clicking a link or hyperlink can access any of these resources by going to my website, www.modernrabbistephen.com. You can find them in the "Blog" and "Videos" sections, as well as the "Instagram Links" by clicking on the various pictures.
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