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-Announcements -Candle Lighting Times for Shabbat (Ontario, CA) -Office Hours -This week’s 10-Minute Torah -President's Day -Rosh Chodesh Adar -Adult Torah Study -Judaic Studies -This week's Upcoming Shabbat services -Hebrew School -Shabbat Across America -Purim -Purim Carnival -Magilla Reading -Miller Course Introduction to Judaism starting Sunday, March 19 -Mi Sheberach List *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 have updated our Mi Sheberach מי שברך list for those in need of healing by removing the names of those of whom we were uncertain. Please advise if any names were removed in error. For your convenience, I am attaching this revised list to this email that only goes to members of Temple Sholom of Ontario. Thank you. Shabbat Times for Ontario, California, USA Rosh Chodesh Adar occurs on Tuesday, Feb 21 Rosh Chodesh Adar occurs on Wednesday, Feb 22 Candle lighting: 5:24pm on Friday, Feb 24 This week's Torah portion is Parashat Terumah Havdalah (50 min): 6:33pm on Saturday, Feb 25 Powered by Hebcal Shabbat Times שבת פרשת תרומה February 24 - ג׳ אדר Candle lighting 5:24 Shabbat ends 6:21 72 minutes 6:56 Office Hours this week: Monday, February 20, 2023 (Closed for President's Day) Tuesday, February 21, 2023 9:30 am – 2:00 pm Thursday, February 23, 2023 11:00 am – 1:00 pm Friday, February 24, 2023 2:00pm - 7:30pm (Friday Night Shabbat Ma'ariv @ 7:30pm) Monday, February 27, 2023 9:30 am – 2:00 pm Tuesday, February 28, 2023 9:30 am – 2:00 pm Friday, March 3, 2023 2:00pm - 7:30pm (Shabbat Across America @ 7:30pm) (Subject to change. Please call for appointments) This week's 10-Minute Torah (February 25, 2023): Parashat Terumah 5783 https://youtu.be/3hcQIxIh1Nk Happy Presidents' Day – February 20, 2023 President's Day was established as a federal holiday in 1885 to celebrate George Washington's birthday on 22nd February. Although it was originally a day to celebrate George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, many use it now to honor all US Presidents, past and present. Rosh Chodesh Adar 2023 / רֹאשׁ חוֹדֶשׁ אַדָר 5783 Start of month of Adar on the Hebrew calendar 🌒 Rosh Chodesh Adar for Hebrew Year 5783 begins at sundown on Monday, 20 February 2023 and ends at nightfall on Wednesday, 22 February 2023. Start of month of Adar on the Hebrew calendar. Adar (אַדָר) is the 12th month of the Hebrew year, has 29 days, and corresponds to February or March on the Gregorian calendar. רֹאשׁ חוֹדֶשׁ, transliterated Rosh Chodesh or Rosh Hodesh, is a minor holiday that occurs at the beginning of every month in the Hebrew calendar. It is marked by the birth of a new moon. Adult Torah Study Class Next Session: Monday February 20 at 7:30 pm PT Zoom Links sent in separate email Monday morning. Please reply if you do not receive them. Parashat Terumah 5783 / פָּרָשַׁת תְּרוּמָה 25 February 2023 / 4 Adar 5783 Parashat Terumah is the 19th weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading. Torah Portion: Exodus 25:1-27:19 Terumah (“Donation”) opens as God tells Moses to collect donated materials in order to build a dwelling place for God called the Mishkan (Tabernacle). God describes how to build the vessels that will fill the Mishkan - including the ark, table, menorah, and sacrificial altar - as well as the Mishkan’s walls and curtains. [1] Commentary and Divrei Torah Sefaria OU Torah Jewish Theological Seminary American Jewish University Soncino Chumash: pp. 326 - 330 Triennial Year 1 (Full Kriyah pp. 326 – 336) Artscroll Chumash: pp. 444 - 453 Triennial Year 1 (Full Kriyah pp. 444 – 463) Etz Chaim Chumash: pp. 485 – 491 Triennial Year 1 (Full Kriyah pp. 485 - 498) Judaic Studies Next session: Thursday, February 23, 2023 @ 7:30pm Come join us for a lively discussion of various topics on Judaica. Upcoming Services Shabbat Ma'ariv Service Friday, February 24, 2023 @ 7:30 pm Note new start time Shabbat Shachrit Service Saturday, February 25, 2023 @ 9:30 am Note that start time Zoom Links sent in separate email Friday afternoon. Please reply if you do not receive them. Parashat Terumah 5783 / פָּרָשַׁת תְּרוּמָה 25 February 2023 / 4 Adar 5783 Torah Portion: Exodus 25:1-27:19 Terumah (“Donation”) opens as God tells Moses to collect donated materials in order to build a dwelling place for God called the Mishkan (Tabernacle). God describes how to build the vessels that will fill the Mishkan - including the ark, table, menorah, and sacrificial altar - as well as the Mishkan’s walls and curtains. [1] Triennial year 1 1: 25:1-5 · 5 p’sukim · 2: 25:6-9 · 4 p’sukim · 3: 25:10-16 · 7 p’sukim · 4: 25:17-22 · 6 p’sukim · 5: 25:23-30 · 8 p’sukim · 6: 25:31-33 · 3 p’sukim · 7: 25:34-40 · 7 p’sukim · maf: 25:37-40 · 4 p’sukim · Haftarah: I Kings 5:26-6:13 · 20 p’sukim Commentary and Divrei Torah Sefaria OU Torah Jewish Theological Seminary American Jewish University Soncino Chumash: pp. 326 - 330 Triennial Year 1 (Full Kriyah pp. 326 – 336) *Note that we are now doing the Triennial reading for our Shabbat Torah services. 5783 will be Triennial Year 1 **We are holding live Shabbat services back in the synagogue. We will still continue to broadcast on Zoom for those unable to come to the sanctuary. Please call the office for more information if you'd like to attend. Hebrew School at Temple Sholom of Ontario Next Hebrew School will be Sunday, February 26, 2023 First Session Sunday 10:00am - 10:40am Second Session Sunday 10:50am - 11:30am Hebrew school is back on at Temple Sholom of Ontario. We will continue in the fall hold classes virtually on Sundays starting at 10:00am PT. There will be two sessions, 40 minutes each, with a 10-minute break in between. Details will follow soon. The first session will focus on Hebrew reading and prayers. We will read from the week's Torah portion using a Chumash and an online site. Besides the main prayers used in our services, we will also learn Torah and Haftarah blessings. The second session will be a general learning session of that weekly sedrah/portion. We will also discuss notable Jewish personalities, from celebrities to prophets and kings. There will also be special topics such as gossip and evolution. Please let us know if you'd like to join us and of course if you have any questions. The 27th Annual Shabbat Across America is March 3, 2023! The 27th Annual Shabbat Across America is March 3, 2023! Join us as we participate in the North America-wide event at our synagogue! On Friday night, March 3, 2023, hundreds of synagogues across the continent will take part in an historic national Jewish event to celebrate what unifies all Jews — Shabbat! Everyone is invited… singles, couples, families — all ages. By participating in this continent-wide event, you will not only have the opportunity to experience Shabbat, but you will be sharing your experience with tens of thousands of Jews across North America. Family Fun Learning and Purim Carnival! Sunday, March 5, 10am - 1pm Join us on Sunday, March 5 for our Purim Carnival. We'll have a short class beforehand and then fun. See you there. Purim 2023 / פּוּרִים 5783 Celebration of Jewish deliverance as told by Megilat Esther 🎭️📜 Purim for Hebrew Year 5783 begins at sundown on Monday, 6 March 2023 and ends at nightfall on Tuesday, 7 March 2023. Purim (Hebrew: פּוּרִים, Pûrîm “lots”, from the word פור pur, also called the Festival of Lots) is a Jewish holiday which commemorates the saving of the Jewish people from Haman in the ancient Persian Empire, a story recorded in the Biblical Book of Esther (Megillat Esther). Magilla Reading Monday, March 6 @ 7pm Miller Course: Introduction to Judaism Coming Soon! Mid-March 2023 Your Jewish Journey Starts at Miller Intro to Judaism Welcome to the Miller Intro to Judaism Program! We invite you to explore Judaism with us. Whether you are in an interfaith relationship, re-discovering your Jewish heritage, or seek to convert to Judaism, we are here to support your journey. The core of the Miller Introduction to Judaism Program is an 18-week course that surveys Jewish living and practice, including history, ritual, culture, texts, and values. Classes are designed to be highly interactive, with much time for discussion and questions, and include personalized instruction in reading Hebrew. ***I have updated our Mi Sheberach מי שברך list for those in need of healing by removing the names of those of whom we were uncertain. Please advise if any names were removed in error. For your convenience, I am attaching this revised list to this email that only goes to members of Temple Sholom of Ontario. Thank you. *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.

Parashat Terumah 5783 / פָּרָשַׁת תְּרוּמָה 25 February 2023 / 4 Adar 5783 https://youtu.be/3hcQIxIh1Nk Parashat Terumah is the 19th portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading. Torah Portion: Terumah (“Donation”) opens as God tells Moses to collect donated materials in order to build a dwelling place for God called the Mishkan (Tabernacle). God describes how to build the vessels that will fill the Mishkan - including the ark, table, menorah, and sacrificial altar - as well as the Mishkan’s walls and curtains. [1] Triennial year 1 1: 25:1-5 · 5 p’sukim · 2: 25:6-9 · 4 p’sukim · 3: 25:10-16 · 7 p’sukim · 4: 25:17-22 · 6 p’sukim · 5: 25:23-30 · 8 p’sukim · 6: 25:31-33 · 3 p’sukim · 7: 25:34-40 · 7 p’sukim · maf: 25:37-40 · 4 p’sukim · Haftarah: I Kings 5:26-6:13 · 20 p’sukim Commentary and Divrei Torah Sefaria OU Torah Jewish Theological Seminary American Jewish University Soncino Chumash: pp. 326 - 330 Triennial Year 1 (Full Kriyah pp. 326 – 336) Artscroll Chumash: pp. 444 - 453 Triennial Year 1 (Full Kriyah pp. 444 – 463) Etz Chaim Chumash: pp. 485 – 491 Triennial Year 1 (Full Kriyah pp. 485 - 498) Now that Israel is becoming a holy people with the mission to deliver G-d’s teachings to the rest of the world, the next step is a venue. Hashem is now instructing Moshe Rabbeinu and our ancestors to construct the Tabernacle. This Mishkan will function as Israel’s meeting place with Hashem. Even though we worship a G-d who is ineffable, that is, beyond all human comprehension, we still exist in the material world. Therefore, we need to have a material place to conduct our worship. Perhaps this is why most other religions need idols and symbols, as a physical representation of what they can worship. It is human nature to want something that we can grasp to reassure us. This Mishkan is G-d interacting with us from our point of view. The processes and procedures that will be laid out will be our way of worshipping using specific tools, not having to resort to paganism or use objects to worship. This way, humankind is evolving spiritually. Parashat Terumá 5783 / פָּרָשַׁת תְּרוּמָה 25 febrero 2023 / 4 Adar 5783 Parashat Terumah es la decimonovena porción semanal de la Torá en el ciclo judío anual de lectura de la Torá. Porción de la Torá: Terumah ("Donación") comienza cuando Dios le dice a Moisés que recopile los materiales donados para construir una morada para Dios llamada Mishkan (Tabernáculo). Dios describe cómo construir los vasos que llenarán el Mishkán, incluidos el arca, la mesa, la menorá y el altar de sacrificios, así como las paredes y las cortinas del Mishkán. [1] Trienal año 1 1: 25:1-5 · 5 p'sukim · 2: 25:6-9 · 4 p'sukim · 3: 25:10-16 · 7 p'sukim · 4: 25:17-22 · 6 p'sukim · 5: 25:23-30 · 8 p'sukim · 6: 25:31-33 · 3 p'sukim · 7: 25:34-40 · 7 p'sukim · maf: 25:37-40 · 4 p'sukim · Haftará: I Reyes 5:26-6:13 · 20 p'sukim Comentario y Divrei Torá Sefaria OU Torá Seminario Teológico Judío Universidad Judía Americana Soncino Chumash: págs. 326 - 330 Año trienal 1 (Kriyah completa págs. 326 - 336) Artscroll Chumash: págs. 444 - 453 Año trienal 1 (Kriyah completa págs. 444 - 463) Etz Chaim Chumash: pp. 485 – 491 Año Trienal 1 (Kriyah Completa pp. 485 - 498) Ahora que Israel se está convirtiendo en un pueblo santo con la misión de llevar las enseñanzas de Di-s al resto del mundo, el próximo paso es un lugar. Hashem ahora está instruyendo a Moshe Rabbeinu y a nuestros antepasados para que construyan el Tabernáculo. Este Mishkán funcionará como el lugar de encuentro de Israel con Hashem. Aunque adoramos a un Di-s que es inefable, es decir, más allá de toda comprensión humana, todavía existimos en el mundo material. Por lo tanto, necesitamos tener un lugar material para llevar a cabo nuestra adoración. Tal vez por eso la mayoría de las otras religiones necesitan ídolos y símbolos, como una representación física de lo que pueden adorar. Es la naturaleza humana querer algo que podamos agarrar para tranquilizarnos. Este Mishkan es Di-s interactuando con nosotros desde nuestro punto de vista. Los procesos y procedimientos que se expondrán serán nuestra forma de adorar utilizando herramientas específicas, no teniendo que recurrir al paganismo ni utilizar objetos para adorar. De esta manera, la humanidad está evolucionando espiritualmente.

-Announcements -Candle Lighting Times for Shabbat (Ontario, CA) -Office Hours -This week’s 10-Minute Torah -Adult Torah Study -Judaic Studies -This week's Upcoming Shabbat services -Shabbat Mevarchim Chodesh Adar -Shabbat Shekalim 2023 -Hebrew School -Purim -Miller Course Introduction to Judaism -Mi Sheberach List *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. ** Please note that recent security issues have been resolved and I am now transitioning to using the templesholomofontario.org email platform, but some emails will continue to go out from this address. ***For your convenience and information, Zoom links will be provided in separate emails for security purposes. ****I have updated our Mi Sheberach מי שברך list for those in need of healing by removing the names of those of whom we were uncertain. Please advise if any names were removed in error. For your convenience, I am attaching this revised list to this email that only goes to members of Temple Sholom of Ontario. Thank you. Shabbat Times for Ontario, California, USA Candle lighting: 5:18pm on Friday, Feb 17 Shabbat Shekalim occurs on Saturday, Feb 18 Shabbat Mevarchim Chodesh Adar occurs on Saturday, Feb 18 This week's Torah portion is Parashat Mishpatim Havdalah (50 min): 6:27pm on Saturday, Feb 18 Powered by Hebcal Shabbat Times שבת פרשת משפטים February 17 - כ״ו שבט Candle lighting 5:18 Shabbat ends 6:15 72 minutes 6:50 Office Hours this week: Monday, February 13, 2023 9:30 am – 2:00 pm Tuesday, February 14, 2023 9:30 am – 2:00 pm Friday, February 17, 2023 2:00pm - 7:30pm (Friday Night Shabbat Ma'ariv @ 7:30pm) Monday, February 20, 2023 9:30 am – 2:00 pm Tuesday, February 21, 2023 9:30 am – 2:00 pm Friday, February 24, 2023 2:00pm - 7:30pm (Friday Night Shabbat Ma'ariv @ 7:30pm) (Subject to change. Please call for appointments) This week's 10-Minute T orah (February 18, 2023): Parashat Mishpatim 5783 https://youtu.be/M8HIpSPTeA8 Adult Torah Study Class Next Session: Monday February 13 at 7:30 pm PT Zoom Links sent in separate email Monday morning. Please reply if you do not receive them. Parashat Mishpatim 5783 / פָּרָשַׁת מִּשְׁפָּטִים 18 February 2023 / 27 Sh'vat 5783 https://youtu.be/M8HIpSPTeA8 Parashat Mishpatim is the 18th weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading. Torah Portion: Exodus 21:1-24:18, 30:11-163 Mishpatim (“Laws”) recounts a series of God’s laws that Moses gives to the Israelites. These include laws about treatment of slaves, damages, loans, returning lost property, the Sabbath, the sabbatical year, holidays, and destroying idolatry. The portion ends as Moses ascends Mount Sinai for 40 days. Commentary and Divrei Torah Sefaria OU Torah Jewish Theological Seminary American Jewish University Soncino Chumash: pp. 306 - 311 Triennial Year 1 (Full Kriyah pp. 306 - 322)/ pp.352 - 353 Artscroll Chumash: pp. 416 - 426 Triennial Year 1 (Full Kriyah pp. 416 - 443)/p.484 Etz Chaim Chumash: pp. 456 - 465Triennial Year 1 (Full Kriyah pp. 456 - 480)/pp. 523 - 524 Judaic Studies Next session: Thursday, February 16, 2023 @ 7:30pm Come join us for a lively discussion of various topics on Judaica. Upcoming Services Shabbat Ma'ariv Service Friday, February 17, 2023 @ 7:30 pm Note new start time Shabbat Shachrit Service Saturday, February 18, 2023 @ 9:30 am Note that start time Zoom Links sent in separate email Friday afternoon. Please reply if you do not receive them. Parashat Mishpatim 5783 / פָּרָשַׁת מִּשְׁפָּטִים 18 February 2023 / 27 Sh'vat 5783 Torah Portion: Exodus 21:1-24:18, 30:11-16 Mishpatim (“Laws”) recounts a series of God’s laws that Moses gives to the Israelites. These include laws about treatment of slaves, damages, loans, returning lost property, the Sabbath, the sabbatical year, holidays, and destroying idolatry. The portion ends as Moses ascends Mount Sinai for 40 days. [ Triennial year 1 1: 21:1-6 · 6 p’sukim · 2: 21:7-11 · 5 p’sukim · 3: 21:12-19 · 8 p’sukim · 4: 21:20-27 · 8 p’sukim · 5: 21:28-32 · 5 p’sukim · 6: 21:33-36 · 4 p’sukim · 7: 21:37-22:3 · 4 p’sukim · maf*: 30:11-16 · 6 p’sukim · *Shabbat Shekalim Alternate Haftarah: Jeremiah 34:12-22, 33:25-26 · 13 p’sukim Commentary and Divrei Torah Sefaria OU Torah Jewish Theological Seminary American Jewish University Soncino Chumash: pp. 306 - 311 Triennial Year 1 (Full Kriyah pp. 306 - 322)/ pp.352 - 353 *Note that we are now doing the Triennial reading for our Shabbat Torah services. 5783 will be Triennial Year 1 **We are holding live Shabbat services back in the synagogue. We will still continue to broadcast on Zoom for those unable to come to the sanctuary. Please call the office for more information if you'd like to attend. Shabbat Mevarchim Chodesh Adar Saturday, February 18 Molad Adar: Mon, 40 minutes and 11 chalakim after 12:00 Any Shabbat that precedes and begins the week during which there will be a day or days of a new Hebrew month (Rosh Chodesh) is known as Shabbat Mevorchim (mevorchim means "they [the congregation] bless" [the forthcoming new month]. Shabbat Shekalim 2023 / שַׁבָּת שְׁקָלִים 5783 Shabbat before Rosh Chodesh Adar 🕍 Shabbat Shekalim for Hebrew Year 5783 begins at sundown on Friday, 17 February 2023 and ends at nightfall on Saturday, 18 February 2023. This corresponds to Parashat Mishpatim. Shabbat Shekalim (“Sabbath [of] shekels” שבת שקלים) read in preparation for Purim, requests each adult male Jew contribute half of a Biblical shekel for the upkeep of the Tent of Meeting. The Torah portion Exodus 30:11-16 is read. This Shabbat takes place on the Shabbat before the 1st of the Hebrew calendar month of Adar, or on the 1st of Adar itself if it falls on Shabbat. In leap years on the Hebrew calendar, when there are two months of Adar, Shabbat Shekalim is on the Shabbat before the 1st of Adar II (or on the 1st of Adar II itself if it is Shabbat). Hebrew School at Temple Sholom of Ontario Next Hebrew School will be Sunday, February 12, 2023 First Session Sunday 10:00am - 10:40am Second Session Sunday 10:50am - 11:30am Hebrew school is back on at Temple Sholom of Ontario. We will continue in the fall hold classes virtually on Sundays starting at 10:00am PT. There will be two sessions, 40 minutes each, with a 10-minute break in between. Details will follow soon. The first session will focus on Hebrew reading and prayers. We will read from the week's Torah portion using a Chumash and an online site. Besides the main prayers used in our services, we will also learn Torah and Haftarah blessings. The second session will be a general learning session of that weekly sedrah/portion. We will also discuss notable Jewish personalities, from celebrities to prophets and kings. There will also be special topics such as gossip and evolution. Please let us know if you'd like to join us and of course if you have any questions. Purim 2023 / פּוּרִים 5783 Celebration of Jewish deliverance as told by Megilat Esther 🎭️📜 Purim for Hebrew Year 5783 begins at sundown on Monday, 6 March 2023 and ends at nightfall on Tuesday, 7 March 2023. Purim (Hebrew: פּוּרִים, Pûrîm “lots”, from the word פור pur, also called the Festival of Lots) is a Jewish holiday which commemorates the saving of the Jewish people from Haman in the ancient Persian Empire, a story recorded in the Biblical Book of Esther (Megillat Esther). Miller Course: Introduction to Judaism Coming Soon! Your Jewish Journey Starts at Miller Intro to Judaism Welcome to the Miller Intro to Judaism Program! We invite you to explore Judaism with us. Whether you are in an interfaith relationship, re-discovering your Jewish heritage, or seek to convert to Judaism, we are here to support your journey. The core of the Miller Introduction to Judaism Program is an 18-week course that surveys Jewish living and practice, including history, ritual, culture, texts, and values. Classes are designed to be highly interactive, with much time for discussion and questions, and include personalized instruction in reading Hebrew. ***I have updated our Mi Sheberach מי שברך list for those in need of healing by removing the names of those of whom we were uncertain. Please advise if any names were removed in error. For your convenience, I am attaching this revised list to this email that only goes to members of Temple Sholom of Ontario. Thank you. *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.

Shabbat Surprising facts about the weekly Jewish day of rest. BY MY JEWISH LEARNING SHABBAT Shabbat, the weekly Jewish day of rest, is so important to Jewish life and the rhythms of Jewish time that the phrase shomer Shabbat — literally, “keeper of Shabbat” — is often used as shorthand for an observant Jew. The basics of Shabbat are pretty straightforward — essentially, refraining from constructive labor and taking a much-deserved weekly respite — but some other facets of the weekly Jewish sabbath are less so. Here’s a few things about Shabbat you might not have known. Angels come to our houses According to the Jewish mystics, angels accompany worshippers home from the synagogue after Friday night prayers. This tradition is the reason for the singing of Shalom Aleichem, which welcomes angels into the home, prior to the Friday night Shabbat meal. Along with the angels, Shabbat is often compared to a bride or a queen. In medieval times, in fact, the mystics would go out into the fields on Friday night to greet the arrival of the Shabbat queen. You don’t have to use wine for Kiddush Shabbat, like major Jewish holidays, features the recitation of Kiddush, a blessing recited at the start of the Friday night meal — most commonly over wine (or grape juice). And while wine is clearly the preferred beverage, if there’s none available, you don’t have to forego the whole ritual. Friday night kiddush can be recited over challah or liquor too. Some families light more than two candles As a rule, two candles are lit prior to Shabbat beginning on Friday night. These are understood to symbolize the twin biblical commands to remember (zachor) and keep (shamor) the Sabbath day, though there are other explanations too. But it’s possible to light more, and many families do. Some have the custom of adding an additional candle for each child born into the family. In larger families, that can be a lot of candles. Shabbat has its own elevators Well, kinda. In facilities frequented by observant Jews (and in some Israeli high-rises), one can often find a Shabbat elevator. These lifts stop automatically on every floor to enable observant Jews who eschew the use of electronics on Shabbat to go up and down without having to actively push any buttons. Shabbat elevators are but one example of the many technological innovations aimed at making the Shabbat experience easier and more pleasant for those who live in the modern world but cannot flip switches, including Shabbat lamps, Shabbat toothbrushes, and powered Shabbat carts. The reason for that white string around some Jewish neighborhoods? Shabbat. If you’ve ever spotted a group of Jews staring intently up at a telephone pole on Friday afternoon, they’re most likely checking the eruv. An eruv is a symbolic boundary — typically composed of walls, fences, electrical poles and wires (or some combination thereof) — erected in certain Jewish neighborhoods that permit carrying in public on Shabbat, normally a proscribed activity. In places where a public eruv exists, it’s common to check it every week to make sure it hasn’t been damaged — hence the Friday telephone pole watchers. These boundaries are generally invisible unless you know what to look for, but have been a source of controversy nonetheless. Shabbat laws are responsible for a classic Jewish dish Walk into a Shabbat-observant home on a Friday afternoon and you’re likely to find a fragrant stew of meat, beans and potatoes bubbling on the stove or crock-pot. This is the venerable cholent, a classic Ashkenazi dish that slow-cooks overnight so hot food is available on Shabbat afternoon, when cooking is prohibited. (Sephardim also have a version known as dafina or hamin.) But cholent is no longer the sole province of the Orthodox. It’s now available at trendy eateries in Israel and New York. We get an extra soul on Shabbat Yes, really. According to the Talmud (Beitzah 16), God bequeaths us an additional soul — a neshama yeteirah in Hebrew — on Friday evening and takes it back on Saturday night. The idea is meant to convey that Shabbat is not just about physical rest and renewal, but spiritual elevation as well. Our capacity for connecting spiritually is enhanced on Shabbat through this additional soul. Shabbat is a foretaste of the World to Come According to the Talmud, the experience of Shabbat is may’ain olam habah — a little taste of the World to Come, the rabbinic term for the hereafter. Shabbat is a way to experience in some small way what living in a world of perfect peace is like. This may also be why the Midrash states that the messiah will come immediately if all of the Jewish people were to observe one Shabbat perfectly. (The Talmud says it has to be two Shabbats.) Shabbat is kind of a big deal Shabbat is considered more important than virtually every other Jewish observance. On Shabbat, seven sections (or aliyot) are read from the Torah. Even Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish calendar, only gets six. Other Jewish holidays get even fewer. Shabbat is also the only Jewish observance mentioned in the Ten Commandments. It’s understood in the Talmud to be the day on which God was revealed to the Jewish people at Mount Sinai. And it may also be the secret of Jewish survival. As the Hebrew essayist Ahad Ha’am famously wrote: “More than the Jewish people have kept Shabbat, Shabbat has kept the Jews.”

https://youtu.be/M8HIpSPTeA8 Parashat Mishpatim 5783 / פָּרָשַׁת מִּשְׁפָּטִים 18 February 2023 / 27 Sh'vat 5783 Parashat Mishpatim is the 18th weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading. Torah Portion: Exodus 21:1-24:18, 30:11-16 Mishpatim (“Laws”) recounts a series of God’s laws that Moses gives to the Israelites. These include laws about treatment of slaves, damages, loans, returning lost property, the Sabbath, the sabbatical year, holidays, and destroying idolatry. The portion ends as Moses ascends Mount Sinai for 40 days. [ Triennial year 1 1: 21:1-6 · 6 p’sukim · 2: 21:7-11 · 5 p’sukim · 3: 21:12-19 · 8 p’sukim · 4: 21:20-27 · 8 p’sukim · 5: 21:28-32 · 5 p’sukim · 6: 21:33-36 · 4 p’sukim · 7: 21:37-22:3 · 4 p’sukim · maf*: 30:11-16 · 6 p’sukim · *Shabbat Shekalim Alternate Haftarah: Jeremiah 34:12-22, 33:25-26 · 13 p’sukim Commentary and Divrei Torah Sefaria OU Torah Jewish Theological Seminary American Jewish University Soncino Chumash: pp. 306 - 311 Triennial Year 1 (Full Kriyah pp. 306 - 322)/ pp.352 - 353 Artscroll Chumash: pp. 416 - 426 Triennial Year 1 (Full Kriyah pp. 416 - 443)/p.484 Etz Chaim Chumash: pp. 456 - 465Triennial Year 1 (Full Kriyah pp. 456 - 480)/pp. 523 - 524 Now that the Ten Commandments have been presented—and accepted—by Israel, the rest of the commandments start coming. Hashem is instructing Israel how to be a holy people. The basis of what we now call Judaism is being set and Israel will be a nation of priests, bringing light to the world. Judaism will demonstrate how to respect other human beings, all of us G-d’s children. First of all, commentators, sages and rabbis suggest that the commandments that follow The Ten Commandments are based on those. Nothing in Torah is random; every word, every pause, the order and flow are all for specific reasons. Therefore, it is important to take note of what is presented next. We need to treat people with respect. The next set of commandments, mitzvot, relate to people who are on the lowest socio-economic level: enslaved and bonded people. They are working to pay off a judgment or have become destitute and need a venue to get a base to they can reenter society and support themselves. To prevent their mistreatment, the laws are very stern. Should their masters maim them while disciplining them, they immediately gain their freedom. Their masters thus lose an important business resource. Let us all take note of this and remember that everyone deserves respect, no matter their place in society. Parashat Mishpatim 5783 18 febrero 2023 / 27 Sh'vat 5783 Parashat Mishpatim es la 18ª porción semanal de la Torá en el ciclo judío anual de lectura de la Torá. Porción de la Torá: Éxodo 21:1-24:18, 30:11-16 Mishpatim (“Leyes”) relata una serie de leyes de Dios que Moisés da a los israelitas. Estos incluyen leyes sobre el tratamiento de esclavos, daños, préstamos, devolución de propiedad perdida, el sábado, el año sabático, días festivos y la destrucción de la idolatría. La porción termina cuando Moisés asciende al Monte Sinaí durante 40 días. [ Trienal año 1 1: 21:1-6 · 6 p'sukim · 2: 21:7-11 · 5 p'sukim · 3: 21:12-19 · 8 p'sukim · 4: 21:20-27 · 8 p'sukim · 5: 21:28-32 · 5 p'sukim · 6: 21:33-36 · 4 p'sukim · 7: 21:37-22:3 · 4 p'sukim · maf*: 30:11-16 · 6 p’sukim · *Shabat Shekalim Haftará alternativa: Jeremías 34:12-22, 33:25-26 · 13 p'sukim Comentario y Divrei Torá Sefaria OU Torá Seminario Teológico Judío Universidad Judía Americana Soncino Chumash: págs. 306 - 311 Trienal Año 1 (Kriyah completo págs. 306 - 322)/ págs. 352 - 353 Artscroll Chumash: págs. 416 - 426 Trienal Año 1 (Kriyah completa págs. 416 - 443)/p.484 Etz Chaim Chumash: págs. 456 - 465 Año Trienal 1 (Kriyah completa págs. 456 - 480)/págs. 523 - 524 Ahora que los Diez Mandamientos han sido presentados y aceptados por Israel, el resto de los mandamientos comienzan a llegar. Hashem está instruyendo a Israel cómo ser un pueblo santo. Se están sentando las bases de lo que ahora llamamos judaísmo e Israel será una nación de sacerdotes que traerá luz al mundo. El judaísmo demostrará cómo respetar a otros seres humanos, todos nosotros, hijos de Di-s. En primer lugar, los comentaristas, sabios y rabinos sugieren que los mandamientos que siguen a Los Diez Mandamientos se basan en ellos. Nada en la Torá es aleatorio; cada palabra, cada pausa, el orden y el flujo son todos por razones específicas. Por lo tanto, es importante tomar nota de lo que se presenta a continuación. Tenemos que tratar a las personas con respeto. El siguiente conjunto de mandamientos, mitzvot, se relaciona con las personas que se encuentran en el nivel socioeconómico más bajo: personas esclavizadas y en condiciones de servidumbre. Están trabajando para pagar un juicio o se han vuelto indigentes y necesitan un lugar para obtener una base para poder reinsertarse en la sociedad y mantenerse. Para evitar su maltrato, las leyes son muy severas. Si sus amos los mutilan mientras los disciplinan, obtienen inmediatamente su libertad. Sus amos pierden así un importante recurso comercial. Tomemos todos nota de esto y recordemos que todos merecen respeto, sin importar su lugar en la sociedad.

-Announcements -Candle Lighting Times for Shabbat (Ontario, CA) -Office Hours -This week’s 10-Minute Torah -Tu B'Shevat -Adult Torah Study -Judaic Studies -This week's Upcoming Shabbat services -Hebrew School -Miller Course Introduction to Judaism -Mi Sheberach List *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. ** Please note that recent security issues have been resolved and I am now transitioning to using the templesholomofontario.org email platform, but some emails will continue to go out from this address. ***For your convenience and information, Zoom links will be provided in separate emails for security purposes. ****I have updated our Mi Sheberach מי שברך list for those in need of healing by removing the names of those of whom we were uncertain. Please advise if any names were removed in error. For your convenience, I am attaching this revised list to this email that only goes to members of Temple Sholom of Ontario. Thank you. Shabbat Times for Ontario, California, USA Tu BiShvat occurs on Monday, Feb 6 Candle lighting: 5:11pm on Friday, Feb 10 This week's Torah portion is Parashat Yitro Havdalah (50 min): 6:21pm on Saturday, Feb 11 Powered by Hebcal Shabbat Times שבת פרשת יתרו February 10 - י״ט שבט Candle lighting 5:11 Shabbat ends 6:09 72 minutes 6:43 Office Hours this week: Tuesday, February 7, 2023 10:00 am – 2:00 pm Thursday, February 9, 2023 2:00pm - 7:30pm (Board Meeting @ 7:30pm) Friday, February 10, 2023 2:00pm - 7:30pm (Friday Night Shabbat Ma'ariv @ 7:30pm) Monday, February 13, 2023 9:30 am – 2:00 pm Tuesday, February 14, 2023 9:30 am – 2:00 pm Friday, February 17, 2023 2:00pm - 7:30pm (Friday Night Shabbat Ma'ariv @ 7:30pm) (Subject to change. Please call for appointments) This week's 10-Minu te Torah (February 11, 2023): Parashat Yitro 5783 https://youtu.be/NTa5Z2h8mlY Parashat Yitro is the 17th weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading. Torah Portion: Exodus 18:1-20:23 Yitro (“Jethro”) begins as Moses reunites with his father-in-law Yitro and accepts his advice to appoint judges who will help govern the Israelites. The Israelites prepare to encounter God at Mount Sinai. God descends amidst fire, smoke, thunder, and the blast of a shofar and gives the Ten Commandments. [1] Commentary and Divrei Torah Sefaria OU Torah Jewish Theological Seminary American Jewish University Soncino Chumash: pp. 288 - 301 Triennial Year 1 (Full Kriyah pp. 288 - 3011) Artscroll Chumash: pp. 394 - 414 Triennial Year 1 (Full Kriyah pp. 394 - 414) Etz Chaim Chumash: pp. 432 - 450 Triennial Year 1 (Full Kriyah pp. 432 - 450) Tu BiShvat 2023 / טוּ בִּשְׁבָט 5783 Tu BiShvat for Hebrew Year 5783 begins at sundown on Sunday, 5 February 2023 and ends at nightfall on Monday, 6 February 2023. The name of this festival is actually its date: “Tu” is a pronunciation of the Hebrew letters for the number 15, and it falls in the Hebrew month of Shevat. Traditionally, Tu Bishvat was not a Jewish festival. Rather, it marked an important date for Jewish farmers in ancient times. The Torah states, “When you enter the land [of Israel] and plant any tree for food, you shall regard its fruit as forbidden. Three years it shall be forbidden for you, not to be eaten” (Leviticus 19:23). The fruit of the fourth year was to be offered to the priests in the Temple as a gift of gratitude for the bounty of the land, and the fifth-year fruit–and all subsequent fruit–was finally for the farmer. This law, however, raised the question of how farmers were to mark the “birthday” of a tree. The Rabbis therefore established the 15th of the month of Shevat as a general “birthday” for all trees, regardless of when they were actually planted. Adult Torah Study Class Next Session: Monday February 6 at 7:30 pm PT Zoom Links sent in separate email Monday morning. Please reply if you do not receive them. Parashat Yitro 5783 / פָּרָשַׁת יִתְרוֹ 11 February 2023 / 20 Sh'vat 5783 Parashat Yitro is the 17th weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading. Torah Portion: Exodus 18:1-20:23 Yitro (“Jethro”) begins as Moses reunites with his father-in-law Yitro and accepts his advice to appoint judges who will help govern the Israelites. The Israelites prepare to encounter God at Mount Sinai. God descends amidst fire, smoke, thunder, and the blast of a shofar and gives the Ten Commandments. [1] Commentary and Divrei Torah Sefaria OU Torah Jewish Theological Seminary American Jewish University Soncino Chumash: pp. 288 - 301 Triennial Year 1 (Full Kriyah pp. 288 - 3011) Artscroll Chumash: pp. 394 - 414 Triennial Year 1 (Full Kriyah pp. 394 - 414) Etz Chaim Chumash: pp. 432 - 450 Triennial Year 1 (Full Kriyah pp. 432 - 450) Judaic Studies Next session: Thursday, February 9, 2023 @ 7:30pm Come join us for a lively discussion of various topics on Judaica. Upcoming Services Shabbat Ma'ariv Service Friday, February 10, 2023 @ 7:30 pm Note new start time Shabbat Shachrit Service Saturday, February 11, 2023 @ 9:30 am Note that start time Zoom Links sent in separate email Friday afternoon. Please reply if you do not receive them. Parashat Yitro 5783 / פָּרָשַׁת יִתְרוֹ 11 February 2023 / 20 Sh'vat 5783 Parashat Yitro is the 17th weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading. Torah Portion: Exodus 18:1-20:23 Yitro (“Jethro”) begins as Moses reunites with his father-in-law Yitro and accepts his advice to appoint judges who will help govern the Israelites. The Israelites prepare to encounter God at Mount Sinai. God descends amidst fire, smoke, thunder, and the blast of a shofar and gives the Ten Commandments. [1] Triennial year 1 1: 18:1-12 · 12 p’sukim · 2: 18:13-23 · 11 p’sukim · 3: 18:24-27 · 4 p’sukim · 4: 19:1-6 · 6 p’sukim · 5: 19:7-19 · 13 p’sukim · 6: 19:20-20:14 · 20 p’sukim · 7: 20:15-23 · 9 p’sukim · maf: 20:19-23 · 5 p’sukim · Haftarah for Ashkenazim: Isaiah 6:1-7:6, 9:5-6 · 21 p’sukim Commentary and Divrei Torah Sefaria OU Torah Jewish Theological Seminary American Jewish University Soncino Chumash: pp. 288 - 301 Triennial Year 1 (Full Kriyah pp. 288 - 3011) *Note that we are now doing the Triennial reading for our Shabbat Torah services. 5783 will be Triennial Year 1 **We are holding live Shabbat services back in the synagogue. We will still continue to broadcast on Zoom for those unable to come to the sanctuary. Please call the office for more information if you'd like to attend. Hebrew School at Temple Sholom of Ontario Next Hebrew School will be Sunday, February 12, 2023 First Session Sunday 10:00am - 10:40am Second Session Sunday 10:50am - 11:30am Hebrew school is back on at Temple Sholom of Ontario. We will continue in the fall hold classes virtually on Sundays starting at 10:00am PT. There will be two sessions, 40 minutes each, with a 10-minute break in between. Details will follow soon. The first session will focus on Hebrew reading and prayers. We will read from the week's Torah portion using a Chumash and an online site. Besides the main prayers used in our services, we will also learn Torah and Haftarah blessings. The second session will be a general learning session of that weekly sedrah/portion. We will also discuss notable Jewish personalities, from celebrities to prophets and kings. There will also be special topics such as gossip and evolution. Please let us know if you'd like to join us and of course if you have any questions. Miller Course: Introduction to Judaism Coming Soon! Your Jewish Journey Starts at Miller Intro to Judaism Welcome to the Miller Intro to Judaism Program! We invite you to explore Judaism with us. Whether you are in an interfaith relationship, re-discovering your Jewish heritage, or seek to convert to Judaism, we are here to support your journey. The core of the Miller Introduction to Judaism Program is an 18-week course that surveys Jewish living and practice, including history, ritual, culture, texts, and values. Classes are designed to be highly interactive, with much time for discussion and questions, and include personalized instruction in reading Hebrew. ***I have updated our Mi Sheberach מי שברך list for those in need of healing by removing the names of those of whom we were uncertain. Please advise if any names were removed in error. For your convenience, I am attaching this revised list to this email that only goes to members of Temple Sholom of Ontario. Thank you. *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.

https://youtu.be/NTa5Z2h8mlY Parashat Yitro 5783 / פָּרָשַׁת יִתְרוֹ 11 February 2023 / 20 Sh'vat 5783 Parashat Yitro is the 17th weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading. Torah Portion: Exodus 18:1-20:23 Yitro (“Jethro”) begins as Moses reunites with his father-in-law Yitro and accepts his advice to appoint judges who will help govern the Israelites. The Israelites prepare to encounter God at Mount Sinai. God descends amidst fire, smoke, thunder, and the blast of a shofar and gives the Ten Commandments. [1] Triennial year 1 1: 18:1-12 · 12 p’sukim · 2: 18:13-23 · 11 p’sukim · 3: 18:24-27 · 4 p’sukim · 4: 19:1-6 · 6 p’sukim · 5: 19:7-19 · 13 p’sukim · 6: 19:20-20:14 · 20 p’sukim · 7: 20:15-23 · 9 p’sukim · maf: 20:19-23 · 5 p’sukim · Haftarah for Ashkenazim: Isaiah 6:1-7:6, 9:5-6 · 21 p’sukim Commentary and Divrei Torah Sefaria OU Torah Jewish Theological Seminary American Jewish University Soncino Chumash: pp. 288 - 301 Triennial Year 1 (Full Kriyah pp. 288 - 3011) Artscroll Chumash: pp. 394 - 414 Triennial Year 1 (Full Kriyah pp. 394 - 414) Etz Chaim Chumash: pp. 432 - 450 Triennial Year 1 (Full Kriyah pp. 432 - 450) There are a lot of interesting points in this parashat, not the least of which is the presentation of the Ten Commandments. Some commentators refer to these as the “Decalogue”, Greek for “Ten Words”. Of course, these are the first of the 603 that will follow. Someone asked once if all the other commandments are based on these ten. Very astute question. Another interesting point is the allocation of verses based on the triennial year. Unlike just about every other parashat, the triennial cycle is no different that the full reading, or kriyah in Hebrew. One would not want to spend a year reading the Torah and leave out this extremely important section. At the beginning of the parashat, we have Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law coming to congratulate Moses on rescuing Israel from slavery and acknowledge Hashem as the one, true G-d. Jethro also contributed something that has lasted 3500 years: delegation of power. As Israel sought counsel and guidance of Hashem’s Law, Moses would be exhausted advising by himself. Jethro’s suggestion that Moses allocate lesser decisions to knowledgeable elders allowed Moses to be at his best in his role as prophet. While some commentators fault Moses for thus denying some the benefit of his wisdom, consider that Moses empowered these people to do G-d’s work and thus learn Torah by embodying it, something we rabbis and teachers work on today. Parashat Yitro 5783 / פָּרָשַׁת יִתְרוֹ 11 febrero 2023 / 20 Sh'vat 5783 Parashat Yitro es la decimoséptima porción semanal de la Torá en el ciclo judío anual de lectura de la Torá. Porción de la Torá: Éxodo 18:1-20:23 Yitro ("Jethro") comienza cuando Moisés se reúne con su suegro Yitro y acepta su consejo de nombrar jueces que ayudarán a gobernar a los israelitas. Los israelitas se preparan para encontrarse con Dios en el Monte Sinaí. Dios desciende en medio del fuego, el humo, el trueno y el sonido de un shofar y da los Diez Mandamientos. [1] Trienal año 1 1: 18:1-12 · 12 p'sukim · 2: 18:13-23 · 11 p'sukim · 3: 18:24-27 · 4 p'sukim · 4: 19:1-6 · 6 p'sukim · 5: 19:7-19 · 13 p'sukim · 6: 19:20-20:14 · 20 p'sukim · 7: 20:15-23 · 9 p'sukim · maf: 20:19-23 · 5 p'sukim · Haftarah para Ashkenazim: Isaías 6:1-7:6, 9:5-6 · 21 p’sukim Comentario y Divrei Torah Sefaria OU Torah Jewish Theological Seminary American Jewish University Soncino Chumash: págs. 288 - 301 Año trienal 1 (Kriyah completo págs. 288 - 3011) Artscroll Chumash: págs. 394 - 414 Año trienal 1 (Kriyah completa págs. 394 - 414) Etz Chaim Chumash: págs. 432 - 450 Año trienal 1 (Kriyah completa págs. 432 - 450) Hay muchos puntos interesantes en esta parashat, entre los que destaca la presentación de los Diez Mandamientos. Algunos comentaristas se refieren a estos como el "Decálogo", que en griego significa "Diez Palabras". Eso sí, estos son los primeros de los 603 que le seguirán. Alguien preguntó una vez si todos los demás mandamientos se basan en estos diez. Pregunta muy astuta. Otro punto interesante es la asignación de versos según el año trienal. A diferencia de cualquier otra parashat, el ciclo trienal no es diferente de la lectura completa o kriyah en hebreo. Uno no querría pasar un año leyendo la Torá y omitir esta sección extremadamente importante. Al comienzo de la parashat, tenemos a Jetro, el suegro de Moisés, que viene a felicitar a Moisés por rescatar a Israel de la esclavitud y reconocer a Hashem como el único y verdadero Di-s. Jetro también aportó algo que ha durado 3500 años: delegación de poder. Mientras Israel buscaba el consejo y la guía de la Ley de Hashem, Moisés se cansaba de aconsejar solo. La sugerencia de Jetro de que Moisés asignara las decisiones menores a los ancianos informados permitió que Moisés se desempeñara mejor en su papel de profeta. Si bien algunos comentaristas culpan a Moisés por negarles a algunos el beneficio de su sabiduría, considere que Moisés empoderó a estas personas para hacer el trabajo de Di-s y, por lo tanto, aprender Torá al encarnarla, algo en lo que los rabinos y maestros trabajamos hoy.

The "birthday of the trees" is a time for seders, tree-planting and more. BY MY JEWISH LEARNING https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/tu-bishvat-ideas-beliefs/ The name of this festival is actually its date: “Tu” is a pronunciation of the Hebrew letters for the number 15, and it falls in the Hebrew month of Shevat. Traditionally, Tu Bishvat was not a Jewish festival. Rather, it marked an important date for Jewish farmers in ancient times. The Torah states, “When you enter the land [of Israel] and plant any tree for food, you shall regard its fruit as forbidden. Three years it shall be forbidden for you, not to be eaten” (Leviticus 19:23). The fruit of the fourth year was to be offered to the priests in the Temple as a gift of gratitude for the bounty of the land, and the fifth-year fruit–and all subsequent fruit–was finally for the farmer. This law, however, raised the question of how farmers were to mark the “birthday” of a tree. The Rabbis therefore established the 15th of the month of Shevat as a general “birthday” for all trees, regardless of when they were actually planted. Fruit trees were awarded special status in the Torah because of their importance in sustaining life and as a symbol of God’s divine favor. Even during times of war, God warns the Israelites, “When in your war against a city you have to besiege it a long time in order to capture it, you must not destroy its trees… Are trees of the field human to withdraw before you into the besieged city? Only trees that you know do not yield food may be destroyed” (Deuteronomy 20:19-20). At a later time, the Rabbis of the Talmud established four “new years” throughout the Jewish calendar–Rosh Hashanah, or the Jewish new year for the calendar date; a new year for establishing the reign of kings; a new year for tithing animals of Jewish farmers to be given to the Temple; and finally, Tu Bishvat, the new year for the trees (Mishnah, Rosh Hashanah1:1). The Rabbis discussed why this date was chosen; saying that Tu Bishvat falls after mid-winter (usually in February), they concluded that the majority of the annual rainfall has usually already fallen by this time in the land of Israel, thus yielding a healthy, water-logged soil in which to plant new trees (Talmud,Rosh Hashanah 14a). In medieval times, kabbalists (Jewish mystics) gave Tu Bishvat greater spiritual significance. Seeing in Tu Bishvat a vehicle for mystical ideas, the kabbalists imbued Tu Bishvat with new religious significance as well as created elaborate new symbolic rituals. According to Lurianic Kabbalah (which is a form of mysticism studied by the students of Isaac Luria), all physical forms–including human beings–hide within them a spark of the Divine Presence. This is similar to some kinds of fruits or nuts, which hide within them seeds of new life and potential growth. In Jewish mysticism, human actions can release these sparks and help increase God’s presence in the world. On Tu Bishvat, the kabbalists would eat certain fruits associated with the land of Israel as a symbolic way of releasing these divine sparks. In modern times, Tu Bishvat has become a symbol of both Zionist attachment to the land of Israel as well as an example of Jewish sensitivity to the environment. Early Zionist settlers to Israel began planting new trees not only to restore the ecology of ancient Israel, but as a symbol of renewed growth of the Jewish people returning to their ancestral homeland. While relatively few Jews continue to observe the kabbalistic Tu Bishvat seder, many American and European Jews observe Tu Bishvat by contributing money to the Jewish National Fund, an organization devoted to reforesting Israel. For environmentalists, Tu Bishvat is an ancient and authentic Jewish “Earth Day” that educates Jews about the Jewish tradition’s advocacy of responsible stewardship of God’s creation as manifested in ecological activism. Among them, contemporary versions of the Tu Bishvat seder, emphasizing environmentalist concerns, are gaining popularity.

This common symbol for Judaism and Israel is newer than one might think. BY MY JEWISH LEARNING The six-pointed Star of David is a common symbol for both Judaism and Israel. Known in Hebrew as a Magen David (shield of David), geometrically it is two triangles superimposed on each other, forming the shape of a hexagram. Though today the symbol popularly communicates Jewishness, its associations with Judaism are newer than one might think. Some historians trace it to Jewish communities in the Middle Ages, but these claims are neither fully substantiated nor widely accepted. What we do know is that in the 17th century, the Jewish quarter of Vienna was marked with a hexagram, to distinguish it from the rest of the city. Around this time, the star also became part of synagogue architecture both in Europe and in the Middle East and North Africa. After the Dreyfus Affair in the 19th century, the star was adopted by the Zionist movement at its 1897 Congress, and this gave the symbol more international prominence. In the 20th century, the star became even more evocative of Judaism when it was used by the Nazis to mark Jews for persecution. And after the Holocaust, the same star became part of the flag of the nascent State of Israel. What exactly does it symbolize? Many explanations have been suggested, but none is universally accepted. According to the Zohar, a medieval book of Jewish mysticism, the six points of the star represent the six male sefirot (attributes of God), in union with the seventh sefirah of the female (the center of the shape). A more modern, existentialist commentary on the Star of David was advanced by the philosopher Franz Rosenzweig in the Star of Redemption, which he wrote on postcards during World War I. Rosenzweig described two interlocking triangles — the corners of one representing creation, revelation, and redemption; the corners of the other representing Man, the World and God. Today, the Star of David is incorporated into Jewish jewelry design, and it is also commonly found on Judaica objects — from Kiddush cups, to mezuzahs and kippot (and in some Jewish communities, it is engraved on coffins). In Israel, the equivalent of the Red Cross is call Magen David Adom — the “red Star of David.”

-Announcements -Candle Lighting Times for Shabbat (Ontario, CA) -Office Hours -This week’s 10-Minute Torah -Adult Torah Study -Judaic Studies -This week's Upcoming Shabbat services -Hebrew School -Adult Hebrew Class -Family Fun Learning Day:Tu B'Shvat Seder -Tu B'Shvat -Miller Course Introduction to Judaism -Mi Sheberach List *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. ** Please note that recent security issues have been resolved and I am now transitioning to using the templesholomofontario.org email platform, but some emails will continue to go out from this address. ***For your convenience and information, Zoom links will be provided in separate emails for security purposes. ****I have updated our Mi Sheberach מי שברך list for those in need of healing by removing the names of those of whom we were uncertain. Please advise if any names were removed in error. For your convenience, I am attaching this revised list to this email that only goes to members of Temple Sholom of Ontario. Thank you. Shabbat Times for Ontario, California, USA Candle lighting: 5:04pm on Friday, Feb 3 Shabbat Shirah occurs on Saturday, Feb 4 This week's Torah portion is Parashat Beshalach Havdalah (50 min): 6:14pm on Saturday, Feb 4 Powered by Hebcal Shabbat Times שבת פרשת בשלח February 3 - י״ב שבט Candle lighting 5:05 Shabbat ends 6:03 72 minutes 6:37 Office Hours this week: Monday, January 30, 2023 9:30 am – 1:30 pm Tuesday, January 31, 2023 9:30 am – 1:30 pm Friday, February 3, 2023 2:00pm - 7:30pm (Friday Night Shabbat Ma'ariv @ 7:30pm) Monday, February 6, 2023 10:00 am – 2:00 pm Thursday, February 9, 2023 2:00pm - 7:30pm (Board Meeting @ 7:30pm) Friday, February 10, 2023 2:00pm - 7:30pm (Friday Night Shabbat Ma'ariv @ 7:30pm) (Subject to change. Please call for appointments) This week's 10-Minute Torah (February 4, 2023): Parashat Beshalach 5783 https://youtu.be/xxNirKTmkcw Parashat Beshalach is the 16th weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading. Torah Portion: Exodus 13:17-17:16 Commentary and Divrei Torah: Sefaria OU Torah Jewish Theological Seminary American Jewish University Soncino Chumash: pp. 265 - 274 Triennial Year 1 (Full Kriyah pp. 265 - 281) Artscroll Chumash: pp. 366 - 382 Triennial Year 1 (Full Kriyah pp. 366 - 393) Etz Chaim Chumash: pp. 399 - 414 Triennial Year 1 (Full Kriyah pp. 399 - 322) Adult Torah Study Class Next Session: Monday January 30 at 7:30 pm PT Zoom Links sent in separate email Monday morning. Please reply if you do not receive them. Parashat Beshalach 5783 / פָּרָשַׁת בְּשַׁלַּח 4 February 2023 / 13 Sh'vat 5783 https://youtu.be/xxNirKTmkcw Parashat Beshalach is the 16th weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading. Torah Portion: Exodus 13:17-17:16 Beshalach (“When He Let Go”) describes the splitting of the Red Sea and the song the Israelites sing upon crossing through. In the desert, God sweetens bitter water and provides manna and quail. The portion ends recounting the victory of the Israelites against an attack by the Amalekites. [1] Triennial year 1 1: 13:17-22 · 6 p’sukim · 2: 14:1-4 · 4 p’sukim · 3: 14:5-8 · 4 p’sukim · 4: 14:9-14 · 6 p’sukim · 5: 14:15-20 · 6 p’sukim · 6: 14:21-25 · 5 p’sukim · 7: 14:26-15:26 · 32 p’sukim · maf: 15:22-26 · 5 p’sukim · Haftarah for Ashkenazim: Judges 4:4-5:31 · 52 p’sukim Commentary and Divrei Torah Sefaria OU Torah Jewish Theological Seminary American Jewish University Soncino Chumash: pp. 265 - 274 Triennial Year 1 (Full Kriyah pp. 265 - 281) Artscroll Chumash: pp. 366 - 382 Triennial Year 1 (Full Kriyah pp. 366 - 393) Etz Chaim Chumash: pp. 399 - 414 Triennial Year 1 (Full Kriyah pp. 399 - 322) Judaic Studies Next session: Thursday, February 2, 2023 @ 7:30pm Come join us for a lively discussion of various topics on Judaica. We will continue reading Ecclesiastes (Kohelet), the Biblical book that includes such familiar English quotations as “Vanity, vanity, all is vanity” and “The race is not always to the swift” and “For everything there is a season.” In class we will use the new Jewish Publication Society translation available on Sefaria, but any translation you have will be fine. You can find Ecclesiastes in any Hebrew Bible. Upcoming Services Shabbat Ma'ariv Service Friday, February 3, 2023 @ 7:30 pm Note new start time Shabbat Shachrit Service Saturday, February 4, 2023 @ 9:30 am Note that start time Zoom Links sent in separate email Friday afternoon. Please reply if you do not receive them. Parashat Beshalach 5783 / פָּרָשַׁת בְּשַׁלַּח 4 February 2023 / 13 Sh'vat 5783 https://youtu.be/xxNirKTmkcw Parashat Beshalach is the 16th weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading. Torah Portion: Exodus 13:17-17:16 Beshalach (“When He Let Go”) describes the splitting of the Red Sea and the song the Israelites sing upon crossing through. In the desert, God sweetens bitter water and provides manna and quail. The portion ends recounting the victory of the Israelites against an attack by the Amalekites. [1] Triennial year 1 1: 13:17-22 · 6 p’sukim · 2: 14:1-4 · 4 p’sukim · 3: 14:5-8 · 4 p’sukim · 4: 14:9-14 · 6 p’sukim · 5: 14:15-20 · 6 p’sukim · 6: 14:21-25 · 5 p’sukim · 7: 14:26-15:26 · 32 p’sukim · maf: 15:22-26 · 5 p’sukim · Haftarah for Ashkenazim: Judges 4:4-5:31 · 52 p’sukim Commentary and Divrei Torah Sefaria OU Torah Jewish Theological Seminary American Jewish University Soncino Chumash: pp. 265 - 274 Triennial Year 1 (Full Kriyah pp. 265 - 281) Artscroll Chumash: pp. 366 - 382 Triennial Year 1 (Full Kriyah pp. 366 - 393) Etz Chaim Chumash: pp. 399 - 414 Triennial Year 1 (Full Kriyah pp. 399 - 322) *Note that we are now doing the Triennial reading for our Shabbat Torah services. 5783 will be Triennial Year 1 **We are holding live Shabbat services back in the synagogue. We will still continue to broadcast on Zoom for those unable to come to the sanctuary. Please call the office for more information if you'd like to attend. Shabbat Shirah 2023 / שַׁבָּת שִׁירָה 5783 Shabbat of Song 🕍 Shabbat Shirah for Hebrew Year 5783 begins at sundown on Friday, 3 February 2023 and ends at nightfall on Saturday, 4 February 2023. This corresponds to Parashat Beshalach. Shabbat Shirah (“Sabbath [of] song” שבת שירה) is the name given to the Shabbat that includes Parsha Beshalach. The Torah reading of the week contains the Song of the sea (Exodus 15:1–18). This was the song by the Children of Israel after the Passage of the Red Sea. Hebrew School at Temple Sholom of Ontario Next Hebrew School will be Sunday, February 12, 2023 Hebrew School preempted for our Tu B'Shevat seder (See below) First Session Sunday 10:00am - 10:40am Second Session Sunday 10:50am - 11:30am Hebrew school is back on at Temple Sholom of Ontario. We will continue in the fall hold classes virtually on Sundays starting at 10:00am PT. There will be two sessions, 40 minutes each, with a 10-minute break in between. Details will follow soon. The first session will focus on Hebrew reading and prayers. We will read from the week's Torah portion using a Chumash and an online site. Besides the main prayers used in our services, we will also learn Torah and Haftarah blessings. The second session will be a general learning session of that weekly sedrah/portion. We will also discuss notable Jewish personalities, from celebrities to prophets and kings. There will also be special topics such as gossip and evolution. Please let us know if you'd like to join us and of course if you have any questions. Family Learning Sunday! Sunday, February 5, 2023 @ 10:00am PT Our next Family Learning will Sunday, February 5 @ 10am for a special Tu BiShvat Seder. Come learn and celebrate the New Year for tree with a special seder developed by Kabbalists to celebrate the Earth and Nature's/Hashem's bounty Tu BiShvat 2023 / טוּ בִּשְׁבָט 5783 New Year for Trees Tu BiShvat for Hebrew Year 5783 begins at sundown on Sunday, 5 February 2023 and ends at nightfall on Monday, 6 February 2023. Miller Course: Introduction to Judaism Coming Soon! Your Jewish Journey Starts at Miller Intro to Judaism Welcome to the Miller Intro to Judaism Program! We invite you to explore Judaism with us. Whether you are in an interfaith relationship, re-discovering your Jewish heritage, or seek to convert to Judaism, we are here to support your journey. The core of the Miller Introduction to Judaism Program is an 18-week course that surveys Jewish living and practice, including history, ritual, culture, texts, and values. Classes are designed to be highly interactive, with much time for discussion and questions, and include personalized instruction in reading Hebrew. ***I have updated our Mi Sheberach מי שברך list for those in need of healing by removing the names of those of whom we were uncertain. Please advise if any names were removed in error. For your convenience, I am attaching this revised list to this email that only goes to members of Temple Sholom of Ontario. Thank you. *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.

https://youtu.be/xxNirKTmkcw Parashat Beshalach 5783 / פָּרָשַׁת בְּשַׁלַּח 4 February 2023 / 13 Sh'vat 5783 Parashat Beshalach is the 16th weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading. Torah Portion: Exodus 13:17-17:16 Beshalach (“When He Let Go”) describes the splitting of the Red Sea and the song the Israelites sing upon crossing through. In the desert, God sweetens bitter water and provides manna and quail. The portion ends recounting the victory of the Israelites against an attack by the Amalekites. [1] Triennial year 1 1: 13:17-22 · 6 p’sukim · 2: 14:1-4 · 4 p’sukim · 3: 14:5-8 · 4 p’sukim · 4: 14:9-14 · 6 p’sukim · 5: 14:15-20 · 6 p’sukim · 6: 14:21-25 · 5 p’sukim · 7: 14:26-15:26 · 32 p’sukim · maf: 15:22-26 · 5 p’sukim · Haftarah for Ashkenazim: Judges 4:4-5:31 · 52 p’sukim Commentary and Divrei Torah Sefaria OU Torah Jewish Theological Seminary American Jewish University Soncino Chumash: pp. 265 - 274 Triennial Year 1 (Full Kriyah pp. 265 - 281) Artscroll Chumash: pp. 366 - 382 Triennial Year 1 (Full Kriyah pp. 366 - 393) Etz Chaim Chumash: pp. 399 - 414 Triennial Year 1 (Full Kriyah pp. 399 - 322) Here we have a pivotal moment in our history. Israel has just left Egypt. Pharaoh had been devastated by the plagues to the point where he finally gave in and let Israel have our freedom. After they left, his hardened heart acted up again and he now regretted that decision. He couldn’t see that Hashem had really won and his/Egypt’s false gods were no match for the trued G-d. Pharaoh now assembles his troops and goes after the Israelites. They are stopped at the Sea of Reeds by the pillars of fire and clouds while Israel marches through the split waters and hardened ground. As Pharaoh’s troops pursue, the Sea now closes in on them and they are all drown. Pharaoh is now completely defeated, and Israel is free. A key point of this parashat are all the miracles. There is the splitting of the Sea, finding water, manna and quails (meat). It is easy to see the miracles from a distant past, but what about today? Consider today’s miracles: the State of Israel thrives; Jews are overrepresented in a lot of professions; after devastation of the Holocaust, a mere seventy years later and our population has returned to previous numbers. As we pray every morning, Hashem continues to sustain us by daily miracles. Shabbat Shirah 2023 / שַׁבָּת שִׁירָה 5783 Shabbat of Song 🕍 Shabbat Shirah for Hebrew Year 5783 begins at sundown on Friday, 3 February 2023 and ends at nightfall on Saturday, 4 February 2023. This corresponds to Parashat Beshalach. Shabbat Shirah (“Sabbath [of] song” שבת שירה) is the name given to the Shabbat that includes Parsha Beshalach. The Torah reading of the week contains the Song of the sea (Exodus 15:1–18). This was the song by the Children of Israel after the Passage of the Red Sea. Parashat Beshalaj 5783 4 febrero 2023 / 13 Sh'vat 5783 https://youtu.be/xxNirKTmkcw Parashat Beshalach es la decimosexta porción semanal de la Torá en el ciclo judío anual de lectura de la Torá. Porción de la Torá: Éxodo 13:17-17:16 Beshalach ("Cuando Él Suelte") describe la división del Mar Rojo y la canción que los israelitas cantan al cruzarlo. En el desierto, Dios endulza el agua amarga y proporciona maná y codornices. La porción termina relatando la victoria de los israelitas contra un ataque de los amalecitas. [1] Trienal año 1 1: 13:17-22 · 6 p'sukim · 2: 14:1-4 · 4 p'sukim · 3: 14:5-8 · 4 p'sukim · 4: 14:9-14 · 6 p'sukim · 5: 14:15-20 · 6 p'sukim · 6: 14:21-25 · 5 p'sukim · 7: 14:26-15:26 · 32 p'sukim · maf: 15:22-26 · 5 p'sukim · Haftarah para Ashkenazim: Jueces 4:4-5:31 · 52 p’sukim Comentario y Divrei Torá Sefaria OU Torá Seminario Teológico Judío Universidad Judía Americana Soncino Chumash: págs. 265 - 274 Año Trienal 1 (Kriyah completo págs. 265 - 281) Artscroll Chumash: págs. 366 - 382 Año trienal 1 (Kriyah completa págs. 366 - 393) Etz Chaim Chumash: págs. 399 - 414 Año trienal 1 (Kriyah completa págs. 399 - 322) Aquí tenemos un momento crucial en nuestra historia. Israel acaba de salir de Egipto. Faraón había sido devastado por las plagas hasta el punto en que finalmente se rindió y permitió que Israel tuviera nuestra libertad. Después de que se fueron, su corazón endurecido volvió a actuar y ahora se arrepintió de esa decisión. No podía ver que Hashem realmente había ganado y que los dioses falsos de él/Egipto no eran rival para el Di-s verdadero. Faraón ahora reúne a sus tropas y va tras los israelitas. Son detenidos en el Mar de Juncos por las columnas de fuego y nubes mientras Israel marcha a través de las aguas divididas y la tierra endurecida. Mientras las tropas del faraón los persiguen, el mar ahora los cierra y todos se ahogan. Faraón ahora está completamente derrotado e Israel es libre. Un punto clave de esta parashá son todos los milagros. Está la división del Mar, encontrando agua, maná y codornices (carne). Es fácil ver los milagros de un pasado lejano, pero ¿qué pasa hoy? Considere los milagros de hoy: el Estado de Israel prospera; Los judíos están sobrerrepresentados en muchas profesiones; después de la devastación del Holocausto, apenas setenta años después, nuestra población ha vuelto a los números anteriores. Mientras rezamos cada mañana, Hashem continúa sosteniéndonos con milagros diarios. Shabat Shirah 2023 / שַׁבָּת שִׁירָה 5783 Shabat de la Canción 🕍 Shabat Shirah para el año hebreo 5783 comienza al atardecer del viernes 3 de febrero de 2023 y finaliza al anochecer del sábado 4 de febrero de 2023. Esto corresponde a Parashat Beshalach. Shabbat Shirah (“Shabat [de] canto” שבת שירה) es el nombre que se le da al Shabat que incluye a Parasha Beshalach. La lectura de la Torá de la semana contiene la Canción del mar (Éxodo 15:1–18). Esta fue la canción de los Hijos de Israel después del Paso del Mar Rojo.

MyJewishLearning-Woman of Valor This chapter from the Book of Proverbs can be read as a roadmap to happiness. BY SARA ESTHER CRISPE What adjectives would you use to describe a Jewish woman? Maybe you would think of your grandmother, your bubbe: loving, worrying, maker of chicken soup. Or if a religious woman comes to mind, maybe modest or passive. Or even the obnoxious Hollywood stereotype: loud and overbearing. It might surprise you, but the quintessential adjective for a Jewish woman is valor, which the Merriam-Webster dictionary defines as“strength of mind or spirit that enables a person to encounter danger with firmness: personal bravery.” The text dedicated to honoring the Jewish woman of valor, traditionally sung on Friday night, comes from Chapter 31 of the Book of Proverbs. Its title, Eshet Hayil, means “Woman of Valor.” But the Hebrew word for valor, hayil, can also mean soldier. These two concepts are related. Valor is one of the principal qualities of a soldier. A soldier must be someone with strength of mind and spirit, who can encounter danger with firmness and bravery. But more so, a soldier strives to win a battle while balancing their own needs and those of others. If there is an opportunity to take out an enemy but doing so would expose other soldiers (or innocents) to danger, the needs of the collective must prevail. Similarly, Eshet Hayil describes a woman who takes care of herself while ensuring that her spouse and children likewise have their needs met. An Eshet Hayil rises in the night to provide for her family. She plants a vineyard and tends to her business. She gives to the poor and oversees the workings of her household. She is trustworthy and a source of stability. Her family praises her. She looks for wool and flax, And sets her hand to them with a will. She is like a merchant fleet, Bringing her food from afar. She rises while it is still night, And supplies provisions for her household, The daily fare of her maids. Such a woman, the text tells us, “opens her mouth with wisdom.” She is a woman whose children “stand and rejoice in her,” and who is “clothed in strength and splendor and laughs until her last day.” The Eshet Hayil, as described in this text, is thus a model for how to achieve to happiness. The Eshet Hayil knows how to care for others while caring for herself. But it takes a little digging underneath the surface to see this. Consider the verse about wool and flax. On its face, this verse seems to be describing a typical domestic duty in antiquity — the making of fabrics. But the particular materials mentioned, wool and flax, have deeper symbolism. Wool is soft. It can absorb almost 1/3 of its weight in water. It is an insulating fabric, which makes it popular in winter. When we relate these qualities to emotive attributes, wool is compared to chesed, lovingkindness: Soft, kind, protective, insulating, connective. Flax is the plant that gives us linen, a durable and tough fabric. It does not stretch and is known to keep one cool when it is hot. So if wool is lovingkindness, flax represents the quality of gevurah, loosely translated as strength. It is often associated with the idea of having boundaries and definition, as opposed to the fluidity associated with lovingkindness. If we were to summarize the two fabrics, wool is what you wear when it’s cold and you want to retain your heat, while linen is the right choice when it’s hot and you want to stay cool. One attaches to you and insulates, the other detracts and keeps things away. Both these fabrics have their place. But here’s the catch: There’s a Jewish law known as shatnez that prohibits the wearing of any garment that contains both wool and linen. Just as kosher laws prohibit mixing milk and meat in food, wool and linen cannot be mixed in clothing. Lovingkindness should not be intertwined with the establishing of boundaries. But there’s an exception: three garments that are not only allowed to have wool and linen mixed, but must have both. The first is the clothing the high priest wore in the Temple in Jerusalem. The second is the tallit, the prayer shawl. And the third is tzitzit, the ritual fringes worn under clothing. All three are considered holy garments. All three have specifications and are required to be worn by Jewish law at certain times. And all have a mixture of wool and linen. The woman of valor who works with wool and linen is the woman who creates holy garments, the only ones in which these fabrics can be mixed. She understands to mix lovingkindess and boundaries at the proper time, and to keep them separate at others. Sometimes she takes a softer approach, other times a stronger approach. Sometimes the garment is only wool and other times only linen. And most of the time we must ensure they not be mixed. And then there are those special, holy times when they must go together. A woman who knows when to be fluid and when to be firm, when to exercise lovingkindness and when to establish boundaries, and who recognizes those rare occasions when it’s proper to exhibit both is a woman whose mouth speaks wisdom, whose children celebrate her, and who laughs into age old.