It’s Our Story
Last week’s Torah reading was mostly the story of Noah and the Flood. One of the more curious elements of the tale is what happens when the earth dries out enough for the animals and their human tenders to exit the vessel.
Bee Juice
My recent posts...After havdala ended last week’s Galeem (“waves,” our Sunday school), the usual joyful mayhem erupted in the lobby: Kids running down halls for a water bottle, a work of art, a lollipop; parents calling after them “Remember your ________!”; brief...
Welcome to”chol”
A couple days of magnificent weather have been a welcome respite from the bounty of precipitation during Sukkot and the closing festival days. This morning, we stored away our sukkah — unscathed by the nor’easter — for next year.
Kol Nidre – All Vows
My recent posts...kol nidrei, all MY vows? Rabbi Jonathan Kremer kol nidrei, all vows. ALL vows? All my vows? How can I possibly remember them all? Those silent frustrations: I swear I could... I said what? Well, I didn't mean it that way! The thick-as-mud silent...
Singing at the Sea
Shirat Hayam, the song at the sea, is a magnificent biblical ode to God’s power in freeing the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. It is the centerpiece of this week’s Torah reading.
In the spirit of song, most of the service this Shabbat morning will be sung. Old melodies, newer ones, even a few original tunes by Rabbi Kremer. Starting at 9:30 … come sing with us!
Also, this Shabbat is the anniversary of Cantor Ed Kulp’s Bar Mitzvah. Join us in celebration!
Pharaoh and the Egyptian army are drowned in the Sea of Reeds by Adonai. Moshe and the men of Israel burst out in song, shirat hayam, the Song at the Sea, a triumphal ode to Adonai’s wondrous powers:
אָשִׁירָה לַאֲדֹנָי כִּי גָאֹה גָּאָה
ASHIRA LADONAI KI GA’O GA’A
I will sing to Adonai for Adonai has triumphed mightily!
In contrast, Miryam, Moshe’s sister, leads the women in dance and song:
שִׁירוּ לַיְיָ כִּי גָאֹה גָּאָה
SHIRU LADONAI KI GA’O GA’A
Let us Sing to Adonai for Adonai has triumphed mightily!
Declaration and invitation.
The self and the collective.
Id and superego.
In exultation, alone or in concert, we praise God for the wonders in our lives.
Shabbat shalom! שבת שלום