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Torah Study Join us on Saturdays at 9:15am ( Attend once, once in awhile or every week)The cornerstone of our “learning” is our Saturday morning Torah Study. We discuss the weekly Torah portion and have a lively and spirited conversation as we relate this ancient text to our daily lives. No special training or prerequisite courses are necessary for you to attend. Neither is there an entrance requirement for the understanding of Torah. When we come to it in study, there are no barriers to keep us distant from our heritage. Upcoming Torah portions: SEPTEMBER 11 Ha'azinu Deut. 32:1-52 Moses calls upon heaven and earth to witness his words. He begins by praising God and describing the special care God has given Israel. Because of Israel's unfaithfulness, the Hebrew people will suffer God's wrath and, ultimately, God will show mercy and deliver them from their enemies. These laws are to be the essence of our lives. The portion closes with God directing Moses to ascend Mount Nebo and to look at the Land promised to the Israelites. SEPTEMBER 18- YOM KIPPUR NO TORAH STUDY Deut. 29:9-14,30:11-29 Leviticus 19:1-4, 9-18, 32-37 Moses tells the people that the covenant is not only made with them, but also with those not present. Moses goes on to say that there is a choice between life and prosperity or death and adversity. In choosing to obey God's commandments, the people chose life and will be able to enjoy the land that God promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. We will hear the Torah's words of challenge and comfort. We will be assured that the Torah's instruction for living "...is not too baffling for you, nor is it beyond reach...No the thing is very close to you, in your mouth and in your heart." Teshuvah or repentance is very prominent in the chapter. God sets life and death before the Israelites and urges them to "choose life." The afternoon Torah portion details moral imperatives- acts that make one holy. The laws that the Israelites are to observe so that they may be holy to God are stated. SEPTEMBER 25 A brief verse references all three pilgrimage festivals. Pesach, Shavuot and Sukkot that were celebrated with trips to the Temple in Jerusalem and sacrifices. There God is introduced as "compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in kindness and faithfulness, extending kindness to the thousandth generation, forgiving iniquity of parents upon children and children's children, upon the third and fourth generations" (Exodus 34:6-7). During his encounter with God, Moses receives the first set of commandments. This awe-inspiring moment, a moment of potential joy for the entire community, is fleeitng; Moses descends with the commandments only to find the people with the Golden Calf they have built. In his anger, Moses smashes the tablets.
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| Congregation Rodeph Shalom • 615 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123 • info@rodephshalom.org • Phone: 215.627.6747 |
