TORAH READING FOR 17 SHEVAT 5785 Feb 14-15, 2025
SHAZOOM ONLY 6:30 PM Feb 14, 2025
OUR HEARTS ARE WITH THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL AND ALL THE VICTIMS OF CONFLICT
From “Mishkan T’filah / A Reform Siddur” CCAR, New York 2007, p.180
Oseh shalom bimromav, hu ya’aseh shalom alëinu,
v’al kōl Yisraël, v’al kōl yoshvëi tëvël, v’imru. Amën.
May the One who makes peace in the high heavens
make peace for us, for all Israel and all who inhabit the earth. Amen.
FEBRUARY IS BLACK HISTORY and JEWISH DISABILITY AWARENESS MONTH
PARSHA
From Reform Judaism https://reformjudaism.org/torah/portion/yitro
Yitro (יִתְרוֹ — Jethro) – Exodus 18:1-20:23
Jethro, priest of Midian, Moses’ father-in-law, heard all that God had done for Moses and for Israel, God’s people, how the Eternal had brought Israel out from Egypt. – Exodus 18:1
SUMMARY:
- Yitro brings his daughter Zipporah and her two sons, Gershom and Eliezer, to his son-in-law Moses. (18:1-12)
- Moses follows Yitro’s advice and appoints judges to help him lead the people. (18:13-27)
- The Children of Israel camp in front of Mount Sinai. Upon hearing the covenant, the Israelites respond, “All that God has spoken we will do.” (19:1-8)
- After three days of preparation, the Israelites encounter God at Mount Sinai. (19:9-25)
- God gives the Ten Commandments aloud directly to the people. (20:1-14)
- Frightened, the Children of Israel ask Moses to serve as an intermediary between God and them. Moses tells the people not to be afraid. (20:15-18)
In some traditions it is customary for listeners to stand while the reader chants the Ten Commandments in the synagogue, as if the listeners were themselves receiving the revelation at Sinai. This parashah is the shortest of the weekly Torah portions in the Book of Exodus.
HAFTARAH
Ashkenazim: Isaiah 6:1-7:6; 9:5-6 and Sefardim: Isaiah 6:1-13
STRUGGLING WITH TORAH
Until further notice, we will meet on Fridays for Shazoom only. Please see the NEW Shazoom schedule below. Read this week’s Torah Portion at https://www.sefaria.org/Exodus.18.1-20.23 and the Haftarah at https://www.sefaria.org/Isaiah.66.1-24 and https://www.sefaria.org/Isaiah.9.5-6.
RECOMMENDED READING
From Reform Judaism https://reformjudaism.org/torah/portion/yitro
Saving Ourselves from Burnout: The Importance of Delegating
By: Tema Smith
PRAYERS
From “Mishkan T’filah / A Reform Siddur”:
WEEKDAY T’FILAH – Al HaRishah – עַל הָרִשְׁעָה p.88
AND FOR WICKEDNESS, let there be no hope, and may all the errant return to You, and may the realm of wickedness be shattered. Blessed are You, Adonai, whose will it is that the wicked vanish from the earth. Amen.
FOR OUR COUNTRY p.376
THUS SAYS ADONAI, This is what I desire: to unlock the fetters of wickedness, and untie the cords of lawlessness; to let the oppressed go free, to break off every yoke. Share your bread with the hungry, and take the wretched poor into your home. When you see the naked, give clothing, and do not ignore your own kin.
O GUARDIAN of life and liberty, may our nation always merit Your protection. Teach us to give thanks for what we have by sharing it with those who are in need. Keep our eyes open to the wonders of creation, and alert to the care of the earth. May we never be lazy in the work of peace; may we honor those who have [served, suffered or] died in defense of our ideals. Grant our leaders wisdom and forbearance. May they govern with justice and compassion. Help us all to appreciate one another, and to respect the many ways that we may serve You. May our homes be safe from affliction and strife, and our country be sound in body and spirit. Amen.
PRAYER FOR THE STATE OF ISRAEL p.552
O HEAVENLY ONE, Protector and Redeemer of Israel, bless the State of Israel which marks the dawning of hope for all who seek peace. Shield it beneath the wings of your love; spread over it the canopy of Your peace; send Your light and truth to all who lead and advise, guiding them with Your good counsel. Establish peace in the land and fullness of joy for all who dwell there. Amen.
FOR HEALING – El Na R’fa Na Lah!
We recite MI SHEBËRACH for the victims of abuse, brutality, conflicts, fear, natural disasters, pandemics, tragedies, violence of all kinds especially directed at individuals and specific communities including us, and war; for all those at home alone or lonely; for all those in need of physical, emotional, and mental healing. “R’fuah sh’lëmah” – a complete recovery!
YAHRZEITS/ANYOS
We say KADDISH YATOM for those of our friends and families who have died and been buried this last week; those in the period of Sh’loshim (30 days since burial); those who have died in the last year; and those whose Yahrzeits/Anyos occur at this time; as well as the victims of brutality, conflict, disease, natural disasters, pandemics, tragedies, violence of all kinds, and war.
This coming week, 17 Shevat through 23 Shevat, we lovingly remember:
Joe Cannon
Friend of Bob Behrstock
Benjamin Caron
TKH Memorial Board, Father of Dr. Sam Caron, Temple President
Richard Gomez
Cousin of TKH Member Ruben Gomez
Jacque Krol
Friend of Temple Kol Hamidbar member
Daniel McCarthy
Friend of Jane Kolber
Laura Stone
Temple Kol Hamidbar Memorial Board and an early Member
Those victims of the Sho’ah (Holocaust) who died at this time of year.
“ZICHRONAM LIV’RACHAH” – MAY THEIR MEMORIES BE FOR BLESSING.
SHAZOOM ONLY
We will meet for Shazoom ONLY this evening, Friday, February 14, 2025. Please see the NEW Shazoom schedule below.
Zoom regularly updates its security and performance features. If a screen pops up when you first join Shazoom asking permission for the Host to unmute you during the meeting, for everyone’s ease and comfort, click on Allow. Making sure you have the latest version of Zoom, please join us online this evening with wine/grape juice for Kiddush and Challah for Motzi.
Shazoom – Erev Shabbat Service
Time: Feb 14, 2025 06:30 PM Arizona
To join Shazoom click on the following link [you may need to copy it into your browser]: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/72510500854?pwd=Z3VQZWF4U1BBZytNYmh3aHFTWkFDZz09
Meeting ID: 725 1050 0854
Passcode: 4NrMk0
Hint: The last character of the password is the number zero.
Shabbat Shalom – Buen Shabbat – Gut Shabbos
-Ruben
PS – NEW Schedule through February 2025 for Shazoom (Arizona Time Zone):
February 14, 2025 – Shazoom ONLY at 6:30 pm
February 21, 2025 – Shazoom ONLY at 6:30 pm
February 28, 2025 – Shazoom ONLY at 6:30 pm
[February 27-March 1, Rosh Chodesh Adar]