Our congregation is a “big tent.” We have members who believe in God and see their Jewish practice as based on that belief. We have other members who belong because they see themselves as part of the Jewish people and seek a way to engage in Jewish life. We have other members who participate because they want to be part of a Jewish community. Whether they believe in God or not, they believe in Jewish community. There is room for all of our beliefs at Temple Beth Hillel. But each of us, regardless of our belief system, receive the most when we give the most of what we each have to offer. This is reflected in this week’s Torah portion, where we read, “But if you search there for the Lord your God, you will find Him, if only you seek Him with all your heart and soul.” Each of us has needs, for community, for acceptance, for service, and each of us has gifts. As this week’s Torah portion reminds us, when we give fully of ourselves, we receive more than we could ever imagine.
Ve’etchanan – Deuteronomy 3:23 – 7:11 – The Torah portion (parashat ha shavuah) for Shabbat, Saturday, Aug. 9
August 16, 2014 by tbhrich • Drashot, Rabbi
Our congregation is a “big tent.” We have members who believe in God and see their Jewish practice as based on that belief. We have other members who belong because they see themselves as part of the Jewish people and seek a way to engage in Jewish life. We have other members who participate because they want to be part of a Jewish community. Whether they believe in God or not, they believe in Jewish community. There is room for all of our beliefs at Temple Beth Hillel. But each of us, regardless of our belief system, receive the most when we give the most of what we each have to offer. This is reflected in this week’s Torah portion, where we read, “But if you search there for the Lord your God, you will find Him, if only you seek Him with all your heart and soul.” Each of us has needs, for community, for acceptance, for service, and each of us has gifts. As this week’s Torah portion reminds us, when we give fully of ourselves, we receive more than we could ever imagine.