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Dear Friends, |
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This week’s Torah portion describes the construction of the altar in the Temple courtyard. On the surface, it’s simply an architectural detail, but beneath that is a message about something many of us struggle with: how to be humble without becoming a pushover, and how to stand strong without becoming arrogant. The altar had two identities. It was called the “earthen altar” because it was filled with soil for stability. And it was also known as the “copper altar,” strong and bold on the outside. Soil represents humility, the quiet awareness that our talents and strengths are gifts. It’s the inner voice that keeps our ego in check. Copper, related in Hebrew to a word that can mean brazen or stubborn, represents firmness, the ability to hold your ground when it matters. We often assume humility means shrinking yourself or going with the flow. But the Torah’s model, embodied by Moses, teaches otherwise. Moses is described as the humblest of people, yet he stood up to Pharaoh and led a nation through the wilderness. True humility isn’t weakness. It’s knowing your strength isn’t about you. The Jewish story itself reflects this balance. A small people, often pressured to disappear, yet stubbornly committed to our values and our future. The message is simple and practical: fill your inside with humility, but don’t be afraid to have a copper exterior when your values are on the line. That balance is what builds a life, and a people, that lasts. Shabbat shalom, |
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Rabbi Sholom Deitsch
The Shabbat Squad Parents Night Out Purim in Candyland Cosmic Purim Purim Dinner Torah & Tea
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Service Times |
Our Daily Service Schedule
- Sunday 8:30 am
- Monday thru Friday, 7:00 am
- Friday evenings, 10 minutes after candle lighting
- Shabbat and Yamim Tovim, 9:30 am, Mincha/Ma'ariv approx 10 minutes before candle lighting time (of the evening before)
- Shabbat Kiddish Lunch approx 12:00 pm
- Federal Holidays, 8:00 am
For mincha/maariv during the week, please call the office.
