Torah Portion

SPIRIT

TORAH PORTION

A Forced Judaism?

Mom gave you her best - now

The newly liberated itself. Then, God, in a miracu- she deserves band of Jews just left Egypt and are now lous turn of events, saved the Jewish people, giving rise to the best! marching toward Mt. Sinai. the Purim holiday. They would finally meet While at Mt. Sinai, the Jews their God and enter into a felt the inspiration and conrelationship with Him by nection. At the Purim decree, accepting the Torah and the historic Jewish mission. As the Jews were living in dark and uninspiring times, with a prevailing Care for Everyone the Jews camped, they sense of God’s absence. proclaimed their commitment to the Torah, It was at this opportunity that the Jews chose, by Call Jeanne Atkinson for the best pledging “We will do Rabbi Levi their own volition, that home care in Oakland County! and we will hear.” Dubov they want to be Jews. Discreet, light housekeeping, grocery shopping, But the Talmud reports of something quite mystifying. Parshat Yitro: Exodus This was the Judaism history has been waiting for. A Judaism that flows meal preparation, running errands, transportation, companionship and personal care. Before actually giving the Torah, God lifted the mountain and held 18:1-20:23; Isaiah 6:1-7:6; 9:5-6. from the core of the soul. We, too, have our own Mt. Sinai moments. Call Today! 248.919.1244 it over the Jews’ heads, forcing That is when we feel inspired, synergyhomecare.com/oaklandcounty them to accept the Torah. The teachings of Chassidus illuminate this mysterious tale: when it feels easy to “get in the groove” of Judaism. While this may feel liberating, it is in fact COME TO FLORIDA IN THE NEW YEAR COME TO FLORIDA IN THE NEW YEARCOME TO FLORIDA IN THE NEW YEAR COME TO FLORIDA IN THE NEW YEAR COME TO FLORIDA IN THE NEW YEAR At Mt. Sinai, the Jews experienced the ultimate revelation the opposite; it is a temporary and forced Judaism, an inspi Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach and Beyond! Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach and Beyond! of divine inspiration, love and ration thrusted upon us from Beach and Beyond!Beach and Beyond! Beach and Beyond! Boca Raton, truth. Witnessing this left above, not one emerging from Now selling Valencia Now selling Delray Beach, them with no other choice but to say “Yes.” Our sages asked if the experience was forced upon us, can we really claim to have made our own choice. The ideal model is a Judaism and commitment that flows from within, a choice that we make, not from an Now selling Valencia Sound and Avalon Trails Buying or Selling? We Specialize in Active Adult Country Club and Beachside Communities Now selling Valencia Sound and Avalon Trails Buying or Selling? We Specialize in Active Adult Country Club and Beachside Communities Valencia Sound and Avalon Trails Buying or Selling? We Specialize in Active Adult Country Club and Beachside Communities Advantage Plus Now selling Valencia Sound and Avalon Trails Buying or Selling? We Specialize in Active Adult Country Club and Beachside Communities Now selling Valencia Sound and Avalon Trails Buying or Selling? We Specialize in Active Adult Country Club and Beachside Communities Sound & Avalon Trails Boynton Beach & Beyond! the commitment to the Torah external force or influence. Advantage Plus Advantage Plus601 S. Federal Hwy. • Boca Raton, FL 33432 Advantage Plus Advantage Plus by our own volition? Then in 357 B.C.E., almost 1,000 years after the giving of This is the real Judaism, the way it is meant to be lived. Don’t wait for inspiration; ® ® ® 601 S. Federal Hwy. • Boca Raton, FL 33432 Elly & Ed Lepselter (561) 302-9374 • Visit us at www.edandellyhometeam.com 601 S. Federal Hwy. • Boca Raton, FL 33432 Elly & Ed Lepselter (561) 302-9374 • Visit us at www.edandellyhometeam.com Elly & Ed Lepselter (561) 302-9374 • Visit us at www.edandellyhometeam.com ® 601 S. Federal Hwy. • Boca Raton, FL 33432 Elly & Ed Lepselter (561) 302-9374 • Visit us at www.edandellyhometeam.com 601 S. Federal Hwy. • Boca Raton, FL 33432 ® Elly & Ed Lepselter (561) 302-9374 • Visit us at www.edandellyhometeam.com the Torah, the quintessential create your inspiration. Don’t antisemite Haman decreed wait for the light; be the light. Keyes Real Estatethe global annihilation of the When you feel uninspired, Throughout South Florida, Including Boca, Boynton, Jewish people. realize that it is a challenge Delray, Broward and Miami-Dade Counties

With the threat of looming for deeper connection and death, the Jews were given commitment. It is specifically Let Old Friends be your the opportunity to renounce in the uninspiring moments Michigan-Florida Connection their faith and thus be saved. when we have the opportunity Nina Spinner-Sands Rita Morse But amazingly, inspired by the fearless leader Mordechai, the to own our Judaism. NinaSpinner-Sands@keyes.com (954) 290-8293 RitaMorse@keyes.com (305) 609-7559 entire Jewish people held onto their faith, proclaiming their relationship with God more important than physical life Rabbi Levi Dubov directs the Chabad Jewish Center of Bloomfield Hills and teaches adult-education courses. He can be reached at rabbi@bloomfieldhillschabad.org. Estate Property Sales from Listing to Clean-Out! BUY • SELL • INVEST