A man asked the Baal Shem Tov: Why do I sometimes feel that God is absent or too far away to reach, however hard I try? He answered: When you set out to teach your little children to walk, didn’t you stand in front of them and, as they walked toward you, held your two hands on either side of them to keep them from falling? Then, when they came near, didn’t you move away a little, holding your hands farther apart? After a while, your children learned to walk on their own, didn’t they?
This Shabbat, let us remind ourselves that God’s presence is not always obvious. Like the Burning Bush in this week’s Torah portion, sometimes we must search deep inside to recognize that we know God is with us always even if we don’t have a visual to remind us. Much too, with the teachings of our parents, as we ‘adult’, many of the lessons learned as children become a part of who we are inseparable from a time prior to learning those skills. God is both parent and teacher. Who we have become depends greatly on the lessons we have incorporated into who we are.
Announcements
Saturday, Jan. 18
10am - Torah Study & Brunch
(Rothman Family Social Hall)
Sunday, Jan. 19
5pm - 7pm - BEEFY Top Golf Event
Monday, Jan. 20
TBE Office & ECC Closed - MLK Jr. Day 2pm - Women’s Spirituality (Offsite)
Wednesday, Jan. 22
10:45am - Book Club at Panera 5pm - Hebrew School
Friday, Jan. 24
5:30pm - Early Oneg at Stetson Law 6pm - Erev Shabbat Service & Dinner at Stetson Law (RSVP Required)
Upcoming Events
If you are new to Temple Beth-El, welcome!
Located in St. Petersburg on Foridas beautifu west coast, Temple Beth-El is a Reform Jewish congregation that has served this area since 1928 and is focused on strengthening relationships and making connections We are a welcoming Reform community for Jewish and interfaith households to experience an uplifting and joyful sense of belonging as we seek to connect our members with each other and the greater community and world around us Enjoy and have a ShabbatShalom!
Torah Portion
The new king of Egypt makes slaves of the Hebrews and orders their male children to be drowned in the Nile River. (1:1-22)
A Levite woman places her son, Moses, in a basket on the Nile, where he is found by the daughter of Pharaoh and raised in Pharaoh's house. (2:1-10)
Moses flees to Midian after killing an Egyptian. (2:11-15)
Moses marries Zipporah, the daughter of Midian's priest They have a son named Gershom. (2:16-22)
God calls Moses from a burning bush and commissions him to free the Israelites from Egypt. (3:1-4:17)
Moses and Aaron request permission from Pharaoh for the Israelites to celebrate a festival in the wilderness. Pharaoh refuses and makes life even harder for the Israelites. (5:1-23)
Relax! God put the wiggle in children Don’t feel you have to suppress it in our sanctuary or chapel.
Sit towards the front where it is easier for your little ones to see and hear what is happening on the Bima. They tire of seeing the backs of other’s heads.
Quietly explain our rituals and sing or clap when appropriate Children learn liturgical behavior by copying you.
If you need to leave services with your child, do so, but please come back
Remember that the way we welcome children in synagogue directly affects the way they respond to coming to synagogue, to God, to one another Let them know that they are welcome in this house of worship, here, at Temple Beth-El.
