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Dear Temple Sinai Members and Friends, This coming Tuesday night begins the Hebrew month of Av. I will write more next week as to the importance of the 9th of Av, known as Tisha B’Av, but as that day is important in Jewish history, so too is the month of Av. Av is the fourth month of the Hebrew calendar year. While it revolves around the day of great tragedies, the 9th of Av, the month and the day actually hold great significance in a positive way. Listen to the following story found in the Jerusalem Talmud: The following tale which we have from R. Yudan, son of R. Ayvu, proves it: One day, a Jew, while ploughing his field, heard his cow cry out. An Arab, who was passing by, also heard it. He cried, “Son of Judah, son of Judah! Quiet your cow, put down your plough, for the Temple is destroyed!” The cow bellowed a second time. “Son of Judah,” said the Arab, “Son of Judah! Take back up your cow and your plough, for the King Messiah has just been born!” (Jerusalem Talmud Berakhot 2:4:12-5:1) In other words, from tragedy comes celebration, from sadness comes joy. As it states so beautifully in Psalm 30 verse 11: “You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy”. Surely, the Tradition’s teaching that on Tisha B’Av the Messiah will be born, reflects this understanding as well. As the Messianic idea in Judaism is one of hope that the sadness of the day is but the first step toward redemption, then tomorrow the darkness of life will be dispelled, and the sun of life and peace will come out. I am not going to write that when the lyricist Martin Charnin wrote these words from the Broadway musical Annie: “The sun will come out/Tomorrow/ Bet your bottom dollar\That tomorrow\There’ll be sun! Just thinking about\Tomorrow\Clears away the cobwebs\And the sorrow/’Til there’s none!” he had in mind this teaching about the month of Av and its 9th day, but it sure seems so. As we now enter this month of Av, let us all pray that all its negative energy be changed to the positive, a positive force in our lives for a world with peace, harmony, mutual respect, and a true understanding that only when humanity comes together will our futures be strong and long lasting. Judaism is a religion whose spiritual foundation lies in Emunah, faith, a faith that whatever a people or an individual is going through, no matter how tough the experience might be, it will turn around and things will get better. While some might comment and say that this is just pie in the sky, certainly our Jewish history, at least, has shown it to be true. From the ashes of the Holocaust the beautiful state of Israel was born. May this be so as it was in the past; may it be so today as well. I just want to remind all of you that I am offering a summertime education program later in August. Please join me on August 20th and 27th in the Temple lobby at 3 pm. On the 20th, the class will be devoted to the holy month of Elul, the 30 days prior to Rosh HaShanah. I will teach what the meaning and practice is of Elul. Then on August 27th, I will offer the High Holy Day Boot Camp. I will take the Mahzor, the High Holy Day prayer book, and explain the meaning of some of the more significant prayers, such as Uneh Tanah Tokef and Kol Nidre. Cantor Shir will also teach some of the special melodies for the holy days. Please call the office or email Office@TempleSinaipbc.org to rsvp your attendance at these classes. As always, they will be on Zoom. Also, I will be gearing up for the fall with a few offerings. First, Temple Sinai will again have an Adult Bat/Bat Mitzvah program. So far, I have two students but certainly we welcome more. Please let me or the office know of your interest. After the holidays, I hope to offer a 7 week program on Wise Aging. This is a course with an actual curriculum, as it take its participants through the various stages of getting older through the eyes of Jewish tradition. Remember Aging is both a product of chronology and psychology, so even if you think you are not aging, guess what: You are! So sign up for the course. I will also offer a course for all women who have been Adult Bat Mitzvah either at Temple Sinai or another Temple. This class will meet once a month and it will be entitled: The Great Books of Judaism. There will also be some Hebrew. Many of you asked for this course, so here it is. Dates for these classes will be announced. I am also very pleased to mention that the Temple is moving forward with a 14-day trip to Israel beginning October 27th, 2027. Shortly, a website will be posted for registration. There will be another meeting on Sunday, July 26th, so even if you have not attended previous meetings, it is not too late. Shalom, Your Rabbi Steve P.S. As we will begin the 5th book of the Torah this week, Deuteronomy, I will devote the Shabbat services of the 17th and the 24th to Pirkei Avot., the Sayings of the Sages. On Friday night, I will introduce a reading from this important Mishnaic text and on Saturday, I will hold a discussion of it. I hope you will attend these interesting and educational Shabbat services.
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