Shalom Everyone, This past week we celebrated Israel! It is a miracle that we have such easy access to our Holy Land. For TWO THOUSAND years we were exiled from the land. Other nations occupied and controlled the land, and even though there were always Jews living there, we had no opportunity to be there as a nation.
For TWO THOUSAND years, Jews "practiced" Judaism. In Israel today, Judaism isn't some religious rules and holidays that we add into our lives; Judaism is LIVED. Businesses are closed on the Jewish holidays. The public bus displays wish you a חג שמח! In Israel today, Judaism is alive and thriving!
This Sunday, we celebrate our Mothers! In this week's parsha it says "איש אמו ואביו תיראו - A person must recognize their mother and father's influence on their life". Without our mothers, we wouldn't have life!
Jews always celebrate and keep life and living at the center of our thoughts and behaviour. What an amazing time that we celebrate Jewish life in Israel, followed by celebrating our mothers who gave us life.
The Bnai Mitzvah Experience returns May 15. The Shabbat Nursery program is open from 10am-12pm.
Next Shabbat we will celebrate the bar mitzvah of one of our active youth, and there will also be another Cantorial candidate, with a special NEXTgen/Young Family Meet & Greet at kiddush, following services.
The Anne Frank exhibit from the Anne Frank house in Amsterdam is is open to tour for members - Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 1 - 4pm.
SCROLL DOWN FOR MORE PROGRAMMING AND REGISTRATION INFORMATION!
Parshat Kedoshim - Be YOU-nique Kedoshim begins with HaShem telling the entire nation of Israel to "be Holy - Kedoshim Tihyu - קדושים תהיו" and explains that we should be Holy because HaShem is Holy.
Our Rabbi and teacher, Rashi explains that to be Kadosh - Holy - means to be separate and unique. That does NOT mean to separate yourself from other people. It means, according to Rashi, that we should live in a way that people will recognize our uniqueness, and will understand that every one one of us has something special to contribute.
The Torah explains that HaShem is Holy. The motto of the Jewish people ends with HaShem Echad - HaShem is ONE - also completely unique and special. There is nothing and no one that is at all similar to HaShem.
I once heard this idea explained as "Be Godly". That is, we should each picture in our minds how a loving God treats people, and then we should act in the same way. When we act like HaShem, we become Holy people. But, we are also each different, and we are each going to understand Godliness in a unique way, which is exactly the way HaShem wants it to be.
Since we each see things differently, you should act in the way that YOU recognize to be the most loving and caring. In that way we will all show that we are each Holy in a YOU-nique way!
Discussion Questions: 1. Why does HaShem want us to be unique?
2. Why would HaShem make sure the entire nation was standing together, in order to tell them that each person was and should be unique and special?
3. What is something you can do to be Holy? How is that YOU-nique to you?
4. How can you act a little more Godly from now on?
Beth Emeth Bais Yehuda Synagogue 100 Elder Street Toronto, ON M3H 5G7
