Parashat Bamidbar
June 7, 2019
4 Sivan 5779

Candle Lighting: 7:36 p.m.
Dear Friends, 

According to tradition, it is not a coincidence that this week’s Torah portion, Bamidbar , is read prior to the celebration of Shavuot. That is because Bamidbar means “the desert, and on Shavuot, we celebrate God giving the Torah to the Jewish people, in the desert. Being as that God could have given the Torah to the Israelites anywhere; the Rabbis wonder why it was given in the desert, as opposed to a different location. 

While there are many proposed answers to that question, one which I found to be particularly beautiful was from the Iturei Torah, a compilation of Chassidic texts. According to the Iturei Torah, the Torah was given in the desert because the desert “symbolizes humility. Nothing but layers of sand which were transformed into a holy site by God’s presence.” According to the Iturei Torah “so too can we become great if we allow our spiritual spark to rule our being.” 

As we enter Shabbat and prepare to celebrate Shavuot together as a community, it is my hope and prayer for all of us that we can embrace our inner desert. May we find a way to celebrate with one another, and embrace God’s presence. May we fan all of our spiritual sparks, through our engagement with one another, Jewish community, Jewish tradition, and God.  

Shabbat Shalom ,

Josh Dorsch 
June 7: 6:15 p.m. Kabbalat Shabbat ,
 June 8: 9:30 a.m. Shabbat Service , Adult B'nai Mitzvahs & Baby Naming
6:30 p.m. Shavuot Dinner
Havdalah: 8:45 p.m.
June 9: 9:30 a.m. Shavuot Service
June 10: 9:30 a.m. Shavuot Service