Temple Ami Shalom
PARASHAH (WEEKLY PORTION)
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The Shabbat Torah Reading is divided into 7 sections. Each section is called an "Aliya" [literally: "going up"] since, for each Aliya, one person "goes up" to make a bracha [blessing] on the Torah Reading.
THIS WEEK
Parsha Bamidbar
Numbers 1:1-4:20
Torah Reading for Week of May 20-26, 2012 - Iyar 28-Sivan 5, 5772
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General Overview:
This week's reading, Bamidbar, begins the Book of Numbers, the fourth of the Five Books of Moses. This book of the Torah opens on the first of Iyar, one month after the inauguration of the Tabernacle, and several weeks before the Jews will depart from Mount Sinai and begin their journey to the Holy Land. In this week's portion the Israelites and the Tribe of Levi are counted separately. G‑d instructs the Israelites on how to camp in the desert, surrounding the Tabernacle. The Levites are informed the procedure for dismantling the Tabernacle before traveling. (Chabad)
Bamidbar Haftorah Hosea 2:1-22. This week's haftorah begins with the words, "The number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea [shore], which can be neither measured nor counted." An appropriate reading for the first Torah reading of the Book of Numbers. Hosea first prophesies about the eventual reunification of the houses of Judah and Israel. During the Messianic Era, these two perennial antagonists will make peace and appoint a single leader. Hosea then rebukes the Jewish people for their infidelity, abandoning their "husband," G-d, and engaging in adulterous affairs with pagan deities. He describes the punishments they will suffer because of this unfaithfulness. Eventually, though, Hosea reassures the Jews that they will repent, and G‑d will accept then back wholeheartedly. The haftorah concludes with the moving words: "And I will betroth you to Me forever, and I will betroth you to Me with righteousness and with justice and with loving-kindness and with mercy." |
Shavuot
May 26–28, 2012 The Giving of the Torah Shavuot marks the giving of the Torah on Mt. Sinai. The Ten Commandments are read in synagogues, just as they were in the desert on Mt. Sinai over 3,300 years ago. Click here for Omer schedule Shavuot evening May 26th 7:30pm |
(Calendar below)
What exactly is Torah? Torah does not mean law, but it comes from the root of the word Horaah which means “instruction.” Torah is G-d’s instruction or teaching to mankind. This definition is vitally important. It means that unlike other sciences or intellectual systems that remain separate from performance, Torah knowledge must be translated into action. How does one accomplish this?
"Most people are servants of their passions, but the truly free person is the one who can control his desires. When the sages taught “Only one involved in Torah is truly free” (Pirkei Avos 6:2), they meant to say that only Torah allows one to free himself from the shackles of desire and to truly exercise free choice. Without Torah, one is not free at all, s/he is a slave, controlled by a master foreign to his/her better instincts. While intellectually s/he might have correct ideas of how to live, ultimately your master - your passion - will force you to act otherwise." (Excerpt from: The Torah Treasury pg. 146 )
We encourage you to make Torah your passion.
What exactly is Torah? Torah does not mean law, but it comes from the root of the word Horaah which means “instruction.” Torah is G-d’s instruction or teaching to mankind. This definition is vitally important. It means that unlike other sciences or intellectual systems that remain separate from performance, Torah knowledge must be translated into action. How does one accomplish this?
- Take the time to read the Torah portion during the week. Once you have read it, ponder it as you go about your day.
- Torah is applicable for our world today and as Jews we are duty bound to making room for it through our daily actions.
"Most people are servants of their passions, but the truly free person is the one who can control his desires. When the sages taught “Only one involved in Torah is truly free” (Pirkei Avos 6:2), they meant to say that only Torah allows one to free himself from the shackles of desire and to truly exercise free choice. Without Torah, one is not free at all, s/he is a slave, controlled by a master foreign to his/her better instincts. While intellectually s/he might have correct ideas of how to live, ultimately your master - your passion - will force you to act otherwise." (Excerpt from: The Torah Treasury pg. 146 )
We encourage you to make Torah your passion.
