Moses then convoked the whole community of Israelites and said to them: “These are the things that YHWH has commanded you to do…” (Exodus 35) This week of Shabbat Vayakhel, we learn of Moses’ convocation of the whole community, calling on each of them whose heart is moved to action to bring their gifts so the builders and artisans can complete the work of creating their sanctuary and its ritual objects. Taking inspiration from the…
Rabbi's Message
Pictured above: TLC students and CBT adults at an intergenerational program They Tried to Kill Us (We Survived, Let’s Eat!) You’ve almost certainly heard this explanation of nearly every Jewish holiday, perhaps associated with Passover. Or Hanukkah. For reasons too numerous to mention, I’ve come to believe its origin is actually the Book of Esther. When the holiday of Purim—considered a minor festival because it isn’t mentioned in the Torah—was instituted by the ancient…