Today is April 23, 2024 /
Today is April 23, 2024 /
Building Community Since 1954
A Progressive Conservative Synagogue Serving Central Florida
(407) 647-3055 | manager@tiflorida.org
50 S. Moss Rd., Winter Springs, FL 32708
The Mishkan, the Tabernacle – its construction and sacrifices are the most misunderstood sections of Torah. Why do we, living 3000 years later, need such detail for a structure we will never build? The next temple will be of stone and constructed in different ways. Ceremonies which our traditions say will be abrogated with the Continue Reading »
What does it take to make a good society? Most of us would agree that basic rules covering how we treat other people – no hitting, or their property – no stealing, are a good start. We’d want to cover penalties too such as paying for damages or negligence. If we were thinking ahead, we’d Continue Reading »
We are in the middle of sweeps weeks right now for Torah, hitting one highlight after another. The election of Moses, exodus of Egypt, crossing of the sea, and now the revelation of Sinai, complete with the 10 commandments. All of this famous stuff, the things that make it into movies and TV mini-series tends Continue Reading »
Beshallach is about more than the crossing of the sea. The crossing of the Reed Sea was a miracle and showed us, the Jewish people, more than anyone else what God was capable of doing. However, it wasn’t the journey, but the destination that was important. God wasn’t simply putting on a display. Nor was Continue Reading »
Amidst all the hurled story of the beginning of Exodus comes a startling scene. We are wrapped in the suffering of the Israelites, the fall of Moses from Pharaoh’s house, his rise in settling in Midian and then, there is a bush. Quite literally out of nowhere. We have so many movies and cartoons that Continue Reading »
It’s time to take care of some loose ends. Our 70 extended family members have made their way to Egypt and settled. Next week, we become slaves and await our redemption. In between, we have this parashah Vayechi which concludes Jacob and Joseph’s lives. Before we can jump to the next chapter of the tale Continue Reading »
It is easy to forgive when you are powerless. The weak and timid are used to being walked on. Some may nurse their anger, but most recognize that they cannot exact vengeance so why bother holding a grudge when someone apologizes? An apology is better than nothing. For those in power… For those like Joseph Continue Reading »
Joseph is the unluckiest guy. He is stripped of his comfortable life by jealous and fearful brothers and sold into slavery. He does well as a slave but is then thrown into prison thanks to the unwelcome attention of his master’s wife. He does well in prison and even helps a royal attendant only to Continue Reading »
Jacob settles down and loses a son to sibling rivalry. Judah settles down and loses two sons to … shall we say flawed living. Joseph is sold and settles down as chief slave and ends up in prison thanks to false accusations. Not exactly a happy Torah portion. All of these cases are tragic, but Continue Reading »
It seems that reconciliation doesn’t mean unification. Jacob comes home after decades away. He left to escape his brother’s murderous anger. As he returns, he is confronted with this problem once again. Despite his fears, his brother Esau sees in his own material blessings a vindication against the trickster Jacob; he is the father of Continue Reading »