This week’s parashah is Mas’ei, the last of the Book of Numbers, Sefer Bemidbar. The parashah begins with a list of the way stations during the journey of the People of Israel from Egypt to the Promised Land. Why give such an accounting? If we travel from Austin to Dallas, we’re unlikely to tell people that we went from Austin to Pflugerville, from Pflugerville to Round Rock, from Round Rock to Georgetown, etc. We’re more likely to mention only our final destination. I believe though, that the Torah is teaching us a lesson. While our destination matters, our route matters as well. We need to pay attention to the process by which we arrive at our destinations, whatever they may be. The People of Israel may have been bound for the Land of Israel, but it was the journey in the wilderness that made them into worthy inheritors of the Land. So too, our journeys are what make us who we are, before we arrive at our final destination. Shabbat Shalom.
Services Friday at 7pm & Saturday & 9AM, with a light kiddush lunch.
From the Cantor:
This week’s parshah, Pinhas, is familiar to those who know the Musaph, the Additional Service on Shabbat and Holidays. Parshat Pinhas details the additional offerings in the Temple Service for Shabbat, the New Month and all of the major holidays. As such, it is also the source of maftir readings for Rosh Hodesh and the Holidays. While we no longer offer sacrifices in the Temple, may we always remember the spirit of thanksgiving to God which inspired those sacrifices. Wishing a Shabbat Shalom to all.Cantor Yitzhak Ben-Moshe
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The kids have been busy, and so have I. Here are 55 designs we have created, and there will be samples available at shul this weekend. No cards will be sold on Shabbat, but we will begin taking orders by phone, email or in person, beginning next week. Remember also that we can custom paint, draw, or create a collage. More info and order forms are here.
—Betsy