Rabbi Janine's Messages

Dear Community, 

As we gather this Shabbat, we find ourselves also on the threshold of a major holiday, Shavuot. Shavuot (or Shavuos in Yiddish) is one of the "Big Three" known as the Shalosh Regalim, the three pilgrimage festivals of Sukkot, Pesach, and Shavuot. Shavuot is a celebration of the giving of Torah on Mount Sinai. 

Shabbat and Shavuot share a connection in their essence. Both are times of rest, reflection, and renewal. Just as Shabbat offers us a pause from our daily labors, Shavuot invites us to pause the overwhelming overload of outside information and embrace the Divine wisdom of the Torah for a change. Shavuot is a time to gather and to deepen our understanding of our rich tradition of holy learning.

In the spirit of both holidays, let us take this moment to reflect on our personal journeys with Torah. Maybe your learning journey began decades ago in Hebrew school, or maybe you are just learning now as an adult. Where could we open our hearts more to learning Torah? How could we integrate its teachings into our lives more fully? As Jews, each of us are invited to approach Torah with the same joy and openness that we bring with us to the arrival of Shabbat, recognizing that each week we have the chance to renew our commitment to its study.

As we read in Proverbs, 
It is a tree of life to those who hold fast to it, and those who support it are fulfilled and happy. Its ways are ways of pleasantness and all its paths are peace.

May this Shabbat prepare our hearts and minds for the celebration of Shavuot, as we stand ready once again to receive the Torah anew.

Wishing you all a restful Shabbat. My family and I look forward to welcoming you to our home this Sunday for erev Shavuot at 7 p.m.

Shabbat Shalom, 
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Rabbi Janine Jankovitz