Ever feel lost? We began Bamidbar this week—Book 4 of the original, best selling 5 book series. Literally, “in the wilderness,” it is the story of the 39 years of “wandering.” Shavuot always falls within the reading of this book. Shavuot is the time of the giving of the Torah. Why give the Torah in the wilderness you might ask? The Rabbis give many answers. Here are two. First, if you were lost in the wilderness, wouldn’t you want a map or guidebook? Torah is the ultimate guide for our lives which can sometimes feel like a wilderness. Second, “wilderness” is generally ownerless territory. It belongs to all. So too, the wisdom of the Torah belongs to and is accessible to all. Like the wilderness, the Torah may also be difficult to traverse and find your way, so it is helpful to have those who can serve as your guides.
At Adat Shalom we have wonderful guides to help us on our spiritual journeys, through the Torah and through our lives. Shabbat Torah Study is just one of those ways. This Shabbat, we learn with Rabbi Rachel Shere. 10:00 a.m. Youth Lounge.
If learning is your cup of tea and you have a real thirst for knowledge, then you will be delighted to know that we have our annual Tikkun Leyil Shavuot this coming Saturday night.
Study sessions will start at 9:30 p.m., led by Rabbis Bergman and Shere and Hazzan Gross. They have not told us what they are teaching, but they have never let us down. It will conclude around midnight with the traditional Shavuot dessert, a slice of cheesecake. That is a tradition at Adat Shalom anyway. At my house growing up, we didn’t have dessert, but we did have that other dairy favorite, mac and cheese.
Please also join us in supporting JTS this year and attending the dinner when we will honor Debbie and Jeff Supowit and crown the JTS Maven. Danny Nevins (remember him?) will be presenting the awards and there is a game show theme. It isn’t too late to sign up. It’s easy, click on www.jtsa.edu/DetroitDinner2012 and register on line.
I look forward to seeing you there.
Shabbat Shalom and Chag Sameyach,
Paul
Paul Magy's Shabbat Torah Study in the "D" 