Rabbi Amy L. Morrison Rabbi Amy L. Morrison Rabbi Amy L. Morrison
Parashat Emor Parashat Emor Parashat Emor arrives as spring gently opens into summer, when the arrives as spring gently opens into summer, when the arrives as spring gently opens into summer, when the days grow longer, and something in us softens toward possibility. days grow longer, and something in us softens toward possibility. days grow longer, and something in us softens toward possibility.
In this portion, we hear, “ In this portion, we hear, “ In this portion, we hear, “
“These are the appointed '”
“These are the appointed '” — “These are the appointed times of God.” The Torah names sacred moments and reminds us that times of God.” The Torah names sacred moments and reminds us that times of God.” The Torah names sacred moments and reminds us that time is not only something that happens to us, but something we can time is not only something that happens to us, but something we can time is not only something that happens to us, but something we can fill with meaning and intention. fill with meaning and intention. fill with meaning and intention.
And yet, the Jewish calendar is not only about fixed dates. It is about
And yet, the Jewish calendar is not only about fixed dates. It is about And yet, the Jewish calendar is not only about fixed dates. It is about renewal. The festivals return each year, but we arrive as new versions renewal. The festivals return each year, but we arrive as new versions renewal. The festivals return each year, but we arrive as new versions of ourselves. As the season shifts, we are invited to notice what in us is of ourselves. As the season shifts, we are invited to notice what in us is of ourselves. As the season shifts, we are invited to notice what in us is ready to grow, to open, to begin again. ready to grow, to open, to begin again. ready to grow, to open, to begin again.
Saturday, May 2
10am - Shabbat Morning Services & B’Mitzvah of Ella Firestone
Sunday, Apr. 26
8:45am - Brotherhood Schmooze
8:45am - Sisterhood Coffee Talk w/Jenna Gjertsen
9:30am - Mitzvot Inspired T’fillah
Parashat Emor: 21:1-24:23
May
Laws regulating the lives and sacrifices of the priests are Laws regulating the lives and sacrifices of the priests are Laws regulating the lives and sacrifices of the priests are presented. (21:1-22:33) presented. (21:1-22:33) presented. (21:1-22:33)
The s The s The s et times et times et times of the Jewish calendar are of the Jewish calendar are of the Jewish calendar are named and named and named and described: the Sabbath, Rosh Hashanah, described: the Sabbath, Rosh Hashanah, described: the Sabbath, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and the Yom Kippur, and the Yom Kippur, and the Pilgrim Pilgrim Pilgrim age Fest age Fest age Fest ivals of ivals of ivals of Pesach, Shavuot, and Sukkot Pesach, Shavuot, and Sukkot Pesach, Shavuot, and Sukkot . (23:1- . (23:1- . (23:144) 44) 44)
Summer carries a quiet kind of permission. Permission to step a little
Summer carries a quiet kind of permission. Permission to step a little
Summer carries a quiet kind of permission. Permission to step a little outside our routines, to try something unfamiliar, to see ourselves with outside our routines, to try something unfamiliar, to see ourselves with outside our routines, to try something unfamiliar, to see ourselves with gentler eyes. gentler eyes. gentler eyes. Emor Emor Emor teaches that holiness lives not only in what repeats, teaches that holiness lives not only in what repeats, teaches that holiness lives not only in what repeats, but in the spirit we bring to those moments. but in the spirit we bring to those moments. but in the spirit we bring to those moments.
Our tradition teaches, “ Our tradition teaches, “ Our tradition teaches, “
“Each day should ” — “Each day should ” — “Each day should feel new in your eyes.” feel new in your eyes.” feel new in your eyes.”
So as summer approaches, I invite you to try one small new thing. So as summer approaches, I invite you to try one small new thing. So as summer approaches, I invite you to try one small new thing. Reach out, learn, rest, explore. Let this be your moment to begin Reach out, learn, rest, explore. Let this be your moment to begin Reach out, learn, rest, explore. Let this be your moment to begin again, exactly as you are. again, exactly as you are. again, exactly as you are.
10am - Mitzvah Day Projects
8:30am to 1:30pm - One Blood Bus Onsite
Thursday, May 7
11am - Adult Hebrew Class 7pm - Choir Rehearsal
If you are new to Temple Beth-El, welcome! OPEN COMMUNITY CREATES ENGAGING & DIVERSE JEWISH PATHWAYS
Located in St. Petersburg on Florida's beautiful west coast, Temple Beth-El is a Reform Jewish congregation that has served this area since 1928 and is focused on strengthening relationships and making connections. We are a welcoming Reform community for Jewish and interfaith households to experience an uplifting and joyful sense of belonging as we seek to connect our members with each other and the greater community and world around us.
Enjoy and have a Shabbat Shalom!
God commands God commands God commands the Israelites to bring clear olive oil for the Israelites to bring clear olive oil for the Israelites to bring clear olive oil for lighting the sanctuary menorah. The ingredients and lighting the sanctuary menorah. The ingredients and lighting the sanctuary menorah. The ingredients and placement of placement of placement of the displayed loaves of sanctuary bre the displayed loaves of sanctuary bre the displayed loaves of sanctuary bre ad are ad are ad are explained. (24:1-9) explained. (24:1-9) explained. (24:1-9)
LLLaws dealing with profanity, murder, and the maiming of aws dealing with profanity, murder, and the maiming of aws dealing with profanity, murder, and the maiming of others are outlined. (24:10-23) others are outlined. (24:10-23) others are outlined. (24:10-23)
Relax! God gave children their wiggle—there’s no need to stifle it in our sanctuary or chapel. Sit near the front so your little ones can better see and hear what’s happening on the Bima. They lose interest staring at the backs of others’ heads.
Gently explain our rituals and join in singing or clapping when it fits. Children learn how to participate by watching you.
If you need to step out with your child, that’s okay—but please return when you can. Remember, how we welcome children in synagogue shapes how they feel about being here, about God, and about each other. Let them know they truly belong in this house of worship, here at Temple Beth-El.
