Rabbi Amy L. Morrison Rabbi Amy L. Morrison Rabbi Amy L. Morrison
Parashat B’har Parashat B’har Parashat B’har and and and B’chukotai B’chukotai B’chukotai draw us into a vision of care, draw us into a vision of care, draw us into a vision of connection, and responsibility connection, and responsibility. connection, and responsibility.
IIn n B’har B’har B’har we hear, “ we hear, “ we hear, “
'” “The land shall observe a '” “The land shall observe a '” “The land shall observe a Sabbath of rest for the Eternal” (Leviticus 25:2) Even the earth is told Sabbath of rest for the Eternal” (Leviticus 25:2). Even the earth is told Sabbath of rest for the Eternal” (Leviticus 25:2). the earth is told to take a breath, to pause and be restored In to take a breath, to pause and be restored. In to take a breath, to pause and be restored. In B’chukotai B’chukotai B’chukotai we are we are we are reminded, “ reminded, “ reminded, “
” “If you walk in My ways ” (Leviticus 26:3), ” “If you walk in My ways ” (Leviticus 26:3), ” “If you walk in My ways ” (Leviticus blessing grows when we move through the world with care and blessing grows when we move through the world with care and blessing grows when we through the world with care and iintention intention. ntention.
Torah Portion Torah Portion Torah Portion Announcements Announcements Announcements
Saturday, May 9
10am - Torah Study & Brunch
Tuesday, May 12
2pm - Bereavement Group
Parashat B’har-B’chukotai: 25:1-27:34
Parashat B’har-B’chukotai: 25:1-27:34
Parashat B’har-B’chukotai: 25:1-27:34
Saturday, May 9, 2026 / 22 Iyar Saturday, May 9, 2026 / 22 Iyar Saturday, May 9, 2026 / 22 Iyar
God instructs Moses to tell the Israelites that in every seventh year, God instructs Moses to tell the Israelites that in every seventh year, God instructs Moses to tell the Israelites that in every seventh year, the land shall observe a Sabbath of complete rest: Fields should not the land shall observe a Sabbath of complete rest: Fields should not the land shall observe a Sabbath of complete rest: Fields should not be sown and vines should not be pruned. (25:1-7) be sown and vines should not be pruned (25:1-7) be sown and vines should not be pruned (25:1-7)
AAf Af f ter forty-nine years, ter forty-nine years, ter forty-nine years, a jubilee year is to be celebrated whe a jubilee year is to be celebrated whe a jubilee year is to be celebrated whe n all the n all the n all the land that had been sold during that time sh land that had been sold during that time sh land that had been sold during that time sh ould be returned to its ould be returned to its ould be returned to its oori ori riggginal own inal own inal own ers and slaves are to be
ers and slaves are to be freed ers and slaves are to be freed . (25:8-55) . (25:8-55) . (25:8-55)
There is something beautifully familiar here A gentle reminder to rest
There something beautifully familiar here. A gentle reminder to rest.
There is something beautifully familiar here. A gentle reminder to rest. A nudge toward responsibility A rhythm of tending and letting go It
A nudge toward responsibility. A rhythm of tending and letting go. It might even sound like the voice of someone who has “mothered” us, might even sound like the voice of someone who has “mothered” us, might even sound like the voice of someone who has “mothered” us, saying, have you eaten, have you rested, are you taking care of saying, have you eaten, have you rested, are you taking care of saying, you eaten, you rested, are you taking care of yourself and others too? yourself and others too? yourself and others too?
A nudge toward responsibility. A rhythm of tending and letting go. It
As we approach Mother’s Day, we can hold “mothering” as something
As we approach Mother’s Day, we can hold “mothering” as something As we approach Mother’s Day, we can hold “mothering” as something expansive and alive It lives in those who showed up with warmth and expansive and alive. It lives in those who showed up with warmth and expansive and It lives in those who showed up with warmth and wisdom, who checked in on us, who encouraged us to grow, and who wisdom, who checked in on us, who encouraged us to and who wisdom, who checked in on us, who encouraged us to grow, and who reminded us, sometimes lovingly and sometimes firmly, to do what is reminded us, sometimes lovingly and sometimes firmly, to do what is reminded us, sometimes lovingly and sometimes firmly, to do what is right. For some, those figures are or were parents. For others, they are right. For some, those figures are or were parents. For others, they are right. For some, those figures are or were parents. For others, they are chosen family, friends, mentors, or quiet presences who made life chosen family, friends, mentors, or quiet presences who made life chosen family, friends, mentors, or quiet presences who made life ssteadier. steadier. teadier.
So, this Shabbat, let us step into those qualities with lightness and So, this Shabbat, let us step into those qualities with lightness and So, this Shabbat, let us step into those qualities with lightness and care. Check in on one another. Offer a kind word. Help someone rest care. Check in on one another. Offer a kind word. Help someone rest care. Check in on one another. Offer a kind word. Help someone rest and grow. and grow. and grow.
Wednesday, May 13 5:45pm - 2026 Annual MeetingDinner to follow - Catered by the Boyz in the Hood
God instructs Moses to tell God instructs Moses to tell God instructs Moses to tell the Israelites not to make idols, to keep the Israelites not to make idols, to keep the Israelites not to make idols, to keep the sabbath, and to venerate the sanctuary of the Eternal. (26:1-2) the sabbath, and to venerate the sanctuary of the Eternal. (26:1-2) the sabbath, and to venerate the sanctuary of the Eternal (26:1-2)
God promises blessings to the Children of Israel if they follow God promises blessings to the Children of Israel if they follow God promises blessings to the Children of Israel if they follow tthe the he law and warns about the curses that will bef law and warns about the curses that will bef law and warns about the curses that will bef all the people if they do all the people if they do all the people if they do not observe God's commandments (26:1-46) not observe God's commandments. (26:1-46) not observe God's commandments. (26:1-46)
Gift Gift Gift s made to the Sanctuary whether by conditional vows or by s made to the Sanctuary whether by conditional vows or by s made to the Sanctuary whether by conditional vows or by unconditional acts of pious gratitude are discussed. (27:1-34) unconditional acts of pious gratitude are discussed. (27:1-34) unconditional acts of pious gratitude are discussed. (27:1-34)
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!
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.
