Zeh Hayom Asah Adonai. Nagila v'Nism'cha Vo This is the day Gd has made. Let us celebrate and rejoice in it!
The sound of these words from psalm 118 have reverberated in my being since last Shabbat when my daughter celebrated becoming Bat Mitzvah with the Habonim community. Deep gratitude for everyone who joined together in shul at Redeemer and in our virtual sanctuary. Your presence added to the joy of Shabbat and our family and community celebration. Coming together in this way reminded me of the power of bringing one's full self to every moment and to celebrating life as a gift that cannot be taken for granted.
Those who know Zahara will not be surprised that she connected the parsha to her love and respect for animals, acknowledging that abused animals suffer kotzer ruach/narrowed spirit, much like the Israelites in Pharaoh's Egypt. In honor of her Bat Mitzvah celebration and her entry into the adult Jewish community, Zahara is raising funds for the Humane Society of New York. As she taught on Shabbat, animals need someone to speak on their behalf as Moses and Aaron did for B'nai Yisrael. Make a gift HERE to help create a more humane society for animals.
In the coming year, we hope to highlight the mitzvah projects of all our b'nai mitzvah. Look forward to learning what speaks to them at this time in their lives.
The words, this is the day Gd has made, let us celebrate and rejoice in it are also prominently featured in the Hallel, psalms of praise we sing on Rosh Hodesh. Today, as we enjoy the sunshine and more temperate weather (as if 40° is temperate!) I can just taste a bit of spring. As we anticipate Tu BiSh'vat, the time the rabbis of the Talmud named the new year of the trees, we can ask ourselves, How are we growing? What are we tending? How should we be planting? Let me know what you are planting and celebrating these days. Sharing gratitude enriches the soil of our community.
Shabbat Shalom!
rg
Congregation Habonim 103 West End Ave New York, NY 10023
