Last Friday Dr. David Stein gave a Sermon at Shabbat Services on the Torah Portion, Vaera. In his Sermon, David recalled the section where God asks Moses to speak to Pharaoh on behalf of the Jewish slaves. This was a huge responsibility for Moses and he initially felt inadequate for such a task.

Sometimes the responsibility of our religion may be overwhelming. Services each week, educating our children with Hebrew and History, studying the Torah for the greater meaning of life and making the entire world a better place to live are daunting tasks. And, like Moses, we may feel inadequate to accomplish all of the above.

Fortunately, living a Jewish life is not a burden. Our Services on Shabbat are peaceful and joyful. The education of our children and ourselves is quite rewarding and adds richness to the fabric of our being. Studying Torah may answer the true meaning of life, but it will most certainly give our lives a deeper meaning. And even the slightest effort to make our world a better place is a gift that we give future generations and ourselves.

We need not feel overwhelmed or inadequate. Moses had Aaron and the Hebrews to join him on their journey to worship God in the desert. We have each other, our families, our Temple and our Jewish Community to help us navigate our way on our spiritual path.

“Wringing out the old and ringing in the new” … for many of us that means a nostalgic look back over the past year while sipping champagne. And although it is our hope to make the year ahead an improvement over the year we left behind, do we really learn from our mistakes?

Norm Saracheck gave a thought-provoking Sermon last week telling us about the death of Jacob and the blessings he bestowed on his sons and grandsons. In relating the story, Norm explained that this was Jacob’s way of passing onto his survivors his legacy. Jacob lived a life for his sons and grandsons to emulate. Isn’t that what we all try to do … Live our lives as an example for our children and our grandchildren? And we really do hope that they learn from our mistakes.

As congregants of Temple Shirat Shalom it is our eternal hope to leave a rich and fruitful legacy for generations to come. Live our temple lives as a moral example for our children and their children. Leave behind a strong and vibrant Temple with an impressive history and the hope for a bright future. Please read Norm’s Sermon, which is attached. It is Jacob’s blessing that reminds us that what we do in our own lives is important and has so much impact on future generations.

Vayigash was last Friday’s Torah portion. Vayigash is to “draw near.” We learn from this parshas the story of Judah drawing near to Joseph through an impassioned plea on behalf of his brother, Benjamin, and father, Jacob. Judah shows remorse for his past wrong doings against Joseph and offers himself as a slave in place of his brother, Benjamin. Through a sincere and authentic speech of repentance, Judah was able to touch an emotional cord with his brother Joseph. And Joseph was then willing to finally reconcile with his brothers.

The power of words can heal or hurt. Our words can bring comfort or pain. Like Judah, preparing a carefully worded speech to Joseph, we need to carefully choose our words when speaking to each other. Working so closely together, creating our new Temple, we want to remember the message in this Torah portion. Our words are important. Our everyday speech is reflective of our character.
Some things need to be said, and other things are better left unsaid. It helps to know the difference.

Judah’s speech, so carefully constructed and passionately delivered, had a purpose. He convinced his brother Joseph to allow Benjamin to leave with the others. His words show us that over the years Judah had grown both in age and wisdom. We can embrace this Torah portion and be thankful for the lesson it teaches. Use our words wisely, respectfully and compassionately. Let things better left unsaid … unsaid.

Judy Belmont gave a thoughtful and meaningful Sermon at last Friday’s Shabbat Service. She spoke of the word “Hanukkah” and explained its meaning, “The word ‘Hanukkah’ is derived from the word, ‘to dedicate’ and Chanukah is a time of rededication of the temple when the Jews took control of Jerusalem and miracles happened with the limited oil burning for 8 days during the ‘festival of lights.'”

As with many stories that are handed down from generations past, it is the symbolism that holds the true meaning. From this story of the “festival of lights” we can surmise that the rededication of the Temple can be interpreted to mean a renewal of one’s spiritual connection to their religion. Though there are many obstacles, such as a limited amount of oil to burn, you can rekindle the light within you with the tiniest amount of hope for a better tomorrow.

It is a timely story to be told so close to the secular New Year. When many of us are making resolutions to improve our lives, it can also be a time to “rededicate” yourself to your religion, your family, your community and the world around you. As Jews, it is our mission to make the world a better place, Tikun Olam. So when we are listing those resolutions on January 1, 2012, remember the word “rededication.” In addition to losing weight, reading more books and spending more time at the gym, include a few that will make a difference to the world in which you live. Let the tiniest amount of the light within you illuminate your soul and make a positive difference in the world around you.