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We will learn prayers, sing accompanied by musical instruments Talk about holidays and festivals throughout the Jewish year Life Cycle events Other timely topics https://us04web.zoom.us/j/73337554944?pwd=aS81dEJyb3Y4KzhYNThzUUlGT2xXdz09

The day we afflict ourselves and consider our weaknesses so we can do better next year. Ma'ariv Tuesday 6:30 pm Kol Nidre Shachrit Wednesday 9:30 pm Mincha-Ma'ariv Wednesday 4:30 pm Break-the-fast Wednesday 7:15 pm

If you're thinking of converting to Judaism: Completion of the Intro Program fulfills the learning requirements for conversion of the Rabbinical Assembly of America. Once you finish the course requirements and secure a sponsoring rabbi, you are eligible to become officially part of the Jewish People. If you're already Jewish: Whether you were born Jewish but never quite learned what it’s all about, you’re back after a long hiatus, or you’re just looking for a deeper understanding of your heritage, most of us could use a bit of a refresher. Jews from all walks of life enroll in the program: from people who had a Jewish day school education to those whose strongest connection was the annual box of matza on the kitchen counter. More details to follow. Please let us know if you're interested. Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/98601669614?pwd=ajU1YldEOFVKOGRDL0RQaVNId2QrQT09 Meeting ID: 986 0166 9614 Passcode: 278508 One tap mobile +16699006833,,98601669614# US (San Jose) +12532158782,,98601669614# US (Tacoma) Dial by your location +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose) +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 929 205 6099 US (New York) +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC) Meeting ID: 986 0166 9614 Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/aBrvMx0uI

Parashat Behar-Bechukotai / פרשת בְּהַר־בְּחֻקֹּתַי Read on 8 May 2021 (26 Iyyar 5781). Parashat Behar-Bechukotai is the 32nd and 33rd weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading. Torah Portion: Leviticus 25:1-27:34 The first of this double portion, Behar (בהר), starts talking about a Shabbat for the land. We sow and reap for six years, but leave the land a year of rest in the seventh year. We do not work the land in that year, but we, and anyone else in need, are allowed to gather any produce that the land provides. Hashem assures us that we have plentiful crop in the other years to provide for those years of rest. If our fellow is in dire straits, we provide a no-interest loan. If they can not pay it back by the seventh year, all debts are forgiven. Hashem assures us that what we think we will lose by not having the loan paid back will be made up by prosperity. The highest form of charity is to do business with a fellow Jew to help them make a living. Seven by seven years is the Jubilee year. Any land that has been sold off because our fellows has not been successful is returned. We are paid for the amount of time we used the land. If our fellow has to sell themselves to fellow Israelites because they can not support themselves, they go free in that Jubilee year as well. Meanwhile, a fellow’s relatives should do all they can to redeem them. Foreign slaves, however, do not get freed. The second of the two portions, Bechukotai,(בחקתי),, discusses the blessings and the warnings if the Israelites do, or don’t do the commandments. It starts out discussing the blessings, that if the Children of Israel follow Hashem’s decrees and judgments and perform them, the rain will appear at their proper times and there will be prosperity. They will not fear any enemy and defeat any that attack them. Hashem will walk with us. The sedra then goes on to discuss the consequences of us not following G-d’s laws, the “admonition” or “tochachah”. This seven series of progressively worse consequences that will befall Israel for not following Hashem’s laws and decrees. As the people get more and more apathetic, the consequences get worse and worse. Finally, Israel sees the error of their ways and return to Hashem, who in turn restores their strength and prosperity. Ultimately, however, each stage of punishment is a call to repent. Finally, Bechukotai and Leviticus ends with gifts to the Temple. People can have themselves or their animals assessed for a contrived value, which they then donate.

Parashat Emor / פרשת אֱמוֹר Read on 1 May 2021 (19 Iyyar 5781). Parashat Emor is the 31st weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading. Torah Portion: Leviticus 21:1-24:23 This portion starts out discussing various laws of the Kohenim, the priests. It starts off by admonishing priests that they are holy and should only participate in performing last rites if there is no one else to do it. A priest may “contaminate” himself only if the deceased is a member of his immediate family. A cohen must only marry a woman who has not yet been married. A Cohen may not make any gashes or alterations to his body. Likewise, in order to officiate at the Temple, he must not have any disqualifying blemishes or deformities. Animals being used as offerings must also be free of disqualifying blemishes or deformities. He may, however, eat terumah or food offerings. Verses 31 and 32 of chapter 22 is considered a very important verse, Torah in microcosm. Verse 31 tells us to observe and perform Hashem’s commandments. Verse 32 tells us not to desecrate Hashem’s holy name. Associated with these verses, the sages tell us that the only times we are to give up our lives is when faced with either idolatry, sexual perversion, or unnecessary bloodshed. The sedrah then discusses the three pilgrimage festivals observed throughout the Jewish year. They are described as mo’adim, or appointed times, because that’s when Jews come together to meet. The Children of Israel are commanded to designate these dates as special times. Passover, or Pesach, is celebrated on the 15th day of the first month. This is Nisan observed in the spring. We are to do no laborious work (preparing food is fine). We are to eat only unleavened bread for seven days (eight in the diaspora). Starting on the second day, we count the Omer, the offering of the first grain harvest, barley. This reflects the ancient practice of bringing the first harvest to the Temple as an offering. An omer is a unit of dry measure, equal to the volume of 43.2 eggs. We count the Omer for forty-nine days to arrive at Shavuot. This celebrates Moses bringing Israel the Law, the Ten Commandments. Shavuot also is the festival of reaping. In the seventh month on the first day is Rosh Hashannah, described as a day of remembrance with shofar blasts. Ten days later is Yom Kippur, the day we afflict ourselves and repent our sins. On the fifteenth day, we observe Sukkot, the Festival of Booths and the culmination of our process of repentance and redemption. This commemorates the protection Hashem gave us when we wandered in the wilderness. It is also the time when the summer’s produce is gathered. This ends with Atzeret, the day of assembly. We are then commanded to take the four species, the estrog/citron (resembles the heart); lulav/palm branch (representing the spine); hadasim/myrtle leaves (representing the eyes); and the aravot/willow branch (representing the lips). They are held together and used during the Sukkot services. Finally, we are commanded to perform the lighting of the Menorah, and placing the twelves loaves of the showbread on the table in the Temple.

WEDDING OFFICIATION Traditional | Non-Traditional | Interfaith Weddings: Service MARRIAGE OFFICIATION Traditional | Non-traditional | Interfaith Get In Touch Interested in learning more about the different types of officiations I conduct? Call me today and make your next ceremony a meaningful occasion. Weddings: Portfolio CONTACT RABBI STEPHEN 11 Vista Toscana Lake Elsinore, Riverside County, CA 92532 USA ModernRabbiShmuel@gmail.com 951-526-4012 Send Your details were sent successfully! Weddings: Contact