January 22, 2023/ 12 Shevat 5784

Dear Friends, 

As people of faith, we turn to Torah for insights and lessons that might lead us toward health and healing. This week we read, 

This week, as the Israelites prepare to leave Egypt and break free from their enslavement, we read in Exodus, “Speak to the whole community of Israel and say that on the tenth of this month, each of them shall take a lamb a to a family, a lamb to a household.”

God wants us to make sure everyone has enough, has food to eat, and requires us to pay attention to who might be in need. On the eve of their liberation, the Israelites were required to ensure everyone had what they needed for the journey. 

A few verses later, we are commanded to teach our children, “It is because of what Adonai did for me when I went free from Egypt.” (13:8). The commandment to teach our children is repeated three times in this Torah portion. It becomes the bases for the four children’s questions in the Passover Haggadah recited at the seder table. From this, we learn that the only way to remember is to tell our story and share our lessons. We are commanded to remember our past, retell our story, and care for each other. 

This week’s email update has opportunities to enrich our lives and help others! I hope you will join us. See you soon! 

Rabbi Lisa Bellows