SHABBLOG

Your Shabbat Invitation!

2011-11-10T19:57:00.000-08:00

Nachshon Minyan's Religious School children
having fun preparing for the Family Shabbat Service.

Hear Our Voice

2011-09-23T18:30:00.000-07:00

Shma Koleinu - Hear Our Voice

 On the top hits of the High Holyday Prayer List

is the famous Max Helfman version of "Shma Koleynu,"

set to a haunting melodic cry for "God to hear our voice."

 The authorship of the prayer, Shma Koleynu,

can be traced back to the sixteenth century,

and is such a magnificent liturgical treasure.

In addition to this prayer being highlighted in the

Forgiveness section of the Yom Kippur Service,

Shma Koleynu, appears as the sixteenth blessing

in the weekday Amidah, (Standing Prayer).

I tell you this factoid because we are encouraged,

not just during the High Holydays, but every day,

to remember that our prayers are heard.

Therein lies the question, Heard by whom?

Are we to believe that God is "out there" listening? 

Does God Hear our Voice? If one does not believe in "God"

how can he/she internalize the prayer?

Does one view and understand this prayer

literally, metaphorically, or symbolically?

 I would like to propose that this "Higher Listener"

can be understood better as the "God self" or "Higher self"

that resides in every human being.

One way of perceiving and reckoning with the "God" questions are to

re-consider or re-frame our concept of this Almighty,

according to what we learned as children.

There is a belief that within each human being,

there is a longing to manifest and grow,

balance and inspire, and bring goodness into the world.

What if that energy (potential for goodness) is God?  

When do you listen to your own voice? Your tone?

Have you ever tried talking to yourself gently as a guide?

I found it particularly interesting that when I viewed a few movies

about our ancestors, the voice of God is portrayed by their own voices.

There is also a Jewish spiritual practice in Chassidism called "Hitbodedut,"

a personal accounting of self, that asks us to converse with God out loud.

It is amazing to hear that part of yourself that longs to be better,

more elevated. I encourage you to try,

as it has given me great insight into my own growth.

This High Holyday's, may this prayer, Shma Koleynu

help you be motivated to hear the places that you want to balance.

May it help you act in ways that include rather than exclude,

that forgive rather than criticize.

May you pause before you judge. Hear the call of the inner voice

that longs to do contrary action when we feel compelled to act rebelliously.

May we be conscious of our words and know when to hold our tongues.

This High Holidays, maybe we hear this prayer as a call to our BEST self.  

Shma Koleynu, Hear YOUR voice that is Compassionate and Loving.

Extend that voice to the people in our community who are struggling right now,

globally, economically, personally.

Shma Koleyna....

Hear YOUR voice that yearns for innocence and simplicity.

Listen for the part of you that clings to the beautiful traditions of Judaism

every year when we gather to celebrate the New Year.

A Healing Prayer

2011-09-02T16:08:00.000-07:00

Why Pray?

2011-09-02T12:08:00.000-07:00

"Some of the basic presuppositions of Judaism cannot be completely justified in terms of human reason. It's conception of the nature of man as having been created in the likeness of God, it's conception of God and history, of the election of Israel, of prayer and even of morality, defy some of the realizations to which we have honestly arrived at the end of our analysis and scrutiny. Reverence, love and prayer, faith, go beyond the acts of shallow reasoning."

Abraham Joshua Heschel

Prayer is born when words bubble up from the soul to express one's deepest longings and needs. It begins with a meditation, a wish, and a desire to awaken the possibility of different pathways that may lead to more desirable ends. The mind must be quieted, the heart must be heard, and the longing creates the conversation that a human can establish with the "Divine goodness."

Why pray?

Does it do any good?

Isn't it just like positive thoughts and wishes?

Why are we asked to pray in Hebrew?

Why are we asked to pray together every week on Shabbat in a prayer service?

Why can't it all be in English?

What if I don't believe in God? Then who am I praying to?

Am I supposed to believe that God needs our prayers?

What is the difference between a prayer and a blessing?

What if I don't understand the prayers, even when they are in English?

These questions and many more have been the subject of passionate discussions dating back to the year 200 CE. It is my hope in the coming year to shed light on how this ancient tradition was formed and codified the prayers we see in our prayer books. Each week, I will send a famous quote, historical reference, creative writing or personal insight about one of the prayers you see in the Prayer book (Siddur). My greatest desire is that you will never be bored at a prayer service again; and that you will be motivated to contemplate the wisdom and the benefits of regularly practiced prayer. If you can, recognize that our Sages carefully chose and codified Jewish prayer for us!!!!!, the Jews of our generation, in order to awaken a deeper knowledge hidden within us. May we use these ancient keys to unlock the messages that dwell inside every prayer.

Shabbat Message

2011-08-12T00:42:00.000-07:00

The beauty of a life

“framed” in a new

Jewish perspective,

is what you’ve created with us

this year at Nachshon…

Continue to be Inspired

and join us as we start our new year!

Shabbat Message

2011-07-07T21:17:00.000-07:00

Consciousness

2011-07-06T22:18:00.000-07:00

A spiritual connection cannot be seen or touched,

yet we have a way to verify invisible things

in a more powerful way than our five senses…

“Consciousness”

This Shabbat,

we encourage you to have moments of

“God consciousness.”

A spiritual awareness of your life,

moment to moment.

How do we do this?

We stop. Take a breath. Smile. Then continue.

Repeat when necessary.

Hold On

2011-07-06T22:09:00.001-07:00

The woman on the subway who suddenly fell forward when the car came to a stop explained in embarrassment, “I had nothing to hold on to!”

In our journey through life, we are frequently jostled as we take a curve, or halt suddenly. What do we “hold on to?”

Holding on to someone can be precarious since a person can fall, or move away. Some people hold on to their money to attain stability as life sways precariously. They think that by having a “bank balance” they will attain a spiritual balance. In fact, the surest anchorage in life is our confidence and trust in God, who is our rock and redeemer.

Our religious faith provides us with the greatest equilibrium. If you want something to hold on to, grasp the Torah, embrace the mitzvot.

We live in anxious and tense times, and we are in for a rocky ride…

Hold on!

Judaism Begins In The Home

2011-07-02T22:14:00.000-07:00

Judaism begins in the home. It doesn’t begin at a meeting or a conference or at a philanthropic campaign. It is not an abdicated responsibility left to the Jewish professionals, clergy, camp experience and educators. These are all vital parts of the puzzle. And we mean puzzle! But Judaism begins in homes where Judaism lives in the atmosphere and is integrated in the normal pattern of daily life. It begins in homes where the Jewish words re-echo, where the Jewish book is honored, and the Jewish song is heard. It begins in homes where our children see and participate in symbols and rites, customs that link them to a people and culture. It begins in homes where the Jewish ceremonial object is visible. It begins in homes where into the deepest layers of our children’s’ developing personality are woven strands of love for and devotion to the life of the Jewish community.
Our Community. NACHSHON.

It is with the utmost joy that we wish you a Shabbat full of Jewish moments as you see them fit into your home.

Why Did God Create Shabbat?

2011-06-26T21:53:00.000-07:00

Certainly, God did not need to rest. Inherent in this question is the struggle we face with “What is God?”

Can God, like Shabbat, be a power that puts us back on track? Can God be found in our newfound attitude or inner strength?

Shabbat in Hebrew means “to stop.” It is a gift from our divine Source, to cease doing worldy things in order to notice that which is not made with human hands.

This Shabbat, find something not made by a human being to revel in, to enjoy and to appreciate. WE were meant to take time for ourselves, to share it with others, and to stop working, to light Shabbat candles and smell the sweetness of simplicity. What small step can you take this Shabbat to honor this beautiful gift? Doing what you have never done before is a huge mitzvah.

Traveler's Prayer

2011-06-01T21:49:00.000-07:00

As you begin summer travel, I thought you might like to accompany your travels with a creative translation for a “Jewish prayer” for travel.

Note: Some say the “Shema” as they travel.

TRAVELER’S PRAYER:

May (you / we / I) be blessed upon embarking on your way. Just as our ancestors journeyed, may You guide us with the same protection and care that You provided for them. God, replace our anxieties and fears with your faith and Be with us as we travel. Help us to be kind, and compassionate when we meet other travelers along the way. May our highways, flight-ways and railways be safe and secure. May we find the holy sparks that are awaiting us to better understand our connection to You and our soul’s purpose.

May we travel with ease; and return with the gifts we were meant to receive. And may we remember to thank the one who guides us along our path.

Amen.

Shabbat Message

2011-01-21T18:05:00.001-08:00