The New Shul

Tazria/M’tzora

This week’s two parshiyot, Tazria and M’tzora, describe the process by which those who suffered from leprosy were diagnosed, and then healed and re-integrated into society. The ancient rabbis understood the illness as a metaphor for lashon hara, the sin of “bad-mouthing,” which, like leprosy, cuts one off from community. By destroying trust, the one who bad-mouths turns him- or herself into an exile.

What is the antidote to lashon hara? The rabbis taught that it is the study of Torah. We heal ourselves from words that cut us off from one another by turning to words that bind us together. The answer to destructive language is sacred language, language that creates community by teaching us to recognize the image of God in one another.

May the Torah that we share, that we grow into together, always bind us together in that way.

  • Shabbat services at The New Shul are on Friday evenings from 6 to 7 pm, and on Saturday mornings from 9 am to 12 noon. The kiddush this Shabbat is sponsored by Joy and Fill Bagatell.
  • Childcare is available from 10 am to noon on Shabbat mornings. Children’s services this Shabbat are: Munchkin MInyan for ages 2 to 4 from 11:00 to 11:30 am, Beyond Bim Bom I for grades K to 1 from 10:15 to 11:00 am, and Beyond Bim Bom II for grades 2 to 3 from 10:15 to 11:00 am.
  • Minyanim at The New Shul during the week are on Sunday mornings at 9:30 am, and on Wednesday mornings at 7:00 am.
  • On Shabbat morning May 5, we will celebrate the bat mitzvah of Alana Gutkin, daughter of Allan Gutkin and Ana Maria Gutkin.
  • Shavuot, the festival that commemorates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, begins on Saturday night May 26.  Join us for our all-night Tikkun (study vigil) beginning at 9 pm. We will end at dawn on Sunday with morning prayers outdoors. All are welcome for any part of the night.
  • The service for the second day of Shavuot, Monday May 28, will begin at 9 am and will include Yizkor, the memorial prayer.