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The New Shul

Parshat Sh’mini

In this week’s parashah, Sh’mini, Moses questions Aaron on a technical matter concerning a sacrificial offering that he believes Aaron has mishandled.  When Aaron explains his reasoning, the Torah says, “It [the explanation] pleased Moses.”  Moses’ response, as Rashi paraphrases it, is “I had not learned that before.”

The notable thing about Moses’s response, as Rashi understands it, is how undefensive it is.  Moses, who brought the Torah down from Mount Sinai, is able to learn something new from his brother without embarrassment.

Rashi’s comment teaches us not only about the strengths of Moses as a learner, but also about the kind of environment that supports learning in general.  If we want to grow in Torah, wisdom, and understanding, we must create the kind of community in which we need not feel embarrassed by what we do not know, a community in which all of us, without defensiveness, can learn from one another.  May our shul always be that kind of place, a place for us to grow together.

  • 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 Mariam Cohen and Barry Schnur.
  • Childcare is available from 10 am to noon on Shabbat mornings. Children’s services this Shabbat are: Beyond Bim Bom I for grades K to 1 from 10:15 to 11:00 am, and Tween Tefillah for grades 4 to 6 from 10:15 to 11:30 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.