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July 29, 2022
1 Av, 5782
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SHABBAT SHALOM
www.shalomsa.org
July 29, 2022 / 2 Av 5782
Matot-Matsei
Numbers 
 30:2−36:13



Friday, July 29
Shabbat Service at 6:45 PM
Service Leader: Rabbi Lisa Goldstein
Musical Accompaniment: Mike Stern

Slide Deck: Adam Falkiewicz

Birthday and Anniversary Blessings
Ryan Phillips - July 30
Rod and Cynthia Hudson - July 26 - 47 years!


Join us here on Zoom
or on YouTube

Shalom Friends,

We’ve come to the end of the fourth book of the Torah, BaMidbar. The Israelites are poised to enter the Promised Land. In this Torah portion we learn that vows are serious business and must be kept; Israel wages war against the Midianites, the entire trek through the wilderness is recounted in detail (which is what I’ll be talking about this evening); Moses sets up cities of refuge and we learn the precise distinction between murder and manslaughter; and the laws of inheritance as they apply to Israelite women are delineated. You can read the double portion, Matot-Mas’ei, here.
 
There are, of course, a few parts I left out. Picture the scene: The Israelites are camped out on the east side of the Jordan River. There’s a hum of excitement in the air as they get ready to cross over.
 
The tribes of Reuben and Gad own a lot of cattle. They see the regions of Jazer and Gilad, outside of the Promised Land, are good for cattle. Representatives from Reuben and Gad go to Moses, Eleazer the priest, and the chieftains of the community to ask permission to settle outside of the Promised Land.
 
Picture the most prominent chieftain from Gad stepping forward with his own tribal brothers and those of Reuben just behind him. He says, “This whole area east of the Jordan, which God conquered for the Israelite community, is quite suitable for cattle.” Moses says nothing. The Gadite hints, “You may have noticed, we have cattle.” Moses says nothing. With some hesitation the Gadite continues, “It would be a favor to us if this land were given to us.” Without a response from Moses, he makes himself clear, “Do not move us across the Jordan.”
 
Moses finally responds, “Do you mean your brothers should go to war while you stay here? Why would you want to discourage others from going into the Land that God is giving them? This is what your fathers did when I sent them from Kadesh-Barnea to survey the land. After going up to the wadi Eshkol and surveying the land, they turned the minds of the Israelites from invading the land that God had given them.” (Numbers 32:6-9)
 
I hear Moses’ voice as rebuking, almost shocked, like he can’t believe they’re even asking this of him, as he remembers God’s anger at Kadesh-Barnea and accuses the Gadites and Reubenites of being another iteration of those sinful men. Moses sees their interest in staying on the east side of the Jordan as turning their backs on God and thus inviting disaster upon the entire community as their predecessors did.
 
Then something compelling happens in the way the text is physically written in the Torah scroll. Between verses 15 and 16 there is a space. The Torah does not have any punctuation marks, but it does have spots where a line ends or where there is a noted gap between words. The gap does not necessarily have deeper meaning. But in the spirit of midrash, we can ask ourselves - If we jump into the gap, what might we hear?
 
After the Gadites request to stay on the east side of the Jordan and Moses’ angry response, was there a silence when Moses stopped talking? Is the silence represented by this gap in the written text? What might the Gadites, Reubenites, and other onlookers be thinking in the silence that follows Moses’ rebuke?
 
I’m reminded of what was probably the best advice I was ever given, and it came very early in my career as a Jewish educator. It was a very busy Sunday morning and I was being pulled in so many different directions, and someone asked me a very important question that involved my making a decision. I made a bad one on the spot. I never should have made the decision right then and there. Thankfully, my lay leader mentor sat down with me afterwards and said, “You never have to make those kinds of decisions on the spot. If you’re not 100% certain, simply say – ‘I need to think about it and I’ll get back to you by X.’ Silence is always better than a careless off the cuff response.” I’ve never forgotten that lesson.
 
Perhaps having a silent space before responding to Moses gave those petitioning him time to collect their thoughts. They did not lash back or become defensive. They laid out a plan to raise cattle and their families east of the Jordan, while still sending troops to participate in the sacred mission of the larger community.
 
This is a great lesson for us even in our day: Mind the gap. When we decide to change our plans and someone becomes upset, let there be quiet space before proceeding. It seems that the Gadites and Reubenites heard Moses’ concerns about their request and adjusted their petition accordingly. It is easy to become defensive, dig in our heals, and respond to anger with anger. The gap gave the Gadites and Reubenites a moment to listen and humbly integrate Moses’ objections into their plan to reach their new goal. Living peacefully means balancing one’s own needs with the needs and vision of the larger community. That is what happened on the eve of entering the Promised Land; so may it be with us.


Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Lisa Goldstein

If you or a loved one is in the hospital or ill at home and would appreciate a call or a visit, please let Rabbi Lisa know.
Email: lisa@shalomsa.org
or call: (210) 474-6082
Congregation Shalom to receive our own Torah Scroll!
A congregation in El Dorado Hills, California is sadly folding, but in their search for a new home for their Torah, their president and Rabbi Lisa found each other, and Congregation Shalom has been chosen to receive this amazing gift! (The picture above is not the actual scroll--just a representation.)

Here's where we need your help: 
DUE TO THE WILDFIRES IN AND AROUND YOSEMITE, for the protection of the Torah and safety of Rabbi Lisa, the determination was made to ship the Torah, crowns, and mantles to us. The shipping, which is our responsibility, cost $410. If you are able to help with a designated donation of any amount to help defray this expense, we would be most grateful!

You may use the link or QR code below to donate by PayPal or credit card. Please add a comment that your donation is for the Torah shipping. If you prefer, you may send a check to our mailing address (see below). Please put "Torah Shipping" in the Memo line. 

 
THANK YOU!

Donate 


High Holy Days
Sponsorship Opportunities

The High Holy Days are fewer than eight weeks away, and we need your help to make sure they are beautiful and meaningful, and all that we want them to be. We hope you will consider one of the following Sponsorship opportunities. If you cannot manage a Sponsorship, please consider making a contribution of any amount to go toward general expenses. Those gifts, when combined, add up to a sizable amount! Any amount contributed above our expenses will be donated to the church, who is so graciously providing us with our worship space for the High Holy Days.
 
Maestros  - Sponsor our accompanist, Manahara Virasinha
1 sponsor for Selichot @ $500
2 sponsors for Rosh Hashanah & Yom Kippur @ $1,000 each
Thank you Maury and Lisa Goldstein for your generous piano tuning donation!

Shomrim (Guardians) - Sponsor our armed security officer
2 more sponsors needed @ $300 each
Thank you Rod and Cynthia Hudson for your generous Shomrim donation!


Shomrei Zikaron (Guardians of Memory) - Sponsor the printing of the Book of Remembrance for the Yizkor Memorial Service @ $250
 
Kesher (Connection) - Sponsor our Technology Manager @ $500

Chefs - Sponsor our Break-the-Fast
2 sponsors needed @ $250 each

GENERAL CONTRIBUTIONS of any amount

 
BECOME A SPONSOR
OR MAKE A CONTRIBUTION


VOLUNTEERS DESPERATELY NEEDED AT THE NEW MIGRANT RESOURCE CENTER!
 
The Center needs 5-20 highly committed volunteers ASAP and through ~August 25.

Volunteers need to have a background check. Spanish is helpful but not necessary.

Commitment and time availability on a continual basis are essential.

Might you or someone you know be interested in investing a month aiding those migrating through SATX as we would wish to supported in the same situation?


If you are able to volunteer, please contact Rabbi Lisa and she will connect you!
CONGREGATION SHALOM WILL SOON HAVE A PHYSICAL LOCATION!

WE'RE ON THE MOVE!
In preparation for the start of our in-person services on August 5, we moved our Ark, a lectern, ritual table, prayerbook cart, and boxes of Mishkan T'filah from the storage unit to House of Prayer Lutheran Church yesterday!

Prayerbooks will be available for our members who need to continue to participate by Zoom or YouTube Live to borrow beginning next week.

 

Non-members - and members who wish to - may purchase a hard copy of Mishkan T'filah for Shabbat, Weekdays, and Festivals or the Shabbat only edition. A more economical choice might be to purchase the Kindle edition, which you can read on your tablet or computer using a free Kindle app. 

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

We are excited to announce that we will begin meeting weekly in person for Shabbat services beginning August 1, and for Kesher beginning in September, at
 
House of Prayer Lutheran Church
10226 Ironside Drive 78260

 
COME JOIN US - AND BRING YOUR FRIENDS!





 
All services will continue to be multi-access:
In-person, via Zoom and YouTube Live.
 
Given the recent increase in key data markers and community spread of Covid, we will be following the guidance of our Medical Advisory Committee and the CDC as follows:
  • Masks will be required until further notice
  • Social distancing will be implemented – please sit in household groups with distance between household groups
  • Oneg Shabbats will be pre-packaged "To Go"

We hope and trust that everyone will abide by the committee's recommendations.

 

We can't wait to see you there!!!

ADULT EDUCATION

Watch this space for new and exciting adult learning opportunities coming soon!
Invite a Friend to Join
Congregation Shalom

 
Now is the perfect time to become a member of Congregation Shalom, as our High Holy Day in-person services will be limited to our members and their guests (family members and/or those visiting from out of town only). Invite your friends to our Shabbat services and extend a warm invitation to join our congregation.
 
Congregation Shalom
Membership Applications

If you or someone you know would like to become a member of Congregation Shalom, please contact Lisa at Lisa@shalomsa.org or (210) 474-6082 for an application.

PLEASE NOTE THE MAILING ADDRESS FOR
 Congregation Shalom of San Antonio 
PO Box 700187
San Antonio, TX 78270

until further notice
Congregation Shalom phone number:
(210) 474-6082
We still have a small supply of N95 masks given to us by the Jewish Federation to distribute to any of our members who are in need and have limited or no access to masks. If you need a mask for yourself or a family member, please contact Lisa at (210) 474-6082 or by email.
COMMUNITY NEWS AND UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES
SAJSS SHABBAT DELIVERIES

Would YOU like to make someone smile?  To sign up to become a Challah Helper and deliver Shabbat goodies to older adults in the community, contact Sandra at sandraw@sajss.com, or visit sajss.com/volunteer.

Lend a Helping Hand

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Congregation Shalom of San Antonio · P.O. Box 700187 · San Antonio, TX 78270 · USA

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