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Dear Friends,

This week, we will be reading Parshas Pinchas. There are two haftaros associated with this parshah and whether Pinchas falls before or after Shiva Asar B’Tamuz determines which one we read. This year, when Pinchas falls after Shiva Asar B’Tamuz, we will be reading Yirmiyahu 1:1-2:3, the haftarah linked with Mattos (next week will be the double portion of Mattos-Masei and we will read the haftarah for Masei). I would like to focus, however, on the other haftarah.

When Pinchas falls out before Shiva Asar B’Tamuz, we read from 1 Kings 18:46-19:21. In these passages, we read about Elijah the Prophet running away to the desert to escape Achav and Jezebel, who are out on a mission to kill him. Elijah, like Pinchas, is a zealot filled with the fire of God’s truth and has dedicated his life to holy rebuke. Some Midrashim even go so far as to say Elijah and Pinchas are one and the same.

Elijah runs all the way to Sinai. When he gets there, he is confronted by God who says, “Why are you here, Elijah?” Elijah responds that he is there because he has been exceedingly zealous for God while the rest of the Jews have been worshiping idols and abandoning the covenant. God then makes a strong wind blow, followed by an earthquake, and then a fire, but it is made clear that God was not present in any of them. Finally there is a still, small voice in which God does seem to be. After this encounter, God asks again “Why are you here, Elijah?” and Elijah responds with the same answer he gave previously. It is then that God tells him to go back to where he came from, and to appoint a successor.

It seems that God was trying to tell Elijah to ease up some - to stop being a strong wind, an intense earthquake, a consuming fire. God’s ways are not supposed to be so destructive. Still, Elijah could not see that and this marks the beginning of the end of his prophetic tenure. Passion for God and truth is good but we cannot let it blind us to the needs and worth of others, even when they aren’t being the best versions of themselves. This altruistic concern for others is embodied by Elijah’s successor, Elisha, who makes a point to go home and kiss his parents, then slaughter his oxen and feed them to the people, all before joining Elijah on the road.  

Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Birkeland

*Want to get in touch with me? Please Note: I can be reached at stantonrabbi@gmail.com.*

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Dear Stanton Community, 
 
We are shaking from the war breaking out in Israel. Hamas has fired thousands of rockets, over 167 citizens are hostages, and over 1,200 Israelis are dead with thousands more wounded. There are also thousands dead in Gaza -- innocent civilians caught in the line of fire. 
 
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Shabbat Programming for 5784

Our schedule for 5785 will be released in the coming weeks.

All StantonKIDS gatherings include Shabbat tefiloth (prayers), a Torah service, kiddush, a special healthy snack, and interactive, hands-on activities relating to Jewish themes and holidays.

We hope to hold family-friendly Sunday events for Purim, Sukkot, and Lag B’Omer, often celebrating them in the Siempre Verde Garden—a community garden across the street from The Stanton Street Shul. 

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