Shofetim
28 Av 5784 (September 1, 2024)

Wednesday is the first day of Elul, and late that night we will begin the journey of Teshuvah through Selichot. Teshuvah literally means "return" and means that we return to our true self, our neshamah. During the year it is easy for us to allow the nefesh (ego level of soul) to steer us around. The period of Teshuvah beckons us to put our true self back in the driver's seat. So many prayers of Selichot follow the order of the Hebrew alefbet. According to our Sages, when we say these prayers with kavanot we are connecting to the original force of Creation, the DNA of the cosmos. So quite literally we are restructuring our own spiritual and physical DNA similar to stem cell therapy. I started using an analogy a couple of years ago of operating systems (OS) and how a new one comes out each year for our mobile devices. The Jewish New Year is similar and on Rosh HaShanah, the download of the new OS (5785) begins and according to Kabbalah takes a cycle of 22 days to complete--the same number as the amount of letters in the Hebrew alefbet. Selichot prepares us to receive that new OS. May we merit many pleasant and good years, and may we have a good, sweet and happy new year!

Shavua tov veChodesh tov,

Parashat Shofetim | פרשת שופטים
Torah Portion: Devarim (Deuteronomy) 16:18-21:9
Haftarah: Yeshayah (Isaiah) 51:12-52:12

Parashat Shofetim

Haftarat Shofetim

Clicking on an event will take you to that event on our Events page.

• Arvit LeChol - Mon., Sept. 2, 2024 @ 8:30 PM EST
• Hebrew Study - Mon., Sept. 2, 2024 @ 9:30 PM EDT
• Te-amim Study - Mon., Sept. 2, 2024 @ 10:15 PM EDT
• Arvit LeRosh Chodesh - Tues., Sept. 3, 2024 @ 8:30 PM EDT
• Shacharit LeRosh Chodesh - Wed., Sept. 4, 2024 @ 6:45 AM EDT
• Arvit LeChol - Wed., Sept. 4, 2024 @ 8:30 PM EDT
• Kabbalah Study - Wed., Sept. 4, 2024 @ 9:30 PM EDT
• Selichot - Thurs., Sept. 5, 2024 @ 12:30 AM EDT
• Talmud Study - Thu., Sept. 5, 2024 @ 5:15 PM EDT
• Arvit LeChol - Thu., Sept. 5, 2024 @ 8:30 PM EDT
• Jewish Life Study - Thu., Sept. 5, 2024 @ 9:30 PM EDT
• Selichot - Fri., Sept. 6, 2024 @ 12:30 AM EDT
• Kabbalat Shabbat & Arvit - Friday, Sept. 6, 2024 @ 8:30 PM EDT
• Shacharit, Torah & Musaf - Shabbat, Sept. 7, 2024 @ 8:45 AM EDT
• Minchah Shel Shabbat - Shabbat, Sept. 7, 2024 @ 5:30 PM EDT
• Torah Study - Shabbat, Sept. 7, 2024 @ 6:30 PM EDT
• Seder LeMotzaei Shabbat - Shabbat, Sept. 7, 2024 @ 7:45 PM EDT
• Selichot - Sun., Sept. 8, 2024 @ 12:30 AM EDT

The New Month of Elul (Virgo)
The new month of Elul will begin on Wednesday, September 4, 2024. For more information, please go to our Rosh Chodesh page. We will have an Arvit service for Rosh Chodesh Elul on Tuesday, September 3rd @ 8:30 PM EDT, and a Shacharit service on Wednesday, September 4th @ 6:45 AM EDT. Go to EVENTS to join us.

Selichot
Used each day during the month, Selichot gives us the opportunity to unite ourselves with the Creator's Light and with the consciousness of selichah סליחה, which means forgiveness. During the Selichot service we confront our past negative actions and ask for forgiveness. This is a vital preparation for Rosh HaShanah, the Days of Awe, and Yom Kippur. The best time to for Selichot is between midnight and dawn, for it is during this time that Divine mercy is available. We invite you to join us for Selichot each night, Sundays-Fridays during Elul @ 12:30 AM EDT (In some time zones this will be Saturday-Thursday nights). Click Here for the Selichot portion of our K4A Siddur.

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Tzedakah
The word צדקה "tzedakah" in Hebrew often is translated as charity, but it actually comes from the root צדק "tzedek" which means righteousness. The addition of the letter ה "Hei" connects righteousness to Malchut. Many people say "giving" tzedakah, but the more appropriate phrase is "doing" tzedakah. Tzedakah is in many ways an exchange of energy and is a visible expression of gratitude in this world for that which we have received, especially when we receive it from an organization that helps us to grow spiritually. We thank you in advance for your generosity and support. Click Here to make an online donation. Visit our DONATE page in order to donate using other methods.

Your Hebrew Name
At the end of the Amidah, we whisper a verse from the Tanach which is associated with our Hebrew name. Would you like to know your Hebrew name and the verse that corresponds to your name? Or would you like us to help you choose a Hebrew name and even have a certificate with your Hebrew name and verse? Email Us for more information.