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Shabbat and Candle Lighting  
for Friday, July 19, 2019 / 17 Tammuz 5779  
 
Light Shabbat candles at 7:19 p.m.
 
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Dear Co ngregation Kehillah and Friends,
Rabbi Sharfman
     
The Torah conveys an amazing story about a donkey acting like a human and a human acting like, well, a 'donkey', to teach a lesson about humans appropriately using the power of speech, a trait that distinguishes us from animals.
   
Parashat Balak  is named for Balak, King of Moab. Fearful of the approaching Israelites and their military power, Balak hired a magician (Balaam) to curse them (in biblical times, curses were considered to be real and powerful weapons). As Balaam became aware of God's presence in the 'everyday', his curse became instead a blessing: blessed be everyone who blesses you and cursed be everyone who curses you ....Balaam's  words form the opening of the morning service, part of our siddur/prayerbook from the early middle ages: 
  
Mah tovu ohalecha Yaakov ....
How goodly are your tents, o Jacob, your dwelling places, o Israel! 
 
A kavannah for candle lighting on Shabbat Balak
 
Dear God, let me feel Your Presence and hear Your voice, even in the most unexpected places and from the most unexpected sources.
 
 
What about the unexpected blessings and "curses" that appear in   your  life? Be part of an amazing 4,000-year-old conversation, as relevant today as it has always been. Join us when Torah Talk resumes for great insights, perhaps just what you've been looking for!  

Shabbat Shalom,
 
Rabbi Bonnie Sharfman  
 
Congregation Kehillah
602-369-7667
info@congregationkehillah.org   |   congregationkehillah.org
5858 E. Dynamite Blvd., Cave Creek, AZ 85331

Mailing Address: 21001 N. Tatum Blvd., Ste. 1630 #439, Phoenix, AZ 85050