What's the Spiel? - Parshat Beha'alotcha

What's the Spiel?

18 Sivan 5785 - June 14, 2025

Parshat Beha'alotcha

Rabbi's Reflections

-Tefillah: Simple, Honest, Real-

This Shabbat invites us to pause and reflect on one of the most profound aspects of our relationship with the Divine: tefillah—prayer. More than rituals or recitations, prayer is the Lashon HaNeshama, the language of the soul. It is our spiritual bridge, our cry in the darkness, our whisper of thanks, our question, our hope.

In this week’s parsha, Parshat Beha’alotcha, we witness a moment that captures the very essence of authentic prayer. When Moshe sees that his sister Miriam has been struck with tzara’at after having spoken Lashon HaRah about his wife, he does not hesitate to intervene on her behalf. Yet, his intervention does not involve a long, poetic soliloquy, nor does it involve seeking guidance or inquiry. Instead, Moshe lifts his voice to heaven and simply says, "God, please heal her” (Bamidbar 12:13).

Five short words in Hebrew. That is all. And yet, according to Chazal, these five words were among the most powerful that Moshe Rebbeinu ever uttered, saying, “he prayed for her with all his heart and all his soul” (Devarim Rabbah 6:13). What makes these words so powerful is not their length or complexity, but the depth of feeling behind them. Moshe’s entire being—his love for his sister, his pain at her suffering, his hope for her healing—is condensed into a short, fervent plea. This moment reminds us that the power of prayer lies not in the poetry of our language, but in the honesty of our hearts.

So often, we fall into the trap of thinking that prayer must be long, ornate, or perfectly structured in order to “work,” or be “authentic.” We worry that we don’t know the right words, or that we’re not “spiritual enough.” But the Torah—and Moshe’s example—teaches us something different: prayer is about sincerity, not sophistication. One word, even one syllable, if spoken with genuine intent, can reach the heavens.

This Shabbat, we are invited to embrace this truth. Let us reflect on the simplicity of prayer—the way a single phrase, spoken with authenticity, can open the gates of heaven. Let us take a moment to be still, to quiet the noise of our daily lives, and to speak honestly with God. Whether it is a word of gratitude, a cry for help, or a whisper of hope – whatever it is, let it come from the depths of our hearts. When we pray with our whole selves, not just with our lips but with our entire being, just as Moshe did, we create a connection with the Divine that is unbreakable. It is a dialogue that does not end with the final “Amen,” but one that continues throughout our lives—through joy, through sorrow, through uncertainty and growth.

Moshe’s prayer teaches us that you don’t have to be a prophet to speak with God. You just have to be real. So, this Shabbat, let us allow our prayers—however short, however simple—to be filled with the fullness of who we are. Let us return to the core of tefillah: the soul reaching out, the heart speaking freely, the spirit longing to connect. Because sometimes, all it takes is one honest word to bring heaven and earth a little closer together.

Shabbat Shalom!

-Rabbi Dan

Schedule of Services at B'nai Abraham

CTI Schedule 5785/2025

Friday, June 13

7:30PM - Mincha & Kabbalat Shabbat

8:15PM - Candle Lighting

Saturday, June 4

9:00AM - Shacharit

10:30AM - Youth Programs

8:15PM - Mincha

9:16PM - Maariv/Havdalah

Sunday, June 15

8:30AM - Shacharit

Monday - Friday

7:05AM - Shacharit

CTI Announcements

Shmira, watching over the deceased, is a sacred mitzvah. If you would like to find out more information about how CTI engages shmira, or think you might be interested in participating in this mitzvah, please contact Larry Smith, CTI's Shmira Coordinator at lsmith@egsanalytics.com, or (512) 923-3964.

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If you have a special day you would like to commemorate with a kiddush, now is a great time to reserve your sponsorship for the Shabbos of your choice. If your date is not visible yet on the kiddush calendar, you can still email Beth and ask about reserving that date. Thank you so much for your support of CTI’s kiddush program.

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Mazel Tov!

Jacob Weiss, Birthday June 15

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