What's the Spiel? - Parshat Nitzavim-Vayeilech

What's the Spiel?

25 Elul 5784 - September 28, 2024

Parshat Nitzavim-Vayeilech

Rabbi's Reflections

-From There!-

In this week’s double-parsha, Nitzavim-Vayeilech, we learn, “If your dispersed shall be at the end of the heavens, the Lord your God will gather you from there” (Devarim 30:4). If those words appear familiar, that is because these are the very words we recite during the Prayer for the State of Israel! Thus, the pshat or plain meaning of this verse is that God will gather the Jews remaining in exile back to Eretz Yisrael, no matter how far they may be. However, in his Sefer Tiferet Yehonatan, Rabbi Yehonatan Eybeschutz explains these words in a wholly new and powerful way. Says the Tiferet Yehonatan, “When a person is righteous, they feel very close to heaven. If a person sins a little, they feel a little distant from heaven. If a person sins even more, they feel even more distant to the point that they feel so far away, it is as if they are at the very ends of heaven.” Indeed, the more a person turns away from doing the Ratzon Hashem, the more distant God appears, the more estranged we feel from God. However, God will never abandon His children, as it says, “the Lord your God will gather you from there,” meaning, “from there,” from that place of distance and despondency, despair and desolation, “from there,” from that emotional and spiritual barrier we think has been created. Yes, “from there,” from that place, God will find you and bring you close to Him.

As Rosh HaShanah approaches and thoughts of teshuva, repentance, begin to rouse our souls, hearts and minds, let us remember that no matter how far we may feel we are from God, the act of teshuva not only brings us closer to our Father in Heaven, but what is more, it brings our Father in Heaven straight to us, from wherever we happen to be, to bring us back to Him in love and compassion. The act of teshuva is so powerful that it can span any distance, cross any sea and scale any height. Let us take this message to heart as we prepare for the holiest days ahead and bridge our spiritual gaps, drawing ever nearer to our Father in Heaven!

Shabbat Shalom!

- Rabbi Dan

Schedule of Services at B'nai Abraham

Friday, September 27

Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat

6:55PM

Candle Lighting

7:02PM

Saturday, September 28

Shacharit

9:00AM

Youth Services

10:30AM

Mincha

6:50PM

Havdalah

7:55PM

Saturday Night - Midnight Selichot

Shiur with Rabbi Dan

"Everything is in God's Hands: Can I Pray for Others to Change?"

10:45PM

Midnight Selichot

12:00AM

Sunday, September 29

Shacharit

8:30AM

Monday - Tuesday

Selichot

6:30AM

Shacharit Directly Following Selichot

Wednesday (Erev Rosh Hashanah)

Selichot

6:15AM

Shacharit Directly Following Selichot

For Rosh Hashanah Service Times, please consult the "High Holiday Service Schedule" below.

CTI Announcements

Lulav & Etrog Order Deadline Monday, September 30th

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Shalom Austin Emergency Campaign.

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WORLD ZIONIST ORGANIZATION

ISRAEL BONDS

Thank you Liliana, Yair, Rosa and Reuben Govrin Worth for sponsoring Kiddush in gratitude to the CTI and Havruta community for a warm and generous welcome to Austin.

Kiddish sponsorship is a great way to honor a loved one's memory or celebrate a special occasion while also giving a little back to the community. There are several opportunities for sponsorship in October. We are planning special opportunities to sponsor a "dessert" kiddush for the

Yom Tovim during Sukkot (October 17th, 18th) and Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah (24th and 25th).

If you would like to sponsor one of those kiddushes, the cost will be $150.

Contact Beth Shapiro for details.

Thank you to Sarah Swernofsky, Meredith Clifford, Emmaline Dewitt, Vicky Gould, Elizabeth Temerlline, Julie Van Keer, Natalie Yeschin and Ben Heyen for all their help with kiddush this past week!!

Sponsor A Kiddush

THANK YOU for supporting CTI and our community with your sponsorship!

Mazel Tov!

Gabriel Wander, Birthday September 28
Hagit Cohen, Birthday September 28
Liat Refaeli, Birthday October 1
Thomas Woloszko, Birthday October 3
Sam Altman, Birthday October 4

*Please update your shulcloud account with birthdays, anniversaries, and Yahrtzeits to make sure they're highlighted in the Spiel. If you have any questions on how to do so email admin@tiferetaustin.org*

Yahrtzeit Remembrances

Mollie (Chaia Malka), Mother of Elaine Orent, Saturday 25 Elul
Samuel W Leibowitz, Father of Harold Liebowitz, Wednesday 29 Elul
Carol Ronsheim, Mother of Kendra Fox, on Friday 2 Tishrei

Torah Classes at CTI

Take Your Tanakh Series

Tuesday Night | 7:00pm - The Book of Isaiah

Wednesday Morning | 8:15am - The Song of Songs

Click Here for more information on how to join these exciting classes.

Donations

Thank you to Myles Shaftel, Eddie Selig and

Yoni Cohen for their aliyah donations.

Thank you to Stephen and Marcia Sutter for

their donation to the General Fund.

Thank you to Brian Thum for his donation

to the General Fund. He wrote: "Enjoyed davening with

everyone during my visit. Yashir Koach on keeping a minyan going."

Thank you to Michael Steinhart for his donation to the General Fund. He wrote: "In appreciation for the shul's warmth and hospitality, with thanks to David, Arthur, and Rabbi Millner.

Thank you to Alla and Mark Ellman for their

donation to the Youth Educator Fund.

Thank you to our anonymous donors.

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