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10 Minutes of Torah

"Who among us is so busy that he cannot spend 10 minutes a day in the study of a Jewish text? Just 10 minutes? Such a commitment would enable us to meet our Jewish obligation to make Jewish study a fixed occurrence. If we make time to answer our cell phones a dozen times a day and to check our email five times an hour, surely we can find 10 minutes to contemplate sacred words that nourish the soul."--Rabbi Eric Yoffie

Sign up to receive a one-page e-mail each day on a topic of Jewish interest. It only takes 10 minutes a day to get started on a lifelong journey. Spend 10 minutes a day — and before you know it you’ll have completed 100 hours of Torah study!

WHO?
Reform Jews committed to having Judaism inform their daily lives. Congregational officers, board members, committee chairs and adult learners are encouraged to participate.

WHAT?
10 minutes a day of personal connection to a Jewish text, issue or topic. Each day has a separate theme: Torah, Holidays, Israel Connections, Delving into T'filah, and Reform Judaism Q&A.

HOW?
Each weekday morning (Monday-Friday) an e-mail will be delivered to your inbox for you to study at your convenience.

 

Shabbat Blessings

Blessings for the Shabbat Candles

Baruch Atah A-do-nai, El-o-hei-nu
Melech haolam
Asher kid-shanu b'mitzvotav
v'zivanu l'hadlik ner shel Shabbat

Blessed are You, Eternal our God,
Sovereign of time and space.
You hallow us with Your mitzvoth
and command to us to kindle the lights of Shabbat

Blessings for the Wine

Baruch Atah A-do-nai, El-o-hei-nu
Melech haolam,
Borei p'ri hagafen

Praise to You, Eternal our God,
Sovereign of the Universe,
Creator of the fruit of the vine.

Blessing for the Bread

Baruch Atah A-do-nai, El-o-hei-nu
Melech haolam,
Hamotzi lechem min haaretz

Our praise to You, Eternal our God,
Sovereign of the universe,
Who brings forth bread from the earth.

 

Chanukkah

Chanukah, meaning "dedication" in Hebrew, refers to the joyous eight-day celebration during which Jews commemorate the victory of the Macabees over the armies of Syria in 165 B.C.E. and the subsequent liberation and "re-dedication" of the Temple in Jerusalem. The modern home celebration of Chanukah centers around the lighting of the a special menorah for Chanukah; unique foods, latkes and jelly doughnuts; and special songs and games.

Candles are added to the Chanukiah from right to left but are kindled from left to right. The newest candle is lit first. (On the Shabbat of Chanukah, kindle the Chanukah lights first and then the Shabbat candles.)

Light the Shamash - the helper candle - first using it to kindle the rest of the Chanukah lights; say or sing:

 

Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech haolam, asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav v'tsivanu l'hadlik ner shel Chanukah.

Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of all, who hallows us with mitzvot, commanding us to kindle the Chanukah lights.

 

Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech haolam, she-asah nisim laavoteinu v'imoteinu bayamim hahaeim baz'man hazeh.

Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of all, who performed wonderous deeds for our ancestors in days of old at this season.

For first night only:

Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech haolam, shehecheyanu v'kiy'manu v'higianu laz'man hazeh.

Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of all, for giving us life, for sustaining us, and for enabling us to reach this season.

 

 

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Tue, March 19 2024 9 Adar II 5784