There are less than two weeks left to vote in the World Zionist Congress election. Voting ends March 11. So stop what you’re doing right now and vote in the World Zionist Organization elections. Click HERE to cast your vote now.
You can vote for any slate you want, but I’m supporting Mercaz USA, the voice of Conservative/Masorti Judaism. Our Kol Rinah numbers are improving—we have 33 people who have emailed Rabbi Shafrin or me to tell us they’ve voted. But let’s get that to at least 100. It does cost $7.50 ($5.00 for those under age 25). If the cost is an issue, let me know and I’m happy to reimburse you.
If you have voted already, reply to this e-mail and let me know!
So, stop, and don’t read any further until you’re finished voting.
Really, vote now.
Ok, now that you’ve voted, and told me you have….
We have a regular, quiet Shabbat this week. Tonight, Rabbi Shafrin and Karen Kern will be leading Friday night services in the chapel, with our Shir Chadash (new songs) service at 6pm. Candle lighting is at 5:34pm.
Tomorrow morning services will be in the lower auditorium at 9am. Rabbi Shafrin will be leading Torah Talk at about 10:10am and mincha will be at 4:35pm. Shabbat ends at 6:33pm.
Check the website for all the Purim info. We have so much planned!
And now for a little Torah… Haven’t you always wondered what “showbread” is? It’s not shortbread. That’s buttery and yummy. Shewbread is the King James translation of the Hebrew phrase lechem panim. A newer (but still old—JPS 1917) translation calls it “showbread.” Other translations call it “bread of display” (NJPS) or “bread of the Presence” (Robert Alter).
These were twelves loaves that were set out in two equal rows and that would remain the entire week until Shabbat, when they were replaced, and the old ones were eaten by the priests.
But why are they called “showbread?” Because they are set out before God (ibn Ezra), or because it’s bread fit for dignitaries—for showing off, if you will (Rashi). One commentator says it was called “face bread” (literally) because it was very thin, all surface, with no interior (Gersonides), maybe all crust and no inside. I will say that if bread is going to sit out for a week, it would need to have a thick crust to still be edible and not completely stale.
How do you imagine the bread looking? Rustic or shiny, glazed? In what shape? Darker or lighter in color? Heavy, dense, or light weight? What bread would be worthy of being in the Mishkan? How do you think it tasted? And what was it there for? God doesn’t need it, doesn’t eat it. So many questions!
Let me know your thoughts, your answers! And let me know you voted in the WZC election!
Shabbat shalom and see you in shul, Rabbi Noah Arnow
Kol Rinah 829 N Hanley St. Louis, MO 63130 314.727.1747 kolrinahstl.org
MISSION: Create a welcoming community that embraces Torah, meaningful worship, lifelong learning, music, Israel, and tikkun olam, guided by the tenets of Conservative Judaism.
Phone: 314-727-1747