Creator, Sustainer, Companion, Hope - Daily Minyan Reading - February 27, 2025

Facebook Live Daily Minyan 

The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah 

Original Reading

February 27, 2025

Creator, Sustainer, Companion, Hope

As we move through each day 

And encounter our world

We discover that impersonality is often

Too easy a path for some human beings to take 

As they make decisions about the lives of others. 

You call upon us to hold every person as unique and precious

And to understand that You have fashioned 

every corner of this planet

Hiding within it treasures that we will only recognize 

If we take the time to search with our minds and hearts. 

In these days, Healer and Protector, 

Enliven us to provide comfort and support 

For all who are in need

And to activate our abilities and energies

To enhance what You, in Your wisdom, have created. 

May all that we do add to the holiness around us

And may we step forward, always, into the realm 

Of Your presence and Your Oneness 

Shedding light, along with You, 

upon sacred times and places 

So that we will find a reflection of Your loving face 

in the eyes of of all people. 

You know our minds and hearts - Daily Minyan Reading - February 24, 2025

Facebook Live Daily Minyan 

The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah 

Original Reading

February 24, 2025

Creator and Sustainer of us all, 

You know our minds and hearts. 

You have provided us with possibilities

For growth and progress 

If only we would see the paths that will lead

In that direction. 

Sometimes people choose power over principle

Leaving their fellow human beings 

In dire straits 

Facing war, hunger, oppression 

And other challenges 

that were unnecessary from the start. 

Where there is war, may we work towards just and lasting peace. 

Where there is hunger, may we find new ways 

to share our resources so that no one is deprived 

of life-sustaining nourishment. 

Where there is real and persistent oppression, 

May we uncover the causes of prejudice and hatred

That lead to discrimination 

And provide support, protection, security and comfort 

That will uphold time-honored teachings of 

Decency, honesty, respect and love. 

Open our minds and hearts to Your wisdom and vision 

So that we will experience the blessing 

of Your everlasting Oneness. 

A diary of commentary on our current predicament - February, 2025

2025

February 22

Dear Efficiency Department Agents,

The American people require a weekly report on your work in the following areas:

1) Reasons for termination of every employee

2) Impact statement of the consequences of the firings regarding services that will no longer be provided by those terminated 

3) assurances that all lost services will be restored with a detailed list of target dates, including a guarantee that newly hired replacements will be fully qualified for their positions. 

4) a report about the possible Constitutional limits to your work. 

5) Mandatory listening to online testimony from employees you have terminated, followed by an apology note to each person.  Please provide a detailed list of notes composed and sent. 

Thank you.

February 22

Hey, folks in charge, why do you think that every woman or person of color in a leadership position is a DEI hire?  Maybe they were the best qualified people, a result of meritocracy!  Stop firing them!

February 19

The attack that began this war and all that ensued is a human tragedy.  Taking this family and others on 10/7/2023 was unnecessary and has led us down a road that did not need to be traversed in the midst of this decades-long conflict (centuries, perhaps).  May their memories be for blessing, and may peace, somehow, still be a reachable destination.

February 19

Frauds looking for fraud will claim that there is fraud where there isn’t fraud to try to prove that they aren’t frauds or to try to impress their fellow frauds.

February 19

(I HAD VERY LITTLE FUN WRITING THIS, EXCEPT THAT IT REINFORCES MY BELIEF IN THE ORIGINAL TEXT)

A revised translation of Exodus 23:1-9 for diabolical authoritarian leaders, whose bible took a somewhat expected turn. (See the original below) 

1) Spread falsehoods and play fast and loose with the truth, and while you are at it, join with your fellow felons or potential felons to skew testimony in court with evil intentions. 

2) Persuade your followers to side with you because of your power and influence, and encourage them and your allies, as well as your attorneys, to fashion testimony and arguments before a judge that will favor lies over truth. 

3) Always show favor in treatment and in court to the more powerful person. 

4 and 5) Show no respect or consideration to your enemy, whether from the “enemy within,” reporters from the media outlets you despise, or people with whom you disagree, who deserve no mercy from you, only retribution. 

6). There are no poor people, just undeserving individuals who aren’t as lucky as you.  Treat them without respect, and that includes people whom you have dismissed from jobs en masse. 

7)  Don’t worry if you have been accused of fraud; your fixer will get you out of it.  And if someone else takes the blame for you, whether or not they were involved, make that false charge stick, even if it destroy’s that person’s life and livelihood without reason or evidence. 

8 ) Offer as many bribes as you can to get your way, and zero in on recipients who will allow you to do exactly what you want, even if it violates a law. 

9)  There are no strangers, only people who came here illegally and don’t belong here. Even if your parents or grandparents were immigrants, it doesn’t matter.  In fact, cover up that part of your story. And treat people whom you consider different with as much derision as possible.   

THE REAL THING - THAT SOME OF US STLL BELIEVE 

Exodus 23:1-9

1] You must not carry false rumors; you shall not join hands with the guilty to act as a malicious witness: [2] You shall neither side with the mighty to do wrong - you shall not give perverse testimony in a dispute so as to pervert it in favor of the mighty, [3] nor shall you show deference to a poor man in his dispute. [4] When you encounter your enemy's ox or donkey wandering, you must take it back to him. [5] When you see the donkey of your enemy lying under its burden and would refrain from raising it, you must nevertheless raise it with him. [6] You shall not subvert the rights of your needy in their disputes.   [7] Keep far from a false charge; do not bring death on the innocent and the righteous, for I will not acquit the wrongdoer.  [8] Do not take bribes, for bribes blind the clear-sighted and upset the pleas of the just. [9] You shall not oppress a stranger, for you know the feelings of the stranger, having yourselves been strangers in the land of Egypt.

February 15

Visiting a concentration camp one day does not excuse meeting with the head of a Neo-Nazi party soon after.   The latter shows that the former taught not one lesson to the American political leader in question.

Just Rules, Just People - Shabbat Mishpatim - February 22, 2025

Just Rules, Just People - An Interpretation of Exodus 23:1-9 (Mishpatim) February 9, 2018 and revised on February 18, 2025

Just rules try to assure that only words that are true are believed, even when those who know they are guilty seek to use words to subvert the truth. 

Just people refrain from spreading false information and making accusations with no basis whatsoever, refusing to join any person or group who would perpetuate a hurtful lie.

Just rules attempt to prevent people with power from skewing the process of due justice.

Just people realize that preserving a just society requires them not to bow or to give in to anyone only because of the power they possess. 

Just rules demand impartial judgment, whether one is rich or poor, well-known or little-known.

Just people believe in holding all people accountable for their actions, regardless of their status in society or their place in life.

Just rules are blind to whether people approach one another in friendship or in animosity, directing everyone to treat others with decency.

Just people treat friends, acquaintances and “enemies” alike with respect and full consideration, including when their assistance could be valuable and crucial.

Just rules do not present one set of standards for those who are well-to-do and another set of laws for those who are in dire straits.

Just people do all they can to assure sure that people of all means have the possibility of competent advocacy for their case in the midst of a dispute.

Just rules are designed to prevent untrue accusations from leading to a conviction and a  sentence that cannot be undone.

Just people seek to uncover charges that are inaccurate and untrue, and try to assure that the system of justice will, as much as possible, protect those who are innocent.

Just rules prohibit promises of money, power, or favors to produce a result not based in fairness and honesty.

Just people do not offer or take bribes, and seek to expose those who do.

Just rules treat all people living in a community with equal consideration, whether they are native or newcomer, resident or visitor.

Just people try to be welcoming and respectful, helpful and generous, always remembering from where they came.

*****************************************

Translation: Jewish Publication Society Gender-Sensitive Edition, 2023

Exodus 23:1-9

1. You must not carry false rumors; you shall not join hands with the guilty to act as a malicious witness: 
2. You shall neither side with the mighty to do wrong—you shall not give perverse testimony in a dispute so as to pervert it in favor of the mighty—  
3. nor shall you show deference to a poor person in a dispute. 
4. When you encounter your enemy’s ox or donkey wandering, you must take it back. 
5. When you see the donkey of your enemy lying under its burden and would refrain from raising it, you must nevertheless help raise it. 
6. You shall not subvert the rights of your needy in their disputes. 
7. Keep far from a false charge; do not bring death on those who are innocent and in the right, for I will not acquit the wrongdoer.  
8. Do not take bribes, for bribes blind the clear-sighted and upset the pleas of those who are in the right. 
9. You shall not oppress a stranger, for you know the feelings of the stranger, having yourselves been strangers in the land of Egypt.

For the present and for the future - Daily Minyan Reading - February 10, 2025

Facebook Live Daily Minyan 

The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah 

Original Reading

February 10, 2025

Creator of the Universe,

Who set stars and planets in motion,

Who fashioned 

this beautiful and amazing world,

Direct our journey 

through our days and nights

So that we may preserve nature

For the present and for the future. 

Imbue us with wisdom

In our work and our creative endeavors

So that we may nurture 

The expression of wonder and fascination 

Within ourselves and our children. 

Enlighten us with Your eternal truths 

So that our judgments and decisions

Will reflect honesty, compassion, 

Respect, and fairness 

And lead us to love one another

As our souls bask in Your brilliance

And coalesce within Your Oneness. 

Our Words, Our Voices - Daily Minyan Reading- February 3, 2025

Facebook Live Daily Minyan 

The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah

Original reading

February 3, 2025

Creator of the Universe,

Spiritual Companion, 

Sometimes our words fail us

When we try to express our sense of amazement

For the miracles in this world

For the cycle of day and night, 

And for our very existence.

Sometimes our words elude us

When we attempt to voice our commitment

To your teachings 

About upholding freedom, 

Pursuing justice, 

Acting with kindness and mercy,

And making peace within the human family. 

Our words, our voices have great power

To inspire prayer and action 

That will assure that Your holiness, 

Your Oneness, and Your love

Will become real in our daily lives. 

Give us strength and courage 

To respond to increasing darkness

With our enduring light.