Beit HaLev
LWers are invited to Zoom with Beit HaLev! Rabbi Galit Shirah has been conducting livestream services for over four years; this year, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, services are now on Zoom, the video conferencing platform. To receive an invitation as well as the Meeting ID and password, contact Rabbi Galit Shirah at (562) 715-0888 or duets@icloud.com.
Beit HaLev will continue to livestream on Facebook and YouTube as well. To attend, go to galityomtov.com, Facebook. com/galityomtov or YouTube.com (Shabbat Shalom LIVE! channel). Evening services begin at 6 and morning services begin at 10:30.
A link to the PDF version of each prayer book is provided at the start of each service.
Numbers 30:1-31-54 is the double Torah portion, “Matot-Masei.” The book “The Torah, A Woman’s Commentary” (URJ Press) calls the parashah “Matot” “Vows and Vengeance.” The beginning describes various vows, or oaths; women’s vows may be nullified by a husband or a father. The vengeance is against the Midianites, particularly the “perverse” Midianite women who seduced Israelite men and lured them into idolatry. “Masei” is a detailed description of the journeys through the wilderness; the instructions on how the Promised Land was to be allotted; and the five sisters who challenged the laws of inheritance, the Daughters of Zelophechad.
Rabbi Galit Shirah conducts a weekday Ma’ariv service every Thursday for Sim Shalom, the online synagogue. Sim Shalom presents livestream services Monday-Thursday, with a different rabbi each day. To count the Omer, say Kaddish, pray for healing or to hear a spiritual message, go to SimShalom.com.
Rabbi Galit Shirah also teaches online Hebrew (prayerbook and conversational) and Cantillation (Torah chanting) for anyone who wants to learn. Contact the Rabbi at (562) 715-0888 or duets@icloud.com.
