Lake Park Synagogue

12/23/2024

The Torah portions for Chanukah days 1, 2, 4, and 5 are parts of Numbers 7, describing the sacrifices offered for the consecration and dedication of the Tabernacle.

The Torah portion for the Shabbat during Chanukah (the festival's third day this year) is Miketz (Genesis 41:1-44:17), the tenth in the book of Genesis. It continues the story of Joseph, describing how he interpreted Pharaoh's dreams and became a high Egyptian official; and how during a famine in Canaan his brothers came to Egypt and without recognizing Joseph appealed to him for assistance.

The Haftarah is Zachariah 2:14-4:7. The prophet presents a vision of the purification of the Temple and its High Priest, and conveys G-d's message, "Not by might, nor by power, but by My spirit..." (4:6).

This image of Joseph interpreting pharaoh's dreams is a detail from a 19th Century painting by Jean-Adrien Guignet.

12/16/2024

The Torah portion for this Shabbat is Vayeshev (Genesis 37:1-40:23), the ninth in the book of Genesis. It begins the story of Joseph, describing his rivalry with his brothers, slavery in Egypt, and imprisonment after his master’s wife frames him in response to Joseph’s refusal of her advances. It also contains the story of Tamar, her husbands, and her father-in-law, Judah.

The Haftarah is Amos 2:6-3:8. The prophet refers to the exodus from Egypt and proclaims G-d's message that "You alone have I singled out of all the families of the earth. That is why I will call you to account for all your iniquities" (3:2).

This image of Joseph being sold into slavery by his brothers is an illustration from a Bible card published 1907 by the Providence Lithograph Company.

12/09/2024

The Torah portion for this Shabbat is Vayishlakh (Genesis 32:4-36:43), the eighth in the book of Genesis. Jacob wrestles with a man (commonly understood as an angel), is renamed Israel, and reconciles with his brother, Esau. Jacob’s daughter, Dina, is r***d by a Hivite prince, and her brothers sack a city in response. Rachel dies as she gives birth to Jacob's youngest child, Benjamin.

The Haftarah is Obadiah 1:1-21. The prophet proclaims that G-d will cause the "House of Jacob" to triumph over the "House of Esau."

This image of the reconciliation of Jacob and Esau is an illustration from a Bible card published 1907 by the Providence Lithograph Company.

12/02/2024

The Torah portion for this Shabbat is Vayetzei (Genesis 28:10-32:3), the seventh in the book of Genesis. Jacob dreams about angels going up and down a ladder, then continues his journey toward the home of his uncle Laban. During years of indentured servitude, Jacob marries Laban’s daughters Leah and Rachel, bearing children with them and with their maidservants, Bilhah and Zilpah.

The Haftarah for Ashkenazim is Hosea 12:13-14:10. It includes a reference to the story of Jacob's flight and servitude. The Haftarah for Sephardim is Hosea 11:7-12:12, which also contains references to parts of the story of Jacob.

This image of Jacob's dream comes from a Bible card published in 1900 by the Providence Lithograph Company.

11/18/2024

The Torah portion for this Shabbat is Chayei Sarah (Genesis 23:1-25:18), the fifth in the book of Genesis. It presents several stories. Sarah dies and Abraham buys the Cave of Machpelah in which to bury her. Abraham sends his servant to find a wife for Isaac. The servant meets Rebecca at a well, and Rebecca returns with the servant to marry Isaac. Abraham remarries, has more children, and dies at age 175.

The Haftarah is 1 Kings 1:1-31. It tells the story of how Adonijah tried to usurp the throne from Solomon as King David was dying.

This illustration of the burial of Sarah is an engraving by 19th century French artist Gustave Doré from his 1865 book of Bible illustrations.

11/11/2024

The Torah portion for this Shabbat is Vayeira (Genesis 18:1-22:24), the fourth in the book of Genesis. It presents several stories. Guests inform Abraham that Sarah will give birth. Despite Abraham’s attempts to convince G-d otherwise, G-d destroys the cities of S***m and Gomorrah. Sarah gives birth to Isaac, and Abraham sends away Hagar and Ishmael. At G-d’s command, Abraham prepares to sacrifice Isaac, but an angel of G-d tells Abraham to offer a ram instead.

The Haftarah is 2 Kings 4:1-37 (for Ashkenazim; Sephardim end the reading at verse 23). In parallel with the story of the birth of Isaac, this reading tells of how the prophet Elisha foretold that a previously infertile woman would give birth.

This image of the destruction of S***m and Gomorrah is an 1852 painting by John Martin.

11/04/2024

The Torah portion for this Shabbat is L**h L**ha (Genesis 12:1-17:27), the third in the book of Genesis. It recounts Abraham’s (here known as Abram) first encounter with God; his journey to Canaan; the birth of his son Ishmael; the covenant between him, his descendants, and G-d; and G-d’s commandment to circumcise the males of his household.

The Haftarah is Isaiah 40:27-41:16. The prophet conveys the message that G-d promises support for Israel, "the seed of Abraham My friend" (41:8).

This image of the call of Abraham is from a Bible card published in 1906 by the Providence Lithograph Company.

10/28/2024

The Torah portion for this Shabbat is Noach (Genesis 6:9-11:32), the second in the book of Genesis. It tells the stories of Noah and the great flood, and of the Tower of Babel. Because this Shabbat is a Rosh Chodesh (first of a new month), Numbers 28:9-15 is added as the maftir; it includes commandments concerning sacrifices in the Temple for the new month.

Also because of Rosh Chodesh, the Haftarah is Isaiah 66:1-24. The prophet conveys the message that in the future, "'New moon after new moon, and Sabbath after Sabbath, all flesh shall come to worship Me,' says G-d" (66:23).

This image of Noah's Ark is an 1846 painting by Edward Hicks.

10/22/2024

The Torah portion for Shemini Atzeret is Deuteronomy 14:22-16:17, plus Numbers 29:35-30:1. It includes commandments about the Sabbatical Year, about slavery, and about the observance of Pesach, Shavuot, and Sukkot. The maftir presents commandments for the Temple sacrifices on Shemini Atzeret. The Haftarah is 1 Kings 8:54-66, describing how King Solomon blessed the whole congregation of Israel.

The Torah portion for Simchat Torah is V'zot Ha'brachah (Deuteronomy 33:1-34:12), the conclusion of the book of Deuteronomy; it presents the text of Moses's blessing upon the Israelites, and it describes Moses's death. Added to this is Genesis 1:1-2:3, the story of creation, plus Numbers 29:35-30:1, the same maftir as for Shemini Atzeret. The Haftarah is Joshua 1:1-18, describing how Joshua took over after Moses died.

The Torah portion for this Shabbat is Bereisheet (Genesis 1:1-6:8), the first in the book of Genesis and the beginning of a new annual Torah reading cycle. It tells the stories of Creation, of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, and of Cain and Abel. The Haftarah for Ashkenazim is Isaiah 42:5-43:10, which begins with a reference to Creation. Sephardim read the same passage, but conclude at 42:21.

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10/14/2024

The Torah portion for the first day of Sukkot is Leviticus 22:26-23:44. It includes commandments regarding the observance of holidays, including Shabbat, the High Holidays, and Sukkot. A special maftir is added, Numbers 29:12-16, describing the sacrifices commanded for Sukkot. The Haftarah is Zechariah 14:1-21, in which the prophet conveys the message that G-d will cause the Jewish people to triumph over their enemies.

The Torah portion for the second day of Sukkot is the same as the first day. The Haftarah is 1 Kings 8:2-21, describing how King Solomon dedicated the First Temple on Sukkot.

The Torah portion for the Chol Ha'mo'ed Shabbat during Sukkot is Exodus 33:12-34:26, plus special maftir Numbers 29:17-22. The Exodus portion includes how G-d allowed Moses to experience G-d's presence and how G-d instructed Moses to carve a second set of tablets for the Ten Commandments. The maftir continues the commandments for sacrifices during the days of Sukkot. The Haftarah is Ezekiel 38:18-39:16, in which the prophet foretells how G-d will triumph in a future war of Gog and Magog. In addition, the book of Ecclesiastes (Kohelet) is read as the megillah for Sukkot.

The photo here is of a 19th-century painted sukkah from Austria or South Germany exhibited at the Musée d'Art et d'Histoire du Judaïsme in Paris, France.

10/07/2024

The Torah portion for the morning of Yom Kippur is Leviticus 16:1-34. It presents commandments for observing Yom Kippur in the Temple, including the ritual of the scapegoat. Added to this is a special maftir, Numbers 29:7-11, describing Temple sacrifices for Yom Kippur. The Haftarah is Isaiah 57:14-58:14, containing a famous passage about how G-d desires righteous behavior more than an empty fast.

The Torah portion for the afternoon of Yom Kippur is Leviticus 18:1-30, a list of commandments mostly concerning forbidden sexual unions. The Haftarah is the entire book of Jonah plus Micah 7:18-20, containing the prophet's message that G-d will forgive the Jewish people.

The image here of 19th century Jews praying in a synagogue on Yom Kippur is a painting by Polish Jewish artist Maurycy Gottlieb (1856-1879).

10/01/2024

The Torah portion for Rosh HaShanah's first day is Genesis 21:1-34. It tells the stories of the birth of Isaac and the banishment of Hagar and Ishmael. The Haftarah is I Samuel 1:1-2:10, telling the story of the birth of the prophet Samuel.

The Torah portion for Rosh HaShanah's second day is Genesis 22:1-24. It tells the story of the near sacrifice of Isaac. The Haftarah is Jeremiah 31:2-20, in which the prophet conveys G-d's promise of redemption and return.

On both days, a special maftir is added to the Torah portion, Numbers 29:1-6, describing commandments for the Temple sacrifices for Rosh HaShanah.

The Torah portion for the Sabbath after Rosh HaShanah, Shabbat Shuvah (the Sabbath of Repentance), is Ha'azinu (Deuteronomy 32:1-52), the tenth in the book of Deuteronomy. In it, Moses recites a poem praising G-d and criticizing the sins of the Israelites. He describes the misfortunes that the Israelites will face and the damage G-d will ultimately wreak on their oppressors. The portion ends as G-d commands Moses to ascend Mount Nebo, where he is to die.

The Haftarah is Hosea 14:2-10, in which the prophet calls on the Israelites to repent of their sins. Ashkenazim add Joel 2:15-27, in which the prophet calls on the people to gather and purify themselves. Sephardim add Micha 7:18-20, in which the prophet promises that G-d will "take us back in love."

The image here is a 19th century engraving of a priest sounding a shofar.