Pivoting away from the Torah to the Haftarah, we delve into the dynamics of being "called" by God; and how Elisha's call from God away from being a plowman to being a prophet occurred in an emotionally, mentally, and spiritually healthy way; especially, the certainty, clarity, and focus we see in him. We also go into the manner in which we, as Two-Testament Jews, are called in our generation, and some of the needs among the Jewish people and Faith-People around the world that can be met by, among, and through us.

The Lord "sends" humans: people with thoughts, feelings, strengths and flaws. God's goal is not to de-humanize us, but to rescue us into lives as "spiritual" human beings, rooted in eternal realities, and headed for the reality of Eternity – with Him, not separated from Him.

Sermon Given Via Zoom Video to Congregation Beit Ariel of Cape Town, South Africa. In this parasha we see Moses and Israel face the loss of Moses's sister, Miriam - and neither of them do a great job of handling it in a healthy manner. We learn from this example how to cultivate constructive, not destructive reactions to moments or seasons of discomfort.

This sermon explores facing how often we humans "just want to be like everyone else" around us; and how we often misjudge what we call "what everyone else has." We also see how deeply the Prophet Samuel "got it." He was accurately onboard with God's "Abraham Project," and could not be deterred, even by the entire nation rejecting God's kingship in favor of a fallible human king. Finally, the Israeli song, "LaMidbar" ("In The Desert") informs our understanding of these Two Testament truths about genuine vision keep us "on track" with God's will in our era.

Rabbi Bruce is back from sabbatical, and again offering new, original sermons to us. This week, from the middle of the Parasha, "Beha'alotecha" - a deep-dive into the actual experience the Exodus Generation had learning to God-follow, by having their location totally dependent on if and when "The Pillar of Fire/Cloud" moved or stayed put. And - how it applies to each of us, here and now.

Due to the mitzvah of The Seder, we will not be holding Erev Shabbat Services tonight 15 April 2022. However, there will be 90 consecutive minutes of Two-Testament Jewish music broadcast during the service time on FacebookLIVE and YouTUBE, if you'd like that kind background for your in-home observances. Enjoy!

Until the Rabbi begins delivering new sermons/podcasts on May 6th, your synagogue's iTunes library, our website library, and our huge "Archive.Org" treasury of over 500 Beth El Sermons (under the "Learn With Us" top menu at www.bethelnyc.org) ––– all offer you a chance to revisit favorite past sermons of yours, or listen to ones you may have missed. We cherish the place you have given us in your listening habits - and look forward to a new season sharing with you starting on Shabbat "Emor" in May. Shalom uv'rachot! (Peace and Blessings!)

Congregation Beth El of Manhattan, a Conservative Synagogue of Two-Testament Judaism in Manhattan's Upper East Side since 1993.

Parshat Yitro this week gives us a range of obligations – from can or may through could and should into must. We examine what the path of the God-follower / Truth-follower is in a world in which people can, at times, alter even the meaning of words to give themselves leeway to harm or defraud their fellow-humanbeings. May Heaven give us the light we need to “put aside lying, and speak truth with one another” to degree our Creator desires – and desires so much, He offers to do the “heavy lifting” on our behalf, and in our stead.

We also thankfully point anyone wishing to Tithe or Donate to our Donor’s portal at https://www.bethelnyc.org/make-a-donation. Be sure to peruse the newly-revamped website-and DOWNLOAD OUR NEW “APP!!!”– and please do share these resources with others YOU are HOW this synagogue GROWS! :-) Shabbat shalom!

Parsha Bo, the first study of 2022 – is all about freedom. “Remember the day you left the house of slavery!” We are told in Exodus 13 – near the end of the parasha. Our rabbi delves into the personal experience of being set free from any kind of slavery, because “by what a person is overcome, by that (s)he is enslaved.” (2Peter 2:19) But, “If the Son shall make you free, you will be free indeed!” (John 8:36) Habits or patterns that “take control” from you – and you are no longer “in the driver’s seat?” Time to be free indeed!

Parsha for the last week of 2021: “Shemot” (Torah: Exodus 1:1-6:1 Haftarah: Isaiah 27:6 - 28:13; 29:22 - 29:23) – and the sermon title is ... or, “Game-Changing Truths Onto Your Radar.” With huge numbers throughout the world observing the Messiah’s birth ... what are we as Jews to do with the stunningly clear portraits in Scripture and Talmud about the “Messiah son of Joseph, who will be slain?” There is such clear understanding among our Sages of why He would come, when He would arrive, what He would do ... and yet, the topic has been moved off the table of “in-house” Jewish discussion as so many billions of “them” (the non-Jewish nations) believe in Him within their languages and cultures ... while among our Jewish 14 million, only a few hundred thousand accept The Suffering Messiah as having been Yeshua of Nazareth? No truth ever ceased to be a truth because it had not yet found its fullest following. As the Sermon title holds forth, once anyone carefully reads the content of Jewish Scripture and commentary on the Suffering Messiah, they can never “go back” to before that content was clearly seen. It is a total “game-changer.”