The fourth commandment details both an obligation and a gift: 'Remember the Sabbath Day and keep it holy.' The Reform Movement believes in the beauty of crafting a Shabbat practice that allows for individual and communal understandings of sacredness and rest.įind the Shabbat practice that is right for you by checking out our online resources! We read this passage in Exodus every year during the portion of Yitro and also on Shavuot. In this stunning moment, the Ten Commandments are first revealed. The people gather to hear the terms of the covenant which will connect them to God throughout the generations. This journey will determine who they are as a people. The Israelites arrive at the foot of Mount Sinai in their journey to the Promised Land. 'God spoke all these words, saying: I am the Eternal your God…' Moses is not the only one who sings in this chapter! His sister Miriam also picks up her timbrel and leads the women of the community in celebratory music and dance. One way to become more spiritually empowered is learning about Jewish blessings and prayers, which can help you feel comfortable in services, at holiday celebrations, and around the Shabbat table. The Mi Chamocha is integral to Jewish worship as a song of freedom and joy. These verses are an excerpt from the song that the biblical Israelites sang after crossing the Sea of Reeds to safety. This portion of Exodus is known as the ' Song of the Sea.' There are several prayers and songs derived from Moses's poetic verses, the most famous of which is Mi Chamocha Mi Chamocha מִי כָמוֹךָ Literally, “Who is like You?” Verses from Exodus 15:11 that are incorporated into the prayer service. In the Torah scroll, the words are arranged in three columns, perhaps representing the Israelites crossing through the water to freedom. Moses leads the people by singing a song of gratitude. 'Then, Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the Eternal One…'Īs the Israelites run from Egypt, they cross the Red Sea. Practice wrestling with new and ancient sacred texts by engaging in Torah Study and Jewish Learning. Our ability to wrestle with ideas is inherent to our Jewishness. The Jewish people will come to be known by this lineage, as b'nei Yisrael, the children of Israel, along with the land and nation-state of Israel. Before meeting Esau, Jacob spends the night alone and struggles with an unknown 'Other.' At the end of the encounter, the Other tells Jacob that his name will be changed to Israel: God-wrestler. After years apart, Jacob prepares to reunite with Esau at the banks of the river Jabok. They fight as young men when Jacob maneuvers his way into receiving the blessing and birthright meant for Esau. Jacob and Esau, the sons of Rebecca and Isaac, have a tumultuous relationship. ''No more shall you be called Jacob, but Israel,' said the other, 'for you have struggled with God and with human beings, and you have prevailed.'' Ĭultivate a sense of the divine within yourself by exploring the practice of Mussar. Learn more about how you can get involved in our Racial Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion work. The Reform Movement integrates this central belief into all that we do, creating Jewish communities and a world of belonging for all. It also teaches us about the nature of humanity, who God deems 'very good.' In this verse, we encounter one of Judaism's central values: b'tzelem Elohim, human beings are created in the image of God. The first chapter of the Torah tells us the story of creation, teaching us about God's relationship to the created world. 'God created the human beings in image, creating in the image of God, creating them male and female.' A Tour of the Torah from Union for Reform Judaism on Vimeo.

Word among us