Society of Jewish Science
Purim Megillah Reading 5pm & Shabbat Service at 7pm
March 14, 2025
HYBRID (In person & on Zoom)
Purim Megillah Reading in English- 5pm
Bagels and Hamentashen – 6pm
Shabbat Service – 7pm
Please join us as we commemorate the Festival of Purim and the miraculous events that occurred in Persia during the 5th Century, BCE. We will read the Book of Esther and celebrate the deliverance of the Jewish people from extermination at the hands of evil Haman. Afterwards, we will discuss some of the mystical aspects of the story as well as how this story applies to our daily lives.
Following the Megillah reading, we will gather together to enjoy some bagels, schmear, and (of course) some hamentashen.
This week’s Parshah, “Ki Tisa,” (Exodus 30:11) means “When you take” referring to taking a census of the Children of Israel. The L-rd tells Moses that as the people are being counted, they are to each contribute a half shekel of silver to the Sanctuary, as atonement for their souls. Instructions are also given about the making of the Sanctuary’s water basin, anointing oil, and incense. G-d then reminds the people to keep Shabbat.
Moses, who ascended Mount Sinai, is late upon returning and the people become fearful and make a golden calf and to worship. G-d wants to destroy the Children of Israel for their idolatry, but Moses intercedes on their behalf. However, after descending from the mountain and seeing the people dancing and worshiping the idol, Moses throws down the tablets of the 10 commandments (breaking them), destroys the golden calf, and puts the core idolaters to death. At Moses’ insistence, G-d forgives the people but declares that this generation will not enter the Promised Land. Moses reascends the mountain and creates a new set of tablets and the covenant with G‑d is reinstated.
Why would G-d need to count the Children of Israel in a census?
What does money have to do with making atonement for our souls?
Does Jewish Science have any opinion to offer on this?
