Rabbi's Sermon Saturday 3rd February 2024
BRIGHTON & HOVE REFORM SYNAGOGUE
"A community based on the Jewish value of Shalom"
RABBI DR. ANDREA ZANARDO
BRIGHTON & HOVE REFORM SYNAGOGUE
"A community based on the Jewish value of Shalom"
RABBI ANDREA ZANARDO
Brighton & Hove Reform Synagogue (BHRS) has the largest Synagogue membership in the City, and provides a place of worship for Reform Jews. Our members come from all over Sussex, as well as within Brighton &
Hove, and sometimes from further away. We are a friendly and welcoming community, which values all of our members and their families.
As well as a place to pray and celebrate life cycle events we offer our members and the local Jewish community a wide range of educational and social opportunities.
Prayer for the Israeli Soldiers
May the Holy One who blessed our forefathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and our foremothers Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Leah bless the soldiers of every faith enrolled in the Israel Defense Forces, who stand guard over our land and our cities, from the border of Lebanon to the desert of Egypt, from the Great Sea unto the approach of the Aravah, on the land, in the air, and on the sea. May the Holy One preserve and rescue them from every trouble, distress, plague, and illness, and may they be blessed with success in their every endeavor. May the Holy One grant them salvation and crown them with victory; and may the holy work of rebuilding in peace begin soon, to fulfil in our days the prophetic vision לֹא־יִשָּׂ֨א ג֤וֹי אֶל־גּוֹי֙ חֶ֔רֶב וְלֹֽא־יִלְמְד֥וּ ע֖וֹד מִלְחָמָֽה “Nation shall not take up sword against nation; they shall never again know war” [Isaiah 2:4].And let us say Amen.
Rabbi's Thought for the Week
Purim
The month of Adar Rishon begins on Friday. And the Talmud explains: "When the month of Adar enters, we increase in happiness" [Taanit 29a]. Happiness is difficult in these weeks while we feel the pain of so many Israelis, relatives of the hostages and soldiers. Nonetheless, let us not forget that Adar is a happy month because of Purim, and Purim reminds us that even death sentences can be overturned.
May this be God's will, and let us continue to pray for the liberation of the hostages.