 by Rebbetzin Malkah
In the world in which we live today, grandeur and wealth continue to be a means to power and influence. Despite this trend throughout history, it is important for us to recall a time when one person, and then a nation, made a remarkable transformation in a time akin to today. We see Moshe unravel the greatest illusion and break through the arrogance of a leader whose kingdom was built on the sand. We also see our people receive the first mitzvah, the key for a return journey, which would not only bring redemption, but lead them on the path back to Gan Eden.
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 We are wishing you a sweet and prosperous New Year 5772. So what are your new year resolutions this year? Would you like a set of tools which will help you be a better person, heal your relationships, and build a closer connection with Messiah? We invite you to join our second year of mussar practice with the Riverton Mussar program.
The Hebrew term Mussar (מוּסַר), is from the book of Proverbs 1:2 meaning instruction, discipline, or conduct. The Mussar movement was a Jewish ethical, educational and cultural movement that developed in 19th century Eastern Europe, particularly among Orthodox Lithuanian Jews.
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 by Rebbetzin Malkah
When we think about taking a holiday, we imagine pristine beaches with white sand, blue water, blue skies. Or perhaps it is that mountain vista with ice cold streams bubbling down river rock dotted beds, deer crossing the forest laden roads and the clean quiet. But how many of us imagine a hut topped with branches so we can see the stars, walls for protection from the wind and sun, and a chance to eat and sleep in the outdoors during one of the more unsettling times of the year? Most of us probably don't conjure up such images in the autumn, but it is precisely at this time when we read Kohelet (Ecclesiastes), enter the outdoors, and contemplate our true purpose and the meaning of life: outside the safety and comfort of our home.
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 by Rebbetzin Malkah
After G-d's creation was finished at the conclusion of six days, everything was in perfect balance. The seventh day represented the paragon of wholeness. The earth, nature, and humanity were in perfect relationship with their counterparts. When we ate from the Tree of Knowledge in Gan Eden with the wrong intention, we suddenly plunged ourselves into a world where we fail to understand anything in a pure and simple state. There would be no single pure moment or action. There was always a mixture of pain, or suffering, or sorrow which opposed the good in life. We would know the joy of bringing a child into the world, but not without the pain of labor. We would enjoy the fruit of the earth, but not without toil and tremendous work. We would witness a marriage ceremony, but not without the breaking of the glass and remembering our forlorn Jerusalem. We would strive to create the perfect energy source, but always find the means to produce it are far too costly or toxic. Once we were forced to leave Gan Eden, a place of plenty and goodness, we lost the ability to find anything in a pure and simple state.
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Beit Hashofar is pleased to announce the opening of our new Lichtenstein Guest House and Beit Midrash. This new facility is conveniently located steps away from the synagogue and offers the comforts of home as well as an informal study space. Our Guest House is an optimal base for seeing the Northwest region or just to stay overnight on Shabbat while residing in a kosher environment. 
Compassion is one of the most important of character traits, yet its an attribute that comes from learning, mostly in the school of hard knocks. People who have compassion reflect the face of God, because He Himself is compassionate to[…]
Rav Yisrael Salanter was a leading 19th century sage who founded the Mussar movement which was dedicated to the study and renewal of Torah teachings and halachot regarding ethical behavior and character development. One early morning, a disciple of Rav[…]
Our chavurah is reading together through Luke in the Delitzsch Hebrew Gospels, and this week we came to this verse: “Therefore, be compassionate just as your Father is compassionate” (Lk 6:36), the climax to Messiah Yeshua’s instructions to love our enemies and be generous toward[…]
I may be naïve, but I really do believe compassion comes naturally to most people at a core level.
If one notices a crying child in the street there is usually a longing to do something to remedy the situation[…]
A number of years ago, while taking a leisurely walk with my wife and in-laws, we happened upon a very understated and unpublicized public demonstration.
We had been visiting a local park well known for its exceptionally groomed rose gardens. […]
"Give, and it will be given to you; they will return to your lap a beautiful measure pressed, crammed full and overflowing. For with the measure that you use to measure, it will be measured to you."-- Mashiach Yeshua, Luke[…]
Use these questions to evaluate your day:
What were the seeds that started to erode your compassion today? Judgmentalism? Apathy?
Did you encounter anyone today who needed compassion? What was your response?
Do you frequently judge people before you know[…]
Articles
On Tuesday nights many collect for coffee and in-depth Torah learning facilitated by our rabbi and enhanced through the open dialogue of those gathered. 
The Goal of T'nuat Noar Tsippor is the integration of each young person, post b'nei mitzvah age, fully into Judaism and Synagogue life. Our hope i...
