Rabbi Yaier Lehrer
ylehrer@gmail.com
412-820-7000
Thought for Shabbat – February 7, 2026
The early prayer history of our people included a recitation of what are commonly if inaccurately called the Ten Commandments. The Ten Commandments were recited every day. But there came a time when the ancient rabbis decided that it would be a better practice to stop making them part of daily prayer.
The rabbis were concerned that by focusing on the Ten Commandments too prominently, it might take all emphasis away from all the other commandments. People might decide that the only laws that they really need to follow are the ones that are in those commandments revealed directly from God to the people of Israel.
But this view of the commandments is problematic. It assumes that what matters in Judaism and what people appreciate about Judaism is all about the laws. What to and when to do it or what not to do is a narrow view of who we are and what we aspire to. While the Commandments, whether in the ten we focus on this weekend or otherwise, are crucial to Judaism, there is so much more. There is joy, there is spirituality, there is connectedness; there are customs, practices, love, institutions, and opportunities to help repair the world.
When we focus too much on any of these to the exclusion of all others, it makes it difficult to touch or experience the true heart of Judaism. It’s kind of like going to a sumptuous buffet and tasting only the potato salad. Tasting from a few of the items on the buffet gives a true sense of what has been laid out for us.
Many of us are set in our ways. We know which items on the buffet we like and which ones we don’t. But as we get older we may find that some of our tastes have changed. To find the heart of who we are we should always be in the mindset of exploring and studying new aspects of who we are or can be. Commandments are important, but there is a whole buffet we can experience. To paraphrase the Boradway/movie character Auntie Mame, “Judaism is a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death.”
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Yaier Lehrer
Why does the lizard stick his tongue out? The lizard sticks its tongue out because that’s the way its listening and looking and tasting its environment. It’s its means of appreciating what’s in front of it. William Shatner
Thought for Shabbat – January 30, 2026
Miriam was not only Moses’ sister, she was also a Neviah, a prophet. So when she sang her song at the Sea of Reeds in the aftermath of the parting of the Sea, she led the women in song and music of timbrels. There is a classic song by the wonderful Debbie Friedman extolling the virtues of Miriam.
And the women, dancing with their timbrels,
Followed Miriam as she sang her song
Sing a song to the One we’ve exalted
Miriam and the women danced and danced the whole night long.
Many know of this song, but less are aware of another prophet Deborah whose song is part of the Book of Judges. Deborah was not only a prophet, she was a judge and general who helped lead the people to major victory. She sang a song of victory which, unlike Miriam, praised not only the power and miracles of God, but also the effort of her people to conquer their enemy. And specifically mentioned in this song is the woman Yael, who destroys the enemy general Sisera.
These songs stand out in Jewish scripture, poetry and history. And they remind us of the crucial role of women in the Tanach, the Holy Scriptures. And in recognition of that fact, a prayer/piyut was recently published in the last couple of years that has relevance to Shabbat Shirah and the songs of Miriam and Deborah. As it turns out the final part of this prayer has relevance this week as well.
For leading His people with might
Through sea on dry land,
Sing a song of gratitude –
Thus exclaimed Miriam!
May He who protects the fruit of His children
From persecution and affliction
Hasten the return of their captives –
Thus sang Deborah!
So with the return of the final hostage from Gaza, albeit not living, we can celebrate our bitter victory in song. We can bring to fruition the motto of the last two and a half years “we will dance again.” We can sing about our victories and the fact that until this week, there has not been a time when there has not been a hostage in Gaza for over twenty years. We can begin our healing.
For some the beginning of the healing is simply removing the yellow ribbon each has worn throughout the time our hostages were in Gaza. For others it is the renaming of the square in Israel that was named Hostage Square. But for all of us, when we come together and sing in prayer, it is not just the melody we hear but the sound of hope. The singing is the sound of hope in God, hope in the future, that our people can eventually be victorious against the forces that wish us disaster. Sing out loud. Sing out proud. Sing together. Heal and be rejuvenated.
Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Yaier Lehrer
Thought for Shabbat – January 9, 2026
What many commonly call the Book of Exodus is called Shemot in Hebrew, or Names in English. A name is not only what people call you. It denotes ancestry and reputation. As all of you know, the Jewish name begins with our individual names followed by the names of our father or both parents depending on the tradition one follows.
Names are very important to this part of the Torah. As an example, there arose a new Pharaoh in Egypt who did not know Joseph. How could that be? After all, every Egyptian, especially the elite class, should have known who Joseph was and what he did to save Egypt from famine.
On the other hand, this Torah portion further reminds us that Joseph came to Egypt. Why does the Torah repeat this? Perhaps to remind us that although Joseph had taken on an Egyptian name, as far as God and the people of Israel were concerned, he was still the same Joseph, a Joseph who knew where he came from and what that meant. This is evidenced by the Hebrew names he gave his sons even while he served the Egyptian government as one of its most important officials.
Our tradition values names and what they mean. According to Midrash, in Kohelet Raba, “A person has three names: one that he is called by his father and mother;one that people know him by,and one that he acquires for himself.” This is the name that expresses a person’s true inner self, according to Rabbi Ephrayim Black. That name, according to the rabbi can change throughout a person’s life depending on life experiences.
Our tradition goes on to say in Pirkei Avot that Rabbi Shimon said, “There are three crowns: the crown of Torah; the crown of priesthood and the crown of royalty. However, the crown of a good name is greater than all of them.” Once again we see that there is a name that we acquire ourselves. In this case our reputation among others is the key factor in what that name is or should be.
Every so often, it is a good idea to check into the name you project as your true self and the name that others know you by. Because unlike the name given to us by your parents, it is subject to change, sometimes for good, sometimes not. What do you think is the reaction others have to your name? Do they smile, nod their head or perhaps tremble in fear? Do they ignore you or ask for your advice? Do they trust you or hide their wallets when you come in the room? There are many other such clues to the standing and importance of your name. And remember, while you may not like the result of the clues you look it, the name you acquire for yourself can always be changed, either for the good or the bad.
Shabbat Shalom