Please join us for our Friday Night Service at 7:30 P.M.

On Shabbat morning Mr. H. Marty Hirschkowitz will chant his Bar Mitzvah Haftorah beginning at 9 A.M. Please join in wishing Marty a Mazal tov and stay for the kiddush following Services.

Tuesday-Talmud 6:30 P.M.

Shabbat Shalom.

Rabbi Ken Alter

Kol Colchester Parshat  Balak

In this week’s torah portion, Bilaam’s great praise for the Jewish people  is found in the famous words that begin our daily prayers, Mah Tovu Ohalecha Yaakov-“How goodly are your tents O Jacob.”

The Sages explain that Bilaam noticed how the tents of the Jews in the desert were carefully aligned so that no one could see into anyone else’s home. Bilaam wanted to curse the Jewish people, but because of their modesty he was unable to do so.

The underlying message is that the strength of the Jewish people lies in their homes which are the building block of  a nation. Much more than individuals create homes, homes nurture individuals. Stable homes with strong values and focused education are the most fundamental element in creating a strong nation.