Think: 

Standing there, looking down from Mount Sinai, Moses had to make a decision.

In his hands, he held two tablets, the work of G‑d, engraved by G‑d with His own words. No objects more precious than these two stone tablets had ever materialized in this universe.

Below, he beheld his people in the debauchery of their sin, worshipping a golden calf only forty days after hearing from G‑d Himself, “You shall have no other gods.”

If Moses would hold onto the tablets, he would have to deliver them, and then, he knew, none of those who had any involvement with the golden calf would have a chance of survival. He was their leader, their shepherd.

Yet it was to receive the Torah that he had liberated the people from Egypt and brought them here. It was to receive the Torah that he had ascended the mountain and lived as a heavenly being, without food, water or sleep, for 40 days and 40 nights. For Moses, these two tablets lay at the very essence of his being.

And now, Moses had to decide: Are the people here to keep the Torah, or is the Torah here to liberate the souls of the people?

So he shattered the tablets. And he saved the people.

And with that, Moses established forever the relationship between the Torah and the people.

-the Rebbe as adapted by Tzvi freeman for Chabad.org

Wishing you a Shabbat Shalom, have an uplifting week! Looking forward to celebrating together!

Rabbi Mendy & Mussy

p.s. As always, we would love to chat with you over coffee or drinks, about Judaism, or just life - simply reply to this email.

SAVE THE DATES for Purim x SXSW 2022!

High Energy Purim Party: Wednesday, March 16

Purim Masquerade Feast: Thursday, March 17

📖 Read:

• How Many Books Does It Take to Make a Place Feel Like Home?

• It was the most successful Jewish ad campaign of all time — but who was the model?

Watch:

Meet the Lubavitcher Rebbe: Judaism's Most Impactful Rabbi.

The popular educational YouTube channel UNPKD just released an insightful short video that gives a glimpse of the life, philosophy, and impact of the Rebbe, the leader of the Chabad movement.

  Upcoming:

Shabbat: Shabbat morning services 10:30 am

Torah discussion and reading 11:00 am

Followed by Kiddush and Cholent

Sunday: Weekly Sunday morning minyan followed by a HEAVY BREAKFAST 9:30 am

Tuesday 2/22: New Moon Circle

Wednesday 2/23: Discussion with Rabbi Mendy (at the Moishe House)

Saturday Night 2/26:  YJP Couples Game Night

3/4:   First Friday-Shabbat Dinner March

3/11: OpenShabbat at SXSW

3/16: High Energy Purim! tickets go on sale next week

3/17: Purim Feast tickets go on sale next week

 Listen:

The Pipul - a deep Chassidic song of yearning

Niggun of Dance

Benny Friedman - Yesh Tikvah

Openshabbat at SXSW

Join us for the return of #openShabbat at SXSW on March 11!

Click Here to RSVP early!

  Jewish word of the week: Shkoyach (n)

 Amalgam of the Hebrew phrase Yeyasher Kochacha, lit., "May your strength be directed forward."

Shkoyach is a versatile expression. It can be used to say bravo for a great sermon, good on you for being called to the Torah, or thank you for passing the latkes. But the meaning is always the same. You have done something good, you should have the strength to do more.

Shabbat Ki Tisa

Light your candles at 6:04 pm

in Austin, TX

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