Faithful Shepherd – Revisited
Faithful Shepherd or Shepherd of Faith?
There is something truly beautiful about language. The words that make up a language can have multiple meanings both independently and as parts of a sentence, and when translating words there can be various understandings and interpretations.
Moshe, the first leader of the Jewish people, was a called a “Raya Mehemna”or what is commonly translated as a “faithful shepherd”. He tended to his “flock” with love and dedication, and made sure that his people had everything they needed. He always took the side of the people and brought their numerous complaints to G-d. When G-d was angry with the people and wanted to destroy them, Moshe stood his ground and told G-d that if the people were to be destroyed than he would have nothing to do with a future nation.
There is another way to understand the words “Raya Mehemna” which is a “shepherd of faith”. Moshe was the one who provided the faith for the people. He brought the Torah to the people and he brought the people to G-d. He taught and encouraged the young nation as they struggled to understand all that was happening around them.
It is with this characteristic that Moshe teaches us what a true leader is about. Not only does he worry about his flock in a material way and make sure they have all that they need to survive, but he also worries about their spiritual well-being. He is responsible for their survival as well as their growth and advancement in their relationship with G-d.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Mendy Hecht
About Our Shul
Located in a New Haven Landmark building listed on the National Register of Historic Places and honored by the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation, Orchard Street Shul was reborn in 2010 as a traditional yet “post label” synagogue after many years of disuse. We continue to build a dynamic community made up of Jewish people of all ages, from all backgrounds and levels of affiliation.
We seek to appeal to the Jewish self in us all, so we can join in a community in which every member of our family finds comfort, meaning, and spiritual connection. We celebrate our Jewishness, and yours. We invite you to join and experience our spiritual haven where you will be welcomed as family, find depth, meaning, and a new appreciation for Jewish life.
Orchard Street Shul
Our beautiful Eastern European Ashkenazi style synagogue was built in 1924 with a unique blend of Federal style and Eastern European architecture seen in our façade. The Shul stands proudly as a symbol of a once vibrant Jewish neighborhood, adjacent to Yale University and both campuses of Yale-New Haven Hospital. Today, the Shul is an anchor of New Haven’s emerging medical and biotech corridor. Jews of all backgrounds make our Shul happen, bringing Jewish life back to an historic neighborhood, in the only synagogue remaining of the dozen that once served our area. Now the only Shul servicing the downtown New Haven community, the sounds of Jewish life are once again regularly heard in this restored gem. You are invited to join your prayers with ours.
Read more About Our Shul, Shul History and Shul Restorations, and check out our Photo Gallery.
Connect With Us
We hold services every Shabbos at 9:30 AM, a Carlebach Kabbalat Shabbat minyan on the First Friday of the secular month (see posted time depending on season).
We welcome your membership, and contributions, but most importantly we welcome you. There are no tickets to attend our services and, please, you should always feel welcome to be part of our family.