July 24,2026 – Vaetchanan

Anniversary of a Bat Mitzvah: Va-et’chanan and My Wonderful Daughter

Ten years ago this sabbath, our daughter, Emanuelle Wirtschafter Sippy, was called to the Torah at Temple Adath Israel. It was the first and only b’nai mitzvah I did as a father and a full-time congregational rabbi. When Zachariah’s service was held in Minneapolis, I was teaching part-time and serving a monthly pulpit in Iowa. This was different. Ten years later it still has a special place in my heart. That I could share this service with our family and with all of you was a tremendous gift. For both of our children to be confirmed at the congregation where I was consecrated and for Emanuelle to be become bat-mitzvah is wonderfully meaningful.

It is again parshat Va-et’chanan, in which we hear the Sh’ma, V’ahavta and a repetition of the Ten Commandments. Music from Shir Adat will reinforce the importance of these words, and alternative translations in “Mishkan T’filah” will help us reflect on what they mean. The commandment to listen and understand, Sh’ma!, and the one to love God and one another, V’ahavta, with everything we have were a perfect fit for my daughter and a powerful encapsulation of our relationship to one another and as congregation and rabbi. After Emanuelle’s long and exciting year in Israel, I am looking forward to her returning home next month and hoping she can remain with us through Rosh HaShanah before returning to Israel.

Please join us at Kollel tomorrow, when we will continue our conversation about the role of love in Judaism, and at Torah Study, where we will discuss contemporary commentaries on this classic portion. May our love of God and one another deepen through time and grow throughout the generations.

Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi David Wirtschafter

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