AN EASY LIFE, AN EASY DEATH

Parashat Balak
14 Tammuz 5773 / 21-22 June 2013
Torah: Numbers 22:2 - 25:9
Haftarah: Micah 5:6 - 6:8

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An Easy Death, An Easy Life

"Who can count the dust of Jacob, and the number of the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his." Numbers 23:10

Try as he might, Bil'am the sorcerer is unable to curse Israel - he is only able to give blessings. Perhaps the ultimate blessing that he offers is the request that he die the death of a righteous Jew.

The Chafetz Chaim makes an interesting observation on Bil'am's statement. He says Bil'am wanted merely to die like the righteous, but not to live like the righteous. Living a committed Jewish life is not easy, he says; there are so many commandments and customs that restrict the believing Jew, 24/7. "This is permitted; that is forbidden." But death for the believing Jew, he teaches, is only a crossing over from temporary life to eternal life. For one who believes in the eternity of the soul and reward and punishment, death is not frightening. Hence, Bil'am wanted to die as a believing Jew. That's no great accomplishment, says the Chafetz Chaim. The real challenge is to live a proper, committed Jewish life.

Far too many of us, I'm sorry to say, take the Chafetz Chaim at his word - "shver tzu sein a Yid" - "it's tough to be a Jew". What is left unsaid is that it is also wonderful, if not downright awesome, to be a Jew! If one reflects on the significance of fulfilling any particular mitzvah, and considers that the entire system enables one to constantly join with the Divine, then one can see that the benefits far outweigh the costs. Yes, it requires learning and commitment, but that's a small price to pay for a cosmic connection!

Shabbat Shalom!

Rabbi Richard A. Flom - ZSRS '00
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"For the sake of Zion I will not be silent; for the sake of Jerusalem I will not be still." Isaiah 62:1

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Candlelighting: 7:49 pm

I am conducting Shabbat morning services at 9:30 am at Congregation Mishkon Tephilo, 206 Main Street, Venice 90291. Torah study follows Kiddush lunch. This will be my final Shabbat there as next Shabbat Rabbi Dan Shevitz will be returning from his well-deserved sabbatical. Barukh haba!

Lunch and Learn is an ongoing program of Congregation Beth Meier that meets Tuesdays to discuss Jewish texts and other topics of Jewish interest. It is open to all regardless of affiliation. Next meeting is Tuesday, July 2, 12:00 noon, at Congregation Beth Meier. PLEASE DO NOT BRING ANY FOOD UNLESS IT IS IN ITS ORIGINAL SEALED CONTAINER AND BEARING A HEKHSHER AS DAIRY OR PAREVE. Lunch will be provided by Congregation Beth Meier. Donations gratefully accepted.

Next Shabbat is Rabbi Aaron Benson’s final Shabbat as rabbi of Congregation Beth Meier. Please join us for services Shabbat evening or Shabbat morning to thank him for his service to our community and to wish him and his family b’rakhah and hatzlachah at his new position in Long Island.

I am pleased to announce that I will assume the position of rabbi of Congregation Beth Meier on July 1. I am grateful to the members of Beth Meier for their trust and encouragement, and look forward to a long and successful partnership in building and strengthening our community.

This d'var torah is offered in memory of my mother-in-law, Helena Stern Kronzek, whose yahrzeit falls this coming Monday.  Y'hi zichronah liv'rakhah - May her memory be a blessing.

This d'var torah is offered in honor of Congregation Mishkon Tephilo and its members, who welcomed me as rabbi and friend these past nine months. Rov l’todot!

This d'var torah is offered for a refuah shleimah for Dov Nechemya Hakohen ben Rachel Chaya Sarah, Eve Beatty, Beth Goldstein, Selby Horowitz, Pamela Huddleston, Micah Kosche, Sara Lanxner, Emily Levin, Frank Marcovitz, Phil Raider, Helen Reiter, Len Reiter, Judith Sakurai, and Kitty Schmerling.
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