1 Cheshvan 5774 / 4-5 October 2013
Torah: Genesis 6:9 - 11:32
Maftir: Numbers 28:9-15
Haftarah: Isaiah 66:1-24 (Shabbat Rosh Chodesh)
For a complete Calendar of Events, as well as lots of other information on our community, check out our web site at: http://bethmeier.org/
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Disparaging Compliments
"These are the generations of Noah - Noah was a righteous man, perfect in his generations; Noah walked with God." Genesis 6:9
Rashi: There are those of our rabbis who interpret this (his righteousness) as complimentary, for if he had lived in a generation of righteous people (as opposed to a generation of evil), he would have been even more righteous. And there are those who interpret it as disparaging, for if he had lived in the generation of Abraham, he would have been nothing special (by comparison).
As Rashi notes, there are many discussions in rabbinic literature concerning Noah's righteousness. But Rabbi Yaakov David of Amshinov sees a warning in Rashi's comment. He notes that those who understand the Torah as complimenting Noah are referred to as "our rabbis". But those who interpret it as disparaging lose the title of "our rabbis" - they are "others". The reason, he says, is that every person is entitled to the benefit of the doubt. For example, see Leviticus 19:15 - "In righteousness shall you judge your neighbor" and Pirkei Avot 1:6 - "Judge every person on the positive side of the scale."
In failing to give Noah the benefit of the doubt, some "lost" the title of rabbi. The term "rabbi" is a title of respect that means "my teacher". In a very real sense, we are all rabbis. We are constantly teaching other people, whether we know it or not. Our children, spouses, parents, friends, co-workers - everyone around us learns from us, and about us, by the words we use to describe others. If you want to be regarded with respect, give others the benefit of the doubt when you speak of them.
Shabbat shalom.
Rabbi Richard A. Flom
Congregation Beth Meier
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Candlelighting: 6:15 pm
Thursday: CBM Board Meeting - 7:00 pm.
Friday: Shabbat Evening Service – 8:00 pm. Bat Mitzvah of Ashley Breakman – Mazal tov!Saturday: Shabbat Morning Service – 10:00 am. Bat Mitzvah of Ashley Breakman – Mazal tov!
Sunday:
Tuesday: Lunch and Learn – 12:00 noon.
Adult Education News
Lynda Foster and Deb Sigel will be teaching Introductory Hebrew on Sunday
mornings, beginning October 20, at 10:00 am.
Rabbi Flom’s (Re)Introduction
to Judaism class will meet on 18-20 Thursday evenings, at
7:30 pm, beginning October 17, through May. Schedule, curriculum and reading
list will be posted on his blog and on the synagogue website Sunday.
Don't forget to bring non-perishable food items (no glass) for SOVA
the next time you come to Beth Meier.
This d'var torah is offered in honor of Ashley Breakman, becoming Bat Mitzvah
this Shabbat. Mazal tov!
This d'var torah is offered in memory of my uncle, Merwin Erenbaum, whose yahrzeit falls
on 7 Cheshvan (Friday). Y’hi zikhro liv’rakhah.
This d'var torah is offered for a refuah shleimah for Boaz ben Dina,
Dov Nechemya Hakohen ben Rachel Chaya Sarah, Eve Beatty, Howard Ehrlich, Joshua
Erenmark, Jerry Forman, Pamela Huddleston, Rose Jordan, Sara Lanxner, Frank
Marcovitz, Phil Raider, Gil Robbins, and Rachel Robbins.
Please let me know if there is anyone you would like to add to this
list or if there is anyone who may be removed from this list.
My weekly divrei torah are also available from the Cyber Torah
list.
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