Thursday, February 28, 2013

Something of Value

Parashat Ki Tisa (Shabbat Parah)
20 Adar 5773 / 1-2 March 2013
Torah: Exodus 30:11 - 34:35
Maftir: Numbers 19:1-22
Haftarah: Ezekiel 36:16-38
 
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Something of Value

“And the people broke off the golden earrings that were in their ears, and brought them to Aaron.” Exodus 32:3

“And the Lord repented of the evil that He had thought to do to His people.” 32:14

Rabbi Eizel of Slonim on verse 3: “Truly this was a great sin committed by Israel in making the golden calf. For all that, we must admit that that generation was better than our own. The members of that generation were willing to cast away their silver and gold in order to make gods for themselves; but today, in our great iniquity, we think it permissible to cast away God solely for wealth and happiness.”

Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Kotzk on verse 14: “Why did He forgive the sin of the golden calf even though the people did not repent, while He did not forgive the sin of the spies even though the people did repent? The sin of the calf had at least a spark of holiness, a thirst for the Divine. But the sin of the spies was all about a better material life.”

These are fascinating comments. Our teachers boldly imply that even mistaken worship of false gods is better than denying divinity altogether. It is not that money and happiness are innately sinful. Certainly not true happiness! Greed and narcissism are the true enemies of holiness. The evil arises from giving up on any sense of Godliness in order to pursue only worldliness.

Shabbat Shalom U’Mevorakh - A Peaceful and Blessed Shabbat!

Rabbi Richard A. Flom - ZSRS '00
Blogging at: rav-rich.blogspot.com/
Visit me on Facebook

"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: 5:31 pm
 
Lunch and Learn is an ongoing program of Beit Midrash Shalom 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, March 5, 12:00 noon, at Congregation Beth Meier, 11725 Moorpark St., Studio City 91604. 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.
 
Rabbi Benson will be out of town next week, so the evening session of Beit Midrash Shalom that usually meets on the first the first Tuesday of the month is cancelled. Sorry for any inconvenience.
 
This d'var torah is offered for a refuah shleimah for Deb Berenbach, Gabor ben Devorah, Selby Horowitz, Pamela Huddleston, Micah Kosche, Sara Lanxner, Emily Levin, Helen Reiter, Len Reiter, Gil Robbins, Rachel Robbins, Judith Sakurai, Kitty Schmerling and Helen Tomsky.
 
Rav Rich's Lil' Ol' Blog is also available via subscription to Cyber Torah.

Cyber Torah list management (no salesman will call!):
 
To subscribe to Cyber Torah, send an e-mail with the subject heading “Subscribe Cyber Torah” to: ravflom@sbcglobal.net

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Friday, February 22, 2013


Remember?


13 Adar 5773 / 22-23 February 2013
Parashat Tetzaveh (Shabbat Zakhor)
Torah Reading : Exodus 27:20 - 30:10
Maftir (Shabbat Zakhor): Deuteronomy 25:17-19
Haftarah (Shabbat Zakhor): 1 Samuel 15:1-34 

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Remember?

This Shabbat is known as Shabbat Zakhor (Remember) because of the first word of the Maftir, the additional Torah reading, which instructs us to remember what Amalek did to our ancestors on the way out of Egypt . This serves as a connection to the observance of Purim, Saturday night and Sunday, when we commemorate the defeat of Haman, a descendant of Amalek. However, I want to focus on a different kind of remembering, mentioned in the regular portion for this Shabbat.

"And you shall put the two stones upon the shoulder pieces of the ephod, stones of remembrance for the Children of Israel; and Aaron shall bear their names before the Lord upon his two shoulders for a remembrance... And Aaron shall bear the names of the Children of Israel in the breastplate of judgment over his heart, when he goes into the holy place, for a remembrance before the Lord perpetually." Exodus 28:12, 29

"For a remembrance - that the Holy One Blessed Be He should see the tribes written before Him and remember their righteousness." Rashi to verse 12, citing Midrash Exodus Rabbah.

"Memory is the source of redemption; exile comes from forgetting." Baal Shem Tov to verse 29.

The names of the tribes were engraved on the stones as a reminder - to whom? Rashi teaches that God needs to be reminded of the righteousness of our ancestors. Perhaps it is to remind God of our righteousness; we also are the Children of Israel. Does God really need to be reminded of anything - as if God could forget! Yet many of the prayers which we regularly offer do just that.

I understand the Baal Shem Tov, the founder of Chasidism, as saying "no!" We are the ones who need to remember. If we are righteous, we need to remember that we once were not. If we are not righteous, we must remember that we can become so - if we try. Remembering takes on redeeming qualities, because it can compel us to perform acts of righteousness. So it is imperative to remember what you once were; to be reminded of what you have the potential to become; and to do something about it, by performing acts of tzedakah, of righteousness.

Have a wonderful Shabbat! Purim Sameach! Barukh Mordechai; Arur Haman! 

HaRav HaGaon HaTzaddik Abba Reuven Ben Menachem Mendel Flom, Sh’lita
Der Heileger Burbanker Rebbe
Rosh Yeshivah – Lower Slobbovia
Slivovitz Taste Tester

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Rabbi Flom is conducting Shabbat morning services on February 23 at 9:30 am at Mishkon Tephilo, 206 Main St., Venice 90291. Torah study follows Kiddush lunch.

Lunch and Learn is an ongoing program of Beit Midrash Shalom that meets most Tuesdays to discuss Jewish texts and other topics of Jewish interest. It is open to all regardless of affiliation. Next meeting is Tuesday, February 26, 12:00 noon, at Congregation Beth Meier, 11725 Moorpark St., Studio City 91604 . 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.

Beit Midrash Shalom also meets the first Tuesday of each month at Congregation Beth Meier for text study led by Rabbi Aaron Benson and Rabbi Flom. Next meeting is March 5 at 8:00 pm. Donations gratefully accepted.

This d'var torah is offered for a refuah shleimah for Gabor ben Devorah, Selby Horowitz, Pamela Huddleston, Micah Kosche, Sara Lanxner, Emily Levin, Helen Reiter, Len Reiter, Gil Robbins, Rachel Robbins, Judith Sakurai, Kitty Schmerling and Helen Tomsky.

Rav Rich's Lil' Ol' Blog is also available via subscription (free, of course!) to Cyber Torah:

Cyber Torah list management (no salesman will call!):
To subscribe to Cyber Torah, send an e-mail with the subject heading “Subscribe Cyber Torah” to: ravflom@sbcglobal.net
Send requests for dedications of Cyber Torah in honor of a simchah, in memory of a loved one or for a refuah shleimah to: ravflom@sbcglobal.net
To unsubscribe from Cyber Torah, send an e-mail with the subject heading “Unsubscribe Cyber Torah” to: ravflom@sbcglobal.net

Thursday, February 14, 2013


EXPLORING THE GARDEN



Parashat Terumah
6 Adar 5773 / 15-16 February 2013
Torah: Exodus 25:1 - 27:19
Haftarah: 1 Kings 5:26 - 6:13

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  Exploring the Garden 

"And you will make curtains of goats’ hair to be a covering of the sanctuary; you shall make eleven curtains.” Exodus 26:7


Rabbi Yitzchak Nissenboim offers the following comment: “All the beauty of the sanctuary was inside – gold-covered beams, blue and scarlet curtains, gold vessels with precious stones, etc. But outside was a covering of simple goats’ hair. This is to teach us that one’s principal beauty should remain inside, with no conspicuous display of one’s wealth, so that jealousy and hatred will not be aroused.”

It is curious that he sees wealth as a form of beauty, although both wealth and physical beauty can be the objects of jealousy and hatred. What I see here is something a bit different. There is the idea that what lies within a person is the true essence – if physical beauty (or plainness or ugliness) is only skin deep, then looks can be deceiving. Outward appearance gives no indication of the depths of personality, intelligence and character - they do not manifest themselves on the surface.

As with people, so also with the Torah. We may read verses about the design of the sanctuary and wonder what any of this has to do with us in our modern world. Not every verse of the Torah is immediately uplifting. The externalities, the plain meaning of the text may do little to motivate us, or charge our spiritual batteries.

The Rabbis used the word “pardes” (a Persian for "paradise", a walled garden) as an acronym to describe the Torah and its depths – p’shat (simple or obvious meaning), remez (hint, allegory), derash (drawn out, homiletic) and sod (secret, mystical). Peeling away the layers (the method used above) allows one to explore and enjoy the complexities of Torah – and of our fellow human beings!

The inner beauties can be found – if we dig deeply and long enough. And getting to know more on the way is just as enjoyable and rewarding.

Have a wonderful Shabbat!

Mishenikhnas Adar Marbim Simchah - With the beginning of Adar we increase joy!

HaRav HaGaon HaTzaddik Abba Reuven Ben Menachem Mendel Flom Sh’lita
Der Heileger Burbanker Rebbe
Av Beis Din Chelm
Purim Reveler
Slivovitz Taste Tester


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Candlelighting: 5:19 pm

Lunch and Learn is an ongoing program of Beit Midrash Shalom that meets most Tuesdays to discuss Jewish texts and other topics of Jewish interest. It is open to all regardless of affiliation. Next meeting is Tuesday, February 19, 12:00 noon, at Congregation Beth Meier, 11725 Moorpark St.Studio City 91604. 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.

Beit Midrash Shalom also meets the first Tuesday of each month at Congregation Beth Meier for text study led by Rabbi Aaron Benson and Rabbi Flom. Next meeting is March 5 at 8:00 pm. Donations gratefully accepted.

This d'var torah is offered in honor of my sister Lorrie Flom Goodman and brother-in-law Jay Goodman on the occasion of their 20th (!) wedding anniversay, celebrated toray, February 14. Mazal tov!

This d'var torah is offered in honor of Adin Ring and Jonah Ring on the occasion of their becoming b’nai mitzvah this Shabbat. Mazal tov!

This d'var torah is offered for a refuah shleimah for Connie Axelson, Deb Berenbach, Selby Horowitz, Pamela Huddleston, Micah Kosche, Sara Lanxner, Emily Levin, Frank Markowitz, Helen Reiter, Len Reiter, Gil Robbins, Rachel Robbins, Judith Sakurai, Kitty Schmerling and Helen Tomsky.

Rav Rich's Lil' Ol' Blog is also available via subscription (free, of course!) to Cyber Torah:

Cyber Torah list management (no salesman will call!):
To subscribe to Cyber Torah, send an e-mail with the subject heading “Subscribe Cyber Torah” to: ravflom@sbcglobal.net
Send requests for dedications of Cyber Torah in honor of a simchah, in memory of a loved one or for a refuah shleimah to: ravflom@sbcglobal.net
To unsubscribe from Cyber Torah, send an e-mail with the subject heading “Unsubscribe Cyber Torah” to: ravflom@sbcglobal.net

Friday, February 8, 2013

WE'RE ALL STRANGERS ON THIS BUS!



29 Sh'vat 5773 / 8-9 February 2013
Parashat Mishpatim - Shabbat Shekalim - Machar Chodesh
Torah: Exodus 21:1 - 24:18
Maftir: Exodus 30:11-16
Haftarah: 2 Kings 12:1-17 (Ashkenazim); 2 Kings 11:17 - 12:17 (Sephardim); because Sunday is Rosh Chodesh Adar, many add 1 Samuel 20:18, 42

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We’re All Strangers On This Bus!

“You shall not wrong a ger or oppress him, for you were gerim in the land of Egypt.” Exodus 22:20

The word “ger” (plural “gerim”) is untranslated here, because it has two distinct meanings. The word may mean “stranger” or "alien”, i.e., one who is not from the place where s/he resides. It may also mean a “convert”.

“It has been taught: Rabbi Eliezer the Great said, ‘Why does the Torah warn against (the wronging of) a ger in thirty-six, and some say forty-six places? Because he has a strong inclination to evil.’” B. Talmud Bava Metziah 59b

Rashi understands “ger” in Rabbi Eliezer's statement to mean a convert to Judaism. He suggests that mistreatment of a convert will cause the convert to relapse to “his original bad character”. This is a not very flattering portrayal of converts (in truth, such a statement does not reflect positively on those who make it).

I believe that Rabbi Eliezer’s teaching deserves a deeper reading. Each of us, every human being, at some time or another has been a ger, a “stranger”, an “other”, which also suggests that each and every one of us has an inclination toward evil. The only protection any of us has is the commandment to remember that very fact. Perhaps that is the true meaning of “love your fellow as yourself”.


No matter who you are, you are a ger to someone else. “Love your fellow, who is a ger just like you”.

Mishenichnas Adar, Marbim Simcha! With the beginning of Adar, increase joy!

Shabbat shalom!

Rabbi Richard A. Flom - ZSRS '00
Blogging at: rav-rich.blogspot.com/
Visit me on Facebook

"For the sake of Zion I will not be silent; for the sake of Jerusalem I will not be still." Isaiah 62:1

Feel free to send this to a friend, and please cite the source.
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Candlelighting: 5:12 pm

NO Lunch and Learn this Tuesday.

Lunch and Learn is an ongoing program of Beit Midrash Shalom that meets most Tuesdays to discuss Jewish texts and other topics of Jewish interest. It is open to all regardless of affiliation. Next meeting is Tuesday, February 19, 12:00 noon, at Congregation Beth Meier, 11725 Moorpark St., Studio City 91604. 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.

Beit Midrash Shalom also meets the first Tuesday of each month at Congregation Beth Meier for text study led by Rabbi Aaron Benson and Rabbi Flom. Next meeting is March 5 at 8:00 pm. Donations gratefully accepted.

This d'var torah is offered for a refuah shleimah for Connie Axelson, Deb Berenbach, Selby Horowitz, Pamela Huddleston, Micah Kosche, Sara Lanxner, Emily Levin, Frank Markowitz, Helen Reiter, Len Reiter, Gil Robbins, Rachel Robbins, Judith Sakurai, Kitty Schmerling and Helen Tomsky.

Rav Rich's Lil' Ol' Blog is also available by subscription (no charge, of course!) as the Cyber Torah list.

Cyber Torah list management (no salesman will call!):
Send requests for dedications of Cyber Torah in honor of a simchah, in memory of a loved one or for a refuah shleimah to: ravflom@sbcglobal.net
To subscribe to Cyber Torah, send an e-mail with the subject heading “Subscribe Cyber Torah” to: ravflom@sbcglobal.net
To unsubscribe from Cyber Torah, send an e-mail with the subject heading “Unsubscribe Cyber Torah” to: ravflom@sbcglobal.net

NO IFS, ANDS, OR BUTS!

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