Torah
Haftarah
Dedications and this week’s calendar are below.
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Same As It Ever Was
"In the third month, when the Children of Israel had gone forth out of the
Rashi: "What is the meaning of 'the same day'? That the words of the Torah should be as fresh to you as if they had been given today."
We learn in the Zohar that when reciting Shirat Hayam (the Song at the Sea), which is read from the Torah on Parashat Beshallach (we read it last week) and on the seventh day of Passover, and in the siddur every morning, that we should rise and sing it with great joy, as if we ourselves were standing at the shore, witnessing the great miracle. Similarly, when Aseret Hadibrot (The Ten Comandments) are read from the Torah, as we will this Shabbat, we rise and listen with great intensity, as if standing at the foot of
This is explained in Miginzeinu Ha'atik (From Our Ancient Genizahs). "You should not say that the Torah was given in the wilderness nearly 3,000 years ago, and it was only appropriate for that time and the conditions which existed then - 'The same day' - as if they had been given today - the laws of the Torah and our traditions are eternal, and they are relevant in every place and at every time."
This idea of irrelevance is often applied to any number of Torah laws, such as kashruth, Shabbat, and tefillin. And yet, one never hears anyone say that "honor your father and mother" or "you shall not murder" have gone out of fashion. (Although, in some quarters, even those commandments are regarded as optional.) Why is that? The discussion often turns on notions of personal freedom, the needs of society, and the desire not to stand out.
I would suggest that the whole of Jewish law and tradition is a complete, unitary system, subject to debate and changes in circumstances (like the destruction of the
Shabbat Shalom!
Congregation Beth Meier
Studio City
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Candle lighting: 4:50 pm
Friday: Shabbat Evening Service – 8:00 pm. Come on down for a joyful way to bring in Shabbat! Oneg Shabbat follows.
Saturday: Shabbat Morning Service – 10:00 am. Kiddush lunch follows.
Sunday: NO
Tuesday: Lunch and Learn - noon.
Wednesday: (Re)Introduction to Judaism class – 7:30 pm. This week’s topic: Kashrut
Friday, 24 January: New Member Shabbat Dinner – 6:00 pm. Join us as we welcome our new members for 5774. Contact the office for details – RSVP essential! Shabbat Evening Service – 8:00 pm.
This d'var torah is offered for a refuah shleimah for Blimah Reizel bat Ruchel, Dina bat Sarah Emanu, Dov Nechemya Hakohen ben Rachel Chaya Sarah, Miriam Minya bat Alisa Batya, Connie Rosen Axelson, Eve Beatty, John Todd Brosky, Jo Cardona, Howard Ehrlich, Joshua Erenmark, Jerry Forman, Pamela Huddleston, Rose Jordan, Steven Kleiger, Lizzie Legnine, Gloria Loera, Frank Marcovitz, Sheldon Mazo, Marshall Neiman, and Phil Raider.
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