Wednesday, August 27, 2014

THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD

Parashat Shoftim
4 Elul 5774 / 29-30 August 2014
Torah: Deuteronomy 16:18 - 21:9
Haftarah: Isaiah 51:12 - 52:12 (Fourth Haftarah of Consolation)
 
For full Calendar of Events and lots of information about our community, check out our web site at: http://www.bethmeier.org/
 
Please feel free to pass this on to a friend, and please cite the source.
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THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD
 
"Thus (the king) will not act haughtily to his fellows or deviate to the right or to the left from the commandment ..." Deuteronomy 17:20
 
In the verses preceding the above, the king is instructed to always have a personally written copy of the Torah at his side and to study it all his life. It is to serve as a constant guide to him, to keep him from straying off the path that is commanded in the opening verses of this parashah ("Justice, justice you shall pursue" - 16:20 - found at the entrance to the US Supreme Court)
 
The past few years have seen an increasing coarseness and shrillness in our “civil” discourse. Whether discussing political or economic issues, matters of war and peace, local or international concerns, we seem to be losing our way in the manner in which we treat each other. “Respect” is merely a word. Those in power, those who seek power, and those who support them, at any level of society, more and more often treat those with whom they disagree as the enemy of all that is right and good. Extreme rhetoric begets extreme positions beget extreme conduct - it’s a dangerous path.
 
It is worth remembering that the Torah has a different approach to how rulers ought to exercise their authority. Staying between the lines of right and left, traveling down the middle of the lane - that is the way to go. What happens when a driver goes too far to the right or to the left? A wreck!
 
The staking out of extreme positions to placate a "base" is the exact opposite of what the Torah instructs. Look at the road - the lanes are wide - the boundary lines at the edges are narrow. This is why Rambam teaches in Hilchot De'ot (Laws of Character Traits) 1:3 - "The two extremes of each trait, which are distant from each other, do not make a proper path. It is improper for a man to follow them or to teach them to himself." This applies not only to our rulers, but to each and every one of us!
 
Extreme moderation - that is the rule of the road.
 
Shabbat Shalom!
 
Rabbi Richard A. Flom - ZSRS '00
Congregation Beth Meier
Studio City, CA
Visit me on Facebook
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PROGRAM NOTES:
 
1. Beth Meier RELIGIOUS SCHOOL will commence Sunday, September 7, at 9:30 am. There has been NO increase in fees for this year. Please contact Rabbi Flom or the Beth Meier office at (818) 769-0515, or email  office@bethmeier.org for information and registration.
2. Beth Meier is sponsoring “Team Selma” for a 5K walk/run in the race to defeat ovarian cancer on Sunday, September 14. We hope as many members, including our Religious School students and their families, will join in.
For “team”, enter “Selma Schimmel”
3. Please get your membership and High Holy Day ticket forms and fees in to Beth Meier at your earliest convenience. Yontiff waits for no one!
 
CALENDAR:
 
Candle lighting: 7:04 pm
Friday: Shabbat Evening Service – 8:00 pm. Join us for a joyful service, followed by Oneg Shabbat.
Saturday: Shabbat Morning Service – 10:00 am. Light Kiddush lunch follows.
Tuesday: Lunch and Learn – 12:00 noon.
 
This d'var torah is offered in memory of my sister-in-law, Janis Devorah Kronzek, whose yahrzeit falls on 7 Elul (Tuesday). May her memory be a blessing.
 
This d'var torah is offered in honor of Isaac Echeto, becoming a bar mitzvah this Shabbat. Mazal tov!
 
This d'var torah is offered in honor of Barry Glass, Kerry Katz, Beck Saunders, Melinda Trauman, and Warrren Trauman, for conducting services this Shabbat in my absence. Y’yasher kochakhem!
 
This d'var torah is offered for a refuah shleimah for Miriam Minya bat Alisa Batya, Sarah Mindel bat Toby, Bonnie Baird, Elsbet Brosky, Howard Ehrlich, Dr. Samuel Fersht, Jerry Forman, Pamela Huddleston, Rose Jordan, Jeannie Kottler, Gail Neiman, and Annie Rivera.
 
Please let me know if there is anyone you would like to add to the refuah shleimah list or if there is anyone who may be removed from the list.
 
My weekly divrei torah are also available via the Cyber Torah e-mail list.
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, August 21, 2014

SAY IT ISN’T SO!

27 Av 5774 / 22-23 August 2014
Parashat Re'eh
Torah: Deuteronomy 11:26 - 16:17
Haftarah: Isaiah 54:11 - 55:5 (The Third Sabbath of Consolation)
 
For full Calendar of Events and lots of information about our community, check out our web site at: http://www.bethmeier.org/
 
Please feel free to pass this on to a friend, and please cite the source.
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SAY IT ISN’T SO!
 
"You shall not do so to the Lord your God." Deuteronomy 12:4
 
R. Menachem Mendel of Kotzk: Your worship of God shall not be "so", as a monotonous routine - one simply meant to fulfill your obligation - but for the sake of God and with a feeling of holy reverence.
 
"For you shall surely open your hand to him, and you shall surely lend him enough for his need, that is lacking for him." Deuteronomy 15:8
 
Rashi: You shall surely open even many times. (Citing Sifrei)
 
There is a conflict between two concepts relating to the fulfillment of the mitzvot. The concepts are keva' (regularity) and kavanah (focused intent). One must observe the mitzvot regularly, and become accustomed to them. At the same time, whenever one performs a particular mitzvah, one should do so intensely, focused on the holy significance of the act, and what it accomplishes. That's not easy to do on a regular basis.  That is possibly a reason for reciting a berakhah, a blessing, before performing a mitzvah.
 
But the giving of tzedakah, charity, is somewhat different. Tzedakah surely is a mitzvah. Thus we learn from the Kotzker Rebbe and Rashi that no matter how often we give tzedakah, with keva', it cannot be done in a rote manner; we have to do it with kavanah, with feelings of intensity and holiness.
 
At the same time, unlike virtually any other mitzvah, there is no b'rakhah, no blessing, recited before giving tzedakah. Perhaps the reason for no blessing is to prevent us from feeling too proud of ourselves for having performed the mitzvah. Another reason might be that it objectifies the recipient as a means to performing the mitzvah, and could also embarrass them. Perhaps more important,  the recitation of the b'rakhah delays the performance of the mitzvah, and with charity, time can sometimes mean the difference between life and death.
 
Give tzedakah, often, and know that it is a holy act. But don't think about it for too long.
 
Shabbat Shalom!
 
Rabbi Richard A. Flom - ZSRS '00
Congregation Beth Meier
Studio City, CA
Visit me on Facebook
 
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PROGRAM NOTES:
 
1. Beth Meier RELIGIOUS SCHOOL will commence Sunday, September 7, at 9:30 am. There has been NO increase in fees for this year. Please contact Rabbi Flom or the Beth Meier office at (818) 769-0515, or email  office@bethmeier.org for information and registration.
2. Beth Meier is sponsoring “Team Selma” for a 5K walk/run in the race to defeat ovarian cancer on Sunday, September 14. We hope as many members, including our Religious School students and their families, will join in.
For “team”, enter “Selma Schimmel”
3. Please get your membership and High Holy Day ticket forms and fees in to Beth Meier at your earliest convenience. Yontiff waits for no one!
 
CALENDAR:
 
Candle lighting: 7:13 pm
 
Friday: Shabbat Evening Service – 8:00 pm. Join us for a joyful service, followed by Oneg Shabbat.
Saturday: Shabbat Morning Service – 10:00 am. Light Kiddush lunch follows.
Tuesday: Lunch and Learn – 12:00 noon.
 
DEDICATIONS:
 
This d'var torah is offered in memory of Roza Blady, who would have been celebrating her 83rd birthday and her second bat mitzvah this Shabbat. Thank you to her children, Sarah Ferman and Ben Blady, for sponsoring kiddush lunch this week in memory of Roza.
 
This d'var torah is offered for a refuah shleimah for Miriam Minya bat Alisa Batya, Sarah Mindel bat Toby, Elsbet Brosky, Howard Ehrlich, Dr. Samuel Fersht, Jerry Forman, Pamela Huddleston, Rose Jordan, Gail Neiman, and Annie Rivera.
 
Please let me know if there is anyone you would like to add to the refuah shleimah list or if there is anyone who may be removed from the list.
 
My weekly divrei torah are also available via the Cyber Torah e-mail list.
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, August 14, 2014

THE WALK OF LIFE

20 Av 5774 / 15-16 August 2014
Parashat Ekev
Torah: Deuteronomy 7:12 - 11:25
Haftarah: Isaiah 49:14 - 51:3 (Second Haftarah of Consolation)
 
For full Calendar of Events and lots of information about our community, check out our web site at: www.bethmeier.org
 
Please feel free to pass this on to a friend, and please cite the source.
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THE WALK OF LIFE
 
"And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you? Only that you should fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways, and to love Him, and to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul." Deuteronomy 10:12
 
"For if you surely observe all this commandment that I command you, to do it; to love the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways, and to cling to Him." Deuteronomy 11:22
 
We humans are so full of ourselves, we think we have the power of God; we want to be like God. But a simple "act of God", such as a bolt of lightning, can shut down human power, literally, for millions of people.
 
Sifre Deuteronomy teaches: "To walk in all His ways." These are the ways of the Holy One, Blessed is He - "compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abundant in kindness and truth, preserving kindness for a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin; and granting pardon." (Quoting Exodus 34:6) Just as The One Who is in Every Place is compassionate and gracious, so must you be compassionate and gracious....
 
Compassionate, gracious, patient, kind, truthful, forgiving - these are more than just words. These are the ways we are supposed to walk through life - this is the path God wants us to follow. This is the way we can be like God. Just as God has Thirteen Attributes, so must we, created in God's image for the purpose of maintaining God's world, strive to develop in ourselves as many of these attributes as is humanly possible. Lace up those boots and start walking!
 
Shabbat Shalom!
 
Rabbi Richard A. Flom - ZSRS '00
Congregation Beth Meier
Studio City, CA
Visit me on Facebook
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Program Notes:
 
1. Beth Meier RELIGIOUS SCHOOL will commence Sunday, September 7, at 9:30 am. There has been NO increase in fees for this year. Please contact the Beth Meier office at (818) 769-0515 or office@bethmeier.org for information and registration.
 
2. Beth Meier is sponsoring “Team Selma” in the race to defeat ovarian cancer on Sunday, September 14. We hope as many members, including our Religious School students and their families, will join in. Info at: www.ovariancancerrun.com and registration at: www.ovariancancerrun.eventbrite.com
 
3. Please get your membership and High Holy Day ticket forms and fees in to Beth Meier at your earliest convenience. Yontiff waits for no one!
 
Calendar:
 
Candle lighting: 7:22 pm
 
Friday: Shabbat Evening Service – 8:00 pm. Join us for a joyful service, followed by Oneg Shabbat.
Saturday: Shabbat Morning Service – 10:00 am. Aufruf of Daniel Lee and Tali Ezon – Mazal Tov! Light Kiddush lunch follows.
Tuesday: Lunch and Learn – 12:00 noon.
 
DEDICATIONS:
 
This d'var torah is offered in honor of Tali Ezon and Daniel Lee, who will be kallah and chatan, bride and groom, on Sunday. Mazal Tov!
 
This d'var torah is offered in honor of Susan Arbetman, Rabbi Gary Charlestein, Elaine Kleiger, and Dr. Martin and Marilyn Lee for their Oneg Shabbat and Kiddush donations.
 
This d'var torah is offered for a refuah shleimah for Miriam Minya bat Alisa Batya, Sarah Mindel bat Toby, Elsbet Brosky, Howard Ehrlich, Dr. Samuel Fersht, Jerry Forman, Pamela Huddleston, Rose Jordan, Gail Neiman, Annie Rivera, Helen Schugar, and Neil Turbov.
 
Please let me know if there is anyone you would like to add to the refuah shleimah list or if there is anyone who may be removed from the list.
 
My weekly divrei torah are also available via the Cyber Torah e-mail list.
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

Wednesday, August 6, 2014

LOVE MAKES FOR A HEALTHY HEART

13 Av 5774/8-9 August 2014
Parashat Va'etchanan (Shabbat Nachamu)
Torah: Deuteronomy 3:23 - 7:11
Haftarah: Isaiah 40:1-26
 
Program Notes:
 
NO Lunch and Learn on August 12 – Rabbi Flom attending Board of Rabbis Conference all day.
 
Beth Meier RELIGIOUS SCHOOL will commence Sunday, September 7, at 9:30 am. There has been NO increase in fees for this year. Please contact the Beth Meier office at (818) 769-0515 or office@bethmeier.org for information and registration.
 
Beth Meier is sponsoring “Team Selma ” in the race to defeat ovarian cancer on Sunday, September 14. We hope as many members, including our Religious School students and their families, will join in. Info at: www.ovariancancerrun.com and registration at:
 
Please get your membership and High Holy Day ticket forms and fees in to Beth Meier at your earliest convenience. Yontiff waits for no one!
 
Calendar and Dedications:
 
Candle lighting, Friday August 8: 7:29 pm
 
Friday: Family Shabbat Evening Service – 7:30 pm. Join us for a joyful service, followed by Oneg Shabbat.
Saturday: Shabbat Morning Service – 10:00 am. Light Kiddush lunch follows.
Sunday: Celebration of the Life and Work of Selma Schimmel, z’l, at Sportsmen’s Lodge Hotel – 1:00 pm. Sponsored by Vital Options International. RSVP to Terry Wilcox at: twilcox@vitaloptions.org
Tuesday: NO Lunch and Learn. We resume Tuesday, 8/19.
 
This d'var torah is offered for a refuah shleimah for Miriam Minya bat Alisa Batya, Sarah Mindel bat Toby, Elsbet Brosky, Howard Ehrlich, Dr. Samuel Fersht, Jerry Forman, Pamela Huddleston, Rose Jordan, Gail Neiman, Annie Rivera, and Helen Schugar.
 
Please let me know if there is anyone you would like to add to the refuah shleimah list or if there is anyone who may be removed from the list.
 
This d'var torah is offered in honor of Debby Bitticks, Jack Howland and Lesley Kraut for their Oneg Shabbat and Kiddush donations.
 
This d'var torah is offered in hope and prayer that on this Shabbat Nachamu, the Shabbat of Comfort and Consolation, the cease-fire in Gaza will continue to hold.
 
See our web site at www.bethmeier.org for lots more information about our community.
 
Please feel free to pass this on to a friend, and please cite the source.
------------------------------------------------------------
LOVE MAKES FOR A HEALTHY HEART
 
"And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your might." Deuteronomy 6:4
 
"And it shall come to pass, if you surely heed My commandments which I command you today, to love the Lord your God, and to serve God with all your heart and with all your soul." Deuteronomy 11:13 (Parashat Ekev)
 
These two verses are both found in the Sh’ma (first and second paragraphs, respectively). I can understand how I can love with all my heart – our culture has considered the heart to be the metaphoric seat of love for thousands of years. Moreover, we say the heart is the source of all emotion - we often refer to deep emotional pain as “heartsick”.
 
How about serving with all one’s heart? According to the Rabbis, the answer is that prayer is a service which is of the heart (“avodat halev”). Indeed, the verse implies that prayer which is heartfelt can be seen as an act of love as well as of service to God.
 
But what happens when we cannot or will not use the heart for love, but instead, use it for hostility? A research study a few years ago found that people who were rated high on an “antagonism” scale were more likely to have calcium buildup in their heart arteries – literally, hardening of the heart!
 
Love and serve God with your heart, and you fulfill a commandment. The same is true for loving your neighbor (Leviticus 19:18) Don’t love, and you risk a heart attack. What an easy choice! I guess this is what they mean by “a no-brainer”.
 
Shabbat Shalom.
 
Rabbi Richard A. Flom - ZSRS '00
Congregation Beth Meier
Studio City, CA
Visit me on Facebook
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My weekly divrei torah are also available via the Cyber Torah e-mail list.
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

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