Tuesday, May 31, 2016

ANGEL MEDITATION

ANGEL MEDITATION

Before bedtime, it is traditional to say the "Bedtime Shema". This prayer can be found in more traditional Siddurim. The recital of the Shema immediately before retiring is perceived as a protection against the dangers of the night. One section of this bedtime Shema invokes four angels, each of whom has a specific purpose.

Michael, whose name means "Who is like God," guards the children of Israel. Gabriel ("God is my strength”) lends us strength and courage. Uriel ("God is my light") lights our way through the darkness. Raphael ("God heals”) is responsible for our physical and emotional well being. The Shekhinah is God's "female side," God's nurturing aspect, envisioned as a woman with white wings, hovering over the bed like a canopy.

One recites (or chants) the following:

בְּשֵׁם יְיָ אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, מִימִינִי מִיכָאֵל, וּמִשְּׂמֹאלִי גַּבְרִיאֵל, וּמִלְּפָנַי אוּרִיאֵל, וּמֵאֲחוֹרַי רְפָאֵל, וְעַל רֹאשִׁי שְׁכִינַת אֵל.

B’'sheim Adonai elohei yisra-eil, mimini mikha-eil, umis’moli gavri-eil, umil'fanai uri-eil, umei-achorai r'fa-eil, v'al roshi sh'khinat eil.

In the name of the Lord, the God of Israel, may Michael be at my right hand; Gabriel at my left; before me, Uriel; behind me, Raphael; and above my head, the divine presence of God.


Good night. Sleep well.




angelmeditation.doc


© Richard Flom

Wednesday, May 25, 2016

WAYS AND MEANS

Parashat Behar
Torah: Leviticus 25:1 – 26:2
Haftarah: Jeremiah 32:6-27

20 Iyar 5776 / 27-28 May 2016

Calendar and dedications follow below. For a full calendar of events and other info about Congregation Beth Meier, check out: www.bethmeier.org

Please feel free to pass this on to a friend, and please cite the source
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WAYS AND MEANS

"And if you say, 'What will we eat in the seventh year? Behold, we do not sow and do not gather in our crop', then I will command My blessing upon you in the sixth year, and it will bring forth fruit for three years." (Leviticus 25:21)

Every seventh year, known as shmittah, the land of Israel is not to be tilled. During that year, the people are to live on the harvest from the end of the sixth year plus anything growing wild. During the eighth year (the first year in the next cycle), they are to survive on surplus from the sixth plus anything growing wild in the seventh and eighth years until the new crop comes in. Imported food is also permitted.

A number of commentators have suggested that one purpose of the shmittah year is to teach the wealthy what it is like to lack resources and not have all that they want. They will develop humility and an understanding of the need to help the poor.

But will they? After all, the rich will merely plan ahead with extra stores, or use their wealth to purchase what they need. So what does God mean by "I will command My blessing"?

Perhaps this: "And if your brother becomes poor and his strength fails him, you shall support him, even if he is a convert or a sojourner among you, that he may live with you." (Leviticus 25:35) That is certainly a command - but where is the blessing? As we will read in the opening lines of next week’s parashah, B’chukotai, "If you walk in My statutes and keep My commandments, and do them; then I will give you rain in due season, and the land will yield its produce, and the trees of the field will yield their fruit." (Leviticus 26:3-4)

It's a simple lesson for the haves, which is just about all of us reading this e-mail. If you take care of the needy when you have the means, you will continue to be blessed with the means. Otherwise, you might eventually be denied the means even to take care of yourself.

Shabbat Shalom!

Rabbi Richard A. Flom
Congregation Beth Meier - Studio City, CA
Twitter: @DrahcirMolf

"From the place where we are absolutely right, flowers will never grow in the spring."
"מן המקום שבו אנו צודקים לא יצמחו לעולם פרחים באביב"
Yehuda Amichai
---------------------------------------------------------
Candlelighting: 7:38 pm

Friday: Shabbat Evening Service – 8:00 pm. Oneg Shabbat follows.
Saturday: Shabbat Morning Service – 10:00 am. Kiddush lunch follows.
Sunday: NO Religious School – summer break. NO Sunday Adult Education except by request to Barry Glass or Lynda Foster.
Monday: Memorial Day. Before you prepare for your barbecue, please - raise a flag, take a moment of silence, show gratitude and respect for those who died in service to our country.
Tuesday: Lunch and Learn – 12:00 noon.
Friday, 3 June: Shabbat Evening Service – 8:00 pm. Oneg Shabbat follows.
Saturday, 4 June: Shabbat Morning Service – 10:00 am. Kiddush lunch follows.
Saturday, 11 June: Tikkun Leil Shavuot at Adat Ari El. Our flyer says that the study sessions begin at 9:00 pm. However, we will first hold ma’ariv and havdalah at Adat Ari El at 8:45, and the learning will begin at 9:15 pm.
Sunday, 12 June: Shavuot Morning Service – 10:00 am.
Monday, 13 June: Shavuot Morning Service and Yizkor – 10:00 am.

Next time you come to Beth Meier, please bring some non-perishable canned and packaged foods and personal items (no glass) for SOVA.

This d'var torah is offered for a refuah shleimah for Yaakov Rani Ben Margalit, Avi Shmuel Yosef Hakohen ben Bella, Miriam Minya bat Alisa Batya, Sarah bat Devorah, Susan Arbetman, Scott Beatty, Ken Bitticks, Elsbet Brosky, Jerry Daniels, Maya Fersht (Maya bat Esther), Dr. Samuel Fersht (Shmuel Natan ben Gittel), Leonard Foint (Eliezer Moshe ben Esther), Jerry Forman, Stephanie Kane, Philip Kovac, Carolynne Lavoie-Schwartz, Toni Linder, Deborah Schugar Strauss (Devorah bat Chaya Feiga), and Beatrice Weide (Bayla bat Malkah).

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 available through free subscription to the Cyber Torah e-mail list. No salesman will call!
Cyber Torah list management:
To subscribe to Cyber Torah, send an e-mail from the receiving address to: ravflom@sbcglobal.net with the heading “Subscribe Cyber Torah”.
To unsubscribe from Cyber Torah, send an e-mail from the receiving address to: ravflom@sbcglobal.net with the heading “Unsubscribe Cyber Torah”.
To dedicate a Cyber Torah in honor of a simchah, in memory of a loved one or for a refuah shleimah, send an e-mail to: ravflom@sbcglobal.net with the heading “Dedicate Cyber Torah” and provide details in the message body.

Thursday, May 19, 2016

SPEAKING AND SAYING

Parashat Emor
13 Iyar 5776 / 20-21 May 2016
Torah: Leviticus 21:1 - 24:23
Haftarah: Ezekiel 44:15-31

Calendar and dedications follow below. For a full calendar of events and other info about Congregation Beth Meier, check out: www.bethmeier.org

Please feel free to pass this on, and please cite the source.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
SPEAKING AND SAYING

And the Lord said to Moses, "Speak to the priests the sons of Aaron, and say to them, 'None may be defiled for the dead among his people.'" Leviticus 21:1

Rashi, quoting B. Talmud Yevamot 114a: "Speak" and "say" - to admonish the big ones regarding the little ones.

Porachat Altah Nitzah: This is to warn leaders (literally, "those standing at the head of the people") to make themselves small, so that they do not step on the heads of this holy people, that they not be prideful and lord it over the people.

Our commentators see in the linguistic redundancy a hint at something more. Rebbe Elimelekh of Lizhensk is even more forceful. He suggests that the more powerful one is and the more one is known (or perhaps, believed) to be a tzaddik, a righteous person, the more scrupulous one needs to be about even the least significant commandment or character fault.

More and more frequently, it seems, we hear political leaders, captains of industry and other powerful figures in our society tell us we must "tighten our belts" even as they make excuses for their excesses (that necessitated the belt tightening!) and justify them as entitlements that come with their positions.

Lord Acton wrote: "Historic responsibility has to make up for the want of legal responsibility. Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." He might have been referring to this week's parashah - the unbridled exercise of power causes one to be defiled, one whose sacrifices (and good works) are thereby unacceptable to God, one whose soul can be irreparably damaged.

We need leaders - but we need leaders who know and respect their limits. How much more so as we in the United States go deeper into this year’s political season. Authority without responsibility is a license to do unmitigated damage. When will we ever "get it"?

Speak to our leaders, and say to them.

Shabbat Shalom!

Rabbi Richard A. Flom
Congregation Beth Meier - Studio City, CA
Twitter: @DrahcirMolf

"From the place where we are absolutely right, flowers will never grow in the spring."
"מן המקום שבו אנו צודקים לא יצמחו לעולם פרחים באביב"
Yehuda Amichai
---------------------------------------------------------
Candlelighting: 7:33 pm

Friday: Shabbat Evening Service – 8:00 pm. Oneg Shabbat follows.
Saturday: Shabbat Morning Service – 10:00 am. Kiddush lunch follows.
SundayNO Religious School or Adult Ed at the synagogue, because …. We’re having a Lag Ba’Omer Religious School and Congregational Cook-out – at Beeman Park – 11:00 am. Everyone’s invited to this end of the school-year event. CBM providing the hot dogs (yes, including vegetarian), sides, snacks and drinks - You bring games, Frisbees, etc.
Tuesday: Lunch and Learn – 12:00 noon.
Thursday, 26 May: Lag Ba’Omer. Fire up the barbee!
Friday, 27 May: Shabbat Evening Service – 8:00 pm. Oneg Shabbat follows.
Saturday, 28 May: Shabbat Morning Service – 10:00 am. Kiddush lunch follows.
Sunday, 29 May: NO Religious School – summer break. Sunday Adult Education also on hiatus unless by demand.
Monday, 30 May: Memorial Day. Raise Old Glory and Take a moment of silence to remember those who died in service to our country.

Next time you come to Beth Meier, please bring some non-perishable canned and packaged foods and personal items (no glass) for SOVA.

This d'var torah is offered in memory of Steven Kleiger z”l, whose yahrzeit falls on Tuesday, 16 Iyar. His memory is a blessing.

This d'var torah is offered in honor of Florence Levinson, celebrating her 90th birthday on Friday. May 27. Ad meah v’esrim! Mazal tov!

This d'var torah is offered for a refuah shleimah for Yaakov Rani Ben Margalit, Avi Shmuel Yosef Hakohen ben Bella, Miriam Minya bat Alisa Batya, Sarah bat Devorah, Susan Arbetman, Scott Beatty, Ken Bitticks, Elsbet Brosky, Jerry Daniels, Maya Fersht (Maya bat Esther), Dr. Samuel Fersht (Shmuel Natan ben Gittel), Leonard Foint (Eliezer Moshe ben Esther), Jerry Forman, Stephanie Kane, Philip Kovac, Carolynne Lavoie-Schwartz, Suzanne Rosenthal (Sima Devorah bat Chanah), Deborah Schugar Strauss (Devorah bat Chaya Feiga), and Beatrice Weide (Bayla bat Malkah).

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 available through free subscription to the Cyber Torah e-mail list. No salesman will call!
Cyber Torah list management:
To subscribe to Cyber Torah, send an e-mail from the receiving address to: ravflom@sbcglobal.net with the heading “Subscribe Cyber Torah”.
To unsubscribe from Cyber Torah, send an e-mail from the receiving address to: ravflom@sbcglobal.net with the heading “Unsubscribe Cyber Torah”.
To dedicate a Cyber Torah in honor of a simchah, in memory of a loved one or for a refuah shleimah, send an e-mail to: ravflom@sbcglobal.net with the heading “Dedicate Cyber Torah” and provide details in the message body.

Wednesday, May 11, 2016

WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW

Parashat Kedoshim
6 Iyar 5776 / 13-14 May 2016
Torah: Leviticus 19:1 – 20:27
Haftarah: Amos 9:7-15 (Ashkenazim); Ezekiel 20:2-20 (Sephardim)

Calendar and dedications follow below. For a full calendar of events and other info about Congregation Beth Meier, check out:
http://bethmeier.org

Please feel free to pass this on, and please cite the source.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW

"You shall not take revenge and you shall not bear a grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your fellow as yourself; I am the Lord." Lev. 19:18

"As the home born among you, so shall be the stranger that dwells with you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt; I am the Lord your God." Lev. 19:34.

In her book, "New Studies in Leviticus", Nehama Leibowitz wonders what exactly is meant by "as yourself" (kamocha). She points out that the Rabbis had said that to love another as one's self cannot be taken literally. She refers to the commentary "Biur", which says, "It is hardly conceivable that the Almighty should command something which is beyond human capacity." Rather, says Leibowitz, do not read "as yourself", but instead "who is like you". That is why the Torah says, "For you were strangers in the land of Egypt." Because you know the heart of a stranger (Exodus 23:9), you must love the stranger rather than treat him the way you were treated in Egypt.

Leibowitz’ reading raises another issue. The word "ger", translated here as "stranger", has two meanings - "alien" and "proselyte". The Rabbis understood the “stranger that dwells with you” in the latter sense. They understood "you were strangers" in the former sense. Then Leibowitz’ understanding of "kamocha" as "who is like you" would suggest either that the Israelites had become Egyptian proselytes, God forbid, or that "the stranger that dwells with you" means any stranger, regardless of religious practice.

Far be it from me to suggest that the Rabbis misinterpreted this verse; but I wish to propose a broader meaning. The "stranger" is a closely related case to "fellow". Just as you are to love your fellow, who you recognize to be like you, so should you love the stranger who, as it happens, whether alien or proselyte, is also like you.

Recall that every person is created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26). Perhaps that is why the second verse has the phrase "your God" - as a reminder. So every person can become "your fellow" whom you love and who loves you in return - but only when you acknowledge that every person is "like you".

This Shabbat, we each have the opportunity to carry out both of the mitzvot discussed above, as well as the mitzvah that opens the parashah - "…You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy.” Lev. 19:2

This Saturday, May 14, mail carriers throughout the United States will be "stamping out hunger", collecting cans, bags and boxes of non-perishable groceries. The food will be distributed to local food banks and soup kitchens. This is a no-brainer. All you have to do is leave groceries by your mailbox and the carrier will take it when s/he delivers your mail. One item or fifty, it will all help alleviate someone's hunger for a time. It's a wonderful way for you and your children to carry out the call which we made at the Pesach Seder just two weeks ago - "Let all who are hungry come and eat!"

Have a wonderful, loving and holy Shabbat!

Rabbi Richard A. Flom
Congregation Beth Meier - Studio City, CA

"From the place where we are absolutely right, flowers will never grow in the spring."
"מן המקום שבו אנו צודקים לא יצמחו לעולם פרחים באביב"
Yehuda Amichai
---------------------------------------------------------
Candlelighting: 7:28 pm

Friday: Family Shabbat Evening Service – 7:30 pm. Oneg Shabbat follows.
Saturday: Shabbat Morning Service – 10:00 am. Kiddush lunch follows.
Sunday: Religious School – 9:30 am. Adult Hebrew Class – 10:00 am.
Tuesday: Lunch and Learn – 12:00 noon.
Friday, 20 May: Shabbat Evening Service – 8:00 pm. Oneg Shabbat follows.
Saturday, 21 May: Shabbat Morning Service – 10:00 am. Kiddush lunch follows.
Sunday, 22 MayLag B’Omer Religious School and Congregational Cook-out – Beeman Park – 11:00 am. Everyone’s invited to this end of the school-year event. CBM providing the hot dogs (yes, including vegetarian), sides, snacks and drinks. You bring games, Frisbees, etc.

Next time you come to Beth Meier, please bring some non-perishable canned and packaged foods and personal items (no glass) for SOVA.

This d'var torah is offered in memory of my cousin, Irvin Jacobson z”l, whose yahrzeit is on Sunday, 7 Iyar. His memory is a blessing.

This d'var torah is offered for a refuah shleimah for Yaakov Rani Ben Margalit, Avi Shmuel Yosef Hakohen ben Bella, Miriam Minya bat Alisa Batya, Sarah bat Devorah, Scott Beatty, Ken Bitticks, Elsbet Brosky, Jerry Daniels, Maya Fersht (Maya bat Esther), Dr. Samuel Fersht (Shmuel Natan ben Gittel), Leonard Foint (Eliezer Moshe ben Esther), Jerry Forman, Stephanie Kane, Philip Kovac, Carolynne Lavoie-Schwartz, Suzanne Rosenthal (Sima Devorah bat Chanah), and Deborah Schugar Strauss (Devorah bat Chaya Feiga).

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 available through free subscription to the Cyber Torah e-mail list. No salesman will call!
Cyber Torah list management:
To subscribe to Cyber Torah, send an e-mail from the receiving address to: ravflom@sbcglobal.net with the heading “Subscribe Cyber Torah”.
To unsubscribe from Cyber Torah, send an e-mail from the receiving address to: ravflom@sbcglobal.net with the heading “Unsubscribe Cyber Torah”.
To dedicate a Cyber Torah in honor of a simchah, in memory of a loved one or for a refuah shleimah, send an e-mail to: ravflom@sbcglobal.net with the heading “Dedicate Cyber Torah” and provide details in the message body.


Thursday, May 5, 2016

EVIL INCLINATIONS

Parashat Acharei Mot
29 Nisan 5776 / 6-7 May 2016
Torah: Leviticus 16:1 – 18:30
Haftarah: 1 Samuel 20:18-42 (Machar Chodesh)

Calendar and dedications follow below. For a full calendar of events and other info about Congregation Beth Meier, check out: http://bethmeier.org

Please feel free to pass this on to a friend, and please cite the source.
--------------------------------------------------------------
EVIL INCLINATIONS

“And he will take from the congregation of the Children of Israel two kids of goats for a sin offering …” Leviticus 16:5

Rabbi Israel Salanter (founder of the Mussar movement) taught that there are two kinds of yetzer hara (evil inclination): 1. that which comes from bodily lust; and, 2. that which entices a person to sin as an act of defiance. He cites a teaching from the Talmud (Berakhot 54), which says that the unusual Hebrew formation in the Sh’ma of “with all your heart” (b’khol l’vav’kha instead of b’khol libekha, two “beits” instead of one) means that we can and should use the first type of yetzer hara in combination with our yetzer hatov (good inclination) for good purposes – e.g., utilizing one’s lust for power to channel it into accomplishing much for the benefit of society. On the other hand, with regard to the second type of evil inclination, that of defiance, one should flee as far as possible from it.

The commentary Tzvi Yisrael says that Rabbi Salanter’s teaching is borne out by the two kids that are the sin offerings of Yom Kippur. Regarding the evil inclination coming from lust, Lev. 16:9 says, “Aaron will sacrifice the goat”, meaning this evil inclination must be channeled into service of God. Concerning the other kid, representing the evil inclination of defiance of God, Lev. 16:10 says it must “go for a scapegoat into the wilderness” – one must drive it away and stay as far as possible from it. (From Itturei Torah)

The difficult part of all this is recognizing which evil inclination we are dealing with. For that, we must really know ourselves – and that is what Mussar (ethical self-discipline) and cheshbon hanefesh (accounting of the soul) are all about. Who says that Yom Kippur only comes once a year?


Rabbi Richard A. Flom
Congregation Beth Meier - Studio City, CA

"From the place where we are absolutely right, flowers will never grow in the spring."
"מן המקום שבו אנו צודקים לא יצמחו לעולם פרחים באביב"
Yehuda Amichai
---------------------------------------------------------
Candlelighting: 7:23 pm

Friday: Shabbat Evening Service – 8:00 pm. Oneg Shabbat follows.
Saturday: Shabbat Morning Service – 10:00 am. Kiddush lunch follows.
Sunday: NO Religious School or Adult Ed – Happy Mothers’ Day!
Tuesday: Lunch and Learn – 12:00 noon.
Friday, 13 May:  Family Shabbat Evening Service – 7:30 pm. Oneg Shabbat follows.
Saturday, 14 May: Shabbat Morning Service – 10:00 am. Kiddush lunch follows.
Sunday, 15 May: Religious School – 9:30 am. Adult Hebrew Class – 10:00 am.
Sunday, 22 May: Religious School and Congregational Cook-outBeeman Park – 11:00 am. Everyone’s invited to this end of the school-year event. CBM providing the hot dogs (yes, including vegetarian), sides, snacks and drinks. You bring games, Frisbees, etc.

Next time you come to Beth Meier, please bring some non-perishable canned and packaged foods and personal items (no glass) for SOVA.

This d'var torah is offered for a refuah shleimah for Yaakov Rani Ben Margalit, Avi Shmuel Yosef Hakohen ben Bella, Miriam Minya bat Alisa Batya, Sarah bat Devorah, Scott Beatty, Ken Bitticks, Elsbet Brosky, Jerry Daniels, Maya Fersht (Maya bat Esther), Dr. Samuel Fersht (Shmuel Natan ben Gittel), Leonard Foint (Eliezer Moshe ben Esther), Jerry Forman, Stephanie Kane, Philip Kovac, Carolynne Lavoie-Schwartz, Suzanne Rosenthal (Sima Devorah bat Chanah), and Deborah Schugar Strauss (Devorah bat Chaya Feiga).

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 available through free subscription to the Cyber Torah e-mail list. No salesman will call!
Cyber Torah list management:
To subscribe to Cyber Torah, send an e-mail from the receiving address to: ravflom@sbcglobal.net with the heading “Subscribe Cyber Torah”.
To unsubscribe from Cyber Torah, send an e-mail from the receiving address to: ravflom@sbcglobal.net with the heading “Unsubscribe Cyber Torah”.
To dedicate a Cyber Torah in honor of a simchah, in memory of a loved one or for a refuah shleimah, send an e-mail to: ravflom@sbcglobal.net with the heading “Dedicate Cyber Torah” and provide details in the message body.

NO IFS, ANDS, OR BUTS!

Parashat Vayikra (Shabbat Zakhor) 2 Adar 13, 5784 / March 22-23, 2024 Torah: Leviticus 1:1 - 5:26 Maftir: Deuteronomy 25:17-1 Haftarah (Zakh...