Parashat
Korach
3
Tammuz 5778 / 15-16 June 2018
Torah:
Numbers 16:1 - 18:32
Haftarah:
1 Samuel 11:14 - 12:22
Calendar
and dedications follow below. For a full calendar of events and other info
about Temple B’nai Hayim/Congregation Beth Meier, check out:
Please
feel free to pass this on to a friend, and please cite the source.
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OH,
FOR HEAVEN’S SAKE!
“Now
Korach, son of Itzhar son of Kehat son of Levi, took himself, along with Datan
and Aviram sons of Eliav, and On son of Pelet – descendants of Reuven - to rise
up against Moses, …” Numbers 16:1-2
“What
is an example of an argument for the sake of heaven's name? The argument of
Hillel and Shammai. What is an example of an argument not for the sake of
heaven's name? The argument of Korach and all of his followers.” Pirkei Avot
5:17
In
his collected sermons, “Ye’Arot D’vash”, Rabbi Yonatan Eibeschutz (Poland 17th-18thcenturies)
says, “Logically, the Mishnah should have said ‘Korach and Moses’. Instead,
within the camp of Korach itself there were disputes, with each seeking glory
for himself. That is proof that their dispute was not for the sake of Heaven.”
There
are disputes that have an aspect of holiness to them, that actually matter in
broad human affairs and whose outcomes have lasting effect; and there are those
that are unholy and petty, that are really about self-aggrandizement and
ultimately meaningless.
The
arguments between Hillel and Shammai were not about the individual rabbis - who
was right and who was wrong - but about the course to be followed by the Jewish
people. “What is it that God and the Torah demand of us Jews?” On the other hand,
R. Eibeschutz’ understanding of Avot is that, not only were Korach and his
followers not interested in the future of the people, they weren’t even
interested in each other. “What’s in it for me?”
Whether
in religion or politics or some other area of disagreement, the more personal
it is, the less it will benefit the rest of the community. Beware of any
“leader” who cares only for himself and his power over others.
Shabbat
Shalom! Happy Father’s Day!
Rabbi
Richard A. Flom
Temple
B'nai Hayim/Congregation Beth Meier
“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
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Candle
lighting: 7:47 pm
Friday: Shabbat Evening Service
– 7:30 pm. Bar Mitzvah of Ethan Foster – Mazal tov! Oneg Shabbat follows.
Saturday: NO Torah
study/breakfast this Shabbat. Resumes next Shabbat, led by Rabbi Van Leeuwen. Shabbat
Morning Service – 9:30 am. Bar Mitzvah of Ethan Foster. Mazal tov! Kiddush
lunch sponsored by the Foster family follows.
Sunday: Happy Father’s
Day!
Tuesday: NO Lunch and
Learn while Rabbi Flom is away. Resumes August 5.
Friday,
June 22: Shabbat
Evening Service – 7:30 pm. Oneg Shabbat follows.
Saturday,
June 23: Torah study/breakfast – 8:45 am. Shabbat Morning Service
– 9:30 am.
Next
time you come to TBH/CBM, please bring some non-perishable canned and packaged
foods and personal items (no glass) for SOVA.
The
congregation extends its condolences to Bernie and Gina Seeman on the passing
of Bernie’s brother, Otto Seeman. Graveside interment service is Friday at 3:00
pm at Mount Sinai Memorial Park, Hollywood Hills. Visitation and minyan are
Monday at 7:30 pm, at the home of Bernie and Gina – 9701 Rhea Avenue,
Northridge, 91324.
This
d'var torah is offered for a refuah shleimah for Ze’ev ben Adeline, Eilite bat
Miriam, Sarah bat Devorah, Hiroe Andreola, Susan Arbetman, Ken Bitticks, Jerry
Daniels, Maya Fersht (Maya bat Esther), Dr. Samuel Fersht (Shmuel Natan ben
Gittel), Annabelle Flom (Channah Bella bat Kreina), Bernard Garvin, Leah
Granat, Brandon Joseph, Gabor Klein, Philip Kovac, Tonya Kronzek (Zlata Malkah
bat Sarah Emanu), David Marks, Debra Schugar Strauss (Devorah bat Chaya Feiga),
Helen Schugar (Chaya Feiga bat Kreina), Irwin Silon, and Jonathan Woolf.
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.
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