WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW

Parashat Kedoshim

6 Iyar 5779 / 10-11 May 2019

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 our community, check out: http://www.bnaihayim.com/

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But first, a word from our sponsor!

Dear friends:

We wish to remind you that the annual fundraiser for our community is coming up on Sunday, May 19. We will be featuring two terrific entertainers, comedian Steve Mittleman and singer Phil Jeffrey, along with our own wonderful Hazzan Reb Jason Van Leeuwen. We’ll be serving food and drink and conducting a silent auction with unique gift and merchandise packages.

Although the deadline for the greetings/ad book has passed, there is still time to purchase tickets to this event, only $54/person. For more information or to make reservations, please contact the synagogue office at (818) 788-4664, or via email to: office@bethmeier.org or bnaihayim@yahoo.com

If you are unable to join us on May 19, we hope you will consider donating any appropriate amount to support our community and the work we are doing.

Wishing you all the best,

Ken Goodman, Program Chair

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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 11, 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

Website: http://bethmeier.org

Blogging at: http://rav-rich.blogspot.com/

"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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CALENDAR

CANDLE LIGHTING: 7:27 pm

Friday – Shabbat Evening Service – 7:30 pm. Oneg Shabbat follows.

Saturday – Torah Study/Breakfast – 8:45 am. Shabbat Morning Service – 9:30 am. Light Kiddush lunch follows.

Sunday – Religious School – 9:30 am.

Tuesday – Lunch and Learn – 12:00 noon.

Friday, May 17 – Shabbat Evening Service – 7:30 pm. Oneg Shabbat follows.

Saturday, May 18 – Torah Study/Breakfast – 8:45 am. Shabbat Morning Service – 9:30 am. Light Kiddush lunch follows.

Sunday, May 19 – TBH/CBM Concert and Fundraiser – with music, comedy, silent auction, and food and drink. For details, check our website: http://bnaihayim.com or contact the synagogue office: bnaihayim@yahoo.com or office@bethmeier.org or (818) 788-4664

Sunday, June 2 - Afternoon at the Colony Theater – “Old Jews Telling Jokes” – a bawdy (not suitable for minors) visit to the Catskills with Jokes, Skits, Song & Dance!

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This d’var torah is offered in memory of Irvin Jacobson, whose yahrzeit falls on Sunday, Iyar 7. Y’hi zikhro liv’rakhah.

This d’var torah is offered for a refuah shleimah for Sarah bat Devorah, Susan Arbetman, Ken Bitticks, Mark Brownstein, Jerry Daniels, Maya Fersht (Maya bat Esther), Dr. Samuel Fersht (Shmuel Natan ben Gittel), Annabelle Flom (Channah Bella bat Kreina), Bernard Garvin, Leah Granat, Carol Herskowitz, Diana Hirsch, Brandon Joseph, Gabor Klein, Philip Kovac, Tonya Kronzek (Zlata Malkah bat Sarah Imanu), Marilyn Lee, David Marks, Sandra Raab, Marguerite Rassiner, Debra Schugar Strauss (Devorah bat Chaya Feiga), Helen Schugar (Chaya Feiga bat Kreina), Bernie Seeman, William Sragow, 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.

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

TBH Religious School and TBH Preschool have open enrollment. Enroll your children now! Contact the TBH office for information.

And be sure to tell your neighbors, friends, and relatives about our warm and welcoming community and our programs!

We are looking for volunteers for services: chant Torah or Haftarah, daven, lead English readings, deliver d’rashot, and have aliyot and other Torah/bimah honors. Training available! Contact Rabbi Flom by e-mail for details and to sign up!

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.