Parashat Va’etchanan – Shabbat Nachamu
16 Av 5779 / 16-17 August 2019
Torah: Deuteronomy 3:23-7:11
Haftarah: Isaiah 40:1-26 (First Haftarah of Comfort)
This Shabbat is known as Shabbat Nachamu, the Shabbat of Comfort, for the words of God and the prophet following Tisha B'Av (9 Av).
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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THEY ARE FINE JUST AS THEY ARE
“You shall not add to the word which I command you, neither shall you subtract from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord which I command you.” Deuteronomy 4:2
Rabbi Alexander Moshe Lapidot taught: “A Jew must find the golden, middle path (citing Rambam) in the fear/awe of God and in the observance of the mitzvot. Just as a wicked person is liable to violate the prohibition of “you shall not subtract”, a righteous person is liable to violate the prohibition of “you shall not add”, and can thereby bring tragedy upon the world.”
Jewish tradition understands that there are two general types of mitzvot: bein adam lamakom (between a human being and God) and bein adam l’chaveiro (between a human being and his/her fellow human). Rabbi Lapidot seems to be talking only about the first type. The Vilna Gaon taught that there was a third category: bein adam l’atzmo (between a human and him/herself). These divisions matter.
Whether a person violates or makes stricter upon him/herself a mitzvah bein adam lamakom is strictly between them – God can reward or punish as God sees fit. Regarding a mitzvah bein adam l’atzmo – the only one affected is the person – no one else.
But, someone who alters or ignores or makes easier (for themselves) or makes stricter (for others) the mitzvot bein adam l’chaveiro regarding interpersonal relationships, damages others and society. For these mitzvot, the person doing the adding/subtracting must answer one simple question: Who benefits from my change to this mitzvah? If the answer is, “I do,” then one might well be causing a tragedy.
Shabbat Shalom.
Rabbi Richard A. Flom
Temple B'nai Hayim/Congregation Beth Meier
"שתיקה כהודאה דמיא"
Silence in the face of wrongdoing is consent.”
BT Yevamot 88a
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Candle lighting: 7:21 pm
Friday: Shabbat Evening Service – 6:30 pm. Oneg Shabbat follows.
Saturday: Torah study/breakfast – 8:45 am. Shabbat Morning Service – 9:30 am. Kiddush lunch follows.
Tuesday: NO Lunch and Learn – resume August 27.
Friday, August 23: Shabbat Evening Service – 6:30 pm. Oneg Shabbat follows.
Saturday, August 24: Torah study/breakfast – 8:45 am. Shabbat Morning Service – 9:30 am. Kiddush lunch follows.
Sunday, August 25: Religious School and Congregation Open House – 10:00 am. Come on down, and get your kids, grandkids, your neighbor’s kids registered for a great new year of learning! We’re also offering a Confirmation Class for post-b’nai mitzvah students this year. Make your 5780 dues payments, order additional High Holy Day tickets – and be sure to bring along some prospective new members as well!
This d’var torah is offered for a refuah shleimah for Leah bat Sarah Imanu, 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, Gabor Klein, Philip Kovac, Philip Kronzek, Tonya Kronzek (Zlata Malkah bat Sarah Imanu), Marilyn Lee, David Marks, Sandra Raab, Marguerite Rassiner, Josef Sands, Debra Schugar Strauss (Devorah bat Chaya Feiga), Helen Schugar (Chaya Feiga bat Kreina), Bernie Seeman, and William Sragow.
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.
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!
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
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