Parashat Noach
Cheshvan 4, 5780 /November 1-2, 2019
Torah: Genesis 6:9-11:32
Haftarah: Isaiah 54:1-55:5
Torah: Genesis 6:9-11:32
Haftarah: Isaiah 54:1-55:5
Dedications and calendar follow below. For complete
listings, see our web site at: www.bnaihayim.com
Please feel free to pass this on to a friend, and please
cite the source.
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IF WORDS COULD KILL
"Whoever sheds the blood of a human being, by humans
shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God did God make
humans." Genesis 9:6
This is one of several Torah verses cited as the basis
for capital punishment. But the Chofetz Chayim, Rabbi Yisrael Meir
Hakohen Poupko (d. 1933), who wrote extensively on the laws concerning shmirat
halashon (guarding one's tongue), taught that the verse prohibits
publicly embarrassing another person. He cites the following passage from
the Talmud, Bava Metzia 58b: "A tanna (teacher) taught
before Rav Nachman bar Yitzchak: 'One who publicly shames (lit., "makes
pale") his neighbor, it is as if he shed blood.' Said Rav Nachman: 'You
speak well, for I have seen it, the ruddiness disappearing and the paleness
replacing it.'"
Another exchange, between Abbaye and Rav Dimi, includes
this: "All who descend to Gehenna ("hell") later reascend,
except for three; one who commits adultery, one who publicly shames his
neighbor, and one who places an evil nickname on his neighbor ..., even when he
is accustomed to being called by that name."
All of us have had the experience of Rav Nachman - we or
someone we have observed have turned pale, had the blood drain from the face,
from being shamed in front of others. Similarly, we know that it is wrong
to call someone by an evil nickname, even when they apparently don't mind the
use of the epithet. But how many of us have ever considered that it is a
form of murder (character assassination?) to publicly shame someone? Even
more, how many of us have ever considered that such an action is a chillul
hashem, a desecration of God's name? How could it be
otherwise? "...for in the image of God did God make humans."
Mind your tongue - words can kill.
Shabbat Shalom!
Rabbi Richard A. Flom
הַלּוֹמֵד
מִכָּל אָדָם ?אֵיזֶהוּ חָכָם
Who is wise? The one who learns from
every person.
Ben Zoma - Pirkei Avot 4:1
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Candle lighting: 5:42 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. Turn
back clocks one hour before retiring tonight – Standard Time begins 2:00 am
Sunday.
Sunday: Religious School – 9:30 am.
Tuesday: Lunch and Learn – 12:00
noon.
Next time you come to TBH/CBM, 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
uncle, Merwin Erenbaum, whose yahrzeit falls on Wednesday, 8 Cheshvan. Y'hi
zikhro liv'rakhah - His memory is a blessing.
This d'var torah is offered in memory of my
zayde, Sam Flom, whose yahrzeit falls on Thursday, 9 Cheshvan. Y'hi zikhro
liv'rakhah - His memory is a blessing.
This d’var torah is offered for
a refuah shleimah for Leah bat Sarah Imanu, Sarah bat Devorah, Susan
Arbetman, Ken Bitticks, Elsbet Brosky, Mark Brownstein, Jerry Daniels, Maya
Fersht (Maya bat Esther), Dr. Samuel Fersht (Shmuel Natan ben Gittel), Bernard
Garvin, Leah Granat, Gabor Klein, Philip Kronzek, Tonya Kronzek (Zlata Malkah
bat Sarah Imanu), Stuart Lytton, David Marks, Gail Neiman, Sandra Raab, David
Russak, Josef Sands, Shirley Sands, Debra Schugar Strauss (Devorah bat Chaya
Feiga), Helen Schugar (Chaya Feiga bat Kreina), 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.
