Parashat Balak
Torah: Numbers 22:2 - 25:9
Haftarah: Micah 5:6 - 6:8
Haftarah: Micah 5:6 - 6:8
Tammuz 16, 5782 / June 25-26, 2021
Candle lighting: 7:50 PM
Fast of Tammuz on Sunday - 4:12 AM - 8:31 PM
This Shabbat will be my last service on the bimah as rabbi and spiritual leader of Temple B'nai Hayim/Congregation Beth Meier as I become Rabbi Emeritus. I will continue to send weekly Cyber Torah to everyone on my list - and more subscribers are welcome. Our new/old rabbi, Rabbi Jason Van Leeuwen (Reb Jason), has kindly asked that I continue submitting my Cyber Torah for the synagogue's weekly mailings, as I have for years. However, there will be NO Cyber Torah next week while we take our months-delayed 40th anniversary trip.
For a real treat, send an email to bnaihayim@yahoo.com and ask to be put on the synagogue's Constant Contact email list - you'll receive Reb Jason's weekly d'var torah and a link to my Cyber Torah as well as full details on all our programs and services.
More info about our services and programs follows below this d'var torah. And even more info about our community is available at our website:
Please feel free to pass this on to a friend, and please cite the source.
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AN EASY DEATH, AN EASY LIFE
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AN EASY DEATH, AN EASY LIFE
"Who can count the dust of Jacob, and the number of the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his." Numbers 23:10
Try as he might, Bil'am the sorcerer is unable to curse Israel - he is only able to give blessings. One might say the ultimate blessing that he offers is the request that he die the death of a righteous Jew.
The Chofetz Chaim makes an interesting observation on Bil'am's statement. He says Bil'am wanted merely to die like the righteous, but not to live like the righteous. Living a committed Jewish life is not easy, he says; there are so many commandments and customs that restrict the believing Jew, 24/7. "This is permitted; that is forbidden." But death for the believing Jew, he teaches, is only a crossing over from temporary life to eternal life. For one who believes in the eternity of the soul and reward and punishment, death is not frightening. Hence, Bil'am wanted to die as a believing Jew. That's no great accomplishment, says the Chofetz Chaim. The real challenge is to live a proper, committed Jewish life.
Far too many of us, I'm sorry to say, take the Chofetz Chaim at his word - "shver tzu sein a Yid" - "it's tough to be a Jew". What is left unsaid is that it is also wonderful, if not downright awesome, to be a Jew and live a life of fulfillment! Reflect on the significance of observing any particular mitzvah, and consider that the entire system enables one to constantly join with the Divine. As well, we should recognize that not only are we all in need of self-improvement, but that practicing Judaism helps us achieve that goal! Yes, it requires learning and commitment, but that's a small price to pay for a cosmic connection and a life of meaning!
Try as he might, Bil'am the sorcerer is unable to curse Israel - he is only able to give blessings. One might say the ultimate blessing that he offers is the request that he die the death of a righteous Jew.
The Chofetz Chaim makes an interesting observation on Bil'am's statement. He says Bil'am wanted merely to die like the righteous, but not to live like the righteous. Living a committed Jewish life is not easy, he says; there are so many commandments and customs that restrict the believing Jew, 24/7. "This is permitted; that is forbidden." But death for the believing Jew, he teaches, is only a crossing over from temporary life to eternal life. For one who believes in the eternity of the soul and reward and punishment, death is not frightening. Hence, Bil'am wanted to die as a believing Jew. That's no great accomplishment, says the Chofetz Chaim. The real challenge is to live a proper, committed Jewish life.
Far too many of us, I'm sorry to say, take the Chofetz Chaim at his word - "shver tzu sein a Yid" - "it's tough to be a Jew". What is left unsaid is that it is also wonderful, if not downright awesome, to be a Jew and live a life of fulfillment! Reflect on the significance of observing any particular mitzvah, and consider that the entire system enables one to constantly join with the Divine. As well, we should recognize that not only are we all in need of self-improvement, but that practicing Judaism helps us achieve that goal! Yes, it requires learning and commitment, but that's a small price to pay for a cosmic connection and a life of meaning!
Shabbat Shalom!
Rabbi Richard A. Flom
Temple B'nai Hayim/Congregation Beth Meier
Visit me on Facebook
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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Temple B'nai Hayim/Congregation Beth Meier
Visit me on Facebook
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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Kabbalat Shabbat Evening Service with Reb Jason and Rabbi Flom Friday at 6:30 PM via Zoom and Facebook ONLY. NO Shabbat Evening services in the sanctuary until further notice.
Shabbat Morning Service with Reb Jason and Rabbi Flom Saturday at 9:30 AM
IN THE SANCTUARY and via Zoom and Facebook. ***See note***
Shabbat Morning Service with Reb Jason and Rabbi Flom Saturday at 9:30 AM
IN THE SANCTUARY and via Zoom and Facebook. ***See note***
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IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE AT SERVICES AND PROGRAMS
ALL ATTENDEES MUST:
PRESENT PROOF OF COMPLETE COVID-19 VACCINATION AT THE DOOR;
SIGN THE VACCINE REGISTRY LINKED BELOW IN ADVANCE;
MASKS ENCOURAGED BUT NOT REQUIRED
Vaccine Registration link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdFFxLO26XiejbcROJXY2eCaC7K7wZYgJzRe4PO3smAOaN3cg/viewform
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All our services and programs are live-streamed at:
https://www.facebook.com/BnaiHayim
Downloadable and printable Siddur for Kabbalat Shabbat, Shabbat/Festival Ma'ariv, Shabbat/Festival Morning, and more, including the weekly Parashah and Haftarah, all available at: https://www.rabbinicalassembly.org/form-download-e-siddur-0
Fill out the form - the download is free.
David Silon’s on-going class on Israel meets Sunday at 11:00 AM. Zoom and Facebook only.
Join us every Tuesday at 12:30 PM for Lunch and Learn, a 60-90 minute study session. We're learning Hasidic and classic teachings on the weekly parashah. Zoom and Facebook only. NO LUNCH AND LEARN JUNE 29 OR JULY 6 WHILE RABBI FLOM IS ON VACATION. RESUME JULY 13.
https://www.facebook.com/BnaiHayim
Downloadable and printable Siddur for Kabbalat Shabbat, Shabbat/Festival Ma'ariv, Shabbat/Festival Morning, and more, including the weekly Parashah and Haftarah, all available at: https://www.rabbinicalassembly.org/form-download-e-siddur-0
Fill out the form - the download is free.
David Silon’s on-going class on Israel meets Sunday at 11:00 AM. Zoom and Facebook only.
Join us every Tuesday at 12:30 PM for Lunch and Learn, a 60-90 minute study session. We're learning Hasidic and classic teachings on the weekly parashah. Zoom and Facebook only. NO LUNCH AND LEARN JUNE 29 OR JULY 6 WHILE RABBI FLOM IS ON VACATION. RESUME JULY 13.
Our Refuah Shleimah/Prayer for Healing List can be found at:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1iT0tdp45ITSU6o1tykah41m3IXBxBwLxe8FORSIXzDo/edit?usp=sharing
If you would like to have a name added to or removed from this Refuah Shleimah/Prayer for Healing list, please write to me at:
ravflom@sbcglobal.net
This week's Yahrzeit List can be found at:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1IvKK6of7m1YFiwWATXCfQXrBrjmLMfS_CAM3WhZ_fu4/edit?usp=sharing
Cyber Torah list management:
To subscribe to Cyber Torah, and receive Cyber Torah every week in your mailbox, 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
To unsubscribe from Cyber Torah, send an e-mail with the subject heading “Unsubscribe Cyber Torah” to: ravflom@sbcglobal.net
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1iT0tdp45ITSU6o1tykah41m3IXBxBwLxe8FORSIXzDo/edit?usp=sharing
If you would like to have a name added to or removed from this Refuah Shleimah/Prayer for Healing list, please write to me at:
ravflom@sbcglobal.net
This week's Yahrzeit List can be found at:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1IvKK6of7m1YFiwWATXCfQXrBrjmLMfS_CAM3WhZ_fu4/edit?usp=sharing
Cyber Torah list management:
To subscribe to Cyber Torah, and receive Cyber Torah every week in your mailbox, 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
To unsubscribe from Cyber Torah, send an e-mail with the subject heading “Unsubscribe Cyber Torah” to: ravflom@sbcglobal.net
