DISEASE OF THE HEART

Parashat Tol’dot

Kislev 5, 5784 / November 18, 2023

Torah Reading - Genesis 25:19 - 28:9

Haftarah: Malachi 1:1- 2:7

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This d'var torah is offered in honor of Lev Buchnik, who is celebrating becoming a bar mitzvah this Shabbat. Mazal Tov!

This d'var torah is offered in memory of Lynn's grandfather, Gabriel Stern, whose yahrzeit falls on Thursday, Kislev 10. Y'hi zikhro liv'rakhah - his memory is a blessing.

This d’var torah is offered for a refuah shleimah for all who have been wounded in the terrorist attacks and in fighting against the terrorists, as well as innocent non-combatants caught in the crossfire.

This d'var torah is offered in memory of all the victims of Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and Hezbollah. Y’hi zikhronam liv’rakhah – May their memories be a blessing. And may the memory of Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and Hezbollah and all their supporters be forever erased.

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Lunch and Learn meets Mondays at 12:30 PM on Zoom and Facebook Live. Because of the Thanksgiving holiday, we will not meet on November 21 or November 28. On Monday, December 4, we'll be at BT Shabbat 119a, page 190 of Ein Ya'akov (Glick edition) Volume 1 –  "...רבי אבא זבן" - "R. Abba was accustomed to buy meat…”

Ein Ya'akov (Glick edition) is available for on-line reading or as a downloadable PDF at:

https://hebrewbooks.org/9630   

A pointed Hebrew text version with different pagination is available at Sefaria:

https://www.sefaria.org/Ein_Yaakov?tab=contents  

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Check out our wonderful community, and get lots of info about our various programs and becoming a Member at: https://bnaihayim.org/ 

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Rabbi Van Leeuwen has a blog which you should read at: 

https://rebjasonblog.wordpress.com/blog/ 

Dr. Steve Pearlman writes up the "Midrashim of the Week", which you should read at: 

https://midrashsrp.wordpress.com 

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Please feel free to pass this on to a friend, and please cite the source.

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DISEASE OF THE HEART

“And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing that his father had blessed upon (Jacob); and Esau said in his heart, ‘The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then I will kill my brother Jacob.’” Genesis 27:41

Rabbi Jonathan Eybeschutz (17th century) teaches that when a rabbi tells a butcher that a particular animal was improperly slaughtered and therefore not kosher, the butcher accepts the ruling, even though it costs him money. But when two men bring a monetary dispute before a rabbi, the loser will be angry and argue with the rabbi. R. Eybeschutz says that in the case of the butcher, nobody benefits from the ruling, but in the case of the dispute, the winner is awarded money – he gains a benefit. The loser resents the fact of the winner winning more than he resents his loss.

As between Esau and Jacob, he says that Esau is not angry because he lost the blessing from his father, because Esau didn’t want it. He actually got what he wanted – “by your sword shall you live.” Rather, he hated Jacob because Jacob also received something of value from their father.

Isaac Blessing Jacob - Jusepe de Ribera (1591-1652)

This idea that we resent those who benefit more than we resent not benefitting is a difficult one to acknowledge, but it is all around us. We often see it in our political and “civil” discourse, couched in the language of racism or class warfare.

"Do not hate your fellow in your heart.” Leviticus 19:17. Failure to follow that simple rule can create a chasm that can never be bridged. Will we ever learn?

Happy Thanksgiving! Hodu l'Adonai ki tov; ki l'olam chasdo - Give thanks to the Lord Who is good, Whose lovingkindness is eternal. Psalm 136.

Shabbat Shalom!

Rabbi Richard A. Flom

Rabbi Emeritus, Temple B’nai Hayim

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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GUESS WHO’S COMING TO DINNER!

Cheshvan 27, 5784 / November 10-11, 2023

Parashat Chayei Sarah
Torah: Genesis 23:1 - 25:18
Haftarah: 1 Kings 1:1-31

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Reb Jason is off this coming Shabbat evening - I have the honor and privilege of conducting our Friday Evening service, acappella, at 7:30 PM - Zoom/Facebook only - email me for the link if you don't already have it.

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Chaverim, if you would like to bring the Shekhinah (God's sheltering presence) into another person's life, please consider becoming an organ donor. This weekend is National Donor Sabbath, a project of the US Department of Health and Human Services. More information is available at the web site:
https://www.organdonor.gov/awareness/events/donor-sabbath.html  

Last year, about 40,000 organ transplants were performed in the US. This is impressive, until one realizes that there are about 120,000 Americans on the waiting lists for various organs. Every day, 80 transplants are performed in the US, while 20 people die waiting for organs they need to survive. You can alleviate the pain and suffering of others, literally give them life, merely by completing an organ donation card available from your motor vehicle department or at the web site above. I know a number of people who are alive today thanks to the organ transplants they received. And I knew people who are now dead because they did not receive the organ transplants they needed.
 
Does it work? Of course! Most of our parts are “recyclable”. And don’t forget, there are ways to save lives while we are still alive – through blood, plasma, platelet and bone marrow donations, and as living organ donors. Go ahead – perform an act of chesed (lovingkindness) or pikuach nefesh (saving a life) – and the Shekhinah will be with you and every organ recipient whose life you save.

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This d’var torah is offered for a refuah shleimah for all who have been wounded in the terrorist attacks and in fighting against the terrorists, as well as innocent non-combatants caught in the crossfire.

This d'var torah is offered in memory of all the victims of Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and Hezbollah. Y’hi zikhronam liv’rakhah – May their memories be a blessing. And may the memory of Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and Hezbollah and all their supporters be forever erased.

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Lunch and Learn meets Mondays at 12:30 PM on Zoom and Facebook Live. On Monday, November 13, we'll be at BT Shabbat 118b, page 189 of Ein Ya'akov (Glick edition) Volume 1 –  ".אמר רב נחמן תיתי לי דקיימית שלש סעודות בשבת"

"R. Nachman said: 'May it be credited to me, that I fulfilled the obligation of three meals on the Sabbath."' 

Ein Ya'akov (Glick edition) is available for on-line reading or as a downloadable PDF at:

https://hebrewbooks.org/9630   
A pointed Hebrew text version with different pagination is available at Sefaria: 
https://www.sefaria.org/Ein_Yaakov?tab=contents  
---------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Check out our wonderful community, and get lots of info about our various programs and becoming a Member at: https://bnaihayim.org/ 
----------------------------------------------------------------
Rabbi Van Leeuwen has a blog which you should read at: 
https://rebjasonblog.wordpress.com/blog/ 
 
Dr. Steve Pearlman writes up the "Midrashim of the Week", which you should read at: 
https://midrashsrp.wordpress.com 
------------------------------------------------------
Please feel free to pass this on to a friend, and please cite the source.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
GUESS WHO’S COMING TO DINNER!

“And Isaac brought her into the tent of Sarah his mother; he married Rebecca, she became his wife, and he loved her; and Isaac was comforted after his mother.” Genesis 24:67

Rashi: He brought her to the tent, and behold, she was Sarah his mother! That is to say, she became like Sarah his mother. For as long as Sarah was alive, a candle burned from one Shabbat eve to the next, a blessing was found in the dough and a cloud was attached to the tent. When she died, these things ceased, and when Rebecca came, they resumed (citing Genesis Rabbah 60:16).

According to the Midrash, Sarah was the first to kindle Shabbat lights and to take challah (a symbolic offering) from dough and recite a blessing over it. In doing these things, she caused the Shekhinah (God's sheltering presence, symbolized by the cloud) to descend to her home. Isaac and Abraham either could not or would not do these things. It was Rebecca, the wife who replaced (became?) the mother, who reinstituted the practices, and brought about the return of the Shekhinah.

There are several ways to look at this. First is a rather obvious oedipal reference. Then is the implication that kindling lights for Shabbat and baking are gender specific jobs – women’s work. We could also derive the female viewpoint that men are clueless when it comes to certain matters. However, I am more interested in mystical cause and effect.

Simply by kindling Shabbat lights and reciting a blessing over the dough, Sarah and Rebecca (and any of us!) could bring God’s Sheltering Presence into the home. What’s the mystery? Take a couple of mundane acts, baking bread and lighting candles, infuse them and yourself with holiness through kavannah (focused intent) and by reciting the appropriate blessings (the hamotzi bessing can be inferred here as well), and you have instant Shalom Bayit, a peaceful household.

 
This Friday evening, perform the simple mitzvah of Shabbat candles; then look at the light, marvel at the Creation it symbolizes, and bring the Shekhinah home for dinner!
 

Shabbat Shalom Uv'rakhah! A Shabbat of Peace and Blessings

Rabbi Richard A. Flom

Rabbi Emeritus - Temple B'nai Hayim

.איזהו חכם? הלומד מכל אדם

Who is wise? The one who learns from every person.

Ben Zoma - Pirkei Avot 4:1

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My weekly divrei torah are available through free subscription to the Cyber Torah e-mail list. No salesman will call!
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