FOLLOW THE LEADER

Parashat Pinchas
Tammuz 21, 5784 / July 26-27, 2024
Torah: Numbers 25:10 - 30:1
Haftarah: Jeremiah 1:1-2:3 (First Haftarah of Rebuke)

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Programming note: I will be conducting this week's Shabbat services at Temple B'nai Hayim while Reb Jason is out of town. A cappella on Friday, 7/26 at 7:00 pm (Zoom and FB live) and Saturday at 9:30 am (in person, on Zoom, and on FB live). E-mail me for links. 

This d’var torah is offered for a refuah shleimah and a speedy and safe return of all the hostages being held by Hamas.
 
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.
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Lunch and Learn meets Mondays at 12:30 PM on Zoom and Facebook Live. NO Lunch and Learn on June 24. On July 29, we'll be at BT Chagigah 4b, page 4 of Ein Ya'akov (Glick edition) Volume 3:
  "...ר' יהודה אומר סומא באחד מעיניו"  

"R. Juda says: 'A man blind on one eye...'"

Volume 3 of Ein Ya'akov is now available and downloadable on Google drive at:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1symdqiuA-HHe7pqOezMo_zp79eTpNakc/view?usp=sharing

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Please pass this on to a friend - and please cite the source.
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FOLLOW THE LEADER

 
"Of Yetzer, the Yetzerite family; of Shilem, the Shilemite family." Numbers 26:49

Rabbi Yechiel Michel of Zlochov offers the following comment on this verse: "This is a hint of what our Sages say, that a person is led along the path he wishes to follow (citing the Talmud at Makkot 10). 'Of Yetzer' (which means "inclination") - if a person wishes to follow his yetzer hara, his Evil Inclination, 'the Yetzerite family' - whole families will join him in this type of behavior. On the other hand, 'of Shilem' (the root of which means "perfection" - the same root as "shalom" - "peace") - if a person seeks to find perfection, 'the Shilemite family' - many friends will join him in this course."

Moses Sees the Promised Land from Afar (watercolor circa 1896–1902 by James Tissot)

This is an interesting insight. Each and every one of us has not only the freedom to choose good or evil, but the power to persuade others through our choices. Our actions can be as persuasive as our words. Whether we intend so or not, for good or ill, we all lead by example. This means that, in a sense, none of us ever has any "down time" - we are constantly observed by others - whether by our partners or by our children or by our friends or by our co-workers or by strangers in the street. But it also means that every minute of every waking day is an opportunity to influence others in a positive and constructive way - merely by being "shilem". We don't have to be perfect. But we can make the world better by showing others that we are striving to be better.

Each of us is a leader. You never know who's watching!

Shabbat Shalom!

Rabbi Richard A. Flom - Rabbi Emeritus

Temple B'nai Hayim

"שתיקה כהודאה דמיא"

"Silence in the face of wrongdoing is consent.”

BT Yevamot 88a

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Cyber Torah list management:

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