YOU'VE COME A LONG WAY! OR HAVE YOU?

23 Sivan 5773 / 31 May-1 June 2013
Parashat Sh’lach Lekha
Torah: Numbers 13:1-15:41
Haftarah: Joshua 2:1-24

You've Come a Long Way!  Or Have You?

The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: "Send for yourself men to scout out the Land of Canaan that I give to the Israelites; send one man from each of the ancestral tribes, each man a prince.” Moses sent them from the Wilderness of Paran at the word of God; all of them heads of the Israelites. Numbers 13:1-3

Rashi: Why does God say "send for yourself" and not simply "send"? "I am not commanding you - if you want, you may send." 

Rabbi Ephraim of Lunshitz (1550 - 1619), author of the noted commentary Klei Yakar, takes Rashi one step further, and questions another word. He asks, why doesn't God want Moses to send "men"? 

 

He recalls the Rabbinic teaching that the Israelite men despised the Land, and wanted to return to Egypt. But the Israelite women loved the Land so much, their demand for an inheritance led to a change in the law as it was understood at that time (the daughters of Tzeloph'chad - Numbers 27). And because God knew what was going to happen (the spies would spread fear among the Israelites), He would have preferred that Moses send women. The women would have kept better faith with God, and not spread lies about the Land. 

Historically, Jewish women were denied the right to observe many of the mitzvot, such as tallit and tefillin, or to engage in many Jewish rites of passage, like b'nai mitzvah. At the same time, as we see here, there was a strong undercurrent of Rabbinic teaching regarding the spiritual superiority and commitment of Jewish women. 

How ironic it is, then, that now that more Jews than ever are free to practice Judaism without fear or hardship, a smaller and smaller percentage of Jews (men and women) are taking advantage of the opportunity. In truth, like the Land of Israel, the landscape of modern Judaism indeed flows with milk and honey. Spy out the land, eat of its fruit, and be satisfied!

Shabbat Shalom.

Rabbi Richard A. Flom – ZSRS ‘00

Burbank, CA

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"For the sake of Zion I will not be silent; for the sake of Jerusalem I will not be still"
Isaiah 62:1
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Candlelighting: 7:40 pm

Lunch and Learn is an ongoing program of Beit Midrash Shalom that meets Tuesdays to discuss Jewish texts and other topics of Jewish interest. It is open to all regardless of affiliation. Next meeting is Tuesday, June 4, 12:00 noon, at Congregation Beth Meier. PLEASE DO NOT BRING ANY FOOD UNLESS IT IS IN ITS ORIGINAL SEALED CONTAINER AND BEARING A HEKHSHER AS DAIRY OR PAREVE. Lunch will be provided by Congregation Beth Meier. Donations gratefully accepted.

I am conducting Shabbat morning services at 9:30 am at Congregation Mishkon Tephilo, 206 Main Street, Venice 90291. Torah study follows kiddush lunch.

This d'var torah is offered for a refuah shleimah for Eve Beatty, Selby Horowitz, Pamela Huddleston, Jayne Kaplan, Micah Kosche, Sara Lanxner, Emily Levin, Frank Marcovitz, Phil Raider, Helen Reiter, Len Reiter, Gil Robbins, Rachel Robbins, Judith Sakurai, and Kitty Schmerling.

My weekly Divrei Torah are also available by e-mail via the Cyber Torah list.
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
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THE CHILDREN OF AARON

15 Sivan 5773 / 24-25 May 2013
Torah: Numbers 8:1 - 14:16
Haftarah: Zechariah 2:14 - 4:7 (This is also the haftarah for Shabbat Hanukkah)

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The Children of Aaron

"Speak to Aaron, saying, 'When you light the lamps, the seven lamps shall give light in front of the menorah (the candlestick).'" Numbers 8:2

The Midrash, Bamidbar Rabbah, says that Aaron was upset. The heads of all the tribes,except Levi (the tribe of Aaron and the kohanim, and he was the head of Levi) offered sacrifices. He feared they were being punished because of his sins. Rather, teaches the Midrash, Aaron and his descendants were given a greater honor - the lighting of the menorah in the tabernacle. Sacrifices would be offered only so long as the Temple stood, but the lamps would always give light in front of the menorah, and all the blessings God instructed the kohanim to bless the Jews with (see Numbers 6:22-27) would never be abolished.

Ramban (Nachmanides), in his commentary, wonders what this really means. After all, the menorah was not lit after the destruction of the Temple - it didn't exist either. Ramban says the reference is to the menorah of Hanukkah, for that would go into exile with the Jews after the destruction, just as the blessings offered originally at the dedication of the desert tabernacle would be given to the Jews forever.

The interesting thing about all of this is that, just as every Jew can offer the blessings of the kohanim over his/her children, so is every Jew obligated to light the menorah of Hanukkah every year. The real comfort to Aaron is not simply that his descendants get to light the menorah. It is that all Jews are in a sense his descendants, for we are a "kingdom of priests (kohanim) and a holy nation." (Exodus 19:6) We are all Aaron's children - so long as we keep the lights burning and bring blessings to our people.

Shabbat Shalom.

Rabbi Richard A. Flom – ZSRS ‘00

Burbank, CA
Visit me on Facebook
"For the sake of Zion I will not be silent; for the sake of Jerusalem I will not be still"
Isaiah 62:1
--------------------------------------------
Candlelighting: 7:36 pm

Lunch and Learn is an ongoing program of Beit Midrash Shalom that meets Tuesdays to discuss Jewish texts and other topics of Jewish interest. It is open to all regardless of affiliation. Next meeting is Tuesday, May 28, 12:00 noon, at Congregation Beth Meier. PLEASE DO NOT BRING ANY FOOD UNLESS IT IS IN ITS ORIGINAL SEALED CONTAINER AND BEARING A HEKHSHER AS DAIRY OR PAREVE. Lunch will be provided by Congregation Beth Meier. Donations gratefully accepted.

This d'var torah is offered in honor of Jill Kronzek and Bryan Cohen, whose wedding I am joyfully conducting this afternoon. Mazal Tov!

This d'var torah is offered in memory of all those US military personnel who died in service to our country. Remember them on Memorial Day.

This d'var torah is offered for a refuah shleimah for Eve Beatty, Selby Horowitz, Pamela Huddleston, Micah Kosche, Sara Lanxner, Emily Levin, Frank Marcovitz, Phil Raider, Helen Reiter, Len Reiter, Gil Robbins, Rachel Robbins, Judith Sakurai, and Kitty Schmerling.

My weekly Divrei Torah are also available by e-mail via the Cyber Torah list.
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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REPENTANCE FROM WITHIN

Parashat Naso

9 Sivan 5773 / 17-18 May 2013
Torah: Numbers 4:21 - 7:89
Haftarah: Judges 13:2-25

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Repentance from Within

"The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 'Speak to the Children of Israel: A man or woman who commits any of man's sins, to commit sacrilege against the Lord, and that person becomes  guilty - they shall confess their sin that they committed - he shall make restitution for his guilt plus an additional one-fifth, and give it to the one to whom he has wronged.'"  Numbers 5:5-7

In his Mishneh Torah, Rambam (Maimonides) says that the commandment to confess is the foundation of teshuvah, repentance.  For sins against God, we confess to God.  For sins against our fellows, we confess to them and to God - for sins against others are also sins against God. 

Why confession?  Shouldn't restitution, especially with an additional amount, be sufficient?  If the guilty party has made the victim whole, what is the point of confession?  Compare this with the American legal system.  Every day, hundreds of lawsuits are settled with the payment of money (not called "damages"), but no admission of wrongdoing.  We accept it as a way to end litigation, but we know intuitively that it is not the solution to the problem.  It seems like the guilty party is buying a license - perhaps to sin yet again.

Why confession?  In part, one must convince both man and God that one will not commit the sin again.  But many of us can be pretty convincing actors.  We might even convince ourselves.  An answer may be found in the Hebrew grammar for the word "confess" which appears here.  The word is "hitvadu", a reflexive form of the verb.  The point is to cause introspection, to find the true source of the wrongdoing, to avoid the blame game.  Someone who has confessed, both outwardly and inwardly, who has thoroughly examined the self, is much less likely to commit another offense.  Some things money can't buy!  True repentance comes from within.

Shabbat shalom.

Rabbi Richard A. Flom – ZSRS ‘00
Burbank, CA

Visit me on Facebook

"For the sake of Zion I will not be silent; for the sake of Jerusalem I will not be still" Isaiah 62:1

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Candlelighting: 7:31 pm

 

Lunch and Learn is an ongoing program of Beit Midrash Shalom that meets Tuesdays to discuss Jewish texts and other topics of Jewish interest. It is open to all regardless of affiliation. Next meeting is Tuesday, May 21, 12:00 noon, at Congregation Beth Meier.  PLEASE DO NOT BRING ANY FOOD UNLESS IT IS IN ITS ORIGINAL SEALED CONTAINER AND BEARING A HEKHSHER AS DAIRY OR PAREVE. Lunch will be provided by Congregation Beth Meier. Donations gratefully accepted.
 

This d'var torah is offered in memory of my beloved father, Martin Flom, whose yahrzeit was yesterday, 7 Sivan. His memory is a blessing.

 

This d'var torah is offered in memory of my beloved grandfather, Jacob Slome, whose yahrzeit is today, 8 Sivan. His memory is a blessing.

 

This d'var torah is offered for a refuah shleimah for Eve Beatty, Gabor ben Devorah, Selby Horowitz, Pamela Huddleston, Micah Kosche, Sara Lanxner, Emily Levin, Frank Marcovitz, Phil Raider, Helen Reiter, Len Reiter, Gil Robbins, Rachel Robbins, Judith Sakurai, and Kitty Schmerling.

My weekly Divrei Torah are also available by e-mail via the Cyber Torah list.
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
To unsubscribe from Cyber Torah, send an e-mail with the subject heading “Unsubscribe Cyber Torah” to: ravflom@sbcglobal.net

SOMETHING OF VALUE - AN ANCIENT MIDRASH ON A MODERN TRAGEDY

Chaverim:

Several years ago, I wrote a short d’var torah on Parashat Noach, specifically about the story of the Tower of Babel. In reading about the collapse of the Rana Plaza garment factory in Dhaka, Bangladesh, the connection to Migdal Bavel, the Tower of Babel, sprung immediately to mind. Here is my new reading of an ancient midrash on a contemporary tragedy.

SOMETHING OF VALUE

"And they said, 'Come, let us build us a city, and a tower with its top in the sky, to make a name for ourselves; else we shall be scattered all over the world."' Genesis 11:4

More than a mere explanation of the origin of the multitude of human languages and nations, our Rabbis tell us it is a cautionary tale, one with particular significance even, or perhaps especially in modern times.

In the Midrash, Pirkei d'Rabbi Eliezer, we are told, "The tower had seven ramps from the east and seven from the west. The bricks were hauled up from one side; the descent was on the other. If a man fell down and died, no attention was paid to him. But if one brick fell down, they would sit and weep, saying, 'Woe is us. When will another be brought up in its place?'"

Although the people had the intelligence and the technical skill to erect a great building, they were clueless when it came to applying their wealth and knowledge to helping each other. They sought only to make a name for themselves, to assert their superiority over the world and over God. They cared nothing for the individual human being - the individual's worth was measured, if at all, only insofar as a person could contribute to the idolatrous undertaking.

This is the attitude that leads to Rana Plaza - the cheapening of human lives so that we might have inexpensive clothing. This is the attitude that leads to Foxconn and other forced labor electronics manufacturing plants – the dehumanization of our fellow “tzalmei Elohim” – “images of God” - so that we can spend as little as possible for our Tweeting and our Face Booking and our Super Bowl parties with 70-inch HD screens. Nations build nuclear weapons while their people starve. And who can forget the neutron bomb, designed to kill people but not destroy buildings? We conduct cost-benefit analyses and determine that it is better to continue building dangerously defective cars and pay settlements for the dead and injured than to spend money on building safer vehicles. We treat "human resources" as if they were fungible goods, like so many widgets or ten-penny nails, and dismiss thousands of people from their jobs with the stroke of a pen.

Perhaps, when any human life is at stake, we should say, "Woe is us. When will another be brought up in its place?" Otherwise, we neglect at the peril of our very souls the teaching of Mishnah Sanhedrin 4:5 - "one who destroys a single human life, it is as if he destroyed an entire universe; and one who saves a single human life, it is as if he saved an entire universe".

Which has greater value – another person’s life, or your five dollar shirt?

YOU HAVE TO BE THERE TO BE COUNTED!

Parashat Bamidbar
2 Sivan 5773 / 10-11 May 2013
Torah: Numbers 1:1 – 4:20
Haftarah: Hosea 2:1-22
 
Shavuot 1
6 Sivan 5773 / 14-15 May 2013
Torah: Exodus 19:1 – 20:22; Numbers 28:26-31
Haftarah: Ezekiel 1:1-28; 3:12

Shavuot 2

7 Sivan 5773 / 15-16 May 2013
Book of Ruth
Torah: Deuteronomy 15:19 – 16:17; Numbers 28:26-31
Haftarah: Habakkuk 3:1-19

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You Have to Be There to Be Counted!

In Hebrew, this book of the Torah is titled “Bamidbar” - “In the wilderness”. However, the old name was “Chamesh - Hapekudim” - “one fifth (of the books of the Torah), that of the countings”. The English name of Bamidbar is “the Book of Numbers”, because the initial subject of the book is the numbering of the Israelites. One must wonder why God instructs Moses to take a census of the entire Israelite community, listing the names, head by head. (Num. 1:2)

Rashi says, "Because they were dear to Him, He counted them (literally) every hour. When they left Egypt, He counted them (Ex. 12:37); when [many] fell because [of the sin] of the golden calf, He counted them to know the number of the survivors (Ex. 32:28); when He came to cause His Divine Presence to rest among them, He counted them. On the first of Nissan, the tabernacle was erected, and on the first of Iyar, He counted them."

God is like a shepherd, constantly counting the flock. But there is more to it, according to Rambam (Maimonides), who says, "God brought them out according to the number of their hosts, God called all of them by name." The idea that God called every Israelite by name speaks volumes about the importance of every Jew. The commentary Bet Aharon says that every Jew is obligated to know and consider his/her uniqueness in the world. There has never been another identical Jew, for if there had been, one of them would have been superfluous. Each of us is an entirely new creation. Each of us has a unique perspective of the Torah. Each of us has a Torah to share with everyone else. This is because each of us was, and is, present at the giving of the Torah, and each of us saw, and sees, it from a unique point of view. When we conclude the blessing over the reading of the Torah, we refer to the giving of the Torah in the present tense - Blessed are You, Lord, the One who gives the Torah.

God is constantly giving us the Torah, through our own study and through our fellow Jews. But to be counted, to receive your Torah, you have to be there, you have to be at your Sinai. If you are not open to receiving God's Torah, you won't be counted, and the loss will not only be yours, but that of every other Jew. If your children do not receive Torah, then their Torah, and the Torah of their descendants, will be lost as well. This Tuesday evening through Thursday, we will be celebrating Shavuot, the anniversary of the giving of the Torah. Go to the synagogue, study and consider the Ten Commandments, read the Book of Ruth, receive your Torah. Let you and your Torah be counted.

Shabbat shalom v'chag sameach!

Rabbi Richard A. Flom – ZSRS ‘00

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"For the sake of Zion I will not be silent; for the sake of Jerusalem I will not be still" Isaiah 62:1

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Candlelighting: Friday - 7:20 pm
Tuesday – 7:28 pm
Wednesday – 8:30 pm

Saturday is the annual “Stamp Out Hunger” Food Drive conducted by the National Association of Letter Carriers. Leave a bag of sealed food items (boxes or cans, no glass) and the good people of the US Postal Service will distribute it to a local pantry for the hungry. Make a difference!

 

 

I am conducting services on Thursday morning, the second day of Shavuot, at 9:30 am at Congregation Mishkon Tephilo, 206 Main Street, Venice 90291.

Lunch and Learn is an ongoing program of Beit Midrash Shalom that meets Tuesdays to discuss Jewish texts and other topics of Jewish interest. It is open to all regardless of affiliation. Next meeting is Tuesday, May 14, 12:00 noon, at Congregation Beth Meier.  PLEASE DO NOT BRING ANY FOOD UNLESS IT IS IN ITS ORIGINAL SEALED CONTAINER AND BEARING A HEKHSHER AS DAIRY OR PAREVE. Lunch will be provided by Congregation Beth Meier. Donations gratefully accepted.

This d'var torah is offered in honor of my mother, Annabelle Flom, for Mother’s Day.

This d'var torah is offered for a refuah shleimah for Eve Beatty, Gabor ben Devorah, Selby Horowitz, Pamela Huddleston, Micah Kosche, Sara Lanxner, Emily Levin, Frank Marcovitz, Phil Raider, Helen Reiter, Len Reiter, Gil Robbins, Rachel Robbins, Judith Sakurai, and Kitty Schmerling.

 

 

My weekly Divrei Torah are available by free e-mail subscription as the Cyber Torah list (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
To unsubscribe from Cyber Torah, send an e-mail with the subject heading “Unsubscribe Cyber Torah” to: ravflom@sbcglobal.net

WORKING THE WORK; LIVING THE LIFE

Parashat Behar-Bechukotai
24 Iyar 5773 / 3-4 May 2013
Torah: Leviticus 25:1 - 27:34
Haftarah: Jeremiah 16:19 - 17:14

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Working the Work; Living the Life

“If you walk in My statutes; and observe My commandments and do them.” Leviticus 26:3

Rashi: “If you walk in My statutes” - one might think this means fulfilling the commandments. But “observe My commandments and do them” already refers to fulfilling them. How do I explain “if you walk in My statutes”? That you should toil in the Torah.

Most commentators understand Rashi to mean that we should be toiling at Torah study. In a significant segment of the Orthodox community, virtually all manner of work or gainful employment is eschewed in favor of full-time Torah study. However, this is not necessarily the way in which the Rabbis of old understood the verse.

Rabban Gamaliel, the son of Rabbi Judah the Prince, taught: “An excellent thing is Torah study combined with a worldly occupation, for the labor demanded of them both makes sin forgotten. All study of Torah without work must in the end be futile and lead to sin.” Pirkei Avot 2:2

Rabbi Moshe Elyakim of Koznitz understands the issue in the following way: we are not simply to be constantly studying Torah. Rather, the purpose of study is to affect the way we earn our livelihood and everything we do. All of our work and all of our lives should be guided by the Torah and conducted in the spirit of its commandments. When working in the field, if one does not mix seeds, and if one leaves the corners and the gleanings for the poor, then one is “toiling in the Torah.” If business people uphold the Torah’s standards of ethics in the workplace, they are “toiling in the Torah.” When a professional or home baker “takes challah” from each loaf, that is “toiling in the Torah.”

Any profession, any work, virtually any activity involves specific commandments. If you work and live for a higher purpose, if you incorporate the Torah’s values into each and every worldly pursuit, you are toiling in the Torah, and you will reap what you sow - a life of decency and spiritual reward.

Shabbat Shalom.

Rabbi Richard A. Flom – ZSRS ‘00

Visit me on Facebook

"For the sake of Zion I will not be silent; for the sake of Jerusalem I will not be still" Isaiah 62:1

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Candlelighting: 7:20 pm

Rabbi Flom is conducting services this Shabbat morning at 9:30 am at Congregation Mishkon Tephilo, 206 Main Street, Venice 90291. Torah study follows Kiddush.

Lunch and Learn is an ongoing program of Beit Midrash Shalom that meets Tuesdays to discuss Jewish texts and other topics of Jewish interest. It is open to all regardless of affiliation. Next meeting is Tuesday, May 7, 12:00 noon, at Congregation Beth Meier. PLEASE DO NOT BRING ANY FOOD UNLESS IT IS IN ITS ORIGINAL SEALED CONTAINER AND BEARING A HEKHSHER AS DAIRY OR PAREVE. Lunch will be provided by Congregation Beth Meier. Donations gratefully accepted.

This d'var torah is offered in honor of my nephew, Josh Goodman, on the occasion of his 18^th birthday tomorrow. Ad meah v’esrim – ‘til 120! Mazal tov!

This d'var torah is offered for a refuah shleimah for Eve Beatty, Deb Berenbach, Gabor ben Devorah, Selby Horowitz, Pamela Huddleston, Micah Kosche, Sara Lanxner, Emily Levin, Frank Marcovitz, Phil Raider, Helen Reiter, Len Reiter, Gil Robbins, Rachel Robbins, Judith Sakurai, and Kitty Schmerling.

My weekly d'var torah is also available via e-mail subscription to the CYBER TORAH LIST.

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

To unsubscribe from Cyber Torah, send an e-mail with the subject heading “Unsubscribe Cyber Torah” to: ravflom@sbcglobal.net