Parashat Pinchas
21 Tammuz 5773 / 28-29 June 2013
Torah: Numbers 25:10 - 30:1
Haftarah: Jeremiah 1:1 -2:3 (Because it is after 17 Tammuz, we read the haftarah for Parashat Mattot)
The Torah is talking about Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, and the Ten Days of Repentance (Aseret Yamei Teshuvah) leading up to Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. But wait, you say, this is only Tammuz, the fourth month. We still have over two months to go until the High Holy Days. Why is the rabbi dreying my kop (spinning my head) with this already?
It's because we are all procrastinators when it comes to doing the spiritual work necessary for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. It's less than three weeks until Tisha B'Av, the Ninth of Av, and the anniversary of the destruction of the holy temple in Jerusalem and of many other Jewish disasters throughout our history. The Rabbis taught that God destroyed His own house because of baseless hatred between people. That is something that each of us needs to consider even, perhaps especially, in the present day.
Three weeks later, we begin the month of Elul, during which, our tradition teaches, we should each perform cheshbon hanefesh, an accounting of the soul. We should examine our deeds (good and bad) of the past year, and begin to make amends for the wrongs we have committed against God and, more importantly, against each other. The shofar is sounded once every weekday morning during Elul, to warn us of the approaching holy days.
Haftarah: Jeremiah 1:1 -2:3 (Because it is after 17 Tammuz, we read the haftarah for Parashat Mattot)
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Forgiveness? It's Later Than You Think!
If I ever got around to it, I would be the first to admit that I am a procrastinator. For example, my weekly divrei torah often go out on the internet only a short time before Shabbat begins. This week is no exception. So it is with some trepidation that I read in this week's parashah the following:
"In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, there shall be a holy convocation for you; you shall do no laborious work; it shall be a day of shofar sounding for you." Numbers 29:1
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Forgiveness? It's Later Than You Think!
If I ever got around to it, I would be the first to admit that I am a procrastinator. For example, my weekly divrei torah often go out on the internet only a short time before Shabbat begins. This week is no exception. So it is with some trepidation that I read in this week's parashah the following:
"In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, there shall be a holy convocation for you; you shall do no laborious work; it shall be a day of shofar sounding for you." Numbers 29:1
The Torah is talking about Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, and the Ten Days of Repentance (Aseret Yamei Teshuvah) leading up to Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. But wait, you say, this is only Tammuz, the fourth month. We still have over two months to go until the High Holy Days. Why is the rabbi dreying my kop (spinning my head) with this already?
It's because we are all procrastinators when it comes to doing the spiritual work necessary for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. It's less than three weeks until Tisha B'Av, the Ninth of Av, and the anniversary of the destruction of the holy temple in Jerusalem and of many other Jewish disasters throughout our history. The Rabbis taught that God destroyed His own house because of baseless hatred between people. That is something that each of us needs to consider even, perhaps especially, in the present day.
Three weeks later, we begin the month of Elul, during which, our tradition teaches, we should each perform cheshbon hanefesh, an accounting of the soul. We should examine our deeds (good and bad) of the past year, and begin to make amends for the wrongs we have committed against God and, more importantly, against each other. The shofar is sounded once every weekday morning during Elul, to warn us of the approaching holy days.
By the start of the new year and the Ten Days of Teshuvah, we should be actively seeking forgiveness from our fellows whom we wronged during the previous year, in order that we may then (and only then!) ask God for forgiveness. So, you ask, with all of this time and all of these opportunities, why should I be thinking about teshuvah now?
Because this discussion reminds me of Rabbi Eliezer's teaching: Repent one day before your death. (Mishnah Avot 2:15) Since none of us is perfectly righteous, each of us, every day, should be doing teshuvah. Don't wait - it's later than you think.
Peace and blessings. Shabbat Shalom!
Because this discussion reminds me of Rabbi Eliezer's teaching: Repent one day before your death. (Mishnah Avot 2:15) Since none of us is perfectly righteous, each of us, every day, should be doing teshuvah. Don't wait - it's later than you think.
Peace and blessings. Shabbat Shalom!
Rabbi Richard A. Flom - ZSRS '00
Congregation Beth Meier
Studio City, CA
http://www.bethmeier.org
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
Congregation Beth Meier
Studio City, CA
http://www.bethmeier.org
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: 7:50 pm
Candlelighting: 7:50 pm
This Shabbat is Rabbi Aaron Benson’s final Shabbat as rabbi of Congregation Beth Meier. Please join us for services Shabbat evening or Shabbat morning to thank him for his service to our community and to wish him and his family b’rakhah and hatzlachah at his new position in Long Island.
I will assume the position of rabbi of Congregation Beth Meier on Monday, July 1. I am grateful to the members of Beth Meier for their trust and encouragement, and look forward to a long and successful partnership in building and strengthening our community.
Lunch and Learn is an ongoing program of Congregation Beth Meier 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, July 2, 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.
The synagogue office will be closed on Thursday, July 4, in observance of Independence Day. Happy Birthday, USA!
A membership meeting of Congregation Beth Meier will take place on Sunday, July 28 at 4:00 pm at the synagogue. This is our first opportunity to meet each other and to share our goals, hopes and dreams for our community. I hope to see you there!
This d'var torah is offered in honor of Rabbi Aaron Benson in gratitude for his service to Congregation Beth Meier and his support of the shidduch between me and the congregation.
This d'var torah is offered for a refuah shleimah for Dov Nechemya Hakohen ben Rachel Chaya Sarah, Eve Beatty, Beth Goldstein, Pamela Huddleston, Micah Kosche, Sara Lanxner, Frank Marcovitz, Phil Raider, Helen Reiter, Len Reiter, Judith Sakurai, and Kitty Schmerling.
My weekly divrei torah are also available via free e-mail subscription to Cyber Torah.
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
This d'var torah is offered for a refuah shleimah for Dov Nechemya Hakohen ben Rachel Chaya Sarah, Eve Beatty, Beth Goldstein, Pamela Huddleston, Micah Kosche, Sara Lanxner, Frank Marcovitz, Phil Raider, Helen Reiter, Len Reiter, Judith Sakurai, and Kitty Schmerling.
My weekly divrei torah are also available via free e-mail subscription to Cyber Torah.
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
