Haftarah: Amos 2:6 - 3:8
20 Kislev 5774 / 22-23 November 2013
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Slave or Prince?
"And it came to pass after these things that the cupbearer of the king of
Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch says that the reference to the two courtiers as "princes" is mockery. To those who served beneath them, they were "princes", wielding great power; but to the king, they were nothing more than slaves with fancy titles. He threw them into prison for no apparent reason. The cupbearer and baker failed to understand that, when one's position is dependent solely upon the whim of one's superior, one's position is, at best, precarious.
So it is all too often with people who attain positions of power granted by another. They clothe themselves in self-importance. The opinions of those who work for them are irrelevant. These "princes" believe that direct contact with the king somehow makes them as powerful as the king.
The most desirable community, it seems to me, is one where every member, whether leader or not, fully understands that they are serving a higher purpose; where there is no self-aggrandizement, no delusion of grandeur interfering with their dedication and perseverance. Fortunate is that community whose leaders understand that they are NOT royalty. Equally fortunate are the leaders and workers who serve that community which does not treat them like slaves. (I am thankful to be a member of THAT community! J ) May it be thus for all of us.
Shabbat Shalom, Chag Urim Sameach and Happy Thanksgiving!
Congregation Beth Meier
Studio City
http://www.bethmeier.org
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"For the sake of
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Candlelighting: 4:27 pm
Friday: Shabbat Evening Service – 8:00 pm. Come on down for a joyful way to bring in Shabbat! Oneg Shabbat follows.
Saturday: Shabbat Morning Service – 10:00 am. Kiddush lunch follows.
Sunday:
Tuesday: Lunch and Learn – noon.
Wednesday: First Night of Hanukkah – light your menorah after sundown. NO (Re)Introduction to Judaism class.
Thursday, 11/28: Happy Thanksgiving! Beth Meier office closed.
Friday, 11/29: Beth Meier office closed. Shabbat evening service – 6:30 pm. NOTE early service time.
Saturday, 11/30: Shabbat Morning Service – 10:00 am.
Sunday, 12/1: NO
This d'var torah is offered in memory of my uncle, David Flom, whose yahrzeit falls on Sunday. Y'hi zikhro liv'rakhah - May his memory be a blessing.
This d'var torah is offered for a refuah shleimah for Boaz ben Dina, Dov Nechemya Hakohen ben Rachel Chaya Sarah, Miriam Minya bat Alisa Batya, Eve Beatty, Howard Ehrlich, Joshua Erenmark, Jerry Forman, Pamela Huddleston, Rose Jordan, Lizzie Legnine, Gloria Loera, Frank Marcovitz, Barney Meskin, Colleen Pierce (Chaya Shoshanah bat Sarah Emanu), Phil Raider and Rachel Robbins.
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