TALK IS CHEAP

Parashat Vayak'hel

22 Adar 1 5774 / 21-22 February 2014

Torah reading: Exodus 35:1 – 38:20
Haftarah: 1 Kings 7:40-50 (Ashkenazim); 1 Kings 7:13-26 (Sephardim)

Calendar and dedications follow below. For a full Calendar of Events and lots of other information, please visit http://www.bethmeier.org

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

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Talk is Cheap

‘And Moses assembled together all of the congregation of Israel and said to them: “These are the things the Lord has commanded, to do them.”’ Exodus 35:1

Miginzeinu Ha’atik: “There is no problem when it comes to gathering people together: there are countless committees and conferences, meetings and sessions ... they speak, debate, argue, and discuss endlessly. That is why Moses commanded “to do them.” The purpose of your meetings must be action!”

‘(Moses said,) ... “(God) has endowed (Bezalel) with the spirit of God, with wisdom, ability and knowledge,  ... and inspired him to make artistic works in gold, silver and copper.”’ Exodus 35:31-32

Rabbi Y. Avida says that money can elevate people or bring them down to the lowest depths. With it, one can build a Tabernacle for God or construct an idol. The reason God endowed and inspired Bezalel is because one needs great wisdom to know how to use gold and silver properly.

Similarly, on the half shekel given by every Israelite towards the construction of the Tabernacle (Exodus 30:13), the Jerusalem Talmud says that God showed Moses a fiery coin and said, “Like this one will they give.” Indeed, money is like fire - you can use it to heat your house, or you can use it to burn down the house.

Judaism’s teaching is clear - money itself is morally neutral. How you get it and what you do with it are what matter - that is how you determine the kashrut of money. Ultimately, regardless of countless discussions about how much money the synagogue needs, the end result is a lot of hot air, unless we take action, and actually donate money to the causes that move us. Talk is cheap. Operating a synagogue, or any charitable organization, is not. If we talk the talk, but use our money for some ignoble purpose, all we do is bring down the house - God’s House.

Shabbat Shalom!

Mishenichnas Adar Marbim B’simchah! With the entry of the month of Adar, we increase joy! Be Happy!

Rabbi Richard A. Flom
Congregation Beth Meier
Studio City, CAhttp://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: 5:24 pm


Friday: Shabbat Evening Service – 8:00 pm. Oneg Shabbat follows.
Saturday: Shabbat Morning Service – 10:00 am. Kiddush lunch follows.
Sunday: Religious School – 9:30 am. Adult Hebrew Class – 10:00 am.
Tuesday: Lunch and Learn - noon.
Wednesday: (Re)Introduction to Judaism class– 7:30 pm.


Attention all (Re)Introduction to Judaism attendees and anyone else interested in attending! The make-up class for January 29 will be February 26. The topic and reading assignment are as follows: Even More Jewish History – The Late Medieval Period.  Reading: Telushkin – Part 4 – sections 105-116

The March 19 class will NOT meet and has been rescheduled for March 26. The topic and reading assignment are as follows: Anti-Semitism and the Shoah.  Readings: Leviticus 9:1 – 11:47; Telushkin – Part 7 (sections 185-206) and Part 10 (sections 240-247) and handouts.

Don’t forget to RSVP for the installation of Rabbi Flom (that’s me!) on March 9. Deadline for reservations is February 28. Deadline for tribute book ads is February 25. Contact Ken Goodman for details.

The Rabbinical Assembly's annual guide for Pesach is available on-line for download. It's not too early to start thinking about your spring cleaning and Passover prep! The guide is available at: rabbinicalassembly.org/pesah-guide

This d'var torah is offered in memory of Edith “Kitty” Schmerling, who passed away on Thursday. Funeral is Sunday at 11:00 am at Groman Eden Chapel, 11500 Sepulveda Blvd., Mission Hills 91345. Condolences to Noah Schmerling and the Schmerling family. Y’hi zichronah liv’rakhah – May her memory be a blessing.

This d'var torah is offered for a refuah shleimah for Blimah Reizel bat Ruchel, Miriam Minya bat Alisa Batya, Eve Beatty, Roza Blady, Howard Ehrlich, Bryon Fendrich, Jerry Forman, Pamela Huddleston, Rose Jordan, Steven Kleiger, Lizzie Legnine, Frank Marcovitz, Sheldon Mazo, Marshall Neiman, and Phil Raider.

Please let me know if there is anyone you would like to add to this list or if there is anyone who may be removed from this list.

My divrei torah are also available via e-mail from the Cyber Torah list.

Cyber Torah list management (no salesman will call!):

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