GOD PROVIDES, PROVIDED YOU PROVIDE

Parashat Beshalach – Shabbat Shirah

11 Shevat 5775 / 30-31 January 2015
Torah: Exodus 13:17 - 17:16
Haftarah: Judges 4:4 - 5:31 (Ashkenazim); Judges 5:1-31 (Sefardim)

For a full calendar of events and other info about the Congregation Beth Meier community, check out: http://www.bethmeier.org

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GOD PROVIDES, PROVIDED YOU PROVIDE

"The Lord will fight (y'lachem) for you, and you will hold your peace (tacharishun)." Exodus 14:14

The commentary P'ninei Hatorah uses word play to understand this text. "God will arrange for you your livelihood, your bread (lechem), provided that 'you will hold your peace' - you must not rebel or quarrel among yourselves, because 'a single argument drives away one hundred livelihoods'" (quoting Shelah Hakadosh).

Rebbe Meir of Premishlan goes one better. "It is true that God provides bread to all - provided it is your obligation to work and to plow (l'charosh, punning on tacharishun)." (Both comments appear in "Itturei Torah")

Our teachers have simple but important messages. First, God provides us with a livelihood - provided we don't destroy each others' livelihoods through petty disputes. To me, this means even more - that which God creates, we have the power to destroy. Second, God helps those who help themselves. God creates wheat, but we must sow, work, harvest, grind and bake before it becomes bread. We are able to beautify and improve upon God's handiwork in order to make use of it.

This Tu Bish'vat, remember - we are the ones who have the power to improve the world - or destroy it.

Shabbat Shalom

Rabbi Richard A. Flom – ZSRS ‘00

Congregation Beth Meier

Studio City, CA

http://www.bethmeier.org

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Candle lighting: 5:03 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 – 12:00 Noon.

Wednesday: Tu Bish’vat – The New Year of the Trees.

Friday, 6 February: Deadline to RSVP for Shabbat Dinner on 13 February. Shabbat Evening Service – 8:00 pm. Oneg Shabbat follows.

Saturday, 7 February: Shabbat Morning Service – 10:00 am. Kiddush lunch follows.

Sunday, 8 February: Religious School – 9:30 am. Adult Hebrew class – 10:00 am. Tu Bish’vat Seder – 10:00 am – All invited!

Tuesday, 10 February: Lunch and Learn – 12:00 Noon.

Friday, 13 February: Shabbat Dinner (reservations required – see above) – 6:00 pm. New members - free; adults - $5; 12 and under - $2. We’ll light, we’ll eat, we’ll sing …, followed by Family Shabbat Evening Service – 7:30 pm. Oneg Shabbat follows.

The quadrennial elections for the World Zionist Congress are taking place NOW. This Congress, through the elected delegates, exercises control over budgets/expenditures of Keren Kayemet L’Yisrael (JNF), the Jewish Agency (aliyah and absorption) and the World Zionist Organization. Any Jew 18 years and older, residing in the United States, is eligible to participate. MERCAZ, the Zionist arm of the Conservative/Masorti movement, of which Beth Meier is an affiliate, is on the ballot. A very handy guide to the issues, parties and voting can be read at:

http://www.jewishjournal.com/religion/article/world_zionist_congress_elections_a_voters_guide

Watch your in-box for a brochure about a planned trip to Israel – May 7 – May 18, 2015

This d’var torah is offered for a refuah shleimah for Avi Shmuel Yosef Hakohen ben Bella, Miriam Minya bat Alisa Batya, Sarah Mindel bat Toby, Stewart Benkle, Elsbet Brosky, John Todd Brosky, Howard Ehrlich, Maya Fersht (Maya bat Esther), Dr. Samuel Fersht (Shmuel Natan ben Gittel), Gig Flom,, Jerry Forman, Leo Hoenig (Leib ben Bella), Neal Hoffman (Nachum ben Dina), Pamela Huddleston, Rose Jordan, Jayne Kaplan, Lina Kniter (Lina bat Batya), Jeannie Kottler, Shirley Kronzek, Annie Rivera, and Rabbi Marc Wilson.

My weekly divrei torah are also available by free 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