Parashat Vayakhel
Torah: Exodus 35:1 – 38:20
Maftir (Shekalim): Exodus 30:11-16
Haftarah (Shekalim): 2 Kings 12:1-17 (Ashkenazim); 2
Kings 11:17 - 12:17 (Sephardim)
25 Adar 1 5776 / 4-5 March 2016
SHABBAT ACROSS AMERICA
Calendar of events follows. For a full calendar and other
info about our community, check out: www.bethmeier.org
Please feel free to pass this on to a friend, and please
cite the source.
Congregation Beth Meier has developed
a GoFundMe page: Please visit the page and consider a donation. Your
generosity is greatly appreciated!
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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 we 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 U’Mevorakh - A Peaceful and Blessed Shabbat!
Be Happy – It’s Adar! Shabbat Shalom!
Grand Rabbi Abba Reuven ben Menachem Mendel Flom, Sh’lita
Der Heiliger Shlabodkieville Rebbe
Av Beis Din - Chelm
Av Beis Din - Chelm
Mishenichnas Adar, Marbim B’simcha - From the beginning of
Adar, we increase joy!
Congregation Beth Meier - Studio City , CA
Website: http://bethmeier.org
Blogging at: http://rav-rich.blogspot.com
"From the place where we are absolutely right, flowers
will never grow in the spring."
"מן המקום שבו אנו צודקים לא יצמחו לעולם פרחים באביב"
Yehuda Amichai
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Candlelighting: 5:34 pm
Friday: SHABBAT ACROSS AMERICA
Saturday: Shabbat morning service – 10:00 am. Kiddush lunch follows.
Sunday: Religious
School
Tuesday: Lunch and Learn – 12:00 noon
Friday, 11 March: Family Shabbat Evening Service – 7:30 pm. Oneg Shabbat
follows.
Saturday, 12 March: Shabbat morning service – 10:00 am. Kiddush lunch follows.
Sunday, 13 March: Religious
School
Tuesday, March 15: Lunch and Learn – 12:00 noon
Next time you come to Beth Meier,
please bring some non-perishable canned and packaged foods and personal
items (no glass) for SOVA.
This d'var torah is offered for a
refuah shleimah for Avi Shmuel Yosef Hakohen ben Bella, Miriam Minya
bat Alisa Batya, Sarah bat Devorah, Ken Bitticks, Elsbet
Brosky, Peter Chernack (Pesach ben Idit), Jerry Daniels, Maya Fersht
(Maya bat Esther), Dr. Samuel Fersht (Shmuel Natan ben
Gittel), Leonard Foint (Eliezer Moshe ben Esther), Jerry Forman, Lynda
Foster, Pamela Huddleston, Stephanie Kane, Philip Kovac, Suzanne
Rosenthal (Sima Devorah bat Chanah), Deborah Schugar Strauss (Devorah bat Chaya
Feiga), and Lily Snyder.
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 weekly divrei torah are available through free
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