NO IFS, ANDS, OR BUTS!

Parashat Vayikra

5 Nisan 5777 / 31 March – 1 April 2017
Torah reading: Leviticus 1:1 – 5:26

Haftarah: Isaiah 43:21 – 44:23

My Annual Pesach Resources Guide is available at my blog:

http://rav-rich.blogspot.com/2017/03/pesach-resources-5777-edition.html

Calendar and dedications follow below. For a full calendar of events relating to Passover at Congregation Beth Meier, check out:

http://rav-rich.blogspot.com/2017/03/beth-meier-pesach-5777-bulletin.html

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

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NO IFS, ANDS, OR BUTS!

"When (asher) a ruler a sins, and commits one from among the commandments of the Lord his God which may not be done - unintentionally - and is guilty; or if his sin is known to him, he shall bring his offering..." Leviticus 4:22-3

"Fortunate (ashrei) is the generation whose ruler directs his heart to bring an atonement for his unintentional error; how much more so when he repents of his deliberate sins." Rashi, based on the midrash from Sifra

Unlike with regard to priests, commoners, and the people as a whole, the Torah says "when" rather than "if". The commentator Sforno says this implies that sins by those in power are inevitable. This cynical view seems obvious enough to us ("power corrupts"), but it was equally obvious 3000 years ago. The prophet Samuel had warned the people not to have a king over them, because he would make their lives burdensome. They insisted that they wanted to be like "all the other peoples". And that is what they got.

Rashi, using word play, takes this cynicism, and points out that people are fortunate to have a ruler who sins and repents - not only if he atones for his inadvertent sins, but especially when he atones for his intentional sins. This seems to go against human nature.

If we act inadvertently, we tend to make excuses in order to avoid the punishment. "It was an accident." "I didn't mean to do it." But when we act with intent, we have no choice but to repent. We're busted, and there is no escaping it. Not so with those in power. Repenting for an unintentional act is easier for a ruler precisely because he has an excuse, and it makes him look good in the eyes of the people when he atones for something for which all agree he was not fully responsible. But for a ruler to atone for an intentional act, he has to admit that he acted arrogantly, that he was abusing his power.

Does this mean we hold our rulers to a higher standard? Well, yes, and it is precisely because we have given them power over us. This, says Sforno, is why it says "his God" - to remind the ruler that he is not really in charge, but that the Ruler of Rulers is above him. We know that the ruling authorities watch us. When they atone for their intentional acts, then we know that they too answer to a higher authority.

Shabbat Shalom uv’rakhah - Wishing you a Shabbat of peace and blessings.

Rabbi Richard A. Flom

Congregation Beth Meier

Studio City, CA

http://bethmeier.org

Blogging at: http://rav-rich.blogspot.com

Visit me on Facebook

Twitter: @DrahcirMolf

"שתיקה כהודאה דמיא"

"Silence in the face of wrongdoing is consent.”

BT Yevamot 87b

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Candle lighting: 6:55 pm

Thursday – Deadline to sign up for Beth Meier’s Community Second Seder on 11 April – contact office for details and reservations.

Friday – Shabbat Evening Service – 8:00 pm. Oneg Shabbat follows.

Saturday – Shabbat Morning Service – 10:00 am. Kiddush luncheon follows.

Sunday – Religious School – 9:30 am. Adult Hebrew Class – 10:00 am

Tuesday, 4 April – Lunch and Learn – 12:00 noon.

Friday, 7 April – Shabbat Evening Service – 8:00 pm. Oneg Shabbat follows.

Saturday, 8 April – Sh’MA (Shabbat Morning Adventure) Service – 10:00 am. Guitar-accompanied sing-along service with Cantor Steve Pearlman. Kiddush luncheon follows.

Sunday, 9 April – Religious School – 9:30 am. Adult Learning Program – “A Walk Through the Hagaddah” – 10:00 am

Monday, 10 April – Fast of the First-born – Torah Study and Siyyum – 8:00 am. First Seder at sundown.

Tuesday, 11 April – Passover Morning Service – 9:30 am at Temple B’nai Hayim. Community Second Seder at Beth Meier – 7:00 pm.

Wednesday, 12 April - Passover Morning Service – 10:00 am at Beth Meier.

This d'var torah is offered for a refuah shleimah for Avi Shmuel Yosef Hakohen ben Bella, Yaakov Rani Ben Margalit, Sarah bat Devorah, Susan Arbetman, Kyree Beacham, Ken Bitticks, Elsbet Brosky (Serach bat Miriam), Jerry Daniels, Maya Fersht (Maya bat Esther), Dr. Samuel Fersht (Shmuel Natan ben Gittel), Leonard Foint (Eliezer Moshe ben Esther), Jerry Forman, Myra Goodman, Simon Hartman, Fouad Kay (Yehoshua ben Salima), Philip Kovac, Evan Kronzek, Philip Kronzek (Pinchas Yosef ben Sarah), Tonya Kronzek (Zlata Malkah bat Sarah Emanu), Toni Linder, Roy Miller, Deborah Schugar Strauss (Devorah bat Chaya Feiga), Helen Schugar (Chaya Feiga bat Kreina), and Jerry Smith.

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 subscription to the Cyber Torah e-mail list. No salesman will call!

Cyber Torah list management:

To subscribe to Cyber Torah, send an e-mail from the receiving address to: ravflom@sbcglobal.net  with the heading “Subscribe Cyber Torah”.

To unsubscribe from Cyber Torah, send an e-mail from the receiving address to: ravflom@sbcglobal.net with the heading “Unsubscribe Cyber Torah”.

To dedicate a Cyber Torah in honor of a simchah in memory of a loved one or for a refuah shleimah, send an e-mail to: ravflom@sbcglobal.net with the heading “Dedicate Cyber Torah” and provide details in the message body.

BETH MEIER PESACH 5777 BULLETIN

Spring 2017/PASSOVER 5777 Edition   PLEASE BE AWARE OF CHANGES IN SERVICE TIMES/LOCATIONS   Pesach Services at BETH MEIER and at TEMPLE B'NAI HAYIM Temple B'nai Hayim: 4302 Van Nuys Blvd., Sherman Oaks 91403   April 11 (Day 1) - 9:30 am at B'nai Hayim; April 12 (Day 2) - 10:00 am at Beth Meier April 17 (Day 7) - 9:30 am at B'nai Hayim; April 18 (Day 8 - Yizkor) - 10:00 am at Beth Meier    PASSOVER EVENTS AT BETH MEIER: WALK THROUGH THE HAGGADAH - Adult education - Sunday, April 9 - 10:00 am   FAST OF THE FIRST-BORN - STUDY AND SIYYUM - Monday, April 10, 8:00 am   BETH MEIER COMMUNAL SEDER - Tuesday, April 11 - 7:00 pm Elegant Affairs Catering (AJU) provides us a wonderful Seder, conducted by Rabbi Flom.  $60 adult members; $70 non-members; $18 children; 6-12; <6 = free Final day to reserve:  Thursday, March 30   INFORMATION FOR PASSOVER Rabbi Flom's Annual Pesach Resources Guide is available at his blog: http://rav-rich.blogspot.com/2017/03/pesach-resources-5777-edition.html   Search for Chametz: Complete cleaning of your house of chametz by the evening of Sunday, April 9   Selling Chametz: Chametz not disposed of must be stored out of sight and sold for the duration of Passover. To sell your chametz, complete and return the form below.   Fast/Redemption of the First-Born: All first born Jews (except Kohanim and Levi'im) must fast the day before Passover (from dawn April 10 until the Seder) or be redeemed by a donation or Torah study. To redeem yourself or another, return the included form and/or attend the siyyum on Monday, April 10    Must Their Cup be Empty? MA'OT CHITIM / PASSOVER CHARITY: Make true the words of the Haggadah, "Let all who are hungry enter and eat, all who are needy come and celebrate the Passover" through your donation for those in need.    PASSOVER YIZKOR: The Yizkor Service as part of the Pesach 8th Day Morning Service will be Tuesday, April 18, commencing at 10:00 am. To make a Yizkor Donation fill in and return the form.   PASSOVER CANDLE LIGHTING TIMES: Light candles on April 10 for the First Seder at 7:02 pm, for the Second Seder on April 11 at 8:00 pm, on April 16 at 7:07 pm and April 17 at 8:05 pm. Pesach ends at 8:05 pm on April 18.

Passover Participation & Donation Form   Fill in the form below for all Passover related activities and return by April 7 (except Seder Reservations MUST be received by March 30:     Name: ___________________________             Address: _______________________________________________   Phone: ___________________________   Credit Card: Visa___ MasterCard___    Number:  _________________________   Expiration: ______________                 Check(s) Included:   Y   N     COMMUNAL SEDER - Tuesday, April 11 at 7:00 pm:   Number of Member adults ($60 each): ___   Non-Member adults ($70 each): ___   Children 6-12 ($18 each): ___   Children <6 (free): ___         Number of vegetarian meals (if any): ___ (Order Deadline:  Thursday, March 30)     YIZKOR REQUEST - Yizkor Service on Tuesday, April 18 at 10:00 am:   My donation is: $______    Names of those to be remembered: ____________________   __________________________________   __________________________________     SELLING CHAMETZ - I authorize Rabbi Flom to sell my chametz:   My donation is: $ ______   Location(s) of chametz: _________________________ _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________    I WISH TO REDEEM MYSELF / FIRST-BORN:   My donation is: $ ______   Others to be redeemed: _________________________   ______________________________________ _______________________________________     MA'OT CHITIM / PASSOVER CHARITY:   My donation is: $ ______     TOTAL FOR ALL PASSOVER CONTRIBUTIONS AND SEDER RESERVATIONS:   $___________   Please make your check payable to "Congregation Beth Meier." Or call the synagogue office at: (818) 769-0515 with your credit card information.

PESACH RESOURCES – 5777 EDITION

PESACH RESOURCES – 5777 EDITION

Chaverim nichbadim - Dear friends:

It’s almost time for Pesach! You know, the “Festival of Freedom”, the holiday on which we celebrate our release from slavery to Pharaoh in Egypt by abiding by the very strict dietary and ritual rules created by the Rabbis and Jewish Tradition, including eating the hardtack called matzah for eight days. Freedom, you say? God said, “Send forth My people, so they may serve me.” That’s how it is typically translated. But the Hebrew word for “so they may serve me”, “v’ya’avduni”, might easily be translated as “so they will slave for Me”. The root for “serve”, “avad”, is also the root for “eved” – “slave”. So, how do you manage Pesach in such a way as to avoid complete slavery?

Here are some simple rules:

1. Accept that you are not perfect – and neither is anyone else! You don’t have to do it all! You can’t do it all!

2. Prepare the house by cleaning and removing the chametz. A short but very useful guide to kashering your kitchen and home and identifying foods that are or are not kosher for Passover can be found at:  www.rabbinicalassembly.org/pesah-guide

3. Prepare the food for the Seder.

4. Prepare the food for the remainder of the holiday by shopping for it before Pesach.

5. Prepare yourself and your family spiritually.

6. Prepare yourself and your family intellectually.

7. Do not drive yourself or anyone else crazy – see number rule #1.

8. Remember that Pesach really is about freedom; freedom is fun; have fun! See rule #7.

9. Any questions? Ask a rabbi!

Are you looking for ways to make your Seder more meaningful, more accessible, more involving for children, more interesting, shorter, etc.? Then check out these resources on-line:

a. The Rabbinical Assembly’s Pesach Guide 5777 can be read and downloaded at the following site:

www.rabbinicalassembly.org/pesah-guide

b. Additional Pesach resources from the Rabbinical Assembly may be found at:

https://www.rabbinicalassembly.org/jewish-law/holidays/pesah/pesah-prep

c. Pesach kitchen kashering from a strictly Orthodox perspective can be found at:

https://artscroll.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/kosher-kitchen_ch-15.pdf

d. MyJewishLearning.com is, IMVHO, the best Jewish educational resource on the web, and has material on virtually everything you might ever want to know about Judaism, but don't know how or whom to ask. The homepage is easily navigable. For Pesach, explore this page:

http://www.myjewishlearning.com/category/celebrate/passover/

e. The Conservative Yeshiva, in Jerusalem, has a number of text resources for study before the holiday and for discussion at the Seder. See the many Passover links at:

http://learn.conservativeyeshiva.org/holidays/

f. Passover Gateway, a Pesach resource from an Orthodox perspective, also with good general Jewish resources on its main page:

http://www.beingjewish.com/yomtov/passover/

g. Passover according to Chabad in a straightforward manner. Follow the links on this page:

http://www.chabad.org/holidays/passover/default_cdo/aid/109747/jewish/Passover.htm

h. Especially good for beginners, National Jewish Outreach Program’s extensive and accessible collection of how-to’s, background materials and videos, from the folks who bring you Shabbat Across (also has Shabbat and other holiday resources):

http://njop.org/resources/holidays/complete-guide-to-holidays/passover/passover-seder-101-web-series/

i. My colleague Rabbi Gabriel Botnick has a short video guide on shopping for Pesach, available at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sH4T7DoDAs

One of my seminary teachers suggested that, in addition to whichever Haggadah of choice you use for your Seder, you should every year acquire a new Haggadah with commentary and illustrations to help you prepare and make your Seder more enjoyable. Ask your local Jewish bookseller, consult with a rabbi, explore the web – there are beautiful and accessible Haggadot available. Here are some of my favorites for getting ready:

1. Passover Haggadah – The Feast of Freedom. The Rabbinical Assembly, 1982. Clear spiritual commentary.

2. A Passover Haggadah – Go Forth and Learn. Rabbi David Silver. Jewish Publication Society, 2011. A new classic.

3. The Haggadah Treasury. Rabbi Nosson Scherman. Artscroll, 1978. Midrash and traditional teachings.

4. From Bondage to Freedom – The Passover Haggadah. Rabbi Abraham J. Twerski, M.D. Shaar Press, 1995. Tradition blended with insights relating to addiction and dependency.

5. A Different Night – The Family Participation Haggadah. Noam Zion and David Dishon. Shalom Hartman Institute, 1997. Difficult to use at the seder, but lots of great ideas - especially in the leader's guide.

6. Studies on the Haggadah from the Teachings of Nechama Leibowitz. Urim Publications, 2002. Deep Torah from a great scholar.

7. The Hirsch Haggadah. Samson Raphael Hirsch. Feldheim Publishers, 1993. The 19th century voice of Orthodoxy.

8. A Feast of History. Chaim Raphael. Steimatzky’s, 1972. (Out of print but available used) The lengthy historical essay is interesting and useful.

9. The Origins of the Seder. Baruch Bokser. JTS Press, 2002 (Paperback edition). Not a Haggadah, but for those interested in an academic treatise that opens the eyes to history.

10. Passover – The Family Guide to Spiritual Celebration. Dr. Ron Wolfson. Jewish Lights Publishing, 2010 (2d edition) A straight-forward how-to guide with explanations and insights for the table.

Some other important reminders about Pesach and the lead-up to the holy days:

1. All first-borns (except Levi’im and Kohanim) are obliged to engage in a fast,calledTa’anit B’chorot, from pre-dawn until the seder on the 14th of Nisan, this year on Monday, April 10, in recognition of the 10th plague. To avoid the fast, the custom has become for the firstborn to engage in Torah study and then have a festive "meal" (a siyyum) at the completion of their study. I will be hosting Torah study and siyyum (complete with the last chametz you will eat until the end of Pesach) on Monday, April 10, at 8:00 am at Congregation Beth Meier (CBM). All are welcome, not just first-borns. If you wish to join us, please let me know by e-mail to: ravflom@sbcglobal.net by Sunday evening, April 9, so I will have enough coffee and Krispy Kreme donuts.

2. CBM is holding a Community Second Seder on Tuesday, April 11, beginning at 7:00 pm. Reservations are due no later than 3:00 pm, Thursday, March 30, by leaving a phone message at the CBM office - (818) 769-0515. We need to order from the caterer no later than March 31. Sorry, late reservations cannot be accommodated.

I guess it's time to start thinking about Pesach!

Wishing you a Chag Pesach Sameach, Kasher v’Mashma’uti – A Passover that is Happy, Kosher and Meaningful!

Rabbi Richard A. Flom

Congregation Beth Meier 

Studio City, CA

ravflom@sbcglobal.net

http://www.bethmeier.org/

http://rav-rich.blogspot.com/

Visit me on Facebook

FINDING MEANING IN THE MUNDANE

Parashat Vayak’hel-Pekudei

27 Adar 5777 / 24-25 March 2017
Torah reading: Exodus 35:1 – 40:38

Maftir: Exodus 12:1-20 (HaChodesh)

Haftarah: Ezekiel 45:16 – 45:18

The Rabbinical Assembly’s Guide to Pesach is available for downloading and/or printing at:

https://www.rabbinicalassembly.org/sites/default/files/public/jewish-law/holidays/pesah/pesah-guide-5777.pdf

IMPORTANT CALENDAR UPDATE FOR THIS SUNDAY!

Candle lighting: 6:49 pm

Friday – Shabbat Evening Service – 8:00 pm. Oneg Shabbat follows.

Saturday – Shabbat Morning Service – 10:00 am. Kiddush luncheon follows.

Sunday – TOUR OF KOSHER MARKET CANCELED – unfortunately, Ralphs kosher section will not be fully converted to KP until after April 3. Religious School – 9:30 am. Adult Hebrew Class – 10:00 am

Tuesday – Lunch and Learn – 12:00 noon.

Thursday, 30 March – Deadline to sign up for Beth Meier’s Community Second Seder on 11 April – contact office for details and reservations.

Friday, 31 March – Shabbat Evening Service – 8:00 pm. Oneg Shabbat follows.

Saturday, 1 April – Shabbat Morning Service – 10:00 am. Kiddush luncheon follows.

Sunday, 2 April – Religious School – 9:30 am. Adult Hebrew Class – 10:00 am

Tuesday, 4 April – Lunch and Learn – 12:00 noon.

Friday, 7 April – Shabbat Evening Service – 8:00 pm. Oneg Shabbat follows.

Saturday, 8 April – Sh’MA (Shabbat Morning Adventure) Service – 10:00 am. Guitar-accompanied sing-along service with Cantor Steve Pearlman. Kiddush luncheon follows.

Sunday, 9 April – Religious School – 9:30 am. Adult Learning Program – “A Walk Through the Hagaddah” – 10:00 am

Monday, 10 April – Fast of the First-born – Torah Study and Siyyum – 8:00 am. First Seder at sundown.

Tuesday, 11 April – Passover Morning Service – 9:30 am at Temple B’nai Hayim. Community Second Seder at Beth Meier – 7:00 pm.

Wednesday, 12 April - Passover Morning Service – 10:00 am at Beth Meier.

This d'var torah is offered in memory of my father-in-law, Abraham Kronzek, whose yahrzeit falls on Tuesday, Nisan 1. Y’hi zikhro liv’rakhah – His memory is a blessing.

This d'var torah is offered in honor of Melinda and Warren Trauman, celebrating their wedding anniversary this Shabbat. Mazal tov!

This d'var torah is offered for a refuah shleimah for Avi Shmuel Yosef Hakohen ben Bella, Yaakov Rani Ben Margalit, Sarah bat Devorah, Susan Arbetman, Kyree Beacham, Ken Bitticks, Elsbet Brosky (Serach bat Miriam), Jerry Daniels, Maya Fersht (Maya bat Esther), Dr. Samuel Fersht (Shmuel Natan ben Gittel), Leonard Foint (Eliezer Moshe ben Esther), Jerry Forman, Myra Goodman, Simon Hartman, Fouad Kay (Yehoshua ben Salima), Philip Kovac, Evan Kronzek, Philip Kronzek (Pinchas Yosef ben Sarah), Tonya Kronzek (Zlata Malkah bat Sarah Emanu), Toni Linder, Roy Miller, Deborah Schugar Strauss (Devorah bat Chaya Feiga), Helen Schugar (Chaya Feiga bat Kreina), and Jerry Smith.

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.

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

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FINDING MEANING IN THE MUNDANE

“Moses could not enter the tent of meeting because the cloud had settled upon it (alav); and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.” Exodus 40:35

Etz Hayyim: It is unclear whether entry is literally blocked or is not permissible or that Moses dared not enter.

The writer David Mamet asks an interesting question. “But is there something in the notion that Moses could not enter the Tent of Meeting because the cloud rested on him?”(reading the word “alav” as “upon him” rather than “upon it” - the Hebrew is ambiguous) He goes on to suggest that when Moses was filled with the Holy Spirit, in direct communion with the Divine, he was thereby unable to act as a servant to either God or the Israelites.

There has lately been a quest by Jews and non-Jews alike for “spirituality”. These searchers want a connection with God that is uplifting, meaningful, emotional, etc. And often, they want it immediately - they want a moving personal experience when they want it. This is a difficult proposition for rabbis and cantors, clergy of all types, who cannot always deliver spirituality on demand. One also must wonder whether God takes orders in quite this way - or in any way at all!

I am not in any way denigrating the spiritual needs of people. I also desire that connection, however ephemeral or short-lived it may be. But whenever I am having my individual experience with the Divine in a way that is not through any physical act, such as meditation or even singing, or when my spiritual moment is divorced from the world around me (something that I do seek from time to time), I am not then able to fulfill the Divine will. That is to say, we are commanded to act in this world through gemilut chasadim (acts of loving kindness), through tikkun olam (repairing this broken world), and through tzedakah (justice or charity). One might argue these are only ordinary acts. But I think they are extra-ordinary. We all know that there can indeed be joy in performing these mitzvot, as well as joy in the results. By acting as God’s servants, by feeding the hungry and burying the dead and cleaning up the Earth and loving the stranger, we make the spiritual connection that God wants, even if it is not necessarily the connection we want when we want it.

If indeed God is Hamakom, the One That Is In Every Place, then in a narrow sense, God is within us as well. Although we may seldom if ever experience an ecstatic connection with God, we can nevertheless have an emotionally satisfying connection whenever we want - by finding meaning in the mundane; in ordinary, everyday Jewish living. You want to find God?  Go - perform an act of chesed or tikkun or tzedakah and save the world! One small piece at a time.

Shabbat Shalom v'Chodesh Tov! Nisan and Pesach are right around the corner!

Rabbi Richard A. Flom

Congregation Beth Meier

Studio City, CA

http://bethmeier.org

Blogging at: http://rav-rich.blogspot.com

Visit me on Facebook

Twitter: @DrahcirMolf

"שתיקה כהודאה דמיא"

"Silence in the face of wrongdoing is consent.”

BT Yevamot 87b

My weekly divrei torah are available through free subscription to the Cyber Torah e-mail list. No salesman will call!

Cyber Torah list management:

To subscribe to Cyber Torah, send an e-mail from the receiving address to: ravflom@sbcglobal.net  with the heading “Subscribe Cyber Torah”.

To unsubscribe from Cyber Torah, send an e-mail from the receiving address to: ravflom@sbcglobal.net with the heading “Unsubscribe Cyber Torah”.

To dedicate a Cyber Torah in honor of a simchah in memory of a loved one or for a refuah shleimah, send an e-mail to: ravflom@sbcglobal.net with the heading “Dedicate Cyber Torah” and provide details in the message body.

REMEMBER?

13 Adar 5777 / 10-11 March 2017

Parashat Tetzaveh (Shabbat Zakhor)

Torah: Exodus 27:20 - 30:10
Maftir (Shabbat Zakhor): Deuteronomy 25:17-19

Haftarah (Shabbat Zakhor): 1 Samuel 15:1-34

For more info about our community, visit our website:

http://www.bethmeier.org

Congregation Beth Meier has developed a GoFundMe page:

https://www.gofundme.com/saveourschul

Please visit the page and consider a donation. Your generosity is greatly appreciated!

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

This Shabbat is known as Shabbat Zakhor (Remember) because of the first word of the Maftir, the additional Torah reading, which instructs us to remember what Amalek did to our ancestors on the way out of Egypt. This serves as a connection to the observance of Purim, Saturday night and Sunday, when we commemorate the defeat of Haman, a descendant of Amalek. However, I want to focus on a different kind of remembering, mentioned in the regular portion for this Shabbat.

"And you shall put the two stones upon the shoulder pieces of the ephod, stones of remembrance for the Children of Israel; and Aaron shall bear their names before the Lord upon his two shoulders for a remembrance... And Aaron shall bear the names of the Children of Israel in the breastplate of judgment over his heart, when he goes into the holy place, for a remembrance before the Lord perpetually." Exodus 28:12, 29

"For a remembrance - that the Holy One Blessed Be He should see the tribes written before Him and remember their righteousness." (tzidkatam – their righteousness) Rashi to verse 12, citing Midrash Exodus Rabbah

"Memory is the source of redemption; exile comes from forgetting." Baal Shem Tov to verse 29.

The names of the tribes were engraved on the stones as a reminder - to whom? Rashi teaches that God needs to be reminded of the righteousness of our ancestors. Perhaps it is to remind God of our righteousness; we also are the Children of Israel. Does God really need to be reminded of anything - as if God could forget! Yet many of the prayers which we regularly offer do just that.

I understand the Baal Shem Tov, the founder of Chasidism, as saying "no!" We are the ones who need to remember. If we are righteous, we need to remember that we once were not. If we are not righteous, we must remember that we can become so - if we try. Remembering takes on redeeming qualities, because it can compel us to perform acts of righteousness. So it is imperative to remember what you once were; to be reminded of what you have the potential to become; and to do something about it, by performing acts of tzedek and tzedakah, of justice and of righteousness.

Have a wonderful Shabbat! Purim Sameach! Barukh Mordechai; Arur Haman! 

HaRav HaGaon HaTzaddik Abba Reuven Ben Menachem Mendel Flom, Sh’lita

Der Heileger Rebbe of Studio City

Rosh Yeshivah – Lower Slobbovia

Slivovitz Taste Tester
משנכנס אדר, מרבין בשמחה

From the beginning of Adar, we increase joy.

BT Ta’anit 29a

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Candle lighting: 5:38 pm

Friday – Family Shabbat Evening Service – 7:30 pm. Oneg Shabbat follows.

Saturday – Shabbat Morning Service – 10:00 am. Kiddush luncheon follows. Purim at Temple B’nai Hayim - 7:00 pm. Light dairy dinner (reservations at B’nai Hayim, please!), followed by Purim Shpiel and Megillat Esther at 7:45 pm. Turn clocks ahead one hour tonight!

Sunday – Purim at Beth Meier – Haman Lunch 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. Songs, games, costumes, lunch (reservations please!) Adult Hebrew class – 10:00 am.

Tuesday – Lunch and Learn – 12:00 noon.

Friday, 17 March – Shabbat Evening Service – 8:00 pm. Oneg Shabbat follows. 

Saturday, 18 March – Shabbat Morning Service – 10:00 am. Kiddush luncheon follows. 

Sunday, 19 March – Religious School – 9:30 am. Adult Hebrew Class – 10:00 am

Tuesday, 21 March – NO Lunch and Learn. Resume 28 March.

This d'var torah is offered of my mother, Annabelle Flom, celebrating her birthday this Shabbat. Yom huledet sameach, ima! Ad meah v’esrim! Happy Birthday, Mom! Til a hundred and twenty!

This d'var torah is offered in honor of Rochelle Kronzek and Steve Miller, who are getting married on Thursday, March 16. Mazal tov!

This d'var torah is offered in honor of Jane and Barry Glass, celebrating their Jewish wedding date anniversary on Purim. Mazal tov!

This d'var torah is offered for a refuah shleimah for Avi Shmuel Yosef Hakohen ben Bella, Yaakov Rani Ben Margalit, Sarah bat Devorah, Susan Arbetman, Kyree Beacham, Ken Bitticks, Elsbet Brosky (Serach bat Miriam), Jerry Daniels, Maya Fersht (Maya bat Esther), Dr. Samuel Fersht (Shmuel Natan ben Gittel), Leonard Foint (Eliezer Moshe ben Esther), Jerry Forman, Beth Goldstein, Myra Goodman, Simon Hartman (Shimon ben Serach), Fouad Kay (Yehoshua ben Salima), Philip Kovac, Tonya Kronzek, Toni Linder, Roy Miller, Carol Rosen (Tsharna Aliza bat Leah), Deborah Schugar Strauss (Devorah bat Chaya Feiga), and Helen Schugar (Chaya Feiga bat Kreina).

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.

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My weekly divrei torah are available through free subscription to the Cyber Torah e-mail list. No salesman will call!

Cyber Torah list management:

To subscribe to Cyber Torah, send an e-mail from the receiving address to: ravflom@sbcglobal.net  with the heading “Subscribe Cyber Torah”.

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YOU GOTTA WANT IT!

Parashat Terumah

6 Adar 5777 / 3-4 March 2017

Torah: Exodus 25:1 - 27:19

Haftarah: 1 Kings 5:26 – 6:13

 

For more info about our community, visit our website:

http://www.bethmeier.org

 

Congregation Beth Meier has developed a GoFundMe page:

https://www.gofundme.com/saveourschul

 

Please visit the page and consider a donation. Your generosity is greatly appreciated!

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Candle lighting: 5:33 pm

 

Friday – Shabbat Across America Service and Dinner – A guitar-led family and learners’ service at 6:00 pm, followed by Shabbat dinner at 7:00 pm. Reservations for dinner a must! ASAP - Contact the Beth Meier office for details.

Saturday – Shabbat Morning Service – 10:00 am. Kiddush luncheon follows.

Sunday – Religious School – 9:30 am. Adult Hebrew class – 10:00 am. Israeli Wine Tasting and Tapas – 3:00 pm. Reservations appreciated, higher price at door – contact the Beth Meier office for details.

Tuesday – Lunch and Learn – 12:00 noon.

Thursday, 9 March: Ta’anit Esther (Fast of Esther)

Friday, 10 March – Shabbat Evening Service – 8:00 pm. Oneg Shabbat follows.

Saturday, 11 March – Shabbat Morning Service – 10:00 am. Kiddush luncheon follows. Purim at Temple B’nai Hayim - 7:00 pm. Light dairy dinner (reservations, please!), followed by Purim Shpiel and Megillat Esther. Check your mail or call Beth Meier office for details. Turn clocks ahead one hour tonight!

Sunday, 12 March – Purim at Beth Meier – Haman Lunch 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. Songs, games, costumes, lunch (reservations please!) Adult Hebrew class – 10:00 am.

Tuesday, 14 March – Lunch and Learn – 12:00 noon.

 

This d'var torah is offered for a refuah shleimah for Avi Shmuel Yosef Hakohen ben Bella, Yaakov Rani Ben Margalit, Sarah bat Devorah, Susan Arbetman, Ken Bitticks, Elsbet Brosky (Serach bat Miriam), Jerry Daniels, Maya Fersht (Maya bat Esther), Dr. Samuel Fersht (Shmuel Natan ben Gittel), Leonard Foint (Eliezer Moshe ben Esther), Jerry Forman, Beth Goldstein, Myra Goodman, Simon Hartman (Shimon ben Serach), Fouad Kay (Yehoshua ben Salima), Philip Kovac, Tonya Kronzek, Toni Linder, Roy Miller, Carol Rosen (Tsharna Aliza bat Leah), Deborah Schugar Strauss (Devorah bat Chaya Feiga), and Helen Schugar (Chaya Feiga bat Kreina).

 

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.

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YOU GOTTA WANT IT!

 

“And you shall make a menorah of pure gold; of hammered work the menorah shall be made, its base and its shaft; its cups, its calyxes and its flowers shall be of one piece with it... Look and do; according to their pattern which is shown to you on the mountain.” Exodus 25:31, 40

 

"'Look and do.' Look here, on the mountain, the pattern that I show you. This tells that Moses was perplexed by the construction of the menorah, until the Holy Blessed One showed him a menorah made of fire.” Rashi, citing B. Talmud Menachot 29.

 

“'Of hammered work the menorah shall be made' -­ of itself (i.e., it was spontaneously created by itself, and not by humans). Moses was so perplexed by it that the Holy Blessed One said to him: 'Cast the gold into the fire’ (i.e., the fiery pattern on the mountain); thus it is not written, 'You shall make’ but ‘it shall be made’." Rashi, citing Midrash Tanchuma.

 

Yehudah Aryeh Leib (the Sefas Emes) asks in his book Gur Aryeh, “If the menorah was made spontaneously, why did God show Moses a menorah made of fire (as a pattern for making it)?” He answers that human beings are unable to completely fulfill the will of God. But through a person’s innermost and heartfelt yearning to fulfill God’s will, God helps in fulfilling the desire. The Gerer concludes, “The yearning of a person influences a given undertaking so that it can actually complete itself.”

 

If you really want to fulfill a mitzvah that is difficult for you, it will in the end seem to happen by itself - but only if you try, only if you want it, and only if you let God meet you halfway, to show you how to complete it. If you want it, here it is, come and get it.

 

Have a Shabbat of light and happiness - it's Adar!

 

HaRav HaGa’on Abba Reuven ben Menachem Mendel Flom, Sh’lita

Av Beis Din – Chelm

Slivovitz Taste Tester

משנכנס אדר, מרבין בשמחה

From the beginning of Adar, we increase joy.

BT Ta’anit 29a

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My weekly divrei torah are available through free subscription to the Cyber Torah e-mail list. No salesman will call!

Cyber Torah list management:

To subscribe to Cyber Torah, send an e-mail from the receiving address to: ravflom@sbcglobal.net  with the heading “Subscribe Cyber Torah”.

To unsubscribe from Cyber Torah, send an e-mail from the receiving address to: ravflom@sbcglobal.net with the heading “Unsubscribe Cyber Torah”.

To dedicate a Cyber Torah in honor of a simchah in memory of a loved one or for a refuah shleimah, send an e-mail to: ravflom@sbcglobal.net with the heading “Dedicate Cyber Torah” and provide details in the message body.