EXPLORING THE GARDEN

Parashat T'rumah

2 Adar 5778 / 16-17 February 2018

Torah: Exodus 25:1 - 27:19

Haftarah: 1 Kings 5:26 - 6:13

Calendar and dedications follow below. For a full calendar of events and other info about Temple B’nai Hayim/Congregation Beth Meier, check out: www.bnaihayim.com

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EXPLORING THE GARDEN

"And you will make curtains of goats’ hair to be a covering of the sanctuary; you shall make eleven curtains.” Exodus 26:7

Rabbi Yitzchak Nissenboim offers the following comment: “All the beauty of the sanctuary was inside – gold-covered beams, blue and scarlet curtains, gold vessels with precious stones, etc. But outside was a covering of simple goats’ hair. This is to teach us that one’s principal beauty should remain inside, with no conspicuous display of one’s wealth, so that jealousy and hatred will not be aroused.”

It is curious that he sees wealth as a form of beauty, although both wealth and physical beauty can be the objects of jealousy and hatred. What I see here is something a bit different. There is the idea that what lies within a person is the true essence – if physical beauty (or plainness or ugliness) is only skin deep, then looks can be deceiving. Outward appearance gives no indication of the depths of personality, intelligence and character - they do not manifest themselves on the surface.

As with people, so also with the Torah. We might read verses about the design of the sanctuary and wonder what any of this has to do with us in our modern world. Not every verse of the Torah is immediately uplifting. The externalities, the plain meaning of the text may do little to motivate us, or charge our spiritual batteries.

The Rabbis used the word “pardes” (an ancient Persian word for a walled garden, the root of the word “paradise”) as an acronym to describe the Torah and its depths – P’shat (simple or obvious meaning), Remez (hint, allegory), D’rash (drawn out, homiletic) and Sod (secret, mystical). Peeling away the layers (the method used above) allows one to explore and enjoy the complexities of Torah – and of our fellow human beings!

The inner beauties can be found – if we dig deeply and long enough. And getting to know more on the way is just as enjoyable and rewarding.

Have a wonderful Shabbat!

Mishenikhnas Adar Marbim B'simchah - With the beginning of Adar we increase joy!

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

Der Heileger Sherman Oaks Rebbe

Av Beis Din Chelm

Purim Reveler

Slivovitz Taste Tester

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

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"שתיקה כהודאה דמיא"

"Silence in the face of wrongdoing is consent.”

BT Yevamot 88a 

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Candle lighting: 5:19 pm

Friday – Shabbat Rocks! Shabbat Evening Service – 7:30 pm – with Reb Jason and The Band - followed by Oneg Shabbat.

Saturday – Breakfast and Torah study - 8:45 am. Shabbat Morning Service – 9:30 am. Kiddush luncheon follows.

Sunday – NO Religious School or Adult Hebrew. BUT, there will be a rehearsal for the Purim Shpiel, written and directed by Reb Jason – 12:30 pm. Everyone is invited to join in!

Tuesday – Lunch and Learn – 12:00 noon.

Friday, February 23 – Shabbat Evening Service – 7:30 pm – followed by Oneg Shabbat.

Saturday, February 24 – Breakfast and Torah study - 8:45 am. Shabbat Morning Service – 9:30 am. Kiddush luncheon follows.

Sunday, February 25 - Religious School – 9:30 am. Adult Hebrew – 10:00 am. Rehearsal for Purim Shpiel, written and directed by Reb Jason – 12:30 pm. Everyone is invited to join in!

Wednesday, February 28 – Purim begins at sundown! Our Purim Dinner begins at 6:00 pm and the Megillah reading/Purim Shpiel begins at 7:00 pm.

Saturday, March 17 – Women’s Rosh Chodesh Shabbat Morning Service. Contact Carol Herskowitz or Lynn Kronzek for details.

Next time you come to TBH/CBM, please bring some non-perishable canned and packaged foods and personal items (no glass) for SOVA.

This d'var torah is offered in memory of the seventeen people murdered by a gunman yesterday in Florida. And all the other Americans who died from gunshot wounds yesterday. And the approximately 33,000 Americans who will die this year from gunshot wounds. 

The congregation extends condolences to Rabbi Jason Van Leeuwen and family on the passing of his step-father Frank Sides. Funeral arrangements are pending.

This d'var torah is offered in memory of my aunt, Mildred Flom, whose yahrzeit is Sunday. Y’hi zikhrah liv’rakhah – May her memory be a blessing.

This d'var torah is offered for a refuah shleimah for Ze’ev ben Adeline, Eilite bat Miriam, Sarah bat Devorah, Hiroe Andriola, Susan Arbetman, Ken Bitticks, Jerry Daniels, Maya Fersht (Maya bat Esther), Dr. Samuel Fersht (Shmuel Natan ben Gittel), Leonard Foint (Eliezer Moshe ben Esther), Jerry Forman, Bernard Garvin, Myra Goodman, Leah Granat, Simon Hartmann, Brandon Joseph, Gabor Klein, Philip Kovac, Tonya Kronzek (Zlata Malkah bat Sarah Emanu), Lyndia Lowy (Leah bat Sarah), David Marks, Gil Robbins, Debra Schugar Strauss (Devorah bat Chaya Feiga), Helen Schugar (Chaya Feiga bat Kreina), Alan Stolzenberg, Jonathan Woolf, Howard Yudell, and Meagan Yudell.

PLEASE NOTE: I have updated the refuah shleimah list. Please let me know by return email ASAP if you or someone you know should remain on or be added to the list – otherwise, names may be deleted. Please also note that all of these names, and dozens more, are included on the list we read at the synagogue during the Torah service. That list is also going to be culled.

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.

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

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