EXERCISING JUDGMENT

Parashat Shoftim
Torah: Deuteronomy 16:18 - 21:9
Haftarah: Isaiah 51:12 - 52:12 (Fourth Haftarah of Consolation)
Elul 7, 5779 / September 6-7, 2019

Rosh Hashanah is three weeks from Sunday! Please submit your Membership/High Holy Day forms ASAP! And your Book of Remembrance forms! And check your mail for our High Holy Day bulletin!

Dedications and Calendar or Events follow.

For more information about Temple B’nai Hayim/Congregation Beth Meier, see:  http://www.bnaihayim.com 

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EXERCISING JUDGMENT

“Judges and officers shall you appoint for you in all your gates that the Lord your God is giving you for your tribes; and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment.” Deuteronomy 16:18

The commentary Tol’dot Yaakov Yosef understands the word “l’kha”, “for you”, to mean “for yourself”. He says, “First, judge yourself. And to the extent to which you judge yourself, also judge others. But you may not be lenient with yourself, forgiving yourself, and yet be strict and meticulous with others, expecting from them that which you are unable to fulfill. In all your gates - in all the measurements of yourself.” (The concluding sentence is a pun - the Hebrew word for “gate” is “sha’ar”, for “measurement” it is “shi’ur”)

This is a nice lesson, but is there anyone who would not say it is obvious? It’s hypocritical and unfair to judge others more harshly than we judge ourselves. We learned that in kindergarten! So why does he teach it here?

We have just entered the month of Elul, the final run-up to Rosh Hashanah. Jewish tradition teaches that in Elul, we are to engage in “cheshbon hanefesh”, literally “an accounting of the soul” – a self-evaluation. It is also a tradition that during Elul, the shofar is sounded each weekday, to remind us that Rosh Hashanah is coming. Why do we need a reminder? We can read a calendar!

When the obvious is unpleasant and goes against our natural tendencies, we tend to avoid it. We need teachers to remind us of our assignments, and we need trumpets to rally us. Thus, Hillel taught, “Do not judge your fellow until you have arrived at his place.” (Pirkei Avot 2:5)

Shabbat Shalom!

Rabbi Richard A. Flom

Temple B'nai Hayim/Congregation Beth Meier

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

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הַלּוֹמֵד מִכָּל אָדָם ?אֵיזֶהוּ חָכָם

Who is wise?  The one who learns from every person.

Ben Zoma - Pirkei Avot 4:1

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Candle lighting: 6:54 pm

Friday: Shabbat Evening Service Classic (A Capella) – 6:30 pm. Oneg Shabbat follows.

Saturday: Torah study/breakfast – 8:45 am. Shabbat Morning Service – 9:30 am. Kiddush lunch follows.

Sunday:  Religious School – 9:30 am.

Tuesday: Lunch and Learn – 12:00 noon.

Friday, September 13: Shabbat Evening Service – 6:30 pm. Oneg Shabbat follows.

Saturday, September 14: Torah study/breakfast – 8:45 am. Shabbat Morning Service – 9:30 am. Kiddush lunch follows.

Sunday, September 15:  Religious School – 9:30 am.

This d’var torah is offered in memory of Lynn’s sister, Janis Devorah Kronzek, whose yahrzeit falls on Shabbat, Elul 7. Y’hi zikhrah liv’rakhah – her memory is a blessing.

This d’var torah is offered for a refuah shleimah for Leah bat Sarah Imanu, Sarah bat Devorah, Susan Arbetman, Ken Bitticks, Mark Brownstein, Jerry Daniels, Maya Fersht (Maya bat Esther), Dr. Samuel Fersht (Shmuel Natan ben Gittel), Annabelle Flom (Channah Bella bat Kreina), Bernard Garvin, Leah Granat, Carol Herskowitz, Gabor Klein, Philip Kovac, Philip Kronzek, Tonya Kronzek (Zlata Malkah bat Sarah Imanu), Marilyn Lee, David Marks, Sandra Raab, Marguerite Rassiner, Josef Sands, Debra Schugar Strauss (Devorah bat Chaya Feiga), Helen Schugar (Chaya Feiga bat Kreina), Bernie Seeman, Anne Signett, and William Sragow.

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.

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

And be sure to tell your neighbors, friends, and relatives about our warm and welcoming community and our programs!

We are looking for volunteers for services: chant Torah or Haftarah, daven, lead English readings, deliver d’rashot, and have aliyot and other Torah/bimah honors. Training available! Contact Rabbi Flom by e-mail for details and to sign up!

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

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