Parashat Bo
Torah: Exodus 10:1 –
13:16
Haftarah: Jeremiah
46:13-28
Shevat 8, 5780 / January
31 – February 1, 2020
CASTING CALL! PURIM IS COMING!
Anyone who wishes to take part in
our annual Purim Spiel is invited to come for a read through of this year’s
spiel, based on Beach Boys tunes – Tuesday, February 11 at 7:00 pm. No one will
be turned away. Purim dinner, spiel and megillah reading will be Monday, March
9, at 6:30 pm. Thanks to Reb Jason and Rebecca Marcus for creating this year’s
spiel!
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
Please feel
free to pass this on to a friend, and please cite the source.
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ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN
WORDS
Pharaoh called to Moses
and said, "Go - serve the Lord; only your flocks and herds shall remain;
even your little ones may go with you." And Moses said, "... And
our livestock will go with us; not a hoof will remain; for from it we will take
to serve the Lord our God." Exodus 10:24-26
The Yehudi Hakodesh of Pshischa understands
this conversation as follows: Pharaoh said, "One may serve God purely
in one's mind, without any action. If in truth you desire to
serve God, why do you need your animals? Go - serve the Lord, with pure
heart and intention, and you will need no animal sacrifices." Moses
replied, "Intention alone, with no action associated with it, is
unimportant and meaningless. The whole point is the action, which makes
the intention profound." The Holy Jew concludes, "It is through
action that one is aroused to serve God enthusiastically and to adhere to
Him."
Let me be clear -
prayer is an important and wholly (holy?) proper way to serve God.
That is why we call prayer “avodah” - service. On the other hand,
words may be viewed as cheap - we give up nothing, we make no sacrifice, in
uttering them. And truthfully, the passive nature of prayer may have
no lasting impact on anyone, including ourselves - unless the
words ultimately motivate us to action. It’s easy to talk the talk. But
walking the walk? Well, that doesn't have to be hard, but it still needs to be
done.
If we are to have a
positive effect on improving our world itself (tikkun olam), if we are to
truly improve ourselves - then it is through the observance of the
physical mitzvot. Whether charity, deeds of loving kindness and
promoting peace, or kashrut, teaching our children and lighting Shabbat
candles - it is through these actions that we truly serve God. In the
same vein, positive change in society requires holy action on our part – holy
words are not enough! We can improve the world around us and our inner
spiritual selves by going beyond ourselves. If you want God to act, you
have to act. You too can be an action hero!
Shabbat Shalom!
Rabbi Richard A. Flom
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: 5:03 pm
Friday: Shabbat Evening Service – 6:30 pm. Oneg Shabbat
follows.
Saturday: Torah study/breakfast - 8:45 am. Shabbat
Morning Service – 9:30 am. Kiddush Luncheon follows.
Sunday: Religious School – 9:30 am. Rabbi Flom’s “(Re)Introduction
to Judaism” class is on hiatus for the month of February. Class will
resume March 8. 9:30 am. David Silon’s "History of Israel and the
Middle East" class – 11:00 am.
Tuesday: Lunch and Learn – 12:00 noon.
Friday, February 7: Shabbat Evening Service – 6:30 pm. Oneg
Shabbat follows.
Saturday, February 8: Torah study/breakfast - 8:45 am. Shabbat
Morning Service – 9:30 am. Kiddush Luncheon follows.
Sunday, February 9: Religious School Tu BiSh’vat Seder – 10:00 am. David
Silon’s "History of Israel and the Middle East" class
– 11:00 am.
Friday, February 14: Cool
Shabbat Evening Service with Steve Pearlman and
his guitar – 6:30 pm. Oneg Shabbat follows.
Saturday, February 15: Torah study/breakfast - 8:45 am. Shabbat
Morning Service – 9:30 am. Kiddush Luncheon follows.
Friday, February 21: Simchah Shabbat Evening Service – 6:30 pm. Complimentary
Shabbat Dinner follows. RSVP to synagogue office.
Saturday, February 22: Torah
study/breakfast - 8:45 am. Shabbat
Morning Service – 9:30 am. Kiddush Luncheon follows. Amy Cecil of
Jewish World Watch will deliver a drash during the service and take
questions during lunch.
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 Phyllis Rubin, who passed away earlier this week. Y’hi zekherah
liv’rakhah – May her memory be a blessing.
This d’var torah is offered for a refuah
shleimah for Leah bat Sarah Imanu, Sarah bat Devorah, Susan Arbetman, Ken
Bitticks, Elsbet Brosky, Mark Brownstein, Jerry Daniels, Maya Fersht (Maya bat
Esther), Dr. Samuel Fersht (Shmuel Natan ben Gittel), Bernard Garvin, Leah
Granat, Gabor Klein, Philip Kronzek, Tonya Kronzek (Zlata Malkah bat Sarah
Imanu), Barbara Levy, Gail Neiman, Sandra Raab, Josef Sands, Shirley Sands,
Debra Schugar Strauss (Devorah bat Chaya Feiga), Helen Schugar (Chaya Feiga bat
Kreina), and William Sragow.
