WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO, GOT TO DO WITH IT?

Iyar 8, 5780 / May 1-2, 2020

Parashat Acharei Mot/Kedoshim

Torah: Leviticus 16:1-20:27

Haftarah: Amos 9:7-15 (Ashkenazim); Ezekiel 20:2-20 (Sephardim)

Candlelighting: 7:19 pm

This week's Torah reading, chanted and with commentary, can be viewed here: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/play/tJEqdrip_Ts3G9PG4wSDAPdwW43vK62shiMYrKUInkyzUnNQMAGlM-MUNLEjKxi2Mf8iN_Rccv3KCqP_?continueMode=true&_x_zm_rtaid=S1DRvCRHSgykrrZuz75zBQ.1588350321978.26d48934f587268fb775e702e6f85478&_x_zm_rhtaid=241

This week's Haftarah, chanted by Steve Pearlman, can be viewed here: https://onedrive.live.com/?authkey=%21AsPP80QvE9AGdtI&cid=83A0487AFB02F2CB&id=83A0487AFB02F2CB%211851&parId=root&o=OneUp

Join our Cool Shabbat Evening Service, with Rabbi Flom and Steve Pearlman this Friday evening at 6:30 pm PDT on Zoom (Meeting Number 418 318 664) or at https://www.facebook.com/BnaiHayim/ 

Downloadable and printable Siddur for Kabbalat Shabbat, Shabbat Ma'ariv, Shabbat Morning, and more, available at: 
http://www.rabbinicalassembly.org/form-download-e-siddur-0 

This week's Torah Sparks from the Conservative Yeshiva in Jerusalem is available here:

https://uscj.org/blog/torah-sparks-parashat-achreimotkedoshim5780

You can receive a fresh Torah Sparks every week via email by subscribing here:

https://www.conservativeyeshiva.org/torahsparks/

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

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WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO, GOT TO DO WITH IT?

"You shall not take revenge and you shall not bear a grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your fellow as yourself; I am the Lord." (Leviticus 19:18)

Siddur Sim Shalom has the following brief kavannah - a statement of intent - immediately before Birkhot Hashachar – The Blessings of the Morning: "I hereby accept upon myself the mitzvah of the Creator - 'Love your fellow as yourself.'" Rabbi Schneur Zalman, the founder of Chabad, placed this kavannah in his siddur as well. The reason, he said, is that the commandment to love one's fellows is the gateway to coming before God in prayer. I think what he means by that is that we cannot stand before the One we are commanded to love (Deuteronomy 6:5) until we have demonstrated our love for our fellow human beings – who are, after all, created in the Divine image. I found this quote of “an unknown Torah scholar” in Itturei Torah: "To the extent that one is deficient in 'love your fellow as yourself', one is deficient in 'love the Lord your God.'"

In Or Hadash, his commentary on Siddur Sim Shalom, Rabbi Reuven Hammer, z’l cites the famous story of Hillel teaching the Torah to a proselyte while standing on one foot: “Whatever is hateful to you, do not do to others. The rest is commentary. Go and learn it!” (BT Shabbat 31a) Rabbi Hammer adds that Hillel believes our religious practices are intended to lead us to treating our fellow human beings in this loving way. He concludes: “Thus, the ultimate test of a religious person is not specific observances, but the influence that these observances have upon that person’s actions toward others.”

The second blessing of the morning, as it appears in Siddur Sim Shalom and other Conservative siddurim, says: “Blessed are you, Lord our God, who has made me in His image.” We thank God for making each and every one of us in the Divine image.

In summary, we cannot hope to approach the Divine, let alone love the Divine, until we acknowledge the divinity in every other human being.

Shabbat Shalom!

Rabbi Richard A. Flom

Temple B'nai Hayim/Congregation Beth Meier

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

Visit me on Facebook

"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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Our synagogue community, Temple B’nai Hayim in Association with Congregation Beth Meier, has set up a GoFundMe page to help support some of our employees and members who are particularly vulnerable due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Please help us help them with your donation.

https://charity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign/maot-hittin-bread-to-the-afflicted?utm_campaign=oc&utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=crowdrise&fbclid=IwAR2D1ZzLUwc1iYjSci4SXjRjxXqetRfZvfWSl-LzymYsj2pFpBR9ZZVUQYw

This d’var torah is offered in memory of Lloyd Sharaga, son of TBH/CBM member Esther Rose, who passed away on Wednesday. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a private funeral is taking place on Friday, May 1. Shiva information is pending. Hamakom yenachem otam ... May the One Who is in Every Place grant comfort to Esther, Lloyd's widow Shirley Sharaga, and Lloyd's brother Brian Sharaga.

This d’var torah is offered for a refuah shleimah for Elisheva bat Malkah, Chanah bat Minnie Leah, Leah bat Sarah Imanu, Sheyna D’verah bat Hodel, Sarah bat Devorah, Susan Arbetman, Ken Bitticks, Elsbet Brosky, Stana Cooper, Jerry Daniels, Maya Fersht (Maya bat Esther), Dr. Samuel Fersht (Shmuel Natan ben Gittel), Bernard Garvin, Leah Granat, Brandon Joseph, 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.

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.

TAKE A SECOND LOOK

Parashat Tazria-Metzora

Iyar 1, 5780 / April 24-25, 2020

Torah: Leviticus 12:1 – 15:33
Maftir (Shabbat Rosh Chodesh): Numbers 28:9-15

Haftarah: Isaiah 66:1-24 (Shabbat Rosh Chodesh)

Candle lighting: 7:13 pm

Kabbalat Shabbat Service this Friday evening at 6:30 pm PDT on Zoom (Meeting Number 418 318 664) or at https://www.facebook.com/BnaiHayim/ 

Downloadable and printable Siddur for Kabbalat Shabbat, Shabbat Ma'ariv, Shabbat Morning, and more, available at: 
http://www.rabbinicalassembly.org/form-download-e-siddur-0 


Hallel and Torah Reading for this Shabbat can be viewed and heard, or downloaded, and sung along with at: 
https://zoom.us/rec/play/u5ErdbipqDs3TtaQtQSDBaMqW9W9Jv6sgHQeqKUOyx7hBXIDOlClNedGa-TXROC-LDtnBX9YpokP_MJs?startTime=1587678894000&_x_zm_rtaid=GklF76A4TJ-b60XzgVUWPA.1587686436108.37cc8e084ef0b20577a7b46f2948f4cd&_x_zm_rhtaid=655 

Haftarah for this Shabbat, chanted by Susan Burke, can be viewed and heard, or downloaded, at: https://zoom.us/rec/play/vsV-Irih-j03HdPA5gSDA_R9W425KvqshCger_QOmUfmBXQBMVrzYeYQZbQnX1bqhuZtBOGIy7C4rGko?startTime=1587676839000&_x_zm_rtaid=GklF76A4TJ-b60XzgVUWPA.1587686436108.37cc8e084ef0b20577a7b46f2948f4cd&_x_zm_rhtaid=655 

This week's Torah Sparks from the Conservative Yeshiva in Jerusalem is available here: https://uscj.org/blog/parshat-tazria-metzora5780

You can receive a fresh Torah Sparks every week via email by subscribing here: https://www.conservativeyeshiva.org/torahsparks/
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TAKE A SECOND LOOK

If ever there were appropriate Torah verses ...

“And the person with tzara’at, in whom there is affliction, his clothes shall be torn, his hair shall go uncut, and he shall cover over his lips; and ‘Contaminated! Contaminated!’ he will call out. All the days the affliction is in him, he will be contaminated, he is contaminated; he will dwell in isolation, his dwelling will be outside the camp.” Leviticus 13:45-46

We are all at risk for contracting the affliction; we are all at risk for spreading the affliction. Regard yourself and everyone else as contaminated. Stay home; stay safe; be well.

Actually, COVID-19 is not what I want to discuss. We have another issue in the way we treat each other, and that is making surface judgments about those we don’t know.

“And the priest will look on the nega (plague) in the skin of the flesh, and if the nega has turned white and the appearance of the nega is deeper than the skin of his flesh, it is a nega of tzara'at (usually translated as "leprosy"); and the priest will look on him, and pronounce him impure." Leviticus 13:3

Rabbi Y. Y. Tronk of Kutno (1820-1893, author of Yeshu'ot Malko ) teaches: This is a hint that when one looks at a person, one should not see only the bad points - where he has been afflicted - but should look on him as a whole, including the good points. This is why it first says, "the priest will look on the nega", and afterward it says, "The priest will look on him" - as a whole human being. (Quoted in Itturei Torah)

Just as beauty may be only skin deep, so might ugliness such as that of tzara'at be only at the surface. Who knows what wonders lie within? We don't judge a book by its cover – we look inside - why do less for a human being? Perhaps this is why Pirkei Avot says, "When judging any person, give the benefit of the doubt" (1:6) and "Do not judge your fellow until you arrive to his situation" (2:5).

Look twice before judging others.

Shabbat Shalom! Chodesh Iyar Tov!

Rabbi Richard A. Flom

Temple B'nai Hayim/Congregation Beth Meier

"שתיקה כהודאה דמיא"

"Silence in the face of wrongdoing is consent.”

BT Yevamot 88a

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Our synagogue community, Temple B’nai Hayim in Association with Congregation Beth Meier, has set up a GoFundMe page to help support some of our employees and members who are particularly vulnerable due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Please help us help them with your donation.

https://charity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign/maot-hittin-bread-to-the-afflicted?utm_campaign=oc&utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=crowdrise&fbclid=IwAR2D1ZzLUwc1iYjSci4SXjRjxXqetRfZvfWSl-LzymYsj2pFpBR9ZZVUQYw

This d’var torah is offered in honor of the women of Temple B’nai Hayim/Congregation Beth Meier, who by all rights, would have been conducting services, chanting Torah and haftarah, and giving the drashah this Shabbat in our sanctuary. We are not permitted to meet there, but we honor them nevertheless. Thank you all for your service and dedication.

This d’var torah is offered for a refuah shleimah for Avram Yisrael ben Channah, Elisheva bat Malkah, Chanah bat Minnie Leah, Leah bat Sarah Imanu, Sheyna D’verah bat Hodel, Sarah bat Devorah, Susan Arbetman, Ken Bitticks, Elsbet Brosky, Stana Cooper, Jerry Daniels, Maya Fersht (Maya bat Esther), Dr. Samuel Fersht (Shmuel Natan ben Gittel), Bernard Garvin, Leah Granat, Brandon Joseph, 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.

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.

PESACH 5780 – PART 2 - THE SINGINGEST HOLIDAY

Pesach 5780 – Part 2

Seventh Day of Pesach

Nisan 21, 5780 / April 14-15, 2020
Torah: Exodus 13:17 - 15:26 Maftir: Numbers 28:19-25
Eighth Day of Pesach
Torah: Deuteronomy 14:22 - 16:17
Maftir: Numbers 28:19-25
Haftarah: Isaiah 10:32 - 12:6

Haftarah: 2 Samuel 22:1-51

Additional reading: Shir Hashirim - The Song of Songs (some congregations read this on Pesach Day 8)

Nisan 22, 5780 / April 15-16, 2020

Shabbat

Nisan 24, 5780 / April 17-18, 2020

Parashat Sh’mini

Torah: Leviticus 9:1 – 11:47

Haftarah: 2 Samuel 6:1 – 7:17 (Ashkenazim); 2 Samuel 6:1-19 (Sephardim)

Candle lighting times:

Tuesday – 7:06 pm

Wednesday – 8:00 pm

Pesach ends Thursday at 8:01 pm PDT – Sherman Oaks, CA

Friday – 7:08 pm

Kabbalat Shabbat Service this Friday evening at 6:30 pm PDT on Zoom (Meeting Number 418 318 664) or at https://www.facebook.com/BnaiHayim/ 

We are pleased to provide for you Torah readings chanted with commentary, chanted haftarot, and the Yizkor service - available at:

Pesach Day 7 Torah: https://zoom.us/rec/play/6Zwtdb2r-jk3HdLAsgSDAvV4W9TpJq2s0iJMq_Zby0i2ByIDZwb0N7obMOYVBwGjPFePzKlZ47cLnHvP?continueMode=true&_x_zm_rtaid=jGh_n_53T-CaCc82_9PnQw.1586913574320.570e56416bbd50168cabedde3658b386&_x_zm_rhtaid=754

Pesach Day 7 Haftarah:
 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1O2rHzD3yvU2baQSFKq3dfqtKlOtE4-Je/view

Pesach Day 8 Torah: https://zoom.us/rec/play/upV-JbuuqW03GYaWswSDC_JxW43rKfmshigf-aYOyRy9W3NQOlSjM-REY-SdRJuj875IkwEVLTbqsD-t?continueMode=true&_x_zm_rtaid=jGh_n_53T-CaCc82_9PnQw.1586913574320.570e56416bbd50168cabedde3658b386&_x_zm_rhtaid=754

Pesach Day 8 Haftarah is unavailable - sorry.

Yizkor Service: https://zoom.us/rec/play/usd7cr38rDg3HNWUswSDAvd7W420fKOs0CgX-KFcnUqzBndQY1GvNLUSZeZgBI4UzYvwPxgIncTBWJ0K?continueMode=true&_x_zm_rtaid=jGh_n_53T-CaCc82_9PnQw.1586913574320.570e56416bbd50168cabedde3658b386&_x_zm_rhtaid=754

Downloadable text of Yizkor service:   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_4sHBt0Y8YE2I856K1iCVVzEkBl6hRN1/view

Downloadable Memorial Prayer in the Absence of a Minyan:   https://drive.google.com/file/d/11px697ZZZKnEPvrUJ1HM66QGjCd1xXHs/view

Parashat Shemini Torah:   https://zoom.us/rec/play/65R4f7z8qzo3HdyWsgSDV_5_W46_K6OshyZPqKBbz0-8UHlSNwHwZucaY7GDvie527XzH8GdBMaGwOF5?continueMode=true&_x_zm_rtaid=jGh_n_53T-CaCc82_9PnQw.1586913574320.570e56416bbd50168cabedde3658b386&_x_zm_rhtaid=754

Parashat Shemini Haftarah: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rvegPRtmhxGkkX7l-8_I7oTg0fm1eyD8/view

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THE SINGINGEST HOLIDAY

On the seventh day of Pesach, the Torah portion includes the beautiful Shirat Hayam - The Song of the Sea - the Israelites' paean of thanksgiving to God for the destruction of the pursuing Egyptian army. When this section is read during the year (Parashat Beshallach), the haftarah is Judges 4:4 - 5:31. It comprises Deborah and Barak's song, celebrating their military victory over the forces of the Canaanite general Sisera. In a similar vein, the haftarah for the seventh day of Pesach is a song of thanksgiving (a variant is found at Psalms 18), chanted by David.

There is a lesson in these choices of public readings. In Shirat Hayam, the people as a whole thank God for the miracle of the sea. Just when they feared they were doomed, they were instead saved. In Shirat Devorah, which in many ways resembles Shirat Hayam, Deborah and Barak thank God for both the collective victory of the people and their own personal salvation. Shirat David is strictly personal, completely in the first person singular, reviewing a lifetime of blessings. In each case, pleas for deliverance were answered. This is all in addition to reading Shir Hashirim - Song of Songs sometime during Pesach and the singing of Hallel (Psalms of Praise) every day of Pesach, including at the Seder.

What we learn is that we can and should thank God, individually and collectively, for all the miracles and blessings in our lives, great and small, personal and national. Only then can we truly appreciate the wonders of our lives. Perhaps this Pesach more than ever.

Moadim L'simchah! Chagim Uz’manim L’sason! Shabbat Shalom!

Rabbi Richard A. Flom

Temple B'nai Hayim/Congregation Beth Meier

"שתיקה כהודאה דמיא"

"Silence in the face of wrongdoing is consent.”

BT Yevamot 88a

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Our synagogue community, Temple B’nai Hayim in Association with Congregation Beth Meier, has set up a GoFundMe page to help support some of our employees and members who are particularly vulnerable due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Please help us help them with your donation.

https://charity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign/maot-hittin-bread-to-the-afflicted?utm_campaign=oc&utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=crowdrise&fbclid=IwAR2D1ZzLUwc1iYjSci4SXjRjxXqetRfZvfWSl-LzymYsj2pFpBR9ZZVUQYw

This d’var torah is offered in honor of Rabbi (Reb) Jason Van Leeuwen, Elaine Kleiger, Elise Schipper, and Lily Garcia for all their hard work in keeping our synagogue and pre-school functioning despite the pandemic. Kol hakavod!

This d’var torah is offered for a refuah shleimah for Avram Yisrael ben Channah, Elisheva bat Malkah, Chanah bat Minnie Leah, Leah bat Sarah Imanu, Sheyna D’verah bat Hodel, Sarah bat Devorah, Susan Arbetman, Ken Bitticks, Elsbet Brosky, Stana Cooper, Jerry Daniels, Maya Fersht (Maya bat Esther), Dr. Samuel Fersht (Shmuel Natan ben Gittel), Bernard Garvin, Leah Granat, Brandon Joseph, Gabor Klein, Philip Kronzek, Tonya Kronzek (Zlata Malkah bat Sarah Imanu), Barbara Levy, Gail Neiman, Sandra Raab, Josef Sands, Shirley Sands, Gina Seeman, Debra Schugar Strauss (Devorah bat Chaya Feiga), Helen Schugar (Chaya Feiga bat Kreina), 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.

PESACH 5780 - PART 1 - PEOPLE OF DISTINCTION IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD

Pesach 5780 – Part 1

Nisan 15-17, 5780 / April 8-11, 2020

Torah Day 1: Exodus 12:21-51

Maftir Day 1: Numbers 28:16-25

Haftarah Day 1: Joshua 3:5-7; 5:2 - 6:1; 6:27 (Ashkenazim); Joshua 5:2 – 6:1; 6:27 (Sephardim)

Torah Day 2: Leviticus 22:26 - 23:44

Maftir Day 2: Numbers 28:16-25

Haftarah Day 2: 2 Kings 23:1-9; 23:21-25

Shabbat Chol Hamo'ed

Torah: Exodus 33:12 - 34:26

Maftir: Numbers 28:19-25

Haftarah: Ezekiel 37:1-14

I will be hosting Torah study and virtual siyyum (sorry, no Krispy Kreme donuts in my office!) on Wednesday, April 8, at 8:30 am PDT, streaming at https://www.facebook.com/BnaiHayim/ and via Zoom - Call 1 (669) 900-9128; Meeting ID - 600 054 985 

We'll be learning Mishnah Pesachim Chapter 10, which you can find on-line at:
https://www.sefaria.org/Mishnah_Pesachim.10?lang=bi

DON’T FORGET TO REMOVE AND SELL CHAMETZ – AUTHORIZE RABBI FLOM TO DO SO ON YOUR BEHALF NO LATER THAN 10:00 AM PDT Wednesday, April 8.

A downloadable, fillable authorization form which you can email to me at ravflom@sbcglobal.net  is available here:

https://rav-rich.blogspot.com/2020/03/delegation-of-authority-to-sell-chametz.html 

My recently updated annual Pesach Guide – 5780 Edition, is available at my blog:

https://rav-rich.blogspot.com/2020/03/pesach-resources-5780-edition-updated.html

The Rabbinical Assembly’s Pesach Guide 5780 can be read and downloaded at the following site: https://www.rabbinicalassembly.org/sites/default/files/2020-02/Pesah%20Guide%205780.pdf

Additional very important Pesach resources from the Rabbinical Assembly may be found at:

http://www.rabbinicalassembly.org/story/kashrut-subcommittee-recommendations-passover-5780-light-covid-19

and

http://www.rabbinicalassembly.org/story/preparing-pesah-during-time-pandemic

Are kitniyot (beans, rice, corn) permitted on Pesach? Yes! Especially this year! Read the latest from the Rabbinical Assembly at: http://www.rabbinicalassembly.org/sites/default/files/public/halakhah/teshuvot/2011-2020/Levin-Reisner-Kitniyot.pdf

Candle lighting times:

Wednesday – 7:01 pm

Thursday – 7:58 pm

Friday – 7:02 pm

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

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PEOPLE OF DISTINCTION IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD

(Moses said to God): "If Your Presence does not go along, do not bring us forward from here. How then will it be known that I have found favor in Your eyes - I and Your people - unless You accompany us, and I and Your people be made distinct from every people on the face of the earth!" Exodus 33:15-16

Moses' plaintive cry to God asks for two things: first, that God's Presence remain with the Children of Israel; they would have preferred staying in the desert rather than going forward without God; and, second, that the Children of Israel be made distinct from every other nation.

There is no question that the second request has been granted. The Jews are unique, and have been for millennia. The first to worship the One God; the recipients, beneficiaries and distributors of God's Torah; the first to observe Shabbat; the only people ever to revive a nation and a language (after two thousand years, no less!) - our practices and beliefs set us apart from the other nations of the world. We are the Choosing People, as well as the Chosen People.

Sometimes, though, it seems that God's Presence is far away - especially this Pesach. With the COVID-19 pandemic, most of us are unable to observe the Seder in the manner we have done our entire lives – with our family and friends, from near and far. Some of us are unable to acquire all the necessary food and other items for the holiday. It might be tempting to ask God, "What have You done for us lately?" The Seder shel Pesach offers its own answer - God has done more than enough for us over our history; even if we are unable to observe Pesach in our regular manner; even if we have to observe it alone – a Seder for one! The Babylonian Talmud at Pesachim 116(a) teaches that you conduct a Seder even if you have to ask and answer the Four Questions of yourself – alone! Dayenu!

That we are still here, that we can celebrate that history, and that we continue to make history, provide the proof that God's Presence has not left us – not as a people, and not as individuals. And that is the greatest distinction of them all.

Chag Pesach Mashm’uti! Mo’adim l’simchah! Shabbat shalom!

Wishing you a Meaningful Pesach! Seasons of Joy and a Peaceful Shabbat!

Rabbi Richard A. Flom

Temple B'nai Hayim/Congregation Beth Meier

"שתיקה כהודאה דמיא"

"Silence in the face of wrongdoing is consent.”

BT Yevamot 88a

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Our synagogue community, Temple B’nai Hayim in Association with Congregation Beth Meier, has set up a GoFundMe page to help support some of our employees and members who are particularly vulnerable due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Please help us help them with your donation.

https://charity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign/maot-hittin-bread-to-the-afflicted?utm_campaign=oc&utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=crowdrise&fbclid=IwAR2D1ZzLUwc1iYjSci4SXjRjxXqetRfZvfWSl-LzymYsj2pFpBR9ZZVUQYw

This d’var torah is offered for a refuah shleimah for Elisheva bat Malkah, Chanah bat Minnie Leah, Leah bat Sarah Imanu, Sheyna D’verah bat Hodel, Sarah bat Devorah, Susan Arbetman, Ken Bitticks, Elsbet Brosky, Mark Brownstein, Stana Cooper, Jerry Daniels, Maya Fersht (Maya bat Esther), Dr. Samuel Fersht (Shmuel Natan ben Gittel), Bernard Garvin, Leah Granat, Brandon Joseph, Gabor Klein, Philip Kronzek, Tonya Kronzek (Zlata Malkah bat Sarah Imanu), Barbara Levy, Gail Neiman, Sandra Raab, Josef Sands, Shirley Sands, Gina Seeman, Debra Schugar Strauss (Devorah bat Chaya Feiga), Helen Schugar (Chaya Feiga bat Kreina), 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.

MISHNAH PESACHIM 10

MISHNAH PESACHIM 10

Mishnah 1

עַרְבֵי פְסָחִים סָמוּךְ לַמִּנְחָה, לֹא יֹאכַל אָדָם עַד שֶׁתֶּחְשָׁךְ. וַאֲפִלּוּ עָנִי שֶׁבְּיִשְׂרָאֵל לֹא יֹאכַל עַד שֶׁיָּסֵב. וְלֹא יִפְחֲתוּ לוֹ מֵאַרְבַּע כּוֹסוֹת שֶׁל יַיִן, וַאֲפִלּוּ מִן הַתַּמְחוּי:

On the eve of Pesah close to minhah one may not eat until nightfall. Even the poorest person in Israel must not eat [on the night of Pesah] until he reclines. And they should give him not less than four cups [of wine], and even from the charity plate.

Mishnah 2

מָזְגוּ לוֹ כוֹס רִאשׁוֹן, בֵּית שַׁמַּאי אוֹמְרִים, מְבָרֵךְ עַל הַיּוֹם, וְאַחַר כָּךְ מְבָרֵךְ עַל הַיָּיִן. וּבֵית הִלֵּל אוֹמְרִים, מְבָרֵךְ עַל הַיַּיִן, וְאַחַר כָּךְ מְבָרֵךְ עַל הַיּוֹם:

They mixed him the first cup: Bet Shammai says: first he blesses over the day and then over the wine. Bet Hillel says: first he blesses over the wine and then over the day.

Mishnah 3

הֵבִיאוּ לְפָנָיו, מְטַבֵּל בַּחֲזֶרֶת, עַד שֶׁמַּגִּיעַ לְפַרְפֶּרֶת הַפַּת. הֵבִיאוּ לְפָנָיו מַצָּה וַחֲזֶרֶת וַחֲרֹסֶת וּשְׁנֵי תַבְשִׁילִין, אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁאֵין חֲרֹסֶת מִצְוָה. רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר בְּרַבִּי צָדוֹק אוֹמֵר, מִצְוָה. וּבַמִּקְדָּשׁ הָיוּ מְבִיאִים לְפָנָיו גּוּפוֹ שֶׁל פָּסַח:

They bring [it] in front of him. He dips lettuce before until he reaches the appetizer that precedes the bread. They bring before him matzah, lettuce, and haroset (and two dishes) though the haroset is not mandatory. Rabbi Elazar son of Rabbi Zadok says: it is mandatory. And in the Temple they bring the body of the pesah before him.

Mishnah 4

מָזְגוּ לוֹ כוֹס שֵׁנִי, וְכָאן הַבֵּן שׁוֹאֵל אָבִיו, וְאִם אֵין דַּעַת בַּבֵּן, אָבִיו מְלַמְּדוֹ, מַה נִּשְׁתַּנָּה הַלַּיְלָה הַזֶּה מִכָּל הַלֵּילוֹת, שֶׁבְּכָל הַלֵּילוֹת אָנוּ אוֹכְלִין חָמֵץ וּמַצָּה, הַלַּיְלָה הַזֶּה כֻלּוֹ מַצָּה. שֶׁבְּכָל הַלֵּילוֹת אָנוּ אוֹכְלִין שְׁאָר יְרָקוֹת, הַלַּיְלָה הַזֶּה מָרוֹר. שֶׁבְּכָל הַלֵּילוֹת אָנוּ אוֹכְלִין בָּשָׂר צָלִי, שָׁלוּק, וּמְבֻשָּׁל, הַלַּיְלָה הַזֶּה כֻלּוֹ צָלִי. שֶׁבְּכָל הַלֵּילוֹת אָנוּ מַטְבִּילִין פַּעַם אַחַת, הַלַּיְלָה הַזֶּה שְׁתֵּי פְעָמִים. וּלְפִי דַעְתּוֹ שֶׁל בֵּן, אָבִיו מְלַמְּדוֹ. מַתְחִיל בִּגְנוּת וּמְסַיֵּם בְּשֶׁבַח, וְדוֹרֵשׁ מֵאֲרַמִּי אוֹבֵד אָבִי, עַד שֶׁיִּגְמֹר כֹּל הַפָּרָשָׁה כֻלָּהּ:

They mixed him a second cup, and here the son questions his father. If the son lacks the intelligence to ask, his father instructs him: How different this night is from all other nights! On all other nights we eat hametz and matzah, tonight only matzah. On all other nights we eat other vegetables, tonight only bitter herbs. On all other nights, we eat meat roasted, boiled or cooked, tonight only roasted. On all other nights we dip once, tonight twice. And according to the intellect of the son, the father instructs him. He begins with shame and concludes with praise; and expounds from “A wandering Aramean was my father” (Deuteronomy 6:20-25) until he completes the whole section.

Mishnah 5

רַבָּן גַּמְלִיאֵל הָיָה אוֹמֵר, כָּל שֶׁלֹּא אָמַר שְׁלֹשָׁה דְבָרִים אֵלּוּ בְּפֶסַח, לֹא יָצָא יְדֵי חוֹבָתוֹ, וְאֵלּוּ הֵן, פֶּסַח, מַצָּה, וּמָרוֹר. פֶּסַח, עַל שׁוּם שֶׁפָּסַח הַמָּקוֹם עַל בָּתֵּי אֲבוֹתֵינוּ בְמִצְרַיִם. מַצָּה, עַל שׁוּם שֶׁנִּגְאֲלוּ אֲבוֹתֵינוּ בְמִצְרַיִם. מָרוֹר, עַל שׁוּם שֶׁמֵּרְרוּ הַמִּצְרִים אֶת חַיֵּי אֲבוֹתֵינוּ בְמִצְרָיִם. בְּכָל דּוֹר וָדוֹר חַיָּב אָדָם לִרְאוֹת אֶת עַצְמוֹ כְאִלּוּ הוּא יָצָא מִמִּצְרַיִם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (שמות יג), וְהִגַּדְתָּ לְבִנְךָ בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא לֵאמֹר, בַּעֲבוּר זֶה עָשָׂה ה' לִי בְּצֵאתִי מִמִּצְרָיִם. לְפִיכָךְ אֲנַחְנוּ חַיָּבִין לְהוֹדוֹת, לְהַלֵּל, לְשַׁבֵּחַ, לְפָאֵר, לְרוֹמֵם, לְהַדֵּר, לְבָרֵךְ, לְעַלֵּה, וּלְקַלֵּס, לְמִי שֶׁעָשָׂה לַאֲבוֹתֵינוּ וְלָנוּ אֶת כָּל הַנִּסִּים הָאֵלּוּ, הוֹצִיאָנוּ מֵעַבְדוּת לְחֵרוּת, מִיָּגוֹן לְשִׂמְחָה, וּמֵאֵבֶל לְיוֹם טוֹב, וּמֵאֲפֵלָה לְאוֹר גָּדוֹל, וּמִשִּׁעְבּוּד לִגְאֻלָּה. וְנֹאמַר לְפָנָיו, הַלְלוּיָהּ:

Rabban Gamaliel used to say: whoever does not make mention of these three things on Pesah does not fulfill his duty. And these are they: the pesah, matzah, and bitter herbs. The pesah because the Omnipresent passed over the houses of our fathers in Egypt. The matzah because our fathers were redeemed from Egypt. The bitter herb because the Egyptians embittered the lives of our fathers in Egypt. In every generation a man is obligated to regard himself as though he personally had gone forth from Egypt, because it is said, “And you shall tell your son on that day, saying: ‘It is because of that which the Lord did for me when I came forth out of Egypt” (Exodus 13:8). Therefore it is our duty to thank, praise, laud, glorify, raise up, beautify, bless, extol, and adore Him who made all these miracles for our fathers and ourselves; He brought us forth from slavery into freedom, from sorrow into joy, from mourning into festivity, from darkness into great light, and from servitude into redemption. Let us say before him, Hallelujah!

Mishnah 6

עַד הֵיכָן הוּא אוֹמֵר, בֵּית שַׁמַּאי אוֹמְרִים, עַד אֵם הַבָּנִים שְׂמֵחָה. וּבֵית הִלֵּל אוֹמְרִים, עַד חַלָּמִישׁ לְמַעְיְנוֹ מָיִם. וְחוֹתֵם בִּגְאֻלָּה. רַבִּי טַרְפוֹן אוֹמֵר, אֲשֶׁר גְּאָלָנוּ וְגָאַל אֶת אֲבוֹתֵינוּ מִמִּצְרָיִם, וְלֹא הָיָה חוֹתֵם. רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא אוֹמֵר, כֵּן ה' אֱלֹהֵינוּ וֵאלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתֵינוּ יַגִּיעֵנוּ לְמוֹעֲדִים וְלִרְגָלִים אֲחֵרִים הַבָּאִים לִקְרָאתֵנוּ לְשָׁלוֹם, שְׂמֵחִים בְּבִנְיַן עִירֶךָ וְשָׂשִׂים בַּעֲבוֹדָתֶךָ, וְנֹאכַל שָׁם מִן הַזְּבָחִים וּמִן הַפְּסָחִים כוּ', עַד בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה' גָּאַל יִשְׂרָאֵל:

How far does one recite it? Bet Shammai say: Until “As a joyous mother of children” (Psalms 113:9). But Bet Hillel say: Until “The flinty rock into a fountain of waters” (Psalms 114:8). And he concludes with [a formula of] redemption. Rabbi Tarfon says: “Who redeemed us and redeemed our fathers from Egypt”, but he did not conclude [with a blessing]. Rabbi Akiva says: “So may the Lord our God and the God of our fathers bring us to other appointed times and festivals which come towards us for peace, rejoicing in the rebuilding of Your city and glad in Your service, and there we will eat of the sacrifices and the pesahim” etc. until “Blessed are You who has redeemed Israel.”

Mishnah 7

מָזְגוּ לוֹ כוֹס שְׁלִישִׁי, מְבָרֵךְ עַל מְזוֹנוֹ. רְבִיעִי, גּוֹמֵר עָלָיו אֶת הַהַלֵּל, וְאוֹמֵר עָלָיו בִּרְכַּת הַשִּׁיר. בֵּין הַכּוֹסוֹת הַלָּלוּ, אִם רוֹצֶה לִשְׁתּוֹת, יִשְׁתֶּה. בֵּין שְׁלִישִׁי לָרְבִיעִי, לֹא יִשְׁתֶּה:

They poured him a third cup, blesses over his meal. A fourth [cup], he concludes the Hallel, and recites over it the blessing of song. Between these cups if he wants he may drink; between the third and the fourth he may not drink.

Mishnah 8

וְאֵין מַפְטִירִין אַחַר הַפֶּסַח אֲפִיקוֹמָן. יָשְׁנוּ מִקְצָתָן, יֹאכְלוּ. כֻּלָּן, לֹא יֹאכֵלוּ. רַבִּי יוֹסֵי אוֹמֵר, נִתְנַמְנְמוּ, יֹאכְלוּ. נִרְדְּמוּ, לֹא יֹאכֵלוּ:

One may not conclude the pesah meal with an afikoman. If some of them fell asleep, they may eat [the pesah when they wake up]. If all of them fell asleep they may not eat. Rabbi Jose says: if they napped, they may eat, but if they fell asleep, they may not eat.

Mishnah 9

הַפֶּסַח אַחַר חֲצוֹת, מְטַמֵּא אֶת הַיָּדָיִם. הַפִּגּוּל וְהַנּוֹתָר, מְטַמְּאִין אֶת הַיָּדָיִם. בֵּרַךְ בִּרְכַּת הַפֶּסַח פָּטַר אֶת שֶׁל זֶבַח. בֵּרַךְ אֶת שֶׁל זֶבַח, לֹא פָטַר אֶת שֶׁל פֶּסַח, דִּבְרֵי רַבִּי יִשְׁמָעֵאל. רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא אוֹמֵר, לֹא זוֹ פוֹטֶרֶת זוֹ, וְלֹא זוֹ פוֹטֶרֶת זוֹ:

The pesah defiles one’s hands after midnight. Piggul and remnant defile one’s hands. If he recited the blessing for the pesah, he thereby exempts the sacrifice [the hagigah]; [but] if he recited the blessing for the sacrifice [the hagigah], he does not exempt the pesah, the words of Rabbi Ishmael. Rabbi Akiva says: this does not exempt that nor does that exempt this.

HOLY AFIKOMAN - HOLY SACRIFICE

Parashat Tzav

Nisan 10, 5780 / April 3-4, 2020
Torah: Leviticus 6:1 – 8:36

Haftarah (Shabbat Hagadol): Malachi 3:4-24

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Our synagogue community, Temple B’nai Hayim in Association with Congregation Beth Meier, has set up a GoFundMe page to help support some of our employees and members who are particularly vulnerable due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Please help us help them with your donation.

https://charity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign/maot-hittin-bread-to-the-afflicted?utm_campaign=oc&utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=crowdrise&fbclid=IwAR2D1ZzLUwc1iYjSci4SXjRjxXqetRfZvfWSl-LzymYsj2pFpBR9ZZVUQYw

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Friday, April 3, at 6:30 pm PDT we’ll be streaming Cool Shabbat Evening Service with Steve Pearlman and Rabbi Flom via Zoom and at: https://www.facebook.com/BnaiHayim/

This week's Torah reading, chanted by Reb Jason, with running commentary by Rabbi Flom, is available at: : https://zoom.us/rec/play/upR8JO6uqzI3GYHHsASDVKd-W468Ka2shCRM-6YJmE63B3ACY1avZeYTZrbk4iZgn3eT_LP4L8IYdGca?continueMode=true&_x_zm_rtaid=gWX0OXxxRGe9u2hO12wopw.1585887495685.9d499f47f5c37f6335af091f5a440aff&_x_zm_rhtaid=714

This week's haftarah, chanted by Steve Pearlman, is available at: https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipMgeJEaDbRaRqwXIacEX01aYXsIh2EHxz8omKNnQiKkx-rzFeoJZmx0WWMkWeViCA?key=Vk1JWjRIRW9FMjdrajNCTnZmODE0VDNzOFJJeC13

My Pesach Resources - 5780 (UPDATED), is available at: https://rav-rich.blogspot.com/2020/03/pesach-resources-5780-edition-updated.html  I have been adding resources as they become available for the past couple weeks, but the link does not change. So please check it often for the latest information.

You can authorize me to sell your chametz for you by filling out the form at: https://rav-rich.blogspot.com/2020/03/delegation-of-authority-to-sell-chametz.html Cut and paste the form into an email, fill in the blanks, and send it to me at: ravflom@sbcglobal.net no later than 10:00 am PDT, Wednesday, April 8.

I’ll be doing an on-line study session for the first-born on Wednesday, April 8, at 8:30 am PDT via Zoom and at: https://www.facebook.com/BnaiHayim/

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Candle lighting: 6:57 pm

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HOLY AFIKOMAN - HOLY SACRIFICE

"That which is left of (the meal offering) shall be eaten by Aaron and his sons; it shall be eaten as unleavened bread (matzot) in the holy place…. It shall not be baked with leaven (chametz); I have given it as their portion from My offering by fire; it is most holy, like the sin offering and the guilt offering.... Anything that touches these shall become holy." Leviticus 6:9 – 11

Only some of the minchah (meal) offering is burned on the altar.  The remainder is eaten by the priests in the form of an enriched matzah (not quite the same as Pesach matzah). Like some of the other sacrifices, it is "most holy". Anything that touches it becomes holy as well.

Our Seder Shel Pesach is a re-enactment of an ancient ritual of sacrifice. We are a kingdom of priests and a holy people (Exodus 19:6). Our table is the altar. The candles represent the flames of the sacrifices. The wine represents the libation the priests poured over the sacrifices. The shank bone and roasted egg represent the Pesach sacrifice and the Festival sacrifice respectively. As commanded in the Torah, we consume matzah and maror (bitter herb), though we no longer eat or offer the animal sacrifice. The three matzot? The top two are used for the commandment to eat matzah and the commandment to eat maror (along with charoset). The third matzah? Half of it is used to make the “Hillel sandwich” in the style Hillel consumed the Pesach sacrifice. And the other half of the third matzah? That is the afikoman. In short, the third matzah is a substitute for the Pesach sacrifice.

The Seder Shel Pesach is a deep connection to our roots and to those who have gone before us, as well as a significant link to our future. It is an act of kedushah - of holiness. The afikoman is not dessert, though it is the final thing we eat at the seder. As it is representative of the last morsel of the Pesach sacrifice, it is, like any sacrifice, holy. And its consumption makes us holy as well.

This year, we are all engaging in a very different kind of sacrifice, one mandated both by our government health authorities (dina d’malkhuta dina – the law of the land is the law) and by our religious tradition (pikuach nefesh – saving life). We will be celebrating our sedarim apart from each other, in order to maintain the health and safety of ourselves, our loved ones, our neighbors, and our society. In that very first seder that took place in Egypt, our people were commanded to stay in their homes as the final plague passed through the land. That they did so is the reason we are here.

This year, as difficult as it might be to forgo the companionship of family and friends that we all associate with the holiday, we must do the same thing as our ancestors. We will each of us observe the seder and the holiday as best we can under the circumstances. The holiday of Pesach celebrates the survival and eventual thriving of our people. It is incumbent upon us to not risk individual survival in order to observe the holiday.

God willing, perhaps we will have the opportunity to come together on the evening of May 7, Iyar 14, for Pesach Sheni, the Biblical date set aside especially for those who were unable to celebrate the Seder Shel Pesach at its appointed time. If not, there will be Pesach again next year. Take heart in that fact as you eat the last bit of afikoman at your seder. And know that your sacrifice this year is an additional act of kedushah – an act of holiness.

May God bless us, every one.

Shabbat Shalom V’Chag Pesach Mashma’uti – A Peaceful Shabbat and a Meaningful Passover

Rabbi Richard A. Flom

Temple B'nai Hayim/Congregation Beth Meier

"שתיקה כהודאה דמיא"

"Silence in the face of wrongdoing is consent.”

BT Yevamot 88a

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This d’var torah is offered in honor of my wonderful wife and shelter-in-place partner Lynn Kronzek, who is celebrating her birthday on Wednesday, April 8. Yom huledet sameach! Ad meah v’esrim!

This d’var torah is offered in honor of my aunt Helen Schugar, who is celebrating her birthday on Wednesday, April 8. Yom huledet sameach! Ad meah v’esrim!

This d’var torah is offered for a refuah shleimah for Elisheva bat Malkah, Chanah bat Minnie Leah, Leah bat Sarah Imanu, Sheyna D’verah bat Hodel, Sarah bat Devorah, Susan Arbetman, Ken Bitticks, Elsbet Brosky, Mark Brownstein, Stana Cooper, Jerry Daniels, Maya Fersht (Maya bat Esther), Dr. Samuel Fersht (Shmuel Natan ben Gittel), Bernard Garvin, Leah Granat, Brandon Joseph, Gabor Klein, Philip Kronzek, Tonya Kronzek (Zlata Malkah bat Sarah Imanu), Martin Lee, Barbara Levy, Gail Neiman, Sandra Raab, Josef Sands, Shirley Sands, Gina Seeman, Debra Schugar Strauss (Devorah bat Chaya Feiga), Helen Schugar (Chaya Feiga bat Kreina), 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.