SHOW SOME RESTRAINT!

Parashat Korach

Tammuz 5, 5780 / June 26-27, 2020

Torah: Numbers 16:1 - 18:32

Haftarah: 1 Samuel 11:14 - 12:22

Candle lighting: 7:50 pm

Links to all of our on-line activities can be found below.

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

I offer this d’var torah as a lesson (especially) to myself, as well as to everyone else, to be more issue-oriented, and less personal-oriented.

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SHOW SOME RESTRAINT!

"And the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up with their households, all Korach's people, and all their possessions." Numbers 16:32

In the Talmud (Chullin 89a), Rabbi Ila'a teaches, "The world exists only on account of one who restrains (boleim) himself at a time of provocation, as it says in Job, '(God) suspends the earth upon restraint (b'limah).'" Rashi says that b'limah (literally, "nothingness") and boleim are related words. One who considers himself as nothing is able to keep his mouth shut and restrain himself in the face of provocation.

The commentary Harei Bashamayim says this is why Korach and his followers were punished in this way. Not only did they not restrain themselves, they used their mouths to challenge Moses and God, and in a sense, the natural order. They were provocateurs, and the earth could not abide by it.

If you've read this far, I hope you will do me a quick favor. Send an email to ravflom@sbcglobal.net with the subject line: "I read Cyber Torah on Korach". In the body of the email, please let me have your comments, if any. Thanks!

There are ways to challenge that which we perceive to be wrong. If we publicly attack someone and stoke the passions of others against that person, if we let our desires eat at us, we risk being swallowed up. Show some restraint!

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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Our Refuah Shleimah list is available here: 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1iT0tdp45ITSU6o1tykah41m3IXBxBwLxe8FORSIXzDo/edit 

This week's yahrzeit list can be found at: 
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1IvKK6of7m1YFiwWATXCfQXrBrjmLMfS_CAM3WhZ_fu4/edit 

This week's Torah readings, chanted by Reb Jason Van Leeuwen and with commentary by Rabbi Flom, can be viewed here: 
https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/play/vMUscLiq-Go3EoXA4gSDB6UsW47pfK2shnUcrKIMxE20W3UEYQenY-EUZubUswXDvYc8lu2ynf64HuW1?startTime=1593127300000&_x_zm_rtaid=Oa0iGKLLRx6Y1V_gNJjWYA.1593201767604.82aa7bf3fba3fa6f92f2ef7a8dd679a8&_x_zm_rhtaid=758 

This week's Haftarah, chanted by Rebecca Marcus, can be viewed here: 
https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/play/6ZcqdLyurz43HtLH5QSDVvJ8W9XvKKis13Ad-vMKzxzhBXkFZgH0ZeNGZUBd3Wn3wB4BOJ55-Vhia5M?startTime=1592784688000&_x_zm_rtaid=Oa0iGKLLRx6Y1V_gNJjWYA.1593201767604.82aa7bf3fba3fa6f92f2ef7a8dd679a8&_x_zm_rhtaid=758   

Join our Kabbalat Shabbat Service, with Reb Jason Van Leeuwen and Rabbi Flom this Friday evening at 6:30 pm PDT 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 

Join us every Sunday at 11:00 am PDT for "History of the Jews of Israel and the Middle East" with David Silon at: 

https://www.facebook.com/BnaiHayim/  

Join us every Tuesday at 12:30 pm PDT for Lunch and Learn, a 90 minute study session. We're learning the weekly haftarah. Join us at: 

https://www.facebook.com/BnaiHayim/  

Study materials for Lunch and Learn are available at: 
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1d1uY7AoJ6dWnP30hR-bJmywQ5x0r-0Lb?usp=sharing 

This week's Torah Sparks from the Conservative Yeshiva in Jerusalem is available here: 
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UoZUH0Q4FgQirH-grBwv-nl2yB1pZjAVvJ2vR5FJs_o/edit?usp=sharing 

You can subscribe to Torah Sparks every week via email here: 

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

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

To subscribe to Cyber Torah, and receive Cyber Torah every week in your mailbox, send an e-mail with the subject heading “Subscribe Cyber Torah” to: ravflom@sbcglobal.net   

Send requests for dedications of Cyber Torah in honor of a simchah, in memory of a loved one or for a refuah shleimah to: ravflom@sbcglobal.net 

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

EYES AND EARS AND RECORDS

Parashat Sh'lach L'kha
Sivan 28, 5780 / June 19-20, 2020
Torah: Numbers 13:1 - 15:41
Haftarah: Joshua 2:1 -24

Candlelighting: 7:49 pm

Links to all of our on-line activities can be found below.

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

"And (the spies) spread an evil report of the land which they had spied out to the Israelites, saying: 'The land through which we passed, to spy out, is a land which devours its inhabitants; and all the people we saw there are huge.... we were like grasshoppers in our eyes, and so we were in their eyes.'  And all the congregation lifted up and gave forth their voice; and the people wept that night.  And they murmured against Moses and against Aaron..."  Numbers 13:32 - 14:2

Rabbi (Judah the Prince) says, ".... Consider three things and you will avoid committing sin.  Keep in mind what is above you: An Eye that sees; an Ear that hears; and a Book in which all your deeds are recorded."  Pirkei Avot 2:1

There is a tradition that there is a one-to-one correspondence between everything in Heaven and everything on Earth.  This was most unfortunate for the Israelites.  To make matters worse, their eyes and ears were not clear, like God's, but were clouded by fear and doubt.  The spies saw what they wanted to see, and translated it with their own lack of faith.  The Kotzker Rebbe says that the true sin of the spies was in caring how they appeared in other people's eyes - why should their appearance have mattered?  God was on their side!  And the Israelites?  They allowed their ears to be filled with evil reports, rather than listen to Caleb and Joshua, who knew that the land was worth fighting for and that the inhabitants would be defeated.  The people preferred to return to Egyptian slavery, because they had no faith in the rightness of their cause.  And the Book?  It was the same for both God and the people - the Torah.

Prisms break down light into its constituent colors.  Some are sharper than others, depending on the clarity of the glass.  Our brains are the same way.  Some data are sharper than others, depending on the clarity of thought.  And how we act upon God's teachings depends upon the clarity of our faith. Believe it!

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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This d'var torah is offered in honor of fathers everywhere. Happy Father's Day!

An interesting take on this week's parashah can be found at:
https://www.thetorah.com/article/sin-of-the-spies-gods-ruse-to-keep-israel-in-the-wilderness 

Our Refuah Shleimah list is available here: 
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1iT0tdp45ITSU6o1tykah41m3IXBxBwLxe8FORSIXzDo/edit 

This week's yahrzeit list can be found at:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1IvKK6of7m1YFiwWATXCfQXrBrjmLMfS_CAM3WhZ_fu4/edit 

This week's Torah readings, chanted by Reb Jason Van Leeuwen and with commentary by Rabbi Flom, can be viewed here: 
https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/play/65woIeitqjo3G4eR4wSDU6N9W9W7Jvqsh3NM-6APyk20WiNQMVOnNbEWNOcmrE5xwRZHmRflLGJw47WP?startTime=1592511273000&_x_zm_rtaid=s6fA2wKRQkCvNBwkG14R3A.1592586012348.615e6e23ae53c604496401107473ca68&_x_zm_rhtaid=403 

This week's Haftarah, chanted by Reb Jason, can be viewed here: 
https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/play/tcF5I-7--Gg3G4GT5QSDAaR_W461Jv2sgykX_KIFzxmzByIAMQeiYeAQN7AW3hViScPxkG5LshPW0RPD?startTime=1592515727000&_x_zm_rtaid=s6fA2wKRQkCvNBwkG14R3A.1592586012348.615e6e23ae53c604496401107473ca68&_x_zm_rhtaid=403 

Join our Kabbalat Shabbat Service, with Reb Jason Van Leeuwen and Rabbi Flom 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 

Join us every Sunday at 11:00 am PDT for "History of the Jews of Israel and the Middle East" with David Silon on Zoom (Meeting Number 637 834 304) or at: 

https://www.facebook.com/BnaiHayim/  

Join us every Tuesday at 12:30 pm PDT for Lunch and Learn, a 90 minute study session. We're learning the weekly haftarah. Join us on Zoom (Meeting Number 637 834 304) or at: https://www.facebook.com/BnaiHayim/  

Study materials for Lunch and Learn are available at: 
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1GDVBMRrJpVLKq1FOJQv7RKUkjCVSV4kd?usp=sharing 

This week's Torah Sparks from the Conservative Yeshiva in Jerusalem is available here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/11spbHaX2JAdp3R7vHU3i9ggzQRgxEb6_Y8kBdIhUH7k/edit?usp=sharing 

You can subscribe to Torah Sparks every week via email here: 

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

  

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

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

Send requests for dedications of Cyber Torah in honor of a simchah, in memory of a loved one or for a refuah shleimah to: ravflom@sbcglobal.net 

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

THE CHILDREN OF AARON

Parashat Beha’alot’kha

Sivan 21, 5780 / June 12-13, 2020

Torah: Numbers 8:1 - 12:16
Haftarah: Zechariah 2:14 - 4:7

Candlelighting: 7:47 pm

Links to all of our on-line activities can be found below.

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

"Speak to Aaron, saying, 'When you light the lamps, the seven lamps shall give light in front of the menorah (the candlestick).'" Numbers 8:2

The Midrash, Bamidbar Rabbah, says that Aaron was upset. The heads of all the tribes, except Levi (the tribe of Aaron and the kohanim, and he was the head of Levi) had offered sacrifices (see last week’s Parashat Naso). He feared the Levites were being punished because of his sins. Rather, teaches the Midrash, Aaron and his descendants were given a greater honor - the lighting of the menorah in the tabernacle. Sacrifices would be offered only so long as the Temple stood, but the lamps would always give light in front of the menorah, and all the blessings God instructed the kohanim to bless the Jews with (see Naso, Numbers 6:22-27) would never be abolished.

Ramban (Nachmanides), in his commentary, wonders what this really means. After all, the menorah was not lit after the destruction of the Temple - it didn't exist either. He says the reference is to the menorah of Hanukkah, for that would go into exile with the Jews after the destruction, just as the blessings offered originally at the dedication of the desert tabernacle would be given to the Jews forever.

The interesting thing about all of this is that, just as every Jew can (and should!) offer the blessings of the kohanim over his/her children, so is every Jew obligated to light the menorah of Hanukkah every year. The real comfort to Aaron is not simply that his descendants get to light the menorah. It is that all Jews are in a sense his descendants, for we are a "kingdom of priests (mamlekhet kohanim) and a holy nation (goy kadosh)." (Exodus 19:6) We are all Aaron's children - so long as we keep the lights burning and bring blessings to our people.

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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Condolences to Jill Cogen on the passing of her husband, Richard Mandell, this past Shabbat. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the funeral was private and there will be no shivah minyanim. Y’hi zikhro liv’rakhah – may his memory be a blessing.

The congregation extends condolences to Sanford Albert on the passing of his wife, Candace Albert on Wednesday. Funeral and shivah arrangements are pending. Y'hi zekherah liv'rakhah - may her memory be a blessing.

The congregation extends condolences to Ken Goodman on the passing of his mother, Myra Goodman. Funeral will take place in Florida. Y'hi zekherah liv'rakhah - may her memory be a blessing.

Our Refuah Shleimah list is available here: 
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1iT0tdp45ITSU6o1tykah41m3IXBxBwLxe8FORSIXzDo/edit 

This week's Torah readings, chanted by Reb Jason Van Leeuwen and with commentary by Rabbi Flom, can be viewed here: 
https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/play/ucZ5JuD9rz43GN2W4wSDUfV-W9W-Ka-s0CMXqaVbzhuxAncEOlekb7cSZ7215nwczYCC81ii0hjQgI4?startTime=1591908590000&_x_zm_rtaid=LDWtyf1DQl2HsJCSETKrTg.1591929216181.f4aa6b0253f4ce6b8fa8451ee099e60b&_x_zm_rhtaid=734  

This week's Haftarah, chanted by Barry Glass, can be viewed here: 
https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/play/65Urd-75-j83E9ecsASDBPR8W461e_is1SkYqKUPxRu1WiUAYFauZLcaNLbXZftv3QSlmIw0CmQRc6I4?startTime=1591906241000 

Join our Kabbalat Shabbat Service, with Reb Jason Van Leeuwen and Rabbi Flom 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 

Join us every Sunday at 11:00 am PDT for "History of the Jews of Israel and the Middle East" with David Silon on Zoom (Meeting Number 637 834 304) or at: 

https://www.facebook.com/BnaiHayim/  

Join us every Tuesday at 12:30 pm PDT for Lunch and Learn, a 90 minute study session. We're learning the weekly haftarah. Join us on Zoom (Meeting Number 637 834 304) or at: https://www.facebook.com/BnaiHayim/  

Study materials for Lunch and Learn are available at:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/10y8xt65FgmLQGaY8LM4EYHxMMk2ZXhEK?usp=sharing 

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

https://docs.google.com/document/d/17STvrKRYb1QiLwstU2luH_f1kNt2kOtWon4JCXvx5G4/edit?usp=sharing 

You can subscribe to Torah Sparks every week via email here: 

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

  

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

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

Send requests for dedications of Cyber Torah in honor of a simchah, in memory of a loved one or for a refuah shleimah to: ravflom@sbcglobal.net 

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

THE POWER OF GOD IS IN YOUR HANDS

Parashat Naso

Sivan 14, 5780 / June 5-6, 2020
Torah: Numbers 4:21 – 7:89
Haftarah: Judges 13:2-25

Candlelighting: 7:43 pm

Links to all of our on-line activities can be found below.

Please feel free to pass this on to a friend, and please cite the source.
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THE POWER OF GOD IS IN YOUR HANDS

"And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying: So shall you bless the children of Israel, saying to them: 'May the Lord bless you and guard you. May the Lord cause the Lord’s countenance to shine upon you and be gracious to you. May the Lord lift the Lord’s countenance to you and grant you peace.' And they shall put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them." Numbers 6:22-27.

Many years ago, when I was at the earliest stage of my renewed interest in Judaism, I read about a most intriguing custom - the parental blessing of children on Shabbat evening. Years later, I searched everywhere for the story and incredibly, when I really, really needed to find it, I finally did:

'Sadly, in recent times, blessing the children has become generally unobserved outside the Orthodox community. Herbert Wiener, an American Reform rabbi who witnessed an elderly Jew dispensing Sabbath blessings in Safed, Israel, was moved to write: "I could not help but think of successful suburban fathers who had made comfortable provisions for their children yet would never receive the honor and respect that had fallen to the lot of the old North African Jew who could offer only blessings."' (Jewish Literacy, by Joseph Telushkin)

Only blessings! The significance of blessings is borne out in the story of Jacob's deception of Isaac, and Esau's anguished cry: "Bless me father, even me!" (Genesis 27) The idea that God permits us to give blessings in God's name stunned me – and it still does. To have such authority, such power! To be God's agent, even God's partner!

I promised myself that, if I should ever be fortunate enough to become a father, I would bless my child every Shabbat and Yom Tov. In December 1994, it came to pass, and when Robert was one day old, in the neo-natal intensive care unit, Lynn and I donned gowns and gloves and masks, laid our hands on his tiny head, and began: “May God make you like Ephraim and Menashe.” (The beginning for a daughter is: “May God make you like Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Leah”). Then, in keeping with the tradition, we continued with the priestly blessing above. We felt God there, blessing and guarding our son. It was awesome, and we have not missed an opportunity to bless him since.

You should not miss this experience either (even if your children are now adults or out of the home – you can do this by phone as well). Your children's memories of receiving your blessing every Friday night will stay with them much longer than those of receiving the latest video game or toy. More than that, the idea that you become God's partner in blessing your children will stay with them and you, and empower you. When you recite the blessing, and put God's name on your children, God blesses them. Your action leads to God's action. You have the power of God in your hands.

Have a wonderful Shabbat, full of God's blessings.

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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This Cyber Torah is offered in memory of my uncle, Hans Schack, whose yahrzeit falls on Monday, Sivan 16. Y’hi zikhro liv’rakhah – may his memory be a blessing.

This Cyber Torah is offered in memory of Marcia Morris, a long-time member of Congregation Beth Meier, who passed away last week. Notes of condolence may be sent to her daughter, Julie Shepard, PO Box 6, Mapleton, OR 97453. Y’hi zeherah liv’rakhah – may Marcia Morris’ memory be a blessing.

Our Refuah Shleimah list is available here:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1iT0tdp45ITSU6o1tykah41m3IXBxBwLxe8FORSIXzDo/edit 

This week's Torah readings, chanted by Reb Jason Van Leeuwen and with commentary by Rabbi Flom, can be viewed here: 
https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/play/7pB8Je6v_Dk3GtSX4QSDAvB8W9Xsevmsh3RL8_QLmE2yVHNSM1amYeMXYrBAutJQ-Mblj2B5GqOBp6ms?startTime=1591301905000&_x_zm_rtaid=sBv9q8uwTFmRqSJV9vh_9w.1591380411291.c2f7c5f1c8b40ec4af7a48a207681da6&_x_zm_rhtaid=902 

This week's Haftarah, chanted by Warren Trauman, can be viewed here:  
https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/play/tZUqdbutqjM3EoaXtQSDAfN5W9W-LKqs0HUX_aBeyxnnBXYBNluvYeEXarHISDsXynfXwXwxCn3BiUBO?startTime=1591312503000&_x_zm_rtaid=sBv9q8uwTFmRqSJV9vh_9w.1591380411291.c2f7c5f1c8b40ec4af7a48a207681da6&_x_zm_rhtaid=902 

Join our Cool Shabbat Service, with Steve Perlman and Rabbi Flom 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 

Join us every Sunday at 11:00 am PDT for "History of the Jews of Israel and the Middle East" with David Silon on Zoom (Meeting Number 637 834 304) or at: 
https://www.facebook.com/BnaiHayim/  

Join us every Tuesday at 12:30 pm PDT for Lunch and Learn, a 90 minute study session. We're learning the weekly haftarah. Join us on Zoom (Meeting Number 637 834 304) or at: https://www.facebook.com/BnaiHayim/  

Study materials for Lunch and Learn are available at:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1tkPfc2fuwlYMtJ6HsXyrnWl72qCy4Zdh?usp=sharing 

This week's Torah Sparks from the Conservative Yeshiva in Jerusalem is available here:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Y70eeTsZIbdelvq8DHgAsz8_vRdik18ejWdUXRv1kkY/edit?usp=sharing 

You can subscribe to Torah Sparks every week via email here: 

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

  

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

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

Send requests for dedications of Cyber Torah in honor of a simchah, in memory of a loved one or for a refuah shleimah to: ravflom@sbcglobal.net 

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