Sivan 14, 5780 / June 5-6, 2020
Torah: Numbers 4:21 – 7:89
Haftarah: Judges 13:2-25
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!
"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.
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:
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
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
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 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
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
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via email here:
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