THE ZEALOUS MODERATE’S PATH TO PEACE

Parashat Beha’alot’kha
Sivan 18, 5781 / May 28-29, 2021
Torah: Numbers 8:1 - 12:16
Haftarah: Zechariah 2:14 - 4:7
 
This d’var torah is offered in memory of all United States military personnel who have died in defense of our country. Have a meaningful Memorial Day. And fly your flag on Monday.
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IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE AT SERVICES!!
 
WE'VE OPENED UP!
Don't worry. You can still Zoom in or attend via Facebook if you're not fully vaccinated as of May 14, or just feel like waiting a bit longer.
 
ALL ATTENDEES MUST:
PRESENT PROOF OF VACCINATION AT THE DOOR;
SIGN THE VACCINE REGISTRY LINKED BELOW IN ADVANCE;
MASKS ENCOURAGED BUT NOT REQUIRED
 
Vaccine Registration link:
 
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdFFxLO26XiejbcROJXY2eCaC7K7wZYgJzRe4PO3smAOaN3cg/viewform 
 
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RABBI FLOM’S RETIREMENT GALA
 
Sunday, June 13^th, 2021. 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
 
Event will be Live at Temple B’nai Hayim (maximum of 70 people in person) and via Zoom. Tickets: In Person $65, on Zoom $50
 
There will be food, desserts, beverages, entertainment, silent auction, reverse 50/50 auction and many testimonials.
 
For more information or to purchase tickets or an ad, visit: 

https://bnaihayim.org/special-events/    

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Our Refuah Shleimah/Prayer for Healing List can be found at: 
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1iT0tdp45ITSU6o1tykah41m3IXBxBwLxe8FORSIXzDo/edit?usp=sharing 
 
If you would like to have a name added to or removed from this Refuah Shleimah/Prayer for Healing list, please write to me at: 
ravflom@sbcglobal.net 
 
This week's Yahrzeit List can be found at: 
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1IvKK6of7m1YFiwWATXCfQXrBrjmLMfS_CAM3WhZ_fu4/edit?usp=sharing 
 
All our services and programs are live-streamed at: 
https://www.facebook.com/BnaiHayim 
 
More info about our services and programs follows below this d'var torah. And even more info about our community is available at our website: 
https://bnaihayim.org 
 
Please feel free to pass this on, and please cite the source.
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THE ZEALOUS MODERATE’S PATH TO PEACE
 
“Now the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Speak to Aaron and say to him, ‘When you set up the lamps, the seven lamps shall give light in front of the lampstand.’ And Aaron did so: he set up its lamps in front of the lampstand, as the Lord commanded Moses.” Numbers 8:1-3
 
Hatam Sofer (R. Moses Schreiber, 1762 – 1839): “The Talmud (BT Megillah 21) says that the middle lamp is the most praiseworthy. This teaches that each person should adopt the middle course. People should not veer too far to the left or right, being excessively lax or excessively pious. (See Rambam’s Shemonah Perakim and Hilchot De’ot – RAF) However, ‘Aaron was separated, that he should sanctify the holiest things.’ (1 Chronicles 23:13) Didn’t that separation mark a deviation from the middle path? Therefore, we are told, ‘And Aaron did so.’ This teaches us that even after God had separated out Aaron, nevertheless he did not change, and he continued to follow the middle path.”
 
Despite his great ritual power and influence, Aaron remains the model of moderation. However, according to our tradition, there is one area in which Aaron was a zealot – he was a rodef shalom, an active pursuer of peace. The Aggadah (Avot D’Rebbi Natan) describes Aaron’s efforts in ending quarrels between people. Also, "Hillel would say: Be of the disciples of Aaron – a lover of peace, a pursuer of peace …" (Pirkei Avot 1:12).
 
This idea of pursuing peace comes from "Who is the person that desires life, and loves days, to see good therein? Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking guile. Banish evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it." (Psalms 34:13-15).
 
The “pursuit” of peace implies action. This is much more difficult than sitting back and lobbing verbal or written potshots at people with whom we disagree and seeking to assign blame – especially when it comes to people with whom we are fighting. Don’t claim to desire peace if you are not actively pursuing it. Be zealous for peace – like the moderate Aaron.
 
Shabbat Shalom! And have a meaningful Memorial Day.
 
Rabbi Richard A. Flom
Temple B'nai Hayim/Congregation Beth Meier
Blogging at:  http://rav-rich.blogspot.com/ 
Visit me on Facebook
Visit me on Facebook
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: 7:38 PM
Shabbat Evening Service with Reb Jason and Rabbi Flom this Friday at 6:30 PM
IN THE SANCTUARY and via Zoom and Facebook. ***See important note above***
 
Shabbat Morning Service with Reb Jason and Rabbi Flom this Saturday at 9:30 AM
IN THE SANCTUARY and via Zoom and Facebook. ***See important note above***
 
All our services and programs are live-streamed at: 
https://www.facebook.com/BnaiHayim 

Downloadable and printable Siddur for Kabbalat Shabbat, Shabbat/Festival Ma'ariv, Shabbat/Festival Morning, and more, including the weekly Parashah and Haftarah, all available at: 
https://www.rabbinicalassembly.org/form-download-e-siddur-0  
 
Fill out the form - the download is free. 
 
NO Religious School this Sunday. Resume June 6. 
 
David Silon’s on-going class on Israel meets this Sunday at 11:00 AM. This week’s topic – “The American Jewish Community in Israel”
 
Join us every Tuesday at 12:30 PM for Lunch and Learn, a 60-90 minute study session. We're learning Hasidic and classic teachings on the weekly parashah. 
 
Cyber Torah list management: 
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 

WHAT IS MINE ISN’T MINE – WHAT WAS MINE IS MINE

Parashat Naso
Sivan 11, 5781 / May 21-22, 2021
Torah: Numbers 4:21-7:89
Haftarah: Judges 13:2-25
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IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR 
IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE AT SERVICES!!
 
WE'VE OPENED UP
Don't worry. You can still Zoom in or attend via Facebook if you're not fully vaccinated as of May 7, or just feel like waiting a bit longer.
 
ALL ATTENDEES MUST:
PRESENT PROOF OF VACCINATION AT THE DOOR;
SIGN THE VACCINE REGISTRY LINKED BELOW IN ADVANCE;
MASKS ENCOURAGED BUT NOT REQUIRED
 
Vaccine Registration link:
 
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdFFxLO26XiejbcROJXY2eCaC7K7wZYgJzRe4PO3smAOaN3cg/viewform 
 
*****************************
 
Our Refuah Shleimah/Prayer for Healing List can be found at: 
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1iT0tdp45ITSU6o1tykah41m3IXBxBwLxe8FORSIXzDo/edit?usp=sharing 
 
If you would like to have a name added to or removed from this Refuah Shleimah/Prayer for Healing list, please write to me at: 

ravflom@sbcglobal.net 
 
This week's Yahrzeit List can be found at: 
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1IvKK6of7m1YFiwWATXCfQXrBrjmLMfS_CAM3WhZ_fu4/edit?usp=sharing 
 
All our services and programs are live-streamed at: 
https://www.facebook.com/BnaiHayim 
 
More info about our services and programs follows below this d'var torah. And even more info about our community is available at our website: 
https://bnaihayim.org 
 
Please feel free to pass this on, and please cite the source.
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WHAT IS MINE ISN’T MINE – WHAT WAS MINE IS MINE
 
"Each person's holy things shall be his; whatever a person gives to the priest, it shall be his." Numbers 5:10

The intent here is probably that a person donates his/her own stuff, and then it belongs to the priest to whom it was given. But, as always, our Rabbis read more into the Torah.
 
The Talmud (Berakhot 63a), citing this verse, suggests that one who does not donate to the sanctuary ultimately ends up needy, while one who does donate becomes wealthy. There are several ways to look at this. One might read the Talmud literally – what goes around comes around; it also says that for the one who donates, "much money will be his" (they are talking about more than tax breaks!). Perhaps the Talmud is referring to spiritual need and wealth - the failure to give results in spiritual emptiness but donating creates spiritual fulfillment. 
 
Rabbi Y.Y. Tronk of Kutno (Poland, 1821-1893) says that a miser is not the master of his money; only someone who is willing to part with his money is the master of it. Only by giving it away does he show that the money is "his"; i.e., it is under his control. Of course, the ability to give up that which is permitted and desirable demonstrates self-control as well.
 
Thus, the verse may be read as: “A person’s holy things will be for his benefit; so that which he gives to the priest benefits the giver.” Tithes become holy when they are set aside, but do not impart their holiness, do not benefit either donor or donee, until they are actually donated.

Judaism does not prohibit the accumulation of wealth, nor does it require self-denial. But it does prohibit the complete retention of wealth and it does require self-control. So, all of the viewpoints are correct. 

When we make donations to our synagogue, we literally make our community wealthier. We also assure that when we require the synagogue to fill our spiritual needs, it will be there for us. Nor can we deny the inner sense of well-being that comes from donating to an institution we believe in, for we are gaining something of value as well. It feels good to know that we are helping to build and maintain something greater than ourselves. Finally, in doing so, we demonstrate that we truly are the masters of ourselves. 
 
Shabbat Shalom!
 
Rabbi Richard A. Flom
Temple B'nai Hayim/Congregation Beth Meier
Blogging at:  http://rav-rich.blogspot.com/ 
Visit me on Facebook
שַׁאֲלוּ שְׁלוֹם יְרוּשָׁלִָם
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem...
Psalms 122:6
... and for peace throughout the Holy Land!
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Candle lighting: 7:34 PM

Shabbat Evening Service with Reb Jason and Rabbi Flom this Friday at 6:30 PM
IN THE SANCTUARY and via Zoom and Facebook. ***See important note above***
 
Shabbat Morning Service with Reb Jason and Rabbi Flom this Saturday at 10:00 AM
IN THE SANCTUARY and via Zoom and Facebook. ***See important note above***
 
All our services and programs are live-streamed at: 
https://www.facebook.com/BnaiHayim 
 
Downloadable and printable Siddur for Kabbalat Shabbat, Shabbat/Festival Ma'ariv, Shabbat/Festival Morning, and more, including the weekly Parashah and Haftarah, all available at: 
https://www.rabbinicalassembly.org/form-download-e-siddur-0  
 
Fill out the form - the download is free. 
 
Religious School this Sunday at 9:00 AM. 
 
David Silon’s on-going class on Israel meets Sunday at 11:00 AM. 
 
Join us every Tuesday at 12:30 PM for Lunch and Learn, a 60-90 minute study session. We're learning Hasidic and classic teachings on the weekly parashah. 
 
Some excellent on-line Jewish resources are available at: 
https://www.myjewishlearning.com/ 
 
You can subscribe to the Conservative Yeshiva’s weekly Torah Sparks via email here: 
https://www.conservativeyeshiva.org/torahsparks/ 
 
Cyber Torah list management: 
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 

YOU HAVE TO BE THERE TO BE COUNTED

Parashat B’midbar
Sivan 4, 5781 / May 14-15, 2021
Torah: Numbers 1:1 – 4:20
Haftarah: Hosea 2:1-22
 
Shavuot 1 
Sivan 6, 5781 / May 16-17, 2021
Torah: Exodus 19:1 – 20:22; Numbers 28:26-31
Haftarah: Ezekiel 1:1-28; 3:12
 
Shavuot 2
Sivan 7, 5781 / May 17-18, 2021
Book of Ruth
Torah: Deuteronomy 15:19 – 16:17; Numbers 28:26-31
Haftarah: Habakkuk 3:1-19
Yizkor

*****************************

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR 

IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE AT SERVICES!!

WE'RE OPENING UP

ON MAY 17th!!

Don't worry. You can still zoom in or attend via Facebook if you're not fully vaccinated as of May 3, or just feel like waiting a bit longer.

ALL ATTENDEES MUST

• PRESENT PROOF OF VACCINATION AT THE DOOR;
• SIGN THE VACCINE REGISTRY LINKED BELOW IN ADVANCE
• WEAR A MASK AT ALL TIMES

Vaccine Registration link:

 
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdFFxLO26XiejbcROJXY2eCaC7K7wZYgJzRe4PO3smAOaN3cg/viewform 

*****************************

This d'var torah is offered in memory of my beloved father, Martin Flom, whose yahrzeit falls on Tuesday. Y’hi zikhro barukh - his memory is a blessing.

 
This d'var torah is offered in memory of my beloved grandfather, Jacob Slome, whose yahrzeit falls on Wednesday. Y’hi zikhro barukh - his memory is a blessing.

 

Our Refuah Shleimah/Prayer for Healing List can be found at: 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1iT0tdp45ITSU6o1tykah41m3IXBxBwLxe8FORSIXzDo/edit?usp=sharing 
 
If you would like to have a name added to or removed from this Refuah Shleimah/Prayer for Healing list, please write to me at: ravflom@sbcglobal.net 
 
This week's Yahrzeit List can be found at: 
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1IvKK6of7m1YFiwWATXCfQXrBrjmLMfS_CAM3WhZ_fu4/edit?usp=sharing 
 
All our services and programs are live-streamed at: 
https://www.facebook.com/BnaiHayim 
 
More info about our services and programs follows below this d'var torah. And even more info about our community is available at our website: 
https://bnihayim.org 
 
Please feel free to pass this on, and please cite the source.
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YOU HAVE TO BE THERE TO BE COUNTED
 
In Hebrew, this book of the Torah is titled “B’midbar” - “In the wilderness”. However, the old name was “Chamesh - Hapekudim” - “one fifth (of the books of the Torah), that of the countings”. The English name of B’midbar is “the Book of Numbers”, because the initial subject of the book is the numbering of the Israelites. One must wonder why God instructs Moses to take a census of the entire Israelite community, listing the names, head by head. (Num. 1:2)
 
Rashi says, "Because they were dear to Him, He counted them (literally) every hour. When they left Egypt, He counted them (Ex. 12:37); when [many] fell because [of the sin] of the golden calf, He counted them to know the number of the survivors (Ex. 32:28); when He came to cause His Divine Presence to rest among them, He counted them. On the first of Nissan, the tabernacle was erected, and on the first of Iyar, He counted them."
 
God is like a shepherd, constantly counting the flock. But there is more to it, according to Rambam (Maimonides), who says, "God brought them out according to the number of their hosts, God called all of them by name." The idea that God called every Israelite by name speaks volumes about the importance of every Jew. The commentary Bet Aharon says that every Jew is obligated to know and consider his/her uniqueness in the world. There has never been another identical Jew, for if there had been, one of them would have been superfluous. Each of us is an entirely new creation. Each of us has a unique perspective of the Torah. Each of us has a Torah to share with everyone else. This is because each of us was, and is, present at the giving of the Torah, and each of us saw, and sees, it from a unique point of view. When we conclude the blessing over the reading of the Torah, we refer to the giving of the Torah in the present tense - Blessed are You, Lord, the One who gives the Torah.
 
God is constantly giving us the Torah, through our own study and through our fellow Jews. But to be counted, to receive your Torah, you have to be there, you have to be at your Sinai. If you are not open to receiving God's Torah, you won't be counted, and the loss will not only be yours, but that of every other Jew. If your children do not receive Torah, then their Torah, and the Torah of their descendants, will be lost as well. This Sunday evening through Tuesday, we will be celebrating Shavuot, the anniversary of the giving of the Torah. Go to the synagogue, study and consider the Ten Commandments, read the Book of Ruth, receive your Torah. Let you and your Torah be counted.
 
Shabbat shalom v'chag sameach!
 
Rabbi Richard A. Flom
Temple B'nai Hayim/Congregation Beth Meier
Blogging at:  http://rav-rich.blogspot.com/ 
Visit me on Facebook
שַׁאֲלוּ שְׁלוֹם יְרוּשָׁלִָם
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem...
Psalms 122:6
... and for peace throughout the Holy Land!
-----------------------------------------------
Candle lighting:
Friday 7:29 pm
Sunday: 7:30 pm
Monday: After 8:31 pm from a transferred flame; same for yahrzeit candle

Shabbat Evening Service with Rabbi Flom this Friday at 6:30 PM

Shabbat Morning Service with Rabbi Flom this Saturday at 10:00 AM

Tikkun Leil Shavuot - Sunday at 8:00 PM. A study session with Reb Jason and Rabbi Flom

Shavuot 1 Morning Service - Monday at 9:30 AM. IN THE SANCTUARY and via Zoom and Facebook. ***See important note above***

Shavuot 2 Morning Service - Tuesday at 9:30 AM - with YIZKOR. IN THE SANCTUARY and via Zoom and Facebook. ***See important note above***

All our services and programs are live-streamed at: 

https://www.facebook.com/BnaiHayim 

Downloadable and printable Siddur for Kabbalat Shabbat, Shabbat/Festival Ma'ariv, Shabbat/Festival Morning, and more, including the weekly Parashah and Haftarah, all available at: 

https://www.rabbinicalassembly.org/form-download-e-siddur-0  

Fill out the form - the download is free. 

Religious School this Sunday at 9:00 AM. 

David Silon’s on-going class on Israel meets Sunday at 11:00 AM. 

Join us every Tuesday at 12:30 PM for Lunch and Learn, a 60-90 minute study session. We're learning Hasidic and classic teachings on the weekly parashah. NO session this Tuesday. Resume May 25.

Some excellent on-line Jewish resources are available at: 

https://www.myjewishlearning.com/ 

You can subscribe to the Conservative Yeshiva’s weekly Torah Sparks via email here: 

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

Cyber Torah list management: 

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 

 

YOUR SIBLING'S KEEPER

Iyar 26, 5781 / May 7-8, 2021

Parashat Behar-Bechukotai

Torah: Leviticus 25:1 - 27:34 (Chazak!)

Haftarah: Jeremiah 16:19 - 17:14

Candle-lighting: 7:23 PM (PT) 

This D’var Torah is offered in memory of former TBH President Montie Mazo, who passed away on Sunday. Y’hi zikhro barukh – His memory is a blessing. 

This D’var Torah is offered in honor of our mothers. 

Our Refuah Shleimah/Prayer for Healing List can be found at: 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1iT0tdp45ITSU6o1tykah41m3IXBxBwLxe8FORSIXzDo/edit?usp=sharing 

If you would like to have a name added to or removed from this Refuah Shleimah/Prayer for Healing list, please write to me at: ravflom@sbcglobal.net 

This week's Yahrzeit List can be found at: 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1IvKK6of7m1YFiwWATXCfQXrBrjmLMfS_CAM3WhZ_fu4/edit?usp=sharing  

All our services and programs are live-streamed at: 

https://www.facebook.com/BnaiHayim 

More info about our services and programs follows below this d'var torah. And even more info about our community is available at our website: 

https://bnihayim.org 

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

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YOUR SIBLING'S KEEPER 

"And if your brother becomes poor and his strength fails him, you shall support him, whether he is a convert or a resident alien, in order that he may live with you." Leviticus 25:35 

The great Kabbalist of Tz'fat, Rabbi Moshe Alshikh (1508-1593), notes that earlier verses were in the second person plural. That is, the Torah had set up a social regime to be followed by the community as a whole. In our verse, however, the Torah switches to the singular. He says that, when a person needs help, everyone tries to shift responsibility to someone else, claiming that some other person is more closely related or has more means to help, or... You get the idea. 

R. Alshikh says the singular verb teaches that each of us, individually, is responsible for helping the poor. One cannot absolve oneself of this obligation simply by referring the poor person to someone else. 

But there’s much, much more at play here. The verse calls the poor person “your brother”, and it clearly means someone beyond only a sibling with closely-shared DNA. Rather, the verse implies that every human being is related to every other human being – we are all siblings. The prophet Malachi (2:10) is explicit about this: “Do we not all have one father? Did not one God create us? Why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother, profaning the covenant of our ancestors?” See also Mishnah Sanhedrin 4:5: “...only one person (i.e., Adam) was initially created for the sake of peace, so that no one should be able to claim lineage superior to another person…”

You and I are each our brother's and sister's keeper! If we don't support them, who will? 

Shabbat shalom!

And Happy Mother’s Day! 

Rabbi Richard A. Flom 

Temple B'nai Hayim/Congregation Beth Meier

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

Visit me on Facebook

"מן המקום שבו אנו צודקים לא יצמחו לעולם פרחים באביב"

"From the place where we are absolutely right, flowers will never grow in the spring."

Yehuda Amichai

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Shabbat Evening Service Honoring All Our Mothers with Reb Jason and Rabbi Flom this Friday at 6:30 PM. 

Shabbat Morning Service with Reb Jason and Rabbi Flom this Saturday at 10:00 AM. 

All our services and programs are live-streamed at: 

https://www.facebook.com/BnaiHayim 

Downloadable and printable Siddur for Kabbalat Shabbat, Shabbat/Festival Ma'ariv, Shabbat/Festival Morning, and more, including the weekly Parashah and Haftarah, all available at: 

https://www.rabbinicalassembly.org/form-download-e-siddur-0  

Fill out the form - the download is free. 

NO Religious School this Sunday. Resume May 16. Happy Mother’s Day! 

David Silon’s on-going class on Israel, now discussing Israeli agriculture and its contributions to the world, meets Sunday at 11:00 AM. 

Join us every Tuesday at 12:30 PM for Lunch and Learn, a 60-90 minute study session. We're learning Hasidic and classic teachings on the weekly parashah. 

Some excellent on-line Jewish resources are available at: 

https://www.myjewishlearning.com/ 

You can subscribe to the Conservative Yeshiva’s weekly Torah Sparks via email here: 

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

Cyber Torah list management: 

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