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 13th, 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:
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.
*****************************
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
*****************************
RABBI FLOM’S RETIREMENT GALA
Sunday, June 13th, 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/
*****************************
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.
-------------------------------------------
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
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.
-------------------------------------------
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
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
-----------------------------------------------
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
