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Shevat 25, 5782 / January 25-26,2021

Parashat Mishpatim

Torah: Exodus 21:1 - 24:18

Haftarah: Jeremiah 34:8-22; 33:25-26

This d'var torah is offered in memory of Allan Cohen, who passed way on Wednesday, January 19. The funeral is in-person only, no livestream, and is subject to COVID-19 restrictions, at Groman-Eden Memorial Park in Mission Hills on Wednesday, January 26 at 1:00 PM. The community extends condolences to his wife Joanne Cohen, daughter Frances Cohen, and sister Melinda Bold. Y'hi zikhro liv'rakhah - May his memory be a blessing.

This d'var torah is offered for a refuah shleimah for Feigel bat Kreina and D'vorah bat Feigel.

This d'var torah is offered in memory of Leonard Foint, whose yahrzeit falls on Friday, February 4/Adar 3. Y'hi zikhro liv'rakhah - May his memory be a blessing.

Lunch and Learn meets Tuesdays at 12:30 PM on Zoom and Facebook Live. We’re continuing to read and discuss the Midrashic collection Ein Ya’akov. On February 1, we'll be at page 4 (my pagination) of Chapter 3 of Berakhot - "Amar Rav Yehudah manin l'virkat hamazon l'achareiha min hatorah ..." - "Rav Yehudah from where do we learn that blessing after the meal is in the Torah...” The reading may be found at: 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TpQwHh2XyWT9XYQ5OAjwxDbuVpXbzIDY/view?usp=sharing

 
Check out our wonderful community, and get lots of info about becoming a Chaver and our various programs, at: https://bnaihayim.org/ 

Rabbi Van Leeuwen has a blog which you should read at:
https://rebjasonblog.wordpress.com/blog/ 

Dr. Steve Pearlman writes up the "Midrashim of the Week", available this week at:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1i5ee4tO4FAiLEaKOsSECQjMOPk3X3ljF/view 

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משנכנס אדר, מרבין בשמחה Mishenichnas Adar, marbin b’simchah! – With the beginning of Adar, we increase joy! (BT Ta'anit 29a) 

This coming Tuesday and Wednesday are Rosh Chodesh Adar 1.  SO HERE'S A LITTLE CONTEST 

As this is a Jewish Leap Year, it raises a question, and the person who gives me whatever I believe to be the best answer will be awarded one slightly used bottle of slivovitz (the decision of the judge and the amount of slivovitz he drinks from the bottle are in his sole discretion and are final): Since we are instructed by our rabbis to be joyful in Adar, and Adar is twice as long this year, does that mean that we have twice as much joy this year than in non-leap years, or, does it mean that on any given day in the months of Adar, we are only half as joyful as we would have been in a non-leap year because our joy must be spread over twice as many days? There is no right or wrong answer! Be creative with proof texts!

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

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YOUR FEELINGS ARE NOT NECESSARILY YOUR OWN!

“You shall not oppress a stranger (ger, which can also mean a foreigner or a convert), for you know the heart of a stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” Exodus 23:9 (See also a similar statement at Exodus 22:20)

The Alter of Slabodka (Rabbi Nosson Tzvi Finkel, founder of the Slabodka Yeshiva, b. Lithuania 1849 – d. Jerusalem1927) teaches the following:

"Please do not explain this according to the simple meaning, that we are not permitted to oppress a stranger because we, too, had been strangers and had been oppressed, and thus know the taste of oppression. Rather, the reason is that a person is required to feel and participate in the joy and distress of his fellow, as if these had affected him personally. "You shall love your neighbor as yourself" (Leviticus 19:18) - exactly as yourself. A person's relationship to others is not complete unless he feels their joys and sorrows with them, without any differentiation." (from Itturei Torah)

It seems like nothing is ever simple with rabbis! For the Alter of Slabodka, merely not oppressing the Other is not enough! Yes we Jews know oppression - but we need to have the greatest empathy for the Other, for the oppressed, in their joy, in their sorrow, and, I would suggest, in their day to day lives. This, he believes, is the only way to have a completely loving relationship with another. 

This is a tough, some might say impossible order to follow. But consider how this deep, deep sharing/experiencing of emotions with the Other will create within us and within them the Truth - that they are indeed "exactly as yourself". 

Shabbat Shalom! Chodesh Adar Sameach!

Richard A. Flom, Rabbi Emeritus
TBH/CBM
Sherman Oaks, CA

משנכנס אדר, מרבין בשמחה
With the beginning of Adar, we increase joy! (BT Ta'anit 29a)

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 

SAME AS IT EVER WAS

Parashat Yitro
Torah Reading: Exodus 18:1 - 20:23 (some chumashim use different verse numberings)
Haftarah Reading: Isaiah 6:1 - 7:6, 9:5-6 (Ashkenazim); Isaiah 6:1-13 (Sephardim)
Shevat 20, 5782 / January 21-22, 2022

This d'var torah is offered in gratitude for the safe deliverance of Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker and the community of Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas.

This d'var torah is offered in memory of my aunt, Shirley Schack, whose yahrzeit falls on Thursday, January 27. Y'hi zekherah liv'rakhah - Her memory is a blessing.
 
This d'var torah is offered for a refuah shleimah for Feigel bat Kreina and D'vorah bat Feigel.

Lunch and Learn meets Tuesdays at 12:30 PM on Zoom and Facebook Live. We’re continuing to read and discuss the Midrashic collection Ein Ya’akov. On January 25, we'll be at page 1 (my pagination) of Chapter 3 of Berakhot - "Tanya lo y'halekh adam b'veit hakivrot..." - "We are taught that, a man should not walk in a cemetery...” The reading may be found at: 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TpQwHh2XyWT9XYQ5OAjwxDbuVpXbzIDY/view?usp=sharing

 
Check out our wonderful community, and get lots of info about becoming a Chaver and our various programs, at: https://bnaihayim.org/ 

Rabbi Van Leeuwen has a blog which you should read at:
https://rebjasonblog.wordpress.com/blog/ 

Dr. Steve Pearlman writes up the "Midrashim of the Week", available this week at:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PmJlERizet0JC3xAoj0r_8t-OypHm4hq/view 
 
Please feel free to pass this on to a friend, and please cite the source
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SAME AS IT EVER WAS

"In the third month, when the Children of Israel had gone forth out of the land of Egypt, the same day they came to the wilderness of Sinai." Exodus 19:1

Rashi: "What is the meaning of 'the same day'? That the words of the Torah should be as fresh to you as if they had been given today."

We learn in the Zohar that when reciting Shirat Hayam (the Song at the Sea), which is read from the Torah on Parashat Beshalach (we read it last week) and on the seventh day of Passover, and in the siddur every morning, that we should rise and sing it with great joy, as if we ourselves were standing at the shore, witnessing the great miracle. Similarly, when Aseret Hadibrot (The Ten Statements [aka Commandments]) are read from the Torah, as we will this Shabbat, we rise and listen with great intensity, as if standing at the foot of Mt. Sinai, hearing them for the very first time.

Israelites at Mount Sinai, Gerard Hoet, 1728

This is explained in Miginzeinu Ha'atik (“From Our Ancient Genizahs”, quoted in Itturei Torah). "You should not say that the Torah was given in the wilderness nearly 3,000 years ago, and it was only appropriate for that time and the conditions which existed then - 'The same day' - as if they had been given today - the laws of the Torah and our traditions are eternal, and they are relevant in every place and at every time." 

This idea that they might be irrelevant is often applied to any number of Torah laws, such as kashruth, Shabbat, and tefillin. And yet, one never hears anyone say that "honor your father and mother" or "you shall not murder" have gone out of fashion. (Although, to be honest, in some quarters, even those commandments seem to be regarded as optional.) Why is that?  The discussion often turns on notions of personal freedom, the needs of society, and the desire not to stand out. 

I would suggest that the whole of Jewish law and tradition is a complete, unitary system, subject to debate and changes in circumstances (like the destruction of the Temple), but never irrelevancy. God gives the Torah to the Jews for a very specific reason - "You shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation." (Exodus 19:6) We Jews are here, and we receive the Torah, specifically to minister to the world by acting in accordance with its teachings, and to sanctify ourselves and others through that ministry. 

Stand up at Sinai! The Torah, which is your blueprint and your job description, is being given, and it hasn't changed!

Shabbat Shalom!
 
Richard A. Flom, Rabbi Emeritus
TBH/CBM
Sherman Oaks, CA
הַלּוֹמֵד מִכָּל אָדָם ?אֵיזֶהוּ חָכָם
Who is wise? The one who learns from every person.
Ben Zoma - Pirkei Avot 4:1
 
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 

FREE AT LAST – THE LONG SHORTER WAY

Parashat Beshallach (Shabbat Shirah)

Shevat 13, 5782 / January 14-15, 2022

Torah: Exodus 13:17 – 17:16

Haftarah: Ashkenazim – Judges 4:4 – 5:31; Sephardim – Judges 5:1-31

This d'var torah is offered for a refuah shleimah for Feigel bat Kreina and D'vorah bat Feigel.

Lunch and Learn meets Tuesdays at 12:30 PM on Zoom and Facebook Live. We’re continuing to read and discuss the Midrashic collection Ein Ya’akov. On January 18, we'll be at page 12 (my pagination) of Chapter 2 of Berakhot - "Rabbi batar tziluteih amar hakhi" - "Rabbi when he had finished his [daily] prayer made the following prayer:". The reading may be found at: 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vJHoKQJwoObg2ygnnXc7qIV5Adgcvswc/view?usp=sharing 

 

Check out our wonderful community, and get lots of info about becoming a Chaver and our various programs, at: https://bnaihayim.org/ 

Rabbi Van Leeuwen has a blog which you should read at:
https://rebjasonblog.wordpress.com/blog/ 

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

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FREE AT LAST – THE LONG SHORTER WAY

“Now when Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although it was nearer (the short-longer way); for God said, ‘The people may have a change of heart when they see war, and they will return to Egypt.’” Exodus 13:17

The greatest modern leader of African-Americans, and America generally, was the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. King and other leaders of the Civil Rights Movement did not simply guide African-Americans to freedom – they led the entire country to a new paradigm in which all Americans could become truly free and equal, through what can only be called a non-violent revolution.

The Civil Rights Movement was steeped in the language of Tanakh – the Hebrew Bible that Christians call the Old Testament. From the beginning, African-Americans identified with the Israelite slaves in Egypt. Through sermons, songs and more, they amplified that connection.

(For one of the greatest sermons ever given, see Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech - https://youtu.be/vP4iY1TtS3s)

Not only was the movement led by Dr. King committed to the principles of non-violence taught by Mahatma Gandhi – he was also an astute observer of American law, politics and traditions. He and his followers used the democratic American system itself to bring peaceful change to that system. The movement could have advocated violence – after all, the United States itself achieved freedom through a violent overthrow of British rule. Alternatively, African-Americans could have left the US – going to Canada, for example, or at least moving from the South to the North where, despite much discrimination, they would have been able to vote and participate in the democratic process. Instead, they chose to stay and achieve their goals through the system.

In today’s highly polarized society, we hear of those who advocate violence because they do not like the result of an election. Others who are dissatisfied say they will drop out – no longer participate in the system. They should learn from Dr. King, a modern-day Moses, who understood the genius of the American way. Freedoms of speech and press, the rights to peaceably assemble and to petition the government for redress of grievances, regulation of commerce, elections – all were utilized to set people free.

The Unitarian minister and abolitionist Theodore Parker (1810-1860) said: "I do not pretend to understand the moral universe; the arc is a long one, my eye reaches but little ways; I cannot calculate the curve and complete the figure by the experience of sight; I can divine it by conscience. And from what I see I am sure it bends towards justice." (Yes, Dr. King paraphrased this many times)

The “short-longer way” seems faster, but ultimately leaves one far from the goal.  The “long-shorter way” takes more time and energy, but gets one to the true prize more quickly (see Rabbi Yehoshua ben Chananiah’s story at B Talmud Eruvin 53b).

“Free at last, free at last, thank God Almighty, we’re free at last” – the long-shorter way.

Have a wonderful Shabbat of song and freedom! And a Happy Tu BiSh’vat! And a Happy MLK Day!

Rabbi Richard A. Flom

Rabbi Emeritus - TBH/CBM

"שתיקה כהודאה דמיא"

"Silence in the face of wrongdoing is consent.”

BT Yevamot 88a

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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 
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UNLEAVENED MITZVOT

Parashat Bo

Torah: Exodus 10:1 – 13:16

Haftarah: Jeremiah 46:13-28

Shevat 6, 5782 / January 7-8, 2022

This d'var torah is offered for a refuah shleimah for Feigel bat Kreina and D'vorah bat Feigel.

Lunch and Learn meets Tuesdays at 12:30 PM on Zoom and Facebook Live. We’re continuing to read and discuss the Midrashic collection Ein Ya’akov. On January 11, we'll be at page 5 (my pagination) of Chapter 2 of Berakhot - "Amar Rebbi Yonah amar Rebbi Zeira" - "R. Jonah in the name of R. Zeira said:". The reading may be found at: 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vJHoKQJwoObg2ygnnXc7qIV5Adgcvswc/view?usp=sharing 

 

Check out our wonderful community, and get lots of info about becoming a Chaver and our various programs, at: https://bnaihayim.org/ 

Rabbi Van Leeuwen has a blog which you should read at:
https://rebjasonblog.wordpress.com/blog/ 

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

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UNLEAVENED MITZVOT

"And you shall observe the matzot; for on this very day I brought out your hosts from the land of Egypt; and you shall observe this day for your generations - it is an ordinance forever." Ex. 12:17

"Rabbi Josiah says: Do not read thus (as matzot), rather as, 'And you shall observe the mitzvot.' Just as one should not leaven (chametz) matzah, one may not leaven a mitzvah. Rather, if a mitzvah comes to your hand, perform it immediately." 

Mechilta D’Rebbi Ishmael, Tractate Pischa, Ch. 9

The Hebrew words "matzot" (מַצוֹת) and "mitzvot" (מִצְוֹת) may appear identical when written without vowel marks (מצות), as in a Torah scroll. Rabbi Josiah, noting this, goes on to say that just as matzah is observed while it is baking to assure that it does not rise (from leavening), so must mitzvot be carried out lest they too start to rise. What does it matter if a mitzvah becomes leavened (chametz)? For that matter, how can a mitzvah become chametz?

Matzah must be baked within 18 minutes of the formation of the dough, or else it may become leavened by airborne yeast. This contamination renders the dough unfit to be baked into matzah for Passover. A mitzvah also can become contaminated by delay - it becomes chametz.

Think of a mitzvah, or any other worthy act, you intended to perform and put off, for whatever reason. The longer you waited, the more you felt guilty about it, the more burdensome it became, until it was no longer desirable to perform. We are all familiar with this type of procrastination. It turns something sweet into something sour. And in fact, 'chametz' is also the word for 'vinegar'.

If you are considering performing any mitzvah, whether it is reciting prayers or kashering your kitchen or giving tzedakah or calling your mother, don't delay. The sooner you do a mitzvah, the sweeter it will be. 

Have a wonderful Shabbat full of unleavened mitzvot!

Rabbi Richard A. Flom

Rabbi Emeritus - TBH/CBM

"שתיקה כהודאה דמיא"

"Silence in the face of wrongdoing is consent.”

BT Yevamot 88a

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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