Sivan 12, 5782 / June 10-11, 2022
Torah: Numbers 4:21 – 7:89
Haftarah: Judges 13:2-25
Rabbi Y.Y. Tronk of Kutno 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.
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 our selves.
When we donate holy things for a holy purpose, we increase our own holiness.
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This d'var torah is offered for a refuah shleimah for Chanah Bella bat Kreina, Feigel bat Kreina, and D'vorah bat Feigel.
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Don't forget that TBH/CBM will be having our annual fundraising gala, honoring our President Dr. Martin Lee, on Sunday, June 26. Contact the synagogue office or go to the website for more details and reservations.
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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 June 14, we'll be at Chapter 9 of BT Berakhot (54a) - "...ת״ר הרואה מעברות הים” - "The Rabbis taught: One who sees (the passages) of the crossing of the sea, ..." The reading may be found at:
https://www.sefaria.org/Ein_Yaakov_(Glick_Edition)%2C_Berakhot.9.1?ven=En_Jacob,_translated_by_SH_Glick,_1916&vhe=En_Jacob,_translated_by_SH_Glick,_1916&lang=bi
I will be uploading a copy to Google drive as well, and will provide the link when that is completed.
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My Tikkun Leil Shavuot study materials are available at:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1DciPH28b0BO9z9P11taj3tjnJFVjaWIN?usp=sharing
Rabbi Van Leeuwen has a blog which you should read at:
Dr. Steve Pearlman writes up the "Midrashim of the Week", which you can read here:
https://midrashsrp.wordpress.com
https://midrashsrp.wordpress.com
Please feel free to pass this on to a friend, and please cite the source.
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MASTERY OF MONEY, MASTERY OF SELF
"Each person's holy things shall be his; whatever a person gives to the priest, it shall be his." Numbers 5:10
"...it shall be his" Who is meant by "his"?
"Each person's holy things shall be his; whatever a person gives to the priest, it shall be his." Numbers 5:10
"...it shall be his" Who is meant by "his"?
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; 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.
"Thank offering unto the Lord - first fruits" - Providence Lithograph Company
Rabbi Y.Y. Tronk of Kutno 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.
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 our selves.
When we donate holy things for a holy purpose, we increase our own holiness.
Shabbat Shalom!
Rabbi Richard A. Flom - Rabbi Emeritus
Temple B'nai Hayim/Congregation Beth Meier
Blogging at: http://rav-rich.blogspot.com/
Visit me on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/RabbiRichardFlom
"שתיקה כהודאה דמיא"
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
Blogging at: http://rav-rich.blogspot.com/
Visit me on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/RabbiRichardFlom
"שתיקה כהודאה דמיא"
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
