FOLLOW THE LEADER

Parashat Pinchas
Tammuz 24, 5782 / July 22-23, 2022
Torah: Numbers 25:10 - 30:1

Haftarah: Jeremiah 1:1-2:3 (First Haftarah of Rebuke)

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This d'var torah is offered in memory of Ruth "Roni" Silon, who passed away on Shabbat. Y'hi zikhrah liv'rakhah - May her memory be a blessing.

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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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 July 26 we'll be at Chapter 9 of BT Berakhot 63(b) - 

"...ת״ר כשנכנסו רבותינו לכרם ביבנה” - 

"Our Rabbis taught: When our Rabbis entered the academy of Jabne..." 

The reading may be found at page 39 of my pagination: 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TK74GI6tqBSDugLsQmHTYEAzPqDUJxS0/view?usp=sharing 

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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", which you should read at: 
https://midrashsrp.wordpress.com   
 
Check out our wonderful community, and get lots of info about becoming a Chaver and our various programs, at: https://bnaihayim.org/ 

Please feel free to pass this on to a friend, and please cite the source.
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FOLLOW THE LEADER

"Of Yetzer, the Yetzerite family; of Shilem, the Shilemite family." Numbers 26:49

Rabbi Yechiel Michel of Zlochov offers the following comment on this verse: "This is a hint of what our Sages say, that a person is led along the path he wishes to follow (citing the Talmud at Makkot 10). 'Of Yetzer' (which means "inclination") - if a person wishes to follow his yetzer hara, his Evil Inclination, 'the Yetzerite family' - whole families will join him in this type of behavior. On the other hand, 'of Shilem' (the root of which means "perfection" - the same root as "shalom" - "peace") - if a person seeks to find perfection, 'the Shilemite family' - many friends will join him in this course."

Moses Blesses Joshua Before the High Priest - James Tissot

This is an interesting insight. Each and every one of us has not only the freedom to choose good or evil, but the power to persuade others through our choices. Our actions can be as persuasive as our words. Whether we intend so or not, for good or ill, we all lead by example. This means that, in a sense, none of us ever has any "down time" - we are constantly observed by others - whether by our partners or by our children or by our friends or by our co-workers. But it also means that every minute of every waking day is an opportunity to influence others in a positive and constructive way - merely by being "shilem".

You never know who's watching!

 

Shabbat Shalom!

Rabbi Richard A. Flom - Rabbi Emeritus

Temple B'nai Hayim

Blogging at: http://rav-rich.blogspot.com/
Visit me on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/RabbiRichardFlom 
"שתיקה כהודאה דמיא"
"Silence in the face of wrongdoing is consent.”
BT Yevamot 88a
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