FIRST THINGS FIRST

Parashat Vayetze
Kislev 9, 5783 / December 2-3, 2022
Torah: Genesis 28:10 - 32:3
Haftarah: Hosea 12:13 - 14:10 (Ashkenazim); Hosea 11:7 – 12:12 (Sephardim)
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This d'var torah is offered for a refuah shleimah for Channah bat Feiga, Chanah Bella bat Kreina and Devorah bat Feigel.
 
This d'var torah is offered in memory of Lynn’s grandfather, Gabriel Stern, whose yahrzeit falls on Kislev 10, Sunday, December 4. Y’hi zikhro liv’rakhah – may his memory be a blessing.
 
This d'var torah is offered in memory of my uncle, Daniel Flom, whose yahrzeit falls on Kislev 14, Thursday, December 8. Y’hi zikhro liv’rakhah – may his memory be a blessing.
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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 December 6, we'll be at BT Shabbat 31a - page 124 of Ein Ya'akov Volume 1 -ב''ה..."    אחורי עובר שהיה אחד :כוכבים בעובד מעשה  שוב " - "Again it happened that while a heathen passed by the rear of a synagogue …”
 
Ein Ya'akov is available for on-line reading or as a downloadable PDF at: 
https://hebrewbooks.org/9630 
-----------------------------------------------
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 
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Check out our wonderful community, and get lots of info about our various programs and becoming a Member at: https://bnaihayim.org/ 


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

“And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, ‘If God will be with me, and will guard me on this way that I am going, and will give me food to eat and clothing to wear, and I return in peace to my father’s house, then the Lord shall be my God.’” Genesis 28:20-21.

This is a somewhat troubling vow. Jacob seems to be saying that he will accept God as his God only if God grants his request for food, clothing and safety. One might say that, after all, Jacob is only human, and we humans make this kind of bargain all the time. “If I am cured of this disease, I will start putting on tefillin regularly.” “If I pass this exam, I will go the synagogue every Shabbat.” But it is unseemly in one of the Patriarchs.

Jacob's Dream (1639 painting by Jusepe de Ribera)

Rabbi S. Z. Heller says that what Jacob is really saying is, “then I will be able to serve You properly.” He continues: We don’t say “Adon Olam” (Lord of the Universe, the concluding hymn on Shabbat morning) until after we have said “Ma Tovu” (How Goodly Are Your Tents, the prayer said upon entering the synagogue). One’s physical needs must be attended to before one can engage in spiritual practice.

This brings to mind the teaching of Rabbi Israel Salanter, the founder of the Musar (ethics) movement. Rather than concerning oneself with one’s own physical needs and the spiritual lives of others, one should first attend to the physical needs of others and one’s own spiritual life. We can’t save souls unless we first save the bodies.

Perhaps what Rabbi Salanter is really telling us is that in saving the physical lives of others, we save our own souls.

Shabbat Shalom!
 
Rabbi Richard A. Flom
Rabbi Emeritus
Temple B’nai Hayim/Congregation Beth Meier
.אֵיזֶהוּ חָכָם? הַלוֹמֵד מִכָּל אָדָם
Who is wise? The one who learns from every person.
Ben Zoma - Pirkei Avot 4:1
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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 

CAN YOU DIG IT?

Parashat Tol’dot
Kislev 2, 5783 / November 25-26, 2022
Torah Reading - Genesis 25:19 - 28:9
Haftarah: Malachi 1:1- 2:7
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This d'var torah is offered for a refuah shleimah for Chanah Bella bat Kreina and Devorah bat Feigel.

This d'var torah is offered in honor of my sister, Lorrie Flom Goodman, whose birthday falls on Tuesday, November 29. Yom Huledet Sameach!

This d'var torah is offered in honor of our son, Robert Flom, whose birthday falls on Thursday, December 1. Yom Huledet Sameach!
 
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 November 22, we'll be at BT Shabbat 30b - page 120 of Ein Ya'akov Volume 1 - "... :אמר רב יהודה בריה דרב שמואל בר שילת משמיה דרב" - "Rab Judah son of R. Samuel b. Shilath said in Rab's name:…”
 
Ein Ya'akov is available for on-line reading or as a downloadable PDF at: 
https://hebrewbooks.org/9630 
-----------------------------------------------
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 our various programs and becoming a Member at: https://bnaihayim.org/ 
----------------------------------------------------------------------
If you would like to add a bit of holiness to your Thanksgiving holiday, check out the following resources provided by the Rabbinical Assembly: 
https://www.rabbinicalassembly.org/story/resources-and-prayers-thanksgiving  
 
Please feel free to pass this on to a friend, and please cite the source.
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CAN YOU DIG IT?

"And Isaac dug again the wells of water which they had dug in the days of Abraham his father, that the Philistines had stopped up after the death of Abraham; and he called them by the same names that his father had called them." Genesis 26:18

Isaac, Lover of Peace - Providence Lithogaph Co., 1906

Our rabbis taught that water is a metaphor for Torah. Both are necessary for life itself. The body cannot survive without water, and the Jewish people cannot survive without Torah.

Bunim of Worka was asked by the people of his town to be their new rebbe. He sought the blessing of Rebbe Yankele of Radzimin. R. Yankele said to him, "I knew your grandfather, and I heard of your father, but what about you?" Bunim replied, "We find that Abraham dug wells and that Isaac did the same, but there is no mention of Jacob digging any wells. The reason is that after Abraham and Isaac had dug their wells and found pure water, their descendant was already able to draw water directly from the spring." R. Yankele put out his hand and said, "Shalom aleikhem, Rebbe of Worka!"

R. Bunim's answer is a bit of a rebuke. Just as Jacob had to do no digging in order to drink deeply, R. Bunim should not have had to prove himself, thanks to the high quality of Torah learning which he had received from his father and grandfather, of which R. Yankele was obviously aware. R. Bunim's sharp reply nevertheless demonstrates his learning.

If we are to have any hope that our children and grandchildren will speak this way of us; if we want our children and grandchildren to drink directly from the wellspring of Judaism, then we need to dig those wells now. Our learning, attitudes, practices and examples will determine whether our descendants will survive in a parched and thirsty land.

Happy Thanksgiving! Hodu l'Adonai ki tov; ki l'olam chasdo - Give thanks to the Lord Who is good, Whose lovingkindness is eternal. Psalm 136.
 
Shabbat Shalom!

Rabbi Richard A. Flom
Rabbi Emeritus
Temple B’nai Hayim/Congregation Beth Meier
.אֵיזֶהוּ חָכָם? הַלוֹמֵד מִכָּל אָדָם
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 

THE GIFT OF FULFILLMENT

Parashat Chayei Sarah
Cheshvan 25, 5783 / November 18-19, 2022
Torah: Genesis 23:1 – 25:18
Haftarah: 1 Kings 1:1-31

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This d'var torah is offered for a refuah shleimah for Chanah Bella bat Kreina and Devorah 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 November 15, we'll be at BT Shabbat 30b - page 120 of Ein Ya'akov Volume 1 - "... :אמר רב יהודה בריה דרב שמואל בר שילת משמיה דרב" - "Rab Judah son of R. Samuel b. Shilath said in Rab's name:…”

 
Ein Ya'akov is available for on-line reading or as a downloadable PDF at: 
https://hebrewbooks.org/9630 
-----------------------------------------------
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 our various programs and becoming a Member at: https://bnaihayim.org/ 
----------------------------------------------------------------------

If you would like to add a bit of holiness to your Thanksgiving holiday, check out the following resources provided by the Rabbinical Assembly: 
https://www.rabbinicalassembly.org/story/resources-and-prayers-thanksgiving  

Please feel free to pass this on to a friend, and please cite the source.
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THE GIFT OF FULFILLMENT
 
'And this was Sarah’s life; the years of the life of Sarah were one hundred years and twenty years and seven years. Sarah died in Kiryat Arba, now Hebron, in the land of Canaan; and Abraham came to mourn Sarah and to weep for her.' Genesis 23:1-2
 
Rashi: '“The years of the life of Sarah” tells us that they were all equally good.'
 
Yehudah Aryeh Leib of Ger, aka the Sefas Emes, offers the following comment on Rashi and the verse: 'There must be differences and changes during the years of a person’s life. There are special times in youth and in old age. But the truly righteous ones find fulfillment (shleimut) in all (or, in each) of their days. Since this is not natural, it must be a gift from God.  And this is the meaning of the verse (24:1) “and the Lord blessed Abraham in every way” – fulfillment that is found in every place and in every time. Thus, Rashi says, “They were all equally good.”'

Abram's Counsel to Sarai - James Tissot, c. 1896-1902

 
Sarah suffered much travail over the years. Uprooted from her home and moved to a foreign land; years of barrenness; conflict with her maidservant who was also Abraham’s concubine; the near sacrifice of her only son – this must have taken a heavy toll. And yet, the Gerer Rebbe teaches that Rashi was right - that all of her years were equally good.
 
Thursday, November 24 is the American holiday of Thanksgiving. This year, it is also Rosh Chodesh Kislev - a day for singing Hallel - Psalms of Praise. What better day for each of us to remember that we can, we must, find fulfillment in what we have, and to be at peace (shleimut comes from the same root as shalom – peace) with what we don’t have. This doesn’t mean we should not strive to improve ourselves, our lives and our society. But it does mean that, as the Sefas Emes says, fulfillment is indeed a gift from God. And for that, we should be thankful.
 
In advance - Happy Thanksgiving! Hodu l'Adonai ki tov; ki l'olam chasdo - Give thanks to the Lord Who is good, Whose lovingkindness is eternal. Psalm 136.
 
Shabbat Shalom!

Rabbi Richard A. Flom
Rabbi Emeritus
Temple B’nai Hayim/Congregation Beth Meier
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 

PUTTING GOD SECOND

Parashat Vayera
Cheshvan 18, 5783 / November 11-12, 2022
Torah: Genesis 18:1-22:24
Haftarah: Kings II 4:1-37 (Ashkenazic); Kings II 4:1-23 (Sephardim)
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This d'var torah is offered for a refuah shleimah for Chanah Bella bat Kreina and Devorah bat Feigel.

This d'var torah is offered in honor of America's veterans. Thank you for your service!

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. 
 
NO Lunch and Learn on November 8. We will meet on November 15.
 
On November 15, we'll be at BT Shabbat 30b - page 120 of Ein Ya'akov Volume 1 - "... :אמר רב יהודה בריה דרב שמואל בר שילת משמיה דרב" - "Rab Judah son of R. Samuel b. Shilath said in Rab's name:…”

 
Ein Ya'akov is available for on-line reading or as a downloadable PDF at: 
https://hebrewbooks.org/9630 
-----------------------------------------------
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 our various programs and becoming a Member at: https://bnaihayim.org/ 
 
Please feel free to pass this on to a friend, and please cite the source.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
PUTTING GOD SECOND
 
"And the Lord appeared to (Abraham) at the terebinths (trees used to make turpentine) of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance of the tent in the heat of the day. He lifted his eyes and saw there were three men standing above him; he ran from the entrance of the tent to greet them, and bowed toward the ground. And he said, 'My Lord, if I find favor in Your eyes, please do not pass away from Your servant.'" Genesis 18:1-3.
 
At first reading, one would think that God appeared to Abraham in the form of the three men. Therefore, he bowed and addressed them as "My Lord". However, Rabbinic tradition teaches that these are two separate events. God was visiting Abraham following Abraham's circumcision, and then the three men appeared. Abraham (in his pain!) literally ran from God to greet the men. He then asked God to wait while he attended to the needs of the men!
 
This might seem extraordinarily disrespectful to God. Not so, according to the Rabbis. "Rabbi Judah said in the name of Rav: 'Hospitality to guests is greater than greeting the Divine Presence.'" How can this be? For one thing, if God is the Omnipresent, one can never leave God's Presence. Second, if God is the Eternal, then "waiting" is not in God's vocabulary - it's simply not a problem. Perhaps most important, God does not have physical needs, but human beings do; and they must be attended to. In taking leave of God in order to extend hospitality to three strangers who appeared out of the desert, Abraham was actually honoring God - by caring for those who are created "in the image of God".
 
This implies that if one must choose between fulfilling a “mitzvah bein adam lamakom” (a mitzvah between a person and God) or a “mitzvah bein adam l’chavero” (between one person and another person), we should attend to the mitzvah involving another person first. (See, for example, the Mishnah at Peah 1:1: “These are the things for which a person reaps the fruits in this world, and gets a reward in the world to come: honoring one's father and mother, acts of lovingkindness [gemilut chasadim], and bringing peace between people.”) When we treat others to our hospitality (or feed them or clothe them or house them or provide them with medical treatment), we do indeed find favor in God's eyes. "For it is lovingkindness I desire, not sacrifices." Hosea 6:6

There remains perhaps the greatest mitzvah of all, one that does not require choosing between God and human beings. We do it after we are dead – by registering as organ donors while we are alive. Indeed, virtually all rabbis agree that organ donation at death is a positive mitzvah - an obligation of pikuach nefesh - saving a life. This idea represents everything that Judaism stands for.

 
This weekend is National Donor Sabbath, a joint project of the US Department of Health and Human Services and Donate Life America. More information is available at these web sites:
 
https://www.organdonor.gov/awareness/events/donor-sabbath.html  

https://www.donatelife.net/ 

In 2020, over 39,000 organ donations were performed in the US. This is impressive, until one realizes that there are over 113,000 Americans on the waiting lists for various organs. Every day, 80 transplants are performed in the US, while 20 people die waiting for organs they need to survive. You can alleviate the pain and suffering of others, literally give them life, merely by completing an organ donation card available from your motor vehicle department or at the web site above.

 
Does it work? Of course! Most of our parts are “recyclable”. And don’t forget, there are ways to save lives while we are still alive – through blood, platelet and bone marrow donations, and as living organ donations. Go ahead – perform an act of chesed or pikuach nefesh – God won’t be offended!
 
L’chaim!
 
Shabbat Shalom Uv'rakhah! A Shabbat of Peace and Blessing!
 
Rabbi Richard A. Flom
Rabbi Emeritus
Temple B’nai Hayim/Congregation Beth Meier
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