HOSPITALITY

Parashat Vayera

Cheshvan 17, 5786 / November 7-8. 2025
Torah: Genesis 18:1 - 22:24
Haftarah: 2 Kings 4:1-37 (Ashkenazim; Sephardim read 4:1-23)

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This d'var torah is offered in remembrance of Kristallnacht, which occurred November 9-10, 1938. The first large scale pogrom by the Nazis, who ultimately killed 6 million Jews, one-third of world Jewry. Never forget. Never again. For any people.

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Lunch and Learn meets Mondays at 12:30 PM on Zoom and Facebook Live. 

On November 10, we'll be at Ein Ya'akov Yevamot, p. 48 (BT Yevamot 64b) - 

'... אמר רב נחמן אמר רבה בר אבוה' - 'R. Nachman, in the name of Rabba b. Abahu..."'

Ein Ya'akov (Glick edition) is available for on-line reading or as a downloadable PDF at:

https://hebrewbooks.org/9630 
A pointed Hebrew text version with different pagination is available at Sefaria: 
https://www.sefaria.org/Ein_Yaakov?tab=contents  

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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/ 
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HOSPITALITY

“And he lifted up his eyes and looked, and here three men were standing before him; he saw and ran to them from the tent opening, and he bowed toward the ground.” Genesis 18:2

"(Lot) prepared a feast for them and baked matza, and they ate." Genesis 19:3

 According to the Rabbis, Abraham was the paradigm of hospitality. One midrash has him being famous throughout the land for his treatment of guests. There is a Chasidic teaching which asks, why only Abraham, and not also his nephew Lot? After all, our parashah recounts that Lot also greeted and fed, and even protected, the same angels that first appeared to Abraham. The difference is in the details.

Abraham and the Three Angels - Bartolomé Esteban Murillo (c. 1670-1674)

Abraham “ran” to greet them.  Lot “stood up” to meet them (19:1). Abraham offered them “a morsel”, but gave them a veritable feast of butter, milk, bread and meat (we’ll discuss the kashruth another time!) Lot “made a feast and baked matza” (the bread of poverty), implying that he promised a feast but gave them only crackers. These differences between Abraham and Lot are relatively unimportant when compared with this - Abraham saw “three men”; but “two angels” came to Lot.

Had he not known they were angels, Lot might have treated God’s messengers in the same way that everybody else in Sodom treated each other - with disrespect, if not downright contempt. Abraham, on the other hand, treated the messengers in a highly respectful if not downright holy way, even when he thought they were “merely” human beings. Now that’s the way to treat guests. There’s hospitality, and THERE’S HOSPITALITY!

Have a wonderful Shabbat!

Rabbi Richard A. Flom

Rabbi Emeritus -TBH/CBM

".איזה הוא חכם? הלומד מכל אדם"

Who is wise? The one who learns from every person.

Ben Zoma - Pirkei Avot 4:1

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AN UNBURDENED SOUL, A DEBT-FREE LIFE

Cheshvan 10, 5786 / October 31 – November 1, 2025

Parashat Lekh L'kha

Torah: Genesis 12:1 - 17:27

Haftarah: Isaiah 40:27 - 41:16

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Lunch and Learn meets Mondays at 12:30 PM on Zoom and Facebook Live. 

On November 3, we'll be at Ein Ya'akov Yevamot, p. 47 (BT Yevamot 63b) - 

'... אל תצר צרת מחר' - 'Do not worry about tomorrow's trouble..."'

Ein Ya'akov (Glick edition) is available for on-line reading or as a downloadable PDF at:

https://hebrewbooks.org/9630 
A pointed Hebrew text version with different pagination is available at Sefaria: 
https://www.sefaria.org/Ein_Yaakov?tab=contents  

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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/ 
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AN UNBURDENED SOUL, A DEBT-FREE LIFE

"Then the king of Sodom said to Avram, "Give me the persons (nefesh), and take the possessions for yourself." But Avram said to the king of Sodom, "I swear to the Lord, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth: I will not take so much as a thread or a sandal strap of what is yours; you shall not say, 'It is I who made Avram rich.'"' Genesis 14:21-3. 

Our father Avram, soon to become Avraham, demonstrates here a characteristic which we will see again in two weeks, when he negotiates the purchase of a burial plot for Sarah. He does not want to be beholden to any person. He accepts no gifts, he demands no favors, he pays retail. No human being can say to Avram/Avraham, "You owe me because of what I gave to you, because of the favors I did for you."

There seems to be a deeper meaning here. Rabbi Harold Kushner points out that the Hebrew word used for "persons" is "nefesh", which literally means "soul". Perhaps Avram was being asked by the king of Sodom to sell his soul for material riches. Compare Avram with his nephew Lot, who moved to Sodom ostensibly because it had good pasturage. Indeed, Avram's interaction with the king of Sodom comes immediately Avram rescued Lot, who had been kidnapped by Sodom's enemies.

Lot and His Family Recalled Home by Abraham (Antonio Tempesta, 1613)

On the other hand, no human being or human desire can exercise control over Avram, so he never has to compromise his principles. Avram, whom the Torah regards as a sort of king, is debt-free. He is quite different from politicians who compromise their principles (to the extent they might have them) and sell their souls to the highest bidding donors, PACs, and special interest groups. Nor does Avram ever demand blackmail or require anyone to sell their soul in exchange for their avoiding some form of punishment. The only one to whom Avram owes his allegiance is God. Avram recognizes that, whatever spiritual and material wealth he has, it has come from God, not from another human being. Would that we all could be as astute as he.

Shabbat Shalom!

Rabbi Richard A. Flom
Rabbi Emeritus
Temple B’nai Hayim
"שתיקה כהודאה דמיא"
"Silence in the face of wrongdoing is consent.”
BT Yevamot 87b
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A CORRIDOR THROUGH THE RUBBLE?

Parashat Noach

Cheshvan 3, 5786 / October 24-25, 2025
Torah: Genesis 6:9-11:32
Haftarah: Isaiah 54:1-55:5
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This d'var torah is offered in honor of our son, Robert Flom, and his bride to be, Meredith McEachern, who are marrying this Sunday in Detroit. We're keeping a son and gaining a daughter! Mazal tov and much love always!

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Lunch and Learn meets Mondays at 12:30 PM on Zoom and Facebook Live. 

On November 3, we'll be at Ein Ya'akov Yevamot, p. 47 (BT Yevamot 63b) - 

'... אל תצר צרת מחר' - 'Do not worry about tomorrow's trouble..."'

Ein Ya'akov (Glick edition) is available for on-line reading or as a downloadable PDF at:

https://hebrewbooks.org/9630 
A pointed Hebrew text version with different pagination is available at Sefaria: 
https://www.sefaria.org/Ein_Yaakov?tab=contents  

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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/ 
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Please feel free to pass this on to a friend, and please cite the source.
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A CORRIDOR THROUGH THE RUBBLE?

Chaverim yekarim / Dear friends:

This d'var torah is a very lightly edited version of a letter I sent to the editor of the Jewish Journal of Los Angeles. I think it's self-explanatory. I doubt it will be accepted for publication, as it greatly exceeds the Journal's word count limitations.

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Dear Mr. Suissa:

I apologize for the length, but I feel I must speak on this.

 

As I was reading Tanvi Ratna’s piece, “A Corridor Through the Rubble: What Gaza’s Peace Really Enables”, (https://jewishjournal.com/commentary/384369/a-corridor-through-the-rubble-what-gazas-peace-really-enables/) originally a Substack post (https://tanviratna.substack.com/p/a-corridor-through-the-rubble-what), which was published in the October 15, 2025 Jewish Journal, a classic midrash about Migdal Bavel, the Tower of Babel, came to mind. We’re reading about Migdal Bavel in this week’s Parashat Noach.

 

"And they said, 'Come, let us build us a city, and a tower with its top in the sky, to make a name for ourselves; else we shall be scattered all over the world."' Genesis 11:4

 

The Midrash, Pirkei d'Rabbi Eliezer comments, "The tower had seven ramps from the east and seven from the west. The bricks were hauled up from one side, and the descent was on the other. If a man fell down and died, no attention was paid to him. But if one brick fell down, they would sit and weep, saying, 'Woe is us. When will another be brought up in its place?'" In short, human life meant nothing to the builders – the construction of the building was all that mattered.

"Turris Babel" by Athanasius Kircher

 

Ratna’s piece discusses plans for a “GREAT Trust” that will turn Gaza into an international business and investment playground – shipping hubs, railways, ports, fiber lines – all managed by sovereign wealth funds and international corporations under rules the trust would establish for itself. One might expect manufacturing, as well. But there’s no mention of housing, schools, hospitals, or any other things that might benefit the residents of Gaza. (Nor for that matter, Trump or Kushner hotels and casinos, but that might be another story.) This omission seems intentional.

 

Ratna writes:

 

          “…it’s a hybrid model: an international trusteeship that pools land parcels, securitizes infrastructure corridors, and allocates revenue streams from energy and logistics assets.

“This model allows for risk to be sliced, priced, and reallocated. It gives Gulf EPCs like ACWA Power and Qatari Diar a clear procurement pathway. It offers Western sovereign wealth funds arbitration cover. And it offers Israel a chance to outsource Gaza’s future while reducing day-to-day control.”

 

The whole thing reads like a prospectus. What’s not discussed at all is what happens to people – because people are not mentioned. Not Gazans, not Palestinians, not Israelis. On her Substack page, Ratna has this note: “The rights accorded to Palestinians in this plan remain shrouded in some mystery and were the source of much debate around the leak.” (Note: The “GREAT Trust” documents were apparently leaked)

 

This is Migdal Bavel on a scale not previously seen, all for the benefit of uber-capitalists who care nothing for anyone other than themselves, and possibly their major shareholders. We can be certain that the muscle for this endeavor, the ones who will be called upon to ensure that the project goes forward when the people of Gaza resist, which they surely will, will be US and Israeli military personnel – or hired mercenaries answerable only to their financier masters.

Enormous investment in a business venture devoid of any assistance or hope for the residents promises profits for a few – but not peace for the region.

 

Sincerely,

 

Rabbi Richard A. Flom

Rabbi Emeritus

Temple B’nai Hayim

 

Affiliation for identification purposes only

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Shabbat Shalom!

Rabbi Richard A. Flom
Rabbi Emeritus
Temple B’nai Hayim
.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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EARNING “GOOD” BY DOING GOOD

Tishrei 26, 5786 / October 17-18, 2025

Parashat Bereishit

Torah: Genesis 1:1 – 6:8

Haftarah: Isaiah 42:5 - 43:10 (Ashkenazim); Isaiah 42:5-21 (Sephardim)

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Lunch and Learn meets Mondays at 12:30 PM on Zoom and Facebook Live. 

On October 20, we'll be at Ein Ya'akov Yevamot, p. 44 (BT Yevamot 63b) - 

'...אמר רבא אשה רעה מצוה לגרשה'   - 'Raba said: "It is meritorious to divorce a bad wife ..."'

Ein Ya'akov (Glick edition) is available for on-line reading or as a downloadable PDF at:

https://hebrewbooks.org/9630 
A pointed Hebrew text version with different pagination is available at Sefaria: 
https://www.sefaria.org/Ein_Yaakov?tab=contents  

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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/ 
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EARNING “GOOD” BY DOING GOOD

'And God said, "Let us make humanity in our image, after our likeness." ..... And God created humanity in God's own image; in the image of God did God create it; male and female, God created them.' Genesis 1:26-7

After creating plants, "God saw that it was good." (Gen. 1:12) After creating the fish and birds, "God saw that it was good." (1:21) After creating crawling things and land animals, "God saw that it was good." (1:25) At the end of all of this creating, "God saw everything that God had made, and behold, it was very good." (1:31)

In the context of all that had been created, humanity was part of all that was very good. However, even though God created humanity in the image and likeness of God, God did not see that humanity was itself good. How could it be that humanity, which the Torah regards as the acme of creation, with dominion over all the earth, could not be seen by God as good?

"The Sixth Day of Creation" - Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld, 1860

It is exactly because humanity differs from all other creation. We alone are created in the image and likeness of God. There is an interesting little comment on this verse offered by "Haderush V'ha'iyun". He says, "Of all God's creatures, only humanity has the ability to do what they consider to be correct, in accordance with their will. In that, humans resemble their Creator. 'And the advantage of humans over the beast is not' (Ecclesiastes 3:19). The advantage that humans have over the beast is 'not' - that they have the ability to say 'no'. That is 'in His image, in the image of God.'"

So, only we have freewill. But let's not fool ourselves. We are not God; we are _only_ an image, _only_ a likeness - not exact duplicates. Our tradition teaches that everything that God wills is good. But as for us, "if one desires to conduct himself along the path of good and to be righteous, he is free to do so; and if one desires the path of wickedness and to be evil, he is free to do so.... The Creator does not decree humanity to be good or bad" (Maimonides) We are not seen by God, or by ourselves, as good unless we choose to be good, unless we choose to say “no” to wrongdoing. Unlike insects and vegetables, we have to _earn_ the title "good".

Shabbat Shalom!

Rabbi Richard A. Flom
Rabbi Emeritus
Temple B’nai Hayim
.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 
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IT SHOULD ONLY COME TO PASS

Tishrei 19, 5786 / October 10-11, 2025

Shabbat Chol Hamo'ed Sukkot 

Torah: Exodus 33:12 - 34:26 

Maftir: Numbers 29:23-28

Haftarah: Ezekiel 38:18 - 39:16

Book of Ecclesiastes 

Tishrei 22 / October 13-14
Sh’mini Atzeret
Torah: Deuteronomy 14:22 – 16:17
Maftir: Numbers 29:35 – 30:1
Haftarah: 1 Kings 8:54-66
 
Tishrei 23 / October 14-15
Simchat Torah
Torah:  23 Deuteronomy 33:1 – 26; Genesis 1:1 – 2:3
Maftir: Numbers 29:35 – 30:1
Haftarah: Joshua 1:1-18

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This d'var torah is offered in memory of my aunt, Helen Schugar, whose yahrzeit was yesterday, the second day of Sukkot. Y'hi zikhronah liv'rakhah - her memory is a blessing.

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Some excellent on-line resources are available for Sukkot/Sh’mini Atzeret/Simchat Torah at:
https://www.myjewishlearning.com/ 

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Lunch and Learn meets Mondays at 12:30 PM on Zoom and Facebook Live. 

On October 13, we'll be at Ein Ya'akov Yevamot, p. 44 (BT Yevamot 63b) - 

'...אמר רבא אשה רעה מצוה לגרשה'   - 'Raba said: "It is meritorious to divorce a bad wife ..."'

Ein Ya'akov (Glick edition) is available for on-line reading or as a downloadable PDF at:

https://hebrewbooks.org/9630 
A pointed Hebrew text version with different pagination is available at Sefaria: 
https://www.sefaria.org/Ein_Yaakov?tab=contents  

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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/ 
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IT SHOULD ONLY COME TO PASS
 
“V'zot Hab'rakhah” is the concluding parashah of the Torah, and it is not read on a Shabbat, but only on the holiday of Simchat Torah. It is also notable for being chanted on the night of Simchat Torah (the only nighttime Torah reading of the year). The opening words are, "And this is the blessing by which Moses, the man of God, blessed the Israelites before his death." Deuteronomy 33:1

"The Death of Moses" - Providence Lithograph Company, 1907

Near the conclusion of his blessing, Moses says the following: "And Israel shall dwell in safety, the fountain of Jacob alone; in a land of corn and wine, yea, his heavens shall drop down dew." Deuteronomy 33:28

Some of the classic commentaries on the above verse suggest that the Jewish people were to dwell solitarily, as punishment for their sins. According to them, this was fulfilled in the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple as described in the Book of Lamentations, and the subsequent Babylonian Exile. 

However, Rashi (who was also a vintner) rejects such a reading, and has a very different understanding of the verse. He comments: "Each individual will be dispersed under his own vine and fig tree, without any need of coming together out of fear of the enemy."

This seems much more in keeping with the idea of a blessing. What a blessing it would be if everyone, Jew, Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, any religion, no religion, not to mention various political positions, could reside in peace and tranquility under the Biblical symbols of plenty, the vine and the fig tree. We should also note the conjunction of this parashah and the Festival of Sukkot, which concludes on Monday. We will have spent a week praying that God would shelter us within God’s Sukkat Shalom, the Tent of Peace.

And now, after two years of horror for the people of Israel and the people of Gaza, we might, B'H, be on the verge of a lasting peace. 
 
So, in the spirit of Rashi, I offer this simple prayer: Harachaman hu yivarekh otanu kulanu yachad b'virkat shalom - May the Merciful One bless us, all of us together as one, with the blessing of peace.

It should only come to pass.
 
Mo’adim L’Simchah! Chagim Uz’manim L’sason! Shabbat Shalom! Chag Shemini Atzeret Sameach! Chag Simchat Torah Sameach!
 
Rabbi Richard A. Flom
Rabbi Emeritus
Temple B’nai Hayim
.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 
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YOU CAN’T GIVE UP!

Tishrei 12, 5786 / October 3-4, 2025

Parashat Ha'azinu (Shabbat Shuvah) 
Torah Reading: Deuteronomy 32:1-52
Haftarah: 2 Samuel 22:1-51

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SUKKOT is coming! Get your hut built and your lulav/etrog before sundown, Monday, October 6. And of course, there will be PIZZA IN THE HUT at the home of Rabbi Flom and Lynn Kronzek on Sunday, October 12, at 4:00 PM. Please RSVP (essential) to the Temple B'nai Hayim office:

temple@templebnaihayim.org or (818) 788-4664

No cost, but we need to know if you'll be coming to the event to be sure we have enough food and drink. Address and contact info provided when you RSVP.

Chag Sukkot Sameach!

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This d'var torah is offered in memory of the victims of Hamas who were murdered by the terrorists on October 7, 2023. Y'hi zikhronam liv'rakhah - Their memories are a blessing.

This d’var torah is offered for a refuah shleimah and a speedy and safe return of all the hostages being held by Hamas.

This d’var torah is offered for an end to the hunger crisis in Gaza.

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Lunch and Learn meets Mondays at 12:30 PM on Zoom and Facebook Live. 

On October 13, we'll be at Ein Ya'akov Yevamot, p. 44 (BT Yevamot 63b) - 

'...אמר רבא אשה רעה מצוה לגרשה'   - 'Raba said: "It is meritorious to divorce a bad wife ..."'

Ein Ya'akov (Glick edition) is available for on-line reading or as a downloadable PDF at:

https://hebrewbooks.org/9630 
A pointed Hebrew text version with different pagination is available at Sefaria: 
https://www.sefaria.org/Ein_Yaakov?tab=contents  

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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/ 
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Please feel free to pass this on to a friend, and please cite the source.
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“For from afar, you will see the land, but you will not come there, to the land I am giving the children of Israel.” Deuteronomy 32:52
 
Rabbi Tarfon taught: “It is not incumbent upon you to finish the task; neither are you free to refrain from it.” Avot 2:16

The Death of Moses, Deuteronomy 34:1-12. Illustration from a Bible card published 1907 by the Providence Lithograph Company. Wikimedia

Moses already knows he is going to die – before he is able to completely accomplish the assignment he had been given forty years before – leading the Israelites into what will thereafter be known as the Land of Israel. Yet, even to his dying day, he continues to carry out his duties as the leader of the Israelites, still asking God to permit him to go into the land with them. Once he knew he would not be allowed, he didn’t throw in the towel – he didn’t say, “Well, there’s no further reason to do this anymore, since I can’t finish the job.”
 
That’s how it is to be a Jew – that’s how it is for every human being. It’s up to every one of us to strive to accomplish our work and to fulfill our obligations for as long as we are able. Others will pick up where we have left off. Moses knew that Joshua would take up the mantle of leadership afterward – that’s one of the reasons he continued to serve as Joshua’s mentor. Similarly, we should all know that if we give up on the holy enterprise of living lives of meaning and goodness, our children and our community might well assume that there is no point to that task at all – pursuing the work means it will continue after us.
 
Another way to understand Rabbi Tarfon is this: The Israelites’ release from Egyptian bondage created the freedom to act on, rather than to reject, the responsibility to willingly serve others. And Moses was their model to follow.
 
Don’t give up!

Wishing you Shabbat Shalom and Chag Sukkot Sameach!

Rabbi Richard A. Flom

Rabbi Emeritus, Temple B’nai Hayim

.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, 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 

THIS IS AWESOME!

Parashat Vayeilekh

Shabbat Shuvah - The Sabbath of Return

Torah: Deuteronomy 31:1-30

Haftarah: Hosea 14:2-10; Micah 7:18-20

Tishrei 5, 5786 / September 26-27, 2025

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Tashlikh – This Sunday, September 28, 10:00 am at Los Encinos State Park – 16756 Moorpark St., Encino. PLEASE DO NOT BRING BREADCRUMBS. Birdseed will be provided. But please do bring snacks/drinks for yourself, and maybe a shofar!

Yom Kippur begins Wednesday evening! Kol Nidrei Service is at 5:45 pm SHARP. If you have not already done so, please submit your Membership/High Holy Day forms ASAP! Or call the synagogue office!

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This d'var torah is offered in memory of my uncle, Sidney Schugar, z'l, whose yahrzeit falls on Thursday, Tishrei 10 - Yom Kippur. Y’hi zikhro liv’rakhah – his memory is a blessing.

This d’var torah is offered for a refuah shleimah and a speedy and safe return of all the hostages being held by Hamas.

This d’var torah is offered for an end to the hunger crisis in Gaza.

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Lunch and Learn meets Mondays at 12:30 PM on Zoom and Facebook Live. 

On September 29, we'll be at Ein Ya'akov Yevamot, p. 42 (BT Yevamot 63a) - 

' ...וא"ר אלעזר עתידין'  - "Rabbi Elazar also said: 'In the future...'"

Ein Ya'akov (Glick edition) is available for on-line reading or as a downloadable PDF at:

https://hebrewbooks.org/9630 
A pointed Hebrew text version with different pagination is available at Sefaria: 
https://www.sefaria.org/Ein_Yaakov?tab=contents  
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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/ 

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

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THIS IS AWESOME!

“And that their children who have not known may hear and learn to fear (to hold in awe) the Lord your God, all the days you live in the land where you go over the Jordan to possess it.” Deuteronomy 31:13

The word translated as “to fear”, l’yira, might also be translated as “to hold in awe”. Indeed, these days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are known as “Yamim Nora’im” - the Days of Awe, not the Days of Fear, even though nora'im and yira share the same root. 

Note 1: The verses immediately preceding our verse instruct all the Jewish people to gather together to hear the reading of the Torah - to learn how to practice Judaism. We do this now in the synagogue, on Shabbat, Mondays and Thursdays, New Moons and Holy Days.

Note 2: Since the dispersion following the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 C.E. until 1948, few Jews physically lived in the Land of Israel - i.e., “over the Jordan” - but all lived there spiritually. Yet, they continued, even to today, even though most Jews still do not live in the Land of Israel, to hold God in awe and to hear and to learn, and to practice Judaism. I want to suggest that it is not only God that is awesome, but that the verses mean to tell us that the Torah and Judaism as we know it (and as it is still developing) are also awesome! Our ancestors knew this – and so should we all!

The best way, perhaps the only way, to hear and learn how to practice awesome Judaism is to come together, in synagogues and in study halls and in living rooms, and study Torah. We don’t have to be physically "over the Jordan", in the Land of Israel; we can be anywhere, and these days, thanks to the internet, we don’t even have to be in the same time zone, let alone the same room.

Go to a synagogue; join a Jewish learning program; gather together with other Jews and experience the awesomeness of it all!

Shabbat Shalom! Wishing you a g’mar chatimah tovah umetukah - May you be completely sealed for a good and sweet new year!

Rabbi Richard A. Flom

Rabbi Emeritus, Temple B'nai Hayim

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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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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ONE GOOD TURN DESERVES ANOTHER

Parashat Nitzavim

Torah: Deuteronomy 29:9 – 30:20

Haftarah: Isaiah 61:10 - 63:9 (Seventh Haftarah of Consolation)

Elul 27, 5785 / September 19-20, 2025

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ROSH HASHANAH starts this Monday evening, September 22! Happy Birthday to the world! Happy rebirth to us all!

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This d'var torah is offered in loving memory of my grandmother, Cora Slome, z'l, whose yahrzeit falls on Sunday, Elul 28. Y’hi zikhronah liv’rakhah – her memory is a blessing.

This d'var torah is offered in memory of Rabbi Meier Schimmel, z'l, whose yahrzeit falls on Friday, Elul 26. Y’hi zikhro liv’rakhah – his memory is a blessing.

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Lunch and Learn meets Mondays at 12:30 PM on Zoom and Facebook Live. 

NO LUNCH AND LEARN on September 22.

On September 29, we'll be at Ein Ya'akov Yevamot, p. 42 (BT Yevamot 63a) - 

' ...וא"ר אלעזר עתידין'  - "Rabbi Elazar also said: 'In the future...'"

Ein Ya'akov (Glick edition) is available for on-line reading or as a downloadable PDF at:

https://hebrewbooks.org/9630 
A pointed Hebrew text version with different pagination is available at Sefaria: 
https://www.sefaria.org/Ein_Yaakov?tab=contents  
---------------------------------------------------------------------- 

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

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ONE GOOD TURN DESERVES ANOTHER

These final few days leading up to Rosh Hashanah and the Days of Awe and through Yom Kippur ought to be a time of introspection and repentance. Jewish tradition teaches that during this time, we should repent and make amends for all the wrongs we have done, to God, to our relatives, to our friends, to everyone with whom we have a relationship. The Hebrew word for repentance is "teshuvah". The root of this word, "shuv", appears seven times in our parashah, at Deuteronomy 30:1-10. The word connotes repentance, turning, returning, turning around, and recalling. It has active and reflexive forms.

"... and you shall recall (v'hasheivota) them to your mind ..." 30:1

"...and you shall return (v'shavta) to the Lord your God ..." 30:2

"...and the Lord your God will return (v'shav) your captivity and have compassion upon you, and will return (v'shav) and gather you from all the peoples ..." 30:3

"...and you shall return (tashuv) and hearken to the voice of the Lord ..." 30:8

"... for the Lord will return (yashuv) to rejoice over you for good ..." 30:9

"... if you turn (tashuv) to the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul." 30:10

R. Shlomo of Radomsk once asked, ‘if the Torah states in verse two that "you shall return to the Lord your God", implying repentance, why does it say so again in verse eight?’ He answers that before a person begins to repent, he doesn't even know what offenses he has committed - he doesn't know what he doesn't know. Only after the first steps of teshuvah, through the process of cheshbon hanefesh (accounting of the soul) does one realize the enormity of their wrongs. So, one begins to ascend, step by step, in spiritual development. It's not a one-shot deal.

The point of this is not to afflict one’s soul, though that might be a small consequence of it, but to return oneself to the good life. What is the good life? It’s a life of goodness, purpose, meaning, ethics, values, service, loyalty, duty – in short, virtuousness without self-righteousness. Each of us, it seems, is a self-improvement project.

Sounds daunting, doesn’t it? What R. Shlomo doesn't say, perhaps because it was obvious to him, is the role that God plays in all of this. It's a two-way conversation. We turn toward God; God turns toward us. We move closer to God; God moves closer to us. We repent; God draws us into greater repentance. And repentance, teshuvah, turning ourselves around, leads us to the good life.

How do we start? The answer is found in the concluding sentence of "Etz Chaim", recited at the conclusion of every Torah service. "Bring us back (hashiveinu), Lord, to You, and we will return (v'nashuvah); renew our days as of old." Lamentations 5:21. We seriously ask God to help us repent, and we are on our way!

Shabbat Shalom! 

L'shanah Tovah Umetukah Tikateivu V'tichateimu - May you be inscribed and sealed for a good and sweet new year!

Rabbi Richard A. Flom

Rabbi Emeritus, Temple B’nai Hayim

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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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 

REJOICE IN THEIR REJOICING

Parashat Ki Tavo

Torah: Deuteronomy 26:1 - 29:8

Haftarah: Isaiah 60:1-22 (6th haftarah of consolation)

Elul 20, 5785 / September 12-13, 2025

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ROSH HASHANAH begins the evening of Monday, September 22! And TBH's Selichot service in preparation for the High Holy Days is this Saturday evening, September 13, at 7:45 PM in person and on Zoom.

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This d’var torah is offered for a refuah shleimah and a speedy and safe return of all the hostages being held by Hamas.

This d’var torah is offered for an end to the hunger crisis in Gaza.

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Lunch and Learn meets Mondays at 12:30 PM on Zoom and Facebook Live. 

On September 15, we'll be at Ein Ya'akov Yevamot, p. 42 (BT Yevamot 63a) - 

' ...וא"ר אלעזר עתידין'  - "Rabbi Elazar also said: 'In the future...'"

NO LUNCH AND LEARN on September 22.

Ein Ya'akov (Glick edition) is available for on-line reading or as a downloadable PDF at:

https://hebrewbooks.org/9630 
A pointed Hebrew text version with different pagination is available at Sefaria: 
https://www.sefaria.org/Ein_Yaakov?tab=contents  
---------------------------------------------------------------------- 

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.

--------------------------------------------------------------

REJOICE IN THEIR REJOICING

“¹¹And you shall rejoice in all the good which the LORD your God has given to you, and to your house - you, and the Levite, and the stranger who is in the midst of you. ¹²When you have concluded tithing all the tithe of your increase in the third year, which is the year of tithing, then you shall give it to the Levite, to the stranger, to the fatherless, and to the widow, that they may eat within your gates, and be satisfied. ¹³You shall say before the LORD your God, ‘I have put away the holy thing out of my house, and also have given it to the Levite, and to the stranger, to the fatherless, and to the widow, according to all Your commandments which You have commanded me: I have not transgressed any of Your commandments, neither have I forgotten them: ¹⁴I have not eaten of it in my mourning, neither have I put away of it while unclean, nor given of it for the dead: I have listened to the voice of the LORD my God; I have done according to all that You have commanded me.’” Deuteronomy 26:11-14

 
Rashi on verse 14: “I have rejoiced and caused others to rejoice.”

Image courtesy ariesjay on Pixabay

 
The Torah commentary Mikra Meforash makes this comment on Rashi: “All of the Torah is encompassed in the commandment, ‘You shall love your fellow as yourself.’ (referencing Rabbi Akiva’s dictum in Sifra Kedoshim) By helping others to rejoice, one fulfills this commandment, and is thus able to say, ‘I have done according to all that You have commanded me.’”
 
The third- and sixth-year tithe (10%) ma’aser shlishi (the third tithe) is also known as ma’aser ani – the tithe for the poor. With the destruction of the Temple, the two other agricultural tithes fell away, but ma’aser ani morphed into the rabbinic commandment of ma’aser kesafim – an annual tithe of money income. It is also more commonly known as the basis of tzedakah – charity, derived from tzedek - justice.

Setting aside 10% of one’s income (Maimonides says 20%) and donating it as tzedakah for the poor allows them to rejoice, to eat, and to be satisfied. In doing so, one fulfills what Rabbi Akiva called “the fundamental principle of the Torah” – loving one’s fellow as oneself.
 
If you are in a position to give tzedakah, rejoice in that happy status – but first, fulfill that central commandment - show your love and dedication to others by causing them to rejoice - with you.
 

Shabbat Shalom!

Rabbi Richard A. Flom
Rabbi Emeritus, Temple B’nai Hayim

שְׁתִיקָה כְּהוֹדָאָה דָמְיָא

Silence is like consent. 

BT Yevamot 87b

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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