Tikkun Leil Shavuot

Special Shavuot Study Session

Hashem, the Jewish people and Torah are one, Echad!

Let us gather together as we once again participate in the magic

and mystery of receiving the Torah anew.

Tuesday evening, May 22nd
8:30 p.m.
Beth Shalom Synagogue - Social Hall

Rabbi David Siff
“The Ethics of Everyday Life: Jewish Business Ethics and Moral Dilemmas”

Rabbi Hesh Epstein
“The Chassidus of Shavout"

Rebecca Pinsker
Heal the Heart, Lie on the Earth: “God was in this place and I did not know it…” Gen 28:16

Dr. Leon Spotts
“The Mystery and Marvels of Chag Ha-Shavuot”

Rebbetzins Chavi Epstein & Tanya Siff

8:30 p.m. Festive supper will be served.
9:30 p.m. - 12 midnight Learning Sessions

Don't forget Shavuot services
Wednesday, May 23 - 10:30 a.m. - Shavuot Services
Wednesday, May 23 - 5:00 p.m. Last day of Hebrew school
“Applying The 10 Commandments In Our Life” family program & dinner.
Thursday, May 24 - 9:45 a.m. (Yizkor approx. 11:15 a.m.) Shavuot Services

Parshat Bemidbar

Parshat Bemidbar
(Hosea 2:1-22)
May 19, 2007

This week's haftarah opens its message on a positive note: "The number of the people of Israel shall be like the sands of the sea, which cannot be measured or counted; and instead of being told: 'You are Not My People,' they shall be called 'Children of the Living God'. The people of Judah and the people of Israel shall assemble together and appoint one head over them; and they shall rise from the ground - for marvelous shall be the day of Jezreel! Oh, call your brothers 'My people' and your sisters 'Lovingly Accepted'" (Verses 1-3) However, immediately afterwards, the prophet continues from the first chapter, his tirade against the people's disloyalty to God. This curious juxtaposition was noticed by Rabbi Joseph Kara (12th century France), who commented: "Thus is the manner of [biblical] reproof, everywhere you find reproof, you find consolation at its side."

This same tact is found later in the prophecy. Hosea, who is famous for using the metaphor of a failed marriage to describe Israel's disloyalty to God, eventually returns to the hope that the relationship between God and His people will ultimately be repaired. He describes the restored marriage in these words: "And in that day, declared the Lord, You will call [Me] Ishi (my Man) and no more will you call Me Baali (my Master). (Verse 18) Rashi comments that this verse implies that the relationship between God and Israel will become one of love and not one of servitude.

The following midrash turns this outlook into a theological expression: "Thus opened Rabbi Tanhuma bar Aba: 'For your plans are not like My plans, nor are My ways like your ways – declared the Lord' (Isaiah 56:8) [This means that] the qualities of the Holy One Blessed Be He are different than the qualities of flesh and blood. Flesh and blood when they declare a verdict, they do not rescind it. The Holy One Blessed Be He willingly rescinds His verdicts. Similarly, there is nary a prophet who does not strike (chastise) Israel, who does not turn and give them a bandage and cure them (offer a remedy to the sin). The mouth which said about Israel: 'You are not My [God's] wife' (Verse 4) turned around and cured this troubled relationship: 'And in that day, declared the Lord, You [Israel] will call [Me] My Man.' (Verse 18)" (adapted and abridged from Pesikta Rabbati 48, Ish Shalom ed. p. 173a)

The prophet's message is, on the one hand, an angry one, brought on by Israel's disloyalty. This alienation, however, is qualified. God yearns to restore His lost intimacy and closeness with His people. God's response should not remain exclusively a divine one. It should become a model for human relationships as well.

This study piece is offered as a service of the United Synagogue Conservative Yeshiva. It is prepared by Rabbi Mordechai (Mitchell) Silverstein, senior lecturer in Talmud and Midrash at the Conservative Yeshiva. He is a graduate of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America.

With the permission of The United Synagogue Conservative Yeshiva in Jerusalem, Rabbi Edward S. Romm - Director of Education
© 2007

Shabbat Shalom,

Henry Ray Wengrow
Ritual Chair
Beth Shalom

Weekly Announcements, April 29 - May 13

Omer Collection: Bring a box of cereal every time you come into the building, and we will donate it to those in need.

Upcoming Events:
Wednesday May 2, 7 p.m. Eastern Europe Trip Meeting at the CJCC. Please join us if you are interested in taking a group trip to Eastern Europe in May or June of 2008. Warsaw, Krakow, Prague, and Budapest. Explore your family roots.about the Jewish communities there today. We will discuss dates, cost, and itinerary.more information, call Minda Miller.

Saturday May 5, 9:45 a.m. Shabbat morning services, 10:45 a.m.
Junior Congregation 11:15 a.m. “My Shabbat” Come enjoy a special Shabbat Program just for you and your pre-first grade child. This Shabbat service is geared for ages Kindergarten and below with loads of movement, singing, dancing, and stories! Special lunch for the “younger set,” call Heidi Lovit or the synagogue office to RSVP.

Sunday May 6, 11:30 a.m. Lag B'Omer program ⁄ B 'nai Mitzvah Parent Meeting.

Friday May 11, 6 p.m. “Shabbat Rocks” Shabbat evening services

Saturday May 12, 9:45 a.m. Shabbat Services
Junior Congregation 10:45 a.m.

Sunday May 13, 11:30 a.m. 1st & 2nd Grade Family Shabbat Program.

Adult Education:

• Thursdays 5:15-6:15 p.m. Pirke Avot “The Ethics of our Fathers.” This study group is being facilitated by Dr. Henry Ray Wengrow.
• Saturdays 1:30-2:15 p.m. Rabbi's Class - Torah ideals in everyday life.
  5⁄5--Theft & Coveting in Everyday Life
  5⁄12--Taking Responsibility for our Actions
  5⁄19--Preventing Danger and Harm
  5⁄26--Relationships with Neighbors
  6⁄1--Rabbi Away

From this week's parsha: You shall not go out as a talebearer among your people (Lev 19:16). This is the prohibition against lashon hara, derogatory speech. Some details of the prohibition against lashon hara:
1. Includes derogatory comments, even true ones
2. Includes seemingly harmless comments that could potentially cause financial loss, pain, or mental anguish (e.g. "Oh, I heard she's already found a job")
3. Includes nonverbal communication: facial expression, gestures, etc.
4. Includes jokes.
5. It’s lashon hara even if it is derogatory but won’t cause any damage
6. Includes criticism of someone’s actions or character traits
7. Includes both strangers and relatives (even children and parents)
8. Includes telling things to a parent or spouse, unless you are asking them as your confidante to help you figure out what to do.
9. Includes implications (e.g. “let’s not talk about that”)
10. One may speak negatively about someone who intentionally and repeatedly violates severe offenses.
11. For a constructive purpose (“toelet”), one should convey negative information (e.g. “Should I hire X?”) exemption only applies if the information is absolutely true, you tried to tell the original person but he⁄she would not change, there is no chance you misinterpreted X’s actions, and you cannot achieve the result in any other way.

Love your neighbor as yourself (Lev 19:18) Some ways our tradition suggests that we can fulfill this mitzvah:
1. visit someone who is ill (and doing anything for them which you can)
2. comfort someone who is mourning
3. help someone get married, or help someone rejoice at their wedding
4. inviting and being hospitable to guests
5. attending and helping at a funeral
6. tell someone who acts in ways that look odd about how their behavior appears (i.e. helpful feedback)
7. lending money or other items
8. pray for someone’s wellbeing
9. when at work, have the intention to make your product to benefit the consumer and not just to make money
10. forgiving someone who has wronged you
11. teaching others Torah
12. greeting someone cheerfully
13. making change for somebody
14. run to tell someone good news
15. helping people obtain kosher food if they can’t procure it
16. protecting others from injury
17. share others’ feelings of sorrow and suffering
18. feel happiness for other peoples’ good fortune
19. warning someone about possible loss or damage
20. picking up someone’s clothes if they are on the floor
21. giving helpful advice when possible
22. cheering up someone who is sad or lonely
23. write letters to or call relatives
24. being quiet around someone who is sleeping
25. not cursing or getting angry at others
26. not causing any unpleasantness (e.g. scratching nails on a chalkboard, cracking knuckles, talking loudly, or squeaking sneakers on the floor)
27. not keeping anybody waiting
28. prevent someone from suffering
29. judging others favorably (dan lecaf zehut)
30. not speaking lashon hara (see above)
31. saving others from needless exertion
32. loving even our parents, spouse, siblings, and children
33. spending money on this mitzvah just like for other mitzvot (hidur mitzvah)