Torah Thoughts for Today
Shabbat B`hukotai 5771
Rabbi Mark Mallach
Temple Beth Ahm Yisrael, Springfield, NJ

JEWISH HERITAGE TOUR OF EUROPE
Led by Rabbi Mark & Genya Mallach
October 23 – November 3, 2011
For more information, contact Barry Segal: SegalIrisBar@comcast.net
NEXT INFORMATION MEETING, Tuesday, June 14th, 8 PM

NEXT POTENTIAL CONGREGATIONAL ISRAEL TOUR
There have been inquiries about the next potential congregation Israel tour, such an event depends on several factors:
1. When? Possible time-frames: February or March, 2012, Summer 2012
2. Having a nucleus of participants to make it viable – 20 adult minimum
3. Having a chairman to organize
If anyone is interested, please let me know and we can discuss the possibilities (NOTE: HAVE GOTTEN SEVERAL RESPONSES, INTEREST IS CLEARLY GROWING…)

IMPORTANT NOTES FOLLOW BELOW
SHABBAT B`HUKOTAI
May 21, 2011 – 17 Iyar 5771
Annual: Leviticus 26:3 – 27:34 (Etz Hayim, p. 747; Hertz p. 542)
Triennial: Leviticus 26:3 – 27:15 (Etz Hayim, p. 747; Hertz p. 542)
Haftarah: Jeremiah 16:19 – 17:14 (Etz Hayim, p. 763; Hertz p. 551)
Prepared by Rabbi Joseph Prouser
Baldwin, New York
“If you follow My laws and faithfully observe My commandments, I will grant your rains in their season, so that the earth shall yield its produce and the trees of the field their fruit.” (Leviticus 26:3-4)
Commentary:
“From now on, your behavior, not the whim of the gods or slave drivers, will determine your fate. By accepting a code of law, you become responsible for what you do and the result will not be a matter of luck. It may be a harsh law, but there will be no surprises. To the men and women at Sinai, this must have been revolutionary. For the first time, what they do matters.” (Shulamith Hareven)
“The difference between our Torah and other ancient and modern law codes is that the chief aim of the law codes is to establish law and order in society, whereas the chief aim of the Torah is to enable man to become fully human.” (Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan)
“Hebraic religion cannot and will not admit that society is the whole of life or that any social institution whatever is above judgment and criticism in terms of the ‘higher law’ revealed in the divine imperative. It says no to society or the state or the church when any of these dares to exalt itself and call for the worship of total allegiance.” (Will Herberg)
“Judaism rises and falls in accordance with the degree to which halachah permeates and penetrates the life of the Jewish people. Despite the occasional successes scored by secular Judaism, and the apparent growth in some branches of Judaism that do not maintain halachah, the lasting quality of Judaism and the Jewish people is intimately tied up with the observance of mitzvot ma’asiyot, the religious practices that characterize Jewish life and give it the dimension of holiness.” (Rabbi Isaac Klein)
“Law is the projection of an imagined future upon reality.” (Robert Cover)
“At his best, man is the noblest of all animals; separated from law and justice he is the worst.” (Aristotle)

Sparks for Discussion:
How are law and obligation liberating, as Shulamith Hareven suggests? How are our restrictive or exclusive relationships, in fact, freeing? What elements of Jewish belief and practice reinforce this principle?
In the twenty-first century, Jewish law is non-coercive; that is, there is little mechanism for enforcement or sanction against the noncompliant. What incentives impel Jews to commit themselves to the covenantal system and a halachic lifestyle?
How might Rabbi Klein, an important mid-twentieth-century pulpit rabbi, halachic decisor, and author of the influential Guide to Jewish Religious Practice, explain the correlation between observance of the mitzvot and Jewish communal vibrancy and spiritual experience? That same correlation seems to be an inherent aspect of the divine promise in our verse. Does the social reality Rabbi Klein observes substantiate the blessings and curses of Parashat Bechukotai? What other forces contribute to the historic pattern he describes?
How does our individual – even private – observance of Jewish religious practice contribute to securing a Jewish future and affect the spiritual condition of our religious communities? What are the consequences should we neglect the mitzvot?
What are some of the ways in which Jewish tradition and the law at its core help us “to become more fully human”?
Your thoughts are always welcome…

REMINDERS:

A. Tuesday, May 17th, 6:30 PM: Teen Institute Closing BBQ at Rabbi Mallach’s house – Kitah Zayin students are our invited special guests – Frisbees welcome – NOTE DUE TO RAIN – RESCHEDULED FOR NEXT TUESDAY THE 24TH – TI WILL MEET TONIGHT IN THE TEMPLE
B. Thursday, May 19th:
1. 6 PM: Women’s League Donor Dinner
2. 7:45 PM: Torah on Tap
C. Sunday, May 22nd :
1. 8:55 AM: Morning Minyan
2. 5 PM: “A Very Special Evening” – Night of TBAY Stars
3. 7:45 PM: Evening Minyan
D. Tuesday, May 17th, 6:30 PM: Teen Institute Closing BBQ at Rabbi Mallach’s house – Kitah Zayin students are our invited special guests – Frisbees welcome [RAIN DATE = 5/24]
E. Wednesday, May 25th:
1. 12:30 PM: Women’s Torah Study Group
2. 7 PM: Screening of the documentary film, Race to Nowhere – for ticket information go to – http://www.eventbrite.com/event/1569966813/efblike

F. Friday, June 3rd, 6:30 PM: ShabbaTis4U & presentation of the award letters for the Dora Sugarman Memorial Scholarship for College Judaic Studies
G. Saturday, June 4th,9:30 AM: Bat Mitzvah of Marissa Chusid
H. Sunday, June 5th, 10 AM: Touched By Grief session
I. Tuesday, June 7th, Erev Shavuot
1. 7:45 PM: Minha followed by Maariv Service & Siyyum Tihon – Conclusion Of High School Studies – Temple Beth Ahm Yisrael’s Teen Institute: Join us as we honor Jamie Berger, Dana Meyerhardt, Stacey Shewitz and David Wasserman on the completion of 4 years of Hebrew High studies in our Teen Institute
2. 8:30 PM – Oneg l`Shavuot
3. 8:57 PM – Tikkun Liel Shavuot: Shavuot Study Session Begins: Exploring Jewish Myths – Can a Jew with a Tattoo be Buried in a Jewish Cemetery and Other Myths.
J. Wednesday, June 8th, 9:30 AM: Yom Tov shel Shavuot services in the sanctuary – includes Yizkor
K. Friday, June 10th:
1. 6:30 PM: President’s Dinner for Installation Shabbat – RSVP to: office@templebethahmyisrael.com
2. 8:00 PM: Installation Shabbat & a Tribute to Martin Shindler, may his memory be for a blessing, a TBAY past-president

L. Saturday, June 11th,9:30 AM:
1. Bat Mitzvah of Rochelle Shvartsman
1. AufRuf of Dan Poltrock & Michelle Rosenthal
M. Tuesday, June 14, 7:45 PM – Meeting for those interested in the Jewish Heritage Tour of Europe

You can also visit my website at: http://ridinrebbe.com/

For updated information go to: http://www.tbaynj.org/

Torah Thoughts for Today
Shabbat B`har 5771
Rabbi Mark Mallach
Temple Beth Ahm Yisrael, Springfield, NJ

Tuesday, May 10th, 4 – 9 PM:
Community Yom Ha`Atzmaut (Israel’s Independance Day) Celebration, Aidekman Campus, JFMW, Whippany, NJ

JEWISH HERITAGE TOUR OF EUROPE
Led by Rabbi Mark & Genya Mallach
October 23 – November 3, 2011
For more information, contact Barry Segal: SegalIrisBar@comcast.net
NEXT INFORMATION MEETING, Tuesday, June 14th, 8 PM

NEXT POTENTIAL CONGREGATIONAL ISRAEL TOUR
There have been inquiries about the next potential congregation Israel tour, such an event depends on several factors:
1. When? Possible time-frames: February or March, 2012, Summer 2012
2. Having a nucleus of participants to make it viable – 20 adult minimum
3. Having a chairman to organize
If anyone is interested, please let me know and we can discuss the possibilities (NOTE: HAVE GOTTEN SEVERAL RESPONSES, INTEREST IS CLEARLY GROWING…)

IMPORTANT NOTES FOLLOW BELOW
SHABBAT B`HAR
May 14, 2011 – 10 Iyar 5771
Annual: Leviticus 25:1 – 26:2 (Etz Hayim, p. 738; Hertz p. 531)
Triennial: Leviticus 25:1 – 25:38 (Etz Hayim, p. 738; Hertz p. 531)
Haftarah: Jeremiah 32:6 – 27 (Etz Hayim, p. 759; Hertz p. 539)
Prepared by Rabbi Joseph Prouser
Baldwin, New York
“Do not wrong one another, but fear your God; for I am the Lord your God.” (Leviticus 25:17)
Commentary:
“Scripture is warning us against wronging another verbally, namely, that a person must not provoke his fellow, nor may you offer advice to him that is unsound for him though appropriate in the life – or to the benefit – of the advisor. If you say, ‘Who can tell whether I had evil intent?’ – it is for this reason that the Torah says, ‘And you shall fear your God.’ The One Who knows all thoughts – He discerns all matters of the heart, (ostensibly) known only to the individual who bears this thought in his mind. Of such an individual it is said, ‘And you shall fear your God.’” (Rashi)
“Any taking advantage of someone’s weakness, whether it pertains to buying and selling of fields, or raising false hopes, or in making tactless and derogatory remarks is not the Torah way.” (Rabbi Norman Schloss)
“Whoever does wrong, wrongs himself; whoever does injustice, does it to himself, making himself evil.” (Marcus Aurelius)
“After the passing of the Baal Shem Tov, his most devoted disciples gathered and repeated words of Torah they had heard from him, each according to his own understanding. Not many days later, the Baal Shem Tov appeared to a number of his students in a dream, and said to them: You turn your hearts only to my words of Torah, but you pay no attention to my fear of heaven!” (Livnat Ha-Sapir)
“Shame arises from the fear of men; conscience from the fear of God.” (Samuel Johnson)
“Only he can take great resolves who has indomitable faith in God, and fear of God.” (Mahatma Gandhi)
Sparks for Discussion:
Our verse appears in the parashah in the context of business and real estate transactions – especially as they will be affected by the unique conditions of the jubilee year. Yet the dual injunction to refrain from harming others and to fear God applies in countless scenarios and situations. What does the structure and context of the verse tell us about what it means to be Godfearing? How does the story of the Baal Shem Tov relate to this question and elucidate our verse?
It may fairly be said that Rashi’s description of God as knowing the secrets of every heart is the very essence of faith. To what extent are we – our characters, our contributions, our legacies, who we truly are – defined by popular perception and reputation, and to what extent by the hidden truth known only to God? How do we balance these motivational forces in charting a personal course of action?
Rashi, citing the Talmudic Tractate Baba Metzia, makes it clear that the ways in which we wrong others can be very subtle, perhaps even unintended. Are there situations in which a God-fearing person must recognize that what is appropriate or desirable in his or her own life would ill-serve another, and that a very different course should be undertaken? What are the limitations on this principle?
What is the difference between Johnson’s “conscience” and Gandhi’s “great resolves,” each said to arise from fear of God? Which is to be more highly prized?
“Fear” has very negative connotations, especially as an incentive to religious faith or piety. How is “fear of God” different from other uses of the term “fear”? Is there a more appealing or suitable way to express this concept? “Religious awe”? “Consequential faith”?
Your thoughts are always welcome…

REMINDERS:

A. Wednesday, May 11th, 7:45 PM: Adult Bar/t Mitzvah Class – Exploratory Meeting with Rabbi Mallach – interested? Join us to see what it involves
B. Friday, May 13th :
1. 6:30 PM: Kid’s Kabbalat Shabbat Program
2. 8 PM: Late service – Rachel Coalition Shabbat
C. Tuesday, May 17th, 6:30 PM: Teen Institute Closing BBQ at Rabbi Mallach’s house – Kitah Zayin students are our invited special guests – Frisbees welcome
D. Thursday, May 19th:
1. 6 PM: Women’s League Donor Dinner
2. 7:45 PM: Torah on Tap
E. Sunday, May 22nd, 5 PM: “A Very Special Evening”
F. Wednesday, May 25th, 12:30 PM: Women’s Torah Study Group
G. Friday, June 3rd, 6:30 PM: ShabbaTis4U & presentation of the award letters for the Dora Sugarman Memorial Scholarship for College Judaic Studies
H. Friday, June 10th:
1. 6:30 PM: President’s Dinner for Installation Shabbat – RSVP to: office@templebethahmyisrael.com
2. 8:00 PM:
a. Installation Shabbat
b. Tribute to Martin Shindler, may his memory be for a blessing, a TBAY past-president

You can also visit my website at: http://ridinrebbe.com/

For updated information go to: http://www.tbaynj.org/

Torah Thoughts for Today
Shabbat Emor 5771
Rabbi Mark Mallach
Temple Beth Ahm Yisrael, Springfield, NJ
Osama bin Laden Post-Script Note
Our world remains on heightened alert for reprisal attacks over the justice delivered to Osama bin Laden, and also Islamic outrage over which many in the Muslim world have described is the improper burial of Osama bin Laden. Juxtapose and contrast what our government did for Osama bin Laden to the decapitation and mutilation of the body of Daniel Pearl!

JEWISH HERITAGE TOUR OF EUROPE
Led by Rabbi Mark & Genya Mallach
October 23 – November 3, 2011
For more information, contact Barry Segal: SegalIrisBar@comcast.net

NEXT POTENTIAL CONGREGATIONAL ISRAEL TOUR
There have been inquiries about the next potential congregation Israel tour, such an event depends on several factors:
1. When? Possible time-frames: February or March, 2012, Summer 2012
2. Having a nucleus of participants to make it viable – 20 adult minimum
3. Having a chairman to organize
If anyone is interested, please let me know and we can discuss the possibilities (NOTE: HAVE GOTTEN SEVERAL RESPONSES, INTEREST IS CLEARLY GROWING…)

IMPORTANT NOTES FOLLOW BELOW
SHABBAT EMOR
May 7, 2011 – 3 Iyar 5771
Annual: Leviticus 21:1 – 24:23 (Etz Hayim, p. 717; Hertz p. 513)
Triennial: Leviticus 21:1 – 22:16 (Etz Hayim p. 717; Hertz p. 513)
Haftarah: Ezekiel 44:15 – 31 (Etz Hayim p. 735; Hertz p. 528)
Prepared by Rabbi Joseph Prouser
Baldwin, New York
Summary:
Much of parashat Emor is dedicated to the special obligations and elevated status of the Israelite priest, the kohain. Rashi emphasizes the hereditary nature of the priesthood by identifying the obligation for kohanim to instruct their children in these laws in the opening verses of this parashah. Reflecting the Jewish people’s preeminent concern with life and with godly behavior in this world – and perhaps as a reaction against the Egyptian preoccupation with funerary ritual and the afterlife – the kohain is forbidden direct contact with dead bodies, which are a source of ritual contamination. An exception is made only when the dead person is an immediate relative, and so the priest is a primary mourner.
The sanctity of the priest is also expressed through marital restrictions: the kohain is forbidden to marry either a divorced woman or a woman “defiled by harlotry.” The daughter of a kohain who engages in defiling sexual behavior, the Torah continues, thereby commits a capital offense, as her conduct impugns her father’s sanctity. The high priest’s even more restrictive obligations are detailed: he may not defile himself through contact with the dead even in order to mourn for his mother or father; he may marry only a virgin (not, for example, a widow).
A priest is precluded from offering sacrifices if he has any of a variety of physical deformities and blemishes – blindness, dwarfism, and other scars and injuries. Similarly, a kohain may not share in the “sacred donations” that are his priestly perquisites if he is in a temporary state of ritual impurity. A number of additional laws regulating the burnt offering and the sacrifice of thanksgiving are given as well. Parashat Emor continues by giving the schedule of the annual festivals and holy days; this calendar of observance is introduced by a repetition of the sacred nature of the weekly Sabbath. This chapter serves as the Torah reading for the second day of Passover and for both the first and second days of Succot.
In keeping with Emor’s priestly theme, Chapter 24 discusses kindling the menorah in the sanctuary, as well as the requirement that 12 loaves of bread be placed on the sanctuary table, together with aromatic frankincense.
The parashah concludes with the execution of a blasphemer and the establishment of blasphemy as a capital crime. Capital, as well as lesser, proportional punishments are also prescribed for homicide and for inflicting grievous injury on either human beings or livestock
Sparks for Discussion: The role of the Kohain – the Priest
“I, the Lord, have sanctified you through the priest who hallows you with his study and worship. Hence you must honor and hallow him even though he is dependent on your gifts for his living.” (Ketav Sofer)
“The kohain, like the Temple sanctuary and its sacrifices, is a symbol representing an idea, but not the representative of God upon earth, for this is meaningless. He represents the entirety of the community bearing the Torah, taking its place for the expression of its thoughts and feelings… The same idea seems to underlie the duty of honouring the kohain as the symbolic representative of the community.” (Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch, Horeb)
Your thoughts are always welcome…

REMINDERS:

A. Friday, May 6th, 6:30 PM: ShabbaTis4U
1. 6:30 PM: Kabbalat Shabbat services led by Kitot Gimmel & Dalet
2. Kitah Gimmel Kabbalat Siddurim
3. May Birthday Blessings
4. Shabbat dinner with Israeli singing & dancing led by Tuvia
B. Saturday, May 7th, 9:30 AM: The Bat Mitzvah of Alyssa Wendolowski
C. Sunday, May 8th : Happy Mother’s Day
1. 8:55 AM: Morning Minyan
2. 9 AM: Religious School – don’t forget the Flower Sale
3. 7 PM: Community Yom HaZikaron (Israel’s Memorial Day) Commemoration, JCC – West Orange
4. 7:45 PM: Evening Minyan
D. Wednesday & Thursday, May 4th & 5th = Rosh Hodesh Iyar – MORNING MINYAN BEGINS AT 6:45 AM
E. Tuesday, May 10th, 4 – 9 PM: Community Yom Ha`Atzamut (Israel’s Independance Day) Celebration, Aidekman Campus, JFMW, Whippany, NJ
F. Wednesday, May 11th, 7:45 PM: Adult Bar/t Mitzvah Class – Exploratory Meeting with Rabbi Mallach – interested? Join us to see what it involves
G. Friday, May 13th :
1. 6:30 PM: Kid’s Kabbalat Shabbat Program
2. 8 PM: Late service – Rachel Coalition Shabbat
H. Tuesday, May 17th, 6:30 PM: Teen Institute Closing BBQ at Rabbi Mallach’s house – Kitah Zayin students are our invited special guests – Frisbees welcome
I. Thursday, May 19th:
1. 6 PM: Women’s League Donor Dinner
2. 7:45 PM: Torah on Tap
J. Sunday, May 22nd, 5 PM: “A Very Special Evening”
K. Wednesday, May 25th, 12:30 PM: Women’s Torah Study Group
L. Friday, June 10th:
1. 6:30 PM: President’s Dinner for Installation Shabbat – RSVP to: office@templebethahmyisrael.com
2. 8:00 PM:
a. Installation Shabbat
b. Tribute to Martin Shindler, may his memory be for a blessing, a TBAY past-president

You can also visit my website at: http://ridinrebbe.com/

For updated information go to: http://www.tbaynj.org/