TTT: Masei 5771 – July 30, 2011

July 26th, 2011 by admin | No Comments | Filed in TTT

Torah Thoughts for Today
Shabbat Masei 5771
Rabbi Mark Mallach
Temple Beth Ahm Yisrael, Springfield, NJ
MINYAN ASSURANCE NEEDED TONIGHT!!!!!
Andrey Korogosky has a yahrzeit beginning this evening, Tuesday, July 26, 2011, your help to assure a minyan at 7:45 PM is NEEDED

LEN IS BACK IN THE HAUS!

Len will return as our prayer leader this Friday evening, July 29th, 8 PM. Len has been accompanying Cantor Nadel once a month at our Friday night services since last November on acoustic guitar. On the 29th, Len will lead our Friday night Shabbat services vocally and on his guitar. He will also be joined by a very special guest percussionist, our very own TONY RAVELO!!! In addition, besides the wonderful melodies that he has been doing with Cantor Nadel, Len will introduce some melodies from well-known Judaic composers: Shlomo Carlbach, Debbie Friedman and Shefa Gold.

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
PARASHAT MASEI – BIRKAT HAHODESH
July 30, 2011 – 28 Tammuz 5771
Annual: Numbers 33:1 – 36:13 (Etz Hayim, p. 954; Hertz p. 714)
Triennial: Numbers 33:1 – 49 (Etz Hayim, p. 954; Hertz p. 714)
Haftarah: Jeremiah 2:4-28, 3:4 (Etz Hayim p. 973, Hertz p. 725)
Summary of Parasha (Prepared by Rabbi Joseph Prouser, Baldwin, New York):
Parashat Masei begins with an extensive list detailing the Israelites’ journeys – the various stops and encampments they made as they traversed the wilderness, beginning with Ramses in Egypt and concluding at the steppes of Moab, perhaps five miles from the Jordan. The next stage of this long journey is to cross the Jordan and enter the Promised Land. On the cusp of entering Canaan, a number of critical matters are addressed. God commands Israel to expel the inhabitants of Canaan from the land and to destroy their idols and places of worship. Failure to do so, Israel is told, will result in dire consequences. The indigenous idolaters will be “stings in your eyes and thorns in your sides, and they shall harass you.” Additional instructions are provided to effect equitable allotment of the land among the tribes and their members. The boundaries of the Promised Land are detailed, providing geographical features by which the frontiers are to be defined.
Within the Land, both towns and pasturage are to be provided the Levites, who are not otherwise granted a tribal allotment. Forty-eight such towns are to be designated, among them the six cities of refuge. These cities function to provide asylum to Israelites who unintentionally take a life, committing manslaughter. Once such a perpetrator of accidental homicide enters a city of refuge, he is safe from relatives of his victim, who might otherwise exercise the right of blood vengeance – lawfully taking the life of their loved one’s killer. The perpetrator of the manslaughter is given asylum until his lack of malice and intent is established by trial. Should he leave the city of refuge, he is vulnerable to those seeking vengeance. No monetary compensation is permitted the unintentional killer to effect release from his penal status. The “man-slayer” can be released from the city of refuge and is no longer liable to lawful vengeance only upon the death of the high priest. This of course is a period of indeterminate and unpredictable duration, perhaps dramatizing (to both society and the perpetrator) the unpredictable vagaries of the human condition that led to the accidental homicide that occasioned his legal predicament.
In addition to establishing the legal norm of trial and due process, parashat Masei also distinguishes carefully between unintended manslaughter and the heinous crime of murder, which is established by the intent, conscious action, or malice of the perpetrator. Such a criminal is not entitled to asylum and is subject to the institution of family avengers or execution. Such execution, however, can be imposed only on the strength of the testimony of two witnesses to the crime.
The parashah concludes by revisiting the case of the five daughters of Zelophehad, who, earlier, were granted inheritance rights to their father’s estate because their father left no male heirs. This precedent established this legal enfranchisement for all Israelite women in similar circumstances. Clan leaders within the tribe of Manasseh now object that the sisters, as property owners, will diminish their tribal allotment should they marry members of other Israelite tribes. At God’s instruction, Moses rules that such heiresses must marry only within their own tribe, in order to safeguard the integrity of the tribal allotments within the land of Israel. The five sisters, accordingly, marry first cousins.
The Torah is made of five books, but many scholars recognize the first four as a distinctive literary unit, even referring to this subset of the Torah as the “Tetrateuch.” By marking yet another dramatic innovation in Israelite law, the second case of Zelophehad’s daughters, with which Numbers, the fourth book, concludes, serves as an apt transition to Deuteronomy, with its sustained pattern of legal evolution and reinterpretation.

Sparks for Discussion:
Parashat Masei, and therefore the book of Numbers, concludes with the marriage of Zelophehad’s five daughters to “their father’s brothers’ sons” – that is, to their first cousins. Marriages between first cousins – as, too, between an uncle and a niece – are perfectly permissible in Jewish law, and were not only quite common but considered particularly desirable among Ashkenazi Jews throughout the European diaspora. (See BT Yevamot 62B; Rambam, Mishneh Torah Issurei Biah 2:14; Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 2:6.)
Anyone in your family history married to a 1st cousin? In our day and age, should this be still permitted? Does it lead to genetic mutations?

As always, your thoughts are welcome…
REMINDERS:

A. Monday, August 8th, 7:45 PM: Erev Tisha B`Av services
B. Thursday, August 18th, 7:45 PM: Torah on Tap
C. Saturday, August 20th, 9:30 AM:
1. Simhat Bat of Robyn Leigh Weiss
2. Auf Ruf of Richard Yablonsky & Janet Labendz

D. Friday, August 26:
1. 6:30 PM: Temple Pre-Shabbat BBQ – all are welcome – contact the temple office to RSVP: office@templebethahmyisrael.com
2. Follow by twilight Kabbalat Shabbat services (dinner requires an RSVP, but you may still come to the services, figure around 7:45 PM)

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

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

Preview 4 Shabbat: Hukkat71 – 7/2-3,2011

July 1st, 2011 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Shabbat Preview

Thursday, June 30, 2011 – 28 Sivan 5771
Preview for Shabbat Hukkat v`Rosh Hodesh
BAALAI TEKIYAH
We are seeking 2 youngsters (pre-teen or teenagers) who would like to participate in Sounding` the Shofar on the High Holy Days, training provided – contact Rabbi Mallach – ridinrebbe@aol.com
July Shabbat Service Participants
Are you interested in participating in Friday night or Saturday morning Shabbat services during the month of July? If so, we have opportunities for you do so. We need volunteers do read from the Torah or chant a Haftorah. We need volunteers to lead various sections of the service. Perhaps your recent post-Bar/t Mitzvah youngster is around town this July and feels comfortable in leading the Shabbat Musaf Amida (which they led for their Bar/t Mitzvah) and would like to do it again – more then welcome to do, and course, with support.
contact Rabbi Mallach – ridinrebbe@aol.com

Kabbalat Shabbat Summer Schedule
Please note, weather permitting (no thunderstorms or oppressive humidity), we will enjoy Friday evening services in our beautiful courtyard – DRESS COMFORTABLEY

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… it is looking better & better, but REALLY do need a chairman…)

UPCOMING EVENT REMINDERS:

A. Sunday, July 3rd :
1. 8:55 AM: Morning Minyan – PLEASE NOTE, WITH NO RELIGIOUS SCHOOL, WE NEED HELP ON Sunday MORNNGS FOR THE MINYAN
2. 7:45 PM: Evening Minyan

B. Friday, July 8th, 8 PM: Guest Baal Tefilah – Prayer Leader: SPECIAL APPEARANCE BY Len Hausman and also accompanying himself on acoustic guitar
C. Saturday, July 9th, 9:30 AM: Baby naming of Sophia Kujbus, granddaughter of Pamela & Jack Barocas
D. Friday, July 29th, 8 PM: Guest Baal Tefilah – Prayer Leader: Len Hausman and also accompanying himself on acoustic guitar

E. Monday, August 8th, 7:45 PM: Erev Tisha B`Av services
F. Thursday, August 18th, 7:45 PM: Torah on Tap
G. Saturday, August 20th, 9:30 AM:
1. Simhat Bat of Robyn Leigh Weiss
2. Auf Ruf of Richard Yablonsky & Janet Labendz

H. Friday, August 26:
1. 6:30 PM: Temple Pre-Shabbat BBQ – all are welcome – contact the temple office to RSVP: office@templebethahmyisrael.com
2. Follow by twilight Kabbalat Shabbat services (dinner requires an RSVP, but you may still come to the services, figure around 7:45 PM)

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

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

II. Just 01, 2011 – 30 Sivan: Shabbat Hukkat v`Rosh Hodesh

A. Candle Lighting Time: 8:14 PM
B. 6:30 PM: Erev Shabbat:

1. NO LATE SERVICE
2. YAHRZEIT LIST IS READ
3. JULY BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS
4. Kiddush Soloist:
5. Sermon Theme –
6. L`kavod Shabbat – Special Honors
1. Responsive Readings:
2. Open Ark for Aleinu:
7. Bima Officers: Pam Kornspan & Aaron Adler
8. Oneg Shabbat: Sponsored by the Women’s League

II. Saturday, July 3, 2011 – 16 Sivan: Shabbat Hukkat v`Rosh Hodesh

A. 9:30 AM: Shaharit L`Shabbat in the Sanctuary:

1. Shabbat Coordinator: Doug Chester
2. Baal Tefillah Preliminary Service (Prayer Leader): David Glass
3. Baal Tefillah Shaharit:
4. Dvar Torah: Rabbi
5. Baalai Koreh (Torah Readers): Ken Melman
6. Baal Maftir (Haftorah Reader): Karen Levine
7. Gabbayim (Torah Proctors): ?
8. Baal Tefillah Musaf:
9. Special Aliyot

IF YOU WOULD LIKE AN ALIYAH, PLEASE LET US KNOW!!!!!
a. Congregational Aliyah:
b. B`nai Mitzvah Anniversary Aliyah:

10. Bima Officers Scheduled: Pam Kornspan & Aaron Adler
11. The Kiddush luncheon following services is provided by EAC
B. 10:30 AM: Youth Services are NOT in session – RESUME IN THE FALL – HAVE A GREAT SUMMER
1. Grades 4 – 6 are in the Chapel
2. Mini-Minyan, grades K – 3 are in classroom # 2

3. 10:30 AM: TOT SHABBAT – Is IN session – in room #1

Next Shabbat: Shabbat Balak

Shabbat Shalom

TTT: Hukkat 5771 – July 2/3, 2012

July 1st, 2011 by admin | No Comments | Filed in TTT

Torah Thoughts for Today
Shabbat Hukkat v`Rosh Hodesh 5771
Rabbi Mark Mallach
Temple Beth Ahm Yisrael, Springfield, NJ

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…)
SERMONIC OPPORTUNITIES:
Saturday, August 6th, 9:30 AM service
Friday, August 12th, 8 PM service
Saturday, August 13th, 9:30 AM service

Baby-sitter Seeking Clients – See Below

IMPORTANT NOTES FOLLOW BELOW
PARASHAT HUKKAT – SHABBAT ROSH HODESH
July 2, 2011 – 30 Sivan 5771
Annual: Numbers: 19:1 – 22:1 (Etz Hayim, p. 880; Hertz p. 652)
Triennial: Numbers: 19:1 – 20:21 (Etz Hayim, p. 880; Hertz p. 652)
Haftarah: Isaiah 66:1 – 24 (Etz Hayim, p. 1220; Hertz p. 944)
Prepared by Rabbi Joseph Prouser
Baldwin, New York
“The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: ‘You and your brother Aaron take the rod and assemble the community, and before their very eyes order the rock to yield its water. And Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod. Out came copious water, and the community and their beasts drank. But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, ‘Because you did not trust Me enough to affirm My sanctity in the sight of the Israelite people, therefore you shall not lead this congregation into the land that I have given them.” (Numbers 20:7-12)
Commentary:
“The Jewish people were at the critical juncture of transitioning from desert life to Israel. At the rock, God’s instructions to Moses are carefully chosen to reflect this transition. Forty years earlier, when Moses was told to hit the rock, the people had just come out of brutal slavery in Egypt, and hitting was a language they understood. But this time, Moses was called upon to lead a generation who’d grown up in freedom; a generation that required the softer approach of speaking.” (Rabbi Shraga Simmons)
“This is really one of the saddest passages in the Torah. Moses, the longtime leader of the Israelites and the greatest teacher and prophet our tradition has ever known, loses control of himself, and is punished in a particularly harsh way (from his point of view) by God. If anyone else had done the same, they surely would have been given a second chance. However, for all the same reasons that we may feel that Moses should have received some compassion, he was held to the highest accountability for his actions. As the leader of the people, he was expected to be the paragon of faith and virtue. In positions of high leadership, the tough decisions and constancy of action are expected even during times of weakness. That’s what separates a great leader from a good leader. Moses was great leader, but had his moments of weakness. For that, he was held accountable.” (Rabbi Jordan D. Cohen)
“Can it really be that the towering figure of Moshe, liberator and lawgiver, parent and prophet, is to be done away with in the blink of an eye, over a fit of justifiable temper? But it is a public moment, and there the answer may lie. The Bible consistently takes a stringent view of leadership: that leaders must be above reproach, and that they must not lose sight of the fact that it is God whom they represent.” (Everett Fox, The Five Books of Moses)
“For desert dwellers the water supply is a matter of life and death, and the fortyyear sojourn of Israel in the desert is punctuated by many references to water, notably the story of Moses’ striking a rock and bringing water from it, which he did with so much arrogance as to be prevented from entering the Promised Land.” (Northrop Frye, The Great Code)
Sparks for Discussion:
What was Moses’ sin? A variety of answers are offered: arrogance, weakness, temper, inattention, imprecision, public malfeasance, an outmoded form of leadership. Which of these sins are the most serious? In Moses’ leadership? In our own personal, spiritual, and moral lives?
Is it accurate to say that “the Bible consistently takes a stringent view of leadership: that leaders must be above reproach”? Where else in the Bible to we see this principle reflected or contradicted? Is it reasonable – or possible – to apply so lofty a standard to our leaders? Or is “above reproach” an ideal toward which leaders (or all of us) are to aspire while knowing the goal is never to be attained?
Are there single sins or personal transgressions that outweigh long lives of goodness, service, leadership and piety led by otherwise “towering figures” in our own time? What makes a single sin, or, for that matter, a single act of virtue, so very defining?
If Moses was under no circumstances to strike the rock, why did God instruct him to bring along his staff? Was Moses set up?
Is the “life and death” nature of water critical to this narrative? Did Moses imperil the Israelites physically, by improperly seeking water, or spiritually, by improperly serving God? Or perhaps these two themes combine to suggest that properly serving God – with total submission and detailed precision – is a matter of life and death?
Your thoughts are always welcome…

REMINDERS:
Baby-sitter Seeking Clients

Reliable, experienced babysitter available: contact information for Dana”: Cell: 201-463-1221 Home: 973-912-0638, email: dlmeyerhardt@msn.com.

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
DEADLINE TO PUT IN YOUR TRIP DEPOSIT = 6/30/11

A. Saturday, July 9th, 9:30 AM: Baby naming of Sophia Kujbus, granddaughter of Pamela & Jack Barocas
B. Monday, August 8th, 7:45 PM: Erev Tisha B`Av services
C. Thursday, August 18th, 7:45 PM: Torah on Tap
D. Saturday, August 20th, 9:30 AM:
1. Simhat Bat of Robyn Leigh Weiss
2. Auf Ruf of Richard Yablonsky & Janet Labendz

E. Friday, August 26:
1. 6:30 PM: Temple Pre-Shabbat BBQ – all are welcome – contact the temple office to RSVP: office@templebethahmyisrael.com
2. Follow by twilight Kabbalat Shabbat services (dinner requires an RSVP, but you may still come to the services, figure around 7:45 PM)

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

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