TTT: B`Har 5771

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/