Adas Israel - Mason City, IA

Adas Israel - Parsha Re'eh

This week we read from Parsha Re'eh or Deut. 11:26 - 16:17 and, as we said in  class this week, it is "some heavy stuff".  The Parsha starts out with the word Re-eh or "look".  "Look, I present before you today a blessing and a curse.  The blessing:  that you harken to the commandments of Hashem, your G-d, that I command you today."

Have you ever seen a person who, with all he can do, works to observe the Torah?  I'm not suggesting that every "religious person" does. Frankly, there are some people who might suggest they observe but then fail when it comes to telling stories or doing things that they 'think' others will not see or notice.  We're talking here about those solid people who work every day to live a Torah true life.  

I've known several in my life.  You can actually "look" at them and "see" they have peace, fulfillment and spiritual satisfaction.  The blessing they have given us is that we can actually "see" the results of making the choice to follow the commandments.  When we "see" this in them it should give us the drive to try harder.

My rabbi once told the story of the religious man who "looked" like he was righteous.  In Yiddish is is called being a "Tzadik in peltz."  The story is this: 

"When it is winter and freezing cold, there are two things one can do.  One can build a fire, or one can wrap himself in a fur coat.  In both cases the person is warm.  However when you build a fire you can warm yourself and those around you.  When you wrap yourself in a fir coat it is only you...who is warm."

That is how it can be in a spiritual warmth as well...  You can be a Tzadik in peltz or you can choose to live your life so that others will "see" it's not phony and strive to do...better.

May you have a blessed Shabbos, come to "see" the beauty in the Mitzvot...and choose to do just one more...

Shabbat Shalom from your friends at Adas Israel of Mason City, Iowa.

Adas Israel - Weekly Parsha - Eikev

Greetings from Adas Israel the Jewish Congregation of Mason City, Iowa.  Each  week we'll offer some thoughtson the weekly Torah Portion.  And, a reminder we'll be holding services this Shabbat starting with Erv Shabbat on Friday at 7:00PM.  Hope to see you there. This week we're looking at Eikev or Deut. 7:12 - 11:25.

Ever Wonder "What's Wrong?"

If you pay attention to the news there is no doubt you've sat back and asked yourself, "What's wrong in this world?  Why is it so messed up?  What is it we can do to fix ourselves and what seems to be a broken system?"  Sure you have.  And, in this week's Torah Portion we get a glimpse of the answers to our questions.  "This shall be the reward when you hearken to these ordinances, and your observe and perform them; Hashem, your G-d will safeguard for you the covenant and the kindness that He swore to your forefathers.  He will love you, bless you and multiply you..."

So, what happened? 

So many times we think we know better and we take the gifts we've been given and squander them.  We don't do the tiny mitzvah...or even the big ones.  (Interesting, according to my rabbi the reward for the easiest mitzvah and the hardest mitzvah...is the same.  We'll talk about this tonight.)  We take the gift of sight and we fail to read and learn.  We take the gift of hearing and listen to lousy gossip.  We take the gift of the Torah...yet we fail to study.

That's what needs to get fixed.  One step at a time.

Speaking of Steps...

The word "eikev" means...heel.  What in the world does the "heel" have to do with this week's parsha?   Come and learn this Shabbat...we'll talk about it.

Have a wonderful Shabbat...see you in Shul. 

Parsha of the Week - Va'Eschanan

In the name of Mayeer ben Shaul, may his neshamah have an aliyah.

I love each week as I sit with my rabbi to learn the weekly Torah portion...this portion, like all, is simply amazing.  Let's spend some time learning before Shabbat?

We in the final book of the Torah - Devarim(Deuteronomy) 3:23 - 7:11.  In this parsha we learn about the "Cities of Refuge" a place that was set up by G-d to protect individuals who commit an accidental murder.  We also have the Ten Commandments as well as this very interesting take on the first word... (Image - Mount Nebo)

Praying 515 Times

The first word of the parsha is Va'eschanan or "I prayed".  It is said by Moses directly to G-d.  If you remember, Hashem does not allow Moses to enter Israel.  Moses takes every opportunity he can to ask to enter.  Not because he "wants to go" but because there are specific commandments in the Torah that one can perform ONLY in Israel.  He wanted a "full experience" of serving G-d.  In Hebrew each letter has a numerical value.  In this case Va'eschanan adds up to 515.  Moses prayed 515 prayers to enter the land.  He stopped only when Hashem said, "Enough!"

What Does This Teach Us?

We are often asked if G-d answers prayer.  Indeed He does...it may not be the answer we are looking for...but He does answer.  Just as he did with Moses.  The lesson here is that we should never give up.  We should not give up on prayer until G-d tells us "Enough.".  That answer may come in a variety of ways...but our job is to continue, even at the worst hour.  Even when we think we know the answer...we pray. 

But..If G-d Is G-d...

He already knows our prayer before we pray.  True but what about your heart?  It is said that what comes out of the heart goes to the heart.  If you are sincere about your prayer it goes directly to the heart of G-d. 

Might we have a renewed sense of the value and the power of prayer.  Even the tiny and common prayer of the Ha-motzi (bread) has amazing power.  If only we say it from the heart.  

May you have a blessed Shabbat!

Do We Really Know? - Shabbat Chazon 5771

Dear Friends of the Adas Israel, Mason City Community:

This Sabbath is known as Shabbat Chazon or the Sabbath of Vision.  It is the Shabbat just before the sad day of Tisha B' Av.  It is the third of the three "Haftaros of Affliction".  This week the Haftorah comes from the first chapter of Isaiah 1: 1 - 27.  Let's take a look:

"An ox knows his owner, and a donkey his master's trough; Israel does not know, My people does not perceive."

What Isaiah is telling us is that we have lots of work to do.  We go through our lives, often giving no thought to the wonder and beauty that is ours.  We wander about not knowing where this gift comes from and who sustains it.  We tend to think that we "are in control" when...we are not.

Over and over we, as Jews, continue to deny what G-d has asked...no, commanded us to do.  We often think "It's too hard to keep the mitzvot." or "They just don't make sense in a modern world."  Would it surprise you that even in the "Modern World" of Isaiah the people believed the same thing. 

What chance do we have, a people that are further away from the biblical timeline of Isaiah, in making a connection with doing what we're supposed to do?  To improve ourselves even one small step at a time?  Are we too late?  What is it that we can do, in our own little way to merit the Messiah?

That was my question for my rabbi this week as we engaged in our regular Torah study.  His answer might surprise you, "We need to do the best we can.  We have lots of work to do and it is up to each of us, each Jew, to work on ourselves first and then by example, help others."

It's just like him.  He never comes at you with a 2x4 or a baseball bat.  It's always one small step, one new mitzvah, one new minute of learning...just one.  This Shabbat, on this day of vision...might we come to realize our place and our reason for being here.  That by increasing, by just one step, we might help in the merit of the coming of the Messiah.  Let it be...so.

Have a wonderful, thoughtful, Shabbat!