Adas Israel - Mason City, IA

Torah Thoughts - 27 July 2018

Welcome back to Torah Thoughts from Adas Israel the Jewish Congregation of Northern Iowa! This week we read Parsha V'etchanan (I pleaded) Deut. 3:23 - 7:11. We are dealing with a prayer Moses is offering as he continues to tell the story of the wanderings and of the great and amazing things that have happened along the way. "I pleaded with Hashem (G-d) at that time saying, "My Lord, Hashem you have begun to show your servant Your greatness and Your strong hand..."

Moses is pleading with G-d to allow him to cross over into Israel however, as he tells the people, "...and He did not listen to me..." In a sense Moses is blaming the Jewish people for making him angry so that rather than speaking to the rock he hit it with his staff and not following the command by G-d.

Interesting isn't it? How often do we get angry and do something that is irresponsible and wish that we had not? Or we attempt to blame somebody else for our impulse. It happens all the time and here it happens to the greatest of teachers. What chance do we have?

The story is important from the aspect that we can learn from this and when we are about to do something that we know is counter to the commandments we should stop and reflect on what we are about to do...or say. 

Moses then goes on to recount the commandments in the Torah and impress on the people the importance of following them. He further instructs them to not to add or subtract from the words of the Torah and to keep all of the Commandments. He then reminds them that G-d has no shape or form and that we should not make or worship idols of any kind. (Now you know why our synagogues have no human or animal images).

We are told about the Cities of Refuge where accidental murderers can escape there to avoid revengeful relatives and wait until trial.

Then Moses recounts the Ten Commandments to all of the people. He then expounds the Shema, affirming the unity of G-d, "Whom all should love and transmit His commandments to the next generation." A man should wear Tefillin upon the arm and head. All Jews should put a Mezuzah (the scroll is the essential part) upon each doorpost of their home (except the bathroom).

Then Moses delivers something many of you will not want to hear. It is no less a commandment than "You should not murder". In Deut. 7 3-4 he says why G-d commands us not to intermarry.  Why? "...for they will lead their children away from Me." This is a difficult commandment because it is in stark contrast to our "feelings of love" for someone of the other faith. Yet it is all so very true. We don't think of the future at the time of taking a husband or wife. The question of faith and how to raise those children often do not come to pass and many say, "We will offer them both religions and allow them to choose". Our role as parents is to guide and direct and it's not often about "free choice". Consider that we don't allow our children to decide when and where to cross the street. We offer our training and guidance. If religion is truly important should we allow children to make up their own mind? 

It is all something to ponder and discuss.

May you all have a beautiful and peaceful Shabbat!

Torah Thoughts - 20 July 2018

Welcome to Torah Thoughts from the Adas Israel the Jewish Congregation of Mason City Iowa. Each week we offer up some bits of information and learning regarding the week's Torah Portion. This week we begin a new book of the Torah Devarim (Deuteronomy) 1:1 - 3:22. "Devarim" means "words" as in, "These are the words...."

Devarim

So, if we know this book as Devarim where in the world did Deuteronomy come from? Great question. Deuteronomy (from the Greek meaning "Second Law" -- from deuteros "second" + nomos "law".  Why? Well, perhaps because Moses repeats many of the laws of the Torah to prepare the Jewish people for entering and living in the Land of Israel. In other words (see what we did there?) it is time for a review.

In this section of the Torah Moses is reviewing for the Jewish people all of the places they have gone, and the laws they have received. Moses also knows that he is about to die and what better time to grab the attention of the people he has led.

Rebuke with Caution

In Devarim 1:11 Moses says, "The Almighty, the G-d of your fathers, should add (to the number of your people) -- similar to you -- a thousand fold".

Moses, as he was rebuking the people did not want them to feel depressed and alone and feel as if they were failures. So he tells them he does not consider them evil but that their goodness should be rewarded a thousand fold.

What lesson can we learn from this? We have, it should be pointed out learned this lesson in business, if we were paying attention. If we need to admonish someone, then the goal is for them to change. To do that, the person must feel good about himself and feel that you value him/her.

Therefore, 1) don't condemn the person 2) find something positive to praise 3) gently show the person the negative results of his behavior 4) set out the benefits to him for changing his actions.

Anyone can make a person feel awful; it takes a real artisan to build someone up.

Tish B' Av

On Saturday night we will usher in the saddest day of the Jewish Calendar. Tish B' Av the 9th day of the Hebrew month of Av. It is a fast day, a day we study, sit on the floor and mourn not only the destruction of the Holy Temple...but also the many calamities that we have encountered on this day. 

Consider if you will that on the 9th of Av these tragedies:

• The incident of the spies slandering the land of Israel with the subsequent decree to wander the desert for 40 years.
• The destruction of the first Temple in Jerusalem by Nevuchadnetzar, King of Babylon, in 423 BCE.
• The destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 CE.
• The fall of Betar and the end of the Bar Kochba revolt against the Romans 65 years later, 135 CE.
• Pope Urban II declared the First Crusade. Tens of thousands of Jews were killed, and many Jewish communities obliterated.
• The Jews of England were expelled in 1290.
• The Jews of Spain were expelled in 1492
• World War One broke out on Tisha B'Av in 1914 when Russia declared war on Germany. German resentment of the Treaty of Versailles set the stage for World War II and the Holocaust.
• On Tisha B'Av, deportation began of Jews from the Warsaw Ghetto.

So other than a fast day and reading how should we spend our time?  How about reflecting on who and what we are and on our relationship with each other and with G-d? In Hebrew this is called Teshuva or returning to the path of being good. Doing Teshuva is a four-step process:

1) We must recognize what we have done wrong and regret it 2) We must stop doing the transgression and correct whatever damage that we can, including asking forgiveness from those whom we have hurt -- and making restitution, if due 3) We must accept upon ourselves not to do it again 4) We must verbally ask the Almighty to forgive us.

When we all engage in this action we also pray that this is the final Tish B' Av we will have to observe. Why? Because as the rabbis tell us, When the Messiah comes there will no longer be a reason to mourn.

May we pray like our life depends on it.

Services

Shabbat services are on Friday evening 20 July at 7:15PM and our Midrash (Bible Study) will take place on Shabbat (Saturday) at 10AM all at the Synagogue.

See you in Shul!

 

 

 

 

Torah Thoughts - Matos/Masei - Num. 30:2 - 36:13

Welcome to Adas Israel the Jewish congregation of Northern Iowa. We're located in Mason City and offer a welcome to all. This week we read from Numbers 30:2 - 36:13. The Torah Portions are called Matot and Masei and on this Shabbat we read them together.

Matot

In this reading we learn about making and annulling vows, we also visit the battle against the Midianites in retaliation for the devastation they imposed on the Jewish people. Then there is this interesting conversation about the tribes of Reuben and Gad for their portion of land to be east of the Jordan river (yes, Trans-Jordan/Jordan is also part of the Biblical land of Israel). Moses objects to the request because he thinks the tribes will not take part in the conquering of the land of Israel; the tribes clarify that they will be the advance troops in the attack and thus receive permission. What better way to show loyalty?

Masei

Here we read about the complete list of journeys in the desert (the name of each stop hints at a deeper meaning, a lesson learned there). G-d commands to drive out the land's inhabitants, to destroy their idols and to divide the land by a lottery system. G-d establishes the borders of the Land of Israel. New leadership is appointed, cities of the Levites and Cities of Refuge (where an accidental murderer may seek asylum) are designated. Lastly, the laws are set forth regarding accidental and willful murder as well as inheritance laws only for that generation regarding property of a couple where each came from a different tribe.

So much to learn!

Adas Israel Services & Midrash

We'll be gathering next week (July 20th) for our Friday evening service at 7:15pm at the shul. And then on Saturday the 21st we will hold our Torah Study or Midrash. A reminder, at sundown on the 21st we will observe Tish B' Av. A historically sad day for the Jewish people. In our tradition we enter into no contracts or agreements for the three weeks prior to this day. Our Midrash will not only cover next week's Torah lesson but also the observance and rules of Tish B' Av or...the 9th Day of the Hebrew month of Av. 

Here is wishing you a wonderful Shabbat!  See you in Shul!