Adas Israel - Mason City, IA

Torah Thoughts 31 May 2019

Greetings from the Jewish Congregation of Northern Iowa, Adas Israel, based in Mason City. Thank you for coming by for this week's Torah Thoughts.

This week we read Parsha Bechukosai (Lev. 26:3 - 27:34) "Bechukosai" means "by my decrees" and is found in the first sentence where G-d says, "If you will follow My decrees and observe My commandments and perform them, then I will provide your rains in their time, and the land will five its produce and the tree of the field will give its fresh fruits."

For those of us living in Iowa all of this truly means something. We understand, or should, that all of what is produced is really a gift. But, there are conditions. If we "follow", "observe" and "perform" we will be rewarded.

The Torah then goes on with words of admonition, "If you will not listen to Me and will not perform all of these commandments..." There are seven series of seven punishments each. Understand that G-d does not punish for punishment's sake; He wants to get our attention so that we will introspect, recognize our errors and correct our ways. G-d does not wish to destroy us and will never annul His covenant with us. This is the Almighty's guarantee to the Jewish people: " ... I will not grow so disgusted with them nor so tired of them that I would destroy them and break My covenant with them, since I am the Lord their G-d." (Leviticus 26:44-45) He wants to prevent us from becoming so assimilated that we disappear as a nation. Read Leviticus 26:14-45.

This is not about threats it is about wishing us the very best and to get there we need to follow the Mitzvot (commandments) as best we can and then reap the rewards of a good life. This is the final portion for the book of Leviticus. Next week we begin Bamidbar or Numbers.

Service Schedule

Services are going to be held on June 21 at 7:15pm in the shul. Our midrash or study session will take place on Shabbat (Saturday) the 22nd starting at 10:00am also in the shul. Hope to see you then.

Shabbat Shalom and thank you for reading! 

 

Torah Thoughts 24 May 2919 Parsha Behar

Greetings from the Jewish Congregation of Northern Iowa, Adas Israel based in Mason City.

It's nearly Shabbos so if you will allow a quick look at this week's Torah Portion. This week we read from Leviticus 25:1 - 26:2 it is called Parsha (Portion) Behar which means "on the mount" and is one of the shortest readings in the Torah. "And the L-rd spoke to Moses on Mount Sinai..."

In it we read, "Speak to the children of Israel and you shall say to them: When you come to the land that I am giving you, the land shall rest a Sabbath to the Lord. You may sow your field for six years, and for six years you may prune your vineyard, and gather in its produce. But in the seventh year, the land shall have a complete rest a Sabbath to the Lord; you shall not sow your field, nor shall you prune your vineyard."

Wait! What kind of advice is this? Truly even we in Iowa, a strong farming state, looks at this as...well...a bad deal for the farmer.  But, is it?

What it is is called trust in G-d.

The story is told of a European Jew at the turn of the century who, tired of the constant grind of poverty, determined to solve his plight by playing the lottery. Fearing that what he was doing was not exactly "kosher," the fellow went to his rabbi and asked approval for the plan. He explained that his actions would do nothing more than provide the Almighty with the opportunity to send him some well-needed money. Moreover, the fellow said, he had complete trust that G-d would answer him.

"How many tickets are you buying?" asked the rabbi. "Three" said the man. "One should be enough for G-d", was the rabbi's laconic reply.

To command an agrarian society to completely stop cultivating all farm lands every 7th year, one has to be either G-d or a meshugenah (crazy). No sane group of editors would include such an "insane" commandment in a set of laws for the Jewish people; only G-d could command it and ensure the survival of the Jewish people for following it.

Also in this portion: redeeming land which was sold, to strengthen your fellow Jew when his economic means are faltering, not to lend to your fellow Jew with interest, the laws of indentured servants. The portion ends with the admonition to not make idols, to observe the Shabbat and to revere the Sanctuary.

May you have a wonderful Shabbat. Our monthly service for June will be June 21 for services and our Midrash will be on the 22nd.  More details later in the month.

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

Torah Thoughts 10 May 2019

Welcome to Torah Thoughts from the Jewish Congregation of Northern Iowa, Adas Israel. Each week we take a look at the portion of the Torah we read for Shabbat and offer up some contemporary thoughts. This week we read from Parsha Kedoshim ("holy") which can be found in Leviticus 19:1 - 20:27.

In this portion the Jewish People are instructed to be "holy". "Speak to the entire assembly of the Children of Israel and say to them, You shall be holy, for holy am I, Hashem your G-d."

Beyond what it means to be "holy" there is another thing important in this first sentence from this reading: "Speak to the ENTIRE assembly..." In past references we've seen where G-d might say, "Speak to the Children of Israel..." but in this portion Moses is told to speak to the "entire assembly".

The inference is that everybody is "in". Nobody is removed from the commandment to be "holy".

This is one of the reasons Jews, for thousands of years, have been hated. Our unique call to become more like G-d through following His commandments is seen by many as being somehow "better" than others. However, that is not the case. We are commanded not to be "better" but to be holy. In striving to follow the commandments in living our lives as He told us we don't just merit favor we also face a great responsibility. 

We are not only responsible for our actions but also we feel a responsibility to the entire world. A responsibility of goodness, kindness. Of taking care of each other, Jew and Gentile, and taking care of our planet. 

It's not an easy task and it takes constant work and a commitment to always do the right thing. Sometimes we fail and that is because we are human. But, if we realize our failure and learn from it, pick ourselves back up and continue to move forward we truly are on the path to become a "holy nation". 

We'll talk more about this during services on Friday the 10th at 7:15pm and then again during our Midrash (Torah Study) at 10:00am on Saturday the 11th.  All are welcome to attend.

Candle lighting time on Friday is 8:06pm

See you in Shul! 

Torah Thoughts 5 May 2019

Before we begin this week's lesson... Our hearts go out to the victims of hatred and anti-Semitism in the Poway California Synagogue shooting. As we just read in the Haggadah, "In every generation they rise against us to annihilate us." It is so sad.... May they ... and all of us be comforted by the Almighty for this and other hate murders in the world. And let us say...."Amen".

Torah Thoughts is a weekly look at the Torah Portion and some commentary on what it means to us in our time. This is all from Adas Israel the Jewish Congregation of Northern Iowa based in Mason City. Let's go!

This week we're reading the portion which is known as Acharei Mot ("after the death") Leviticus 16-18. In this reading we learn about the Yom Kippur service and we begin that by remembering the death of the two sons of Aaron who had taken it upon themselves to enter the Holy of Holies. That G-d now speaks of that and introduces the Yom Kippur service would lead us to believe there is a connection.

What could be the link?  Just as Yom Kippur brings atonement so too does the death of the righteous bring atonement. It's something to ponder.

We also learn about the casting of lots to designate two goats -- one to be sacrificed, the other to be driven to a place called Azazel -- after the Cohen Gadol (the High Priest) confessed the sins of the people upon its head. Today it is a phrase in the vernacular in Israel in the heat of an argument to instruct another person to "go to Azazel." You get the point right?

The goat sent to Azazel carried away the sins of the Jewish people. This we can suspect is the source of the concept of using a scapegoat. One thing you can truly give credit to the Jewish people -- when we use a scapegoat, at least we use a real goat!

The Torah then proceeds to set forth the sexual laws -- who you are not allowed to marry or have relations with. If one appreciates that the goal of life is to be holy, to perfect oneself and to be as much as possible like G-d, then he/she can appreciate that it is impossible to orgy at night and be spiritual by day.  Ya think?

This week we read this verse (Lev. 16:30) "For on this day (referring to Yom Kippur) you shall receive atonement to purify you for all your transgressions, before the Almighty you shall be purified."

Does that mean the Yom Kippur atones for ALL our transgressions?

The Talmud (Yoma 85b) clarifies that Yom Kippur atones for transgressions between man and the Almighty. However, with regards to transgressions between man and man, Yom Kippur can only atone if a person first attains forgiveness from those whom he has offended or harmed. This includes returning what was taken and possibly financial recompense as well as asking for forgiveness.

From this we learn the the principal idea is that we should, with everything we have, refrain from harming people...physical harm, financial harm or emotional harm.

It is proper to forgive those who sincerely ask for forgiveness; however, it is not always easy to forgive. One has to be able to forgive with a full heart for the person to receive atonement from the Almighty. Therefore, since this is difficult for a person to do, we should be even more careful not to wrong or hurt someone.

SERVICE SCHEDULE

Adas Israel will hold our May Erv Shabbat Service next Friday the 12th at 7:15pm and the following day (Shabbat) the 13th we'll gather for the Midrash or study session where we will focus on the Torah Portion Kedoshim (Lev. 19 - 20). Which means "holy" and we will read, "You shall be holy, for holy am I, Hashem your G-d."