Adas Israel - Mason City, IA

Torah Thoughts 27 May 2021 - Beha'aloscha

Torah Thoughts is from Adas Israel, the Jewish Congregation on Northern Iowa, based in Mason City. This week we read from Bamidbar (Numbers) Parsha Beha'aloscha (Num. 8:1 - 12:16). The word "beha'aloscha" means both "to mount" (as to approach) and "to kindle". "Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 'Speak to Aaron and say to him: When you (approach) to kindle the lamps, toward the face of the Menorah shall the seven lamps cast light." (Num. 8: 1-2)

What is interesting is why Aaron?  The rabbis tell us that Aaron (and his tribe - Levi) felt excluded because every other tribe leader had a role in dedicating the new Tabernacle. So G-d gives to Aaron this eternal role of lighting the Menorah. To this day when we light the Chanukah Menorah we remember the work of Aaron and the Tribe of Levi.

Another interesting verse, "This is the workmanship of the Menorah, hammered out gold, from its base to its flower it is hammered out..." (Num. 8:4) It would indicate that the Menorah came from one (very large) amount of gold. It was "hammered out" from one piece rather than constructed by many pieces. The message here is that the Jewish People are of one piece and "hammered out" of humanity to do the work of G-d.  But, this is not the only time in this parsha we read about something being "hammered out" of a single piece of precious metal. More on that in a moment.

And What Else?

The Levites purify themselves for service in the Tabernacle (they trained from age 25-30 and served from age 30-50). The first Pesach is celebrated since leaving Egypt. The Almighty instructs the Jewish people to journey into the desert whenever the ever-present cloud lifts from above the Tabernacle and to camp where it rests. Moses is instructed to make two silver trumpets to be sounded before battle or to proclaim a yom tov (a holiday).

About Those Trumpets

We read again, "Hashem spoke to Moses saying, 'Make for yourself two silver trumpets - make them hammered out..."  Again we see that the two trumpets are "hammered out" of whole pieces of silver.  What might this tell us?

Rabbi Dov of Mezeritch points out that the Hebrew word for trumpets, chatzotzros, can be divided into two words, chatzi tzuros, “half forms.” The specification that they be hammered out means that they were to be of one unit of silver, and not fashioned of assembled parts. The verse can then be read as “Make for yourself two half-forms, and make them into a single unit.” This can have several interpretations.

From Rabbi Avraham Twerski: The human being begins his life with only one driving force: the desire to satisfy one's cravings. Many human cravings are the work of the yetzer hara, the lower self. When one reaches the age of bas-mitzvah or bar-mitzvah, one acquires a moral and ethical drive (yetzer tov).

The yetzer hara can be the "evil inclination" or "base inclination" while the yetzer tov is the "good or positive inclination. These two opposing drives are engaged in a constant struggle for mastery over the person.  Think about that for a moment. We all must decide which inclination we must/should follow. Often we struggle and turn to the yetzer hara only to learn that is the wrong turn.

This may be the message of the Divine commandment: Take the two “half-forms,” the yetzer tov and the yetzer hara, each of which constitute one half of an individual's character, and fuse them into a single unit.  By constantly channeling the energy of the yetzer hara toward commendable goals, the yetzer tov can transform it into a positive force. A successful fusion of the two “half-forms” into a single unit is the ultimate human achievement.

And A Call to Marriage?

Again from Rabbi Twerski:

The Talmud states that a person who is unmarried lacks completion. When a man and a woman marry, the Torah states, “They shall become one flesh” (Gen. 2:24). This relates not only to their being united in their children, but that the two must form a single unit.

When husband and wife each have their own agenda, each seeking to achieve his or her own goals, the marriage is not a unit. Such relationships are vulnerable to fracture when stressed.

In chemistry, there is a difference between a “mixture” and a “compound.” Salt which had been dissolved in water is a mixture. The water can be separated off by evaporation, and the salt then emerges in its original form. Neither element undergoes an essential change in a mixture.

In a compound, the two elements combine to form a new substance. For example, when oxygen and hydrogen combine in a specific proportion, they form water, a new substance which, although comprised of the two, is an entity in its own right. As separate elements, oxygen and hydrogen have their own natures, which are very different. When they unite, they are divested of their individual natures. The new compound, water, has only one nature.

This may be the message in the verse cited. Take two “half-forms” and make them into a single unit. Man and woman are each a half-form. When they join in a way that they are a single unit, the marriage becomes a compound instead of a mixture. It is then much more stable and durable.

Oh, Those People...

The people journey to the wilderness of Paran, during which time they rebelled twice against the Almighty's leadership. The second time they complain about the boring taste of the manna and the lack of meat in the desert. The Almighty sends a massive quantity of quail and those who rebelled died. Be careful what you ask for...

Moses asks his father-in-law, Yitro (Jethro) to travel with them in the desert, but Yitro returns to Midian.

Miriam, Moses' sister, speaks lashon hora (defaming words or evil speech) about Moses. She is struck with tzora'as (the mystical skin disease which indicated that a person spoke improperly about another person) and is exiled from the camp for one week.

In other words...watch your tongue.

Services and Midrash

As we mentioned last week President Alan has set the date for our first in-person service in over a year.  It will be held on Friday evening the 25th of June at 7:00PM. Our in-person Midrash will take place at 10:00AM on Shabbos the 26th of June. Mark it down...can't wait to see you.

Shabbat Shalom! 

 

 

Torah Thoughts 21 May 2021

Welcome to Torah Thoughts from Adas Israel the Jewish Congregation of Northern Iowa and based in Mason City. There is a reason Bamidbar ("wilderness"), the Hebrew word for the fourth Book of the Torah, is known as "Numbers".  It seems that we are always counting the people and so it is this week in Parsha Nasso (which means census) Num. 4:21 - 7:89 as we read in the opening line, "Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, Take a census of the sons of Gershon..." (Num. 4: 21-22)

You've Got Work to Do

And so we learn that G-d has created various jobs and responsibilities for the two remaining sons of Levi, Gershon and Merari. If you remember, last week the second son of Levi, Kohath, was counted and given the task of carrying the Ark.

A quick reading of this parsha might have us wondering why the families of Gershon and Merari were given jobs that seem to be less important. I mean, "So, let me get this straight, Kohath gets to carry the Ark and all we get to do is carry the curtains? What are we ' chopped liver'?"

However, there is a great lesson here. The Torah is telling us that we all have a job to do. While it may not seem to be as important as some it is necessary and we should go about it with great joy. To quote Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. "If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as a Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, 'Here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well."

You see, in this reading everybody matters. The Tent of Meeting is not complete unless everything from the Ark to the curtains to the boards and utensils are brought together. It is...holy work.

And So It Is With Us

As Jews we have a job to do. That job is to learn Torah. So important is this fact that the rabbis tell us when we reach Heaven we will be asked only one question, "Did you set aside time to study Torah?"

Why is that so important? Because within these "five books" is our roadmap for living. How we treat others, how we wish to be treated...it's all here. And, if that is the case how can we not take the time to learn?

It reminds me of a meeting that was held in Des Moines years ago. At the time I was an executive for the largest long-term health care facility in Iowa. One of the speakers was talking about our vocation vs. our avocation...or hobby. He first asked this question, "By a show of hands how many of you have played or do play golf?" Hands from around the room shot up. A clear majority of the people there played golf. He then said, "Now, those of you who raised your hand how many of you watch golf on television? How many of you have taken golf lessons? How many of you subscribe to a golf magazine? How many of you practice your golf swing?"

Nearly everybody there, who played golf, could answer "Yes" to each question. And then he said this, "By comparison how much time do you spend learning more about your vocation? How much reading do you do about your job? How many mentors do you have that help you better understand your role?"  The message was clear: "To become a leader in your field you need to focus more on your vocation then your avocation."

Being Jewish Ain't A Hobby

One of the striking things that surprises many non-Jews is how we go about our daily life. In traditional Judaism we pray with a minyan (ten people) three times a day...every day. There is a prayer recited before we eat bread that is different from the prayer we say when we drink wine that is different than the prayer we say before eating an apple. There is a prayer for when we receive something new.  In shul we read from the Torah not once a week but three times a week.

And every year we read the first "five books" of the Bible over and over and over again.

What's the point? The simple truth is that to better understand ourselves and our relationship with G-d it takes...work. It doesn't mean that if you fail to put in the work you are not a good person. But it does mean that life can become so much more...if we put in some effort. 

There are wonderful things here and to discover them takes time. For example...

The Priestly Blessing

Toward the end of this parsha (Num. 6: 22-26) we find what is known as "The Priestly Blessing". "Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 'Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying: So shall you bless the Children of Israel saying to them: May Hashem bless you and safeguard you. May Hashem illuminate His countenance for you and be gracious to you. May Hashem lift his countenance to you and establish peace for you."

The first blessing is that we should be blessed with what it is to allow us to be comfortable in life and that that comfort will be protected.

The second blessing refers to the "light of Torah". May G-d enlighten us so that we will be capable of perceiving the wondrous wisdom of the Torah and His creation.

The rabbis say these two blessings are connected. That if we can make a living and that living is protected we will have the time and opportunity to learn the wisdom of Torah.

The third blessing has to do with G-d suppressing his anger, (Rashi), meaning that even if you are sinful, G-d will show you special consideration and not punish you.  But, how can that be?

Remember Yom Kippur?  G-d forgives sins against Him...but can not forgive a sin against a fellow human. That act of forgiveness must be between the two people. When this happens it does establish peace.

Save The Date

We're going to attempt to hold in-person services next month.  President Alan has set aside June 25th (Erv Shabbat) for services starting at 7:00PM and our in-person Midrash for the 26th at 10:00AM both at the Shul.

It has been so very long and yes, we will remind you.

Shabbat Shalom and thank you for reading! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Torah Thoughts & Shavuot 14 May 2021

Welcome back to Torah Thoughts with a "Triple Dose" this week. First of all our Torah Portion is Bamidbar ("wilderness" in Hebrew) and that is Numbers 1:1 - 4:20. Why "Bamidbar"?  "Hashem spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Mt. Sinai, in the Tent of Meeting..." Num. 1:1. It is the second year after the exodus from Egypt and of course there had to be a census.  Our Second Dose this Shabbat is our Midrash! It happens on Saturday Morning at 10:00AM via Zoom.  If you want to join us shoot us an email [email protected] or if you are already on our email list you'll be getting the link in that.  If you have NOT joined our email list...do it. And our THIRD Dose is that starting Sunday evening the 16th we will begin the celebration of Shavuot!  More on that later.

In the Wilderness

Much of Bamidbar has to do with the Tabernacle and the wanderings of the people. The rabbis say that this "Tent of Meeting" and later the Temple, served as the focal point. A place that took the place of the Heavenly Presence that rested on Mt. Sinai. The people, then, had the experience of what happened at Sinai with them at all times. Much of what we read in Bamidbar has to do with elevating the Tabernacle including who was to carry what, where various tribes camped...

Let's Count...Again

G-d counted the people frequently. When they left Egypt. After the sin with the Golden Calf (to see how many were left after the sinners died) and now when He rested His  Presence among them. So why this counting?  The Rambam offers three reasons:

• The National Growth - Remember that only 70 people originally came to Egypt the there they multiplied greatly. So great that it was Pharaoh who said they must be "dealt with as they are too numerous". G-d wanted the people counted because every Jew is important to G-d;
• Face Time - Each and every member of the nation got to have an audience with Moses and his brother, Aaron to tell them their name and be counted as an individual of worth. The half-shekel would also bring them a blessing;
• Building the Army - Since they were about to enter the Land of Israel, and they would have had it not been for the sin of the spies, an army needed to be created for the military campaign that was ahead.  Also how many people were to receive a portion of land.

Count Each Tribe

Then each tribe is counted but we find that the tribe of Levi was not counted.  Why? Again the rabbis say it was because Levi never succumbed to the Sin of the Golden Calf and they proved their loyalty to Hashem. Their job was to maintain the Tabernacle and not to join the military.  So important was the connection between the people and Hashem that G-d saved this tribe so they could continue to serve in the "Tent of Meeting" and later the Temple.

Oh, but wait. The Levites are counted! But differently and twice! One count is from one month old with no maximum age. This was to determine how many, in total, there were of the tribe. Then the second counting was men between the age of thirty to fifty. Why? The rabbis tell us that that was the period of "maximum physical and emotional maturity" which was needed in their active role in the Tabernacle and later the Temple.

Oh Those Sons of Kohath

At the end of the parsha there is yet another counting. "Take a census of the sons of Kohath from among the sons of Levi...from thirty years of age and up, until fifty years of age.." What's going on here? These people were charged with the most sacred responsibilities of the Tabernacle.

It is interesting that Kohath was the second son of Levi. So why might they, rather than the eldest, receive the honor of carrying the Ark? The rabbis give us a wonderful reason, "By assigning the most honorable job to the them G-d is telling us that honor is due to those who struggle to acquire Torah knowledge, not merely to those who are oldest or most privileged". 

That is still true today. Learning, really learning, does take struggle. How much time do we devote to learning Torah in our busy lives? Look, even if it's only once a week that you set aside time to read Torah Thoughts...you are making an effort. That effort offers you, not only insight, but also rational for our existence. There is so much to learn and then...do.

Let's Do Shavuot!

Yes, just 48 days ago it was Pesach. Remember? Now, as we have counted each day we arrive at the holiday that is so often misunderstood or simply not celebrated. Shavuot starts at sundown on Sunday. Let's get into it...

In the Bible the holiday is known as "the harvest festival". It commemorates the end of the grain harvest, which began with barley during Passover and ends with wheat at the time of Shavuot. So, there is that.

In addition the literal translation of the Hebrew word “shavuot” is “weeks” and this name first appears in the verse, “You shall observe the Feast of Weeks, of the first fruits of wheat harvest…” Exodus 34:22. 

The it is called “weeks” is because we are commanded to count seven days of seven weeks from the second day of Passover, and to celebrate the fiftieth day as a holiday. (Lev. 23:15). The also explains why the English name for this holiday is Pentecost, which means fiftieth in Greek.

An interesting side note: This is also the source for the Christian day of Pentecost. Early Christianity was primarily preoccupied with establishing a religion that was familiar to the people they were trying to convert – the local Jewish population. Thus, they copied many of the traditions that were already familiar in Judaism. For example, Passover became Easter. So too, just as in the Jewish tradition, the Christian day called Pentecost is the fiftieth day from Easter.

But There is More!

Now let's really get to the "Reason for the Season". The most significant aspect of the holiday of Shavuot is that, according to Jewish tradition, this is when the Almighty gave the Torah to the Jewish nation. This was the day that Moses ascended Mount Sinai and received the Ten Commandments.  And, that is a big deal.

According to Jewish tradition, The Ten Commandments listed in the book of Exodus are purposefully made up of 620 letters. There are 613 letters until the last two words of the Ten Commandments, “asher l’reyecha – those of your friend.” According to our sages, this corresponds to the 613 mitzvot or “commandments” in the Torah that the Jewish nation accepted upon themselves at Mount Sinai.

Various reasons have been suggested as to the significance of the remaining seven letters that make up the Ten Commandments.

According to Rabbi Yaakov Ben Asher (1269-1343), these seven letters represent the seven Noachide Laws: (1) the prohibition against idol worship; (2) the prohibition against murder; (3) the prohibition against adultery; (4) the prohibition against blasphemy; (5) the prohibition against theft; (6) the prohibition against certain forms of animal cruelty; (7) the obligation to establish courts of justice.

Fascinatingly, the last two words of the Ten Commandments that comprise the seven letters – “asher l’reyecha – those of your friend” – now take on a deeper meaning. Included within the scope of Torah is a universal obligation of morality for the entire world. Even though the Torah was only accepted as a sacred responsibility by the Jewish people, we are not the only ones bound to live by God’s laws. In fact, the laws of the nations of the world are referred to here as “those of your friend.”

See what you learn here!

Midrash!!!!

Speaking of learning...our Zoom Midrash will take place on Shabbat at 10AM Central. If you do not get our weekly email where the Zoom Link is...shoot us an email [email protected] and we'll include you.

We've got much to learn this week and we hope you will join us. Remember, this is open for people of all faith backgrounds and our purpose is not to convert anybody.  It's safe place to talk...faith and practice. Hope to see you then.

Shabbat Shalom and thank you for reading! 

 

 

Torah Thoughts 7 May 2021

Each week Adas Israel, the Jewish Congregation of Northern Iowa and based in Mason City, offers up Torah Thoughts a look at the weekly Parsha just ahead of Shabbat. This week we get "two for one" as we read Parsha Behar ("on the mount") and Parsha Bechukotai ("by my decrees) and you will find them in Vayikra (Leviticus 23 - 27). And plan to be with us NEXT week for another Virtual Midrash which will be held on the 15th at 10:00AM via Zoom!

The Shemittah - Sabbatical Year

We're based in Iowa so we know a bit about farming. Here about 92% of the land is dedicated to farms, second only to Nebraska. In the first verse in Parsha Behar G-d tells Moses that the people must work and till the land for six years and leave their fields alone on the seventh (Shemittah) year. Imagine telling that to an Iowa farmer! No doubt it would be seen as "government over-reach" and you would be likely to get a seed corn cap stuffed in your mouth. 

So, what is going on here?

The reality is that the land, like the humans who occupy it, are commanded to rest. Families may work six days a week but rest on Shabbat the land too should rest ever seven years. This ties "the land that I give to you" to the practice of following the commandment of rest. More importantly there is a deep message here about who owns what.  The land, just like everything else, is a gift and ownership really stays with G-d. We are here for just a little while...and G-d is eternal  

But, wait! How can it be that farmers would leave the land fallow once every seven years? Wouldn't people starve? We find the answer in the Torah that there will be enough food in the sixth year to take care of the seventh. Even more startling is what happens to the food that does grow in the fields in the seventh year? "The Sabbath produce shall be yours to eat. For you your, for your slave, for your maidservant and for your laborer and for your resident who dwell with you." (Lev. 25:6) In other words the produce is ownerless and all are invited to partake of what comes from the land on its own.

This is yet another example of how the Torah relates to Jews and non-Jews. We are in the together and we are commanded to care for each other. That, my friends, stands in stark difference "to each his own". Charity or Tzedakah is central to the Jewish faith. We are truly "our brother's keeper". The Torah tells us time after time what our responsibility is to others. 

But it gets even deeper

The Jubilee Year

We are told we must count seven Sabbatical Years and then on the 50th year we are told that we must declare, "freedom through the land for all its inhabitants". Everything goes back to square one. It is, yet again, a commandment that reminds us that while we are temporary G-d is eternal and all that we have is a gift.  Astounding.

What About Modern Israel?

For much of our history a great many Jews were barred from living in Israel and so farmers outside of "the land" did not have to follow the laws of Shemittah because the law only applies to the actual land in Israel. But, what happens when the Jews came back to "the land"?

Let us say there are "work arounds". For example as the seventh year approaches the Jewish farmer "sells" his land to a non-Jew. There is a real bill of sale and money is exchanged. Then the non-Jew hires non-Jewish labor to work the land. In addition, and this is interesting, greenhouses are exempt from Shemittah because the produce grown does not come from "the land" but from elevated "tables" and not the land directly. When Shemittah ends the Jewish farmer buys back the land making sure the non-Jew makes a profit.

One of the astounding things about Israel today is to see, with your own eyes, how the people have turned the desert into lush, green fields. It is...amazing. 

Preventing Poverty

Also in this Parsha we read about preventing poverty. "If your brother becomes impoverished and his means falter in your proximity, you shall strengthen him - proselyte or resident - so he can life with you." Two very important issues here. We are commanded to help BEFORE the person is destitute. By doing so we render aid long before bankruptcy which is harder to work out. The other interesting item is that we are commanded to help the "proselyte" a person who has converted to Judaism as well as the "resident" one who is not Jewish but follows the Seven Noahide Laws. As the rabbis say, "Who is a resident? Anyone who undertook not to worship idols, but who may eat non-kosher meat."

The goal here is to step in long before poverty strikes. In fact when one Jew loans another Jew money...we are not allowed to charge interest. Again we are reminded this is a holy act as the Torah says, "I am Hashem, your G-d who took you out of the land of Egypt, to give you the land of Canaan, to be G-d unto you." A not so subtle reminder of who actually is in charge.

At the end of this Parsha we are reminded of who we are, "You shall not make idols for yourselves, and you shall not erect for yourselves a statue or a pillar...for I am Hashem, your G-d. My Sabbaths shall you observe and m Sanctuary shall you revere - I am Hashem." 

Pretty clear that these are not "suggestions" but we are duty bound to obey. And that, my friends, is what is so puzzling to so many.

Let's Turn The Page

We now read from Parsha Bechukosai (Lev. 26:1 - 27:34). Right at the outset we are reminded of the blessings that will fall on us if we obey and the promise from Hashem that He will look out after us and protect us. However we are commanded that should we fail to follow the commandments his blessings will stop. We must choose which path to follow.

But it is interesting that G-d says the punishment will not be immediate. We are told that there are "levels" of punishment. These punishments, although harsh, are not meant to be out of revenge but to they are there to encourage the people to repent. Look, G-d knows that we can and will fail but He gives us the opportunity to return. To do what is right and when we do we're back on the path.

Think of it as with any parent. Children will not always behave and when they fail to behave there are punishments. But, those punishments are not vengeful. They are attempts to correct the course of the child.  In doing so both the child and the parent learn. This, my friends is the same.

We close this chapter and next week begin the final Book of the Torah.

MIDRASH!

Our next Virtual Midrash will be on 15 May starting at 10:00AM via Zoom. Go ahead and plan to be with us as we start a new Book of the Torah, Bamidbar or Numbers.  We'll be posting the link as we get closer. You'll find it on our Facebook Page and in next week's Torah Thoughts.  Save the date and let's learn together!  Thank you Tracy Smith for setting this up!

Shabbat Shalom!