Adas Israel - Mason City, IA

Torah Thoughts 17 August 2023 Parsha Shoftim

This is Torah Thoughts from Adas Israel the Jewish Congregation of Northern Iowa and based in Mason City. Thank you for coming by. A reminder that services will take place at the shul on Friday Evening the 18th at 7PM and then our Midrash (Study Session) will be on Shabbat the 19th starting at 10AM. Hope that we'll see you in shul.

Parsha Shoftim

This week we've been reading Deut. 16:18 - 21:9 or Parsha Shoftim. The Hebrew word "shoftim" mean judges as we read: "Judges and officers shall you appoint in all your cities - which Hashem your G-d gives you - for your tribes; and they shall judge the people with righteous judgement." (Deut 16:18) The key word here is "righteous".  Not just anyone could serve as a judge. They must be of such character that they will judge honestly and not be swayed by bribes or gifts. It is an issue of personal respect and wise decision making.

King of Israel

Later in this Parsha we read: When you come to the Land that God gives you… and you will say, “I will set a king over myself”…;You shall surely set a king over yourself. (Deut. 17: 14 - 15). It's pretty clear what Moses is telling the people yet later in the history we find that Samuel decried kingship after the people said this to him: "...and they said to him, "You have grown old, and your sons have not followed your ways. Therefore appoint a king for us, to govern us like all other nations.” (Samuel 8:5).

To understand this we need to look, carefully, at the difference between the commandment from Moses to what the people requested from Samuel.

The Lesson

It is a mitzvah to appoint a king when the intention is, “I will set a king over myself,” i.e., when one is willing to subordinate oneself to the king's rule and accept his authority. Close attention to the request of the Israelites of the Prophet Samuel show that they requested, “Give unto us a king,” not a king over us whom we will obey, but rather a king unto us who will cater to our wishes. It was this request that angered the prophet.

A term frequently used to refer to a rabbi is “spiritual leader.” However, not infrequently, the rabbi is a spiritual follower rather than leader.

Rabbi Yisroel of Salant commented on the Talmud that describes the sorry state of affairs that will prevail before the Ultimate Redemption, among them,  "the leaders, of the generation will be similar to dogs”. He said that a dog often runs ahead of its master, but then looks back to see whether the master has turned the corner. If he sees that the master has veered off in another direction, he runs back to follow him.

“That is how the leaders will be before the Ultimate Redemption,” Rabbi Yisroel said. “They may give the appearance of leading the community, but like a dog watching its master, they turn around to see which way the community is heading, and they follow them.”

We must accept authentic leadership and defer to authority, rather than expect the leaders to follow us.

And...notice a similar requirement of both the judges, the king and the people?  Honesty and integrity on all sides.  What a message for our time. 

Thank you for reading and Shabbat Shalom! See you in shul...

 

 

Torah Thoughts 14 July 2023 Mattos-Masei

Hello from Pennsylvania and welcome to Torah Thoughts from Adas Israel the Jewish Congregation of Northern Iowa based in Mason City. I've been in Lancaster County for several days and spent some time learning about the Old Order Amish. It's been quite the adventure. So many things this group does would be very familiar to the Jew. We'll chat about it a bit next week which, by the way, is when we gather for services on Friday the 21st at 7:00PM and then our Torah Study (Midrash) will be on Shabbat (22nd) starting at 10:00AM. We will be studying the book of Devarim which means "words". You may know it as Deuteronomy.  The portion is Deut. 1:1 - 3:22 so you can get a head start.

Also next week begins the Hebrew month of Av which is the 19th of July. For the past several weeks observant Jews have refrained from entering into contracts, holding weddings, bar or bat mitzvah celebrations even getting a haircut...it is a period of mourning for the destruction of both temples and a host of other horrible things that happened to the Jewish Community.  We'll talk about that as well.

It's nearly Shabbat so let's dig into Torah Thoughts. 

This week you get TWO for the price of one.  We're reading Torah Portions Matot-Masei or Numbers 30:2 - 36:13.

The word "matot" means tribes and is found in the opening line: "Moses spoke to the heads of the tribes...". Meanwhile the word "masei" means journeys which is found in the first line of Numbers 33:1, "These are the journeys of the Children of Israel....".

In the first parsha we learn about vows and oaths. The Hebrew word for a vow is neder. In this parsha we learn how important it is to keep your word. The rabbis tell us this is as important as a commandment. For example if you were to make a vow, "I will not, for thirty days, consume Kool-Aid of any color." Then you must keep your neder.  The rabbis say that failure to do what you vow to do results in (ready?)...lashes!  Yikes!

Meanwhile what is the difference between a vow and an oath? A vow (nedar) is a voluntary prohibition to do something. Meanwhile by declaring an oath is reserved for either prohibiting or requiring yourself to perform an act. Confusing?  Try this, A neder (vow) changes the status of the object: for example, if I have made an apple forbidden to myself, the apple has the  status of a forbidden food to me, so I can not enjoy an apple. In contrast, an oath places an obligation only on the person: for example, if I have sworn to eat an apple, there is a new obligation on me but the lawful status of an apple is unchanged. So, while you may make an oath to eat a pork chop you really can't because the pork chop is still treif and not kosher.

Next in this reading Israel takes vengeance against the people of Midian and it's not pretty.

We then learn about the value of being in something "together". 

The tribes of Ruben and Gad say to Moses that they would like to settle not in Israel but outside of land. Moses has a hard time with that thinking that the tribes did not want to enter Israel for the battles that were to come. Ruben and Gad make clear that that is not their intent and that they wish to lead in battle.  

So, what do we learn here?  The importance of staying together to finish a mission...as long as that mission is righteous. In this portion we also learn that it is G-d who gives the entire Land of Israel to the Jew. How do we know that?  "Take possession of the land and settle in it, for I have given you the land to possess" (Num. 33:53).

In Parsha Masei (journeys) the Torah summarizes the entire route followed by Israel from the Exodus to standing at the Jordan River to cross over into the Promised Land. We then read about the boundaries of Eretz Yisrael (Land of Israel). What is interesting here is that while the Jews could take other lands they were not allowed to do so until they conquered the prescribed Land.

We also learn that about the willful and accidental killing...and who can and cannot be a witness. 

There is then an interesting issue of a woman's right to choose.  You can read that starting in Numbers 36:1. It all has to do with land and who gets what. Moses ends the debate of who might marry who by saying, "Let them be wives to whomever is good in their eyes..."

Shabbat Shalom thank you for reading!

Torah Thoughts 30 June 2023 Parsha Chukat-Balak

Welcome to Torah Thoughts from Adas Israel the Jewish Congregation of Northern Iowa, based in Mason City. Glad you are with us again this week.  Before we get into this weeks parsha a reminder that our July service will take place on the 21st of July (Friday) starting at 7:00PM and our Midrash will be on Shabbat (Saturday the 22nd) at 10:00AM.  Hope to see you in shul!

Parsha Chukat-Balak

This week we read a rather long parsha (Numbers 19:1 - 25:9) and start with a commandment that, on the surface, makes no sense.  It is the commandment of the Red Cow. The commandment is a paradox. The ashes of the Red Cow purifies people who have become contaminated; yet those who engage in its preparation become contaminated. 

Even King Solomon said about this mitzvah, "I said I would be wise, but it is far from me." (Ecclesiastes 7:23). And the Midrash, on this point says, "Who can draw a pure thing out of an impure one? Is it not the One G-d?" (Job 14:4).

The Midrash also points to other paradoxical cases such as righteous people who came from wicked parents: Abraham from Terach, Hezekiah from Ahaz and Josiah from Ammon. The Talmud also adds the paradox that it is forbidden to drink blood, but an infant nurses from its mother, whose blood in transformed into milk to become the source of life.

The bottom line here is that while we may not understand the mitzvah it is not the fault of the teacher (G-d) it is the inability of the student (us) to comprehend.

Water And The Rock

We now come to an event that shaped the future for Moses and Aaron. The people arrive at a destination some 38 years after their wandering. It is here that the sister of Moses, Miriam, dies. There is no water and the people, once again, start to complain: "Why have you brought us to this evil place...and there is no water to drink." (Num. 20: 1 - 5).

Hashem tells Moses to speak to the rock and water will come. However when Moses and Aaron approach the rock it is Moses who raises his staff and, as he did earlier, strikes the rock.  While water did flow, Hashem tells the brothers they will not be allowed to enter Israel. "Because you did not believe in Me..." (Num. 20: 9-12).

The rabbis disagree about the "sin" of Moses.  Some say it was because Moses did not do as G-d instructed...speaking, not hitting. Others suggest that the sin was Moses getting angry at the people and losing his temper. And there is nothing in this chapter to indicate that G-d lost his temper with the people. Because the people believed Moses acted on behalf of G-d (in anger) that was not the case.

The Lesson

There is much we can learn from this.  First of all is the fact that Moses is mourning the death of his sister. However, nothing like that is mentioned.  Yet, the people are not focused on the pain of Moses and Aaron they are focused on themselves. This teaches us that compassion should always come first. Being "other centered" can bring comfort to others in their time of need.

Second is a lesson about anger. If G-d was not angry with the people (and how many times was He...) why was it alright for Moses to lose his temper. The lesson here is that we are instructed to be mindful of our emotions.  Yes, it is difficult but if we are mindful of what is in front of us...it is easier for us to "temper" our temper.

Finally we need to always listen...carefully. Often we react to a situation with exactly the wrong action.  Here G-d tells Moses to "speak to the rock" but Moses does what he had done before and strikes it.  Habit or not paying attention?  How many times in our day do we act before we actually listen?

Guilty?  Me too...

Thank you for reading and Shabbat Shalom!  

 

 

 

Torah Thoughts 16 June 2023 Parsha Shelach

Welcome to Torah Thoughts our weekly look at the Torah Portion of the week from the Adas Israel the Jewish Congregation of Northern Iowa which is based in Mason City. Today, along with a look a this week's portion a word about the celebration of Juneteenth. Let's get started. And, a word about our June service schedule: We will meet for services on Friday the 23rd at 7:00PM and our Midrash will take place on Shabbat the 24th starting at 10:00AM. Hope to see you in shul!

The Parsha

This week we read from Shelach, Numbers 13:1 - 15:41. Shelach, in Hebrew, means "send" and comes from the first sentence in this reading, "Hashem (The Name) spoke to Moses, saying, 'Send forth men, if you please, and let them spy out the Land of Canaan that I give to the Children of Israel; one man from each of his father's tribe shall you send, every one a leader among them."

Right away we see something very different in what G-d has said.  Notice it is less a commandment and more a "suggestion" as He says, "Send forth men, if you please, and..."

Why?

The people had come to Moses and asked him to send spies to check out the land. Even though G-d had said they would be protected and it was His gift to the Jews the people still...doubted. Sound familiar?  And, so, Moses wishing to placate the people said he would do what was asked of him. In reality, Moses thought that by agreeing to sending spies the people would be satisfied and not wish the action to go forward. Oh, but he was wrong.

The twelve spies went out and when they returned from their 40 days of work. Two, Joshua and Caleb, reported that it was a land of "milk and honey". However, the other ten spies shared frightening stories of what they saw.  The people made the choice, once again, to doubt G-d and they sided with the majority.

The result was a national hysteria. The people were scared and they begged Moses not to enter The Land. The result was that G-d said they would wander in the desert for one year for every day the spies were on their mission. So, for 40 years, until the doubters had died...the Jews wandered.

There is so much to unpack here: That the people doubted is nothing new. Their lack of faith even in the sight of great miracles is astounding but easy to understand. How many of us doubt? It is going on in our nation today. Conspiracy theories, just like those that came back with the ten spies, invade our lives...and we doubt reality. Why? Mostly, like our ancestors, we are afraid and fear makes way for doubt.

The Connection to a National Day of Mourning 

All of this took place on the 9th day of the Hebrew month of Av and according to tradition G-d declared, “You cried on this night for no reason. I will give you a reason to cry forevermore on this day.”  And so it has been. From the expulsion of the Jews from Spain on the 9th of Av in 1492 as well as the expulsion from England. It was on the 9th of Av that both Temples were destroyed. It was on the 9th of Av that World War I started as Germany declared war on Russia.  It was on the 9th of Av that the Warsaw Ghetto was obliterated. If you want more examples here is a link.  Coincidence?  Hardly.

But, There is More!

Here, also, is an interesting fact that links to this story. This is the basis of the Minyan. While one may pray at any time and by ourselves there are specific prayers that should not be uttered unless there are ten Jews present. In the Orthodox world it is ten men in our other denominations the Minyan may be mixed...men and women. How is that linked to the Spies? 

We find in Leviticus, “And I shall be sanctified in the midst of the children of Israel” (22:32). The same word also appears in the verse: “Separate yourselves from the midst of the congregation” (Numbers 16:21).

This word, “eidah – congregation” is found as the description of the group of ten spies who rendered a negative report on the land of Israel: “How long shall I bear with this evil congregation which murmur against me?” (Numbers 14:27). Hence, the Talmud derives from here that to sanctify G-d in a congregation – the congregation must consist of at least 10.

See what you learn here...

Finally, there is this major link to the story:

United we Stand; Divided we Fall

Think of this for a moment as we witness the tearing apart of our society. We are divided on politics; Fact or Fiction. We are divided on the world stage; Friends or Enemies. We are divided along economic lines; Rich or Poor. We are divided along racial lines; Caucasian, Black. Asian, Latino. We are divided on law and order; Law Enforcement or Public Safety. We are divided on issues of orientation; Gay or Straight.  We are divided on religious lines and the list goes on and on.

Where is the unity?  Are we repeating history as we doubt the greatness of our people?

This Monday is Juneteenth a day that marks the freedom from slavery in our nation. While the Emancipation Proclamation was handed down years earlier it was not until June 19, 1865 that slaves in Texas were notified they were...free. That event has been largely scrubbed from our history books and so today many people have no clue as to what Juneteenth means nor do they know of the Tulsa Massacre or the Red Summer, the bombing in May of 1985 as police dropped a bomb onto the compound of MOVE, a black liberation group.

And so we doubt that there is any need for racial, economic and social justice...even when it is right in front of us.

Unity is not a bad word and while we may never be totally unified it is up to us to find common ground and then go about the business of fixing what is broken. It is not easy work but, if we pay attention, we know the danger that exists if we fail.

Thank you for reading and Shabbat Shalom!

Torah Thoughts 13 January 2023 - Shemot

Welcome, again, to Torah Thoughts from Adas Israel the Jewish Congregation of Northern Iowa and based in Mason City. This week we begin a new "book" of the Torah, Shemot. The non-Jew would know this as Exodus. Shemot means "names" as in, "And these are the names of the Children of Israel who were coming to Egypt with Jacob... (Ex. 1:1). Shemot is also the name of this weeks Parsha (Ex.1:1 - 6:1). My deepest thanks to Rabbi Yitchak Zweig for these thought starters.

Life in Egypt

This week's portion tells a story often repeated throughout history: The Jews become prominent and numerous. There arises a new king in Egypt “who did not know Joseph” (meaning he chose not to know Joseph or recognize any debt of gratitude). He proclaims slavery for the Jewish people “...lest they may increase so much, that if there is war, they will join our enemies and fight against us, driving (us) from the land.” (Ex. 1:10)

This is the root of Antisemitism. Pharaoh was the first person to identify the descendants of the children of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as a nation. Incredibly, IN THE VERY SAME BREATH he also characterizes them as being “a problem.” Thus, we became Egypt’s “Jewish Problem;” a label that has stuck and tragically followed us through three millennia of existence.

Pharaoh’s solution, as we know, was to enslave the Jews. This was the beginning of a horrific trend of persecution, expulsion, and extermination suffered by the Jewish people for thousands of years, culminating in the “Final Solution” to this “Problem” put forth by the evil Adolph Hitler – may his name be eternally blotted out.

Digging Deeper

In order to understand this issue a little deeper we must examine how the Torah characterizes it. This week’s Torah reading includes a fascinating insight; “And they (the Egyptians) were disgusted because of the Children of Israel” (Ex. 1:12).

The famous Biblical commentator known as Rashi explains this verse to mean: “They (the Egyptians) were disgusted with their lives.” He goes on to explain that the Hebrew word for “disgusted” comes from the Hebrew word “thorn” and the Talmud explains that the Children of Israel were like “thorns in their eyes”.

These seem to be two unrelated issues. Having a thorn in one’s eye would clearly be painful, but what does this have to do with being disgusted with one’s life?

The Meaning

From here we see an incredible insight, one from which we may derive the true root cause of antisemitism. What frustrated the Egyptians about the Jews? The Torah states it very clearly: “The more they oppressed them the greater the Jews grew in number and in strength” (ibid. 1:12).

Watching the Jews ascend to ever greater heights, no matter how poorly they were being treated, was supremely painful to the Egyptians. Why was it so painful to them? Because seeing the Jewish people flourish even under the most difficult circumstances made them “disgusted with their own lives.” The Jews transcending their oppression was like having “a thorn in their eye.”

Perhaps the real reason that Jews have been tortured, exiled, and massacred for thousands of years is because our success in each and every place we have been has made the local population feel terrible about themselves and highlighted their own inadequacies.

Today

The Jewish people – wherever they were – built Jewish communities and social infrastructure. As new immigrants they worked extremely hard and sacrificed a lot so that their future, and the futures of their children, would be secure. Coupled with a mentality of being industrious and contributing to the greater good, they also established powerful systems of commerce. Thus, after a couple of generations, they became quite successful and the local populace took notice and began to resent them. Does this sound like early 1900s China, Eastern Europe before the Holocaust, or present day United States? Today, we hear cries about how “Jews own Hollywood,” yet the industry was built by immigrant Jews who weren’t allowed into other professions. When looking at the pattern, it’s scary to think about what might come next.

The Lesson

I will leave you with a parting thought on the subject. As we know, everything that happen in this world is ultimately decreed by G-d. We  must ask, what is G-d trying to teach us by all these recent incidents of antisemitism?

Consider how when a nation gets attacked by an outside force it inevitably draws the people together in unified bond (think of the patriotism following 9/11 or how the war with the Russians has united the Ukrainians). I believe the message that we need to internalize is that we must stop the petty infighting between ourselves, our communities, and our people. Because if we don’t create a unified nation, G-d will surely send an enemy to attack us that will then unite us – but it will likely come at a high cost.

So let us make the effort on our own to end all the petty arguments and divisiveness within our people, and usher in G-d’s ultimate redemption of the Jewish people and the entire world.

Thank you for reading and Shabbat Shalom!

 

 

 

Torah Thoughts 28 October - Noah

Welcome to Torah Thoughts from Adas Israel the Jewish Congregation of Northern Iowa, based in Mason City. Before we get into this weeks parsha know that we have set aside Friday the 18th of November at 7:00PM for services and our Midrash will be on Shabbat the 19th at 10:00AM. Both at the shul.  Hope to see you then.

Noah

This week we read Parsha Noah (Gen. 6:9 - 11:32) and we start with: "These are the offspring of Noah - Noah was a righteous man, perfect in his generation..."

What does it mean to be “Righteous” and why, after we are told that Noah was “righteous”, are we given the names of his sons?  The answer to that means that being "righteous" extends to our children, our off-spring. If we do what the Shema tells us to, "teach these words to your children" then our children can carry on the identity of being righteous. But, of course there is always "free will".

Twice during this reading G-d says he will destroy to world…and tells Noah that he and his immediate family will be spared.

Noah did EXACTLY what G-d commanded and it took him 120 years…  Noah…did what G-d commanded…but was it enough? That is the major question to ask about this reading.

Let's Go Back

In last week’s Torah Portion we have G-d asking Cain… “Where is Abel your brother?” The answer is stunning… “Am I my brother’s keeper?” The sages say that the rest of the Torah is intended to answer that question…to the affirmative. In other words, we are.

But let's go further back. Abraham and Sodom – G-d will destroy but Abraham “lawyers up” and starts a dialogue with G-d. He asks what will it take to not destroy the city? Fifty good people? Forty? Thirty? Twenty? How about ten?

We move to Moses…who is on the mountain receiving the Torah…the people pressure Aaron to build a new “leader” (Note it was NOT a god) to take the place of Moses…because they did not listen to the exact words of Moses…he was gone too long. G-d sees what the people did and says he will destroy them. Moses Pleads with G-d…to not destroy the people saying it wouldn’t look so good. But if he went ahead and wiped out the nation he tells G-d to "Blot out my name from your Book!" What does G-d do? He turns aside his anger and relents.

So, let’s go back to our story….Noah does exactly what is commanded of him…however he never…not once…calls out to G-d to help save humanity…not even one more person. By doing so we can understand that while Noah was "righteous in his generation" he never, asked G-d to spare humanity. Which is exactly what a truly righteous person should do.

The Rainbow

After the Great Flood the Almighty said, "My rainbow I placed in the clouds, and it will be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth" (Genesis 9:13). What lesson can we learn from the rainbow?

The rainbow symbolizes peace and unity. A rainbow is made up of various colors and shades of colors and although they are very different from each other, they come together to make one entire whole. Similarly, people are very different from each other. They come from different national backgrounds, and they have different personalities.

However, if they will look at themselves as one unit there can be peace and harmony despite the differences between them. This is basic for the existence of the world and for the welfare of individuals. For this reason the rainbow is the symbol of the covenant between the Almighty and the earth.

Whenever you see a rainbow, or a picture of a rainbow, let it be a reminder to work towards harmony with other people even if there are major differences between you. While differences in interests and personality might make it difficult for you to become close friends with a specific person, you can still have a harmonious and peaceful relationship with that person.

Services and Midrash

A reminder that we'll gather together in November on the 18th and 19th.

Thank you for reading and Shabbat Shalom.

 

 

 

Torah Thoughts 26 August 2022 - Parsha Re'eh

Welcome back to Torah Thoughts from Adas Israel the Jewish Congregation of Northern Iowa, based in Mason City. A reminder that we'll be getting closer and closer to the High Holydays. In fact we'll celebrate the Eve of Rosh Hashanah on Sunday the 25th starting at 7:00PM at shul. Then on the 26th of September we will hold services starting at 10:00AM. Just wanted to get this out to you as soon as possible so you might plan ahead. Also, starting on Saturday after Shabbat we'll be 40 days away from Yom Kippur.

This week we read Parsha Re'eh you will find that in Deut. 11:26 - 16:17

Parsha Re'eh

This week we we are given a choice.  The Hebrew word "Re'eh" means "See" as in, "See, I present before you a blessing and a curse..." This is the first line and it has to do with all of the 
commandments. That if Israel is true to them Hashem will bless the people and the land. However, if not...well, that's not so good.  We are warned not to follow other gods.

The portion continues with rules and laws for the Land of Israel, primarily oriented towards staying away from idol worship and the other religions in the land. In verses 13:1-12 you will find the section that caused a missionary’s face to blanch and silenced him from continuing to proselytize a renowned rabbi.

Wait, What Does This Mean?

One of the most interesting words in the Torah that gives rise to the Oral Torah, later what has become the Talmud, is this from verse 12:21: "You will slaughter animals […] according to the manner I (G-d) have prescribed.” Nowhere in the Torah are we instructed in the manner of shechita, ritual slaughter. One might conclude that there was a very sloppy editor. Or one might conclude that there are additional teachings (the Oral Law/Talmud) clarifying and amplifying the written Word. Which, by the way, we can totally buy into.

Choosing is Important

The source of the Chosen People concept is brought this week: “You are a nation consecrated to God your Lord. G-d has chosen you from all nations on the face of the earth to be His own special nation” (Deut. 14: 1-2).  So, what does that mean?  Are we better than everybody else? No and that idea has, over the centuries caused many deaths among Jews as those who are not Jewish somehow are out to prove they, not the Jew, is chosen. But, they are mistaken. We are chosen for responsibility, not privilege – to act morally and to be a “light unto the nations.” There is great responsibility in being Jewish and doing with G-d asks of us.

The portion then gives instructions regarding: permitted and forbidden foods, the Second Tithe, remissions of loans every 7 years, treatment of those in need (to be warm-hearted and open-handed), a Jewish bondsman, and the three pilgrimage festivals (Passover, Shavuot, Sukkot).

In other words...so much packed into this week's Parsha.

The Number 40

Finally let's look at the number forty. It plays a huge part of our faith.  It represents change or a transition. For example, there were forty days of The Flood, forty years in the wilderness, forty measures of water in a mikvah, forty days and nights that Moses was up on the mountain three different times. But, perhaps the most important of these interesting times would be the forty days that Moses was back on the mountain to bring back the second set of commandments. At the end of each of those forty days/nights there was a dramatic change.

Those forty days that Moses was back on the mountain and came back with the second set of unbroken tablets began on the first day of the Hebrew month of Elul and ended on Yom Kippur. 

That forty day period begins, for us, on Sunday and, yes, ends on Yom Kippur.  So?  One of the things the rabbis tell us is that we must use these forty days from Sunday the 28th of September (1st of Elul) to October 5th the first day of Tishrei to produce...change. A meaningful change in our personal/religious life.

Perhaps to get "back on track" with out studies. Or get into the habit of giving charity every day. Or to start each day by saying the Shema. Or by making sure we get to the shul for services and the Midrash so we can learn and grow and...change. 

Let's not waste a moment.

Shabbat Shalom!

 

 

Torah Thoughts 12 August 2022

Welcome back to Torah Thoughts from Adas Israel the Jewish Congregation of Northern Iowa, based in Mason City. We're grateful you are with us again. This week we read Parsha Va’etchanan (Deut. 3:23 - 7:11) which is Hebrew for "I implored" as in, "I implored Hashem at that time saying..." You'll find this in Deut. 3:23.  What is going on is that Moses, after being told he would not be able to enter Israel once again prays to G-d that he might.  He figured that following the battle with Sihon and Og that, perhaps, G-d would grant him his request. Hey, you can't fault him for trying.

And, The Answer Is...

No. We have to remember that Hashem always answers prayer.  Sometimes it is "yes" sometimes it is "no" and sometimes it is, "not yet". Sure that's hard to take but it's the way this all works. In the end G-d knows what is best even if we don't.

Back to Work

So, Moses gets the answer and right away gets back to work.  He tells the people that they are 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.

Here then is where we learn why there are no images in any shul. There are, perhaps, some stained glass but you'll never see an "image" that might be mistaken for G-d.  Now you know...

Cities of Refuge

We next move on to the cities that were designated as places of refuge.  Bezer, Ramot, and Golan are designated as Cities of Refuge east of the Jordan river. Accidental murderers can escape there to avoid revengeful relatives. They then wait there until tried.  This is another example of justice first rather than revenge. 

The "Big Ten"

The Ten Commandments are repeated to the whole Jewish people. Moses 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).

This, the Shema, is the first thing a Jewish child learns and it is also the final utterance. So central is the Shema to our faith that it is seen as the reason we are here and gives us clear direction as what we should do...daily.

Intermarriage

Here is the thorny issue so many people have a hard time understanding. Here Moses relays the commandment that the people should not marry a person of another faith. You can read the commandment in Deut. 7: 3-4.  "You shall not intermarry with them, you shall not give your daughters to his son, and you shall not take his daughter for your son. (and here is the reason) "For he will cause your child to turn away from me and they will worship the gods of others..."

Look, I get it but realize that far too often in a mixed marriage there is a lack of staying true to our faith. In fact it is the leading cause of Jews to leave and then, sadly, never come back. I have spoken about this many, many times and yes, it is difficult. Because I'm told, "But, I love her/him!" As true as that is also understand that the non-Jewish partner believes that your children will burn in hell because of their decision to not follow their faith. What can that say about a healthy relationship?  

Midrash & Services

We've decided to hold services on Friday the 19th of August starting at 7:00PM and our Midrash (Study Session) will take place on Shabbat starting at 10:00AM. We hope you'll come and learn with us. And, yes, your questions are always answered.

See you in Shul! 

 

 

 

 

Torah Thoughts 28 July 2022 - Mattos-Masei

Hello and welcome back to Torah Thoughts from Adas Israel, the Jewish Congregation of Northern Iowa based in Mason City. Glad you're with us again. A reminder that we'll be holding services at the shul on Friday evening and our Midrash (Torah Study) is on Shabbat starting at 10:00AM. Hope to see you with us.  This week we read Parsha Mattos-Masei which you can find in Bamidbar (Numbers) 30:2 - 36:13. Let's go...

We Need A Leader

If you remember last week Moses, knowing he will not be allowed to enter the Land of Israel asks G-d to appoint a successor. Someone that will "go in with Israel and go out with Israel".  What does that mean?

Often, when it comes to battle, kings would sit in their palace or at the rear of the army. Yes, they might have been there but they were not engaged. Moses, who had led the people into and out of battle many times requested that the next leader do the same.  That leader was Joshua who would go in and come out with Israel.

But Wait!

This week we read the Hashem tells Moses to go into battle and take vengeance on the Midianites in retribution for the licentious plot the Midianites perpetrated upon the Israelites. Remember Bilaam and Balak and the 24,000 who died due to the "cavorting" with the daughters of Midian? 

But in a strange twist Moses appoints his nephew Pinchas to lead the army into battle. Why would Moses defer to another when G-d tells him to go and smite the Midianites?

Being Thankful

Here is where the story give us a great lesson. If you remember, long ago, it was Moses who was on the run for killing an Egyptian Taskmaster who was beating a Jewish slave.  Where did he end up? In Midian where he also married a woman from Midian. The people there sheltered Moses for years and now, to lead an army to destroy Midian, was just too much. 

We are told that he could not do such a thing because he was so thankful for his treatment there.

The Lesson

The lesson here for us is to always be...thankful. G-d has created an amazing world for us and our responsibility is to remain thankful. Every day, in every way we should than Hashem for the wonder that is the world and for the faith that we have.  This is why there are so many blessings in our lives. For when we get something new, when we eat bread, when we eat, well, anything. When we get up in the morning and when we lay down at night.  Blessings of being thankful.

After all, it is in our name. We are Jews from the Hebrew word of Judah which means, you guessed it, "Thanksgiving".

We can do no less.

One other thing we learn from this Parsha is how to make things...utensils...kosher. We'll talk about it. 

See you in Shul! 

 

 

 

Torah Thoughts - Parsha Bechukotai - Lev. 26:3 - 27:34

Greetings friends of Adas Israel the Jewish Congregation of Northern Iowa and based in Mason City. Grateful that you've come by for a bit of Torah Learning. This week we read about the many blessings we are to receive IF we follow the commandments. What is interesting is there are commandments that have benefits to others in this world. And there are commandments that accrue to our tally of good which are rewarded in the after-life. This is what the Mishnah means when it says that the “fruit” (i.e. the “interest”) is enjoyed in this world, but the “principal” remains for the World to Come. Make sure you open your Chumash (Bible if you will) and read these first lines. Amazing!

This Week

This week's Torah portion is introducing all the benefits that G-d provides in this world as the result of observing the mitzvot (commandments). What is interesting is that the commandments related to social justice are the only mitzvot that are rewarded in this world as well as the next.

Fascinatingly, the Mishna equates the study of Torah to all the mitzvot. (See you are not wasting your time here!)  In other words, aside from the self-improvement and connection to the Almighty that comes from Torah study, there are tangible benefits to this world through the study of Torah was well. This would also explain why Rashi understands that the rewards that follow the observance of “My statutes” refers to one’s immersion in Torah study.

Perhaps this is what the Talmud is referring to when it says, “Torah scholars increase peace in the world” (Brachos 64a). The Talmud chose to end its very first tractate with that statement, explaining that those Torah scholars are builders of the world and they increase the peace within it. The Torah, after all, was given to us to both improve ourselves and the world around us and we must make every effort to see that mission fulfilled.

Meanwhile

While this week's portion begins with the multitude of blessings you will receive for keeping the commandments of the Torah (truly worth reading!). It also contains the tochachah, 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 or annul His covenant with us. He wants us to know that there are consequences for our every action. He also wants to get our attention so that we do not stray so far away that we assimilate and disappear as a nation.

A Word About Prayer

This past week has jolted us, once again. So much senseless pain in the world.  I was struck by something, very simple, which was tweeted by Rabbi Mark Asher Goodman just this past Thursday: "In Judaism, if you say a prayer over something and then fail to do the requisite action that follows, like saying the blessing over bread but not eating it, it's a bracha levatla - which is a sinful act."

He goes on: "If you pray for victims of gun violence but do nothing. It is a sinful act."

Prayer and Action...

Shabbat Sholom and thank you for reading.