Adas Israel - Mason City, IA

Torah Thoughts 10 November 2022 - Parsha Vayeira

Hello again friends and thank you for reading. A reminder that services at Adas Israel will be at 7:00PM on Friday the 18th and our Midrash will take place on Shabbat the 19th starting at 10:00AM.  We look forward to seeing you.  And if you are wanting to peek our Midrash will center around Parsha Chayei Sarah (Gen. 23:1 - 25:18). This week, however we are in Parsha Vayeira (Gen. 18 - 22). Let's go!

He Appeared

This parsha starts with the word "Vayeira" which means, "He appeared..." As in, "Hashem appeared to him (Abraham) in the plains of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance of the tent in the heat of the day." To understand what is going on we have to look back a bit. Abraham had just circumcised the male members of his household and himself...at the age of ninety-nine. 

And so here we find Abraham sitting in the heat scanning the horizon when he sees three men appear. What is startling about this is that Abraham gets up, in great pain, and he runs toward them and says, "My Lord, if I find favor in  your eyes, please pass not away from your servant." In other words...I am here to be of service to you. So it is with Abraham who is the essence of hospitality and kindness. But in doing so Abraham reaches a higher level of spirituality. 

The Or HaChaim explains that when people carry out great deeds G-d shows himself to them as a token of tribute. The visit by G-d to Abraham was that this man became a "chariot of the Divine Presence" meaning that even his physical being had become pure enough to be a resting place for G-d. Stunning, yes?

But Wait...

These are not actually men but angels. However, Abraham and Sarah prepare a meal for them not aware that angels do not actually eat. But they do get their nourishment through holiness and the actions by Abraham gave them just that.

The angels were not there to indulge in only Abraham and his kindness. They were there to deliver a message to Sarah. She was to have a son. But, Sarah could not believe it and it is said that she "laughed". The Torah suggests that she laughed at not the promise but with joy. However a deeper reading tells us that Hashem called her out and said that indeed she laughed because she doubted. G-d did keep that promise and Sarah was to give birth to Isaac. Which in Hebrew means, "he will laugh".

Can I Get A Minyan?

We now turn our attention to the five cities that Hashem says are evil and that he will destroy. Abraham knows of this and starts to bargain with G-d. He asks if G-d would destroy the righteous along with the wicked and Hashem says he will spare the righteous if one can be found. But Abraham goes further and asks if G-d will spare the cities if fifty righteous people could be found. Then forty, then thirty, twenty...how about ten?  And then Abraham pushes further saying that not only ten but ten from each city to be destroyed. Abraham stops talking and Hashem says ten is a good number. And, now you know where the genesis of a minyan comes from. However the cities are so wicked that a minyan can not be found...and the cities are destroyed. One man does escape with his two daughters, that would be Lot.

And, What Else?

Avimelech, King of the Philistines, wants to marry Sarah (Abraham’s wife), the birth of Isaac, the eviction of Hagar and Ishmael. Avimelech and Abraham make a treaty at Beersheva. Abraham is commanded to take up his son, Isaac, as an offering “on one of the mountains” (Akeidat Yitzchak). Lastly, the announcement of the birth of Rebecca (Rivka), the future wife of Isaac.

And finally there is the reward for Abraham listening to G-d.  What does Hashem say to him? "I shall surely bless you and greatly increase your descendants like the stars of the heavens and like the sand on the seashore; and your offspring shall inherit the gate of its enemy. And all the nations of the earth shall bless themselves by your offspring, because you have listened to My voice.” (Gen. 22: 17 - 18)

There is so much going on here. I hope you'll take the time and read this parsha.  Thank you for reading this and...Shabbat Shalom!

One More Thing

Recently there has been a rash of hatred in our world. Specifically anti-Semitism is on the rise. Attacks on Jews account for 85% of the violence while Jews make up less than 3% of the population. Recently my friend Bob Goldberg from the Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines shared this video of Rabbi Adam Raskin, of Congregation Har Shalom in Potomac, Maryland, delivered this beautiful, approximately 21-minute sermon, about the IHRA definition. He touched on so many issues today that we are navigating as a Jewish community. To watch this powerful message follow this link: https://youtu.be/CApSs1SMjdw 

 

 

 

 

Torah Thoughts 20 October 2022

Welcome to Torah Thoughts from Adas Israel the Jewish Congregation of Northern Iowa and based in Mason City. A reminder that services will be held Erv Shabbat at 7:00PM this Friday and then our Midrash (Study Session) will take place at 10:00AM at the shul.  Hope to see you there.

Here We Go Again

This week we turn the page, so to speak, and start reading the Torah from the beginning. This week we read from the Book of Bereishit, you might know it as Genesis (1:1 - 6:8) which is not a Hebrew name.  The word means "in the beginning" and here we start to tell the story about order coming out of chaos.  

What do we learn?  Moses begins with the Six Days of Creation, the Shabbat, the story of the Garden of Eden – the first transgression, consequences, and expulsion; Cain & Abel, the ten generations to Noah, the Almighty sees the wickedness of man in that generation and decrees to “blot out man” (i.e. the flood). In other words there is a ton going on and so much to study.

A Profound Statement

One of the most profound verses in the whole Torah is “And G-d created man in His own Image.” Since G-d does not have a physical being, this means that we are endowed with free-will, morality, reason, and the ability to emulate G-d Who bestows kindness. Also, if we really appreciate that we are created in the image of G-d, we realize that we have intrinsic worth. Therefore, there is no need to be depressed wondering if you have intrinsic worth!

Yes, YOU Matter

This is also the argument G-d uses against the angels who were against Him creating humans.  You see they said that people were going to disappoint G-d so why go to the trouble?  But, G-d...being G-d knew better and that the spark of the divine would, from time to time glow with goodness.

Midrash

We'll have so much to talk about from this portion to what is in the news today about...blaming the Jews.  It's back and it's ugly. Join us for a lively discussion on Shabbat starting at 10:00AM at the shul.

Thanks for reading and Shabbat Shalom! 

Torah Thoughts 16 September 2022 - Ki Tavo

Welcome back to Torah Thoughts from Adas Israel the Jewish Congregation of Northern Iowa and based in Mason City. It's great to have you back.  A reminder that Erv Rosh Hashanah will be on Sunday the 25th starting at 7:00PM. Then morning services for the New Year will begin on Monday the 26th at 10:00AM. Then we move on to Kol Nidre on 4 October at 7:00PM and Yom Kippur services on the 5th starting at 10:00AM. We'll have an afternoon break and then back in the afternoon about 5PM for closing services and Break Fast at 7:00PM.  Hope to see you...

Parsha Ki Tavo

This week we read Ki Tavo which means "When you come in". (Deut. 26:1 - 29:8) as we read, "When you come into the Land which Hashem, your G-d gives you as an inheritance and you possess it and dwell in it..." Remember, this is Moses in his final days of life telling and retelling the people about their duty to not only each other and the Land but also to G-d. 

It is here where we learn about the "First Fruits". The details that were alluded to back in Exodus 23:19 where the people are instructed to take the first fruits of the harvest to the Temple and present them to the Kohen. In the ritual that includes a moving declaration of gratitude to G-d for His eternal role as the Guide of Jewish history. It all symbolizes that the Jew dedicates everything he has to the service of G-d.

Imagine what it would be like should we commit to that same idea of service...

The Forever Link

We then move on in our reading to a reminder of who and what we are. (Deut. 26: 16 - 19). In short we are commanded to always follow the commandments set before us and that we must, "...walk in His ways" and that we have been chosen as a "treasured people" and commanded to be Holy. And this is for all time...all time.

That's a big calling right? But, think about it. Why not? Why would we not wish to do what we are told to do. To help create a world of peace and caring for others? If we realize that everything comes from G-d why would we not wish to, even in some seemingly small ways, work toward showing our gratitude? 

We have been given not only Israel abut also the gift of the Torah. It is a great responsibility and a great reward.

But What If...

The Torah reading also contains explicit details of both the rewards for following the Almighty’s word and the calamitous repercussions for going against it. The Torah commits over fifty verses to detailing the depths to which we will fall and the nearly unimaginable suffering we will endure as a result of this (e.g. financial and societal ruin, horrible diseases, starvation to the point of cannibalism of one’s own children – need we go into further detail?).

The Torah then makes a remarkable statement – why did all these horrible things befall the Jewish people? “Because you did not serve Hashem, your G-d, with simcha – joy” (28:45). This is actually quite astounding. Nowhere in the Torah are we commanded to serve Hashem with joy! There is no positive commandment to be happy. So what exactly is this failure – of not serving with happiness – that it would lead to such horrific consequences?

The Lesson

The lesson here is that we must always remember that we've been given not only responsibility but also specific actions to do in gratitude to what all that we have. Look, I get it. Sometimes we might think of going to shul is a pain because we've got "other" things to do. Yes, it's not joyful to be at an event where the food is treif and because it is you don't eat. Do we give charity with a heart of joy? Do we joyfully say a blessing and really internalize what that means?

Long ago I learned a lesson in "have to" vs. "get to". You know how it goes: "I have to go to the grocery store." or, "I have to pay the mortgage today.", or "I have to go to work..."  If you replace your "have to" with a "get to" it makes a huge difference. No, you GET to go to the grocery store, you GET to pay the mortgage you GET to go to work.  So many people can not.  We should find simple joy in those everyday events and, at the same time frame our relationship with G-d with a sense of profound joy.

This portion ends by Moses stating the obvious, "You shall observe the words of this covenant and you shall perform them, so that you will succeed in all that you do." (Deut. 28:8)

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 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 Shelach - 24 June 2022

This is Torah Thoughts from Adas Israel, the Jewish Congregation of Northern Iowa based in Mason City. Grateful you are hear to learn together. This week's Torah Portion is one of the most monumental when you consider the outcome of making decisions. Parsha Shelach can be found in Numbers 13:1 - 15:41. The word "shelach" means "send forth" as in, "Hashem spoke to Moses saying; Send forth, if you please, and let them spy out the Land of Canaan that I give to the Children of Israel. One man each from his father's tribe shall you send, every one a leader among them."

Notice Something?

Hashem gives Moses an option to send the spies into the Land of Israel and does not command it, "Send forth, if you please,..." What is troubling here is that G-d had already said he would give the land and all that is in it to the Jews. They had the promise that everything would be OK. So, why send spies to check out The Land?

It is quite astonishing that a nation which was barely a year removed from miraculously leaving Egypt – a country that had enslaved them for hundreds of years - now (again) has doubts about their ability to enter Israel. But, as we have seen in prior readings the people are a complaining lot and Moses knows this so, perhaps, he makes the decision based on his past experiences.

Off They Go

Having named the twelve spies they head out to see that this Land is all about. While there they decided to gather some souvenirs. What they brought back tells us an interesting story. You see the spies cut a cluster of grapes, so large where the grapes they had to carry them on a pole. They also harvested pomegranates and figs so large that it took eight men to carry the load. Where they doing this to bring back bounty or was there another reason. A reason that Joshua and Caleb saw through so they did not take part in the "harvest".

The Two Theories 

The rabbis tell us the reason some of the spies decided to take back these huge grapes, pomegranates and figs was to show Moses and the people that the Land was abnormal and and dangerous. True they tell Moses and the people what they saw...or thought they saw...but they needed "proof" that something was seriously wrong with Israel.

The other theory is that what the spies did bring back those grapes, pomegranates and figs tend to be deserts. Something one would enjoy after a meal. What is telling is what they did not bring back.  The spies failed to bring back samples of wheat. They did not bring back barley and they failed to bring back olives which, when pressed, give oil to be used in lighting and...cooking. What is the message here? In a way they are telling the people that Israel is a nice place to visit but it's not a place where we can live because there is nothing there to create the "main meal"...only the desert.

Astounding...right?

The Punishment

The people choose to hear only what eight of the spies have to say and they shout down Caleb who told the crowd, "We shall surely ascend and conquer it (the land), for we can surely do it!" (Num. 13:30). The other spies double down and say there is no way they can go up into Israel because it is too dangerous and there was too much to overcome.

Of course the people believed the naysayers and they then turned on Moses and Aaron saying, "If only we had died in the land of Egypt, or if only we had died in this Wilderness! Why is Hashem bringing us to this Land to die by the  sword? Our wives and young children will be taken captive! Is it not better for us to return to Egypt?" (Num. 14: 2-3)  Oh yea of little faith...

Hashem is not pleased by all of this and gets really angry. He says to Moses that he is fed up with the people and their complaining and their whining even in the face of all the wonders He has done for them.  He tells Moses that he will, "...smite them with the plague and annihilate them, and I shall make you a greater and more powerful nation than they."  Yep...pissed off.

But, once again, Moses begs Hashem not to do this and to forgive the people of their sin.  Which, of course, G-d does but there is a punishment that they shall wander in the Wilderness for forty years until the sinners are then gone.

Too Late To The Party

Now the people realize they are in a hot mess so they decide that they will, after all, go up into Israel. But Moses tells them they will be killed. However, they don't listen and those that make the decision to go are killed by the Amalekites and the Canaanites. Sometimes we learn too late.

The Lesson

Maybe we should enjoy more and complain less? No doubt you will take some time this summer and, perhaps, travel. You might go see the Grand Canyon or perhaps take in a Broadway play in New York. You might even make the decision to visit our homeland in Israel.

While gone you will see and experience some amazing things but you will also complain a little. Maybe it was too hot or too crowded or too expensive. Or, while in Israel, you are put off by no cabs on Shabbat or that during the week there is a constant honking of car horns. (It's true...no, really. Israelis love to honk their car horns...all the time.)

What stories will you bring back? The lesson here is to be grateful for the positive things in our lives. Sure there are things to complain about but if we tend to focus on the good things the experience of new places, new friends, new lives and share those...how much better off might we be? 

Midrash & Services for July

I've been in touch with President Alan and we've decided to meet for services on Erv Shabbat the 29th of July and then our Midrash will take place on Shabbat the 30th at 10AM both at the shul.

May you have a peaceful and meaningful Shabbat...  Shabbat Shalom!

 

 

 

 

Torah Thoughts 13 May 2022 - Parsha Emor

Welcome to Torah Thoughts from Adas Israel the Jewish Congregation of Northern Iowa and based in Mason City. Thank you for coming by. This week we read Parsha Emor which is in the book of Vayikra (Leviticus) Chapter 21 - 24. Let's go!

Lag B' Omer

As you might remember we are counting up the 49 days until Shavout or the giving of the Torah. This Shabbat is the 28th day of the Omer. The Omer was a barley offering from the first harvest that the Jews would bring to the Temple in Jerusalem. Omer is actually a measurement of volume roughly equating to three quarts.

Forty-nine days are counted from the second day of Passover until the fiftieth day, which is Shavuot – the holiday celebrating the receiving of the Torah on Mount Sinai. There is actually a mitzvah to count each specific day, which is done at the completion of Ma’ariv, the evening service.

This coming Thursday is Lag B' Omer which means the 33rd day of the Omer. It is historically significant for multiple reasons. On this day, the plague that was killing Rabbi Akiva’s disciples stopped. It is also the yahrzeit (yearly anniversary of the death) of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, reputed author of the Zohar, the book of Jewish mysticism. Tradition has it that the day of his demise was filled with a great light of endless joy through the secret wisdom that he revealed to his students in the Zohar.

In Israel, there are huge bonfires across the country. From Pesach onwards, the children gather fallen branches and build pyres often 20 or 30 feet high. Then, as it grows dark, they are lit and the sky is filled with flames (and smoke). The fires are symbolic both of the light of wisdom Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai brought into the world and as a “yahrzeit candle” in memory of his passing. Haircuts and weddings take place on this date and there is much festivity including dancing, singing, and music.  See what you learn here?

Parsha Emor

This week's portion sets forth the standards of purity and perfection for a Cohen; specifies the physical requirements of sacrifices and what is to be done with blemished offerings; proclaims as holidays the Shabbat, Pesach, Shavuot, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot. Yes, each one of our holidays are set out in the Torah.

It reminds the Jewish people to provide pure olive oil for the Menorah and designates the details of the Showbread (two stacks of 6 loaves each, which were placed on the table in the portable sanctuary and later in the Temple once a week upon Shabbat). The portion ends with the interesting story of a man who blasphemed G-d’s name with a curse. What should be the penalty for this transgression? Curious? Leviticus 24:14.

What is Kosher?

You might remember that during the recent Midrash we started talking about this interview with Rabbi Levi Goldstein who works with the Orthodox Union to inspect food manufacturers to insure they are kosher or helps them become kosher. It is a fascinating conversation and I hope you'll click the player and give it a listen. There is so much to learn and myths to dispel and my friend does a great job explaining so many things. Oh, and, he's been traveling the roads of Iowa for the past 18 years doing this amazing work. Take some time and give it a listen.

Partly Personal

I'm writing this from a hotel in Washington, D.C.  I've been here on assignment over the past several days. It's always an amazing journey. The days have been spent in meetings with congressional staff and our Iowa delegation. I'm here with nearly 200 business, non-profit and elected leaders from Central Iowa discussing a variety of items that are of great importance to not only the Des Moines Metro but the entire state. While we are in polarizing times you need to know that, often behind the scenes, there is an amazing amount of work being done on a bipartisan level. It may not always seem that way but I can tell you, with the exception of a few partisan "jabs" there is a commitment to become much more civil in, at least, the dialog with those of us who are here.  Just thought you should know.

Have a wonderful Shabbat and thanks for reading! 

Torah Thoughts 5 May 2022 - Kedoshim

Welcome back to Torah Thoughts from Adas Israel the Jewish Congregation of Northern Iowa and based in Mason City. I'm writing this on
Yom Ha'atzmaut or Independence Day in Israel. Seventy-four years ago, born out of the horror of the Holocaust, the State of Israel because a reality. For hundreds of years Jews waited and prayed for a return to our homeland. While it is a day of celebration it is also a day of great meaning.  Happy "Re-Birthday"!

Kedoshim

This week we read a very appropriate section of the Torah. Parsha Kedoshim (Lev. 19 - 20) sums up what it means to be a Jew. The opening sentence reads, "Hashem spoke to Moses, saying: 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."

And it gets better: "Every man: Your mother and father shall you revere and My Sabbaths shall you observe - I am Hashem, your G-d."

There is so much to unpack here. Let us start out with defining the word Kedoshim. We read, and are told it means "holy" however there is a deeper meaning to the word. What exactly is the obligation to become kadosh and how does one strive to achieve it? In addition, everything in the Torah is carefully juxtaposed, so how is the next verse, which commands reverence for one’s parents, connected to this idea of being kadosh?

Separated

The word kadosh actually means to set aside or separate. For example, in a Jewish marriage ceremony the man indicates his intention to marry his wife by saying that she will be “mekudeshes” to him. This means that she is separated and designated for him alone, to be his wife. So what exactly does it mean that G-d is described as kadosh if we understand that word to mean separate?

By commanding the Jewish people to be kadosh, the Almighty is asking us to separate ourselves from our self-centered desires and to focus outwardly. The perfect example of such a separation is G-d Himself.

The Almighty is perfect with no intrinsic needs. His actions in creating the world had nothing to do with any perceived needs of His own; rather it is all a function of His wish to bestow the ultimate good on humanity. When it comes to G-d, there are no self-serving actions, only actions directed for others. Therefore, G-d is kadosh because His actions are “separate” from Himself.

What About Us?

We are likewise commanded to become kadosh like Him. The great sage, Rashi explains that this means separating from forbidden intimate relationships. This is why this Torah portion immediately follows the list of forbidden relationships. A person’s strongest desire is in this area because it is so self-serving. Exercising self-control in such cases is one of the keys to separating ourselves from egocentricity.

This also explains why the Torah immediately follows the exhortation of being kadosh with the commandment for reverence to our parents.

The antidote to a child’s self-centeredness  is to have great reverence for one’s parents. We owe our parents for everything they do for us, because nothing is “owed” to us. We have to break the sense of self and learn to focus outwardly, just like the Almighty – and in this way we can begin to become kadosh like Him.

The Lesson

The great lesson here is that Jews are being told to be separate and apart from the ordinary world around us. You wonder why we celebrate our various holidays and festivals that are so very different from others? You wonder why the food we eat, or do not eat, is different from others? You wonder about the laws of family purity and how those are different than the majority culture? This is not to say we are ignorant of the world around us...how could we be...however what G-d wants from us is to, at all times, know that He is in charge and our duty is to live up to the many commandments we have been given. Why? Because they bring order to our lives apart from the world.

And, if we look at Lev. 20:26 we see that G-d actually tells us that. "You shall be holy for Me, for I Hashem am holy; and I have separated you from the peoples to be Mine." 

Midrash

The month of May has me traveling, has Alan traveling so we thought it might be a good idea to do a virtual Midrash this Shabbat starting at 10:00AM. WATCH your email for the Zoom Link given to us by our friend Tracy Smith. 

Catch you then and Shabbat Shalom! 

 

 

Torah Thoughts 1 April 2022 - Parsha Tazria

Hello Friends and welcome back to Torah Thoughts from Adas Israel the Jewish Congregation of Northern Iowa based in Mason City. Before we get into this week's amazing story a reminder that the Community Seder for Passover will be held on Friday Evening the 15th of April at 7:00PM at the shul. Reservations are requested so we can plan for how many folks will be with us. We are requesting that attendees be fully vaccinated and bring your card.  The cost of the dinner is $30 per person, $75 for a family of four and larger groups should contact President Alan Steckman at 641-424-9362 and leave a message or you can text him at 641-420-7251.  Checks may be sent directly to Post Office Box 621 Mason City, Iowa, 50402-0621.  Whew!

Time Is On Our Side

There is an old Rolling Stones song by that name and time plays into this weeks added Torah portion. You see, This Shabbat is the last of the Four Special Shabbatot (Hebrew plural for Shabbat) in which we append an extra Torah reading in addition to the regular Torah portion of the week. This week we add “Parshat Hachodesh – Portion of the Month.”

Let's dig into this a bit. Rabbi Yitzchak Zweig writes, "In this week's appended Torah reading we find the first mitzvah that G-d gave the nation of Israel, and would you believe that it also has to do with time? Not only that, but G-d actually gifted the Jewish people the ability to define time."

In Judaism the calendar is based on the lunar cycle (and adjusted every few years to align with the solar year). Parshat Hachodesh discusses the mitzvah of sanctifying each and every month based on the arrival of the new moon – this process is known as Kiddush Hachodesh.

Back In The Day

In ancient Israel, the Jewish high court – the sanhedrin – would listen to the testimony of witnesses who would stream in from all over the country and testify to seeing the “new moon.” These witnesses would have to explain where in the sky and exactly at what time they saw it and the sanhedrin would patiently listen and then thoroughly test them. If the answers aligned with their knowledge, then the sanhedrin would declare the start of a new month.

The ancient sages of Israel had a thorough understanding and an expertise in astronomy and they knew exactly when and where the new moon was supposed to appear. In addition, the sanhedrin had been taught the exact length of a lunar month from Moses, who was given the exact calculation by the Almighty. They calculated the lunar month at 29.53059 solar days. This translates to 29 days, 12 hours, 44 minutes, and 3.333 seconds.

Enter NASA

About sixty years ago NASA established, based on calculations and data derived from satellites orbiting the earth, that the lunar month is exactly 29.530588 days long. It is remarkable to note that when the Jewish calendar was established there were obviously no satellites. In fact, if we think for a moment, they were also lacking computers, telescopes, and even watches. This makes the knowledge that our sages had all the more remarkable.

Now, If we compare the two calculations:

29.53059 = Sages’ measure
29.530588 = NASA satellite measure

The difference is 0.000002 = two one-millionths of a day. WHOA!

Our sages also foresaw that one day the Jewish people would be forced into exile. About 1,600 years ago, in the 4^th century CE, Hillel II created a perpetual calendar because he saw the cessation of the sanhedrin, which would mean that there wouldn’t be a way to decree the beginning of a new month. This is the calendar we use to this very day.

As mentioned, this mitzvah of sanctifying the new month has a special significance as it was the first mitzvah given to the Jewish people as a nation. In fact, this passage of the Torah is so significant that the great Biblical commentator known as Rashi makes a remarkable statement regarding it. In his very first comment at the beginning of the Torah, Rashi points out that the Torah should have logically started with this very mitzvah instead of the story of creation.

The Lesson

So, what does all of this mean?  

The mitzvah of Kiddush Hachodesh – that of establishing the new month – goes far beyond merely establishing a Jewish calendar. This mitzvah establishes the Almighty’s intention for the Jewish people to be His partners in running the world. G-d created the world and everything in it, but the management of this world, and G-d’s interaction with it, is in the control of the Jewish people. Giving the Jewish people the power (and responsibility) to establish the calendar and to determine when each month begins means that we have control over time.

This is incredibly significant. In essence, the Jewish people are the arbiters of how and when G-d interacts with the world because we hold power over time. We can actually imbue days with holiness based on our decisions. This is a profound statement of the trust that the Almighty has placed in the Jewish people and it defines the depth of our relationship with Him. Which way shall we go?

Thus, we are partners with G-d in the management of the world. It is a truly remarkable concept and this is why it was the first mitzvah given to the Jewish nation; it defines our role within creation and the role G-d expects us to play within His divine plan for the world.

It is for this reason that Rashi suggests that perhaps the Torah should have begun with the section that we read this Shabbat known as Parshas Hachodesh. Because it is the greatest gift G-d could give us: the power of time. We have the power to make days holy and decide when we serve G-d.

Shabbat Shalom!

Torah Thoughts 25 March 2022 - Parsha Shemini

Hello Friends and welcome back to Torah Thoughts from Adas Israel the Jewish Congregation of Northern Iowa, based in Mason City. Grateful that you are back with us again today for a bit of study.  A reminder that our Community Passover Seder will take place on Friday the 15th of April starting at 7:00PM. President Alan Steckman has advised that tickets are available. A single ticket is $30, two tickets are $50, there is a "family rate" of $75 for up to four and larger groups should contact Alan directly at 641-420-7251. Remember, we do have limited seating so please act soon. You can mail your check to: Adas Israel, Post Office Box 621, Mason City, Iowa 50402-0621. See you soon!

Parsha Shemini

This week we read the Torah Portion "Shemini" (Lev. 9 - 11) which is Hebrew for "eight". "It was on the eighth day, Moses summoned Aaron..." This was the start of the priestly service in the Tabernacle. Everything was going just fine until the two sons of Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, who were moved to bring their offering to the alter (no doubt excited to take part in the event) were immediately consumed by fire. The lesson here is that sometimes, in the heat of the moment, we make rash decisions. 

The Laws of Kosher Eating

It is in this Parsha we learn what we may eat and what is forbidden to us. There is a great amount of confusion when it comes to Kosher Food. What is permitted what is not permitted...are all found here in Chapter Eleven. Over the years some have suggested that these laws were designed because there was a lack of refrigeration available or that these laws came down because of availability. Nothing could be further from the truth.  Here is the reason for the Kosher eating: It is all about service and choice.

Look, we all must eat but by limiting our food choices to items that are kosher we are following some clear guidelines given to us by G-d. I am sure that an Iowa Chop is delicious however it is not for us no matter the flavor or the temptation to try it. It is not permitted. The same goes for fish. The fish must have fins AND scales. That is why Catfish are not allowed...no matter how great that sounds. The same goes for all manner of shellfish. No lobster for you.  

Then the Torah goes into a long list of birds that are forbidden. The rabbis say that these are birds of prey and that to eat a bird of prey somehow transforms us.  It's an interesting conversation to have but the essence of transformation truly is remarkable. "You are what you eat" so to speak.

The Reason

So, why go through all of this?  We find the answer in the concluding words of this Parsha: "For I am Hashem  your G-d - you shall sanctify yourselves and you will be holy, for I am holy; and you shall not contaminate your souls..." (Lev 11:44) And, "For I am Hashem who elevates you from the land of Egypt, to be a G-d unto you; you shall be holy, for I am holy." (Lev. 11:45)

This is all connected. We were created in the image of G-d and we are called to worship him in all ways.  So, it simply makes sense that we do so in a holy way.  Sacrifice is not only taking incense into the Temple...sacrifice can also be a choice of what to eat or...not eat.

Midrash

A reminder that our Community Passover Meal will take place on Friday evening the 15th of April AND we'll gather again on Shabbat the 16th for a Midrash.  If you didn't get enough of Pesach you'll get much more in our discussion.

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