September 12, 2003 D'var TorahDear BSO Congregant, This coming Shabbat, September 12-13, 2003 - Elul 16, 5763, we will read Parshat Kee Tavo (annual cycle - Deuteronomy 26:1 - 29:8; triennial cycle Deuteronomy 26:12 - 28:6). The Haftarah is from Isaiah 60:1-22 and it is the sixth of seven consecutive Haftarot of consolation (referred to in Aramaic as "shiva d'nehamta"), all of which are taken from the prophecy of Isaiah. The first is recited on the Shabbat immediately following Tisha B'Av and the seventh is recited on the Shabbat immediately preceding Rosh Hashanah. Much of Parshat Kee Tavo consists of a lengthy passage which is quite well-known, perhaps even infamous. This long section of text is called the "Tocheha – Rebuke." It is one of the most gruesome passages in the Torah, and it details the curses which will befall the people of Israel should they/we distance ourselves from observing the commandments. In addition, this long section of rebuke is preceded by a beautiful, but much shorter section, delineating many blessings. While some of the curses are mentioned at the end of Deuteronomy Chapter 27, the blessings and curses to which I refer are found throughout Deuteronomy Chapter 28. The blessings are mentioned first, and they are followed by terrible curses. Read them only if you have a strong stomach. In contrast, I bring to your attention a few of the beautiful verses which comprise the blessings, such as Deuteronomy 28:3-6: "Blessed shall you be in the city and blessed shall you be in the country. Blessed shall be the issue of your womb, the produce of your soil, and the offspring of your cattle, the calving of your herd, and the lambing of your flock. Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl. Blessed shall you be in your comings and blessed shall you be in your goings." A commentary known as the "Meged Yerahim" offers an interpretation to the first part of Deuteronomy Chapter 28, Verse 3 which seems quite apt at this time of the Hebrew calendar year. The commentary is interpreting the first part of Deuteronomy Chapter 28:3, "Blessed shall you be in the city…." The commentary states, "Rav said: 'Blessed shall you be in the city' – that your home will be close to the synagogue" (Yalkut Shimoni 28). The commentator has so far quoted the well-known Talmudic
Rabbi called "Rav." Now the commentator continues with his
interpretation of Rav's comment on the phrase from Deuteronomy 28:3 "Blessed
shall "There are people whose behavior at home is far from their behavior in the synagogue. In the synagogue they observe all the smallest details of the law, but not so at home. Their homes are far from the synagogue, and the synagogue has no influence on their life at home. This is the blessing, that your home should be close to the synagogue – that the spirit of the synagogue will saturate your home as well." So writes the commentary of "Meged Yerahim." We are fortunate that many of our members live in close
physical proximity to our synagogue building. That is an advantage
that many
of us enjoy. Equally important, perhaps even more important than
being physically close to the synagogue, is the spiritual connection
that should be established between our home and our shul. Too often In the weeks ahead, as we begin the new year with the celebration of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, we will, of course, spend many hours of several days in our shul (or at least at Sherwood High School). More so than at any other time of the year, we move back and forth between our homes and our shul, enjoying the blessings of both, as we also try to create an ever-increasing sense of holiness in both. Yes, it is true that on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur we spend much more time in shul. Perhaps that's why Yom Kippur is immediately followed by the holiday of Sukkot which is, of course, centered around celebration at the home. Perhaps the lesson here is exactly that which is taught in the commentary of "Meged Yerahim" on the verse in this week's Torah portion. May we discover the blessings from our synagogue and transfer them from the shul to our home during the holiday of Sukkot. By being mindful of the need for our homes and shul to be close to each other, the task of transferring these blessings will be less difficult and provide a greater sense of sweetness as we soon will begin, God willing, the new year of 5764. Our service on Friday night, September 12 will begin at 7:30 p.m and candle lighting time is 7:04 PM. Our service on Shabbat morning, September 13 will begin at 9:15 a.m. Our Shabbat Minha/Ma-ariv/Havdalah service will begin at 6:40 p.m. During this service we will celebrate the Bat Mitzvah of Lauren Cohen, daughter of Richard & Stacey Cohen. Mazel Tov! Our service on Sunday morning, September 14 will begin at 8:45 a.m. Our 7:30 PM service on Thursday September 11 will include a memorial segment in observance of the second anniversary of 9/11. On Saturday evening September 20 we will hold our annual Selihot service. At 9:00 p.m. we will hold our final discussion (for now) on "Some Jewish Concepts of Heaven, Hell and the Life Hereafter." Special emphasis will be placed on "postmodern" reconsideration to understanding "Tehiyat Ha-Mayteem-Resurrection of the Dead." Light refreshments will be served. Cantor Geller and I will lead the Selihot service beginning at 10:30 PM. Shabbat Shalom, Rabbi Philip Pohl |
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