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Achim Newsletter
Parshas Tazria - Metzora
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Picnic update
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Greetings!
I hope this newsletter finds you well.
Candle lighting time for Baltimore between 6:22 - 7:22
pm
Shabbos concludes
8:36 pm
Vsego khoroshego,
Paysach Diskind
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to print this as a web page click here
A Parsha thought
This week's double Parsha Tazria-Metzora opens with a very
significant detail in the mitzvah of Bris Milah (the mitzvah of circumcision).
The detail I refer to is that the circumcision should be performed when the
baby is eight days old. And even if the eighth day should occur on Shabbos the
Bris should be done. In other words, the mitzvah of Bris when done on the
eighth day is even greater than the Shabbos. There are very few mitzvahs whose
performance supersedes the sanctity of Shabbos. In this week's Parsha thought I
hope to give clarity as to why the eighth day Bris is greater than Shabbos. If
we are successful we will hopefully appreciate why the Bris is the mark, the
sign, more than any other sign that is the trademark of the Jew.
To successfully accomplish my goal (of giving clarity) I
will introduce two important Jewish concepts. The first concept is the understanding
of the significance of the number seven and the significance of the number
eight. The second concept is the understanding the distinction of the Jew from
the other nations of the world.
First the numbers; the number seven is the total number of
components of all physical matter. This is actually the parallel to the
following notion which we are familiar with; all material in the physical world
has three dimensions. There is no material that has more than three. It is
virtually not possible (for normal people like me) to comprehend a material
that has more than three dimensions. To translate this notion in Judaism's
terms we say that each dimension has two sides and therefore all physical
matter has six sides namely, the right and left, the top and bottom and the
front and back. These six components define all physical matter's boundaries or
limitations. Now, since all physical matter has its' respective purpose which
makes it unique, the seventh component of all matter is its purpose, its
essence. (In another Parsha thought we have used this notion to understand why
HaShem created the world in six days and created rest on the seventh day.)
Once we have arrived at this point we can appreciate why
Judaism ascribes the transcendental, or the spiritual to the number eight. The
eighth component of all matter is its spiritual side. Therefore, any matter
which is purely physical with no aspect of spirituality cannot be associated
with this eighth component.
Let us leave the first concept, the numbers, for the moment
and move on to the second concept; in what way is the Jew distinct from the
other nations?
The Jew is unique among the people of the world in that he
transcends the limitations of the physical world. All other nations rise and
fall and then disappear leaving, at best, a legacy but no survivors. The Jewish
nation, on the other hand, with her Torah continues to flourish, millennium after
millennium demonstrating no infirmity of age and no frailness in her vitality.
The Jew is immortal. The Jew transcends the physical limitations. The Jew
carries that eighth aspect in her essence, her spirituality.
HaShem instructed His people to perform the Bris as the sign
that identifies the physical body of the Jew as being Jewish. The instructions
are to perform the Bris only after the baby is eight days old. The reason
associated with this detail is that the Bris identifies the transcendental aspect
of the Jew. It is a physical mark that identifies him as being immortal.
Equipped with this insight let us go a bit deeper and dare
to ask the following question.
The Torah sets very high moral standards for every member of
its people. As you study these standards and recognize that the Torah holds
these expectations for even its youngest men and women you can argue; how can
the Torah expect such standards from such young people? It is not physically
possible to expect such controlled behavior from these teenagers. The response
to that question is that while it is true - it is physically impossible to
expect such control from teenagers, nevertheless, the Jew who has been given a
Bris is not limited by physical limitations. (In fact, those who make the
effort and use the Torah are truly successful and become wise people who learn
from a tender age how to give the reigns of control to their intellect and not
to their body.)
One Pikeville graduate shared with me his recognition in 12th
grade that he felt he could not grasp the beauty and wholeness of the Shabbos bez abrezino (uncircumcised). With this
recognition he had himself circumcised and felt the doors of wisdom of Judaism
open up to him. Behold! The physical act on his physical body opened up doors
of wisdom and insight to Judaism and gave him the courage to accomplish the
impossible.
Have a wonderful Shabbos.
Paysach Diskind
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Lag b'Omer Picnic
The Picnic is closer than farther
If you plan on coming please indicate so to paysach@achim.org
If you are not planning to participate - change your plans!
 Date:
Sunday, May 2
Time: 12:00 noon - 4:30 pm
Location: Gunpowder Falls State Park
7200
Graces Quarters, Chase, MD 21027
Hammer Shelter / Dogwood #2
What:
Lag b'Omer Picnic / Football
Hot dogs, Hamburgers,
salad, drinks, i takdali
Cost: $10 per person / $25 per family
Who:
YOU, of course, and that Jewish friend you wanted to introduce
to
Achim.
Directions: From I-95 take exit 67A
for Route
43 east (White Marsh
Boulevard). Follow 43 to route 40 east. After turning onto Route 40,
turn right at the first light onto Ebenezer Road and follow it for 4.5
miles. The park entrance will be on your left.
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Mom's Workshop
The
focus of the past workshop centered on raising children and
allowing
yourself some space. Being able to just be you.
Our next session will be Monday May 3,
and will be
dealing with more children-raising issues.
Date: Monday evening, May 3
Time: 8:45 - 9:45 (real
time not Jewish or Russian time)
Location: the home of Leah Mikeladze (6807 Park Heights Ave.
The Canterbury House, Apt.
3-I, 21215) To reach
Leah call 410-358-1450.
Moderator: Mrs. Brocha Skulnik
Parking
instructions; there is much parking behind
the building. However, only park around the perimeter not
underneath the
building itself. Those spots are reserved for the tenants only.)
If you have any questions call me at 443.286.9338 or
paysach@achim.org.
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Хасидская притча
Один из почитателей Любавического Ребе, Джордж Фор стоял во главе отдела по
работе с начинающими евреями. Однажды он с гордостью сказал Ребе:-Вы наверняка
останетесь довольны, когда узнаете, что у нас на встрече Нового года собралось
180 человек, не имеющих религиозного опыта. Ребе покачал головой: -Вы
ошибаетесь. Нет евреев без религиозного опыта: у каждого несколько тысячелетий
стажа, со времен Авраама, Ицхака и Яакова.
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Mazel Tov!
On
the upcoming Bar Mitzvah of Aaron Dovid Yablonovsky. Roman and Svetlana
will be hosting a kiddush in honor of this great moment.
The Kiddush will be next week (April 24)
at the Bais Medrash of Ranchleigh (BMR) at 10:45
Date: Saturday,
April 24
Time: 10:45 am
Location: Corner Deancroft and Smith
Who:
every member of Kehillas Achim and their friend
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Gemara Class
Weekly class in Russian language
The Talmud is the exposition and clarification of the Oral Torah. Talmud and Gemara are interchangeable terms for this work. So much of classic Jewish literature is built on the teachings of the Talmud. Children 13 years old as well 80-year rabbis study this ancient text. It engages the mind and activates the thinking process in a very deep way.
Monday evenings from 8:00 - 9:00 Dr. Michael Keidar gives a class on Gemara (Talmud) in Russian. This class is designed to accommodate people with limited background in Torah study.
Dr. Keidar gives the class at the Baltimore Community Kollel (3800 Labyrinth Road 21215)
If you are interested in participating or have questions contact Dr. Keidar at keidar@gwu.edu. |
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Parsha Class
Weekly Class in Russian Language
The Torah carries within it many messages. Every Shabbos is assigned its own special portion that is read in the synagogue. This weekly portion is called the Parsha. The lessons and insights that are packed with the Parsha are timeless as they are profound.
Tuesday evenings 8:00 - 9:00 Dr. Michael Keidar presents insights on the weekly Parsha in the Russian language. Participation does not require any background in Jewish education.
Dr. Keidar gives the class at the Baltimore Community Kollel (3800 Labyrinth Road 21215)
If you are interested in participating or have questions contact Dr. Keidar at keidar@gwu.edu. |
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Sunday morning @ Milbrook
Shachris service
Every Sunday morning we have a morning prayer service followed by tasty donuts with coffee and lively discussions with insights on the weekly Parsha dealing with relevant applications.
People who need to recite kaddish but are embarrassed to do so will feel comfortable at our service. We provide help and support in reciting kaddish in a friendly atmosphere.
Sunday morning schedule
Service 8:00 - 9:00
For kaddish be there no later than 8:45
Donuts, coffee and discussion 9:00 - 9:45
Everyone is welcome
Special prayers are recited by the minyan for sick members of the community. If you have someone you wish to be mentioned contact me at paysach@achim.org .
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Piano anyone?
I received a call to know if I know anyone who is interested in a piano. They have no interest in charging any money.
If you or someone you know is interested in taking this piano contact Mrs. Shira Bronfin at 410.358.3424.
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Weekly Women's Class
Continuing professional education
The Jewish woman has many responsibilities, each of which is critical to their family and to their people as whole. We can define the position of Jewish womanhood as requiring a degree in culinary arts, psychology, clinical social work, business management, human resources and education. In addition to this list, a comprehensive background in Jewish law comes in handy.
As with every profession, Jewish womanhood requires Continuing Professional Education. Achim is very fortunate to have Mrs. Tamar Englander who is an outstanding member of this elite class of Jewish Women. Tamar conducts a weekly class that provides motivational and educational approaches to practical Jewish womanhood. A sampling of the areas that are covered in her classes include perspectives on Shabbat, dealing with the challenges of stress that find themselves in life, cooking with a touch of spirituality, child rearing, marital relationships and many more.
Every Wednesday evening from 8:30 - 9:30 Tamar conducts this class at her home, 6307 Wirt Avenue 21215. All women are invited to participate in this group.
Please contact paysach@achim.org if you wish to join. | |
Mesilas Yeshorim / Path of the Just
We have concluded the second chapter and hope to begin the third chapter at our next meeting.
This class meets Wednesday's twice a month.
Our next session:
Date:Wednesday evening,
April 21.
Time: 8:00 - 9:00
Location: Home of Alla and Joseph Kovalerchik (101 Clarendon Road 21208)
If you wish to join contact me at
paysach@achim.org.
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Hebrew Literacy Level II
This class ran its six sessions
and is currently not running.
If you are interested in creating a new class
please contact me at 443.286.9338 or paysach@achim.org
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Employment Opportunities?
Do you know of any opportunities that perhaps someone in our group might benefit? Or perhaps you are looking for an opportunity and you wish to include other people in your search. Please contact me at paysach@achim.org.
We will be posting such opportunities on our website at Employment Opportunities
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