|
|
Achim Newsletter
Behar - Bechukosai
| | |
Greetings!
I hope this newsletter finds you well.
The Lag b'Omer was a splendid experience for all those who attended. There were a number of new folks who just recently arrived in Baltimore. One couple from Chicago and another from Kishenev and yet another from Boston.
Candle lighting time for Baltimore
between 6:37 - 7:48 pm
Shabbos concludes
8:57 pm
Vsego khoroshego,
Paysach Diskind
|
to print this as a web page click here
A Parsha Thought
In the second Parsha of the double Parsha of
Behar-Bechukosai that we read this week, the Torah predicts the horrific
tragedies of a war ravaged land with famine and exile that will befall the
Jewish people in the future if they will weaken their commitment to the Torah.
(When we discuss commitment to the Torah it is interchangeable with commitment
to HaShem. This is because the Torah is the expressed Will of HaShem.) The
designers of our calendar arranged that this Parsha be read before the holiday
of Shavuous which celebrates the receiving of the Torah. They wanted to bring
home to us the lesson of how the very existence of the Jewish people is
dependent on our commitment to the Torah. To the extent that we learn the
lessons of Bechukosai we will receive the Torah on Shavuous with greater
appreciation and commitment.
Please join me in attempting to learn one of these lessons.
Before launching into the description of what horrors lie in
store for us if we forsake the Torah, the Parsha says the following; "But if
you will not listen to Me and will not perform all these commandments; if you
consider My decrees loathsome, and if your being rejects My ordinances, and
prevent others from performing My commandments and deny My authorship of the
Torah, so that you annul My covenant - then I will do the same to you ..." If we
examine this verse carefully we will find seven degrees of rejection as
follows.
Not
listening to the Torah Stop performing
the mitzvos Despise
others that perform the mitzvos Hate
the Sages who instruct us on the performance of the mitzvos Prevent
others from performing the mitzvos Deny
that HaShem even instructed us to do the mitzvos and
finally, the denial of the very existence of HaShem. The Talmud analyzes these degrees and explains the first
degree of not listening to the Torah refers to our laxity in Torah study.
Our Sages learn from here that when we slack in our
diligence of Torah study we begin to decline into the second step which leads
to the third step and so on, until all is lost.
I believe it is correct to say that just as our descent
begins with the slacking off from Torah study so too our ascent begins with
Torah study. Namely, as we increase our diligence in studying Torah we will
increase our performance of mitzvos and respect others that perform mitzvos and
come to love the Sages who instruct on the performance which will lead us to
encourage others to perform mitzvos and so on.
If my assumption is correct we must appreciate the power of
Torah study and the diligence that we apply to the studying of Torah. We must
never think "it is enough that I observe the mitzvos and I even observe Shabbos
in its entirety" - it certainly is worthy
and deserving of much credit, however, it is dangerous if we become smug with that accomplishment and ignore our
calling to study the Torah. The moment we become comfortable with our level of
observance while our diligence in Torah in still weak we are in a dangerous
mode. This is the lesson our Parsha teaches on the cusp of our receiving the Torah.
I would like to take this thought one step further. So many
readers of this newsletter observe only few mitzvos. There are many whose
observance of Shabbos might be limited to just lighting Shabbos candles before
sundown. To these readers as well as everyone else I wish to underscore that
our commitment to HaShem and to His Torah is dependent on our diligence of
Torah study. So that although one person or family is not ready to observe
Shabbos in its entirety, nevertheless, if they are committed to studying the
Torah on a regular basis with a sense of commitment they are in an upswing.
They must know that their relationship with HaShem in ascending.
Bearing in mind that our Sages say the Torah is the source
of all blessing, I wish you all much spiritual and material growth as you delve
into the Torah that HaShem has given us.
At this point I feel it is appropriate to encourage you to
find a program that works with your schedule and become part of it. We have
just started our Tuesday evening program which allows you to study Torah at
your own pace and at your interest. See details below.
Have a wonderful Shabbos.
Paysach Diskind
|
Tuesday Evening Learning Program
The maiden voyage of our
Tuesday night program went beautifully. We are grateful to HaShem and to
those who made it possible.
Dr. Keidar (Reb Michoel
Keidar) presented insights into the weekly Parsha. His class consisted
of seven participants.
Next week Tuesday we will again meet at
8:00 and conclude at 9:00. If you wish to have a chavrusah (study
partner) please contact me at 443.286.9338 or paysach@achim.org.
Our community is rich with capable Torah scholars who are willing and able to share their own Torah knowledge with others. Come and take advantage of this wonderful experience.
I encourage you to join us. Whether you
would like to learn or like to teach we need you.
The details are as follows:
Date:Every Tuesday evening
Time: 8:00 - 9:30 pm
Location:
Rabbi Berger's Shul (3209 Fallstaff Road, 21215) map
What: an
evening of Torah study -
your choice, your level
Coffee
and soft drinks avaiable
We are very grateful to Frank and Danielle Storch who are providing their property for this program.
We thank you, Frank
|
NEW
Hebrew Reading Class
by Yakov Krug
 Yakov Krug will begin a new Hebrew reading class. The goal of this class to give the student a comfort level in reading and speaking classic Hebrew as well as common conversational Hebrew.
His curriculum is a 10 week course and will be using Ha-Yesod as his base.
This Hebrew class will take place as part of our Tuesday Evening Learning Program.
If you are interested in learning more information contact Yakov at yakovkrug@yahoo.com or 410-274-5446.
|
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 this Monday May 10,
and will be
dealing with more children-raising issues.
Date: Monday evening, May 10
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.
|
|
|
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. |
|
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. |
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
|
|
|
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 .
|
|
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. |
Хасидская притча
Сказано Аврааму: Лех-Леха
- (Иди себе.. ) и это первая заповедь, данная
еврею Я читаю это так. Иди к себе!
р. Шмуэль из Сохачова
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
