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Greetings!
I hope this newsletter finds you well.
Our Tuesday evening of learning has been well attended and I thank those who participated. Special thanks to Dr. Michoel Keidar for his compelling insights on the Parsha. Stay tuned to Yakov Krug's Hebrew language class that will begin after Shavuous. We will be bringing you updates.
Candle
lighting time for Baltimore
between 6:43 - 7:54 pm
Shabbos concludes
9:03 pm
Vsego khoroshego,
Paysach Diskind
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Counting Up
This week's Parsha of Bamidbar deals entirely with the
counting of the Jewish people. HaShem instructs Moshe to take 12 leaders, one
leader representing each Tribe and count every single man between the ages of
20 and 60. This counting was the third time HaShem counted His people in just
over one year. The first time He counted them was shortly after their exodus
from Egypt.
The second time He counted His people was after they sinned by making the
Golden Calf. This third time He counted His people on the occasion of their
completion and establishment of the Mishkon (Temple).
I would like to highlight two distinctions of the third
count over the first two. With the first and second count the people were counted
as one complete unit. In other words, there was no significance given to family
or tribe. The only concern addressed was how many members were in the group of
men between ages 20 through 60. In the third count, family and tribe played an
integral role. HaShem instructed Moshe "Lift the heads (this language is
another way of saying count) of the
children of Israel
according to their families and according to their tribes...." When the numbers came
in the Torah records how many members there were in each tribe and then again
it reviews how many members there were in the entire nation. The Torah placed
significance on both the individual tribes as well as the nation as a whole.
In the first two counts there was no attention given to
every individual person. Let us take the second count which was done by every
person contributing a half shekel to the communal pot after which the money was
counted. The resulting amount of shekels was then multiplied by two and the
number of people was known. This process allows for no recognition of the
individual as a unique member, rather everyone is one large mass. In the third
count, however, every single person to be counted was passed by Moshe, Aharon
and the leaders of the respective tribe. Every individual was counted in
person.
There was one more aspect in our Parsha that should be
noticed. After the people were counted and each tribe was identified with its
specific number of members, the Torah then records the exact formation of the
tribes in their encampment and in their travels; which tribes encamp in the
east and which tribes in the south and so on. Regarding their travels as well;
which tribes travel first and which tribes travel second and so on. There is so
much focus placed on the unique positioning of the tribes one cannot help but
recognize that the Torah is indicating that every tribe has its unique role and
position in the larger community.
As much as the Parsha appears to be so dry with numbers and
names, the picture that emerges is so grand and colorful. The picture I refer
to is the picture of a nation made of multiple smaller nations where every
member nation has its own specialty, its unique talents and unique interests.
This larger nation can find within its members everything that a people could
need; from educators and businessman to philosophers and military strategists.
As we consider how in this third count every individual
personally met Moshe, Aharon and the leader of his respective tribe, and keep
in mind this grand and colorful picture we can appreciate how the purpose of
this count was to lift every person to his unique position within the context
and framework of his respective tribe. Just as the Jewish nation is composed of
multiple smaller nations where every nation contributes what is unique to it,
so too, every tribe consists of multiple individuals and each one has their
unique contribution to make. (We can now appreciate the usage of "lift the
heads" instead of using the more common word "count". Lifting the head implies raising the members, lifting their self
worth.)
Behold, we are left holding a
picture where you see a nation consisting of 600,000 people broken into 12
groups. Every one of those 12 groups is critical to makeup of the nation. And
every one of the 600,000 members is critical to their respective tribe. The
comparison that comes to mind is the eco-system. Science has taught us that
there is no creature; animal, plant or otherwise, that is not critical to the system
as whole. Every member has a unique role to play.
The difficulty that we are now left with is why did HaShem
not conduct the first two counts in the way he conducted the third? Did HaShem
deem us unworthy of such a picture?
There is a danger when every individual is recognized for
their unique qualities and talents. The danger is that they may use their
uniqueness for advancing their own personal gains and interests at the expense
of their neighbors gain or at the expense of the community's gain. Consider
600,000 individuals each one vying to advance their own agenda; Heaven protect
us from such a society. The blessing of recognizing everyone's unique and
necessary purpose is only realized when all members are focused on one central
ideal.
Only when every member dedicates themself and their talents
to promote their common goal will our
Parsha's magnificent masterpiece emerge. Until the Mishkon was built and every
Jew could see how they were needed in the mission of the Mishkon this count
would be devastating.
As we stand within a week of Shavuous, celebrating the Torah
that HaShem granted us, let us discover how our unique talents and qualities
lend themselves to promoting this common goal of the Jewish people.
Have a wonderful Shabbos.
Paysach Diskind
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Tuesday Evening Learning Program
Next week Tuesday will be the first night of Shavuous. It is the custom for men to study Torah the entire night with no sleep.
Our program will resume the following Tuesday, May 26.
If you wish to have a chavrusah (study
partner) please contact me at 443.286.9338 or paysach@achim.org.
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
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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.
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Mom's Workshop
Administrating Reward & Punishment
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 24,
and will be
dealing with more children-raising issues.
Date: Monday evening, May 24
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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Mesilas Yeshorim / Path of the Just
This
class meets Wednesday's twice a month. 
Our next session:
Date:Wednesday
evening,
May 26.
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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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 Kehilas Achim's Tuesday evening of Learning.
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
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Хасидская притча
Чем отличается мудрый от умного?
Мудрый умеет выходить из положений, в
которые умный умеет не попадать.
р. Ицхак из Ворки |
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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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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. |
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