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Achim Newsletter
Korach
Friday June 11, 2010
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Greetings!
I hope this newsletter finds you well.
Special!
This Shabbos marks Rosh Chodesh Tamuz which translates as the beginning of the month of Tamuz. Actually the first of the month will be Sunday, however, the 30th day of the previous month also receives the distinction of being called Rosh Chodesh.
Correction:
Last week we announced the time for the birth of the new moon as being one second after 5:23 in morning
Jerusalem time. That was a mistake due to my miscalculation. The actual time of birth was 42 seconds after 5:23 am.
Candle
lighting time for Baltimore
between 7:00 - 8:15 pm
Shabbos concludes
9:24 pm
Vsego khoroshego,
Paysach Diskind
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to print this as a web page click here
Parsha Thought
Just today I had a meeting with a couple of people and one
fellow asked the following question. "Just what is the endgame of the Jewish
people?" The initial response to this question could be "just what is the endgame
of any other people, who says that there is an endgame?" or perhaps "the
endgame of the Jewish people is just to continue playing". However, the one
asking the question understood that the Jewish people are not simply a result
of some demographic occurrence that took place 3,500 years ago. Rather we are a
people that HaShem placed on the stage of world history and there must be a
goal or purpose for placing us in that position.
I believe that the answer to this most fundamental question
can be found in the creases of our Parsha, Korach. Korach who was a cousin of
Moshe and Aharon was an ambitious man of much influence, much intelligence and
most of all, much ego. He so wanted to depose of his two cousins and wrest the
top leadership position for himself. Motivated by those intentions he schemed a
plan with the help of others by which he would gain popular support against
Moshe.
His biggest hurdle to overcome if he were to be successful
was to undermine the notion that Moshe did nothing on his own; everything he
did was done by the explicit directive of HaShem. To appreciate this problem,
we must remember that HaShem spoke directly to the entire nation; every member
of the nation heard and experienced HaShem at Mount Sinai
with Moshe on the summit. The first two commandments of the Ten Commandments
were heard by every Jew from HaShem Himself. After hearing those two commandments
the people requested from Moshe that HaShem speak to him and he would in turn
speak to the people. Moshe took the request to HaShem and HaShem agreed that
the rest of the communication would go through Moshe. Namely, HaShem would
speak to Moshe and Moshe would relay to the people. After this experience
Korach needed to cast aspersion on this incident and thereby debase Moshe's position
as the trusted messenger of HaShem.
The best way to deceive a people is to take a principle that
they know as a truth and twist it slightly to satisfy your slant. For example,
if you are a terrorist and you wish to win the world on your side, simply take
a cause that you know they accept such as humanitarian aid and twist it
slightly to present yourself as representing this cause. Once they associate
you with humanitarian aid you will no longer be a terrorist but an activist.
This was the ploy Korach used. "They (Korach and his men)
gathered together against Moshe and Aharon and said to them 'It is too much for
you! For the entire nation - all of them - are holy and HaShem is among them;
why do you exalt yourselves over the congregation of HaShem?!"
Korach's primary argument is that there is no need for
Moshe's position or for Aharon's position, since the entire nation is holy and
HaShem is among them. In other words, you think that this nation needs a
prophet and priest to represent them before HaShem; you know this is not true,
for the entire people are holy and HaShem has spoken to them directly.
The truth that Korach manipulated was the invitation HaShem
made to us at Mount Sinai. HaShem told us at Mount Sinai prior to giving us the Torah "You shall be to
Me the most beloved treasure of all peoples... You shall be to Me a kingdom of
priests and a holy nation".
Behold! How perfectly this matches Korach's argument. HaShem
Himself calls his people a kingdom of priests and a holy nation! What then was
the role of Moshe and Aharon if this calling is true?
At this point it is worth appreciating the challenge that
Korach raised for it gives us pause to focus on the correct understanding of
the true meaning of being a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. It is not
uncommon for grand ideas to be misunderstood as Korach did with this idea. So
let us get to the point. What does HaShem mean when He calls us to be a kingdom
of priests and a holy nation?
When HaShem tells His people that if they accept the Torah
"You shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation" He is not saying
that with the acceptance of the Torah you are hereby holy. HaShem is saying
that by accepting the Torah you will become holy. Becoming holy is a process.
It is a process that takes much time, effort and most of all much discipline.
As we read in the beginning of Parshas Kedoshim, HaShem instructs His people
with the following command "You shall be holy, for I, your G.D am holy." If we
are automatically holy with the acceptance of Torah then what is the function
of this mitzvah? Clearly, the mitzvah is instructing us to continue growing in
becoming holy.
Korach misrepresented this point and argued that we are
already holy and there is no need for a Moshe and Aharon.
So the answer to my friend is that the Jewish people's
endgame is to continuously strive towards that ultimate level of holiness. Of
course, it might be an eternal striving and growing since the ultimate
destination of holiness is to be like HaShem.
Once we have arrived at the endgame of the Jewish people it
is worthwhile to take a moment to understand how do we achieve holiness in simple practical terms?
The Hebrew word for holy is kadosh. In addition to meaning holy, kadosh also means designated for a specific purpose. Living one's
life for the purpose of drawing oneself nearer to HaShem makes their life holy.
In other words, being holy is living life in the most meaningful way.
The path to holiness is found in our everyday lives; in our
eating, in our sleeping, in our interaction with our family and other people.
If, when involved in these activities, we focus our intentions on doing them
for their meaningful purpose of drawing ourselves closer to HaShem, then we
have elevated ourselves as well as the food and people that we are interacting
with. And if you ask how my eating and drinking draws me closer to HaShem, I
will tell you that without eating and drinking I would have no energy to pray
and to learn and to care for others. Hence, I will eat and drink so that I can
serve HaShem properly. Behold, my eating becomes elevated to the level serving
HaShem. And if you ask how my caring for my wife's needs draws me closer to
HaShem, I will tell that the method of drawing ourselves closer to HaShem is by
emulating Him. The more our activities and attitudes line up with HaShem's
behavior the closer we become.
How fortunate we are that our everyday life fills us with
opportunities of becoming holy and living a life of meaningfulness.
Nothing is trivial.
This is holiness.
Have a wonderful Shabbos.
Paysach Diskind
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Tuesday Evening Learning Program
Featuring
1. Dr. Keidar's Parsha Class given in Russian.
2. Paysach Diskind in depth study of the 613 mitzvos (check out the blog for the current mitzvah)
3. Learn one-on-one with a study partner on the
matter of your choice.
4. Read, understand and speak Hebrew with Yakov Krug esq.
If you wish to have a chavrusah (study
partner) please contact me at 443.286.9338 or paysach@achim.org.
If you wish to the Hebew class contact Yakov Krug.
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 - 10:00 pm
Location:
Rabbi Berger's Shul (3209 Fallstaff Road, 21215) map
What: an
evening of Torah study -
your choice, your level
We are very grateful to Frank and Danielle Storch for providing their property for this program.
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NEW
Hebrew Reading Class
by Yakov Krug
 Yakov Krug has begun 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 foundation.
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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The Mitzvah Class
Join me weekly at the Tuesday evening of learning in developing an appreciation for mitzvos of the Torah.
The class deals with practical applications as well as philosophical insights.
Please visit our Blog for a taste of the class.
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Mom's Workshop
This is the last workshop before the summer break
Delegating jobs with authority
Our next session will be this Monday June 14.
The current issue; How to get the children to listen without a fight
Date: Monday evening, June 14
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. 
We are currently up to page 19.
Our next session:
Date:Wednesday
evening, June 23.
Time: 8:00 - 9:00
Location:
Home of Alla and Joseph Kovalerchik (101 Clarendon Road 21208)
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Хасидская притча
Когда богатые евреи ездили отдыхать на воды, они оставляли талес (талит) дома:
не позориться же перед неевреями в нелепых белых полотнищах.
Однажды на воды
в Мариенбад приехал известный проповедник - магид из Кельна. В субботу он пришел
в дом, который отдыхающие сняли в качестве синагоги. К своему удивлению, он
увидел, что на большей части прихожан нет талесов.
Ничего, ничего,-
пробормотал он. В чем дело?- спросил староста. Талесы плакали: взяли хозяева
деньги, а нас забыли!,- ответил магид,- вот я и утешил их: ничего, ничего,
когда-нибудь хозяева ваши пустятся в дальний путь, все оставят дома и только вас
возьмут с собой*
*принято хоронить еврея в талите
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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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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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