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Achim Newsletter
Devarim
Thursday July 15, 2010
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Greetings!
I hope this newsletter finds you well.
Please note our Tisha b'Av Megillah Reading below.
Candle
lighting time for Baltimore
between 7:00 - 8:14 pm
Shabbos concludes
9:21 pm
Tisha b'Av, the fast of Av begins Monday evening and concludes Tuesday evening as follows. During this time one may not eat or drink anything. Individuals whose health would be compromised by fasting should be careful and take care of themselves. Nevertheless, even in those circumstances one should limit their intake to the bare minimum.
The fast begins Monday evening 8:25 pm
The fast is over Tuesday evening 9:14 pm
To print the Parsha thought click printable newsletter.
To enjoy our Parsha summary go to Parsha and to enjoy a parsha thought in Russian go to Nedelya glavy.
Rabbi Baddiel has offered us the insightful story of Rabbi Yochanon ben Zakai in both English and Russian. I hope you enjoy it.
Vsego khoroshego,
Paysach Diskind
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Tisha b'Av Megillah Reading
Pending any historical changes
We, the Jewish people have a firm belief that at any moment the historical landscape can change. In the current mode our people are subjected to powers other than HaShem. However, we know that this mode is going to change and the change can happen within a short time frame.
That said, pending any significant changes, we will be holding our Tisha b'Av megillah reading at the Malachevsky's.
Date: Monday evening, July 19
Time: 9:10 - Maariv service
9:25 - Megillah reading
Location:
the Malachevsky home (3002 Lightfoot Road, 21208) map
What: the reading of the Book of Eicha / Lamentations
There will be a program on Tuesday, July 20 at the Etz Chaim Center. For more information go to the Etz Chaim site.
This Megilah Reading is sponsored by Sol Levinson Bros Funeral Home
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to print this as a web page click here
Sick From Head to Heel
This Shabbos brings us yet closer to the fateful day of
Tisha b'Av. Tisha b'Av (the 9th day of the month of Av) marks to
most tragic day in the Jewish calendar. On this day our ancestors back in the
desert, shortly after their exodus from Egypt, rejected HaShem's
sovereignty. This terrible sin is known as the sin of the spies who discouraged
the people of Israel from
trusting in HaShem and from entering the Land of Israel.
As a consequence of the sin of the spies Tisha b'Av has been the day designated
by HaShem to be the day when our exiles shall begin. Hence, the destruction of
the First Temple which ushered in the Babylonian
exile occurred on Tisha b'Av. The destruction of the Second Temple
which ushered in the Roman exile occurred on Tisha b'Av. The Spanish
inquisition which ushered in a new phase of the exile for Sephardic Jewry began
on Tisha b'Av. The outbreak of the World War I which ushered in the beginning of
our most current phase of exile occurred on Tisha b'Av. If our tragedies were
not so painful it would be boring to enumerate them.
But what are we supposed to do about Tisha b'Av? How are we
to react and respond to this day? Quite frankly, our life in America and in Israel is not that terrible. Sure,
it would be nice if things would be better but just a little bit of adjusting
is necessary. Let me sharpen my dilemma. If we would go back just one hundred
years to anywhere in the world on Tisha b'Av we would find those Jews sitting
on the floor crying - yes crying bitterly over the loss of our Holy Temple
that was destroyed 2,000 years earlier. Their crying was genuinely over the
loss of the Temple
and over our current exile in which we find ourselves so distanced from HaShem.
How come I cannot muster up those wellsprings of tears or even just a few
teardrops to cry over the loss of our dearest Friend, our dearest Confidant,
our only Provider and our only Father?
It is not so hard to commit these feeling to paper but how
come I do not feel it? Does not
Jewish blood run through my veins which is pumped by my Jewish heart?
I would like to propose a suggestion that might explain this
phenomenon. Our Sages teach us that the totality of Jewish history form the
image of a tall man. The head of this individual is 3,300 years old and the
feet of this individual is our current period of history. Let us explore this
notion for a moment so that we can relate to it more comfortably. The head is
the home of intellect and the home of master controls for the entire body. This
was specifically the generation that trekked through the desert and received
the Torah at Mount Sinai. This is the
generation that witnessed and learnt first-hand the greatness of HaShem. The
basis of all Jewish consciousness was experienced by this first generation.
They formed the head of our people. As we move down historically 400 years
later we find King David and his son King Solomon the authors of the books that
identify core Jewish sentiment (I refer to the books of Psalms, Proverbs, Song
of Songs, Ecclesiastes, etc.). This was the generation that built the Temple in Yerushalayim (Jerusalem). They represent the heart of the
Jewish individual.
This remarkable notion associates the bottom of the
individual with the final generations in which Moshiach will come. Hence, we
understand why the Talmud refers to our current phase of Jewish history as the heels of Moshiach. We are the very
bottom of this great individual's body which is the heel. The bottom of the
heel is primarily nothing but dead skin that has virtually no nerve endings or
very few at the most.
Perhaps I need to accept the unfortunate fact that although
my generation is part of the great individual whose head and whose heart are so
close to HaShem, nevertheless our sensitivities and nerve endings are not that
functional. And this is why as much as I recognize the reality of what we are
missing in this current exile, nevertheless, I find it hard to shed those
Jewish tears. We have no nerve endings.
(I would add that we should not think that this last piece
of the body, the dead skin of the heel is of no consequence and we serve no
purpose in the scheme of things. No! This is absolutely incorrect. If it is
part of the body then the body is incomplete without it. Every organ and every
cell of this body is critical to its' perfection. If any part is missing we
must wait until we are complete.)
So what am I to do? Just throw my hands up and say "Oh well,
what a shame"?! To respond in this manner is tantamount to simply cutting off
that dead skin that is on the heel and throwing it away. That would be a
tragedy which even I could find tears for.
Perhaps my response to Tisha b'Av is to hold on for dear
life to our earlier generations. We must recognize and demonstrate to the best
of our abilities that we are the heel of this great individual. As much as we
do not feel the pain that is wracking
the body we still know that our body is wracked in pain. Let us not throw away
that critical Jewish sentiment. And perhaps we might shed a tear or two out of
fear that our children might cut out this dead skin without realizing that this
connection is our lifeline to existence.
Have a wonderful Shabbos and a sad Tisha b'Av
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 study
partner please contact me at 443.286.9338 or paysach@achim.org.
If you wish to attend 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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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.
This curriculum is a 10 week course and he 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
Summer has arrived with all the changes that come with it. One of those changes is that Brocha Skulnik will not be continuing the workshop.
We are very grateful to Mrs. Skulnik for her dedication and time that she puts into her presentations and discussions.
There is a possibility that they will continue when school resumes. We will keep you posted.
In the meantime, if have any questions regarding the workshop you may contact me at 443.286.9338 or
paysach@achim.org.
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Mesilas Yeshorim / Path of the Just
This classic work on basic Jewish
philosophy is studied
depth by two groups of classes.
One group meets on alternate Mondays and the other meets on alternate Wednesdays.
We are currently up to page 23.
Our next sessions:
Date: Monday evening , July 26
Wednesday
evening, July 21.
Time: 8:00 - 9:00
Location:
Monday at the Malachevskys (3002 Lightfoot) map
Wednesday at Kovalerchik (101 Clarendon Road) map
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Хасидская притча
Жил-был во времена великого Магида молодой бедный хасид.
Его и его семью
содержал тесть-купец. И ездил этот молодой хасид к Магиду чуть ни каждый месяц.
Надоело это молодой жене и ее отцу и повели они хасида к раввину. Поставили ему
ультиматум: или перестанет ездить к ребе или дает развод жене. Нечего делать,
пообещал хасид тестю при раввине и свидетелях, что не будет больше надолго
отлучаться из дома. Не прошло и месяца, соскучился он по учителю и уехал. Когда
вернулся, взял его тесть без разговоров к раввину и заставил дать гет
жене.
Остался хасид без любимой жены, без дома, без средств и умер от тоски и
голода.
Когда узнал об этом Магид, сказал он своим ученикам:
- Когда
придет Машиах,хасид попросит рассудить его с тесте и раввином. Придут все трое
на суд к Машиаху.
Скажет тесть:- Я полагался на раввина
Скажет раввин: Я
судил по закону.
Скажет Машиах :Прав тесть, прав и раввин. Но что мне до них
и что им до меня. Не к тем, кто прав я пришел. Я пришел к тем, кто не
прав.
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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?
A new request has passed my desk.
If you know of a qualified tutor for Math, English grammar and reading for the summer months, please contact Yakov Krug or call 410-274-5446.
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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