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Achim Newsletter
V'eschanan
Thursday July 22, 2010
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Greetings!
I hope this newsletter finds you well.
I would like to thank all those who made our Tisha b'Av megilah reading so poignant. A special appreciation to the Malachevsky's for making their home and yard available as well as to Rabbi Nossie Horowitz for reading the megilah.
Candle
lighting time for Baltimore
between 6:56 - 8:09 pm
Shabbos concludes
9:16 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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to print this as a web page click here
A Parsha thought
This Shabbos we will read the haftorah from the prophet
Isaiah when he tells his people in name of HaShem Nachamu nachamu ami which means "Be consoled, be consoled my nation
says G.D. The reason for reading this haftorah is because we celebrated Tisha
b'Av on Tuesday and Isaiah's prophecy is coming to console us over the tragedy
of Tisha b'Av.
While every Shabbos we read a chapter from the prophets this
Shabbos is unique in that the Shabbos is given a title after her haftorah.
Hence, this Shabbos is referred to as Shabbos Nachamu. The implication is that
the haftorah is more than just another chapter that is read but rather it
defines the very nature of this week's Shabbos.
That said; let us explore the nature of this consolation so
that we can draw the special energy that this Shabbos offers. But before we can
begin that exploration we must first appreciate the nature of the Tisha b'Av
tragedy.
In other Parsha thoughts we established that the core
essence of the Jewish people is our relationship with HaShem. The eternal
nature of the Jewish people is founded on this principle. When we maintain a healthy
relationship we are invincible. When our relationship flounders, based on our
misbehavior/disobedience then we become food to our enemies and they literally
eat us alive. But never, will we ever perish - specifically because of that
relationship. As low as we might fall our existence is as guaranteed as
HaShem's existence; we are inseparable.
Tisha b'Av marks the day of our first national rebellion /
disobedience. It is therefore the anniversary that marks the change from our
being invincible to becoming vulnerable. On the surface we would say that the
tragedy of Tisha b'Av is the extreme vulnerability of our people and the
horrors we suffered at the hands of our enemies. However, those horrors were
only symptoms they are not the malady. The true sickness or perhaps, the root
cause of those symptoms was the shift in our relationship from commitment and
loyalty to traitorous and unfaithful. Considering that our
core essence is built on this relationship, the root cause is truly the greater
tragedy.
We are often so overwhelmed by the
horrors associated with the symptoms that we lose sight of the real tragedy -
our wounded relationship. To help us focus on the real tragedy we need to get
the larger perspective rather than the personal up-close view. Last week I
introduced the notion that the Jewish people from the generation that left Egypt to the
final generation that will greet Moshiach form one large person. This person is
90 generations tall. I urge you to
recognize this model as the reality of the Jewish people NOT an analogy.
HaShem's relationship with us is through this Person. To the extent that this Person
maintains a positive relationship he is invincible if not then otherwise is
true.
To further expound on this point so that
it should not be misunderstood; every Jew has a relationship with HaShem, a
personal and intimate relationship. HaShem is concerned with every detail of
his life. But, this special relationship that HaShem has with the Jew is only
when the Jew recognizes himself as a member, as an integral and critical cell
in that large Person. Once a Jew detaches himself from this Person he loses
that unique relationship. It is for this reason that when HaShem was
disappointed with His people in the desert His level of communication to Moshe
was downgraded. Although Moshe's personal relationship with HaShem did not
change during this time nevertheless HaShem's communication with Moshe was a
manifestation of His relationship to this tall Person therefore as the Person's
relationship slipped the communication to Moshe was downgraded. This wounded
relationship is a tragedy for every Jew who is a member of this great Person.
If we have properly understood the
tragedy of Tisha b'Av then when we hear the prophet Isaiah tell us in the name
of HaShem be consoled, be consoled my
nation we understand that He is addressing our disgraceful disloyalty, the cause of our mourning. HaShem
is telling His people to be consoled, HaShem is willing to take us back into
His good graces.
Oh the joy! After all these years and
generations of rejection and dejection HaShem is willing and ready to take us
back.
If we are to truly acknowledge this
prophecy how can we not respond in
kind. If after all these years HaShem opens His arms to embrace us we must be
ready to run into those arms to be embraced. How would it look if we decided to
turn away from those open arms, to forsake them and go elsewhere to a place
which is more fun?! Oh! It is dreadful to imagine the pain we would inflict to
our relationship!
Such is the energy of our Shabbos!
So come join in welcoming HaShem's
consolation to us. Jump into His arms! Let us tell Him how much we too missed
Him.
Have a wonderful and most joyful 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 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 / Mitzvah of Daily Prayer
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.
Our current mitzvah is the Mitzvah of Daily Prayer
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 , August 9
Wednesday
evening, August 11.
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
Слепой евреи каждое утро приходил ко входу в дом, в котором жил раби Шая из
Праги.
Он продавал пирожки и зарабатывал на жизнь своей семье. Не проходило и
дня, чтобы полицейский-антисемит не обидел его: то корзину перевернет, то
отберет выручку. Однажды раби Шая увидел это и назавтра пораньше купил у слепого
всю корзину. Так делал он и потом изо дня в день.
- К чему эти хлопоты ? -
спросили ученики у раби.- Те деньги, которые ты даешь ему поденно, можно давать
одной суммой раз в месяц.
- У него отнят свет очей, неужели отберем у него и
последнюю радость: уверенность в том, что он честно зарабатывает на жизнь себе и
своим детям?!
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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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