Parshat Vaera
"Thanks When Thanks are Due"
A midrash on the 10 plagues reminds us to recognize any good that has been done for us.
Ismar Schorsch
A careful reading of the Torah narrative would quickly persuade us that not all of the ten plagues are unleashed by Moses.
The midrash, in fact, attributes only three to Moses--those of hail, locusts, and darkness.The first three plagues--those of blood, frogs, and vermin--are attributed to Aaron, while still three others--insects, pestilence, and the death of the first born--come directly from God. Finally, one plague--that of boils--is triggered by all three of them jointly.
Not Superhuman
The midrash does not provide an overall explanation for the pattern. From a modern perspective, I would observe that the multiple authorship of the plagues may be intended to understate the magical prowess of Moses. In its portrait of the man, the Torah consistently brings out his failings. Though larger than life, Moses never looms before us as superhuman. Moreover, at the end, the Torah conceals his place of burial. Moses is to bevenerated, not worshipped. His persona ought not to become a cultic focal point.
What interests me, however, is the highly suggestive partial explanation offered by the midrash for Aaron's causing the first three plagues.The homily turns on the important rabbinic principle of acknowledging a favor (hakaratha-tov). As the beneficiary of an act of kindness, we are bound in a lifelong relationship with its progenitor, whether animate or inanimate. There is too little good in the world for us to indulge in ingratitude. Our life should become a text for others.
In this spirit, the midrash has God address Moses."'The waters that preserved you when you were thrown into them and the dust which protected you on the day that you killed the Egyptian [that is, covered his body] should not be smitten by you.' That is why they were smitten by Aaron" [Torah Shlemah, vol. 10, p. 44-45]. Put differently, it would have been an act of gross ingratitude for Moses to smite elements of nature to which he owed his very life. And so the devastation (including that of the frogs which came from the Nile) was wrought by Aaron.
The same ethical principle prompted the midrash to account for another episode in Moses's life. Prior to his death, he is instructed by God to eradicate the Midianites, who had needlessly joined Balak, King of Moab, to induce the gentile prophet Balaam to curse the people of Israel (Numbers 22:2-8).
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for additional insights on this week's parsha and others, visit The JTS Torah Commentary archive: http://www.jtsa.edu
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May Their Memories Be For a Blessing
DECEMBER YAHRTZEITS
12/26/2013 (23 Tevet)
Edsel Kershenbaum
Muriel Trager
12/28/2013 (25 Tevet)
Mildred Robinson
Lillian Saulson
12/29/2013 (26 Tevet)
David Jacknow
Louis Weiss
12/30/2013 (27 Tevet)
Harriett J. Beale
JANUARY YAHRTZEITS
1/1/2014 (29 Tevet)
Sophie Silverstein
1/3/2014 (2 Shevat)
Mrs. Tillie Lantor
Edith Tucker
1/4/2014 (3 Shevat)
Marian Knoppow
1/5/2014 (4 Shevat)
Morris Fishman
Marie Garnick
Lisa Goldstone
Nancy Lynn Precour
1/6/2014 (5 Shevat)
Mary Wonboy
1/7/2014 (6 Shevat)
Walter M. Stark
1/8/2014 (7 Shevat) Rachel Orzach
1/10/2014 (9 Shevat)
Lois Shirley Pappas
1/12/2014 (11 Shevat)
Molly Zelickman
1/15/2014 (14 Shevat)
Mel Rogoff
1/16/2014 (15 Shevat)
Dr. David Eisman
1/17/2014 (16 Shevat)
Sheila Cohen
Harry Doneson
1/18/2014 (17 Shevat)
Sam Isaacs
Alvin Nusbaum
1/19/2014 (18 Shevat)
Dr. Richard Reinherz
1/21/2014 (20 Shevat)
Albert (Sam) Sklar
1/25/2014 (24 Shevat)
Betty Crone
1/27/2014 (26 Shevat) Joseph Langnas
1/28/2014 (27 Shevat)
Isaac Faxstein
To make a donation to commemorate a yahrtzeit, please click here. If you are a member of the synagogue and a yahrtzeit for your loved one is not on the list, please contact the synagogue office so we can update our records.
Please click here if you wish to permanently memorialize a loved one by purchasing a yahrtzeit plaque.
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Caring Community Information
Refuah Sh'leimah/Wishing a Speedy Recovery.
Please e-mail Michael Golob or call the synagogue: 248-432-2729 to add a name to our communal mishebeirach list.
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To make a donation to the synagogue,
phone: 248-432-2729
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Shabbat Vaera
Friday, December 27th
6 p.m. Kabbalat Shabbat/Maariv, Chapel
Saturday, December 28th
9 a.m. Services, Sanctuary
Kiddush Lunch is sponsored by Rachel Kapen in honor of Avi's special birthday.
SHABBAT SHIUR TODAY FOLLOWING LUNCH, Chapel:
Rabbi Norman Roman, "Chuppah v'Kidddushin: Radical Insights into Customs of the Marriage Ceremony"
FUTURE DATES: 1/25, 2/22, 3/29, 5/10, 6/21.
*Kiddush Lunch is available through the generosity of weekly sponsors. Please e-mail or call the synagogue office if you would like to sponsor a kiddush lunch. You may also make a donation to the synagogue specifically for the Kiddush Lunch Fund by clicking here.
MINYAN TIME CHANGE REMINDERS
January 1st: 8:30 a.m., 5 p.m.
Several synagogue members are out of town through the first week in January. Additional support at minyan is greatly appreciated.
The synagogue business office will be closed 12/24/13-1/1/14.
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Upcoming Youth and Family Activities
FAMILY CAMP 2014 MARCH 21st-23rd
Registration available first week in January.
Priority Registration for BI and TKA members and $100.00 off if form and payment are received by January 24th. First come, first served. Click here for registration form.
January 11th:
MCUSY (USY, grades 9-12) Havdallah at the Downtown Synagogue, followed by ice skating at Campus Martius Park.
Bus to and from the West Bloomfield JCC for this event. Watch for additional Details coming soon.
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Family Night at Minyan, last Sunday of the month.
Bring your family to help make minyan at 5 p.m., enjoy pizza dinner in the social hall. MARK YOUR CALENDAR: 1/26, 2/23, 3/9 (Special pre-Purim Activities), 4/27, 6/1
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Upcoming Shabbat Youth Activities
SHABBAT CHILDREN'S WORKSHOP DATES for youth ages 7-12. 30 minutes of tefilla and parsha fun.
11-11:45 a.m., ROOM 9
JANUARY 11TH, JANUARY 25TH, FEBRUARY 1ST, MARCH 1ST,
APRIL 5th, MAY 3 (10:30 A.M.) JUNE 7 YOUTH SHABBAT
SHABBAT TEEN ACTIVITIES
D'VAR TORAH COCOA CAFE for ages 13-17,
11:00-11:45 a.m., Social Hall
Listen to the D'var Torah in the main sanctuary, then give your take over cocoa and cider. Kiddush lunch following, with Spirited singing and Birkat Hamazon led by teens. For more information,
FUTURE DATES:
JANUARY 11TH, JANUARY 25TH, FEBRUARY 1ST, MARCH 1ST, APRIL 5TH, MAY 3RD
JANUARY 25TH: SHABBAT ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN AGES 3-5
To stay current on all youth and family activities, contact Ilana Glazier to join the B'nai Israel Families Facebook Group.
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Developing Your Character Through Mussar
Monday evenings, January 20th, 27th and February 3rd
7-8:30 p.m., TKA/BI Room 2
Join Rabbi Robbins and explore Mussar, the ancient Jewish practice of self-examination and character development through the prism of Biblical exemplars and rabbinic texts. Delve into traits such as humility, patience and gratitude. Each class builds on the previous class session. $36.00 for the series. RSVP to
[email protected].
Adult Education
"Reflections on the Siddur," with Dr. Mitch Parker
Saturdays, 11-11:45 a.m.
January
Mitch will focus on Ashrei, Aleinu, the Kaddish, Adon Olam, Yigdal, Hallel and Birkat Hamazon.
Class meets in the lower level, Room 9.
Are you interested in learning to chant haftarah, read Torah or lead services?
Please
to let us know your interest. Classes/one-on-one tutoring opportunities will be formed based on interest generated.
Do you or your post-adult children have a special Haftarah or Torah reading that you have previously read or would like to read again?
Please e-mail the synagogue to be included in scheduling.
Lunch and Learn Series
with Hillel Buechler, Ramah Fellow
First Tuesday of every month
Next session: 12:15 p.m., January 7th
Meet at Barnes and Noble on Orchard Lake Road Bring your own lunch. There is no charge to attend. Future Dates: February 5th, March 5th, April 9th. Please e-mail Hillel Buechler if you plan to attend.
Adult Education Series with Professor Howard Lupovitch
Location: Congregation Beth Ahm
"Transforming the Jewish Landscape: Great Jewish Philanthopists."
Tuesday, January 7: "The Rothschilds and Baron De Hirsch"
Tuesday, January 14: "The Bronfmans and Max Fisher"
7:30 p.m., Beth Ahm. $15/session or $25/series
Advanced registration requested, walk-ins welcome:
Shabbat Shiur Series
Shabbat Afternoons, last Saturday of the month following lunch and prior to minha. Shiur (class) will meet in the chapel. All our welcome. There is no charge to attend.
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Upcoming Tikkun Olam
and TKA/BI Joint Opportunity
SOUTH OAKLAND SHELTER
HOUSING OF GUESTS AT TKA/BI,
MARCH 23-30, 2014
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Mazel Tov
DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS 26 Linda Baruch
26 Shelli Dorfman
26 Steve Myers
28 Richard Wonboy
30 David Ruskin
JANUARY BIRTHDAYS
2 Sandy Birnholtz
3 Craig Gittleman
3 Avi Kapen
4 Aviva Lupovitch
5 Hadley Roth
5 Sophia Roth
6 Lorraine Rimar
6 Corey Rosen
7 Ellen Kershenbaum
11 Laurie Kimmel
11 Warren Robinson
12 Joan Freedman
13 Joseph Eisman
13 Kobi Schmeltz
18 Udi Kapen
18 Benjamin Schmeltz
21 Gail Beale
21 Susan Feber
23 David Hundiak
25 Itzhak Elrom
26 Lois Wonboy
28 Amnon Reiter
29 David Chudnow
31 Robin Pappas
DECEMBER ANNIVERSARIES
26 Frank & Lisa Ellias
30 Mitch & Cheryl Parker
JANUARY ANNIVERSARIES
15 Marvin & Edith Kozlowski
18 Ofer & Julie Ohana
If your birthday or anniversary information is not listed, please email the synagogue so we can update our records.
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B'nai Israel Synagogue is affiliated with USCJ,
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