category archive

Parshat B’har-B’hukotai 19-May-12 (Shabbat Bulletin, May 2012)

Announcements	Drash	Readings
	Print/View Bulletin

Candle lighting time for Friday, May 18, 2012, 7:55 p.m.

Parshat B’har-B’hukotai

20 Iyar, 2772 / May 19, 2012
Triennial Cycle Year II: Leviticus 25:39-26:46
Humash Etz Hayim, page 744
Haftarah: Jeremiah 16:19-17:14, page 762

(25:39-55) Laws governing slaves, limiting the power of the owner over the slave and increasing the number of ways he could be freed, all this because “the Israelites are My slaves.”
(26:1-2) Laws against idolatry and for the observance of the Shabbat.
(26:3-13) This section forms a conclusion to the whole Book of Leviticus. If we understand the Torah as a contract/covenant, then this section, and Deuteronomy 28-30, function as the reward and penalty clauses. This first part describes the abundant blessings of peace and prosperity that Israel will receive if they will follow the way of Torah and mitzvot.
(26:14-45) This longer section describes the curses and punishments that will be inflicted upon Israel if the violate the covenant, including defeat in war, famine, and exile. The last part contains words of comfort: even though punished by God, if the people of Israel will return to God in repentance, God will forgive them.
(26:46) The conclusion to the part of Leviticus known as the Holiness Code, which began with chapter 17

One Who Acquires a Slave Acquires a Master
By Rabbi Daniel Pressman

If your kinsman under you continues in straits and must give himself over to you, do not subject him to the treatment of a slave. He shall remain with you as a hired or bound laborer; he shall serve with you only until the jubilee year. (Lev. 25:39-40)

He shall remain with you— “With you” as regards food; “With you” as regards clean apparel, that you should not dine on white bread while he dines on black; you should not drink old wine while he drinks new; you should not sleep on a featherbed while he sleeps on straw. (Sifra, earliest Rabbinic commentary on Leviticus)

Scant few passages in Scripture attest to an antislavery idealism, but they indicate its existence. The prophets, for example, rail against the brutalities of slavery, but they do not advocate its abolition. Yet “I will even [Hebrew gam, “also”] pour out my spirit on male and female slaves” (Joel 3:2) surely evinces an egalitarian tendency, and “[Did I ever brush aside the case of my servants, man or maid, When they made a complaint against me?...Did not he who made me in my mother’s belly make him?” (Job 31:15) argues for it.

…do not make him work as a slave. Lo ta`abod bo `abodat `abed, literally “do not enslave him with the enslavement of a slave.” The threefold use of the root `bd indicates the revulsion at the institution of slavery in the mind of the writer….The rationale for this prohibition is given at the end of this periscope: the Israelite cannot be the slave of any person because he is God’s slave (v. 42; cf. v.55). Philo (Laws 2.83) expounds: “Do not harness him like an unreasoning animal, nor oppress him with weights too heavy and too numerous for his capacity, nor heap insults upon him, nor drag him down by threats and nuances into cruel despondency.”

The rabbis prefer to specify: “He should not have to carry his (the master’s) things before him when going to the bath house, nor support him by his hips when ascending steps, nor wash his feet, nor tie his shoes, nor carry him in a litter, chair or sedan chair as [Roman] slaves do.” (Mekhilta Mishpatim, Nezikin 1; Sifra Behar 7:2) (Jacob Milgrom, Leviticus)

It is estimated that there are 27 million slaves in the world today. Here are some organizations that are working to end slavery:

www.slaveryfootprint.org has a calculator to help you determine (by looking at your consumption) how many slaves are working for you.

www.freetheslaves.net has a great deal of information, and a useful working definition of slavery today: “People forced to work without pay, under threat of violence and unable to walk away.”

www.iabolish.org is the web site of the American Anti-Slavery Group

http://www.iabolish.org is a remarkable organization founded by a former child slave, to provide education for freed child slaves and intervention to prevent enslavement. American Jewish World Service is one of its sponsors.

*Talmud Tractate Kiddushin 20a

ANNOUNCEMENTS

DUCK RACE! Support Beth David. Click here to buy a Duck.
Learn all about the Duck Race

The library is in the process of testing a new online database. Click here to give it a try.

Relay for Life - Team Samantha

View/Print May D’var

Hadashot Religious School – On announcement page on WIKI

Mitzvah a Month

UPCOMING EVENTS

Saturday, May 19: Shabbat Afternoon Torah Discussion – after Shabbat Kiddush lunch about 1:30 p.m

Sunday, May 20: Sisterhood Gift Shop Open – 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Sunday, May 20: Kadima Shavuot Chaotic Dinner - 5:00 – 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, May 22: Conversations in Jewish Learning – 7:30 – 9:00 p.m.

Wednesday, May 23: General Board Meeting – 7:45 – 9:45 p.m.

Friday, May 25: Wine? Cheese? Shabbat? Why Not? – 6:00 – 6:30 p.m.

Friday, May 25: Jews’ Next Dor Potluck Shabbat - 7:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Saturday, May 26: Wisdom and Witdom with Doug Brook – after Shabbat Kiddush lunch about 1:30 p.m

Saturday May 26 – Sunday May 27: Tikkun Leyl Shavuot Community Wide All Night Study - 9:00 p.m. – 6:00 a.m.

Thursday, May 31: Hazak Bocce Ball – 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Saturday, June 2: Religous School Moving Up Ceremony and Hebrew High Graduation - 9:30 a.m.

Saturday June 2: Ask the Rabbi - after Shabbat Kiddush lunch about 1:30 p.m

Sunday, June 3: Kadima End of the Year Pool Party and Elections - 1:00 – 4: 00p.m.

Thursday, June 7: Jews’ Next Dor Steering Committee Elections - 8:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Saturday, June 9: Jewish Book Discussion Group - after Shabbat Kiddush lunch about 1:30 p.m

Sunday, June 10: Book Discussion Group Planning Meeting - 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Sunday, June 17: Jews’ Next Dor Pool Party - 2:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Tuesday, August 14 – Jewish Heritage Night at AT&T Park

Daily Minyan – Sunday 9:30 am & Monday – Thursday 7:00 p.m.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

New Hebrew PJ Library Program Launches!
Wednesday, May 23 – Yavneh Day School Parent Coffee and Open House - 9:30 – 11:00 a.m.

Sunday, May 20 – SPHDS Monte-Carlo Night - 7:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Sunday, May 20 – BBYO Concert to Raise Awareness of teen suicide – 4:00 p.m.

Monday, May 21 – Mesibah! Family Fun Day – 3:00 to 5:00 pm

——————————————————————–

Jews’ Next Dor Pool Party 17-June-12 (Jews' Next Dor, May 2012)

Join Jews’ Next Dor for our June pool party!

Book Group Planning Meeting 10-June-12 (Adult Learning, May 2012)

At this annual planning meeting, we will pick which books to read and discuss for the next year – August, 2012 through summer, 2013

Book Discussion Group 9-June-12 (Adult Learning, May 2012)

Michael Sinensky will lead a discussion of the colorful historical novel The Oracle of Stamboul by Oakland author Michael David Lukas.

Jews’ Next Dor Steering Committee Elections 7-June-12 (Jews' Next Dor, May 2012)

Jews’ Next Dor plans over 100 events each year because of the amazing volunteers, like you, who step up to lend a hand.

Kadima End of the Year Pool Party and Elections! 3-June-12 (Jr. Kadima, May 2012)

Join Beth David Kadima as we elect our new Kadima board for 2012-2013 and enjoy cooling off in a HUGE 32,000sq ft indoor pool

Religious School Moving Up Ceremony (Religious School Blog, May 2012)

Kiddush Luncheon will follow

Hazak Bocce Ball 31-May-12 (Hazak, May 2012)

Join Hazak for a fun afternoon playing bocce ball, schmoozing and refreshments.

Relay for Life – Team Samantha 7-July-12 (Community Happenings, May 2012)

A group of Beth David members are walking the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life on July 7th- 8th in Campbell in memory of Samantha Fagin, a congregant we lost to breast cancer earlier this year.

Some Reflections from the Rabbinical Assembly Convention (Rabbi Philip Ohriner, May 2012)

Some Reflections from the Rabbinical Assembly Convention

Dear friends,

Last week both Rabbi Pressman and I spent four days with rabbinic colleagues from around the world at the Rabbinical Assembly convention in Atlanta. We were inspired by the Torah-learning that took place and valued the opportunity to speak openly with colleagues about the most important questions facing American Judaism today. Among the most pressing issues we addressed were outreach, inclusivity, conversion, and intermarriage.

Here were some of the other highlights of the week, many of which I live-tweeted @rebohriner and posted to Facebook:

Israeli actor, journalist, news anchor, politician, and founder of the Yesh Atid party, Yair Lapid, spoke about the necessity of furthering religious pluralism in Israel and the importance of Conservative/Masorti Judaism to Israeli Judaism. He also thanked Conservative/Masorti rabbis for “keeping Jewish identity alive”.

Vice President Joseph Biden gave a heart-felt speech in which he stated, “I am a Zionist, you don’t have to be Jewish to be a Zionist!” He spoke of the Obama administration’s strong commitment to Israel and its unwillingness to allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons. I must say that I was personally moved by the Vice President’s address. He is a tremendous ally to the Jewish community, as well as a staunch supporter of the State of Israel.

A highlight for me, personally, was the unveiling of a new publication entitled, The Observant Life: The Wisdom of Conservative Judaism for Contemporary Jews. This work, which explores what it means to live a Jewish life both in terms of ritual and social responsibility is monumental in its scope and depth. It was ten years in the making and was brought to fruition by my dear friend and mentor, Rabbi Martin Cohen, who served as senior editor. I have no doubt that The Observant Life will become a “classic” work of American Judaism. I have one copy and will be receiving more. Stop by my office and take a look!

In between all of these addresses, workshops, and learning sessions, I also participated in a cutting-edge program sponsored by JTS entitled: “Making Torah Relevant to “NextGen”: You’re the App for That!”

Led by JTS Chancellor Arnold Eisen, Rabbi Hayim Herring, and Jane Shapiro, a small handful of colleagues and I discussed the following questions: How can we most effectively reach the generation of Millennials (20s and 30s) in the ever-lengthening phase of life known as “emerging adulthood?” How can we provide Millenials with compelling experiences of Jewish community and Jewish tradition?

Many of the rabbis attending this four-day program were already familiar with the social networking tools available to us in spreading Torah and building stronger communal connections. However, we found that we all use these tools differently in our rabbinate. It was amazing to learn from colleagues about the Youtube vlogs they send to congregants, or the way in which class conversations can continue in a Facebook group. Needless to say, I came back with many ideas that I hope to implement over the course of the coming year so stay tuned!

This year, the RA convention was completely “plugged in”. You can watch many of the plenary sessions and addresses on the RA YouTube channel:

http://ow.ly/aW5YO

Here is a great blog post by Chancellor Arnold Eisen on engaging American Jews, (particularly Millenials) in Torah learning and community engagement through social networking platforms:

ow.ly/1LWmFK

L’shalom,

Join BBYO and Parachute for a benefit concert 20-May-12 (Community Happenings, May 2012)

Bay Area teens are standing up against the issue of bullying, and joining forces with the band Parachute to raise awareness and funds for Teen Suicide Prevention and Anti-Bullying programs

Mesibah! Family Fun Day (Community Happenings, May 2012)

Mesibah is the Hebrew word for party. Children ages 2-10 years old and their parents or caregivers are invited to join us for a FREE party to celebrate the spring!

An Evening With Larry Gerston 17-May-12 (Community Happenings, May 2012)

Professor of political science at San Jose State University and political analyst at NBC Bay Area Larry Gerston will join us to discuss his just-released eleventh book ― entitled Not So Golden After All: The Rise and Fall of California

SPHDS MONTE-CARLO NIGHT (Community Happenings, May 2012)

Please join friends and supporters of the South Peninsula Hebrew Day School – SPHDS – for a wonderful evening of hors d’oeuvres and desserts, drinks, raffle, entertainment, fun and casino tables.

Robert E. Levinson Memorial Library (life@cbd, May 2012)

We are in the process of developing a webpage and online catalog for the library.

Parashat Emor 12-May-12 (Shabbat Bulletin, May 2012)

Announcements	Drash	Readings
	View/Print Bulletin

Candle lighting time for Friday, May 11, 2012, 7:49 p.m.

Parashat Emor

20 Iyar, 5772 / May 12, 2012
Triennial Cycle Year II: Leviticus 22:17-23:22
Humash Etz Hayim, page 722
Haftarah: Ezekiel 44:15-31, page 734

(22:17-25) A list of defects that disqualify an animal from being sacrificed.
(22:26-33) Additional laws regarding the sacrifices.
(23:1-22) Chapter 23 is called Seder Ha-Mo’adim — the Order of the Festivals. Here we find laws concerning Shabbat, the counting of the Omer, Passover, Shavuot, and the corner of the field.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

DUCK RACE! Support Beth David. Click here to buy a Duck.
Learn all about the Duck Race

The library is in the process of testing a new online database. Click here to give it a try.

View/Print May D’var

Hadashot Religious School – On announcement page on WIKI

Mitzvah a Month

UPCOMING EVENTS

Saturday, May 12: Jewish Book Discussion Group - after Shabbat Kiddush lunch about 1:30 p.m.

Sunday, May 13: Jews’ Next Dor Hike at the Baylands Nature Preserve - 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Monday, May 14: Champions for Seniors - 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday, May 16: Electronic Recycling - 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Thursday, May 17: Career Chavurah – 7:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 19: Shabbat Afternoon Torah Discussion – after Shabbat Kiddush lunch about 1:30 p.m

Sunday, May 20: Sisterhood Gift Shop Open – 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Sunday, May 20: Habitat for Humanity Home Building in Cupertino – 8:15 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Sunday, May 20: Kadima Shavuot Chaotic Dinner - 5:00 – 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, May 22: Conversations in Jewish Learning – 7:30 – 9:00 p.m.

Wednesday, May 23: General Board Meeting – 7:45 – 9:45 p.m.

Friday, May 25: Wine? Cheese? Shabbat? Why Not? – 6:00 – 6:30 p.m.

Friday, May 25: Jews’ Next Dor Potluck Shabbat - 7:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Saturday, May 26: Wisdom and Witdom with Doug Brook – after Shabbat Kiddush lunch about 1:30 p.m

Saturday May 26 – Sunday May 27: Tikkun Leyl Shavuot Community Wide All Night Study - 9:00 p.m. – 6:00 a.m.

Tuesday, August 14 – Jewish Heritage Night at AT&T Park

Daily Minyan – Sunday 9:30 am & Monday – Thursday 7:00 p.m.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

New Hebrew PJ Library Program Launches!
Monday, May 14 – Yavneh Day School-Hebrew Sing-a-Long and Storytime for Parents and Children - 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday, May 23 - Yavneh Day School Parent Coffee and Open House - 9:30 - 11:00 a.m.

Thursday, May 17 – An Evening With Larry Gerston – 7: 00 p.m.

Sunday, May 20 – SPHDS Monte-Carlo Night - 7:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Sunday, May 20 – BBYO Concert to Raise Awareness of teen suicide – 4:00 p.m.

Monday, May 21 – Mesibah! Family Fun Day - 3:00 to 5:00 pm

New Hebrew PJ Library Program Launches! (Community Happenings, May 2012)

Yavneh Day School is partnering with Sifriyat Pijama to bring you two events where you can enroll your children (ages 3-6) for the Sifriyat Pijama B’America program.

Dance at the JCC for Teens in Grades 8-12 (Community Happenings, May 2012)

Teens in grades 8-12 are invited to the JCC for a dance with an Israel Independence Day theme.

Kadima Shavuot Chaotic Dinner! (Jr. Kadima, May 2012)

Join your fellow Kadimanics for a chaotic dinner out of order.

Z’havah Monthly Coffee 6-May-12 (Sisterhood, May 2012)

This is the last coffee of the school year!