Candle lighting time for Friday, August 2, 2013, 7:57 p.m.
Parashat Re’eih
27 Av 5773 / August 3, 2013
Triennial Cycle III: Deut. 15:1-16:17
Humash Etz Hayim, page 1076
Haftarah: Isaiah 54:11-55:5, page 1085
1. (15:1-6) Laws concerning the shemittah, or sabbatical year.
2. (15:7-11) Laws concerning tzedakah and help for the poor.
3. (15:12-18) Laws concerning the Hebrew slave.
4. (15:19-23) Laws concerning the first-born of animals, which were dedicated to God.
5. (16:1-17) The celebration of the three Pilgrimage Festivals: Pesach, Shavuot and Sukkot.
DRASH
From Swords and Spears to Plowsharesand Pruning Hooks
Rabbi Philip Ohriner
Deuteronomy 15:4-5
There shall be no needy among you — since the Lord your God will bless you in the land that the Lord your God is giving you as a hereditary portion — if only you heed the Lord your God and take care to keep all this Instruction that I enjoin upon you this day…
Deuteronomy 15:11
For there will never cease to be needy ones in your land, which is why I command you: open your hand to the poor and needy kinsman in your land.
Rashi on Deuteronomy 15:4 (11th C, France)
However, there will be no needy among you: But further on it says, “For there will never cease to be needy ones in your land” (verse 11). These two verses seem to contradict each other. However, the explanation is:] When you perform the will of the Omnipresent, there will be needy among others but not among you. If, however, you do not perform the will of the Omnipresent, there will be needy among you.
Maimonides, Mishneh Torah, Sefer Shoftim, Hilḥot Melachim 12:1 (12th C, Egypt)
Do not presume that in the Messianic age any facet of the world’s nature will change or there will be innovation in the work of creation. Rather, the world will continue according to its pattern…For our sages taught, “For there will never cease to be needy ones in your land. (Deut 15:11)”.
Maimonides, Mishneh Torah, Sefer Shoftim, Hilḥot Melachim 12:5
In that era, there will be neither famine nor war; envy or competition for good will flow in abundance and all the delights will be freely available as dust.
Lechem Mishneh on Mishneh Torah, Hilḥot Teshuvah, 8:7 (Abraham Hiyya de Boton, 17th C, Constantinople)
Maimonides holds that all of the improved aspects of the world during the messianic era will come not through changes in the natural order. Rather, they will reflect a change in the behavior of those living in this world that will bring the end to swords and spears.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
CBD Photo Directories are in – expanded pick up times!
Lulav & Etrog Orders – Deadline to order is August 9th
Order Honeygrams – Deadline to order is August 18th
CBD Board of Director’s Vacancy
Seeking Candidates for 2014 Board of Directors
Minyan – Sunday 9:30 am & Monday – Thursday 7:00 p.m.
UPCOMING SERVICES
Tot Shabbat – August 10th, 11:15 a.m.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Sunday, August 4, 2013 – Men’s Club Meeting – 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Saturday, August 10: Book Discussion Group – 1:30 -3:00 p.m.
Monday, August 12: Career Havurah – 7:30 – 8:30 p.m
Sunday, August 18: Electronic Recycling Event – 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, August 18: A Golden Opportunity to Check Out CBD – 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Friday, August 23: BBQ and Barchu – 6:00 p.m.
COMMUNITY
Be part of the JCC’s new theater program – Auditions: Tuesday, August 13th and Wednesday, August 14th View/Print Flyer
Sunday, September 15th – Habitat for Jewmanity – volunteer to help build Sukkahs for those who can’t build their own
Friday, August 16th – Sunday August 18th – Grief and Growing – A healing weekend. View Flyer