GOOD MORNING!
Rabino Kalman Packouz
When is the New Year? Would you be surprised to know that there are 4 New Years in the Jewish calendar - and Tuesday, January 25th is Tu B'Shevat (the 15th of the Hebrew month of Shevat) and the New Year for trees!
The first Mishna - teaching - in the Talmudic tractate of Rosh Hashanah informs us of the 4 New Years: The first of the Hebrew month Nissan is the New Year with regards to counting the years in the reign of the Kings of Israel.
The first of Elul is the New Year with regards to tithing of the animals. (One out of ten animals born within that calendar year from Elul until the beginning of Elul the following year was given to the Temple.)
The first of Tishrei is the New Year for the judgment of mankind -for life or death, rich or poor, sickness or health - as well as for counting the Sabbatical Year (Shmita) and the Jubilee year (Yovel) for the land of Israel; the counting of the first three years of a fruit tree when the fruit is not allowed to be eaten (Orlah), and calculating the tithes for grain and vegetables.The 15th of Shevat is the New Year for trees with reference to calculating tithes due to be given from fruit of trees in the time of the Temple in Jerusalem.Tu B'Shevat is a festive day. The Torah praises the Land of Israel with reference to the fruits of the trees and the produce of the soil: "A land of wheat and barley and vines (grapes) and fig trees and pomegranates; a land of olive trees and (date) honey ... and you shall eat and be satisfied, and bless the Lord your God for the good land which He has given you." (Deut. 8:8-10).The Jewish people rejoice in the fruits, in the Land and in the Almighty Who has given us life.It is celebrated by eating the special types of fruits for which Israel is renowned: dates, pomegranates, figs, grapes - and buxer (carob or St. John\'s bread). It's also celebrated by planting trees in Israel and if you can't get to Israel, you can purchase trees to be planted in Israel from the Jewish National Fund.
The first Mishna - teaching - in the Talmudic tractate of Rosh Hashanah informs us of the 4 New Years:
The first of the Hebrew month Nissan is the New Year with regards to counting the years in the reign of the Kings of Israel.
The first of Elul is the New Year with regards to tithing of the animals. (One out of ten animals born within that calendar year from Elul until the beginning of Elul the following year was given to the Temple.)
The first of Tishrei is the New Year for the judgment of mankind -for life or death, rich or poor, sickness or health - as well as for counting the Sabbatical Year (Shmita) and the Jubilee year (Yovel) for the land of Israel; the counting of the first three years of a fruit tree when the fruit is not allowed to be eaten (Orlah), and calculating the tithes for grain and vegetables.
The 15th of Shevat is the New Year for trees with reference to calculating tithes due to be given from fruit of trees in the time of the Temple in Jerusalem.
Tu B'Shevat is a festive day. The Torah praises the Land of Israel with reference to the fruits of the trees and the produce of the soil:
"A land of wheat and barley and vines (grapes) and fig trees and pomegranates; a land of olive trees and (date) honey ... and you shall eat and be satisfied, and bless the Lord your God for the good land which He has given you." (Deut. 8:8-10).
The Jewish people rejoice in the fruits, in the Land and in the Almighty Who has given us life.
It is celebrated by eating the special types of fruits for which Israel is renowned: dates, pomegranates, figs, grapes - and buxer (carob or St. John's bread). It's also celebrated by planting trees in Israel and if you can't get to Israel, you can purchase trees to be planted in Israel from the Jewish National Fund In our home we put out a whole fruit display - especially those mentioned above for which the land of Israel is praised. It is a time of appreciation for what the Almighty has given us and which we might take for granted. Let your attitude be gratitude! The Kabbalists in Safad created a Tu B'Shevat Seder (similar to the Passover Seder) with explanations and meditations where the inner dimensions of fruits are expounded, along with blessings, songs and deep discussion.
Man is compared to a tree. In Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Fathers found in the back of most Siddurim, Jewish prayer books), it is written: "A person whose wisdom exceeds his good deeds is likened to a tree whose branches are numerous, but whose roots are few. The wind comes and uproots it and turns it upside down. But a person whose good deeds exceed his wisdom is likened to a tree whose branches are few but whose roots are numerous. Even if all the winds of the world were to come and blow against it, they could not budge it from its place." (Avot 3:22). Just as a tree needs soil, water, air and sunlight, so does a person need to be spiritually rooted and connected with a source of nourishment. Water to a tree, Torah wisdom for us - as Moses proclaims: "May my teaching drop like the rain" (Deut. 32:2). Air for the tree, spirituality for us - as the Torah states that "God breathed life into the form of Man" (Genesis 2:7). Sunlight for a tree, the warmth of friendship and community for a person. Rabbi Shraga Simmons wrote a beautiful article, "Man is a Tree," expanding on this theme. Also, worth reading: Rabbi Avi Geller's "Lively Overview.
Just as others have planted for us, we plant for the future and those who will come after us.
In our home we put out a whole fruit display - especially those mentioned above for which the land of Israel is praised. It is a time of appreciation for what the Almighty has given us and which we might take for granted. Let your attitude be gratitude! The Kabbalists in Safad created a Tu B'Shevat Seder (similar to the Passover Seder) with explanations and meditations where the inner dimensions of fruits are expounded, along with blessings, songs and deep discussion. Man is compared to a tree. In Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Fathers found in the back of most Siddurim, Jewish prayer books), it is written:
"A person whose wisdom exceeds his good deeds is likened to a tree whose branches are numerous, but whose roots are few. The wind comes and uproots it and turns it upside down. But a person whose good deeds exceed his wisdom is likened to a tree whose branches are few but whose roots are numerous. Even if all the winds of the world were to come and blow against it, they could not budge it from its place." (Avot 3:22).
Just as a tree needs soil, water, air and sunlight, so does a person need to be spiritually rooted and connected with a source of nourishment. Water to a tree, Torah wisdom for us - as Moses proclaims: "May my teaching drop like the rain" (Deut. 32:2). Air for the tree, spirituality for us - as the Torah states that "God breathed life into the form of Man" (Genesis 2:7). Sunlight for a tree, the warmth of friendship and community for a person. Rabbi Shraga Simmons wrote a beautiful article, "Man is a Tree," expanding on this theme. Also, worth reading: Rabbi Avi Geller's "Lively Overview."
Torah Portion of the Week
Beshalach
Pharaoh regrets letting them go, pursues them leading his chosen chariot corps and a huge army. The Jews rebel and cry out to Moses, "Weren't there enough graves in Egypt? Why did you bring us out here to die in the desert?" The Yam Soof, the Sea of Reeds (usually mistranslated as the Red Sea) splits, the Jews cross over, the Egyptians pursue and the sea returns and drowns the Egyptians. Moses with the men and Miriam with the women - each separately - sing praises of thanks to the Almighty. They arrive at Marah and rebel over the bitter water. Moses throws a certain tree in the water to make it drinkable. The Almighty then tells the Israelites: "If you obey God your Lord and do what is upright in His eyes, carefully heeding all His commandments and keeping all His decrees, then I will not strike you with any of the sicknesses that I brought on Egypt. I am God who heals you."(This is why the Hagaddah strives to prove there were more than 10 plagues in Egypt - the greater the number of afflictions, the greater number from which we are protected.) Later the Israelites rebel over lack of food; God provides quail and manna (a double portion was given on the sixth day to last through Shabbat; we have two challahs for each meal on Shabbat to commemorate the double portion of manna). Moses then instructs them concerning the laws of Shabbat. At Rephidim, they rebel again over water. God tells Moses to strike a stone which then gives forth water. Finally, the portion concludes with the war against Amalek and the command to "obliterate the memory of Amalek from under the heavens."
------
Dvar Torah based on Growth Through Torah
by Rabbi Zelig Pliskin
When the Children of Israel were saved from the attacking Egyptians by the Sea of Reeds, the Torah records their song of thanks to the Almighty. The Sages in the Talmud say that even the maidservants witnessed at the crossing of the sea a mystical vision greater than that witnessed by the prophet Yechezkel (Ezekiel).
Rabbi Chaim Shmuelevitz commented on this that the maidservants remained maidservants and did not reach the level reached by Yechezkel. A person can experience the greatest experience, but if it does not lead him to elevating his behavior, it is nothing.
Similarly, Rav Chaim said, we read how nations trembled when they heard about the splitting of the sea and the drowning of the Egyptians. ("Nations heard and they trembled" - Exodus 15:14.) What happened with the nations? They had a special feeling for a few moments, but it did not lead them to any major changes in their lives.
The goal of musar (the Torah discipline of teaching ethics and character development) is for a person to internalize his insights and to incorporate them to improve his character and behavior. There are many times in our lifetime when we are shaken by an event. Unless we take immediate positive action to change, the feeling will just fade and have little lasting effect.
CANDLE LIGHTING
21-01
Jerusalem 4:28Guatemala 5:37 Hong Kong 5:46 Honolulu 5:55J'Burg 6:46 Porto 4:12 Los Angeles 4:53 Melbourne 7:19 Mexico City 6:08 Miami 5:38Moscow 4:25 New York 4:43 Singapore 7:01Toronto 4:56
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Saturday, January 14, 2006
O meu menino exala paz
De Yehudah Amichai
O meu menino exala paz
Quando me inclino sobre ele,
Não é só o odor do sabão que me chega
Todos foram meninos que exalam paz.
(E em toda esta terra não permaneceu
Uma só roda de moinho que se mova).
Oh terra rota como roupa
Que já não tem compostura!
Pais duros e sozinhos ainda nas concavidades de Machpelah.
Silêncio órfão sem filhos.
O meu filho exala paz.
O ventre da sua mãe prometeu-lhe
o que D-us não pode
Cumprir-nos
Losing Patience with Iran's Regime
As an ADL supporter, we wanted to update you on the latest developments regarding the Iranian threat.
This week, the Iranian nuclear crisis entered a new phase. Germany, France and Britain - the three European Union states that have been trying to persuade Iran to abide by its legal obligations - have run out of patience. They want to refer Iran to the UN Security Council for a vote imposing sanctions.
The German Foreign Minister said that negotiations had reached “a dead end.” The plan now is to get tough.
It’s a small victory, and without your efforts to persuade world leaders of the need to take the Iranian threat seriously, we might not have come even this far. But much remains to be done to counter Iran’s aggressive stance.
The jury is out on whether sanctions, if imposed by the UN, will have the desired effect. Important countries like Russia and China, which have entered into multi-billion dollar oil and natural gas deals with the Iranian regime, are likely to oppose a hard line. Squeezing the economy of a country that holds eight percent of the world’s oil reserves isn’t going to be easy.
But sanctions will send a message to Iran’s leaders that the world knows they are a threat. And we can isolate them further by implementing the measures which ADL has called for: a travel ban, the freezing of overseas assets and the breaking of diplomatic relations.
We are in a very dangerous situation. A state that calls for Israel’s elimination, denies the Holocaust and treats America and Europe with contempt, is enriching uranium. The Iranians insist they aren’t trying to produce nuclear weapons, but it’s increasingly obvious they are lying.
At the same time, the Iranian regime is vulnerable. Internally, it faces political and ethnic strife. Externally, it faces the reproach of the entire democratic world.
ADL will continue to make sure you stay informed on this vital issue. Together, we can stand up to Iran.
This week, the Iranian nuclear crisis entered a new phase. Germany, France and Britain - the three European Union states that have been trying to persuade Iran to abide by its legal obligations - have run out of patience. They want to refer Iran to the UN Security Council for a vote imposing sanctions.
The German Foreign Minister said that negotiations had reached “a dead end.” The plan now is to get tough.
It’s a small victory, and without your efforts to persuade world leaders of the need to take the Iranian threat seriously, we might not have come even this far. But much remains to be done to counter Iran’s aggressive stance.
The jury is out on whether sanctions, if imposed by the UN, will have the desired effect. Important countries like Russia and China, which have entered into multi-billion dollar oil and natural gas deals with the Iranian regime, are likely to oppose a hard line. Squeezing the economy of a country that holds eight percent of the world’s oil reserves isn’t going to be easy.
But sanctions will send a message to Iran’s leaders that the world knows they are a threat. And we can isolate them further by implementing the measures which ADL has called for: a travel ban, the freezing of overseas assets and the breaking of diplomatic relations.
We are in a very dangerous situation. A state that calls for Israel’s elimination, denies the Holocaust and treats America and Europe with contempt, is enriching uranium. The Iranians insist they aren’t trying to produce nuclear weapons, but it’s increasingly obvious they are lying.
At the same time, the Iranian regime is vulnerable. Internally, it faces political and ethnic strife. Externally, it faces the reproach of the entire democratic world.
ADL will continue to make sure you stay informed on this vital issue. Together, we can stand up to Iran.
SHARON continua em estado grave
El embajador de Israel asegura que no hay peligro institucional
“Hay mucha inquietud” en Israel por la situación del premier. Aunque afirmó que no está en riesgo la estabilidad democrática.
La preocupación por la evolución de Ariel Sharon domina la atención del arco politíco en el mundo entero. El primer ministro tuvo que delegar el poder en su vice, tras ser sometido a una compleja operación durante seis horas. Ante este panorama, el embajador israelí en el país, Rafael Eldad, expresó que "hay mucha inquietud en Israel", pero enfatizó que no está en peligro la estabilidad democrática y la solidez de las instituciones públicas.
El delicado estado de salud de Sharon se produce en un momento político crítico para Israel y para el premier, a pocas semanas de haber abandonado su partido —el Likud— y cuando se descontaba una cómoda victoria en las elecciones generales adelantadas para el 28 de marzo próximo. "Hay mucha inquietud en Israel, se sigue minuto a minuto el estado de salud del primer ministro. Se sabía que tenía algunos problemas de salud, tuvo un derrame leve hace unas semanas pero no pensabamos que la situación era tan grave", aseguró el embajador en diálogo con Clarín.com.
"Estos son momentos de expresar esperanzas, de rezar para que salga del peligro. Ojalá sea así pero sabemos que la situación es muy dificl porque el ministro continúa bajo anestesia general", continúo Eldad, quien indicó estar en constante contacto con la Cancillería israelí para conocer cada parte médico.
Lo cierto es que la repentina internación suscitó interrogantes acerca de su capacidad para conducir el país en caso de presentar una leve mejora pero nadie quiere hablar de un nuevo mapa político sin Sharon a la cabeza. "Sin duda una situación así tiene consecuencias muy importantes en todo el quehacer político del país. Primero hay que tomar en cuenta que hay instituciones fuertes, con una tradición democrática establecida y desde anoche, cuando comenzó el tratamiento al primer ministro, se realizo el traspaso legal a su vice, Ehud Olmert, quien esta mañana reunió al Gobierno: la democracia israelí está garantizada, la estructura política sigue adelante, a pesar de que en Israel estamos en una epoca de transición.
"Ahora (la campaña para las elecciones) está paralizado porque los líderes de los partidos se solarizan con Sharon y se ponene a la disposición del reemplazante provisorio. Pero igual la política sigue su rumbo", remarcó Eldad. "Es difícil hablar de la desaparición de una figura que tuvo y sigue teniendo un rol tan especial, con una fuerte presencia pero creo que todavía no hay que hablar de la situación sin Sharon", concluyó.
Fuente: Clarin.com/Itón Gadol
Entre tradições milenares e a modernidade dos EUA
David Abayev é um contabilista bem sucedido de Manhattan (EUA). Estudou em escolas norte-americanas, usa roupa profissional de empresário, fala o inglês perfeito, mas, até 1991 ele viveu no Uzbequistão. Abayev tem um visão diferente sobre a família do que a maioria de seus colegas de trabalho. Com 29 anos de idade, ele ainda vive com seus pais, porque na cultura judaica de Bukharian (país da Ásia Central), os adultos saem das suas casas somente para começar sua própria família. Abayev quer começar casado, mas primeiramente deve encontrar uma mulher judia de Bukharian e que seja aprovada por seus pais. Diz ele que só manterá relações sexuais, ou viverá com uma mulher somente após a união conjugal.
Abayev admite que não pode, enquanto solteiro viver longe dos olhos dos seus pais. Eu realmente não posso fazer isso, diz. Se você sai, está se ferindo. Você pode encontrar um trabalho e uma namorada, mas você não terá uma conexão com a sua família. Você não terá o bachsh - prato tradicional de Bukharian -, na noite de sexta-feira, afirma. Abayev é um de 40 a 50 mil judeus da Bukharian na América do Norte -- que se esforça para manter sua identidade ao se confrontar com as pressões econômicas e culturais dos Estados Unidos.
Fonte: JTA News - Esta é uma publicação da Congregação Israelita Paulista (CIP), do Departamento de Comunicação
Friday, January 13, 2006
Vayechi (Genesis 47:28-50:26) Vayechi 5766
Torah Portion of the Week Vayechi
GOOD MORNING! Everyone loves a story - particularly a true story and especially a story with a surprise and a happy ending. Even better is when there is a message which we can incorporate into our own lives. That is why I am sharing with you a wonderful article, "Meriting a Miracle," written by one of the writers I hold in highest esteem, Rabbi Avi Shafran, director of Am Echad. Here is the article:
In 1943, after more than three years of German control over France, the Great Synagogue of Lyon continued to function. That December 10, the Lyon Milice, the shock troops of the Vichy government, decided to put an end to the Jewish worship.
The shul's rabbi survived the war to tell the tale, which is recorded in a book about Klaus Barbie, the infamous "Butcher of Lyon" (the title, in fact, of the book, by Brendan Murphy - Empire/Harper & Row, 1983). A member of the Milice quietly entered the rear of the sanctuary that Friday night during services. Armed with three hand grenades, he intended to lob them into the crowd of standing worshippers from behind, and to escape before the explosions. After silently opening the door and entering the room unnoticed by anyone but the rabbi (who stood facing the congregation), he pulled the pins.
What he saw, though, so shook him that he remained wide-eyed and motionless for a crucial moment, and then only managed to toss the grenades a few feet before fleeing. Several worshippers were injured by shrapnel but none were killed.
What had so flabbergasted the Nazi was the sudden, unexpected sight of his intended victims' faces, as the congregation, as if on cue, turned as one on its heels to face him.
The would-be mass-murderer had entered the shul precisely at "bo'i b'shalom," the last stanza of the liturgical poem Lecha Dodi, when worshippers traditionally turn toward the door to welcome the Sabbath. The account came to mind of late because it is, at least to me, a striking reminder of something truly fundamental yet easily forgotten. We Jews often survive on miracles.
To be sure, we don't base our belief on them, as do some religions. Maimonides famously wrote that the miracles recounted in the Torah - even the parting of the Red Sea - are demonstrations not of God's existence but rather of His love for His people. We know God exists because of our carefully preserved historical tradition that He communicated with our ancestors at Mt. Sinai, an event that we celebrate on Shevuot.
All the same, though, His love and His miracles underlie our existence.
Our tradition teaches that our foremother Sarah was biologically incapable of conceiving a child; the very beginning of our people thus was miraculous. The perseverance of the Jewish people over the millennia is a miracle, as is our rebirth after countless decimations.
And recent Jewish history has been no less miraculous. When Israel destroyed the assortment of Arab armies arrayed against it in 1967, even hardened military men -- well aware of the Israeli air force and army's skill and determination -- spoke of miracles. And the rescue at Entebbe in 1976 may have entailed special-forces acumen, but sensitive Jews saw on it the clear fingerprints of the miraculous as well. And, in 1981, they recognized no less in the destruction of the Iraqi nuclear plant at Osirak, signs not only of military might but of miracle, of God's love.
None of which is to belittle the tremendous efforts of Israel's military, may its members be safe and protected. But while "this world" efforts must always be made, believing Jews maintain a concomitant consciousness of the fact that success and failure are determined by something considerably more sublime. In the perspective of our religious tradition, that something is our merit as a people - our kindness to one another, our prayers, our study of Torah and our performance of mitzvot. In the end, those are the things, our tradition teaches us, that will make all the difference. In the Torah we read how the Jews, led by Joshua, fought the Amalekites. When Moses held his hands high, the verse continues, the Jews waxed victorious. "Were Moses' hands waging war?" asks the Mishna. The answer, it continues, is that "when the Jews' eyes [inspired by Moses' hands] were lifted heavenward, they were militarily victorious."
In these terribly trying times for Jews, when hatred carefully nurtured for decades has erupted in a plague of vicious murder and old, ugly ghosts have been stirred awake, it behooves us to remember that fact. We all ask ourselves what we can do on behalf of our beleaguered brothers and sisters. There are many things, to be sure.
But at the very top of each of our lists should be things like: prayer, with concentration and heart; charity, with generosity and concern; Jewish observance, with care and determination; Torah-study, with effort and commitment.
Because, unified spiritually by the expression of our common Jewish religious heritage, we are doing something nothing else can do: meriting a miracle.
The parsha, Torah portion, opens with Jacob on his deathbed 17 years after arriving in Egypt. Jacob blesses Joseph's two sons, Manasseh (Menashe) and Ephraim. (To this day it is a tradition to bless our sons every Shabbat evening with the blessing, "May the Almighty make you like Ephraim and Manasseh" - they grew up in the Diaspora amongst foreign influences and still remained devoted to the Torah. The Shabbat evening blessing for girls is "to be like Sarah, Rivka, Rachel and Leah.") He then individually blesses each of his sons. The blessings are prophetic and give reproof, where necessary.
A large retinue from Pharaoh's court accompanies the family to Hebron to bury Jacob in the Ma'arat Hamachpela, the burial cave purchased by Abraham. The Torah portion ends with the death of Joseph and his binding the Israelites to bring his remains with them for burial when they are redeemed from slavery and go to the land of Israel.
Thus ends the book of Genesis!
* * *
Dvar Torah based on based on Growth Through Torah by Rabbi Zelig Pliskin
When Jacob was on his deathbed, he spoke individually with each of his sons and blessed them. To his son Reuven he said:
"Unstable as water, you shall not have pre-eminence."
The Torah does not usually give metaphors as it does here. What is this metaphor coming to teach us?
Answers Rabbi Yeruchem Levovitz: The Torah's metaphor is showing us the living reality of the trait of impulsivity. Impulsiveness is as water. Just as water flows quickly, so is the behavior of the person who acts impulsively without carefully thinking about what he is about to do. If you do not weigh the consequences of your behavior, you will make many harmful mistakes and will cause much damage. The Torah's metaphor of water serves as a constant reminder of the dangers of being impulsive. Whenever you see water flowing, tell yourself thoughts that will slow down your reactions.
Reb Aryeh Levin (read "A Tzaddik in Our Time," a wonderful collection of stories about his life) once comforted a person who murdered out of impulse and who was very depressed. He told him that our Sages explain that Reuven was punished; he lost his rights as firstborn son because he interfered in his father's personal life after Rachel died. (Reuven moved his father's bed into Leah's tent.) Yet the Talmud states, "Whoever says that Reuven sinned is only making an error" (Talmud, Shabbos 58b). How can that be?
Continues Rabbi Levin, "the answer is that Reuven had a bad trait, a defect in his character: he was 'unstable as water.' He was not bad by nature or personality; he just had the one unfortunate trait, that he was quick-tempered. As the eldest son he should have had certain privileges. He should have been the ancestor of the kings of Israel, not his brother, Yehudah. However, because of the defect in character, he lost all of that. So, this is really what Jacob told him: Reuven my son, it is not that you are a sinner or a criminal; but your problematic character trait has prevented you from fulfilling the tasks and enjoying the privileges that were destined for you." From the time he heard this, the prisoner's mind was calmed.
CANDLE LIGHTING - January 13
Jerusalem 4:21Guatemala 5:33 Hong Kong 5:41 Honolulu 5:51J'Burg 6:47 Porto 3:59 Los Angeles 4:47Melbourne 8:27 Mexico City 5:59 Miami 5:33New York 4:33 Singapore 6:54 Toronto 4:45
GOOD MORNING! Everyone loves a story - particularly a true story and especially a story with a surprise and a happy ending. Even better is when there is a message which we can incorporate into our own lives. That is why I am sharing with you a wonderful article, "Meriting a Miracle," written by one of the writers I hold in highest esteem, Rabbi Avi Shafran, director of Am Echad. Here is the article:
In 1943, after more than three years of German control over France, the Great Synagogue of Lyon continued to function. That December 10, the Lyon Milice, the shock troops of the Vichy government, decided to put an end to the Jewish worship.
The shul's rabbi survived the war to tell the tale, which is recorded in a book about Klaus Barbie, the infamous "Butcher of Lyon" (the title, in fact, of the book, by Brendan Murphy - Empire/Harper & Row, 1983). A member of the Milice quietly entered the rear of the sanctuary that Friday night during services. Armed with three hand grenades, he intended to lob them into the crowd of standing worshippers from behind, and to escape before the explosions. After silently opening the door and entering the room unnoticed by anyone but the rabbi (who stood facing the congregation), he pulled the pins.
What he saw, though, so shook him that he remained wide-eyed and motionless for a crucial moment, and then only managed to toss the grenades a few feet before fleeing. Several worshippers were injured by shrapnel but none were killed.
What had so flabbergasted the Nazi was the sudden, unexpected sight of his intended victims' faces, as the congregation, as if on cue, turned as one on its heels to face him.
The would-be mass-murderer had entered the shul precisely at "bo'i b'shalom," the last stanza of the liturgical poem Lecha Dodi, when worshippers traditionally turn toward the door to welcome the Sabbath. The account came to mind of late because it is, at least to me, a striking reminder of something truly fundamental yet easily forgotten. We Jews often survive on miracles.
To be sure, we don't base our belief on them, as do some religions. Maimonides famously wrote that the miracles recounted in the Torah - even the parting of the Red Sea - are demonstrations not of God's existence but rather of His love for His people. We know God exists because of our carefully preserved historical tradition that He communicated with our ancestors at Mt. Sinai, an event that we celebrate on Shevuot.
All the same, though, His love and His miracles underlie our existence.
Our tradition teaches that our foremother Sarah was biologically incapable of conceiving a child; the very beginning of our people thus was miraculous. The perseverance of the Jewish people over the millennia is a miracle, as is our rebirth after countless decimations.
And recent Jewish history has been no less miraculous. When Israel destroyed the assortment of Arab armies arrayed against it in 1967, even hardened military men -- well aware of the Israeli air force and army's skill and determination -- spoke of miracles. And the rescue at Entebbe in 1976 may have entailed special-forces acumen, but sensitive Jews saw on it the clear fingerprints of the miraculous as well. And, in 1981, they recognized no less in the destruction of the Iraqi nuclear plant at Osirak, signs not only of military might but of miracle, of God's love.
None of which is to belittle the tremendous efforts of Israel's military, may its members be safe and protected. But while "this world" efforts must always be made, believing Jews maintain a concomitant consciousness of the fact that success and failure are determined by something considerably more sublime. In the perspective of our religious tradition, that something is our merit as a people - our kindness to one another, our prayers, our study of Torah and our performance of mitzvot. In the end, those are the things, our tradition teaches us, that will make all the difference. In the Torah we read how the Jews, led by Joshua, fought the Amalekites. When Moses held his hands high, the verse continues, the Jews waxed victorious. "Were Moses' hands waging war?" asks the Mishna. The answer, it continues, is that "when the Jews' eyes [inspired by Moses' hands] were lifted heavenward, they were militarily victorious."
In these terribly trying times for Jews, when hatred carefully nurtured for decades has erupted in a plague of vicious murder and old, ugly ghosts have been stirred awake, it behooves us to remember that fact. We all ask ourselves what we can do on behalf of our beleaguered brothers and sisters. There are many things, to be sure.
But at the very top of each of our lists should be things like: prayer, with concentration and heart; charity, with generosity and concern; Jewish observance, with care and determination; Torah-study, with effort and commitment.
Because, unified spiritually by the expression of our common Jewish religious heritage, we are doing something nothing else can do: meriting a miracle.
The parsha, Torah portion, opens with Jacob on his deathbed 17 years after arriving in Egypt. Jacob blesses Joseph's two sons, Manasseh (Menashe) and Ephraim. (To this day it is a tradition to bless our sons every Shabbat evening with the blessing, "May the Almighty make you like Ephraim and Manasseh" - they grew up in the Diaspora amongst foreign influences and still remained devoted to the Torah. The Shabbat evening blessing for girls is "to be like Sarah, Rivka, Rachel and Leah.") He then individually blesses each of his sons. The blessings are prophetic and give reproof, where necessary.
A large retinue from Pharaoh's court accompanies the family to Hebron to bury Jacob in the Ma'arat Hamachpela, the burial cave purchased by Abraham. The Torah portion ends with the death of Joseph and his binding the Israelites to bring his remains with them for burial when they are redeemed from slavery and go to the land of Israel.
Thus ends the book of Genesis!
* * *
Dvar Torah based on based on Growth Through Torah by Rabbi Zelig Pliskin
When Jacob was on his deathbed, he spoke individually with each of his sons and blessed them. To his son Reuven he said:
"Unstable as water, you shall not have pre-eminence."
The Torah does not usually give metaphors as it does here. What is this metaphor coming to teach us?
Answers Rabbi Yeruchem Levovitz: The Torah's metaphor is showing us the living reality of the trait of impulsivity. Impulsiveness is as water. Just as water flows quickly, so is the behavior of the person who acts impulsively without carefully thinking about what he is about to do. If you do not weigh the consequences of your behavior, you will make many harmful mistakes and will cause much damage. The Torah's metaphor of water serves as a constant reminder of the dangers of being impulsive. Whenever you see water flowing, tell yourself thoughts that will slow down your reactions.
Reb Aryeh Levin (read "A Tzaddik in Our Time," a wonderful collection of stories about his life) once comforted a person who murdered out of impulse and who was very depressed. He told him that our Sages explain that Reuven was punished; he lost his rights as firstborn son because he interfered in his father's personal life after Rachel died. (Reuven moved his father's bed into Leah's tent.) Yet the Talmud states, "Whoever says that Reuven sinned is only making an error" (Talmud, Shabbos 58b). How can that be?
Continues Rabbi Levin, "the answer is that Reuven had a bad trait, a defect in his character: he was 'unstable as water.' He was not bad by nature or personality; he just had the one unfortunate trait, that he was quick-tempered. As the eldest son he should have had certain privileges. He should have been the ancestor of the kings of Israel, not his brother, Yehudah. However, because of the defect in character, he lost all of that. So, this is really what Jacob told him: Reuven my son, it is not that you are a sinner or a criminal; but your problematic character trait has prevented you from fulfilling the tasks and enjoying the privileges that were destined for you." From the time he heard this, the prisoner's mind was calmed.
CANDLE LIGHTING - January 13
Jerusalem 4:21Guatemala 5:33 Hong Kong 5:41 Honolulu 5:51J'Burg 6:47 Porto 3:59 Los Angeles 4:47Melbourne 8:27 Mexico City 5:59 Miami 5:33New York 4:33 Singapore 6:54 Toronto 4:45
Monday, January 09, 2006
Notícias da saúde: uma forma de avanço na genética
A mobile mission - Israeli researchers help stem mental retardation in Arab
David Brinn December 18, 2005
Schneider Children's Hospital
Tel Aviv University
Once a month, Lina Basel leaves her lab at the Schneider Children's Hospital in the Israeli city of Petah Tikva and travels an hour north to an Israeli Arab village near Hadera. There, the senior geneticist greets the nurses at the village's health clinic and begins seeing a steady stream of mothers who are coming to Basel for a blood test - one of the most important of their lives. Following three years of research in the village, an Israeli team including Basel has identified a gene that causes mental retardation, as well as a series of blood tests that can determine if adults are carriers of the gene or if a young fetus is likely to possess the gene. "We got the ideas for the study because a few Arab families from the village had come into our clinic with children suffering from mental retardation," Basel told ISRAEL21c. "We did some testing on them and came to the conclusion that the mental retardation was genetic - technically it is called autosomal recessive nonsyndromic mental retardation (NSMR." "We decided to study the phenomenon and asked the families to join the study and recruited others. We ended up with nine families from the village, which between them, had 16 children who were mentally retarded." Mental retardation is expressed in patients by motor developmental delay, speech inability, communication deficiency and dependency. The research team - led by Basel and Prof. Motti Shohat, director of the institute's Genetics Institute, initially located the defective gene on chromosome 19, after which they identified the gene itself. The biological function of the new gene called CC2D1A was previously unknown. Basel, Shohat and their team were awarded a prize in September by The Israel Genetics Society for their discovery of the gene. The results of the research were presented in October at the Conference for the American Society of Human Genetics in Salt Lake City, USA. The research also received an award from the Israeli Pediatricians Association. "Discovery of the gene causing mental retardation is very significant in the early diagnosis of the disease and contributes towards understanding the biological process leading to the disease's development. The finding is even more important relative to the extremely high incidence of the disease among the population at risk," said Shohat. According to the researchers, there are one in ten carriers of the abnormal gene in the at-risk population. Basel said that a system of diagnostic tests have been developed as a result of the discovery which determine if parents are carriers, and fetuses possess the gene. "If the parents are carriers of the gene, there's a 25% risk every time the woman gets pregnant. We also can perform fetal testing at 10-11 weeks for pregnant mother," said Basel. The mother first undergoes a genetic blood test. In the event that she is found to be a carrier of the genetic mutation, a carrier test is also conducted on the father. Should both spouses be carriers, a genetic test is conducted on the fetus, she explained. In order to make the testing more available to the families, Basel initiated the mobile clinic a year ago. "We travel once a month to the village to make available the tests in the most convenient manner. We work in conjunction with the women's health station and offer the services to every woman before during their pregnancies," she said. Basel said the families were immediately receptive to the program, and the families have taken the results and have made important decisions on whether to prevent or terminate pregnancies. "There was one family that was a little resistant, but they were also won over. I think the village is very happy with the results, and the fact that they can test each pregnancy. We've established a good relationship with them, especially the ones that are coming back with each pregnancy. We've gotten to know them, and they trust us." Basel explained that there are plans to expand the testing beyond the current village into other Israeli-Arab residential areas with a high incidence of mental retardation. "But, in the meantime, we're only doing it with this village. We're testing other populations now, but don't have the results," she said. Basel, who also works at the Molecular Genetics Laboratory at the Rabin Medical Center, immigrated to Israel in 1991 and did her PhD at Tel Aviv University in the lab of Professor Yossi Shilo, where, in 1995, she was part of a team that discovered a defective gene related to cancer called A-T. In her work at the Institute of Medical Genetics, Basel is part of a team that provides comprehensive genetic services to both campuses of Rabin Medical Center, the Schneider facility and to Geha Hospitals. The Institute is also a referral center for community clinics and other hospitals. But nowhere is her effect felt more powerfully than in the village where she is helping to stem the tide of mental retardation.
David Brinn December 18, 2005
Schneider Children's Hospital
Tel Aviv University
Once a month, Lina Basel leaves her lab at the Schneider Children's Hospital in the Israeli city of Petah Tikva and travels an hour north to an Israeli Arab village near Hadera. There, the senior geneticist greets the nurses at the village's health clinic and begins seeing a steady stream of mothers who are coming to Basel for a blood test - one of the most important of their lives. Following three years of research in the village, an Israeli team including Basel has identified a gene that causes mental retardation, as well as a series of blood tests that can determine if adults are carriers of the gene or if a young fetus is likely to possess the gene. "We got the ideas for the study because a few Arab families from the village had come into our clinic with children suffering from mental retardation," Basel told ISRAEL21c. "We did some testing on them and came to the conclusion that the mental retardation was genetic - technically it is called autosomal recessive nonsyndromic mental retardation (NSMR." "We decided to study the phenomenon and asked the families to join the study and recruited others. We ended up with nine families from the village, which between them, had 16 children who were mentally retarded." Mental retardation is expressed in patients by motor developmental delay, speech inability, communication deficiency and dependency. The research team - led by Basel and Prof. Motti Shohat, director of the institute's Genetics Institute, initially located the defective gene on chromosome 19, after which they identified the gene itself. The biological function of the new gene called CC2D1A was previously unknown. Basel, Shohat and their team were awarded a prize in September by The Israel Genetics Society for their discovery of the gene. The results of the research were presented in October at the Conference for the American Society of Human Genetics in Salt Lake City, USA. The research also received an award from the Israeli Pediatricians Association. "Discovery of the gene causing mental retardation is very significant in the early diagnosis of the disease and contributes towards understanding the biological process leading to the disease's development. The finding is even more important relative to the extremely high incidence of the disease among the population at risk," said Shohat. According to the researchers, there are one in ten carriers of the abnormal gene in the at-risk population. Basel said that a system of diagnostic tests have been developed as a result of the discovery which determine if parents are carriers, and fetuses possess the gene. "If the parents are carriers of the gene, there's a 25% risk every time the woman gets pregnant. We also can perform fetal testing at 10-11 weeks for pregnant mother," said Basel. The mother first undergoes a genetic blood test. In the event that she is found to be a carrier of the genetic mutation, a carrier test is also conducted on the father. Should both spouses be carriers, a genetic test is conducted on the fetus, she explained. In order to make the testing more available to the families, Basel initiated the mobile clinic a year ago. "We travel once a month to the village to make available the tests in the most convenient manner. We work in conjunction with the women's health station and offer the services to every woman before during their pregnancies," she said. Basel said the families were immediately receptive to the program, and the families have taken the results and have made important decisions on whether to prevent or terminate pregnancies. "There was one family that was a little resistant, but they were also won over. I think the village is very happy with the results, and the fact that they can test each pregnancy. We've established a good relationship with them, especially the ones that are coming back with each pregnancy. We've gotten to know them, and they trust us." Basel explained that there are plans to expand the testing beyond the current village into other Israeli-Arab residential areas with a high incidence of mental retardation. "But, in the meantime, we're only doing it with this village. We're testing other populations now, but don't have the results," she said. Basel, who also works at the Molecular Genetics Laboratory at the Rabin Medical Center, immigrated to Israel in 1991 and did her PhD at Tel Aviv University in the lab of Professor Yossi Shilo, where, in 1995, she was part of a team that discovered a defective gene related to cancer called A-T. In her work at the Institute of Medical Genetics, Basel is part of a team that provides comprehensive genetic services to both campuses of Rabin Medical Center, the Schneider facility and to Geha Hospitals. The Institute is also a referral center for community clinics and other hospitals. But nowhere is her effect felt more powerfully than in the village where she is helping to stem the tide of mental retardation.
Friday, January 06, 2006
Situação de Sharon diminui as esperanças de paz
Parece incrível mas, pela segunda vez, na história moderna de Israel, um líder que vê a necessidade de se fazer um acordo com os palestinos é obrigado a parar no meio do caminho. Assim como em 1995, quando o chanceler Itzhak Rabin foi assassinato, Ariel Sharon pode até sobreviver ao derrame, mas, mesmo que isso aconteça voltar à vida política ou tomar, novamente, as rédeas de liderar seu partido recém-criado, Kadima, são distantes e improváveis. E fica a pergunta que não quer calar: isso pode fazer com que os falcões ressurjam, distanciando e tornando o caminho para a paz ainda mais difícil?De qualquer maneira, o cenário político de Israel será chacoalhado até as bases e seu maior efeito pode acabar com as esperanças do dirigente de colocar um ponto final em décadas de conflitos entre palestinos e israelenses. Nada, neste momento, é certeza, a não ser o prognóstico dos médicos, ao dizer que a vida política do premiê chegou ao fim. Há dúvidas sobre se a grande guinada rumo ao centro, planejada por Sharon depois da retirada da Faixa de Gaza, conseguiria sobreviver mesmo até as eleições de março, a qual Sharon era o favorito, segundo pesquisas eleitorais. O novo partido de centro, formado por Ariel Sharon, o Kadima, precisa de um outro líder com o passado e a habilidade do premiê para forjar uma nova força política. Como diz um artigo escrito por Nadav Evyal no jornal israelense Maariv, "Sharon é o Kadima e o Kadima é Sharon".Com a derrota que o destino impingiu a Sharon, o eventual descarrilamento do Kadima beneficiará o que resta do Likud, o partido liderado hoje pelo direitista Benjamin Netanyahu. Bibi, como é mais conhecido, já passou pela experiência de ter sido primeiro-ministro de Israel, ainda que não fosse tão popular."O mais certo, e mais temeroso ao mesmo tempo, é que os maiores beneficiados com o afastamento de Sharon (ou sua morte) serão os que estão nas extremidades do espectro político israelense e palestino - os ultranacionalistas judeus, que não desejam abrir mão dos territórios ocupados, e os militantes islâmicos que desejam destruir Israel. Segundo analistas políticos, chances menores de que Israel saia das áreas ocupadas podem reforçar o levante palestino, que perdeu força depois de Sharon e Abbas terem firmado cessar-fogo, há quase um ano. Enquanto os militantes podem lucrar com um eventual vácuo de poder em Israel, qualquer líder que assuma a direção do Estado Judeu terá de dar mostras de sua prontidão para ser duro com os palestinos, assim como Sharon foi quando necessário.
Ano II - Edição nº 7 - 6 a 13 de Janeiro de 2006. Esta é uma publicação da Congregação Israelita Paulista (CIP), do Departamento de Comunicação: Miriam Vasserman, Ruth Engelberg, Claudia Sciama, Wilma Temin, István Wessel, Ruth Bohm e Claudia Rezende. Editor desta newsletter: Marcelo Rabinovitch - Jornalista responsável, MTb 29.272.
Dia do Holocausto
CIP e BB em memória aos mártires do nazismo
O dia 27 de janeiro foi designado pela Assembléia Geral das Nações Unidas como “Dia Internacional de Recordação das Vítimas do Holocausto”. A Congregação Israelita Paulista (CIP) e a B’nai B’rith do Brasil marcarão a data com um Cabalat Shabat Especial, na sinagoga da CIP, em 27 de janeiro, às 18h45. Para o presidente do Rabinato da CIP, rabino Henry I. Sobel, “precisamos aprender as lições do Holocausto e fazer tudo que está ao nosso alcance para impedir que tais atrocidades se repitam no futuro”.
O serviço religioso será dirigido pelo rabino Sobel, e contará com a participação do presidente da BB, Abraham Goldstein. A presidente da CIP, Lena Strumpf e o rabino Michel Schlesinger estarão presentes na ocasião. A parte musical estará a cargo do maestro Marcelo Ghelfi e dos chazanim Abraham Bursztein e Alexandre Edelstein. Segundo Goldstein, “enquanto os líderes de países declaram que o Holocausto não existiu e outros líderes evitam comentar ou responder, a ONU em votação histórica, com o voto do Brasil, aprovou o Dia Internacional do Holocausto, reconhecendo o inesquecível episódio. Nós devemos, com apoio e sensibilidade de todos, fazer tudo o que estiver ao nosso alcance para que tal acontecimento nunca mais tenha a oportunidade de acontecer”.
O Cabalat Shabat em memória das vítimas do Holocausto contará com a presença de líderes comunitários e autoridades governamentais. Para o rabino Sobel, “o comparecimento maciço da comunidade judaica será um eloqüente tributo à memória dos mártires”, finaliza. do novo Conselho Deliberativo
Nos dias 9 a 12 de março de 2006, A CIP fará as eleições para o eleger seu novo Conselho Deliberativo. De geração em geração, a comunidade CIP tem cumprido com seus deveres, tanto sociais como comunitários. Isto, somado ao trabalho que seu voluntariado tem realizado durante os 70 anos da CIP, o que a tornou a maior instituição judaica liberal da América Latina. Para que esse processo continue, a CIP precisa de sua ajuda. Nas eleições de março quando será composto o novo Conselho Deliberativo a atual Diretoria pede a todos seus associados, para usar do seu direito de escolha: vote! Os eleitores poderão votar pessoalmente, na sede da CIP, na Rua Antonio Carlos, nº 653, ou pelo correio. Esta é uma inovação importante, por meio da qual a entidade pretende contar com a participação cada vez maior de seus associados."
O Cabalat Shabat em memória das vítimas do Holocausto contará com a presença de líderes comunitários e autoridades governamentais. Para o rabino Sobel, “o comparecimento maciço da comunidade judaica será um eloqüente tributo à memória dos mártires”, finaliza.
Eleições do novo Conselho Deliberativo
Nos dias 9 a 12 de março de 2006, A CIP fará as eleições para o eleger seu novo Conselho Deliberativo.
De geração em geração, a comunidade CIP tem cumprido com seus deveres, tanto sociais como comunitários. Isto, somado ao trabalho que seu voluntariado tem realizado durante os 70 anos da CIP, o que a tornou a maior instituição judaica liberal da América Latina.
Para que esse processo continue, a CIP precisa de sua ajuda. Nas eleições de março quando será composto o novo Conselho Deliberativo a atual Diretoria pede a todos seus associados, para usar do seu direito de escolha: vote! Os eleitores poderão votar pessoalmente, na sede da CIP, na Rua Antonio Carlos, nº 653, ou pelo correio. Esta é uma inovação importante, por meio da qual a entidade pretende contar com a participação cada vez maior de seus associados.
O dia 27 de janeiro foi designado pela Assembléia Geral das Nações Unidas como “Dia Internacional de Recordação das Vítimas do Holocausto”. A Congregação Israelita Paulista (CIP) e a B’nai B’rith do Brasil marcarão a data com um Cabalat Shabat Especial, na sinagoga da CIP, em 27 de janeiro, às 18h45. Para o presidente do Rabinato da CIP, rabino Henry I. Sobel, “precisamos aprender as lições do Holocausto e fazer tudo que está ao nosso alcance para impedir que tais atrocidades se repitam no futuro”.
O serviço religioso será dirigido pelo rabino Sobel, e contará com a participação do presidente da BB, Abraham Goldstein. A presidente da CIP, Lena Strumpf e o rabino Michel Schlesinger estarão presentes na ocasião. A parte musical estará a cargo do maestro Marcelo Ghelfi e dos chazanim Abraham Bursztein e Alexandre Edelstein. Segundo Goldstein, “enquanto os líderes de países declaram que o Holocausto não existiu e outros líderes evitam comentar ou responder, a ONU em votação histórica, com o voto do Brasil, aprovou o Dia Internacional do Holocausto, reconhecendo o inesquecível episódio. Nós devemos, com apoio e sensibilidade de todos, fazer tudo o que estiver ao nosso alcance para que tal acontecimento nunca mais tenha a oportunidade de acontecer”.
O Cabalat Shabat em memória das vítimas do Holocausto contará com a presença de líderes comunitários e autoridades governamentais. Para o rabino Sobel, “o comparecimento maciço da comunidade judaica será um eloqüente tributo à memória dos mártires”, finaliza. do novo Conselho Deliberativo
Nos dias 9 a 12 de março de 2006, A CIP fará as eleições para o eleger seu novo Conselho Deliberativo. De geração em geração, a comunidade CIP tem cumprido com seus deveres, tanto sociais como comunitários. Isto, somado ao trabalho que seu voluntariado tem realizado durante os 70 anos da CIP, o que a tornou a maior instituição judaica liberal da América Latina. Para que esse processo continue, a CIP precisa de sua ajuda. Nas eleições de março quando será composto o novo Conselho Deliberativo a atual Diretoria pede a todos seus associados, para usar do seu direito de escolha: vote! Os eleitores poderão votar pessoalmente, na sede da CIP, na Rua Antonio Carlos, nº 653, ou pelo correio. Esta é uma inovação importante, por meio da qual a entidade pretende contar com a participação cada vez maior de seus associados."
O Cabalat Shabat em memória das vítimas do Holocausto contará com a presença de líderes comunitários e autoridades governamentais. Para o rabino Sobel, “o comparecimento maciço da comunidade judaica será um eloqüente tributo à memória dos mártires”, finaliza.
Eleições do novo Conselho Deliberativo
Nos dias 9 a 12 de março de 2006, A CIP fará as eleições para o eleger seu novo Conselho Deliberativo.
De geração em geração, a comunidade CIP tem cumprido com seus deveres, tanto sociais como comunitários. Isto, somado ao trabalho que seu voluntariado tem realizado durante os 70 anos da CIP, o que a tornou a maior instituição judaica liberal da América Latina.
Para que esse processo continue, a CIP precisa de sua ajuda. Nas eleições de março quando será composto o novo Conselho Deliberativo a atual Diretoria pede a todos seus associados, para usar do seu direito de escolha: vote! Os eleitores poderão votar pessoalmente, na sede da CIP, na Rua Antonio Carlos, nº 653, ou pelo correio. Esta é uma inovação importante, por meio da qual a entidade pretende contar com a participação cada vez maior de seus associados.
Porção Vayigash
Torah Portion of the Week: Vayigash
We left off last week with Joseph's pronouncement that he was keeping Benjamin as a slave for stealing his wine cup. Judah steps forward to challenge the decision and offers himself as a slave instead of Benjamin. Joseph is overcome with emotion, clears the room of all Egyptians and then reveals his identity to his unsuspecting brothers.
The brothers are shocked! They suspect Joseph's intentions, but accept his offer to bring the extended family to Egypt. Jacob is initially numb and disbelieving of the news, but becomes very excited to see his son.
During the famine, Joseph buys up all of the property and people in Egypt for Pharaoh with the grain stored during the seven good years. The Torah recounts the 70 souls of the Jewish people who went down to Egypt. Jacob reunites with Joseph, meets Pharaoh and settles with the family in the Goshen district.
* * *
Dvar Torah based on based on Growth Through Torah by Rabbi Zelig Pliskin
When the brothers realize that Pharaoh's right hand man is none other than their brother Joseph whom they sold into slavery, they are overcome with remorse for their actions. Joseph tries to lessen their feeling of guilt and says to them:
" ... it was not you who sent me here, but the Almighty. And He made me a vizier to Pharaoh and a master over all of his house and ruler over the land of Egypt."
\nWhat can we learn from Joseph\'s action? When a person is wronged, there is a tendency not to fully accept the apology of the offender in order to keep him guilty forever. This gives the wronged person a feeling of being "one-up" and the other person "one-down."\nJoseph wanted to do an act of kindness so that they should not feel guilty. He even expressed gratitude for the good he gained from their selling him. If someone asks you for forgiveness, be sensitive to his feeling of guilt and regret. Make it your goal to save the person from emotional stress and suffering. Ask yourself, "What can I do or say now to make this person feel better?" You will be a bigger person for your effort and have fulfilled the mitzvah of Emulating the Almighty. You will gain more respect from the other person and your peers. And remember, the way you treat others is the way that the Almighty will treat you.
What can we learn from Joseph's action?
When a person is wronged, there is a tendency not to fully accept the apology of the offender in order to keep him guilty forever. This gives the wronged person a feeling of being "one-up" and the other person "one-down."
Joseph wanted to do an act of kindness so that they should not feel guilty. He even expressed gratitude for the good he gained from their selling him.
If someone asks you for forgiveness, be sensitive to his feeling of guilt and regret. Make it your goal to save the person from emotional stress and suffering. Ask yourself, "What can I do or say now to make this person feel better?" You will be a bigger person for your effort and have fulfilled the mitzvah of Emulating the Almighty. You will gain more respect from the other person and your peers. And remember, the way you treat others is the way that the Almighty will treat you.
CANDLE LIGHTING - January 6
Jerusalem 4:15Guatemala 5:29 Hong Kong 5:36 Honolulu 5:46J'Burg 6:46 Porto 3:50 Los Angeles 4:40Melbourne 8:28 Mexico City 5:54 Miami 5:28New York 4:25 Singapore 6:54 Toronto 4:38
QUOTE OF THE WEEK:
The best solution for little problems is to help people with big problems.
We left off last week with Joseph's pronouncement that he was keeping Benjamin as a slave for stealing his wine cup. Judah steps forward to challenge the decision and offers himself as a slave instead of Benjamin. Joseph is overcome with emotion, clears the room of all Egyptians and then reveals his identity to his unsuspecting brothers.
The brothers are shocked! They suspect Joseph's intentions, but accept his offer to bring the extended family to Egypt. Jacob is initially numb and disbelieving of the news, but becomes very excited to see his son.
During the famine, Joseph buys up all of the property and people in Egypt for Pharaoh with the grain stored during the seven good years. The Torah recounts the 70 souls of the Jewish people who went down to Egypt. Jacob reunites with Joseph, meets Pharaoh and settles with the family in the Goshen district.
* * *
Dvar Torah based on based on Growth Through Torah by Rabbi Zelig Pliskin
When the brothers realize that Pharaoh's right hand man is none other than their brother Joseph whom they sold into slavery, they are overcome with remorse for their actions. Joseph tries to lessen their feeling of guilt and says to them:
" ... it was not you who sent me here, but the Almighty. And He made me a vizier to Pharaoh and a master over all of his house and ruler over the land of Egypt."
\nWhat can we learn from Joseph\'s action? When a person is wronged, there is a tendency not to fully accept the apology of the offender in order to keep him guilty forever. This gives the wronged person a feeling of being "one-up" and the other person "one-down."\nJoseph wanted to do an act of kindness so that they should not feel guilty. He even expressed gratitude for the good he gained from their selling him. If someone asks you for forgiveness, be sensitive to his feeling of guilt and regret. Make it your goal to save the person from emotional stress and suffering. Ask yourself, "What can I do or say now to make this person feel better?" You will be a bigger person for your effort and have fulfilled the mitzvah of Emulating the Almighty. You will gain more respect from the other person and your peers. And remember, the way you treat others is the way that the Almighty will treat you.
What can we learn from Joseph's action?
When a person is wronged, there is a tendency not to fully accept the apology of the offender in order to keep him guilty forever. This gives the wronged person a feeling of being "one-up" and the other person "one-down."
Joseph wanted to do an act of kindness so that they should not feel guilty. He even expressed gratitude for the good he gained from their selling him.
If someone asks you for forgiveness, be sensitive to his feeling of guilt and regret. Make it your goal to save the person from emotional stress and suffering. Ask yourself, "What can I do or say now to make this person feel better?" You will be a bigger person for your effort and have fulfilled the mitzvah of Emulating the Almighty. You will gain more respect from the other person and your peers. And remember, the way you treat others is the way that the Almighty will treat you.
CANDLE LIGHTING - January 6
Jerusalem 4:15Guatemala 5:29 Hong Kong 5:36 Honolulu 5:46J'Burg 6:46 Porto 3:50 Los Angeles 4:40Melbourne 8:28 Mexico City 5:54 Miami 5:28New York 4:25 Singapore 6:54 Toronto 4:38
QUOTE OF THE WEEK:
The best solution for little problems is to help people with big problems.
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