From the Rabbi's Desk...
 
Rabbi Irwin Huberman
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July 15, 2010
The Terrorist Mindset
What would possess young people of the Muslim faith to strap explosives to their bodies and leave this earth with the blood of dozens on their hands?
We can all speculate what goes on in the mind of a suicide bomber, but what is the reality?
On Sunday morning, CTI will be privileged to host researcher Dr. Anat Berko, author of the acclaimed book
Path to Paradise.
Dr. Berko, cousin of congregant Vicky Wexler, has agreed to meet with us on Sunday morning to discuss her research, which involved interviewing unsuccessful suicide bombers behind bars.
This is a unique opportunity to venture under the headlines and learn more about the terrorist mindset.
We will begin at 10:00am with a light breakfast, following by Dr. Berko’s talk at 10:30am sharp.
Video From Israel
One of the most popular videos across the Jewish world this week featured a
thoughtful song
by Yedida Freilich. It provides some important Middle East insights from a young Israeli at
Monday Flashlight Service
CTI will observe Judaism’s most solemn evening on Monday with a
Tisha B’av
service that will begin at 7:30pm.
On that night, we will read the Book of Lamentations, which dates back 2,500 years, and will discuss the classic Jewish belief that there is a moral connection between our collective behavior and the fate of our people.
We have a limited number of flashlights available, so feel free to bring your own.
You can read more about Tisha B’Av by clicking
Featured Movie: Sword of Gideon
CTI’s movie of the month series continues Wednesday night with the 1986 film
Sword of Gideon,
which recounts the story of Mossad’s hunt for and punishment of the perpetrators of the 1976 Munich Massacre.
The story was retold in 2005 in Steven Spielberg’s movie Munich.
This however is a Canadian production which aired in 1986 as a miniseries. It stars Michael York.
The movie begins at 7:30pm.
Shabbat Under the Stars
One of Judaism’s Chassidic masters, Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, wrote more than two hundred years ago, that "when a person meditates in the fields, all the grasses join in his prayer and increase its effectiveness and power,"
It is an important statement about the importance of praying outdoors from time to time.
We will follow this practice Friday night, as CTI holds its Shabbat Under the Stars service. Surrounded by the sounds of both nature and Hill Street, we will hold our Kabbalat Shabbat service outdoors on the synagogue’s front patio.
We will begin a half hour early to experience the transition from dusk to dark. This is a special evening which will include additional musicians and dancing.
Adam Levine: Our Pride
CTI is going to the ballgame on Tuesday, August 24, as we celebrate the amazing accomplishment of one of our most enthusiastic congregants, Adam Levine.
Adam, son of Millie and David Levine, will lead the crowd at Citi Field in The Star Spangled Banner, as the Mets take on the Florida Marlins.
Adam, who leads our dancing at Friday night services, and recites the Kiddush blessing over the wine, was recently auditioned and accepted by the Mets.
Our congregation is currently organizing a group to cheer on Adam and the Mets. Group ticket prices will be announced next week.
Rummage Sale Change
The date of CTI’s rummage sale has been changed.
Rather than August 8, the sale will now be held on October 17. With many people on holidays during August, the new date will enable our volunteers to better sort and price our donations.
We are currently accepting lightly worn clothing, electronics, books, and other suitable items. Please bring your donations to the shul during normal business hours.
The Sting of Words
This week, our yearly reading of the Torah enters its final phase as we begin the Book of Deuteronomy.
Moses, who earlier stutters his way through the Book of Exodus, has lots to say in his final days.
The Jewish people are now poised to enter Israel, but Moses will not join them.
It’s been a difficult journey for Moses.
As leader of the Israelites, he has often been called to justify God’s actions to the Jewish people, and in turn has been summoned to defend the Jewish people to an often angry God.
For Moses, it all comes down to words.
The Midrash, our ancient collection of rabbinical stories and interpretations, notes that Devarim (words), the Hebrew name for Deuteromony, and Devorim (bees) come from the same root and share a number of elements.
Honey bees use their stingers when the hive is threatened. We often lash out with words when we feel under attack. Bees also produce a magnificent fluid, honey, which aside from its sweet taste possesses antiseptic and antibacterial properties. Words, too, can be used to delight, soothe, and heal.
The ancient Midrash sends us a message about words and about their use. It tells us that each time Moses criticized the Jewish people it was as if he himself suffered bee stings.
Our rabbis make this connection and ask us to consider, when we criticize another person, whether we are doing so to help or to hurt. Indeed, they ask, when we challenge someone, does it cause us pain or joy?
If criticizing another person causes us any sense of satisfaction, then our words are badly motivated. The rabbis suggest that true criticism also stings the speaker. Such should be our concern for others.
This Shabbat is Shabbat Chazon, the "Shabbat of Vision," which immediately precedes Tisha B'Av .
Tradition teaches that the Second Temple was destroyed due to sinat chinam, baseless hatred, and due to lashon ha’ra (malicious speech).
As Kollel (Canada’s Adult Centre for Liberal Jewish Learning) Rabbi Michal Shekel notes, “the first form that hatred takes is the words that escape our lips, swarming and taking on a life of their own.”
In the haftorah (prophetic reading) that we will read this Shabbat, Isaiah urges us to cease to do evil; learn to do good. While we can’t take back words that have stung others, we can use our words to support and heal.
As Moses begins his final journey and closes this remarkable chapter in Jewish history, he continually stresses the importance of words. Criticizing Israel throughout his lifetime has taken so much out of him.
Indeed, a bee sting hurts the person who receive it, but it hurts the bee more.
Let our criticisms, like those of Moses, be B’shem shamayim (in the name of heaven).
We will know when our criticisms are well founded when they hurt us as much as the person they are directed towards. Therefore, let all our words be kind.
Shabbat shalom, v’kol tuv (with all goodness)
Rabbi Irwin Huberman
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