From the Rabbi's Desk...
 
Rabbi Irwin Huberman
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June 11, 2010
Laws of Electricity and Driving
’Ever wonder what the big debate is within Judaism over the use of electricity on the Shabbat and holy days?
All will be revealed this Sunday morning at 10:15 as we study the rabbinical machlokhet (argument) over use of electricity and driving on the Sabbath.
Surely, there is no mention of this in the Torah. So, where do the rabbis derive this from?
Here's a clue: Remember the number "thirty-nine."
Here is the link
to a 60 year old document from the Conservative Movement which discusses this issue in detail. It will form the basis of Sunday's discussion.
We'll begin with a bagel breakfast.
Haiti Date Set
I mentioned last week that Dr. Jeffrey Wolf, who recently spent two weeks in Haiti, has agreed to speak with us on his work with the Materials Management Relief Corps.
We've now confirmed the date of Dr. Wolf's presentation. That will be Monday, June 21 at 7:30pm.
How You Can Help CTI
CTI needs:
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A computer or laptop with a modern operating system and good memory for use in our new library. The computer will be used to keep track of books and to access the internet.
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Someone who is interested in chairing or co-chairing next year's book club. The club meets on a quarterly basis.
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Your "next to new" clothing and other items for our August 8 rummage sale. Please bring your items to CTI during regular office hours.
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Rosh Hashanah Countdown: Buy Your Own Shofar
With the first day of Rosh Hashanah about ninety days away, here are a few items to consider.
Although the synagogue has many Machzorim (High Holiday prayer books) for you to take from the shelf, it has become a tradition at CTI for congregants to own their own. We are expecting more attendees than ever this year, and ordering your personal Machzor will help alleviate any pressure. It's also a good item to have on your bookshelf.
As well, during the portion of the service called Shofarot, we will be encouraging anyone with a Shofar (ram's horn) to sound blasts from their seat as we read about the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai.
Two years ago, children in our Hebrew school made their own Shofarot, and we expect our young people will participate in that part of the service.
We will also be ordering Shofarot for any family or individual who wants one. Cost is $36. Please let me know before the end of the month.
Cost of a High Holiday prayer book is also $36.
New Members
Although the success of a congregation should never be measured in numbers, it is always important that a congregation like Tifereth Israel continues to grow.
We are currently approaching 210 member units, and we anticipate more as we approach the high holidays.
A growing membership helps to sustain the many programs we offer. As well, each time a new member joins us, that person or family brings to the congregation new skills, talents and, above all, enthusiasm.
We are extremely proud of our services here, in particular our Friday night musical Shabbat.
We also believe that CTI's warmth and sense of community is unparalleled.
If you know of someone who is currently searching for a Jewish home, I would encourage you to bring them to services. We embrace Jews of all backgrounds. Intermarried families are also welcome with a spirit of openness.
For CTI, word of mouth is our best ambassador, and our family is always expanding. Is there anyone you know who would be uplifted by our community?
The Story of Korach: Criticism Gone Wrong
One of the most compelling characteristics of the Jewish people is our passion for arguments. We love to challenge, dispute, debate, and criticize.
This is a good thing. It is said that if you put two Jews in a room you will get three opinions. Some argue four opinions.
This is why this week's Torah portion has challenged our rabbinical commentators for generations. It is named after a tribal leader named Korach who, during the second year after Israel's Exodus from Egypt, publicly posed the question: "What makes Moses better than everyone else?"
Korach notes that "all the community are holy," and criticizes Moses and his brother Aaron for having too much power and prestige. Our tradition also speculates that Korach and his supporters had concerns over newly announced taxes.
So what exactly did Korach do wrong? Criticism, debate, and financial accountability are at the core of the American political process.
A quick look at the Israeli Knesset reveals parliamentary anarchy as opposing parties yell over each other's voices—each claiming to represent the true interests of the people.
But the rabbis have a response to this. They note that Korach and his two hundred and fifty supporters were not interested in criticism B'shem Shamayim, that is, in the name of heaven.
There were in it for the glory.
Often when someone criticizes another person, especially someone in leadership, the very thing they accuse a leader of is the worst characteristic within themself.
We each need to be careful when we criticize a family member or friend, or someone in a leadership position, that we are not projecting our own frailties on another.
The very thing that Korach accused Moses of, our commentators tell us, was Korach's own greatest flaw. There is a lesson in this for us: Never project your own frailties and self doubts on others.
The great 19th century rabbi Zvi Hirsch Kalischer reminds us to always have a vision or a positive alternative before we criticize another. Critics, whether within today's political climate or in the times of Korach, need to define themselves by a vision of what they stand for, and not what they are against.
Often, the criticism we level at others says more about ourselves and our own insecurities. It beckons us to carefully guard our words.
As the book of Proverbs reminds us (18:21), “Death and life are in the hand of the tongue.”
The Torah tells us that the ground around Korach opened up and swallowed him and his two hundred and fifty co-critics in the end, .
It's a message to us to consider constructive alternatives in life before we tear down someone else.
Perhaps there was merit in Korach serving as Moses' critic. But the Torah tells us to begin discourse with words and intentions of kindness and thoughts of making the world a better place.
When we pursue paths of hurt, the foundation of our lives become shaky and swallows us up.
Let the words of our mouths be used to support positivity and not to destroy, and let all our criticisms be B'Shem Shamayim, for only good purposes.
Shabbat shalom, v'kol tuv (with all goodness)
Rabbi Irwin Huberman
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