From the Rabbi's Desk...
 
Rabbi Irwin Huberman
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June 18, 2010
What’s Kosher About Wine and Cheese?
The debate over what is kosher or not continues to be energetically discussed within Judaism.
Indeed, if we are what we eat, it’s important at least that we philosophically consider what we put into our bodies.
For example, I like the restriction against consuming milk and meat together because it encourages us to have a full carnivorous experience without washing meat down with something a mother gives out of love.
In some orthodox communities, foods like broccoli and certain types of lettuce are now verboten at banquets and other group functions because of the fear of bugs hiding in the food.
So what is the issue surrounding wine and, for that matter, cheese? Why were the rabbis so fearful of Jews consuming non-kosher wine, and should that reasoning apply in 2010?
Our weekly “Jewish Law and Order” class will discuss this issue on Sunday morning, as we study two “responsa” — that is, rabbinical documents — on
wine and
cheese.
The wine “teshuvah” is especially interesting.
Last week’s initial class on driving, electricity, and Shabbat attracted about twenty-five participants.
My goal in these classes is to improve our knowledge as Jews. We’ll discuss all sides of various issues and let you decide.
We’ll begin at 10:15am with a bagel breakfast, followed by a bit of wine and cheese afterwards.
An Evening for Haiti
On Monday night, Dr. Jeffrey Wolf, who has just returned from Haiti, will be sharing some of his experiences working on the front lines with victims of January’s devastating earthquake.
What did Jeffrey see? What inspired him and what challenged him? Are there still ways for us to help?
Come hear Dr. Wolf speak Monday at 7:30pm.
This Week at CTI
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We have two simchas to celebrate this Shabbat. On Friday evening, we will rejoice with Jerry and Gus Wolkowitz as they mark their 60th anniversary. Musical Shabbat services begin at 8:00pm.
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On Saturday morning we will celebrate the Aufruf of Dara Kriss and Jeremy Melnick. Both will be called to the Torah in advance of their wedding. Dara is the daughter of Roberta and Bruce Waller. Av Simchas! May we continue to celebrate happy occasions together.
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PJ Party
CTI is about to launch a remarkable program for young families in our community.
Beginning this fall, those who sign up for “PJ Library” will receive one book in their home each month for a year.
This is part of an international program to put Jewish children’s books in homes across America. The books are vetted by a board of experts, and anyone can sign up.
This CTI program, which supports literacy and Jewish values, will be funded by the PJ Library Foundation, and by the estate of Sharyn Berliner.
There is no cost, and those who sign up from our area need not be members. Please contact Fredda Klopfer or Susan Friedlieb if you would like to sign up or would like more information.
Scrabble Night
CTI’s popular Scrabble night continues this Tuesday night at 7:00pm.
The evening is sponsored by CTI Men’s Club and is open to everyone.
Who are the Terrorists?
What would compel a person to take their own life and cause untold pain and suffering with their final breath?
Some of these answers will be revealed on Sunday, July 18 as we welcome author Dr. Anat Berko to CTI.
We are extremely fortunate to have Dr. Berko join us. Dr. Berko is a former Lieutenant Colonel in the Israeli Defense Force and a member of both Israel’s Counter-Terrorism Team and Israel’s National Security Council.
She is also author of The Path to Paradise and Women and Children as Suicide Bombers.
Over the last thirteen years, she has entered Israel’s most heavily secured prisons and conducted extensive interviews with suicide bombers who failed their missions. She has also interviewed some of their dispatchers.
She will be sharing he findings and observations with us.
This is a “do not miss” program. Please stay tuned for more details.
Moses Out of Control
How many times in our lives have we said something in anger that we wish we could take back?
Often in life we try to hold our temper, especially during those days when the world around us causes us to feel tense or out of control.
In this week’s Torah portion, Chukkat, Moses loses his cool and the results are devastating.
In this week’s reading, both Aaron and Miriam, Moses’ brother and sister, die. Aaron was Moses’ principle advisor and spokesperson, while Miriam was his source of spirituality.
Our tradition tells us that wherever Miriam went, a well would follow her and provide for the people. But in the next sentence after her death, the well dries up and the people begin to complain.
God tells Moses to strike the rock in order to produce water for the people. But Moses grinds his teeth in front of what he calls a “rebellious” mob and slams the rock twice.
God punishes Moses for his anger, and for not following God’s strict orders, and prohibits him from entering the Promised Land.
Throughout the ages, commentators have asked “What was so bad about what Moses did? After all his devoted service, didn’t Moses deserve to see the Promised Land?
The rabbis offer many opinions on this issue, but one of my favorites relates to the issue of anger. The great 12th century teacher Maimonides (Rambam) tells us that Moses was punished for losing his temper after he became exasperated with the people.
And herein lies a lesson for us all. As the Talmud tells us, “When a prophet loses their temper, their gift of prophesy abandons them.”
We each know this too well. When we lose our cool with our spouse, children, parents, or friends it reduces us. Our worst qualities surface and, within the context of anger, additional words spew like lava from our core.
Our tradition tells us that sometimes it is kinder to say what is on our mind at the moment rather than let tension and anger create unreleased pressure within us because when the volcano explodes, it burns all of those around us.
Moses may have been a great leader, but his lack of patience showed that he did not possess the patience and calm to lead a new and boisterous generation.
We are all human. So was Moses, and he was not exempt from the consequences of his actions.
Judaism teaches us that there is no royalty within our ranks. Everyone gets called up to the Torah, or can celebrate Shabbat and the holidays in the same manner.
It also means that we bear equal consequences when negative behavior consumes us.
It behooves us before speaking, as my grandfather used to say, to “think twice and say once.”
Indeed, we have a better chance of reaching the respective Promised Land when we consider our words and curb our anger before it lessens us and strikes those around us.
Best wishes for a peaceful and meaningful Shabbat.
Shabbat shalom, v’kol tuv,
Rabbi Irwin Huberman
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