Rabbi's Corner

Message from the Rabbi

Mob Mentality
"As the whole community threatened to pelt them with stones, the Presence of יהוה appeared in the Tent of Meeting to all the Israelites." (Numbers 14:10)

A dear friend taught me everything I know about hockey.  He took me to games and spoke of the nuances of the game.  He had played goalie for Sorbonne University having arrived in Paris a refugee of the Holocaust. 

At some point each game, in order to further the enjoyment of the fans, they would project a loud-o-meter.  It measured how loud the fans could become in cheering for their team. As the crowd would yell and the decibel level would rise, the meter reflected the crowd's efforts which egged them on even further. 

My friend would turn to me and say each time that he loathed this activity. He was fearful of a mob mentality.  Working a crowd into lather is dangerous.  Following a crowd that has been riled up can and often leads to people getting hurt and sometimes people die.  So next time your internal meter of this sort of behavior goes off, get out. 

AUF RUF: GAVI STEIN AND EVAN KLEIN
SATURDAY, JULY 2, 9:30am
Sharon and I  invite you to celebrate the upcoming marriage of Gavi Stein and Evan Klein on Saturday morning, July 2, 2022, 9:30 am.  
Please, please RSVP so the catering group knows how much to prepare. 
RSVP to RabbiJaystein@gmail.com
MAZEL TOV TO GAVI AND EVAN!

Message from the Rabbi

Your Anxiety Lies to You
“[B]ut a fit of jealousy comes over him and he is wrought up about the wife who has defiled herself—or if a fit of jealousy comes over him and he is wrought up about his wife although she has not defiled herself” (Numbers 5:14)

Don’t believe everything you think. Your anxiety lies to you. Check yourself before you wreck yourself.  These phrases are terrific ways to begin the process of a reality check.  When our minds begin to spiral out of control and the stories we tell ourselves begin to impact others we need to second guess our thinking. It is one thing to self sabotage, it is another to inflict that suffering on others.

Message from the Rabbi

Each week in The Prayer for Peace we say the sentence from this week's Torah portion,
וְנָתַתִּ֤י שָׁלוֹם֙ בָּאָ֔רֶץ וּשְׁכַבְתֶּ֖ם וְאֵ֣ין מַחֲרִ֑יד וְהִשְׁבַּתִּ֞י חַיָּ֤ה רָעָה֙ מִן־הָאָ֔רֶץ וְחֶ֖רֶב לֹא־תַעֲבֹ֥ר בְּאַרְצְכֶֽם׃"
I will grant peace in the land, and you shall lie down untroubled by anyone; I will give the land respite from vicious beasts, and no sword shall cross your land." (Leviticus 26:6)

Last Saturday night I left for Israel in order to participate in an interfaith clergy trip to Israel.  The goal of the trip was to learn how to promote greater understanding.  It was at the airport I learned of the shooting in Buffalo, NY.  I arrived home yesterday only to hear the news today of the shooting in Uvaide, TX.  

I cannot help but wonder if we will ever find peace and what it will take for our society to realize it is in our hands to repair this world.

May we wake tomorrow to a world ready to meet this challenge.

(I shared this message at our Board meeting tonight)
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Message from the Rabbi

Asking for Help Is Not Just for the Young

"If your kin under you continue in straits (literally stumbles)  and must be given over to you, do not subject them to the treatment of a slave." (Leviticus 25:35)

Getting back up after a fall becomes increasingly more difficult as we get older. As we age we may need assistance when in the past it wasn’t necessary.  Knowing when to ask for help is something we try to teach our children and we often forget about ourselves.  

Message from the Rabbi

Naval Birshut HaTorah - A scoundrel in the bounds of the Torah (Maimonides)

Anytime your response to a situation is, “I am well within my rights” it is time to reevaluate your actions.   It is possible to live within the confines of the law while behaving in ways that are wrong.  There are any number of ways to circumvent the laws both within our society and our tradition and still live a life that is reprehensible. 

Message from the Rabbi

Choose Healing over Suffering
בִּנְפֹ֣ל (אויביך) [א֭וֹיִבְךָ] אַל־תִּשְׂמָ֑ח וּ֝בִכָּשְׁל֗וֹ אַל־יָגֵ֥ל לִבֶּֽךָ׃ 
If your enemy falls, do not exult; If he trips, let your heart not rejoice, (Proverbs 24:17)
Near the end of the seder we proclaim, “Pour out Your wrath on the nations who do not know You.”  It is a moment of extraordinary courage.  We say, to the world loud and clear, that we seek the demise of those who want to hurt us.  In every generation we can easily name those who are our latest and most dangerous adversary.  The instinct is to want their destruction and maybe after a few cups of wine we are even more emboldened.
Haven’t we had enough violence?  Haven’t we had enough hatred?  Haven’t we had enough pain? This year I ask you to substitute the statement of suffering witha statement of healing.  ”If your enemy falls, do not exult; If he trips, let your heart not rejoice,” (Proverbs 24:17) and begin the healing this world desperately needs. As it says in Exodus 15:26 [God] said, “If you will heed your God יהוה diligently, doing what is upright in God’s sight, giving ear to God’s commandments and keeping all God’s laws, then I will not bring upon you any of the diseases that I brought upon the Egyptians, for I יהוה am your healer.”
Chag Kasher V’Sameach

Message from the Rabbi

 "The priest shall examine the affection on the skin of the body:"(Leviticus 13:3)
In the ancient world upon discovering symptoms of disease a religious leader was consulted.  Today, I pray the first call is to a medical professional. However, maybe the second should be to your rabbi.  Not only do I want to know what is going on in your life and I want to add my prayers to yours and your family members, I want to be there to listen.  
When confronted by illness, we can become afraid and having someone to listen to our fears is a critical component to recovery.  When our bodies fail us, we need to remember to care not just for our physical ailments but to listen to our hearts and minds as well.  Body, mind and heart go together. Doctors are specialists for our bodies. Psychologists are specialists for our minds. And dare I say it, clergy are specialists for our souls. 

There is still time to sell your chametz - just reply to this email with your address and I will take care of it for you.

Message from the Rabbi

The fire on the altar shall be kept burning, not to go out: every morning the priest shall feed wood to it, lay out the burnt offering on it, and turn into smoke the fat parts of the offerings of well-being. (Leviticus 6:5)

Most things in life requires regular maintenance.  Our relationships, our careers, our homes and even ourselves all require regular conservation. Just like the passion of new love, without attention the spark can go out. We must nurture those parts of our lives so that we can survive.  

If you would like me to sell your Chametz,  please respond to this email with your name and address. This must be done by April 14th, 2022 at 8:00am

Message from the Rabbi

“the term ויקר, comes from the root ,קרה, which means is connected with” - Rashi
The first word of this week's portion is spelled with a small aleph. Rashi explains why. His point is simple.  The entire book of Leviticus centers on the Tabernacle and sacrifice and it is possible we will lose sight of the central role of the priestly cult and that is bringing us together, finding a place to meet.

For two years we have been starved for each other.  Now is the time to come back.  Do whatever you need to feel comfortable, but come back.  This past week, we had nearly 40 people in person.  This past Sunday, for the first time in two years we gathered as a school for Havdallah. It is time to come back.   Come with a mask, come without one. Come for services, come for a class, come for kiddush. Come just to see a friend.  

If you would like me to sell your Hametz please respond to this email wilt your name and address. This must be done by April 14th, 2022 at 8:00am
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Message from the Rabbi

"And speak to the Israelite people, as follows: This shall be an anointing oil sacred to Me throughout the ages." (Exodus 30:31)
Think of something you admire in someone close to you. Appreciate that quality. Now take a moment to think how you might incorporate that characteristic into your life.  Carry that with you as you dedicate yourself to becoming a better version of who you already are. 

Please join me for:
 “In The Beginning: A Study of the book of Genesis” No prior attendance needed.  Wednesday, February 16, evening at 8:00 on Zoom click here for link

Book Club - Concealed Tuesday, February 22, 10:00 am: on zoom click here for link
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Message from the Rabbi

Raiders of the Lost Ark
And deposit in the Ark [the tablets of] the Pact which I will give you. (Exodus 25:16)
After reading Under Jerusalem, the last book of our book club, I am convinced archeology is just another version of idol worship.  When we place power in material objects we relinquish control of our own destiny.  To believe in God is to reject the influence of trinkets and amulets.  The strength of Torah is in its insight and guidance.  Objects should be a reminder of the meaning with which they have been imbued.Objects can influence our sense of purpose but must not be an end in and of themselves.   

Message from the Rabbi

"You will surely wear yourself out, and these people as well. For the task is too heavy for you; you cannot do it alone." (Exodus 18:18)
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In our desire to help people we care about, we sometime over extend ourselves. When we forget to care for ourselves we become run down and are of no good to anyone.  If you are being stretched beyond your limits, take note and take time for yourself.  Do it for yourself and ultimately for those around you. 

My classes are coming back:
"In the Beginning: A Class on Genesis" Wednesday night, January 19 at 8:00 pm.
only on zoom  click here for link
"Gender Roles in the Talmud: One Fascinating Story" FinishStrong right after Kiddush on Shabbat January 22. (Green Team Shabbat) Only in person
Book Club - Under Jerusalem, Tuesday, January 25, 10:00 am only on zoom  click here for link and /or Thursday, January 27, 8:00 pm only on zoom  click here for link

Message from the Rabbi

This morning we read of the liberation of the Jews from the slavery in Egypt.  We broke out into the song at the sea in our redemption. 

As the situation at the Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville is still fluid I ask that each of us take a moment to pray for those who are still being held against their will and for members of law enforcement who stand in harm's way in the protection of our fellow citizens.  

We realize as members of the Jewish community of the dangers of living in a world filled with such hatred and anger that we are often caught in the crosshairs.  Be assured our congregation continues to be diligent in our security measures even as we face the challenges of COVID. 

We are always vigilant in our own protection. 

Even as we pray for the families and bring support to those who lost their lives and were displaced from their homes in a terrible fire in the Bronx this past week, we recognize we are all children of God and we will not permit acts of terrorism to divide us. 

May this week bring a quick resolution without incidents to this circumstance and may we find reason to sing once again. Shavua Tov.

Message from the Rabbi

Darkest Before the Dawn
"They hid all the land from view, and the land was darkened;" (Exodus 10:15)

Some say, “it is darkest before the dawn.” Until the light shines we must make sure to help each other through the darkness. 

A prayer from Marquette University
May we who are merely inconvenienced
remember those whose lives are at stake.
May we who have no risk factors
remember those most vulnerable.
May we who have the luxury of working from home
remember those who must choose
between preserving their health or making their rent.
May we who have to cancel our trips
remember those that have no place to go.
May we who are losing our margin money in the tumult of the economic market
remember those who have no margin at all.
May we who settle in for a quarantine at home
remember those who have no home.
During this time when we cannot physically wrap our arms around each other,
let us yet find ways to be the loving embrace of God to our neighbors.
Amen.

Message from the Rabbi

“And he said to his people, “Look, the Israelite people are much too numerous for us.” (Exodus 1:9)

It has been said, “perception is reality.”  Past experience changes our perception. We must continually do a "reality check" to make sure our fears aren’t altering the way we see the world.  We must make sure that, while “love is blind” maybe other emotions ought to be held in check until reality shows itself.