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Presently reading:
“The Collaborator of Bethlehem”
By Matt Beynon Rees Parshat Shmini – By Rabbi David Silverberg
And the counterpoint… (http://www.vbm-torah.org)
The Torah in Parashat Shemini tells of the tragic death of
“Bethlehem Road Murder”
Aharon’s two older sons, Nadav and Avihu, whom God killed when
By Batya Gur they brought an unwarranted offering in the Mishkan on the day of
their consecration as kohanim. Following this calamity, Moshe
CRAFT CIRCLE turned to Aharon and his surviving sons and instructed them to
Monday, April refrain from mourning observances: “Do not let your hair grow
Monday evenings at 7:30 PM and do not rend your garments, and you shall not die…but your
At the home of Debbie Luger, 37 Miamis Road brethren, the entire House of Israel, shall weep for the burning
Do you knit? crochet? embroider? which the Lord has wrought. And do not leave the entrance of the
Tent of Meeting, lest you die…” (10:6-7).
or just bring your mending! whatever..... The halakhic principle underlying Moshe’s instructions is
Further info call Debbie Luger 233-0300 the rule that a kohen gadol does not observe any practices of
or Laura Miller: 233-2725. mourning after a family member’s death. Aharon, the kohen gadol,
was therefore enjoined to proceed as usual with the day’s sacrifi-
CLASS TAUGHT BY ELISHA ROSENSWEIG cial rituals and not to observe mourning. And although his sons
Tuesday nights, were ordinary kohanim, who are, indeed, required to observe cer-
April 13th - at 8:00 PM tain laws of bereavement (such as refraining from sacrificial meat
and sacrificial rituals), an exception was made on that day, the day
At the Home of Judie & Lal Patel -
upon which they were formally consecrated as kohanim, and they
100 Lawler Road were treated like kohanim gedolim (see Ramban). Therefore,
Moshe instructed Aharon and his sons to proceed with the day’s
ROSH CHODESH TEHILLIM GROUP ritual requirements as though no tragedy struck, while the rest of
Wednesday, April 14, at 7:30 PM the nation “shall weep for the burning which the Lord has
At the home of Fran Wittenberg, wrought.”
36 Whetton Road Rav Shlomo Kluger (in Imrei Shefer) notes that the instruc-
tions issued to Aharon and his sons are perhaps symbolic of the
WOMEN’S LEARNING GROUP proper attitude and response toward misfortune. Namely, people
Next Shabbat, April 17 should endeavor to overcome their personal troubles, but “weep”
for the troubles of others. The kohen gadol embodied the spiritual
At the home of Elise Black
ideal that the rest of the nation must strive to follow in more mod-
ISRAEL 62 FOR A DAY erate fashion. His abstaining from mourning – an exceptional re-
quirement which does not apply to any other individual – repre-
יום העצמאות sents in the extreme the ideal of overcoming personal tragedy and
Sunday, May 2nd, 12:30 - 4:30 PM remaining steadfastly devoted and joyous in the service of God
Food, Crafts, Rondo Car Parade, Music & Dance despite personal hardship. While for others mourning is accept-
Mandell JCC able and in fact obligatory, we are nevertheless to follow the
860-727-6136 kohen gadol’s example by mustering emotional strength and faith
in times of hardship. But at the same time, “the entire House of
Israel, shall weep for the burning which the Lord has wrought.” In
response to the calamities suffered by others, we must indeed
“weep” and grieve. With regard to our own troubles, to which we
are naturally driven to react with sorrow and grief, we must en-
deavor to follow the kohen gadol’s example of strength and forti-
tude. But when it comes to the misfortunes of others, which we
naturally tend to ignore or overcome with ease, we must try to
“weep” and sincerely share in their sorrow and pain. Just like
Aharon and his sons were to overcome their pain while the rest of
the nation were to share in their pain, similarly, we are bidden to
struggle as best we can to confront and triumph over personal
troubles, but try to feel the sorrow of our peers during their time
of grief.
Page 3
Thank you to Rabbi Grosberg, Dr. Refael Blum, & Rabbi Noam Weinberg each of whom gave stimulating shiurim and
Divrei Torah either before or during Pesach in shul. Rabbi Grosberg’s shiur on the hagaddah is available in audio format
on our website.
It was a pleasure working with Mr. Daniel Page of the HHNE in selling the chametz – he was reliable, punctual, and
did a great service to the members of our shul as I understand he has done for many years. Thanks to everyone who so
generously gave to the Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund while arranging for the sale of chametz. In addition, I am proud to say
that with everyone’s contributions to Maot Chittim, we as a shul were able to give $1000 to worthy tzedakas.
To all of you who were in shul this Pesach – thank you for being there and making this Chag special through your
presence.
Last, but certainly not least, I would like to thank my wife Elana for working so hard at home to make this Pesach run
smoothly for us. She really bore the burden of shopping and cooking on top of working full time and that was no small
task. This was a very hectic time of year for me and she was so incredibly supportive and patient.
My Grandfather
As many of you know, my grandfather Joseph Steinberg, passed away on Erev Pesach. It was a very strange holiday
sitting down for the Seder just a couple of hours after hearing the bad news. It was even more strange that we had to
wait until Chol HaMoed for the burial and then wait again until after Pesach for the Shiva to begin (and it is still going on
even though he passed away almost two weeks ago). Rabbi Soloveitchik speaks in a number of places about the chal-
lenge that G-d often puts before us of having to retreat from our natural human desires or emotions because of the de-
mands of halacha. He cites one of the most poignant examples of having to hold back the tears and the pain at the loss of
a loved one in order to celebrate a Jewish holiday which is a time of joy. I could never imagine how that was even possi-
ble and then this Pesach I was faced with that exact challenge. It certainly wasn’t easy for me and my family; in some
ways I think we were successful and we were comforted by knowing that it would have made my grandpa very proud to
see us celebrate Pesach properly, and in many ways I am sure we failed.
My grandfather and I were extremely close. We spent a lot of time together and he was there by my side at every
major moment in my life. My grandfather taught me so much just by his own example.
I admire many people for individual traits that they possess like their wisdom, kindness, or generosity…However, I
can think of very few people who I admire for the totality of who they are as a human being. My grandfather was one of
those very few. He was an all-around great person who left behind a sterling legacy. I have never met a person who met
my grandfather and didn’t have the highest compliments about him. He certainly left his mark on so many people.
He was a true role model to me in terms of how he acted as a husband to my grandmother (who should live and be
well) to whom he was married for almost 69 years, as a son to my great-grandfather who he tended to every single day,
as a father to my mother and aunts, as a gabbai in his shul who always made people feel welcome, appreciated and
comfortable, and as a volunteer in the hospital who worked harder than most of the paid workers.
He was as good as they come. He will be truly missed by all who knew him and especially by those who were closest
to him. He continues to inspire me and I think of him so often especially as I see the picture sitting on my desk of the two
of us sharing a moment together at my “chassan’s tisch” before my wedding. May his memory be a blessing for all of us.
Tehey Nishmato Tzrura Bitzoror Hachayim.
In many ways the Dvar Torah (on page 2) on Parshat Shmini captures some of my emotions at this difficult time.
Ner La’Maor
Lights Pat La’Orchim
Evelyn & David Hessing Challah rolls for Seudah Shlishit Kiddush Supplement
In Memory of their Grandmothers Betty & Irving Wizenfeld Rabbi Brahm & Elana Weinberg
Sarah Schwimmer Betty Wizenfeld in memory of her In honor of their parents
שרה רבקה בת חנוך היינך ודבורה Parents Tobias & Esther Spira Morrie & Lynn Weinberg
And טוביה בן צבי אלימלך Dr. Howard & Miriam Rosenblum
Chava Bat Bahiya אסתר בת דוד הכהן
חוה בת בהיה Irv Wizenfeld in memory of his father
Sam Wizenfeld Seudah Shlishit Supplement
Yayin l’ Kiddush Ve'Havdalah שמואל מאיר בן יצחק הכהן 12:14 קהלת
Wine for Kiddush & Havdallah ”סוף דבר הכל נשמע
Judy Leichtberg & Batsheva את האלקים ירא
Goldfischer in memory of their 5770 Candy Man: ואת מצותיו שמור
father and grandfather, Bernard Kesler “כי זה כל האדם
Israel Weiss in memory of his father Anonymous
ישראל בן דוד Sender ben Avraham Zelig
and their mother & grandmother סנדר בן אברהם זליג
Frida Weiss
טויבא פרידה בת עזרא
Ner La’Maor
Lights Pat La’Orchim
Evelyn & David Hessing Challah rolls for Seudah Shlishit Kiddush Supplement
In Memory of their Grandmothers Betty & Irving Wizenfeld Rabbi Brahm & Elana Weinberg
Sarah Schwimmer Betty Wizenfeld in memory of her In honor of their parents
שרה רבקה בת חנוך היינך ודבורה Parents Tobias & Esther Spira Morrie & Lynn Weinberg
And טוביה בן צבי אלימלך Dr. Howard & Miriam Rosenblum
Chava Bat Bahiya אסתר בת דוד הכהן
חוה בת בהיה Irv Wizenfeld in memory of his father
Sam Wizenfeld Seudah Shlishit Supplement
Yayin l’ Kiddush Ve'Havdalah שמואל מאיר בן יצחק הכהן 12:14 קהלת
Wine for Kiddush & Havdallah ”סוף דבר הכל נשמע
Judy Leichtberg & Batsheva את האלקים ירא
Goldfischer in memory of their 5770 Candy Man: ואת מצותיו שמור
father and grandfather, Bernard Kesler “כי זה כל האדם
Israel Weiss in memory of his father Anonymous
ישראל בן דוד Sender ben Avraham Zelig
and their mother & grandmother סנדר בן אברהם זליג
Frida Weiss
טויבא פרידה בת עזרא