|
The Oldest Operating Synagogue in Newark, New Jersey 145 Broadway, Newark, NJ 07104 |
|
The magnificent Ark dates from 1870’s and is a transplant. The Ark first graced the majestic 19th century synagogue of Congregation Beth-El, later Rodeph Sholom, at Lexington Avenue and 63rd Street in NY City.
After setting up the lights, Alan Zwiebel presented us on Erev Yom Kippur with the amazing vision of the beauty of the Ark .
|
|
RELATED LINKS |
|
“ABOUT chukat-balak” (BAMIDBAR/NUMBERS) July 4th, 2009 / 12 Tammuz, 5769 |
|
To read and listen to the Parashah please go to: www.bible.ort.org |
|
Welcome to the Webshul! |
|
E.MAIL US |
|
Home |
|
About Us |
|
How many times did your mother tell you, "If you have nothing good to say, say nothing?" Well, that's the simple lesson that Balaam has not learned when we meet him.
As we all know, Balak, a worried king, hires Balaam, a genuine sorcerer, to curse the Israelites. And as we all know, Balaam can't do it. Balaam's intended curse becomes the opening line for the Jewish worship service: "Ma tovu ohalecha Ya'akov, mishcanotecha Yisrael." How goodly are your tents, Jacob, your dwelling places, Israel. Because Balaam has been hired to speak, he can not say nothing, so he ends up saying something nice.
But Balaam's appearance in the Torah reveals a strange sorcerer. In the episode with the ass, Balaam can not see the angel blocking the ass's way until Balaam is allowed to see. And then, of course, at the crucial time, Balaam can say only what God lets him say. So here's a sorcerer with, at crucial times, no ability to absorb input from the world around him, and no ability to express himself as he desires.
What are the tools of Balaam's trade? Sight and voice. To cast a spell he must speak it, and to cast a spell he must see what is happening, so he knows which spell or spells to cast. Thus, in the Torah, Balaam is rendered useless to his employer.
But there is something else we need to examine: Balaam's sincerity. Is this episode like the movie, "Liar, Liar," so that Balaam is compelled to say what he really feels? Or is Balaam compelled to say something that he finds despicable, so that he can be more humbled by the experience?
The Balaam episode obviously raises a multitude of questions. On Shabbat, we can discuss Why the Ass, Proper Manners, and Lessons in Humility. All of these are topics that can serve us well today. Simon Rosenbach |
|
“SIMON SAYS”- From Our Spiritual Leader |
|
Copyright © Congregation Ahavas Sholom 145 Broadway, Newark, NJ 07104 (973) 485 - 2609 Fax: (973) 485 - 2609 |
