Going Strong Since 1953
THE CYBERSHUL

We’re Paperless On Purpose—Go Green!

This CyberShul has been dedicated by:

This Week’s Torah Reading

Mas'ei

A 40-year travel itinerary is recorded for us. We learn that Aharon died at the age of 123. The Israelites are instructed to take over the land of Canaan and destroy all the idols. The land should be divided up by lot, with larger territorial grants going to the larger tribes. Israel’s borders are expansively defined, and thus point to a political entity that may never have existed. Much attention is given the laws of homicide since this act, more than any other, pollutes the very earth and can actually drive God away. In the Biblical world, any act of homicide, even one committed by accident, may be avenged by the nearest of kin with impunity. Very strange! The Torah is clearly uncomfortable with this and thus establishes six aREI mikLAT or cities of refuge for acquitted manslayers, offering them ultimate protection from the aggrieved parties. But the innocents are protected as long as they remain within the city or until such time when the koHEN gaDOL dies (after which they may leave the cities without fear of reprisals). The cities are primarily occupied by Levites, who have also been given 42 other towns in which to reside and tend to their animals. But the Torah tries to reign in the passions of those who would avenge the death of loved ones by codifying these rules: 1) the murderer alone is put to death, no substitutes; 2) intention is key so one who has killed accidentally is free of the death penalty; 3) there is no ransom for a convicted murderer; 4) courts, not families, determine guilt and innocence; and 5) a convicted murderer is put to death by the dead person’s next of kin. Finally, we hear that the daughters of Tzelofhad marry nice Jewish boys from their own tribe (Mazal Tov!), and thus the land Moses granted them remains in the tribe forever.

A SHABBAT THOUGHT

I have never let my schooling interfere with my education.

~~ Mark Twain ~~

THIS SUMMER, HELP SEND A KID TO CAMP…
INSTEAD OF A BOMB SHELTER

Imagine what it would be like if you could never, ever relax. Over the past six years, Sderot, an Israeli town in the Negev, close to the Gaza Strip, has lived under an unyielding barrage of Qassam rocket fire. Hundreds of missiles have struck its homes and businesses, destroying lives and completely robbing families of any sense of normalcy in this once town. The children of Sderot have suffered in particular.

This year, MERCAZ is partnering with both the AZM and the Israeli Masorti Movement to organize yemei kef or fun days. We are bringing scores of families by bus to Jerusalem to see the Knesset, visit museums, picnic in tranquility and, briefly, leave the sirens, rockets and bomb shelters behind. In addition, our Masorti congregation in Ashkelon is running a 3-week summer day camp for children from the area, with requests to accept more than 30 from Sderot to attend tuition free.

We invite you to go to http://www.mercazusa.org/sderot.htm and help support this special effort organized by MERCAZ USA, together with the American Zionist Movement and the Masorti Movement.

Through your act of generosity today we can show the people of Sderot that they have not been forgotten. Go to https://plus25.safe-order.net/mercazusa/secregister/donate-formsderot_https.htm to donate.

WEB OF THE WEEK

http://www.tachna.com/jlp/1.htm

Great photos of Jewish Life in pre-war Poland.

AURAL TORAH

A Rabbi Named Johnny Cash

Be Sure to click on the attachment to hear the Aural Torah!

Honor A Loved One

Remember A Loved One
DEDICATE A CYBERSHUL IN THEIR NAME!!
ARE THERE ANY BARGAINS IN THIS WORLD?
Yes--The CyberShul—Dedicate it for a Paltry

$125

Send your name, location, and a $125 check made payable to:

Midway Jewish Center
330 South Oyster Bay Road
Syosset, NY 11791

Send CyberShul to All Your Friends!

GOTTA QUESTION?
THE CYBER RAV HAS AN ANSWER AND GOOD NEWS--
THE CYBER RAV IS ALWAYS IN
SEND YOUR QUESTIONS TO rafirank@mjc.org
YOUR IDENTITY WILL NOT BE REVEALED
CONFIDENTIALITY IS ASSURED

STAND UP AND DON’T SAY KADDISH 

Dear CyberRav,

A couple weeks ago, I attended my niece’s Bat Mitzvah at a Reform synagogue in New Jersey. It was a different kind of service, one that I can never imagine being comfortable with, but one custom I found particularly meaningful. When it came time for the Mourner’s Kaddish, everyone rose. Not everyone said it, but everyone rose. I felt as if we were supporting the mourners in the congregation who were saying kaddish, and it seemed so right, I wonder why we don’t do it in our own synagogue.

CYBER RAV ANSWERS

Dear Jewish Exercist,

You know, I agree with you, and it is a beautiful custom, one which I happen not to promote. But first, let’s try to understand the custom. I have heard it explained as you did, as a means of supporting the mourners. That’s lovely! And I’ve also heard it said that the congregation stands in memory of all those for whom kaddish will never be said, particularly our families who were slaughtered in the Shoah. Again, a beautiful sentiment if ever there was one. Nevertheless, I discourage the practice, and many who know my approach on matters of death will understand why.

In our tradition, being an “avel” or a mourner is a legal category. It is defined as a mother, father, husband, wife, brother, sister, son or daughter. I say it’s a legal category because clearly, nieces and nephews, grandchildren, and cousins mourn too, and their grief can be as heartfelt as a closer relative, but the tradition does not identify them as avelim or mourners. In this way, tradition limits those who officially mourn, which is a very important function for a tradition that emphasizes joy and celebration over sorrow and grief. I do not mean to discredit the memory of all those who have no one to say kaddish for them. But no one gets kaddish said for them forever. As for the victims of Shoah, they too deserve to be remembered, and they are, on Yom HaShoah. That is their yahrzeit and it should be observed religiously. But we don’t need to say kaddish for them ever time we go to synagogue.

Just to be perfectly clear, I am not saying that the custom of that Reform synagogue is wrong. I am saying that there is ample good reason to follow another custom, our own, which is precisely to remain seated during Mourner’s Kaddish unless we ourselves are obligated to recite the kaddish.

I hope you haven’t gotten too exercised over this one! Be well and I’m glad that when it came to the CyberShul, you stood up and spoke your mind—that’s always commendable.

Rabbi Rafi Rank
CyberRav

Shabbat Shalom Everyone!!

To get added to the subscription list, or to be removed, or to change your email address,
click here - cybershul_subscriptions