Congregation Tiferet Israel  Austin, TX   5 Iyyar 5781 -- April 17, 2021 What's the Spiel? Parshat Tazria - Metzora

Austin Community Eruv For more information, a map and current status click here. Some Useful Links Our website Sign Up to Receive our Emails Facebook Email CTI Rabbi Email CTI President Inquire about our Torah School Program CTI Kashrut Standards Common Reliable Kosher Certifications Found Locally Donate to CTI You can also make a donation by check. Make checks payable to Tiferet Israel with a note on what the donation is for. Send checks to: Tiferet Israel PO Box 27254 Austin, TX 78755 Shopping at ArtScroll online or  Amazon.com? Note: You will not see anything saying you are clicking through from CTI but we DO get the referral credit for our congregation.  Please use these links! Do you have a Randalls Remarkable Card?   If you do, please update it with our Charity #, 12298. If you do not, please fill out an application at your nearest Randalls. Membership Information Would you like to become a member of a congregation that feels more like a family? If so, contact Beth Shapiro for more information at membership@tiferetaustin .org Rabbi's Reflections -The Value of Tzara'at: Find the Treasure in the Walls Could having tzara'at, the mysterious affliction described in our double-parsha, Tazria-Metzora, be a good thing? Could being rendered ritually impure, cut off from society, from any and all forms of physical contact with family and friends, have a positive impact on the person forced to make his or her dwelling "in isolation...outside the camp?" (Vayirka 13:46).  It is hard to imagine any benefit or value in becoming a social and spiritual pariah. However, if we understand one of the causes of tzara'at, as well as one particular case of it depicted by our double-parsha, we may be able to see that perhaps, this affliction does have value.   So, what is tzara'at and how is it caused? Tzara'at is often translated as "leprosy." However, this understanding is problematic for several reasons. According to the Rambam, "Tzara'at is a collective term including many afflictions that do not resemble each other. For the whitening of a person's skin is called tzara'at, as is the falling out of some of the hair of his head or beard, and the change of the color of clothing or houses. This change that affects clothes and houses which the Torah describes with the general term of tzara'at is not a natural occurrence. Instead it is a sign and a wonder prevalent among the Jewish people to warn them against lashon harah, 'undesirable speech' (Mishne Torah, Hilkhot Tumat Tzara'at 16:10).    Thus, we see that tzara'at has nothing to do with hygiene or genetics and has no medical treatment, because it is not a medical or scientific ailment. Rather, tzara'at is a strictly spiritual disease brought about by God because of the way we use our words.   So, now that we know what tzara'at is and how it is caused, what could its benefit be? If we examine the specific case of tzara'at afflicting a house, the answer may become clearer.    Our parsha teaches us, "When you arrive in the land of Canaan...I will place a tzara'at affliction upon your house...the Kohen shall command, and they shall remove the stones [of the house] that contain the affliction, and they shall cast them outside the city onto an impure place" (Vayikra 14:34, 40).    Now at first glance, this appears rather strange. If coming into the Land that God promised the Jewish people is a good thing, then why mention afflicting their homes with tzara'at in the same breath? To help answer this question, we should turn to the words of Rashi quoting the midrash, who writes as follows: "This is [actually] a good tiding for [the Jewish people] - that afflictions are to come upon [their homes], because the Amorites hid treasures of gold in the walls of their houses all forty years that Israel were in the wilderness, and as a result of the affliction, [the Israelite] breaks down the house and finds them" (Rashi on 14:34). It seems that only if our homes are afflicted with tzara'at, only if we dismantle them, can we discover the gold hidden deep within its walls. This is the benefit, the value of tzara'at.   When we speak lashon harah, when we spread rumors and participate in gossip, we may never fully understand the power of our words unless we are confronted by the harm we've inflicted upon others because of them. But once we do realize how our speech has impacted another in a negative way, it is easy to fall into despair, to feel unworthy, unclean, to feel outside of our own community.     However, if we use those same emotions of shame and guilt for introspection, for turning inward, for dismantling the bricks and stones of our motivations, our thoughts, speech and deeds, then, in the end, we will be able to discover the treasure hidden deep within each and every one of us - that the rumors we spread and the gossip we share do not represent who we really are and what we really care about. In other words, only if we are afflicted can we be cured, only if we fall can we rise again, as it says, “Seven times the righteous person falls and rises again…” (Mishlei 24:16).    May this Shabbat, which calls us all to be more aware of the ways in which we use our words - the gift of speech, be a Shabbat to realize that when we speak lashon harah, we are not expressing our truest-selves. May this Shabbat be a time of recognizing that sometimes the words we use can do harm to others, but instead of sitting alone with our feelings of dejection, let us use them to lift us up, to inspire us to do better, to be better, so that all of us can uncover the treasure within us, and use that treasure to heal wounds, redress wrongs to bring each other closer to one another in a spirit of friendship, of love and strength.   Shabbat Shalom! - Rabbi Dan ‌

Schedule of Services at B'nai Abraham We encourage everyone to daven privately when unable to attend services. Use the private time to connect to Hashem. Public prayer definitely adds to our prayer experience. Yet we also have the capacity to create a profoundly meaningful private experience with the Divine. Let us seek such an experience in the coming days.

Friday Night Mincha & Kabalat Shabbat 7:30PM Candle Lighting no later than 7:41PM Saturday Shacharit & Musaf 9:00AM Mincha & Seudah Shelishit 7:35PM Maariv & Havdalah 8:37PM Sunday Shacharit 8:30AM Weekday Services Monday - Friday Shacharit 7:05AM Mincha & Ma'ariv - Contact us: 512-410-0336

CTI Announcements

No Virtual Havdalah this week!  Click here for more information on future CTI Virtual Havdalahs.

Are you interested in learning more about the laws, customs, rituals and philosophy of Shabbat? Would you like to enhance your observance of Shabbat, and make it a central feature of your life? If so, please join Rabbi Dan for CTI’s newest class -- “Building a Palace in Time: The Many Meanings of Shabbat.”  In this class, we will not only explore how to keep Shabbat, but why we do so in the first place.  Why is Shabbat so preciously unique to the Jewish people?  Why did God make the observance of Shabbat so essential for a spiritual relationship with Him?  How does Shabbat and its observance help us better understand ourselves as individuals and as a community?  How do all of the laws and observances of Shabbat help us better understand and experience  what spiritual freedom is really all about? “Building a Palace in Time: The Many Meanings of Shabbat” will operate like a book club and will meet via Zoom on Sunday evenings, from 7:00-8:00, beginning on April 11th. With each new unit, a different book will be assigned, and we will work through each book according to scheduled readings and thought prompts. Individual members are responsible for obtaining the assigned books, all of which can be easily found on Amazon.com. Our first book will be The Sabbath, by Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel. In this book, we will delve into the deeper meaning of Shabbat, its purpose, its eternal import on Jewish life and on the Jewish people, and how the gift of Shabbat has shaped civilization.  This class is free of charge. No prior background is required, and all are welcome and encouraged to attend! For more information, please contact Rabbi Dan at rabbidan@tiferetaustin.org, or (512) 410-0336 ex. 101.

Shalom Austin Annual Campaign IGNITE! Home Edition One Family. One Community.   Join us for Sunday Supper! Sunday, April 18 5:15 p.m. Pre-Show |  5:30 p.m. Program $36 General admission (per household) $18 Young adult price (30 and under) Local dining opportunities, celebrity surprises and a night of giving.   Co-Chairs: Nora & Allen Lieberman | Courtney & Jake Manuel Margo & Arthur Smith |  Courtney & John Young Registration is now open at shalomaustin.org/ignitetix. A suggested minimum Annual Campaign gift of $180 is requested to attend. Debbie and Ricky Rudy to be Honored at IGNITE! with LBJ Humanitarian Award

Rabbi Dan will lead a sing-along and there will be hot dogs and marshmallows to roast over the fire! Hoping everyone will say: “COUNT us in!” Where: Wander Family home 2452 Lakehurst Rd #8  Spicewood, TX 78669  When: Thursday April 29th, 5:30pm RSVP Here!

NCJW AUSTIN Presents  Meal Delivery and More:How Meals On Wheels Central Texas Supports Homebound Adults WithMultiple Services April 21 from Noon to 1:00pm Register here to receive Zoom link on April 20: https://event.akubo.com/v2/main.php?id=AF9D www.ncjwaustin.org Guest speakers will be Adam Hauser, President and CEO, and Seanna Marceaux, MS RDN LD, Vice President for Nutrition, Health and Impact. Q and A time included.

Austin Jewish War Vets Post 757 is very interested in gaining new members. We meet monthly on Zoom and would like to invite all of your veterans to our meetings. They are welcome to sit in as guests.  To join in our next JWV Zoom meeting please contact: Charlie Rosenblum Commander, Post 757 Jewish War Veterans of the United States Austin, Texas jwvaustin@gmail.com  (254) 368-5715

Aleph Beta is going back to being for paid subscribers only, but is  offering 6 months free membership to the unemployed. Register Here. A great opportunity to add to your Jewish learning!

Despite the untimely passing of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l his website continues to be updated with new materials including for every Parsha of 5781. May his memory be a blessing! http://rabbisacks.org/

As a service to the wider community, the Orthodox Union has researched various online platforms and has organized, collected and curated many key resources in one centralized location for your convenience. Please visit together.ou.org for a wide range of information covering the following areas: Adults, Leadership, Parenting, Seniors & Elders, Technology, Torah and Youth. Check back at together.ou.org as updates will occur regularly.

CTI is virtually open for all classes! Attend online with video and audio, or join through phone call alone. Visit tiferetaustin.org for more information on how to join these exciting classes: TYT Tuesday Night  The Book of Ezekiel Tuesday 7:00pm   The Book of Ezekiel is one of the most mysterious but essential books of the Tanakh. Who was Ezekiel? When was he prophesying? Were his prophecies meant for his time or the distant future? In this TYT series, we will take an in-depth look at the life, times and ageless message of the Prophet Ezekiel in a way which will make his contribution to Jewish texts, history and destiny truly come to life! A priest stuck in exile, dreaming of the perfect Temple in a perfect homeland - a man pinning for spiritual life, but only experiencing physical privation - what is his message really all about? God asks Ezekiel to do many strange things - things even contrary to Jewish law! Were they literally true, or were they merely metaphorical? Come and join the CTI Tuesday evening Take Your Tanakh class, as together, we learn about the Prophet Ezekiel! TYT Wednesday Mornings  The Book of First Samuel Wednesday 8:15am In this class, we will examine the life, times and trials of the Prophet Samuel, the last Judge of Israel. The story of Samuel begins the saga of Israel's history, its kings, wars and promises. First Samuel introduces us to a large swath of Jewish history, ranging of King Saul and King David, to questions of military ethics, religious boundaries and moral questions. The Prophet Samuel may be best known for anointing David, but his legacy and story are essential for every Jew to learn, because with Samuel the story of the Jewish people's redemption begins! Mishne Torah k'Seder Friday Mornings Mishne Torah k'Seder Friday 8:15am Come and join Rabbi Dan on Friday mornings at 8:15am for an in-depth exploration of the Rambam's Mishne Torah. This class will go through the Rambam's classic work on halakha (Jewish law), in a way which both engages and transforms the reader on a spiritual and intellectual level. Why did the Rambam write the Mishne Torah? What was he trying to achieve? How does the Rambam's interpretation of Jewish law, theology, history and culture differ from his rabbinic contemporaries who also wrote comprehensive Jewish legal works? What were some of the great disputes this work sparked, and why? You don't want to miss out on this great opportunity to learn what the Mishne Torah is all about.

Questions? Suggestions? Interested in Volunteering? Please contact our Committee Chairpersons.  Finance Committee: Josh Rosenberg Fundraising Committee: Arthur Altman Membership Committee: Beth Shapiro Chesed Committee: Beth Shapiro Kiddush Committee: Henna Tatham Ritual Committee: Joel Tendler

The next CTI Board meeting is Wednesday, May 12 at 7:00pm. If you are a CTI Member you can login to our website and see all scheduled Board meetings by clicking  here.

For those new to the community, check out this introductory video  featuring Rabbi Dan and a few of our wonderful CTI community members!

Birthdays Matthew Ross on April 17 Robert Millner on April 20 Julie Amar on April 21 If you have any birthdays or anniversaries you would like to add, please update your profile on our website.

Yahrzeit Remembrances There are no Yahrzeits being observed in our Community this week.  If you have a Yahrzeit that you would like the congregation to acknowledge, or if you have a correction that needs to be made, please update your profile on our website.

Recipe Corner Do you have a favorite recipe you would like to share with our congregants? Please send it to Henna Tatham, Kiddush Chairman at hennatatham@gmail.com or 512-451-0902.

DONATIONS  Thank you to Anonymous donors. Thank you to Arthur Altman for his Aliyah donation. Thank you to Arthur and Barb Altman for their Yizkor donation. Thank you to Elie Amar for his Aliyah donation. Thank you to Gabriel Amar for his Aliyah donation. Than you to Michelle Berry for her donation in Honor of Rabbi Millner's  classes. Thank you to Sandy and Camille Kress for their donation in Honor of  Rabbi Millner's teaching. Thank you to Reuven and Rosemary Klein- Robbins for Yahrzeit and Yizkor  donations. Thank you to Jay Rubin for his Aliyah donation. Thank you to Offer Shavit for his Aliyah donation. Thank you to Joel and Debbie Tendler for their donation in Honor of the  Engagement of Beth and Eric Shapiro's daughter Ariella to Harel Rush. CTI has made a donation to YIVO Institute for Jewish Research in honor  of Dr. Jonathan Brent, our recent guest lecturer, in lieu of an honorarium. _________________ We encourage you to use electronic payments by credit card or eCheck through CTI's website at www.tiferetaustin.org when fulfilling the mitzvah of giving Tzedakah to mark family events and milestones, including Yahrzeits, and in honor of CTI and our community.    *** Spiel sponsorships are now available for a donation of $18. Advertise your business or dedicate an issue of the spiel in memory of a loved one or to celebrate a Simcha. Contact admin for more details.  Donations can be made via our website at www.tiferetaustin.org, by pressing "Make a Donation" in the sidebar, using the "Donate to CTI" button on the top left of this email, or by sending your check to: Tiferet Israel P.O. Box 27254, Austin, TX 78755. Please make check payable to Tiferet Israel and please indicate what the donation is for.

Refuah Shelayma to:  

Eitan Nissim Tsvi ben Vera Feiga v' Adiel HaLevi (Larry & Esther Smith's grandson) Allene Novy-Portnoy; Hannah Bassa bat Sarah Osnat  Avshalom ben Hannah Bassa Cindy Newman  Debbie Tendler; Devorah Rachel bat Rivka Leah Janet Goldberg; Shayna Masha bat Chasha Mina Ken Friedman Rebecca Millner; Rivkah bat Shoshana Sheina Ruchel bat Henya Leah Tzvi David ben Rivka Golda Yoel Simcha ben Chaya Risha  Sulta bat Nedgma Zvi Aharon ben Bayla Yaira bat Sarah Shimon ben Sarah Hinda bat Yehudit Tamar bat Chaya Ilana bat Gheita Joel Tendler; Yehoshua Mordechai ben Tziporah Perel Barb Altman; Devorah Yeril bat Leah HaRav Avram Meir ben Eli Yosef v'Shira Chanah. Shoshana bat Yocheved Miriam bat Rachel v'Mordechai Alta Shoshana bat Shulamit Meir Psachia ben Tziril Geni Berman Abitbol Beilya Golda bat Leah Yosef Yehoshua ben Sarah Jonathan Malawer (Yosef ben Bracha) Bowie Alarcon Fivel ben Sarah HaLevi Cindy Duckworth; Dinah Yehudit bat Sarah Adam ben Chanah Rafael ben Sheindal Leah Aharon Asher ben Chaya Naomi Esther Malka Fraida bat Serel Chaya Raiza Kalev Boaz Chai ben Aliza Esther Reva bat Malka Avraham ben Rut Peter Janson, Faival ben Tzur Sheva Eva bat Bella. Dorit Iken, Dorit Chana bat Orah Moshe ben Rut Shulkah Malka bat Tziporah

Wishing all Cholei Yisrael a Refuah Shlayma.  Dear Tiferet Friends,  If you placed a name on the Refuah Shelayma list and G-d willing the person is well,  please let us know. Also, if you have a friend or family member who needs  prayers for healing, again please let us know at admin@tiferetaustin.org

Online Shopping that Benefits CTI Don't forget to bookmark our special links to Amazon.com and Artscroll.com -- you will have the same shopping experience and CTI gets a generous percentage of your shopping dollar. DO NOT USE Amazon Smile --- it provides a much smaller donation percentage. Please bookmark and start shopping! https://tinyurl.com/CTI-Amazon https://tinyurl.com/CTI-Artscroll Login to TiferetAustin.org Today! Logging in is easy via the login button at the top of the web page. Your login ID is your email address.  Once logged in, many of the fields are pre-filled for you, to make it easier and quicker to register for an event or make a donation, and so on. But that's not all! You will also have access to the online Member Directory,    the CTI Bylaws, the minutes of Board meetings and the President,Treasurer and Rabbi Reports and other documents, all under the Resources tab. With more coming all the time! If you have any questions or comments about the website, please contact our webmaster Joel Tendler at webmaster@tiferetaustin.org.

Contact Us!

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On the web: www.tiferetaustin.org Rabbi: Dan Millner: rabbidan@tiferetaustin.org  Phone: 512-410-0336 ext 101 President: Arthur Altman: president@tiferetaustin.org   Phone: 512-410-0336 ext 102 Vice President/Secretary: Rob Kleinman vp@tiferetaustin.org  Administrator: Sarah Church Carroll admin@tiferetaustin.org Phone: 512-410-0336 ext 103 Treasurer: Josh Rosenberg treasurer@tiferetaustin.org   Phone: 512-410-0336 ext 105 Membership: Beth Shapiro membership@tiferetaustin.org Phone: 512-410-0336 ext 106