In This Issue

  • A Halakhic Peak into the Week
  • Issac's Parsha Corner
  • Save The Dates!
  • Order Purim Cards
  • Israel Trip
  • Donate to Earthquake Victims
  • Volunteers Needed

A Halakhic Peak into the Week

 

Our Wednesday night class of the past few months, when we have been studying the 

laws of honoring and revering our parents, meshed this past Shabbos with parshat Yitro, which is the source for honoring our parents (the mitzvah of mora, reverence, is found in Kedoshim).  At our Kiddush Lunch and Learn, we discussed the question of a child’s responsibility to one’s sick or elderly parents when they are unable to care for themselves.  We learned that the child obviously has a responsibility to take care of one’s parents, though the financial burden is upon the parents unless they don’t have the wherewithal to pay for what they would need.  In such a case, the children would have to expend their own resources.  Further, if one child is wealthier than the other(s), then each child should give proportionally what they are able to give.  

 

We also learned that, while the ideal situation would be to bring one’s parents into one’s home, a spouse has the right to say no if he/she feels it is too difficult to have their in-laws live together in their home.  This is true even with regard to a visit, though the Rama (the great 16th century Ashkenazi authority) qualifies this to a reasonable request as adjudicated by a beit din, and he adds that if necessary a qualified therapist should come to the home to better understand the situation. If the children cannot bring their parents into their home, the 

children would be responsible for getting their parents the necessary living support, whether an aide, nursing home etc. and again if the parents can’t afford it, the financial responsibilities would devolve upon the children. 

 

WoW – Wonderful Women in Judaism 

 

Last week we learned about Henrietta Szold, who was one of the preeminent Jewish leaders of the 20th century.  We learned that after receiving a very strong secular and Jewish education 

as a child, she became a  teacher in the Baltimore public school system, in addition to teaching Jewish studies in a synagogue.  She is credited with opening the first adult education night school in the US; this model was then copied by various other cities.  In addition, she became one of, if not, the leading publishers and editors of Jewish academic work, becoming the effective editor in chief of the Jewish Publication Society, as well as the American Jewish Yearbook.  The Jewish 

Theological Seminary made an exception to their rules and accepted her as the first woman enrollee in 1902. She is most famous for herZionist work, becoming one of the most renowned leaders of the Zionist movement, eventually taking a trip to Palestine in 1909.  Witnessing the dire situation of the Jews living there, she decided to make Zionism the second half of her life’s work. Similar to other great women we’ve studied from Bruriah to Flora Sassoon to Nechama Leibowitz, she was a trailblazer in a world dominated by men, who focused on action to become a great role model for all. 


This week we began our study of Chulda the Prophet (20 points if you've heard of her and know when she lived). Come to class next Thursday at 1 PM to hear the rest of the story.


Class Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82613508291


Isaac’s Parsha Corner – Mishpatim 2023               

 

A Worthy Mission

“Behold I am sending a “Malach” (angel?) before you to guard you and to bring you to the place that I have prepared (the holy temple – Tanchuma).” (Ex 23:20) 

The exact definition of “Malach” is a matter of dispute between the authors of various Midrashim and equally between the classic commentators on the Chumash.


“God said to the Jews, “Had you merited I myself would have led you forward. However, after you sinned (with the golden calf) I am appointing a substitute, (an angel) to lead you. Moshe objected, arguing that Jews need a closer relationship with God. Moshe prevailed, God relented, and throughout Moshe’s lifetime God himself accompanied the Jews. However, in the time of Joshua, the angel appeared and announced “Now I have arrived.” (Josh 5:14) This angel was the “Malach” that was predicted in our Parsha. (Shmot Rabbah 32:3, also Rashi and Ramban Ex: ibid)


From the Midrash it seems that God did not personally oversee the conquering of the land of Israel. Instead, He appointed a guardian angel to be His representative. As such the Pasuk above was prophetic, “Behold” at some future time in history which turned out to be in the time of Joshua, “I” God, will assign you an Angel as My emissary. The next Pasuk affirms this interpretation:


“My “Malach” (angel or messenger) will bring you forward to conquer the Emory, the Hettie, the Prezi, the Cananni, the Hivi and the Yevusi, and he will destroy him (them).” (Ibid :23)  

We are instructed to listen to this representative and not to rebel against him: 

“Be on guard (keep the commandments) before him and do not rebel against him for he will not overlook your transgressions for My name is within him.” (Ex 23:21)


The Midrash explains that this particular angel had no authority to offer forgiveness. This angel operated exclusively within the rule of law. (Aka Midas Ha-din) This explains why Moshe was so adamant to uninvite this unforgiving angel to be God’s representative during his lifetime. Moshe understood that the nation was not ready to function under a strict implementation of Torah law.  In Joshua’s day the nation had matured to the point where they could accept this new environment. 


It is possible that the “Strict rule of law” only was applicable with regards to the laws that appear in the next few Pesukim: “Do not bow to their gods and do not serve them and do not act as they act. Rather you should most certainly destroy them (their idols) and break down their monuments. You shall worship instead your God.” (Ibid 24-25) The commandments in this Pasuk appear several times here and elsewhere in the Torah. The reason they are repeated here is to limit the strict rule of law to idol worship! We cannot function generally under a strict unforgiving rule of law. 


“I will fill the number of your days” (ibid :26) How do I know that Moshe was born on the 7th of Adar for it says “I am one hundred twenty years old today.” Why does the Torah use the word “Today”? To teach us that God fulfills the days of the righteous from day to day and from month to month, as it says, “I will fill the number of your days”. (Kiddushin 38a) By keeping the “rule of law” at bay for 40 years, Moshe succeeded in bringing forth a nation worthy and capable of conquering the seven nations. They were worthy of being “brought to: “the place that I have prepared” the holy Temple. By accomplishing this objective Moshe filled and completed his days. May each and every one of us be similarly blessed. May our days be filled and our mission be completed as was Moshe’s. 



Purim CardPrintable Order Form

We have a number of people interested in our trip to Israel but we need a minimum of 15 people. Here is the link to the itinerary and more information:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sKOpFH82e_R5d1fYLe7F8HazjivsW_LJ/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=115753827071707115549&rtpof=true&sd=true

Please let us know if you have any interest in coming on the trip, but either way, please pass the itinerary along to anyone who you think may be interested. For inquiries and registration, please email: assistantbbs63@gmail.com.


Donate Here

Cemetery Inquires: 

For inquires in reference to burials, funerals or information on the cemetery, please call Barbara Bascom at 732-921-5608 or email gabascom@aol.com 


Baruch Dayan Emes

Former long time CAABB member Bernie was niftar at the age of 90. The funeral took place at Menorah Chapels in Millburn, New Jersey. Shiva is at his son’s home, Mitchell Kotler at 11 Cameo Place, Cherry Hill, New Jersey. He was a constant filler for many Shabbos Minyanim. 

May the family only know s’machot.

Isaac Shulman's Parsha Class on Thursday Evenings

Pasha Class At 8:00pm



Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/209047533


Dinner and Discussion

Wednesdays at 7pm


Find out what all the buzz is about on Wednesday evenings in shul. Enjoy some food and drink and delve into the world of Torah as we explore such relevant subjects as do we have to honor our siblings or grandparents, how do we relate to parents who are difficult or even abusive, what is the definition of difficult, what happens if my parents share a name with friends of mine, does a convert or adoptive child have to honor his or her parents and if so why, what about in-laws or stepparents etc. etc. We traverse thousands of years of learning each night, as we look for sources in the Torah and Talmud, and apply this ancient and Divine wisdom to modern situations. We look forward to seeing you.


Click Here to let us know if you'd like to attend and would like to sponsor a dinner.

WoW:

Wonderful Women in Judaism 

Thursdays at 1pm


A weekly adventure where we'll discover new insights into well-known women and meet some extraordinary women you've never heard of. Recent topics include Flora Sassoon, Miriam and Henrietta Szold.

Email us to RSVP for Class

* We Wish Fanie Strasser and Sarah Strasser a tzetchem l'shalom to Israel. *

Mazal Tov to Cherie and Steven Mayer on being the Guests of Honor of the Ben Porat Yosef’s Annual Dinner to be held on Thursday February 23, 2023 at the Edgewood Country Club.


Click for Jewish Link News Article

** Mazal Tov to Jessica and Saul Richter

on the birth of their son this past Thursday! **

To Volunteer Click Here

Let us all pray for the innocent victims of the earthquake in Turkey and Syria. As always, Israel is always ready to help, regardless of the friendliness of the countries affected. If you would like to donate to the victims through Jewish/Israeli organizations, here are two options:


https://secure.givelively.org/donate/israaid-us-global-humanitarian-assistance-inc/israaid-emergency-response-fund?utm_source=turkiyehomepage - Israaid


https://form.jotform.com/230364099037962 - Jewish Federations/Joint


Board of Directors


Dr. Leonard Bielory, President


Sharon Shulman,

Vice President


Rick Strulowitz,

Treasurer


Ari Blech, Secretary


Lani Kaye, Trustee


Ellen Sokoloff, Trustee


Fanie Strasser, Trustee


Beth Cotler, President-Sisterhood


STAY WELL STAY SAFE

_____


Agudath Achim Bradley Beach Website