What's the Spiel? - Chanukah - Rosh Chodesh Tevet

In Richard Wright’s 1945 memoir, Black Boy, he describes the ever-present hunger he experienced as a poor youth growing up in the rural South, writing, “Hunger has always been more or less at my elbow when I played, but now I began to wake up at night to find hunger standing at my bedside, staring at me gauntly” (p 14). On Christmas Day, all poor Richard got as a gift from his family was a simple orange. Write notes, “I was hurt and would not go out to play with the neighborhood children who were blowing horns and shooting firecrackers. I nursed my orange all of Christmas Day; at night, just before going to bed, I ate it, first taking a bite out of the top and sucking the juice from it as I squeezed it; finally I tore the peeling into bits and munched them slowly” (p 77). What Write is describing is the hard impact of not knowing where your next meal is coming from. He did not want to eat his orange all at once, because when would he ever have another one? He savored every morsel of it, including its hard peel. This sad image causes us to reflect on the idea that when we do not know when we will have another meal, even an orange, we fear the future but carefully savor the present.

Chazal were keenly aware of this psychological insight, and explain, “There is no comparison between one who has bread in his basket and one who does not have bread in his basket” (B. Talmud, Yoma 74b). That is to say, one who knows where their next meal is coming from feels far less hungry, far less distressed and pained than one who does not. For instance, one who feels hunger but has money in their pocket to purchase kosher food, or one who knows they have a home to return to and can prepare a meal, experiences hunger far less acutely than one who does not have those things. This idea can be found in the Talmud in various places and in various ways. And perhaps, the notion of “There is no comparison between one who has bread in his basket and one who does not have break in his basket” explains why Pharaoh was so distressed upon experiencing his dreams in this week’s parsha.

At the beginning of Parshat Mikeitz, we learn, “It happened at the end of two years: Pharaoh was dreaming that behold! he was standing over the River, when behold! out of the River emerged seven cows, of beautiful appearance and robust flesh, and they were grazing in the marshland. Then behold! seven other cows emerged after them out of the River – of ugly appearance and gaunt flesh; and they stood next to the cows on the bank of the River. The cows of ugly appearance and gaunt flesh ate the seven cows of beautiful, robust appearance, and Pharaoh awoke” (Bereshit 41:1-4). Pharaoh was deeply troubled by this dream and sought its interpretation from all of his wise men and diviners, yet none could procure one. Why was this dream so distressful to Pharaoh? Surely, he had experienced bad dreams before. According to the Sforno, what troubled Pharaoh most was, “It could not be known that they had eaten them” (Ibid. 21). Says the Sforno, this is comparable to the rebuke God gives the Jewish people, “And you shall eat and not be satisfied” (Vayikra 26:26). He then quotes Chazal from the aforementioned Talmud to express the same point. All of this is to say that what disturbed Pharaoh most was that one who eats cannot feel the effects of satiation because he does not know where his next meal is coming from. This is symbolized by the lean cows eating the fat ones, but not changing in their appearance. They remained as gaunt as ever. Thus, Pharaoh is dreaming of a state of insecurity, anxiety, and perpetual hunger. Why is this so scary?

Pharaoh is the most powerful man in the world. Not only is he the King of Egypt, he is also worshipped as a god, he is an immortal. Therefore, the mere thought of “not having enough,” of wondering where his next meal would come from truly shook him to the core, because this dream, unlike any other, challenged his sense of his own mortality, forced him to think of himself as a mortal being, running scared and hungry. This concept was so foreign to him that he demanded its immediate resolution.

This Shabbat, may we all strive to cultivate a deep sensitivity for those who do not know where their next meal is coming from. When we give tzedakah to the poor in need of food, let us understand that we are not just providing a piece of bread, we are providing peace of mind. If we have the means, our job is to help make sure that others who are experiencing hard circumstances never feel afraid or pained because they do not know where they will find their next meal. May we always endeavor to help those in need, granting them not only material sustenance and comfort, but spiritual and emotional sustenance and comfort as well.

Shabbat Shalom!

-Rabbi Dan

Shabbat Morning Drasha: "Vision: The Call of Every Jew"

Shiur After Mincha: "Athens and Jerusalem: Two Peoples, One Mission"

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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.

Chanukah Full Kiddush

Thank you Patti & Mitch Davis for sponsoring Kiddush to welcome our new educator Emily Yaffe.

CTI Announcements

CTI is hosting its first social event for kids! Get cozy in your pajamas and join us for a movie night, with popcorn and hot chocolate.

Saturday, Dec. 11 @6:45pm

For ages 9 - 14

Must RSVP to attend!

Send an email to [email protected] to let us know you are coming!

Shalom Austin Mask Policy Update

Based on the declining COVID-19 reported incidents, the CTI Medical Committee recommended a revised mask policy that was approved by the Board of Directors.

Masks are optional for vaccinated individuals. Unvaccinated people are required to wear a mask. This applies for everyone ages two and up.
Children are welcome at shul, but all children ages two and up who are not vaccinated must be masked. Children under two do not need to wear a mask but must be accompanied by a parent at all times.
The committee recommended the resumption of a full Kiddush. The caveat being that the Kiddush must be held outside and we must continue to offer the option of pre-packaged snacks.
We will continue to monitor the local situation and may need to modify these policies as circumstances change.

Additionally, the Medical Committee strongly recommends that all members get vaccinated for the protection of everyone in our community and beyond.

Please bring your mask to synagogue.

Backup masks will be available if needed.

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:

'Building a Palace in Time: The Many Meanings of Shabbat'

Sunday 7:00pm

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.

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 [email protected], or (512) 410-0336 ex. 101.

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 Second Samuel

Wednesday 8:15am

Come and join the TYT community and learn about the life and times of King David! II Samuel explores how a young David establishes both his kingdom and his kingship. Despite great promise, potential and ability, David is nevertheless beset by external and internal enemies, fighting both physical and spiritual wars. Come and see how David struggles to unite a broken and battered kingdom, establish a capital city and win the support of his people, while at the same time, striving to remain true to God’s Torah and lead a righteous life. No longer the ruddy youth, playing the harp and running for his life, II Samuel takes us through the long journey of David’s maturation process, omitting nothing, all the while exploring larger questions of morality, repentance, power and politics. While we extol David as one of the greatest Jewish heroes and leaders of all time, this book will frame his life and story in its proper context, look under the surface, and examine the complex personality of King David! This class meets each Wednesday morning, except of Jewish holidays, at 8:15am.

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: Gary Gerstenhaber

Fundraising Committee: Beth Shapiro

Membership Committee: Sarah Wander

Chesed Committee: Lynn Kane

Kiddush Committee: Henna Tatham

Ritual Committee: Joel Tendler

The next CTI Board meeting is Wednesday, December 8 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

Eric Shapiro on December 8

Severin Lukic on December 9

Sean Lukic on December 9

Sky Lukic on December 9

If you have any birthdays or anniversaries you would

like to add, please update your profile on our website.

Yahrzeit Remembrances

Louis Shapiro, Grandfather of Eric Shapiro, on Wednesday 4 Tevet

Solomon Slomovic, Father of Marta Shaftel, on Friday 6 Tevet

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.

DONATIONS

Thank you to Anonymous donors.

Thank you to David Chapin for his Aliyah donation.

Thank you to David and Rita Chapin for their donation in Honor of the Birth of Noa Temima to the Millner Family.

Thank you to Diana Dinitto for her Tzedakah donation in Loving Memory of Saul B. Wilen and in Honor of Ruth Fagan-Wilen.

Thank you to Offer and Ilana Shavit for their donations to the Torah Fund in Honor of Offer’s Aliyah and in Honor of Yuval’s Aliyah..

Thank you to Yuval Shavit for his Aliyah donation.

Thank you to Stephen and Marcia Sutter for their donation in Honor on the Arrival of a Daughter to Yael and Rabbi Dan Millner.

Thank you to Scott Turner for his Aliyah donation.

Thank you to Debbie and Joel Tendler for donations to CTI

To Steve Adelson for positively thorough healing and the best refuah shlema.
To Karina Schumer and family our sincere condolences on the passing of your beloved father, Freddy z”l. May his memory be for a blessing.
To Rabbi Dan and Yael and proud grandparents, Mazal Tov on Noa Temima’s birth.
To the Ledeens, belated Mazal Tov on Eyal Oz’s birth.
To the Liebowitz’, Mazal Tov on Gabe and Julia’s marriage and to Harold being M’sader Kiddushin.
To Irma Friedman and family for a complete and lasting refuah shlema for your grandson.
To Donna Pistiner for continued good test results, joy in family and friends, and caring.
To Cindy Newman for renewed health, and sharing and caring.
To Janet Kuller for everything day in and day out.
To Monroe Goldberg, for joy and good health at Chanukah and always, and continuously illuminating our lives with love and caring.
To Allene Novy Portnoy and Michael Portnoy for mazal, nachas, health and joy in their new home.

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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.

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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:

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
HaRav Avram Meir ben Eli Yosef v'Shira Chanah.
Rabbi Harold Liebowitz, Ha Rav Chaim Alter ben Necha.
Baruch Akiva Ben Rivka
Miriam bat Helen
Rivka Michal bat Sarah Chana

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
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
Yehudit bat Sara
Chandal bat Basia
Shmuel Dovid bat Malka
Anthony Ben Devorah
Shayna Leah bat Yehudit

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 [email protected]

Online Shopping that Benefits CTI

Don't forget to bookmark our special links to AmazonSmile and Artscroll.com -- you will have the same shopping experience and CTI gets a generous percentage of your shopping dollar. Please bookmark and start shopping!

AmazonSmile Info

To Get Started with AmazonSmile

AmazonSmile will make a donation to CTI based on the amount of your eligible purchases made on the AmazonSmile website. The AmazonSmile website looks identical to the regular Amazon.com website, except that when you log in the banner at the top of the window shows that you are on the AmazonSmile website and displays the charity that you are supporting. There is also an additional item in the dropdown menu labelled “Your AmazonSmile”. The AmazonSmile page offers a convenient shortcut icon or bookmark for your browser to take you to AmazonSmile for your shopping.

ArtScroll

Using the CTI Website

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 [email protected].