What's the Spiel? - Parshat Korach

The Chafetz Chaim tells the story of a man who lived in a small village. One day, an argument erupted between the man and the governor of the village. The man was so angry with the governor that finally, he decided to tell the non-Jewish authorities about all of the unlawful things the governor had done. The man's wife tried to persuade her husband not to do this, pleading with him to remember that the governor once found a way to get their only son out of serving in the Czar's army by forging a document. She explained to her husband that if he went to the non-Jewish authorities, they would investigate the governor thoroughly and would find out about the forged document. Surely, the authorities would seize their son and consign him to the military, and what's more, both the man and his wife would be thrown in prison. In his hot anger, the man answered his wife, "I don't care if you and I go to prison and our son sent to the army! It would all be worth it just to bring down that governor from his glory!" (Ma'aseh l'Melech, Parshat Chukat 210).

One of the lessons the Chafetz Chaim's story teaches us is that once an argument reaches a fever-pitch, once clear lines have been drawn and positions taken firmly, once neither side is willing to listen, compromise or cooperate with the other because of pride or sense of moral outrage, belligerent anger can blind our eyes from seeing the larger consequences of our actions, and stop-up our ears from hearing the words that actually come out of our mouths. Sometimes, when an argument is fueled by anger or pride in an attempt to prove some self-serving point, people can "dig their heels in," and say irrational and even self-destructive things, because all that matters in the moment is that the other person gets hurt, even if that means hurting ourselves in the process. If the man in the story could just hear himself talk from a place of calm and reason, there is no doubt that he would be instantly ashamed and disgusted with himself. And yet, heated arguments resulting in hurtful and self-destructive words happen like this all too often, and we see an example of this in this week's parsha.

Parshat Korach is one of the most infamous parshiyot in the Torah. Korach, a distinguished, learned, talented and charismatic Levite, mounts a populist rebellion against Moshe and Aharon's authority, claiming that Moshe is nothing more than an autocrat, using his position of power to oppress the people, as it says, "You have gone too far! For all the community are holy, all of them, and the Lord is in their midst. Why then do you raise yourselves above the Lord's congregation?" (Bamidbar 16:3). In response to Korach's weighty accusation, Moshe proposes that Korach and his rebel band meet with him the next day, and God will determine who the real leader of the Jewish people ought to be before the eyes of the whole nation. However, Moshe never wanted the ordeal to go that far. Instead, he reached out to Datan and Aviram, two of Korach's most devoted allies, to try to convince their leader to relent and avoid confrontation, as Rashi writes, based on the Talmud (Sanhedrin 110a), "Moshe sought [Datan and Aviram] out in order to conciliate them by peaceful words" (Rashi on Bamidbar 16:12). Yet, when Datan and Aviram received Moshe's message, they quickly replied, "We will not come! Is it not enough that you brought us from a land flowing with milk and honey to have us die in the wilderness, that you would also lord it over us? Even if you had brought us to a land flowing with milk and honey, and given us possession of fields and vineyards, should you gouge out those men's eyes? We will not come!" (Bamidbar 16:13-14). What are Datan and Aviram really saying?

According to Rashi, they were referring to themselves when they said, "Should you gouge out those men's eyes." In Rashi's words, "Even if you (Moshe) were to send others to put out our own eyes if we would not come up to you, we still would not come up!" What kind of statement is this? Based on Rashi's statement, the Chafetz Chaim writes, "Come and see how far a fiery argument can take people. Datan and Aviram were so entrenched in their argument that their ears could not even hear what their mouths were saying" (Chafetz Chaim Al HaTorah, Parshat Korach, 205). Had they been in a reasonable, rational, calm state of mind, they would never had said such things. In fact, they would have been ashamed on themselves. However, because they got carried away in the heat of the moment, with pride, with anger, with stubbornness, with the need to take down Moshe and Aharon regardless of the cost, they did not care how their words would adversely impact themselves and the two hundred and fifty followers they had amassed. An argument, when fueled by ego, anger, envy and pride, takes on a life of its own, and the result of such an argument is the utter defeat of everyone involved. There are no winners.

This Shabbat, let us learn a very important lesson from the irate argument and self-destructive words of Datan and Aviram: When we respond out of blind anger, we will not only end up losing the argument, we may even end up losing ourselves in the process of trying to best our opponent as well. This Shabbat, let us consider the weight of our words, and that when we feel heated about a subject, take a moment to relax and find calm, so that everything we say will be measured and productive. Like the man in the story, Datan and Aviram were so mired in their desire to take down Moshe, a person of prominence and power, that they failed to see how such a desire would take them and those they claimed to care about down as well. This Shabbat, let us remember to never respond to another out of anger, and if we feel ourselves "losing control," let us remove ourselves from the argument so that we can think with a clear head, eyes to see and ears to hear the words that come out of our mouths. This Shabbat, let us strive to engage one another for the sake of Heaven, making us a stronger people, while at the same time, creating a better, more understanding world.

Shabbat Shalom!

-Rabbi Dan

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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.

Friday Night

Candle Lighting

No later than 8:19PM

Mincha & Kabbalat Shabbat

7:30PM

Saturday

Shacharit

9:00AM

Kids Service

10:30AM

Mincha/Maariv

8:15PM

Havdalah

9:19PM

Sunday

Shacharit

8:30AM

Monday - Thursday

Shacharit

7:05AM

Thank you Mr & Mrs Yoni Cosme (Kim Pack) for Sponsoring Kiddush in honor of their marriage on June 13th in Florida

CTI Announcements

CTI Launches Operation Todah Texas

Todah means Thank You in Hebrew and Congregation Tiferet Israel (CTI), Austin’s Modern Orthodox Synagogue, based on the Dell Jewish Community Campus, is spearheading a communitywide initiative to express gratitude to the thousands of Texas Air and Army National Guardsmen and women deployed on the U.S.-Mexico border during Operation Lone Star.

CTI ‘s Rabbi Daniel Millner is one of them. A Texas Air National Guard Chaplain holding the rank of Major, Rabbi Millner is expected to spend most of the next four months providing pastoral and other support to Guard members of all faiths separated from their families, jobs and communities during the border emergency. Rabbi Dan is the sole Jewish chaplain currently deployed along the Rio Grande border.

Working with the Rabbi, a group of CTI congregants, including several who have been deployed overseas in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere, have come together to encourage fellow congregants and community members to write “thank you” letters to the troops for their service and sacrifice.

“Delivering letters from fellow Texans expressing gratitude, would really have a big impact on troop morale in what has been and will likely continue to be a tough and unprecedented mission,” Rabbi Dan explained.

The current plan is to ask individuals and families to write cards and letters on their own and drop them off in standard envelopes at the Security Guard station when entering the Dell Jewish Community Campus between 8 AM-6 PM daily.

No gifts, packages, boxes or oversized or padded envelopes can be accepted or delivered.

A CTI Operation Todah Texas Committee member will collect the cards and letters weekly and arrange to get them to Rabbi Millner who will personally distribute them to troops along the border.

Thank you for your support of Operation Todah Texas.

If you have any questions, please email OperationTodahTexas@gmail.com

Sample Letter

Dear Texas National Guardsman,

My name is XXXX XXXXX and I am writing from [Name of Congregation or Shalom Austin] in Austin to thank you for your service in Operation Lone Star.

We deeply appreciate all you are doing to keep our fellow Texans safe during the current border crisis. Your families and communities are also in our thoughts and prayers during your deployment.

We are extremely grateful for your sacrifice and wish you a safe and speedy return home to your loved ones.

With gratitude,

Name(s)

Note: You can choose to include a personal return address if you wish or simply write Operation Todah Texas on the front of the envelope.

Calling all knitters (and crocheters)! Interested in getting together with like minded TI members? We meet at Carol Rubin’s home every other Monday afternoon from 1-3pm. All levels welcome. We call it Knit and Nosh (so you know we eat too!) If interested e-mail Carol at carolrubin5@yahoo.com.

Tehillim Class, 7 PM Mondays (on Zoom)

*Class Cancelled Monday July 4th*

Many people find solace in times of pain or stress by reciting Psalms, but even greater depths of meaning can be found in studying and analyzing the words of the holy poems themselves. In Rabbi Belsky’s Tehillim class, we unpack the poetry and imagery of the psalms, gaining a greater understanding of this book, which includes within it the full range of human experience, and has sustained our religious lives as Jews for millennia.

Recordings of previous classes can be found at https://tinyURL.com/BelskyTehillimClass

CTI Welcomes Rabbi Stephen Belsky

While Rabbi Dan is on deployment at Operation Lone Star, Rabbi Stephen Belsky will serve as interim rabbi for the Congregation, meeting its halakhic, spiritual and pastoral needs. We are excited to learn from and grow with Rabbi Belsky during his three-month association with CTI, and we welcome him with open arms! Baruch HaBah!

Rabbi Stephen Belsky grew up in the seaside fishing village of Brooklyn, NY, but has spent the last dozen years of his life in Michigan, surrounded by the Great Lakes. A graduate of the Pardes Educators Program and Yeshivat Chovevei Torah, he has taught both children and adults at schools, synagogues, and other institutions; and when he isn't on the road working as an eruv builder, he is a regular speaker and teacher in Detroit's Modern Orthodox community. He loves language, speculative fiction, and the prophetic poems of doom in Tanakh, and is excited to have this opportunity to spend the summer with CTI.

Shalom Austin Mask Policy Update

Given the significant decline in the occurrence of COVID cases in the Travis County area (which is currently listed as being in Stage 2, and continuously dropping), the Medical Committee has unanimously agreed that:

Masks should no longer be mandatory at any CTI-related functions
Kiddush can move back inside, without any restrictions
Individuals who feel safer wearing masks at Shul-related events should feel free to continuing doing so
Anyone who has symptoms should NOT attend synagogue.

As always, we will continue to review and address the situation related to COVID on an as—needed basis, and make updated recommendations, as necessary.

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.

Classes currently on hold. Watch tiferetaustin.org for when classes will resume.

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 Judges

Tuesday 7:00pm

The Book of Judges teaches us about unexpected and underestimated spiritual and political leadership. Prior to the establishment of the Jewish monarchy, the nation was constantly enmeshed in fighting foreign enemies, spiritual and moral backsliding, oppression, as well as tribal in-fighting. It was a vicious cycle. The Judges came about in order to resolve these political, spiritual and moral issues and to set the people on the right track. Who were the Judges of Israel? How were they chosen, and why? While names like Shimshon, Devorah, Gidon and Yeftach may be familiar, their stories, complex personalities and murky legacies require a great deal of study. In this brand new TYT series, we will explore the life and times of the Judges of Israel – who they were, what they did, and what their contributions to Jewish history are all about. You won’t want to miss out on learning about these early leaders of the Jewish people, whose stories and personalities are as captivating as their contributions to the Jewish people are timeless.

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: Larry Smith

Fundraising Committee: Daniel Ledeen

Bylaws Committee: Jay Rubin

Education Committee: Sarah Wander

Membership Committee: Alana Pompa

Chesed Committee: Lynn Kane

Kiddush Committee: Henna Tatham

Ritual Committee: Eric Shapiro

For those new to the community, check out this introductory video

featuring Rabbi Dan and a few of our wonderful CTI community members!

Birthdays

Samuel Wander on July 3

Alana Pompa on July 4

David Hillson on July 7

Anniversaries

Charlies & Jennifer (Vonne) Kaufman on July 4

Reuven Robbins & Rosemary Klein-Robbins on July 4

If you have any birthdays or anniversaries you would

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

Yahrzeit Remembrances

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 our anonymous donors.

Thank you to Jay Rubin for his aliyah donation.

Thank you to Steven Belsky for his aliyah donation.

Thank you to Marty and Katie Price for their donation.

Thank you to Benjamin Heyen for his donation.

Thank you to Gary Gerstenhaber for his Yahrzheit donation.

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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
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
Tamar bat Chaya
Ilana bat Gheita
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
Lori Garza
Yisroel Natan ben Sarah
Masha Gitil bas Chaya Yita
Allen Levinson; Avraham Yitzchak ben Gittel

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, Fievel ben Devorah
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 admin@tiferetaustin.org

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 at admin@tiferetaustin.org.