What's the Spiel? - Shabbat Mevarchim

Parshat Shemini opens with a detailed description of the inauguration of the Mishkan. In the midst of the multitude of offerings and sacrifices, blessings and other priestly activities, Moshe takes issue with the way Aharon’s two remaining sons, Elazar and Itamar, prepared the sin offering for Rosh Chodesh, saying, “Why did you not eat the sin offering in the sacred area? For it is most holy, and it is what was given to you to remove the guilt of the community and to make expiation for them before the Lord. Since its blood was not brought inside the sanctuary, you should certainly have eaten it in the sanctuary, as I commanded” (Vayikra 10:17-18). Upon hearing his brother scolding his children for not eating the sacrifice, Aharon intervenes and tells Moshe that his children acted properly, as the meat could not be eaten due to his status as an Onen, that is, he was in the preliminary state of mourning over his two eldest sons, Nadav and Avihu, who were both killed that day.

Basically, Aharon was telling Moshe, “You have forgotten the law!” How should Moshe react to such a sharp correction? Angry? Dismissive? Defensive? The Torah tells us, “And when Moshe heard this, it was good in his eyes” (Ibid., 10:20). According to the Talmud, “Moshe immediately conceded to Aharon…And Moshe was not embarrassed and did not attempt to justify himself by saying, ‘I did not hear of this law until now.’ Rather, he said, ‘I heard it, and I forgot it’” (B. Talmud, Zevachim 101a). The Midrash goes even further and explains that not only did Moshe admit his error to his brother, he even publicized his error to the entire people (Vayikra Rabbah 13:1).

There is a great lesson in leadership and middot to be learned from Moshe’s private and public admission of error. According to Rabbi Chaim Shmulevits, Moshe’s admission of error teaches us that when one is in the wrong and admits their fault instead of offering excuses or getting defensive, that person is indeed worthy of praise. However, is that really the case with Moshe? Would not Moshe have been better served by simply claiming that he had not learned that particular law? After all, by publicly acknowledging that he was wrong, Moshe could damage his perception, he could leave room for scoffers and detractors to claim that he cannot be trusted with teaching the Word of God, and thus his whole claim to tradition could be jeopardized – weakening the very foundations of Jewish faith!

Nonetheless, Moshe is to be praised for his public admission, because in that moment he showed the people just how important truth-telling and allegiance to God’s commandments, without any self-interest, is regardless of the consequences. He was teaching the people the high value of telling the truth, and that the best way to serve God is not to do so out of any self-interest, but for the sake of the commandment which states, “Distance yourself from falsehood” (Shemot 23:7). Indeed, Moshe’s actions and his words did not deter the people’s faith. On the contrary, they enhanced it, as it says, “Remember the Torah of My servant, Moshe” (Malachi 3:22), and also, “Moshe is true, and his Torah is true!” (Tanchuma, Parshat Korach 11:1).

This Shabbat, may we learn this important lesson from Moshe’s leadership and middot – that when we are in error, the best and noblest way to handle it is to admit it, and through that admission, we not only strengthen our bonds with those whom we have wronged, but we also strengthen our bonds with others who see our humble commitment to truth as a sign of strength, selflessness and concern for the general welfare. May we always follow Moshe’s example – to be truth-tellers regardless of the consequences, and may we uplift our families, community and the Jewish people by the truth we tell.

Shabbat Shalom!

-Rabbi Dan

Shabbat Morning Drasha: "I Did It My Way: Motivations in Avodat HaShem"

Shiur After Mincha: "Keeping Kosher: A Guide for Holiness"

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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.

Thank you to Gabe & Emily Yaffe for sponsoring

Kiddush in honor of the kindness and hospitality

shown to us as new members of CTI.

CTI Announcements

Welcome to our new members Sampson Glassman and Beth Steinberg, and Sandra and Ari Hoffman.

Mazal Tov to Rabbi Dan upon being awarded the Air Force Achievement Medal by the 149^th Fighter Wing, JBSA-Lackland. Rabbi Dan distinguished himself through exceptionally meritorious service and achievement rendered on behalf of the Air Force. Some of his contributions include:

Penning inspiring messages for service members by initiating the “Chaplain’s Corner” during the pandemic. These messages were lauded by both leadership and the public, positively impacting an audience of 13,000+
Initiating and leading the wing’s first ever Holocaust Remembrance Event in 2021.
Leading the popular “Coffee Connection,” a monthly fellowship event promoting meaningful connection and important resources to members of the wing from its helping agencies.

According to the 149^th Wing Commander, “With [Chaplain Millner’s] mission-focused, people-oriented approach, he fostered example-driven pastoral care to Airmen and families alike.”

**** ATTENTION CTI LADIES! ****

Come and relax with your CTI “sisters” at a special women’s only event on Wednesday evening, April 6th at the home of Beth Shapiro. We’ll be serving two of the basic feminine food groups (wine and chocolate), at this CTI Members-only event (but members can invite a friend to join in). RSVP required to attend.

RSVP Here!

CTI, please join us as we honor Dan Kraus and Phil Loewy - our 2022 IGNITE honorees!

Learn about how our support of the Annual Campaign inspires Jewish journeys and elevates Jewish life in meaningful and transformative ways.

Come celebrate our incredible Jewish community!

shalomaustin.org/igniteregister

Please Note:

1. Shalom Austin is committed to holding this event safely and its COVID protocols will be appropriate for the time. More information will be provided as we get closer to April 3.

2. Unlike IGNITE! Home Edition (which we promoted as a family-friendly virtual event); this year’s IGNITE! is adults only. Shalom Austin is offering a discounted rate for parents who have kids in preschool to help offset babysitter costs.

CTI will have a booth at the Shalom Austin Yom Ha'Atzmaut celebration on May 5, from 4:00-7:00pm. We will facilitate an activity allowing participants to send letters to IDF soldiers. If you would like to volunteer to run the booth, please send an email to CTIYouth@tiferetaustin.org

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.

SPIRIT: Yours Eyes as You Age

MARCH 29 @ 10AM (CST)

Common Age-Related Eye Disorders – Eyes are the most important organ of human perception, and 80% of knowledge and memory in the brain are acquired through eyes. As we get older, our risk of certain eye conditions increases. Come learn about the definition, diagnosis, symptoms, and treatment for age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, and glaucoma from Dr. Siri Shetty, Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at Weill Cornell Medical College practicing in NewYork-Presbyterian Queens Eye Center in Fresh Meadows . This program is in partnership with the NewYork-Presbyterian Queens Community Health Initiatives (CHI). All are welcome!

Presented by: Sirikishan Shetty, MD, Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York Presbyterian Queens Eye Center

Dr. Sirikishan Shetty is a board certified ophthalmologist practicing at NewYork-Presbyterian Queens Eye Center located in Fresh Meadows, NY. He received his medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia Augusta University and completed his residency in ophthalmology at Medstar Georgetown University Hospital. He then completed a fellowship in cornea and external ocular diseases at Weill Cornell Medical College. Dr. Shetty is certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and has been part of the NewYork-Presbyterian Queens staff since 2016.

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 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: Gary Gerstenhaber

Fundraising Committee: Beth Shapiro

Membership Committee: Sarah Wander

Chesed Committee: Lynn Kane

Kiddush Committee: Henna Tatham

Ritual Committee: Eric Shapiro

The next CTI Board meeting is Wednesday, April 13 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

Sean Clifford on March 26

Ilana Shavit on March 27

Marty Price on March 31

If you have any birthdays or anniversaries you would

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

Yahrzeit Remembrances

Elaine Schechter, Sister of Betty Glosser, on Tuesday 26 Adar II

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 Melanie Lewis for her donation in

memory of Joel and Debbie Tendler.

Thank you to Jan and Vicky Gould for their donation for

the new tent for Tiferet Hebrew School

Thank you to Camille and Sandy Kress for their

donation to the Education Fund.

_________________

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:

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

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

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 at admin@tiferetaustin.org.