Parashat Korach – Jewish Education
Shabbat Shalom and we so look forward to seeing you all tonight at 7 PM via zoom and in person in our beloved shul. Please let us know if you would like to attend in person services? All health and safety measures will be in place.
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/847168183
Meeting ID: 847 168 183
Password: 010620
Hazzan Ben-Moshe’sWeekly Message:In Pirkei Avoth 5:19 we read “A controversy for Heaven’s sake will have lasting value, but a controversy not for Heavens sake will not endure. What is an example of a controversy for Heaven’s sake? The controversy (debates) of Hillel and Shammai. What is an example of a controversy not for Heaven’s sake? The controversy (rebellion) of Korah and his confederates.”
This saying points to our parshah this week, Parshat Korah, which recounts the attempt of Korah the Levite and Dathan and Aviram of the Tribe of Reuven to wrest leadership from Moshe and Aharon. Theirs was a very different “controversy” from that of Hillel and Shammai. The latter honestly disagreed about several points of Jewish Law, and debated their viewpoints. Ultimately, each accepted the outcome of those debates, whether they won or lost. Korah, Dathan and Aviram were interested only in self-aggrandizement, and thus when they lost their defeat was total. This saying also points out a logical fallacy which is all too common-the propensity to blame both sides in a dispute. It is very easy to use the words of Mercutio in Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet”-“A plague on both their houses!” It feels to us unfair to take one side over another-but sometimes one side is absolutely in the wrong. Korah et al were wrong-there was nothing in their rebellion that was justified, even though they falsely claimed overreach on the part of Moshe and Aharon. We should certainly try to judge fairly at all times-but sometimes fair judgement requires coming down firmly on the side of righteousness and justice. Shabbat Shalom.Hazzan Yitzhak Ben-Moshe
Candle lighting in Austin at 8:19 PM.
Annual Meeting July 12Also, save the date. Our annual “state of the shul” meeting will be held on Sunday, July 12, at 4:30 p.m. .
We plan to discuss shul business and elect officers for the upcoming year. To nominate a current member as an officer, please send an email to Bob Miller, secretary and chair of the nominating committee at
bmiller111158@gmail.com
Nominations should be submitted as soon as possible and no later than 7 days before the board meeting. The meeting is open to all – they are always a great deal of fun and very inspiring. We are blessed to be part of this small, yet vibrant and truly chesed filled congregation.