Ethics Class& Parashat Pinhas

Shabbat Shalom and we so look forward to seeing you all tonight at 7 PM via zoom (SEE ZOOM LINK BELOW) and in person in our beloved shul (no more than 10 people following social distance).

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85895579341

Hazzan Ben-Moshe’sWeekly Message:This week we read Parshat Pinhas, which begins with God’s confirmation of Pinhas Ben El’azar as the next High Priest, because of (or in spite of) his extrajudicial killing of Zimri Ben Sallu and Kozbi Bat Tzur, which ended the plague of Ba’al P’or. The parshah continues with the story of the daughters of Tzlof’had demanding that they receive their father’s inheritance in the Land of Israel, the ordination of Yehoshu’a as the next leader of the People of Israel, and concludes with the order of statutory sacrifices. The story of the daughters of Tzlof’had-Mahlah, No’ah, Hoglah, Milkah and Tirtzhah-is an interesting one. The five challenge the rule, stated earlier in the Torah, that if a man dies without sons, his estate falls to his nearest male relative. The daughters affirm their right to inherit from their father as his children-and Moshe, instead of dismissing their claim, asks God for guidance. God actually changes the rule of the Torah-daughters who have no brothers do indeed become heirs. Thirty-eight years after leaving Mount Sinai, God reveals a new law of Torah to Moshe, thus illustrating an important part of Jewish Tradition. Torah is not static-it evolves and changes, even as the People of Israel evolve and change. Chapter One of Pirkei Avoth details the transmission of Torah from Moshe to the Sages-but the teaching and practice of Torah changed so much over that time that the Midrash tells us that Moshe had a vision of the Beith Midrash of Rabbi ‘Aqiva in which he could not understand the teaching, but was assured that this was “the Torah of Moshe from Sinai”. Our Tradition may change with the times, but is still based on Torah and its values. Shabbat Shalom.Hazzan Yitzhak Ben-Moshe

Candle lighting in Austin at 8:18 PM.Annual Meeting July 12Also, save the date. Our annual “state of the shul” meeting will be held on Sunday, July 12, at 7:00 p.m.

The meeting will be in person (up to 10) at the shul and via zoom.Annual Meeting Zoom Link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86767607489

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.

Our next Pirkei Avot class is July 14!
Zoom Meeting Link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81083498229

Refua Shlema to our dear Barry. He is safely out of the hospital and recovering at home. We love you Barry!

Please know that our doors are literally always open for you and your family at Beth El. We have so many kind people in the congregation who are quietly and without fanfare doing good deeds. We want to help any and all congregants. One of our angels, Steve, came this week and power washed our whole driveway. Truly a labor of love in the 100 degree weather. We are here for you as so many of you are here for us as a shul! We love our congregants. Let us know if you are facing any kind of hardship.

Sunday school resumes in the fall! Whether we are in person or via zoom, the learning, ahavat Israel and friendships continue. Please contact us asap to reserve your spot!

Beth El can now accept donations of stocks through a brokerage account. Please contact our treasurer at bethelaustin@yahoo.com.

Please consider at tax deductible donation for via our secure site. Being a small synagogue, every dollar goes to good work and continuing our heritage. http://bethelaustin.org/donate/