Congregation Agudath Jacob

Transcription

1 May Iyar/Sivan 5778 Rabbi: Ben-Zion Lanxner Phone: Fax: Congregation Agudath Jacob President: Brent demoville Office Admin: Karen Eason This bulletin is published twelve times per year by Congregation Agudath Jacob, a non-profit organization. Founded in 1888 * Celebrating 130 years * Member of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism Rabbi Ben-Zion Lanxner Shavu ot and the Big Bang On the morning of the 6 th of Sivan, 2448 years after creation, or in 1312 BC, 3330 years ago to be precise, the Torah was given at Mount Sinai. The Talmud in Tractate Shabbat 86b tells us that the Torah was given on Shabbat, our national day of rest, as it is only appropriate that the Torah, which brings peace and harmony to its adherents, and by extension, to the entire world, would be given on the Day of Rest. As G-d revealed Himself to the Jewish nation and spoke to them the Ten Utterances, along with thunder and lightning and a heavy cloud on the mountain, there was the sound of a shofar that grew increasingly loud. Later it states that the people saw the sounds of the thunder and the shofar (Exodus 20:15). Rashi comments that their seeing sounds was something that was impossible to do in any other place. He also comments that these sounds emanated from the mouth of G-d. According to the Mishnah in Pirkei Avot (5.1) and expounded much deeper upon by Kabbalah, the agency of creation was Divine speech the ten utterances through which G-d spoke the world into existence, His Will and His Word. Through the PaRDeS system of the four levels of Torah interpretations, which its last one being Sod, (secret, or esoteric mystical meaning), we can understand that it is not by coincidence that G-d s Ten Commandments started with the letter Alef, as we know the first word being Anochi.

2 Furthermore, it is also no coincidence that the sound of the Alef in the Hebrew alphabet is Silent..as we all heard from Midrash, that this sound of silence at the Giving of the Torah was so intense to the point that the people begged Moses to receive the Ten Commandments from G-d and only then, imparted them to the Jewish people As a side note, Rashi s comment regarding the unusual phenomenon of the sound of a shofar from the mouth of G-d continually increasing in loudness, is somehow connected to the actual creation of the world. In the Nineteen sixty s, two scientists practically by mistake, stumbled onto one of the greatest discoveries of modern science. Their picking up of an unexplainable static on a measuring device lead them ultimately to discover the background static of the Big Bang, thus revolutionizing our concept of how the world was created. And the emphasis is on the word created, for before this discovery, science could not or would not admit what Torah has always claimed that there was a beginning point of creation and not that the world was eternal as the Greeks posited and accepted by many or most scientists until the big bang theory, now referred to as the standard model of creation. The comment of Rashi regarding the Jewish people seeing the sounds is explained in Kabbalah in the following manner: at the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, in order to perceive the Divine revelation, all the physical senses and dimensions were unified, as were all levels of human consciousness in an extraordinary union of physical and spiritual synesthesia. When the people saw the sounds of the thunder and an increasingly loud shofar, it is possible to say that they were privy to seeing/hearing the background static of the big bang, in as much as this day had been set aside from the very beginning of creation as Rashi states it was as if the world was in fact being created on the day of the giving of the Torah. In Pirkei Avot (6.2) it states that everyday a voice goes out from Sinai admonishing the Jewish people to return to Torah. It was asked in the book Degel Machane Efrayim, in the name of the Ba al Shem Tov if there is a voice coming out every day from Sinai then why don t we hear it; and if we don t hear it why bother to have a voice come out at all. He answers by saying that every time a person has the arousal to better themselves, or return to G-d and Torah, it is because they are in fact hearing that voice. (Which is the purpose of the counting of the Omer, every single day

3 for seven weeks, 49 days, as we better ourselves by elevating our soul every day to a higher level of purity countering the 49 levels of impurity which our people fell in slavery in Egypt). Just as there is a background sound permeating all the universe as a result of the initial instant of the big bang, we can say similarly that there is a spiritual background voice in the world resulting from the giving of the Torah at Sinai, an event that actualizes G-d s purpose for creation. Just because we don t hear the sound of the big bang doesn t mean it s not there. Similarly just because we don t hear the voice emanating from Mount Sinai everyday doesn t mean it s not there to be heard. The entire universe, which we know now, consists of billions of galaxies, each one greater in size than we can imagine, all comes from one almost infinitely small point. The world is all the result of that expanding seed or spark. So too, the Jewish people are spiritually rooted and unified in our source in receiving the Torah as one Being with one Heart, ke- Ish Echad belev Echad (Rashi on Exodus 19:2). My personal wish for this coming Holiday of Shavu ot is that we may all merit to hear the voice coming from Sinai as if it was given to us today. To this effect, I would recommend that everyone joins us for our Tikun Leil Shavu ot study session which will take place B H, on Saturday, May 19, 2018 after services and our Shavu ot Dairy Snacks organized by our Programming and Kitchen Committees (more details will be available in our upcoming weekly announcements). Chag Same ach. Rabbi Ben-Zion Lanxner

4 Friday, May 4 Kabbalat Shabbat Candle Lighting Saturday, May 5 Shacharit Shabbat Ends Friday, May 11 Kabbalat Shabbat Candle Lighting Saturday, May 12 Shacharit Shabbat Ends Friday, May 18 Kabbalat Shabbat Candle Lighting MAY Service Schedule 6:00 6:53 7:50 6:00 6:57 7:56 6:00 7:02 Saturday, May 19 Shacharit Shabbat Ends Erev Shavuot Sunday, May 20 Shavuot Day 1 Shacharit Shavuot Shavuot Service Monday, May 21 Shavuot Day 2 Shacharit Shavuot Yizkor (approx.) Friday, May 25 Kabbalat Shabbat Candle Lighting Saturday, May 26 Shacharit Shabbat Ends 8:01 6:00 11:00 a.m. 6:00 7:07 8:06. May 2 Miguel Perez May 11 Dorothy Harelik May 12 Chava Kamenetsky May 14 David Fay Avigail Via May 15 Jake Bauer May 20 Betty Bauer May 21 Jayden Mayette May 24 Daniel Barish May 25 Benjamin Spark May 30 Lacey Meredith Farley Jake Schwartz May 4 Mr. & Mrs. George Keller May 7 Dr. & Mrs. Harvey Spark May 9 Mr. & Mrs. Craig Hoffman May 25 Mr. & Mrs. David Jortner May 30 Mr. & Mrs. Joel Weissman

5 Special Donations: Jim & Morasha Stuckey Michael Pesses Jeff & Colleen Wolf Rabbi Discretionary Fund: Florence Hersh Michael Pesses April Shabbat Food Sponsors: Javis Howeth Rabbi Lanxner Jim & Morasha Stuckey David Fay Gloria Yoder Special recognition for 2018 Dues Pledge: SUPPORTERS GIVERS Jake Bauer Benjy & Betty Bauer Ray & Shannon Via Rick & Melanie Bauer Yom Ha atzma ut: Our thanks to Dr. Jeff Levin for sponsoring the 70 th birthday of the State of Israel s independence event, and to all who helped make the celebration on Saturday, April 21th such a success. Havdalah, movie night and Israeli Buffet was enjoyed by all.

6 Shabbat Donations: March 31 April 14 Brent & Dianne demoville Brent & Dianne demoville Brandon & Teresa Harris Javis Howeth April 21 David Levy Javis Howeth Gloria Yoder Abbye & Susan Silver April 7 Jim & Morasha Stuckey Brent & Dianne demoville Gloria Yoder Debbie Hersh April 28 Judy Hersh Brent & Dianne demoville Chava Kamenetsky Brandon & Teresa Harris George & Kathleen Keller George & Kathleen Keller Abbye & Susan Silver Jim & Morasha Stuckey Gloria Yoder The office will be closed on Monday, May 21 st for Shavuot and Monday, May 28 th for Memorial Day. If you are interested in volunteering to be a member of the Programs Committee to help with decorations and set-up for upcoming events, please contact Morasha Stuckey at (951) or by at jwmms@aol.com.

7 PHOTOS Preparing for the Seder: And the beautiful feast:

8 Stanley Hersh Craig & Lydia Hoffman The Hersh Foundation Ruth Bell Ken & Lois Germain Leona Faye Stuckey Jim & Morasha Stuckey Jack Ruttenberg Phyllis Ruttenberg Akmal Larry Harelik Lillian Fadal Dr. Hazel Rowe CHEVRA KADISHA (HOLY SOCIETY) VOLUNTEERS NEEDED According to Alfred J. Kolatch, in his book The Jewish Mourner s Book of Why, first established in the Middle Ages, the Burial Society is possibly the most prestigious organization within Jewish life. It is also perhaps the least known, the least publicized, and surely the least glamorous. The Society consists of Jewish volunteersmembers of a particular synagogue or members of the community at large- who prepare the dead for burial and sometimes even manage the administration of the local cemetery. Those who volunteer for this service are regarded as among the most selfless, most dedicated people in the Jewish fold. There are rules and regulations regarding who may be buried in the Congregation Agudath Jacob cemetery as well as how that burial is to take place (casket type; body preparation; etc.). We are fortunate that there are still Chevra volunteers in our community that make it possible to offer such a necessary and meaningful service to those being buried in our cemetery. If you are interested in volunteering (men for the men s Chevra and women for the women s Chevra), please contact Judy Hersh by hershladylawyer@aol.com or cell: If you have questions or would like to discuss your interest prior to volunteering, please feel free to reach out to me or to the Rabbi. I would appreciate people who have already volunteered to please remind me by sending me your contact information again. Due to the nature of this mitzvah, notice of the need for your services may be short and times may be inconvenient due to Jewish holidays, Shabbat, etc. If you are physically able and willing to be available, please let us hear from you. You may surprise yourself to find how rewarding performing this mitzvah can be.

9 HOW TO OBSERVE THE YAHRZEIT It is traditional to kindle a Yahrzeit Candle in the home on the evening Yahrzeit begins. It should remain lighted until sunset the next day. Possible prayer before lighting a Yahrzeit candle: Eternal God, I/we light this candle in memory of (name), my/our beloved (relationship). The light of the flame rekindles all the warm memories of the moment we shared together and reassures me/us that a piece of his/her soul dwells in my/our heart(s) forever. May his/her soul be bound up with the bonds of eternal life. Amen. Candles are available at the Gift Shop. Every effort should be made to say Kaddish at congregational services. It is meritorious to perform some Mitzvah or to contribute to the synagogue in commemoration of the deceased. Kaddish will be read on May 4 Iyar 19 Iyar 20 Iyar 21 Iyar 22 Iyar 23 Iyar 24 Iyar 25 Louis Kleiman Ralph Leeds Sonia Stein Louis Marks Lee Wolkoff Sarah Stein Max Hoppenstein Abe Lewis Hyman Novy Mandel H. Citrin A. Polansky Mary Budin Orpha Starr Otto Levy David Harry Rubel Mrs. Phillip Stupak Steve Zelen Kaddish will be read on May 11 Iyar 26 Iyar 27 Iyar 28 Iyar 29 Sivan 1 Sivan 2 Dave Spero Phillip M. Citrin Sarah Cohen J. Englander Hannah Lasinker Lilly Maleh Barbara Vondra Abe Levy Toby Mallen Al Jacobson Rosaline Gardner Jacob Jacobson Rebecca Zoblotsky Hennie Genecov John Harry Fay Kaddish will be read on May 18 Sivan 4 Sivan 5 Sivan 6 Sivan 7 Sivan 9 Sivan 10 Morris Brickman Max Harris Frances Lebowitz Ervin Graubard Abe Schwartz Esther Zackin Hazel Warnstaff Audrey Mendelson Mrs. Ben (Rosa) Keen Sarah Stein Mary Meinstein Golda Faigle Wizig Betty Birnbach Hector Lago Sol Cohen Jolan Halpern Frank Sifuentes David Stein Barbara Andrews Mrs. A. Adelman Jake Kirschner Kaddish will be read on May 25 Sivan 11 Sivan 12 Sivan 13 Sivan 15 Sivan 16 Sivan 17 Klaire Schwarz Yehashaua Nechemiah ben Gershon Nathan Gurwitz Max Zelen Esther Neuwirth Jennie Novich Israel Berkman Shirley Gardner Willie Rosen Howard Hoppenstein Jonas Jacobs Jacqueline Leeds J.M. Rosenberg Sylvia Chernoff

10 May Iyar Sivan 5778 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 5:21AM/7:23PM 5:20AM/7:24PM 5:19AM/7:25PM 5:18AM/7:26PM Religious School 4:00 8:10PM 7:08PM Lag B'Omer Kabbalat Shabbat 6:00 5:17AM/7:27PM 8:12PM Shacharit 16 Iyar/31 L'Omer 17 Iyar/32 L'Omer 18 Iyar/33 L'Omer 19 Iyar/34 L'Omer 20 Iyar/35 L'Omer Zevachim 18 Zevachim 19 Zevachim 20 Zevachim 21 Zevachim 22 5:15AM/7:28PM 5:14AM/7:29PM 5:13AM/7:30PM 5:12AM/7:31PM 5:11AM/7:32PM 5:10AM/7:34PM NO CLASSES DUE TO STREET CLOSURE FOR MARATHON Religious School 4:00 7:16PM Kabbalat Shabbat 6:00 5:09AM/7:35PM 8:20PM Shacharit 21 Iyar/36 L'Omer 22 Iyar/37 L'Omer 23 Iyar/38 L'Omer 24 Iyar/39 L'Omer 25 Iyar/40 L'Omer 26 Iyar/41 L'Omer 27 Iyar/42 L'Omer Zevachim 23 Zevachim 24 Zevachim 25 Zevachim 26 Zevachim 27 Zevachim 28 Zevachim 29 5:08AM/7:36PM 5:07AM/7:36PM 5:06AM/7:37PM 5:05AM/7:38PM 5:04AM/7:39PM 5:03AM/7:40PM :21PM Yom Yerushalayim Mother's Day Minyan & Classes 9:30 a.m. - 1:00 Rosh Hodesh Religious School 4:00 7:22PM Kabbalat Shabbat 6:00 5:02AM/7:41PM 8:26PM/ 8:26PM Erev Shavuot Shacharit Shavuot Service (time to be determined) 28 Iyar/43 L'Omer 29 Iyar/44 L'Omer 1 Sivan/45 L'Omer 2 Sivan/46 L'Omer 3 Sivan/47 L'Omer 4 Sivan/48 L'Omer 5 Sivan/49 L'Omer Zevachim 30 Zevachim 31 Zevachim 32 Zevachim 33 Zevachim 34 Zevachim 35 Zevachim 36 5:01AM/7:42PM 5:01AM/7:43PM 5:00AM/7:44PM 4:59AM/7:45PM 4:58AM/7:46PM 4:58AM/7:47PM :27PM/ 8:27PM Shavuot Shacharit Shavuot 9:30 a.m. Shavuot Service 6:00 8:28PM Shavuot II (Yizkor) Shacharit Shavuot 9:30 a.m. Yizkor (approx.) 11:00 a.m. Religious School 4:00 7:29PM Kabbalat Shabbat 6:00 4:57AM/7:48PM 8:33PM Shacharit 6 Sivan 7 Sivan 8 Sivan 9 Sivan 10 Sivan 11 Sivan 12 Sivan Zevachim 37 Zevachim 38 Zevachim 39 Zevachim 40 Zevachim 41 Zevachim 42 Zevachim :56AM/7:48PM 4:56AM/7:49PM 4:55AM/7:50PM 4:55AM/7:51PM 4:54AM/7:52PM Minyan & Classes 9:30 a.m.-1:00 Religious School 4:00 Last Day of School 13 Sivan 14 Sivan 15 Sivan 16 Sivan 17 Sivan Zevachim 44 Zevachim 45 Zevachim 46 Zevachim 47 Zevachim 48 [ Candle Lighting, Observance End, Printed April 30, 2018/15 Iyar 5778 for Canton, Ohio]