We hope you are well and enjoying the wonderful weather.
In these days of so much uncertainty, we have learned that there is really just one constant in our lives, that is who we are. As Jews we know that the secret to our survival is that we never give in, we refuse to change or give up on our values.
Perhaps my friends, this is what life is all about. When things are good and everything is normal, this trait does not stand out too much, but now we can really see how powerful our Torah is, when everything in the world has changed and nothing is reliable any longer, there still remains one thing we can rely on, the same thing we have relied on for over three thousand years, our Torah, our way of life, and our connection to the infinite - G-d almighty.
Let's continue our resolve to keep our faith, teach our children, and practice G-d's wonderful Mitzvos as best as we can, after all, it's the only thing that remains unchanged, that has survived all, just like us.
Together, we will come out of this better stronger and smarter!!
Wishing you a Good Shabbos, filled with health and joy!!
Sincerely,
Rabbi Mendel & Elke Zaltzman
Supporting our community
Helpful Information and resources as we stay strong through challenging times
All Synagogue services are currently suspended, instead we present you with Online Connection. In order to maintain as much of a regular schedule as possible, please join online for learning and services.
UPCOMING COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
Pre Shabbat Inspiration: Friday, May 15: 7:30pm
Online Connection Havdalah Service: Saturday night, May 16: 9:20pm
SHABBOS TIMES
Friday, May 15 Pre Shabbat inspiration 7:30pmClick to join
Candle Lighting 7:50pm All services are currently suspended until further notice.
Saturday, May 16
Shabbos Ends 8:56pm
Online Havdalah Service by Rabbi Mendel 9:20pmClick to join
Join us to put on your tefillin daily with Rabbi Mendel.
You can watch on Facebook Live
or join on Zoom for an interactive experience.
Meeting ID: 844 5830 8774
Password: Tefillin
Scotch and Torah
Tuesdays 8-9pm
Talking everything and anything Jewish
Also taking your questions live, or in advance.
Meeting ID: 815 3401 3112
Password: scotch
Storytime with Rabbi Mendel
Mondays and Thursdays 8-8:30pm
We will be meeting online for story time every Monday and Thursday at 8pm.
You can watch on Facebook Live or join the meeting for an interactive experience.
Meeting ID: 850 5673 3633
Password: story
A BISSELE HUMOR
David Silverstein, an aspiring young actor was in love with Shira Rosenbaum so he asked her father Moishe for his daughter's hand in marriage. Moishe said, "I would never let my daughter marry an actor."
David said, "Sir, I think you may change your mind if you see me perform. Won't you at least come and see the play?"
So Moishe went to see the play, and the next day he called David, "You were right. I did change my mind. Go ahead and marry my daughter. You'll never make it as an actor.
WEEKLY eTORAH
What is Judaism’s economic system? Is there one? I would describe it as “capitalism with a conscience.” In promoting free enterprise, the Torah is clearly capitalistic. But it is a conditional capitalism, and certainly a compassionate capitalism.
Winston Churchill once said, “The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of blessings. The inherent vice of communism is the equal sharing of miseries.” So Judaism introduced an open market system, where the sharing of blessings was not left to chance or wishful thinking, but was made mandatory. Our Parshah gives us a classic example.
Shemittah, the Sabbatical year, was designed to allow the land to rest and regenerate. Six years the land would be worked, but in the seventh year it would rest and lie fallow. The agricultural cycle in the Holy Land imposed strict rules and regulations on the owner of the land. No planting, no pruning, no agricultural work whatsoever in the seventh year—and whatever grew by itself would be “ownerless” and there for the taking for all. The owner could take some, but so could his workers, friends and neighbors. The landowner, in his own land, would have no more right than the stranger. For six years you own the property, but in the seventh you enjoy no special claims.
This is but one of many examples of Judaism’s “capitalism with a conscience.” There are many other legislated obligations to the poor—not optional extras, not even pious recommendations, but clear mandatory contributions to the less fortunate. The ten percent tithes, as well as the obligation to leave to the poor the unharvested corners of one’s field, the gleanings, and the forgotten sheaves are all part of the system of compassionate capitalism.
Judaism thus presents an economic system which boasts the best of both worlds—the advantages of an unfettered free market, allowing personal expression and success relative to hard work, without the drawbacks of corporate greed. If the land belongs to G‑d, then we have no exclusive ownership over it. G‑d bestows His blessings upon us, but clearly, the deal is that we must share. Without Torah law, capitalism fails. Unbridled ambition and the lust for money and power lead to monopolies and conglomerates that leave no room for the next guy and widen the gap between the haves and the have-nots. The Sabbatical year is one of many checks and balances that keep our capitalism kosher and kind.
Some people are too businesslike. Everything is measured and exact. Business is business. We should be softer, more flexible, not so hard, tough and businesslike. By all means, be a capitalist, but be a kosher capitalist. What a person is “worth” financially should be irrelevant to the respect you accord to him. Retain the traditional Jewish characteristics of kindness, compassion, tzedakah and chesed, generosity of spirit, heart—and pocket.
May you make lots of money, and encourage G‑d to keep showering you with His blessings by sharing it generously with others.
