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Rabbi Andrew Rosenblatt
Torah Reader: Joseph Marciano
Dvar Torah - Rabbi Shlomo Wolbe z’l
Beit Hamussar
The first verse of Parashat Bechukotai speaks of the
need to live in accordance with God’s laws – “Im be-chukotai
teileikhu” – and uses the term “teileikhu,” which literally means
“walk.” As an example of the kind of subservience to God described in this verse, the Midrash (Vayikra Rabba 35:1) points to
King David, who says about himself in Tehillim (119:59),
“Chishavti derakhai va-ashiva raglai el eidotekha” – “I calculated
my paths, and direct my legs toward Your laws.” The Midrash
interprets this verse to mean that every day, David would plan to
go to various places, but then “my legs would bring me to synagogues and study halls.” The ideal of “im be-chukotai teileikhu,”
the Midrash seems to be teaching us, is where we naturally and
instinctively “walk” to study and perform God’s laws, even when
we plan to involve ourselves in other activities.
The question, however, arises, is it really possible that
David’s legs directed him against his will to the batei kenesset
and batei midrash? Moreover, as king, he certainly had many
urgent matters to attend to that were outside the houses of prayer
and study. Did his legs force him to neglect his royal duties so he
could pray and learn?
The Kotzker Rebbe therefore offered a much different
interpretation of the Midrash’s comments. According to his reading, Chazal speak here of two different stages, of a process of
cause-and-effect. David avows that “chishavti derakhai” – which
the Kotzker Rebbe understands to mean “that he went even to
his mundane affairs in a calculated fashion,” and this, in turn,
resulted in his legs naturally leading him to spiritual pursuits.
David did not neglect his mundane needs and responsibilities.
He tended to them as necessary, but his involvement was, in the
May 16, 5775
Behar-Bechukotai
Torah Reading pg.696
Haftorah pg.1177
Rabbi’s Class 7:40 pm
Mincha 8:20 pm
Havdalah 9:46 pm
Shabbat Youth
Programming
10:30 am Story:
Youth Lounge 2nd Flr
10:45 am Groups
11:15 am Kiddush:
Auerhahn Youth Lounge
Weekly Services
May 17 - 21
M 8:40 pm
Friday, May 22
M 7:10 pm
Kabbalat Shabbat 7:25 pm
Cl 7:40 pm
Dvar Torah
Kotzker Rebbe’s words, “be-cheshbon” – in
moderation. According to the Rebbe, the Midrash
here instructs that the proper approach to the
mundane necessities of life is “chishavti
derakhai” – to carefully consider what is indeed
necessary and what is excessive. And it is by
“calculating,” by exercising moderation, that we
arrive at the ideal of “va-ashiva raglai el
eidotekha,” where we are naturally drawn to
avodat Hashem. If we focus too heavily on
physical indulgence and material luxury, then this
will be our passion, and our lives will be spent on
vanity. But if we “calculate” our engagement in
mundane pursuits and set reasonable limits, then
we can help ensure that avodat Hashem will
remain our ultimate objective in life and the
central goal toward which we aspire.
Member Announcements
Our heartfelt condolences to Linda and
Peter Hotz on the passing of Linda’s
mother, Denzil Courlander, z’l.
Our heartfelt condolences to the family
of Joseph Sinclair, z’l - to his
daughters, Gerri and Margot and their
families and to his brother, Reuben
Sinclair.
Mazel Tov to Noah Boroditsky on the
occasion of his Bar Mitzvah. Mazel Tov
to his parents, Dr. Alan and Lisa
Boroditsky, to his grandparents Norm
and Lola Pawer and Dr. Richard &
Diane Boroditsky, and to all his family
and friends.
Todah Rabah
Our community shares many events together,
some of which include both food and
handshakes. Both of these media can be
vectors for the spread of certain kinds of
infections. Though thankfully rare, there was
an outbreak of infection in the Jewish
community recently, and we are working with
Vancouver Coastal Health epidemiologists to
trace the source(s). If you or someone you
know experienced stomach flu-like symptoms
in the past week, please contact Dan
Shmilovitch in the shul office, at 604-7367607 or [email protected], so that he
can channel the information to Vancouver
Coastal Health.
We appreciate your cooperation with this
effort. Thank you for your assistance.
Our thanks to Lola & Norm Pawer for
sponsoring the Congregational Kiddush
in honor of Noah’s Bar MItzvah.
The Premier Scotch is being sponsored
in memory of Elliot Belkin z’l in honour
of Yom Yerushalayim.
Our thanks to Sally White who is
sponsoring the Sunday am breakfast in
loving memory of her sister, Rachel
White z’l, her uncle, Morris Mizrahi z’l,
her father, Solomon Charles White z’l,
her Auntie Rosie Chalk z’l, and her
uncle, Joseph Mizrahi z'l.
Upcoming Programming
Shavuot 5775 – All Night Learning
Bein Kodesh L’Chol:
Finding Sanctity in the Personal
and the
Communal
Saturday, May
23, 2015
8:45 pm – 4:30
am
With Scholar in
Residence
Yaffa Epstein
Director of
Strategic
Partnerships,
Pardes Institute of
Jewish Studies
Our thanks to the Family of Leon Kahn, z’l for their
generous sponsorship of this program. See our
website for the full schedule.
Shavuot Family Fun in the Sun will take place
in Douglas Park on Sunday, May 24th, 5pm weather permitting.
Calling Kids - Ages K - Grade 6
Pre- Shavuot Celebration @ T-Jex
Tuesday, May 19
4:15-5:15pm
785 W 16th Ave.
RSVP: 604-365-3450
[email protected]
Our Bar Mitzvah
Noah
Boroditsky is
our Bar
Mitzvah boy
this week.
Noah is the
son of Dr. Alan
and Lisa
Boroditsky
and is the
younger
brother to Jordan and Mathew.
Noah is a Grade 7 student at
Vancouver Talmud Torah and he is
very much looking forward to
finishing school and heading to
Camp Hatikvah.Noah’s primary
passion is athletics. He has been
playing hockey since he was 4; he
plays football and basketball – and
is known as a “sports guy”. Noah
studied for his Bar Mitzvah with the
Bar & Bat Mitzvah class, with
Reverend Marciano and Rabbi
Rosenblatt. From his parsha he has
learned the importance of “being
there for your brother” – although I
think he probably has learned that
lesson since he was born, given he
is one of three boys and has been a
team player in more ways than one.
Noah is excited to celebrate his
simcha with his friends and family many who have come from out of
town. Yasher Koach and Mazel Tov,
Noah – you are the 1st star of this
weekend!!