AHAVAT TORAH NEWSLETTER · AHAVAT TORAH NEWSLETTER! 343 Church Lane, Los Angeles, ... Los Angeles, Ca. 90049 ... The 613 Mitzvot contain sufficient demands of generosity in

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!AHAVAT TORAH NEWSLETTER

343 Church Lane, Los Angeles, Ca. 90049 (310) 362-1111 !ONE TORAH, MANY TEACHERS, ONE COMMUNITY

COMMITTED TO REPAIRING THE WORLD ahavattorahla.org !

!9:00 - 9.45AM

Mussar-Ethics Class with Rabbi Miriam &

Rabbinic Intern Gregory Metzger !

10:00AM – 12:15PM Shabbat Service

THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT. JUST

CLICK HERE TO PLACE YOUR AMAZON ORDER

D’var Torah:Rabbi Miriam Hamrell Torah Portion:

Numbers 30:2-31:52 Torah Chanter:

Teress Attias Greeter:

Bernice Brown

Save the Date Spread the Word

L’Dor (from generation)

Va’Dor (to generation).

September 27th Experiential Family

Program

!Moses conveys the laws governing the annulment of vows to the heads of the tribes of Israel.

War is waged against Midian for their role in plotting the moral destruction of Israel, and the Torah gives a detailed account of the war spoils and how they were allocated amongst the people, the warriors, the Levites and the high priest.

The tribes of Reuben and Gad (later joined by half of the tribe of Manasseh) ask for the lands east of the Jordan as their portion in the Promised Land, these being prime pastureland for their cattle. Moses is initially angered by the request, but subsequently agrees on the condition that they first join, and lead, in Israel’s conquest of the lands west of the Jordan.

Rabbi Miriam Hamrell

Cantorial Soloist Gary LevineAssociate Cantorial Soloist Kimberly Haynes

Co-Presidents Judy Kollack Shoshi Wilchfort

Vice President

Secretary: Lynn Stevens Treasurer: Debra Barrath

Board Members Barbara Burbank Vicki Crawford Gary Levine Jonathan Troper Vivian Gold & sharing with Renee Schwartz

Past Presidents Michael Stevens Rena Jaffe Jean KatzRon Estroff Sid Rosenblatt

Ahavat Torah P.O. Box 442

Santa Monica, Calif. 90406

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THE WORD IS OUT! !

L’Dor Va’Dor! From Generation to Generation

!Ahavat Torah Congregation

is offering an Experiential Family Program for

all school-aged children… discovering the

Living Torah through the arts, music, story telling, holiday and

blessings. !Starting on

Shabbat Shuvah-Return, September 27th @ 10:00AM!

! Continuing on the 4th Saturday of each month at our small & welcoming community, meeting at the Village Church 343 S. Church Lane (in Brentwood Glen) Los Angeles, Ca. 90049

All children are invited and welcomed!

For more information, sponsor or participate please contact Kimberly (310) 909-6485 or at [email protected]

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Our Experiential Family Program for all school-aged children discovering the Living Torah through the arts, music, story telling, holiday and blessings thanks Shoshi Wilchfort for donating the initial seed money, of $100 to L'dor Vador. She has done this in honor of her beloved mother Frieda Schwartz, Z”L. The program is to be self-sustaining, with donations, grants and enrollment. It will have one paid person to oversee the myriad of volunteers from the congregation and the community.

In addition there will be expenses for some PR, refreshments, supplies (art, music, books) and holiday crafts. If you would like to donate to the success of the program please mail your check to P.O. Box 442, Santa Monica, Ca. 90406. Thank you for your kindness. ____________________________________________

!!Shabbat Morning

Service Saturday, July 26 at 10:00 am

!With Great Music and NEW Songs

With Cantor Rebekah Mirsky (another Super Surprise Guests)

and Rabbinic Intern Gregory Metzger With some new insights from

Ancient Stories !  

 We want you to share with us a prayer, a song, a reading of a story, a blessing, etc. If you are interested to do so please call

Gregory Metzger at 818.445.8420.  

WE ARE AN OPEN COMMUNITY. WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO FORWARD THIS AND TO INVITE YOUR FRIENDS!

Peace and Blessings!

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FROM OUR RABBINIC INTERN

Moses spoke to the heads of the tribes of the Children of Israel, saying: This is what the Lord has commanded: If a man makes a vow to the Lord, or takes an oath imposing some prohibition upon himself, he shall not break his word, but he must do all that he has said. (Num. 30:2 – 3)

A “vow” is an obligation that a person takes on freely to either perform some action, or to avoid doing something, or to forbid oneself from things that are PERMISSIBLE. Vows typically take two distinct forms:

a. vows of generosity: to make a donation to the Temple or to give charity to the poor, or for any other good purpose – over and above Torah requirements

b. vows of denial: taking on extra strictures and for bidding oneself from things that are permissible.

Our sages expressed opposition to vows. They said: “One who vows is one who has placed a collar around the neck”. Rav Dimi said, “anyone who makes about, and even one who keeps it, is called a sinner.” (Nedarim 77b).

Our sages believed that the Torah was complete. The 613 Mitzvot contain sufficient demands of generosity in an appropriate amount of restriction. There are 248 “restrictions” corresponding to 248 body parts – to remind us that unkosher acts and unkosher items are harmful to our mind, body and spirit. There are 365 positive “offerings” corresponding to 365 days of the year – reminding us that by giving of ourselves and our property we bring Holiness into the “ordinary everyday” every day.

Although the word “sinner” is rather harsh, I think the sage’s comments are instructive. In seeking spirituality and a connection with God and ourselves, we often accentuate one practice over another. We sometimes even completely exclude other “standard” practices to allow us time to focus on those we like, or those with which we are more comfortable.

It’s the same with diets, exercise plans, Self-help programs and programs for financial and career success. We tend to want to make these “our own.” Eating more of some foods and excluding others that are permissible. Doubling up on one set of exercises while completely omitting another suggested. Some love praying in community, but don’t see much point in offering the blessings over food and daily life when they are alone. Some favor meditation over acts of loving-kindness; while others favor charity over prayer or study. This may seem great as it feeds our sense of self and individuality. However, it denies us the results that come from following the “Whole Program”.

Our sages believe this is most true with Torah. Perhaps their use of the word “sin” comes from their conviction that the Torah represents a perfect balance. Anyone who seeks to offer more than the Torah, or to restrict further than the Torah would thereby be an idolater – one who believes their ideas are greater than God.

Our Rabbi is consistent in her teaching: we should seek a balance. Not an exclusion of one over the other. May we be blessed this week with the ability to follow our understanding of Torah. May we be blessed to allow ourselves the full measure of the permissible, both in our offerings and are restrictions.

May our actions and restrictions bring harmony to our mind, body and spirit. And may this blessing bring peace and wholeness to the world.

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!COMMUNITY UNITY IN SUPPORTING ISRAEL !

Sunday was an extraordinary demonstration of unity and support for Israel and her right, and responsibility, to defend herself against Hamas' rocket attacks. There were over 100 partner organizations that took part in this largest pro-Israel rally Los Angeles has ever seen. As we stood there, shoulder to shoulder, Israeli-Americans, Jews and non-Jews alike waving our United States and Israeli flags we sent a strong, clear message that we will always Stand United with Israel.

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SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT - SIMPLY AMAZING

The Hebrew name of the current battle in Gaza City is Tzuk Eytan=Mighty Peak צוק איתן - acronym צ״א which equals in our mystical tradition of Numerology to = 91. For hundreds of

generations Jews look for comfort reading and messages in the book of Psalms. Reading chapter 91 in the book of Psalms, revels an amazing description of the daily miracles that are happening

now in Israel. It is recited during the Pesukei Dezimra on Shabbat morning and Holidays. In 1976 popular musician Michael Juncas composed a song called, On Eagles' Wings. Its words are

loosely based on Psalm 91 and Isaiah 40:3. Here it is:

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Lyrics: !You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord, Who abide in His shadow for life, Say to the Lord, "My Refuge, My Rock in Whom I trust." !CHORUS: And He will raise you up on eagle's wings, Bear you on the breath of dawn, Make you to shine like the sun, And hold you in the palm of His Hand. !The snare of the fowler will never capture you, And famine will bring you no fear; Under His Wings your refuge, His faithfulness your shield. !CHORUS !You need not fear the terror of the night, Nor the arrow that flies by day, Though thousands fall about you, Near you it shall not come. !CHORUS !For to His angels He's given a command, To guard you in all of your ways, Upon their hands they will bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone. !CHORUS And hold you in the palm of His Hand.

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TISHA B’AV

The Ninth of the month of Av The saddest day of the Jewish Calendar.

Traditionally it is a fast day that commemorates the destruction of the first

and second Temple, and is a remembrance of the many trials, tribulations, and attempts to

annihilate the Jewish people throughout history.

MONDAY, AUGUST 4th @ 7-9:00PM !

Restoring Your Own Jerusalem! !

Using your tears to rebuild and bring hope to the brokeness in your life. Please come in black cloths* No Food will be Shared* Light Memorial

Candle* Bring a friend,* and a picture of something “broken” in your life* Hold the Torah close to you.* Listen to the special melodic chanting of the Scroll

of Eihah - Lamentations* !We will be commemorating this sorrowful day with studying the eye witness account of Josephus Flavious describing the horrific events that led to the destruction of the Temple and its spiritual and physical wreckage. We will also contemplate and share

our brokeness and provide ourselves with hope in our healing service.

Torah - Tanya - Haftarah Study the Mystical Torah, the Kabalistic Tanya,

and the Awesome Haftarah

Every Thursday @ the Rabbi’s home

11:00AM - Kabalistic Tanya ($5)

12:00 - Potluck Dairy Lunch

12:15PM - Mystical Concepts of Torah Portion of the Week

1:30PM - Awesome Haftarah of the Week

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Sue-Ann Leeds needs a new place to live by the beginning of September 2014.

Wanted: A guest house/guest apartment or a private room and private bath in exchange for

• Driving services (doctor appointments, errands, shopping)

• Companion services/Elder Care

• Personal Assistant services

• Light cooking and cleaning

• Dog walking/pet and house sitting

• Script reading/editing

• Elementary School Teacher

• Organizing/Office Work

Please contact her at 310-497-9798 or [email protected] if you know of anything.

SAVE THE DATES:

Monday, August 4th - At the synagogue - TISHA (9th) B’Av

August 22nd - AT will celebrate Friday Night Shabbat on the Beach at the Rabbi & Dr. Chuck’s home

September 13th - AT will celebrate .HAVDALAH ON THE BEACH at the Rabbi & Dr. Chuck’s home. Tuesday, September 16th, PREPARING YOUR HEART FOR THE HIGH HOLY DAYS - MIKVAH - 9:30 -11:30AM

September 20th @ the synagogue - SLIHOT

Date to be determined - 100 SHOFAR BLASTS - WORKSHOP WITH DINNER -

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TWO EASY WAYS TO SUPPORT AHAVAT TORAH CONGREGATION

1) Anything and everything you may order on AMAZON, please click on the spot at the top of this Newsletter’s front page.

2) Another easy way to support AT is to take this page to your Ralphs Supermarket store and have the clerk scan the bar on the page. We will get a percentage of your shopping with no extra cost to you. It is that easy! Thank you for your AT help and support.