Torah Commentary with Rabbi Laurence Rosenthal – Parshat Tazriah

Posted on by Damon Fonooni

Torah Commentary with Rabbi Laurence Rosenthal

Parshat Tazriah
Leviticus 12:1-13:59
The Consciousness of Moral Freedom

By Rabbi Laurence Rosenthal

Our sidra this week begins with the ritual impurity of childbirth. It's hard not to be thrown off by the thought of something so amazing as the birth of a child causing a spiritual state that our tradition would call, "impure." Of course, ritual impurity doesn't mean dirty or bad–it's simply one of several spiritual states that we navigate as human beings. My apologies notwithstanding, it's a challenging place to start our weekly discussion. Rabbi Sampson Raphael Hirsch begins his commentary on Chapter 12 of Leviticus with a discussion about impurity. Unlike last week's chapter which denotes impurity which might happen if a person consumes a non-kosher animal, an act that people do to themselves, this week's chapter discusses spiritual actions which happen to a person, childbirth being one of them.

Rabbi Hirsch uses a phrase a few times in discussing these acts that cause ritual impurity. He describes them as a condition that jeopardizes "the consciousness of moral freedom." Now, to be honest, I am not fully grasping what Rabbi Hirsch means when he is talking about consciousness of moral freedom. However, the phrase, especially in this context, really grabbed me. There are many levels of blessings and stress with having children. When I talk about stress here, I am talking about the sleepless nights, tantrums, breaking of my stuff, spending all my money sort of stress. For me, having children has created a vulnerability that I wasn't expecting. I imagine I understood it on an intellectual level but not on a deeper spiritual level. My soul is tied to theirs. There is something beautiful about this but also terrifying. If something were to happen to one of them, then that devastation would happen to my soul as well. I am cognizant of the possibility that I would be left to manage without that important part of my soul. Having children has brought about that consciousness of who I am. I am not free. I am bound, intertwined with the life of individuals who are autonomous, willful, human beings. I can't control what they do, but I am affected by their choices, for good and for… not so good.

To reiterate, I don't think this is what Rabbi Hirsch was talking about when he conjured this phrase, but it's where my heart lies so I share it with you. Although I continue to be an autonomous human being with all the abilities and tools to plot my own way in life, the birth of my children has made me ever so conscious of my moral freedom. Or better yet, my lack of it. My vulnerability has never been higher which leads to me feeling frail and fragile. I wouldn't change it, but I acknowledge it. So, when our sidra begins with the restrictions and ritual impurity of a women following childbirth, it resonates with me. Being a parent has made me keenly aware of the many phases and states that I travel through in my life. Now back to figuring out what Rabbi Hirsch was trying to say.

Shabbat Shalom

Schmooze and News at AA

Posted on by Damon Fonooni
Schmooze and News at AA

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Shabbat Corner

Candle Lighting: 7:40 p.m.
Shabbat Evening Service: 6:00 p.m. (Zoom)
Shabbat Morning Service: 9:30 a.m. (Zoom)
Mincha/Ma'ariv/Havdallah Service: 7:45 p.m. (Zoom)
Conclusion of Shabbat: 8:24 p.m.
Torah Parsha:
Parsha: Leviticus 12:1-13:59 (Aliyah 1-6)
Rosh Hodesh: Numbers 28:9-15 (Aliyah 7)
Shabbat HaHodesh: Exodus 12:1-20 (Maftir Aliyah)
Haftara: Ezekiel 45:16-46:18
Torah Commentary with Rabbi Laurence Rosenthal: Parshat Tazriah – The Consciousness of Moral Freedom
Parsha Video of the Week (~6 min):
Avital from Life's Cholent – Parshat Tazriah 
Bible Video of the Week (~40 min):
Dr. Richard Elliot Friedman – How Many Plagues Were There

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Events

Whoever Saves a Single Life: Rescuers of Jews During the Holocaust

Fri, Apr 1–Sun, May 8
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HomeBeis@AA Family Shabbat

Sat, Apr 2 @ 10:45 a.m.
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Naomi's Book Club

Mon, Apr 4 @ 10:15 a.m.
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Sisterhood Minyan

Tue, Apr 5 @ 7:15 a.m.
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NEW

Singing as a Spiritual Practice

Thu, Apr 7 @ 7:30–9:00 p.m.
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Rebbe's Tish

Sat, Apr 9 @ 12:15 p.m.
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Shoreshim Grand Prix

Sun, Apr 10 @ 12:30-2:30 p.m.
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IKEA Scavenger Hunt with Machar and Kadima

Sun, Apr 10 @ 1-3 p.m.
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mAAc Meets: Movie Discussion - Heading Home: The Tale of Team Israel

Mon, Apr 18 @ 7:30 p.m.
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Atlanta Interfaith Hunger Seder

Wed, Apr 20 @ 6–8:00 p.m.
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Latte and Learn

Thu, Apr 21 @ 10:30 a.m.
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Sisterhood at the Exhibit

Mon, Apr 25 @ 10:00 a.m.
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Blood Drive

Sun, May 1 @ 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
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Congregational Retreat - In Person Together Again

Friday, May 6-8, 2022
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For more events, please visit our events calendar.

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Other Things Happening at AA

This coming High Holidays, we will be switching from the the Machzor Hadash to the Lev Shalem Machzor! This new machzor, put out by the Conservative movement, is a huge improvement over the past movement machzorim. In addition to being nicely laid out and formatted, it has a modernized translation with more inclusive God language and transliteration for most of the commonly sung pieces of the liturgy, making it more accessible to use for all our congregants. A well-used siddur or machzor is like a trusted friend–it accompanies us through the ups and downs of our life's journey. While we know that it may be sad to say goodbye to the old machzor, we hope that this new machzor will open up the liturgy for you and deepen your experience of prayer and transformation on the Holidays.
 
Each regular copy is $40. Pulpit editions, which are printed in larger font, are available for $60 each. We encourage you to purchase a book for yourself AND a copy for the synagogue. Each congregational book will include a bookplate honoring the purchaser, and each personal copy will include a bookplate with the owner's name. Orders will be accepted through Friday, April 8.
 

We are grateful for your continued support, patience, and fortitude as our community, country and world move through one of the most challenging times in modern history. With the guidance of the Center of Disease Control's (CDC) latest guidelines, we are sharing with you our updated protocols which will allow our synagogue building and community to live up to its traditional name, a Beit Knesset (A House of Gathering). Effective today, Friday, March 11, the following changes to our safety protocols will be in effect for our worship, cultural events, adult learning, and business meetings:

  • Fully vaccinated adults (16 years old and above) and individuals who have fully recovered from a documented COVID-19 infection in the last six months may attend indoor activities with or without a mask.
  • If you are not vaccinated or have not recovered from a COVID-19 infection in the last six months (natural immunity), we invite you to use our virtual platform to participate with our community.
  • If you are immunocompromised, a high-risk individual, or spend time around others who are, we encourage you to continue the use of masks when attending synagogue functions.
  • For programs that share spaces with kids under five years old, including Family Shabbat, Kesher, and holiday celebrations, we will continue to require masks while inside the building for all attendees. We will always strive for outdoor gatherings for these communities whenever the weather cooperates.

We are hopeful that we are in the final stages of this pandemic, and we can continue to go from strength to strength (Hazak, Hazak, vNet'hazek). As we slowly reemerge from these difficult two years, there will be anxiety, concern, and caution. We anticipate some people will continue to wear masks. It is understandable to still be nervous about removing our masks indoors. Whatever choice you make regarding masks, we ask that, in the spirit of the cohesive and empathetic community that we are, you respect the choices that others make, even if you disagree with them. We will be monitoring the CDC recommendations carefully and will continue to adjust as we know more; this might mean that we revert to more stringent protocols if guidance changes. We appreciate your understanding, support, and patience as we continue to navigate these unprecedented times.

A joint committee representing AA Synagogue and The Temple, consisting of Betsy Teplis, Ivan Millender, Janice Rothschild Blumberg, Emilie Posner Haas, and Sperry Wilder (a tour guide at Oakland since 1999) has been formed to collect and compile your most relevant family history of those family members buried in Oakland Cemetery. Please note we are not soliciting funds for this project. It is voluntary. The information will be included on the tours of the AA and Temple sections in Oakland Cemetery and archived at the Breman Museum. We appreciate your participation in this worthwhile project. Please submit a brief synopsis of your interesting family history, hopefully by year-end, via email to Ivan Millender (ivanmillender@earthlink.net) or postal mail (addressed to the Synagogue – 600 Peachtree Battle Ave NW, Atlanta, GA 30327). We look forward to your response. Thanks in advance for your help and participation! – Betsy, Ivan, Janice, Emilie, and Sperry
We're excited to announce that the Sisterhood Directory is now available digitally on our website! The following password is required to access the directory contents: Sisterhood21. We ask that you please refrain from sharing the password with those outside our congregation. The directory can be accessed through the Sisterhood webpage or by clicking here.
Do you know an AA congregant who is in the hospital or infirm? We are concerned about loved ones and friends who are in the hospital or infirm. Although our synagogue office remains closed, we are still working and would like to connect with you, especially in regards to pastoral care. If you have information about friends or family in the hospital or other care facilities, please contact Rabbi Rosenthal (lrosenthal@aasynagogue.org) directly. We always appreciate the opportunity to speak with anyone in need and offer support in any way we can.

We are excited to move forward in aligning Ahavath Achim with United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism's (USCJ) membership section of Standards for Congregational Practice: "We celebrate diversity among and within our synagogues and encourage the engagement of all those who seek a spiritual and communal home in an authentic and dynamic Jewish setting." Most of us have or know Jewish families with loved ones of other faiths. Embracing these families will allow us not only to support their Jewish growth and identity with AA, it will also help them create a Jewish home of their own. To this end, we will soon be introducing proposed changes to our by-laws

We are in need of an online gabbai to help us deepen our Shabbat morning hybrid service experience. This opportunity will be facilitated from the comfort of your in-home "sanctuary." We seek somebody who can welcome our Zoom participants and invite selected individuals to participate in the service with honors like online aliyah to the Torah, English readings, etc. This position requires the use of the Zoom chat feature, computer camera, and a smiling, outgoing personality. Detailed instructions and training will be provided. We are looking for several individuals to create a monthly rotation. If you are interested, please contact Rabbi Laurence Rosenthal (lrosenthal@aasynagogue.org).
We have so many wonderful activities at Ahavath Achim Synagogue, from communal to spiritual to social action. The Membership Committee is requesting your help in asking others to come WITH you to any/all synagogue events! Share how many wonderful things are going on at AA with your friends and family! If you know of anyone who should be on our prospective member list or should be contacted by leadership in any way, please reach out to Miriam Habif Gelfond, Director of Outreach and Engagement (mhabif@aasynagogue.org). Thank you for your good word and promoting what Ahavath Achim – the synagogue of brotherly love – has to offer!
Ahavath Achim's Sisterhood is a dynamic organization of women of all ages with diverse experiences, talents, and interests within our synagogue, community, and the Jewish world. Every woman counts for Sisterhood to grow and thrive. Basic membership dues are $45, but we encourage you to join at a Chai-er level. Your generous dues and donations are vital for Sisterhood to continue to offer programs and projects that strengthen and sustain our Jewish values.
 
We need your involvement in AA's social action programs! Motivate your family and friends "into action" towards the betterment of our community, and envision our current programs continued for the future. Reach out to your nieces, nephews, friends, and new neighbors for new contacts and ideas to help us increase our pool of volunteers for our wonderful existing and future programs. We need you! Find out how you want to be involved by reviewing the list of social action programs in which our synagogue has been involved for many years. If you'd like to become involved, please email our Social Action Chair: Alan Wexler (alanwexler@databankinfo.com; 404.872.8880).
Are you a warm, friendly, dedicated volunteer who wants to make a difference in a fellow congregant's life through acts of loving kindness? Are you willing to make a personal call or visit to comfort and support a congregant who has lost a loved one or been ill? These caring touches – acts of loving kindness – make all the difference in the world to those receiving them. If you want to be a part of strengthening our community, then AA's new Chesed Initiative is for you! This committee will work with our clergy, staff, and lay leaders to connect members who need help with members who want to do good deeds! Additionally, if you know of a congregant who is facing personal difficulties related to health, loss, or grief, please contact Fern Schorr (fschorr@aasynagogue.org; 404.355.5222) to let us know. Help us reach out to members in need. We welcome your help and time with this important project.

Donate to the Ukraine Emergency Fund of Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta

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Tribute donations offer the ability to memorialize or honor friends and family through donations to a variety of designated funds. Tribute donations can be made in honor of B'nai Mitzvah, the birth of a baby, a graduation, a wedding, or other special occasion. Donations in memory of loved ones are a thoughtful and meaningful way to remember those who have passed away. Your donation will be acknowledged with a card to the recipient of this tribute. Please note that Tribute Donations require a minimum contribution of $18.
 
The Rabbi Neil Sandler Education Scholarship is funded by the Sisterhood to further promote Jewish education in the older adult population. To be considered for a scholarship, the program must benefit the Ahavath Achim community and be targeted toward older adult Jewish education. Please fill out the application form for your program to be considered for funding.
 
We are proud and grateful to formally launch the Marilyn Ginsberg Eckstein Cultural Arts Program Fund. Formerly the Cultural Arts Program, established in 1977, this fund was established by congregant Marilyn Ginsberg Eckstein to perpetuate AA's broad cultural arts program offerings. AA's cultural arts programming currently consists of: the Fran Eizenstat and Eizenstat Family Memorial Lecture Series, the Chamber Concert Series, the Liturgical Music Artist-in-Residency Program, weekly Shabbat and annual High Holiday musical offerings, and jazz, pop, vocal and instrumental concert offerings. The Cultural Arts Program has long been recognized for its breadth of offerings and its excellence. We hope that you will consider making contributions to this fund as the Marilyn Ginsberg Eckstein Cultural Arts Program offerings continue to present world-renowned speakers, dignitaries, artists, and virtuoso musicians.
 
We are grateful and privileged to announce the launch of the Sonia Fishkin Memorial Fund. This fund was established by Dr. Andy Zangwill in Sonia's memory. The Sonia Fishkin Memorial Fund will honor Sonia's passion for the connection between song and Jewish spirituality. Contributions to the fund will sponsor individuals to create and bring new and singable Jewish music to Ahavath Achim and to the wider Jewish community for use during sacred events and services. Activities may include artists-in-residence, teaching workshops, concerts, and recordings.
 
We are proud and grateful to formally launch the Shirley Reisman Media Outreach Fund. This fund was established by the Reisman family in honor of Shirley z"l. Shirley was always passionate about the AA and together with her family had always been involved in various efforts and regularly attended services at the Shul I have had the personal privilege of knowing Shirley and always treasured my interactions with her, Don, and especially Bruce. This fund has been established to help us to upgrade and maintain the necessary audio/visual equipment to ensure that we give our clergy, staff, and leadership the necessary tools as we embrace the new digital platforms which will only become more important, even after the pandemic has ended. We hope that you will consider making contributions to this fund as we move forward so that we can remain current with the latest technology and trends.
 
AA and Ahava Early Learning Center are proud to participate in the ALEF Fund Scholarship, a program that allows families to make the dream of a Jewish school experience for their child a reality! Parents with children enrolled at Ahava are eligible and encouraged to apply for an ALEF Fund scholarship, which can provide up to approximately $9,000 of support per child per year! The ALEF Fund, Inc. is a registered Georgia 501(c)3 Student Scholarship Nonprofit organization that supports Jewish education in Georgia by helping taxpayers receive a dollar-for-dollar state tax credit for providing scholarships to students at the Jewish preschools or schools of their choice. This past year, thanks to the many who contributed a portion of their Georgia State Income Taxes to the ALEF Fund, Ahava received more than $100,000 in scholarship funds designated for students in our Pre-K class. Todah Rabah! Please visit the ALEF Fund website for more information about how you can allocate a portion of your taxes to help support Ahava or how your child can receive a financial scholarship for Pre-K. It's simple to qualify! Questions? Contact the Ahava ELC Director: Beth Arnold Helmey (beth@ahavalearning.org; 404.900.9411).