One Torah for All

Due to the pandemic All activities are cancelled until further notice except phone consultations and discussions possible as needed/ desired [928-227-0582]. Newsletter will continue.  If we have pleasant Shabbat weather, we can do an early outdoors Shabbat Morning service/torah study.  A zoom Kabbalat Shabbat will be every Fri. at 5 pm.  call to arrange or get link.

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2/11/23 Yitro

Shabbat Shalom! We at Beit Torah wonder if we can get our Justice system to work without any effect from partisan politics...

Shabbat Yitro 5783; Justice; Shemot [Exodus] 18:1-20:23-;

Yeshayahu [Isaiah] 6:1-7:6, 9:5-6 Ashkenaz; 6:1-13 Sephard

Now journeying through desert sands is slow

When some people have kids and flocks in tow.

So Moshe sent his wife and sons ahead

To visit Grandfather Yitro’s homestead.

So, too, to not be distracted from the refugee woes,

Moshe tried to do everything by himself, alone,

Which led to some intense burnout and severe overload.

Still Moshe did all needed tasks with not even a groan!

Near Arabia, Yitro came with Zipporah and sons,

At once evaluating what Moshe’s efforts had done.

This Midian Priest first made a meal to improve the mood

Of Moshe and all the tribe elders as his pitch ensued:

“Moish can’t go on like this,” he said. “He’ll wear himself out.”

“Delegate to several levels of judges and laws!”

“Teach them how to do it themselves, what it is all about,

So that only the most major will come before his gaze,

Knowing that good, fairly done judgment did review each cause

And the People will decide for their own, have happier days.

Now the Judges you will choose must all be capable guys,

Fair minded, unbiased, rich so immune to bribes!”

Moshe’s People kept on their way while Yitro went on home.

Refidim to Mt. Sinai’s desert, from Egypt three moons.

Mt. Sinai’s South South East - ish of Midian in Arabia’s dunes,

A volcanic area with quakes, smoke, fire, and earth groans -

A place to rest with three days of purification tasks:

Do not touch the mountain nor your women; wash clothes;

Then listen to the words coming from behind the smoke cloud:

This is our covenant, ten terms to our Brit...

So said HaShem, “These covenant terms are ones you must meet”:

The only deity that you shall have must now be me!

No idols are allowed! By my name, no swearing falsely!

Keep the Sabbath day of rest with all livestock and folks -

Except wives are not on the list to not work for their blokes!

Honor your parents! No murder allowed! No adultery

With married women permitted! Stealing of spirits, souls,

Or the selves of others is forbidden! Dishonesty

In tales about neighbors also a very big no-no!

Yet was it only about neighbors or of any folk?

Just like don’t covet neighbors’ holdings – or others’ also?

The mountain of lightning, thick smoke, and thunder was so loud

The mountain trembled, horn blasts grew louder scaring the crowd.

Those very frightened People begged Moshe to intercede

So they themselves would not hear directly HaShem’s words.

Moshe did as they asked so HaSHem’s words only he heard:

“Build now an earthen altar, for sacrifices to be blessed -

No idols thereon nor ever should be built anywhere…

So use then un-hewn stone for an altar without steps.

No lewd dancing, modesty in worship, joy should be there...”

Unlike other nations, no nudity nor idols would be part of sacrifices and worship. One wonders if the Solomonic era compiler added a nudity on steps ban after David danced twirling on the palace steps revealing his manhood to all [no underwear]… What part of our Brit covers nudity and modesty? Be safe!!!

HAFTORAH:

The death of King Uzziah heartened Isaiah’s feeling

G!d protected Jerusalem while others were reeling:

Sitting on a Holy throne with skirt flowing Temple built,

Six-winged Seraphim in attendance, the Temple smoke filled…

With Isaiah standing there, a Seraph took a hot coal

To touch his two lips for purification of his soul

So that he could tell the People that the Law they must heed

Though only a tenth would survive as future Holy seeds...

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2/4/23 BeShallach, Shabat SHira

Shabbat Shalom! Beit Torah wonders how to combat Amalekites now present:

Shabbat Shira, BeShallach 5783; Oppose Amalek; Shemot [Exodus] 13:17-17:16; Judges 4:4 - 5:31 Ashkenaz; 5:1-31 Sephard

What does one do when one suddenly becomes free

Without any experience as to what can be?

Quite unlike Moshe who was years Egyptian raised,

Also lived in Midian for many of days,

Remembered to take Yosef’s bones along the way,

Not sure how long in the wilderness they would stay...

What did those Hebrews do when they too became free?

They groaned and bemoaned o’er what for them could not be…

In shock at Sukkot, weary travelers’ waystop,

They could not guess what ahead would be still their lot.

Along that cool, spring wadi, so wet and so green,

Not realizing what travelling east would mean:

Chased by Pharaoh’s chariots and quite loyal troops,

Once more they fled with their flocks in very large groups

On to Eitam at the Wilderness edge they're sent

Following a fire pillar by night, cloud by day

Until northward turned their path, the cloud to their rear went...

Then they neared irrigation canals’ northernmost lake.

Now given that on the northern garrison road

Locals and sea refugees were coming to blows,

To the Sea of Reeds was where they needed to go,

Area known to Moshe from jobs with Pharaoh:

Camped then near the mouth of canals, Pi-HaHirot,

At the edge of wilderness by the Sea of Reeds,

Facing Baal-Zephon [the Northern Ballah Lake]

Between Migdol [garrison tower] and the sea...

To control water sluicing some work it would take

After a night of intense smog where none could see

With all night strong east wind making a dry land way,

Moish's arm held high through that night and lightened day...

So at dawn relatively dry land there would be

For all flocks and folk to walk over to the other side

Until Moshe’s arm went down, signal to let waters ride

And cover the pursuing army now trapped in the muck.

Chariots and horses and men could not flee. They were stuck.

While Moshe and Miriam and all the people were very glad,

HaShem was a bit cross as death of horses and men is so sad.

Still they sang with gratitude to HaShem in joyous voice;

Fearing HaShem gave Folk faith in both G!d and Moish.

Their Song at the Sea recounts their story so long

Which will be longer still with more events to come.

Moshe rejoiced that the people were delivered

While the Pharaoh’s host was buffetted and slivered

As they drowned in the rock filled flooding waters’ rush.

Both Moshe and Miriam to HaShem thanks gave.

Other nations of that time felt much terror such

That they feared Hashem for how HaShem freed the slaves.

Next Folk continued their long journey to the east:

Several wilderness days trek came to the brink

Of Marah bitter waters, dunked honeywood made them sweet

WIth HaShem's promise that if faithful and loyal,

Folks' bodies and spirits would have healings royal...

Elim Oasis was water with no parasites to drink;

The Wilderness of Sin had no food and no meat,

Hence the Folk grumbled more from hunger they felt - so

They're given six days of Mannah [weekday leftovers stink],

With double portions on the sixth day; [Shabbat did now show

A day of rest, no gathering of wood or food you know!]

Why did the Shabbat portion not spoil overnight?

'Cause it was baked or boiled in the day before's light!

Tamarisk sap lice product sounds like the Mannah that fell

And there were occasional quail provided to eat as well...

At Meribah, Massah, Refidim, more water lack woes-

A smacked Horeb rock cracked to provide water flows;

Then just as they approached Arabia’s narrow pass,

Amalekites appeared, striking down weak and the old,

So Joshua’s unexpecting folk had to fight, alas-

They succeeded to win as held high were Moish's hands.

An Altar of HaShem was built then to give thanks...

Still ever we must oppose all Amalek's ranks...

The use of ‘three days’ was not always meant to be specific but rather to indicate many days’ length of time. It also should be noted that the Nile River in Egypt, the major source of drinking water, was contaminated with several types of parasites. So the promise of no Egyptian illnesses was fulfilled by clean, parasite free water. The fulfilling of other promises is yet to come for the fleeing tribes have yet to learn what laws of HaShem they will need to uphold. Is keeping to the mitzvot a guarantee that we can hang onto freedom? If not, what else must we do? Amalekite tyrants and autocrats will be in every generation, challenging our freedoms and democracies. How best can we oppose them? Will we ever be safe from them – or must we always be on alert to fight? Are there now Amalekites we must fight?

Haftorah: Judges 4:4 - 5:31 Ashkenaz; 5:1-31 Sephard

Honored Devorah, prophetess; Lappidot’s wife;

Sought after Judge under her palm tree on a hill

Of Ephraim between Ramah and Beth-El;

Military leader; strategist to save lives...

D'vorah and Barak were to Kedesh go to meet

Gathering troops - such was the plan all ahould agree..

She told Barak of Naphtali: gather some men,

Ten K in all from Naphtali and Zevulun

To go on to Mount Tabor where he could snare then

Sisera’s troops and gear in Wadi Kishon

Where devious Devorah had plans to send them…

Barak said okay only if she too would show.

Then her spy told Sisera where Barak would go…

She went with him to slaughter the oncoming horde,

But Sisera fled to whom he thought was a friend…

Yael and Heber were Moshe’s kin, feared the Lord…

So Yael hid Sisera, gave him milk to sleep…

Then she drove a peg in his head and did not weep.

Barak, in pursuit, saw what good deed she had done.

He ended King Yavin’s reign. Forty years’ peace, won!

Devorah and Barak sang a song of great praise

For the reopening of travel and free trade,

With gratitude to HaShem and all those who helped:

Ephramites hailing from Amalek held city;

Machir and Zevulun officers; Binyamin;

Isachar for Devorah’s guard; and too some pity

For tribes who hesitated, on outskirts waited

As Sisera had bad weather, a Kishon flood

Which swept away many in the torrent of mud...

Meroz cursed as did not help. Yael was praised.

Sisera’s Mom dreamt of booty all her days,

Worried her son was late… No spoils! Just Peace slated

For forty years yet to come. Victory's song won!

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1/28/23 Bo

The focus of Beit Torah this week asks how and if we can return the world to world peace so all can escape to safe, free living:

Bo 5783; Escape; Shemot (Exodus) 10:1-13:16; Jeremiah 46:13-28

Now there wasn’t much left to drink or eat

After the bugs and the boils and the beasts,

So when hungry locusts then swarmed the land

Almost naught for people remained but sand.

Even when locusts to marshes were blown,

Pharaoh continued refusing to yield.

“So blind you are,” Aaron then told Pharaoh,

“A darkness plague will make your blindness real.”

Volcanic debris in Thera’s umbra

Made particle filled air quite touchable.

Nine Ipuwer days or three from Torah,

Both caused asthma or fear, so palpable

That the people were more than ready to go

If only okayed by the cruel Pharaoh…

Alas, he said ‘no’, no flocks could go…

Hence from the neighbors riches to “borrow”

Since Moish was esteemed [Yisraelites cheered]

They willingly gave - or was it their fear?

Post-firstborn deaths, Folk fled on the morrow.

From Ramses by Wadi to Sukkot huts

So they could regroup and rest weary butts.

So momentous a moment, Sages say,

That we must remember each year this day

With signs on our hands, also between our eyes,

To recall Egyptian servitude cries

Which led to freedom for all who did heed:

Blood on Lintels, lamb roast on which to feed

[Only given to those men circumcized],

Burn all the leftovers, flee at dawn’s break

With unleavened bread of no time to bake.

Further, to HaShem our firstborn belong

Recalling that last plague of dark horror.

That we were set free becomes now our song

Recalled each year in matzah and maror,

First and last days Holy, no work allowed;

Matzah's for all local folk and strangers...

With no leavening in all of the house,

With Exodus story told to kids and spouse…

[Ate leaven on those seven days? Danger!

Shunned would you be before folk of the crowd!]

Then, only circumcised have roast to eat

Though the Law's upheld for all folk to meet...

Since that restriction on lamb roast eating, some traditions no longer use lamb so that all can eat whether or not circumcised.

The Death of the Firstborn can also be tied to the toxic deposits of the volcanic debris and ash. Since all food sources were destroyed save the tar covered warehouse pits, all Egypt would have used them. However first portions always went to the firstborn - and they would have been the most toxic if not deadly from absorbed volcanic output. This would have been most toxic in the heaviest umbra deposits. Goshen to the East was in the penumbra and had lighter effects from plagues. How they avoided tainted grain is not clear. What would you do to save your firstborn? - or would you try to save all the people?

Haftorah:

Once more an Haftorah predicting Egypt’s fall

With its loudmouth Pharaoh of hubris fame in rule;

Once more laid barren wasteland, by Babylon’s hand

Of Nebuchadnezzar's King of Destructions' School…

So Jeremiah joined Ezekiel to call

To shame Egypt's god, Ammon Re, as though a fool;

For Israel to lay low while fights surround their Land

So that the dispersed Folk will return in full praise

After fully atoning for their wayward ways...

Shabbat Shalom!

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1/21/23 VaEra

We at Beit Torah will discuss difficulties in opposing tyrants:

VaEra 5783 ; Plaguing Tyrants; Shemot [Exodus] 6:2-9:35; Ezekiel 28:15-29:21

Is Exodus two accounts made one in meld

Of plague times when some of Semites were expelled?

Of slave times from many backgrounds who rebelled?

No details were given last week in our preview.

So now we embark on this version number two…

HaShem promised Moshe soon there would be release

Even though the Hebrews firmly refused to believe

In eighty year old Moshe, for HaShem a groaner;

In the Patriarchs’ Brits with the Tetragram owner:

To answer moans and deliver by unusual means

Possession of Canaan to folk without hope it seems...

Then Moshe, in fear, said he truly could not speak,

So HaShem spoke to Aaron, his spokesman to be.

Hence to prove his credentials: lineage revealed,

Both past and present men and sons Egyptian born

[Note Miriam’s not mentioned as of Yocheved's spawn].

Thus now with this info was his leadership sealed,

Moshe and Aaron returned to their task forlorn.

When going back to Pharaoh with his hardened heart,

Aaron’s snake rod swallowed the magicians’ - all parts.

Pharaoh still said ‘no’, your folk to pray can not go’ -

Despite other nations being allowed to do so!

Hence in the umbra of Thera, Egypt’s plagues did come

But lesser in Goshen, Thera’s penumbra, some plagues none…

Now blood was the first plague in water, wood, and stone

Since volcanic iron oxide paints all red roan;

[Pharaoh's magicians something similar could do...

Was it the same? Not likely as they had no clue!]

"Blood" poisoned water so that fish died, rotted, and smelled,

Let uneaten tadpoles escape to land as well

As frogs seeking food in all of Pharaoh's home places,

But not in Goshen were there of them any traces!

Pharaoh said, "go sacrifice" if first frogs get gone,

But when dead frogs piled up, he sang a different song...

Now toxic volcanic ash, like lice on skin cooking,

Will kill food sources, so hungry insects come looking...

Again promised to go pray should insects get gone

From Thera's umbra ['though Goshen's penumbra had none].

Again Pharaoh renegged with the insects away

Only to have all critters in fields fall dead next day.

Aaron's soot thrown in the air [? Or Thera's vast display?]

Did sicken the air so that all felt so ill until

The skin bubbled open as blisters or boils in pain

Only to be struck by fiery hail as again

More death until the inferno from brimstone was done:

Barley and flax both destroyed out in the open fields

Left later ripened wheats for the locusts yet to come...

Hail's seventh plague given Pharaoh was stubborn still…

All this since Pharaoh continued to refuse to yield...

Historical documentations by the Ipuwer papyri [circa 1500's BCE] support the occurrence of the biblical plagues and coincided with the first of the expulsion of Semites from Egypt and with the massive volcanic explosions of Thera that destroyed around half the island about 400 miles away from Egypt. This is consistent with the teachings of the Rambam, Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev, and others that HaShem does not violate natural laws but uses them to cause what appears to some to be ‘miracles’.

Haftorah, Ezekiel:

Now when at first his prophecy did not occur,

In seventeen years Ezekiel tried once more

With adding that bounty to Babylon must go

From desolate Egypt and dispossessed Pharaoh -

Repaying Babylon for the abuse it showed...

Said about ten years post-Babylonian exile…

Then Israel gathered in to a secure land while

Despisers were punished; HaShem reclaimed the Nile...

Shabbat Shalom!

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1/14/23, Shemot

We at Beit Torah will discuss contrasting individual and community leadership:

Shemot 5783; The rise of a leader; Shemot [Exodus] 1:1-6:1; Sephard: Jeremiah 1:1-2:3; Ashkenaz: Isaiah 27:6 - 28:13; 29:22 - 29:23

It is the Pesach story that starts the Book of Names,

Shemot, a saga with intrigue, harsh plagues, and games.

We start with the cruelty of a conquering Pharaoh

Enslaving some peoples unto hopelessness and woe,

Moaning and groaning under oppression e’re they go;

Decreeing death to newborn boys without a care – Oh

But for Shifra and Puah who refused to do so

By saying strong Hebrew women did not need their help

When a baby boy or girl by themselves they could whelp.

Then Yochevet’s baby in a closed cradle was placed

As Sis Miriam to the Princess swiftly did race.

“From water did I pull you,” the Princess exclaimed.

“As a result, henceforth, Moshe will be your name.”

When grown he saw an overseer vilely act.

He killed him. ‘Twas known to Hebrew Slaves as a fact,

Discovered when he stopped a Hebrew slaves’ fight with tact.

So he fled to Midian, to a Priest’s daughters was kind,

All seven as he sat by the well, shooed bullies away,

Watered flocks for the girls… They were home early that day...

Family friendship with Zipporah to wife he did find.

Soon a dear son came along for him to mind

Named Gershom, for stranger Moish was there to stay…

This story took off here when HaShem now did appear

In a burning bush that neither ashed nor disappeared!

Moish heard Hashem call: [He replied: "I am here".]

"Remove your shoes on Holy ground, do not fear

For I am HaShem who promised your forbears

Land of milk and honey; at my mountain: prayers."

"I've heard Israelites pleading for help you see,"

HaShem did proclaim, “To Egypt you must go:

From Horeb to Pharaoh for desert prayers to plead

For all Hebrews with elders, wives, and children in tow -

Just as was given to other folk when such was their need.”

Moshe declined as unworthy and unable to speak,

Unable to give HaShem’s name, overall too weak…

Then HaShem said to say, “G!d of Patriarchs, Ehyeh,”

To the Israelite elders, “will liberate us! Yeah!”

A snake rod, a hand with white scales, dry land blood water

Are grand signs for in Pharaoh’s court to be seen and heard.”

Moshe’s protest: ‘I’m not worthy! ‘Twill be a slaughter!”

“So let Aaron convince them with his eloquent words,”

Said HaSHem as he promised with their neighbors’ wealth

There later would be an exit at night in stealth…

So Moshe asked from Yitro, top Midian Priest, permission to go

While HaShem said, “Egyptian firstborn die if plea’s refused by Pharaoh.”

Some of this prediction Zipporah did hear

Hence for her Egyptian firstborn she clearly did fear.

So he would be a Hebrew, his small foreskin she took

To save his life when the Angel of Death came to look.

Yet when Moshe asked Pharaoh for wilderness prayers,

He and Aaron were laughed out of court, kicked down the stairs!

As life became harder with withdrawn straw for the bricks,

Hebrews could not meet quotas, could not use sticks…

Those Hebrews did curse them, causing them both such despair…

Still HaShem cautioned patience: “Moshe, we will get there!”

Sephardic Haftorah:

HaShem told Jeremiah: known before birth Prophet you’ll be.

Jeremiah then protested that he was unable to speak.

Hence HaShem in response reached out and touched the then young youth’s mouth

To give visions: almond tree branch, pot of steam;

To let HaShem’s divine words flow forth from above and on deep;

To predict disaster from idolatrous North for the South…

But Yerushalayim’s fortifications were able to hold

With the promise to give HaShem’s due by the faithful and bold…

Ashkenaz Haftorah:

“Suffering in the past purged the sins away

So Israel can blossom,” Isaiah did say,

“From a forsaken land to one filled with life.”

Still those people not in sync could find no grace,

No mercy to violators in that place.

Those drunkards with power were doomed soon to be lost.

As the dispersed gathered in, the strayed were the cost.

In fortified town, land protected from strife

The House of Jacob stood tall, no longer shamed

For they all in awe did hallow HaShem’s name!

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Moadim L'Simchah!

Another Special and Unique Sukkot, 5783

On every year when Sukkot is near

The Sukkah appears a bit different.

The curtains wander, no inch is squandered

As we fill the space for ladies and gents

With chairs, tables, Torah, food, condiments,

Prayer booklets, shawls, until sunset calls

Us to light candles, hang our ornaments...

Special is each year, joyous season dear

Of food, song, prayer, dancing 'til we're spent!

Moadim L'Simchah! Chagim ooZmanim l'Sasone!

Rabbi's update:

It has been a crazy busy season even with the luxury of zoom services, yummy meals [except when fasting], and help to get everything in order. With an aging congregation there have also been many Bikurei Cholim, visiting with the ill at home and in hospital, and working to meet their special needs attendant with aging.

Of course there were also hurricane concerns but fortunately everyone was out of the hurricane paths. So while we are enjoying an extended 'monsoon' [rainy season] and late fall making Sukkot easier, there are no predictions for the weather and no real relief for the drought. How have you all been doing?

Here's Hoping for all a Joyous, Healthy, Happy Season!

Blessings and Love, Rabbi Dr. Judi-Adele

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Shabbat Chol HaMoed Sukkot 5783. 10/15

Shabbat Shalom! It is a Season of Joys, May we have Holy Day celebrations and many joyous time forever! At Beit Torah we sit in our Sukkah and welcome everyone to join us!:

Shabbat Chol HaMoed Sukkot 5783;

Exodus 33:12-34:26, Numbers 29:17-31; Ezekiel 38:18-39:16

Moish found favor with gracious HaShem

Who presented Tablets of Law, then

Told him to destroy idolatry

To avoid temptations, clearly see,

For ten gens to Righteous G!d'll be kind

Four gens punished for those who don't mind!

Special rules for Pesach note no sacrifice leavened

Nor left all night – days of Matzah are seven;

First fruits are for HaShem at Shavuot time,

As are first born livestock promised to HaShem’s might;

In-gathering for Sukkot’s third feast at least

With proper offerings so blessings increase!

To not be like the Pagan festival rites,

Never seethe a kid in its Mom’s milk [she’ll pine] -

But follow glowing Moshe to spirits’ heights,

Although veiled unless in talk with Folk day or night!

Haftorah:

The invasion of Gog of Magog made the Land bloody,

Needing months to bury well almost all of the bodies.

When remnants will be found, proper burial is needed

So the way to purify the Land will be totally heeded...

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