parshat Metzora

4 Nissan, 5768

Plan to Attend

Judaism 101 Class
Wednesday, April 9 6:30 PM

Erev Shabbat
"Words that Heal, Words that Hurt"

Next Beginning Hebrew Class
Sunday, April 13 Noon

Self Defense Classes
Sundays: April 13 and May 18
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM

Congregational Meeting
Sunday April 13 6:00 PM

Adult B'nai Mitzvah Class Formed!
Organizing Meeting after Pesach

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Parshat Metzora

Torah Reading: Vayikra 14:1 to 15:33 Haftorah Reading: 2 Kings 7:3 to 7:20

Section 613

This mitzvah is anchored to Sefer Shemot (Book of Names, aka Exodus) Chapter 20:13 which of course is one of the Aseret HaDibrot (The Ten Utterances, aka the Ten Commandments). The warning against adultery occurs also in Vayikra 18:20, as part of the holiness code.  By a strange but wonderful quirk of the English language, committing adultery is in part a failure to act like an adult.

On the one hand, it seems self-evident that adulterous behavior is bad, and leads to all sorts of negative consequences.  On the other hand, we see way too much of it, in public and in private.  The author of Sefer HaHinuch (The Book of Education) writes that the act of adultery conflicts with the way the world is intended to be. He gives a list of its consequences.

• Children will not know who their father is. In our day, we might say, children will know who their father is, but very well may not know their father as a father.
• It will be much more difficult for children to honor their parents.
• In some cases, it may result in improper sexual relations.
• It can lead to loss of human life, because people become jealous, even unto death.

Share your thoughts or ask a question

Want to learn more about the traditional mitzvot? Start here.

Question: Why is this FAQ different from most other FAQs?
Answer: Because this FAQ is being guest authored by Rebbezin Robinson.

Question: Why do we celebrate two nights of Pesach?
Answer: Before (the famous) Rabbi Hillel devised a scheme for calculating the Jewish calendar, the arrival of the new month was announced after testimony by witnesses that the new moon had appeared. The determination was made in Jerusalem, then communicated to the Jews of the diaspora. Because the determination could be delayed and the communication was at times unreliable, the custom arose among diaspora Jews to celebrate the initial day of Rosh HaShanna and the three pilgrimmage festivals for two days, in order to be sure that the holiday had been celebrated on the correct day.

Got more questions? Good!!!! Submit your questions for the weekly CBS Jewish F.A.Q.

• Beginning Hebrew: Sundays from Noon to 1:00. Next class on Sunday, April 13.
• Judaism 101: Wednesdays from 6:30 to 8:00, Next class on Wednesday April 9.
• Pesach Recipes and Cooking Practice: Second evening session: April 9 at 6:30 PM
• Saturday Night Jewish Culture Club:  Contact Joyce Gandelman about your interest and about future events.
• Three sessions on self-defense organized by Mike Loeffler. Two remaining sessions April 13 and May 18. 10:00 to 11:00 AM
• Torah for our Time: Wednesdays 4:00 PM to 5:00, starting April 23. Contact Andra Greenwald at ibbach81@yahoo.com to indicate your interest.

• Reading The Rest of the Tanach:  Contact Norm VanSpronsen to indicate your interest.

Interfaith Ministries Needs Our Help to Help Those Who Need Food

CBS member Andra Greenwald brings us a request for immediate help. The IFM pantry is low, and precisely at a time when people need more help than ever. Anytime you come to shul, please bring what you can from this list of items. Rice, Breakfast cereal, Canned pears, Canned apple sauce, Canned tuna, Canned stewed tomatoes, Canned green beans, Canned vegetables, Ramen noodles, Canned fruit, Beans (canned or dry), Tomato sauce, Macaroni and cheese, Peanut butter, Hamburger helper.

Please also note this message from Andra and the IFM board. "Additionally, as the time approaches during which we are going through our own pantries in preparation for Pesach, the Board is asking that, once again, we bring non-perishables to the synagogue for an April delivery to IFM. In advance, and on behalf of IFM and those we serve, a deep and sincere todah rabbah to you and our generous congregants."

Members in need of prayers for healing

Sarah Arnopole, Frances Asher, Gladys Bridges, Irene Coleman, Marc Colton, Maxine Cox, Muff Davidson, Mary Drabkin, Sandy Drabkin, Bernice Goldman, Manuel Gonsalves, Marvella Graham, Laurie Greenwald, John Hall, Robin Holt, Kay Huse, Judy Israels, Dorothy Jones, Millie Jung, Larry Krackov, Izzy Kurland, Shirley Martinez, Eli Melcer, Brenna Au Miller, Bob Norem, Gary Pezzoni, Reva Pinkas, John Poole, Anne Porteous, Evelyn Reese, Nancy Shapiro, Mitch Steinberg, Mort Steinberg, Frieda Tsoller, Manny Trauring, Larry White, Evan Wolozin, and Irving Woods.

• Cafe Shalom baking sessions under the leadership of Victor Messonier, are 10:00 AM to Noon every Sunday morning. The Cafe Shalom tickets have been mailed. Please support our Religious School by selling as many tickets as possible.
• A Basics of Boxing class will be held on Sunday, April 13th from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. This class will be taught by John Hillenbrand, a local attorney who boxes five days a week. This is the second of a series of three.
• Ritual Committee meeting Thursday evening, April 10 at 6:30 p.m.
• Beginning Hebrew class. The beginning Hebrew class will meet  Sundays Noon to 1:00 PM.  Class  continues this Sunday, April 13.
• The Passover Recipes class taught by Linda Gough and Marla Kitzmann will meet on Thursday, April 10th at 6:30 p.m. There will be a $10 charge per person to cover supplies. Call Linda Gough for location.
• CBS semi-annual general meeting is moved to Sunday, April 13 at 7:00 PM in order to avoid conflicting with our celebration of Pesach.

• The Fast of the Firstborn Service & Seudah will be held on Thursday, April 17th at 7:00 a.m.
• Our 2nd Night Community Seder will be held on Sunday, April 20th at 6:00 p.m. The cost for members is $20 per adult and $15 for children 12 and under. RSVP to the CBS office by Tuesday, April 15th.
• Inter-Faith Ministries food pantry is in desperate need of non perishable foods. As a member, CBS has been contacted to help.  As always, we have a donation basket in the foyer.

Regularly Scheduled Activities

• Lunch and Learn is now Ask the Rabbi (at lunch of course). The Ask the Rabbi lunch is usually the fourth Tuesday of each month.  Due to Pesach, this month it will be on the third Tuesday. Bring your Questions for Rabbi Art for lunch on April 15.
• Friday evening 7:30 PM and Saturday morning 9:30AM. Davening led by Rabbi Gould and members in the CBS sanctuary.

"Below the Fold"