Recap for 13 Tishrei, 5776 (Parsha Haazinu)

This Shabbos we discussed parsha Haazinu and the upcoming holiday of succos. I want to thank Norm for hosting the Kiddush and learning.

Norm started off by thanking everyone for their support of the early minyan.  He commented that we continue to go forward with this minyan with a lot of help from Hashem.  Just when we need them, newcomers come for their first time.  I have shared in the past that I don’t think it is a coincidence who I have met in this community, and what help is needed ten years later.  Of course, there are other reasons why I have met who I have, I believe Hashem may have multiple reasons for everything. Just like in the stories in the Torah, Hashem is always with us and with our minyan and influences people to help where it is needed.

Norm shared about how he provides counseling services for the police department. Norm shared about attending the funeral of a police officer who recently passed away in the line of duty. Norm spoke about  the kindness of some of the police department, in particular the chief of police, Armstrong, who will stop what he is doing and help citizens change their tires on the side of the road. Dave W also expressed appreciation for the police chief as someone who has been helpful to our city.

We discussed how non-Jews are only required to keep the 7 laws of Noah, however it seems that some non-Jews expect us to follow their religion or suffer the consequences of not having a comfortable existence in the world to come.  We discussed how it can make us feel uncomfortable to go to funerals and other events when certain non-Jewish religious leaders are speaking as if everyone should share their beliefs.  This all makes me keep in mind that when non-Jews visit me I should be clear that we don't believe they are going to be punished for not following all the halakuh that I do.

We discussed this Shabbos, the character trait of humbleness. Norm mentioned how Moshe would help look for someone else’s lost lamb. Norm commented that by being humble and not thinking so much about himself, Moshe became the leader and became known as a great person. But if he had always just thought of himself as great, he never would have actually become great. We discussed how it is funny that those with-out a big ego end up getting what those with ego desire. Having said this, we did discuss that Hashem created us with an ego with at least some purpose in mind.   Sometimes it is important to think of what is best for ourselves and put other's needs aside.

Yaki spoke about Abraham’s main character trait which was kindness. As we know, Abraham brought monotheism to the world. We discussed how this was one of the most important events in the history of man-kind.

Yaki talked about how it is a mitzvah to be happy and have simchah. He shared how the ultimate simchah is to be close to hashem, and how Succos is the holiday with the most simchah. Yaki spoke about how we get particularly close to hashem on Yom Kippur. This closeness is celebrated with simchah on Succos.

We also discussed the holiday of Pesach, which also occurs on the 15 of a month. We discussed that much of our experience through-out history and who we are today has been shaped by our experience in Egypt. Yaki commented that it was part of Hashem’s plans that we go to Egypt for the length of time that we did, and how important it is to always remember the exodus from Egypt. Brett commented on how important it is to observe Pesach every year.

Yaki spoke about how we have 2 parts to our soul. We have a part that comes from our animalistic nature, and another part that comes from our more spiritual, intellectual and human side. Our animalistic nature can be very strong. It is not necessarily bad to have this piece of our soul active, but it is important that we control it. As David Schlesinger would say, it is important that we channel it into activities that are consistent with the Torah, and best apply the spiritual to our physical world.

Yaki spoke about how all of us are on a natural path. This is the path of least resistance that we will stay on, unless we make an effort to get on another path. Our natural path is not necessarily the best path for us. During Rosh Hashanah we do an inventory and analysis of the path we are on. If we do not make any effort it is likely we will stay on this path. However, we could decide to make the effort and do the work to get on a better, healthier path. We should consider changing the direction of our life prior to Yom Kippur, and prior to asking Hashem for forgiveness.

Dave W spoke more about the Sephardic community in Destin, and how the services and customs there differ from the Ashkenazi that we are use to. Dave W commented about the beautiful work of natural beauty that Hashem did in creating that part of our country.

Norm spoke about how it was on Succos many years ago that the custom of separating men and woman during the services began. In the past it was very common to have second story balconies where woman would daven.

Finally, Yaki spoke about how water symbolizes love. As the human body is made up of mainly water, Hashem seems to have created us as an expression of love. 

This is a summary of what we discussed. No Halachic rulings are intended or should be inferred.