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Congregation Bet Haverim
Rabbi Wolfe and the Adult Education Committee
TUESDAYS AT TWO
ZOOM at 819-371-986
MAY 5, 2020, 2:00 PST
Gail Gutierrez-McDermid
CONVERSOS
As Jews, who are we?
How have we been treated by history? Why?
CBH Partner Gail Guitierrez-McDermid will talk about Conversos, what was going on in Spain for this situation to develop, the problems Conversos created in the Spanish and Jewish world, and the role of Conversos in the New World.
NEXT WEEK – TUESDAYS AT TWO
May 12, 2020, 2:00 PST
Rabbi Cynthia Hoffman
BA’AL SHEM TOV
The Ba’al Shem Tov (also known as Besht) was a Jewish mystic and healer from Poland, who is regarded as the founder of Hasidic Judaism. Besht has influenced all Judaism with his emphasis on JOY. There are many legends and here is one:
THE BURNING TREE
Reb Baruch, the scribe of Klaminke, tells that once in the midst of winter he rode with the Baal Shem Tov and several of the Rabbi's followers. Evening came. Rabbi Israel said, "Let us stop the wagon and go down and say the evening prayer."
Ice was falling against their faces. Some said, "It is too cold, we will freeze. Let us drive on more quickly, until we come to a house."
But the Master said, "Stop."
So the horses were halted. Rabbi Israel got down from the wagon. And one by one the chassidim got down after him. They were numb with cold. They could hardly stand on their feet.
Rabbi Israel went up to a tree that stood by the road. He touched the tree with his hand, and the tree burst into flame.
The chassidim came close to the tree, they formed a circle around it, and warmed themselves, and prayed the evening prayer.
Then they got into the wagon and rode on.
Reb Baruch says that he turned in the wagon and looked behind him, and saw that the tree continued to burn, and was not consumed.
Rabbi Cynthia Hoffman was ordained at Aleph and lives in Davis. We look forward to learning with her more often.
Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/819371986
One tap mobile +16699006833,,819371986# US (San Jose)Dial in 1 (669) 900-6833 (San Jose)
Meeting ID 819 371 986
The views expressed by this program, the speaker, or the speaker’s sponsoring organization are not necessarily the views of Congregation Bet Haverim. Our congregation is committed to honoring the diversity of thoughts and opinions within our community.
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