Bamidbar, Numbers 1:1 - 4:20 - Parashat ha Shavuah for Saturday, May 15, 2021
On this Shabbat before Shavuot, we begin reading the Book of Numbers, Bamidbar (In the Wilderness, in Hebrew). Shavuot is called Hag Matan Toratenu, the holiday of the giving of our Torah. The holiday begs a fundamental question: why was the Torah given in the heart of the desert? Why not in the heart of a great city in a great nation? Why not publicize the message?
A midrash on the opening words of this week’s Torah portion, B’midbar (In the Wilderness) provides an answer: "And God spoke to Moses in the Sinai Wilderness" (Numbers 1:1). Why the Sinai Wilderness? From here the sages taught that the Torah was given through three things: fire, water, and wilderness… And why was the Torah given through these three things? Just as [fire, water, and wilderness] are free to all the inhabitants of the world, so too are the words of Torah free to them...
Another explanation: "And God spoke to Moses in the Sinai Wilderness" — Anyone who does not make themselves ownerless like the wilderness cannot acquire the wisdom and the Torah. (Bamidbar Rabbah 1:7) We learn from this that Torah is available to all, regardless of status or wealth. It cannot be owned but is open to all who wish to embrace it. It was given to everyone, from the lowest of the low to the most exalted, for all are special in God’s eye.
And what does the midrash mean by “ownerless?” Just as Torah is open to all, we must be open to Torah. The Torah asks us to worship no other gods but God, not wealth, or power, or material comforts, or our anger, or resentments, or our work.
These are idols and illusions that enslave us. But if we can be humble and open ourselves to Torah, then Torah will open to us and we can embrace its strength and its power.
~Rabbi Dean Kertesz
Read last week's commentary
From the President
Temple Beth Hillel exists today because of the wisdom of our community leaders of the past. Without their wise stewardship we would not have been able to survive this pandemic.
And now, as the news from the CDC and the state shows reason to be cautiously optimistic, our situation demands that our leadership acts wisely to ensure our future. We need expertise in finance, and education, and technology, and building and grounds maintenance just to list a few areas and we must do this while adhering to and honoring our Jewish values. As much as we are trying to anticipate the challenges we are about to face it is almost certain that there is much we will have to learn to adapt to our post pandemic reality.
To successfully address our coming challenges we need your knowledge and skills and talent. At this critical time we need you. We need you to help us shape the future of our synagogue. We need you to be part of our leadership team. We need you on our board. We need your new ideas and fresh perspective and/or your experience and institutional memory. Doing things the way we always have will not work to create our future. Too much has changed.
Please consider joining us. It is not nor will it be an easy job, but it is essential to maintaining our community. Please contact Linda Rose, or me (president@tbhrichmond.org) and let’s talk.
If I am not for myself, who will be for me?
If I am not for others, what am I?
And if not now, when?
-Rabbi Hillel
~ Michael R Cohen, President, Temple Beth Hillel
Read last week's letter
Join Cantor Shayndel for a Shavuot Themed Community Candle Lighting this Friday, May 14 at 7:00 PM
Let’s begin Shabbat as a community by lighting Shabbat candle and then Cantor Shayndel will lead us in some Shavuot Songs! Please
join us at 7:00 pm to light Shabbat candles together.
Recurring Shabbat zoom link:
https://zoom.us/j/517749891
You can also join by calling
1 (669)900-9128 Meeting ID: 517 749 891
One tap mobile: +16699009128,,517749891#
Notes from the Board - April 21, 2021
The Board created a committee to plan for reopening, and discussed ways to improve Board functioning. A preliminary budget for next year was presented for review and comments. Contracts and leases need to be renegotiated. Internet cable has been installed, and arrangements are being made for final internet installation.
Contact Michael Cohen, Jane Durango, or Linda Rose to contribute to shaping the Temple as Board member or Officer for next year.
Read more
Donate to Food for Thought
Despite all the challenges last year, Food for Thought again successfully distributed boxes of food and turkeys to 400 families of WCCUSD-- elementary school children who are eligible for free school lunches, but who do not get them during winter break.
Thanks to everyone who donated and volunteered, from TBH and from our partner congregations and organizations. While many of us were vulnerable to COVID-19 and unable to participate this year, we welcomed new volunteers from Congregation Netivot Shalom and help from Nystrom School. We hope that next year we will all be able to get involved.
Meanwhile, we still appreciate donations in preparation for serving even more families in the coming year.
You can donate:
- By credit card
- By check - Write your check to Temple Beth Hillel with Food for Thought in the memo line, and mail your check to Temple Beth Hillel, 801 Park Central Blvd., Richmond, CA 94803
Donate to Food for Thought
Amazon Smile Benefits Food for Thought
When you shop on Amazon, you can give to Food for Thought at the same time!Simply shop at
smile.amazon.com/ch/94-1196207 AmazonSmile will donate to Temple Beth Hillel and Richmond Jewish Community Center Inc, at no additional cost to you.
TBH Sandwich-Making for the GRIP Souper Center -- Wednesday, May 26
Wednesday, May 26 is our Temple's next day to make sandwiches for GRIP. We each make about forty sandwiches (your choice) and bring them to the Temple parking lot at about 9:45 AM. Please put the sandwiches in individual baggies, place them in a bag or box, and label the type of sandwiches made. If you can make sandwiches that day and/or if you have any questions, please contact Jane Kaasa (510)222-3221 or (510)421-7331.
Programs for Young People
Information about programs and scholarships, including JCC summer camp, URJ Camp Newman, Six Points Camps, West Contra Costa Public Education Fund scholarship program, and Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism Eisendrath Legislative Assistants fellowships available now.
Learn more
