From the President:

There’s no place like home. Home is Buffalo and KOT. Experiencing other communities and Synagogues are wonderful, but it’s great to be back. 

On Sunday we are celebrating Lag B’omer. Are you still counting the Omer? Please plan on joining us between 3-5pm for a BBQ at the shul. If you would like to shop or help prep, please let me know. 

Save the date. On June 23, we will be having a farewell party in honor of Rabbi Ori and Nora Bergman. Invitations will be out soon. 

Shabbat shalom,

Cheryl 



From the Rabbi:



In Parshat Behar, we see the Torah's insistence on social justice. During the Shmita (Sabbatical) year we are taught to have compassion for those who have less as ideally all of the fields should be “hefker”, left open for others to take what they need.

According to the Rambam in Guide for the Perplexed: Some of the laws of Shmita imply sympathy with our fellow men and promote the well being of mankind; for in reference to these precepts it is stated in the Torah: “That the poor of your people may eat” (Shmot 23:11).

Rabbi Gumpil agrees with the Rambam and states: This law was given in order that we may show sympathy for our fellow men who have neither land nor vineyards, that they may be happy in the Shmita year as the wealthy are happy every year.

The Kli Yakar states that the Shmita year contains factors conducive to union and peace. For since no sowing or planting is allowed, the poor may eat freely and none may store produce and treat it as his own, this undoubtedly creates favorable conditions towards peace, because all strife originates from the attitude of “mine is mine” and people claiming their rights. But in the seventh year all are equal- this can indeed generate peace.

Nehama Leibowitz points out that Kli Yakar emphasized the importance of brotherhood, not just equality.

In Pirkei Avot 5:13 we learn: There are four character types among people:

a.      One who says, ‘My property is mine and yours is yours,’ is an average character type. But some say that this is characteristic of Sdom.

b.     ‘Mine is yours and yours is mine,’ is an unlearned person.

c.      ‘Mine is yours and yours is yours,’ is scrupulously pious.

d.     ‘Yours is mine and mine is mine’ is wicked.

This Mishna and above sources underscore Judaism's perspective that "every man for his fellow" and the foundation of social justice in the Torah's economic system.

Shabbat Shalom!

Classes This Week

• Shabbat at 7:40 PM - Pirkei Avot
• Sunday at 7:30 PM - KOT Beit Midrash - A Deep Dive Into Shabbat
• Tuesday at 12:30 PM - Parsha Conversations



Shul & Community Events