Kehillat Ohr Tzion

Rabbi Ori Bergman

Shabbat Emor

President Cheryl Stein

15 Iyar 5784

Davening Schedule

Friday, May 24


Mincha & Kabbalat Shabbat: 7:00 pm

Earliest Candle Lighting: 7:07 pm

Candle Lighting: 8:23 pm


Saturday, May 25


Shacharit: 9:00 am (sharp)


Kiddush is sponsored by KOT.


Pirkei Avot Class: 7:40 pm 

Mincha: 8:10 pm

Havdalah: 9:34 pm


Sunday, May 26


Shacharit: 8:30 am


Thursday, May 30


Shacharit: 6:45 am

Donations


In honor of Jeff Schapiro's birthday

Harvey & Marian Arbesman


Please remember to drop off your Dash's receipts in the bag in the shul foyer.


Contacts


President: Cheryl Stein 

clslaw@gmail.com



Rabbi: Ori Bergman

oribergman@gmail.com


Newsletter: Joseph Enis

je.jfed@gmail.com


Chesed: Mireille Schapiro

mireilleschapiro2@gmail.com


Fun/Fund: Beth Weiss

bmweiss516@gmail.com

 

Publicity: Phyllis Steinberg

phyllismksteinberg@gmail.com

  

Social Action: Phyllis Steinberg

phyllismksteinberg@gmail.com

 

Web Site: Karen Marks

ohrtzionwebsite@gmail.com

  

Kiddush Sponsorships: Cheryl Stein 

clslaw@gmail.com



Web Site: www.OhrTzion.org

*** KOT PLEDGES ***
KOT depends on Voluntary ATID pledges to ensure that we can provide for all of our expenses. If you have made a pledge, the Board of KOT thanks you for your generosity. If you have not made a pledge or have questions regarding the Voluntary ATID program, please contact Steven Weiss at kot613@outlook.com.
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It's Spring in Buffalo, and leaves are waiting to open on the Tree of Life at shul.

Have a leaf or a rock inscribed!
   $120 for a leaf
   $1000 for a rock

Kosher take-out available in Buffalo (Supervision by BVK):

BK Gourmet click here
Luscious by Lori click here

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

879 Hopkins Rd.
Williamsville, NY 14221