Don't Cheat Anyone!

In my house, I attempt to settle a lot of debates that often include a phrase similar to “But they did it first!”  and of course, my response is always to point out that they’ll get in trouble too, that it does not excuse your own behavior.  And my wisdom is, of course, not original, and in fact, is even taught in our parsha this week. Parshat Behar, in  Leviticus, Vayikra chapter 25:17 commands us “לֹא תוֹנוּ אִישׁ אֶת־עֲמִיתוֹ "Do not to wrong or cheat one another; I the Lord am your God."  The Alsheich, a commentator from S’fat in the latter part of the sixteenth century, said the rule applies "even if your fellow is a cheater."  

But, what if you yourself are the one you are cheating - you know, like sneaking an extra piece of cake but say it's Shabbat so the calories don’t count, and then be upset that you are trying so hard to lose weight and wonder why it isn’t working? That last story wasn’t from person experience or anything. Or more seriously, when we speak down to ourselves, talk ourselves out of doing something amazing, going for that promotion, taking a risk, or being honest with another,  because we don’t feel we are ready or good enough or worthy of a task or feeling.

Several Hasidic masters have said that if one is commanded to deal honestly with one's fellow (עֲמִיתוֹ/amito), kal v’chomer (how much more so) we should deal honestly with ourselves.  The Dvash HaSadeh (Shlomo Zalman Rappaport, 1846 - 1906) "puns," using an aleph for the ayin in עֲמִיתוֹ/amito - making the word אמיתו, saying one must not "wrong one's truth," echoing Polonius, "This above all: to thine own self be true."  The Sforno says that ending the verse with  "I'm your (plural) God" reminds us that God is concerned for both parties to the transaction, whether we are buyer or seller. 

Don’t cheat yourself, do not be hard on yourself, God is here with you and for you.

Shabbat Shalom!

Rabbi Blatt

Esther Shumsky, Grandmother of Karen Borden

Margaret Schreiber, Sister-in-Law of Richard Kanter,

Sister of Mary Kanter

Maurice Rosenberg, Grandfather of Richard Hoffman

Renee Indyke, Aunt of Marilyn Daniels

Lali Citrom, Great Uncle of Julie Begani

Bernard Sprinczeles, Grandfather of Erma Ruffkess

Lena Pearlstein, Mother-in-law of Pearlene Pearlstein

Harry Chudnow, Father of Joel Chudnow

Sylvia Berks, Aunt of Karen Borden

Joseph Stern, Husband of Susan Wine

Augusta Lydia Hinds, Grandmother of Jeff Hinds

Edwin Shuman, Brother of Recia Richman

Rabbi Theodore Brod, Grandfather of Mical Solomon

Doris Friedman, Sister-in-law of Ilona Friedman

Philip Klempner, Grandfather of Michael Binder

Emma Rosenberg, Grandmother of Richard Hoffman

Eva Leibowitz, Mother of Larry Leibowitz

Elizabeth Weiss, Grandmother of Mitchell Weiss

Friday, May 31 Shabbat Lite followed by a Potluck Dinner

Saturday, June 1 Shabbat Services honoring our High School Graduates!

Friday, June 7 Shabbat Services

Saturday, June 8 Shabbat Services

Make a Minyan! 

Available to help last minute for a minyan occasionally? Want to be notified when someone has a yartzeit so we know we will have ten? Join our Kol Ami WhatsApp group! Click this link (from your phone) to join: https://chat.whatsapp.com/KiBtwSw7UGJ0ElQdwwxytp

Weekly Talmud Study with Rabbi Blatt.

Thursday at 10:30am - May 30 & June 6

Join our Talmud Class - an all-levels discussion of Talmud.

Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/624135476

Parsha Study with Rashi

Saturday at 8:30am - May 25 & June 1

A weekly discussion of the Haftarah of the week.

Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/795031104

Meeting ID: 795 031 104