View as Webpage

What's the Spiel?


30 Sivan 5784 - July 6, 2024

Parshat Korach

Rabbi's Reflections

-Common Sense and Torah Sense-

Voltaire once quipped, “Common sense is not so common.” Indeed, many of the social, political and economic issues we grapple with today are often spoken of as being complex, problematic and deeply profound – too big for the average person to comprehend. In truth, however, if one were to apply a bit of common sense, many of these conundrums would be resolved. Yes, sadly, “Common sense is not so common.” That being said, what role does common sense play in the halakhic system? Surely, there is a place for it. While many great poskim use a kind of common-sense approach to humanize halakhic quandaries, the truth is that common sense alone cannot be used to determine a halakhic position. Why? The Torah has its own logic. Yet, for those who do not understand, appreciate or accept that the Torah works in its own way, apart from human thinking, an inevitable conflict will occur: common sense versus Divine sense, and this is exactly what happened to Korach.


According to our parsha, Korach, Moshe’s first cousin, was distressed and angry that he was not the leader of the Jewish people. Thus, in order to snatch the mantle of leadership from Moshe, he launched an all-out rebellion against the Man of God, claiming, “The entire congregation are all holy, and the Lord is in their midst! So, why do you raise yourselves above the Lord’s assembly?” (Bamidbar 16:3). Korach sought to undermine Moshe’s authority by claiming that he was merely making up laws for the people to follow in order to assert control over them. How would Korach prove this? Why, with common sense, of course. According to the Midrash, Korach held a public debate with Moshe. Korach began by launching the following accusation: “You say ‘and they shall place with the tzitzit of each corner techeilet, a thread of blue.’ Does a garment made completely of techeilet exempt the mitzvah of techeilet in the tzitzit?” Moshe replied, “It still requires techeilet in the tzitzit.” Korach retorted, “How is it that a garment made completely of techeilet is not exempt from the mitzvah of techeilet in the tzitzit, and yet four strings exempt it?” He then hurled a second accusation: “Does a house that is full of Torah scrolls require a mezuzah?” Moshe replied, “It requires a mezuzah.” Korach sneered, “The entire Torah consists of two hundred and seventy-five parshiyot! How can you possibly say that a house filled with Torah scrolls does not exempt the house from a mezuzah, which only has two parshiyot?!” Korach then addressed the crowd: “You see! These things were not commanded to you! You made them up on your own!” (Midrash Tanchuma, Korach 2). Korach’s presentation made a lot of sense to the masses. “Yes,” they said, “We are all holy! The Lord is in our midst! Moshe is making all these nonsensical laws up just to control us!” However, once the final show-down occurred, and Korach and his entourage were swallowed up by the ground, the people realized how wrong they were, and they realized that the root of their error was that they thought they knew better than God – applying their own logic to God’s laws – that their common sense was superior to Divine sense. As Rav Soloveitchik notes, “Common sense can only spread confusion and havoc when applied to the halakha, as it does with all specialized disciplines. When people talk of a meaningful halakha, of unfreezing the halakha or of an empirical halakha, they are basically proposing Korach’s approach. Lacking a knowledge of halakhic methodology, which can only be achieved through extensive study, they instead apply common-sense reasoning which is replete with platitudes and clichés” (Chumash Mesoret HaRav, Korach, p 139). 


The Torah and the halakhic system have their own internal logic. While human empathy, sensitivities and situations should always be accounted for in the halakhic process, we must understand that sometimes, as Jews, we are commanded to do things and to think in ways that do not appear logical, sensical or obvious to others. And we do them simply because they are the commandments issued by a Higher Power Who gives them to us every day, freely, as an expression of love. Only when we realize that every commandment given by God is an opportunity for us to draw closer to Him, based on His own logic, can we truly internalize the reality that indeed, “The entire congregation are all holy, and the Lord is in their midst!” (Bamidbar 16:3). 


Shabbat Shalom!

-Rabbi Dan

Schedule of Services at B'nai Abraham

Friday, July 5


Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat

7:30PM


Candle Lighting

8:18PM


Saturday, July 6


Shacharit

9:00AM


Youth Services

10:30AM


Mincha

8:15PM


Havdalah

9:18PM

Sunday, July 7

Shacharit

8:30AM

Monday - Friday

Shacharit

7:05AM


CTI Announcements

Tell America's Leaders to Stand with Israel!



Anti-Israel activists are calling members of Congress. Make your pro-Israel voice heard by calling your elected officials to make clear you stand with our ally Israel against Hamas terrorism!

Support Israel

Shalom Austin Emergency Campaign.


AIPAC


Friends of the Israel Defense Forces


Israel American Council


At War: Heal Israel Now


Ach Gadol for Lone Soldiers


B’NAI B’RITH ISRAEL

EMERGENCY FUND


B’NAI B’RITH ISRAEL

EMERGENCY FUND

Donation Form.


MOGEN DAVID ADOM


WORLD ZIONIST ORGANIZATION


ISRAEL BONDS

Thank you Mark Kamen for sponsoring Kiddush in loving memory of his mother Estelle Kamen (Esther bat Menachem haLevi), zl

Please note the new prices are: 


  • $250 for a standard Kiddush
  • $50 more for a cake added to Kiddush 


We have room in the next mont for new kiddush sponsors - it's a great way to honor a loved one's memory, celebrate a special occasion or even just give a little back to the community.



THANK YOU for supporting CTI and our community with your sponsorship!


Thank you to the many people who help with kiddush prep and cleanup!!! Your efforts are very much appreciated! 


Sponsor A Kiddush

Mazel Tov!


  • Caleb Kress, Birthday on July 9
  • Ethan Weiss, Birthday on July 9
  • Myles & Marta Shaftel, Anniversary on July 11





*Please update your shulcloud account with birthdays, anniversaries, and Yahrtzeits to make sure they're highlighted in the Spiel. If you have any questions on how to do so email admin@tiferetaustin.org*



Yahrtzeit Remembrances



  • Avrum Edward Pastor, Father of Jeanette Brickman, on Saturday 30 Sivan
  • Robert Franklin Spertus, Brother of Philip Spertus, on Sunday 1 Tammuz
  • Estelle Kamen, Mother of Mark Kamen, on Tuesday 3 Tammuz
  • Joseph Swernofsky, Father of Steven Swernofsky, on Wednesday 4 Tammuz





*Please update your shulcloud account with birthdays, anniversaries, and Yahrtzeits to make sure they're highlighted in the Spiel. If you have any questions on how to do so email admin@tiferetaustin.org*


Torah Classes at CTI

Take Your Tanakh Series


Tuesday Night | 7:00pm - The Book of Isaiah


Wednesday Morning | 8:15am - The Song of Songs


Click Here for more information on how to join these exciting classes.

Donations

Thank you to Reese Carroll and Stuart Tendler for their aliyah donations.


Thank you to Reese and Sherry Carroll for their donation In memory of Terry Ann Cohen Z”l (sister of Beth Shapiro). May her soul rest in peace.



Thank you to our anonymous donors.





Make a Donation

Contact Us!

 www.tiferetaustin.org


Rabbi Dan Millner:

rabbidan@tiferetaustin.org 

Phone: 512-410-0336 X101


For more contact numbers and emails, visit our website.


Refuah Shelayma To:

  • Allene Novy-Portnoy; Hannah Bassa bat Sarah Osnat 
  • Avshalom ben Hannah Bassa
  • Cindy Newman 
  • Janet Goldberg; Shayna Masha bat Chasha Mina
  • Ken Friedman
  • Rebecca Millner; Rivkah bat Shoshana
  • Sheina Ruchel bat Henya Leah
  • Tzvi David ben Rivka Golda
  • Yoel Simcha ben Chaya Risha 
  • Sulta bat Nedgma
  • Zvi Aharon ben Bayla
  • Yaira bat Sarah
  • Tamar bat Chaya
  • Ilana bat Gheita
  • HaRav Avram Meir ben Eli Yosef v'Shira Chanah.
  • Rabbi Harold Liebowitz, HaRav Chaim Alter ben Necha. 
  • Baruch Akiva Ben Rivka
  • Miriam bat Helen
  • Rivka Michal bat Sarah Chana
  • Lori Garza 
  • Yisroel Natan ben Sarah
  • Masha Gitil bas Chaya Yita
  • Allen Levinson; Avraham Yitzchak ben Gittel
  • Moshe ben Reizel
  • Avigail Malkah bat Devorah
  • David Moshe ben Sylvia
  • Shoshana bat Yocheved
  • Miriam bat Rachel v'Mordechai
  • Alta Shoshana bat Shulamit
  • Meir Psachia ben Tziril
  • Geni Berman Abitbol
  • Beilya Golda bat Leah
  • Yosef Yehoshua ben Sarah
  • Jonathan Malawer (Yosef ben Bracha)
  • Fivel ben Sarah HaLevi
  • Adam ben Chanah
  • Rafael ben Sheindal Leah
  • Aharon Asher ben Chaya Naomi
  • Esther Malka Fraida bat Serel Chaya Raiza
  • Esther Reva bat Malka
  • Avraham ben Rut
  • Sheva Eva bat Bella.
  • Moshe ben Rut
  • Shulkah Malka bat Tziporah
  • Chandal bat Basia
  • Shmuel Dovid bat Malka
  • Anthony Ben Devorah
  • Shayna Leah bat Yehudit
  • Reuven ben Shira
  • Batyah bat Sara
  • Rachel Tzivia bat Malka
  • Chava Golda bat Leah
  • David Yosef ben Aga
  • Layla Tzohara bat Naomi Rivkeh
  • Shimon Yaakov ben Sarah
  • Shalom Ephraim ben Esther Breindel

 Wishing all Cholei Yisrael a Refuah Shlayma. 


Dear Tiferet Friends, 

If you placed a name on the Refuah Shelayma list and G-d willing the person is well, 

please let us know. Also, if you have a friend or family member who needs 

prayers for healing, again please let us know at admin@tiferetaustin.org  

Facebook        Twitter        Instagram