Jewish Things & Thoughts in Harrison NY For the Week of June 15th – June 21st Sivan 17th to Sivan 23rd parasha Korach

For the Week of June 15th  – June 21st    Sivan 17th to Sivan 23rd parasha Korach

We would like people to be aware of some of the Jewish things and thoughts taking place in Harrison NY.

Here is a Jewish thought.

This week we read the Tora portion (“parasha”) known as “Korach” (Numbers 16:1-18:32).  There are several valuable lessons we can learn from this week’s parasha. 

In this week’s parasha we learn from Moshe several important lessons.  Korach rebelled against Moshe.  Korach accused Moshe of doing things for his own glorification.  Obviously, this was not true.  At the end of parasha BeHalotcha (Numbers 8:1-12:16), G-d (“HaShem”) declared that “in all My house there is none as faithful….” as Moshe.  When someone is so far in the wrong as Korach and when HaShem is so clearly on your side, as with Moshe, some might think there is no chance or no reason to try to make peace and reach and understanding.  But, we see from Moshe that this is not the case.  Moshe tried to make peace with Korach and then tried to make peace with his followers.  No matter how right you think you are, no matter how right you actually are (as Moshe was absolutely in the right), you must always try to make peace.

Moshe also teaches us not to bear a grudge.  After HaShem proved that Moshe was correct and Korach and his followers were wrong, the people still complained about Moshe.  When the people did this HaShem chose to punish them.  Rather than turn his back on this ungrateful group, Moshe prayed to HaShem to forgive and save the people.  We also should try to forgive and help those who wrong us.  However, throughout the story we also see that Moshe never attempted to compromise his principles.  Peace and forgiveness are most desirable not at the expense of our allegiance to HaShem.

The Young Israel of Harrison, New York (YIOH) is a Modern Orthodox synagogue offering an intimate religious and communal experience.  Sabbath morning services begin at 9 am, mincha/maariv services on Friday and Saturday vary with sundown, and services on Sunday morning are held at 8 am.  For those who would like more information or would like to spend Shabbos in the area, visit the Young Israel of Harrison’s website at www.yioh.org or email Yiohnews@aol.com

Rabbi Bienenfeld gives weekly Talmud and Chumash classes at 7:00 pm on Monday and Tuesday evenings, respectively.  Please check the calendar posted on YIOH.org to confirm the schedule.

© W. Fraenkel 2014