What's the Spiel? - Erev Tisha B'Av - Shabbat Hazon

Our Sages teach, “Any generation in which the Temple is not built, it is as though it had been destroyed in their times” (Y. Talmud, Yoma 5:1). What is the deeper meaning of this startling admonition? According to Rav Avraham Yitzchak HaKohen Kook, the words of the Sages are meant to motivate us to rectify the sins of our ancestors, which resulted in the destruction of the Temple, by acting in the opposite extreme. In Rav Kook’s words, “If we were destroyed, and the world was destroyed together with us, through baseless hatred, [then] we will rebuilt it, and the entire world will be rebuilt, through baseless love” (Orot HaKodesh Vol. 3, p 324). However, another way we could understand the words of the Sages is to simply learn from history, and not repeat the same sins which lead to our demise.

The notion that we can create a better present by not stumbling into the pitfalls of the past is beautifully illustrated in this week’s parsha. Parshat Devarim, which is the fifth and final book of the Torah, begins Moshe’s heartfelt thirty-seven day farewell address to his people, summarizing their remarkable forty-year journey through the wilderness. However, as Moshe recounts the places where the Israelites encamped, he refers to them by special names, which, as the Sifre and other midrashim note, is meant to allude to the various sins committed by the people during their wanderings. It might seem strange that just as Moshe prepares the people to cross the Yarden and enter into Eretz Yisrael, he now feels the need to remind them of the various sins that not only they, but more significantly, their parents committed in the first generation. However, according to Rav Shimshon Rafael Hirsch, “it is possible that… Moshe used the last weeks of his life to reprove his people and impart on them words of wisdom and moral instruction. He gave these places names attesting to national lapses, so that thereby the people would be reminded of their past sins and undertake to rectify their future” (Commentary on Devarim 1:1). In other words, in order to set up the people he loved for a successful future, Moshe needed to remind them of “where they got it wrong,” in order for them to learn, “how to get it right.” By refraining from repeating past sins, Moshe knew the people would achieve teshuva gemura, “complete repentance,” and in this way, become fit and ready partners with God to perfect the world.

This Shabbat, Shabbat Chazon, which is the last Shabbat before Tisha b’Av, the saddest, most tragic day in the Jewish year, all of us are called to reflect not only on the sins we’ve committed, on the errors we’ve made in the past through our words and actions, but also, on the sins and errors previous generations have made as well. As we prepare ourselves to step into the dark, cold void of Tisha b’Av, a day on which we wholly embrace our feelings of despair over the destruction of the Temple, let us also feel empowered that by making conscious efforts to not repeat the sins of our past, on both an individual and national scale, this might be the last Tisha b’Av we mourn. This Shabbat, may we all feel inspired and ready to rectify the missteps of the past in our present, so that this generation will be the generation which brings the ultimate redemption and everlasting peace and may these come speedily in our days.

Shabbat Shalom!

-Rabbi Dan

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Schedule of Services

at B'nai Abraham

We encourage everyone to daven privately when unable to attend services. Use the private time to connect to Hashem. Public prayer definitely adds to our prayer experience. Yet we also have the capacity to create a profoundly meaningful private experience with the Divine. Let us seek such an experience in the coming days.

Friday Night

Candle Lighting

No later than 8:03 PM

Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat

7:30 PM

Shabbat and Tisha b’Av Service Schedule 5782

Shabbat Devarim (8/6)

Shacharit: 9:00 AM

Kid's Service: 10:30 AM

Please Daven Mincha at Home due to Heat Concerns. Seudah Shelishit at Home

Fast Begins: 8:20 PM

Shabbat Ends: 8:59 PM

Maariv/Eicha/Kinnot: 9:20 PM

Tisha b’Av Day (8/7)

Shacharit and Selected Kinnot: 8:30 AM

Adult Learning with Dr. Jake Wolfson: 5:00 – 6:15 PM

“Simon Wiesenthal, Eva Kor, and the Controversies Over Using Forgiveness Scenarios to Approach the Holocaust”

Mincha: 6:30 PM

Shiur with Rabbi Belsky: 7:15 – 8:20 PM

“Beyond Baseless Hatred”

Maariv: 8:25 PM

Fast Ends: 8:48 PM

Monday-Friday Shacharit: 7:05 AM

Thank you Amnon & Elaine Orent for sponsoring Kiddush in honor of his parents, Tzvi & Lottie Orent, who helped them to escape the Holocaust.

Laws and Customs of Tish‘a b-Av

This weekend, we reach the peak (or nadir) of this period of mourning for the destruction of the two Temples, the dissolution of Jewish life in our homeland, and all the tragedies of Jewish history. Because this year the 9th of Av falls out on Shabbat, all observances are pushed off to the next day, and no restrictions take effect until the fast begins at sunset, 8:20 PM on Saturday evening. Once Shabbat ends at 8:59 PM, we recite the fundamental blessing of Havdalah, “Barukh Hammavdil bein kodesh le-hhol" (the rest of Havdalah is postponed until after the fast), and change to non-leather shoes.

The 5 primary prohibitions of Tish‘a b-Av are the same as Yom Kippur:

• No eating or drinking (however, if fasting would endanger your health, it is a mitzvah to eat)

• No bathing

• No anointing with oils or lotions (except for medical purposes)

• No wearing leather shoes

• No intimate relations or contact

Additionally, we follow the practices of mourners during shiva, lessening our joy by:

• Not greeting each other

• Not learning Torah, except for texts relevant to the Destruction

• Sitting low to the floor

(Restrictions on learning and seating end at midday, 1:37 PM)

Because the fast begins before Shabbat ends, someone who needs to eat or drink during Tish‘a b-Av should complete Havdalah before doing so, by reciting the full main blessing of Havdalah ("Hammavdil...") over a beverage. Similarly, for those who are fasting, Havdalah is made after the fast is over, consisting only of "Borei pri haggafen" and "Hammavdil".

Those who normally wear tallit and tefillin do not do so for shahharit Tish‘a b-Av morning, instead waiting to put them on for minhha.

Because Tish‘a b-Av is pushed off to the 10th of Av this year, most customary restrictions of the Nine Days and the Three Weeks end when the fast ends Sunday night. However, many refrain from eating meat, drinking wine, or enjoying music until the following day.

After the 70 years of the Babylonian Exile, the fast days commemorating the Destruction of the First Beit Hamikdash became celebrations of restoration during the Second Temple Period, in accordance with the prophecy of Zekharya; but they were reinstituted by our Sages in mourning after the Second Destruction. We pray for and aspire to a world in which once again, “the fast of the fourth month (Tammuz), the fast of the fifth month (Av), the fast of the seventh month (Tishrey: Tzom Gedalya), and the fast of the tenth month (Teiveit) will be joy and celebration for the House of Judah, for holidays, loving truth and peace.” (Trey-‘Asar, Zekharya 8:19)

CTI Announcements

Simon Wiesenthal, Eva Kor, and the Controversies Over Using Forgiveness Scenarios to Approach the Holocaust

Presented by J.E. Wolfson, PhD

Description: What happens when a survivor puts to the public the question of whether a perpetrator of the Holocaust deserves to be forgiven? Or when another survivor gives a press conference on the grounds of Auschwitz to proclaim on behalf of the murdered 6 million that all perpetrators are hereby granted absolution? Such are the controversial scenarios respectively submitted by famed “Nazi hunter” Simon Wiesenthal and youngest surviving “Mengele twin” Eva Mozes Kor.

This presentation will examine the ethical implications of how and why the two survivors attempted to shape Holocaust discourse along lines of forgiveness, as well as what sorts of responses they garnered from within and without the Jewish community. The legacies of Wiesenthal and Kor remain impactful today, when their books continue to be used for Holocaust instruction in many American classrooms.

Bio: Dr. J.E. Wolfson serves as Director of Education for the Texas Holocaust, Genocide, and Antisemitism Advisory Commission and frequently presents for educator professional development programs, K-12 and college campuses, community groups, and academic conferences. He earned his PhD under the direction of the Ackerman Center for Holocaust Studies at UT-Dallas, where he was the first recipient of the Belofsky Fellowship in Holocaust Studies.A certified teacher with several years of classroom experience, he formerly taught students at public schools, Jewish day schools, and universities. His recent publication in the Humanities special issue, “The Literary Response to the Holocaust”, is named Feature Paper for representing “the most advanced research with significant potential for high impact in the field.”

Operation Todah Texas Makes an Impact on the Border

Dear CTI and Shalom Austin Jewish community,

This week, Rabbi Dan delivered your thoughtful and meaningful cards to our Texas Airmen “on the points.” Upon receiving his card, one Airman, who has been on several previous deployments, commented, “These kinds of things make the biggest difference.” Rabbi Dan presented your letters to our service members, explaining, “On behalf of the Jewish community of Austin, I wish to thank you for your service. Please know that the Jewish community of Austin is thinking about you and your families. We’re praying for your safety and wellbeing, and we are so grateful for your sacrifice.” The Airmen were so happy to hear these words, and so glad to know that they are in our thoughts and prayers.

Thank you, CTI, Shalom Austin, and the broader Jewish community of Austin for taking the time to make such a powerful difference in the lives of our Texas service members. Please continue to daven for our brave Texas Airmen and Soldiers. Please continue to daven for their safety and health, as well as the safety and health of their families. The simplest things make the biggest difference. Thank you for making that difference!

Tehillim Class, 7 PM Mondays (on Zoom)

Many people find solace in times of pain or stress by reciting Psalms, but even greater depths of meaning can be found in studying and analyzing the words of the holy poems themselves. In Rabbi Belsky’s Tehillim class, we unpack the poetry and imagery of the psalms, gaining a greater understanding of this book, which includes within it the full range of human experience, and has sustained our religious lives as Jews for millennia.

Recordings of previous classes can be found at https://tinyURL.com/BelskyTehillimClass

As a service to the wider community, the Orthodox Union has researched various online platforms and has organized, collected and curated many key resources in one centralized location for your convenience. Please visit together.ou.org for a wide range of information covering the following areas: Adults, Leadership, Parenting, Seniors & Elders, Technology, Torah and Youth. Check back at together.ou.org as updates will occur regularly.

Classes currently on hold. Watch tiferetaustin.org for when classes will resume.

CTI is virtually open for all classes! Attend online with video and audio, or join through phone call alone. Visit tiferetaustin.org for more information on how to join these exciting classes:

TYT Tuesday Night

The Book of Judges

Tuesday 7:00pm

The Book of Judges teaches us about unexpected and underestimated spiritual and political leadership. Prior to the establishment of the Jewish monarchy, the nation was constantly enmeshed in fighting foreign enemies, spiritual and moral backsliding, oppression, as well as tribal in-fighting. It was a vicious cycle. The Judges came about in order to resolve these political, spiritual and moral issues and to set the people on the right track. Who were the Judges of Israel? How were they chosen, and why? While names like Shimshon, Devorah, Gidon and Yeftach may be familiar, their stories, complex personalities and murky legacies require a great deal of study. In this brand new TYT series, we will explore the life and times of the Judges of Israel – who they were, what they did, and what their contributions to Jewish history are all about. You won’t want to miss out on learning about these early leaders of the Jewish people, whose stories and personalities are as captivating as their contributions to the Jewish people are timeless.

TYT Wednesday Mornings

The Book of Second Samuel

Wednesday 8:15am

Come and join the TYT community and learn about the life and times of King David! II Samuel explores how a young David establishes both his kingdom and his kingship. Despite great promise, potential and ability, David is nevertheless beset by external and internal enemies, fighting both physical and spiritual wars. Come and see how David struggles to unite a broken and battered kingdom, establish a capital city and win the support of his people, while at the same time, striving to remain true to God’s Torah and lead a righteous life. No longer the ruddy youth, playing the harp and running for his life, II Samuel takes us through the long journey of David’s maturation process, omitting nothing, all the while exploring larger questions of morality, repentance, power and politics. While we extol David as one of the greatest Jewish heroes and leaders of all time, this book will frame his life and story in its proper context, look under the surface, and examine the complex personality of King David! This class meets each Wednesday morning, except of Jewish holidays, at 8:15am.

Mishne Torah k'Seder Friday Mornings

Mishne Torah k'Seder

Friday 8:15am

Come and join Rabbi Dan on Friday mornings at 8:15am for an in-depth exploration of the Rambam's Mishne Torah. This class will go through the Rambam's classic work on halakha (Jewish law), in a way which both engages and transforms the reader on a spiritual and intellectual level. Why did the Rambam write the Mishne Torah? What was he trying to achieve? How does the Rambam's interpretation of Jewish law, theology, history and culture differ from his rabbinic contemporaries who also wrote comprehensive Jewish legal works? What were some of the great disputes this work sparked, and why? You don't want to miss out on this great opportunity to learn what the Mishne Torah is all about.

Questions? Suggestions? Interested in Volunteering? Please contact our Committee Chairpersons.

Finance Committee: Larry Smith

Fundraising Committee: Daniel Ledeen

Bylaws Committee: Jay Rubin

Education Committee: Sarah Wander

Membership Committee: Alana Pompa

Chesed Committee: Lynn Kane

Kiddush Committee: Henna Tatham

Ritual Committee: Eric Shapiro

For those new to the community, check out this introductory video

featuring Rabbi Dan and a few of our wonderful CTI community members!

Birthdays

Keren Brickman on August 6

Matan Brickman on August 6

Darby Arshawsky on August 6

Kendra Fox on August 7

Derreck DaSilva on August 12

Stephan Epstein on August 12

Anniversary

Sean & Meredith Clifford on August 11

If you have any birthdays or anniversaries you would

like to add, please update your profile on our website.

Yahrzeit Remembrances

Simon Glosser, Father-in-law of Betty Glosser, on Sunday 10 Av

Ruth Stavchansky, Wife of Salomon Stavchansky, on Tuesday 12 Av

May their souls be bound up in the bond of life.

If you have a Yahrzeit that you would like the congregation to acknowledge, or if you have a correction that needs to be made, please update your profile on our website.

DONATIONS

Thank you to our anonymous donors.

Thank you to Jay Rubin for his aliyah donation.

Thank you to Jan Gould for his aliyah donation.

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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, Ha Rav 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

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)
Bowie Alarcon
Fivel ben Sarah HaLevi
Adam ben Chanah
Rafael ben Sheindal Leah
Aharon Asher ben Chaya Naomi
Esther Malka Fraida bat Serel Chaya Raiza
Kalev Boaz Chai ben Aliza
Esther Reva bat Malka
Avraham ben Rut
Peter Janson, Fievel ben Devorah
Sheva Eva bat Bella.
Dorit Iken, Dorit Chana bat Orah
Moshe ben Rut
Shulkah Malka bat Tziporah
Yehudit bat Sara
Chandal bat Basia
Shmuel Dovid bat Malka
Anthony Ben Devorah
Shayna Leah bat Yehudit

Wishing all Cholei Yisrael a Refuah Shlayma.

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