What's the Spiel? - Parshat Ki Tisa

In this week’s parsha, Parshat Ki Tisa, Moshe experiences an extraordinary communication with God that changes him both spiritually and physically, as it says, “God would speak to Moshe face-to-face, as a person speaks with a friend” (Shemot 33:11). As a result of this unprecedented face-to-face encounter with the Almighty, “Moshe did not know that the skin of his face had become radiant…” (Ibid., 34:29).

Now, to be sure, Moshe had spoken with God numerous times in the past. So, why did a face-to-face encounter, speaking with God as one would a friend, leave him forever transformed? To help answer this question, I would like to turn to the words of the Ohr HaChaim HaKadosh, who writes, “The intention of [what it means to speak face-to-face] is to teach that according to the amount of preparation Moshe put into receiving the face of the Divine Presence is the amount of the Divine Face he received. For a person will receive holiness only to the extent to which they prepare for it. And the words, ‘As a person speaks to a friend,’ can be explained by that which is said, ‘As face reflects face in water, so does one person’s heart [reflect] another’ (Mishlei 27:19). This means human hearts will discern what is hidden and know whether to love or to hate, for according to the way a person readies his or her heart to love their friend, likewise, their friend’s heart will think to love them…”(Ohr HaChaim on Shemot 33:11).

The Ohr HaChaim HaKadosh is teaching us something so simple, yet so profound about friendship. When we prepare ourselves emotionally and spiritually to be fully present for another, our acts of love will be recognized and reciprocated as “face answers face in water.” If we show our devotion, our concern and our affection for a friend, they will reflect our affection back to us. However, we can only be true reflections of the each other if first, we prepare ourselves to give of our love so that we can receive theirs. This is the essence of friendship: Two people whose souls harmoniously reflect each other. Thus, when God spoke to Moshe face-to-face, Moshe’s face shone with the light of God because he had prepared himself to receive that light, he made himself emotionally and spiritually open to being moved by Another, and in that way, he became transformed in the process.

This Shabbat, as we reflect on the friendships and relationships we have in our lives, let us take the words of the Ohr HaChaim HaKadosh to heart. If we meet our friends and loved ones “face-to-face,” as Moshe met God, if we encounter them fully and with undivided attention, if we prepare our hearts to meet theirs, then not only will we transform them through the revelation of our love, but what is more, we will be transformed by theirs.

Shabbat Shalom!

-Rabbi Dan

Shabbat Morning Drasha with Larry Smith: "Moshe's Benevolent Chutzpah!"

Shiur After Mincha with Arthur Altman: "Reflections on Ki Tisa"

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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.

Thank you Julie Van Keer for sponsoring Kiddush in memory of her brother Jay Hoffman.

CTI Announcements

Gan & Tot Shabbat will be held in ECP rooms 121 and 122 on Saturday, February 19 & 26. Programs start at 10:30am.

CTI is looking for a man or woman to serve as a backup shmira coordinator for when Larry Smith is out of town of otherwise unavailable. This involves a couple of hours of training to learn how to set up and manage shifts and communicate with the shomrim. Please contact Larry at 512-923-3964 or by email at lsmith@prismnet.com if you are interested or would like more information.

Coming Soon!!!!

Keep a lookout for information on our Mishloach Manot Fundraiser

Shalom Austin Mask Policy Update

Based on the increasing COVID-19 reported incidents, the CTI Medical Committee recommended a revised mask policy that was approved by the Board of Directors.

Masks are mandatory for all individuals attending services.
Children are welcome at shul, but all children over the age of 2 must be masked. Children under 2 do not need to wear a mask but must be accompanied by a parent at all times.
We will continue to monitor the local situation and modify these policies as circumstances change.

Additionally, the Medical Committee strongly recommends that all members get vaccinated for the protection of everyone in our community and beyond.

Please bring your mask to synagogue.

Backup masks will be available if needed.

CTI, please join us as we honor Dan Kraus and Phil Loewy - our 2022 IGNITE honorees!

Learn about how our support of the Annual Campaign inspires Jewish journeys and elevates Jewish life in meaningful and transformative ways.

Come celebrate our incredible Jewish community!

shalomaustin.org/igniteregister

Please Note:

1. Shalom Austin is committed to holding this event safely and its COVID protocols will be appropriate for the time. More information will be provided as we get closer to April 3.

2. Unlike IGNITE! Home Edition (which we promoted as a family-friendly virtual event); this year’s IGNITE! is adults only. Shalom Austin is offering a discounted rate for parents who have kids in preschool to help offset babysitter costs.

The Learning Revolution: How the Digital Age is Transforming Access to Torah and Torah-Adjacent Study

FEBRUARY 22 @ 10AM (CST)

You will learn:

How the medium or learning has come full circle: from Oral Torah to learning via Podcast
How the Digital Age is radically expanding the audience for Torah Study
Challenges of online study
Finding balance between traditional and innovative modalities of study
Finding an online learning community
Daf Yomi and other yomi programs

Presented by: Rabbi Moshe Schwed, Director of AllDaf; Dr. Henry Abramson, Content Creator, Jewish History in Daf Yomi

Click here to register for the program

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.

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: Gary Gerstenhaber

Fundraising Committee: Beth Shapiro

Membership Committee: Sarah Wander

Chesed Committee: Lynn Kane

Kiddush Committee: Henna Tatham

Ritual Committee: Joel Tendler

The next CTI Board meeting is Wednesday, March 9 at 7:00pm. If you are a CTI Member you can login to our website and see all scheduled Board meetings by clicking here.

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

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

Birthdays

Julie Van Keer on February 19

Jeanette Brickman on February 22

Daniel Rosenberg on February 22

If you have any birthdays or anniversaries you would

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

Yahrzeit Remembrances

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 Anonymous donors.

Thank you to Arthur and Barb Altman for their donation in Memory of Debbie Tendler, Devorah Rachel bat Lebel v'Rivkeh Leah (z''l), and their Yahrzeit donation in Memory of Paul C. Weinberg, MD (a”h), father of Barb Altman.

Thank you to Michelle Berry for her donation in Honor of Rabbi Millner’s teaching.

Thank you to David and Rita Chapin for their donation in Memory of Debbie Tendler (z”l).

Thank you to Sean and Meredith Clifford for their donation in Honor of The Rosenbergs for a great Chevra event.

Thank you to Manuel Croitoru (Houston, Texas) for his donation to the Chevra Kadisha fund.

Thank you to Gary Gerstenhaber for his Aliyah donation.

Thank you to Gary and Karin Gerstenhaber for their donation in Memory of Debbie Tendler (z”l).

Thank you to Janna Ostroff (Pistiner) for her donation in Memory of Debbie Tendler (z”l), who we fondly remember being a loving presence at every stage of our lives. Her vibrance and generosity leave a legacy of kindness in her memory.

Thank you to Jay Rubin for his Aliyah donation.

Thank you to Jay and Carol Rubin for their donation to the Scholar-in-Residence program in Memory of Debbie Tendler (z”l).

Thank you to Stanley and Mary Jane Saikin for their donation in Memory of Debbie Tendler (z”l), and their donation in Memory of Jay Hoffman (z”l) (Julie van Keer’s brother).

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We encourage you to use electronic payments by credit card or eCheck through CTI's website at www.tiferetaustin.org when fulfilling the mitzvah of giving Tzedakah to mark family events and milestones, including Yahrzeits, and in honor of CTI and our community.

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Spiel sponsorships are now available for a donation of $18. Advertise your business or dedicate an issue of the spiel in memory of a loved one or to celebrate a Simcha. Contact admin for more details.

Donations can be made via our website at www.tiferetaustin.org, by pressing "Make a Donation" in the sidebar, using the "Donate to CTI" button on the top left of this email, or by sending your check to: Tiferet Israel P.O. Box 27254, Austin, TX 78755. Please make check payable to Tiferet Israel and please indicate what the donation is for.

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
Joel Tendler; Yehoshua Mordechai ben Tziporah Perel
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

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, Faival ben Tzur
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.

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

Online Shopping that Benefits CTI

Don't forget to bookmark our special links to AmazonSmile and Artscroll.com -- you will have the same shopping experience and CTI gets a generous percentage of your shopping dollar. Please bookmark and start shopping!

AmazonSmile Info

To Get Started with AmazonSmile

AmazonSmile will make a donation to CTI based on the amount of your eligible purchases made on the AmazonSmile website. The AmazonSmile website looks identical to the regular Amazon.com website, except that when you log in the banner at the top of the window shows that you are on the AmazonSmile website and displays the charity that you are supporting. There is also an additional item in the dropdown menu labelled “Your AmazonSmile”. The AmazonSmile page offers a convenient shortcut icon or bookmark for your browser to take you to AmazonSmile for your shopping.

ArtScroll

Using the CTI Website

Logging in is easy via the login button at the top of the web page. Your login ID is your email address.

Once logged in, many of the fields are pre-filled for you, to make it easier and quicker to register for an event or make a donation, and so on.

But that's not all! You will also have access to the online Member Directory, the CTI Bylaws, the minutes of Board meetings and the President,Treasurer and Rabbi Reports and other documents, all under the Resources tab. With more coming all the time!

If you have any questions or comments about the website, please contact our webmaster Joel Tendler at webmaster@tiferetaustin.org.