What's the Spiel? - Parshat Terumah

In this week's parsha, Parshat Terumah, we learn about the intricate construction plans of the Mishkan, the portable Sanctuary that accompanied the Jewish people during their forty-year sojourn in the Wilderness. Among the items outlined in this week's parsha is the Aron, the Ark of the Covenant. On top of the Aron we learn, "You shall make two cherubim of gold - beaten shall you make them - from both ends of the lid. You shall make one cherub from this end and one cherub from this end; from the lid shall you make the cherubim at its two ends. The cherubim shall be with wings spread upward, sheltering the lid with their wings with their faces toward one another...You shall place the lid on the Aron from above, and into the Aron you shall put the Testimony that I shall give you" (Shemot 24:18-21).

According to the Talmud, as brought down by Rashi, the cherubim "[each] had the image of a child's face" (Rashi on Shemot 25:18). Now, these faces were to face each other. However, the Talmud tells us, "When the Jewish people performed the Will of the Omnipresent, the cherubim would face each other. But, when the Jewish people did not perform the Will of the Omnipresent, the cherubim would turn away from each other" (B. Talmud, Bava Batra 99a). Thus, we see that the cherubim really served as active symbols for God's delight or discontentment with our actions. If the Jewish people kept the Torah, acted kindly and justly, then the cherubim gazed at one another lovingly. If the Jewish people did not act in accordance with the Torah, if they did not practice moral justice and compassionate righteousness, then the cherubim turned away from one another. Now, that being said, what is the significance of their faces being in the likeness of children? Why do our actions impact how they look at each other? To help answer these questions we must remember that the cherubim were placed on top of the Aron which contained the Testimony.

According to Rabbi Shimon Raphael Hirsch, "The Torah is represented by the Testimony, that is, the Tablets, for they are testimony for all future generations to the revelation for the Torah at Sinai" (Commentary on Shemot 25:16). Thus, we see that the power of the Torah's legacy has a great deal to do with how we pass on its contents, its messages, its lessons and laws to all future generations. If we lead by example for our children to follow, if we live the meaning of the Torah in every aspect of our lives, our children will perceive this and they, in turn, will act according that the standards we have set. They will "face one another" and continue the legacy of the Torah, as it says, "Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peaceful...And whoever holds on to her is happy" (Mishlei 3:17-8). However, should we not act in accordance with the spirit and the letter of the law of the Torah, our children will perceive this as well and "face away from one another," creating a future of discord and dysfunction. In many ways, the Cherubim, those holy symbols which bear the image of our children, are indicators of our future based on the actions we take here and now.

This Shabbat, as we hold the image of two children facing each other as the cherubim faced each other atop the Aron, let us reflect on the ways in which we live our lives today and on the Torah we live, keep and cherish. If we take Torah to heart, if we treat it as the highest value in our lives then our children will too, and so just as we "face each other" today as Jews, our children will "face each other" as Jews tomorrow, living lives filled with the power, the kindness and the love of the Torah, bringing wholeness to a broken world, and the promise of peace to a world which desperately wishes to fulfill the verse, "How good and pleasant it is when brothers and sisters dwell together" (Tehillim 133:1).

Shabbat Shalom!

-Rabbi Dan

Shabbat Morning Drasha: "Keeping the Poles in Place: Several Views on Transporting the Ark"

Mincha and Shiur are Cancelled this Shabbat Due to the Weather

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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.

KIDDUSH CANCELLED DUE TO COLD WEATHER

CTI Announcements

Friday evening services, February 4th and Saturday afternoon services, February 5th are cancelled due to the weather.

Due to cold weather, Gan and Tot Shabbat are cancelled for Saturday morning services, February 5

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.

IT'S NEARLY HERE!!!

The first Chevrah-Together events begin on Sunday! There's still time to get your tickets and participate! We've extended the dates for some of our events into March, so make sure to check out the website for all the updated information.

Click Here for Info & Tickets!

And a very big thank you to all our supporters, whose generosity is much appreciated. CTI counts on fundraising for a large portion of our operating budget, and we thank you for helping us go from strength to strength! Yasher Koach!

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, February 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

Eliana Clifford on February 4

Jennifer (Vonne) Kaufman on February 6

Lynn Kane on February 7

Eliav Millner on February 7

If you have any birthdays or anniversaries you would

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

Yahrzeit Remembrances

Edward Dave Joffe, Brother of Basil Joffe, on Friday 3 Adar

Rosalind Leichtman, Mother of Debbie Tendler, on Saturday 4 Adar

Ruth Abitbol, Mother of Isaac Raschkovsky, on Wednesday 8 Adar

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 Anonymous donors.

Thank you to Stephan Epstein for his Aliyah donation.

Thank you to Reuven Robbins for his Aliyah donation.

Thank you to Harel Rush for his Aliyah donation.

Thank you to Offer Shavit for his Aliyah donation.

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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
Debbie Tendler; Devorah Rachel bat Rivka Leah
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.