A THOUGHT FOR THIS SHABBAT -PARSHAT B'HAR-B'HUKKOTAI
"When you sell property to your neighbor or buy anything from your neighbor, you shall not wrong one another." (Leviticus 25:14).
"Do not wrong one another but fear your G-d; for I am the L-rd, your G-d" (Leviticus 25:17)
What does the second verse add with the repetition of “do not wrong one another”?
The great Biblical commentator Rashi explains that the first verse is referring to actual economic wronging, whereas the second verse refers to verbal economic mistreatment.
What does that mean?
Actual economic wronging is easy: a seller is not allowed to hide the flaws or defects of a product he is trying to sell to a buyer. The first verse is warning against economic exploitation done in the pursuit of human greed.
What is verbal economic wrongdoing?
Our rabbis give the example of a person going into a store and asking a merchant for the price of an item knowing full well that he or she has no intention of buying it. With the words "how much?", the shopkeeper's hopes are falsely raised.
That's verbal economic wrongdoing.
Today, that would be going to a locally owned family store, asking a clerk for help in selecting the right style and size of running shoes with the intent of then ordering them on line for less. That is not comparison shopping; not if you knew you had no intention of buying your shoes there. To the salesperson whose livelihood is often based on commission, to not tell him of your intention to buy on line, let him measure your foot, show you various brands raised his hopes of a purchase (and took him away from other customers who might have purchased a pair). When you thank him and tell him you’ll think about it and then go and buy those shoes on line, that is the verbal economic wronging of another person.
That helps explain why “fear your G-d; for I am the L-rd thy G-d” was added to that wronging. You can’t always get away with actual economic wronging. You can try to sell an inferior product by hiding its defects, but you could get caught and a court of law will make you pay.
But verbal wronging? No real damage can ever be claimed (falsely raising the hopes of a store keeper is hardly a crime). You could get away with that.
But a believer in G-d should pause before they treat another human being in such a way.
“Who will ever know?”
G-d.
Even when you feel you can get away with the exploitation of another, a truly religious person knows that G-d is always present and will judge in favor of the person wronged.
That is why G-d’s name is attached to that verse. G-d suffers the harm done to anyone and we are reminded that G-d will ever remain the constant champion of the oppressed.
Even when we are not.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Victor Urecki
"Do not wrong one another but fear your G-d; for I am the L-rd, your G-d" (Leviticus 25:17)
What does the second verse add with the repetition of “do not wrong one another”?
The great Biblical commentator Rashi explains that the first verse is referring to actual economic wronging, whereas the second verse refers to verbal economic mistreatment.
What does that mean?
Actual economic wronging is easy: a seller is not allowed to hide the flaws or defects of a product he is trying to sell to a buyer. The first verse is warning against economic exploitation done in the pursuit of human greed.
What is verbal economic wrongdoing?
Our rabbis give the example of a person going into a store and asking a merchant for the price of an item knowing full well that he or she has no intention of buying it. With the words "how much?", the shopkeeper's hopes are falsely raised.
That's verbal economic wrongdoing.
Today, that would be going to a locally owned family store, asking a clerk for help in selecting the right style and size of running shoes with the intent of then ordering them on line for less. That is not comparison shopping; not if you knew you had no intention of buying your shoes there. To the salesperson whose livelihood is often based on commission, to not tell him of your intention to buy on line, let him measure your foot, show you various brands raised his hopes of a purchase (and took him away from other customers who might have purchased a pair). When you thank him and tell him you’ll think about it and then go and buy those shoes on line, that is the verbal economic wronging of another person.
That helps explain why “fear your G-d; for I am the L-rd thy G-d” was added to that wronging. You can’t always get away with actual economic wronging. You can try to sell an inferior product by hiding its defects, but you could get caught and a court of law will make you pay.
But verbal wronging? No real damage can ever be claimed (falsely raising the hopes of a store keeper is hardly a crime). You could get away with that.
But a believer in G-d should pause before they treat another human being in such a way.
“Who will ever know?”
G-d.
Even when you feel you can get away with the exploitation of another, a truly religious person knows that G-d is always present and will judge in favor of the person wronged.
That is why G-d’s name is attached to that verse. G-d suffers the harm done to anyone and we are reminded that G-d will ever remain the constant champion of the oppressed.
Even when we are not.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Victor Urecki
WEEK OF May 2nd - 8th, 2021
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Here are the links for today and for Shabbat.
You can read along with everyone on your screen or directly access our siddurim (prayer books), chumashim (bibles) here: https://www.rabbinicalassembly.org/form/form-to-download-e-siddur/confirmation Services Evening Service - Thursday at 5:45 PM (Note: No evening services on Saturday and Sunday night) All evening services are now in person and virtual. Please wear a mask and practice physical distancing when in the synagogue Virtual Minyan Kabbalat Shabbat/Friday Services Friday Evening May 7th 5:45 PM In person and virtual Kabbalat Shabbat Shabbat Morning May 8th 10:00 AM In person and virtual Shabbat Morning 10:00 AM |
Bat Mitzvah of Emily Claire Swingle
Friday May 7th - 4:30 PM Emily Claire is the daughter of Laura and Jace Goins and Becky and Michael Swingle, granddaughter of Pam and Glenn Goldfarb, and great-granddaughter of Doris and Jack Goldfarb. The service will held in-person for the immediate family but you can join us on Zoom here: Emily's Bat Mitzvah |
CLASSES AND PROGRAMS
Classes and Programs This Week
At B'nai Jacob and Temple Israel
Tuesday May 4th - Torah Class - 10:00 AM
Location: B'nai Jacob Library
Torah Class
Wednesday May 5th
ADL Signature Synagogue Program Webinar - 7:00 PM
Topic: "Antisemitism and Extremism in Our Communities:
Join ADL to Learn How You Can Fight Hate for Good"
Hear from ADL experts on the state of antisemitism, domestic terrorism & extremism in the U.S. and in our local communities. Today extremists overwhelmingly rely on the ability to weaponize hate by harnessing the virtual space to recruit potential adherents. They peddle in propaganda, disinformation, and hateful ideologies fueled by racist, anti-Semitic and conspiracy-related theories. Join us to learn about the trends ADL is seeing and how to identify disinformation and hateful propaganda in order to counter hate in our communities.
You must register to attend, and you can register here.
Thursday May 6th - Talmud at Ten - 10:00 AM
Location: B'nai Jacob Library
Talmud At Ten
A Bissell Torah
(With Rabbi Blair)
3:00- 4:00 PM
Bissell Torah
Sunday May 9th - 10:30 AM - Schmear and Schmooze
The Ladies Auxiliary will get together on Mother’s Day for Bagels and Lox and to visit with old friends. We would love to see you. There is no charge, but R.S.V.P. is a must by Friday morning. Please text at Ellen 304-549-8245 or e-mail her at bjlaprez@aol.com. We are planning for outside, but we will relocate inside in case of rain.
At B'nai Jacob and Temple Israel
Tuesday May 4th - Torah Class - 10:00 AM
Location: B'nai Jacob Library
Torah Class
Wednesday May 5th
ADL Signature Synagogue Program Webinar - 7:00 PM
Topic: "Antisemitism and Extremism in Our Communities:
Join ADL to Learn How You Can Fight Hate for Good"
Hear from ADL experts on the state of antisemitism, domestic terrorism & extremism in the U.S. and in our local communities. Today extremists overwhelmingly rely on the ability to weaponize hate by harnessing the virtual space to recruit potential adherents. They peddle in propaganda, disinformation, and hateful ideologies fueled by racist, anti-Semitic and conspiracy-related theories. Join us to learn about the trends ADL is seeing and how to identify disinformation and hateful propaganda in order to counter hate in our communities.
You must register to attend, and you can register here.
Thursday May 6th - Talmud at Ten - 10:00 AM
Location: B'nai Jacob Library
Talmud At Ten
A Bissell Torah
(With Rabbi Blair)
3:00- 4:00 PM
Bissell Torah
Sunday May 9th - 10:30 AM - Schmear and Schmooze
The Ladies Auxiliary will get together on Mother’s Day for Bagels and Lox and to visit with old friends. We would love to see you. There is no charge, but R.S.V.P. is a must by Friday morning. Please text at Ellen 304-549-8245 or e-mail her at bjlaprez@aol.com. We are planning for outside, but we will relocate inside in case of rain.
b'nai jacob ladies' auxiliary
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