March 5 - 12,
2010 19- 26 Adar, 5770
Congregation Beit
Tikvah of Ottawa --- Celebrating 30 years of community
15 Chartwell Avenue,
Nepean, Ontario, Canada K2G 4K3
Phone
613-723-1800 Fax
613-723-6567 Website www.cbto.org
Email shul@cbto.org
HOUSE COMMITTEE NOTICE TO THE CONGREGATION: Due to an increase
of vandalism and mischief in the small chapel / custodial storage room downstairs,
this room will no longer be accessible on Shabbat and Yom Tov.
FROM THE RABBI’S DESK: KI TISA /
SHABBAT PARAH
Statements
abound in the Talmud in Massechet Nazir and Massechet Horayot regarding the
efficacy of performing mitzvot for insincere reasons. The Talmud concludes that
one’s fulfillment of mitzvot based on other than pure motivation can have a
salutary effect in that eventually these actions may produce positive results.
The Talmud gives the example of Balak who offers sacrifices to G-d hoping to
entice Him to condemn the people of Israel, with the reward of the eventual
birth of his descendant, Ruth, whose own progeny will defeat Moab, Balak’s
people. Obviously, we are aware that David is the king who engages Israel’s
enemies in battle, and is the ancestor of the Messiah.
What
is troublesome and disturbing to the reader of these Talmudic passages cited
above is the statement made by some rabbis that a transgression committed for
the right reasons supplants the commission of a mitzvah for the wrong reasons.
The Talmud points to Yael who first slept with Sisera, the Canaanite general,
and then assassinates him while he sleeps in order to save Israel. Similarly,
Tosafot in Sanhedrin declares that Esther sins with Achashverosh in order to save
the people of Israel.
Can
the same be said for Aaron who participates in the construction of the Golden
Calf in order to placate the people of Israel who do not believe Moses will
return from his stay on Mount Sinai? Can it be said Aaron commits the sin of
contributing to the building of an idol, expressly forbidden by the Torah in
order to save the people of Israel from further spiritual deterioration in the
absence of Moses? The Ibn Ezra poses a series of questions concerning
Aaron’s behaviour in this matter, and leaves us somewhat frustrated with the
answer that Aaron is providing a divinely gifted representation of G-d with
which the population of Israel can accept until Moses returns. Obviously, this
transgression committed by Aaron is rejected by G-d, whose wrath threatens to
destroy the Israelite sans Moses’ intervention on their behalf.
In
truth, Aaron’s actions may be constituted as an ‘Aveirah Lishma’, a sincere
transgression. However, the proverbial ends do not justify the means employed
here by Aaron. The concept of Aveirah Lishma is an unusual term employed in
unusual circumstances. Its application is limited, and for all practical
purposes today unacceptable in the eyes of Halacha.
It
is preferable we encourage people to perform Mitzvot even for the wrong
reasons, for the fulfillment of these Mitzvot reflect a beginning first step of
establishing or resurrecting one’s connection with G-d. As the ashes of the Red
Heifer purify the impure, so too can our mitzvah performance for the right or the
wrong reasons consecrate us before Hashem.
We are looking for a volunteer to
represent Beit Tikvah at Federation’s Campaign Thank a Thon on March 21st.
If you are interested, please contact the shul office at your earliest
convenience. The shifts available are from are 1:00-2:30 or 2:30 to 4:00.
THANK YOU TO OUR:
Kiddush Sponsors
Kiddush Volunteers
Door Monitors
WATCH THE WEEKLY FLYERS FOR EXCITING NEWS ABOUT UPCOMING EVENTS AT
BEIT TIKVAH INCLUDING:
|
Month |
Date |
Time |
Event |
|
March |
12th
– 14th |
See
flyer |
Scholar
in Residences Shabbaton with Toby Klein Greenwald co-sponsored with the
College of Jewish Studies |
|
March |
13th
|
8:00
– 10:30 pm |
A
Touch of Klez concert at Beth Shalom sponsored by Beit Tikvah, Adath Shalom,
Beth Shalom, Or Haneshama (ORH) and Temple Israel. Refreshments will be
served. |
|
March |
14th |
7:30
pm |
“The
Lonely Man of Faith” film presentation with The College of Jewish Studies |
|
March
|
29th
|
N/A |
Pesach
begins |
|
April |
24th |
Save
the Date |
Annual Yom Ha’atzmaut
Shabbaton with guest speaker, Shaul Goldstein, Mayor of the Gush Etzion Regional
Council |
SUN |
MON |
TUES |
WED |
THURS |
FRI |
SHABBAT |
|
MARCH DATES TO REMEMBER Daylight Savings begins March 14th |
Bar/Bat Mitzvah w/Rabbi every Thurs 5:45 – 6:30 pm |
NO
SCENTS MAKES GOOD SENSE |
Rabbi’s Talmud Class after Ma’ariv on every Wed. |
4 Shacharit 6:45 am Bar/Bat Mitzvah 5:00 - 5:45 pm Mincha& Ma’ariv 5:45 pm |
5 Shacharit 7:00 am Candle Lighting 5:37 pm Mincha & Kabbalat Shabbat 5:45 pm |
6 Ki Tisa / Shabbat Parah Shacharit 9:00 am Mincha 5:20 pm Ma’ariv 6:30 pm Shabbat ends 6:40 pm |
|
7 Shacharit 8:30 am Mincha & Ma’ariv 5:55 pm |
8 Shacharit 6:45 am Mincha & Ma’ariv 5:55 pm |
9 Shacharit 7:00 am Mincha & Ma’ariv 5:55 pm |
10 Shacharit 7:00 am Mincha & Ma’ariv 5:55 pm Rabbi’s Talmud Class after Ma’ariv Board Meeting 7:30 pm |
11 Shacharit 6:45 am Bar/Bat Mitzvah 5:00 - 5:45 pm Mincha & Ma’ariv 5:55 pm |
12 Shacharit 7:00 am Candle Lighting 5:46 pm Mincha & Kabbalat Shabbat 5:55 pm
Shabbaton |
13 Vayakhel / Pekudei / Shabbat Hachodesh / Post Bar-Mitzvah of Nadav Bayaz Shacharit 9:00 am Shabbaton Mincha 5:30 pm Ma’ariv 6:40 pm Shabbat ends 6:49 pm CLOCKS FORWARD 1HR |
|
14 DAYLIGHT SAVINGS BEGINS Shabbaton Shacharit 8:30 am Mincha/Ma’ariv 7:00 pm Movie: “The Lonely Man of Faith” 7:30 pm |
15 Shacharit 6:45 am Mincha & Ma’ariv 7:00 pm |
16 Rosh Chodesh Nissan Shacharit 6:40 am Mincha & Ma’ariv 7:00 pm |
17 Shacharit 7:00 am Mincha & Ma’ariv 7:00 pm Rabbi’s Talmud Class after Ma’ariv |
18 Shacharit 6:45 am Bar/Bat Mitzvah 5:00 - 5:45 pm Mincha & Ma’ariv 7:00 pm |
19 Shacharit 7:00 am Candle Lighting 6:55 pm Mincha & Kabbalat Shabbat 7:00 pm |
20 Vayikra Shacharit 9:00 am Mincha 6:40 pm Ma’ariv 7:50 pm Shabbat ends 7:59 pm |
GENERAL
AND ON-GOING INFORMATION:
CBTO DONATION CARDS: $12 minimum donation to
any of the following funds: Building
Enhancement, Chesed, Handicap Access, Library, Security, Study in Israel and
Youth. Also available: Chai fund $18
min, or dedications to: A Book of the 5 Megillot
($25), a Siddur (ArtScroll or Koren $40), or a Chumash ($75). Dedication of a brick on
the Wall of Honour $118; Dedication of a leaf on the Eitz Chaim $180; Donations
online at www.cbto.org, email shul@cbto.org
or call Maxine in the office;
KADDISH FUND: Please call Sue, Rabbi Finkelstein or
Jonathan I (Gabbai) for further details on how this tradition can be fulfilled
on your behalf.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR EDUCATION AT BEIT TIKVAH:
1.
Rabbi Finkelstein’s
Talmud Class: Wednesdays after Ma’ariv.
2.
Kollel Of Ottawa Comes To Beit Tikvah:
a.
Rabbi E. D. Neuhaus class Thursdays after Ma’ariv
b.
Rabbi
Finkel’s class after Shacharit on Sundays
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OTTAWA JEWISH COMMUNITY EVENTS:
NA’AMAT CANADA OTTAWA PRESENTS: “Navigating mental
illness without a map: Woman as Advocates” On International Women’s Day, March
8, 2010 at 7:00 pm at Ben Franklin Place. Discussion with Shereen Miller and
Alyse Schachter; RSVP and information from 613-722-2932 or naamat.ottawa@sympatico.ca
CANADIAN FRIENDS OF HEBREW UNIVERSITY will host a community
lecture on Thursday, March 11 at Agudath Israel at 7:30 p.m. Professor
Yuval Shany from the Faculty of Law will speak on "The Prohibition Against Torture
in Israel: How Absolute is the Absolute?" Professor Shany
was the keynote speaker for the 2009 Best of Hebrew U and was invited back to
Ottawa because of his stimulating, insightful and informative
presentation. For more information contact Shelli Kimmel at skimmel@cfhu.org
or call 613.829.3150.
JFS PRESENTS ITS ANUAL SHALOM BAYIT WOMEN'S SEDER, Wednesday March 24,
2010.
Reservations are now being accepted. This year’s central Message: “It’s
Not Your Fault. It’s Not Okay. You Are Not Alone” Dating
violence is a growing reality affecting young women today, and
it's not OK. Consider bringing your daughter or niece to this year's
Seder. Please make your reservation early. To purchase tickets call 613 722
2225 x 406 or email shalombayitseder@jfsottawa.com
JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES cordially invites the Jewish Community of Ottawa
to celebrate the Festival of Freedom at 2 Free community Seders on March 29th
at 7:00 pm in the Baseline/Richmond area and on March 30th at 8:30
pm in the Carling/Queensview area. For more information or to reserve,
please see the flyer on Beit Tikvah’s bulletin board or call 613-722-2225 no
later than Tuesday March 23rd. Food prepared under MK supervision.
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