When we encounter those in our lives who criticize us we often brush them away or try to tune them out. No one likes being reminded of the things they did wrong, yet it is one of the only ways we can improve as people and learn from the choices we have made. What about the one who is the criticizer? Perhaps the criticism that person gives does more damage to them than the one they are giving criticism towards. This week we are beginning the last and most influential book of the Torah-Deuteronomy, in Hebrew it is known as Devarim.
When we look at the opening words of the Torah portion our Chumash tells us that the words for Bees-Devorim and Words-Devarim are incredibly similar. The criticisms of Moshe to Bnai Yisrael are like the sting of a bee. A bee’s sting hurts the person stung but it hurts the bee more, causing its death. Moshe dies at the end of the book of Deuteronomy because criticizing Israel has taken so much out of him. The idea here is that we as people living in 2022 should try and judge the “validity of the criticism not only by its factual accuracy but by how much it pains the critic to say it. The harsh criticisms of Moshe are spoken with love, in contrast to the praises given by Balaam which are spoken as flattery.” (Etz Chayim 981)
The next time you notice someone giving you criticism or if you are the one giving criticism pay attention to see if it pains you or pains that person to do so, whether or not the criticism is honest. If this is apparent you can know that while it may be difficult to hear it will be coming from a place of love.
Shabbat Shalom, Cantor Diamond
FRIDAY Kabbalat Service - 8:00 PM (In Person & Live Streamed) Candle Lighting - 7:46 PM
SATURDAY Nosh & Drash - Parashat Devarim -- 9:00 AM (In Person) Shabbat Service - 9:45 AM - (In Person & Live Streamed) Tisha B'av Service - 9:00 PM at Merrick Jewish Centre
Havdalah - 8:49 PM
SUNDAY Minyan & 2nd Chanting of Eicha (Zoom) CLICK HERE to join
Congregation Beth Ohr Alix Rubinger Food Pantry has been selected again to receive $1 for every $2.50 reusable Community Bag sold during the month of August 2022 at Stop & Shop located at 2160 South Merrick Mall Merrick, NY 11566
CELEBRATIONS & GRATITUDE Happy Birthday to Ira Levy and belated birthday wishes to Debbie Ring.
Thank you to Richard Skolnik and his committee for coordinating the Shabbat Under the Stars event. It was a wonderful evening.
Affiliated with United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism