Sisterhood Scoop – July 27, 2024
Volume 7 Number 27 • 21 Tammuz 5784 • July 27, 2024
Book Club News!
The Sisterhood Book Club met Monday, July 22 to discuss Night Angels: A Novel, by Weina Dai Randel. Linda Shore led the
discussion of this moving novel inspired by the true story of Dr. Ho Fengshan, who risked his life to help Viennese
Jews esscuapitaebtlehe Nazis. We thank Linda for her well-prepared presentation and for her gracious hospitality!
Future Sisterhood Book Club meeting dates are:
September 23: Gates of November, by Chaim Potok, at the home of Vivian Zarkowsky
November 18: Outwitting History: The Amazing Adventures of a Man Who Rescued a Million Yiddish Books by Aaron Lansky
For more information call Fran Alper at 314-993-4024 or email fran.alper@outlook.com or sisterhood@nhbz.org
All women are welcome to join us!
During The Three Weeks
Focus on Rebuilding the Temple
During the Three Weeks, in addition to observing the appropriate restrictions, reflect on the imperfect state of the world and consider how you can contribute to its improvement through acts of goodness and kindness. The Rebbe emphasized the importance of increased Torah study and charity during this period, as expressed in the verse “Zion shall be redeemed by law, and her returnees by charity.”
Specifically, the Rebbe emphasized the study of Torah portions related to the construction of the Holy Temple. These practices are based on a dialogue found in the Midrash, in which G‐d told Ezekiel that when we learn about the Holy Temple, it is as if it is being rebuilt. May it be speedily in our days! – excerpted from www.chabad.org
Pinchas: How to Become a Trailblazer
Do you hear yourself thinking: “Who am I to object? There are others who are far more (fill in the blank: learned, courageous, community- minded, well-connected, etc.). Who am I to voice my protest? Besides, even if I do say something…it won’t make any difference!”
This week’s Torah portion is about trailblazers who have the courage to take bold action and create positive change.
After sinning with Midianite women and worshipping their idol, a plague had broken out among the Jewish people. Zimri, a Simeonite prince, publicly takes a Moabite princess into his tent. Understanding the law, Pinchas kills them both, stopping the plague.
The Torah writes that Pinchas was “the son of Elazar, the son of Aaron.” In character and temperament, Pinchas was just like his grandfather Aaron, compassionate and peace-loving. Pinchas’ zealous act defied his peaceful nature in order to bring about peace between G-d and Israel. G-d rewards him with a covenant of priesthood.
Later in the parshah, the daughters of the Tzelafchad petition Moses to be granted a portion of the land belonging to their father, who died without sons. Moses presents their case to G-d, who establishes their legal right, incorporating this law into the Torah’s laws of inheritance.
Tzelafchad’s daughters were descendants of Machir, from the tribe of Menashe, who had asked Moshe to settle on the Jordan’s eastern side. They understood that they could receive territory there since it would be distributed by Moses and not by Divine lot. But these women loved the Land of Israel itself.
This is why the Torah traces their genealogy back to Joseph, who also loved Israel. Before his death in Egypt, Joseph asked his brothers to swear that they would bring out his bones and bury him in Israel’s holy soil.
The five sisters became the vehicle for the revelation of G-d’s commandment. G-d wrote a special chapter in the Torah altering the status quo only once these women stepped up to the plate. While the spies had spoken evil about the Land, these women taught their generation to love it passionately.
So, how can YOU become a trailblazer to create positive change? Here are three things to keep in mind:
- Make sure your intentions are pure, not motivated by personal gain.
- Know the law. Pinchas knew the Torah’s parameters. Tzelafchad’s daughters, too, had done their research, presenting learned claims.
- Believe it’s not too late to turn the tide. When no one is taking action, it may just be because YOU alone need to step up to the
– Chana Weisberg, www.chabad.org
