VOLUME 20, ISSUE 23 FRIDAY, MAY 10, 2013 / 1 SIVAN 5773
CANDLE LIGHTING: 7:39 P.M. SHABBAT ENDS: 8:50 PM (CHICAGO)
TORAH PORTION: BAMIDBAR (NUMBERS 1:1 – 3:51)
This week’s CTN Shabbat Fax is sponsored
by a friend in honor of Chicago Torah Network.
Special Shavuot Holiday Issue
1. This coming Tuesday evening, May 14, we begin celebrating the Holiday of Shavuot, commemorating the giving of the Torah at Sinai. “The Israelites shall camp … around the Tent of Meeting (containing the Holy Ark) ” (2:2)
The Jewish People are traveling through the desert. And in the middle – surrounded by the
whole nation – is the Torah.
It’s a little surprising. We would have expected the Torah to be in a place of honor.
… Up front.
Why in the middle?
… It is a very important message for us.
The Torah was placed in the center.
To remind us that the Torah is directed to each of us.
That it is not just for the Rabbis. The scholars.
… It has a lot to say to each and every one of us.
About our attitudes. Our priorities. And our responsibilities.
Suppose I’m a dentist. And someone asks me how I spend my day.
I could say: ‘I take x-rays. Drill teeth. And fill them.’
… And that may be true. But there’s another way of looking at it:
Something like: ‘I help people feel better about themselves.
Help them enjoy their food. And improve their smiles.’
Either way I’m doing the same thing.
… But in one, it’s just a way to earn a living.
In the other, my everyday life is connected to Torah values.
Of helping people. Relieving their pain. And improving their quality of life.
… And it’s true no matter how we spend our day.
Lawyer. Doctor. Businessman. And parent.
… The Torah presents each of us with a challenge.
To elevate what we are doing.
And to elevate ourselves.
This week’s CTN Shabbat Fax is sponsored
by a friend in honor of Chicago Torah Network.
§ There was a legendary doctor in Jerusalem. Known for his special acts of kindness. Taking care
of the poor free of charge. And treating each of his patients with amazing respect and dignity.
Once a leading Rabbi came to see him. And after a wait of almost an hour he was called into the
doctor.
“Rabbi, I feel terrible that you had to wait.
Your time is so precious. You spend your whole day teaching Torah.
I would have asked the woman ahead of you if I could see you first. I knew that you would only
take a few minutes.
But Rabbi, that patient is very poor. She can’t pay for her medical care.
… And I didn’t want her to think that I was treating her any differently than my other patients.”
THOUGHT OF THE WEEK
“A number of years ago, I prayed at the Western Wall … I thought that my prayer was pretty good.
Then I saw a blind man being led to the Wall. I watched as he touched the rippled stone with his
hands … He gently bestowed a kiss upon the Wall and began his prayer.
It was not a psalm, not a hymn, and not anything of the established liturgy. It was an intimate
communication.
I watched and listened as he spoke informally to G-d, relating things that had happened, and asking
G-d to bestow true peace upon mankind.
At one point he stopped abruptly and said: “Oh, I am sorry. I already told You about that
yesterday.” And then he continued on.
I then reflected that I had not even begun to pray.”
Rabbi Abraham J. Twerski, MD