Lake Chapala Jewish Congregation

David’s Corner – August 22, 2022

One God of Israel, yes. Polytheist Canaanites, no. Follow only the laws of the One God Smash all altars to pagan gods And destroy any Canaanite who builds one. Eat nothing that is abhorrent, because  It reflects  the disgusting unholy diet

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David’s Corner – August 15, 2022

Moses said: Fear Adonai, not your enemies. Your enemies lack laws and practices That can serve a society. They are focused only on their wicked ways,  So Adonai will help you destroy them, No matter that they greatly outnumber you. Be

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David’s Corner – August 1, 2022

Moses begins his review I,  Moses, now speak directly to my people To remind them of all that has transpired Since the Exodus And what now is expected of them. Do not make the same mistake The last generation made,

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David’s Corner – July 25, 2022

Watch what you vow! According to the Torah If you’re a man, every vow you make, shall stand. If you are a young woman, still in your father’s house, Your father can object on the day he finds out, and 

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David’s Corner – July 18, 2022

Discipline maintains focus No sooner had the Israelites defeated their foes Then they decided to celebrate by fornicating with Moabite women. God responded by inflicting yet another plague and hundreds died. Pincus, Aaron’s grandson, picked  up a spear And crying,

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David’s Corner – July 11, 2022

The Donkey Tossed to and fro Pulling to the opposite Side that Balaam did. The donkey had been this agitated before, But never before had he been able to say, In a human tongue: “You silly man! What kind of

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David’s Corner – July 4, 2022

Respect and Disrespect When you consider how disrespectful Korach, Dathan, and Abiram were toward Moses  And by extension to Adonai, It isn’t hard to discern a certain relief in their destruction. But what about Adonai insisting on correct sacrificial ritual

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David’s Corner – June 27, 2022

Korach We know that Amalek Was the worst of the worst But really, Korach, When you add up all the folks Who were swallowed up With you  And those who died in  The plague that followed Yours was a worse

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David’s Corner – June 20, 2022

Woulda, shoulda, coulda. It’s likely that the exodus generation Invented this phrase. Instead of taking the opportunity To enter and fight for the Promised Land They played on their own worst fears Listening to the naysayer scouts    Rather than

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David’s Corner – June 13, 2022

It’s Grumpy Time The Israelites are complaining about    Having to eat mana all the time.   Miriam complains about    Moses’s new black bride from Cush   Aaron complains about Moses    Getting all the attention from the Lord,

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David’s Corner – April 25, 2022

Aaron After the deaths of his sons Nadab and Abihu. Aaron said not a word — Not to his brother Moses, Nor to his wife, Elisheba, The mother of Nadab and Abihu, Nor to his other sons,  Eleazar and Itamar,

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David’s Corner – June 21, 2021

Balak (Numbers 22:2 – 25:9) Balaam is the unsung prophet of the Torah.  In the course of his appearance in the parasha Balak, Baalam transforms the perception of the Israelites from dreaded outsiders who are to be cursed, to a

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David’s Corner – April 26, 2021

Emor Just as Achrei Mot and Kedoshim assert and command ways that the Israelites are separate from their neighbors (diet and behavior), so does Emor assert and command ways the Priests of Israel are separate from other Israelites. One way

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