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WJAFC Paris
A weekly Journal of information and training published by the World Jewish Adventist Friendship Center Under the umbrella of the General Conference —Office of Adventist Mission
Journal of Information and Training — Issue 688— 9 July 2 0 1 6 / 3 Ta m u z 5 7 7 6
Jael Wells Cuellar English Edition: Richard-Amram Elofer
Richard Amram Elofer
Russian Edition: Alexandra Obrevko French Edition: Sabine Baris Spanish Edition: Jael Wells Cuellar Portuguese Edition: Carlos Muniz Dutch Edition: Hubert Paulleta
Hubert Paulleta 8
Shabbat — Korach
Shabbat Shalom Newsletter
Resources:
Carlos Muniz Emails: English: richard@elofer.com Russian: sashok_l@mail.ru French: sabinebaris@gmail.com Spanish: jael_wells@hotmail.com Portuguese: cdmuniz@gmail.com Dutch: hpauletta@hotmail.com
Credit photos: Richard Elofer, Alexandra Obrevko, Jael Wells Cuellar Hubert Paulleta, Laurent Baris and Advent Digital Media
for more information: contact us at www.jewishadventist.org
Alexandra Obrevko
Sabine Baris
688
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9 J u l y / 3 Ta m u z 2016 / 5776
This issue
News P.1 Parasha’s comments P.2-4 Haftara P.4-5 Apostolic Writings P.5 Stories P.6 Inspirational Corner P.6,7 Color Sheet for Kids P.7
Weekly Jewish-Adventist Journal of Information
We pray every week for leaders of the Jewish Ministry, According to our list of prayer for 2016, I suggest that our partners pray from July 10 to 16 for the World Jewish Adventist Congress which will be held in Paris from July 13 through 16 and also for the World Jewish Adventist Advisory which will be held in Paris on July 18 and 19.
NEWS
World Jewish Adventist Congress in Streaming
As everyone know the World Jewish Adventist Congress will be held in Paris from July 13 to 16. This Congress will be a very important one. Gathering people who are involved in Jewish ministry but also world Adventist leaders who are interested to look at this ministry and to discover what a Jewish Adventist worship is. The theme of this Congress is “Let’s Worship Him.” Many lectures will be presented during this world congress in connection with this theme. We are happy to announce that we have made arrangement with the management of the Maison de l’espérance where this congress will be held to broadcast on the Internet the main lectures. Here is the program of this streaming which will be available at: http://livestream.com/accounts/12397264/ events/5743444 All the timing are given according to Paris (France) timing and all the presentations are in English. July 13 at 7:00 PM — Opening evening and speech of Ted Wilson, President of the World Seventh-day Adventists. July 14 at 9:00 AM — Devotional from Samuel Telemaque, Inter-American Division’s Adventist Mission Director. 9:30 AM — Clifford Goldstein, General Conference’s Editor of the quarterly
Sabbath School. He will deliver a message on the first angel’s message of Revelation 14:6-7. 2:15 PM — Yvan Milanov, lecturer at Newbold College, England. He will deliver a message: “Hebrew Principles of Worship” July 15 at 9:00 AM — Devotional from Samuel Telemaque, Inter-American Division’s Adventist Mission Director. 9:30 AM — Daniel Stojanovic, VicePresident of the Canadian Union of the Seventh-day Adventists for Administration. He will deliver a message on “First century Jewish Christians perspectives of worship” 7:30 PM Kabbalat Shabbat with a Drasha from Shalom David, Pastor in Israel. July 16 at 8:50 AM — Lecture from Kwabena Donkor, Director Assistant of the General Conference’s Biblical Research Institute, on “Creation Theology and Worship.” 10:05 AM — A movie prepared by the Communication Department of the General Conference “The Childhood Of Yeshua” 11:00 AM — Worship Service led by Joseph du Mesgnil d’Engente and the drasha by Jacques Doukhan: “The Day of Atonement and the Three Angels Message.” 6:00 PM — Concert “Singing in the Dark” by Rachel Hyman. A concert on the Holocaust or Shoah.
Parasha Overview
Parasha for this Week
Korach
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orach, Datan and Aviram, and 250 leaders of Israel rebel against the authority of Moshe and Aharon. The rebellion results in their being swallowed by the earth. Many resent their death and blame Moshe. G-d’s “anger” is manifest by a plague that besets the nation, and many thousands perish. Moshe intercedes once again for the people. Moshe instructs Aharon to atone for them and the plague stops. Then G-d commands that staffs, each inscribed with the name of one of the tribes, be placed in the Mishkan. In the morning the staff of Levi, bearing Aharon’s name, sprouts, buds, blossoms and yields ripe almonds. This provides Divine confirmation that Levi’s tribe is chosen for priesthood
“Now Korah the son of Izhar, son of Kohath, son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram the sons of Eliab, and On the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men. And they rose up before Moses, with a number of the people of Israel, 250 chiefs of the congregation, chosen from the assembly, well-known men.” (Numbers 16:1–2)
Korach
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Numbers 16:1 - 18:32
Rebellion Against one of the Greatest Leaders of Israel
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hile the story of the rebellion of Korach is well known, the very idea of a rebellion against Moshe seems strange to us. “Now Korah the son of Izhar, son of Kohath, son of Levi, and Dathan and Aviram the sons of Eliab, and On the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men. And they rose up before Moses, with a number of the people of Israel, 250 chiefs of the congregation, chosen from the assembly, well-known men. They assembled themselves together against Moses and against Aaron” (Numbers 16:1–3) Moshe was surely the greatest leader Israel has ever had. More than that, he was our greatest teacher, prophet, and spiritual leader. Additionally, Moshe was the most modest man to ever live. Adding these characteristics together should produce an extremely attractive package, a leader of unparalleled stature. Rabbi Ari Kahn ask, how was Korach able to convince anyone to join him in a rebellion against such a man? Undoubtedly, Korach was sly and devious; the Mi-
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drash stresses his manipulative demagoguery and deception. But how did the movement he spearheaded gain a foothold within the Israelite community? Rabbi Ari Kahn says that a number of the steps are clear: 1. Korach gathers the disenfranchised, namely the tribe of Reuven who had lost the rights and privileges and the preferred status and stature of the eldest tribe. Reuven was the first born of Jacob. 2. The timing is also significant: the people had just been sentenced to wander in the desert for forty years. Although this was not Moshe’s decision, there most likely was whispered criticism of Moshe’s perceived mismanagement of the explorers— murmuring that called Moshe’s leadership into question. 3. However, the seeds of the insurrection may go back even farther, to a most unexpected source: “And Miriam and Aharon spoke against Moshe because of the Kushite woman whom he had married” (Numbers 12:1). Rabbi Ari Kahn says that perhaps this talk against Moshe from such reputable people burst the bubble of Moshe’s unparalleled status in the eyes of the people. It is interesting that while Miriam was immediately punished, Aharon apparently escaped that
episode unscathed. Ironically, or perhaps in a masterful moment of cynical manipulation, Korach uses this seeming inequity as a weapon: When Korach wages his war against Moshe, he points his accusations at Aharon as the beneficiary of Moshe’s nepotism.
Korach’s Envy
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he Torah states: “And Korach, the son of Izhar, the son of Kehas, the son of Levi, took ...” (Numbers. 16:1). Rashi explains that the key reason for Korach’s rebellion against Moshe was his envy of a relative who received honor which Korach believed should have belonged to him. Envy is destructive. It prevents a person from enjoying his own blessings. When you focus on the success of another person and feel pain because of it, you are likely to do things that are highly counterproductive. Envy is one of the three things that totally destroy a person (Pirkei Avos 4:28). The downfall of Korach was because of this trait. Not only did he not get what he wanted, but he lost everything he already possessed. How does one overcome envy? The key is to focus on what you have and on what
you can accomplish in this world. Envy arises when a person looks at others and compares himself to them. The ultimate that anyone can have in this world is happiness. When you master this trait by focusing on those things conducive to happiness, you need never to envy another person.
Who are your Neighbor?
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orach managed to convince two hundred and fifty people from the neighboring tribe of Reuben to join the revolt. He told them, “The entire congregation is holy and G-d is among them.” (Numbers 16:3). In other words, there is no need for Moshe and Aaron’s leadership for we are as holy and as close to G-d as they are. Moshe warned the people to disassociate from Korach and his compatriots, Dathan and Aviram, who were rebelling against G-d. It teaches us two lessons: The first is how much a person must try to avoid being involved in quarrels. The Jewish tradition says, “they should not be like Korach and his congregation.” From this
our sages derive that it is a sin to be involved in quarrels and divisiveness as Korach was. Another important lesson is the value of a good neighbor and how much one should avoid living next to a neighbor who may have a negative influence. We see this from the fact that of all the twelve tribes, Korach was only able to influence 250 people from the tribe of Reuben. Our sages explain that the tribe of Reuben were Korach’s neighbors and as result he had influence over them.
hurt Aharon? He will easily remain oblivious to what you say since he sees that you also have complaints against the Almighty. Rabbi Kalman Packouz gives us this lesson: When we come in contact with a very critical person, we need not take offense at what he says. This is the way he speaks to all people so there is no reason to take it personally. Realize that the problem is his, not yours, and you free yourself from any possible hurt feelings from what he says.
A critical Person
He was Greatly pained
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hen Moshe reprimands Korach for seeking the priesthood, he concludes: “Therefore, you and your congregation who gather together are against the Almighty; and Aharon, who is he that you complain against him?” (Numbers 16:11) Rabbi Shlomo Kluger comments that when someone verbally abuses a very distinguished personage and then disparages a common person, the common person won’t take great offense. This is what Moshe was saying to Korach. Since you are really complaining against the Almighty, how can your words
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he Torah states: “Isn’t it enough that you took us out of a land of milk and honey [Egypt] to cause us to die in the desert? Now, you want to L-rd over us? You have not brought us to the land of flowing milk and honey (Israel), nor did you give us a field and vineyard! Even if you would threaten to send someone to gouge out our eyes, we will not go up to you!” (Numbers 16:13-14). Datan and Aviram cynically called Egypt and not Israel, ‘the land of milk and honey.’ Then they brazenly blame Moshe for the
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and verifies Aharon’s position as Kohen Gadol, High Priest. The specific duties of the levi’im and kohanim are stated. The kohanim were not to be landowners, but were to receive their sustenance from the tithes and other mandated gifts brought by the people. Also taught in this week’s Parasha are laws of the first fruits, redemption of the firstborn, and other offerings.
Apostolic Writings — Jude 1-25
Haftara Overview 1Samuel 11:14-12:22
“On the next day Moses went into the tent of the testimony, and behold, the staff of Aaron for the house of Levi had sprouted and put forth buds and produced blossoms, and it bore ripe almonds.” (Numbers 17:8)
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n the text of the parasha the people of Israel are not happy that Moses and Aaron are keeping the great responsibilities of Governance and Priesthood to themselves. Moses and Aaron were brothers and it seemed to the people and especially to 250 leaders who were influenced by Korach, that a conflict of interest had occurred. “You have gone too far! All the congregation are holy, everyone of them, and the L-RD is among them. So why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the L-RD? (Num. 16:3). In our haftara the people of Israel challenge the authority of Samuel and G-d and decide to have a new king. But Samuel is not satisfied and wants to be sure that nobody accuses him of anything wrong during his time of leadership. “I have listened to you in all that you have said to me, and have set a king over you. See, it is the king who leads you now; I am old and gray, but my sons are with you. I have led you from my youth until this day. Here I am; testify against me before the L-RD and before his anointed. Whose ox have I taken? Or whose donkey have I taken? Or whom have I defrauded? Whom have I oppressed? Or from whose hand have I taken a bribe to blind my
sin of the spies and his ‘failure’ to lead the Jewish People to conquer the land of Israel, not to mention their accusation of Moshe ‘L-rding’ over them for his own honor. This was surely a devastating, albeit untrue, critique of Moshe. How does Moshe react? Seemingly, like any one of us. “And Moses was very wroth (ASV or KJV) or And Moses was very angry (ESV or NIV)” (Numbers 16:15). But Rashi steps in to show us how radically different and how amazingly beautiful Moshe’s response actually was. “He was pained greatly.” (Rashi, Numbers 16:15). Rashi seems to be saying that Moshe was not angry; rather he was upset and saddened. In Parashat Korach, Moshe is not taking things personally with Korach, Datan, Aviram, or any of the rebels. His feelings are not personal. Moshe is distressed, saddened, and depressed that these people have steeped themselves into the depths of sin. As Rashi explains, Moshe is not infuriated (as the verse implies on first glance). He is upset and disturbed at the face of evil, but not at the evildoers.
Kindness or Cruelty?
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n response to Korach’s rebellion, Moshe sets forth a very strong response. The
Torah states, “And Moshe said, ‘With this, you shall know that the Almighty sent me to do all these things, I did not make them up” (Numbers 16:28). Moshe then goes on to tell Korach and his followers that they would die unnatural deaths (16:29-35). This might appear very cruel on Moshe’s part. To explain Moshe’s reaction, the Alshich (a noted commentary) gives the analogy of a doctor who sees a need to amputate a person’s hand or foot in order that a disease should not spread. Although this might seem cruel, it is really an act of kindness because it saves the person’s life. Similarly, Moshe saw that Korach’s rebellion was spreading and he had 250 followers already. In order to save the rest of the nation, Moshe, with his compassion for everyone else, had to use stringent measures. True kindness at times will obligate us to use approaches that might appear very strict. However, the key factor is always our motivation for the entire situation. If someone sees a young child playing with matches and grabs them from him, the child will most probably cry and think that this person is very cruel. Only a person who is apathetic or callous would allow the child to continue playing with matches. Using harsh measures when they are not absolutely needed is cruel; failing to use harsh measures when they are the only approach available in order to
help someone is also cruel. The person who is truly kind will weigh each situation carefully to see what is needed.
A Leadership challenge
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n this story, Moses took a great risk. He accepted the challenge of Korach who instilled in the heart and mind of Israelites, that maybe Moses has not been chosen by G-d. Moses says in the Torah “This is how you will know that the L-RD has sent me to do all these things and that it was not my idea: If these men die a natural death and experience only what usually happens to men, then the L-RD has not sent me. But if the L-RD brings about something totally new, and the earth opens its mouth and swallows them, with everything that belongs to them, and they go down alive into the grave, then you will know that these men have treated the L-RD with contempt” (Num 16:28-30). What a challenge! Moses took a very surprising step to deter any possible skeptics. He called for the earth to open up and swallow the rebels. This would convince the people of his status. However, if this miracle did not occur, then Moses’s authenticity, as well as the validity of the entire Torah would be suspect.
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he letter written by Jude (Yehuda) is one on the shortest of the Bible, it contains only one chapter divided in 25 verses. The verse 11 is directly linked to our parasha and the story of Korach, it states: “Woe to them! They have taken the way of Cain; they have rushed for profit into Balaam’s error; they have been destroyed in Korah’s rebellion.” (Jude 11) Jude has particular relation to the Mashiach, because he introduces himself as the brother of Ya’acov (James), who was himself the brother of Yeshua. In the Besorah we have the mention of three brothers of Yeshua: Sim’on, Ya’acob and Yehuda. (Matthew 13:55) Yehuda, as the physical brother of Yeshua has been raised by Myriam, the mother of Yeshua. Since they have both received the same education from the same mother we see that Yehuda, and Yeshua knew very well the Hebrew Bible—the Tanach. It is then naturally that when Yehuda decided to write a letter to some believers of the first century, he referred constantly to the Tanach and the history of the people of Israel. Twenty-five very interesting verses. The argumentation of Yehuda is that the evildoers of our time are as guilty as the people of Israel who rebelled against G-d and especially Korach who rebelled against the authority of G-d’s people (Moses and Aaron). Yehuda is very
strong in his words because for him these people are similar to the people who denied Yeshua in the past and those who deny Yeshua in the present time. “For certain men whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are G-dless men, who change the grace of our G-d into a license for immorality and deny Yeshua HaMashiach our only Sovereign and L-rd.” (4). It is also very interesting to see what Yehuda says about angels; not many people believe that angels exist, but Yehuda reminds us that once some angels were in a very high position in heaven they rebelled against G-d (6). This reference is linked to what Isaiah and Ezekiel say in their books about the rebellion of angels. It is described in Isaiah in this way: “How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low! You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of G-d I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north;” (Isaiah 14:12–13), It clearly says that someone who was in heaven in the presence of G-d, called a “Day star” a “Son of Dawn” fell down. He was jealous “I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of G-d I will set my throne on high” he was jealous of other angels and
of G-d himself. According to the book of Revelation, there was a war: “Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven.” (Revelation 12:7– 8), the dragon was the Satan (Adversary) the enemy of G-d and of all humanity. He was jealous of Michael and his position in heaven, that is why he wanted his place in order, one day, to be even above G-d himself. This feeling was the exact feeling of Korach who was jealous of Aharon, the high priest, The first claim was about priesthood, giving a correct argument “You have gone too far! For all in the congregation are holy” (Numbers 16:3), this idea will be given by G-d himself “For you are a people holy to the L-rd your G-d.” (Deuteronomy 7:6). However Korach would not have been satisfied with the position of High Priest, at the end he would rebel against the authority of Moses and would try to become the first, above Moses himself. Sin enter the universe, not only men can sin against G-d but also angels. That is why we have to be on our guards about our spiritual life. What happened to Korach, the fallen angels, Satan and many others could happen to each one of us. Let’s pray and meditate Gd’s Word to keep our faith in G-d strong.
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eyes with it? Testify against me and I will restore it to you.” (1Sam. 12:1-3). The people confirmed to Samuel that they have no reproach against him. “You have not defrauded us or oppressed us or taken anything from the hand of anyone.” (1Sam. 12:4). Samuel recalls to the people of Israel all the mistakes they have made during their history from the time of Jacob to the present. The L-rd confirmed Samuel by sending thunder, “and the L-RD sent thunder and rain that day; and all the people greatly feared the L-RD and Samuel (1Sam. 12:1-3). Samuel confirmed to the people of Israel that G-d’s love is unconditional. G-d has chosen Israel. He will not rebuke him and will not reject him And Samuel said to the people, “Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil, yet do not turn aside from following the L-RD, but serve the L-RD with all your heart; For the L-RD will not cast away his people, for his great name’s sake, because it has pleased the L-RD to make you a people for himself. (1Sam. 12:21-22).
Stories and Traditions
Inspirational Corner v Korah and his
fellow conspirators were of the number who went up with Moses into the mount and beheld the divine glory. But a temptation, slight at first, had been harbored until their minds were controlled by Satan. They first whispered their discontent to one another and then to leading men of Israel. At last they really believed themselves actuated by zeal for G-d. They were successful in alienating two hundred and fifty princes. With these influential supporters they felt confident of greatly improving upon the administration of Moses and Aaron. (EP 278)
Wealth is in G-d’s Hand
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here once lived a wealthy religious man. He thanked G-d for everything he had and shared his wealth with others. Once, as he was returning home from morning prayers he thought about the words he just recited in the morning prayers, “Wealth and honor are from You.” “Is it possible that the wealth which I possess is always in G-d’s hands?” he wondered. “Could G-d really take away everything from me? Even if He destroyed my factories in this city, I still have businesses in other cities. If He destroyed my business on land, I still have ships on the oceans.” As the man was so immersed in thought, he entered a forbidden neighborhood which was off limits to Jews, punishable by death. He was immediately arrested. Begging for his life, he was told that his life would be spared if he signed a note transferring everything he owned to the church. He did so and was released. Now, on his way home, he was thankful to G-d that his life was spared. “Now I see that G-d can take everything away in an instant. But is it possible for G-d to give everything back as fast as He had taken it?” he wondered. Suddenly he heard a tremendous noise. Looking back, he saw that lightning hit the building in which he had just transferred all his wealth to the church. The entire building was engulfed in flames together with the note he had just signed. In an instant he was once again as wealthy as before. “Indeed,” he exclaimed, “Wealth is truly in the hands of G-d at all times!”.
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Do you do your part?
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abbi Levi Yitzchak of Barditchev once saw a man running about frantically in the marketplace. He stopped the man and asked him, “What are you doing?” The man barely gave the Rabbi a glance and replied, “Sorry Rabbi, I’m very busy and I don’t have time to talk to you now.” But Rabbi Levi Yitzchak persisted. “Tell me why are you in such a rush. What you are doing?” The man replied, “Can’t you see, Rabbi. I’m trying to make a living. that’s what I’m doing.” “You are making a mistake!” replied the Rabbi. “Making a living is G-d’s doing. What you have to do is make the proper vessel for G-d’s blessings to descend. The study of Torah, to be faithful to the mitzvot and giving charity is included in what you have to do. My question was, “What are YOU doing? Are you living up to your part?”
Repentant Neighbor
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he Talmud tells the following story; In Rabbi neighborhood Meir’s there lived bad people, who annoyed him so much that he prayed for them to die. Rabbi Meir’s wife Beruriah said to him, “It says (Psalms 104), ‘Let sins be consumed’ not sinners!” Instead of praying for their demise, you should better seek G-d’s mercy that they should repent and not be wicked anymore!” Rabbi Meir listened to his wife and sought G-d’s mercy on their behalf and they indeed repented.
Kids Parasha Korach
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Walking a Tightrope
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great sage told his disciples for a walk, “Today, we will do something different.” Without another word, he led them to a deep ravine at the end of the town. A taut rope was stretched across the top of the ravine, and a huge crowd was gathered a short distance away. Presently, a tightrope walker holding a long balancing rod stepped off the rim of the ravine onto the rope and began to walk across the chasm. The crowd gasped in amazement as the tightrope walker made his way steadily along the quivering rope. When he finally reached the opposite rim of the ravine safely, the crowd responded with an audible sigh of relief and an enthusiastic round of applause. The sage nodded gravely, turned around and started to walk away. “Why did you bring us here today?” one of his disciples asked him. “What are we supposed to learn from the tightrope walker?” “A very important lesson,” said the sage. “Walking a tightrope is a metaphor of life, because all of us are indeed walking a tightrope. Did you watch that tightrope walker? He was totally focused on what he was doing, and he was confident in his ability to do it. If he had lost focus or confidence, he would never have made it across.” u
Numbers 16:1 - 18:32 “But on the next day all the congregation of the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and against Aaron, saying, “You have killed the people of the L-rd.” And when the congregation had assembled against Moses and against Aaron, they turned toward the tent of meeting. And behold, the cloud covered it, and the glory of the L-rd appeared. And Moses and Aaron came to the front of the tent of meeting, and the L-rd spoke to Moses, saying, “Get away from the midst of this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment.” And they fell on their faces.” (Numbers 16:41–45)
http://www.bnai-tikkun.org.nz 7
Inspirational Corner
v Korah and his associates enlisted the support of the congregation. The charge that the murmuring of the people had brought the wrath of G-d was declared a mistake. They said that the congregation were not at fault, since they desired nothing more than their rights; but Moses was an overbearing ruler; he had reproved the people as sinners when they were a holy people. Korah’s hearers thought they saw clearly that their troubles might have been prevented if Moses had pursued a different course. Their exclusion from Canaan was in consequence of the mismanagement of Moses and Aaron. If Korah would be their leader and encourage them by dwelling upon their good deeds instead of reproving their sins, they would have a very prosperous journey; instead of wandering in the wilderness they would proceed directly to the Promised Land. (EP 278)