Temple Beth Ami. Rockville, MD
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Events Calendar

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Tue 24

WTBA Book Club
Send For Me
Tues., May. 24 (7:30-9 pm)

May 24 @ 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Fri 27

Picnic Shabbat with The ShabbaTones
Fri., May 27 (6:30 pm – dinner; 7:15 pm – services)

May 27 @ 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Sat 28

Torah Study
Saturdays (8:45-10:00 am)

May 28 @ 8:45 am - 10:00 am
Sat 28

Shabbat Morning Service
Celebrating the Bar Mitzvah of Max Sticklin
Sat., May 28 (10:30am)

May 28 @ 10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Sun 29

WTBA Spring 2022 Stretch & Strengthen Yoga
Sundays (2-3 pm)
Feb. 6 – June 26

May 29 @ 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Monthly Clergy Message>

ESTHER WAS A BIG LIAR!

It’s true.  In the Purim Megillah, Mordechai asks Esther to conceal her identity.  As a matter of fact, some scholars believe that the heroin’s name, Esther, actually comes from the Hebrew word L’Haster – which means “to conceal.” And that she, and the rest of the story, were fabricated and/or was an amalgamation of many myths from ancient civilizations. 

So the question one must ask is: Why would the Rabbis keep this story of dubious authenticity in our canon of sacred M’gillot? 

One answer might be to keep us asking the eternal question: “Is it O.K. to lie?”

What would have happened to the Jewish people if Esther had not concealed her true identity?  Have YOU ever hidden your Jewish identity?

In researching the question: “Is it O.K. to lie?” I found a great article by Rabbi David Samson (https://www.yeshiva.co/ask/1003) where he answered a young Israeli soldier regarding whether it was O.K. to lie to his parents about where he was stationed – since he was “in some pretty dangerous locations.”  Rabbi Samson answered by quoting 13 different sources of Jewish text (which I’ve condensed below).

He began by quoting verses that said that one should not lie; however, he continued with times when it was permissible:

  1. Lying is permissible if its purpose is to maintain love and harmony between a man and his wife. [Genesis, 18:12-13]
  2. One can lie to bring peace between any two individuals or groups. [Yevamot 65B]
  3. The Sages of the House of Hillel taught that one can praise the beauty of a bride even though she is not particularly pretty. [Ketubot, 17A]
  4. It is also permissible to lie for the sake of humility. [Baba Metzia 23B]
  5. To safeguard a couple’s privacy. [Ibid]
  6. The rabbis also permit lying in order to preserve a person’s well-being. [Ibid]
  7. To avoid embarrassment, a person can lie. [P’ninei Halacha, Vol 3, Pg. 159, based on the Rambam, Laws of Theft 14:13]

Although these are all permissible reasons to lie by our sages, one must know when to lie and when not. And since this is very difficult, one is well-advised to not lie at all; hence the truism: “Once a lie, twice a habit.”

And speaking of habits, the Purim Schpielers have thrown off their habits of last year’s show and invite you to celebrate with us on Monday night, March 9, 2020.  That’s when Megillat Esther meets the Broadway show “Rent” or as we’re calling it “Seasons of Love.” Based on Puccini’s ‘La Boheme,’ “Rent” tells the story of one year in the life of friends living the Bohemian life in the East Village, New York City, in the late 1980s and early 1990s.  Please join us to see how we’ve taken the music and story back to Shushan.  And remember to bring your boxed pasta to use as a grogger and then leave with us so we can donate the pasta to our local food banks.  It’s going to be a night of Purim fun!

Chag Purim Sameach!

Cantor Larry

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Recent Clergy Messages

April 24, 2022

Yom HaShoah Deut. 4:30-40

April 23, 2022

Acharei Mot I Lev. 16:1-34

April 17, 2022

Pesach Day 7  Ex. 13:17 – 15:26; Num. 28:19-25 

April 12, 2022

Pesach Day 1 (Shabbat)   Ex. 12:21 – 12:51; Num. 28:16-25 

April 3, 2022

Metzora 5782 (Shabbat HaGadol)  Leviticus 14:1 – 15:33 

March 27, 2022

Tazria 5782 (Shabbat HaChodesh)  Leviticus 12:1 – 13:59 

March 20, 2022

Shemini 5782 (Shabbat Parah)  Leviticus 9:1 – 11:47

March 20, 2022

Tzav 5782  Leviticus 6:1 – 8:36 

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  • Older Posts
    February 6, 2019

    Monthly Clergy Message – From Rabbi Weiss

    January 3, 2019

    Monthly Clergy Message from Rabbi Pokras

    December 13, 2018

    Monthly Clergy Message from Cantor Eschler

    August 23, 2018

    Clergy’s Monthly Message

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Temple Beth Ami, 14330 Travilah Road Rockville MD, 20850
301-340-6818