Portion of the Portion

GOOD CROWDS AND BAD CROWDS

Some people hate crowds. They much prefer the solitude of a deserted island where they can contemplate the meaning of life, learn to understand themselves and hear the chirping of the birds.
Other people love crowds. They search out a party, a conference, a rally - any big event. They like the thrill of seeing all those different faces, all the different styles and hearing all the different ideas. They enjoy the noise and the bustle.
There are good things about a crowd. One can be stimulated by the ideas of others. One can be motivated to do positive things that alone one might not get to - KIN’AT SOFRIM TARBEH CHOCHMA - because of others around a person will strive harder.
But there are also bad things about a crowd. A bad crowd can lead a person to sin. The ALSHICH explains that the sin of the Golden Calf came about through the gathering of a crowd. VAYAKHEL HA’AM AL AHARON - THE PEOPLE GATHERED AROUND AHARON (Shmot 32:1). The people grew nervous that Moshe hadn’t returned and a mob mentality took over.
The ALSHICH continues that since the Sin of the Golden Calf came about through the gathering of a crowd, it needs to be rectified through the gathering of another type of crowd. Hence the mitzva we read about in our portion - HAKHEL (31:12). Every seven years on the holiday of Sukkot all the nation gathers in Jerusalem to hear the king read from the Torah. This is to help them better observe the Torah. “Gather together the nation - the men, women, children and strangers.” Everyone was encouraged to join this crowd.
We see from here the importance of being part of a group, but joining the right group.

Becoming or renewing membership in the Israel Center and participating in its many activities is definitely being in a good group. Joining those who take classes such as how to improve your memory at the Institute for the Study of Aging http://www.melabev.org/posts/97 or those who go on Melabev’s Walkathon this Dec. http://www.melabev.org/posts/103 or join Brainspa workshops for memory improvement http://www.brainspa.co.il are also good groups.

CHILI FOR A CROWD
6-8 lbs, beef cut in chunks 1/4-1/2 inch cubes
1/4 cup olive oil
2 large onions, diced
1 whole head garlic cloves,
peeled and minced
1 8-ounce can tomato sauce, w/chili
2 cups hot water
6 Tbsp chili powder
4 Tbsp ground cumin
1 Tbsp freshly cracked black pepper
1 Tbsp salt
1 Tbsp paprika
2 tsp Tabasco sauce
3 Tbsp flour
3 Tbsp cider vinegar
4 Tbsp ketchup
cayenne pepper, to taste

Heat olive oil. When hot, brown beef in batches. Don’t add too much at once, otherwise it will steam rather than brown. Add more olive oil as needed. As meat is browned, transfer to a large kettle or stockpot. After meat has been cooked and removed, saute onion in same pot until translucent; add garlic and saute until lightly toasted but not browned. Transfer onion and garlic to same pan as meat; mix thoroughly.

• Other Portion of the Portion
• The Hide & Seek of Purim
• SHOV'VIM TAT
• The Women in Sh'mot