22 Cheshvan 5774 / 25-26
October 2014
Torah: Genesis 23:1 - 25:18
Haftarah: 1 Kings 1:1-31
Torah: Genesis 23:1 - 25:18
Haftarah: 1 Kings 1:1-31
For a complete Calendar of
Events, as well as lots of other information on our community, check out our
web site at: http://bethmeier.org/
Please feel free to pass
this on to a friend, and please cite the source.
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Family Comes First
"But you shall go to my country, to my kin, and take a wife for my son, for Isaac." Genesis 24:4
For two thousand years, commentators have asked why Abraham commanded his servant, Eliezer, to not arrange a marriage for Isaac with Canaanites. Why did he have to go back toBabylonia , to
Abraham's relatives, for Isaac's wife?
The answer frequently given is that this is a prohibition against intermarriage between Jews and Gentiles. However, Midrash Hagadol discounts this, at least in part, when it says, "Surely they (Abraham's family in the old country) were all idol worshippers, as it is written (Joshua 24:2), 'Your fathers dwelt of old beyond the River, even Terach, the father of Abraham, and the father of Nahor; and they served other gods.' - and Abraham left them!"
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Family Comes First
"But you shall go to my country, to my kin, and take a wife for my son, for Isaac." Genesis 24:4
For two thousand years, commentators have asked why Abraham commanded his servant, Eliezer, to not arrange a marriage for Isaac with Canaanites. Why did he have to go back to
The answer frequently given is that this is a prohibition against intermarriage between Jews and Gentiles. However, Midrash Hagadol discounts this, at least in part, when it says, "Surely they (Abraham's family in the old country) were all idol worshippers, as it is written (Joshua 24:2), 'Your fathers dwelt of old beyond the River, even Terach, the father of Abraham, and the father of Nahor; and they served other gods.' - and Abraham left them!"
So, what made Rebecca and
her family better prospects than the local women and their families? The
midrash continues by teaching that Abraham, who with Sarah specialized in
proselytizing, decided to start with his own family, because "they come
first", based on the text (Isaiah 58:7), "Do not hide yourself from
your own flesh."
If Abraham felt it was important to bring his extended family to God, how much more so are we obligated to bring our own children to God and Judaism? In these tense and unnerving times, what better to teach our children than a spiritual and ethical tradition which has withstood the test of millennia? In doing so, we will find that we ourselves also are drawn nearer to God, like our ancestors before us.
If Abraham felt it was important to bring his extended family to God, how much more so are we obligated to bring our own children to God and Judaism? In these tense and unnerving times, what better to teach our children than a spiritual and ethical tradition which has withstood the test of millennia? In doing so, we will find that we ourselves also are drawn nearer to God, like our ancestors before us.
Have a wonderful Shabbat!
Rabbi Richard A. Flom
Congregation Beth Meierhttp://www.bethmeier.org/
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"For the sake of Zion I will not be silent; for the sake of Jerusalem
----------------------------------------------------------------Beth Meier Schedule
Candlelighting: 5:49 pm
Friday: Shabbat Evening Service –
8:00pm. Join us for singing, blessings and Oneg Shabbat!
Saturday: Shabbat Morning Service – 10:00
am. Kiddush lunch follows.Sunday:
Tuesday: Lunch and Learn – 12:00 noon. We will continue our discussion of the Jewish Medical Directive for Health Care, available at:
Trip to Israel
Please watch for
an organizational meeting the second week of November to plan our trip to
Don't forget to
bring non-perishable food items (no glass) for SOVA the next time you come to
Beth Meier.
This d'var torah is offered in memory of Peter Price, who passed away last Friday. Condolences to Vivienne Price.
This d'var torah is
offered for a refuah shleimah for Boaz ben Dina, Dov Nechemya Hakohen ben
Rachel Chaya Sarah, Meyta Zlata bat Leah, Miriam Minya bat Alisa Batya,
Eve Beatty, Howard Ehrlich, Joshua Erenmark, Jerry Forman, Pamela Huddleston,
Rose Jordan, Lizzie Legnine, Gloria Loera, Frank Marcovitz, Barney Meskin,
Marsha Meyers, Phil Raider, Gil Robbins, and Rachel Robbins.
Please let me know
if there is anyone you would like to add to this list or if there is anyone who
may be removed from this list.
My weekly divrei torah are also available by e-mail from the Cyber Torah list.
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send an e-mail with the subject heading “Subscribe Cyber Torah” to: ravflom@sbcglobal.netSend requests for dedications of Cyber Torah in honor of a simchah, in memory of a loved one or for a refuah shleimah to: ravflom@sbcglobal.net
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