THE SECRET?

Parashat Vayeishev

21 Kislev 5775 / 12-13 December 2014

Torah: Genesis 37:1 - 40:23

Haftarah: Amos 2:6 - 3:8

 

Calendar and dedications follow below. For a full calendar of events and other info about Congregation Beth Meier, check out: www.bethmeier.org

 

Please feel free to pass this on to a friend, and please cite the source.

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THE SECRET?

 

"And Judah said to his brothers, "What advantage is there if we slay our brother and conceal his blood?" Genesis 37:26

 

A traditional understanding of this verse is that Judah sees an opportunity to get rid of Joseph and profit at the same time (while saving his life). That is why the brothers ultimately decide to sell Joseph into slavery. But Rebbe Menachem Mendel of Kotzk has a very different take on the verse.

 

The Kotzker focuses not on the profit motive, but on the idea of hiding the deed. He says, "If we are forced to conceal the matter and keep it secret, that is a sign that it is wrong. Every secret is like a type of theft."

 

In the Kotzker's view, Judah is saying there is no benefit whatsoever in eliminating Joseph, since it will be a guilty secret among the brothers forever. Indeed, we see later in the Torah that the brothers become wracked with guilt and recrimination when they are confronted by the vizier of Egypt (the disguised Joseph), who seems omniscient in his penetrating questions and demands of them.

 

My father, z’tz'l, whose name also was Menachem Mendel, taught me a very simple lesson on the issue. "Don't ever say or do anything that you would not want on the front page of the newspaper."

 

There's no such thing as a secret.

 

Shabbat Shalom V'Chag Urim Sameach!

 

Rabbi Richard A. Flom – ZSRS ‘00

Congregation Beth Meier

Studio City, CA

http://www.bethmeier.org/

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Candlelighting: 4:26 pm

 

Friday: Family Shabbat Evening Service – 7:30 pm. Oneg Shabbat follows.

Saturday: Shabbat Morning Service – 10:00 am. Kiddush lunch follows.

Sunday:  Religious School – 9:30 am. Chanukah Workshop – 10:00 am – noon. Learn the history, customs and cuisine of Chanukah. Sing some songs! Sufganiyot for all!

Tuesday: Lunch and Learn - noon. Chanukah begins – sundown. Menorah! Latkes! Sufganiyot! Eight Crazy Nights!

 

Looking ahead:

Sunday, 25 January 2015: Congregation Beth Meier Annual Members’ Meeting – 2:00 pm.

 

This d’var torah is offered in memory of my uncle, Dr. David M. Flom, whose yahrzeit falls this Shabbat, 21 Kislev. Y’hi zikhro liv’rakhah.

 

This d’var torah is offered in honor of Dr. Martin and Marilyn Lee, celebrating their wedding anniversary this week. Mazal tov!

 

This d’var torah is offered for a refuah shleimah for Avi Shmuel Yosef Hakohen ben Bella, Boaz ben Dina, Michah ben Dina, Miriam Minya bat Alisa Batya, Sarah Mindel bat Toby, Bonnie Baird, Jeff Bluen, Elsbet Brosky, John Todd Brosky, Howard Ehrlich, Maya Fersht (Maya bat Esther), Dr. Samuel Fersht (Shmuel Natan ben Gittel), Jerry Forman, Leo Hoenig (Leib ben Bella), Neal Hoffman (Nachum ben Dina), Pamela Huddleston, Rose Jordan, Jayne Kaplan, Lina Kniter (Lina bat Batya), Jeannie Kottler, Shirley Kronzek, and Annie Rivera.

 

My weekly divrei torah are also available by free subscription to the Cyber Torah list.
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