Parashat Vayishlach
Kislev 16, 5780 / December 13-14, 2019
Torah: Genesis 32:4 – 36:43
Haftarah: Obadiah 1:1-21
Dedications and calendar follow below. For complete
listings, see our web site at:
Please feel free to pass this on to a friend, and please
cite the source.
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HOW MUCH IS ENOUGH?
"Esau said, ‘I have a lot; my brother, let what is
yours be yours.’ And Jacob said, ‘… Please take my present that I have brought
to you, for God has favored me, and I have everything.’ And he urged him, and
he took." Genesis 33:9-11
In his commentary "Kli Yakar", R. Shlomo
Ephraim Lunshitz (d. 1619) wonders about this exchange between the brothers.
Esau has "a lot" – he is wealthy and powerful. Jacob offers him a
gift, saying that he has "everything". Esau accepts, and does not
reciprocate. Kli Yakar says that one who says he has "everything"
means "what I have is enough for me. I am satisfied with my lot." But
one who merely says, "I have a lot" always wants more.
I am certain that virtually everyone reading this e-mail
has "a lot". Perhaps we are not wealthy and powerful in the way that
Esau was, but we have food, clothing, shelter, modern conveniences, toys of
various sorts, etc. How many of us are prepared, like Jacob, to say we have
"everything"? Why aren’t we satisfied? Why do we want more? I believe
it is because we are unable, or more likely, unwilling, to say, "God has
favored me." Without acknowledging that higher source, without opening up
our spiritual side to be satisfied with that which God has given us, we will
always have "a lot", but never "enough" – let alone
“everything”.
Jacob gave a gift to someone who was at least as rich and
powerful as he. He had his reasons. For those of us who have “a lot” or
“everything”, are we prepared to give some of it up to those who have only a
little or perhaps nothing at all - the poor and the hungry and the homeless?
When we do, that is even greater testimony that God has favored us.
Shabbat Shalom!
Rabbi Richard A. Flom
הַלּוֹמֵד מִכָּל אָדָם ?אֵיזֶהוּ חָכָם
Who is wise? The one who learns from every person.
Ben Zoma - Pirkei Avot 4:1
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Candle lighting: 4:26 pm
Friday: Shabbat Evening Service – 6:30 pm. Oneg Shabbat follows.
Saturday: Torah study/breakfast – 8:45 am. Shabbat Morning
Service – 9:30 am. Religious School Junior Congregation -
10:00 am. Kiddush lunch follows.
Sunday: Religious School – 9:30 am.
Tuesday: Lunch and Learn – 12:00 noon.
Friday, December 20: Simchah Shabbat
Evening Service – 6:30
pm. Simchah Shabbat Dinner follows. Dinner is complimentary,
but reservations by 12/18 are a must! Thanks to Lynda and Tony
Foster and family for sponsoring this dinner in honor of their wedding
anniversary.
Saturday, December 21: Torah
study/breakfast – 8:45
am. Shabbat Morning Service – 9:30 am. Kiddush lunch follows.
Thursday, December 26: Community Hanukkah
Menorah Lighting and Dinner –
6:30 pm. Cost: $10/adult, $5 under 13, free 5 and under. Reservations
by 12/24 are a must! Bring your hanukkiah and candles! Thanks to Gina
and Bernie Seeman for co-sponsoring this dinner in honor of their wedding
anniversary.
Saturday, December 28: NO Torah
study/breakfast – resume
January 4. Women's Rosh Chodesh Shabbat Morning Service – 9:30
am. Kiddush lunch follows.
Next time you come to TBH/CBM, please bring
some non-perishable canned and packaged foods and personal items (no glass) for
SOVA.
This d'var torah is offered in memory of Detective Joseph Seals, Mindy
Ferenz, Miguel Douglas, and Moshe Deutsh, who were murdered in the anti-police and anti-semitic attack in Jersey City. Their memories are a blessing.
This d’var torah is offered for a refuah shleimah for
Leah bat Sarah Imanu, Sarah bat Devorah, Susan Arbetman, Ken Bitticks, Elsbet
Brosky, Mark Brownstein, Jerry Daniels, Maya Fersht (Maya bat Esther), Dr.
Samuel Fersht (Shmuel Natan ben Gittel), Bernard Garvin, Leah Granat, Gabor
Klein, Elaine Kleiger, Philip Kronzek, Tonya Kronzek (Zlata Malkah bat Sarah
Imanu), Ina Labowitz, Stuart Lytton, David Marks, Gail Neiman, Sandra Raab,
David Russak, Josef Sands, Shirley Sands, Debra Schugar Strauss (Devorah bat
Chaya Feiga), Helen Schugar (Chaya Feiga bat Kreina), and William Sragow.
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.
