Parashat Vayeishev
24 Kislev 5773 / 7-8 December 2012
Torah: Genesis 37:1 - 40:23
Haftarah: Amos 2:6 - 3:8 

Dedications and calendar follow below.

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We're No Angels

A man found (Joseph) wandering in the fields. The man asked him, "What are you looking for?" He answered, "I am looking for my brothers. Could you tell me where they are pasturing?" The man said, "They have gone from here, for I heard them say, 'Let us go to Dothan.'" So Joseph went after his brothers and found them at Dothan. Genesis 37:15-17

This meeting between Joseph and the man appears to be pure happenstance. If so, we might ask, what would have happened had they not met? No slavery for Joseph and the Israelites, no Exodus from Egypt, no receiving the Torah from God, no history as we know it! Many commentators respond by saying that it was no man, but an angel dispatched by God.

I would like to suggest that it was in fact a man, but one with a holy purpose - to give Joseph information and direction. Joseph had that purpose, too - to ultimately give direction to his family as well as all of Egypt; and to teach something to and to learn something from every person he met. Each of us, really, has the same holy purposes in life. Each of us has knowledge, wisdom and Torah to share with others and to give them direction, and we should do so. At the same time, we must seek out knowledge, wisdom and Torah from others. We're no angels, but we should treat others as if they were - think of what we, and they, would learn! Think of what our world would be like! If we kindle even one candle in ourselves and in our souls - the flame will spread to others and light our world.

Shabbat Shalom, v'Chag Urim Sameach - A Sabbath of Peace and a Joyful Festival of Lights!

Rabbi Richard A. Flom - ZSRS '00
Blogging at: rav-rich.blogspot.com/
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"For the sake of Zion I will not be silent; for the sake of Jerusalem I will not be still." Isaiah 62:1
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This d'var torah is offered for a refuah shleimah for Bobbie Chasen, Selby Horowitz, Pamela Huddleston, Stephanie Kane, Sara Lanxner, Emily Levin, Yitzchak Simcha ben Bayla, Marshall Neiman, Steve Pearlman, Herman Rassp, Helen Reiter, Len Reiter, Adin Ring, Gil Robbins, Rachel Robbins, Judith Sakurai, Helen Tomsky, Betty Varon and Seymour Waterman.

Candlelighting: 4:25 PM

Saturday night is the first night of Hanukkah. Light the menorah after 5:24 pm. Happy Hanukkah!
Lunch and Learn is an ongoing program of Bet Midrash Shalom that meets most Tuesdays to discuss Jewish texts and other topics of Jewish interest. It is open to all regardless of affiliation. Next meeting is Tuesday, December 11, 12:00 noon, at Congregation Beth Meier, 11725 Moorpark St., Studio City , CA 91604 . PLEASE DO NOT BRING ANY FOOD UNLESS IT IS IN ITS ORIGINAL SEALED CONTAINER AND BEARING A HEKHSHER AS DAIRY OR PAREVE. Beth Meier and Bet Midrash Shalom are providing a light lunch of bagels, cream cheese, tuna salad and coffee. Thank you to Rabbi Aaron Benson and my fellow Beth Meier congregants for offering the space and the food.

This Shabbat Rabbi Flom will be conducting Shabbat morning services at 9:30 at Congregation Mishkon Tephilo, 206 Main Street, Venice 90291. Torah study follows kiddush.