DOES YOUR FATHER YET LIVE?

Parashat Vayechi
14 Tevet 5776 / 25-26 December 2015

Torah: Genesis 47:28 - 50:26 (Chazak, chazak v'nitchazeik!)

Haftarah: 1 Kings 2:1-12

For a full calendar of events and other info about our community, check out www.bethmeier.org

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

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Candlelighting: 4:31 pm

Friday, 25 December: Office Closed – Federal Holiday. NO Shabbat Evening Service.

Saturday, 26 December: Shabbat morning service – 10:00 am. Kiddush lunch follows.

Tuesday, 29 December: NO Lunch and Learn

Friday, 1 January: Office Closed – Federal Holiday. NO Shabbat Evening Service.

Saturday, 2 January: Shabbat morning service – 10:00 am. Kiddush lunch follows.

Tuesday, 5 January: Lunch and Learn – 12:00 noon

Next time you come to Beth Meier, please bring some non-perishable canned and packaged foods and personal items (no glass) for SOVA.

This d’var torah is offered in honor of my amazing and loving wife Lynn Kronzek, as we celebrate our 35^th wedding anniversary on Monday, December 28. It seems like only yesterday!

This d'var torah is offered for a refuah shleimah for Avi Shmuel Yosef Hakohen ben Bella, Miriam Minya bat Alisa Batya, Sarah bat Devorah, Ken Bitticks, Elsbet Brosky, Jerry Daniels, Maya Fersht (Maya bat Esther), Dr. Samuel Fersht (Shmuel Natan ben Gittel), Leonard Foint (Eliezer Moshe ben Esther), Jerry Forman, Pamela Huddleston, Stephanie Kane, Elaine Kleiger, Philip Kovac, Marsha Meyers, and Gil 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.

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DOES YOUR FATHER YET LIVE?

"And when Jacob finished commanding his sons, he gathered up his feet into his bed; and he expired and was gathered to his people." Genesis 49:33

Rabbi Yitzchak taught in the name of Rabbi Yochanan: "Jacob our father did not die." In response to the other rabbis' objections, Rabbi Yitzchak explains that just as Jacob's descendants are living, so too is Jacob still living (citing Jeremiah 30:10). This is the message of the song Jewish children learn: "Am Yisrael Chai! Od Avinu Chai!" - The People of Israel live!  Our father yet lives!

The question we must ask ourselves is: what are we doing to assure that this sentiment will always be true? Do we study Torah regularly? Do we observe Shabbat, keep kosher and perform other mitzvot to the best of our ability and understanding? Do we serve as good Jewish role models for our children?

We are the ones who have the power to fulfill (or not) the promise of God's deliverance of the People of Israel. If we live Judaism, the ancestral inheritance of the community of Jacob (morashah kehillat Ya'akov), in a meaningful way, then indeed, Jacob our father still lives. If we do not, then our descendants will not be the people of Israel.

Shabbat Shalom!

Rabbi Richard A. Flom

Congregation Beth Meier - Studio City, CA

www.bethmeier.org

Blogging at: http://rav-rich.blogspot.com

"From the place where we are absolutely right, flowers will never grow in the spring."

"מן המקום שבו אנו צודקים לא יצמחו לעולם פרחים באביב"

Yehuda Amichai

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My weekly divrei torah are available through free subscription to the Cyber Torah e-mail list. No salesman will call!

Cyber Torah list management:

To subscribe to Cyber Torah, send an e-mail from the receiving address to: ravflom@sbcglobal.net with the heading “Subscribe Cyber Torah”.

To unsubscribe from Cyber Torah, send an e-mail from the receiving address to: ravflom@sbcglobal.net with the heading “Unsubscribe Cyber Torah”.

To dedicate a Cyber Torah in honor of a simchah, in memory of a loved one or for a refuah shleimah, send an e-mail to: ravflom@sbcglobal.net with the heading “Dedicate Cyber Torah” and provide details in the message body.

                                                                                                       

REPENTANCE, REDEMPTION AND FORGIVENESS

30 Kislev 5776 / 11-12 December 2015

Torah: Genesis 41:1 - 44:17 (Aliyot 1-6)

Shabbat Rosh Chodesh: Numbers 28:9-15 (Aliyah 7)

Maftir: Numbers 7:48-53 (Shabbat Hanukkah)

Haftarah: Zechariah 2:14 - 4:7 (Shabbat Hanukkah)

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

"And Joseph said to them, 'This is what I spoke to you, saying, you are spies.'" Genesis 42:14

The sons of Jacob are put to the test. In order to demonstrate that they are not spies, they must bring Joseph's full brother, Benjamin, before the viceroy of Egypt (who, unbeknownst to them, is Joseph). He puts them in the same position, vis-a-vis Benjamin, that they were in regarding Joseph, when they abandoned him in the pit. 

Nechama Leibowitz suggests that this is also a test of whether they have done teshuvah - to see if they have repented of what they did to Joseph. She cites Maimonides, who teaches that the test of true repentance is whether, given the opportunity to commit the same sin, the sinner refrains - out of repentance, rather than fear or weakness. 

The brothers agree to the demand. But another aspect of teshuvah is admission - one must acknowledge and accept responsibility for the transgression. This they do, at verse 21, when "They said to each other, 'We are being punished on account of our brother, for we saw the anguish of his soul as he pleaded with us, and we would not hear.'" According to Rabbi David of Lilov, only then did their redemption begin - only then did God fill Joseph's heart with love and mercy. 

Perhaps only then was Joseph able to forgive them. Repentance is a multi-step process. Neither words nor deeds alone suffice. The same is true of forgiveness. Ultimately, Joseph forgives not with mere words, but with hugs and kisses and gifts and acceptance - and reunion. It leads to one of the happiest scenes in the Torah. Try repenting for the hurt you've given others - try forgiving for the hurt you've endured. Hear the anguish of another's soul. You have nothing to lose but your unhappiness.

I wish you a Shabbat Shalom and a continuing Chag Urim Sameach - a Shabbat and a Hanukkah of peace and light, joy and wisdom.

Rabbi Richard A. Flom

Congregation Beth Meier - Studio City, CA

www.bethmeier.org

Blogging at: http://rav-rich.blogspot.com

"From the place where we are absolutely right, flowers will never grow in the spring."

"מן המקום שבו אנו צודקים לא יצמחו לעולם פרחים באביב"

Yehuda Amichai

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Candlelighting: 4:26 PM (light Hanukkiah first – 6^th night)

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 Celebration – Movie and Game Night – 6:30 pm. For the last night of Chanukah, bring your menorahs, your candles, and your appetites. We’ll light our candles; sing songs; eat latkes, sufganiyot, and pizza; have games for the kids; and, screen “Above and Beyond” (award-winning documentary about the founding of the Israeli Air Force) for the adults. $5.00/person – RSVP by Thursday, December 10.

Tuesday: Lunch and Learn – noon.

Friday, 18 December:  Shabbat Evening Service – 8:00 PM. Oneg Shabbat follows.

Saturday, 19 December: Shabbat morning service – 10:00 am. Kiddush lunch follows.

Sunday, 20 December: NO Religious School – Winter Break. Resume January 10.

Tuesday, 22 December: Lunch and Learn – noon.

Friday, 25 December: Office Closed – Federal Holiday. NO Shabbat Evening Service.

Saturday, 26 December: Shabbat morning service – 10:00 am. Kiddush lunch follows.

Tuesday, 29 December: NO Lunch and Learn

Friday, 1 January: Office Closed – Federal Holiday. NO Shabbat Evening Service.

Saturday, 2 January: Shabbat morning service – 10:00 am. Kiddush lunch follows.

Next time you come to Beth Meier, please bring some non-perishable canned and packaged foods and personal items (no glass) for SOVA.

Congregation Beth Meier extends condolences to Alex Delnik on the passing of his father. Funeral was on Wednesday. Y’hi zikhrono liv’rakhah – May his memory be a blessing.

This d'var torah is offered for a refuah shleimah for Avi Shmuel Yosef Hakohen ben Bella, Miriam Minya bat Alisa Batya, Sarah bat Devorah, Ken Bitticks, Elsbet Brosky, Jerry Daniels, Maya Fersht (Maya bat Esther), Dr. Samuel Fersht (Shmuel Natan ben Gittel), Gig Flom (Gittel Tobi bat Blanca), Leonard Foint (Eliezer Moshe ben Esther), Jerry Forman, Pamela Huddleston, Stephanie Kane, Elaine Kleiger, Philip Kovac, Marsha Meyers, and Gil 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 available through free subscription to the Cyber Torah e-mail list. No salesman will call!

Cyber Torah list management:

To subscribe to Cyber Torah, send an e-mail from the receiving address to: ravflom@sbcglobal.net with the heading “Subscribe Cyber Torah”.

To unsubscribe from Cyber Torah, send an e-mail from the receiving address to: ravflom@sbcglobal.net with the heading “Unsubscribe Cyber Torah”.

To dedicate a Cyber Torah in honor of a simchah, in memory of a loved one or for a refuah shleimah, send an e-mail to: ravflom@sbcglobal.net with the heading “Dedicate Cyber Torah” and provide details in the message body.

WE’RE NO ANGELS

Parashat Vayeishev
23 Kislev 5776 / 4-5 December 2015
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 our community, check out our website at: http://bethmeier.org

Please feel free to pass this on to a friend, and please cite the source
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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 – or at least, like the holy being with holy purpose that each of us is - 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! Chag Urim Samech! Happy Chanukah!

Rabbi Richard A. Flom

Congregation Beth Meier - Studio City, CA

www.bethmeier.org

Blogging at: http://rav-rich.blogspot.com

"From the place where we are absolutely right, flowers will never grow in the spring."

"מן המקום שבו אנו צודקים לא יצמחו לעולם פרחים באביב"

Yehuda Amichai

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Candlelighting: 4:25 pm

Friday: Shabbat Evening Service – 8:00 PM. Oneg Shabbat follows.

Saturday: Shabbat morning service – 10:00 am. Kiddush lunch follows.

Sunday: Erev Chanukah – begins at sundown. Religious School – 9:30 am. Jewish Wedding (Ketubah and Chuppah) of Tony and Linda Foster – Kabbalat Panim at 11:00 am, followed by Ketubah signing and reading, Chuppah at Noon, and a light lunch to follow. All members of Beth Meier are invited – please, please RSVP to synagogue office to assure sufficient food and drink. Mazal Tov! Happy Chanukah!

Tuesday: Lunch and Learn – 12:00 noon.

Friday, 11 December: Family Shabbat Evening Service – 7:30 pm. Oneg Shabbat follows.

Saturday, 12 December: Shabbat morning service – 10:00 am. Kiddush lunch follows.

Sunday, 13 December: Religious School – 9:30 am. Chanukah Celebration – Movie and Game Night – 6:30 pm. For the last night of Chanukah, bring your menorahs, your candles, and your appetites. We’ll light our candles; sing songs; eat latkes, sufganiyot, and pizza; have games for the kids; and, screen “Above and Beyond” (award-winning documentary about the founding of the Israeli Air Force) for the adults. $5.00/person – RSVP by Thursday, December 10.

Next time you come to Beth Meier, please bring some non-perishable canned and packaged foods and personal items (no glass) for SOVA.

This d'var torah is offered for a refuah shleimah for Avi Shmuel Yosef Hakohen ben Bella, Miriam Minya bat Alisa Batya, Sarah bat Devorah, Ken Bitticks, Elsbet Brosky, Jerry Daniels, Maya Fersht (Maya bat Esther), Dr. Samuel Fersht (Shmuel Natan ben Gittel), Gig Flom (Gittel Tobi bat Blanca), Leonard Foint (Eliezer Moshe ben Esther), Jerry Forman, Pamela Huddleston, Stephanie Kane, Elaine Kleiger, Philip Kovac, and Gil 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 available through free subscription to the Cyber Torah e-mail list. No salesman will call!

Cyber Torah list management:

To subscribe to Cyber Torah, send an e-mail from the receiving address to: ravflom@sbcglobal.net with the heading “Subscribe Cyber Torah”.

To unsubscribe from Cyber Torah, send an e-mail from the receiving address to:ravflom@sbcglobal.net with the heading “Unsubscribe Cyber Torah”.

To dedicate a Cyber Torah in honor of a simchah, in memory of a loved one or for a refuah shleimah, send an e-mail to: ravflom@sbcglobal.net with the heading “Dedicate Cyber Torah” and provide details in the message body.