Parashat Vayera
15 Cheshvan 5778 / 3-4 November 2017
Torah: Genesis 18:1-22:24
Haftarah: Kings II 4:1-37
Calendar and dedications follow below. For more information about our community, check out our web site at:
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PUTTING GOD SECOND
"And the Lord appeared to (Abraham) at the terebinths (trees used to make turpentine) of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance of the tent in the heat of the day. He lifted his eyes and saw there were three men standing above him; he ran from the entrance of the tent to greet them, and bowed toward the ground. And he said, 'My Lord, if I find favor in Your eyes, please do not pass away from Your servant.'" Genesis 18:1-3.
At first reading, one would think that God appeared to Abraham in the form of the three men. Therefore, he bowed and addressed them as "My Lord". However, Rabbinic tradition teaches that these are two separate events. God was visiting Abraham following Abraham's circumcision, and then the three men appeared. Abraham (in his pain!) literally ran from God to greet the men. He then asked God to wait while he attended to the needs of the men!
This might seem extraordinarily disrespectful to God. Not so, according to the Rabbis. "Rabbi Judah said in the name of Rav: 'Hospitality to guests is greater than greeting the Divine Presence.'" How can this be? For one thing, if God is the Omnipresent, one can never leave God's Presence. Second, if God is the Eternal, then "waiting" is not in God's vocabulary - it's simply not a problem. Perhaps most important, God does not have physical needs, but human beings do; and they must be attended to. In taking leave of God in order to extend hospitality to three strangers who appeared out of the desert, Abraham was actually honoring God - by caring for those who are created "in the image of God".
This implies that if one must choose between fulfilling a “mitzvah bein adam lamakom” (a mitzvah between a person and God) or a “mitzvah bein adam l’chavero” (between one person and another person), we should attend to the mitzvah involving another person first. (See, for example, the Mishnah at Peah 1:1: “These are the things for which a person reaps the fruits in this world, and gets a reward in the world to come: honoring one's father and mother, acts of lovingkindness (gemilut chasadim), and bringing peace between people.”) When we treat others to our hospitality (or feed them or clothe them or house them or provide them with medical treatment), we do indeed find favor in God's eyes.
There remains perhaps the greatest mitzvah of all, one that does not require choosing between God and human beings. We do it after we are dead – by registering as organ donors while we are alive. Indeed, virtually all rabbis agree that organ donation at death is a positive mitzvah - an obligation of pikuach nefesh - saving a life. This idea represents everything that Judaism stands for.
Next weekend, November 10-12, is National Donor Sabbath, a project of the US Department of Health and Human Services. More information is available at the web site: https://www.organdonor.gov/awareness/events/donor-sabbath.html
Last year, about 30,000 organ donations were performed in the US. This is impressive, until one realizes that there are over 120,000 Americans on the waiting lists for various organs. Every day, 80 transplants are performed in the US, while 18 people die waiting for organs they needed to survive. You can alleviate the pain and suffering of others, literally give them life, merely by completing an organ donation card available from your motor vehicle department or at the web site above.
Last year, about 30,000 organ donations were performed in the US. This is impressive, until one realizes that there are over 120,000 Americans on the waiting lists for various organs. Every day, 80 transplants are performed in the US, while 18 people die waiting for organs they needed to survive. You can alleviate the pain and suffering of others, literally give them life, merely by completing an organ donation card available from your motor vehicle department or at the web site above.
Does it work? Of course! Most of our parts are “recyclable”. And don’t forget, there are ways to save lives while we are still alive – through blood, platelet and bone marrow donations. Go ahead – perform an act of chesed or pikuach nefesh – God won’t be offended!
Shabbat Shalom!
Rabbi Richard A. Flom
Visit me on Facebook
Twitter: @DrahcirMolf
"שתיקה כהודאה דמיא"
"Silence in the face of wrongdoing is consent.”
BT Yevamot 88a
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This d'var torah is offered in memory of my zayde, Sam Flom, and my uncle, Merwin Erenbaum, whose yahrzeits fell earlier this week. Y’hi zikhronam liv’rakhah – may their memories be a blessing.
This d'var torah is offered in honor of David Marks, celebrating the first anniversary of his conversion to Judaism this Shabbat. Happy Birthday!
This d'var torah is offered for a refuah shleimah for Avi Shmuel Yosef Hakohen ben Bella, Ze’ev ben Adeline, HaRav Chana Rivka bat Doronit, Yaakov Rani Ben Margalit, Eilite bat Miryam, HaRav Tzvi Hersh ben Frimet, Sarah bat Devorah, Hiroe Andriola, Susan Arbetman, Stuart Barth, Ken Bitticks, Stana Cooper, Jerry Daniels, Maya Fersht (Maya bat Esther), Dr. Samuel Fersht (Shmuel Natan ben Gittel), Leonard Foint (Eliezer Moshe ben Esther), Jerry Forman, Bernard Garvin, Myra Goodman, Leah Granat, Simon Hartmann, Brandon Joseph, Philip Kovac, Tonya Kronzek (Zlata Malkah bat Sarah Emanu), Lyndia Lowy (Leah bat Sarah), Deborah Schugar Strauss (Devorah bat Chaya Feiga), Helen Schugar (Chaya Feiga bat Kreina), Jonathan Woolf, and Meagan Yudell.
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.
CALENDAR
Candle lighting: 5:40 pm
Friday – A Capella (no musical instruments) Shabbat Evening Service – 7:30 pm (Oneg Shabbat follows).
Saturday – Breakfast and Torah study - 8:45 am. Shabbat Morning Service – 9:30 am. Kiddush luncheon follows. End of Daylight Saving Time – turn your clock back tonight before you turn in.
Sunday – Religious School – 9:30 am. Sign up the kids and bring ‘em on down! Adult Hebrew with Lynda Foster at 9:30 am and Barry Glass at 10:00 am! Farewell Get-together at Congregation Beth Meier – 2:00 – 5:00 pm. We’ll share memories, look at pictures, take pictures, and bid fond farewell to that sweet little domed building. All are invited! No charge, but RSVP essential to Elaine at: office@bethmeier.org
Tuesday – Lunch and Learn – 12:00 noon.
Friday, November 10 – Shabbat Evening Service – 7:30 pm. Oneg Shabbat follows.
Saturday, November 11 – Breakfast and Torah study - 8:45 am. Shabbat Morning Service – 9:30 am. Kiddush luncheon follows.
Sunday, November 12 – Religious School – 9:30 am. Sign up the kids and bring ‘em on down! Adult Hebrew with Lynda Foster at 9:30 am and Barry Glass at 10:00 am!
Friday, November 17 – Shabbat Evening Service at 6:30 pm, followed by Annual Turkey Dinner at 7:15 pm. RSVP deadline November 10 – Adults $25, Children 5-12 $10, under 5 no charge.
TBH Religious School and TBH Pre-school have open enrollment. Enroll your children now! Contact the TBH office for information.
And be sure to tell your neighbors, friends, and relatives about our warm and welcoming community and our programs!
We are looking for volunteers for services: chant Torah or Haftarah, daven, lead English readings, and have aliyot and other Torah/bimah honors. Contact Rabbi Flom by e-mail for details and to sign up!
My weekly divrei torah are available through free subscription to the Cyber Torah e-mail list. No salesman will call!
Cyber Torah list management:
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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.
