WE’RE NO ANGELS

Parashat Vayeishev
23 Kislev 5779 / 30 November – 1 December 2018
Torah: Genesis 37:1 - 40:23
Haftarah: Amos 2:6 - 3:8

Calendar and dedications follow below. For more information about our community, check out our web site at: www.bnaihayim.com

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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.

Ben Zoma said: Who is wise? The one who learns from all people, as it is written (Psalm 119:99), “I have gained understanding from all my teachers.” Avot 4:1

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 Sameach! Happy Chanukah!

Rabbi Richard A. Flom

Temple B'nai Hayim/Congregation Beth Meier

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

Visit me on Facebook

Twitter: @DrahcirMolf

"שתיקה כהודאה דמיא"

"Silence in the face of wrongdoing is consent.”

BT Yevamot 88a

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CALENDAR

Candle lighting: 4:25 pm

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

Saturday – Breakfast and Torah study – 8:45 am. Shabbat Morning Service - 9:30 am. Aufruf for Hadassah Binkley and Sam Simani, who are to be married on Sunday. Mazal tov! Kiddush luncheon follows, sponsored by Hadassah and Sam.

Sunday – Religious School – 9:30 am. Chanukah!! First light is at/after 4:45 pm. Chag Urim Sameach!

Tuesday – Lunch and Learn – 12:00 noon.

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

Saturday, 8 December: Breakfast and Torah study - 8:45 am. Women’s Rosh Chodesh Shabbat Morning Service – 9:30 am. Attn: all female members – your participation is needed! Contact Carol Herskowitz or Lynn Kronzek for details. Kiddush luncheon follows.

Sunday, 9 December: Community Menorah Lighting, Religious School Hanukkah Play, Reb Jason and his guitar, Latkes, Sufganiyot, and More! - 5:00 pm. Check our website or weekly bulletin for details. RSVP to TBH/CBM office.

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

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. Training available! Contact Rabbi Flom by e-mail for details and to sign up!

This d'var torah is offered in honor of my sister, Lorrie Flom Goodman, celebrating her birthday today, November 29. Mazal tov! May you go from strength to strength!

This d'var torah is offered in honor of my son, Robert Flom, celebrating his birthday this Shabbat, December 1. Mazal tov! Ad me’ah v’esrim!

This d'var torah is offered in honor of Hadassah Binkley and Sam Simani, on the occasion of their marriage this Sunday, December 2. Mazal tov!

This d'var torah is offered for a refuah shleimah for Elisheva bat Malkah, Ze’ev ben Adeline, Liora bat Sarah, Eilite bat Miriam, Sarah bat Devorah, Susan Arbetman, Ken Bitticks, Jerry Daniels, Maya Fersht (Maya bat Esther), Dr. Samuel Fersht (Shmuel Natan ben Gittel), Annabelle Flom (Chanah Bella bat Kreina), Bernard Garvin, Leah Granat, Brandon Joseph, Gabor Klein, Philip Kovac, Tonya Kronzek (Zlata Malkah bat Sarah Emanu), Barbara Levy, David Marks, Debra Schugar Strauss (Devorah bat Chaya Feiga), Helen Schugar (Chaya Feiga bat Kreina), Irwin Silon, William Sragow, and Jonathan Woolf.

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”.

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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.