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Candle lighting time for Friday, December 9, 2011, 4:32 p.m.
Triennial Cycle Year II: Genesis 34:1-35:15
Humash Etz Hayim, page 206
Haftarah: Obadiah 1:1-21, page 221
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(34) The rape of Dinah and her brothers’ revenge. Everett Fox writes about this chapter, “Like other stories in the Yaakov cycle, it presents us with a somewhat ambiguous situation, where right and wrong are not always simple and the putative heroes are not always heroic.”
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(35:1-15) Various incidents in Jacob’s life: He builds an altar at Bethel (fulfilling his vow from many years before), and God renews the divine promise of the land to him
Rabbi Daniel Pressman
Their weapons are tools of lawlessness… For when angry they slew men, and when pleased they maimed oxen. Cursed be their anger so fierce, and their wrath so relentless. (Genesis 49:5-7)
Thus the problem with their actions is not that they rescued their sister and killed her rapist, but that they “slew all the males,” “plundered the town,” taking all the wealth, all the children and women as “captives and booty” (Genesis 34:27-28). This must be seen in contrast to Abraham, who made war to rescue his nephew Lot and, when it was all over, refused to take “so much as a thread or a sandal strap” (Genesis 14:23).
Even in war, there are honorable and dishonorable ways of conduct. Jacob’s children, led by Simeon and Levi, have acted dishonorably and inflicted disproportionate injury. They have slain those who were not involved in the crime, when it was not necessary. The men were already disabled and incapable of fighting. There was no need to kill them. There was no excuse for spoil and plunder.
Similar problems occur today as well. The code of ethical conduct of the Israel Defense Forces is an attempt to instill honorable conduct in our soldiers, even in times of war. It indicates things that may be done and things that must be avoided. For example it states:
The IDF servicemen’s purity of arms is their self-control in use of armed force. They will use their arms only for the purpose of achieving their mission, without inflicting unnecessary injury to human life or limb, dignity or property, of both soldiers and civilians, with special consideration for the defenseless.
If Israeli soldiers act differently, they are violating this code of conduct and may be prosecuted and punished.
Jacob’s sons had no restraint, and are therefore condemned even if the cause for which they fought was justified.
The lessons from these two instances are clear. Every effort should be made to follow the example of Jacob — to avoid conflict but to prepare for self-defense when it is unavoidable. When forced to fight, honorable ways should be found to confront the enemy. “All’s fair in love and war” is not a Jewish concept and we should be proud that it is not. Jacob’s condemnation of his own children was a moral act of significance that echoes down to our own days. (Reuven Hammer, Entering Torah: Prefaces to the Weekly Torah Portion)
There will be a very limited quantity of Hanukkah candles for sale on Sunday, December 11th from 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. during the mishpaha program or Wednesday, December 14th from 4:00 – 6:30 p.m. during religious school. If you pre-ordered candles you may pick them up during these time or email Irene or call 408-446-5885 to arrange for an alternative time.
Jews’ Next Dor Holiday Toy Drive
Sheldon and Richard Balk Memorial Camp Scholarship
Hadashot Religious School – On announcement page on WIKI
Annual Christmas Luncheon for the Homeless
Earn Money for Beth David While You Shop
UPCOMING EVENTS
Saturday, December 10: Jewish Book Discussion Group: Biography of Emma Lazarus by Esther Shor - approximately 1:30 p.m.
Saturday, December 10: Jews’ Next Dor Bridge to Havdalah - 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 11: Hanukkah Mishpaha Program: Hanukkah, Heroes and Hofa’ah – 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Sunday, December 11: Hanukkah Adult Workshop – Who is a Hero? Who are our Heroes? Who should our (grand)children’s Heroes be? – 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Tuesday, December 13: Jews’ Next Dor Toy Wrapping Party – 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Tuesday, December 13: CJL: Jews in the California Gold Rush - 7:30 – 9:00 p.m.
Tuesday, December 13: Teen Hanukkah Celebration – 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Wednesday, December 14: Jews’ Next Dor Meet & Greet at Sakoon – 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 17: Shabbat Afternon Torah Discussion - after Shabbat Kiddush lunch (about 1:15 p.m.)
Saturday, December 17: Sausy Hanukkah Party – 8:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 17: Light it Up! Young Adult Hanukkah Party - 9:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 18: CBD Annual Meeting – babysitting available for ages 3 and up – 10:00 a.m
Sunday, December 18: Sisterhood Gift Shop Open - 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Sunday, December 18: Next General Board Meeting – following annual meeting
Thursday, December 18: Informational Meeting for Summer Israel Tours - 12:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 24: Wisdom and Witdom with Doug Brook: Horsing Around with Seuss - after Shabbat Kiddush lunch (about 1:15 p.m.)
Thursday, January 5: Parent and Me Romper Class (12-24 months) – 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Thursday, January 5: Parent and Me Crawlers Class (0-12 months) – 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Daily Minyan – Sunday 9:30 am & Monday – Thursday 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, February 18: Save the Date: Donor Shabbat – 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Saturday, December 10: Winter Lights Dance for Jewish 45ish – 65ish – 8:00 – 11:00 p.m.
Tuesday, December 13: Hanukkah at Hicklebee’s Bookstore - 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday, December 20: Celebrate the First Night of Hanukkah at Santana Row – 5:00 p.m.