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Candle lighting time for Friday, December 30, 2011, 4:41 p.m.
Triennial Cycle Year II: Genesis 45:28-46:27
Humash Etz Hayim, page 279
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(45:28-46:27) Jacob agrees to go down to Egypt to see Joseph. Jacob leaves for Egypt with his family. On the way, God speaks to him in a vision, saying that He will accompany Jacob to Egypt. A list of the 70 people who went down to Egypt is given.
The Human Wisdom of the Torah
Rabbi Daniel Pressman
As he sent his brothers off on their way, he told them, “Do not be quarrelsome on the way.” (Gen 45:24)
| A. |
The Hebrew stem r-g-z, which means “trembling,” carries overtones of agitation, deep concern, or rage. Hence, some understand the text to mean: Have no fear for your safety on the journey to Canaan and back. The present rendering understands the text to mean: Do not engage in mutual recrimination. (JPS Torah Commentary)
| B. |
According to the plain meaning of the verse, one should say that since the brothers were ashamed, Joseph was worried lest they argue along the way about the matter of his sale, and would dispute with one another, saying, “You sold him!” Well, you spoke maliciously about him!” “Youwere the one who caused us to hate him!” (Rashi)
| C. |
R. Elazar said: “He said to them: ‘Do not engage in a halachic discussion, lest you go astray.” (Babylonian Talmud Tractate Ta·anit 10B)
| D. |
Why such a warning at this particular moment? Perhaps Joseph feared that by using halakhic methods of argumentation, his brothers, in order to justify themselves, might arrive at the conclusion that what they had done to Joseph was actually right “according to Halakha”. He wanted them to face head-on their wickedness in selling him, and draw the proper moral conclusions. Causing suffering and humiliation cannot always be condoned with the argument of “but, this is the Halakha!”
| E. |
The rabbis were always aware of the danger that formal law, or speaking in the name of Halakha, might become a “haven for the scoundrel.” They urge us to go beyond the letter of the law and remember that it is not a goal in itself, but rather a means to reach the higher goal of “You shall be holy.” (Rabbi Pinchas Peli)
R. Huna said: Once a man has committed a sin once and twice, it is permitted to him. ‘Permitted’? How could that occur to you? — Rather, it appears to him as if it were permitted.1 (Tractate Yoma 86B)
| F. |
One who rushes headlong to perform a mitzvah can destroy the whole world in his path. (Rabbi Yisrael Salanter)
[1]Rabbi Yisrael Salanter said that if he sins a third time, he thinks it’s a mitzvah!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Hadashot Religious School – On announcement page on WIKI
UPCOMING EVENTS
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.
Thursday, January 5: Job Help and Training - 7:30 – 9:00 p.m.
Friday, January 6: Hazak Shabbat Dinner - 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, January 7: Ask the Rabbi – 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Saturday, January 7: Jews’ Next Dor Ballroom Dance Party with Lesson – 8:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m.
Sunday, January 8: Men’s Club Meeting at CBD – 11:00 a.m. – 12.30 p.m.
Tuesday, January 10: Conversations in Jewish Learning – Hagar: Jewish-Arab Education for Equality – 7:30 – 9:00 p.m.
Wednesday, January 11: Jews’ Next Dor Meet & Greet – 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, January 14: Date with Sausy in San Francisco – 7:00 – 11:30 p.m.
Sunday, January 15: Kadima Sky High Jump - 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Sunday, January 29: Zimriya Song Festival Honoring Debbie Friedman – 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Saturday, February 4: Board Installation and Volunteer Appreciation Shabbat – 9:30 a.m.
Saturday, February 18: Save the Date: Donor Shabbat – 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Daily Minyan – Sunday 9:30 am & Monday – Thursday 7:00 p.m.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
$36,000 Awards for Jewish Teen Community Service Volunteers - nominations due January 6th
Sunday, January 8: Open House at Kehillah Jewish High School – 2:00 -4:00 p.m.