Rabbi's Corner

Message from the Rabbi

וַיִּשָּׂ֤א עֵינָיו֙ וַיַּ֔רְא וְהִנֵּה֙ שְׁלֹשָׁ֣ה אֲנָשִׁ֔ים נִצָּבִ֖ים עָלָ֑יו וַיַּ֗רְא וַיָּ֤רׇץ לִקְרָאתָם֙ מִפֶּ֣תַח הָאֹ֔הֶל וַיִּשְׁתַּ֖חוּ אָֽרְצָה׃
Looking up, he saw three figures standing near him. Perceiving this, he ran from the entrance of the tent to greet them and, bowing to the ground, (genesis 18:2)

This sentence comes as Abraham is about to meet up with the messengers who will inform him that Sarah, his wife, will conceive and bear a child for them.  Interestingly, Abraham has just been circumcised and he is sitting out in front of his tent recovering in the sun.  
The message is simple especially for those who have gone through a surgical procedure.  Recovery is difficult and it is easy to sit around in self pity.  Abraham teaches us, just when you  might be feeling down, maybe even beat up a little, that is the time to do something for someone else.  We all need time to recover from the setbacks in our lives.  However, we cannot become absorbed in self pity.  We must plot a course forward and meet the challenges of the day.  Abraham teaches, if you are down just do something for someone else.  

Upcoming Events
Reverend Gareth Evan and I will be in conversation:  Common Ground: God Bless America! Praying in Public for our Elected Leaders— Patriotic Duty or Divisive Practice? - In post-election America, we will explore the pros and cons of Jewish and Christian prayers, both formally conceived and spontaneously offered for our elected leaders. THURSDAY, NOV. 14, 10 - 11 am, Shames JCC

GHC BOOK CLUB
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 10 am 
All are invited to discuss this month's book selection, The Hebrew Teacher, by Maya Arad. Zoom link ​​​​​​​:
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The discussion for Shabbat morning will be: “Finding Your Moral Compass” (If you can’t be with us in person here is Link for source sheet)

FinishStrong: Does Jewish law permit doing an alternative Haftorah?