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Shabbat Chayai Sarah
Genesis 23:1-25:18
Candle Lighting Time:
Friday, Nov. 2, 2007 5:33 P.M.
Suffering comes to all of us
and no one can suffer for us. Even so, we can be supported in those
difficult times by the prayers and understanding of loved ones and
friends. It’s when we are too proud to admit our need to others that we
are in the greatest danger.
The Sequoia tress of
California tower as much as 300 feet above the ground. Strangely, these
giants have unusually shallow root systems that reach out in all direction
to capture the greatest amount of surface moisture. Seldom will you see a
redwood standing alone, because high winds would quickly uproot it.
That’s why they grow in clusters. Their intertwining roots provide
support for one another against the storms.
Support is exactly what
Isaac needed and wanted after his mother Sarah passed away. You can
imagine how close mother and son were. He was her baby (no matter how old
he was) born to her when she was already old. He made her laugh;
consequently, he bore the name Yitzhak which comes from the Hebrew root of
laughter. She protected him from his big step brother Ishmael’s evil
influences by having Abraham send Ishmael and his mother Hagar away from
the camp. You can imagine the blow Sarah’s death was to Isaac.
Isaac’s wife Rebekah was
that support he so long for and needed. The Torah records “…and he took
Rebekah as his wife, Isaac loved her, and thus found comfort after his
mother’s death.” (24:67) According to the Midrash “As long as Sarah was
alive, a light shone over her tent (signifying the divine Presence). When
she died, it disappeared. When Rebekah arrived, it returned (Gen. R.
60:16) Rebekah does not replace Isaac’s mother; she fills the emotion void
in his life.” (see the Etz Hayyim commentary on pg. 138-9 below the
line). Please note the specific word sequence in the above verse. Only
after Rebekah became his helpmate and support system, was Isaac comforted
after his mother’s death.
We need to follow Rebeka’s
example. Let us be willing to ask someone to pray for us and with us.
Let us be alert for opportunities to lend our support to others who are
suffering. Remember those who suffer need more than sympathy, they need
companionship.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Gary Greene
P.S. Speaking of
showing support to those in need (davka in California), below are some
suggestion where you can make a donation to help those that have been
affected by the devastating fires in southern California.
In response to this natural disaster and in recognition of people's desire
to help, United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism has set up a
California fire relief fund. All funds raised will go directly to relief.
Contributions can be sent to California Fire
Relief Fund, c/o United Synagogue, Rapaport House, 155 Fifth Avenue, New
York NY 10010. Make checks payable to
United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, and write California Fire Relief
Fund in the memo section.
In addition the USCJ has been contacted by
the San Diego community, who now know that gift cards (Visa, MC, Target,
Wal-Mart, Home Depot, etc.) will be needed. If you wish to donate such
cards, please send them to Joel Baker, USCJ, 15840 Ventura Blvd. #200,
Encino, CA 91436) and his office will get them to the distribution points.
The Jewish Federation of Greater
Los Angeles has established the SOUTHERN
CALIFORNIA FIRE EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND in order to assist victims of the
wildfires.
Send checks to:
The Jewish Federation
6505 Wilshire Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90048.
Checks should be payable to The Jewish Federation with "Fire Relief Fund"
written on the memo line. Donations can also be made by calling (323)
761-8200 or online at
www.jewishla.org
The Jewish community of San Diego has
established the Jewish Community Disaster Fund to provide immediate
assistance to Jewish families and other community members who have been
affected by this tragedy. Checks designated for the Fund can be made
payable to the Jewish Community Foundation and sent to:
Jewish Community Disaster Fund, c/o Jewish Community Foundation of San
Diego
4950 Murphy Canyon Road
San Diego, CA 92123
Credit card donations can also be made online at
www.jewishinsandiego.org
We pray and hope that comfort and healing
will be brought to the southern California community.
Services Schedule:
Friday night 7:00 p.m.
Shabbat 9:00
a.m.
Mon. & Thurs 6:30 a.m.
Sun. -Thurs night 7:30 p.m.
Announcements:
Saturday night, November 3rd
Don’t forget to turn your clocks back one hour as we go onto Eastern
Standard time.
Thursday, November 1th
Adult Education class 7:45 p.m. - 8:45 p.m. Genesis taught by Dr. Carl
Gussin.
Tuesday, November 6th
Adult Education classes, 10:00 a.m. The Book of Ezra, no previous Hebrew or
Bible classes required. 11:00 a.m. The Arab in Israeli Short Story. This
week we shall read Nathan Shaham’s “The 7”
E board meeting 7:45 p.m.
Thursday, November 8th
Adult Education class 7:45 p.m. - 8:45 p.m. Genesis taught by Dr. Carl
Gussin.
Shabbat, November 10 We
celebrate Stefani Greenstein’s Bat Mitzvah
Tuesday, November 13th
Adult Education classes, 10:00 a.m. The Book of Ezra, no previous Hebrew or
Bible classes required. 11:00 a.m. The Arab in Israeli Short Story. This
week we shall read Nathan Shaham’s “The 7”
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