Friendly reminder to turn your clocks back one hour this Sunday, November 1.
D'var Torah From Rabbi Carnie Shalom Rose -Parashat Lech Lecha-
“The Eternal One said to Abram: Go forth from your native land…to the place that I will show you.” (Genesis 12:1)
This Shabbat, we will once again read the well-known Parashat Hashavua of Lech-Lecha, which includes the Divine’s call to our ancestor Abram (later to become known Avraham) to leave his ancestral home and begin his life’s journey and sacred work. The opening words of our portion have generated many thoughtful questions and therefore, much Rabbinic commentary. Here is one such example:
Rabbi Isaac said: This may be compared to a person who was traveling from place to place when he saw a Birah Doleket. ‘Is it possible that this structure lacks a caretaker?’ the person wondered. The owner of the building peeked out and said, 'I am the owner of the citadel.’ Similarly, because our ancestor Abraham said, 'Is it possible that the world lacks a caretaker?’ the Blessed Holy One looked out and said to him, 'I am the Sovereign of the Universe.’ (Genesis Rabbah 39:1)
Now consider the many possible questions raised by this brief Midrashic insight: What exactly did Abram see? Was he really the first to see it? What troubles Abram about what he sees? Why does Abram’s question elicit a reply from the Master of the Universe? What motivates the Rabbis to share this particular tale as a way to explicate the Biblical verse? What do you see in this fable? And what might this exegetical overlay to the text of our holy Torah have to do with us in year 5781/2020?
In his tour de force volume, God in Search of Man (a book that becomes ever more important to me with the passage of years!), the late Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel discusses the implications of two contrasting translations for the Hebrew term Birah Doleket. Is it “a citadel filled with light – a building aglow” or is it “a fortress engulfed in consuming, destructive flames”?
Dr. Heschel, in his inimitable way, posits that both options deserve consideration as they each have the ability to help us understand who Abram was (and who he ultimately becomes) and what our own religious obligations are as descendants of this first of our iconoclastic patriarchs. Abram discovers - through “wonder and amazement” - that the world as he apprehends it must have a Creator, an architect. And moreover, this Designer is calling upon him to engage in the unfolding on history as Abram has a major role to play in the Almighty’s master plan for revealing God’s-Self to humanity.
Additionally, towards the latter half of God in Search of Man, Professor Heschel – one who saw himself as and Abraham as well as “a brand plucked from the flames” of the Shoah, acknowledges that many only “sense the ultimate questions of existence in moments of horror”. Our progenitor looked at the world and also saw “a castle in flames,” a world engulfed in an inferno of immorality and malevolence. The Holy One’s reply from within the burning palace to Abram’s query is a promise that despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, there is always hope. As long as there are people who see the problem as a challenge in need of repair, there are grounds for positivity and optimism.
Living as we do in in the midst of a pandemic, social unrest, economic uncertainty, and environmental disasters, we would be wise to heed Rabbi Heschel’s sagacious advice and walk with God in both pathways – “radical amazement” and “righteous indignation – a self-conscious recognition of both the beautiful and the horrific in the world we inhabit. For it is only in the integration of these two that we will we be moved, inspired and motivated to be change-makers and live up to our calling from time immemorial to be…”God's stake in human history.”
Melaveh Malkah - Post Havdalah Discussion - Facilitated by Rabbi Jeffrey Abraham and Family: 6:32 pm
via Zoom (only)
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Weekday Minyan Information
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Our B’nai Amoona’s Minyan Program consists of our amazing, dedicated Minyannaires who assure warm and welcoming ongoing daily Minyanim, morning and evening. These services support those in our community who have lost loved ones and may be feeling lonely and isolated. Our BA virtual Minyanim are a constant source of strength and comfort for those who wish to recite the Kaddish. Moreover, our Minyanim are a wonderful opportunity for spiritual uplift, social connection, community building, and the ability to fulfill one's daily Chiyuv, duty, to thank God for all that we have. This combination of Kehillah and Kibbitzing allows up to remain spiritually connected despite being socially distant. All are warmly welcomed! Please join us!
Virtual Morning Minyan
Sunday Morning Minyan will take place virtually at 9:00 am
Monday - Friday Morning Minyan will take place virtually at 7:00 am
Harvey Greenstein & Esther Lyss Greenstein (Z"L) who will be honored at the upcoming 18th Annual Jewish Student Union (JSU) Gala on Monday, December 14 at 7:30 pm. For more information, please email gala@jsustl.org.
WE MOURN THE PASSING OF...
Samuel Lard; beloved husband of Evelyn M. Lard (Z”L), son of Thomas (Z”L) and Eunice (Z”L) Lard, father of Samuel E. Lard II (Katerina) and Andria Danine Simckes-Clay (Byron); doting grandfather of Kacey Gill, Sammy and Dominique Lard, Liam, Naava,Ayden, and Maayan Simckes, and Byron Clay, Jr, Amber Glesener (Teddy), and Jordan Clay; brother of Katie Louise Cummings (Z”L) (Al Z”L), Jimmy P Lard (Z”L), Floyd L. Lard (Bobbie Z”L), Joyce J. Beasley (Jim), Kenneth C. Lard (Yvonne Z”L), Sebron Johnny Lard (Barbara), John W. Lard (Gracie), and Thomas Calvin Lard (Valerie), and Dennis Lard (Z”L) (Pat).
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Congregation B’nai Amoona 324 South Mason Rd St. Louis, MO 63141
