This week's Torah reading describes the first seven of the ten plagues which were intended to demonstrate how the power of the God of Israel surpasses that of Pharaoh and a host of lesser Egyptian gods and goddesses.
At first it appears that these are stories about how the God of the Hebrews overpowered both natural and supernatural forces. Yet our ancient and modern spiritual teachers suggest that there is more to the story than simple brute force. In fact, in their own way, they demonstrate that there are moral limits even to God's exercise of power. As we shall see, our teachers indicate that even in the midst of God’s warlike behavior there is still room for the moral virtue of gratitude, referred to in Hebrew as Hakarat Hatov.
As we enter the story, Moses is commanded to turn the Nile into blood and then, subsequently, to fill the river with frogs. In ancient Egyptian mythology, the Nile was considered an important and potent source of power. Disrupting the life of the river not only upset the economic life of the people, it also dwarfed the gods associated with the Nile, and highlighted the strength of the guardian of Israel.
The medieval Jewish commentator, Rashi, notes that God ordered Moses to pollute the Nile with blood and frogs yet the actual deed was executed by Aaron, his brother. Based on an earlier Midrashic source, Rashi explains that Moses refused to carry out the punishment because he owed the Nile a debt of gratitude because it had cared for him when he was a vulnerable infant. Thus God appoints Aaron to carry out the task. What is so interesting is that while the commentators clearly feel justified in demonstrating God’s use of force, they also appreciate Moses conviction to honor his debt to the Nile.
Allan Morinis, a contemporary Jewish ethics teacher, says that God truly appreciates Moses's sense of gratitude which extends even to the realm of the inanimate. The point is well made since much of Jewish prayer includes expressions of gratitude for the light, the dark, the sun and the moon. In the morning service, for example, we express thankfulness for the light; in the evening service we proclaim our gratitude for the coming of darkness and the rest that it offers. All of these expressions of gratitude to nature help create, in us, a sense of connectivity to the world at large.
A similar Midrashic teaching appears in connection with the story of Moses being commanded to take revenge on the Midianites (Numbers 31:1-2). Here, too, God is depicted as the one who orders the attack, again sanctioning the use of brutal force. According to the Midrashic teachers, Moses refuses to carry out this strike directed at yet another enemy of the people of Israel. In this imaginary dialogue Moses says to God: "the Midianites protected me when I fled Egypt and I owe them a debt of gratitude for the way that they cared for me and my family”. Once again God respects Moses’ moral quandary, endorsing the virtue of his gratitude.
Recently, our letter carrier (who worked throughout the pandemic) retired. Unfortunately, I didn't know that this was going to happen until her substitute showed up and told me. I asked if they would kindly take a message of thanks and good wishes to her. Over the lonely months of the pandemic she kept us connected to the outside world. Very often I would watch for her and I’d go out so we could exchange a few words. After a while we ended our conversations by exchanging blessings. Together we invoked the name of God, asking that we, and our families, be protected from the ravages of Covid 19.
As I read the stories of Moses' deep sense of thankfulness for all the living things, and for all the people in his life, I am reminded of how much gratitude I owe to innumerable numbers of essential workers, whose names I don’t even know. The best that I can do is to offer thanks for their good work in my daily prayers.
As we read and discuss these stories, together I would love to hear about the people in your lives to whom you owe a debt of gratitude. I'm willing to wager that some of you have very interesting and moving stories about the way in which others have helped you during these long trying times. In fact I would love to gather your stories and put them into a collection which we could simply call "tales of gratitude”
I would like to conclude with a thank you for taking the time to read this, I truly appreciate the opportunity to share these thoughts with you!
This Shabbat, we welcome Molly Deutsch to the Bimah for her Bat Mitzvah. Molly is the daughter of Lisa and Jimmy Deutsch. She is the sister to Ryan, Max, and Sam. She is the granddaughter of Renee and Harvey (Z”L) Dobkin & Jim and Roberta Deutsch.
When we have Congregants participating in Services from their homes via Zoom on Friday and Saturday Evenings, we recognize that the audio may be difficult to hear on our Livestream or Facebook Live. To insure you hear all of our wonderful participants, we highly encourage you to join our services via Zoom. The links to join in on Zoom are provided in the schedule below.
If you need help connecting to our services or classes via Zoom, please contact Liessa Alperin atliessa@bnaiamoona.com. Todah Rabbah!
Friday, January 15
Friday Afternoon & Evening Services with Cantor Sharon Nathanson in the Guller Chapel: 6:00 pm
*Please note that you may need to input a Zoom password to access our Friday Night, Shabbat Morning & Saturday Afternoon/Evening Services Zoom link. The Password is in your inbox.
Weekday Minyan Information
Join Us For Minyan!
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
via Zoom, Livestream and FB Live
Virtual Evening Minyan
Sunday - Thursday Evening Minyan will take place virtually at 6:15 pm
via Zoom,Livestream and FB Live
We are now offering the opportunity to attend Shabbat Services "in-person." Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Please click the image below to reserve your spot - see you in Shul!
In Our Community
MAZEL TOV TO...
Sarah & Jeremy Klaven on the birth of their son, Zachari Miles Klaven. He is the baby brother of Gabriella & Hailie Klaven. Proud grandparents are Debra & Joel Spigel, Soozi (Z”L) & Scott Waxman, and Donald & Sandy Klaven.
Marcy & Rick Williams and Judy & Jerome (Z"L) Levy on the birth of their grandson, Max Jerome Williams. Proud parents are Becca and Seth Williams. Big brother is Henry Spencer Williams. Great-grandparents are Maurice & Sandra (Z"L) Williams and Sam & Mae (Z"L) Weiss.
Liessa Alperin for being selected as one of the Professional Upstart National Changemakers. UpStart’s Change Accelerator program equips intrapreneurs – the bold leaders making meaningful change within our community’s Jewish institutions.
Friendly reminder that our BA offices will be closed this Monday, January 18 in oberservance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. However, Rabbi Carnie Shalom Rose will lead a special edition of his Monday evening class, Fresh Eyes on Ancient Teachings: My Legs Were Praying... Marching for Civil Rights at 5:00 pm on Zoom. All are welcome to attend. Please see below for more information.
My Legs Were Praying…Marching for Civil Rights, a special edition of Fresh Eyes on Ancient Teachings: Jewish Spiritual Insights for Contemporary Seekers Monday, January 18 from 5:00 - 6:00 pm.
Prior to class, we encourage you to attend the virtual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration presented by JCRC and the Missouri History Society streaming live on Sunday, January 17 at 2:45 pm:
Virtual Martin Luther King Celebration
Sponsored by JCRC & Missouri Historical Society
Virtual Martin Luther King Celebration: Celebrating King in St. Louis
You are invited to a virtual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration on Sunday, January 17th, 2021 at 2:45 pm. Just over 60 years ago on November 27, 1960, Martin Luther King Jr. spoke at the United Hebrew Temple on Skinker Boulevard; today it’s the Missouri Historical Society’s Library & Research Center. Listen to a first-hand account from a St. Louisan who was in the audience that day, and hear Reverend Dr. Anthony Witherspoon of Washington Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church speak about this year’s MLK theme of education and building the beloved community. Lastly, rabbinical student and activist, Dr. Koach Baruch Frazier and Reverend Gabrielle Kennedy (of Faith & For the Sake of All) reflect on what it means to build beloved community in the legacy of this renowned civil rights leader. This program is Presented by The Missouri Historical Society & The Newmark Institute of the JCRC
