This weeks Torah reading begins with the death of Sarah and concludes with the death of Abraham.
To better understand the life of the patriarch, Abraham, we need to go back to the first chapter in the book of Genesis. Here, we learn that the human being was created in the Divine image and form. At the end of that section God says that everything that was formed that day was “good."
Strangely, the stories that follow do not support the contention that human beings were in fact good. We read of the rebellion of Adam and Eve and the murder of Abel by Cain. The human enterprise, in fact, goes from bad to worse! Even after the flood, humankind fails to live up to their Divine calling.
Finally, Abraham appears on the scene. One of the first things we learn about him is that he attempts to save his life by compromising the integrity of his wife Sarah. Again, we have to ask what does it actually mean when the Torah says of humans, that they where created in the Divine image?
I believe Rabbi Mordecai M. Kaplan's insight into the complexity of human nature provides us with a framework for resolving this conundrum. Kaplan wrote that humans vacillate from one level of existence to another: "The will to live is animal; the will to let let live is human; the will to help live is divine.”
When Abraham compromises his wife’s integrity he does so to save his own life, and in so doing, he is living on what Kaplan calls "the animalistic level." Later, when he resolves the conflict between his community and that of his nephew Lot, he is living on the level of live and let live - or what Kaplan calls, "the human level." However, when he protests God‘s intention to wipe out the population of two wicked cities - without investigating the possible existence of even a small number of good people - he is living on what Kaplan calls "the Divine level.” But what is divine about all of this? Abraham rises above petty interests and exhibits what we call in Hebrew CHESED, care, compassion, and concern for other human beings.
Looked at from Rabbi Kaplan’s perspective we learn that Abraham, like all human beings, struggled to be truly human, and also to reach that level we call divine.
hat is so wonderful about the stories of Abraham and Sarah and our other Biblical ancestors is that we learn that their lives where also in constant flux. Sometimes, they reached the level of being human and other times they attained the rung of divine only to tumble back into the state of just trying to keep our basic, animalistic self alive. The important thing is that they kept striving, despite the constant ups and downs of our earthly existence.
When the Genesis story (about the creation of human beings) is viewed from perspective of Rabbi Kaplan‘s observation, we realize that being created in the Divine image is really about our potential to be human and, at certain moments, to come close to the Divine. The Abraham and Sarah story calls us to start over again in our attempts to regain our humanity and, perhaps, experience our divinity.
Shabbat Shalom and may we continue to strive together.
This Shabbat, we welcome Jenna Wasserman to the Bimah for her Bat Mitzvah. Jenna is the daughter of Renee and Robert Wasserman, sister to Halle and Dani Wasserman. Grandparents are Bev and Bob Shpall and Hal Wasserman (Z”L) and Jo-Ann Winnik. Jenna follows her sisters, Halle and Dani, in becoming a Bat Mitzvah at B’nai Amoona.
MKLC Shabbat Program 5782 for K-8th Grade: 10:00- 11:30 am
Please arrive at 10:00 am. Students will be with MKLC programming from 10:00 am till Services end. Parents are encouraged to attend services and then pick up their students at 11:15 or at the end of services. Everyone is welcome to join for Kiddush luncheon.
Torah For Today, an Israel Update with Danny Ehrlich: 10:00 - 11:30 am
Our Israel mission coordinator and tour guide, Danny Ehrlich, will be here to give us an insightful look into Israeli society and present information about our upcoming trip to Israel. All who are joining us in Israel or interested in joining us in Israel are highly encouraged to attend.
Trip Dates: October 24 - November 2, 2022
During Kiddush: 11:30 am - 12:30 pm 9-12th Grade Program: TTT: Teens Talk Torah, Ethical Dilemmas Israel Edition
with special guest, Danny Ehrlich, Vice President & Educational Director at Keshet Educational Journeys
Shabbat Afternoon/Evening Services with Rabbi Neal Rose and David Kantorin the Guller Chapel: 5:00 pm
Torah study with Danny Ehrlich
Torah read by Joel Dennis
Pre-B'nai Mitzvah Participation of Kai & Koji Winig
SPECIAL INVITATION FROM BA ARTIST IN RESIDENCE, EITAN KANTOR
Sunday, October 31 Nature & Niggun with Eitan Kantor: 2:00 pm
The weekend's forecast looks clear! Our BA Artist in Residence, Eitan Kantor, invites you to Nature & Niggun, an immersive community experience that combines Jewish melodies with the sounds of nature.
We will meet at the River's Edge Park in Chesterfield at 2:00 pm to walk the River's Edge Park Loop. This trail is 1.9 miles, flat, wheelchair friendly and rated "Easy." We will walk the trail and sing in the shelter located on the park grounds for a combined total of approximately two hours.
*This event will NOT take place at B'nai Amoona. Please make note of the location.
In Our Community
MAZEL TOV TO...
Denny&Carl Greenberg on the birth of their twin grandchildren. Proud parents are Bryan Greenberg and Jamie Chung.
WE MOURN THE PASSING OF...
Dr. Maurice "Maury" Eichler; beloved husband of Shirley (Z"L) Eichler; dear father and father-in-law of Marilyn (Jay) Nathanson and Linda (Dr. Robert) Saltman; dear grandfather of Amy (Weston) Hutchins, Sallie (Benjamin) Massarsky, Julie Saltman, Dr. Janie (Max) Osofsky and Dr. Zachary Saltman; dear great-grandfather of Elise, Eve and Nate Osofsky and Sam and Elliott Massarsky.
Dear husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend to many.
Weekday Minyan Information Join us In-Person or on Zoom, BA Livestream or Facebook Live
Regular Morning Minyanim
Sunday Morning Minyan: 9:00 am
Monday - Friday Morning Minyan: 7:00 am
In-Person, Zoom, Livestream, and FB Live This Zoom link is for all morning Minyan Services
Regular Evening Minyanim
Sunday - Thursday Evening Minyan: 6:15 pm
via Zoom, Livestream, and FB Live This Zoom link is for all evening Minyan Services
Jewish tradition teaches “Kol Yisrael Arevim Zeh Bazeh,” meaning that we are all
responsible for each other (B.Talmud Shevuot 39a).
Our B'nai Amoona Klei Kodesh is proud to join other local Jewish spiritual leaders in issuingTHIS STATEMENTin favor of receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, continuing to wear a mask and practice social distancing as recommended by the CDC and other medical and other public health authorities.
As more people receive the Covid-19 vaccine, we encourage you to download and print the prayers below. We recommend you say them when you receive your vaccination.
Grants from the St. Louis Jewish Federation have helped Congregation B'nai Amoona in a wide variety of ways. In 2020-21, we received grant funding for the Chesed Fund, support from the Staenberg Family Foundation for both our Seder and necessary technology, support for older adults, closed captioning from the Joslin Fund, and COVID assistance including technology, two food investments, and additional Chesed Funds. We are deeply appreciative of the support and necessary assistance these Grants provided. Todah Rabbah!
Congregation B’nai Amoona
324 South Mason Rd
St. Louis, MO 63141
