Shabbat Shalom from TBE

Shabbat Shalom

from

Temple Beth El

Friday, October 27, 2017 / 7 Heshvan, 5778

Parashat Lekh L'kha Genesis 12:1-17:27

Dear Friends,

What does it mean to be a blessing? Why is Abraham a blessing?

When we are introduced to Abraham in this week's Torah portion called Lech L'kha, we shift our focus from the universalism of the twenty generations from Adam and Eve to Noah to Terah (Abraham's father) to the particularism of the generation of Abraham and Sarah and all that follow. The first twenty generations (and 11 chapters of Torah) show a world that descended into violence and chaos, a world that was destroyed (from the flood) then rebuilt, and then its people dispersed following the Tower of Babel.

In Lech L'kha another shift is made. Rather than focusing on a people or a nation, the text focuses on individuals from whom the Jewish people will flourish, Abraham and Sarah.

When God calls to Abram (who was not yet Abraham) to leave his country, his birthplace and his father's house to a land that God will show him, promising him blessing and greatness, Abram said "yes" to the call.

Abram lived in a world that was dark and adrift, where people worshipped idols made of wood and stone and failed to see what Abram saw: God's presence in their midst. Abraham would bring light to this darkness.

Nechaman Leibowitz writes that as Abraham left for the Promised Land, "[he] was considered to be the only glimmer of light walking through a world of thick darkness, eventually spreading, illuminating the whole of mankind, enveloping the whole world with its glow." (New Studies in Bereshit, p.112). From Abraham all the families of the earth will be blessed.

What qualities does Abraham possess that are so worthy of blessing? Awareness. He is aware of God's presence in our world. He is aware of the tired and weary when he opens his and Sarah's tent to the three messengers wandering through the desert. He is aware of the possibility of innocent victims when he advocates on behalf of the wicked towns of Sodom and Gemorrah. Like all of our leaders, he is far from perfect and made some serious mistakes, however, the model he sets for future generations about faith, hospitality and justice continues to guide us to this day. That is why we praise Abraham's name every time we pray and that is why we are blessed by him, by Sarah and the generations that follow.

In our day when we emulate Abraham and Sarah-the first Jews-and their descendants; Moses; our prophets and sages we know that we are carrying on the blessing that God first gave to Abraham, when he responded "yes" to God's call millennia ago.

May we continue to hear God's call and carry forward that blessing we are fortunate to behold.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Charles Briskin

Refuah Sh'leimah

For those recovering from an illness:

Barbara Mozlin

Vivian Rigler

Irene Tyson

Elaine Grove

Jackie Grossman
Susan Bernard
Zorica Sorkin

Brooklyn Ariel Mondschein

To add a name to this list, please contact the TBE Office. We will not add names until we are notified by the family. Thank you.

Upcoming Services

Friday, October 27

7:30 a.m. Shabbat Service with Torah reading

Celebrating adult birthdays and anniversaries with an aliyah to the Torah and a short d'var Torah from Rabbi Briskin. Please note that services will be upstairs in our beautiful Beit Midrash with new and improved lighting.

Saturday, October 28

10:00 a.m. Torah on the Trails walking Chadwick Canyon

Meet in the parking lot of the Academy Center Business Complex (4000 Palos Verdes Drive North at Crenshaw Blvd. in Rolling Hills Estates). Park at the west end of the lot closest to the intersection of Academy Drive and Palos Verdes Drive North. Wear comfortable shoes and bring water.

Sunday, October 29

10:00 a.m. Operation Entebbe Event with IDF Special Forces Veteran, Sassy Reuven

Also on Sunday, October 29

2:00 p.m. A Celebration of Life for Jack Lebental

Reception to follow

Friday, November 3

4:00 p.m. Half-Pint Havurah & Hallah Bake

5:30 p.m. Shabbat Dinner hosted by the Heh Class

6:30 p.m. Family Shabbat Service

Shabbat Service including birthday blessings for children under 13. Dinner is free with advance reservations to Carrie in the TBE Office here. Without reservations, dinner is $5 per person at the door.

Saturday, November 4

10:00 a.m. Refuat Ha'Nefesh - Healing Service

Please join us for this special healing service that utilizes a blend of music, poetry, prayer and meditation.

Friday, November 10

7:30 p.m. Shabbat Service with Torah reading and Immigrant Justice Shabbat

Celebrating adult birthdays and anniversaries with an aliyah to the Torah. As part of the Religious Action Centers North American Immigrant Justice Campaign, we are joining Reform congregations nationwide to bring attention and awareness through education to issues facing undocumented young adults who were brought to this country by their parents unlawfully when they were minors.

Saturday, November 11

9:30 a.m. Lay-Led Shabbat Shaharit Service

9:30 a.m. Discussion on a Jewish topic

10:30 a.m. Shabbat morning Torah service

Noon Potluck Kiddush lunch

We hope to see you soon at Temple Beth El.

Find us on the web at: www.bethelsp.org

Call the office for more information: 310-833-2467
Or drop by for a visit: 1435 W. 7th Street, San Pedro 90732