Shabbat graphic
  Shabbat Shalom  
from
Temple  Beth El
Friday, January 20, 2017 / 22 Tevet, 5777
Parashat Shemot Exodus 1:1-6:1

Dear Friends,
 
This week as we begin the Book of Exodus the following verse speaks loudly to many of us, especially today:  "A new king arose over Egypt who did not know Joseph."  (Ex. 1:8).  We witness a transition in leadership.  For many years, life was very good for the Israelites.  The Pharaoh with whom Joseph ruled, and who arranged for Joseph's family to immigrate to Egypt, and do very well there, is no longer in power.  Time has passed and a new leader emerges.  This one is advancing a different agenda with new priorities; he sees the Israelites not as friends but rather a threat.  The new Pharaoh enslaves the Israelites, oppresses them, and "makes life bitter for them with harsh labor [making] mortar and bricks." (Ex. 1:14)
 
The commentary on this episode is rich; and the text gets richer.  At the depth of their despair, after Pharaoh's fear of the Israelites rises to new heights, he issues a decree demanding that all new born boys be killed.  Here, early in Exodus, we see the first demonstration of resistance; two brave heroines named Shifra and Puah refuse to comply with the decree.  Countless lives are saved.
 
Later in the narrative, Moses is born.  He too was saved; in time he becomes the leader of the Israelites and marches them out of slavery in Egypt into freedom in the desert.
 
Shifra, Puah and Moses are faces of protest and resistance in the early chapters of Exodus.  They refuse to go along with the status quo.  When they see injustice they respond, acting with their conscience, and doing what is needed to protect their people.
 
From the time of the Exodus until now, leaders have arisen who "knew not Joseph."  As difficult as these periods in time have been for Jews in particular and often times for humanity in general, there always seems to be brave, ordinary women and men like Shifra, Puah, Moses who respond to challenges in challenging times.  There are women and men who rise to the defense of the defenseless, raising their hands and their voices, marching on their feet, sometimes at great risk, to bring about change.
 
On this Shabbat Shemot we linger on the words we declared last week upon completing the Book of Genesis, Hazak, Hazak V'nithazek-be strong, be strong, and be strengthened.  May the brave examples of those who came before us, thousands of years ago and a generation ago, inspire us to be strong, to be strengthened, and to apply our strength, our courage and our fortitude to fight for justice, morality and compassion here and abroad.
 
Please join us tonight at 6:30 for our Musical Shabbat Service where I will have a few more words to say about our Torah portion as it relates to this current moment in our history.

Wishing you a Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Charles Briskin 
Refuah Sh'leimah
For those recovering from an illness:
Barbara Mozlin
Vivian Rigler
Jack Lebental
Irene Tyson 
Elaine Grove
Beth Wahba 
Marc Newman
Ashley Felsher
David Shneer 
Andy Kauffman 

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, January 20
6:30 p.m. Musical Shabbat Service
Featuring The Moody Jews with guest vocalist Josh Goldberg. Rabbi Briskin will speak.

Saturday, January 21
10:00 a.m. Meditation Service

Friday, January 27
7:30 p.m. Shabbat Service with a Torah reading
Thank you to Rabbi Catherine Mummert for chanting Torah this evening. Rabbi Briskin will offer a sermon.

Saturday, January 28
10:00 a.m. Torah on the Trails walking the Linden H. Chandler Preserve
Meet and park near the Rolling Hills Little League field. From Palos Verdes Drive North, turn as if entering Dapplegray Elementary School (located at 3011 Palos Verdes Drive North, RHE), and immediately turn left onto the access road for the RH Little League field. Follow the narrow road to the bottom of the hill. Drive slowly. This single-lane road has turnouts for passing oncoming traffic.

Friday, February 3
6:30 p.m. Family Shabbat Service
Featuring birthday blessings for children under 13.

Saturday, February 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. 
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
 
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