Dear TBZ community,
I would like to dedicate this week’s words to Mindel Ferencz, Moshe Deutch, Miguel Douglas, and Joe Seals who were killed in an antisemitic terror attack against a kosher grocery store in Jersey City, NJ, this past Wednesday. May their memories be a blessing. May their families find comfort.
As we hear, once again, of a targeted shooting against Jews, it is hard not to respond to this kind of attack with anger, fear, desperation and hopelessness. In my sermon last Yom Kippur, as I reflected on this past year and the rise of antisemitism in our country and the world, I encouraged all of us to ask:
How do we not let fear define us and how do we summon love,
hesed
, loving-kindness and hope to be our guides? These questions continue to be relevant. This week's parsha invites us also to think about the ways we respond to experiences of fear and desperation.
(The Yom Kippur Sermon can be found
HERE
).
In parshat
Vayshlach
, the story of Jacob progresses. Now Jacob is on his way back home with his big family and all that he possesses. He is about to encounter his brother Esau, from whom he escaped many years ago in fear of his own life. Time has passed, but he doesn't know anything about his brother. Has Esau changed? Does Esau still hate him? Will Esau be happy or angry?
Jacob is dreading his encounter with his brother, thus he sends messengers and prepares himself and his people.
וַיִּירָ֧א יַעֲקֹ֛ב מְאֹ֖ד וַיֵּ֣צֶר ל֑וֹ וַיַּ֜חַץ אֶת־הָעָ֣ם אֲשֶׁר־אִתּ֗וֹ וְאֶת־הַצֹּ֧אן וְאֶת־הַבָּקָ֛ר וְהַגְּמַלִּ֖ים לִשְׁנֵ֥י מַחֲנֽוֹת׃
Jacob was greatly frightened; in his anxiety, he divided the people with him, and the flocks and herds and camels, into two camps.
וַיִּירָ֧א יַעֲקֹ֛ב מְאֹ֖ד
Jacob was greatly frightened and distressed
Rashi also teaches us, quoting
Midrash Tanchuma
, that Jacob prepared himself to meet his brother, in three ways: with a gift, with prayer, and with preparation for battle. (
Rashi on Genesis 32:9
):
הִתְקִין עַצְמוֹ לִשְׁלֹשָׁה דְּבָרִים, לְדוֹרוֹן, לִתְפִלָּה וּלְמִלְחָמָה.
A gift
— as it states (
Genesis 32:22
) “So, the present passed before him”;
With prayer
— as it states (
Genesis 32:10
), “And he said, ‘O God of my father Abraham”;
For war
— as it states in this verse (
Genesis 32:9
), “then the remaining camp may escape,” for I will fight against him.
Jacob didn't know what to expect. Was this going to be an encounter of reconciliation? Perhaps for that, he needed to bring a gift! Was he going to need to defend himself? Perhaps for this, he needed to be ready to fight.
In moments of fear, and danger, Jacob’s story tells us, we hold gifts and weapons, both being possible responses to our fears. How do we know which one we will use?
Rabbi Guy Austrian, rabbi at
Fort Tryon Jewish Center
in New York City, wrote the following in response to the attack in Jersey City.
“Like Jacob, we too need to prepare for both conciliation and conflict—to seek out alliances and to defend ourselves against antisemitism.
And what about prayer? That’s careful reflection, and deep attunement with our highest values. It’s how we’ll discern how to hold this balance, and who our real enemies are. It’s how we draw strength for the times ahead”
As Jacob, we hold the gift -- to move in the world, seeking alliances and building relationships with love and compassion. As also hold the fight, to stand up against antisemitism and all forms of hatred. Coming together in community and in prayer is the way we continue to hold our highest values and allow them to guide us with hope, with resilience and strength.
We will cry on shabbat as we remember the victims, and we will also celebrate, for this shabbat we will be holding our
L’Dor V’Dor Shabbat Service,
an intergenerational service that brings together, adults and children, to sing, to learn Torah, and to joyfully dance together. Because the response to hatred is spread joy and to hold fast to our commitment to our children and the generations to come.
(Note: The intergenerational service starts at 11am this shabbat)
May this shabbat bring renewal and blessings to all of you and your loved ones.
May we know how to draw strength for the times ahead.
May we have a joyful Shabbat!
Shabbat Shalom,
