January 13, 2023 * Parshat Shemot

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One Connection

I have a teacher who would take off his kippah when he was in public. He didn’t want to accidentally offend someone and have them think poorly of the Jews. He felt that he was a representative of the Jewish people and wouldn’t want others to think badly of the Jews because of a moment when he was being a human and made a mistake. I was bothered by this. Why would someone judge an entire people based on one mistake that someone made, even if they didn’t know it was a mistake.

In our parsha this week, as we begin the book of Shemot, the opposite happens. A new king rises over Egypt. This king, our Torah tells us, did not know Joseph. Our commentators have lots of ways to explain this verse, of course. Perhaps, the previous Pharaoh died and didn’t know why Joseph was chosen to have so much power. Maybe it was the same king, but his attitude changed so much that he might as well have been a different king. There was a new king, but he wasn’t from the royal line, so he didn’t have all of the memories of the previous ruler. It was a new king, and he remembered Joseph, but he didn’t follow his advice.

We learn quickly that Pharaoh believes the Israelites are “too numerous” for us and that he intends to put in place policies that will keep them from reproducing out of worry that they may rise up against him. If the previous pasuk (verse) hadn’t been there, would the outcome had been different? What if the new Pharaoh did know Joseph? Would that have made a difference? Should it have made a difference?

Many studies have shown that connection to those different from ourselves makes us more open to others, more likely to hear someone else’s opinion and less likely to form a bias against them. Having a relationship with just one of the Israelites could have changed the outcome for our entire people.

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Gun Violence and Judaism

Kiddush Conversations with Rabbi Blatt

Saturday, Jan. 14 after Shabbat morning services

Acts of gun violence, whether perpetrated against the Jewish community or not, are shattering the peace and sanctity of our lives at an alarming rate. Join Rabbi Blatt following Kiddush, for a discussion on how our texts address Individual Freedoms vs. Communal Needs for safety and security. Luncheon sponsored by Sisterhood.

Kiddush Luncheon Sponsored by Sisterhood

on Saturday, January 14

Howard Kanter Kiddush Luncheon

on Saturday, January 21

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