TTT: Vayetze 5772 – 11/29/30
Thanksgiving Sermon5772
November 25th, 2011 by admin | No Comments | Filed in SermonsTHANKSGIVING 5772
Shabbat Shalom.
So, what really happening in Plymouth MA in 1621, the 1st so-called Thanksgiving? Well, thanks to some channel surfing this past Wednesday night, I think I now know. I caught an episode of a show that I seldom watch, and I suspect that many of you here this evening watch, South Park.
It seems the young students of the South Park had to write an essay on the origins of Thanksgiving, so, instead of reading a bunch of books to do their research, they decided to watch a documentary on The History Channel. And, so I learned that the original Thanksgiving in 1621 was the result of a treaty between the Pilgrims and the Indians, both aliens from their respective planets, Plymouth & India, who came to the New World in their fight to control the stuffing mines. Fascinating and hilarious – true satire.
However, it doesn’t come close to the level of the great master of satire, the late Art Buchwald, may his memory be for a blessing, a columnist for the Washington Post. One of his most famous columns was published on Thursday, November 24, 2005, Thanksgiving, he wrote:
Le Grande Thanksgiving –This confidential column was leaked to me by a high government official in the Plymouth colony on the condition that I not reveal his name.
One of our most important holidays is Thanksgiving Day, known in France as le Jour de Merci Donnant .
Le Jour de Merci Donnant was first started by a group of Pilgrims ( Pelerins ) who fled from l’Angleterre before the McCarran Act to found a colony in the New World ( le Nouveau Monde ) where they could shoot Indians ( les Peaux-Rouges ) and eat turkey ( dinde ) to their hearts’ content.
They landed at a place called Plymouth (a once famous voiture Americaine ) in a wooden sailing ship called the Mayflower (or Fleur de Mai ) in 1620. But while the Pelerins were killing the dindes, the Peaux-Rouges were killing the Pelerins, and there were several hard winters ahead for both of them. The only way the Peaux-Rouges helped the Pelerins was when they taught them to grow corn ( mais ). The reason they did this was because they liked corn with their Pelerins.
In 1623, after another harsh year, the Pelerins’ crops were so good that they decided to have a celebration and give thanks because more mais was raised by the Pelerins than Pelerins were killed by Peaux-Rouges.
Every year on the Jour de Merci Donnant, parents tell their children an amusing story about the first celebration.
It concerns a brave capitaine named Miles Standish (known in France as Kilometres Deboutish) and a young, shy lieutenant named Jean Alden. Both of them were in love with a flower of Plymouth called Priscilla Mullens (no translation). The vieux capitaine said to the jeune lieutenant :
“Go to the damsel Priscilla ( allez tres vite chez Priscilla), the loveliest maiden of Plymouth ( la plus jolie demoiselle de Plymouth). Say that a blunt old captain, a man not of words but of action ( un vieux Fanfan la Tulipe ), offers his hand and his heart, the hand and heart of a soldier. Not in these words, you know, but this, in short, is my meaning.
“I am a maker of war ( je suis un fabricant de la guerre ) and not a maker of phrases. You, bred as a scholar ( vous, qui tes pain comme un tudiant ), can say it in elegant language, such as you read in your books of the pleadings and wooings of lovers, such as you think best adapted to win the heart of the maiden.”
Although Jean was fit to be tied ( convenable tre emballe ), friendship prevailed over love and he went to his duty. But instead of using elegant language, he blurted out his mission. Priscilla was muted with amazement and sorrow ( rendue muette par l’tonnement et las tristesse).
At length she exclaimed, interrupting the ominous silence: “If the great captain of Plymouth is so very eager to wed me, why does he not come himself and take the trouble to woo me?” ( Ou est-il, le vieux Kilometres? Pourquoi ne vient-il pas aupres de moi pour tenter sa chance ?)
Jean said that Kilometres Deboutish was very busy and didn’t have time for those things. He staggered on, telling what a wonderful husband Kilometres would make. Finally Priscilla arched her eyebrows and said in a tremulous voice, “Why don’t you speak for yourself, Jean?” (Chacun a son gout. )
And so, on the fourth Thursday in November, American families sit down at a large table brimming with tasty dishes and, for the only time during the year, eat better than the French do.
No one can deny that le Jour de Merci Donnant is a grande fte and no matter how well fed American families are, they never forget to give thanks to Kilometres Deboutish, who made this great day possible.
Concluding prayer:
ALUASA
updated prv 4 shbt toldot
November 25th, 2011 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Shabbat PreviewFriday, November 25, 2011 – 28 Heshvan 5772
Preview for Shabbat Toldot
SERMONIC THEME FOR TONIGHT:
The True Story of the 1st Thanksgiving – Or the Art of Satire: South Park’s Thanksgiving vs. Art Buchwald’s Le Grande Thanksgiving
MINYAN ASSURANCES NEEDED
Sunday evening, 11/27, 7:45 PM & Monday morning, 11/28, 7 AM, Miriam Gershwin & Aaron Gary have Yahrzeitim
Monday evening, 11/28, 7:45 PM, Carol Berger has a Yahrzeit
Friday morning, December 16th, 7 AM, the Yahrzeit of Rosalie Millman, Joel is requesting your assurance for the minyan
SERMONIC OPPORTUNITIES
Friday, December 30th, 8 PM
Saturday, December 31st, 9:30 AM
LET ME KNOW
UPCOMING EVENT REMINDERS:
A. Sunday, November 27: NO Religious School
1. 9 AM: Morning Minyan – WITH NO SCHOOL – WE NEED YOUR HELP – PLUS ITS ROSH HODESH
2. 7:45 PM: evening minyan
B. Thursday, December 1, 8 PM: Coffee & Clergy Corner – Springfield Barnes & Noble: Rabbi Mallach & Reverend David Knecht, Holy Cross Lutheran Church – will lead a topical discussion on issues that we all face – OPEN TO ALL
C. Friday, December 2nd, 6:30 PM: SHABBATis4U
a. Services led by Kitah Zayin & Vav
b. NO LATE SERVICE
c. December birthday blessings
d. Yahrzeit list is read
D. Saturday, December 3rd, 9:30 AM: Anniversary of the B`nai Mitzvah of Ari & Ben Scherzer
E. Sunday, December 4th, 7 PM: Step Up For Israel – Documentary film #3 of 5 followed by discussion
F. Thursday, December 15th, 7:45 PM: Torah on Tap
G. Sunday, December 18th, 7 PM: Step Up For Israel – Documentary film #4 of 5 followed by discussion
H. Tuesday, December 20th, 5:45 PM (meet in Sanctuary to begin) Temple Hanukkah Hasmonean Hotdog Feast
I. Morning Minyan times for Hanukkah: 6:45 AM on 12/21, 12/22, 12/23, 12/26, 12/27 & 12/28
You can also visit my website at: http://ridinrebbe.com/
For updated information go to: http://www.tbaynj.org/
II. November 25, 2011 – 29 Heshvan: Shabbat Toldot
A. Candle Lighting Time: 4:14 PM
B. 8 PM Shabbat Services –
1. Kiddush Soloist: Cantor
2. Sermon Theme: see above
3. L`kavod Shabbat – Special Honors
a. Responsive Readings: Esther Avnet, p. 23
b. Open Ark for Aleinu: Genya Mallach
4. Bima Officers: Pam Kornspan & Barbara Eglow
5. Oneg Shabbat: Sponsored by Women’s League
II. Saturday, November 26, 2011 – 29 Heshvan: Shabbat Toldot – Birkat HoHodesh
A. 9:30 AM: Shaharit L`Shabbat in the Sanctuary:
1. Shabbat Coordinator: Peter Shewitz
2. Baal Tefillah Preliminary Service (Prayer Leader): David Glass
3. Baal Tefillah Shaharit: Cantor
4. Dvar Torah: Rabbi
5. Baal Koreh (Torah Readers): Ken Melman
6. Baal Maftir (Haftorah Reader): Karen Levine
7. Gabbayim (Torah Proctors): ?
8. Baal Tefillah Musaf: Cantor
9. Special Aliyot
IF YOU WOULD LIKE AN ALIYAH, PLEASE LET US KNOW!!!!!
a. Congregational Aliyah: Bob Modlinger in celebration of his birthday
b. B`nai Mitzvah Anniversary Aliyah:
10. Bima Officers Scheduled: Pam Kornspan & Barbara Eglow
11. The Kiddush luncheon following services is sponsored by April & Bob Modlinger in honor of Bob’s birthday
B. 10:30 AM: Youth Services ARE NOT in session
1. Grades 4 – 6 are in the Chapel
2. Mini-Minyan, grades K – 3 are in the Youth Lounge
C. 10:30 AM: “BABYSITTING & BLESSINGS” IS IN SESSION
Next Shabbat: Shabbat VAYETZE
NEXT POTENTIAL CONGREGATIONAL ISRAEL TOUR
There have been inquiries about the next potential congregation Israel tour, such an event depends on several factors:
1. Currently exploring departure dates for the end of June, 2012
2. Having a nucleus of participants to make it viable – 20 adult minimum
3. Having a chairman to organize
If anyone is interested, please let me know and we can discuss the possibilities (NOTE: HAVE GOTTEN MANY RESPONSES, INTEREST IS CLEARLY GROWING… it is looking better & better, but REALLY do need a chairman…)
Shabbat Shalom!
TTT: Toldot 5772
November 22nd, 2011 by admin | No Comments | Filed in TTTTorah Thoughts for Today
Shabbat Toldot 5772
Rabbi Mark Mallach
Temple Beth Ahm Yisrael, Springfield, NJ
MINYAN ASSURANCE NEEDED
Sunday evening, 11/27, 7:45 PM & Monday morning, 11/28, 7 AM, Miriam Gershwin has a Yahrzeit
SERMONIC OPPORTUNITIES
Friday, December 23rd, 8 PM
Saturday, December 24th, 9:30 AM
LET ME KNOW
IMPORTANT NOTES FOLLOW BELOW
PARASHAT TOLDOT – MEVAREKHIM HAHODESH
November 26, 2011 – 29 Heshvan 5772
Annual: Genesis 25:19-28:9 (Etz Hayim p. 146; Hertz p. 93)
Triennial Cycle: Genesis 26:23-27:27 (Etz Hayim p. 152; Hertz p. 96)
Haftarah: I Samuel 20:18-42 (Etz Hayim p. 1216, Hertz p. 948)
Prepared by Rabbi Joseph Prouser
“And Abimelech came to him from Gerar, with Ahuzzath his councilor and Phichol chief of his troops. Isaac said to them, “Why have you come to me, seeing that you have been hostile to me and have driven me away from you?” And they said, “We now see plainly that the Lord has been with you, and we thought: Let there be a sworn treaty between our two parties, between you and us. Let us make a pact with you that you will not do us harm, just as we have not molested you but have always dealt kindly with you and sent you away in peace. From now on, be you blessed of the Lord!” (Genesis 26:26-29)
COMMENTARY:
According to the Philistines, Isaac’s success stemmed from his ability to exploit their land’s fertility; because they were jealous of Isaac, they exiled him. Now, with the patriarch in Beersheba, an area lacking their land’s fertility, the Philistines concluded that Isaac’s initial prosperity was the result of the tzadik’s merit rather than any exploitation. They now acknowledged that Isaac truly was blessed by God. He was not someone who took advantage of them. “Had we only realized then what we know now,” the Philistines concluded, “we would never have driven you away.” (Chatam Sofer)
“If you want to make peace, you don’t talk to your friends. You talk to your enemies.” (Moshe Dayan)
“The blessings of peace are very capital, nothing finer – but one likes to be warned.” (Patrick O’Brian, Desolation Island)
“Peace is not made at the council table or by treaties, but in the hearts of men.” (Herbert Hoover)
“Treaties are like roses and young girls. They last while they last.” (Charles de Gaulle)
DISCUSSION:
Our parashah seems to reprise a similar incident involving a peace treaty between Abimelech and Abraham, where Abimelech again was attended by Phichol (see Genesis 21:22-32). It seems historically implausible that the same two Philistines were still national leaders fully a generation later. Either an important motif simply is being reframed or, as Rabbi Joseph H. Hertz concludes, somewhat less critically, “they must have been old men in the time of Isaac.” Should we read the theology of this interchange with less suspicion than its asserted timing? That is, do the Philistines truly perceive divine blessing in Isaac’s prosperity? Or are their motives more materialistic, more mercenary (perhaps in part explaining the presence of a military leader), somehow more Philistine?
Would Moshe Dayan apply his famous axiom to this text? Is Abimelech’s somewhat saccharine and solicitous rhetoric simply typical of peace treaties between former foes accustomed to mutual mistrust?
The Patrick O’Brian quote is spoken by a military officer, British Navy Captain Jack Aubrey, for whom peace represented an impediment to career advancement, fame, and fortune! Why might civilians today – both in Israel and elsewhere – experience some ambivalence about the prospect of peace with erstwhile enemies?
Did Isaac sincerely welcome the peace offer from Abimelech? Compare to Abraham’s reaction in Genesis 21. Is peace and alliance always a desirable goal, regardless of the moral shortcomings of our prospective treaty partners? What council might Hoover or De Gaulle have offered Isaac?
Your thoughts as always are welcome…
REMINDERS:
A. Sunday, November 27:
1. 9 AM:
a. NO Religious School
b. Morning Minyan
2. 10 AM – 5 PM: Jewish Fair & Expo Green Lane Y
3. 7:45 PM: evening minyan
B. Monday, November 21st , 7:30 PM: Springfield Interfaith Clergy Association Annual Pre-Thanksgiving Community Service – hosted by Temple Shaa`rey Shalom
C. Thursday, November 24th – MORNING MINYAN TIME = 9 AM
D. Thursday, December 1, 8 PM: Coffee & Clergy Corner – Springfield Barnes & Noble: Rabbi Mallach & Reverend David Knecht, Holy Cross Lutheran Church – will lead a topical discussion on issues that we all face – OPEN TO ALL
E. Friday, December 2nd, 6:30 PM: SHABBATis4U
a. Services led by Kitah Zayin & Vav
b. NO LATE SERVICE
c. December birthday blessings
d. Yahrzeit list is read
e. Shabbat dinner to follow the services – an RSVP is needed – contact the office: office@templebethahmyisrael.com
F. Saturday, December 3rd, 9:30 AM: Anniversary of the B`nai Mitzvah of Ari & Ben Scherzer
NEXT POTENTIAL CONGREGATIONAL ISRAEL TOUR
There have been inquiries about the next potential congregation Israel tour, such an event depends on several factors:
1. Currently exploring departure dates for the end of June, 2012
2. Having a nucleus of participants to make it viable – 20 adult minimum
3. Having a chairman to organize
If anyone is interested, please let me know and we can discuss the possibilities (NOTE: HAVE GOTTEN MANY RESPONSES, INTEREST IS CLEARLY GROWING…)
For updated information go to: http://www.tbaynj.org/
You can also visit my website at http://ridinrebbe.com/
PRV 4 Shbt: Haye Sara 5772
November 17th, 2011 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Shabbat PreviewThursday, November 17, 2011 – 20 Heshvan 5772
Preview for Shabbat Haye Sara
TONIGHT – Thursday, November 17th, 7:45 PM: Torah on Tap
¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬ Springfield Interfaith Clergy Association’s Annual Thanksgiving Service
Monday, November 21, 2011, 7:30 – 8:30 PM
Donations Requested to Benefit the Springfield First Aid & Rescue Squad
& Non-Perishable Goods for the NJ Food Bank
Hosted by Temple Sha`arey Shalom
UPCOMING EVENT REMINDERS:
A. Sunday, November 20:
1. 9 AM:
a. Religious School
b. Morning Minyan
c. Kitah Zayin Student/Parent Seminar
2. 7 PM: Step Up For Israel – Film & Discussion #2
3. 7:45 PM: evening minyan
B. Monday, November 21st , 7:30 PM: Springfield Interfaith Clergy Association Annual Pre-Thanksgiving Community Service – hosted by Temple Shaa`rey Shalom
C. Thursday, November 24th – MORNING MINYAN TIME = 9 AM
D. Thursday, December 1, 8 PM: Coffee & Clergy Corner – Springfield Barnes & Noble: Rabbi Mallach & Reverend David Knecht, Holy Cross Lutheran Church – will lead a topical discussion on issues that we all face – OPEN TO ALL
E. Friday, December 2nd, 6:30 PM: SHABBATis4U
a. Services led by Kitah Zayin & Vav
b. NO LATE SERVICE
c. December birthday blessings
d. Yahrzeit list is read
e. Shabbat dinner to follow the services – an RSVP is needed – contact the office: office@templebethahmyisrael.com
F. Saturday, December 3rd, 9:30 AM: Anniversary of the B`nai Mitzvah of Ari & Ben Scherzer
You can also visit my website at: http://ridinrebbe.com/
For updated information go to: http://www.tbaynj.org/
II. November 18, 2011 – 22 Heshvan: Shabbat Haye Sara
A. Candle Lighting Time: 4:19 PM
B. 6:00 PM: Early Childhood Program Pizza Party
C. 6:30 PM: Early Childhood Program Kabbalat Shabbat program
D. 8 PM Shabbat Services –
1. Kiddush Soloist: Elana Neher in honor of her Bat Mitzvah
2. Sermon Theme
3. L`kavod Shabbat – Special Honors
a. Responsive Readings:
b. Open Ark for Aleinu: Harold & Debra Neher
4. Bima Officers: Jeff Scherzer & Doug Chester
5. Oneg Shabbat: Sponsored by Debra & Harold Neher in honor of Elana’s Bat Mitzvah
II. Saturday, November 19, 2011 – 22 Heshvan: Shabbat Haye Sara
A. 9:30 AM: Shaharit L`Shabbat in the Sanctuary: Bat Mitzvah of Elana Neher
1. Shabbat Coordinator: Al Eglow
2. Baal Tefillah Preliminary Service (Prayer Leader): David Glass
3. Baal Tefillah Shaharit: Cantor Nadel
4. Dvar Torah: Elana Neher
5. Baal Koreh (Torah Readers): Ken Melman & Elana Neher
6. Baal Maftir (Haftorah Reader): Elana Neher
7. Gabbayim (Torah Proctors): ?
8. Baal Tefillah Musaf: Elana Neher
9. Special Aliyot
IF YOU WOULD LIKE AN ALIYAH, PLEASE LET US KNOW!!!!!
a. Congregational Aliyah:
b. B`nai Mitzvah Anniversary Aliyah:
c. Neher family
10. Bima Officers Scheduled: Jeff Scherzer & Doug Chester
11. The Kiddush luncheon following services is sponsored by Debra & Harold Neher in honor of Elana’s Bat Mitzvah
B. 10:30 AM: Youth Services ARE NOT in session
1. Grades 4 – 6 are in the Chapel
2. Mini-Minyan, grades K – 3 are in the Youth Lounge
3. 10:30 AM: “BABYSITTING & BLESSINGS” IS IN SESSION
Next Shabbat: Shabbat Toldot
NEXT POTENTIAL CONGREGATIONAL ISRAEL TOUR
There have been inquiries about the next potential congregation Israel tour, such an event depends on several factors:
1. Currently exploring departure dates for the end of June, 2012
2. Having a nucleus of participants to make it viable – 20 adult minimum
3. Having a chairman to organize
If anyone is interested, please let me know and we can discuss the possibilities (NOTE: HAVE GOTTEN MANY RESPONSES, INTEREST IS CLEARLY GROWING… it is looking better & better, but REALLY do need a chairman…)
Shabbat Shalom!