JANUARY 9 - 10 2015 19 TEVET 5775 THIS WEEK’S WORSHIP FRIDAY EVENING January 9, 2015 7:30 P.M. LEIL SHABBAT Rabbi Marc S. Jagolinzer & Cantor Fredric Scheff Officiating Sermon by Rabbi Jagolinzer “The Courage of Women” An Oneg Shabbat will follow the services THIS WEEK AT OUR TEMPLE Sunday, January 11 at 10:00 a.m. IT’S NOT YOUR MOTHER’S SISTERHOOD Organizational Meeting Continental Breakfast SUNDAY@SHALOM Sunday, January 11 at 11:00 a.m Topic: “HOW TRADITIONAL IS THE WOMAN OF VALOR TODAY?” Has she fulfilled her role as an Eshet Chayil? A frank discussion of the Jewish woman of today. Presented by: Andrea Marcovici JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL Sunday, January 11 at 1:30pm “SWEET LORRAINE” Weekly Portion: Shemot Exodus 1:1 – 6:1 Haftorah: Isaiah 27:6-28; 13, 29, 22-23 In this first parasha of Shemot (Exodus), Joseph, his brothers and that whole generation of Israelites pass away. A new Pharaoh takes control who has no relationship and no connection to the Jewish past and their role within Egyptian history and therefore seems them as a threat to national security. When forced labor does not seem to curtail them, Pharaoh enacts mote horrible edicts, such as the killing of the first born sons. In this week’s reading, we read of the heroism of Shifrah and Puah, the two midwives, who due to their own moral code, defy this edict through civil disobedience. Moses is born, becomes a shepherd, marries Tzipporah and has his encounter with G-d through the medium of the burning bush. Moses after witnessing three signs of G-d’s power and identity, returns to Egypt, reunites with his brother Aaron and has his first frustrating encounter with Pharaoh. What were Moses’ traits that led him to be the one picked to be the leader of the Jews? He grew up as a pampered boy in the palace he did not show any identification with the Israelites until after witnessing the brutality of the overseer. His anger caused him to flee the country and he abdicated his responsibilities to his people, being content to be a shepherd and a husband. Even after G-d approached him, he was dubious and hesitant. “Moses said to G-d, ‘Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and free the Israelites from Egypt? (Exodus 3:11) One of the most intriguing characteristics of Moses was that he had a speech impediment. Of course, he would wonder if Pharaoh or even the Israelites themselves would listen to him. What kind of teacher, what kind of diplomat could he truly be if he is unable to be articulate? Perhaps, by appointing a spokesperson who is not a charismatic or compelling speaker, the Israelites could then claim that they were following Moses because of the content of his words and not because they were hypnotized by his powerful oratory. Or, it teaches us that everyone can do G-d’s bidding. None of us is perfect and Moses can be viewed as an example of how one should look past a disability and respect someone for other character traits. His having a speech impediment allows the Israelites and other peoples to view Moses as just a person and not a divine being in his own right. Therefore, all of the miracles he performed were know to come from G-d and not from him. These are some responses to the questions. QUESTIONS 1. What would be your explanation as to why it was Moses who was chosen to lead the Israelites? 2. What causes some people like Shifrah and Puah to defy an order based upon their own ethical values? What defines a hero? 3. What would be the purpose behind having Moses grow up in Pharaoh’s palace?
Posted on: Fri, 09 Jan 2015 21:28:14 +0000
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