(Oops...this was supposed to be sent before Shabbat. Shavuah Tov everyone!)
This week is CHANUKAH!!! There is so much happening in shul and around the community. From Bryna and Tikka kicking off the holiday on Sunday morning, our nightly community candle lighting over Zoom, our IN PERSON Chanukah party on Thursday evening there is something for everyone.
Chanukah is all about spreading light through the world. Just a one candle can light another without diminishing its own flame, when we build each other up and share our own inner light with others, everyone shines brighter.
Join us for as much of Chanukah as you can so that we can all shine the brightest light possible.
Looking forward to seeing you soon! SCROLL DOWN FOR MORE PROGRAMMING AND REGISTRATION INFORMATION!
Parshat Vayeshev - Hidden Helpers Our parshah this week contains the story of Joseph and his "amazing technicolour dreamcoat". Before the brothers attack and sell Yosef, Yaakov asks him to go check on his brothers.
On his journey, Yosef can't find them and an "Ish" - a random, nameless person - directs Yosef to where he can find his brothers. It is at this point that the brothers carry out their sinister plan.
As we know, the story all works out for the best and Yosef rising to power, but it wouldn't have worked out like that without the involvement of the "random person".
In all of our lives there are moments where something "random" might push us in a different direction than we thought, but ultimately, that Ish is taking us to were we are supposed to go, so that we can ultimately succeed in our lifes mission.
Discussion Questions:
1. Describe a time where something "random" happened and changed your life.
2. Why do you think HaShem sends us those unnamed messengers, instead of making it obvious which way we need to go?
3. After Yosef was attacked by his brothers, do you think he felt like the new and surprising direction in his life was a good thing?
Rabbi David's Answers (from last week):
1. Eisav wanted to kill Yaakov and Yaakov was about to see Eisav when the angel gave him his new name. Why do you think the name Israel was helpful?
It reminded Yaakov that he would be able to overcome whatever challenges faced him...even if that was his brother. 2. Why do you think Yaakov always faces challenges in his life?
Challenges are a great way to learn new skills and grow. For Yaakov to become Yisrael, he needed to always be learning and growing and the challenges helped him become his best self...
3. Why do you think the angel had to leave in the morning?
Angels are messengers and have a specific job to do. Once Yaakov had succeeded in fighting the angel all night, the angel had finished his job and gave Yaakov the new name Yisrael, and then needed to leave for the next mission.
Beth Emeth Bais Yehuda Synagogue 100 Elder Street Toronto, ON M3H 5G7
