October 23-24, 2020
 6 Cheshvan 5781                                                                                    

Parashat Noach

Peer pressure doesn’t disappear after adolescence. We teach our children to make their own decisions rather than follow their friends, but perhaps that applies to adults as well. When others around us are doing good things, don’t we feel motivated to do good things as well? And when we see others around us misbehaving, does that give us permission to misbehave? No matter our age, the choices we make may be influenced by the actions of those around us.

Our Torah portion tells us that Noah was a righteous man in his generation. The Rabbis of the Talmud expound on what that means. Some say it means that Noah was righteous in his own generation but might not have been considered righteous compared to other generations. Others say it means Noah was righteous despite being surrounded by bad influences. Presumably, this would be the more difficult feat. Still others say that because he was righteous despite being surrounded by bad influences, this would make him even more righteous when compared to other generations!

Questions for Reflection:

  1. Is it more difficult to be righteous when you are surrounded by people who are doing good or people who are doing evil? What are some examples of each?
  2. Which is better – to be thought of as righteous when you are surrounded by wicked people, or to be thought of as righteous as compared to other righteous people?

Join me on Wednesdays at 1:00 PM for “Shmoozing with Rabbi Sherman.”

All are welcome – limited seating in the Synagogue and audio only on Channel 1960.
Bring your curiosity, an open mind, and whatever Jewish thoughts are on your mind this week.

Please join our Shabbat celebrations on Channel 1960:

Friday at 4:30 PM – Kabbalat Shabbat & Shabbat Ma’ariv (Evening Service)

Saturday at 10:00 AM – Shabbat Shacharit (Morning Service)

If you have not yet returned your Machzor (Holy Day prayer book), please leave it at the Front Desk or bring it to my office. You may keep the white, paperback Yizkor (memorial) booklet.

Candle lighting times for the city of Mission Viejo:

Friday evening at 5:49 PM

Shabbat ends Saturday evening at 6:43 PM 

Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Sherman