October 28-29, 2022 Parashat Noach
4 Cheshvan 5783
This week we read of the great Flood that destroyed the earth and (almost) everyone on it.
Why did the Holy One flood the earth, and what can we learn from this narrative?
Genesis 6 suggests that the Holy One flooded the earth because of humanity’s sinfulness. Genesis 8 tells us that the Holy One promised never to flood the earth again… because of humanity’s sinfulness. This sounds like the reason for sending one flood became the reason for not sending another. According to Rabbi Shai Held in The Heart of Torah, the lesson here is that the same attribute that we see as cause for reproach can serve as a basis for forgiveness as well. Maybe this is a lesson for all of us as well.
The Holy One seems to view the world through the lens of compassion and forbearance. Rabbi Held suggests that we ought to evaluate other people in a similar fashion. Our judgments about people depend not only on the facts about their nature or character; they also depend on the posture we adopt toward those facts. That sounds like our judgments have more to do with us than with the people we are judging. That alone ought to give us pause.
Rabbi Held writes: “Where there is judgment, there is often the possibility of compassion.”
“Shmoozing with Rabbi Sherman” returns at a new day and time! Friday afternoons at 1:30 PM
As we prepare to greet Shabbat, come shmooze with Rabbi and fellow Residents. Bring your ideas and questions, and join the community in conversation. No Jewish knowledge or background required! Just bring yourself, a listening ear, and an open mind!
“Torah Talk” Returns – Saturday, October 29 Join us on Shabbat afternoons to study The Book of Proverbs: A Social Justice Commentary by Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz. In his introduction, Rabbi Yanklowitz writes that the Book of Proverbs is “spiritual but not religious.” Let’s study how these ancient proverbs can have spiritual meaning in our lives today. You do not need to have any background experience or knowledge in Proverbs or the Hebrew Bible!
Please join our Shabbat celebrations in the Synagogue (masks required) or on Channel 1960
Friday at 5:00 PM Shabbat Blessings in the Dining Room
Friday at 6:30 PM Shabbat Evening Service
Saturday at 10:00 AM Shabbat Morning Service followed by Blessings in the Dining Room
Candle lighting time for Shabbat for the city of Mission Viejo: Friday evening at 5:44 PM
Shabbat ends Saturday evening at 6:39 PM
Shabbat Shalom! Rabbi Sherman