November 12-13, 2021 Shabbat Vayetzei
9 Kislev 5782
Our patriarch, Jacob, has fled his home in fear of his brother who has threatened murder. Using a large stone for a pillow, Jacob lies down to sleep. In a mysterious dream, he sees angels going up and down a ladder. When he awakens, he realizes he is in the presence of holiness.
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At first, the text tells us that Jacob gathered “stones” for his pillow. But while Jacob sleeps, the Torah changes the plural form of “stones” to the singular “stone” – only one stone. In an ancient legend, the Rabbis imagine that all the smaller stones quarreled about which one of them would get to be the stone that Jacob chose for his pillow. But when the time came, they all acted as one.
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When we all pull together for a larger cause or purpose, we can make a sizeable difference. Rabbi David Wolpe teaches that this is because our individual egos are no longer involved. When we combine our strengths and our skills and take ego out of the equation, we build unity.
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Later, Jacob’s name is changed from Ya’akov to Yisrael. His name change reflects a people rather than an individual. In unity and in holiness, we are his children—Am Yisrael, the people of Israel.
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Please join in this week’s Shabbat celebrations on Channel 1960 or in the Synagogue
(Masks required in Synagogue; no cell phones, please)
Friday at 4:15 PM: Kabbalat Shabbat and Ma’ariv (Evening) Service
Friday at 5:15 PM: Shabbat Blessings in Dining Room
Service and Blessings will be led by Cantor Fran Chalin of VITAS
Saturday at 10:00 AM: Shabbat Shacharit (Morning Service)
Saturday at 12:00 PM: Shabbat Blessings in Dining Room
Service and Blessings will be led by Wendy Lupul, daughter of Miriam & Sy Wellikson
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Service Times – Residents completed a survey several weeks ago regarding the timing of Shabbat evening services. Some preferred a later service, following dinner. Some preferred an earlier service, prior to dinner. In an attempt to accommodate all our Residents’ needs, we decided at that time to hold later services when sunset occurs late, and earlier services when sunset occurs early. This week will be our first “early” evening service for the season.
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Candle lighting time for the city of Mission Viejo: Friday evening at 4:31 PM
Shabbat ends Saturday evening at 5:28 PM
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Shabbat Shalom Rabbi Sherman