October 22-23, 2021 Shabbat Vayera
17 Cheshvan 5782
Knowing who we are is important; equally important is knowing where we are. Earlier in Genesis, after Adam and Eve eat the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge in the Garden of Eden, God asks: “Where are you?” Adam blames Eve, makes some other excuses, and never actually answers the question. In this week’s parsha, God asks Abraham the same question, and Abraham answers with one powerful word: Hineni – “Here I am.”
Figuring out who we are and where we are can take a lifetime; these answers change over the course of our lives. We identify who we are based on how we understand our own inner workings. We determine where we are based on our relationships with people and places outside ourselves. Rabbi Brad Hirschfield teaches that the most important thing in the world is knowing who we are and where we stand. Abraham is our model; unlike Adam, Abraham has a strong sense of who he is along with an awareness of where he finds himself physically and spiritually.
Please join in this week’s Shabbat celebrations on Channel 1960 or in the Synagogue
(Limited seating in the Synagogue; masks, please; no cell phones please)
Friday at 5:15 PM: Shabbat Blessings in Dining Room
Friday at 6:30 PM: Kabbalat Shabbat & Ma’ariv (Evening Service)
Saturday at 10:00 AM: Shabbat Shacharit (Morning Service); Blessings in Dining Room at 12:00 PM
Thank you for demonstrating Derekh Eretz (good manners) in the Dining Room on Shabbat
Candles – As you know, flame candles are not permitted in apartments. You are invited to light Shabbat candles in the Dining Room. Please keep distance from candles when you are not lighting.
Wine – Our sweet, kosher wine is for the blessings only; it is not a dinner wine to be consumed all throughout the meal. With wine and blessing, we sanctify Shabbat – we make the day holy.
Blessings – If you arrive at the Dining Room during the blessings, please wait at the door. Once the blessings have concluded, please feel free to enter the Dining Room to find your seat.
Torah Talk – Shabbat afternoon at 1:30 PM in the Music Room (Limited seating; masks, please)
Candle lighting time for the city of Mission Viejo: Friday evening at 5:50 PM
Shabbat ends Saturday evening at 6:45 PM
Shabbat Shalom Rabbi Sherman