Shabbat Vayigash Sermon Summary

In this week's portion Judah's impassioned plea to save Benjamin causes Joseph to reveal himself and for the reunification of the Jacob's family. I was fascinated by Jacob's apparent hesitation to see Joseph. You'd think he'd rush to see his favorite again. Yet, he sacrificed and hesitates - perhaps from guilt or fear. But the text provides an answer when it states that Jacob's sons put him into wagons with the children.
Jacob has really gotten old. He's no longer in charge of his life. His dynamism has waned and his sons now control his life.
The same reality occurs today. We get old and our family forces up to surrender our driver's license and the car keys. We may have to move to a "senior" community surrender our independence and live on someone else's schedule.
God offers Jacob three themes of comfort when he tells him not to fear. First, God said that God will be with him. Through everything good or bad, there is something that will always be a source of strength and comfort.
Second, God promises to bring Jacob back from Egypt. This means that the spiritual and ethical heritage imparted by his father and grandfather - will live on his children and posterity. Jacob's legacy will not vanish.
Finally God tells Jacob that Joseph will close his eyes. Joseph will find the time to be with him through his later years and at his death. Jacob will be surrounded by family and their love.
May we too enjoy the blessings that Jacob did in his elder years...



Thanks to Jack Reimer and Michal Shekel for this core of this sermonette

The End of Hanukah for this year

It's been a crazy couple of months with first helping to move my mother from Florida to New York and then my father to be in the same Nursing Home as my mother. I'm beginning to recover from the anxiety and pray that my sisters, who are now proximate to my parents, will not burn out from care giving.

It's been a Happy Hanukah. Services at Kehilat Shalom, Asbury, and Sunrise have been well attended and joyful. Menorah lighting a home is short, but always sublime. The "big" party Saturday night in shul was well attended by mostly youngsters and toddlers - I think everyone had a good time. We had a Shabbat guest and also a nice crowd Sunday night for the holiday at home. It's been a holiday of light - physically and spiritually.