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Home , 19 Kislev, Tikkun (book)

Welcome to Shabbat Services at Bet

December 5, 2020 19 5781

Shabbat Parsha Vayishlach Genesis 34:1-35:15 Etz Hayim pp. 206-213 Obadiah 1:1-21 Etz Hayim pp. 222-225

Mazel Tov to

Steven and Laura Taub on the Bat of their daughter, Maya Welcome to Bet Torah! Message from the Clergy

Shabbat Shalom and Welcome to Bet Torah! Whether you are with us every Shabbat, every so often, or experiencing our community for the first time, we are so glad you are here. Being present with people to share in meaning has always been ’s antidote to the loneliness and alienation we can sometimes feel as human beings. With busy lives we are in ever greater need of places in which we can feel whole, fully seen, and able to be present. That place has always been the , and we at Bet Torah strive to provide an oasis of calm and connection amidst the currents of life. As a synagogue community, the global pandemic has prevented us from gathering in person. In response, we used the Talmudic emergency exit called sha'at ha'dechak or "time of crisis" in order to go online on Shabbat so that our community can connect while physically separated. The virtual space we have created provides opportunities to allow our value of inclusiveness to find its clearest expression. A special aspect of our virtual service, the Home Torah Program, allows for aliyot in the home where the Torah is, along with aliyot from a distance. The blessings are different for each location, but the Torah readings are the same. This is an elegant solution for an unprecedented time. We feel truly blessed to be here with all of you! Aaron Brusso, Rabbi Lisa Sacks, and Cantor Gil Ezring

Shabbat at Bet Torah 2 This Week’s Parsha Seeing the Image of God

After a 20-year absence from home and family back in the , Ja- cob journeys home. And like any of us en route to the home of our family of origin, anxiety and uncertainty (along with anticipation and joy) play core roles in the experience. To what extent will “old patterns” of sibling rivalry and other family tensions repeat themselves? Will we be able to break free of past hurt to move toward a more hopeful and joyful future? Such is the mindset of our patriarch Jacob as he heads back home, on the verge of encountering his broth- er, Esau—the same brother from whom he stole the blessing, the same brother that clearly had murderous designs against him for the deep pain inflicted. There is an elaborate and delicate dance that unfolds as Jacob approaches Esau: he sends messengers ahead, utters a prayer to God, divides his family into two camps (lest one half be destroyed so there will be a remnant), and like any wise supplicant, he offers gifts. Notably, Jacob instructs his servants, “And you will add, ‘And your servant Jacob himself is right behind us.’” The verse goes on, “For Jacob reasoned, ‘If I propitiate him with presents in advance, then face him, perhaps he will show me favor” (Gen. 32:21). The Hebrew root con- nected to the word for “face” repeats itself four times in this verse. What is the implicit message of the text? Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch explains, As panim, from p-n-h “to turn,” to take one’s direction towards somewhere, really means in general, the trend, the direction, that somebody is about to take towards an object, and only from that the conception of panim (face) originates—as being that part of the body in whose position, movement and glance is expressed . . . Here it means, “perhaps he will raise up my face which is now downcast. Let me look in the face again.” (Commentary on the Torah: Genesis, 502) Faces reveal and conceal; faces invite closeness and suggest distance. It is much easier for Jacob to fix his countenance away from his brother, Esau. To do so is to ignore the other person—albeit not freeing one’s self from responsibility to the other. Jacob’s great challenge at this moment is about looking his estranged brother in the eye and realizing the burden and pain of the past. And to do this, Jacob must turn—precisely as Rabbi Samson Raphael suggests. His face must literally change its orientation at this moment. By doing so, his posture (both physical and emotional), will be transformed. Evidence of the import of this message is found immediately after Jacob’s encounter with his brother. Ja- cob urges Esau to accept his gift and movingly, powerfully declares, “For to see your face is like seeing the Face of God, and you have received me favora- bly” (Gen. 33:10). The Hebrew root for “face,” once again, repeats itself. And having wrestled with humans and divine beings, Jacob is now capable of shift- ing orientation. This “face-to-face” encounter between Jacob and Esau is not only about reconciliation between brothers and becoming “Israel”—it is about seeing the image of God in an estranged loved one and moving a step closer toward peace.

By: Matthew Berkowitz, Director of Israel Programs Weekly Commentary from The Jewish Theological Seminary

Shabbat at Bet Torah 3 From the Bat Mitzvah Family Maya Shabbat Shalom!

We are beyond proud thrilled to celebrate this wonderful day with our family, friends, and the Bet Torah community. We are grateful for having all of you celebrate with us. Today is about traditions and values – and the passing of these traditions and values down through the ages. We are also overjoyed by the friendships "The Screaming Goats" and connections that Maya has made at Bet Torah, and their love, support, and continued friendship. We are so proud of Maya for her ability to be flexible and change the "look" of a traditional bat mitzvah. Maya, we are so PROUD of your accomplishments, creativity, tenacity, and kindness.

The many benefits of a zoomitzvah are the ability to invite people from near and far to join and the joy of seeing everyone participating in this special day. We are grateful to the Bet Torah community for everything that you do, especially entrusting with the Torah in our home. Maya has worked hard to prepare for this day, and we so proud of her. Rabbi Brusso, we thank you for your warmth, spiritual leadership, wisdom, knowledge, and support during this challenging year, and for your understanding and guidance that ensured this day to be remarkable. Maya said, "if COVID ended tomorrow, this is still how I would want my bat mitzvah." We are so grateful to Rabbi Brusso for the warmth, ability to be present, listen to Maya's thoughts and ideas, and encourage Maya to ask questions with an open mind and heart in guiding her to interpret and find meaning in her Torah portion. We also want to sincerely thank Nili Ionescu for the instruction, patience, and guidance that has helped Maya prepare for today. We would also like Cantor Ezring, Rabbi Sacks, Ilana Fleischner, Robin Wald, Gina Fass, Loen Amer, and all the Bet Torah Staff and community members.

In honor of Maya's Grandparents that passed away this year, tallit will wrap the Torah in Maya's Grandpa Max's tallit, and Maya will be wearing a locket belonging to her Grandma Dove.

Thank you to everyone for joining us today for our Simcha. We are looking forward to sharing future celebrations.

Mazel Tov Maya!

With love & gratitude, Steven, Laura, and Dylan

Shabbat at Bet Torah 4 Honors Friday, December 4, 2020 As I Light Laura Taub Candlelighting Laura & Maya Taub Kiddush Steve Taub Blessing Children Grandma Sheila

Motzi Mark & Michele Engelbert Aleinu Saturday, December 5, 2020 Shalom to All Michele Engelbert and Carol Weinstein D’Var Torah Maya Taub Blessings Torah Readers Genesis 34:1-4 Steve Taub Dan Petigrow Genesis 34:5-12 Laura Taub Dan Petigrow Genesis 34:13-17 Marc Engelbert Dan Petigrow Genesis 34:18-23 Congregation Susan Cohen

Genesis 34:24-31 Congregation Cantor Ezring Genesis 35:1-11 Howard Weinstein Nili Ionascu Gensis 35:12-15 Dylan Taub Maya Taub Genesis 35:12-15 Maya bat Maya Taub Yitzchak Shmuel v’Leah Haftarah Reading— Maya Taub Obadiah1:1-21 Prayer for Country Lindsay Brand and Peter Taub Prayer for Israel Heidi Zuckerman and Stephanie Krugman Prayer for the Congregation Brynn Dolgin and Jane Abrahams Prayer for Peace Alan Siegel and Marc Benerofe Ashrei Maya and the Screaming Goats Musaf Maya Taub Ein Keloheinu Dan, Andie, David, Jordan, and Blake Aleinu Dylan and Maya Taub Adon Olam Dan, Andie, David, Jordan, Blake, Maya, and Dylan

Shabbat at Bet Torah 5 The Shabbat Service Shabbat Shalom! Welcome to Bet Torah! We are delighted that you are joining our community to celebrate the joy of Shabbat. Bet Torah is an egalitarian congregation affiliated with the of . It is customary that all men and boys wear a kippah (skullcap) during services. Head coverings are also appropriate for Jewish women. Men and women who are called to the Torah to read or recite a blessing before and after a Torah reading are also asked to wear a tallit (prayer shawl). To maintain the sanctity of Shabbat, we remind you to please mute your microphone except when you have an assigned role during the service or are invited to unmute. Also, please keep distractions to a minimum when your camera is enabled. Photography is prohibited on Shabbat. Two texts are needed to participate in the Shabbat Service - a (prayer book) and a (Bible). (PDF links may be found on the Bet Torah website alongside the Zoom link to this service.) The siddur contains all of the prayers including a full English translation of the Hebrew text. We use Siddur Lev Shalem and also call pages for Siddur Sim Shalom for Shabbat and Festivals. The Chumash contains the complete text and translations of the Torah and Haftarah readings. The Shabbat morning service has a definitive order and is divided into three basic sections – Shacharit (the morning service), the Torah Service, and Musaf (the additional service). Shacharit - This service includes preliminary prayers and hymns followed by the Shema and Amidah. The Shema expresses our belief in one God and instructs us to love God with all our heart. The Amidah, which is Hebrew for “Standing,” is an individual meditation that compels us to remember God and the meaning of Shabbat. Torah Service - The Torah (the Five Books of Moses) is read from a handwritten scroll of parchment, without vowels, punctuation, or musical notation. Its words are chanted to a precise musical cantillation. One portion of the Torah is read aloud each week to fulfill the commandment to study. At Bet Torah, we follow a modified version of the ancient . Each week we read one-third of the weekly portion so that the scroll is read in its entirety in three years. The Haftarah, a passage from the prophets, follows the Torah readings. This tradition dates back to the time of the Babylonian exile, when was prohibited. Each Haftarah portion was selected for its similarity to a corresponding portion of the Torah, so the were able to study God’s word without breaching civil law. Musaf - Musaf, the third and final portion of the Shabbat morning service, is similar in structure to the Shacharit service, although shorter. This service parallels the additional sacrifices that were performed to honor Shabbat and Holidays at the Temple in Jerusalem until 70 C.E. At Bet Torah, we read the beginning of the Musaf Amidah together with the reader and conclude our prayers in silence.

Shabbat at Bet Torah 6

Bet Torah Service Times Sundays 9:00 am Weekday Mornings 8:00 am (Monday through Friday) Weekday Evenings 7:30pm (Monday through Thursday) Friday Kabbalat Shabbat 6:30 pm Saturday Morning Shabbat 9:30 am Saturday Contemplative 4:00 pm Afternoon Service A contemplative approach to Mincha including meditation, chanting, and words of Torah. Check the website for the Zoom link.

Candle Lighting Times Havdalah Tonight 5:11 pm Next Friday, December 11th 4:08 pm

Bet Torah’s Mission Statement

Bet Torah is a progressive, egalitarian, participatory congregation committed to the principles of Conservative Judaism. Our purpose is to help strengthen the bonds among members of our congregation and God, the Jewish community, Israel, Jewish tradition, and the world in which we live. Wherever each member may be on his or her Jewish journey, he or she will find in Bet Torah a community where everyone can gather for prayer and celebration, learning and teaching, performance of mitzvot, and deeds of caring and tikkun olam (repairing the world).

60 Smith Ave. ▪ Mt. Kisco, NY 10549 ▪ 914.666.7595 ▪ www.bettorah.org Shabbat at Bet Torah 7