Thursday, December 11, 2008
eWeekly: Dec 10, 2008
TOS eWeekly Volume 3 Issue 11, December 10, 2008
With winter upon us, please make sure to check the temple website at templeohavshalom.org for news of school closings or delays due to weather. Urgent announcements will always appear at the top right corner of the website, reporting either Sunday school or weekday religious school closings due to inclement weather.
From Rabbi Art
Toward the end of my comments on Parashat Vayeizei, I noted that the collator of the Genesis stories had before him a real challenge. How could he take this cluster of ancestral legends about Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and end up with a people called Yisrael? In Parashat Vayishlach this thematic problem is solved with remarkable literary ingenuity. The core story involves Jacob confronting Esau more than twenty years after absconding with the blessing Esau was to receive from Isaac. We, the readers—and Jacob, the character—expect Esau to kill his twin brother upon meeting him. In preparing for the meeting, Jacob divides his camp into two parts, a strategy he hopes will allow at least one cluster of his progeny to survive a confrontation with Esau’s retinue. On the night before their encounter, Jacob remains alone by the edge of the river where they crossed into Canaan. There he encounters a"man." I’m going to render here a brief passage from Genesis 32, which is drawn from a core motif that we’ll later consider as it appears in a story in the Book of Judges: (1)
Jacob remained alone. A man [ish] struggled with him until dawn. He realized that he could not overpower him, so he struck at his hip-joint, dislocating it during the struggle. [The man] said,"Let me go, for dawn has arrived!” [Jacob replied],"I will not let you go until you bless me.” He asked him,"What then is your name?""Jacob." He said,"You shall no longer be called Jacob, but rather Yisrael, because you have struggled [sariyta] with gods and with men and prevailed.” Jacob said,"Tell me your name.” [The man] replied,"What do you mean by asking for my name?” He then blessed him. (Genesis 32:25–30)
This is the core element of the story, adopted by the redactor from either another piece of literature or a widely known motif within the culture, as I shall demonstrate in a moment. At the very moment in our narrative that Jacob is supposed to confront Esau in battle, he is instead portrayed as fighting with an unnamed man. This is what makes Jacob’s inquiry as to his identity so very compelling. Twenty years have passed since the brothers have seen one another. Would they recognize each other in the dark of night? Should Jacob not assume that his attacker is, indeed, Esau? Whom else would he expect to attack him at this place and at this time?
There are a number of difficult idioms in this passage, and various translations have a variety of takes on the best rendering. For instance, after Jacob says,"Tell me your name,” the Hebrew reads lamah zeh tishal lishmi, which is rendered by the Jewish Publication Society (JPS) translation,"You must not ask my name!” The Revised Standard Version (2) reads,"Why is it that you ask my name?” JPS simply has him make a statement, and RSV makes it a simple question. I have written,"What do you mean by asking for my name?” by which I’m hoping to convey that the character is challenging Jacob, as he finds his question either insolent or indicative of ignorance (that is, he should recognize him—why doesn’t he?). But I cannot be certain my rendering is any better than the other two published translations. In a moment we’ll see how the very same phrase is engaged in Judges, but even with the two instances together, the exact intent remains ambiguous.
In seeking the name of this night adversary, Jacob is mimicking his own father’s question as to who it was who brought him food for a blessing. And just as was the case then, Jacob once again seeks a blessing, for if this is, indeed, Esau, he will finally be the recipient of the blessing with which he absconded by virtue of prevailing in hand-to-hand combat. The writer has taken advantage of every possible ambiguity and tension within the core narrative. The contextual adaptation of this motif is masterful.
(for the complete text on this weeks portion, go to http://urj.org/torah/ )
FAMILY CHANUKAH MENORAH CONTEST
All you need to do:
As a family (all ages and all members of the family may be involved*), design, build and decorate a menorah from any materials you like. (examples: pasta, clay, wood, cardboard) All menorahs must be delivered to Temple Ohav Shalom by Sunday, December 14th for judging. Prizes will be announced on Sunday, December 21st at 11:00am at the Temple Ohav Shalom Family Chanukah Party!
ONEGS
Are you looking for something special to do on Friday January 23rd or 30th? How about host a TOS Oneg that evening? Please contact Joni Ferrara at or by phone at (724) 933-3923.
DUES & PLEDGES
Your dues, pledges, and donations to the temple are considered a charitable contribution. Make a payment on them now, and not only will it be tzedakah and a mitzvah, but they may also be fully tax deductible. You will receive a statement for calendar year 2007 payments in the second week of January for your temple account and capital campaign account. Please remember on your capital campaign accounts that QuickBooks ages every 30 days, so everyone shows up at 90 days past due—even though you are not!
NORTH HILLS COMMUNITY OUTREACH TZEDAKAH
You have all been very generous with clothing and food for thanksgiving for North Hills Community Outreach. I’d like to ask you once more to open your hearts and wallets for their Sharing Holiday Warmth program provides light, warmth and nourishment for local families in need. Donations are needed so that NHCO can provide utility credits and grocery store gift cards to approximately 500 families in poverty, hardship and crisis this holiday season. Knowing that they are receiving this help, the families are able to budget some funds for the holidays and to purchase presents for their children. There are menorah posters in both entrances and you can select a slip to direct your contribution. Or for more information, visit http://www.nhco.org or call 412-487-6316.
Clemmy Brodsky
GIANT EAGLE GIFT CARDS
One way to help TOS without spending extra money is to buy GIANT EAGLE cards from us. We can mail them at the first of the month to you (we have the numbers recorded so don’t worry about them getting lost in the mail!). We send them out in the first couple of days of the month. All we ask is you pay for them upon receipt. If you are interested, and we will place you on a monthly schedule. Kathy Kline is coordinating this. You have to eat and if you shop at Giant Eagle or buy gas at GetGo, it is a simple way to support your temple!
LATKES
Cooks Needed!!!!!!
We are looking for some volunteers to make Latkes for our Family Chanukah Party on December 21, 2008.
If you are interested please contact Ken Eisner at or Rebecca Mason at
Thank You in Advance!!!!!
ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A GREAT HANUKKAH PRESENT?
HOW ‘BOUT A PITTSBURGH PENGUINS GIFT BAG? HELP THE WOMEN OF OHAV SHALOM SUPPORT TEMPLE OHAV SHALOM!
Buy a raffle ticket ($10 each) for a Pittsburgh Penguins Gift bag! The gift bag includes:
2 TICKETS FOR THE 12/23 GAME AGAINST TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING
2 PENGUINS SWEATSHIRTS
PENGUINS REUSABLE TOTE BAG
PENGUINS PENNANT
OTHER MISCELLANEOUS PENGUINS SOUVENIRS
Tickets will be sold in the Education Wing during Sunday School and Hebrew School until the drawing at the end of the Hanukkah party on 12/21 in the Social Hall. Tickets will also be sold at the party. Tickets can also be purchased by mailing a check ($10/ticket) to Kim Popkin at 8697 West Barkhust Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15237 by 12/17. Call Kim at 412-318-4848 with any questions.
NOTE: Due to the raffle being drawn on Sunday 12/21, if the winner is unable to attend the game on Tuesday 12/23 another game will be substituted.
GIFT SHOP
The Gift Shop is open during Sunday School and by appointment. Contact Elaine Cohen - 412-364-8484 or Andi Turkheimer 412-367-7864. We have many beautiful items for all aspects of Jewish life. There is no need to go to Squirrel Hill - visit us first!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Thursday, December 11th 6-8:30PM WOS Swarovski Crystal Bracelets
Friday, December 12th 7:30PM Kabbalat Shabbat
Saturday December 13th 10:00AM Shabbat Morning Service
Sunday, December 21st 11:00 Family Chanukah Party
2009
Saturday, January 3rd 10:00AM Services with Mishkan T’Fillah, Tifani Katof, Student Cantor
Saturday, January 10th 10:00Am Services with Tifani Katof—Yoga and Meditation
Thursday, January 15th 7:30PM Temple Youth Committee
Friday, January 16th 7:30PM Shabbat Services with Mishkan T’Fillah, Tifani Katof, Student Cantor
Saturday, January 24th Special Needs Shabbat Celebration 9:00AM-9:45AM
Saturday, January 24th TOS Community Night
Friday, February 20th 7:30PM Shabbat Services with Mishkan T’Fillah, led by Rabbi Donsky & Tifani Katof
Open Discussion about new siddur in Social Hall following Service
Thursday, March 5th 7:30PM Temple Youth Committee
Saturday, April 18th NIGHT AT THE RACES! TOS Social Hall
Saturday, April 25th 9:00AM Special Needs Shabbat
Schedule of Worship Services for November/December
Parashat Vayishlach
Friday, December 12 --- 15 Kislev, 5769
7:30pm Kabbalat Shabbat
Marshall Auron
Saturday, December 13 --- 16 Kislev, 5769
10:00am Shabbat Morning Service
Bobbie Harley
Parashat Vayeshev
Friday, December 19 --- 22 Kislev, 5769
6:15pm Tot Shabbat
7:30pm Kabbalat Shabbat
Bill Lowenberger
Saturday, December 20 --- 23 Kislev, 5769
10:00am Shabbat Morning Service
Parashat Miketz
Friday, December 26 --- 29 Kislev, 5769
7:30pm Kabbalat Shabbat
Marshal Auron
Saturday, December 27 --- 30 Kislev, 5769
10:00am Shabbat Morning Service
Bill Lowenberger
