Shabbat Gathering: A bold matriarch.

Gud Shabbos Khaveyrim, as is our custom, we will gather tonight at 5.45p ct to welcome Shabbat. These are the coordinates:

Zoom
Meeting ID: 883 8469 4181
Password: 822665
Phone: +1 312 626 6799

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I’ve mentioned it before here that my book group is reading To Dwell Within Them by Rabbi Arthur Green and this week there was something in it that really grabbed me. The story goes that Rebekah is heavily pregnant with twins who become Esau and Isaac. The twins are quarreling within her and Rebekah calls out to Hashem, “If this is so, why am I?” and goes in search of G-d. “And she went to inquire of Hashem.” R. Green says that Rebekah is in the midst of an existential crises. “If this is so, why am I?”

R. Green makes the observation that Rebekah becomes the first to seek out Hashem. Before; with Adam, Noah, and Abraham; G-d seeks them out, not vice versa. R. Green calls her the “first God-seeker in the Torah.”

I think this is an amazing observation and one that we can learn from. It was a matriarch who was the first to seek out Hashem, not one of the patriarchs. It’s more than nice that a matriarch gets her due.

And may it be for all of us a blessing.

See you tonight!
Mit vareme grusn,
(With warm regards,)

All my love,
brian.

PS

Saturday, November 14
Community Havdalah Gathering, 5:30 p.m.
First Unitarian Society, Atrium Classroom A/B and Courtyard
Celebrate Havdalah with the Shaarei Shamayim community. We’ll gather for dinner followed by Havdalah and singing. Bring warm clothes – we’ll roast marshmallows around a campfire. Please bring a vegetarian dish to share. Please register. Volunteers needed for set up – please email Jane if you can help.

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