Shabbat Gathering: Sarah laughed.

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

(To unsubscribe from the newsletter, click the link at the very bottom of this email.)

Here we go.

This week’s Torah portion is Parsha Vayeira and contains one of my favorite lines in it. “Sarah laughed.” Here’s the context.

Hashem tells Abraham that, within a year, he will have a child. Now both Abraham and Sarah are well passed the age when people have children. Sarah is listening in from her tent and, when she hears Hashem’s words, she laughs. Hashem takes exception to this and and wants to know why she laughed.

Now, most of the interpretations I’ve read say that Sarah was being disrespectful. I prefer to read it a little differently. I prefer to read that Sarah was laughing in delight at the news she would finally bear a child. I think this is a kinder reading of the portion, especially as it concerns Sarah.

I think Sarah deserves a break. She has put up with a lot so far in the story and goes on to put up with even more. (Abraham passes her off as his sister not once but twice.) So, Sarah has a good sense of humor. Is that so wrong? Does she deserve to receive Hashem’s ridicule? I don’t think so, but there’s still a lot of Torah for me to learn.

And may it be for all of us a blessing.

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

All my love,
brian.

PS

Get Ready for Hanukkah With These Essentials – Kveller

Celebrating Hanukkah with your family can be a magical experience. But making sure you have everything you need to celebrate all eight nights? That’s a completely different story. Unless, of course, you start getting ready now. The Festival of Lights begins on the evening of Dec. 4 this year, which means we’re in peak preparation […]

KvellerKveller Staff

At Moontower Minyan, cowboy hats meet kippot

This Austin minyan is trying to combine Judaism with Texas culture.

The ForwardSage Lattman

‘Speak to the Bones’ Is Filled With Jewish Spells for Every Occasion - Hey Alma

When we first heard that Rabbi Jericho Vincent and Rabbi Zvika Krieger had teamed up to create a book of spells for the modern Jewitch, we couldn’t wait to shout about it from the rooftops as if we were Tevye himself.“Speak to the Bones: A Book of Jewish Spells and Incantations,” revives the ancient Jewish […]

Hey AlmaRabbi Jericho Vincent and Rabbi Zvika Krieger

How a search for my Jewish Chicago led me to the Forward – and back home again

The Jewish Chicago that nurtured me wasn’t all lox boxes on Sunday mornings, but food was a focal point

The ForwardJulie Moos

DuoYid

-30-