Torah Time Online

Exodus: Parshat Va’era

            This weeks Torah portion begins with God saying to Moses: “Va’era…’and I appeared to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.” We are told of the promise to give the land of Israel to the people. God tells Moses that the time has come to free the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. Moses is told to go before Pharaoh to ask that the Egyptian ruler allow the Israelites to depart. Twice Moses responds to God by saying that he is not a worthy leader, because he has a speech impediment. God answers by saying that Aaron will accompany him as a spokesperson. The two brothers appear before Pharaoh to request the freedom of their people, but he refuses. As a consequence ten plagues are set upon Egypt.

            The description of these events, that we read about during our Seders as well, engages us on several levels. On one hand the great power of God who forged the spectacular redemption of our ancestors, and at the same time, we are confronted with the our emotional responses generated by the plagues. Pharaoh made a personal decision to release the Israelites. But God prevented him from doing so by "stiffening his heart." What was the justification for the suffering of ordinary Egyptians? What does all this mean to us today?

            We as modern Jews tend to reject both the mind control of Pharaoh by God and collective punishment of the Egyptians as viable in our world. How do we reconcile this contradiction? The question goes to the essence of what it is to be a modern Jew. On the one hand, the presence of an all-powerful figure of God gives us a sense of security: The world is a rough place and we don't want to be entirely alone in it. On the other hand, we perceive ourselves to be rational: We don't believe in supernatural acts. We think that disasters are either acts of nature or human-made. We believe that the saving of lives is due to medical science and is not God's answer to our prayers. Yet we continue to pray. Somehow we manage to live with both ideas and we strive to find a balance.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Peter Rigler

 

UPCOMING ACTIVITIES AT KI

 

Havdalah Happening—Afternoon of interactive theater with Theater Ariel on Saturday, January 24, at 4:00 p.m.  For 3rd to 6th graders, their friends and families.   $8/person, maximum of $32/family.  RSVP Religious School (215) 887-8704.

Adult Education — Women in the Prophets, Dr. Christina Ager, Sunday, January 25, at 9:45 a.m.  See Adult Education brochure for more details.

Yoga—Sundays in January and February (not February 15)  from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Open to the congregation.  $5/session.  Reservations:  Religious School (215) 887-8704.

Toxic Pollution in the Environment: Its Effects on Our Children and Us—Brunch program on Sunday, January 25, at 10:00 a.m.  By reservation only.

With a Pallette in the Suitcase: Immigrant Artists in the Golden Medina—Russian émigré artist Vitaly Komar will speak at opening reception of exhibition on Sunday, January 25, at 4:00 p.m., at the Temple Judea Museum.

Services in the Week Ahead: Friday, January 30 - Shabbat evening service at 8:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary—Guest Cantor Mel Luterman.  Saturday, January 31 - Torah Study Havurah at 9:00 a.m. in the Library;  Mini-Minyan at 9:00 a.m. in the Youth Lounge; Junior Congregation at 10:30 a.m. in the Youth Lounge; Shabbat morning service at 10:30 a.m. in the Chapel.

Jump Rope for Heart—KIFTY program for grades 2-6, family and friends—Sunday, February 1, from noon to 2:00p.m. at K.I.

Shabbat Service Together at Beth Sholom—Join us for Friday evening services on February 6 at 8:00 p.m. at Beth Sholom.  “Faith in Song: Reflections on Shabbat Shira.”  Rabbi Sussman will speak along with a joint choir from both congregations led by Beth Sholom’s Cantor David Tilman.  Yahrzeit lists from both congregations will be read.

Night of Jewish Learning—”350 Years of Jewish History in the United States” at Gratz College on Saturday, February 7.  Registration at 7:00 p.m.  Havdalah at 7:30 p.m., two class sessions, coffeehouse reception — music by “Shir Energy.”  Rabbi Sussman’s class “350 Years of Anti-Semitism in America.” Pre-registration is $10—$15 at the door.  Register by January 30 for a chance at a prize package. Sponsored by the Kehillah of Old York Road.  Registration and information:  (215) 635-0557.

Buy a Tree for Tu B’Shevat—and support Israel.  Tu B’Shevat is on February 7, 2004.    Purchase trees through the Jewish National Fund at www.jnf.org or 1-888-JNF-0099.

Health Forum Brunch—Physician panel followed by question & answer session on Sunday, February 8, at 10:00 a.m. at K.I.  $9/person.  Send checks (payable to K.I. Sisterhood) to Michele Gusdorff, 210 Waring Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027.  Deadline is Monday, February 2.   Sponsored by WRJ Sisterhood and Brotherhood.

Cultural Council 60+ — “An Early Look at Election 2004,” Susan Myers, Thursday, February 12, at 11:30 a.m.  Lunch—K.I. members $7 by February 5; $10 for members after February 5; guests are $10.  Send checks (payable to K.I.) to Doris Parker, 1250 Greenwood Avenue, #308, Jenkintown, PA   19046.

Tot Shabbat--Friday, February 13 at 6:00 p.m.

Center City Lunch n’Learn—with Rabbi Sussman at Marc Furman’s office on Thursday, February 19, at noon.  Reservations/information: (215) 887-8702.

Blue Jean Shabbat--Friday, February 20 at 7:00 p.m.

Food Festival and Pages to Pirouettes--Sunday, February 22.  Food Festival 11:30am-1:30pm sponsored by Outreach, sample Jewish food from around the world, join cooking demonstrations. Admission $2/per person.  Pages to Pirouettes 1:00pm, the art of storytelling set to the ballet of Don Quixote, with an opportunity to join the dancers for an interactive dance following the performance.  Pre-registration by Feb. 16 $5/per person ($8 after Feb. 16).  Reservations call the Religious School office.

Rabbi’s Spring Forum—Reform Judaism:  A History —begins Sunday, February 22 .

Healing Service--Wednesday, February 25 at 6:15 p.m.

Adult Education—Nowhere in Africa , Bella Friesel, discussion leader, Sunday, February 29 at 3:00 p.m.  See Adult Education Brochure for more details.

Korn Memorial—Shabbat evening service on Friday, March 5, commemorating Rabbi Korn’s 25th Yahrzeit.  Special appearances by Cantor Mel Luterman and the U.S. Naval Academy Choir.

K.I. Heritage trip to Italy – “Torah, Art and Opera” in Rome, Florence and Venice, July, 2004.   For more information, call Fayway Travel at (215) 676-3525.

Congregational Trip to Israel—Spring 2004.   Interested?  Call (215) 887-8702.

Preschool Hat & Mitten Drive— Ongoing.  Please help support this drive!  Drop-off basket in Preschool hallway.

Sefer Project – Please bring to K.I. new and gently used books appropriate for young readers up to 6^th grade.  They will be distributed to inner city children and schools.

Sisterhood Gift Shop – Gift Certificates now available!  Gift Shop is open  Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday during Religious School hours and by appointment.  Please call Mickie Levin (215) 698-0314 or Joan Kamen (215) 947-5926.

Shabbat Shalom Tablecloth – Join our growing list of congregants who have already added their names to our beautiful name-embroidered tablecloth.  ($25/one-line name).  For information, contact Babe Hernes (215) 379-5438 or Doris Parker (215) 886-9267.