November Israel Update!

Israel appointed an ambassador to Turkey on Tuesday after an agreement signed this summer restoring ties after 6 years of severed diplomatic ties.

The relationship between Israel and Turkey was tarnished in the aftermath of the Mavi Marmara in May 2010, when Israeli commandos killed nine Turkish citizens when trying to stop a boat attempting to break Israel’s blockade of the Gaza Strip. After this, Turkey recalled its ambassador from Tel Aviv in September 2011 and expelled the Israeli envoy.

D'var for Chayei Sarah

This week's d'var is written by Micah Rothkopf.

Shabbat Shalom,
    This week's parsha, Chayei Sarah, is monumentally known for being ironic. The second and third words of Chayei Sarah are Chayei Sarah themself, the life of Sarah. In the same first pasuk, the Torah tells us that she lived to be one hundred and twenty-seven years young. Nowadays, one might ask, “What is the secret to marriage?”
    The interesting part of Chayei Sarah is the fact that Rabbis and other Jews constantly write Divrei Torah regarding the paradoxical death that lives in life and vice versa. People cannot wrap their heads around the idea that you can name something one thing but explain the complete opposite.
    There is a wildly known phrase, “Don’t judge a book by its cover”. This can relate to Chayei Sarah just as well. Although we may read “the life of Sarah” in the title, when we read the book, it assesses her death.
    There are infinite fascinating things in life that we do not know. Some things we do know but can’t understand. One thing to learn from Chayei Sarah is that we should all be more open to others' ideas. Even though we may not understand something now, it does not mean we will never understand it. Sarah lived until one hundred and twenty-seven years. Today, we have Emma Morano, a 116 (117 on the 29th) year old woman. In 2008 there was a study about life expectancy. It said that most people will live about thirty years younger than Ms. Morano. Anything is possible with an open mind.
Have a great Shabbos.

D'var for Vayeira!

This week's d'var is written by Amy Azaria.

  This week's parashah, Vayeira, begins with Abraham preparing a meal for three strangers who appear in the desert.  The three strangers are actually angels in disguise, one of whom reveals that in one year, Sarah will give birth to a son.  Thinking she is barren and far too old to have a child, Sarah laughs at this.

  It is revealed that G-d plans to destroy the city of Sodom.  Abraham pleads with G-d not to do this but is unsuccessful.  Lot and his family are allowed to leave before the destruction with one contingency: they must not look backward as they flee.  Lot's wife doesn't follow these instructions and is famously turned into a pillar of salt.  

  G-d gives Sarah and Abraham a son, Isaac.  G-d tries to test Abraham's devotion by commanding him to sacrifice Isaac.  Abraham binds Isaac and prepares to slaughter him, but a voice from heaven stops him and he slaughters a ram instead.

  The beginning of this parashah reveals an important lesson, in my opinion.  Abraham was generous and hospitable even though he expected no return for it.  This kind of selflessness I think is important to try to emulate!  We can all work to be a more kind and selfless version of ourselves.

D'var for Noach!

This week's d'var is written by Kendra Burg.

In the parshat Noach, G-d commands a man named Noah to build a big wooden ark. In this ark is Noah, his family, and two of each animal: a male and a female. G-d is doing this to test Noah's faith to see how much trust he has. Noah, his family, and all the animals are in the ark as it rains for 40 days and 40 nights. 150 days later, Noah sends out doves to find land. When the doves come back, they have an olive branch signaling there is land. One year after the flood happens, the land is completely dry, so Noah, his family, and all the animal are finally able to go off the ark.