Miketz – 5780
Miketz - 5780
Genesis 41:1 – 44:17
[This drash is inspired by a teaching from Rabbi Amy Scheinerman, published in the CCAR newsletter in 2015]
Young Joseph was the model of arrogance. He was the beloved of Jacob and he knew it. He wore a special coat. He even dreamed how his family would bow before him.
The thing is, that is what eventually led to his downfall – literally, in a pit, thrown there and abandoned by his own brothers. Slave traders found him there, and brought him to Egypt, where Joseph began to learn humility.
We see it first when he tries to fend off the amorous attentions of Potiphar’s wife. We see it again when he declares before Pharaoh that it is God, not he, who is interpreting Pharaoh’s dreams. And we see it when Joseph, as Viceroy of Egypt, reveals himself to his brothers and explains that he bears them no ill will. His humility allows him to see that God brought him to Egypt not for his own aggrandizement, but so that he could save his family from famine.
In other words, Joseph’s life is a lesson in the pitfalls of arrogance and in the healing power of humility. When we are arrogant, there is no room for anyone else in our world. In the end, by making everything about us, we find ourselves utterly alone, in a pit of our own making. On the other hand, when we cultivate humility, we see our value in relation to others. We see the contributions and benefit we offer each other, and we find more meaning in the good we do than in the honors we try to collect.
What would our world be like today, if more us could learn from Joseph’s example?
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VaYeshev – 5780
VaYeshev - 5780
Genesis 37:1 – 40:23
It’s not like she didn’t know his name.
Joseph, although a slave in Egypt, was the head of Potiphar’s household. Everyone in the house knew him. The other slaves and servants reported to him. Potiphar appointed him. Potiphar’s wife lusted after him.
Joseph refused her advances, and when she grabbed him by his tunic one day, he ran away – leaving it in her hands. She, in turn, set about framing him for rape. When she accused him, first before the other servants and then before her husband, she never used his name. Instead, she called him “that Hebrew” (ivri in Hebrew).
The word ivri is based on the root which means “from over there.” In other words, ivri contains within it the connotation of “other” or “not like me/us.” Potiphar’s wife dehumanized Joseph, she emphasized that he was different, and then she accused him of a heinous crime.
It did not matter that he was innocent, he never had a chance. Our parasha ends with Joseph languishing in Pharaoh’s dungeon.
Torah reminds us no fewer than 36 times that we were once strangers, so that we will empathize with and then care for those who we might think of as “other.” As the world around seems to become more and more like Potiphar’s wife, Torah demands that we hold true to our values, even if it makes us seem like we ourselves are “other.”
“In a place where there are no human beings, [taught Hillel,] strive be one.” [Pirkei Avot 2:5]
This is the how the word ivri becomes a badge of strength and courage, and how we can live up to our great name.
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BET Shabbat Family Experience 6-6:25pm
Primary Shabbat Service 6:30-7:15
Fri, Feb. 28
Please join the Bet teachers, Clergy and Machane Supervisors at Temple Beth Ami
for a Special Pajama Shabbat Celebration!
Everyone, including parents, can come in their PJ’s to celebrate Shabbat with their Machane friends!
BET SHABBAT FAMILY EXPERIENCE:
Bet students & their siblings will do a variety of Tikkun Olam projects from 6:00-6:25 p.m. in Right Kinneret.
Please RSVP for the 6:00 pm Bet activity and sign up to contribute snacks for the Oneg using the sign up genius by Thurs. Feb 27. This will ensure that we have enough supplies for everyone who wants to participate.
PRIMARY SHABBAT SERVICE:
– 6:30-7:15 p.m. in Sanctuary
– With the desire to be inclusive, we would like to highlight some sensory friendly accommodations for the Primary Shabbat Service.
- Click here for access to a Shabbat Social Story to prepare children prior to the service or feel free to print it out and use as a guide during the service.
- A quiet room (Alef Bet) will be available for those who need a break during the service.
- If it would be helpful, congregants are welcome to bring personal fidgets
ONEG: 7:15-8:00 p.m. in Right Kinneret
No RSVP Needed for the Service or Oneg
Please email Lori Fein (ljf@bethami.org) with questions or dietary concerns.