Shalom Bayit – Peace at Home

 Shabbat Shalom from Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow

 

November 29-30, 2021 / 24 Heshvan 5782

Shabbat Chayei Sarah – Shabbat Mevarachim

Torah Portion: Genesis 23:1-25:18 / Haftarah Portion: I Kings 1:1-31

 

“Shalom Bayit – Peace at Home”

 

Dear Friends,

 

Both of Abraham’s sons suffered trauma at the hand of their father.  Ishma’el was banished from the camp and nearly died in the desert.  Isaac was placed on the altar and nearly sacrificed. According to the Torah text, the boys did not meet again for many years.  When Ishma’el and Isaac finally came together, it was at Abraham’s funeral.

 

I see this happen so often in families.  Over the years, unresolved disagreements, fights, and hurts create terrible trauma, hurt, and resentment.  All too often, families fracture into separation. Sometimes, it is only a funeral that will bring them together and even then, there is little talk or acknowledgement. There is rarely an attempt to reconcile.  The hurt is too deep.

 

Our tradition is trying to tell us not to let past hurts fester and grow. Don’t let them cause division and strife in a family.  Deal with them as quickly as possible so that understanding and peace can be restored.  Apologize when having done wrong.  Accept an apology made in sincerity. The is the path to “shalom bayit” – peace at home.

 

Zay a mentsch – Be a good person.

 

Shabbat shalom.

 

Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow

Coexist

 Shabbat Shalom from Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow

 

October 22-23, 2020 / 17 Heshvan 5782

Shabbat Vayera

Torah Portion: Genesis 18:1-22:24 / Haftarah Portion: II Kings 4:1-37

 

“Coexist”

 

Dear Friends,

 

I have often looked upon the “Coexist” bumper stickers and wondered if this is a new thing or something very old.   This week’s Torah portion answers that question.  Abraham was living in the land of Canaan amongst the Canaanites.  A time came when he met with a local king, Avimelech of Gerar.  Together they ate and worshipped, even though they were of different faiths.

 

If Abraham and Avimelech could find common ground, so can we. Reach out to friends and neighbors in the spirit of human kindness.  Find that which unites us, rather than that which separates and divides.  Celebrate that which we share, rather than dwelling in disagreement. Rejoice in the tolerance and understanding that brings us to coexist.

 

Zay a mentsch – Be a good person.

 

Shabbat shalom.

 

Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow

Choose Your Path

 Shabbat Shalom from Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow

 

October 15-16, 2021/ 10 Heshvan 5782

Shabbat Lech Lecha

Torah Portion: Genesis 12:1-17:27 / Haftarah Portion: Isaiah 40:27-41:16

 

“Choose Your Path”

 

Dear Friends,

 

How do we change the course of human history? Quite simply – make a decision.  In this week’s Torah portion Abraham made such a decision and thereby created the Hebrew tribe, which would become the Israelite people, the Children of Israel, and ultimately – Jewish Civilization. While we seldom know what our decisions will become in the long run, we do know that with good thought, high integrity, and deep sincerity, the path ahead will often be a good one.

 

Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan taught, “Our lives are what we make them.  Man can make something of himself.  The making of man is the meaning of history.” Following Abraham’s example, our tradition urges us to find meaning in all that we do and make life decisions that will bring blessing to ourselves, our families, our community, and our people. Choose your path and choose well.

 

Zay a mentsch – Be a good person.

 

Shabbat shalom.

 

Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow

Achieving the Impossible

 Shabbat Shalom from Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow

 

October 8-9, 2021 / 63 Cheshvan 5782

Shabbat Noach

Torah: Genesis 6:9 - 11:32          Haftarah: Isaiah 54:1 - 55:5

 

“Achieving the Impossible”

Dear Friends,

 

What does God ask of us?  Consider the story of Noah.  According to the Torah story, he lived in a time when all humanity was evil.  He was described as “righteous in his generation,” which is often understood to mean that he stood out as being pretty good when compared to everyone else of the time. So, what could God expect of Noah – to be a paragon of righteousness throughout the ages? Probably not, but Noah could certainly do a great job building a very large boat.

 

According to Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan, “You can achieve the impossible only by attempting the possible.” Thus, our Jewish tradition understands that we are not expected to attempt nor achieve that which is beyond us.  As I heard it once said, “All you can do is all you can do.  And all you can do is enough.”  Noah did his very best and thereby changed the course of human history.  What efforts can you offer in the realm of the possible that might just help us achieve the impossible?

 

Zay a mentsch – Be a Good Person.

 

Shabbat shalom.

 

Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow