Vayetze 5784 ~ Nov. 22, 2023
The concept of a promise maintained can be found in the beginning of this week’s Torah reading, Vayetze, as Jacob experiences the dream of a ladder with angels ascending and descending to heaven. Within the revelation, God makes the following promise: “Remember I am with you; I will protect you wherever you go and will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised.”
These words seem most appropriate. The hope of that promise is one that we all, at this moment, are expressing daily to and for the soldiers of Israel, the State of Israel, the people in Israel and for the hostages held by Hamas. I have rarely heard these verses used as prayers or blessings, yet they seem quite fitting.
As a congregation, we have helped fulfill that promise to a unit of Israeli navy seals. A few weeks ago, we received a call from our cousin, Sam, in Israel who is a member of one unit of navy seals in need of some additional gear that would help them. Originally, we agreed to provide them with protective sunglass eyewear for a unit of twenty-five. While Sam was preparing to purchase the equipment, his reserve unit was called into service in Gaza. For days neither his parents, nor us, heard anything from him. Just a few days ago, the unit returned safely. During their mission, somehow another group was able to provide them with the protective eye gear. So they immediately purchased tactical helmet lights instead which were shipped to them while at the border and which they used in Gaza. Through our Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund, we have provided them with these tactical lights. Some of you had heard of Sam’s call to me and have already donated towards this special cause. Each one of these tactical helmet lights costs approximately $115. I know that Sam’s unit appreciates that we have provided them with the gear. If you would like to contribute to this mitzvah of fulfilling the promise of the Torah “to protect You, wherever you go” by providing these tactical helmet lights, please make a donation earmarked to this cause to the Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund. Todah rabbah on behalf of his unit. He has asked me to share pictures of some of his unit with you. (Sam is the one holding the Israeli flag in the picture at the top of this message.)
This past week has been one of those special moments in life for Lisa and me. Seeing Ruby and Isla in the NICU for the first time, hours after they were born, and then finally getting to hold them a few days later, has been another dream fulfilled in our lives. Lisa and I are grateful for the understanding of our congregation that permitted us to keep our promise to Stacey and Sam, that we would be there for them and the girls, and their two dogs during the first week, as they basically lived in Women’s and Infants Hospital in Providence. We are hoping that, as you read these words, that they have been discharged and are making their way home to celebrate being home. What a great Thanksgiving!!!
Since many of us will be with family this Thanksgiving weekend, we have decided to hold our Shabbat morning services on Zoom only.
On behalf of our office staff, the Board of Directors and myself, let me wish you a Happy Thanksgiving and a Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi K