This week’s Torah reading opens with a description of the aggressive and dysfunctional dynamics that existed between Yosef and his brothers. The best that can be said about them is, per Rashi, that they did not speak “with one manner in their mouth and another in their heart.” In other words, Yosef’s brothers were completely transparent about their loathing of him. Rather than connecting with one another, they talk at one another- Yosef proclaiming his dreams and the brothers hating him for his preening, self-centered ways. One wonders what would happen if the brothers actually had a conversation in which they tried to understand each other, or find common ground (see Radak on Bereishit 37:4). I began thinking about this a few weeks ago after seeing this skit from Saturday Night Live called Man Park . It is both hilarious and deeply sad. In a humorous way, it touches on the difficulty men have in making new friends, in part because they are socialized not to be emotionally open or connect with one another on a deeper level- and the challenge that faces women who are expected to carry the emotional load for these men in their lives.
Hakarat HaTov Corner
Each week, I feature the Hakarat HaTov corner, an opportunity to express gratitude for something that happened this past week. Thanksgiving and Chanukah happening in rapid succession, with Chanukah’s mandate lehodot uleHallel, to give thanks and praise, are opportunities for all of us to create our own Hakarat HaTov corner.
I am grateful for the opportunity to participate in the wedding of our members Ariella and Harel Rush this past Sunday. Surrounded by the buildings of downtown Dallas and buffeted by particularly strong winds, we shared in one of the most joyous, life affirming Chuppot Jessica and I have experienced in a long time. Thank God, I have reason to travel regularly and participate in the weddings members make for their children, but rarely do I get to celebrate when it is the members themselves getting married. It was a great opportunity to meet Ariella and Harel’s families, friends and Rabbis, including Rabbi Yosef Kanefsky of Bnai David Judea in Los Angeles, and Rabbi Yossi New of Congregation Beth Tefillah in Sandy Springs, Georgia, who is also the head Chabad Shaliach in the state. When we lived in the tri-state area, it was not uncommon to attend several weddings a week- and I had colleagues who would attend several weddings every Sunday. Living outside New York, we do attend fewer weddings, but each one is so special as a result.
I am also grateful we had the opportunity to host Esther Wein on Sunday evening, at an event attended by over 100 women from across Dallas. Thank you to Rebbetzin Marcy Fried for her partnership in making this Torah event possible. I stopped by briefly before the event began and overheard many women commenting on how beautiful our building is and what a vibrant shul we have.
Finally, I am grateful for the many smachot and exciting events happening this and next weekend that will bring people together and to Shaare Tefilla- whether is the Thanksgiving crafts project for our youth this morning, the reception in honor of Dana and Zack Spizner, Jadon Abramov’s Bar Mitzvah, a pre-Chanukah breakfast with a lecture about the Maccabees by Robert Epstein and next weekend, the Shabbat of Song with Kol Ish sponsored by Ilana Zeltser and David Yalovsky in honor of the Bar Mitzvah of Jake Yalovsky.
Shabbat Shalom, Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Chanukah,
Rabbi Ariel Rackovsky
Congregation Shaare Tefilla 6131 Churchill Way Dallas, TX 75230
