Torah Portion/Synagogues
A Confrontation Of Brothers
Shabbat Vayishlach:
Genesis 32:4-36:43;
Hosea 11:7-12:12.
I
t is, at best, an awkward embrace.
When last these brothers saw each
other, their faces were contorted
with pain, fear and hatred. Twenty years
have passed and passions have cooled,
but what do they really feel about each
other now?
Esau marches toward Jacob accom-
panied by 400 men. This is not good.
Jacob responds with panicked petitions
to God, with defensive divisions of his
camp, with restless sleep wracked by
wrestling with a nameless attacker, with
bribes for his brother and finally with
seven obsequious bows before the
advancing Esau.
Now here comes mighty, swarthy
Esau, running toward Jacob ... hugging b
him, falling on his neck and kissing
him. What is Jacob feeling? Is this
Rabbi Daniel S. Nevins is spiritual
leader of Adat Shalom Synagogue and
president of the Farmington Area
Interfaith Association.
moment, Jacob's love was also stirred
brotherly love or a feint before the fatal
for Esau." But this is not all that Rabbi
blow? What kind of kiss is this?
Berlin notices.
The suspense of the moment is
First, some background: In the
intensified by six peculiar dots that
Midrash, Esau is called Edom, and
appear in the Torah above the word
Edom is a synonym for Rome. Thus
vayishakeihu, "then Esau kissed him."
the confrontation of Jacob and Esau
According to Saul Lieberman, these
foreshadows the later confrontation
dots indicate textual ambiguity.
between Judea and Rome, and eventu-
Already in the ancient Midrash
ally between Judaism and
called Sift the rabbis are
Christianity.
divided over the meaning of
If Jacob and Esau bitterly
these dots. The first opinion
parted and were unable to
is that the dots signify insin-
look each other in the face
cerity — Esau formally pecks
with affection for 20 years,
Jacob, but doesn't kiss with all
Judaism and Christianity bit-
his heart.
terly parted 20 centuries ago,
Yet Rabbi Shimon bar
and have been unable to look
Yochai disagrees. True, Esau
at each other with affection
hates Jacob, but at this
ever since. Each religion has
moment of reunion, his mer-
RABBI DANIEL its own theology and its own
cies are stirred, and he kisses
NEVINS
rituals, but is it not possible
his returning brother with all
Special
to the
for us to embrace, and even
his heart. The dots reflect
Jewish New
to weep for the long years of
wonder — even Esau is capa-
fraternal anger, violence and
ble of loving Jacob!
alienation?
Indeed, the verse concludes with the
Rabbi Berlin adds these remarkable
brothers weeping on each other's neck.
words to his commentary on the broth-
Rabbi Naftali Zvi Yehudah Berlin
ers' tears: "And so too in the future,
(known as the Netziv) notes in his corn-
when the seed of Esau shall awaken
mentaiy Ha'amek Davar that Jacob also
with a pure spirit to recognize the seed
wept. "This teaches that, at that
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ADAT SHALOM SYNAGOGUE
29901 Middlebelt, Farmington Hills, 48334, (248) 851-
5100. Rabbis: Daniel Nevins, Herbert Yoskowit, Rachel
Lawson Shere. Rabbi emeritus: Efry Spectre. Cantor:
Yevsey Gutman. Cantor emeritus: Larry Vieder. Services:
Friday 5 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m., 5 p.m.; weekdays 7:30
a.m., 5 p.m.; Sunday 8:30 a.m. Bar mitzvah of Jason
Dovitz, son of Sheryl and Cliff Dovitz.
AHAVAS ISRAEL (GRAND RAPIDS)
2727 Michigan St. SE, Grand Rapids, 49506-1297, (616)
949-2840. Rabbi: David J.B. Krishef. Cantor: Stuart R.
Rapaport. Services: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 7:30
a.m.; Friday, 7 p.m.; Saturday, 9:30 a.m.
BEIT KODESH
62
2000 Washtenaw Ave., Ann Arbor, 48104, (734) 665-9897.
Rabbi: Robert Dobrusin. Services: Friday 6 p.m.; Saturday
9:30 a.m.; weekdays 7:30 p.m.; Sunday 5 p.m.
CONGREGATION BETH SHALOM
14601 W. Lincoln, Oak Park, 48237, (248) 547-7970.
Rabbi: David A. Nelson. Cantor: Samuel L. Greenbaum.
Ritual director: Rev. Samuel Semp. Services: Friday 6 p.m.;
Saturday 9 a.m., 4:45 p.m.; Sunday 9 a.m., 5 p.m.; week-
days 7 a.m., 6:30 p.m. Minchah bat mitzvah of Amanda
Leff, daughter of Susan and Gordon Leff.
CONGREGATION BETH AHM
CONGREGATION B'NAI MOSHE
G-5240 Calkins Road, Flint, 48532, (810) 732-6310.
Cantor emeritus: Sholom Kalib. President: Leonard
2004
BETH ISRAEL (ANN ARBOR)
CONGREGATION
BETH TEPHILATH MOSES
BETH ISRAEL (FLINT)
11/26
Meizlish. Services: Saturday 9:30 a.m., 6 p.m.; weekdays
7:30 a.m., 6 p.m.; Sunday and legal holidays 8 a.m., 6
p.m. Ivriah religious school (810) 732-6312.
31840 W. Seven Mile, Livonia, (248) 477-8974. Cantor:
David Gutman. President: Larry Stein. Vice presidents:
Martin Diskin, Al Gittleman. Services: Friday 8 p.m.;
Saturday 9 a.m.
5075 W. Maple, West Bloomfield, 48322, (248) 851-6880.
Ritual director: Joseph Mermelstein. Rabbi emeritus: A.
Irving Schnipper. Cantor Emeritus: Shabtai Ackerman.
Guest rabbi: Aaron Bergman. Visiting scholar: Dr. Howard
Lupovitch. Services: Friday 6 p.m.; Saturday 9:30 a.m.,
4:30 p.m.; weekdays 7 a.m., 7 p.m.; Sundays and civic
holidays: 8:15 a.m., 5 p.m.
Conversations
There is a thin line between trust
and naivete. What are your stan-
dards for giving a former adver-
sary the benefit of the doubt?
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Shedding Light On Shabbat
CONSERVATIVE
of Israel and its [spiritual] accomplish-
ments, then we too shall be stirred to
recognize Esau, for he is our brother."
Just as Jacob had legitimate fears, so,
too, do modern Jews have legitimate
concerns about those Christians who
maintain a conversionary agenda or
who are indifferent to the physical safe-
ty of Jews in Israel and around the
world.
Yet we must not ignore our numer-
ous Christian neighbors who embrace
us as true brothers with love and
respect.
I personally am blessed by friendship
with many of the Christian clergy in
Farmington Hills, some of whom are
traveling to Israel with me next May.
This is cause for tears of joy, and for a
profound statement of thanksgiving to
God who has brought us to a time of
reunion.
146 South Ave., Mt. Clemens, 48043, (586) 465-0641.
Services: weekdays 7:15 a.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.; Sunday
8 a.m.
6800 Drake, West Bloomfield, 48322, (248) 788-0600.
Rabbi: Elliot Pachter. Cantor: Earl Berris. Services: Friday
4:45 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m., 4:45 p.m.; Monday-Friday 7
a.m., Monday-Thursday 6 p.m.; Sunday and legal holidays
9 a.m.; Sunday 4:45 p.m. Bar mitzvah of Jacob Friedman,
son of Ted and Barry Friedman.
DOR CHADASH - U. OF MICH.
U-M Hillel; 1429 Hill St., Ann Arbor 48104, (734) 769-
0500. Rabbi: Jason A. Miller. Co-chairs: Rebecca Murow,
Perry Teicher. Egalitarian Carlebach-style service 5:30
p.m. Fridays. Monthly Shabbat morning service. Monthly
Shabbat Minchah-Seudah Shlishit. Check Web site for
times www.umhillel.org
ISAAC AGREE DOWNTOWN
SYNAGOGUE
1457 Griswold, Detroit, 48226, (313) 961-9328. Chazan:
Cantor Usher Adler. Baal Kriah: Howard Marcus. Cantorial
soloist: Neil Bards. Ritual director: Dr. Martin Herman.
President: Dr. Ellen Kahn. Services: Saturday 8:30 a.m.
also the second Friday of every month at 7 p.m.
CONGREGATION SHAAREY 7FDEK
Rabbis: Joseph H. Krakoff, Jonathan E. Berkun, Eric S.
Yanoff. Rabbi emeritus: Irwin Groner. Cantor: Chaim
Najman. Ritual director: Leonard Gutman.
Southfield: 27375 Bell Road, Southfield, 48034, (248)
357-5544. Services: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 7:30
a.m.; Monday, Thursday 7:15 a.m.; daily 5 p.m.; Friday
4:45 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m., 4:45 p.m.; Sunday 8:30 a.m.
B'nai mitzvah of Drew Oliver Nemer, son of Rosalind and
Larry Nemer; Jared Ryan Sklar, son of Mami Sklar and Ira
Sklar.
West Bloomfield, B'nai Israel Center: 4200 Walnut Lake
Road, West Bloomfield, 48323-2772, (248) 357-5544.
Services: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 7:15 a.m.; Monday,
Thursday 7 a.m.; daily 6 p.m.; Friday 6 p.m.; Saturday 9
a.m., 4:45 p.m.; Sunday 9 a.m.
TEMPLE ISRAEL
2300 Center Ave., Bay City, 48708; (989) 893-7811.
Cantor: Daniel Gale. President: Dr. Jonathan Abramson.
Services: Saturday 9:30 a.m. A liberal, egalitarian congre-
gation serving the tri-cities area. Religious and Hebrew
education programs for children and adults.
INIDEIMNDENT
AHAVAT SHALOM
413 N. Division St., Traverse City, 49684, (231) 929-
4330. Rabbi: Chava (Stacie) Bailie. Weekly Shabbat cele-
brations, holidays, year round programming, children's
education. Summer programming for downstate visitors.
GROSSE POINTE JEWISH COUNCIL
(313) 882-6700. Rabbi: Nicholas Behrmann. Cantorial
soloist: Bryant Frank.
JEWBILATION
P.O. Box 130014, Ann Arbor, 48103, (734) 996-3524 or
995-1963. Rev. Lauren Zinn. Services: Friday 6:15, follow-
ing dinner. Jewish Roots with Interfaith Wings holds bi-
monthly Shabbat dinner, services, kids' programs, family
school and Hebrew school for all ages.
ORTHODOX
AGUDAS YISROEL MOGEN
ABRAHAM
15751 W. Lincoln, Southfield, 48075, (248) 552-1971.
Rabbis: Dov Loketch, Asher Eisenberger. President:
Irwin Cohen.
ANN ARBOR CHABAD HOUSE
715 Hill St., Ann Arbor, 48104, (734) 995-3276. Rabbi:
Aharon Goldstein. Services: Friday at sundown;
Saturday 9:45 a.m., 20 min. before sundown; week-
days 7:30 a.m.; Sunday 9 a.m. Times for weekdays and
Sunday are for the academic year.
ANN ARBOR ORTHODOX MINYAN
1429 Hill St., Ann Arbor, 48014. Rabbi: Rod Glogower.
Services: Friday at sundown; Saturday 9:30 a.m. and
20 minutes before sundown; weekdays during the aca-
demic year 7:30 a.m.; Sunday 9 a.m.
BAIS CHABAD OF FARMINGTON
HILLS
32000 Middlebelt, Farmington Hills, 48334, (248) 855-
2910. Rabbi: Chaim Bergstein. Services: Friday sun-
down; Saturday 9:30 a.m.; Sunday 8:30 a.m.; week-
days 6:50 a.m.
BAIS CHABAD OF NORTH OAK
PARK
15401 W. 10 Mile, Oak Park, 48237, (248) 872-8878.
Rabbi: Shea Werner.