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 The Shabbat candles should be lit in the place where the meal is served, so that it obvious that the candles are being lit in honor of the Shabbat. Sponsored by Lubavitch Women's Organization. To receive Shabbat candles, ozndlesticks and brochures at no cost, contact Miriam Anzzalak at (248) 548-6771 or e-mai• miriamamzalakl @juno.com 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? ak&V.:4VIZM.V.R4aWV:th:I. 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.