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THE JEWISH ENSEMBLE THEATRE
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Spirituality
PRESENTS...
TORAH PORTION
Give Presents
Or Presence?
Shabbat Vayishlach: Genesis 32:4-
36:43; Obadiah 1:1-21.
T
Musk by Jed Feuer
Book & Lyrics by Boyd Graham
December 8-January 3, 2010
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36
December 3 • 2009
IN
JN
he arrival of fall brings with
and wept. Esau was not interested in
it many things. We marvel
the gifts; rather, he cared only about
every year at the incredible
the fact that he and his brother were
show Mother Nature puts on for us as
once again together.
the trees explode in color and paint
Now, you might be even more
our world like a bright canvas.
shocked than Jacob was if your
We welcome the holiday of
children cared little for presents on
Thanksgiving to remind us of all we
Chanukah and cared more about the
are grateful for in our lives and, of
fact that everyone in the family was
course, we welcome the "season of giv- together, happy and healthy.
ing" as the holidays of Chanukah and
We need to hold fast to our families
Christmas creep ever closer.
— time goes by so quickly and before
But one of the main dilemmas
we know it, everyone is off doing their
facing every Jewish fam-
own things, is busy with
ily is that of gift giving.
their own lives, and creat-
Really, Chanukah is a minor
ing a life and family of
holiday on our calendar;
their own.
traditionally, gelt was given
We need to consider
to children as they spun the
those in our community
dreidel, but presents were
who do not have the funds
not part of the picture until
to even consider toys, but
it became popular to give
are worried about paying
presents for Christmas.
for medical bills or even
Wanting to be like our
putting
food on the table.
Rabbi
neighbors, or more to the
It is our responsibil-
Jennifer T.
point, wanting to give to our
ity at this time of year to
Kaluzny
children what their neigh-
make sure that people have
Special to the
bors' children were receiving,
heat, warm clothes and
Jewish News
led us to the extravagant
the necessities in life. That
spending that ensues around
when push comes to shove,
this time of year. But I would ask: what
these are the real gifts: compassion,
is it that we are really giving each other
consideration and love.
when we exchange beautifully wrapped
This December, let's make it a sea-
packages and expertly designed gift
son for giving the best of ourselves
cards? Are they really a true expression
to the people we love and give as
of our love or would our presence at
much as we can to help those who
this time of year be a more valuable
go without. Let's learn a lesson from
and enduring present?
Vayishlach that its not about presents,
Consider this week's Torah portion,
but more about presence that makes
Vayishlach. After 20 years of separa-
a real difference in our lives and our
tion, Jacob and Esau are about to meet relationships with others.
once again. After the birthright switch,
We can still give the material things,
Jacob fled out of fear of being killed by but let's all try to put the intangibles
his jealous brother and they have not
closer to the top of our lists. May your
seen each other since.
season be filled with light, love and all
Jacob decided to send messengers
that really matters in life.
to Esau with gifts galore — including
gifts of respect and honor that would
Jennifer Kaluzny is a rabbi at Temple
clearly elevate his older brother. Jacob
Israel in West Bloomfield.
hoped not only to abate any anger
Esau might still be harboring, but also
win his favor.
Conversations
What Jacob probably never expected
What are the intangible presents
was when the two brothers finally
in your life? What does it mean
came face to face, Esau ran to greet
to be truly present for someone
him, embraced him, fell on his neck
else?