spirituality >> Torah portion
Con9re9ation
Veteran's Day Brunch
Honoring Our Military Veterans
jai moo]
What
Was Slit
Thinking?
G114£41'Setlat
lver(
presented by
Congregation B'nai Moshe Men's Club
Sunday, November 3, at 9:45 a.m.
Our Keynote speaker,
ON.
Col. Bentzi Gruber,
Parshat Chayei Sarah: Genesis 23:1-
25:18; I Kings 1:1-1:31.
W
Following the Akedah, Abraham
hat was Sarah thinking?
We do not hear a lot about headed not to Hebron where Sarah
the private thoughts of the lived but to Beersheva, where Haggar
matriarch for whom this week's Torah
lived. Together Abraham and Keturah/
Haggar had many more children,
portion is named.
We know she laughed when she
though there is a debate as to whether
overheard Abraham being told that she Haggar remained a quasi-concubine or
was going to get pregnant. It is unclear, if she became Abraham's full-fledged
however, whether she was
wife. Looking down on
laughing at the thought of
her husband from heaven,
engaging in marital rela-
what could Sarah have been
thinking?
tions with her husband
at their advanced age, or
Sarah's life was full of
whether she was laughing at
blessings and challenges.
Referencing our Torah por-
the thought of getting preg-
nant at that point in her life.
tion's statement that, when
What we do know, how-
she died, Sarah was "one
ever, is that immediately fol-
hundred years and twenty
lowing the Binding of Isaac
years and seven years:' our
Rabbi Aaron
(the Akedah), this week's
tradition teaches that when
St arr
Torah portion begins: "Sarah
she was 20 she had the
died in Kiriath-arba — now
beauty of a 7-year-old and
Hebron — in the land of Canaan"
that when she was 100 she was like 20
(Genesis 23:2). It seems, too, that she
with regard to sin (i.e., sinless).
might have died alone. After all, we
Joining her husband at God's behest,
read toward the end of last week's
Sarah traveled the Fertile Crescent.
parshah that Abraham departed for
She was forced into and then removed
from Pharaoh's harem. She became
Beersheva, not Hebron.
financially wealthy. Along with her
A midrash (interpretation) explains
that Sarah was told that Abraham fol-
husband, she converted many souls to,
lowed through on the sacrifice of Isaac
as it were, Judaism. She struggled with
and that she died upon hearing such
infertility but then had a son to whom
news. She must have been devastated.
the great covenant would pass. Then
What could Sarah have been thinking?
she heard a rumor of Isaac's death and
Abraham settled in Beersheva,
died herself — alone.
traveling to Hebron only to bury and
What was Sarah thinking through-
mourn for his wife. Later we learn that
out all this time? "Why is the word
Abraham took another wife, Keturah.
`years' repeated so many times in our
Interestingly, another midrash sug-
Torah portion?" another midrash
gests that Keturah is someone already
asks. "It is to tell you that the lives of
known to us. A woman now scented
the righteous are beloved before the
with "mitzvot and good deeds:'
Omnipresent, both in this world and
Keturah is none other than Haggar:
in the World-to-Come:'
Sarah's former maidservant, with
whom Abraham had his first child,
Aaron Starr is a rabbi at Congregation
Ishmael.
Shaarey Zedek of Southfield.
R
will speak on:
"Ethics in the Field:
An Inside Look at the IDF"
Col. Gruber will take us behind the scenes of the I DF's daily battle to ensure the
country's security and uphold one of the most rigorous military codes of ethics
in the world today. He will explore:
• The dilemmas constantly facing IDF commanders in locating terrorists
within a civilian population
• The IDF's unique ethical code
• The effectiveness of the IDF's efforts to prevent terrorist attacks
Col. Gruber established and is actively involved in "Chesed in the Field," a
nonprofit organization that brings together IDF reservists and the chronically
ill or disabled for special programs throughout the year.
Reservations required: Call 248-788-0600 by October 28 th
$10 for brunch and program*
*No charge for presentation if space allows. Reservation required for admission.
The brunch is co sponsored by:
JEWISH NEW
-
ZIONIST ORGANIZATION OF AMERICA
StandVVIthUs
MICHIGAN
•
Tea Pad
!vc torian
Tea 4 ' Gifts ea' Antiques
We specialize in Tea Parties. We cater all types of events.
Month of November.
Fall Sweet Treat Tea.
$ 12.95 ,,,4 : 1 :statiatyx. and
Come and enjoy the taste of fall with homemade
pumpkin pie and breads with your pick of tea.
Xmas Holiday High Tea.
All the special tastes of the holidays in one
special tea for the month of Dec.
$ 26.95 tst, uaty
t x . and
Call and make a reservation
for your Birthday, Wedding I
shower, book club and Red
Hatter...Tea Parties today! I
Evening teas by reservation. I
Call for e ervation !
2737 Twelve Mile Rd., Berkley, (248) 542-5253 We do Estate Sales and Ebay.
❑
Conversations
The Torah tells us little about Sarah, but the ancient midrashim are full
of stories. Modern midrashim – your thoughts and interpretations – can
be just as full.
• What do you believe Sarah was thinking throughout her life? After her
death?
• Do you believe that ancient midrashim are "truer" than modern ones?
Why or why not?
• What role does Sarah play in Jewish tradition, and what can we learn
from her?
University of Michigan
On the Boardwalk
6879 Orchard Lake Rd. • West Bloomfield
www.dakotabread.com
October 24 • 2013
33