Seattle Vaad Newsletter - Msg. by Rabbi Hassan - Community Announcements

Parshat Shemot

IN THIS NEWSLETTER...

Message by Rabbi Hassan

Community Announcements

Eruv Information

BECOME A VAAD MEMBER TODAY!

PLEASE CONSIDER SUPPORTING THE VAAD, BY PROVIDING A TAX DEDUCTIBLE DONATION BY VISITING:

http://seattlevaad.org/vaad-services/#tab-membership

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY - QFC U-VILLAGE

Kosher Meat Cutter/ Meat Cutter Apprentice

The University Village QFC is accepting applications for a Kosher Meat Cutter or to become a Meat Cutter Apprentice. Applicants for kosher positions must have and maintain the endorsement of the Seattle Va'ad and either already be a licensed meat cutter or willing to complete necessary meat cutter apprenticeship classes. This position is primarily responsible for the kosher meat program but will also assist in other kosher and general duties. To apply, fill out the application online at

https://jobs.kroger.com/qfc/job/Seattle-Meat-Cutter-WA-98105/384227000/ and email a Rabbinic reference from the Seattle Va'ad (or who can be contacted by the Seattle Va'ad) to: Jeremy.Allen@stores.qfci.com.

NEXT BISTRO NIGHT AT THE SUMMIT!

Hello everyone,

The next Bistro Night is January 31^st 2017

It's a new year and we're ready to wow you with a 2017 full of cool experiences and delicious dinners. I hope you'll join us! As usual we'll

begin seating at 7:45pm. We try to have everyone sat no later than 8:15pm, so if 745pm is too early just mention it so I can expect you a little later. The price for this dinner remains $70, an all inclusive price that includes appetizer, dinner and dessert, server gratuity, and of course a wide selection of wine and beverages. Bistros sell out quickly, and I have limited capacity so please reserve today!

This bistro, Executive Chef Jeremy Duitch brings us some of his favorite comfort foods from all over the world. We'll have a savory steaming

ramen, Try the wonderful flavor of

bo ssam a tasty Korean comfort food dish we'll be remixing using beef as well as a Seattle favorite, a

wild caught king salmon with a parsnip mash - a dish sure to satisfy the locavore's dreams.

Bistro Night at The Summit is a chance to savor kosher cuisine (we're supervised daily by Va'ad HaRabanim of Greater Seattle staff) in an elegant atmosphere. We offer a selection of kosher wines and beverages paired to the meal for your enjoyment. This meal will be kosher-meat.

Each evening is a celebration that brings friends and community together. If you are celebrating something special let me know in your email so that we can work to enhance your experience. Whatever the occasion we hope you will share what is a magical and festive event here at The Summit.

I'm happy to answer any questions you may have, but I recommend you not delay. I've had a lot of new inquiries about the dinners here and we anticipate this event will sell out very quickly as always. To hold your reservation for this very special night, email me immediately.

Chris D. Eager

Assistant Director of Culinary Services

The Summit at First Hill | 206 456-9744

Office hours Friday- Tuesday 1130am -830pm

chrise@summitatfirsthill.org

Message by Rabbi Hassan

Why Did Hashem Want To Kill Moshe?

This week's Torah portion contains perhaps one of the most enigmatic passages in the entire Torah. It is often overlooked as it happens towards the end of the Parasha. After Hashem appears to Moshe at the Burning Bush and appoints Moshe to take the Jews out of Egypt the Torah tells us about a stop they made on his family's return to Egypt.

"And it came to pass by the way in the inn, that Hashem met him and sought to kill him. Then Tzipporah took a sharp stone and cut off the foreskin of her son and cast it at his feet, and said, surely a bloody husband are you to me. So he let him go; then she said, a bloody husband you are, because of the circumcision" (Shemot 4:24-26).

Rabbi Yaakov Beasley asks the following questions. How is it that just when Moshe is appointed as Hashem's representative, Hashem desires to kill him? Has Moshe in some way angered God? Has he become undesirable so soon? What has he done since the episode of the burning bush to arouse God's wrath? Why would God persuade Moshe to be the leader of Israel and then attempt to kill him on the way to perform his mission? What sin precipitated the attack? Regarding the circumcision, how did Tzipporah know that this was the appropriate antidote to the attack? Why does this circumcision need to be performed just now?

The Gemara (Masekhet Nedarim 31b) suggests several possibilities for Hashem wanting to kill Moshe. Rabbi Yehoshua suggests that it was because Moshe had neglected to circumcise Eliezer, his younger son. Rebbi said it was understandable that Moshe had not circumcised Eliezer as he had been commanded to leave for Egypt immediately. However, when Moshe chose to figure out lodgings rather than occupying himself with his son's circumcision he became worthy of death. According the Rabban Shimon Ben Gamliel it was not Moshe who was attacked but Moshe's son.

There is a little-known Midrash (Mekhilta Yitro 6) that states "When Moshe asked for Tzipporah's hand in marriage, Yitro made a condition. He said, your first son must be allowed to worship Avodah Zarah, and the children that follow, you may raise in the name of Heaven. Moshe accepted and Yitro made him swear that he would fulfill his promise... This is why the angel came to kill Moshe."

According to this Midrash it wasn't Eliezer who required Berit Milah, it was Gershom, the older brother! Rabbi Beasley explains that the problem lies in the fact that Moshe was going to be the leader of the Jewish people. It is entirely improper for the leader to be negligent in one of the cornerstone Mitzvot of the Jewish People. The Jewish people did not keep their customs and laws as well as they should have in Egypt. Indeed, both Rashi (commentary to Shemot 12:6) and Ramban (commentary to Shemot 12:40) explain that the Jewish people had even become negligent in Berit Milah. Moshe's job was to inspire the Jewish People in Mitzvah observance and love of Hashem. Only through actively demonstrating his belief in the truth of his message could Moshe be successful.

Shabbat Shalom