What's the Spiel? - Lech-Lecha

What's the Spiel?

10 Cheshvan 5786 - November 1, 2025

Parshat Lech-Lecha

Rabbi's Reflections

-Courage to Grow-

Rabbi Abraham Twerski once told a story about how a trip to the dentist led him to an unexpected spiritual insight. Sitting anxiously in the waiting room, he picked up a magazine and found an article titled, “How Does the Lobster Grow?”

The article explained that the lobster is a soft creature living inside a rigid shell that cannot expand. As it grows, the shell becomes tight and painful. To keep growing, the lobster must crawl under a rock to protect itself from predators, shed its shell, and produce a new one. It does this again and again, exposing itself to danger each time — yet that discomfort is the only way it can grow.

Rabbi Twerski realized that the lobster’s story is really our own. Times of pressure, stress, and discomfort are not obstacles to growth; they are signals that it’s time to expand. The question is whether we listen — or whether we cling to the safety of what we know, even when it no longer fits who we are.

This idea lies at the heart of Parshat Lech-Lecha. God calls to Avraham Avinu: “Go for yourself — from your land, your birthplace, and your father’s house — to the land that I will show you” (Bereshit 12:1). God doesn’t tell him where He’s sending him. Avraham must walk into the unknown guided only by faith. In that moment, he becomes the first human being to leave the comfort of the known for the promise of the possible.

The Mei HaShiloach interprets Lech-Lecha as “Go toward yourself.” In other words, God is not simply telling Avraham to leave a place — He’s telling him to discover who he truly is. “For in truth,” writes the Izbitzer, “the matters of this world cannot be called life unless you find the main point of life within yourself.”

Avraham’s greatness, then, was not his wisdom or wealth, but his willingness to listen when the shell of his old life became too small. He was brave enough to shed it. He walked away from comfort and familiarity to pursue meaning and truth. That is why God’s first words to him sould not be viewed as a command, but an invitation: Lech-Lecha — “Go. Grow. Become.”

The Kotzker Rebbe once said that God can be found wherever we let Him in. Perhaps the same is true for growth: we find it wherever we make space for it.

This Shabbat, let us take a lesson from Avraham — and from the lobster. When life feels constricting, it may not mean we are failing. It may mean we are being called to grow. If we can face that discomfort with courage and faith, then like Avraham, we too will discover that every journey into the unknown is, in truth, a journey home — to our truest, most expansive selves.

Shabbat Shalom!

-Rabbi Dan

Schedule of Services at B'nai Abraham

CTI Schedule 5785/2025

Friday, October 31

6:25PM - Candle Lighting

6:20PM - Mincha & Kabbalat Shabbat

Saturday, November 1

9:00AM - Shacharit

10:30AM Shabbat Youth Programs

6:20PM - Mincha

7:20PM - Havdalah

Sunday, November 2

8:30AM - Shacharit

Monday - Friday

7:05AM - Shacharit

Mazal Tov

Mazal Tov again to Naomi Deuitch and Arie Tovy on the birth of a baby boy! The Bris will be held at CTI on Sunday, November 2nd at 11:30AM.

CTI Announcements

Join friends and fellow congregants at the Austin Premiere of “Centered: Joe Lieberman” on Sunday, November 9 at 2:30 PM at the Dell JCC Gloria and Harvey Evans Performance Center.

“Centered” features the life and legacy of Joe Lieberman, a Modern Orthodox Jew who served as a U.S. Senator from Connecticut for 24 years and was nearly elected as the first Jewish Vice President of the U.S. in 2000.

Known for putting principles above party, Lieberman’s message of moderation, civility and bipartisanship resonates even more powerfully in today’s divisive, highly contentious and polarized political climate.

We’re also excited to have Clarine Nardi Riddle, Lieberman’s longtime Senate Chief of Staff, joining us to share additional insights and respond to your questions.

Tickets are available online at www.austinjff.org for $13, at the door for $15 or checkout the full schedule and consider purchasing an AJFF pass to enjoy a wide array of other new, curated and exceptional Jewish and Israeli-themed films and programs.

One free ticket is available to the first 25 CTI Full Members responding to this email by contacting Jay Rubin at jayrubinatx@gmail.com.

Questions? Contact Jay at (202)409-4054.

Hadassah is having a kid's club on November 9. More Information HERE.

Hadassah is having a happy hour on November 13. More information HERE.

Light Up the Night: Latkes & Spirits with Austin Hadassah

Sunday, December 7th, 5:00pm - 9:00pm

Honoring: Michal Ilai, One of Hadassah's 18 American Zionist Women You Should Know

Michal Ilai is the senior Israel educator at Shalom Austin. Her 30-year career has focused on Jewish identity, Israel-diaspora relations and Zionism, and she has founded programs, facilitated workshops and designed curricula to strengthen Jewish peoplehood.

More information HERE!

Help Renew Israel's Economy and Agricultural Heritage

Ehud Adler, father of five and commander in the Golani reconnaissance unit, and brother of CTI member Hagit Cohen, has been serving on the frontlines in Gaza and Lebanon since October 7th.

Before the war, Ehud was ready to plant a vineyard on ancestral Jewish land — the same hills where our people grew wine 2,000 years ago. His grapes would supply Jerusalem Winery, producing kosher wine rooted in Jewish history and faith.

But while Ehud defends Israel, he cannot fund this dream. And this year, new farmers receive no state support.

This vineyard is more than wine.

It is life. It is resilience. It is our future.

Help Ehud plant deep roots in our homeland. Donate today to Jerusalem Winery.

https://www.amyisroelchai.com/donate

Shmira, watching over the deceased, is a sacred mitzvah. If you would like to find out more information about how CTI engages shmira, or think you might be interested in participating in this mitzvah, please contact Larry Smith, CTI's Shmira Coordinator at lsmith@egsanalytics.com, or (512) 923-3964. Registering as a shomer does not obligate you, but it includes you in the list of people who will be notified when there is a death in our community and a need for shomrim.

Support Israel

SHALOM AUSTIN EMERGENCY CAMPAIGN

AIPAC

FRIEND OF THE ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES

ISRAEL AMERICAN COUNCIL

HADASSAH

ACH GADOL FOR LONE SOLDIERS

WORLD ZIONIST ORGANIZATION

ISRAEL BONDS

JNF

Thank you Steve Swernofsky for sponsoring Kiddush in honor of his children Sarah, Joseph, Edward, and Rebecca.

Kiddush sponsorship is a great way to honor a loved one's memory or celebrate a special occasion while also giving a little back to the community.

If you have a special day you would like to commemorate with a kiddush, now is a great time to reserve your sponsorship for the Shabbos of your choice. If your date is not visible yet on the kiddush calendar, you can still email Beth and ask about reserving that date. Thank you so much for your support of CTI’s kiddush program.

Sponsor A Kiddush

Mazel Tov!

Blair Altman, Birthday November 5

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