What's the Spiel? - Shabbat Mevarchim

What's the Spiel?

25 Tevet 5784 - January 6, 2024

Shabbat Mevarchim - Parshat Shemot

Rabbi's Reflections

-Agents of the Divine-

In Parshat Shemot, Moshe encounters God for the first time at the Burning Bush, wherein the plan to redeem the Jewish people from Egypt is revealed. God appoints the shepherd-prince as His agent in this mission, telling him, “So now go, and I will send you to Pharaoh” (Shemot 3:10). Rav Soloveitchik is somewhat bewildered by God’s decision to assign Moshe as His agent, writing, “Reflect for a moment on the paradoxical implications of this nondescript phrase. The Creator of the worlds, the Master of the Universe, the Infinite, appoints flesh and blood, temporal man, who is ‘today alive but tomorrow in the grave’ (B. Talmud, Berachot 28b), as His agent. How can weak, finite man possibly act as the agent of the Infinite Creator of worlds?” (Chumash Mesoret HaRav, p 29). Indeed, what does it mean for a human being to be an agent of God? What does that look like? According to the Rav, “When one acts as an agent on behalf of another, a well-known Talmudic dictum applies: “an agent is likened to the sender” (Mishne Berachot 5:5). Since man, the agent, was created in His image – and thereby likened to the sender – he is compelled to accept the assignment despite his feeble capabilities and temporal nature. Just like Moshe, all of us have been appointed as God’s agents, sent to fulfill His assignments. Every Jew was sent to earth as an agent of the Creator” (Ibid.).

We are all agents of the Divine, appointed and sent to earth in order to fulfill our mission, which is God’s will for us. We may wonder how we can ever accomplish this. We may wonder how God, Who is so above and beyond, could ever expect us, mere mortals, to meet His objectives. And while the Rav explains, “there is no sound resolution to this question,” nevertheless, “the imperative for man to accept the assignment remains” (Ibid.). Even though the nature of our agency may be something of a mystery, our mission is very real, and we must persist in it. According to Jewish law, a person stops being an agent when the sender no longer wishes that person to pursue his mission. The mere fact that we exist is proof that God still wants us to be His agents, and our job is to continue to fulfill our assignments.

This Shabbat, let us reflect upon the missions we have, and that our very lives are based on God’s desire to see us as His agents and accomplish our tasks in this world. We, like Moshe, may feel like being an agent of God is too much, too hard, too overwhelming to even grasp. Yet, we, like Moshe, must put one foot before the other and keep moving forward, one inch at a time, one day at a time, so that in the end, we, like Moshe, will be able to declare, “Here I am” (Shemot 3:4).

Shabbat Shalom!

-Rabbi Dan

Schedule of Services at B'nai Abraham

Friday Night

Candle Lighting

5:26PM

Mincha & Kabbalat Shabbat

5:20PM

Shabbat

Shacharit

9:00AM

Youth Services

10:30AM

Mincha

5:20PM

Havdalah

6:25PM

Sunday

Shacharit

8:30AM

Monday - Friday

Shacharit

7:05AM

CTI Announcements

Join us on Sunday, January 14 from 5:00PM to 6:30PM at Congregation Tiferet Israel to learn about the vital work of the Ach Gadol (Big Brother) Lone Soldier Organization in Israel.

Ach Gadol focuses on supporting Lone Soldiers during their IDF service. It does so through a unique mentorship model, pairing volunteers (all former Lone Soldiers) with those on active duty. Ach Gadol provides the young men and women with one-on-one personal guidance, essential support, and a life-long network. The ongoing war in Israel has brought considerable challenges for Lone Soldiers - and has made Ach Gadol’s work more meaningful, impactful, and necessary than ever.

We will have the honor of hearing from the CEO of Ach Gadol, Daniel Aharon, along with Maj. (Res.) Hadas, an Ethiopian and Bedouin officer of distinction, and Staff Sgt. (Res.) Vitaly, who spent three months fighting in Ukraine before drafting to IDF reserve duty in October, will share their unique experiences, including how the current war has impacted their lives and the lives of thousands of Lone Soldiers.

Admission is free, but we ask that people register in advance. Register Here!

Email Arthur Altman at [email protected] if you have any questions.

Destigmatizing Suicide

Stan Zimmerman, writer for The Golden Girls, Roseanne, Gilmore Girls, brings to life the last words written in letters by individuals lost to suicide — including celebrities, veterans, kids that were bullied, LGBTQ, and the clinically depressed — and those who have survived suicide attempts. Since its acclaimed first performance at the Hollywood Fringe Festival in 2015, the play has traveled across the country, raising awareness and offering hope for suicide prevention.

January 20 - 7:30 PM

Doug Smith Performance Center

206 W 2nd Street Georgetown

*Talkback to follow

Buy Tickets!

January 21 - 3:00 PM

Gloria & Harvey Evans Performance Center at the Dell JCC

Austin 7300 Hart Lane Austin

*Talkback to follow

Buy Tickets!

*Tickets go on sale soon*

Israel in Its Land: The Archeological Evidence

Rabbi Harold Liebowitz earned his PhD at the University of Pennsylvania, his MA at New York University and his BA and Rabbinic Ordination under Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik at Yeshiva University. A longtime professor of Middle Eastern Studies and Biblical History and Archeology at UT, he also taught at Bar-Ilan University, Baltimore Hebrew College, Duke University and Temple University and has published extensively on a wide range of subjects, including archeology, art, and daily life in the ancient Near East.

Harold and his wife Judy are founding members of Congregation Tiferet Israel.

Agenda

7:00-7:30 PM Schmooze & Nosh

7:30-8:30 PM Learn & Q&A

8:30-9:00 PM Schmooze & Nosh S'more

Tell America's Leaders to Stand with Israel!

Anti-Israel activists are calling members of Congress. Make your pro-Israel voice heard by calling your elected officials to make clear you stand with our ally Israel against Hamas terrorism!

Support Israel

Shalom Austin Emergency Campaign.

AIPAC

Friends of the Israel Defense Forces

Israel American Council

At War: Heal Israel Now

Thank you Jay & Carol Rubin for sponsoring Kiddush in honor of their 50th Wedding Anniversary

If you would like to sponsor a Kiddush in February, March or beyond, please take a look at our calendar and reserve your spot! THANK YOU for supporting CTI and our community with your sponsorship! Also a big thank you to the many people who help with kiddush prep and cleanup!!! Your efforts are very much appreciated!

Sponsor A Kiddush

Mazel Tov!

Jay & Carol Rubin Annviersary on January 6
Salen Churi birthday on January 10

*Please update your shulcloud account with birthdays, anniversaries, and Yahrtzeits to make sure they're highlighted in the Spiel. If you have any questions on how to do so email [email protected]*