A Thought For The New Year

"Abraham then returned to his servants, and they departed together for Beer-sheba..." 

-Genesis 22:19

On Rosh Hashana, Jews read the story of G-d asking Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac on Mount Moriah.

We read this account to teach us about the importance of dedication to G-d. Though G-d stops Abraham at the very last moment from offering his son as a sacrifice, the narrative reminds us of Abraham’s complete devotion to G-d shown by his willingness to sacrifice his beloved son.

Maybe it teaches us a more important idea as we welcome a new year.

After G-d stayed Abraham’s hand, the Torah tells us:

“Abraham then returned to his servants…”

It doesn’t say "Abraham and Isaac returned to his servants..." 

Where was Isaac? 

Perhaps Isaac needed more time to contemplate this Divine encounter which he just witnessed and what it all meant to him.

Perhaps he remained on Mount Moriah, in anticipation of the Divine Voice urging him now to carry on with his father's mission.

Or perhaps, he told his father that it might be better if they go in separate ways.

Perhaps Isaac saw his father as a man who was more devoted to G-d than to his son, a man of trusting religious faith but who could not be trusted again.

The Torah never records another conversation between Abraham and Isaac.

I find that significant.

And so, I read “Abraham then returned to his servants” as a cautionary reminder of how easy it is to forever lose those we love to by our words or with our actions.

Even when we think our actions are holy or proper.

Relationships are our most precious but fragile gifts and they can be shattered in one moment by a thoughtless comment or an inconsiderate act.

And never repaired.

Isaac will see his father one last time in the Torah.

At Abraham’s burial.

A lesson for us all.

May we speak the right words and perform the kindest of acts that strengthen our relationships with one another this year.

Shana Tova,

-Rabbi Victor Urecki

Celebrate the First Shabbat of the Year with us!

Friday Night

October 4th, 2024

Casual Family-Friendly Shabbat Dinner

6:00 PM

(Kabbalat Shabbat Service at 5:30 PM that night)

Adults: $10

Children under Bnai Mitzvah age: Free

Federated Advanced Gifts Dinner

Wednesday October 9th, 2024

The Federated Jewish Charities of Charleston Advanced Gifts Dinner will be on Wednesday, October 9th at 6:00 pm at Charleston Tennis Club. 

Further details next week. For questions or reservations, call or text Marc Slotnick at 304-549-4650 or e-mail him at marc@wvclosing.com

Wondering Jews

The One Stop For All Things Jewish in West Virginia

Wondering Jews, Inc. is a nonprofit organization with the goal of connecting people who are physically or geographically challenged with the wide variety of educational, service, and faith activities in the local West Virginia Jewish congregations.

Moe and Janie Rubenstein have created a unique website which will allow all congregations and Jewish organizations who wish to announce activities and programs of interest for Jews throughout West Virginia. We have seen at B'nai Jacob how Zoom has opened the door to those who are challenged to allow people in isolation to join and be a part of our B'nai Jacob family.

The website is now live and will offer us and Jews around our state an opportunity to further connect and be together. You can even sign up for the American Jewish Committee program on that platform as well.

Check out Wondering Jews in the months to come and in the words of the Machzor (High Holiday Prayerbook), may we all be bound together, connected to each other.

Check out Wondering Jews here

Don’t miss ExploringJudaism.org, the digital home for Conservative Judaism. This site features a wide range of topics and creators including weekly Torah content (with study guides) thanks to our partners at the Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center & Conservative Yeshiva.

B'nai Jacob Synagogue

1599 Virginia St. E

Charleston, WV 25311

304-346-4722

 www.bnaijacob.com

"Traditional Judaism for

a Modern World"

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Congregation B'nai Jacob | www.bnaijacob.com