We are told that Noah was saved because he was a righteous man. We were actually told he was a righteous man in his time so what does that mean? It means that compared to other people that lived when he did, he was more righteous than they were. He was not perfect. It strikes me as odd that when we talk about goodness as compared to evil we have no absolutes. We are told that’s a relative term. We like to feel that people are either honest or not honest, generous or not generous, good-hearted or not good-hearted, but this parsha tells us that no one is perfect and there are no absolutes and sometimes we have to be a little more flexible than our self-righteous selves might prefer to be.
Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson asks, “Is human character a product of environment, or does it result from something innate and internal? Are we who we are because of the way we were raised or because of our own genetic composition? As usual, reality is more complex than any single response. People are very much products of their backgrounds. Parents, grandparents, relatives, friends, income, education, and myriad other factors influence our personalities and our interests in powerful ways. Righteousness has a context. Yet not everything is contextual.
Two children raised in the same home and the same circumstances will grow up to be different people. Our internal makeup also has a significant role in determining who we become. And finally, whether the parameters of our personalities are established by our upbringing or by our biology, we are still responsible for the choices we make in our lives. Human beings can choose, within limits, how they will live their lives. We can choose to rise above the conventions of our environment and our nature. Just as Noah could rise above the conventions of his age, so, too, can we.”
Friday, Kabbalat Service at 7:00 PM Saturday, Derash at 9:00 AM Shabbat Service at 9:45 AM
REFUAH SHELEIMAH (A SPEEDY RECOVERY)
As a community, we pray for those in need of healing. May they be granted a Refuah Sheleimah - a complete and speedy recovery.
Riah Cohen Cheryl Cohen Marilyn Finger Joe Fromkin Wallace Leifer Edward Steinman Arnold Tischler Lee Weisbord
If there is someone's name that you wish to add, please let us know and it will go on the next shabbat blast.
MINYANS Shiva Minyans have been requested by the Broder Family. This will be in-person at the Broder Residence. The address: 2659 Frances Street, Bellmore, NY
Sunday, October 10th @ 7:45 PM
Monday, October 11h @ 7:45 PM
Tuesday, October 12th @ 7:45 PM
If you wish to request a minyan, you may contact the office or CLICK HERE to submit and let us know if you would like a Zoom or In-Person service.
CELEBRATIONS & GRATITUDE
Thank you to Pam and Arthur Seltzer for sponsoring kiddush in memory of Pam's mother, Ruth Gottlieb.
Mazal Tov to our members, Ellen and Gary Goldberg on the Bar Mitzvah of their grandson, Adam. The proud parents are Jenn & David Goldberg.
Affiliated with United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism