Shabbat Blast

From Rabbi Bernstein
Friday, October 29, 2021

Dear CBO family,

Endings and beginnings flank this Torah portion and it is all over the place. “Chayei Sarah,” which means “the Life of Sarah” actually begins with her death. Abraham knows that he needs to make arrangements for his son before he himself dies and therefore engineers a shidduch, a match, for his son Isaac. Before Abraham dies, he marries again and has a whole other tribe of children with his new wife Keturah. Many of you will read that and ask me to back track. What!?! Abraham has a new wife? How did I not know? It’s a lot for one Torah portion.
 
This portion is a jumble of grief and joy. Judaism is particularly skilled at holding both at the same time. We celebrate Israeli Independence right on the heels of Remembrance Day, when we mourn the loss of soldiers and those who died in terrorist attacks. When someone loses a loved one, communal Shiva is shortened if a holiday comes a long because we are constantly balancing loss and celebration, the needs of the many and the needs of the one.
 
As I shared my own personal news with the community this last week, the overwhelming sentiment was sadness for the community and happiness for the new chapter of my life. It is only a mature and healthy synagogue that can hold both at the same time and I could not be prouder. As each of you navigates the sometimes jumbled landscape of celebration and sadness, may you have the strength to sit with both.

​​​​​​​As always, should you want to meet you can reach out to me at rabbi.bernstein@cbohr.org
 
Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Bernstein

CANDLE LIGHTING
Friday, October 29th at 5:35 PM

HAVDALAH
Saturday, October 30th at 6:34 PM

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