Our man, Noah, is described in an interesting way. He is called an ish tzaddik tamim, a “blameless” or “wholehearted person in his generation." Many commentators look at this think that if he was born in another generation, he would not be so remarkable. A daisy in a beautiful bouquet does not steal the show. Rashi has a different way of looking at Noah. He is like a vial of perfume that is so beautiful and potent that you can smell it above mountains of garbage. He had to fight harder to be a source of righteousness in his generation. By maintaining his integrity he was known and stood out to those looking in.
This is something that many can relate to in a world that seems out of control and in dire need of justice and purveyors of peace. Many look at situations and decide that they cannot make a dent, and therefore may as well not even try. Noah's description reminds us that it is possible to rise above. There is a sense of doing good where you can, where you have control and focussing on those victories.
We might look to another source, the Book of Jonah, where Jonah is told to deliver the message to the people of Nineveh to repent. He is given this message by God and in fact, his words are powerful enough to achieve repentance for the whole city. It is little bit of a farce because it goes so above and beyond in the narrative that even the cows repent.
In one story, the majority of the people die in destruction while in the other, everyone, including the cows, repents. The world is much more gray than either of these Biblical stories portrays. We all live somewhere between this pure righteousness and Jonah's denial of any participation to make things better. In the end, we can only live in our generation and attend to our present reality with whatever means we have. I hope we don't run from any ounce of influence we can have for the good.
Shabbat shalom, Rabbi Bernstein
SERVICES Friday, November 1 - Thursday, November 7
Friday 6:30 PM Kabbalat Shabbat
Saturday 9:00 AM Nosh and Drash 9:45 AM Shabbat Service 10:30 AM Junior Congregation 12:00 PM Lunch and Learn with musical instruments
Sunday 9:00 AM Minyan 12:15 PM Blessing of the Animals
Monday 6:30 AM Minyan
Wednesday 8:00 PM Minyan (requested by Steve Tarnofsky)
Thursday 8:00 AM Minyan 8:00 PM Minyan (requested by Elayne Berkowitz)
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Our Alix Rubinger Kosher Food Pantry needs Increased membership contributions as well as ideas for other sources of income. We are now serving 15 to 20 families per week and our funds are very low. While a lot of food is contributed to our pantry from supermarkets and other synagogues, it is still necessary to purchase needed food items.
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