Adas Israel - Mason City, IA

Torah Thoughts 28 December 2018

It is the final Shabbat for 2018. While we are only a third of the way through the Jewish Calendar for 5779 it's good to reflect for just a moment on our past twelve months at Adas Israel. First of all, thank you to our president Alan Steckman who has continued to keep our little shul together over the past year. We had some early struggles but since Rosh Hashanna our financial situation has improved greatly. Thank you Alan for helping preserve a Jewish presence in Northern Iowa. 

In the spring we had a fantastic Community Seder for Passover. Hopeful that we can pull that together again this year. 

Thank you too for our friends Rick and Kim Stotts for their devotion of making sure our members and friends receive updates regarding our service schedule and Midrash. And thank you to our members who come, bring the kids, food and make our Shabbat whole. 

And this past year we lost the matriarch of our little shul as Sylvia Kropman was laid to rest. Other members have experienced family losses as well. We just pray that the memory of your loved ones continue to give you comfort. 

Our monthly Midrash (Study Session) has been growing. Last month we had an exceptionally large crowd on hand to discuss Chanukah and its meaning. If you have never attended it is a Bible study like nothing you have experienced. We are blessed to have people from many faith traditions join us for a discussion about the Torah Portion of the week. Everyone is welcome to speak and offer their input. It truly is a one-of-a-kind experience. Feel free to join us.

We recently had a Baby Naming at the Shul and there was also a wedding there during the summer.  Speaking of summer no more schvitzing during our summer services as a new air conditioning unit was installed this year. I know...right? What good is summer unless you are schvitzing during services? 

Torah Thoughts

OK, let's get into this week's Torah Portion as we start the book of Shmot (Exodus 1:1 - 6:1) Shemot is the second word in this weeks reading and it means "names", "And, these are the names of the Children of Israel who were coming to Egypt with Jacob, each man and his household came."

If you look back at Genesis 46:8 you will find the same words. In that portion Jacob's family begins the process of exile by going to Egypt and in this portion the narrative of the exile is developed until it ends with the miracles that released the Jews from bondage and brought us to Sinai and the Torah.

This week's portion tells a story often repeated throughout history: The Jews become prominent and numerous. There arises a new king in Egypt "who did not know Joseph" (meaning he chose not to know Joseph or recognize any debt of gratitude). He proclaims slavery for the Jewish people "lest they may increase so much, that if there is war, they will join our enemies and fight against us, driving (us) from the land." (Anti-Semitism can thrive on any excuse; it need not be logical or real.) yet we prevail much to the frustration of many. 

Moses is born and immediately hidden because of the decree to kill all male Jewish babies. Moses is saved by Pharaoh's daughter, grows up in the royal household, goes out to see the plight of his fellow Jews. He kills an Egyptian who was beating a Jew, escapes to Midian when the deed becomes known, becomes a shepherd, and then is commanded by G-d at the Burning Bush to "bring My people out of Egypt." Moses returns to Egypt, confronts Pharaoh who refuses to give permission for the Israelites to leave. And then G-d says, "Now you will begin to see what I will do to Pharaoh!"

It is an astounding story and there is so much going on in this week's portion. Please take some time and read. The study of Torah is life altering. 

Shabbat Shalom! 

Torah Thoughts 14 December 2018

Welcome to Torah Thoughts from the Jewish Community of Adas Israel in Mason City, Iowa. This is our weekly look at the Torah Portion of the week as well as questions we've received over the past several days.

First the Question

Last week a member of the congregation asked about how much to give to charity. We call it Tzedakah in Hebrew. The issue was about 10% and where that number came from. There are many examples of giving ma'aser (a tenth or tithe) in the Torah. Abraham gave Malkiezdek one-tenth of all his possessions (Genesis 14:20); Jacob vowed to give one-tenth of all his future acquisitions to the Almighty (Genesis 29:22). There are also mandated tithes to support the Levites (Numbers 18:21,24) and tithe for local poor (Deuteronomy 26:12).

We hope that helps.

This Week's Torah Portion

We are still in the Book of Genesis this week Gen. 44:18 - 47:27 it is called Vayigash or "and he drew near" the first word in this weeks reading. It is one of the most moving stories in the Torah as Joseph reveals himself. But, we're getting ahead of the story.

If you remember last week Joseph said that he was keeping Benjamin as a slave for stealing his wine cup. Judah steps forward to challenge the decision and offers himself as a slave instead of Benjamin. Joseph is overcome with emotion, clears the room of all Egyptians and then reveals his identity to his unsuspecting brothers.

The brothers are shocked and Joseph asks that they go back and bring his father to Egypt. Back home Jacob can't believe what he is hearing...that his son is alive. The news was almost too good to be true.

And so they go and the Torah recounts the 70 members of Jacob's family which went down to Egypt. Jacob reunites with Joseph, meets Pharaoh and settles with the family in the Goshen district. During the famine, Joseph buys up all of the property and people in Egypt for Pharaoh with the grain stored during the seven good years.

A Midrash (Story) From the Parsha

In Genesis 47: 8-9 we have Pharaoh asking Jacob, "How many are the years of your life?" Jacob answers, "I have lived one hundred and thirty years. The years of my life were few and bad and they have not reached the years of my fathers."

Jacob lived 33 years less than his father, Isaac. And so the question must be asked, why was he not granted the years of his father?

The commentary cites the Midrash that Jacob was punished for saying that the days of his life were few and bad. In other words he lacked appreciation for life. The Midrash also tells us that the 33 years he was denied correspond to the 33 words in verses 8 and 9.

Amazing...no?

Thank you for reading and may you have a wonderful Shabbat!

Torah Thoughts 7 December 2018

Welcome to Torah Thoughts from the Jewish Congregation of Northern Iowa, Adas Israel. Each week we take a look at the weekly Torah Portion and offer some thoughts on the subject and the various holidays that are in out midst. Thank you for coming by.

This week we read Parsha (portion) Mikeitz (Gen. 41:1 - 44:17) which takes it's name from the first several words in this portion, "at the end". 

Here we read about the dream Pharaoh had which ushers in a new life for Joseph. It is the dream about cows and grain...oh my! He demands that somebody come and figure out what the dreams mean. All of a sudden the Chamberlain of the Cupbearers remembers Joseph. It's the break our friend Joseph is waiting for..

What happens next is truly amazing. Joseph tells Pharaoh about the seven years of plenty and seven years of famine and Pharaoh places Joseph second in command of the nation. Not a bad gig for a former inmate.

Ten of Joseph's brothers come to Egypt to buy food, Joseph recognizes them, but they don't recognize him. Joseph accuses them of being spies and puts them through a series of machinations in order to get them to bring his brother Benjamin to Egypt. Then Joseph frames Benjamin for stealing his special wine goblet.

This is pretty good huh?

It's all a grand plan to bring the family back together and let the brothers know that they had sinned.

But, let's turn the clock back a bit.

Pharaoh has Joseph brought out from prison to interpret his dreams. Amazing that he trusted Joseph whose resume listed his last two positions as "convict" and "slave".

The rabbis explain that Pharaoh saw Joseph's extreme honesty when Joseph began by saying that he had no power to interpret dreams on his own; that it was entirely a gift from the Almighty. Joseph did not want to take credit even for a moment. This total honesty in one minor point showed that Joseph could be completely trusted. 

Think of this for a moment....Pharaoh saw one minor positive point in Joseph's character and enhanced it to a larger scale. This should be our model in viewing people. Keep finding minor strengths and good qualities in others and then give the person positive feedback. This can help someone build a positive self-image. The more a person sees himself as having positive attributes, the more motivated he will be to utilize those strengths for further growth.

So, rather than find the little faults are we ready to, instead, find the good things in people and then magnify those positive traits. 

Service Schedule

Services THIS Friday are at 7:15PM at the shul and our topic will be Chanukah and this Torah Portion.  Also, get ready, because following services some traditional Chanukah foods!  Thank you Cynthia!

Our Midrash (Study Session) is on Shabbat (Saturday) starting at 10:00AM. Everyone is welcome!

One final reminder. On Friday we mark the 77th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor...we should never forget.

See you in Shul! 

 

 

Chanukah!

Hello and welcome to Adas Israel the Jewish Congregation of Northern Iowa based in Mason City. Before Shabbat I promised you a short
piece about the celebration of Chanukah...or Hanukkah...both are correct. 

Tonight we'll light the first of eight candles that count the days of the holiday. What is interesting is that this is a post biblical holiday, It is not mentioned in the Torah but it has become a celebration that has, in many ways, defined who we are as Jews.

The holiday has many meanings. From facing overwhelming odds to the celebration of freedom from and for religion. Conflicting?  Perhaps.

Those of you who know the story realize that the holiday came about because of a small band of, some would call zellious, Jews who stood up for their faith and their way of life. They organized and entered into a gorilla war against a powerful leader and army. In the end the Jews prevailed and then re-dedicated the Temple that had been desecrated. 

So, the story, and the celebration, marks an historical event and a centuries old struggle of the few over the many. Of the light of faith piercing the darkness of doubt. Of a people, so tiny by comparison to other civilizations, still here and thriving even while being belittled and attacked by other nations and particularly the United Nations.

Earlier today Rabbi David Kaufman from Temple B'nai Jeshurun of Des Moines posted the image you see here. I had never seen it before and did not know the story. However it is powerful. It is the true story of a Jewish family who lived in Germany in 1931 and saw the danger in the Nazi government which had an office directly across the street from their home.  I encourage you to read the story and here is that link to "A Jewish Hanukkah Menorah Defies the Nazi Swastika". You will be wiser for reading.

In memory of so many who perished but in celebration of a people who, by all accounts, should have vanished along with the Greeks, the Romans the Dynasties of China and the Vikings we light the first candle tonight. Still here. Still making a difference. Still bound to the faith of those who ushered in the first miracle of Chanukah.

May you have a blessed holiday!

A reminder. We'll hold services on Friday evening the 7th of December at 7:15pm at the synagogue and yes, it will be a theme of Chanukah. Also, come hungry as we'll be eating some fantastic traditional foods.  Can you say...Latkes?

Our Midrash (Study Session) will take place on the 8th of December starting at 10:00am. 

As always all are welcome to attend either or both.

See you in shul!