It's a great song, but perhaps we can peel away some of what may seem is happening on the surface. Chassidus digs into the subject a little deeper. With doing so, we can answer another timely question many have been asking me. How do you deal with people you strongly disagree with? Avrohom leads a life filled with dealing with antagonists and those who represent complete opposites of his strong self-developed beliefs. Not just his community, but also with his family, and those he loves most. How did he deal with it? How does he survive it? Can his love for his family, community and humanity synch up with his life priorities and love for Hashem? On the surface, the narrative of our Parsha Lech Lecha, it seems he is often running away from them. First we start with "Lech Lecha" itself. Hashem tells him to pack up your bags and leave your birthplace and those who trouble you and make a new life for yourself - he seems to be leaving his past behind. Later, once again, he gets rid of the people he has trouble with. He tells his nephew Lot, let's separate, you go left and I go right or if you go right and I will go left. It sounds like a total separation. We don't see things the same way, your right is my left while my left is your right. We simply just don't get each other. Yet, Rashi completely changes our literal understanding of the verse and says that Avrohom was really saying "where you will be, I will not distance myself from you and I will be for you as a shield and helper". Indeed, Rashi points out that, in the end Lot needed Avrohom to rescue him from captivity. Avrohom engaged with everyone, even though he lived a completely different lifestyle and choices than those he may have encountered. Yet, he made sure that they had common ground. Yes, we may have completely different positions on the issue, yet, at least we feel passionately about the same issue. So the next time you feel the urge to "unfriend" someone, consider this: sometimes, just like Avrohom, you do need to "Lech Lecha" and leave your (personal) past behind. Yet, Chassidus teaches us that it is not erasing your troubled past, but transcending it. Concurrently, we can also be like Avrohom, and love and respect each other. We all care for our environment, country, religion, health, family, education and Israel. We may have different ways of getting there and totally disagree with the friend or loved one's point of view. But, let's learn from the physical embrace, and perhaps paraphrasing from Avrohom's expression, where my right is your left and your left is my right. With wishes for a peaceful weekend and Shabbat Shalom, Rabbi Chaim THIS WEEK Shabbos kiddush this week is sponsored by Steven and Sandra Finkelman in honor of their daughter, Marissa. SHABBOS PARSHAS LECH LECHA Friday, Cheshvan 12 - October 30 Shabbos, Cheshvan 13 - October 31 CHANGE YOUR CLOCKS! Sunday, Cheshvan 14, November 1 Tuesday Thursday
Today my daughter shared with me a new song she found "Lech Lecha" by Joey Newcomb. She is always trying to find songs that match the Parsha to play when they are doing a Parsha project with her class. The chorus is catchy and rings true, "sometimes, you gotta leave the past behind".
What is really going on? Revisit six seemingly absurd stories you likely remember from Hebrew school. Uncover their hidden themes and eye-opening insights into the mysteries of life. 6 Tuesdays, Nov 3rd - Dec 8th 2020 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM. Class will be given in person with appropriate social distancing and by Zoom. As we are in unusual times, this will all depend on the numbers of registering students. For video trailer, more info and to register click here
Dreamers presents a group of artists, masters of this subconscious realm, who have turned their dreams into a mine for artistic inspiration. Whether beautiful or challenging, their works of art speak of alternate realities, where lines do not need a beginning nor an ending. We will meet at and tour the gallery (located on the center square, near valet) . After the tour we will walk next door to YJP Houston Hdqtrs for an outdoor dinner on the new plaza. RSVP required to Chanie via text 713-419-3960
Candle Lighting at 6:18 pm
Mincha and Kabbalat Shabbat at 6:20 pm
Evening Shema after 7:01 pm
Chassidus on the Plaza at 9 am
Shacharis at 10:00 am
Latest Morning Shema at 10:18 am
Mincha at 6:20 pm
Maariv, Havdalla & Shabbos Ends at 7:12 pm
Living Torah
Shacharis at 8:30 am
VIRTUAL & DISTANCED IN-PERSON CLASSES
www.chabaduptown.org/liveclass
12:00 pm - Parsha Class
Wednesday
8 PM YJP ART EXHIBIT, CLASS & DINNER
12:00 pm - Kitzur Shulchan Aruch - Jewish Law
8:00 pm - Chassidus - Derech Mitzvosecha
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