From The Rabbi’s Study…Shabbat v’Yom Kippur October 9,10, 2024/9,10 Tishrei 5785
This Sabbath is Yom Kippur, even though Yom Kippur is our “Holiest” of the Jewish holidays, it is Shabbat that is the Holiest day because it comes every WEEK!
Light your Yahrzeit candles first, then your Sabbath candles…end the Blessing with “Lehadlik ner shel Shabbat v’shel Yom Tov!”
Also, the people that need to take medication, water to drink, and are pregnant are not allowed to FAST! G-d wants people to be healthy, and menschen (all around good persons)!
Gmar Hatimah Tovah! May you be Sealed in the Book of Life for Good!
I realize many will be attending in person for the services and some will be on Zoom.
The Torah Parsha (portion) has two parts, however the one that will be read is from Genesis. It is the final moments of Joseph’s life. This beautiful and spiritual moment for Joseph and his brothers has a theme of forgiveness and continuity. Some may not remember the whole story of Joseph, some may have seen Joseph and the technicolor coat version, however Joseph from the beginning of his life was the favorite son of his father, Abraham (Rachel was his mother). Parents should love all their children equally.
If you have not read the story of Joseph, Yom Kippur would be a good time to read it.
The story in a nutshell…
His older brothers were jealous, and they did not like Joseph’s visions and “tall tales” one may say.
The brothers throw Joseph into a pit, and they tell their father that Joseph was killed and eaten by a lion. Abraham mourns Joseph(for 17 years)! The brothers could not bring themselves to kill him and they sell Joseph to a passing caravan of slave traders. He goes down into Egypt…17 years later there is a famine in Canaan and his brothers do not recognize Joseph (Egyptian Vizier 2nd to Pharaoh)! Keep in mind this is a short version!
Joseph then reveals himself to his brothers. They bring Abraham down into Egypt. Abraham dies and Joseph receives permission from the Pharaoh to bury his father in the cave of Mapalech. Joseph returns to Egypt, and now he is dying.
Are the brothers afraid that Joseph did not really forgive them? If you guessed, Yes, you are correct. He told them that it was G-d’s intention to bring him to Egypt in order to save the Jewish people. The brothers have to ask G-d to forgive them for the evil actions they did to their brother.
Most good people in the ancient times lived to be 120 years old. So why is Joseph only 110 years old? G-d took away 5 years for Joseph not correcting his brothers that “Abraham was his servant”!
Jonah is the reluctant prophet, and his story is the Haftarah on Yom Kippur! Another great story to read on Yom Kippur! Why would anyone try to run away from G-d?
On Yom Kippur Jews run towards G-d, asking for forgiveness of all their vows, and negative ways by promising to REPENT!
Shabbat Shalom v’ Yom Tov,
Rabbi Helene Ainbinder
