Parshas Vayetzei Kislev 9| November 13, 2021

Candle Lighting

4:37p

Havdalah

5:37p

Torah Reading

Haftorah

Candle Lighting 11/19

Bereishis 28:10-32:3

Parsha Perspectives - Vayetzei: Heed the Head

Rabbi Shmuel Silber And Jacob left Beer Sheba, and he went to Haran. And he arrived at the place and lodged there because the sun had set, and

he took some of the stones of the place and placed [them] at his head, and he lay down in that place. (Bereishis 28:11).

The Parsha opens with Yaakov Avinu leaving the security of his parents’ home and venturing into the great unknown in order

to find his life partner (and escape his vengeful brother). The Torah relates the story of his grand vision in which Hashem

promised Yaakov safety, security, and success.

Rashi comments on the placement of stones around Yaakov’s head:

 He arranged them in the form of a pile around his head because he feared the wild beasts. 

The Lubavitcher Rebbe asks, “if Yaakov feared wild beasts why did he not protect his body as well? If he believed that God

would protect his body, why not believe that God would protect his head? And if he did not want to rely on a miracle to

protect his head, then why rely on a miracle to protect his body?” The Rebbe explains that Rashi is conveying to us a

profound life lesson. Yaakov understood that he was not simply making a geographic transition; he wasn’t simply making a

move from his parents’ home to his uncle’s home. He was leaving the spirituality and holiness of a patriarchal abode and

venturing into a place of deceit and deception. But alas, one cannot always remain in the safety of the spiritual cocoon. Life

often requires and propels us into spiritually hostile environments, and we must strive to maintain our proper “hashkafos,”

ideals and beliefs. This was the symbolism of Yaakov covering his head while leaving his body exposed. The body must enter

into hostile environments, but the head, my thoughts, ideas, outlooks, and religious beliefs must remain

protected, bolstered, and resistant to the external bombardment. As Yaakov prepared his body to enter the house and

society of Lavan, he secured his head and spiritual identity.

We have a sacred mission to engage and contribute to greater society. We have the ability to make a difference not only in

our small corner but in the lives of those around us. We have the capacity to be a light unto the nations. In order to make

these contributions and effect change, we must often leave the wholesome cocoon of holiness and venture into the

world and society around us. Whether we are venturing out for career, community needs, or education, we must make sure

to properly bolster and strengthen ourselves before we take that first step. We must surround our head with the stones of

Torah, avodas Hashem (service of God), commitment to mesorah (tradition), and connection to our people. Yaakov

protected his head and returned to his land and his family, intact and spiritually strong. May we find success in all our life

endeavors and keep our head protected every step of the way.

Hoshea 12:13-14:10 4:31p

MEMBER NEWS:

MAZEL TOV:

Glicka Creeger on the birth of a great-grandson, born to

Batsheva and Moshe Broder. Mazel tov to great uncle and

aunt Ken & Eileen Creeger.

Shlomit Keehn & Yisroel Juskowitz on their engagement.

BIRTHDAYS:

Jordan Brookmyer, Leah Efron, Avi Frand, Yitzchok

Friedman, Edie Goldberg, Sarah B. Gordon, Eliav

Hamburger, Nochum Horwitz, Yitzchok L. Hosner, Efron

Korobkin, Shachar Luny, Chani Neuman, Karen Pottash, Uriel S.

Rutstein, Zahava Turner

YAHRZEITS:

Alexander J. David, Avraham Chaim Ben Dov, Lena Dora

Exler, Ben Goldner, Germaine Miller, Celia

Neuman, Bella Orzegowski, Lois Posner, Steve Steinberg, Frances

Willner

SPONSORSHIPS:

TALMUD TORAH:

Samuel & Malka Esterson in memory of their parents and in

commemoration of their yahrzeits:

Yitzchak Laib ben Aharon HaKohen, Ludwig Stiefel z'l, Sarah

Rachel bas Baruch Avraham, Sarah Stiefel z'l, and Hinda

bas Henech Efraim, Hinda Esterson z'l.

In honor of the Rav for all he does for our kehilla and

community.

MISHNA YOMI:

Leah Sol in honor of her daughter, Ilana, for continued

health, bracha, and success in all areas of life.

Yitzchok Meir & Rachel Gold in memory of Yonah Tzvi ben Yosef

Chaim Elazar HaKohen z’l.

WEEK OF LEARNING:

Paul & Kathy Pollack in memory of Paul's sister, Simone Julie

Pollack, Zachrini Shulamis bas Shmuel z'l, whose yahrzeit occurs

on 9 Kislev.

DAF YOMI:

Matt & Susie Schoenfeld for a refuah sheleimah for מיכאל בן רותי .

Morris & Ann Ellen Gavant in “honor” of Max Fried, the winning

pitcher for the 2021 World Series champions, your Atlanta

Braves.

Yanky & Aliza Statman l’zecher nishmas their grandfather, Alter

Chaim ben Yitzchok Isaac z’l, on the occasion of his 7th yahrzeit,

and in honor of Avi Statman’s hanachas tefillin.

Josh & Malkie Rosenbloom in honor of Yehuda’s hanachas

tefillin.

Yehudah & Bracha Buchwalter in memory of all that was lost on

Kristallnacht and the deliverances that Hashem gave us that

day.

Hillel Soclof in memory of his brother, Eliyahu ben Avraham

Abba z'l.

Yanky & Aliza Statman l'iluy nishmas מנוחה שיינדל יהודית בת דוד יוסף,

Shaindl Stein z’l, on the occasion of her shloshim.

CHASSIDUS CHABURA:

Yehuda & Bracha Buchwalter in memory of all that was lost on

Kristallnacht and the deliverances that Hashem gave us that

day.

KIDDUSH SPONSOR:

Stuart & Lynn Shindel

MOTZEI SHABBOS LEARNING:

Elliot & Rena Einbinder

The Charner and Openden Families in memory of Yona and Nini's

father, Zev Shimshon ben Yaakov Tuvia z'l.

SHABBOS CANDY:

Mrs. Marlene Kiewe in memory of Mr. Kiewe z’l, “The Candy

Man”.

DONATIONS:

Shimmy Nabozny

Jay Michael yahrzeit donation.

Barry Abramson & Rabbi Yehoshua Shapiro to Torah Fund in

commemoration of the fifth yahrzeit of Morris Sandler, Moshe

Yehoshua ben Avraham Hakohen z’l.

James & Barbie Prince in memory of Daniel Langbaum z'l.

SOTC UPDATES:

BOOK CLUB:

The Suburban Orthodox Congregation Book Club meeting is on Tuesday,

December 7, at 2 p.m at the shul. Our current selection is “The Vanishing

Half,” by Brit Bennett.