Parshat Vayetzei

In this week’s parashah, Vayetzei, the Torah tells the story of Yaakov’s journey to Haran. When Yaakov arrives there, he meets a group of shepherds who have gathered their flocks around a well, which is sealed by a huge rock. Yaakov asks the shepherds what they are waiting for — why don’t they go ahead and water their flocks so that they can return to the field? The shepherds answer that the rock is so large that it takes all the shepherds working together to move it. That is why they have to wait for everyone to arrive.

The Maggid of Kozhnitz understood that as a metaphor for the spiritual work that we do as a prayer community. Individually, our strength is limited. It is hard to break through to the source of living water. But if we join our voices and our hearts together, we have a better chance of bringing God into our world. It is not that we can’t pray alone. It is just easier to move the rock when we are all together.

Together, may we reach the source of living water that renews us all.

• The New Shul’s Shabbat services are on Friday evenings from 6 to 7 pm, and on Saturday mornings from 9 am to 12 noon. This Shabbat, November 17, we will celebrate the naming of Amanda and Ramey Wybles’ twins. The kiddush-lunch will be sponsored by Lois Zeidman in honor of the 16th anniversary of her heart surgery.
• Childcare is available on Shabbat mornings from 10 am to 12 noon.
• Minyanim during the week are on Sunday mornings at 9:30 am, and on Monday and Wednesday evenings at 7 pm.
• Join us for Friday night dinner at The New Shul on November 30, after the 6 pm service. The cost is $18 per adult, and $9 per child under 18 (no charge for children under 5). Please make your reservation by Sunday November 25. If you wish to pay on-line, you can do so here.