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’ 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 morning service is from 9 am to about 11:45 am. In accordance with the latest Covid guidance from the CDC, we require all those over the age of 2 to wear a mask while in our building. Our kiddush-lunch is outdoors, so masks are not required.
• Childcare is available on Shabbat mornings from 10 am to noon.
• The kiddush-lunch this Shabbat, November 13, is sponsored by Martin and Denise Fried.
• Weekday minyanim at The New Shul are on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings at 6:30 pm, and on Sunday mornings at 9:30 am. Kabbalat Shabbat is on Friday evenings at 6 pm at our rabbis’ home (please contact us for directions).