Shabboom! Weekly Announcements

Energize your week with Ohev Sholom                                      December 31, 2020

Shabbat Times and Announcements

Erev Shabbat,
January 1 (Tevet 17)
8:00a Shacharit Services (in person, advance registration required)
3:00p D'var Torah with Rabbi Herzfeld via  Facebook Live
4:05p Laining of the Torah by Molly Kurtzer-Ellenbogen join here
4:35p Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat/D'var Torah (in person, advance registration required for Mincha via Zoom  join here )
4:38p Candlelighting

Shabbat, January
2 (Tevet 18)
Parashat Vayechi
8:45a Shabbat Morning Services (in person, advance registration required)
10:30a Tot Shabbat, register here 
4:40p Mincha/Maariv (in person, advance registration required)
5:40p Havdalah via Zoom at 5:42p Join here

For more information and details on how to sign-up for our limited outdoor in-person services, please visit ostns.org/reopening.

Mazal tov to Bob and Elley Kott on the birth of a grandson.

Tot Shabbat this Week: Join Yoni Friedman  this Shabbat, January 2 at 10:30 am, social distancing, and registration required; register here.

Next Tuesday, January 5: Lecture with Natan Sharansky and Gil Troy highlighting their new book, Never Alone (see more details in the flyer below). To purchase the book from Ohev, go to  https://www.ohevdc.org/form/sharansky-book

New Music Video Featuring Ohev Sholom! We were proud to collaborate with our guest Chazzan Gedalia Penner on a new original composition of "Im Eshkachech," which we feel reflects the spiritual mood in these challenging times. Watch it here.

Thank you to our virtual learning sponsors for this past week: Jeff and Lea Mendelsohn, Naomi & David Balto, Avril & Michael Weisman, and Monty Bennett. If you are interested in sponsoring a day of virtual learning for $54, please email Alejandra at alejandra@ostns.org.

The shul has two YouTube accounts which have recordings of past classes, shiurim, and events. They can be accessed here:

• Ohev Sholom Channel
• Rabbi Herzfeld's Channel

Words on the Weekly Parsha and Haftorah Contributed by Rabbi Ben Mintz

Va'yechi, the last parsha in the book of Bereshis, tells of the death of Yaakov and Yosef.  Still to come, in the Book of Shmos: the story of the enslavement, the exodus, the start of the travels in the desert and the giving of the Torah. 

As Yaakov nears death, he tells his family that he wants to be buried with his ancestors in the land of Canaan, in the Cave of Machpela. He then tells his family what will befall them in years to come, and blesses all of his children except Shimon and Levi, because of their murderous deeds in the city of Shechem. The Torah states that Yosef accompanies the body of Yaakov to his burial site in Canaan. Yosef was the most important individual in Mitzrayim, and he accompanied Yaakov. And so it would be Moshe, the most important individual among the Jews, who would take the responsibility of recovering Yosef's bones and taking them to the Holy Land. (Shmos,13:19)

After the death of Yaakov,Yosef's brothers fear Yosef's revenge for their actions long ago of throwing him in a pit and selling him to Egypt. So they tell Yosef that Yaakov left word that he should forgive his brothers for their hurtful actions.  The midrash notes that there is no indication in the Torah that Yaakov made such a statement. The midrash adds, however, that the brothers were justified in making that up and telling it to Yosef, "mipnei darchei shalom," that is, in order to foster peace. This ttatement would prevent Yosef's anger, and allow the brothers to get along. It is true that the Torah does not mention Yaakov saying this, but is it likely, nevertheless, that Yaakov himself made this statement, in order to foster peace? A question. 

If I may be permitted a personal note: In Yaakov's blessings, he tells Binyamin, "Binyamin ze'ev yitraf," (Bereshit, 49:27) "Binyamin is a wolf who is ravenous." My Hebrew name is Binyamin Ze'ev. No comment.
 
The haftorah is from 1 Kings 2:1-12. It tells of the last days of  Dovid Hamelech, King David. He tells Shlomo (Solomon), who will take his place, "And you shall be strong, and you should be a man." He goes on to give Shlomo instructions as to the treatment of particular individuals who either helped him or harmed him. As the haftorah concludes, it says that Dovid ruled for forty years. 

Haftorah Video, by Hal Brodsky z"l

Upcoming Events and Weekly Schedule

To view and register for upcoming events and view the weekly schedule, visit our website's online calendar. 

Lifecycles

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Contact Us

Synagogue Office
info@ostns.org
(202) 882-7225
Alejandra Benitez, Office Manager
Alejandra@osts.org
(202) 882-7225
Rabbi Shmuel Herzfeld
RabbiShmuel@ostns.org
(202) 812-8900 
Maharat Ruth Balinsky Friedman
MaharatRuth@ostns.org
(202) 882-7225, ext. 107
Monica Wolfe, Executive Director
Monica.Wolfe@ostns.org
(202) 882-7225, etx. 103
Board of Directors
board@ostns.org
Hospitality & Welcome Committee
BeOurGuest@ostns.org
Mikvah Chaim
mikvahchaim.org
attendant@mikvahchaim.org
Cemetery Information
cemetery@ostns.org
(202) 882-7225