Shabboom! Weekly Announcements

Energize your week with Ohev Sholom                                      November 28, 2019

Shabbat Times and Announcements

Erev Shabbat, November 29 (Kislev 1)
8:30a Shacharit
4:28p Candle Lighting
4:30p Kabbalat Shabbat

Shabbat, November 30: Toldot (Kislev 2)
9:15a Shacharit. with a Dvar Torah from Maharat Friedman
3:05p Daf Yomi
3:45p Chaim Fruchter's Shiur
4:05p Mincha, followed by Seudah Shlishit, with a Shiur from Baruch Roth
5:29p Havdalah

Upcoming Kiddush Schedule
11/30: No food served
12/7: Kiddush Luncheon sponsored by the Loeffler family in honor of Talia's bat mitzvah

Comments on the Portion, Haftorah & Morning Prayers, Contributed by Rabbi Ben Mintz

This week's parsha, Toldos, tells us the story of Yitzchak, the second of the avot, our forefathers. The story begins with the marriage of Yitzchak to Rivka. Rivka is identified as the daughter of Bethuel the Aramite, who is Avrohom's brother's son, and who is also the sister of Lavan the Aramite, all of whom lived in Padan Aram. Rashi explains that the parsha goes into all this detail about Rivka to expand on her praise. Although her family members were all sinners, and she lived in a sinful  country, she did not learn their sinful ways.
 
The parsha continues, telling us that Yitzchak, nearing death, intends to bless Esau, the older brother by birth, but is misled by Yaakov, who is blessed instead. When Esau learns of the deception, the Torah tells us, "he cried a loud and bitter cry. The pain inflicted on Esau by Yaakov is not forgotten by God.  Repayment is exacted in the Book of Esther. When Mordechai, Yaakov's descendant, heard of Haman's decree to destroy the Jews, he "cried a loud and bitter cry." (Esther 4:1). Even though it was appropriate that Yaakov and his descendants should receive the blessing, they too had to suffer pain, because the blessing had been achieved through Esau’s pain.

Another version of that same idea, that God does not forget the pain inflicted on people, is illustrated in the next parsha, Vayeitzei, as we will see next week.  

The Haftorah is from Malachi (1:1), one of The Twelve "minor" prophets. "You ask, was not Esau the brother of Yaakov? Yet, I have accepted Yaakov and rejected Esau."

From the Morning Prayers: "(You) fashioned man with wisdom and created within him many cavities and openings. It is clear before you that if one of them would be ruptured or one of them be blocked, it would be impossible to survive and stand before You."

Haftorah Video, by Hal Brodsky z"l

A video about this week's Haftorah will return next week.

Upcoming Events and Weekly Schedule

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

Wednesday, December 4 (Kislev 6)
6:30a Shacharit
12:30p Downtown Torah Study with Rabbi Herzfeld
4:30p Mincha/Maariv
8:00p "Parsha Through Art: Art History & The Stories of Genesis" with Rabbanit Chava Evans

Thursday, December 5 (Kislev 7)
6:30a Shacharit
4:30p Mincha/Maariv

Erev Shabbat, December 6 (Kislev 8)
6:30a Shacharit
4:27p Candle Lighting
4:30p Kabbalat Shabbat

Shabbat, December 7: Vayetzei (Kislev 9)
9:15a Shacharit
10:30a Shabbat Youth Groups
11:45a Kiddush Luncheon
3:05p Daf Yomi
3:35p Chaim Fruchter's Shiur
4:05p Mincha
5:28p Havdalah

Sunday, December 8 (Kislev 10)
8:30a Shacharit
10:00a Class with Rabbi Ben Mintz (at his home)
4:30p Mincha/Maariv

Lifecycles

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Contact Us

Synagogue Office
info@ostns.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
Stacey Watson, Director of Engagement
Stacey.Watson@ostns.org
(202) 882-7225, ext. 102
Lisa Redisch, Director of Youth & Family Programs
youth@ostns.org
(202) 882-7225, ext. 105
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