Thanks - Chronicle Online/The WORD 11/21/2024

Weekly On-line Rabbi's D'var-Torah

November 21, 2024

20 Cheshvan 5785

Chaye Sarah

Sometime after the passing of his mother, Isaac went out into the field.  It’s not entirely clear what he was doing there.  The Torah (Genesis 24:63) uses a rare word to describe his actions there – לָשׂ֥וּחַ. Translations of this word vary.  You can find it rendered as: stroll, ponder, meditate, walk or pray.  Perhaps he was mourning the loss of his mother.  Perhaps he was contemplating the advanced age of his father.  Or, perhaps he as wondering about the woman that Eliezer was supposed to bring to be his bride.

No matter.  The rabbis use this verse as the foundation for the afternoon service.  

We often think about prayer as happening in a specific place at a specific time using specific language. However, our tradition acknowledges that there is much more flexibility when it comes to prayer than we may think.

As Thanksgiving draws near, we have several opportunities for a more creative approach to prayer.

• This evening at 7:30pm, we will be hosting “Notes of Gratitude” – an interfaith evening of music on the theme of giving thanks.  All are welcome.

• On Monday, November 25th, the annual New Providence/Berkeley Heights Interfaith Thanksgiving service will take place at 7:30pm at the Church of the Little Flower in Berkeley Heights.

• On Tuesday, November 26th, the annual Chatham Community Interfaith Thanksgiving Service will take place at 7:30pm at the Presbyterian Church of Chatham Township.

All faith traditions can join together to stroll, ponder, meditate, walk or pray as a way of saying thanks for all the blessings in our lives.  Please join us for one (or more!) of these events.

Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving –

Shalom,

RAF.