1953-2007
THE CYBERSHUL

Now You can Both Go to Shul, And Have a Shul Come to You!

This CyberShul has been dedicated by:

This Week’s Torah Reading

MIKETZ

MIKETZ Only Joseph can explain Pharaoh’s disturbing dreams to signal impending famine. Pharaoh places Joseph in charge of grain storage. A starving Mid East descends to Egypt for food, including ten of Joseph’s brothers. With Joseph’s brothers clueless, Vice Pharaoh Joseph recognizes them, accuses them of espionage and jails them. He keeps Shimon hostage and releases the other brothers demanding only that they return with Benjamin, Joseph’s only full brother. Jacob balks at the demand but Judah vouches for Benjamin’s safety. Joseph sees his brothers and Benjamin and hurries away dissolved in tears. Joseph instructs his servants to fill their bags with food and money and places a silver goblet into Benjamin’s bag. The brothers leave Egypt. Guards overtake them and accuse them of theft, finding the silver goblet with Benjamin. The brothers return to the city. Judah is defenseless, yet offers for all the brothers to become Joseph’s slaves. But Joseph wants only the "guilty" party—Benjamin. Such suspense! Will the brothers sell out Benjamin the way they once sold out Joseph?

A SHABBAT THOUGHT

It is a great evil, as well as a misfortune, to be unable to utter a prompt and decided "No."

~~ Charles Simmons ~~

WEB OF THE WEEK

http://youtube.com/watch?v=ZaIviASmllI

For the rapper in your family, how about a little Shabbat rap…

http://www.PizzaIDF.org

Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights is approaching. Let our young men and women in the Israeli Armed Forces know once again that we care about them in their continuing struggle to protect the Jewish people. Send them donuts, pizza and burgers for the festival of Hanukkah with encouraging messages of support and gratitude.

AURAL TORAH

Seeing and the Hanukkiyah.wav
Be Sure to click on the attachment to hear the Aural Torah!

A QUICK GUIDE TO HOW TO LIGHT YOUR HANUKKIYAH (MENORAH)
(after sunset when lots of people will see the hanukkiyah burning brightly in your window)

WHAT YOU NEED

1. A hanukkiyah—make sure all candle holders are of equal height, except the one for the shamash (the candle used to light all others) which is either taller or shorter than the rest.
2. Hanukkah candles (purchased in grocery or Jewish book stores).
3. A window sill on which to light the hanukkiyah. We light the hanukkiyah in front of the window to publicize the miracle (pirsum haneis) of Hanukkah.

HOW TO DO IT

1. Load your hanukkiyah the way you read Hebrew, right to left.
2. Light only the shamash.
3. Early in the evening, but after dark, get the family together, stand and sing (or recite, if you don't know the tune)
   
   Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu melekh ha’olam,
   asher kidishanu bemitzvotav, vitzivanu lehadlik ner shel Hanukkah.
   Praised are You, Adonai, who rules the Universe, Who makes us holy through mitzvot and has given us the mitzvah of lighting the Hanukkah candle.
   
   Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu melekh ha’olam,
   she’asah nissim la’avoteinu bayamim haheim, bazeman hazeh.
   Praised are You, Adonai, who rules the Universe, Who made miracles for our ancestors, long ago, and continues to make them today.—
4. On the first night continue with the following— On other nights, continue with #5.
   
   Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu melekh ha’olam,
   shehehiyanu, vekiyimanu, vehigi’anu, lazeman hazeh.
   Praised are you, Adonai, who rules the Universe, Who has granted us life, sustained us, and has let us witness this precious moment.
5. Light the candles, as you would read English, left to right.
6. Wish everyone a Hag Hanukkah Same’ah—A Happy Hanukkah—give everyone a Hanukkah kiss and you are now ready to exchange gifts.

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PARENT TRAP

Dear CyberRav,

Hello. I know it has been a while since we last spoke. Life's been busy these past few weeks. I hope you're doing well. As I continue to read the books you have given me and try to teach myself Hebrew, I have hit a roadblock. Contrary to my father's initial ambivalence towards my conversion, he has more recently sided with my mother and therefore is no longer supportive of my choice to make the change in my faith. This is, of course, a problem when it comes to me getting the written consent from my parents to begin my studies with you.

I still have an intensely strong desire to convert, but I don't want to have to wait until I'm 21. I'm sure it's not a case of rashness. I just know that this is something I very much want to do. Last time we spoke, you mentioned a gray area in my age since I'm 18, and that it could be viewed as if you or the congregation were taking advantage of me because I'm so young. Does being 19 lessen the intensity of this gray area in which I no longer need the consent? I turn 19 in just a few months. As you can see I'm quite conflicted on this matter. What should I do?

Ready to Convert, but No Where to Go

THE ANSWER

Dear Ready to Convert,

Good to hear from you again, though I am so sorry you have hit a roadblock in your spiritual journey. Such roadblocks are not uncommon and all people on spiritual missions run into them from time to time.

This is a serious one, however, because at the age of 18, and even 19, Mom and Dad certainly still exercise a great deal of say in what you do. I realize that you feel yourself mature enough to make the conversion decision, and having met you, I am inclined to agree, but without Mom and Dad's consent, that puts you and any rabbi who would be willing to convert you in a bind.

Nevertheless, I have an idea--

Perhaps the four of us--you, Mom, Dad and myself--could meet one evening to talk about this spiritual journey you are on. Sometimes, imagination is our worse enemy. Who knows what Mom and Dad may think of what our community is like or who I am as clergy? Perhaps if we were to meet together, we could talk about some of their concerns. Maybe I could allay some of their fears.

Would you suggest that to Mom and Dad. Let me know how you make out.!

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