Tifereth Israel Synagogue

November 14, 2008: Shabbat Shalom! Va-yera

Dear Friends,                                  

In Parashat Va-yera we find the well known tale of Akeidat Yitzchak, the binding of Isaac. In a test of Abraham's loyalty and obedience, God orders him to sacrifice his son Isaac upon a mountain top. In the end, an angel stays Abraham's hand and tells him that God does not require him to sacrifice his son as proof of his obedience. From Akeidat Yitzchak Judaism learns that human sacrifice is abhorrent to God.

Avraham's test is made even more poignant by the miracle of Yitzchak's birth. Avraham's wife, Sarah, was barren. It was only when she and Abraham were advanced in years that she conceived and Isaac was born. Infertility is a recurring Biblical theme. Not only did Abraham and Sarah struggle to have children, but so did Jacob and Rachel and several other biblical couples. Unfortunately, despite the many scientific advances in this area, there are still many couples who are unable to conceive despite multiple medical interventions.

This Shabbat we are fortunate to have Dr. Suzanne Brody as our guest speaker. Dr. Brody will speak on infertility in the Bible. She will discuss the angst and frustration experienced by Biblical couples attempting to have children and how their experiences help us deal with this challenging phenomenon today.

Dr. Brody received her Ph.D. in neuroscience from UCSD and is currently a Conservative rabbinical student at the Ziegler School in Los Angeles. During her years in San Diego she and her husband, Marcus, were members of Tifereth Israel Synagogue. Their daughter, Meital, will be joining them.

I hope that you will make a special effort to attend services this Shabbat to hear Dr. Brody's D'var Torah and join the discussion. Services begin at 9:15 a.m., but if you are in your seats by 10:00 a.m. you will certainly be here in time for the Torah Service and lecture!

Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal
Tifereth Israel Synagogue
San Diego, CA
rabbi@tiferethisrael.com

Click here for an Archive of Rabbi Rosenthal's weekly messages and his sermons from High Holy Days, 5769