In this week’s Torah portion we read how Jacob called for his sons and said, “Gather, and I will tell you what will happen to you at the end of days….”
By divine providence, I am going to be in California this Shabbos with all my siblings, celebrating my father’s 75th birthday. It’s amazing to be blessed with such a diverse group of siblings. We don’t always agree on everything:) but together we are make a wonderful family, thank G-d.
One of the best messages that I have heard about Jacob gathering all his kids, before his passing, and then giving each one a unique blessing (sometimes cloaked as rebuke) is that at times we need to seek out G-d as a community and at other times as an individual.
Jacob gathered all his children as a community and then gave each one their own tailor-made blessing. At the end of the blessings, all of them together said “Shema Yisroel HaShem Elo-Keinu HaShem Echad”.
Jacob was teaching his children that each one is needed with their unique talent and personality to create a beautiful community. Despite their individuality, they still need to work together, taking each one’s colors and creating an artist’s masterpiece. Living harmoniously together, and taking advantage of each one’s talents to build up this world as a place for G-d to live in.
Let’s try to create that fusion; to connect to G-d together with each one bringing their uniqueness and let's create a warm, inviting and inspiring community here in Harford County.
Have an amazing Shabbos,
Reminder: there will not be prayer services at Chabad this week.
There is regular Hebrew school on Sunday.
Rabbi Kushi Schusterman
