Torah Commentary with Rabbi Laurence Rosenthal

Parshat Va'era - What's in a Name?!

By Rabbi Laurence Rosenthal

What should we do if we catch God in a lie? Maybe that's a bit harsh. I'll rephrase. What if we catch God sharing a mistruth? An inaccuracy? An incorrect retelling of events? We know that God carefully weighs the cost-benefit analysis of sharing the whole truth regarding the impending doom of the city of Sodom and Gomorrah with Abraham (see Genesis 18:17). Now, that is not lying, it's just withholding the truth. But what about the opening lines of this week's sidra (scriptural reading):

אֲנִי יְהוָֹה: וָאֵרָא אֶל־אַבְרָהָם אֶל־יִצְחָק וְאֶל־יַעֲקֹב בְּאֵל שַׁדָּי וּשְׁמִי יְהֹוָה לֹא נוֹדַעְתִּי לָהֶם:

I am "Yud-Hey-Vav-Hey" (the tetragrammaton), I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob by means of El Shaddai but my name "Yud-Hey-Vav-Hey" I did not make known to them. (Exodus 6:3)

Is that true? As my teacher, Dr. Richard Elliot Friedman, points out, God made known his name, "Yud-Hey-Vav-Hay," many times! (Gen 13:4; 15:2; 22:14,16; 26:22,25; 28:3). What is God trying to share by saying, "I didn't make known my name" when our patriarchs and matriarchs of Genesis seem to know it?

I believe it's not the name per se, rather it's the characteristic that was emblematic of the name. We expect different character traits or behavior from someone we might call doctor or officer versus those we call mom or daughter. It's not just the title but it's the behavior, presence and relationship that follows which really solidifies the title. Our matriarchs and patriarchs might have known the name "Yud-Hey-Vav-Hay," but their relationship with God was characteristic of the name El Shaddai.

So, what is the difference between the names?

El Shaddai:

Our Talmud offers a creative understanding of the name El Shaddai. Resh Laqish said: "What is it that is written: 'I am El Shaddai?' (Genesis 35:11) I am he who said to the world, 'Enough!'" (Tractate Hagigah 12a)

This is a play on words. "El," being one of the many names of God. "Sha," a prefix meaning "that." And finally, the word "Dai," made famous from the Passover song, Dayenu, meaning "enough." According to Resh Laqish, God is the One who saw the world coming into being and gave it its limits. Connected with this sugia (thematic chapter of Talmud) is an interesting analogy: the universe, unraveling like a ball of yarn rolling away from the center with no end to its roll, until God said, "Die!" This is the God known to our family in the book of Genesis. The creation story has its limits. God limits how much our matriarchs and patriarchs know about the Divine. God is cautious about sharing with Abraham the plan for Sodom and Gomorrah. God's presence comes and goes. Although God is the protagonist of the Book of Genesis, God's presence is limited. El Shaddai is the name of a limited, withheld deity.

Yud-Hey-Vav-Hay (the tetragrammaton):

The Book of Exodus reveals a different characteristic of God. One of awesome power and might, one of deep and limitless concern and love for God's people. A God who sees no limit in how to bring justice to the oppressed and downtrodden. The God of Exodus knows no bounds. Maybe this is the reason for the name shift. "Yud-Hey-Vav-Hey," might not be new in name but this is a new experience of God. Our tradition goes even further with this name of God, teaching us that the name itself is unpronounceable, unknown to our ears and lips. Its sound is truly limitless.

Might this be the aspect of God we are invited to see in this new book of the revelation, in the book of Exodus. A God without limits. A God whose compassion and love for us knows no bounds. A God that sees in us potential, brilliance and hope even when we fall into despair. Is it any wonder that we invoke "Yud-Hey-Vav-Hay" in every blessing we say throughout our day? Might this be a reminder that we must encounter each moment without limits, without restraint, with endless possibilities and unbound love and compassion.

Shabbat Shalom.

Selichot—Saturday, September 9
7:15 p.m	Mincha/Ma’ariv/Havdallah Service	In-Person: Sanctuary Virtual: Zoom Join Zoom
8:30–10 p.m.	Selichot with Shearith Israel	In-Person: Shearith Israel Register
Sunday, September 10
10:00 a.m. at Greenwood Cemetery 1:30 p.m. at Arlington Memorial Park	High Holiday Cemetery Memorial Services	In-Person: Greenwood Cemetery and Arlington Memorial Park
2–4:00 p.m.	Reverse Tashlich	In-Person: Peachtree Creek Greenway Register by 9/7
Erev Rosh Hashanah—Friday, September 15
7:15–8:45 a.m.	Morning Minyan	Virtual (Zoom) Join Zoom
6:00 p.m.	Mincha/Ma’ariv Service	In-Person: Sanctuary Virtual: Zoom and YouTube Join Via Zoom Watch on YouTube
7:26 p.m.	Candle Lighting
Rosh Hashanah Day 1—Saturday, September 16
8–9:30 a.m.	Coffee and Breakfast Oneg	In-Person: Breezeway
8:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.	Rosh Hashanah Morning Service	In-Person: Sanctuary Virtual: Zoom and YouTube Join Via Zoom Watch on YouTube
9:30–10:30 a.m.	Family Service	In-Person: Outdoor Tent
9:30–10:30 a.m.	Torah Study Led by Michael Miller “Finding our Personal Prayer in the High Holiday Liturgy”: Prayer is a central element of the days leading up to Rosh Hashanah, and then especially during the Yamim Noraim. We are all familiar with the prayers in our liturgy, but what about personal prayers, prayers for which we do not have a template or formula? The Torah and Haftarah readings for today provide three different models of personal prayer which we will examine, discuss, and contrast. Source Sheet	In-Person: Ellman Chapel Virtual: Zoom Join Via Zoom
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.	Apple Tasting We will hold an Apple Tasting where there will be multiple tables, each labeled with two varieties of apples. Adults and children can vote for their favorites in each category!	In-Person: Lobby
10:30 a.m.–End of RH Service	Children’s Programming	In-Person: Check-In at Cavalier Room
12:30–1:15 p.m.	Oneg and Light Kiddush	In-Person: Srochi Auditorium
1:15–1:45 p.m.	Mincha Service	In-Person: Sanctuary Virtual: Zoom and YouTube Join Via Zoom Watch on YoutTube
7:45–8:15 p.m.	Ma’ariv Service	Virtual: Zoom Join Via Zoom
8:08 p.m.	Candle Lighting
Rosh Hashanah Day 2—Sunday, September 17
8–9:30 a.m.	Coffee and Breakfast Oneg	In-Person: Breezeway
8:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.	Rosh Hashanah Morning Service	In-Person: Sanctuary Virtual: Zoom and YouTube Join Via Zoom Watch on YoutTube
9:30–10:30 a.m.	Torah Study Led by Rabbi Laurence Rosenthal “Crowning God: An Exploration into Divine Coronation:” An important theme of the High Holidays is the crowning of God as sovereign, where God takes a seat on the divine throne. Join Rabbi Rosenthal on the second day of Rosh Hashanah as we will explore one of the reoccurring prayers of this High holiday season – L’El Orekh Din Source Sheet	Hybrid: Paradies Hall and Virtual (Zoom) Join Zoom
10:15 a.m.–End of RH Service	Children’s Programming	In-Person: Check-In at Cavalier Room
12:30 p.m.	Tashlich	In-Person: Meet at the Outdoor Tent where we will walk to the corner of Peachtree Battle Ave NW and Woodward Way
7:30 p.m.	Mincha Ma’ariv Service	Virtual: Zoom Join Zoom
8:07 p.m.	Havdallah
Kol Nidre—Sunday, September 24
5–5:30 pm	Family Kol Nidre Service	In-Person: Breezeway Virtual: Zoom Join Via Zoom
5:30 p.m.	Vegan Kapparot Yom Kippur challenges us to cleanse our souls from missteps over the past year. Our tradition seeks to imbue the ethereal nature of our good and evil, right a wrong into an object that can be consumed, cast out, or flung away. Kapparot seeks to take that which is weighing us down and swing it over our heads, casting it far away from us. We have reclaimed this medieval ritual for our modern spiritual life, replacing the killing of a chicken with the righteous act of tzedakah. Join Rabbi Rosenthal in the garden as we recite our prayers, imbue a bag of money with our regrets for the past year, and swing it over our heads, thereby turning our shortcomings into acts of loving kindness to help others. The Joseph family chicken will be on site… for petting only.	In-Person: Garden
6:10 p.m.	Mincha Service	In-Person: Sanctuary Virtual: Zoom and YouTube Join Via Zoom Watch on YouTube
6:30 p.m.	Kol Nidre Service
7:00 p.m.	Ma’ariv Service
7:13 p.m.	Candle Lighting
Yom Kippur—Monday, September 25
8:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.	Yom Kippur Morning Service Yizkor Service begins around 12:30 p.m.	In-Person: Sanctuary Virtual: Zoom and YouTube Join Via Zoom Watch on YouTube
9:30–10:30 a.m.	Yom Kippur Family Service	In-Person: Outdoor Tent
9:30–10:30 a.m.	Torah Study Led by Judy Marx “G’mar Hatimah Tova—Getting the Seal of Approval”: Getting sealed in the The Book of Life is one of the most powerful images of the High Holy Days. Our High Holiday Mahzor is filled with references to books we should be sealed into: Life, Redemption, Sustenance, Merit, and Forgiveness (see Avinu Malkeinu). What are we really asking for when we pray to be sealed into these “books?” Does it imply that after Yom Kippur the fate of everyone is sealed for the rest of the year? We will look at texts and liturgy to better understand this image as one of the motivators for repentance. Source Sheet	In-Person: Ellman Chapel Virtual: Zoom Join Via Zoom
10:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.	Children’s Programming	In-Person: Check-In at Cavalier Room
1:30–3:00 p.m.	Beit Midrash (Study Hall) Led by Dr. Andy Zangwill “Yom Kippur in Hell” is the title of the last short story written by the celebrated Yiddish writer Isaac Peretz. Andrew Zangwill will read the story aloud and lead a discussion of its themes. The text will be supplied so attendees (real and virtual) can read along. Source Sheet	In-Person: Ellman Chapel Virtual: Zoom Join Via Zoom
3–5:15 p.m.	Drum Circle with SunMoonPie	In-Person: Paradies Hall
5:15 p.m.	Mincha Service Reading of the Book of Jonah	In-Person: Sanctuary Virtual: Zoom and YouTube Join Via Zoom Watch on YouTube
6:30 p.m.	Neilah Service
7:41 p.m.	Ma’ariv and Final Shofar Blast
7:55 p.m.	Havdallah

Selichot – Saturday, September 17
7:15 p.m	Mincha/Ma’ariv/Havdallah Service	Hybrid: Ellman Chapel and Virtual (Zoom) Join Zoom
8:10 p.m.	Selichot Service	Hybrid: Ellman Chapel and Virtual (Zoom) Join Zoom
Erev Rosh Hashanah – Sunday, September 25
9–10:30 a.m.	Morning Minyan	Virtual (Zoom) Join Zoom
6:00 p.m.	Mincha/Ma’ariv Service	Hybrid: Srochi Auditorium and Virtual (Zoom) Join Zoom
7:12 p.m.	Candle Lighting
Rosh Hashanah Day 1 – Monday, September 26
8–9:00 a.m.	Coffee and Schmooze Co-sponsored by Sisterhood	In-Person: Garden
8:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.	Rosh Hashanah Service	Hybrid: Srochi Auditorium and Virtual (Zoom and Live Stream) Join Zoom
9–10:00 a.m.	Family Service	In-Person: Outdoor Tent
9:30–10:30 a.m.	Torah Study Led by Dr. Andrew Zangwill “Happy Birthday World!”: After each Rosh Hashanah shofar blast, we chant a short poem which begins “hayom harat olam,” a phrase often translated as “today the world was born.”  This session examines this (and other) translations of ”hayom harat olam”  and teases out their meaning for us today. Andy Zangwill is a native of Pittsburgh and is somehow related to the British Zionist Israel Zangwill. He has taught physics at Georgia Tech since 1985 and has helped administer the AA Torah Study since 2000.	Hybrid: Cavalier Room and Virtual (Zoom) Join Zoom
10:00 a.m.–End of RH Service	Children’s Programming (0–5th Grade)	In-Person: Check-In at Ahava ELC
12:30–1:00 p.m.	Oneg and Light Kiddush	In-Person: Garden
6–7:00 p.m.	Mincha/Ma’ariv Service	Hybrid: Srochi Auditorium and Virtual (Zoom and Live Stream) Join Zoom
7:54 p.m.	Candle Lighting
Rosh Hashanah Day 2 – Tuesday, September 27
8–9:00 a.m.	Coffee and Schmooze	In-Person: Garden
8:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.	Rosh Hashanah Service	Hybrid: Srochi Auditorium and Virtual (Zoom and Live Stream) Join Zoom
9:00 a.m.–End of RH Service	Children’s Programming (0–5th Grade)	In-Person: Check-In at Ahava ELC
9:30 a.m.	Torah Study Led by Dr. Paul Feldman “From Yom Teruah to Rosh Hashanah – A Rabbinic Journey”: The torah instructs us that, on the first day of the seventh month, there should be “teruah.” From that, it becomes a New Year where, hopefully, our Father, our King, inscribes us in the book of life. Let’s explore the rabbinic mindset that defines us as Jews. Paul Feldman has attended AA’s Shabbat Torah Study religiously for over 20 years. His interests include the historical aspects of Tanakh and the intellectual history of b’nai Yisrael through the ages.	Hybrid: Paradies Hall and Virtual (Zoom) Join Zoom
12:30 p.m.	Tashlich	In-Person: Outdoor Tent
7:30 p.m.	Mincha/Ma’ariv/Havdallah Service	Hybrid: Srochi Auditorium and Virtual (Zoom and Live Stream) Join Zoom
Aseret Y’mei Teshuva (Ten Days of Repentance) – Sunday, October 2
9–10:30 a.m.	Morning Minyan	Virtual (Zoom) Join Zoom
11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.	Family Taslich and Picnic with Shofar Blowing	In-Person: Morgan Falls Overlook Park
2–4:00 p.m.	Reverse Tashlich	In-Person: Peachtree Creek Greenway Register
6–7:00 p.m.	Evening Minyan	Virtual (Zoom) Join Zoom
Kol Nidre – Tuesday, October 4
5–5:30 pm	Family Service	Hybrid: Breezeway and Virtual (Zoom and Live Stream) Join Zoom
5:30–6:15 p.m.	Vegan Kapparot Yom Kippur challenges us to cleanse our souls from missteps over the past year. Our tradition seeks to imbue the ethereal nature of our good and evil, right a wrong into an object that can be consumed, cast out, or flung away. Kapparot seeks to take that which is weighing us down and swing it over our heads, casting it far away from us. We have reclaimed this medieval ritual for our modern spiritual life, replacing the killing of a chicken with the righteous act of tzedakah. Join Rabbi Rosenthal in the garden as we will recite our prayers, imbue a bag of money with our regrets for the past year, and swing it over our heads, thereby turning our shortcomings into acts of loving kindness to help others. Farmer Joe and his chicken will be on site… for petting only.	In-Person: Garden
6:10 p.m.	Mincha Service	Hybrid: Srochi Auditorium and Virtual (Zoom and Live Stream) Join Zoom
6:30 p.m.	Kol Nidre Service
7:00 p.m.	Ma’ariv Service
Yom Kippur – Wednesday, October 5
8:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.	Yom Kippur and Yizkor Services Yizkor Service begins around 12:30 p.m. 5783 Yizkor Book Supplement	Hybrid: Srochi Auditorium and Virtual (Zoom and Live Stream) Join Zoom
9–10:00 a.m.	Family Service	In-Person: Outdoor Tent
9:30–10:30 a.m.	Torah Study Led by Judy Marx “Everything Old is New Again”: This session explores how understanding our history through Yom Kippur’s Torah reading and liturgy lead us to repentance and forgiveness. Judy Marx is a long-time Jewish community professional. She was the Atlanta Director of the American Jewish Committee for twelve years and is currently with the Jewish Women’s Fund of Atlanta. In her free time she consults with interfaith organizations and prepares for Torah Study at AA.	Hybrid: Cavalier Room and Virtual (Zoom) Join Zoom
10:00 a.m.–End of YK Service	Children’s Programming (0–5th Grade)	In-Person: Check-In at Ahava ELC
2:30–4:00 p.m.	Beit Midrash (Study Hall) Led by Dr. Dennis Gilbride “The Golden Calf, Consuming Fire, Atonement, and Forgiveness”: This session focuses on two relatively well known, but under-studied stories in the Torah: the Golden Calf and the death of Aaron’s sons, Nadav and Avihu.  By exploring midrashim and ideas that tie these two episodes together, we will provide an interesting and provocative understanding of the Jewish approach to atonement, forgiveness, and connection to G-d. Dennis Gilbride has been a professor for 32 years, first at Syracuse University and, for the last ten years, at Georgia State University in its Department of Counseling and Psychological Services. He began his career at Drake University in Des Moines Iowa where he and his family were congregants of Neil Sandler, AA’s Rabbi Emeritus.	Hybrid: Srochi Auditorium and Virtual (Zoom) Join Zoom
4–6:30 p.m.	Chanting with SunMoonPie	Hybrid: Paradies Hall and Virtual (Zoom) Join Zoom
5:30 p.m.	Mincha Service Reading of the Book of Jonah	Hybrid: Srochi Auditorium and Virtual (Zoom and Live Stream) Join Zoom
6:30 p.m.	Neilah Service
7:41 p.m.	Ma’ariv/Havdallah and Final Shofar Blast

Torah Commentary with Rabbi Laurence Rosenthal

Parshat Va'era - What's in a Name?!

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