Friday, November 15, 2024/14 Heshvan, 5785

Friday, November 15, 2024/14 Heshvan, 5785

Parashat Vayeira Genesis 18:1–22:24

Dear Friends,

This week’s Torah portion, Vayeira, is extraordinary in the scope of the stories that it contains. It begins with a visit by the Divine Presence (messengers?) as a wellness check with Abraham following his circumcision. Abraham becomes the prime exemplar of ancient near Eastern hospitality, insisting that the visitors rest, and eat something. In the same visit, we find the foretelling of the birth of Isaac (Yitzhak – he will laugh), so named because Sarah laughs at the thought of giving birth at such an advanced age. 

Immediately following this, the Torah moves on to the story of the towns of Sodom and Gomorrah, with Abraham bargaining with God over their destruction. God seems to feel it necessary to tell Abraham about the impending doom, but in reality it is a test to see how Abraham will respond. Unlike Noah, who when God tells Noah of the coming flood, simply does what he is told, builds the ark, and saves himself, his family and the animals. Abraham passes the test, but unfortunately there are not ten righteous people to be found in the towns and they are destroyed. Lot and his daughters survive the destruction and his wife infamously turns into a pillar of salt. The daughters then turn to incest with their father to save the human race, and become the matriarchs of the Moabite and the Ammonite people.

In case this is not enough drama for you, we then find Abraham again passing off his wife, Sarah, as his sister to save his life. Ultimately Sarah gives birth to Abraham’s son Isaac, and Sarah forces Abraham to expel her servant Hagar and Hagar’s son Ishmael from the family. Finally, the portion concludes with the Akedah, the Binding of Isaac (for sacrifice) by Abraham.

The Akedah is one of the most dramatic narratives in the entire Torah. If you would like to experience this drama, come to (or tune into) services tonight, and listen to the passage being read as it is supposed to be. The Akedah stands (or at least it is supposed to stand) as a stark warning about the dangers of fanaticism. It is also intended to remind us to keep our brains turned on and engaged as we enter the world of spirituality. Abraham, who chooses God, questions God, and bargains with God, somehow becomes mute in his old age. In his choice to abdicate his human right to question, he puts his legacy, our very existence, in jeopardy. It is not just the life of Issac that is hanging in the balance, but the very origin and foundation of the Jewish people.

On this Shabbat, may we choose to catch our collective breaths, and to refresh our souls. May we choose to learn a bit, rest a bit, eat something delicious, and enjoy life to the fullest. As I seem to say every week, in one way or another, it is up to us to construct and then enter a Shabbat of Shalom. May we all do so this week.

Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Marv
rabbischwab@bethelsp.org

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Ilan Davidson

Cantor

Cantor Ilan Davidson has been pleasing audiences with his singing since before he could read. At age five, he began singing with his Cantor, Philip Moddel, and hasn’t shut up since. At ten, he made his Operatic debut with the Fullerton Civic Light Opera’s production of Bizet’s Carmen, as a street urchin. Since then, he has performed roles in opera and musical theatre, performing, directing, and producing world-class productions.

Among his many accomplishments, Cantor Davidson is also known as a contemporary Jewish songwriter and performer, having delighted audiences all over the world, including Israel and Lithuania with the soulful sounds of his music. His recordings, Stained Glass (1995) and In A Hanukkah Mood (2007) are collections of original and covered songs by himself and many contemporary Jewish artists. His most recent recording, God Is In This Place (2020), is a collection of original liturgical pieces for the Friday night Shabbat Service, commissioned and written in honor of his 25th Anniversary as the Cantor of Temple Beth El.

Cantor Davidson left the stage and in 1995 joined the Temple Beth El family, in San Pedro, where, in his nearly 30 years of service, he has brought many new programs and much enthusiasm to all he does. Coming from a long line of Cantors, it must have been Besheret for Cantor Davidson, although talented in all areas of musical performance, to finally settle down into his career as Hazzan for Temple Beth El in San Pedro, California. In 2007, Cantor Davidson founded a new foundation, KindredSPIRITS, producing an annual world humanitarian aid event. KindredSPIRITS premiered on June 5, 2008 at Walt Disney Concert Hall, adding that prestigious concert hall to the ever growing list of venues around the world, where Davidson has performed. During the 10 years of humanitarian events, Global KindredSPIRITS, Inc., as an official 501©3, raised awareness and close to $500,000 for its beneficiaries over the decade.
As a past president of the South Coast Interfaith Council, Ilan fought for tolerance and understanding of ALL faiths in a difficult climate. For the past 7 years, Cantor Davidson has been service as an LA County Commissioner, representing the 4th District on the Human Relations Commission, where he currently serves as President. Whether it is raising his voice for justice, Hazzanut, Pop, Opera, Musical Theatre, or folk music, Cantor Ilan Davidson shares his soul and genuine love in every note.

When asked about his finest accomplishment, Cantor Ilan invariably responds, “After all the great concerts, services, and roles, my finest role in life is that of husband to my beautiful wife, Jodi, and daddy to my gorgeous daughters, Jordan and Zoe.”

cantor@bethelsp.org

Office: (310) 833-2467 Ext. 106

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