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Bo (Exodus 10:1−13:16)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: Bo (Exodus 10:1−13:16)

God commands Moses “Come to Pharaoh” (Exodus 10:1). Most translators “fixed” the Hebrew by translating the command into “Go to Pharaoh” and ruined the original meaning.

When Adonai says “Come to Pharaoh”, there is a great lesson here. To fight evil, to succeed in fighting evil, you need to come to it, to understand it, to enter it, and then to overcome evil. You only bring light if you are willing to overcome darkness.

Bo Summary:

God sends the plagues of locusts and darkness upon Egypt and forewarns Moses about the final plague, the death of every Egyptian firstborn. Pharaoh still does not let the Israelites leave Egypt. (10:1-11:10)
God commands Moses and Aaron regarding the Passover festival. (12:1-27)
God enacts the final plague, striking down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt except those of the House of Israel. Pharaoh now allows the Israelites to leave. (12:29-42)
Speaking to Moses and Aaron, God repeats the commandments about Passover. (12:43-13:16)

This Week’s Torah Portion: Bo (Exodus 10:1−13:16)

God commands Moses “Come to Pharaoh” (Exodus 10:1). Most translators “fixed” the Hebrew by translating the command into “Go to Pharaoh” and ruined the original meaning.
When Adonai says “Come to Pharaoh”, there is a great lesson here,
To fight evil, to succeed in fighting evil, you need to come to it, to understand it, to enter it, and then to overcome evil. You only bring light if you are willing to overcome darkness.

Va-eira (Exodus 6:2−9:35)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: Va-eira (Exodus 6:2−9:35)

“But by my name Adonai I did not make myself fully known to them” (Exodus 6:3). Adonai is revealing the real name of God, Adonai is telling Moses for the first time Adonai’s private name.
In basic training (boot camp) our commander was the closest persona to God I ever met. And we only called him “the commander”. On the last day of boot camp he revealed his real name. He became real, he became almost a friend. Adonai becomes closer to Moses and to us when called Adonai, the real name of God. It becomes a friendship.

Va-eira Summary:

Despite God’s message that they will be redeemed from slavery, the Israelites’ spirits remain crushed. God instructs Moses and Aaron to deliver the Israelites from the land of Egypt. (6:2-13)
The genealogy of Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and their descendants is recorded. (6:14-25)
Moses and Aaron perform a miracle with a snake and relate to Pharaoh God’s message to let the Israelites leave Egypt. (7:8-13)
The first seven plagues occur. God hardens Pharaoh’s heart, and Pharaoh rescinds each offer to let the Israelites go. (7:14-9:35)

This Week’s Torah Portion: Va-eira (Exodus 6:2−9:35)

“But by my name Adonai I did not make myself fully known to them” (Exodus 6:3). Adonai is revealing the real name of God, Adonai is telling Moses for the first time Adonai’s private name.
In basic training (boots camp) our commander was the closest persona to God I ever met. And we only called him “the commander”. On the last day of boots camp he revealed his real name. He became real, he became almost a friend. Adonai becomes closer to Moses and to us when called Adonai, the real name of God. It becomes a friendship.

Va-eira Summary:

Despite God’s message that they will be redeemed from slavery, the Israelites’ spirits remain crushed. God instructs Moses and Aaron to deliver the Israelites from the land of Egypt. (6:2-13)
The genealogy of Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and their descendants is recorded. (6:14-25)
Moses and Aaron perform a miracle with a snake and relate to Pharaoh God’s message to let the Israelites leave Egypt. (7:8-13)
The first seven plagues occur. God hardens Pharaoh’s heart, and Pharaoh rescinds each offer to let the Israelites go. (7:14-9:35)

Sh’mot (Exodus 1:1−6:1)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: Sh’mot (Exodus 1:1−6:1)

“We are family (Hey, y’all)
I got all my siblings with me …”

In Genesis, we were a family. In Exodus, we are called for the first time a People. No longer just a family, we became a Nation.
From the beginning of our story, with God’s promise to Abraham, “I will make you into a great nation” to the first time we are called a People, being Jewish is much more than a faith and a religion. Being Jewish is being part of a people, part of the people of Israel.

Sh’mot Summary:

The new king of Egypt makes slaves of the Hebrews and orders their male children to be drowned in the Nile River. (1:1-22)
A Levite woman places her son, Moses, in a basket on the Nile, where he is found by the daughter of Pharaoh and raised in Pharaoh’s house. (2:1-10)
Moses flees to Midian after killing an Egyptian. (2:11-15)
Moses marries Zipporah, the daughter of Midian’s priest. They have a son named Gershom. (2:16-22)
God calls Moses from a burning bush and commissions him to free the Israelites from Egypt. (3:1-4:17)
Moses and Aaron request permission from Pharaoh for the Israelites to celebrate a festival in the wilderness. Pharaoh refuses and makes life even harder for the Israelites. (5:1-23)

This Week’s Torah Portion: Sh’mot (Exodus 1:1−6:1)

“We are family (Hey, y’all)
I got all my siblings with me …”

In Genesis, we were a family. In Exodus, we are called for the first time a People. No longer just a family, we became a Nation.
From the beginning of our story, with God’s promise to Abraham, “I will make you into a great nation” to the first time we are called a People, being Jewish is much more than a faith and a religion. Being Jewish is being part of a people, part of the people of Israel.

The new king of Egypt makes slaves of the Hebrews and orders their male children to be drowned in the Nile River. (1:1-22)
A Levite woman places her son, Moses, in a basket on the Nile, where he is found by the daughter of Pharaoh and raised in Pharaoh’s house. (2:1-10)
Moses flees to Midian after killing an Egyptian. (2:11-15)
Moses marries Zipporah, the daughter of Midian’s priest. They have a son named Gershom. (2:16-22)
God calls Moses from a burning bush and commissions him to free the Israelites from Egypt. (3:1-4:17)
Moses and Aaron request permission from Pharaoh for the Israelites to celebrate a festival in the wilderness. Pharaoh refuses and makes life even harder for the Israelites. (5:1-23)

Vayechi (Genesis 47:28-50:26)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: Vayechi (Genesis 47:28-50:26)

This week’s Torah Portion marks the end of the tales of Genesis, the legendary tales of the legendary lives of our ancestors from long ago: Abraham and Sarah; Isaac and Rebecca; Jacob, Rachel, and Leah; and finally Joseph. And while their lives were far from perfect, each in their own way displayed the courage, faith, determination, and wisdom to do more than just survive, but to fulfill their destiny as the ancestor of a people, our people, numbering like the stars in the sky and the sands of the sea.

We are the children of a hundred generations of our people, the descendants of greater ancestors than perhaps any of us can imagine ourselves to be. And yet, more importantly, we are and will be the ancestors which generations to come will look back upon as the builders and shapers of the world they will inhabit, for better and for worse, for blessing or for curse. Let us be good ancestors for ourselves, for our families, and for the generations yet to be.

Vayechi Summary:

Jacob blesses his grandchildren Ephraim and Manasseh. (48:1-20)
Jacob’s twelve sons gather around his deathbed, and each receives an evaluation and a prediction of his future. (49:1-33)
Joseph mourns his father’s death and has Jacob embalmed. Jacob is buried in Hebron in the cave of the field of the Machpelah in the land of Canaan. (50:1-14)
Joseph assures his concerned brothers that he has forgiven them and promises to care for them and their families. (50:15-21)
Just before he dies, Joseph tells his brothers that God will return them to the Land that God promised to the patriarchs. The Children of Israel promise Joseph that they will take his bones with them when they leave Egypt. (50:22-26)

Vayigash (Genesis 44:18−47:27)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: Vayigash (Genesis 44:18−47:27)

Here in Parashat Vayigash, Joseph stands at a crossroads and the entire history of the Jewish people stands in the balance. What path will he choose? Joseph’s brothers stand before him, the same brothers who had thrown him into a pit and sold him into slavery in Egypt. Many years have passed and despite all odds, Joseph stands now as second only to Pharaoh.

And now his brothers stand before him, not recognizing the brother they had betrayed so many years ago. Joseph could have them killed, or imprisoned, or sold as slaves – just as they had done to him. Or he could provide for them life giving food and a prosperous future under his protection in Egypt. What path will he choose? And then, Vayigash Yehudah, and then Judah draws near and offers his life in exchange for his brother Benjamin.

Joseph sees that his brothers have changed. Joseph sees that he has changed. And Joseph chooses to draw them near and forgive. Joseph chooses the path of repentance and return and we are the heirs of that choice. Seeking and granting forgiveness has been our path for righteous living ever since that day.

Vayigash Summary:

Judah pleads with Joseph to free Benjamin and offers himself as a replacement. (44:18-34)
Joseph reveals himself to his brothers and forgives them for selling him into slavery. (45:1-15)
Although the famine still rages, Pharaoh invites Joseph’s family to “live off the fat of the land.” (45:16-24)
Jacob learns that Joseph is still alive and, with God’s blessing, goes to Egypt. (45:25-46:33)
Pharaoh permits Joseph’s family to settle in Goshen. Pharaoh then meets with Jacob. (47:1-12)
With the famine increasing, Joseph designs a plan for the Egyptians to trade their livestock and land for food. The Israelites thrive in Egypt. (47:13-27)

Matt Schwartz

Matt Schwartz

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Name: Matt Schwartz

Age: 53

How long have you been a member of The Temple? 25 years

Why did you decide to join The Temple? Cindy and I joined shortly after moving to Louisville.  I grew up at Adath Israel downtown so it was easy to come home!  We then proceeded to meet many of our lifelong friends through the Temple preschool and family holiday events.  My parents, Gail and Buddy, were both very involved in Temple life and leadership and our family continued that tradition.

What do you do for a living? Lead a growing insurance brokerage with my brother Scott – personally, I focus on wellness, benefits and related support services.

What is your favorite holiday? Sukkot – we’ve raised a sukkah for 20+ years and it’s fun to bring in new people to enjoy all the photos we’ve gathered – and now post – over the years.

What is your favorite Temple memory? My children’s Bar & Bat Mitzvahs

What is your favorite Jewish food? Strudel – I remember – at age 6-8-10 – covering the entire kitchen table rolling out dough with my mom.

What is the farthest you’ve traveled? Tibet

How do you like to celebrate special occasions? Definitely with family and friends in tow – I love sharing experiences and creating memories.

How did you meet your spouse or partner (if you have one)? She was sitting on the couch, living in my old apartment.  I came by to collect some mail I hadn’t received.  Voila!

What are some of your hobbies and interests? I love live music – listening to it and creating it!  In fact, my band from college still connects after what seems just a few short years to write new music and play … every chance we get.

What is your favorite volunteer activity? I really enjoyed being President of The Temple, helping map a course for future success and sustainability

What was your first car? Do you miss it? 1972 Dodge Dart (it was formerly Alison Roemer’s grandmother’s car)

Do you have a favorite sport and/or sports team? Big college basketball fan

Do you have a hidden talent? musician

Do you have any pets? 3 small, needy, but friendly, dogs – Uno, Lola and Dobby.

Have you lived anywhere besides Louisville? Tampa, Charlotte and DC area

What is your favorite Louisville restaurant? Al Watan

Why did you give through LIFE & LEGACY? If not me, who?  The Temple has been very important to the life of my family.  It seems obvious to me to do what I am able and give back – beyond current giving, it is “easy” to commit to more significant and impactful giving through estate planning.  This is how I pay back my parents and grandparents who did what they were able years ago.  I am now modeling generosity to my kids as well!

Name: Matt Schwartz

Age: 53

How long have you been a member of The Temple? 25 years

Why did you decide to join The Temple? Cindy and I joined shortly after moving to Louisville.  I grew up at Adath Israel downtown so it was easy to come home!  We then proceeded to meet many of our lifelong friends through the Temple preschool and family holiday events.  My parents, Gail and Buddy, were both very involved in Temple life and leadership and our family continued that tradition.

What do you do for a living? Lead a growing insurance brokerage with my brother Scott – personally, I focus on wellness, benefits and related support services.

What is your favorite holiday? Sukkot – we’ve raised a sukkah for 20+ years and it’s fun to bring in new people to enjoy all the photos we’ve gathered – and now post – over the years.

What is your favorite Temple memory? My children’s Bar & Bat Mitzvahs

What is your favorite Jewish food? Strudel – I remember – at age 6-8-10 – covering the entire kitchen table rolling out dough with my mom.

What is the farthest you’ve traveled? Tibet

How do you like to celebrate special occasions? Definitely with family and friends in tow – I love sharing experiences and creating memories.

How did you meet your spouse or partner (if you have one)? She was sitting on the couch, living in my old apartment.  I came by to collect some mail I hadn’t received.  Voila!

What are some of your hobbies and interests? I love live music – listening to it and creating it!  In fact, my band from college still connects after what seems just a few short years to write new music and play … every chance we get.

What is your favorite volunteer activity? I really enjoyed being President of The Temple, helping map a course for future success and sustainability

What was your first car? Do you miss it? 1972 Dodge Dart (it was formerly Alison Roemer’s grandmother’s car)

Do you have a favorite sport and/or sports team? Big college basketball fan

Do you have a hidden talent? musician

Do you have any pets? 3 small, needy, but friendly, dogs – Uno, Lola and Dobby.

Have you lived anywhere besides Louisville? Tampa, Charlotte and DC area

What is your favorite Louisville restaurant? Al Watan

Why did you give through LIFE & LEGACY? If not me, who?  The Temple has been very important to the life of my family.  It seems obvious to me to do what I am able and give back – beyond current giving, it is “easy” to commit to more significant and impactful giving through estate planning.  This is how I pay back my parents and grandparents who did what they were able years ago.  I am now modeling generosity to my kids as well!