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Rabbi Linda's Weekly Message

December 20, 2024 19 Kislev 5785 PARASHAT VAYESHEV Genesis 37:1-40:23

Dear Friends,

We all dream, but remembering our dreams is something else entirely. This Torah portion has many dreams at its centerpiece. The theme of dreams continues into next week. Modern medicine tells us that dreams are stories and images that our minds create while we sleep. Dreaming can be beneficial by helping the brain process information and the experiences of our day. However, sharing your dreams may not always be so beneficial as we see with Joseph as he shares his dreams, which reflect his father’s favoritism of him over his eleven brothers. Joseph’s dream sharing leads to him being thrown into a pit and being sold into servitude in Egypt.

This week’s Torah portion, Vayeshev, "and he settled" (Genesis 37:1 - 40:23), is filled with dreams and their interpretations. Joseph goes from being someone who is self-centered to being a man who has begun to fathom that the world does not revolve around him and that being present for those around him will make a difference.

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This week, we are focusing on the Farmer to Fridge initiative by Art for AID at the Riverdale Y Sunday Market. Art for AID purchases produce at the end of the day from the farmers at the market and donates it to the community fridges and food pantries in our neighborhood. The initiative supports both small farmers and our neighborhoods in need of food.

Farmer to Fridge relies on monthly contributions to keep it going. Please subscribe to this worthy effort that has a direct impact on our community. 

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