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What's Happening in West Orange Synagogues?

This week's column focuses on Congregation Ohr Torah on Pleasant Valley Way in the township.

 

Schedule of Services
Friday, Oct. 26, 2012 – Cheshvan 10

Light Candles............. 5:42 p.m.
Mincha .......................5:45 p.m.
Shkia ..............................6 p.m.


Shabbos, Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012 Cheshvan 11

Parsha…………………Lech L’cha
Latest Sh’ma ..............10:01 a.m.
Mincha ……................... 5:30 p.m.
Maariv……..................... 6:34 p.m.
Shabbat Ends ...............6:41 p.m.

Daily Minyanim

Sunday....................................8:15 a.m.
Mon/Thurs...................................6 a.m.
Tues/Wed/Fri ......................6:10 a.m.


D'Var Torah for Lech L'cha
On my list of the top 10 important questions on the Chumash is why was Avraham picked to be the father of Hashem’s people.

For the most part we are never told anything about Avraham’s life story before he was picked and we are never told what Avraham did to merit this divine chosenness.

The Sefas Emes cites a tradition from the Zohar that “Lech Lecha” wasn’t a private call solely to Avraham, but a universal call for all to hear.

According to this amazing insight, Hashem was allowing anyone open to the offer of “I will make you into a great nation” anyone who was willing to listen.

When it was written “And Avraham went as God had spoken to him” (12:4) – he listened to what Hashem told him and acted on it.

Avraham was not chosen, because of his previous accomplishments, as great as they were, but because he cared enough to listen to Hashem’s call and spiritually worked on himself enough to be sensitive to the call when it came.

About this column: Shul Spiel is a weekly religion column featuring announcements, class offerings, Torah discussion and information whose content is strictly provided by West Orange rabbis for the benefit of township residents. Rabbi Marc Spivak is the rabbi for Congregation Ohr Torah, located at 270 Pleasant Valley Way, West Orange, N.J. 07052. Rabbi Spivak may be reached at spivakm@gmail.com Related Topics: Congregation Ohr Torah, Rabbi Marc Spivak, and Shul Spiel 2012

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