A 100% VirJEWal Synagogue serving the needs of all backgrounds of the Jewish Community of
Central, NJ since 1983
Eli B. Perlman, Rabbi
Congregation Beit Shalom / Monroe Township is a unique Conservative Egalitarian Congregation. The difference between this and other congregations is that we are truly a family. We get together to pray, to learn, to laugh, to sing, to schmooze - and it is 100% VirJEWal. When someone is in need, we help each other in ways that continue to inspire everyone.
Avraham's trials continue. He is told that Sarah will conceive a child, albeit in her old age. But while he accepts that, he finds himself in an argument when G-d tells Avraham that Sodom, the city where Lot lives, will be destroyed. But as Avraham argues, G-d relents and promises to spare the city even if only ten righteous folks can be found living there. Since net even ten are to be found, angels of G-d are sent in to rescue Lot and his family. After an encounter with the local populace, they manage to drag Lot kicking and screaming out the doomed city.
Lot's wife is of little faith and is consumed with watching the destruction. As a result of that incident, even though she was no woman of valor, she died a true pillar of salt.
Lot's daughters, who are among the survivors, act immorally and their sons, Amon and Moab, are destined to be thorns in the side of the Jewish people forever after. Of course, what else should we expect? We are introduced to many like Amon and Moab, people who have not been nice, all throughout our study of Tanach (Jewish Bible). And just as the Tanach foretells, history has shown that these thorns have come back to haunt us time and time again! But, in the end, after so much anguish and pain, the Jewish people have always risen to the occasion and continue to prevail.
And let us not forget the story of the Binding of Yitzchak that we read today just as we did only a few weeks ago on Rosh Hashanah.
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