Friday November29,1996                                           Erev Shabbat
Kisleiv 18, 5757

Va'yishlach (Genesis 32:4-36:43)

Something to think about: As we recover from yesterday's overindulgence in
thankfulness, I would like to focus on a lesson of "thanks giving" learned
from this week's Torah portion.  Yaakov and family have endured danger and
hardship.  Yaakov, who fled his parent's home penniless and alone, now
returns, head of a large family and a wealthy man.  He has much to be
thankful for and does express his thanks to Hashem.  BUT THIS IS NOT
ENOUGH! 

"And Yaakov came in peace/complete to the city of Shechem (Nabulus) ...
and he camped before the city." (33:18) Commenting on this sentence, the
Talmud explained that Yaakov established certain improvements on behalf of
the city. 

 One opinion has him setting up a market place, another opinion has him
minting coins and a third opinion explains that he built bath-houses for
the city.  It goes on to say that if a person has enjoyed some benefit
from a place, he is obligated to do something beneficial in return. 

We who have benefited so much from the freedom offered to us by this
wonderful country certainly are obligated to emulate our forefather Yaakov
and give back to our community.  Historically, wherever we have found
ourselves throughout our long exile, we have been a force in its
educational and economical growth. 

On one day, the country as a whole expressed a collective "thank-you",
the rest of the year it is the turn of the individual to express his or
her appreciation.  After working with the New American community for the
past few years, I have a small sense of what it means to live in a society
that oppresses religious beliefs and personal freedom.  How lucky we are
to enjoy the freedom that our country and era allow.  We have muck to be
thankful for. 

 Talk is cheap; like Yaakov we must also do on our community^Òs behalf:
Get involved. Candle lighting-4:50
                                                               Shabbat
Ends-5:51
Good Shabbos!!                             Rabbi  Hirsh Michel Chinn
This week^Òs fax is dedicated in honor of the birthday of Mrs. Denah S. Chinn
(Happy Birthday, Imma!)