VaYeshev Excerpts

וישב

Shabbat Shalom

(39:3-4) ‘H’ was with Yosef and he became a successful man.’

When H’ is with you, things work out. I have a feeling that H’ is not with this congregation. Nothing has worked out here for the past 8 years…There was a successful shule lunch in, but that was at another shule. We had to join them for a decent meal.

Which begs the question, ‘What does the word success mean?’…Anything that doesn’t happen here, Bernie.

(39:5) Potiphar, Yosef’s master, puts Yosef in charge of everything in his possession and H’ blesses all of Potiphar’s possessions because of Yosef.

When you trust successful people, H’ makes you successful. I should have taken the job at the Girfenfield mansion, outside the city…I do not believe that this congregation makes anybody’s work meaningful. The secretary even stopped answering phones…
This has been the worst financial year in this congregation.

The Chanukah gift swap was horrendous. An embarrassment. Should have had up a sign, ‘We are not successful. H’ is not with us. Here is a Rubik’s Cube.’ That was the best gift that was given out. There was also the racket with a ball attached…Fran had the audacity to give a gift certificate…Why was it not money? Nobody is going to the Barnes & Noble to redeem $3...It was last week? It wasn't Chanukah yet, Sadie...For the kids? Are we teaching them that Chanukah is whenever they want? They already want gifts every time their uncle visits. You are causing a non-successful situation to get worse...The children should know we do not have the money.

Potiphar ‘didn’t even have to think about anything.’ He had somebody in charge he could trust. Every day I have to worry about everything, because the shule will go under if I am not on top of it. I had to deal with a call from the janitor about how to turn on the lights in the social room…No, I am not talking about the sanctuary, Chris…I understand you are talking right now. I know you like to talk a lot…Why do none of you ever make a decent business decision? You are always talking in the back over there. Nothing comes of it...The least successful social gathering.

Welcome to the new members. It is good to have you here.