Since 1922, Congregation B’nai Israel (CBI) located in Monmouth County, has served as a religious, cultural and educational synagogue for Jewish residents of the greater Red Bank area. Multi-generational and egalitarian, CBI is a place for prayer, spirituality, shared observance, Judaic learning and social mingling...a place to honor life-cycle events and celebrate Jewish holidays. A member of the conservative movement, CBI is dedicated to guiding our children and ourselves to appreciate the values, customs and history of our Jewish heritage, to live a life of mitzvot, to support Israel and to transmit the love of Judaism and pride in our Jewish identity to succeeding generations - L'Dor Va'Dor.

November 11 2022

17 Cheshvan 5783

The Talmud in tractate Ketubot makes the extraordinary claim that for the sake of peace, even God told a lie. In the torah portion for this week, Vayera, Sarah overhears that she will have a child in old age. She laughs and says “(But) my husband is so old!”

When God repeats the conversation to Abraham, God rephrases her statement to say “(but) I (Sarah) am too old!” The Sages are astonished that God would deliberately lie to Abraham by distorting Sarah’s words, but conclude that God did it to spare the old gentleman’s feelings and maintain peace between husband and wife.

“Great is Peace”, the Sages conclude, that even God distorts the truth for the sake of peace. 

Shabbat Shalom

Rabbi Doug Sagal

• CBI is listed as an eligible charity on AMAZON SMILE! Go to Amazon Smile and select Congregation B'nai Israel (make sure it's our address) as your designated charity and make your purchases. Bookmark the Amazon Smile link so you can easily go through Amazon Smile when shopping.