[HANASHIR:3627] Re: HANASHIR digest 620

[Esd7657 <Esd7657...>]

Hi friends - 
A lovely midrash on the second line of the Shema - 
as Jacob lay dying, surrounded by his sons, he was siezed with a great fear 
that his family would not continue in their faith, (but would be assimilated 
into Egyptian idolatry....) and was completely unconsolable.  In great haste 
and fervor to assure him, his children proclaimed "Shema, Yisrael ! Adonai 
eloheinu - Adonai echad!!!!" ("Listen up, Jacob!  Adonai is our God - Adonai 
alone!")
Completely relieved,  Jacob softly said, with his dying breath, "Baruch shem 
k'vod malchuto l'olam va-ed."
Thus, our fervent exclamation of the first line, and our softer response on 
the second.  It's midrash, yes, but it seems to strike a chord for me, 
somehow.  Enjoy.

I have just returned from the Choral Festival in the Catskills, and Sunday 
it's off to CAJE.  Here's hoping that the summer has been a good one for 
everyone else....
-Ellen Dreskin

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