By: Susan Moger

Noah was a righteous man of his generation. We don’t what others were like and if it is a compliment to Noah or that he was being compared to other biblical characters.  We do know that Noah did just as Gold commanded him to build an ark by precise dimensions 300 cubits long, 50 cubits wide and 30 cubits high and to have the animals seven pairs of every clean animal and bird and two pairs of every other animal to keep their species alive onboard the ark with him. You can wonder if he, or his family members, felt remorse about those that were left behind. Noah could have told everyone to build their own ark, but we can only imagine about that and the impact if the ones that G-d wanted destroyed actually survived the great flood.

The rains fell for 40 days and 40 nights and then the water swelled for 150 days to flood the world. After 40 days Noah sent a raven and it returned. Then Noah sent a dove and the dove returned. Then after another 7 days the dove returned with an olive leaf. Then after another 7 days Noah sent the dove and it did not return indicating the ground had dried. So again Noah is relying on an animal, the dove for his safety to leave the ark.

Then G-d makes a covenant with Noah, his sons, and every living thing that never again would a flood destroy the earth. G-d set the rainbow in the clouds as the sign of G-d’s covenant with the earth.

There is a lot of symbolism in this portion 40 days and the number 40 is one of the mystical numbers and of course, the rainbow is always an eye catcher when we see one and has come to symbolize luck.  There are huge rains and floods that destroy homes and large areas, it is always a warning to heed when the weather report includes flooding being possible on roads.

I will end with a posting on Facebook this week called ‘Everything I need to know about life I learned from Noah’s Ark”. 1. Don’t miss the boat. 2. Remember that we are all in the same boat. 3. Plan ahead. It wasn’t raining when Noah built the Ark. 4. Don’t listen to critics, just get on with the job that needs to be done. 5. Have a reliable source check if the coast is clear, only then proceed.

6^th Annual Kehillat Chaverim Blessing of the Animals – October 24, 2020

Eternal G_d, Creator of all life, help us to respect all your animal creations in our world.  Please guide us to protect the sanctity of all the animals in our homes and in our hearts.  Our G-d and G-d of our fathers, bless my wonderful and beloved___________ (pet’s name).  In animals we find great expressions of your love for us. Thank you for providing us with such great friends and loyal family members.  Our pets bring so much happiness to our homes, may they continue to have long, healthy, and happy lives.  Blessed are you Oh Lord, our G-d for creating all animals that have become such great pets, friends, and family members for us. Amen.

Covid-19

Let us also pray for the animals that are in homes where the owners have become ill with covid-19 and may not be able to care for their pet as well as usual. Also let us pray for those who have lost jobs or have reduced hours at work due to the pandemic and are unable to provide enough food for their pets.

Healing Prayer for Our Sick Pets

May the one who blessed our ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, and Leah, bless our pets who are ill ________.  May the Holy One, source of all blessings, be filled with compassion for them, and grant healing and recovery, strength and fortitude.  May they receive a swift and complete healing from heaven, a healing of the soul and a healing of the body.  May this be soon and without delay and let us say:  Amen.

Memorial Prayer for our Departed Pets- Barkzheit

We would like to take this time to remember our beloved pets, devoted friends and loyal family members.  We have sadness in our hearts but also joy from our experiences with our pets. We are here to celebrate the lives of our pets. We remember the playful times, the quiet moments and the love we shared.  We spent many days together on long walks, dining together, celebrating happy and sad moments over the years we were together. When we lose a pet there is a special place in our hearts that feels empty.  However as time passes, we realize that animals have a way of showing us about loving, loyalty, joy and friendship.   Whatever we have shared in our pet’s presence can never really be lost.  These are the memories of our friends that we will always treasure.  Pets are wonderful creatures and thank you to G-d for creating them and providing us the opportunity to share our lives with them. Amen