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Marathon Jewish
Community Center's Cyber Shul
Shabbat Vayera
Genesis 18: 1-22:24
Candle Lighting
Time: 5:41 P.M., Friday, October 26, 2007
One of my friends
regularly sends me stories about inept people who win “Darwin’s Awards” for
their poor choices in life. One described the plight of a thief who
overlooked some details in his plans for a getaway. According to police,
the suspect approached an occupied car, pulled open the door, and tried to
rob the driver. When the driver resisted, the thief fled. At first it
appeared that he would escape as he ran to the end of the parking lot where
his car was located. But when the robber got there, he discovered a
problem. He had locked his keys in his car. Within minutes he was
captured.
The wicked people of
Sodom and Gemorrah thought they could profit too by doing wrong. The
Midrash is replete with their wicked schemes. Let me share just one of
them. “…They were adroit thieves. When they made up their minds to commit
theft, they would first ask their victim to take care of a sum of money for
them, which they smeared with strongly scented oil before handing it over to
him. The following night they would break into his house, and rob him of
his secret treasures, led to the place of concealment by the smell of the
oil.” (Legends of the Bible by Louis Ginzberg (one volume edition) page
114.) We know how this story ends. God destroys these wicked towns because
Abraham could not even find 10 righteous people amongst them.
Why do we add
foolishness to foolishness by thinking we can get away with wrongdoing, or
if we have chosen a wrong course, by refusing to give it up? Jeremiah warns
us, “I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the conscience, even to giver
every person according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his
doings.” (Jer. 17:10) It makes so much more sense to commit ourselves to a
life of righteousness because “righteousness and justice are the foundation
of (God’s) throne) Ps. 98: 15 and through righteousness can we see God’s
face. (Ps. 17:15)
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Gary Greene
Services Schedule:
Friday night 7:00
p.m.
Shabbat 9:00
a.m.
Mon. & Thurs 6:30
a.m.
Sun. -Thurs night
7:30 p.m.
Announcements:
October 27 We
celebrate the Bar Mitzvah of Sean Karol.
Sunday, October 28th
at 6:30 pm. Marathon JCC is pleased to welcome you to an evening of
folk/rock music starring Guitar virtuoso Gerald Bair Wine, Fruit & Cheese
will be serviced – RSVP A MUST-call the synagogue’s office!
Marathon announces A
bereavement support group. A trained therapist will lead the group where
people will be able to talk about loss, grief and morning beginning in
November for 8 weeks – Thursdays from 12 noon to 1 pm. Thanks to an
anonymous grant this support group is free for all members. For more
information contact temple office.
North Shore Long
Island Region International Women’s League proudly presents a Torah Fund
Celebration at the Jewish Theological Seminary – Monday, November 5th
– Watch your mail for more information
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