|
 |
Marathon Jewish
Community Center's Cyber Shul
|
CLICK
HERE TO |
 |
Shabbat
Va’era
Exodus 6:2-9:35
Candle Lighting Time: Friday, January 4, 2008 4: 23P.M.
A
troubled young woman told her rabbi she needed help. As they talked,
they both began to see that her bad feelings were related to her hatred
for her father, who had abused her when she was a little girl.
The rabbi acknowledged her right to resent what he had done. But he
also showed her that her hatred was hurting her more than him. The
rabbi told her that a religious person doesn’t ask the question, “Why
did God allow this to happen?” because there is no satisfactory answer
that we finite human beings can understand. The religious question is:
“Now that this has happened how am I going to respond?” With God’s help
she could bring good out of her bad experience.
She affirmed her confidence in God’s goodness and power and began
reaching out to help girls who had also been abused. Today she readily
admits that her hatred gradually went away as she learned to trust God
and do good.
Our ancestors had every good reason to hate the Egyptians. They
enslaved them for 210 years. Pharaoh refused to listen first to Moses
and then to his own people when it came to freeing the Children of
Israel. After each plague Pharaoh promises to release his slaves, but
relents time after time. This week we shall read of the first seven
plagues that have little lasting effect upon Pharaoh. Yet because the
Jewish people trusted in God, they were to obey the commandment found in
Deuteronomy 23: 8 “you shall not loathe an Egyptian; because you were a
stranger in his land.”
If you harbor hatred toward those who have wronged you, throw this
burden upon the Lord and then seek ways to reach out to others-even to
those who have hurt you. Your faith will become an antidote for hatred.
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:
Thursday, January 3, Carl Gussin class reconvenes after minyon.
Community Yom Hashoa Service Meeting
Sunday, January 6, Sunday School begins again after winter break
Shabbat, January 19, Lunch and Learn featuring an open political forum.
Sen. Padavan and Rep. Weprin
will join us.
Saturday, January 26 Join us for our Second film in our Israel Film Festival
in honor of Israel’s 60th Birthday Featuring
"Some One To Run With"
on Saturday, January 26, 2008, 7:00 P.M.
Based on the best selling novel by David Grossman, “Someone to Run With”
captures the original’s unrelenting pace, suspense and heartfelt drama as it
sends viewers on a riveting ride through the streets of Jerusalem at the end
of a Labrador’s leash.
Assaf, a shy, awkward seventeen year old, is yanked from his mundane summer
job and given an impossible task: to track down the owner of a lost Labrador
found wandering the city streets. As he follows the dog on its circuitous
rounds, Assaf begins to piece together the incredible story behind the
owner’s disappearance, a story that captures his imagination and draws him
in: the story of a girl named Tamar. One month earlier, Tamar, a gifted
musician, embarks with her dog on a desperate quest into Jerusalem’s seamy
underworld, and becomes ensnared in its dark clutches. Assaf, smitten by the
mysterious girl he has never met, has no choice but to set off running after
Tamar’s footsteps.
The film follows Assaf and Tamar on parallel timelines, highlighting the
distance between them and the loneliness they must endure until their
narratives finally converge. For the two, this will be an accelerated
journey into adulthood, a test of courage and commitment, and a story of
self-discovery and first love.
Donation of $5.00 in advance or $7.00 at the door. All donations will be
put towards refurbishing our lobby. Please make all checks out to MJCC with
a notation Israel Film Festival
|
Missed
a weekly message? Visit the Rabbi's Archives
|
|
|
