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Shabbat Pekudei
Exodus 38:21-40:38
Rosh Hodesh reading Nu. 28:9-15
Candle Lighting Time: Friday, March 7, 2008 5:36 P.M.
At the height of a
political corruption trial, the prosecuting attorney attacked a witness.
"Isn't it true," he bellowed, "that you accepted five thousand dollars
to compromise this case?" The witness stared out the window, as though
he hadn't heard the question. "Isn't it true that you accepted five
thousand dollars to compromise this case?" the lawyer repeated loudly.
The witness still did not respond. Finally, the judge leaned over and
said, "Sir, please answer the question." "Oh," the startled witness
said, "I thought he was talking to you."
Political scandals have run rampant in our national political life. Who
can forget the Teapot Dome scandal of the 1920s, Watergate of the 70s,
Iran-Contragate of the 80s, and Whitewatergate of the 90s! President
Bush has had his own scandals with the Plume affair and Lawyergate.
President Nixon, Vice president Agnew, Representatives Tom Delay, Duke
Cunningham, and Mark Foley all resigned their offices due to political
scandals and corruption. The list of state and local corruption
scandals are too long to list in my short dvar Torah.
How different is Moses from all those politicians! “In this parasha,
Moses gives a detailed accounting of the expenditures for fashioning the
tabernacle and its furnishings. Why did Moses feel obliged to give this
detailed account? Some Israelites knew that they would have taken
advantage of handling all that gold and silver for their own
enrichment. They suspected Moses of being no better than they were.
Thus the Midrash emphasizes that leaders of the community must be above
any suspicion of personal aggrandizement. The family that prepared the
incense for the Temple services would never let their relatives wear
perfume, lest some people suspect them of using Temple incense for their
personal benefit. The official who supervised the shekel offering would
wear a special garment with no pockets and no long sleeves when he did
so, so that no one suspect him of pocketing public funds (Song R. 3:7).”
(Etz Hayyim Commentary page 564 below the line.)
Each and every one of us is a leader in his or her own right. Some of
us are heads of a company (or a synagogue). Some of us are leaders of
different civic groups and committees. Some of us are the heads of our
families. Moses should be our role model so that the verse “Mark the
person of integrity and behold the upright.” (Psalms 37:37) be said of
each one of us as we lead our families, our shul, and our community.
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:
Don’t forget to turn your clocks ahead Saturday night for we go on Day Light
Savings. Sunday School still begins at 9:00 A.M. It will just feel
earlier!
MJCC Theatare Group Presents “Damn Yankees”. Show dates are Saturdays-March
8th , and 15th and Sundays March 9th, and 16th. Ticket prices are $16.00
($14.00 for seniors and children under 12)
Our next Tri-Community Blood Drive is March 9th at the Young Israel of New
Hyde Park.
Monday, March 10 at 7:30 p.m. The sisterhood presents: A Purim Happening:
Learn to Belly Dance with Miss Lena. $15.00 per person. Light refreshments
will be served. RSVP By March 3rd at the synagogue 718-428-1580. Bring Out
Your Inner Vashti!
Shabbat, March 15th Hillel Greene and Lily Rabinoff-Goldman’s aufruf.
Sunday, March 16th Purim Family Education Workshops during Sunday School
hours.
Wednesday, March 19 8:00 PM – 9:30 PM (Doors open 7:15 PM) Friends of the
Israel Defense Forces Together with Marathon Jewish Community Cente
Cordially invite you to an evening with the IDF Orchestra.
Join us for a unique opportunity to learn about the important work Friends
of the IDF does to help the brave soldiers of Israel, and to enjoy the
beautiful sounds of the IDF’s premier musical performers. Hollis Hills
Jewish Center
210-10 Union Turnpike Special Event Reception Following the Performance
Suggested Admission: $18 per person
Thursday, March 20 Purim. 6:30 P.M. Pizza dinner. $5.00 per person RSVP by
March 18th!
Then at 7:00 P.M. Our
traditional Megillah reading.
Thursday, March 27, Sisterhood Day at the U.N. 9:30 a.m.
RSVP Helene 718-470-0996 ASAP
Shabbat March 29th, we celebrate the Bar Mitzvah of Jeremy Blitz
Join us the 2nd Annual Wine and Cheese Party, Sunday, March 30th 6-8:30
p.m.
$6.00 with reservations and
$8.00 at the door. Call the office to make reservations
Save these dates:
May 1st Community Yom Hashoah memorial service at MJCC
June 1st Salute to Israel Parade in celebration of Israel’s 60th Birthday
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