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Marathon Jewish
Community Center's Cyber Shul
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Shabbat Zachor
Leviticus 1:1-5:26
2nd Torah reading: Parashat Zachor, Dt. 25:17-19
Candle Lighting Time: Friday, March 14, 2008 6:43 P.M.
When I was a teenager, I
sprinted for my High School track team. As a young rabbi in
Springfield, MA, I joined the J.C.C.’s early birds and started jogging.
Eventually I had to give up jogging because my knees couldn’t take the
pounding any longer. Even though you may see me tooling around town on
my bicycle in good weather, I still remember fondly my jogging days when
I would lace up my running shoes.
Do you think you could outrun certain animals? Let’s begin with a
cheetah. There’s a very interesting article about cheetahs in the March
2008 Smithsonian Magazine. It is the fastest animal around. It can
run 70 miles an hour. How would you do in a race with a cheetah? How
about a race horse? Well, how about a timber wolf? How would you do in
a race with each of these animals? You think you would lose. Well, in
a short race you would. But did you know that in a race that is long
enough, you would win? Animals have hearts and lungs that allow them to
run very fast in short spurts. But then they have to rest. However,
the human body is the most efficient running machine on earth. If you
are in good heath and in good condition, your body could run farther
than any animal can match. You can keep running long after they have
all tired out. God has given us a wonderful body with great staying
power. We just need to keep it in good condition.
Of course some people give up in life even though they have good
bodies. They become discouraged. They get down on themselves. They
let their unhappiness cause them to quit trying. That is not because
something is wrong with their bodies, but with their minds, with their
souls.
In ancient Israel, our ancestors communed with God through animal
sacrifices. So precious in their eyes was this mode of worship, this
week's Torah reading goes into great detail describing the who, whens
and hows of the first 5 kinds of sacrifices. Today we offer up prayers
and meditations in lieu of animal sacrifices to God. We praise God at
every opportunity when we daven 3 times a day.
As important it is that we keep our bodies in good condition, we must
also keep our minds and souls in good shape. We Jews do that through
Talmud Torah, Torah study, and worship. When we study Torah and worship
God we condition our spiritual hearts just like running helps our
physical hearts.
P.S. I just bought the book “Running –The sacred art” by Dr. Warren
Kay, published by Skylight Paths, which helps make your exercise program
a spiritual practice. Why don’t you pick up before you exercise and
learn how to work out your spiritual hearts at the same time!
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:
MJCC Theatare Group Presents “Damn Yankees”. Last chance to see “Damn
Yankees” this weekend, Saturday-March 15th and Sunday March 16th. Ticket
prices are $16.00 ($14.00 for seniors and children under 12) Last Sunday’s
performance was sold out!
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 Center
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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