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Marathon Jewish
Community Center's Cyber Shul
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Shabbat Parah
Leviticus 9:1-11:47
2nd Torah reading: Parashat Parah, Nu. 19:1-22
Candle Lighting Time:
Friday, March 28, 2008 6:58 P.M.
After Aaron and his sons
were consecrated as kohanim, priests, Moses has them initiated the
formal worship service of sacrifices. Our sages noted that Aaron had to
be encouraged to approach the altar. “Then Moses said to Aaron: ‘Come
forward to the altar and sacrifice your purification offering (of a
calf) …” (Lev. 9:7) Apparently Aaron needed this encouragement because
he was embarrassed. This calf reminded him of his role in fashioning the
Golden Calf. Seeing him so discouraged, Moses assured Aaron that his
sin was forgiven especially because of his great love for the Jewish
people.
A rabbi was invited to a home of some friends for dinner. The food was
superb-except for the apple pie. It wasn’t all that bad, but it just
didn’t measure up to the rest of the meal. Even so, he went out of his
way to find some good things to say about the pie. Later, the rabbi
visited the home again and stayed for dinner. On this occasion, the
meal was topped off with a cherry pie that was absolutely delicious.
But he didn’t say one word about it. This really bothered the hostess,
so she finally blurted out, “I don’t understand. The last time you were
her, I served a pie that I was ashamed of, yet you very complimentary.
Tonight I’ve given you what I think is the best pie I’ve ever made and
you haven’t said a word about it.” The rabbi smiled and replied, “Let
me tell you why. I agree that the cherry pie tonight was fantastic, and
that the apple pie you served last time was not as good as this one.
But you see, it needed the praise!”
Our relationship with people is like that-some need more encouragement
than others. True, everyone who deserves praise should be recognized,
but without flattery. We should never say that something is good when
it’s really bad. Yet no matter how imperfect a person may seem or how
poorly he performs, we can almost always find something commendable to
praise.
All around us are discouraged people-perhaps even in our homes. Let’s
look for ways to give them that needed encouragement! Remember the
words of the following anonymous poet:
It was only a kind
word,
And a word that was lightly spoken
Yet not in vain, for it stilled the pain
Of a heart that was nearly broken.
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, 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
Tuesday, April 1st, Adult Education classes. We continue to study the book
of Daniel and read Hebrew Poetry in translation.
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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