Shabbat Bechukotai
Leviticus 26:3-26:34
Candle Lighting Time: Friday, May 23, 2008 7:55 P.M.
Parashat Bechukotai centers on a brief but eloquent promise of blessings
for those who follow God’s ways and a lengthy and chilling series of
curses for those who reject God’s ways. (Etz Chayyim Commentary below
the line, page 747) Mordechai Kaplan, the great 20th American Jewish
theologian, pointed out that there is a big “if” in the middle of every
person’s “life” because everybody faces temptations. A wag once said
that he can resist anything but temptation. What we choose makes all
the difference in the world and determines whether we are showered with
blessings or curses.
Several years ago I read a story about a boy named Mark. He was very
poor at spelling, so whenever he had a test he was usually stumped by
the difficult words. During one quiz Mark was tempted to look at Jane’s
paper because she was an “A” student who always spells words correctly.
Mark yield to his yetzer hara, the evil inclination, and copied several
words. The teacher noticed his actions, but said nothing. She was
surprised and disappointed, for she had always thought of Mark as an
honest boy. When it came time to collect the test, she observed that he
was having an inner struggle. After bowing his head, he tore up his
test. Although at first he had given into temptation, he actually
overcame it because he decided to take a zero rather than be dishonest.
Calling him to her desk, the teacher said, “I was watching you, Mark,
and I want you to know I’m very proud of you for what you did just now.
You passed a much greater exam than your spelling test.
Our yetzer hara does tempt us, but with God’s help we can be victorious
over it. In the words of the prophet Isaiah, “Fear not, as I am with
You…I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will sustain you with My
power.”
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Gary Greene
Services Schedule:
Friday night 7:00 p.m.
Shabbat 9:00 a.m.
Mon. (Memorial Day) 9:00 a.m.
Thurs 6:30 a.m.
Sun. -Thurs night 7:30 p.m.
Announcements:
MJCC Sisterhood presents a Mah Jongg/Card Party, Thursday, May 22 at
12noon. $15.00 per person. Lunch will be served.
A gift from METNY Celebrating Israel’s 60th Birthday. Thursday, May
22. A free concert for the entire family at Shelter Rock Jewish Center,
Roslyn. Blue Fringe, the Jewish Rock Band and Tismoret, and outstanding
a cappella group. Admission by reservation only. Call Don Schiller:
211-533-7800 ext 212544
Sunday, June 1st Salute to Israel Parade Join family and friends as
we march in this year’s Salute to Israel Parade. Spectators also
welcomed! RSVP required. Cost is only $18.00 per person and includes
round trip air-conditioned bus (from MJCC and back), special
commemorative T shirt, a light snack and bottled water. Even if you
can’t attend show your support by donating $18.00 or more by May 5th and
receive the official Salute to Israei Parade T shirt as our gift.
June 4, 2008 Annual Meeting after Ma’ariv services
Shabbat, June 7. 2008 We celebrate the Bat Mitzvah of Jackie Gabler
Shabbat, June 14, 2008 June’s Lunch and Learn with Installation of
Synagogue Officers and Board Members. More than 40,000 Israelis who
were converted to Judaism in the past decade by the state's official
conversion courts may find their conversions annulled-rendering them
non-Jewish in the eyes of the law-following a ruling ...by Israel's
Supreme Rabbinical Court.
The Israeli Supreme Rabbinical Court has been hijacked by Ultra-Orthodox
rabbis who don't represent a more nuanced view of our tradition. Come
and study what our tradition asks of a convert before he or she joins
the Jewish people.
Call the office, 718-428-1580, to make reservations by June 14, 2008
Lunch costs only $8.00 per adult (12 years and older) and $4.00 per
child; children under 5 are free.
Shabbat, June 21, 2008 We celebrate the Bat Mitzvah of Myra Greenberg
Shabbat, June 28, 2008 We celebrate Harry Makler’s special Birthday.
July 13th MJCC is going to another Brooklyn Cyclone’s Game! It is
Jewish Heritage Night at the stadium where the Cyclones will be playing
the Spikes. Tickets are only $18.00. RSVP at the synagogue office no
later than May 14th for our block of tickets to be purchased on time.
