Shabbat Shelach Lecha
Numbers 13:1-15:41
Candle Lighting Time: Friday, June, 20, 2008 8:10 P.M.
I am sure we would all
be surprised if we could hear a recording of our conversations for a
single day. We would be amazed at how much we grumble and complain.
Children gripe about
homework or washing the dishes. Mother complains about having to spend
so much time picking up after everybody in the family. Father comes
home and makes bitter remarks about his boss and work. And so it goes
the whole day through.
In our Torah portion
today, we hear the complaints of the Children of Israel who had just
come out of Egypt. Hearing how difficult conquering the Land of Israel
would be from the spies they complained bitterly. “If only we had died
in the land of Egypt,” the whole community shouted at them, “or if only
we might die in this wilderness! Why is the Lord taking us to that land
to fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be carried off! It
would be better for us to go back to Egypt.” (Dt. 14:2-3) After all
that God had done for them, they should have been grateful and eager to
obey Him. God punished that generation by having them remain in the
desert for 40 years and never enter the Promised Land.
Today as well,
grumblers fail to appreciate God’s manifold blessings and spread
discouragement to those around them. We should learn from our ancestors
and not grumble so much. Marathon Jewish Center is far from a perfect
institution no matter how hard we try. We are human after all. Instead
of complaining and sowing dissension, we should be part of the solution
and not be part of the problem.
Do our words honor the
Lord? Do we spread joy and encourage others? If we do we too can enter
the “promised land.”
Dear
Friends,
I am
leaving for Israel for two weeks beginning June 25th.
Consequently, I shall not be sending you via email the next two week’s
email devrai Torah. You will be able to find them on our above
webpage. Don’t stop learning Torah while I am on vacation for I
certainly won’t. At your convenience, just click on my weekly dvar
Torah link.
Shabbat Shalom and lehitra’ot,
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:
Shabbat, June 21, 2008 We celebrate the Bat Mitzvah of Myra Greenberg
Sunday, June 22, 2008 Interfaith Dialogue Group meeting at MJCC at 8:00
P.M. This month we shall discuss two of the Ten Commandments, Remember
and observe the Sabbath and Thou shalt not steal” from our different
faith perspectives.
Shabbat, June 28, 2008 We celebrate Harry Makler’s special Birthday.
In
the Community
Kenny Wallach, Murray and Irene’s grandson, is an
Eagle Scout of Troop 267, Roslyn Hts and is collecting new, used, or
damaged musical instruments to donate to the students of PS 124 in South
Ozone Park so that their music program may continue. If you can donate
an instrument, contact Kenny to plan a time for pick-up. His cell phone
number is 516-729-0913 or email the
worstisover91@aol.com
Sunday, June 22, 2008 11:00 A.M. -6:00 P.M. Israeli Vendors Fair at
Bayside Jewish Center, 203-05 32nd Ave. Shoppers Delight!
Vendors are direct from Ben Yehuda Street with Hand Crafted Jewelry,
Judaica, art work, Tee shirts, Ahava Products, and much more. Live
Entertainment 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Co-sponsored by the Northeast Queens
Jewish Community Council, Hadassah, and others.
