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Shabbat Devarim,
Deuteronomy 1:1-3: 22
Candle Lighting Time: Friday, August 8, 2008 7:44 P.M.
Saturday night immediately after Shabbat, we begin the fast of Tisha B’Av,
the 9th day of Av. We fast mourning the destruction of the first Temple by
the Babylonians and the Second Temple by the Romans. Both Temples were
destroyed on the same day! We shall join our friends at Little Neck Jewish
Center for a combined Tisha B’Av service. Shabbat Mincha will begin at 6:30
p.m. Immediately following Mincha there will be a pre-fast meal p.m. At
7:45-830 p.m. there will be a Study Program. Ma’ariv with a candle light
reading of Eicha, the Book of Lamentations, begins at 8:30 p.m.
This past year during my Tuesday morning Bible class we studied the return
of the Jewish people from Babylonia 70 years after the destruction of the
Temple. Our ancestors began the arduous work of rebuilding the Temple.
Many great accomplishments for God had small beginnings. When Zerubbabel
was called to rebuild our holy Temple, one of the first things he did, with
the help of the people was lay a foundation. Then they began building on
that foundation, stone upon stone. Many shortsighted Jews baled at those
basic efforts and “despised the day of small things.” (Zechariah 4:10).
But God promised Zerubbabel success, not by mere might and strength, but by
His spirit.
My friend Danny Siegel introduced me to a young boy who illustrates this
principle. Back on December 8, 1983 the local Philadelphia TV news had a
story that night about the city’s homeless people. Trevel Ferell, an 11
year old boy, happened to see that news clip. That very night Trevel
convinced his father to leave their very comfortable suburban house to see
the street people for themselves. They found one and gave him a blanket
they brought from home. The next night they went back to the streets again,
this time with some food, and the next night they went again, and the night
after, and the night after until this very day. His family established a
homeless shelter called Trevor’s Place. (Check out: Munbaz II and Other
Mitvah Heroes by Danny Siegel, pages 47-57)
Tevor has inspired countless people to join him in making a difference. As
a result of that first small act, there is an organization that gives
blankets to homeless people around the world.
Do you long to have an impact on others’ lives, but feel overwhelmed by the
enormity of the task? Don’t despise small beginnings. Just like our
ancestors or Trevor, you will soon see prove that one small deed at a time
is much when God is in it.
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.
Saturday, August 9, 2008 Joint Tisha B’Av services at Little Neck Services
Shabbat Mincha 6:30 p.m.
Pre-fast meal follows Mincha
Study Program 7:45- 8:30 p.m.
Evening Service with candle-light Reading of Eicha (Lamentations) 8:30 p.m
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