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Marathon Jewish Community
Center's Cyber Shul
www.marathonjcc.org
Shabbat Vaetchanan
Deuteronomy 3: 23-7:9
Candle Lighting Time: Friday, August 15, 2008 7:35 P.M.
I am writing this dvar Torah on my first born son’s secular birthday. Back
in 1980 July 22nd coincided with Tisha B’Av! This week’s Haftorah from the
book of Isaiah (which always is read the Shabbat after Tisha B’Av) inspired
his name. The prophet Isaiah proclaims to the people of Israel, “Nachamu,
Nachamu, Ami…Comfort, oh comfort My people says your God.” (Isaiah 40 1)
Judy and I named him Amichai which means “My people live!”
Sir Malcolm Sargent (1895-1967) was an outstanding orchestra conductor.
Early in his career be battled against tuberculosis. After regaining his
health, his 13 year-old daughter Pamela was stricken with polio.
One night as he was about to conduct Handel’s Messiah, he was handed a note
that read, “Your daughter Pamela is dying.” With tears in his eyes, he
directed the orchestra and choir through such tender passages as “Comfort,
oh Comfort My people.” Not only did he find strength from this Biblical
passage set to music, but his sorrows produced in him a deep feeling that
flowed through his conducting.
Admittedly for the Greene family, Ami’s birth transformed such a sad day in
the Jewish calendar into a happy and hopeful day for us and the entire
household of Israel. Nevertheless, Tisha B’Av reminds us that life may hold
bitter experiences for us, but God can use them to help us understand the
suffering that others go through and to minister to their needs.
A life in tune with God has notes of sadness as well as gladness.
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.
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