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"But rabbi, what do you mean we're supposed to be good without looking to be rewarded? Isn't there heaven and reward in Judaism?"
Yes. But what does heaven consist of? Not "goodies"... Those we have here on earth. Heavenly reward is closeness to G‑d, having a relationship with that which is True and Good, with our Father in Heaven.
A man once complained: "I've had a committed, meaningful relationship with my wife for the past 25 years. What do I have to show for it now?" How foolish. Is there anything more valuable than exactly that - a 25 year meaningful relationship...
When we live a life of goodness we're in a dedicated, meaningful relationship with a very special SomeOne. Now that's heaven!
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Shalom M. Paltiel
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The Rebbe and Miss Israel
The 1991 "Miss Israel" winner visits the Rebbe.
Click here to watch a 2 minute clip.
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We are saddened by the tragic, sudden passing of Mrs. Kobin, mother of Jason Kobin. We give heartfelt condolences to Jason, his wife Tammy and the entire family.
Shiva will be observed at the home of Karen's brother
Barry & Lynn Schosid
Shiva visits will take place during the following hours:
Friday 4-7 PM | Sunday thru Wednesday 12-8 PM
Shiva Minyan will take place on Sunday at 6 PM
Jason and Tammy Kobin
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Calendar Campaign 2011-2012 |
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Advertise your business in our beautiful Jewish Art Calendar for 5772.
Click here for more info and to advertise.
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Is it OK if My Faith is Shaky?
By: Rabbi Aron Moss
Sydney, Australia
I don't pray every day. Sometimes I'm not so sure that I believe in G‑d enough to pray. I just don't think I can have the unwavering faith that people like you seem to have. I'll never be so sure. Can you pray and be a good Jew if your faith is unsteady?
Answer:
To be a Jew means to struggle. The very name Israel means "one who struggles with G‑d". Faith is not a light switch that you turn on and it stays on. Faith is a fire that you need to tend and fuel, and sometimes rekindle. It is a wrestle that never ends.
There are days that your faith shines through and everything fits into place. On these days, you feel at one with yourself and G‑d, and prayer comes naturally. Then there are days that you wake up and it is all dark, your faith seems to have dried up. G‑d, soul, prayer, goodness all seem like annoying insects buzzing in your ear, and you just want to just roll over and go back to sleep.
But even on those days, you have to find the motivation to get up and get on with it. Perhaps your faith won't get you out of bed, so how about trying another approach. Putting aside your faith in G‑d, what about G‑d's faith in you?
There is a powerful prayer that we say as soon as we wake up in the morning:
I give thanks to you, Living and Eternal King, for You have returned my soul to me with kindness. How great is Your faith.
The faith referred to here is not our faith in G‑d, but rather G‑d's faith in us. The very fact that we have woken up is proof that G‑d believes in us. He knows that we are not perfect, is well aware of our failings and knows the mistakes we have made. And yet, in the morning after our sleep He returns our soul to us, and gives us another chance, because He trusts us. He has faith in our ability to change and make today a bit better than yesterday. We may or may not believe in Him, we may or may not believe in ourselves, but G‑d believes in us.
Humans are fickle, G‑d is constant. His faith in us is firm and unchanging, even if our faith in Him is shaky. That's the faith of an Israelite, one who struggles with G‑d. We may be struggling, but we are struggling with G‑d - He is always there.
If you woke up this morning, if your soul was returned to you to see another day, then give thanks. Start your day with a prayer, if not out of your faith in G‑d, then at least out of G‑d's faith in you. He trusts you enough to give you a precious soul. Use it.
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B"H |
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Board of Directors
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Adam Katz, Esq., President
Frank Arnold
Bert Brodsky
Martin H. Brownstein, M.D.
Howard Fensterman, Esq.
M. Allan Hyman, Esq.
Sara E. Paltiel
Rabbi Shalom M. Paltiel
Alan Rosenzweig
Alan Salzbank
Michael Samuel
Felix Sater
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Shabbat Times
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| Shabbat Candle Lighting: |
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Friday, Jun 17
8:11 pm
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| Shabbat Ends: |
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Shabbat, Jun 18
9:20 pm
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Daily Thought
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Three Possibilities
Everything that exists in your world is about communion with the Infinite. Everything is one of three:
A means to connect.
A path to fall away.
Or neutral ground
awaiting you to transform it into a connection.
But if something were not part of your purpose,
it would not exist in your world.
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BIRTHDAYS
Michael Samuel 6/19
Ronny Wach 6/19
Eyal Adler 6/20
Milton Josephs 6/22
Milton & Lily Josephs
ANNIVERSARY
Mr. & Mrs. Danny Lee 6/18
YARTZEITS
Sidney Lepselter (Asher Zelig ben Chaim), observed by Carol Arnold & Bill Ostrower, Sivan 15 - 6/17
Carol Arnold
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* PATRONIZE OUR SPONSORS *
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the parshah in a nutshell |
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Parshat Shlach
 Moses sends twelve
spies to the Land of Canaan. Forty days later they return, carrying a huge
cluster of grapes, a pomegranate and a fig, to report on a lush and bountiful land. But ten of the spies warn that the inhabitants of the land are
giants and warriors "more powerful than we"; only
Caleb and
Joshua insist that the land can be conquered, as G‑d has commanded.
The people weep that they'd rather return to Egypt. G‑d decrees that Israel's entry into the Land shall be delayed
forty years, during which time that entire generation will die out in the desert. A group of remorseful Jews storm the mountain on the border of Land, and are routed by the
Amalekites and Canaanites.
The laws of the menachot ( meal,
wine and
oil offerings) are given, as well as the mitzvah to consecrate a portion of the dough ( challah) to G‑d when making bread. A man violates the Shabbat by
gathering sticks, and is put to death. G‑d instructs to place fringes ( tzitzit) on the four corners of our garments, so that we should
remember to fulfill the mitzvot (divine commandments).
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