Shabbat Shalom GRJC

Weekly Emails to the Congregation

Parshat Shoftim 2007

Shabbat Shalom to the GRJC family,

Tonight, we light candles at 7:34 PM.  Friday night services will begin at 8PM.  Saturday morning services will begin at 9AM.

Last week’s outdoor BBQ and service was a wonderful experience despite the gray skies.  Saturday morning, the sun came out and services were relaxed and meaningful, surrounded by the trees and flowers.  Thank you to all those who helped to prepare for the BBQ, and who helped throughout the evening, as well as those who helped with clean up.

We read this Shabbat from parshat Shoftim.  In this week’s reading, we read about Israelite soldiers who are preparing for battle.  A priest addresses the troops first, and he tells them that God “marches with you to do battle for you against your enemy, to bring you victory.”(Deut. 20:4)  This must have been a reassuring statement to those who were worried about going off to war.

The Torah then relates four scenarios that would allow a soldier to avoid the impending battle.  First, if a soldier has built a home but not dedicated it, he may return home.  Rashi (1040-1105, France) suggests that dedicating a house means living in the house.  Second, if a soldier has planted a vineyard but never harvested it, he may return home.  Third, if a soldier has arranged to marry and has not yet married his intended, he may return home.  Finally, if a soldier is “afraid and disheartened” he may return home “lest the courage of his comrades flag like his.”(Deut. 20:8)

When we think about this passage in terms of our own lives, we can think about how we often face decisions about potential commitments and projects.  We consider the advantages and disadvantages of the decision before us.  We look at the benefits and costs that we would face.  The passage we read about going off to war reminds us that in order to make our decision, we need to consider our priorities, our hopes and dreams, our financial well-being, as well as our personal and spiritual well-being.

Take a moment to consider a decision that you have recently made or are making right now.  Consider the potential commitment or project from these different points of view.  Are there times when we must go forward even if we are “afraid and disheartened”?

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

1. We mourn with Nancy Sperling the recent loss of her uncle.  There will be a memorial service this Sunday at 11 AM at the Riverside-Nassau North Chapel, 55 North Station Plaza, Great Neck, NY. (516) 487-9600

2. Lulav and Etrog orders – Please see the recent bulletin for the order form.  We will learn how to shake the lulav at Sukkot services.

Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Tow

  Back to Home