Candle lighting time is 8:23
Shabbos
This week’s parshah is Ekev, a continuation of Moses’ farewell address. Moses promises the Children of Israel that if they obey the laws of the Torah, they will prosper in the Promised Land, but he also reminds them of their many failings after leaving Egypt, including the Golden Calf, Korach’s revolution, and the spies. The parshah also includes the second portion of the Shema, and this promise from Hashem, “For if ye shall diligently keep all this commandment which I command you, to do it, to love the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways, and to cleave unto Him, then will the LORD drive out all these nations from before you, and ye shall dispossess nations greater and mightier than yourselves…There shall no man be able to stand against you; the LORD your God shall lay the fear of you and the dread of you upon all the land that ye shall tread upon, as He hath spoken unto you.” It sounds so easy, but throughout our entire history keeping the commandments is a challenge that we have been, regrettably, unable to fulfill.
Don’t forget the super Kiddush following services this shabbos. Sponsored by the families of Joey Adwar and Cliff Zlotnik, the Kiddush will honor the 65th anniversary of Milt and Mimi Zlotnik.
Where Was God When I Needed Him?
Did you ever ask yourself the question, “Where was God when I needed Him?’ You may not have realized it, but he was right there with you. Consider this:
Me: God, can I ask You a question?
God: Sure.
Me: Promise You won’t get mad.
God: I promise.
Me: Why did You let so much stuff happen to me today?
God: What do you mean?
Me: Well, I woke up late.
God: Yes?
Me: My car took forever to start.
God: Okay.
Me: At lunch they made my sandwich wrong & I had to wait.
God: Huummm.
Me: On the way home, my phone went DEAD, just as I picked up a call.
God: All right.
Me: And to top of it all off, when I got home ~I just wanted to soak my feet in my new foot massager & relax. BUT it wouldn’t work!!! Nothing went right today! Why did You do that?
God: Let me see… the death angel was at your bed this morning & I had to send one of My Angels to battle him for your life. I let you sleep through that.
Me (humbled): OH.
GOD: I didn’t let your car start because there was a drunk driver on your route that would have hit you if you were on the road.
Me: (ashamed)
God: The first person who made your sandwich today was sick & I didn’t want you to catch what he had, I knew you couldn’t afford to miss work.
Me (embarrassed): Okay.
God: Your phone went dead because the person that was calling was going to give false witness about what you said on that call, I didn’t even let you talk to him so you would be covered.
Me (softly): I see, God.
God: Oh, and that foot massager, it had a short that was going to throw out all of the power in your house tonight. I didn’t think you wanted to be in the dark.
Me: I’m sorry, God
God: Don’t be sorry, just learn to trust Me…. in All things , the good & the bad.
Me: I will trust You.
God: And don’t doubt that My plan for your day is always better than your plan.
Me: I won’t, God. And let me just tell you, God, thank You for everything today.
God: You’re welcome. It was just another day being your God and I love looking after My children.
Who Is On First?
The answer to that one is easy if you are talking about the New York Mets. It’s a Jewish guy. When the Mets were in Pittsburgh a couple of weeks ago, Ike Davis (top), a Jew, started the first two games of the weekend series at first base. Davis got the day off on Sunday, and who started in his place? Josh Satin (bottom), another Jew. Two on the same team at the same position. Interesting.
