Upcoming Events:
Wednesday May 2, 7 p.m. Eastern Europe Trip Meeting at the CJCC. Please join us if you are interested in taking a group trip to Eastern Europe in May or June of 2008. Warsaw, Krakow, Prague, and Budapest. Explore your family roots.about the Jewish communities there today. We will discuss dates, cost, and itinerary.more information, call Minda Miller.
Saturday May 5, 9:45 a.m. Shabbat morning services, 10:45 a.m.
Junior Congregation 11:15 a.m. “My Shabbat” Come enjoy a special Shabbat Program just for you and your pre-first grade child. This Shabbat service is geared for ages Kindergarten and below with loads of movement, singing, dancing, and stories! Special lunch for the “younger set,” call Heidi Lovit or the synagogue office to RSVP.
Sunday May 6, 11:30 a.m. Lag B'Omer program ⁄ B 'nai Mitzvah Parent Meeting.
Friday May 11, 6 p.m. “Shabbat Rocks” Shabbat evening services
Saturday May 12, 9:45 a.m. Shabbat Services
Junior Congregation 10:45 a.m.
Sunday May 13, 11:30 a.m. 1st & 2nd Grade Family Shabbat Program.
Adult Education:
- Thursdays 5:15-6:15 p.m. Pirke Avot “The Ethics of our Fathers.” This study group is being facilitated by Dr. Henry Ray Wengrow.
- Saturdays 1:30-2:15 p.m. Rabbi's Class - Torah ideals in everyday life.
5⁄5--Theft & Coveting in Everyday Life
5⁄12--Taking Responsibility for our Actions
5⁄19--Preventing Danger and Harm
5⁄26--Relationships with Neighbors
6⁄1--Rabbi Away
From this week's parsha: You shall not go out as a talebearer among your people (Lev 19:16). This is the prohibition against lashon hara, derogatory speech. Some details of the prohibition against lashon hara:
1. Includes derogatory comments, even true ones
2. Includes seemingly harmless comments that could potentially cause financial loss, pain, or mental anguish (e.g. "Oh, I heard she's already found a job")
3. Includes nonverbal communication: facial expression, gestures, etc.
4. Includes jokes.
5. It’s lashon hara even if it is derogatory but won’t cause any damage
6. Includes criticism of someone’s actions or character traits
7. Includes both strangers and relatives (even children and parents)
8. Includes telling things to a parent or spouse, unless you are asking them as your confidante to help you figure out what to do.
9. Includes implications (e.g. “let’s not talk about that”)
10. One may speak negatively about someone who intentionally and repeatedly violates severe offenses.
11. For a constructive purpose (“toelet”), one should convey negative information (e.g. “Should I hire X?”) exemption only applies if the information is absolutely true, you tried to tell the original person but he⁄she would not change, there is no chance you misinterpreted X’s actions, and you cannot achieve the result in any other way.
Love your neighbor as yourself (Lev 19:18) Some ways our tradition suggests that we can fulfill this mitzvah:
1. visit someone who is ill (and doing anything for them which you can)
2. comfort someone who is mourning
3. help someone get married, or help someone rejoice at their wedding
4. inviting and being hospitable to guests
5. attending and helping at a funeral
6. tell someone who acts in ways that look odd about how their behavior appears (i.e. helpful feedback)
7. lending money or other items
8. pray for someone’s wellbeing
9. when at work, have the intention to make your product to benefit the consumer and not just to make money
10. forgiving someone who has wronged you
11. teaching others Torah
12. greeting someone cheerfully
13. making change for somebody
14. run to tell someone good news
15. helping people obtain kosher food if they can’t procure it
16. protecting others from injury
17. share others’ feelings of sorrow and suffering
18. feel happiness for other peoples’ good fortune
19. warning someone about possible loss or damage
20. picking up someone’s clothes if they are on the floor
21. giving helpful advice when possible
22. cheering up someone who is sad or lonely
23. write letters to or call relatives
24. being quiet around someone who is sleeping
25. not cursing or getting angry at others
26. not causing any unpleasantness (e.g. scratching nails on a chalkboard, cracking knuckles, talking loudly, or squeaking sneakers on the floor)
27. not keeping anybody waiting
28. prevent someone from suffering
29. judging others favorably (dan lecaf zehut)
30. not speaking lashon hara (see above)
31. saving others from needless exertion
32. loving even our parents, spouse, siblings, and children
33. spending money on this mitzvah just like for other mitzvot (hidur mitzvah)
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