MARATHON

Jewish Community Center

A Friendly Egalitarian Conservative Congregation

Shabbat Mishpatim

Shabbat Shekalim

Exodus 21:1-24:18     2nd Torah Exodus 30:11-16

Candle Lighting Time:   Friday, February 17, 2012  5:14 p.m.

 

Nobody likes to be criticized. It hurts even worse when it comes from someone who talks about us behind our backs. Our Torah portion this week warns against the spreading of rumors.  “You must not carry false rumors.” (23:1) “A Midrash interprets this to prohibit receiving as well as spreading false and damaging rumors.  Even to listen to such a rumor is to participate in its circulation and thereby participated in hurting another human being. (The Etz Hayyim commentary below the line on this verse, page 470).

 

We can differentiate between different kinds of gossipers.  Whisperers are gossipers who secretly spread rumors, and backbiters are those who talk spitefully about a person. If we’re honest with ourselves we’re all guilty of this transgression.  We wouldn’t run people down with their cars, but sometimes we willingly “run them down” with our words, belittling what they do or say.

 

People who engage in these destructive acts don’t see the inconsistency of their behavior and haven’t taken to heart the commandment “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Leviticus 19:18) Just as you wouldn’t want people to gossip about you, you should make every effort not to participate in gossip either as a gossiper or listener.

 

To avoid gossip, we should become adept at changing the subject.  Two suggestions I like from Rabbi Pliskin are “I have a principal not to speak about others.” and “I have enough faults of my own. I don’t need to hear about the faults of others.

 

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Gary Greene

 

I shall be in Israel from February 9th to February 26th on a Hebrew School Principal tour as part of the Leadership Institute of which I am a fellow.  I won’t be sending out my weekly email dvar Torah because I don’t know of the availability of computers.  If you wish to keep up with my weekly Torah message while I am away, I have posted them on Marathon Jewish Community’s website..


If you want to follow what my group is learning and experiencing in Israel, you follow the group’s blog atleadershipinstitutetheblog.blogspot.com. I will be contributing something Saturday night, Feb. 18th. 

I am not bringing a laptop, but when I have an opportunity, I shall blog at my own blog rabbigarygreene.blogspot.com

 

 

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