B"SD

Jewish Words of Wisdom: Quotes from June

From the Week of 24 Sivan 5757/June 29, 1997

Note: This week, all quotes are from Words of the Wise compiled by Reuvan Alcalay

"Who loves his wife as himself and respects her more than himself, who guides his sons and daughters in the straight path and weds them timely, of him it is said: (Job 5:24) 'You shall know that your tent is safe' " (Talmud, Yevamot)

"A clan and a family resemble a heap of stones: one stone taken out of it and the whole totters" (Genesis Rabbah)

"Who discredits himself discredits his family" (Exodus Rabbah)

"No man can enjoy full happiness save with his wife and children" (Abravanel)

"Without family life no nation can be made" (A. D. Gordon)


From the Week of 10 Sivan 5757/June 15, 1997 and 17 Sivan 5757/June 22, 1997

"My son...(sinners say), 'We will find treasures and fill our homes with loot. Cast your lot with us and we will share our purse with you.' My son, do not go their ways. Withhold your feet from their paths...for the bird that sees the net of the trapper thinks that it is all in vain" (Proverbs 1:13-17 as quoted in Living Each Day by Rabbi Twerski, M.D.)


From the Week of 3 Sivan 5757/June 8, 1997

In honor of Shavout, celebrating the giving of the Torah: The Ten Commandments

This reading is from Sim Shalom, p 820)

"Gathered together in this sanctuary, we recall
a gathering of our people in ancient times.

Together they entered and witnessed a covenant
transmitted through our teacher Moses, who said:

The L-RD G-d made a covenant with us at Sinai.

Not only with our ancestors
did the L-RD make this covenant,
but with us, the living,
every one of us here today.

The L-RD said: I am the L-RD your G-d who brought you
out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
You shall worship only Me.

You shall not make a graven image to worship;
you shall not bow down to idols or serve them.

You shall not use the Name of the L-RD your G-d
to take a false oath.

Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.

Honor your father and your mother.

You shall not murder.

You shall not commit adultery.

You shall not steal.

You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

You shall not covet your neighbor's wife,
and you shall not covet your neighbor's house, or field,
or servant, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.

Not only with our ancestors did the L-RD make this covenant,
but with us, the living, every one of us here today,
to remember and to fulfill it."

"O G-d, make the words of the Torah sweet in our mouths...and may we, and our children, and our children's children, be knowledgeable of Your Name and sincere students of Torah." (From the daily morning prayers, as quoted by Rabbi Twerski in Living Each Day)

"His is eternal strength that could not be described --
Even if the heaves were parchment, and the forests quills,
If all oceans were ink, as well as every gathered water,
If the earth's inhabitants were scribes and recorders of initials..."
(From Akdamut, a prayer recited on Shavout, ArtScroll Siddur)


From the Week of 25 Iyar 5757/June 1, 1997

Redemption

When senseless hatred rules the earth,
where could redemption reside?

When people hide their faces from each other
and from Heaven, where could redemption reside?

If we do not pray for an end to wickedness
in our lives and in our world, will we see redemption?

If we refuse to see the flaws in our souls
and do not try to correct them, will we see redemption?

Redemption will be realized when love and justice rule the earth,
when people reveal their faces to each other, and to Heaven.

Redemption will be realized when each of us sets free
the sacred sparks that each of us contains.

Redemption will be realized when all people
return out of their exile from each other.

Then Isaac and Ishmael, and Jacob and Esau, will embrace
upon the peaceful shores of love and understanding.

Then will creation's harmony be restored,
then will redemption become a reality.

May that day come soon.
May we see it son, in this our world.

(Siddur Sim Shalom, p 805)


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