TORAH PORTION
It's The
Triple Crown
Achieve Greatness
By Performing Well
Of PUrilll Events .. .
RABBI IRWIN GRONER
1 Purim Carnival Sunday March 8
11:45 to 2 p.m.
Special to The Jewish News
T
food • fun • games & prizes !
2
Chag Purim Celebration
6:30 p.m. Wednesday March 18
where? of course! at
Congregation
Beth Shalom
4y
Costume Parade.Megillah Reading
Children's Megillah Narration
Everyone
Welcome
3 Purim Play & Seudah (Dinner)*
* This event by reservation / there is a charge.
Thursday March 19 at 5:30 p.m.
Congregation Beth Shalom 14410 Lincoln Road Oak Park phone 547 7970
-
MR.
MECHA
TM
TUNE-UP
FREE
TOWING
PLAN
AVAILABLE
FROM
$ 3 990
AUTO SERVICE CENTER
FROM
COMPLETE AUTO SERVICE
• Install Champion Spark Plugs
• Adjust Timing and Idle
• Scope Engine
Further Diagnostic Work Extra
24125 Telegraph
(Between 9 & 10 Mile)
Includes FREE Valvoline
Oil Change with Filter
356-6565
7 ,
BRAKES
FRONT OR REAR
X3 9 9°
1111.7
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8
C000 , 1 Exo MarcH 31 1992
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• Disk or Drum
• Install New Pads or Shoes
• Resurface Rotors or Drums
Metallic Rear Disc or Foreign Extra
Includes FREE Valvoline
Oil Change with Filter
Wth Coupon Exp Mach 31 1992
'I
/// / /// / // / ////4
FUR, SALE!
Home & Garden Show Special
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2 coats Pacific strong finish
Custom Fabrics
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MICHIGAN HOME & GARDEN SHOW
Pontiac Silverdome
MARCH 5, 6, 7 & 8th
Personalized Designs
Mon.-Fri. 10-4
Sat. 10-3
Franklin Plaza
358-4085
29107 Northwestern Hwy.
Southfield and entrance from 12 Mile in mar)
Thurs., Fri., Sat. & Sun.
FRANKLIN FLOOR COVERING PLUS
332.9430
2258 Franklin Road • Bloomfield Hills
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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1992
Find It All In
The Jewish News
Classifieds
Call 354-5959
his Sabbath we shall
finish reading the last
portion of the book of
Exodus. One would expect the
last chapter would end on a
high note of exaltation, sum-
marizing the dramatic
episodes in the history of
Israel. Yet quite the opposite
is true.
One finds nothing dramatic
and spectacular; instead we
read a financial report of con-
tributions and a repetitious
account of materials, all of
which went into the building
of the tabernacle. All
materials are itemized and
their use accounted for.
The emphasis on detail is
most conspicuous throughout
these last chapters. Three
times the people are com-
plimented for having carried
out all the plans of the con-
struction exactly the way
they were instructed. "And
the children of Israel made it
(the Tabernacle) in accor-
dance with all that God had
commanded Moses." With
regard to Moses, we are told
that he did everything that
God had commanded him.
It is this very emphasis of
exactness and faithfulness to
the last minute detail which,
I believe, constituted the
critical lesson of the final
chapters of Exodus. Moses
and his people conscientious-
ly followed the Divine blue-
print. This ability to be guid-
ed by God's instructions in
every aspect of the construc-
tion of His house taught a
great moral lesson.
Human greatness is not
achieved by one-time spec-
tacular accomplishment, but
rather by the quiet yet steady
performance of duties and
good deeds. Heroic acts of
devotion and self-sacrifice are
beautiful and inspiring. Yet,
there are more authentic
measures for greatness.
Authentic moral achieve-
ment is evident in the per-
manence and trustworthiness
of man's character. It is won
by a lifelong dedication, day-
by-day and hour-by-hour, to
that which is right, good and
noble. The Talmud cites a
question of several students
who ask their teacher: "To
what do you attribute your
long life?" The key word in all
the responses offered is
"never." "I never went back
on a promise. I never was
Irwin Groner is rabbi of
Congregation Shaarey Zedek.
angry in my, household. I
never honored myself through
the disgrace of my neighbor.
No one ever preceded me to
enter the House of Study."
Judaism has never been a
religion based on a catechism.
Through tne centuries, a
number of scholars have
made attempts to organize
and define the principles of
belief to which a Jew must
adhere. But fundathentally,
Judaism has emphasized con-
duct more than faith. In our
religion, the basic challenge
is the mitzvah, the Divine
command in which we ex-
press our service to God and
our love of man. The mitzvah
Shabbat Vayakhel
Exodus 35:1-38:20
30:11-16
Kings II 12:1-17
is the responsibility that lies
within the reach of every one
of us.
Greatness lies in the
faithful performance of
whatever duties life places
upon us and in the generous
performance of the small acts
of kindness that God has
made possible for us. There is
greatness in patient en-
durance, in unyielding loyal-
ty to a goal, in resistance to
the temptation to betray the
best we know, in speaking up
for the truth when it is assail-
ed, in steadfast adherence to
vows given and promises
made.
Rabbi Leo A. Baeck summ-
ed up this theme in a
touching way: "Piety respects
the little — the little man, the
little task, the little duty.
Through the little, religion
meets the greatness that lies
behind." ❑
SYNAGOGUES
Adat Shalom
Nursery Event
The Adat Shalom Nursery
School is planning a
Mishpachah event for
preschoolers and their
families 10 a.m. to noon
March 8 at the synagogue.
Titled "The Great Purim
Parcel Factory," the morning
will consist of cooking ac-
tivities, craft projects, a
Purim magic show, and the
preparation of sh'lach manot
baskets to share with
families, friends, Jewish
seniors, new Americans, new-
corners to Detroit and pa-
tients at Sinai Hospital.