Pre-Selichos Shiur n' Snacks
Katanga's Annual Chodesh Elul Shiur Night

Last Motzei Shabbos, the annual pre-Selichos Elul Shiur Night was held. As well as the well prepared, informative and inspirational speeches, a delicious Melava Malka was enjoyed by all. Yasher Koach to the hosts, Yirmie & Jordi Elkus and to all those who volunteered to speak; Moshe Shimon, Noah Fried, Rabbi Meir Rabi and Simon Weinstein. A short summary of the speeches follow;

Moshe Shimon spoke about 'Nachamu Nachamu Ami' - 'Be comforted, Be comforted, My Nation'. Moshe explained how the Children of Israel are one collective people and even though one may experience a personal tragedy, he can be comforted by knowing that as a community, Israel will triumph - 'Netzach Yisrael Lo Yishaker'. Moshe quoted from a series of letters written at the time of the Second World War in which people found solace in the victory and perpetuity of the people of Israel.

Noah Fried explained the famous Gemorah regarding Rabbi Yochanon Ben Zakai who managed to escape the siege of Jerusalem (at the destruction of the Second Temple) and request three things from the Roman Emperor; the city of Yavneh and its Rabbis, the family of Rabbon Gamliel to preserve the lineage of King David and a doctor to heal the elderly Rav Tzadok. Noah explained how these three things mirror the month of Elul, Rosh Hashona and Yom Kippur. The similarities are the importance of Torah learning during Elul - as occurred in Yavneh; the continual reign of the King - as on Rosh Hashona we accept the yoke of Hashem's reign; and fasting on Yom Kippur - as Rav Tzadok was famous for fasting for 40 years.

Rabbi Meir Rabi spoke about the human psyche and its ability to routinize our performance of Mitzvot and our feelings of Teshuvah during Elul. He explained that we become relaxed by its regularity - taking shortcuts by 'highlighting' the days, rather than concerning ourselves with their significance and underlying processes. Rabbi Rabi used the parable of a person installing a faucet alone - without the requisite plumbing and infrastructure - and then expecting water to flow from it. He provided a tangible action plan for concentrating on routine things and infusing them with significance and meaning.

Simon Weinstein spoke about the Akaidas Yitzchok - read on second day Rosh Hashana. According to the Vilna Gaon it represents the way a Jew should approach Avoidas Hashem. Avraham, who personified loving kindness required a test which would span all facets of his existence, otherwise people would have argued that all his good deeds were only due to his natural characteristics. Only by testing Avraham with something so challenging and contradictory to his entire being, could we be certain of his pure motives. By performing mitzvot beyond that which suit our lifestyle, we are shown the proper approach to Avoidas Hashem in the way we are meant to - B'chol Levavcha, U'Vechol Nafshecha, U'Vechol Meodacha - 'With our hearts, with our souls and with our resources'.