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Shabbos Parshas Matos -
Masei/Shabbos Rosh Chodesh - 21 July, 2001
Candle lighting time: 5:04pm. Shabbos ends: 6:05pm.
Mincha & Kabalos Shabbos (Friday evening): 5:20pm.
Shacharis on Shabbos in the Youth Minyan as usual at 9:45am.
* This week's speaker after davening in the Youth Minyan, will be Danny Karp.
* There will be a shiur (Gemorah Brachos) at Mark Franck's house on Shabbos afternoon at
4:05pm.
* There will be a kiddush in the Youth Minyan this shabbos in honour of Rosh Chodesh
Menachem Av.
_______________________________________________
M A Z A L T O V !
* A very hearty Mazal Tov to Isi & Miriam Pacanowski on the bris of their son,
Shimshon, this past Sunday. Sheyigdol leTorah, leChuppah, uleMa'asim Tovim.
* Katanga would like to wish the parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters and extended
families much naches and simchas in the future.
_______________________________________________
D'var Torah
If I Had a Million Dollars...
by Rabbi Shraga Simmons
In this week's Parsha, the Jewish people are in final preparations for entering the Land
of Israel. Two of the tribes, Reuven and Gad have been blessed with such an abundance of
flocks and herds, that they anticipate not having enough grazing land in Israel. So they
propose the following: Instead of taking our regular portion of land within Israel proper,
we'll instead stay here on the Eastern side of the Jordan River.
Moses' lambastes them - not because they were choosing to stay outside Israel but because
when making their request, Reuven and Gad blatantly disregard the needs of their children
- and mention their cattle only. (Numbers 32:4)
We've all met people who are working overtime to "give their kids something
extra" - while ruining that very relationship by not spending enough time with the
kids!
These people are making a big mistake. More than presents, children need your presence.
The Torah tells us to recite the "Shema" prayer twice each day. It says:
"And you shall love the Lord your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and
with all your resources."
Typically the Torah presents a series as a progression from easiest to hardest: Love God
emotionally ("heart"), and even be willing to give up your life if necessary
("soul"), and even be willing to spend your money, too!
Yet if this is a progression, are there really people who consider money more important
than life itself?!
And the answer is yes. The Talmud speaks about someone who walks across a thorny field,
and picks up his pants in order to avoid getting them ripped. Of course, the person's legs
get all cut up and scratched - but at least the pants are saved!
Priorities.
In our Parsha, after travelling through the desert for 40 years and enduring countless
trials and tribulations, the Jewish people are now standing across the Jordan, ready to
enter the Promised Land. It is one of the defining moments in all of Jewish history.
But Reuven and Gad say they'd rather take good grazing land than enter Israel!
They had come so far, but they only went halfway. They were distracted by material goals
when it really counted.
The Talmud says that when Reuven and Gad later saw the rich life in the Land of Israel,
they regretted their decision. But the story has an even sadder ending: When Assyrian King
Sanchereb exiled the Jewish people during the time of the First Temple, the first tribes
to be conquered and sent away were, you guessed it, Reuven and Gad.
It happens to all of us from time to time. Objectively, we can know our priorities. But
sometimes we get distracted.
May we have the strength and clarity to connect our heart to our mind - and to act upon
that which we intellectually know to be right.
_______________________________________________
PARSHA OVERVIEW - MATOS
Matot includes the laws of making and annulling vows, the surprise attack on Midian, the
dedication of a portion of the spoils to the communal good and the request of the tribes
of Reuben and Gad for their portion of land to be east of the Jordan river. After assuring
Moshe that they will take part in the conquering of the land of Israel, Moshe concedes to
their request.
PARSHA OVERVIEW - MASEI
Masei includes the complete list of journeys in the desert. God commands to drive out the
land's inhabitants, to destroy their idols and to divide the land by a lottery system. God
establishes the borders of the Land of Israel. New leadership is appointed, cities of the
Levites and Cities of Refuge (where an accidental murderer may seek asylum) are
designated. Finally, the laws regarding accidental and willful murder as well as
inheritance laws for property, are defined.
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The Nine Days
In addition to the limitations of the Three Weeks - i.e., refraining from haircuts and
shaving, celebrations and music - the following also apply to the Nine Days when we
observe a higher level of mourning: "When the month of Av begins, we reduce our
joy" (Ta'anit 26).
1. We abstain from the consumption of meat (including poultry) and wine, except on Shabbos
(and at a Seudat Mitzvah). Wine from Havdallah should be given to a child to drink.
2. We refrain from wearing newly laundered garments (except on Shabbos), or laundering any
clothes, though "non-fresh" items may be worn. Clothing of small children, which
gets soiled frequently, may be laundered during the Nine Days.
3. One should refrain from bathing for pleasure during this period. Washing or showering
in non-hot water to remove dirt or perspiration is permitted, as is washing or showering
for Shabbat.
_______________________________________________
Other Developments
* Last shabbos after shule, Eli Lebovits spoke eloquently about the significance of the
reward which Pinchas received for his zealous act. Moshe did not merit with the priesthood
because there was a "blemish" in his ancestry. Pinchas' reward, however,
represented a change in the perception and attitude toward priesthood, whereby the service
of a priest with 'questionable' lineage, could nevertheless be accepted. Yasher Koach.
* Yossi Franck spoke at Seudah Shlishis last week explaining various interpretations
regarding the enveloping by the Torah, of the names of the families of the 12 tribes
regarding their allocation of land in Israel, with a letter 'Hey' and 'Yud'. Yasher Koach.
_______________________________________________
Announcements
- Welcome back to Yaron Gottleib after his trip to a friend's wedding in America, and to
Jack & Sharona Zacks from their recent honeymoon. Sholom Aleichem and Bruchim Atem
Bevoiachem.
- Last week the main shule enjoyed its traditional Shabbos Mevorchim Kiddush. Yasher Koach
to all those involved.
- This shabbos is Rosh Chodesh Av and marks the beginning of the Nine Days. Chodesh Tov
Umevorach. Just a reminder concerning the general prohibitions of the three weeks (and the
additional prohibitions listed earlier for the Nine Days), including prohibitions against:
weddings, music, public celebrations, haircuts or shaving and the blessing
"She-hechianu" on new food or clothes (except on Shabbos).
- In this second shabbos of the three weeks we read the second Haftorah of 'punishment'
which is also taken from Yirmiyahu - "Shimua D'var Hashem".
- Minyanim times for this coming week are:
Mornings: early minyan @ 6:40am, late minyan @ 7am
Mincha at 4:50pm followed by shiurim. Ma'ariv at 5:30pm.
- Anyone interested in joining the roster for presenting shiurim in the Youth Minyan
should speak to Ezra May, or email us here.
- Please join us for our Katanga weekly Squash game on Sundays @ 6pm and 7pm at Albert
Park (Sports and Aquatic Centre). If you are interested in attending, please let Yirmie
Elkus know.
_______________________________________________
Thoughts for the Week
"The tongue is the pen of the heart." (Bachya Ibn Pekudah)
"Those who find fault with others are often themselves at fault."
"The one who relies on authority during a discussion does not use his mind but his
memory." (Leonardo da Vinci)
"Many people will walk in and out of your life, But only true friends will leave
footprints in your heart." (Eleanor Roosevelt)
"My son has taken up meditation - at least it's better than sitting doing
nothing." (Max Kauffmann)
_______________________________________________
Shabbat Shalom & Gut Shabbos!
"The Editors"
Shabbos Parshas Pinchas/Shabbos
Mevorchim - 14 July, 2001
Candle lighting time: 4:59pm. Shabbos ends: 6:00pm.
Mincha & Kabalos Shabbos (Friday evening): 5:15pm.
Shacharis on Shabbos in the Youth Minyan as usual at 9:45am.
* This week's speaker after davening in the Youth Minyan, will be Eliezer Lebovits.
* There will be a shiur (Gemorah Brachos) at Mark Franck's house on Shabbos afternoon at
4:00pm.
_______________________________________________
M A Z A L T O V !
* A very hearty Mazal Tov to Yisroel Alter and Miriam Pacanowski on the occasion of the
birth of a son this week.
* Katanga would like to wish the parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters and extended
families much naches and simchas in the future
* Isi and Miriam have much pleasure in inviting everyone to celebrate the Shalom Zocher
this Friday night (12 July), which will be held in their home at 8 Loch Avenue, East St
Kilda. The Bris will IY"H be held on Sunday morning at Shule. Shachris is at 8:00am
and the Bris to follow.
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D'var Torah
The 'Crisis' Crisis
by Rabbi Stephen Baars
Pinchas is one of the few parshas named after an individual Jew. To appreciate how unusual
this is, there is no parsha named Abraham. Nor is there one named Isaac, Jacob, Sarah,
Rivka, Rachel, Leah, Joseph, Moses or Aaron.
Clearly, Pinchas was one of the all-time heroes of Jewish history. What was his claim to
fame? In an act of tremendous self sacrifice (and at great personal danger), Pinchas acted
to stop a public display of immorality which had triggered a plague that was killing
thousands. Pinchas had stepped forward at a time when everyone else had given up, and for
this he was rewarded by God with the "Covenant of Peace." It is hard to find
such a Jewish champion in the Torah.
It is therefore surprising that later in the parsha, Joshua - a ‘secondary’
figure in the Bible - is appointed to inherit Jewish leadership after Moses' death!
As the commentators explain, the appointment of Joshua is juxtaposed next to Pinchas'
heroics to contrast what a real leader should be (Joshua), as opposed to what we think he
should be (Pinchas). Though the "Pinchas'" of the world typically get the most
media attention, it is the quiet qualities of a "Joshua" which are most
essential for leadership.
What leadership skills and talents does Joshua possess that Pinchas lacks?
Joshua's greatness is that when it came to Torah, he was reliable, dependable and
consistent. Day in and day out, he would arrive first to the study hall to set up the
chairs, and he would stay to sweep up after. When Moses went up Mount Sinai for 40 days,
Joshua faithfully waited below.
This was Joshua's strength. He learned as much as he could from the Torah, the instruction
book of life. If you want a leader, then pick the one who has studied the instructions
first.
What if you have the choice between a person who consistently makes good decisions, or
someone who blooms in a crisis? The Torah says to choose the former.
Why? A crisis is, by its very nature, a unique and passing event. Most of the time,
society is not in crises. Therefore, the best leader is one who can be steady and
consistent through the routine of day-to-day reality.
In his quiet, unassuming way, Joshua was a rock of stability. This may seem slight when
compared to the exciting bravery of Pinchas. Yet, the Torah teaches, it characterizes the
essence of a good leader.
We've all heard questions such as, "What would you do if your child came home and
told you X or Y problem?" Or, "What would you do if you found out you had A or B
disease?" These make great talk-show topics and bar-room discussions. We watch
crisis-laden soap operas, pay to view crisis-packed movies, and read crisis-covered
newspapers. Our perspective is so skewed that normal everyday activity seems mundane,
boring, and unworthy of attention. We've turned our lives into a constant quest for
crisis.
But what about the "non-crisis?" Are we prepared to sit at the dinner table and
discuss how to make the act of eating more meaningful? Would we watch a talk show that
raises the question, "Is day-to-day life meaningful when there isn't a crisis?"
If we were more adequately equipped to face the non-crisis situations, there would be far
less likelihood of problems accumulating to the point where they actually do reach crisis
proportions!
For this reason, Joshua was the best choice for leader. It is only our modern-day
pre-occupation with crisis that could make us think Pinchas was more qualified.
From where will we learn to enjoy life if we do not spend time to understand the inherent
value of the "mundane"? How will our children learn to make their days
meaningful if our only concern is the crisis in life, the crisis in the world?
We may know the right response if our children came home and told us X or Y. We may know
how to handle the knowledge that we have A or B. We may be ably prepared for most of
life's crises and disasters. But the non-crisis arena is the one that holds the real
challenge for us today. Because what a disaster life will be... if we don't learn how to
deal with the consistent reality of daily routine!
_______________________________________________
PARSHA OVERVIEW - PINCHAS
In last week's Torah portion, Pinchas acted to stop a public display of immorality. He
thus stemmed the plague of retribution which was killing the multitudes. He is rewarded by
being made a Cohen - by Divine decree. The Almighty commands Moshe to attack the
Midianites in retribution for the licentious plot the Midianites perpetrated upon the
Israelites. A new census is taken of the Jewish people revealing that there are 601,730
available for army duty. G-d directs the division of the Land of Israel amongst the
tribes. The Levites are tallied. The daughters of Tzelafchad come forward to petition
Moshe regarding their right of inheritance. Moshe inquires of the Almighty Who answers in
their favor.
_______________________________________________
The 3 Weeks
We might think the Second Temple was destroyed because of a combination of complex
reasons, a series of events out of our control. Not so. It is simply due to the sin of
unwarranted hatred between Jews.
When we desire and await the rebuilding of the Temple, the key is to focus on fixing what
we have ruined. The way of repair is that everyone must make a maximum effort to love
every member of the Jewish People.
This is what we are lacking today, so this is what we mourn on Tisha B'Av. Every time you
get into a fight with someone and you don't work it out, think long and hard that you are
personally responsible for holding back the rebuilding of the Temple. And every time you
love a Jew unconditionally, we bring redemption one giant step closer.
_______________________________________________
Other Developments
* Last shabbos after shule, Rafi Goodman, spoke about the incident at the end of Balak
when the Jewish people sinned with the Midianite women. He related the story of Pinchas
who 'zealously' acted to quell the sinners by taking the life of Zimri and Cozbi. Rafi
spoke about the halachic principles and implications of the varying views on Pinchas'
action, with specific reference to the argument between the Ran and the Rashbam. Yasher
Koach.
_______________________________________________
Announcements
- This week is Shabbos Mevorchim as we bless the coming month of Av. Rosh Chodesh is next
shabbos (12 July). Chodesh Tov Umevorach.
- During the three weeks we read a series of Haftorot which deal with punishment. The
first, which will be read this shabbos, is taken from the beginning of Yirmiyahu. Just a
reminder concerning the prohibitions of the three weeks, including prohibitions against:
weddings, music, public celebrations, haircuts or shaving and the blessing
"She-hechianu" on new food or clothes (except on Shabbos).
- Minyanim times for this coming week are:
Mornings: early minyan @ 6:40am, late minyan @ 7am
Mincha at 4:50pm followed by shiurim. Ma'ariv at 5:30pm.
- Anyone interested in joining the roster for presenting shiurim in the Youth Minyan
should speak to Ezra May, or email us here.
- Please join us for our Katanga weekly Squash game on Sundays @ 6pm and 7pm at Albert
Park (Sports and Aquatic Centre). If you are interested in attending, please let Yirmie
Elkus know.
_______________________________________________
Thoughts for the Week
"It's difficult to keep an open mind and an open mouth at the same time."
"The praise of a woman is not when she is extolled by her friends, but when she is
extolled by her rivals." (Chiyya bar Abba)
"Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the
sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost." (John Adams)
"I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free." (Michelangelo)
"Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine."
_______________________________________________
Shabbat Shalom & Gut Shabbos!
"The Editors"
Shabbos Parshas Balak -
7 July, 2001
Candle lighting time: 4:55pm. Shabbos ends: 5:56pm.
Mincha & Kabalos Shabbos (Friday evening): 5:10pm.
Shacharis on Shabbos in the Youth Minyan as usual at 9:45am.
* This week's speaker after davening in the Youth Minyan, will be Rafi Goodman.
* There will be a shiur (Gemorah Brachos) at Mark Franck's house on Shabbos afternoon at
3:55pm.
_______________________________________________
M A Z A L T O V !
* A very hearty Mazal Tov to Jack and Sharona Zacks on the occasion of their wedding this
past week.
* Katanga would like to wish the happy couple, their parents and extended families much
naches and simchas in the future.
_______________________________________________
D'var Torah
"The Power of Positive"
by Rabbi Zelig Pliskin
The Children of Israel encamped in the plains of Moab. The Moabites were frightened. Their
king, Balak, sent messengers to Bilaam, a non-Jewish prophet requesting that he destroy
the Israelites with a curse. The Torah states, "Come now, curse this people for me
for they are too powerful for me; perhaps I shall be able to strike (them) and drive them
out of the land; for I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is
cursed" (Numbers 22:6).
The Chofetz, Chaim, Rabbi Yisroel Meir Kagan, comments that from here we see how wicked
was Balak. Balak believed that Bilaam had the power to bless, so why did he request that
Bilaam curse the Jews? He could have asked him to bless his own people so that they should
not be harmed.
The non-Jews in the city of Telshe greatly respected Rabbi Eliezer Gordon, the Rabbi of
Telshe and founder of its yeshiva, and many of them would ask him to pray for their
welfare. Once a non-Jewish farmer came to Rabbi Gordon and asked him to pray that his
enemy should die. Rabbi Gordon explained to him that the proper thing for him to do was
not to curse his enemy, but to pray that his enemy should become his friend.
What is the lesson for us? Rather than focus on negativity in personal relationships,
focus on how to turn the relationship in a positive direction through both prayer and
action.
_______________________________________________
PARSHA OVERVIEW - BALAK
Balak, king of Moav, is in morbid fear of Bnei Yisrael. He summons a renowned sorcerer
named Bilaam to curse them. First, Hashem appears to Bilaam and forbids him to go. But
because Bilaam is so insistent, Hashem appears to him a second time and permits him to go.
En route, an angel blocks Bilaam's donkey's path and instructs him regarding what he is
permitted and forbidden to say. Bilaam attempts three times to curse, and three times a
blessing issues instead. Bnei Yisrael begin sinning with the Moabite women and idols - and
are punished with a plague. One of the Jewish leaders brazenly brings a Midianite princess
into his tent, in full view of Moshe and the people. Pinchas, a grandson of Aharon, grabs
a spear and kills both evildoers. This halts the plague, but not before 24,000 have died.
_______________________________________________
17th of Tamuz & the 3 Weeks
The 17th of Tammuz (Sunday, 8th July) is a fast day (commences at 5:51am and finishes at
5:43pm) commemorating the fall of Jerusalem, prior to the destruction of the Holy Temple.
This also marks the beginning of a 3-week national period of mourning, leading up to Tisha
B'Av.
Agonizing over these events is meant to help us conquer those spiritual deficiencies which
brought about these tragic events. Through the process of "Teshuva" -
self-introspection and a commitment to improve - we have the power to transform tragedy
into joy. In fact, the Talmud says that after the future redemption of Israel and the
rebuilding of the Temple, these fast days will be re-dedicated as days of rejoicing and
festivity. For as the prophet Zechariah says: the 17th of Tammuz will become a day of
"joy to the House of Judah, and gladness and cheerful feasts."
Five great catastrophes occurred in Jewish history on the 17th of Tammuz:
1. Moses broke the tablets at Mount Sinai in response to the sin of the Golden Calf.
2. The daily offerings in the First Temple were suspended during the siege of Jerusalem,
after the Kohanim could no longer obtain animals.
3. Jerusalem's walls were breached, prior to the destruction of the Second Temple in 70
CE.
4. Prior to the Great Revolt, the Roman general Apostamos burned a Torah scroll - setting
a precedent for the horrifying burning of Jewish books throughout the centuries.
5. An idolatrous image was placed in the Sanctuary of the Holy Temple - a brazen act of
blasphemy and desecration.
During the 3 weeks, various aspects of mourning are observed by the entire nation. We
minimize joy and celebration. And, since the attribute of Divine judgement
("din") is acutely felt, we avoid potentially dangerous or risky endeavors.
Aspects of mourning observed during the Three Weeks:
1. No weddings are held. (However, engagement ceremonies are permissible.)
2. We do not listen to music.
3. We avoid all public celebrations - especially those which involve singing, dancing and
musical accompaniment.
4. We avoid pleasure trips or other unusually entertaining activities.
5. No haircuts or shaving. (Fingernails may be clipped up until the week in which Tisha
B'Av falls.)
6. We do not say the blessing "She-hechianu" on new food or clothes except on
Shabbos.
_______________________________________________
Other Developments
* Last week the Shul celebrated the affruf (and subsequent marriage) of Jack & Sharona
Goldman. Following the merged davening in the main minyan, the shule was treated to a
lovely kiddush.
* Ezra May spoke last week at Shalosh Seudos explaining why the Torah, when introducing
the Mitzvah of Para Adumah, uses the expresison 'Zos Chukas HaTorah'. Ezra offered various
possible explanations for the Para Adumah, the quintessential paradox, and then
highlighted that in reality all Torah and Mitzvois are Chukim - without definitive
rationale - and should be treated accordingly. Yasher Koach.
_______________________________________________
Announcements
- This Sunday (8th July, 2001) is the 17th of Tammuz. The fast begins at 5:51am on Sunday
morning and ends at 5:43pm Sunday evening. (Times listed relate to Melbourne, Australia -
please check with your local authorities for relevant times).
- The three weeks begin on Sunday with the 17 of Tammuz. See laws pertaining to this
period above.
- Minyanim times for this coming week are:
Mornings: early minyan @ 6:40am, late minyan @ 7am
Mincha at 4:50pm followed by shiurim. Ma'ariv at 5:30pm.
- Anyone interested in joining the roster for presenting shiurim in the Youth Minyan
should speak to Ezra May, or email us here.
- Katanga's weekly squash competition will not be held this Sunday (8th July) due to it
being the 17th of Tammuz (fast day).
_______________________________________________
Thoughts for the Week
"There is none so wise as the experienced." (Akeidah, Sha'ar 14)
"Bitterness is a pill that we swallow and hope that it will kill the enemy."
"We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark. The real tragedy of life is
when men are afraid of the light." (Plato)
"Learn from the mistakes of others. You can't live long enough to make them all
yourself." (Eleanor Roosevelt)
"The difference between a genius and a lunatic is that the genius has proof."
(Dominique Bouchard)
_______________________________________________
Shabbat Shalom & Gut Shabbos!
"The Editors"
Shabbos Parshas Chukas
- 30 June, 2001
Candle lighting time: 4:51pm. Shabbos ends: 5:53pm.
Mincha & Kabalos Shabbos (Friday evening): 5:10pm.
The Youth Minyan will be merging with the main minyan to celebrate the affruf of Jack
Zacks.
* There will be a shiur (Gemorah Brachos) at Mark Franck's house on Shabbos afternoon at
3:50pm.
* There will be a kiddush this shabbos in the main shule, to celebrate the affruf of Jack
Zacks & Sharona Goldman. ALL are invited to attend.
_______________________________________________
M A Z A L T O V !
* A very hearty Mazal Tov to Jack Zacks and Sharona Goldman on the occasion of their
affruf this week.
* Katanga would like to wish the happy couple, their parents and extended families much
naches and simchas in the future.
M A Z A L T O V !
* A very hearty Mazal Tov to Rebecca Levin and Joseph Cox (Portland, Oregon) on the
occasion of their engagement this week.
* Katanga would like to wish the happy couple, their parents and extended families much
naches and simchas in the future.
_______________________________________________
D'var Torah
"Different Strokes..."
by Rabbi Shraga Simmons
This week's Parsha features one of the most perplexing incidents in the entire Torah. The
Jews have been wandering for 40 years in the desert and they're thirsty. So God tells
Moses to speak to the rock and water will come forth (Numbers 20:8). The instruction to
"speak" to the rock is in contrast to 40 years earlier, when Moses followed
God's instruction to HIT the rock - and water gushed out (Exodus 17:6).
This time, Moses is to speak. Yet he again hits the rock. Nothing happens, so Moses hits
the rock a second time, and water comes out. God's response: "Since you HIT the rock
rather than speaking to it, you will not lead the Jewish people into the Land of
Israel" (Numbers 20:11-12).
We read this story and think: Here's the mighty Moses, who confronted Pharaoh, arranged
the Ten Plagues, split the Red Sea, brought the Torah down from Mount Sinai, and defended
the people through trials and tribulations in the desert. Now he makes one little mistake
and God takes away his dream of entering Israel. The consequence seems inappropriately
harsh!
The first step in understanding this incident is to appreciate how the Jewish people were
at the critical juncture of transitioning from desert life to Israel. At the rock, God's
instructions to Moses are carefully chosen to reflect this transition. Forty years
earlier, when Moses was told to HIT the rock, the people had just come out of brutal
slavery in Egypt - and "hitting" was a language they understood. But this time,
Moses was called upon to lead a generation who'd grown up in freedom; a generation which
required the softer approach of "speaking."
Notice how in our Parsha, Moses hits the rock twice. First, he hit the rock and no water
came out. At that moment he had the opportunity to reevaluate his approach and reflect
more carefully on God's specific instruction to "speak." But Moses hits the rock
again.
The commentators suggest that perhaps symbolically, we can learn about our own need to be
flexible in our approach. Moses' punishment is not harsh; it is simply a consequence of
his relationship to the new generation and their needs in entering Israel.
We learn from this a crucial lesson about education. King Solomon says: "Educate each
child according to his own way." The process of learning is different for everybody,
and the approach that's effective for one is often not effective for another.
Jewish ideals have existed against all odds for 3,000 years - not because we've pounded
people over the head, but because we've communicated those ideas in a rational, practical
way. Anyone who says that yeshiva is a cult is woefully misinformed. Yeshiva is precisely
the place to discuss the issues, ask questions, work it through, and make it you own.
It is interesting that the experience of Moses in the desert can be understood in light of
the experience of Judaism in the 20th century. In the shtetl of Europe, a rabbi might be
able to communicate displeasure to his students by hitting the knuckles with a ruler. It
was a language that was accepted and understood. But when tens of thousands of Jews moved
to America, those who sent their children to Jewish day school found these same rabbis
applying their European-style methods to children with American mentalities. These
children, who were used to a more open and permissive approach, could not relate to
Judaism as it was being presented. The result is that many of them shifted away from
observance.
It has only been in the last 20 years - with American-born rabbis now taking the helm and
explaining Judaism in modern, relevant terms - that American Jewry has seen a resurgence
back toward traditional observance.
Berel Wein writes:
"In our always-uncertain world, it is natural to crave security and stability.
Financial planners, estate planners, insurance experts and politicians in office all
attempt to convince us that the way it is now is how it will be in the future as well.
However, all of us in our secret hearts know that the only thing certain about the future
is that it will not be the same as the present. Therefore, we should be prepared to be
open to new circumstances, to a constantly changing world. We should not be afraid to try
out new technology, new ideas and theories, to change careers and pursue our true
interests and goals. There is an innate longing for greatness within all of us. That
longing can never be fulfilled without a willingness to change, improve and try something
new."
Like Moses and the rock, our ability to adjust and customize our approach - while
remaining true to Torah standards - will in large part determine how successfully we move
our children, our students, our nation and ourselves forward into the "Land of
Israel" - into the next exciting stage of personal and national destiny.
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PARSHA OVERVIEW - CHUKAT
The Parsha details the laws of the Para Aduma (red heifer) for ritual purification of one
who comes into contact with death. After nearly 40 years in the desert, Miriam dies and is
buried at Kadesh. The water supply which had been provided miraculously in her merit
ceases and the people complain. Hashem commands Moshe and Aharon to gather the nation at
Merivah and speak to a designated rock so that water will flow forth. Distressed by the
people's lack of faith, Moshe hits the rock and Hashem tells them that they will not bring
the people into the Land. Bnei Yisrael resume their travels. When they reach Mount Hor,
Aharon dies and his son Elazar is invested with his priestly garments and
responsibilities. Aharon was beloved by all, and the entire nation mourns him 30 days.
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Other Developments
* After shule on shabbos, Jack Zacks quoted the Gemorah which teaches that a person's true
nature is exposed through a few things: money, drink, anger and laughter ("Kees,
Kose, Kas and Tzchok"). He then proceeded to describe Korach's behaviour in terms of
these attributes. Korach had spent vast sums of money to cause Moshe humiliation in front
of entire Bnei Yisrael for his own enjoyment. Furthermore, the underlying cause of his
rebellion was financial self interest - as he was not destined to receive a portion of the
land upon entrance to Israel. Yasher Koach.
* Last week the Shul enjoyed a kiddush by Mr & Mrs Tom May and Mr & Mrs Abe
Muchnik in honour of their respective yortzheits.
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Announcements
- Minyanim times for this coming week are:
Mornings: early minyan @ 6:40am, late minyan @ 7am
Mincha at 4:50pm followed by shiurim. Ma'ariv at 5:30pm.
- Anyone interested in joining the roster for presenting shiurim in the Youth Minyan
should speak to Ezra May, or email us here.
- Please join us for our Katanga weekly Squash game on Sundays @ 6pm and 7pm at Albert
Park (Sports and Aquatic Centre). If you are interested in attending, please let Yirmie
Elkus know.
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Thoughts for the Week
"Failure is when one stops trying, not when one doesn't succeed."
"A wise man's question is half the answer." (Mivchar Peninim)
"The only safe and sure way to destroy an enemy is to make him your friend."
(Abraham Lincoln)
"A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle."
"I think animal testing is a terrible idea; they get all nervous and give the wrong
answers."
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Shabbat Shalom & Gut Shabbos!
"The Editors"
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