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Shabbos Parshas Vayigash - 22 December, 2001
Series 3, Edition 16.
Candle lighting time: 8:24pm. Shabbos ends: 9:29pm.
Mincha & Kabalos Shabbos: Early Minyan 7:00pm, Late Minyan 8:40pm.
Shacharis on Shabbos in the Main Shule is at 9:30am and in the Youth Minyan
at 9:45am.
*This week there will be a kiddish to honour and farewell Yirmie, Jordi,
Tali, Shira & Yanki Elkus who are shortly making Aliya. All are invited.
*This week's Gemorah Brachos shiur at Mark Franck's house on Shabbos
afternoon commences at 7:20pm.
_______________________________
D'var Torah
EXILE AND RETURN
by Rabbi Shraga Simmons (aish.com)
At the end of last week's Parsha, things look grim. Joseph - having not yet
revealed his true identity - has accused his bothers of theft and spying,
and now Benjamin is to be arrested and imprisoned. Joseph has the brothers
on the ropes – and then Parshat Mikeitz ends. One week later we resume the
story in Parshat Vayigash - with the brothers toe-to-toe, locked in a
explosive struggle that seems insolvable... Joseph reveals himself as their
long-lost brother. With three words, "I am Joseph" (Genesis 45:3),
everything now becomes clear. The previous 20 years of doubt and suffering
were all worth it, says Joseph. It's all part of God's master plan. The
reunited brothers hug and order is restored.
In answering the question as to why the Torah didn't just tell us the happy
ending to the story last week, rather than forcing us to wait, Rabbi Zev
Leff answers - "to demonstrate to us clearly that there is always a happy
ending."
In a great sense this is the story of our own lives as well. We work, we
plan, we struggle - and things often end up a big mess. The righteous suffer
and the wicked prosper. How do the pieces of this puzzle possibly fit
together?
The premise for this question comes from a certain lack of perspective.
Somehow we imagine that the world began when we're born, and ends when we
die. Everything that happened beforehand is lumped together as "ancient
history." If I can't understand it today, then it must not make sense at
all.
The truth is that we are here on earth for a short time. We do not see the
"Big Picture." We don't know all the details that happened before we were
here, and we certainly don't know what will happen after we're gone. It is
unfair to take a single event out of context. Why did it happen? We might
not see the answer immediately; we might not even see it in our lifetime.
Perhaps that's why older people seem to have more wisdom - because through
the perspective of time, they've seen how seemingly unrelated events connect
together.
In truth, it is often when things look the most grim that they turn around.
The night is at its absolute darkness just moments before the first rays of
morning sun begin to illuminate the sky. From the darkness comes light.
According to the Talmud, as the Messianic 'era approaches,' the world
experiences greater and greater turmoil: Vast economic fluctuations, social
rebellion, and widespread despair. The culmination will be a world war of
immense proportion led by King Gog from the land of Magog.
Then the Moshiach 'will come and herald the redemption. He 'will inspire all
peoples to follow God. He 'will rebuild the Temple, gather the remaining
Jewish exiles to Israel, and re-establish the Sanhedrin.
So when you read in the newspaper about hatred and strife, don't despair.
Just as the words "I am Joseph" put all previous difficulties into
perspective for the brothers, so too in the end of time all will be clear
for us.
_________________________
PARSHA OVERVIEW – Vayigash (Breishis 44:18 –47:27)
Last week we left with Joseph's pronouncement that he was keeping Benjamin
as a slave for stealing his wine cup. Judah challenges this decision and
offers himself as a slave instead. Joseph is overcome with emotion, clears
the room of all Egyptians and then reveals his identity to his unsuspecting
brothers.
The brothers are shocked! They suspect Joseph's intentions but accept his
offer to bring the extended family to Egypt. Jacob is initially numb and
disbelieving of the news, but becomes very excited to see his son.
During the famine, Joseph acquires all the property and people in Egypt for
Pharaoh with the grain stored during the seven good years. The Torah
recounts the 70 souls of the Jewish people which went down to Egypt. Jacob
reunites with Joseph, meets Pharaoh and settles the family in Goshen.
_________________________
Asarah B'Teves - Tenth of Tevet
On the Tenth of Teves, 2,500 years ago, Nebuchadnezzar began his siege of
Jerusalem. There was actually little damage on that first day and no Jews
were killed, so why is this day so tragic that we fast? Because the siege
was a message to get the Jewish people to wake up and fix their problems.
They failed and the siege led to the destruction of King Solomon's Temple.
Today we are also under siege. Much of the Jewish world is ignorant of our
precious heritage. Children whose Jewish education ended at age 13 now carry
that perception through adulthood. The results are catastrophic:
assimilation in the Diaspora and a blurring of our national goals in Israel.
The siege was a message to get the Jewish people to wake up and fix their
problems. The message of Asarah ‘B’Teves for us is to wake up. If there's a
siege, hear the message now. Don't wait for the destruction.
If the Jewish problem today is a lack of appreciation of our heritage, then
the solution is clear: increased love of Torah, love of Jews, and love of
Israel and Jerusalem. The Almighty is telling us: The siege will not be
lifted until you correct the mistake.
On the Tenth of Tevet, when Nebuchadnezzar surrounded the city of Jerusalem,
we did not get the message. Will we get the message now? Will we change?
Will we wake up?
__________________
Soccer Review
On 7th Day Chanuka, Sunday 16 December 2001, in true Chanuka spirit a band
of people came together to battle an imposing foe. Blood was spilt, bruises
earned and sweat poured as the weak battled the strong, the small against
the tall and the skinny against the fat. Yes, it was Katanga's annual Father
v Son soccer match.
To make the teams more equitable the eligibility requirements were relaxed
for the teams to essentially become married v unmarried. The match was well
attended with over 30 players providing such an entertaining and fast paced
game that the length of the playing field was extended three times.
For the Fathers', Daniel Franck was solid in goals with Moshe Shimon, Yirmie
Elkus, Isaac Berkowitz & Tom May helping in defence. Mark Franck and Isi
Pacanowski roamed the wings with Ari Bergman, Ronnie Jacobs & Peretz Shand
feeding forwards Danny Amzalak and Steven Goldman.
The Fathers used their added experience and bulk to good advantage and were
clearly the dominant side. Despite the efforts of Eli May, clearly the best
afield, and assistance up forward from Ronnie Kowadlo and Danny Shaefer, the
Sons were outplayed. Chemi Grossman, Benseon Apple, Mendi Slodowitz, Ezra
May, Shimon Susskind and Leible Sziewicz provided the bulk of the defence,
but couldn’t prevent 5 goals. Danny Amzalak provided the individual
highlight with a penetrating run around and through four defenders before
slotting a goal home. The game ended with the score 5-2.
After the match, all the participants thanked the organiser Leible Sziewicz
and the contingent of wives and daughters who viewed the action voiced their
amazement at the level of athleticism and fitness displayed. After the game
the hot dogs & chips, subsidised by Ronnie Jacobs, was consumed with nearly
as much gusto as the on-field action.
__________________
Other Developments
*Last Shabbos after Davening, Ezra May addressed the minyan, providing an
explanation of Yosef's inspiration for naming his son Menashe due to Hashem
allowing him to forget the 'house of his father'. Yasher Koach.
*At a special Shalosh Seudas last week, sponsored by Steven Tusak in honour
of the yorzeit of his father, Sheva Brochos was held for Ronnie & Karli
Jacobs. A larger then normal crowd enjoyed the extra food and created the
traditional Katanga atmosphere with joyous singing and dancing. A Dvar Torah
was provided by Prof. Hasofer who explained the relationship between dreams
- the theme of the Parsha and redemption - the theme of Chanuka. Yasher
Koach and Mazal Tov.
*This week we welcome back Lionel Schachna who is back home visiting family
and friends.
-----------------------------
Announcements
-The fast of Asoreh B'Teves is this Tuesday the 25th of December 2001.
-Minyanim times for the coming week are:
Shacharis: First Minyan @ 8:15am, Second Minyan @ 7:00am
Mincha at 8:40pm followed by shiurim and then Ma'ariv at 9:20pm.
-Anyone interested in presenting a Shiur in the Youth Minyan please contact
Ezra May, or email us here.
-Please join us for our Katanga weekly squash game on Sunday 6:00pm at
Gardenvale Squash Centre. If you are interested in attending, please contact
Mendi Solodowitz.
----------------------------
Thoughts for the Week
*Those who laugh at themselves never ceased to be amused.
*Life doesn't begin at forty, it only begins to show
*We know what we are, but not what we may be"
-----------------------------------------------
Shabbat Shalom & Gut Shabbos to all!
"The Editors"
Shabbos Parshas
Miketz - 15 December, 2001
Series 3, Edition 15.
Shabbos Parshas Vayashev - 8 December, 2001
Series 3, Edition 14.
Candle lighting time: 8:14pm. Shabbos ends: 9:19pm.
Mincha & Kabalos Shabbos (Friday evening): Early Minyan 7:00pm, Late Minyan
8:30pm.
Shacharis on Shabbos in the Main Shule is at 9:30am and in the Youth Minyan
at 9:45am.
*This week's Gemorah Brachos shiur at Mark Franck's house on Shabbos
afternoon commences at 7:10pm.
_______________________________
M A Z A L T O V !!
Mazal Tov to Ronni Jacobs and Karli Chiechanowski on the occasion of their
wedding which will take place this Sunday, 9 December 2001.
Katanga would like to wish a heartfelt Mazal tov to the Choson & Kallah, the
parents Arnold & Devorah Jacobs, Leah Jacobs and Harry & Tilly Chiechanowski
and to the grandparents, brother and sisters and extended families. Katanga
wishes them all much naches and simcha from the new couple and in everything
else.
In honour of his marriage Ronni will have an aliya to the Torah this Shabbos
and to celebrate this milestone the Shule is invited to participate in a
Kiddish after davening.
_______________________________
D'var Torah
Exile and Return
By Rabbi Shraga Simmons (aish.com)
This week's parsha features the famous story of Joseph being sold by his
jealous brothers. Joseph is sent down to Egypt, and as a result, the Jewish
people wind up spending a few hundred years in brutal slavery.
Reading the Torah, it seems this the whole tragedy was destined to occur
from the start. Consider that Jacob clearly provokes his other sons by
showing special favouritism toward Joseph, particularly by giving him the
coat of many colours and when Joseph has a dream indicating his eventual
rule over his brothers, he incites them further by telling them the dream.
As strange as it may sound, this series of provocations seems like an
intentional effort by Jacob and Joseph to stir hatred. How can this possibly
be?
To answer, let's backtrack about 100 years when God tells Abraham: "Your
descendants will be strangers in a land... where they will be enslaved and
oppressed". Generations later, that is precisely what transpired.
We can now understand why Jacob and Joseph went out of their way to provoke
the brothers. They were simply helping to fulfill God's grand plan. The
Egypt experience was inevitable, and they were setting the process of exile
into motion. The process of exile was destined to happen one way or another.
Jacob and Joseph helped orchestrate it and as the Midrash says, if things
hadn't worked out this way, Jacob would've eventually been dragged down to
Egypt in chains.
And this is the lesson for us today. The process of descent is something we
each have to go through. Why do our souls come to earth in the first place?
Because we have crucial life lessons to learn and there are necessary
process to undergo, and it is foolish to avoid them. Too often we busy
ourselves with petty distractions, in hopes of escaping the painful
confrontation with reality. But it always catches up with us eventually.
Because that "difficulty" is part and parcel of our reason for being.
-----------------------------------
PARSHA OVERVIEW – Vayashev (Breishis 37:1 - 40:23)
The Parsha begins with the story of Yosef who was favoured over his brothers
by Yakov. The brothers were jealous of Yosef and plotted to kill him but
eventually sold him into slavery. The Torah then interrupts this story with
the indiscretion of Yehuda and Tamar.
The Torah then returns to Yosef who was a slave in the house of Potifar.
Potifar’s wife attempts to seduce Yosef but he refuses and as a result she
has him imprisoned. Yosef interprets the dreams of his fellow prisoners, the
wine steward and the baker.
-----------------------------
Other Developments
*Last Shabbos after Davening, Jack Zaks explained various interpretations of
the preparation undertaken and the conversation exchange between Yakov and
Esau during their encounter. Yasher Koach.
*At Shalosh Seudas last week, Yossi Franck conducted a Siyum Mishnayos
Mesachtas Bicurim. As is traditional, after completing Mesachtas Bicurim,
Yossi commenced learning the following Mesachta, Shabbos. After the siyum
Yossi spoke about how this regular Mishnayos shiur is now into its 42nd
year. Yasher Koach.
*This week we farwelled Zac Abeles who has gone to study in a Yeshivah in
Israel for a year. We wishe Zac much Hatzlocha in his studying and look
forward to his safe return.
*Katanga’s annual Father v Son Soccer Match will this year be played on
Sunday, 16 December 2001 at 11:15am at Caulfield Park. All fathers and sons
are invited to attend to either play or view the action. A lunch will be
served after the match.
-----------------------------
Announcements
-Notice is hereby given that Caulfield Beth Hamedrash’s Annual General
Meeting will be held this Sunday, 9 December 2001 at 9:00am after davening
at Shule. Nominations for the various positions to be elected are to be
submitted to the Secretary by 7 December 2001. All members are encouraged to
participate and attend.
-Remember to light your Menorah as first night Chanuka commences this Sunday
night, 9 December 2001.
-Minyanim times for the coming week are:
Shacharis: First Minyan @ 6:15am, Second Minyan @ 7:00am
Mincha at 8:30pm followed by shiurim and then Ma'ariv at 9:10pm.
-Anyone interested in presenting a Shiur in the Youth Minyan please contact
Ezra May, or email us here.
-Please join us for our Katanga weekly squash game on Sunday 6:00pm at
Gardenvale Squash Centre. If you are interested in attending, please contact
Mendi Solodowitz.
----------------------------
Thoughts for the Week
*The easiest way to make a small fortune is to start with a big one.
*None of us are as smart as all of us.
*Don't worry if your children don't listen to you ... they see everything
you do.
*A diamond is a piece of coal that transformed under pressure.
---------------------------------------
Shabbat Shalom & Gut Shabbos to all!
"The Editors"
Shabbos Parshas
Vayishlach - 1 December, 2001
Series 3, Edition 13.
Candle lighting time: 8:08pm. Shabbos ends: 9:12pm.
Mincha & Kabalos Shabbos (Friday evening): Early Minyan 7:00pm, Late Minyan
8:25pm.
Shacharis on Shabbos in the Main Shule is at 9:30am and in the Youth Minyan
at 9:45am.
*This week's speaker after davening in the Youth Minyan will be Jack Zaks.
*This week's Gemorah Brachos shiur at Mark Franck's house on Shabbos
afternoon commences at 7:05pm.
_______________________________
D'var Torah
THE VALUE OF LIFE
by Rabbi Shraga Simmons (aish.com)
This week's Parsha finds Jacob crossing the Jordan River into Israel.
Besides a family of 15, Jacob's entourage includes a slew of servants, and
large herds of goats, camels, donkeys and cattle. After sending everyone
across the river, the Torah says that "Jacob remained alone" (Genesis
32:25). Why was he alone on the far side of the river? The Talmud (Chulin
91a) says that "Jacob forgot some small earthenware jugs and returned to
retrieve them."
This is difficult to understand! Here is Jacob, an extremely wealthy man,
and he's risking another trip across the river to retrieve some dime-a-dozen
jugs! That's makes about as much sense as Bill Gates making a special trip
across town to pick up a quarter that he'd dropped!
The answer is that Jacob lived with the understanding that all the
possessions God gives are for a purpose. As such they are precious jewels to
be infused with meaning and purpose. To Jacob, the fact they were
inexpensive was of no consequence. The world is brimming with potential
waiting to be fulfilled.
In the Torah account of creation, God commands the Earth to produce
vegetation, including "Aitz pri oseh pri" - fruit trees that produce fruit
(Genesis 1:11). But the verse could have simply said "trees that produce
fruit." Why the redundant "FRUIT trees that produce fruit?"
The commentators explain that God wanted not only the tree to produce fruit,
but also that the wood itself should be "fruity." We see from here that the
wood of the tree is not merely a means to an end, but has intrinsic value in
and of itself.
So too everything in our world.
Our lives are filled with objects, items, people and ideas. Each has its own
purpose and meaning, waiting to be discovered.
This outlook is emphasised again in our parsha. After 20 years apart, Jacob
is reunited with his twin brother Esav. In describing their state of
affairs, Esav says: "I have a lot;" Jacob says "I have everything." (Genesis
33:9-11)
The difference is subtle, but in fact speaks volumes. Esav is saying: "I
have a lot..." but I sure could use more! Whereas Jacob is saying:
"According to my part in God's grand eternal plan, I have everything -
exactly as I need." Everything is a special gift from God.
Today, society is plagued by a disease called "Disposability." We have
forgotten the principle that "everything has value." When a toaster breaks,
we buy a new one. When a shirt tears, we get a new one. And how do we
subconsciously carry this into our relationships? When a marriage is dull,
do we get a new one?
In Deuteronomy 20:19, the Torah commands us not to cut down fruit trees.
This extrapolates to a general prohibition against being wasteful, called
"Bal Tash'chit." Just as in the Garden of Eden, the fruit tree represents
that which has intrinsic value. And the principle applies to all of life.
Take stock of your tools. Your talents, ideas, friends, resources. Figure
out their meaning and purpose. Be grateful for all that you have. Don't be
so quick to throw it away. Recognise how life is ordered exactly the way
it's supposed to be. And actualise the full beauty and potential of this and
every moment.
-----------------------------------
PARSHA OVERVIEW – Vayishlach (Breishis 32:4 - 36:43)
On his return trip to Eretz Canaan from Lavan, Jacob prepares to meet his
brother Esau. Jacob is confronted and wrestles all-night with an angel. On
the way, upon arriving in Shechem, Shechem (the Prince and heir to the town)
rapes Jacob's daughter Dina. In response, Dina's brothers Shimon and Levy,
massacre the men of Shechem.
G-d gives Jacob an additional name 'Israel' and reaffirms His blessing to
Avraham that the land of Canaan (Israel) will be given to his descendants.
Rachel dies during the child-birth of Binyomin. Isaac dies. Esau's lineage
and the succession of the Kings of Edom are chronicled.
-----------------------------
Other Developments
*Last Shabbos after Davening, Isi Pacanowski provided an interpretation of
Yakov's dream. Isi explained that the Gematria (numeric value) of the word
Sulam (ladder) equates to 136 which is the same as Momoin (money). This
teaches us that just as the ladder extended from the earth to the heavens,
we have to ensure that we use and elevate our money, which we earn from the
ground for heavenly purposes. Yasher Koach.
*At Shalosh Seudas last week, Ari Bergman explained why Yakov felt
disappointed having being tricked by Lavan into marrying Leah, when we know
that everything that happens to a person is for the good. Ari explained that
this dictum is correct except when a person is subject to a deceit, as Yakov
was, and this is why he was disappointed. Yasher Koach.
-----------------------------
Announcements
-Notice is hereby given that Caulfield Beth Hamedrash’s Annual General
Meeting will be held this year on Sunday, 9 December 2001 at 9:00am after
davening at Shule. Nominations for the various positions to be elected are
to be submitted to the Secretary by 7 December 2001. All members are
encouraged to participate and attend.
-Minyanim times for the coming week are:
Shacharis: First Minyan @ 6:15am, Second Minyan @ 7:00am
Mincha at 8:25pm followed by shiurim and then Ma'ariv at 9:05pm.
-Anyone interested in presenting a Shiur in the Youth Minyan please contact
Ezra May, or email us here.
-Please join us for our Katanga weekly squash game on Sunday 6:00pm at
Gardenvale Squash Centre. If you are interested in attending, please contact
Mendi Solodowitz.
----------------------------
Thoughts for the Week
*Hard-work pays-off in the future, laziness pays-off now.
*On the other hand, you have five different fingers.
*A smart person wins an argument, a wise person avoids one.
---------------------------------------
Shabbat Shalom & Gut Shabbos to all!
"The Editors"
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