| < More recent editions |
Shabbos Parshas Bo - 19 January, 2002
Series 3, Edition 20.
Candle lighting time: 8:25pm. Shabbos ends: 9:28pm.
Mincha & Kabalos Shabbos: 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 7:20pm.
__________________________
MAZAL TOV !!!
Mazal Tov to Noah and Timna Fried on the birth of a boy this week.
Katanga would like to wish the parents, grandparents, brother and extended
family much naches and simcha.
______________________
D'var Torah
"YOU ARE WHAT YOU... DO?"
by Rabbi Stephen Baars (aish.com)
Sociology proclaims man to be a product of his environment. Judaism says man
is a product of his actions.
In this week's parsha, there are 16 separate mitzvahs concerning the Pesach
holiday alone. All seem to have a similar purpose - to commemorate the
Exodus from Egypt. But the "Sefer HaChinuch" (14th century "Book of Mitzvah
Education") deals with the Torah's seeming redundancy by clarifying a
fundamental principle of Judaism... and indeed of life itself:
"You should know that a person is influenced in accordance with his actions.
His heart and all his thoughts are always drawn after the deeds in which he
is occupied, whether they are good or bad. For this reason, the Sages said:
The omnipresent God wished to make the Jewish people meritorious; therefore
He gave them a multitude of Torah and mitzvahs...
"Therefore, look carefully to your work and your occupation, for after them
will you be drawn (not that you will draw them toward you...)"
Our nature, character, mood, disposition, temperament, attitude, and
sensitivities are formed by our day-to-day activities.
Of course, this "shaping" of our nature is not just affected by the actual
actions of our job. It is also affected by what we do the remainder of the
day as well! What books we read, if we exercise, how we drive, talk, eat...
Every single action, in some very real way, affects the kind of person we
are... just as the act of theft is what makes the criminal.
No action is irrelevant. They all change who we are, pulling the strings and
levers of our emotions and thoughts. On some imperceptible level, every
minuscule action affects different aspects of our nature - from our
self-confidence to our peace of mind. The influence of most actions are
difficult (if not impossible) to detect. But anyone who cares about their
character will investigate carefully the various values and influences of
his actions.
Don't go through life unaware of how you are changing yourself. Start now on
a course of self-awareness. Before you do any action, ask, "How will this
affect me?" And after the action, ask again, "How did this affect me?" These
questions may not be easy, but they are entirely worthwhile. Because the one
who practices them consistently will be, without a doubt, a more thinking,
conscious and conscientious human being.
This concept has one very immediate application. The rule is that stealing
makes a person into a thief, lying makes a liar, laziness makes a person
lazy, and acting glum makes a person depressed. Therefore, an easy path to
happiness is to act out the role of a happy person. It's a simple equation
of cause-and-effect. By greeting the day with enthusiasm and going through
your activities with joy, your actions will influence your inner being to
eventually reach a state of true happiness.
_________________________
PARSHA OVERVIEW – Bo (Shemos 10:1 – 13:16)
This week we conclude the ten plagues with the plagues of locusts, darkness
and the death of the first-born. The laws of Passover – the Pesach lamb, to
eat Matza and not eat chometz are presented followed by the commandment to
wear tefillin, consecrate the first-born animal and redeem one's first born
son.
The Torah tells us that in the future your son will ask about these
commandments and you will answer: "With a show of power, G-d brought us out
of Egypt, the place of slavery. When Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us
leave, G-d killed all the first-born in Egypt, man and beast alike. I,
therefore, offer to G-d all male first-born (animals) and redeem all the
first-born of sons. And it shall be a sign upon your arm, and an ornament
between your eyes, for with a strong hand the Almighty removed us from
Egypt." (Ex. 13:15)
_________________
Other Developments
*Last Shabbos, during Davening, Isi Pacanowski explained an aspect of the
first of the Ten Plagues, blood. Isi explained the difference whether all
the water in Egypt was turned to blood or it remained in its natural state
and only transformed into blood when drawn by an Egyptian. Yasher Koach.
*At Shalosh Seudas last week, Beirish Aurbach detailed the qualities that
Moshe possessed and the responsibilities and sacrifices that are required of
a leader. Yasher Koach.
*Sunday, Erev Rosh Chodesh Shvat, a Seudas Mitzva was held in Shule in
honour of
the Yorzeit of the Alexander Rebbe, the Yismach Yisroel ZY'A.
R' Dovid Grynberg reminisced about the grand Alexander dynasty in Poland and
the importance of the partnership between the old and new generations in
continuing the illustrious chain of Alexander Chassidus.
Yisroel Alter Pacanowski quoted Divrei Torah from the Yismach Yisroel and
relayed that the Alexander Rebbe saw his whole aim as to bring Simcha into
the hearts of Yiden and thus his Sefer was named "Yismach Yisroel".
Alexander niggunim, waltzes and marches punctuated the evening, creating an
uplifting experience enjoyed by all.
*The Shloishim for Mr Yossel Goldstein Z”L was commemorated in Shule on
Wednesday night. Rabbi Gordon learnt mishnayos and then a Seuda was held
where Jacob Goldstein spoke inspiringly about his father’s life from Pre
World War One in Poland, through the Holocaust and finally in Melbourne.
Jacob stressed his father’s 35 year dedication to the Shule and his awesome
legacy he left us to emulate.
-----------------------------
Announcements
-Minyanim times for the coming week are:
Shacharis: First Minyan @ 6:15am, Second Minyan @ 7:00am
Mincha at 8:35pm followed by shiurim and then Ma'ariv at 9:15pm.
-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 pursuit of comfort is the antithesis of the pursuit of excellence.
*People get the leader they deserve.
*You will never ‘find’ time for anything, if you want it, you must make it.
_________________________
Shabbat Shalom & Gut Shabbos to all!
"The Editors"
Shabbos Parshas Vaera - 12 January, 2002
Series 3, Edition 19.
Candle lighting time: 8:28pm. Shabbos ends: 9:31pm.
Mincha & Kabalos Shabbos: Early Minyan 7:00pm, Late Minyan 8:35pm.
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 7:25pm.
_______________________________
MAZAL TOV !!!
Mazal Tov to Abe & Sara Muchnik on the birth of a grand-daughter Miriam,
this week.
Katanga would like to wish the parents David & Adina Muchnik, the brothers,
sister, grandparents and extended family much naches and simcha.
______________________________
MAZAL TOV !!!
Mazal Tov to George Sztockman on the birth of a grand-daughter Tira, this
week.
Katanga would like to wish the parents Isaac & Dalia Sztockman, the
grandparents and the extended family much naches and simcha.
_____________________________
D'var Torah
THANKS AGAIN...
by Rabbi Leonard Oberstein
Hashem tells Moshe that he should speak to Aaron and tell him to take his
staff and strike the Nile River. Moshe wasn't commanded to do the job
himself, Rashi explains, "because the Nile protected Moshe when he was cast
into the river; it was not to be smitten by his hand--not in the plague of
blood and not in the plague of frogs."
This notion also held true for the plague of lice. Moshe was not to strike
the earth to bring on the plague because that very earth had saved him when
he used it to bury the Egyptian taskmaster whom he had killed.
In this manner, the Torah is teaching us how deeply we must feel gratitude,
not only to human beings who help us but even to inanimate objects such as
water and sand.
The Rosh Yeshiva quoted a case from the Shita Mekubetzes. A wealthy man lost
his fortune and needed to sell his bathhouse to satisfy creditors. The
famous rabbi, the Rif, lived in that city and was asked to assess its value,
but declined to do so because he had personally benefited from the use of
the bathhouse.
To this the Shita Mekubetzes writes: "If this internal feeling of gratitude
by the Rif applied to an inanimate bathhouse, how much more so should a
person be sensitive to the feelings of a human being."
IIn Bemidbar, Moshe is commanded to take vengeance on the nation of Midyan,
and while he did not hesitate to go into battle, he nonetheless did not lead
the troops himself. Because he had lived in Midyan many years earlier and
felt gratitude toward his former homeland, it would not be proper for him to
personally fight this battle.
Rashi, at the beginning of the Chumash, tells us that the world was created
for something called reishis. Bikurim, the first fruits of the harvest, are
called reishis, and we can thus learn that the world was created so that one
could bring these first fruits, which show appreciation for the bounty of
the Almighty. One who displays the trait of gratitude fulfills the purpose
of creation.
One who shows ingratitude, on the other hand, is described by the Talmud as
"an ingrate, son of an ingrate." This appellation was applied to the Jews
who complained to Moshe in the Sinai Desert. They had, it seems, inherited
their lack of appreciation for Hashem's favors from the first human, Adam,
who, when asked why he ate the fruit of the tree of knowledge, told G-d,
"The woman you placed beside me caused me to eat." Adam, in a sense, blamed
Hashem for his own failings.
Throughout History, man is confronted with the opportunity to show his
gratitude or to deny his debt to another.
In our generation, much of the strife that is found can be traced to a
failing in displaying gratitude, especially toward spouses and other family
members. One who develops this trait of gratitude is a much happier person
and certainly sees more satisfaction in his interpersonal relationships.
_________________________
PARSHA OVERVIEW – Vaera (Shemos 6:2 – 9:35)
Here begins the story of the Ten Plagues which G-d put upon the Egyptians
not only to effect the release of the Jewish people from bondage, but to
show the world that He is the G-d of all of creation and history. The first
nine plagues are divisible into three groups: 1) the water turning to blood,
frogs, lice 2) wild beasts, pestilence/epidemic, boils 3) hail, locust, and
darkness.
Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch explains that these were punishments measure for
measure for afflicting the Jewish people with slavery. The first of each
group reduced Egyptians in their own land to the insecurity of strangers,
the second of each group robbed them of pride, possessions and a sense of
superiority; the third in each group imposed physical suffering.
_________________
Other Developments
*Last Shabbos, during Davening, Mark Franck explained that it was only
because Moshe promised to lead Bnei Yisroel to both a physical and spiritual
redemption that they were convinced of his fidelity and accepted him as
spokesman and leader. Yasher Koach
*Last Shabbos, after Davening, Harry Ciechanowski bestowed the Shule with a
kiddish in honour of the Yorzeit of his father. Yasher Koach.
*At Shalosh Seudas last week, Mark Franck explained the various qualities
that Moshe possessed and the evidence he provided to Bnei Yisroel so they
would accept him as their leader to free them from slavery in Egypt. Yasher
Koach.
-----------------------------
Announcements
-This week is Shabbos Mevorachim Shvat. Rosh Chodesh Shvat is Monday 14
January 2002.
-Minyanim times for the coming week are:
Shacharis: First Minyan @ 6:15am, 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
*Anger is one letter away from danger
*The price of greatness is responsibility
*The greatest mistake is to fear making one
-----------------------------------------------
Shabbat Shalom & Gut Shabbos to all!
"The Editors"
Shabbos Parshas
Shemos - 5 January, 2002
Series 3, Edition 18.
Candle lighting time: 8:28pm. Shabbos ends: 9:32pm.
Mincha & Kabalos Shabbos: Early Minyan 7:00pm, Late Minyan 8:45pm.
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 7:30pm.
_______________________________
D'var Torah
True Leadership
by Rabbi Stephen Baars (aish.com)
The problems facing the Jewish people today are countless and profound. "One
out of every two-and-a-half members of missionary groups, and one out of
every three-to-five members of cults, are Jewish." (Dr. Philip Abramowitz,
Director of the New York Jewish Community Relations Council's Task Force On
Missionaries and Cults). "One out of every 3-to-4 Jewish college youth are
involved in serious alcohol and/or drug problems. One out of every 2-to-3
members of Alcoholics Anonymous in New York is Jewish." (Dr. Alvin Schiff,
executive Vice-President of the Board of Jewish Education of Greater New
York).
Moses was by all accounts the quintessential diaspora Jew. He was rescued
from the Nile by Pharaoh's daughter. She adopted him and he grew up in a
non-Jewish home, surrounded by the incredible wealth of the Pharaoh's
palace. He was raised as a member of the Egyptian royal family. One would
think this would totally disqualify him from the position of Jewish
leadership. It's even difficult to find a Jewish leader today with such an
assimilated background!
It's not that in Moses' day people were less demanding about leadership
qualifications. On the contrary. It is due to Moses' greatness that he was
able to overcome the formidable handicap of his background.
For many Jews, life in the diaspora is one of relative wealth and luxury
when compared to most of Jewish history.It is also one in which there is a
marked absence of any kind of Jewish leadership - despite its obvious need.
This week's parsha informs us of a crucial moment in Moses' development:
"When Moses matured he went out to his own people and saw their hard
labour..." (Exodus 2:11) The verse is telling us that Moses' greatness is
that he "went out to his people." In other words, he could quite easily have
stayed home and busied himself with personal concerns and business affairs.
He was not oppressed and had no reason to meddle in others' problems. He
could have said, "I'm enjoying the good life in the palace." Instead, he
went out to see his people's suffering. He did not try to ignore it.
A true "leader" is one who is willing to bear the burden of another's pain.
Someone who can focus on the needy - regardless of whether he is personally
affected.
So who will be the next Jewish leader? A person would need to be blind to be
unaware of the plight of Jews today: assimilation, persecution, broken
homes... (Blind, or too involved with one's own personal concerns.) Those
who have some sense of vision do something about the problem. They write a
check when there's a knock on the door. But even they are "too busy" to get
personally involved. It is the rare few who go out of their way to seek
solutions to the problems.
Moses would not have become a great leader if he had seen the plight of Jews
and then just written his check to the Cairo Jewish Appeal. Greatness is not
found in "upping your donation" from last year. Greatness is found in being
involved, in making it as much your problem as the one who is suffering.
That is where a leader will be found, and that's where your own greatness
will ultimately be expressed.
_________________________
PARSHA OVERVIEW – Shemos (Shemos 1:1 – 6:1)
This week's portion tells a story often repeated throughout history: The
Jews become prominent and numerous and then arises a new king in Egypt "who
did not know Joseph" (meaning he chose not to know Joseph or recognise any
debt of gratitude). The new Pharaoh proclaims slavery for the Jewish people
"lest they may increase so much, that if there is war, they will join our
enemies and fight against us, driving (us) from the land."
Moshe (Moses) is born and immediately hidden because of the decree to kill
all male Jewish babies. Moshe is saved by Pharaoh's daughter and grows up in
the royal household. Moshe goes out to see the plight of his fellow Jews and
kills an Egyptian who was beating a Jew. Moshe escapes to Midian when the
deed becomes known and becomes a shepherd. Moshe is then commanded by G-d at
the Burning Bush to "bring My people out of Egypt." Moses returns to Egypt,
confronts Pharaoh who refuses to give permission for the Israelites to
leave. And then G-d says, "Now you will begin to see what I will do to
Pharaoh!"
_________________
Other Developments
*At Shalosh Seudas last week, Mendi Slodowitz provided various explanations
for the individual blessings that Yakov gave his 12 sons before passing
away. Mendi explained that as the 12 Tribes were to become the nation of
Israel then it was necessary for their blessings and characteristics to be
diverse and varied. Yasher Koach.
*Last Motzei Shabbos, Katanga farewelled Yirmie Elkus with singing and
dancing as this week he and wife Jordi and children Tali, Shira & Yanki made
Aliya. Appropriately the song, 'V'Shovu Bonim' which is about the return of
the Children of Israel to the Land of Israel was sung with much emotion and
gusto.
-----------------------------
Announcements
-Minyanim times for the coming week are:
Shacharis: First Minyan @ 6:15am, Second Minyan @ 7:00am
Mincha at 8:45pm followed by shiurim and then Ma'ariv at 9:25pm.
-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
*If you are too open minded, nothing stays in.
*Artificial intelligence is no match for human stupidity.
*You can't be kind too soon, you never know when it'll be too late.
-----------------------------------------------
Shabbat Shalom & Gut Shabbos to all!
"The Editors"
Shabbos Parshas
Vayechi - 29 December, 2001
Series 3, Edition 17.
Candle lighting time: 8:27pm. Shabbos ends: 9:31pm.
Mincha & Kabalos Shabbos: Early Minyan 7:00pm, Late Minyan 8:45pm.
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 7:30pm.
_______________________________
M A Z A L T O V !
Mazal to Andrew and Chaya Davis on the birth of a daughter, Talia Shaena,
last week.
Katanga would like to wish the parents, brother Lior, grandparents and
extended family much naches and simcha.
___________________
FAREWELL
This week Katanga farewells Yirmie, Jordi, Tali, Shira & Yanki Elkus, who
are making Aliya.
Katanga extends them a heartfelt appreciation for all their dedication and
energy that they have contributed to Katanga and particularly the Youth
Minyan. Their regular participation and enthusiasm will be sorely missed by
the Shule.
Katanga would like to wish Yirmie, Jordi, Tali, Shira & Yanki Elkus all the
very best for their future and look forward to receiving regular updates
from Israel and frequent return visits.
___________________
D'var Torah
BLESSINGS OF THE GRANDCHILDREN
by Rabbi Shraga Simmons (aish.com)
Jacob, realizing he is about to die, gathers his 12 sons to receive a
blessing. But first, Jacob calls upon two of his grandchildren - Joseph's
sons Ephraim and Menashe - to receive blessings. Why would Jacob place
priority on blessing grandchildren over children?
The commentators explain (and every grandparent knows) that the even more
than the joy of having children is the joy of having grandchildren. Why is
this so?
Most creatures in the world have parent-child relationships - whether it is
a mother lion protecting her cubs or a mother bird feeding her young. But
only the human being has a concept of grandchildren, of perpetuation beyond
a single generation. This is an effect of our spiritual soul which is rooted
in infinity. Being a grandparent therefore connects us deeply to our
uniqueness as human beings.
There is further significance to Jacob's blessings.
One of the most beautiful customs in Jewish life is for parents to bless
their children at the start of the Friday night Shabbat meal. Girls receive
the blessing: "May God make you like the matriarchs Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel
and Leah." Boys, meanwhile, are blessed "to be like Ephraim and Menashe."
What happened to the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob?! Why were Ephraim
and Menashe chosen instead as the subjects of this important tradition?
Ephraim and Menashe were the first set of Jewish brothers who did not fight.
Abraham's two sons - Isaac and Ishmael - could not get along, and their
disagreement forms the basis of the Arab-Israeli conflict until today. The
next generation of Isaac's two sons - Jacob and Esav - were so contentious
that Esav repeatedly sought to kill Jacob and instructed his descendants to
do the same. And even the next generation of Jacob's sons sold Joseph into
slavery in Egypt.
Ephraim and Menashe represent a break from this pattern. This explains why
Jacob purposely switched his hands, blessing the younger Ephraim before the
older Menashe. Jacob wished to emphasize the point that with these siblings,
there is no rivalry. (see Genesis 48:13-14)
It is with this thought that parents bless their children today. For there
is no greater blessing than peace among brothers. The words of King David
ring true: "How good and pleasant is it for brothers to sit peacefully
together." (Psalms 133:1)
This is the hope that God holds for all the Jewish people.
Rabbi Shimshon Rafel Hirsch (19th century Germany) offers another
explanation of why Jewish boys throughout the ages receive the blessing of
Ephraim and Menashe:
In the end, how does a parent gauge success?
Far more than children, it is grandchildren who reveal the foundation and
future direction of a family line. Hence the popular saying: "The issue is
not whether you have Jewish children, it's whether you have Jewish
grandchildren."
What was the outcome with Ephraim and Menashe? Despite great odds, they grew
up in Egypt and maintained adherence to Torah ideals and practice. Which is
why we bless our children to be like them.
May we all be blessed with proud Jewish children - and grandchildren.
_________________________
PARSHA OVERVIEW – Vayechi (Breishis 47:28 – 50:26)
The Parsha, Torah portion, opens with Jacob on his deathbed 17 years after
arriving in Egypt. Jacob blesses Joseph's two sons, Menashe and Ephraim (to
this day it is a tradition to bless our sons every Shabbat evening with the
blessing, "May the Almighty make you like Ephraim and Manasseh" -- they grew
up in the Diaspora amongst foreign influences and still remained devoted to
the Torah). He then individually blesses each of his sons. The blessings are
prophetic and give reproof, where necessary.
A large retinue from Pharaoh's court accompanies the family to Hebron to
bury Jacob in the Ma'arat Hamachpela, the burial cave purchased by Abraham.
The Torah portion ends with the death of Joseph and his binding the
Israelites to bring his remains with them for burial when they are redeemed
from slavery and go to the land of Israel. Thus ends the book of Genesis!
_________________
Other Developments
*Last Shabbos after Davening, a special farewell kiddish was held in honour
of Yirmie, Jordi, Tali, Shira & Yanki Elkus. At the well attended Kiddish,
Ezra May explained the significance of Yosef sending wagons to transport his
father Yakov’s possessions to Egypt. Ezra, on behalf of the Shule, also
thanked the Ekus Family for all the commitment and effort they have
contributed over the years and particularly for Yirmie's vision and
dedication in establishing and maintaining the Katanga website and weekly
e-mail and newsletter. Yasher Koach.
*At Shalosh Seudas last week, Isi Pacanowski spoke about Yosef's favoured
treatment of his brother Binyomin in light of Yosef's own negative
experiences of being a 'favoured' brother. Yasher Koach.
*This week we welcome back Yoel May who has returned from studying in a
Yeshivah in Israel for a year.
-----------------------------
Announcements
- This shabbos is "Shabbos Chazak", as we complete the first book of the
Torah - Bereishis (Genesis) and begin the second - Shemos (Exodus).
-Minyanim times for the coming week are:
Shacharis: First Minyan @ 7:00am, Second Minyan @ 8:00am
Mincha at 8:45pm followed by shiurim and then Ma'ariv at 9:25pm.
-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 best way to cheer yourself up is to cheer somebody else
*I started with nothing and still have most of it
*There are only two ways to fail; to quit or to never try.
-----------------------------------------------
Shabbat Shalom & Gut Shabbos to all!
"The Editors"
| < More recent editions |
Home Weekly Newsletter About Katanga Competitions Events at Katanga Post a Message
Shiurim on the Net Ezra's
opinion Column Useful Links Shabbat
& Chagim Times
Email Us