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Shabbos Parshas Terumah - 16 February, 2002
Series 3, Edition 24.
Candle lighting time: 8:02pm. Shabbos ends: 8:58pm.
Mincha & Kabalas Shabbos: Early Minyan 7:00pm, Late Minyan 8:15pm.
Shacharis on Shabbos in the Main Shule is at 9:30am and in the Youth Minyan
at 9:45am.
*This week the Gemorah Brachos shiur at Mark Franck's house on Shabbos
afternoon commences at 7:00pm.
__________________________
D'var Torah
"One Face, One Heart..."
by Rabbi Shraga Simmons
This week's parsha is the dream of every Jewish architect and interior
designer. It describes the construction of the Mishkan, the portable Temple
that traveled with the Jewish People during their 40 years in the desert
(and for 500 years after), until finding its permanent home in Jerusalem. At
the center of the Mishkan was the Holy Ark which contained the Tablets of
the Ten Commandments. This Ark was a square box made of wood. The Torah
explains (Exodus 25:11): "You shall cover the wood with pure gold from the
inside and from the outside."
The need to cover the outside of the Ark with gold is understandable: The
centerpiece of the Mishkan should certainly be majestic and regal. But what
need is there to cover the wood on the inside of the box as well?
The Talmud (Yoma 72b) explains: A person's outward appearance must be an
accurate reflection of their insides as well.
We all know someone who is a fake - quick with a smile, yet ready to stab
you in the back just the same. Sadly, part of getting by in life is the
ability to discern the genuine from the fake. Maybe that's what King Solomon
meant when he said, "Better the anger of a friend than the kiss of an
enemy." At least you know what you're getting.
One of the wonders of Judaism is how the Hebrew language reveals truths
about everyday life. The Hebrew word for face - "paneem," is nearly
identical to the Hebrew word for interior - "pineem." This teaches that the
face we present must reflect our insides. (Contrast this with the English
word "face," which shares its origins with "facade," meaning a deceptive
appearance.)
This aversion to hypocrisy is reflected in the laws of Kashrut as well. The
one Jewish law that everyone in the world seems to know is that a Jew is not
allowed to eat ham, pork or anything else derived from a pig. Interestingly,
there is nothing in the Torah that seems to make this prohibition more
stringent than others. Non-kosher food is treated essentially the same -
whether it's catfish or a chocolate-covered ant. Why then have we singled
out this prohibition against the pig?
The Torah tells us (and zoologists concur) that the pig is the only animal
in the world possessing the outward symbol of kosher (split hooves), but not
the inward symbol (chewing cud). The pig therefore represents that which is
kosher in outward appearance, but is in fact unclean on the inside. This
type of hypocrisy is described the Talmud as one of the categories of
behavior that God detests. For that moral reason, the pig is universally
viewed as reprehensible to the Jew.
Back to our parsha... We're left with one glaring question: If the Ark is
covered with gold both on the inside and the outside, then what need is
there at all for the shell to be made out of wood?! Why not simply make the
ark one solid piece of gold?
The answer is that attaining purity and sincerity does not necessarily
happen overnight. Like any important goal, it is achieved through constant,
steady growth. Wood - organic and dynamic - represents this idea. Judaism is
not all-or-nothing. Observance of Torah might begin with the lighting of
Shabbos candles, or studying the weekly parsha 15 minutes a day, or reciting
Shema Yisrael before going to bed.
Imagine stumbling across a gold mine. Would you turn down the gold because
you know you won't find all the gold mines in the world? That one mine alone
will make you rich for life! Every mitzvah is a gold mine. Even if we do
just a part of a mitzvah, our lives are enriched forever.
The important thing is not where we are on the ladder, but rather in what
direction we're headed, and how many rungs we've climbed. One tree does not
compare its rings against another. Growth through Torah is the same way.
Whatever effort you make to come close to the Almighty, whatever Torah you
learn - the impact is cumulative. Perhaps that's why the Torah likens a
person to a tree (see Deut. 20:19). Steady and constant, every drop counts.
At the beginning of this week's parsha, God commands the Jewish People to
"make Me a Mishkan, so that I may dwell within them" (Exodus 25:8). The
Talmud points out that the verse should have read, "Make Me a Mishkan, so
that I may dwell within it." Why then the language of "dwell within them?"
Because, answer our Sages, the Torah is telling us that the goal of building
the Mishkan is not merely to create a House for God, but to sanctify a place
for Him within the people. Each individual Jew must personally strive to
become a microcosm of the Mishkan: a living, breathing bastion of holiness.
Today, let us hope to find the strength and inspiration to build our very
own Mishkan. And may its Ark be crafted of fine wood, laden with gold, both
inside and out.
_________________________
PARSHA OVERVIEW Terumah (Shemos 25:1 27:19)
This week's Torah reading begins with Hashem commanding Moses to tell the
Jewish people to bring an offering of the materials (gold, silver & copper)
necessary for the construction of the Mishkan.
The Torah continues with details for constructing the Aron (Ark), the
Shulchan (Table), the Menorah (Candelabra), the Mishkan (Tabernacle), the
Beams composing the walls of the Mishkan, the Cloth partition (separating
the Holy of Holies where the Ark rested from the remaining part of the
Mishkan), the Mizbayach (Altar) and the Enclosure for the Mishkan
(surrounding curtains forming a rectangle within which was a large area
approximately 15x larger than the Mishkan).
_________________
Other Developments
*Last Shabbos after davening, Isi Pacanowski provided an explanation of
Rashi's comment that a 'coin of fire' was shown to Moshe when Hashem
instructed him to collect a half-shekel from Bnei Yisroel. Yasher Koach.
*A special Shalosh Seudas was held last week, sponsored by Rabbi Yager in
honour of the Yorzeit of his mother. Rabbi Meir Rabi spoke and explained the
different relationships that exist in a partnership and a marriage and then
applied this to the 'marriage' of Hashem to Bnei Yisroel. Yasher Koach.
-----------------------------
Announcements
-Minyanim times for the coming week are:
Shacharis: First Minyan @ 6:15am, Second Minyan @ 7:00am
Mincha at 8:10pm followed by shiurim and then Ma'ariv at 8:50pm.
-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 help yourself is to help others.
*The only reward for taking the easy path, is that it is easy.
*Always remember you are unique, just like everyone else
_________________________
Shabbat Shalom & Gut Shabbos to all!
"The Editors"
Shabbos Parshas Mishpatim - 9 February, 2002
Series 3, Edition 23.
Candle lighting time: 8:10pm. Shabbos ends: 9:07pm.
Mincha & Kabalas Shabbos: Early Minyan 7:00pm, Late Minyan 8:20pm.
Shacharis on Shabbos in the Main Shule is at 9:30am and in the Youth Minyan
at 9:45am.
*This week the Gemorah Brachos shiur at Mark Franck's house on Shabbos
afternoon commences at 7:05pm.
__________________________
D'var Torah
"Bring it on down..."
by Rabbi Shraga Simmons (aish.com)
Last week's parsha told of the dramatic revelation of God to the Jewish
people at Mount Sinai. It was a spiritual trip so powerful that every Jew
literally had an out-of-body experience. The ultimate "wow!" This week's
follow-up, Mishpatim, is one of the longest Torah portions, containing an
exhaustive list of over 50 separate mitzvot. Included are laws regarding
murder, kidnapping, cursing authority, personal injury and property damage,
occult practices, helping the poor and vulnerable, returning lost objects,
and alleviating the suffering of animals.
The juxtaposition between the two parshas is striking: After the spiritual
high of Mount Sinai, why would God "bring us down" (so to speak) with all
these details of daily life?! It's like being all heated up and then thrown
into a cold shower. The two parshas, it seems, are 180 degrees apart.
Actually, they're two sides of the same coin. The spiritual high of Sinai is
gratifying, but it doesn't solve one problem of the world in which we live.
Spirituality is not achieved by meditating alone on a mountaintop or by
learning in an out-of-the-way monastery. Jewish spirituality comes through
grappling with the mundane world in a way that uplifts and elevates.
Jews don't retreat from life, we elevate it. On Friday night, we raise the
cup of wine and use it - not to get drunk - but to make Kiddush and sanctify
the Sabbath day. Spirituality, says Judaism, is to be found in the kitchen,
the office, and yes, even in the bedroom.
If that's true, why did we need Mount Sinai in the first place?
Because a powerful spiritual experience is what jump-starts our engines.
We've all had such a moment of insight - whether at a Discovery Seminar, or
standing atop Masada. But that feeling lasts only a short time. Maimonides
explains this metaphorically as follows:
Imagine you're lost at night, trudging knee-deep in mud through a dark and
vicious rainstorm. Suddenly a single flash of lightning appears,
illuminating the road ahead. It is the only light you may see for miles.
This single flash must guide you on through the night.
So too, says Maimonides, one burst of inspiration may have to last for
years. The Torah tells us that to maximize a moment of insight, we need to
concretize it. The spiritual insight must take root in the reality of our
physical world.
That is why - after being commanded in last week's parsha "Thou shall not
steal" - this week's parsha describes how to prosecute a thief! The lofty
level of yesterday is no guarantee we'll retain that level tomorrow. Only
through the laws of daily life can we hope to transform ourselves and our
world.
Every society professes ideals of justice and compassion. But to what extent
do these ideals find their expression in everyday life?
The key is legislation. By legislating mitzvot like returning lost objects
and caring for the widow and orphan, the Torah builds a framework for
profound personal transformation. This really gets down to the whole issue
of "letter of the law" versus "spirit of the law." "Letter of the law" is
performing an act because it is prescribed by the Torah. "Spirit of the law"
is performing an act because of an inner emotional sense.
The lesson suggests that "doing" is more important than "feeling." And this
is one of the great lessons that Jews could teach in the post-60s world
which celebrated feelings. "How do you feel about it?" is not the Jewish
question. "What do you do about?" is the Jewish question.
The opening line of this week's parsha is Aileh hamishpatim asher tasim
lefneyhem - which can be translated as "these are the laws which you should
place inside of them." The Zohar explains that the ideals of Sinai must be
internalized and absorbed into our very bones. Whenever we have a moment of
insight and clarity, we must translate that energy into a concrete daily
activity.
The validity of any religious experience is whether the result is a better
person. That, the Torah tells us, is how we bring the heights of Sinai ...
down to earth.
_________________________
PARSHA OVERVIEW Mishpatim (Shemos 21:24 )
Mishpataim is one of the longest Torah portions, containing 23 positive
commandments and 30 negative precepts. Included are laws regarding:
servants, murder, categories of damages and compensatory restitution,
idolatry, oppression of widows and orphans, money lending, tithes,
first-born sons, justice, returning strayed animals, Sabbatical year,
Shabbat and the Three Festivals (Pesach, Shavuot & Succot).
Mishpatim concludes with the promise from the Almighty to lead us into the
land of Israel, safeguard our journey, ensure the demise of our enemies and
guarantee our safety in the land - if we uphold the Torah and do the Mitzvot.
Moses makes preparations for himself and for the people and then ascends Mt.
Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments.
_________________
Other Developments
*Last Shabbos, the Shule hosted a Kiddish in honour of Rabbi & Rebbetzin
Gordon whose daughter Rivki is being married in America this week. At the
Kiddish, Rabbi Gordon explained how the week's Parsha contained the
'marriage' of Hashem to the Bnei Yisroel through the giving of the Torah.
Rabbi Vigler was also honoured as it was his last Shabbos as Baal Koreh for
the Shule
*At Shalosh Seudas last week, Prof. Hasofer explained how it was only
following the giving of the Torah, that the Bnei Yisroel were able to make
Holy mundane items on Earth. Yasher Koach.
*A special Yasher Koach on behalf of the whole Shule is deserved by Arnold &
Ronnie Jacobs who, assisted by others, last Friday night after davening,
helped move the Shule's Sifrei Torah and Seforim to a dry and secure place
to ensure they did not suffer water damage as a result of the storm. Yasher
Koach.
-----------------------------
Announcements
-This week is Shabbos Mevorachim Adar. Rosh Chodesh Adar is Tuesday the 12th
and Wednesday the 13th of February 2002.
-Minyanim times for the coming week are:
Shacharis: First Minyan @ 6:15am, Second Minyan @ 7:00am
Mincha at 8:20pm followed by shiurim and then Ma'ariv at 9:00pm.
-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
*You cant take it with you, but you can send it ahead.
*People usually don't suffer insanity, but enjoy it.
*Happiness is not doing what you enjoy, but enjoying what you do.
_________________________
Shabbat Shalom & Gut Shabbos to all!
"The Editors"
Shabbos Parshas
Yisro - 2 February, 2002
Series 3, Edition 22.
Candle lighting time: 8:16pm. Shabbos ends: 9:15pm.
Mincha & Kabalas Shabbos: 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 Gemorah Brachos shiur at Mark Franck's house on Shabbos
afternoon commences at 7:15pm.
__________________________
MAZAL TOV !!!
Mazal Tov to Rabbi and Rebbetzin Yossi Gordon on the forthcoming marriage of
their daughter overseas.
Katanga would like to wish the parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters and
extended family much naches and simcha.
In honour of this simcha, the whole Shule is invited to celebrate with a
Kiddish after davening this week.
__________________________
D'var Torah
Truth Seeker
by Rabbi Shraga Simmons
"I am God" (First Commandment). What kind of commandment is that? That's not
a command - that's a statement!
Explain the Sages: This is the mitzvah to know there is a God. The Torah
does not say "BELIEVE" in God. Nor does it say to wonder, feel, intuit,
assume, presume, hope, or aspire that there's a God. Rather, the Torah
commands us to "KNOW" there is a God!
Western society typically associates religion with "blind faith." But the
Torah commands us to use reason and logic to ascertain God's existence. This
intellectual understanding is crucial; feelings alone can deceive. In the
Aleynu prayer, we say "know today and place it on your heart." Rational
knowledge comes first; only then are we to connect emotionally. "Know there
is a God" is the first commandment - the most central idea of Judaism.
How does one achieve this knowledge? One word: Objectivity. The Talmud (Avot
1:8) tells us: "Be a judge, not a lawyer." A lawyer may sometimes advance
his position without regard for its truth or validity. A judge, on the other
hand, weighs each side carefully. When considering a question as profound
and deep as the existence of God, we must be an impartial jury!
The Torah suggests 3 tools for attaining this objectivity...
TOOL #1 - Listen to what others are saying
We've all met someone who stubbornly defends a ridiculous position, to avoid
admitting being wrong. (The irony is that ultimately there is far more
embarrassment in stubborn persistence, than in admitting the truth.) To
elude this trap, we can train ourselves to take other people's ideas
seriously. The cardinal rule is: stay focused and calm. Communicate and
discuss, rather than yell-and-proclaim. If anxiety about needing to be right
becomes the primary concern, you become entrenched in a position. Getting
defensive, interrupting, and responding impetuously you've lost the battle.
Yitro, on the other hand, was willing to listening to another's opinion,
subjugate his ego and acknowledge a truth not his own.
This is particularly important in marriage. Each partner brings to the
relationship different insights and strengths. The ways we differ is not a
threat; it is our opportunity to grow. This is true on a national level as
well. Today, a wide gulf exists between different Jewish groups. As times,
it seems the gap is unbridgeable. But in fact, there is greater area of
agreement than we might think. We all agree on the need for tolerance,
mutual trust, respect and understanding. We must find those areas of
agreement and use them as a basis for building our relationships.
TOOL #2 - Seek friends who challenge you
A good challenge - is that what friends are for? YES! The Sages say: "Better
the criticism of a friend, than the kiss of an enemy." Your friend will tell
you when you have spinach stuck in your teeth; your enemy will smirk and say
you look great! The Torah speaks of Dikduk Chaverim, which literally means
fine-tuning with friends. With this attitude, I see others not as
adversaries, but as a welcome counterbalance to my own perspective. In
choosing my friends, I want someone who will challenge me to become better
in life, not just better on the tennis court.
TOOL #3 - Don't be afraid to ask
In our lives, the pursuit of truth can sometimes be stifled if we don't have
the courage to ask. Seeking another's help is an admission that I don't have
all the answers myself. This may necessitate asking an uncomfortable
question. Or humbly admitting I don't know. Or risking the appearance of
ignorance. But all this is infinitesimal when compared to a life perpetuated
in falsehood.
The giving of the Ten Commandments was the watershed experience in the
history of the Jewish people. Why then is the name of this parsha "Yitro."
The answer is that Yitro was a truth seeker. He had travelled around, trying
every type of spiritual path, ultimately rejecting one after another as
false. He was honest with himself and committed to the truth. While the
whole world had heard of the wonders and miracles concerning the exodus from
Egypt, only Yitro was open to its message. It was this act of greatness
which brought Yitro to become part of the Jewish people - and for that the
parsha of the Ten Commandments bears his name.
The Sfas Emes says that to receive the Torah, one has to desire truth. Do we
truly want to attain clarity in life? Be a pursuer of truth. Listen
carefully. For the mitzvah of "Know there is a God" invites us to rediscover
the truth.
_________________________
PARSHA OVERVIEW Yisro (Shemos 18:1 20:23)
Yisro, Moses' father-in-law, joins the Jewish people in the desert and
advises Moses on the best way to serve and judge the people - by appointing
a hierarchy of intermediaries - and then returns home to Midian.
Moses then prepares the people for the giving of the Ten Commandments.
Amidst thunder and lightning, the first two were heard directly from G-d by
every Jew and then the people begged Moses to be their intermediary for the
remaining eight because the experience was too intense.
The portion concludes with the Almighty telling Moses to instruct the Jewish
people not to make any images of G-d. They were then commanded to make an
earthen altar; and eventually to make a stone altar, but without the use of
a sword or metal tool.
_________________
Other Developments
*Last Shabbos, after Davening, Isi Pacanowski explained different
understandings of what the texture of the surface of the Red Sea was, as the
Bnei Yisroel crossed it when split. Yasher Koach.
*At Shalosh Seudas last week, Eli Leibovits provided an overview of the
discussion whether the New Year for trees is on Tu B'Shvat or Rosh Chodesh
Shvat. Eli also explained the significance of Shvat being the start of the
second trimester of the calendar year. Yasher Koach.
*Last Sunday, the daily after-Davening Mishna Shiur held a Siyum on Meschtas
Sanhedrin. The Seudas Mitzva also coincided with the Yahrzeit of the first
Alexander Rebbe, R' Yechiel ZY'A. Mesechte Makkos is now being learnt.
Yasher Koach.
-----------------------------
Announcements
-Welcome back to Shimon Goodman who has been overseas studying in a Yeshivah.
-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
*Thoughtfulness is to friendship what sunshine is to a flower
*All I want is a chance to prove that money can't buy me happiness
*It is easier to get older than wiser
_________________________
Shabbat Shalom & Gut Shabbos to all!
"The Editors"
Shabbos Parshas
Beshallach - 26 January, 2002
Series 3, Edition 21.
Candle lighting time: 8:21pm. Shabbos ends: 9:22pm.
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 bris of their son, Zev Yehuda this
week.
Katanga would like to wish the parents, grandparents, brother Aryeh and
extended family much naches and simcha.
______________________
D'var Torah
"TAKE THE LEAP... "
by Rabbi Shraga Simmons (aish.com)
About 20 years ago, an incident occurred in Stockholm where terrorists
captured and held hostages. The hostages were abused both physically and
emotionally. At the news conference following their release, the hostages
all spoke in complimentary, glowing terms about their captors! Psychologists
have since identified the "Stockholm Syndrome," whereby prisoners develop
comfort and satisfaction in captivity.
Three million Jews are standing at the shores of the Red Sea. Their options
are either to go forward into the un-split sea, or back to Egypt. The sea is
cold, strange and foreboding. Egypt is warm, familiar and comfortable. In
slavery, the rations may be meager and the bed made of straw, but there's an
up-side as well: all one's needs are provided, and there are no challenging
decisions to be made. The Hebrew word for Egypt, "Mitzrayim," means a "place
of confinement." Sometimes it's the smallest box which makes us feel the
most secure.
The Egyptians are thundering closer. The Jews are panicked. And then
Nachshon, from the tribe of Yehuda, steps foot into the sea. (The original
"one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.") But the sea still
does not split. Nachshon continues as the water reaches his ankles, then up
to his knees. Still no split. Nachshon forges deeper: Up to his waist, his
chest. Still no split.
Nachshon's mind races: Maybe we should return to Egypt. Then he reminds
himself: Life is about growing ... leaving the place of confinement
behind... Moving forward into the unknown ... But the alternative - to stay
in our small space of warmth and comfort, is to choose stagnation and,
ultimately, death. Egypt, Nachshon knew, was no option at all.
By now the water has reached his neck. Nachshon is being challenged to his
limit. Yet he continues into the sea. As the water reaches his nostrils, at
this last possible moment... the Red Sea splits. The Jewish People all rush
in after him. Finally, freedom.
Although every Jew passed through on dry land, the experience of Nachshon
was qualitatively different. When Nachshon walked through the sea, he was
alive and invigorated. The future had issued its challenge, and Nachshon
confronted it head-on. Slavery was baggage he'd left behind. He was
liberated, both body and soul.
Contrast this to the experience of the rest of the Jewish People. The
others, having entered only after the sea split, were in one sense
disappointed in themselves for not having the bravery of Nachshon. Nachshon
"entered the water first" (Exodus 14:22); the others "entered first on dry
land" (14:29).
The Gaon of Vilna (18th century Europe) offers a beautiful insight: In
describing the experience of Nachshon, the Torah says "and the water formed
a wall" (14:22). But for the rest of the people, the Hebrew word for wall, "choma,"
is spelled peculiarly - without a Vav. This can be read "Chaima," meaning
anger. The Torah is reflecting each Jews' disappointment (and God's "anger")
for not having had the courage to fulfill their own potential. The growth
opportunity had been lost forever.
The Red Sea appears in our own lives as well. Ultimately, the story of our
lives comes down to a few key moments of decision. These spell the
difference between a life of achievement versus one of regret. Often we
procrastinate until the best option no longer remains. The door is closed
and we comfort ourselves by saying, "Oh well, what could I do, things just
didn't work out."
Unfortunately, our lives are not equipped with background music reaching
it's crescendo, to alert us that the "big moment" has arrived. Our only hope
of escaping the confines of Egypt is to honestly confront our fears and
embrace the opportunities that God gives us to grow.
Of course, we cannot always know what's waiting on the other side of the
sea. But that's part of the beauty. It's our chance to become invigorated
with the fullness of life.
The Torah tells us: Nachshon chose life. We must do the same. The feeling is
liberating. Our self-esteem depends on it. And it is our only true option.
_________________________
PARSHA OVERVIEW Beshallach (Shemos 13:17 17:16)
As the Jewish people leave Egypt, Pharaoh regrets letting them go and
leading his chosen chariot corps and a huge army pursues them. The Jews
rebel and cry out to Moses, "Weren't there enough graves in Egypt? Why did
you bring us out here to die in the desert?" Miraculously, the Sea of Reeds
(usually mistranslated as the Red Sea) splits and the Jews cross over. As
the Egyptians pursue, the sea returns and drowns them. Moses with the men
and Miriam with the women, sing praises of thanks to Hashem.
The Jewish People arrive at Marah and rebel over the bitter water. Moses
throws a certain tree in the water to make it drinkable. Later the
Israelites rebel over lack of food so G-d provides quail and manna (a double
portion was given on the sixth day for Shabbat; we have two challahs on
Shabbat to commemorate this double portion). Moses then instructs the people
concerning the laws of Shabbat. At Rephidim, they rebel again over water so
Moses strikes a stone which then gives forth water. Finally, the portion
concludes with the attack by Amalek and the command to "obliterate the
memory of Amalek."
_________________
Tu B'Shvat
Monday, January 28th, is Tu B'Shvat. Unbeknownst to many Jews, there are
four "Rosh Hashanahs," New Years, in a calendar year:
1) The first of the Hebrew month Nissan is the New Year with regards to
counting the years in the reign of the Kings of Israel.
2) The first of Elul is the New Year with regards to tithing of the animals.
3) The first of Tishrei is the New Year for the judgment of mankind -- for
life and death, rich or poor, sickness or health -- as well as for counting
the Sabbatical Year (Shmita) and the Jubilee year (Yovel) for the land of
Israel; the counting of the first three years of a fruit tree when the fruit
is not allowed to be eaten (Orlah), and calculating the tithes for grain and
vegetables.
4) The 15th of Shvat is the New Year for trees with reference to calculating
tithes due to be given from fruit of trees in the time of the Temple in
Jerusalem.
Tu B'Shvat is a festive day. The Torah praises the Land of Israel with
reference to the fruits of the trees and the produce of the soil: "A land of
wheat and barley and vines (grapes) and fig trees and pomegranates; a land
of olive trees and (date) honey. ...and you shall eat and be satisfied, and
bless the Lord your G-d for the good land which He has given you" (Deut.
8:8-10). The Jewish people rejoice in the fruits, in the Land and in the
Almighty Who has given us life.
It is celebrated by eating the special types of fruits for which Israel is
renowned: eg dates, pomegranates, figs & grapes. It's also celebrated by
planting trees in Israel.
_________________
Other Developments
*Last Shabbos, after Davening, Isi Pacanowski gave various interpretations
of the plague of locusts. Yasher Koach.
*At a special Shalosh Seudas last week sponsored by Yossi Franck in honour
of the Yorzeit of his mother, Yossi Franck provided a detailed analysis of
the physical and historical specifics of the plague of locusts. Yossi also
reconciled an apparent contradiction whether Moshe died on a Friday or a
Shabbos. Yasher Koach.
-----------------------------
Announcements
-This Monday, 28 January 2002 is Tu B'Shvat.
-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
*If you wear blinders, even shedding light on the subject won't help!
*If you spend your day doing nothing, how do you know when you're done?
*If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything
_________________________
Shabbat Shalom & Gut Shabbos to all!
"The Editors"
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