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Shabbos Shavous - 17 May, 2002
Series 3, Edition 36
Candle lighting time: 5:01pm. Yom Tov ends: 5:58pm.
Thursday Mincha 5:20pm followed by Yom Tov Maariv 6:00pm. Shacharis on
Shabbos in the Main Shule is at 9:30am.
*This week the Gemorah Brachos shiur at Mark Franck's house on Shabbos
afternoon commences at 4:00pm.
__________________________
MAZAL TOV
Mazal Tov to Yankel & Lillie Sziewicz on the birth of a grandson this week.
Katanga would like to wish the parents Yehuda & Devorah Niasoff, the
grandparents, great-grandparents, sisters, uncles, aunts and whole extended
family much naches and simcha in the future.
____________________________
Tikkun Leil Shavous
Once again Katanga is hosting its traditional Tikkun Leil Shavous program
full of entertaining and informative speakers on first night Shavous,
Thursday night, 16 May 2002.
The program for men and women at Caulfield Beth Hamedrash, 305 Glen Eira Rd,
Caulfield is as follows;
Ari Bergman 9:30pm - The role of emotion in Jewish
spirituality
Rabbi Berlin 10:15pm - Charging a fee for a Mitzvah
Ice-Cream Break 11:00pm
Noah Fried 11:15pm - The Bait and the 500lb Grouper
Simon Weinstein 12:00am - Lonely Man
Mark Franck 12:40am - Gemorah Brochos
_________________________
D'var Torah
All Night Torahthon
By Rabbi Shraga Simmons (aish.com)
It is traditional on Shavuot to stay up all night learning Torah. Why?
Because this is a declaration of priority: Torah is worth staying up all
night for!! Torah study is regarded as the most important of all mitzvot,
because it opens the door for observance of the other mitzvot. Says the
Talmud (Shabbat 127a): "The study of Torah is equal to the sum total of all
other mitzvot Rabbi Emanuel Feldman, in his book "On Judaism" (Shaar Press
1994), beautifully explains the importance of Torah study: Study of Torah is
a specific mitzvah in Deut. 6:7 (which we recite daily in the Shema): "You
shall teach them diligently to your children" -- which directs us to
transmit Torah to the next generation... "and you shall speak of them (words
of Torah) while you sit at home, while you walk on the way, when you go to
bed and when you get up" -- which directs us to study the Torah ourselves.
This need to devote ourselves to knowing the Torah, to work at it, to strive
to comprehend it, to give it first priority -- is repeated over and over
again throughout the Bible... Our history demonstrates that the moment study
of Torah is neglected, assimilation of the Jewish people into its
surroundings makes its inroad. Without fail, every Jewish community in
history that did not teach and study Torah as its first priority gradually
disappeared from the scene. Beyond all the good, rational reasons, Torah is
the mysterious bridge which connects the Jew and God, across which they
interact and communicate, and by means of which God fulfils His covenant
with His people to sustain them and protect them It is therefore no surprise
that Torah study is so central with us. It is the first blessing a newborn
child receives: "May he grow up to Torah, to the wedding canopy, and to good
deeds." The prayer book is filled with petitions to God to help us
understand His Torah...
This explains why, in a traditional Jewish community, the one who is looked
up to and most admired is the scholar of Torah -- not the entertainer, or
the athlete...
When we study Torah, we are not studying an abstract and arcane text of the
ancient world. We are studying the way in which God wants us to live on this
earth... (We) are in fact engaged in discovering the essence of Judaism,
which is to say, the essence of ourselves...
Throughout the ages, Jews have endured tremendous self-sacrifice rather than
forfeit Torah study. The Talmud describes the fate of Rebbe Akiva: In the
first century, the Romans tried to obliterate Judaism and made the study of
Torah illegal. Rebbe Akiva could not bear the idea of abandoning Torah, so
he gathered together his disciples and taught them Torah. Pappus ben Yehuda
came and found Rebbe Akiva teaching Torah publicly. He asked: "Akiva, are
you not afraid of the government Rebbe Akiva replied: "I will explain to you
with a parable:" A fox was once walking alongside a river, and he saw the
fish going in swarms from one place to another. The fox said to them: "From
what are you fleeing?" The fish replied: "From the fishermen's nets."
The fox said: "Would you like to come onto dry land?"
The fish replied: "Are you the one that they call the cleverest of animals?
You are foolish! If we are afraid in the element where we live, how much
more so in the element where we would die!"
Rebbe Akiva explained: "So too with Jews. It is written: '[The Torah] is
your life and the length of your days.' If we neglect it, how much worse off
will we be Soon afterwards, Rebbe Akiva was arrested and thrown into prison,
and Pappus ben Yehuda was also arrested and imprisoned next to him. Rebbe
Akiva said: "Pappus, what are you doing here?" He replied: "Fortunate are
you, Akiva, that you have been seized for busying yourself with the Torah!
Woe to Pappus who has been seized for busying himself with idle things!"
The Romans executed Rebbe Akiva by brutally tearing the skin off his body
with iron forks. As he was being tortured, Rebbe Akiva joyously recited the
Shema -- "Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One."
His bewildered students asked, "Rebbe, how can you praise God amidst such
torture?"
Replied Rebbe Akiva: "All my life I believed that a person has to give 100
percent to God. Now that I have the opportunity, I joyously perform it!"
Of course Rebbe Akiva wanted to live. But for him, life without Torah was
not worth living. It is like expecting a fish to live without water. As the
Talmud reports: "A voice rang out from Heaven and proclaimed: 'Fortunate are
you, Akiva, who died while uttering the Shema.' In fact, the Torah is the
essence of the Jewish people, our very life and soul. Without it we
literally have no existence.
______________________________
Other Developments
*Last Shabbos after davening in the Youth Minyan, Rabbi Moshe Zion Cohen
spoke about the various definitions and different contexts of the word 'Midbar'.
As well the traditional Shabbos Mevorachim Kiddish was held where Rabbi
Chanina Rabinowitz was guest speaker. Yasher Koach.
*Last week at Shalosh Seudos, Mark Franck explained why the fourth book of
the Torah commences with Parshas Bamidbar when in chronological order the
events in Bamidbar preceded Parshas Bahaloishco, the last Parsha of the
third book of Vayikra. Yasher Koach.
*Due to the current situation in Eretz Yisroel, leaders of World Jewry
headed by HaRav HaGoan Elyashiv have appealed to Jews world-wide to recite
Tehillim on behalf of the people of Israel. Chapters 20, 83, 121, 130 & 142
are recommended to be recited daily.
-----------------------------
Announcements
-Minyanim times for the coming week are:
Shacharis: First Minyan @ 6:20am, Second Minyan @ 7:00am
Mincha at 5:15pm followed by shiurim and then Ma'ariv at 5:55pm.
-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
Albert Park Squash Centre. If you are interested in attending, please
contact Isaac Berkovits.
_________________________
Thoughts for the Week
* You never need to whisper if you speak the truth
* The days are long but the years are short
* When you talk to G-d you are praying, when he talks to you, you are
_________________________
Shabbat Shalom, Gut Shabbos, Chag Sameach & Gut Yom Tov to all!
"The Editors"
Shabbos Parshas Bamidbar - 11 May, 2002
Series 3, Edition 35
Coming Soon!
Shabbos Parshas Behar - Bechukosai - 4 May, 2002
Series 3, Edition 34
Candle lighting time: 5:14pm. Shabbos ends: 6:10pm.
Friday Mincha followed by Kabalas Shabbos: 5:30pm.
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 4:15pm.
__________________________
MAZAL TOV
Mazal Tov to Paul & Ada Tusak on the occasion of the birth of a daughter,
Chava Chaya this week.
Katanga would like to wish Mazal Tov to the Grandparents Steven & Sue Tusak
and Avi & Esther Naiman and the extended family.
__________________________
D'var Torah
"THE ULTIMATE TEST"
by Rabbi Shraga Simmons (aish.com)
The beginning of Parshat Bechukotai describes the specific cause-and-effect
of human actions. "If you follow the laws, then you will have abundance ...
but if you break the covenant, you will have distress..."
The idea that "choices are meaningful" is so basic to Judaism that it is
expressed in the very first verse of the Bible: "In the beginning, God
created heaven and earth."
There are two ways to understand the origins of life: Either it is random,
or by design.
If world is accident, then I am too. There's no purpose to my creation, no
"consciousness" behind it. In a random world, there is no hierarchy of
values. A human's life is no more valuable than a dog's. Should I save my
drowning dog before the drowning stranger? Would it be morally acceptable to
label a race of people sub-human and kill them all?
Fortunately there's another approach. The Jewish perspective is that the
world is here by design. Which leads us to the next question: Why are we
here?
We are here for a purpose.
When a person is born, his soul is sent down into the physical world, to be
placed into the body of a human. Why? Because the soul, as-yet imperfect,
needs to refine itself through encountering and surmounting challenges.
These challenges come in the form of specific events which modify our
behaviour in the area where our soul needs its "tikkun," rectification.
These events are not random; rather, they are instructive. Which means there
is a deep connection between the event and the message it contains.
The task of life? To discover that connection, and grow from it.
Sometimes the connection is not so obvious, and we have to work hard to
discover it. We may not even always be successful in making the connection.
But whatever the outcome, one thing is for sure: We cannot lose. The process
of introspection is bound to reveal tremendous insight and growth.
Discerning the message only works to the extent that our eyes are open to
see it. We can choose to ignore the message as well. However, ignoring the
message won't help make the problem go away. On the contrary, the wake-up
call becomes more intense. The Talmud explains that initially, warning signs
will appear on a person's house. If one does not heed the sign, then the
spots will move a bit closer - to the cloth es. Once again, only if the
message is not received, the spots will appear on the body itself.
It's a mistake to try to cover it up. The spots are there for a reason and
you have to face it.
A doctor will tell you the same thing: If you have a pain, don't ignore it.
Get treatment.
Every test, every challenge, is tailor-made for our specific set of
circumstances and station in life. The whole point is to awaken us from
apathy and slumber, and move us toward the soul rectification that we came
here to do. Granted, sometimes the tests are fiercely difficult. But as
difficult as it may seem at the time, sickness may somehow be what a person
needs in the overall scheme of life. Because of that ordeal, he is now a
stronger person, a wiser person, a more compassionate person.
Think of an athlete, a world-class high-jumper. When the coach raises the
bar, is he trying to make life difficult - or is he drawing out the
athlete's potential? Of course the coach wants the athlete to succeed! And
if he's a good coach, he knows the right time and amount to raise the bar.
Granted, the athlete might fail to clear that height. But the coach knows
that with enough concentration and effort, the athlete will succeed.
God does not challenge us with trivialities. He only challenges us in ways
which will truly get us to grow. If we're imbalanced in one area, we will be
sent a challenge to modify that trait. It is an axiom of Jewish thought that
God does not give us a test greater than we can handle.
Life is not about suffering. Life is about growing and making the changes we
were put here to make. Difficulties are going to happen. That we cannot
change. What we can change is our attitude. Will we view difficulties as a
nuisance, or as a message? We may as well make the most of it. We have
nothing to lose - and everything to gain.
_________________________
PARSHA OVERVIEW - Behar - Bechukosai (Vayikra 25:1 - 27:34)
Behar begins with the laws of Shemitah, the Sabbatical year, where the
Jewish people are commanded not to plant their fields or tend to them in the
seventh year. Every 50th year is the Yovel, the Jubilee year, where
agricultural activity is also proscribed.
Also included in this portion: redeeming land which was sold, to strengthen
your fellow Jew when his economic means are faltering, not to lend to your
fellow Jew with interest, the laws of indentured servants. The portion ends
with the admonition to not make idols, to observe the Shabbat and to revere
the Sanctuary.
The second portion for this week, Bechukosai, begins with the multitude of
blessings you will receive for keeping the commandments of the Torah. It
also contains the Tochachah, words of admonition, "If you will not listen to
Me and will not perform all of these commandments..." There are seven series
of seven punishments each. Sefer Vayikra, concludes with the details of
erachin - the process by which someone vows to give the Beis Hamikdash the
equivalent monetary value of a person, an animal, or property.
_________________
KATANGA'S LAG B'OMER EXTRAVAGANZA
The widely anticipated and now famous Caulfield Beth Hamedrash Lag B'Omer
celebration was this year held on Monday Night 29 April 2002. Once again,
Katanga hosted a fabulous event that attracted a record crowd of over 550
people from all sections of the community, confirming Katanga as 'hottest
place to be' on Lag B'Omer.
Families and children enjoyed themselves immensely by feasting on Hot Dogs,
drinks, salads, Pop Corn & the crowd favourite, Fairy Floss. Younger and
older participants enjoyed themselves on the Gym Bus and testing their skill
on the Handball target. Many also had a bash on the strength tester -
hammering with all their might - symbolising Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai's
struggle against oppression! All the while the Bonfire was burning brightly
and the live music with David Walles singing, was blaring loudly providing
the traditional Lag B'omer atmosphere. The highlight of the night was the
performance of the amazing pyrotechnic performer who entertained all with
his fire juggling tricks.
After the show, the focus of the night switched to the older ages as Ari
Bergman took centre stage leading a Kumsitz around the Bonfire. Ari was ably
assisted on the guitar by Rabbi Micha Turtletaub and Eytan Epstein. A crowd
of about 40 people joined Katanga's 'three piece orchestra' late into the
night singing traditional Kumsitz songs and the Lag B'omer special - 'Bar
Yochai'.
The efficiency, smoothness and popular success of the night was a testament
to the preparation and effort invested by the team of chief organisers who
included families Franck, Franck, Berkovits & Pacanowski. Specific thanks
must be awarded to the tireless and cheerful effort of Chana Franck, Chumi
Franck and Shoshi Berkovits amongst others.
Of course much thanks goes to all those who assisted (identifiable by their
glowing jewellery) setting up, manning stalls and cleaning throughout the
night with a special mention to Avi Susskind for his traditional
custodianship of the Bonfire. The Main Shul's contribution by subsidising
the night was greatly appreciated by all.
Looking forward to seeing you all again next year... in Meiron!
---------------------
Other Developments
*Last Shabbos after davening, Isi Pacanowski spoke about Pesach Sheini, and
how when many Jews unite together they create an exponential level of
holiness whose total is greater than the sum of its parts. Yasher Koach.
*Last week at Shalosh Seudos, Simon Weinstein spoke about the Yomim Tovim
(Festivals) that are mentioned in Parshas Emor by their calendar date and
how they are also intrinsically connected to their seasonal timing as well.
Yasher Koach.
*Katanga welcomes back Mr & Mrs Dovid Grynberg who have returned home
following their visit to Israel for Pesach. Sholem Aleichem.
*Due to the current situation in Eretz Yisroel, leaders of World Jewry
headed by HaRav HaGoan Elyashiv have appealed to Jews world-wide to recite
Tehillim on behalf of the people of Israel. Chapters 20, 83, 121, 130 & 142
are recommended to be recited daily.
-----------------------------
Announcements
- Don't forget to keep counting the Omer. Day 36 commences Thursday night, 2
May 2002.
- This week is Shabbos Chazak as we complete the third book of the Torah,
Vayikra
-Minyanim times for the coming week are:
Shacharis: First Minyan @ 6:15am, Second Minyan @ 7:00am
Mincha at 5:25pm followed by shiurim and then Ma'ariv at 6:05pm.
-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
Albert Park Squash Centre. If you are interested in attending, please
contact Mendi Solodowitz.
_________________________
Thoughts for the Week
* Either nothing is a miracle or everything is a miracle.
* Money can buy everything except what we need the most.
* Failing to plan, is planning to fail
_________________________
Shabbat Shalom & Gut Shabbos to all!
"The Editors"
Shabbos Parshas Emor - 27 April, 2002
Series 3, Edition 33
Candle lighting time: 5:22pm. Shabbos ends: 6:18pm.
Friday Mincha followed by Kabalas Shabbos: 5:40pm.
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 4:20pm.
__________________________
MAZAL TOV
Mazal Tov to Rabbi & Rebbetzin Jager on the occasion of the birth of a
Grandson this week.
Katanga would like to wish Mazal Tov to the parents Rabbi Avraham & Yeminah
Jager, the grandparents, brothers & sisters and extended family.
__________________________
D'var Torah
ISRAEL AND KIDDUSH HASHEM
by Rabbi Shraga Simmons (aish.com)
In this week's Parsha, God tells the Jewish people: "You shall not desecrate
My Holy Name (Chillul Hashem), rather I should be sanctified among the
Children of Israel (Kiddush Hashem). I am God Who makes you holy" (Leviticus
22:32).
What is the nature of this mitzvah?
The primary privilege and responsibility of every Jew is to create positive
PR for God through our loyal adherence to His Torah.
Every aspect of our behaviour can foster a Kiddush Hashem. On the converse,
a Jew acting in a despicable manner is a desecration of God's Name. Which is
why we are so bothered when a Jew cheats in business. Besides violating the
Torah prohibition of stealing, the additional tragedy is that people will
say, "If this is the effect that Torah has, then I don't want any part of
it." It distances people from connecting to God.
Even further, such behaviour demoralises society, because there is a feeling
that if Jews - the "guardians of morality" - are corrupt, then what hope is
there for the rest of us?
This is perhaps the reason why the State of Israel today is a constant
source of world-wide media attention, and why the United Nations routinely
condemns Israel for every slight misstep (real or imagined). If it happened
in another country, it may be forgiven as a consequence of law and order.
But deep down the world expects Jews to uphold their mission as the role
models for humanity, the "Light Unto the Nations."
This is why the Talmud (Yoma 86a) says that Chillul Hashem is the most
serious of all transgressions, and the one for which it is most difficult to
atone.
In actuality, the State of Israel has been a great source of Kiddush Hashem.
The blossoming of the desert, the ingathering of the exiles, the great
centers of Torah study, and the solid economic base - what other country
achieved so much in its first 50 years? And this on the heels of a
devastating Holocaust and crippling blows from Arab enemies.
Unfortunately, Israeli society also has aspects of Chillul Hashem on both
sides of the fence. Orthodox Jews sometimes throw things and shout - and the
effect can be devastating.
The Torah says: "You shall surely correct your neighbour, but don't bear a
sin because of him" (Leviticus 19:17). This means it is forbidden to correct
someone if the result will make matters worse. If the other person will get
defensive, and this will create tension and resentment, then it is no
mitzvah to correct them. Actually the bigger mitzvah in this case would be
to keep quiet, or find a more pleasant way of expression. Don't allow your
Kiddush Hashem to become a Chillul Hashem.
Israel is a living workshop where lofty Jewish ideals can become reality. To
chase after the lowest elements of Western society is to sink into the grime
of history. Is this how we define "something Jewish existing in the world?"
Is this the expression of "light unto the nations?" Is this the culmination
of 2,000 years of struggle and suffering? Is this what Tzahal soldiers died
for? Is this being "free in our land?"
It was not too many years ago that Israeli society still held itself to a
higher standard. In the 1960s when British rock legend Cliff Richard
performed here, parents were outraged at the negative effect on Jewish
children. Shortly thereafter, the Beatles were refused entry into Israel -
on the grounds of being a subversive influence. Today, this seems tame by
comparison. And whether one agrees or disagrees with that decision is not
the point. The issue is that Israel - the model of morality for world Jewry,
and the model for all humanity - had taken a stand.
We have built our land so beautifully and have achieved so much. But do we
want to succeed like the other nations, if "success" is defined by 80 cable
channels and teenagers with nose-rings and bulimia? The image of kibbutzniks
dancing around the campfire has faded into stadiums thumping with heavy
metal music.
Achad HaAm called Israel "the historic center of a roving spiritual idea."
The world is watching. And it's God's good Name on the line. It's up to us.
_________________________
PARSHA OVERVIEW - Emor (Vayikra 21:1 - 24:24)
This week's portion sets forth the standards of purity and perfection for a
Cohen; specifies the physical requirements of sacrifices and what is to be
done with blemished offerings.
The Parasha also proclaims as holidays Shabbos, Pesach, Shavuot, Rosh
Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot.
It reminds the Jewish people to provide pure olive oil for the Menorah and
designates the details of the Showbread (two stacks of 6 loaves which were
placed on the Shulchan in the Mishkan and later in the Temple once a week
upon Shabbat).
The portion ends with the story of a man who blasphemed G-d's name with a
curse.
_________________
LAG B'OMER
Katanga is once again hosting its famous Annual Lag B'Omer Extravaganza,
commencing at 6:15pm on Monday night, 29 April 2002 at Caulfield Beth
Hamedrash, 305 Glen Eira Rd, Caulfield 3161.
This year's features include;
Bonfire, BBQ, Food & Drink, Gym Bus,
Jumping Castle,
Live Music, Fairy Floss,
Amazing Pyrotechnic performer
Followed by a Kumsitz.
All for a low all-inclusive price of $4.00 per person or $15.00 per family
---------------------
Other Developments
*Last Shabbos was the Bar-Mitzvah of Amiel Gottleib who as well as leining
also spoke in Shule during davening. The Shule then joined Amiel and his
family in celebrating this occasion by enjoying a Kiddish. Mazal Tov &
Yasher Koach.
*Last week at Shalosh Seudos, Reb Beirish Aurbach spoke about Parshas
Kedoshim and how it is appropriate for us, especially now in this period
between Pesach and Shavous, to increase our level of Kedusha (holiness) each
day climaxing at Shavous. Yasher Koach.
*Due to the current situation in Eretz Yisroel, leaders of World Jewry
headed by HaRav HaGoan Elyashiv have appealed to Jews world-wide to recite
Tehillim on behalf of the people of Israel. Chapters 20, 83, 121, 130 & 142
are recommended to be recited daily.
-----------------------------
Announcements
- Don't forget to keep counting the Omer. Day 29 commences Thursday night,
25 April 2002.
-Friday 26 April 2002 is Pesach Sheini. It is customary to eat Matza on this
day.
-Lag B'Omer is rapidly approaching and once again Katanga is hosting its
Annual Lag B'Omer Extravaganza on Monday night, 29 April 2002.
Anyone who is interested in assisting this function please contact Shoshi
Berkovits on 9530 0297. All contributions and offers of assistance are still
greatly appreciated.
-Minyanim times for the coming week are:
Shacharis: First Minyan @ 6:15am, Second Minyan @ 7:00am
Mincha at 5:35pm followed by shiurim and then Ma'ariv at 6:15pm.
-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
Albert Park Squash Centre. If you are interested in attending, please
contact Mendi Solodowitz.
_________________________
Thoughts for the Week
* The future belongs to those who believe in dreams
* The trouble with being punctual is that nobody is there to appreciate it
* Failing to plan, is planning to fail.
_________________________
Shabbat Shalom & Gut Shabbos to all!
"The Editors"
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