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Shabbos
Parshas Shoftim - 10 August, 2002
Series 3, Edition 48
Candle lighting time: 5:22pm. Shabbos ends: 6:19pm.
Mincha on Friday followed by Kabalas Shabbos: 5:35pm.
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.
__________________________
D'var Torah
The Final Stretch...
by Rabbi Yaacov Haber
We've all been there. We are enjoying the first course at the wedding meal.
There is light music in the background, pleasant conversation and a
beautiful setting. Suddenly the band pumps up. With pomp and fanfare the
music reaches a crescendo and a new beginning is about to be announced.
Everyone stands up. "Ladies and gentleman, for the very first time, ." The
volume is deafening, we all get very excited and we dance like crazy.
If you've been to a bris you will have observed how everyone is shmoozing
comfortably when the Mohel will shout "Boruch HaBa!" A hush comes over the
assembled as the week old baby is brought into the room and officially
welcomed into the Jewish community.
And of course the Bar Mitzvah! Our first grand entrance into manhood. Every
one of us remembers our Bar-Mitzvah. It was a milestone that we worked hard
to reach and finally, on that day, we were welcomed to be an adult part of
the community - a real part of Klal Yisroel.
We celebrate new beginnings. We have identified every milestone and have
made it into a holiday.
This week's Torah portion identifies the ends, the completion and the
accomplishment of our goals.
The Jewish people are setting up an army. There is a selection of soldiers.
"Who is the man who has built a house. planted a vineyard. been engaged to
be married? They should go home! Lest they get killed in the upcoming war
and be unable to bring these beginnings to fruition, they shall not fight
with the nation."
Apparently, beginning or even intending to see these beginnings through, is
not good enough. The Torah is telling us that until we reach our individual
goals, those grand beginning remains meaningless. We would think that the
Mitzvah of conquering Eretz Yisroel takes precedence over our personal
vineyard, orchard or home. When we consider the national security of our
people it may even be more important than my marriage. Yet the Torah
instructs us: go home! Finish what you started. Don't begin processes
without completing them. Experience Shleimus - completion.
All of us have paved quite a few roads with good intentions. There's a whole
stretch of road going towards mastering Tanach, an expressway leading to
spending time with our children, and an eight-lane highway staring us in the
face each time we see our to-do list. We all start projects with the
intention of finishing them, but the path to fruition is fraught with
obstacles: self doubt, fear of commitment, fear of lost opportunity, fear of
putting in hard work that might not pay off, fear of failure - even fear of
success! G-d gives us the miracle of inspiration at the beginning of an
endeavor, but then it's up to us to recreate that miracle as soon as that
initial burst of motivation starts to fade. "Shalem", completion brings
about "shalom" peace.
Laying a foundation to a house is great -- but seeing a HOME lit with
Shabbos candles on Friday night is shalem. It represents peace. Meeting a
couple who just got engaged or dancing at their wedding and feeling the
incredible joy is a beautiful thing, but nothing compared to seeing a mature
couple look at each other with love and cooperation. The Torah commands us
to resist getting involved with new, apparently more important projects, and
to go home and finish what we started. Become a shalem, and G-d will grant
us the ultimate blessing: Shalom.
_______________________________________________
PARSHA OVERVIEW - Shoftim (Devorim 16:18- 21:9)
The Parsha begins with the topic of Judges and justice, sacred trees and
pillars, blemished sacrifices and the penalties for Idolatry. The Laws of
the Supreme Court, a King, Priests & Levites, Divination, prophecy and
Cities of Refuge are then given.
The Parsha continues with the laws of murder, preserving boundaries,
conspiring witnesses, preparing for war, conducting a siege and procedures
for an unsolved murder.
---------------------
ELUL
The Countdown...
Elul - the month preceding Rosh Hashana - begins a period of intensive
introspection, of clarifying life's goals, and of coming closer to God. It
is a time for realising purpose in life - rather than perfunctorily going
through the motions of living by amassing money and seeking gratification.
It is a time when we step back and look at ourselves critically and
honestly, as Jews have from time immemorial, with the intention of
improving.
The four Hebrew letters of the word Elul (aleph-lamed-vav-lamed) are the
first letters of the four words Ani l'dodi v'dodi lee - "I am to my Beloved
and my Beloved is to me" (Song of Songs 6:3). These words sum up the
relationship between God and His people.
Beginning the second day of Rosh Chodesh Elul, it is the custom to blow the
shofar every morning after prayers, in order to awaken us for the coming Day
of Judgement. The shofar's wailing sound inspires us to use the opportunity
of Elul to its fullest. Also beginning in Elul, we say Psalm 27 in the
morning and evening services.
---------------------
Other Developments
*Last Shabbos after davening, the traditional Shabbos Mevorachim kiddish,
this month sponsored by Michael & Helen Abeles in honour of the return visit
of Yirmie, Jordana, Tali, Shira & Yanki Elkus, was held. Yirmie addressed
the Kiddish and advised how deeply he misses the diversity and uniqueness of
Katanga and how comfortable he feels when returning. The guest speaker,
Rabbi Fromer, explained that the only thing we are mandated to add to our
prayers during the Month of Elul is a chapter of Tehillim (Psalm 27) and
from this we see the powerful effect a seemingly minor action can generate.
Moshe Shimon, also honoured at the Kiddish, as it was his last Shabbos
before he and his wife Shani make Aliya to Israel, thanked the Shule for the
warm and generous reception he received when first arrived. Prof. Waller, a
further honouree at the Kiddish, in tribute of having a Chair of Law named
after him at Monash University, expressed his gratitude for being a
beneficiary of the irreplaceable and unique communal spirit and camaraderie
that exists amongst the members of the Shule. Yasher Koach.
*At Shalosh Seudos last week, Anthony Waller, visiting from Israel,
explained an interpretation of the opening Possuk from last week's Parsha
that Hashem, on occasion, rewards us prior to our performance of a Mitzva.
Anthony also conveyed his perspective on living in Israel in the current
climate. Yasher Koach.
*Last Shabbos the Shule welcomed Mendel Steiner who is back visiting after
making Aliya with his family last year. Mendel was also celebrating the
birth of a Grand-daughter last week in Israel. Welcome back and Mazal Tov.
*On Tuesday night, 6 August 2002, the Shule hosted a Shloishim memorial
evening in honour of our recently departed members; Reb Shaul Blitman z"l,
Reb Bezalel Hirschfeld z"l and Reb Schulim Kuperszmidt z"l. The main address
and Dvar Torah was given by Rabbi C Z Groner while Dr Mark Franck completed
and performed the Siyum Mishnayos. Family members then delivered brief
individual biographies of the departed with a common theme being that
despite the difficulties they encountered in their early lives in Eastern
Europe, their dedication and commitment to their family, Judaism and the
Shule remained everlasting. May these families and the rest of Israel only
share Simchos in the future.
*Due to the current situation in Eretz Yisroel, leaders of World Jewry
headed by HaRav HaGoan Elyashiv appealed to Jews world-wide to recite
Tehillim on behalf of the people of Israel. Chapters 20, 83, 121, 130 & 142
are encouraged to be recited daily.
-----------------------------
Announcements
-Rosh Chodesh Elul is this week, Thursday 8 August 2002 and Friday 9 August
2002. Being Elul, we begin reciting Chapter 27 of Tehillim 'LeDovid Hashem
Oire' and blowing the Shofar after davening.
-The Shule committee, which requested contributions to be made towards the
Shaarei Tzedek Hosptial Appeal would like to finalise the arrangements.
Would those members that have not yet paid their pledges or made a donation,
please promptly do so to Ari Bergman. The Shule hopes to shortly be able to
present a cheque to Shaarei Tzedek to fund the purchase of a new piece of
medical equipment.
-Minyanim times for the coming week are:
Shacharis: First Minyan @ 6:20am, Second Minyan @ 7:00am
Mincha at 5:45pm followed by shiurim and then Ma'ariv at 6:25pm.
-Anyone interested in presenting a Shiur in the Youth Minyan please contact
Ari Bergman, 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
* The benefit of experience is not what happens, but what you do about it
* Do not jump to confusions
* The echo of short kind words are endless
_________________________
Shabbat Shalom & Gut Shabbos to all!
"The Editors"
Shabbos
Parshas Re'eh - 3 August, 2002
Series 3, Edition 47
Candle lighting time: 5:16pm. Shabbos ends: 6:15pm.
Mincha on Friday 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.
__________________________
D'var Torah
Tolerance...
by Rabbi Israel Kestenbaum
"And you shall love your friend as yourself," states the verse in this
week's parshah. Rabbi Akiva said, "This is a great principle of the Torah."
In truth, however, we know that though loving may be the ideal, first we
need to tolerate others, especially those different from ourselves. Even
before the commandment, "Love your friend," there is the imperative-often
easier spoken than achieved-"Do not hate your brother in your heart."
We live with all kinds of intolerances, and frequently harbor secret
animosities. The smart struggle with the dimwitted; the competent resent the
inept; the physically gifted are embarrassed by the uncoordinated. At work,
at home, in the street, we typically treat people who are not as "beautiful"
as we are as if they had chosen their looks. Schoolchildren pick on their
"nerdy" or "fat" classmates, and their behavior does not always mature in
time; it simply become more subtle.
The challenge remains: how do we develop tolerance for those different, and
at times opposite, from us, a tolerance that not only permits them to exist
but invites them to belong and to share in the community?
The Torah gives us a clue. In commanding the Jew to give charity, the verse
ends, "...for there will never cease to be poor in the land." Rashi notes
that this comment seems to contradict an earlier promise that as long as
Israel observes the Sabbatical year "there will be no poor among you, for
Hashem will bless you in the land that He gives to you."
The Chatam Sofer explains that giving tzedakah requires compassion and
empathy. But one must not relate so closely to the fate of the poor that he
genuinely fears becoming poor himself; if that happens, he will actually be
less generous. Over-identification can make one insecure in his own
circumstances and therefore less forthcoming.
The Chatam Sofer therefore translates G-d's promise and blessing in a unique
way: "there will be no poor within you." Poverty may always exist, but the
challenge is to give without fearing poverty for oneself, and therefore to
be generous.
The Chatam Sofer's insight corresponds to what we know about intolerance.
Intolerance is born out of fear. That which I am afraid of for myself I
resent in others. The thin person disdains the obese because he is afraid of
becoming fat himself. This over-identification with others causes me to want
to distance myself, often through impatience and disdain.
The challenge for all of us is to embrace this notion that "there will be no
poor within you." We need to remain secure in our differences from others.
If I am smart, I will remain smart. If I am competent, such is my gift.
Others not like me will not jeopardize my talents and abilities.
Recognizing this allows me to be interested in people different from me
rather than to feel threatened by them. It provides me not only with the
tools to fulfill the mitzvah, "And you shall not hate your brother in your
heart," it allows me to fulfill the ideal voiced in Avot to "learn from
everyone."
Most important, this recognition creates a community of inclusiveness, where
we all fully belong - with and because of our differences.
_______________________________________________
PARSHA OVERVIEW - Re'ay
The Parsha begins with choice and respective outcomes. It then continues
with the rules and laws for the Land of Israel, primarily oriented towards
staying away from idol worship and other religions in the land. Moshe warns
against copying the ways of the other nations. The source of the Chosen
People concept is written (14:1-2): "You are a nation consecrated to G-d
your Lord. G-d has chosen you from all nations on the face of the earth to
be His own special nation." We are chosen for responsibility, not privilege
- to act morally and to be a "light unto the nations." The Parsha ends with
a description of the three pilgrimage festivals of Pesach, Shavuos and
Succos
---------------------
Other Developments
*Last Shabbos after davening, a kiddish sponsored by Joey & Miri Eckstein in
honour of his Birthday, was held in the Youth Minyan. At the kiddish Ezra
May spoke and explained various interpretations of the famous Possuk in the
Parsha, 'and you shall eat, be satisfied and bless Hashem'. Ezra also wished
Mazal Tov to the myriad of people celebrating simchos at shule; Yoni Paluch
& Mindy Rose on their engagement, Anthony & Candi Ossip on the birth of
their son Gavriel Yitzchok, Alon & Racheli Tamir on their return from their
recent wedding in America and Joey Eckstein, Shimon Susskind & Ezra May whom
all shared a Barmitzvah anniversary. Mazal Tov and Yasher Koach.
*At Shalosh Seudos last week, Isi Pacanowski explained the essential
requirement to possess the dual emotions of fear and love in Judaism, by
fearing G-d and loving the Torah and Rabbis. 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 encouraged to be recited daily.
-----------------------------
Announcements
-This week is Shabbos Mevorachim Elul. Rosh Chodesh Elul is Thursday 8
August 2002 and Friday 9 August 2002.
-On Tuesday 6 August 2002 the Shule is hosting a Shloishim evening in memory
of our recently departed members; Reb Shaul Blitman z"l, Reb Bezalel
Hirschfeld z"l & Reb Schulim Kuperszmidt z"l. The program will commence
after Maariv at 6:15pm.
-The Shule committee, which requested contributions to be made towards the
Shaarei Tzedek Hosptial Appeal would like to finalise the arrangements.
Would those members that have not yet paid their pledges or made a donation,
please promptly do so to Ari Bergman. The Shule hopes to shortly be able to
present a cheque to Shaarei Tzedek to fund the purchase of a new piece of
medical equipment.
-Pe'ula - Action for Israel is a Jewish Australian volunteer organisation
that raises funds for Israeli families whose lives have been devastated by
terror. To date, Pe'ula has raised and distributed over AUD$26,000. To find
out more or make a donation please visit: www.laserfast.com.au/actionforisrael
<http://www.laserfast.com.au/actionforisrael>
-Minyanim times for the coming week are:
Shacharis: First Minyan @ 6:25am, 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
Ari Bergman, 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
* If you think you are always right, you are wrong
* Torah is to the soul what food is to the body
* When handling yourself use your head, for others use your heart
_________________________
Shabbat Shalom & Gut Shabbos to all!
"The Editors"
Shabbos
Parshas Ekev - 27 July, 2002
Series 3, Edition 46
Candle lighting time: 5:10pm. Shabbos ends: 6:10pm.
Mincha on Friday followed by Kabalas Shabbos: 5:25pm.
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 4:05pm.
__________________________
MAZAL TOV
Mazal Tov to Yoni Paluch and Mindy Rose on the occasion of their engagement
this week.
Katanga would like to wish a Mazal Tov to the parents Avi & Kathy Paluch and
Steven & Suzy Rose, the grandparents, brothers, sisters, sisters-in-law,
nephews and whole extended family.
__________________________
MAZAL TOV
Mazal Tov to Anthony and Candi Ossip on the birth of a baby boy this week.
Katanga would like to wish a Mazal Tov to the parents, grandparents, uncles,
aunts and whole extended family.
__________________________
D'var Torah
Lose Weight without Dieting...
by Rabbi Stephen Baars (aish.com)
The next time you sit down to eat a nice salad, give a little thought to the
poor cows. Day in, day out, all they eat is plain old grass. How do cows
deal with it?! Most of the world's animals get along perfectly fine on a
simple and consistent diet. But not man.
Human beings need variety. From a purely physiological standpoint, we can
live on bread and water alone. So then what is behind our pursuit of fine
dining, ice cream, bakeries, pastrami sandwiches and other culinary
delights?
Other creatures seem to show no ill effects or displeasure from their
dietary simplicity? So why is only man unable to "live by bread alone?"
Human beings, unlike animals, need "meaning" in life. The Kabbalists explain
this as one of the parallels between the material and spiritual worlds: This
drives us to want more than just bread. Even though it is a poor substitute
for real fulfillment and meaning, food is often the focus of our quest for
meaning.
But man's drive for meaning is not found in a salami. Unfortunately, we are
sometimes so badly focused that we will look to fulfill it in the most
unlikely and sometimes counter-productive places.
This week's parsha contains one of the Torah's most famous lines: "Man
cannot live by bread alone" (Deuteronomy 8:3). Although these words are
quoted frequently, the continuation of the verse is equally important:
"...but by all that proceeds from the mouth of God."
What the verse is telling us is that since man cannot live on bread alone,
he will either fill that extra space with real meaning - a relationship with
His Creator, or he will look for substitutes to that meaning, such as food.
In our day, restaurants are raised to the level of shrines; recipes are
sacrosanct secrets; chefs are the high priests.
Notice that the more meaningful a day you're having, the less your desire
for food. We have all experienced days full of excitement and fulfillment
when our desire to eat just seemed to disappear. Sometimes we may have even
skipped entire meals!
When life is fulfilling, then we look less to food for satisfaction. We have
something other than bread to be nourished by.
On the other hand, we've all had depressing days where we desired to eat ad
naseum. Realize what this means: If you use food as a stimulant, it's
because life itself isn't very stimulating.
Unfortunately, your craving for meaning cannot be fulfilled as easily as it
is to order a hamburger. McDonald's has trained the Western mind to think
that a "hunger need" can be filled instantly. But spiritual needs require
much more time to fulfill than the three minutes it takes to order a burger
and fries.
There is an easy way to gauge your spiritual level: If you need food to
elevate your mood, you maybe failing to fulfill your spiritual needs.
As much as you may try, you won't be satisfied by any amount of chocolate
cake. Dieting will not make you happier any more than pigging out will make
you more fulfilled. The problems nagging at your life will neither be solved
by a "Jane Fonda Workout" nor in a dress two sizes smaller.
Next time you find yourself looking to cookies to pick you up, hesitate a
little. Try to define what it is you really want to achieve. Using cookies
to obtain real meaning and fulfillment will only lead you further away from
that place you truly desire. By leading with your mind and not your stomach,
by thinking about what is truly bothering you and what you are truly looking
for, you can avoid the quick and empty "fix" that food offers, and instead
find the meaning for which you so long.
Looking to food for life's satisfaction is an indication you are already on
the wrong track. But that desire is really a sign that you are in need for
more meaning. Your desire for a Hershey bar is a red traffic signal: Stop!
You are on the wrong track!
Don't give chocolate cake to a hungry soul.
_______________________________________________
PARSHA OVERVIEW - Ekev
Moshe continues his speech to Bnei Yisrael and reminds them to be careful to
observe even the "minor" mitzvos that are usually "trampled" underfoot.
Moshe promises that Israel will be the most blessed of the nations of earth
and warns against idolatry, haughtiness, self-righteousness and 'partial'
observance of the indivisible Torah. Moshe tells Bnei Yisrael that they will
conquer Eretz Canaan and lists the great virtues of the Land of Israel,
including the sheva minim - 'seven items with which Israel is blessed' (land
of wheat, barley, grapes etc). He then details the rebellions against God in
the desert, the giving of the Second Tablets and Aharon's passing. Finally
Moshe says the second paragraph of the Shema, which conceptualizes reward
for keeping the mitzvos and penalty for not keeping them.
---------------------
Tu B'Av
Tu B'Av - Happy Days are Here Again
Tu B'Av this year was on Wednesday 24 July 2002. Rabbi Shimon Ben Gamliel
stated, "Israel had no holidays as joyous as Tu B'Av and Yom Kippur, when
the young women of Jerusalem would go out and dance in the vineyards" (Mishna
Ta'anit 4:8).
Our sages compared Tu B'Av to Yom Kippur, no less. What is so special about
this day - the fifteenth day of the month of Av - which makes it deserving
of such a noble comparison? The Talmud (in Baba Bathra 121a) gives several
reasons for us to rejoice on Tu B'Av. All have one thing in common: on this
day, different segments of the Jewish Nation were united:
1. The tribes were granted permission to intermarry.
2. The tribe of Benjamin was allowed to intermarry.
3. The Generation of the Desert ceased to die, and the sin of the spies was
forgiven. 4. Hoshea Ben Ela, annulled Yerovam Ben Nevat's (the first king of
the break-away Kingdom of Israel) decree preventing anyone from the Kingdom
of Israel from crossing over into the Kingdom of Judah and going to the Holy
Temple in Jerusalem (I Kings 12) on Tu B'Av, thus allowing the pilgrimage to
Jerusalem.
5. The corpses of Beitar were brought to burial, honouring the memory of
these freedom-fighters who gave their lives to regain a sovereign state and
the freedom to worship God as they chose.
Tu B'Av is the opposite of Tisha B'Av. In contrast to the baseless hatred
that brought about the destruction of the Holy Temple and the Exile, the
events commemorated on Tu B'Av revolve around love and unity among different
sectors of the nation, and our deep connection to Israel and the Holy
Temple. Tu B'Av is a day of renewal of ties among the nation, and Yom Kippur
is a day of renewal of our ties to the Holy One of Blessed Name. On this day
we turn over a new leaf.
There is a famous story about the Ba'al Shem Tov, who sent his disciples to
learn how to repent by following the example of a very simple man. The man
recorded all the sins committed during the year and all the suffering and
troubles brought upon him. "I will forgive You for all the troubles if You
forgive me for all my sins!"
He then threw both notebooks into the fire. This should serve as a model for
all our relationships - with our friends, our spouses, and so on. We must
learn to throw all the notebooks into the fire, and begin anew.
This is also why it is fitting for Yom Kippur to be the "Wedding Day" of
Israel to God, and Tu B'Av to be a day for Jewish weddings. Therefore,
"Israel had no holidays as joyous as Tu B'Av and Yom Kippur."
---------------------
Other Developments
*Last Shabbos after davening, a kiddish was held in the Youth Minyan in
honour of Shabbos Nachamu. Ari Bergman spoke and explained, based on the
Shema, that fulfilment of the Mitzvos and service of Hashem is so much
greater when motivated as a result of Love rather than Fear of Hashem.
Yasher Koach.
*At Shalosh Seudos last week, Rabbi Mendel Cohen explained the underlying
dispute and a deeper interpretation of the famous Talmudic passage of Rabbi
Akiva laughing in front of the other Rabbis at the site of the destroyed
Beis Hamkidosh. Yasher Koach.
*Last week the Shule welcomed Mr & Mrs Noach Herbst who returned from
celebrating their grandson's wedding in NY. The Shule also welcomed Mr & Mrs
Anthony Waller and family from Israel who are visiting their parents and
grandparents, Prof & Mrs Waller and also Daniel & Jason Gutman, who are
visiting their grandparents, Mr & Mrs Fischer. This week, it is with much
pleasure that the Shule welcomes Yirmie, Jordana, Tali, Shira & Yani Elkus
who are back visiting family and friends after making Aliya to Israel
earlier this year. Welcome Back!!!
*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 encouraged to be recited daily.
-----------------------------
Announcements
-The Shule committee, which promoted a request for contributions to be made
towards the Shaarei Tzedek Hosptial Appeal would like to finalise the
arrangements. Would those members that have not yet paid their pledges or
made a donation, please promptly do so to Ari Bergman. The Shule hopes to be
able to shortly present a cheque to Shaarei Tzedek to fund the purchase of a
new piece of medical equipment.
-Minyanim times for the coming week are:
Shacharis: First Minyan @ 6:30am, Second Minyan @ 7:00am
Mincha at 5:30pm followed by shiurim and then Ma'ariv at 6:10pm.
-Anyone interested in presenting a Shiur in the Youth Minyan please contact
Ari Bergman, 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
* All knowledge begins with experience
* To hear is human, to listen is divine
* A diamond is a piece of coal that thrived under pressure
_________________________
Shabbat Shalom & Gut Shabbos to all!
"The Editors"
Shabbos
Parshas Veschanan / Nachamu - 20 July, 2002
Series 3, Edition 45
Candle lighting time: 5:04pm. Shabbos ends: 6:05pm.
Friday Mincha followed by Kabalas Shabbos: 5:20pm.
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 4:00pm.
__________________________
D'var Torah
Live and Lead by Example...
by Rabbi Zelig Pliskin
In this week's Torah portion is part of the Shema prayer, "And you shall
love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, and with all your soul and
with all your might" (Deuteronomy 6:5). How does one actually love God?
The Talmud (Yoma 86a) states in reference to this verse that we must behave
in a manner that will cause the Name of Heaven to be beloved. One should
study Torah (God's instructions for living) and serve Torah scholars
(serving Torah scholars is perhaps a strange idea in this generation.
"Values are caught, not taught." By being in proximity to people who are
wise and lead exemplary lives, one can learn much on how to lead his own
life.), be honest in business dealings and speak pleasantly to others. Then
people will say, "Fortunate is his father who taught him Torah. Fortunate is
his teacher who taught him Torah.... See how pleasant are the ways and how
proper are the actions of this person who has learned Torah."
If, however, someone studies Torah and serves Torah scholars, but is not
honest in business dealings and does not speak pleasantly to others, what do
people say about him? "Woe to that person who learned Torah. Woe to his
father who taught him Torah. Woe to his teacher who taught him Torah. See
how corrupt are the actions and how ugly are the ways of this person who
learned Torah."
The goal of learning Torah is to perfect ourselves and to perfect the world.
The world knows that God gave the Torah to the Jews on Mt. Sinai and in the
Sinai desert. That is why they are constantly looking at how we behave. They
expect more of us. It is interesting that some Jews have this same attitude
towards Orthodox Jews, but exclude themselves from those same expectations
of honesty and pleasantness. We are all in the same boat. We must all live
our lives in a manner that causes respect for the Torah and for God and
causes God to be beloved.
_______________________________________________
PARSHA OVERVIEW - Veschanan (Devarim 3:23 - 7:11)
Moshe pleads with Hashem to enter the Land of Israel, but is turned down.
Moshe commands the Children of Israel not to add or subtract from the words
of the Torah and to keep all of the Commandments. He then reminds them that
Hashem has no shape or form and that we should not make or worship idols of
any kind.
The cities of Bezer, Ramot and Golan are designated as Cities of Refuge east
of the Jordan river. Accidental murderers can escape there to avoid
revengeful relatives.
The Ten Commandments are repeated to the whole Jewish people. Moshe then
expounds the Shema, affirming the unity of G-d, Whom all should love and
transmit His commandments to the next generation. A man should wear Tefillin
upon the arm and head. All Jews should put a Mezuzah upon each doorpost of
their home (except the bathroom). Moshe then relays the Almighty's command
not to intermarry.
---------------------
Tisha B'Av
Tisha B'Av this year commences on Wednesday night, 17 July 2002 at 5:20pm
and concludes on Thursday evening, 18 July 2002 at 5:50pm.
On Tisha B'Av night, Maariv followed by Megillas Eicha is at 6:00pm.
Tisha B'Av is the saddest day in the Jewish year. On this same day
throughout history many tragedies befell the Jewish people, including:
1. The incident of the spies slandering the land of Israel with the
subsequent decree to wander the desert for 40 years (1312 BCE).
2. The destruction of the first Temple in Jerusalem by Nevuchadnetzar, King
of Babylon (421 BCE).
3. The destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 CE.
4. The fall of Betar and the end of the Bar Kochba revolt against the Romans
62 years later, 132 CE.
5. First Crusade declared by Pope Urban II. 10,000 Jews killed in first
month of Crusade. Crusades bring death and destruction to thousands of Jews,
totally obliterating many communities in Rhineland and France in 1095.
6. The expulsion of the Jews of England in 1290.
7. The expulsion of the Jews of Spain in 1492.
8. Britain and Russia declare war on Germany in 1914. First World War
begins. First World War issues were unresolved, ultimately causing Second
World War and the Holocaust - the murder of 75% of all Jews found in war
zones. Over 400 pogroms immediately following war in Hungary, Ukraine,
Poland and Russia.
9. Deportations from Warsaw Ghetto to the Treblinka concentration camp begin
in 1942.
Tisha B'Av is a fast day (like Yom Kippur, from one evening until the next
evening) which culminates a three week mourning period by the Jewish people.
One is forbidden to eat or drink, bathe, use moisturizing creams or oils,
wear leather shoes or have marital relations. The idea is to minimize
pleasure and to let the body feel the distress the soul should feel over
these tragedies. Like all fast days, the object is introspection, making a
spiritual accounting and correcting our ways - what in Hebrew is called,
Teshuva, returning, to the path of good and righteousness.
On the night of Tisha B'Av we read in the synagogue Eicha, the book of
Lamentations, written by the prophet Yirmiyahu. We also say Kinos, special
poems recounting the tragedies that have befallen the Jewish people. On
Tisha B'Av we are forbidden to learn Torah except those parts dealing with
the calamities which the Jewish people have suffered. We must stop, reflect,
change ourselves and only then will we be able to make a better world.
---------------------
Other Developments
*Last Shabbos after davening, Danny Eisenberg spoke in the Youth Minyan
explaining that Tisha B'Ov is not only a time for Bnei Yisroel to mourn the
loss of the Beis Hamikdosh but that Hashem also mourns its destruction and
is pained by its continuing absence. Yasher Koach.
*At Shalosh Seudos last week, which Mr Sholem Fischer hosted in
commemoration of the Yorzeit of his family, Mark Franck explained
differences between the last Book of the Torah, Sefer Devorim with the four
proceeding Books of the Torah. 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 encouraged to be recited daily.
-----------------------------
Announcements
-After Eicha on Tisha B'Ov night, Katanga will be screening a special Tisha
B'Ov video presentation prepared by the Chofetz Chaim Heritage Foundation
titled 'Changing Golus to Geulah'.
-This week, the Shabbos following Tisha B'Ov, is referred to as Shabbos
Nachamu as a special Haftora from Yishiyahu is read.
-Minyanim times for the coming week are:
Shacharis: First Minyan @ 6:35am, Second Minyan @ 7:00am
Mincha at 5:20pm followed by shiurim and then Ma'ariv at 6:00pm.
-Recently the quantity of English Seforim held in the front of the Shule has
reduced. Would those responsible for the missing books please ensure they
are returned to enable others to benefit from their use.
-Anyone interested in presenting a Shiur in the Youth Minyan please contact
Ari Bergman, 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
* Lack of will power causes more failure then lack of ability
* Don't just count the days, make the days count.
* Praying without reflecting is like eating without digesting
_________________________
Shabbat Shalom & Gut Shabbos to all!
"The Editors"
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