GOOD SHABBOS CLAREMONT WYNBERG

Transcription

1 GOOD SHABBOS CLAREMONT WYNBERG בס ד NUMBER PARSHAT VAEIRA SHABBAT MEVARCHIM HACHODESH 16/17 JANUARY TEVET 5775 ARTSCROLL LIVING TORAH PARSHA: Pg 318 Pg 280 HAFTORAH: Pg 1149 Pg 1097 I VE NEVER BEEN SO INSULTED! Last Friday four French Jews lost their lives in a dastardly terrorist attack on a kosher supermarket in Paris. The Good hostage shabbos drama kjsfljlkvjsl in the jsj;k;kk store ;lklksks;skf was the frightening and tragic climax of the terror spree that began with the cold-blooded murder of 12 people at the Paris offices of the Charlie Hebdo satirical weekly newspaper on 7 January. Shortly before Shabbat I received the following message that has since appeared on all social media platforms: This attack in France only underscores the need for France to immediately engage in negotiations with French Muslims that will result in the creation of two states for two peoples, living side by side in peace and security, with Paris as a shared capital. I do not know who the author of this message is but I am almost certain it is a Jew. Behind the sarcasm is a sentiment that I have heard many times since the first attack took place: it s time for Europe to get a taste of what Israel has contended with for so many years. Perhaps if the citizens of that continent experience Islamic terrorism first-hand they will begin to understand that Israel is not the pariah she is made out to be. I have even heard people suggesting that the terror attack at Charlie Hebdo was a form of Divine retribution against France because of her recent vote in favour of the creation of a Palestinian State at the United Nations. Whether these statements are accurate or fair is debatable but what is clear is that Europe now has to face the reality that terrorism is no longer a Middle Eastern phenomenon. It is not something that happens over there. It is now very much upon their doorstep and they have to adopt stronger measures to protect their citizens, especially Jews, who unfortunately remain primary targets of these cowardly fundamentalists. The terrorists who perpetrated the massacre made it clear to their victims that they were avenging the lack of honour shown to the Prophet Muhammad, the founder of Islam, who had been the subject of irreverent and insulting cartoons published by the weekly publication. This is not the first time that such cartoons have provoked the ire of Muslims. In 2005 the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten published 12 editorial cartoons which depicted Muhammad. The newspaper announced that this was an attempt to contribute to the debate about criticism of Islam and self-censorship. Muslim groups in Denmark complained, and the issue eventually led to protests around the world, including violent demonstrations and riots in some Muslim countries. From these events it should be clear that anyone desiring to publish such cartoons should know that they are playing with fire. Whilst I uphold the right of every group to

2 protest the humiliation of leaders they hold dear, such protests must be done with restraint and without violence. If Jews were to react violently every time one of their beloved figures, or even God Himself, were lampooned or insulted, they would be in a perpetual state of war. During the long centuries of exile, Jews have learned how to take insults with grace, forbearance and even humour. Consider the fact that there is currently a film in theatres (Exodus: Gods and Kings) about Moses, Pharaoh and many of the events described in this week s parsha. The film has been banned in Egypt. Egyptian cultural minister Gaber Asfour said the depiction of Jewish slaves as being the builders of the Great Sphinx and Pyramids is inaccurate because the monuments are accepted to have been built around 2540 B.C. E, 500 years before Abraham, the father of Judaism. This totally contradicts proven historical facts, Asfour said. It is a Zionist film, he said. It gives a Zionist view of history and contains historical inaccuracies, and that s why we have decided to ban it. (See ) I have not seen the film but I can say without fear of contradiction that there is no doubt that the film portrays Moses in a completely different light to how the Torah and the sages describe him. And yet I am still to read about the protest against the film on the streets of Jerusalem. I am still waiting to view visuals of Jews storming the director s offices in Hollywood with guns blazing. What you will find are articles, by rabbis and learned laypeople, discussing the merits of the film and whether it is appropriate for religious audiences. (See for example a very critical view on the film by Rabbi Benjamin Blech at I am even sure that you will hear some fiery sermons against the film in some shuls. But that s where it ends. Moses and many other great Jewish figures have been insulted so many times that most Jews simply yawn when the world thinks up new ways of poking fun at them. It is highly ironic that when God instructed Moses and Aaron to return to Pharaoh and request the release of the Israelites, He told them to treat the monarch with the respect and honour due his office (see Rashi on Shmot 6:13). This was after Pharaoh had insulted God and said (Shmot 5:2): Who is Hashem that I should heed His voice to send out Israel? I do not know Hashem, nor will I send out Israel. Pharaoh publicly denied and blasphemed God and yet the same God demanded that His prophets treat him with respect! This does not imply that Jews should turn a blind eye when their religion is belittled. They must stand up in defence of Judaism but they should be confident in the knowledge that whatever hurtful and scurrilous remarks are made against their faith, it will endure regardless. This point is made by the sages in the Midrash to our Parsha (Shmot Rabbah, Vaeira 6:1): At the moment [King Solomon took more wives than he was allowed] the letter yud [which is the first letter of the phrase, he shall not have too many wives (Devarim 17:17)] prostrated before the Holy One Blessed is He and said, Master of the Universe! Did you not say that not even one letter of the Torah would ever be annulled? And yet Solomon has arisen and has annulled me! Maybe today he will annul one [letter] and tomorrow another until the entire Torah ceases to be? The Holy One Blessed is He replied, Solomon and a thousand like him will cease to be and not one drop of you will disappear!

3 When one is unsure of his beliefs, he will react violently when they are attacked. But when one is convinced that no human being can alter God s word, his reactions will be far more measured. This is how our sages described the behaviour of a righteous person in the face of humiliation (Shabbat 88b): Those who suffer insult but do not insult in response, who hear their disgrace but do not reply, who perform God s will out of love and are happy even in suffering, regarding them the verse (Judges 5:31) states, But they who love Him shall be as the sun going forth in its might. Shabbat Shalom Rabbi Liebenberg The link to Rabbi's YouTube message for this week is

4 THE HAFTORAH WILL BE READ BY: JONY MARKMAN 6:32 pm Earliest candle lighting time* 6:30 pm Mincha followed by Kabbalat Shabbat 8:00 pm Sunset 6:45 pm Children s service 8:30 am Shacharit followed by Kiddush Bracha 9:24 am Latest time to fulfil the mitzvah of reading the Shemah 10:00-11:30 am Children s service 7:00 pm Mincha followed by Seudah Shlishit 8:25 pm Maariv 8:37 pm Shabbat ends 6:30 pm Earliest candle lighting time for next Friday night (23 January) *Important note for ladies: During the summer months we will indicate the earliest time one can light candles (one and a quarter halachic hours before sunset). The latest time corresponds to the time that the community recites Psalm 92 after L cha Dodi (approximately 30 minutes after the start of Mincha). WEEKDAY TIMES Shacharit: Mondays and Thursdays - 6:30 am Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays - 6:40 am Sundays and Public Holidays - 8:00 am Wednesday 21 January (Rosh Chodesh) - 6:20 am Mincha (followed by Maariv): Sundays to Thursdays - 6:15 pm Fridays - 6:30 pm

5 S H I U R I M Gemorah shiur: Monday to Friday following Shacharit for half an hour. Contact Rabbi Liebenberg if you would like to join. We are studying the seventh chapter of Tractate Shabbat. Between Mincha and Maariv: A short halachic shiur with an opportunity to Ask the Rabbi. We are studying the Orach Chaim section of the code of Jewish Law with the commentary of the Mishna Berura. MONDAY: 11:30 am - Ladies Tehillim group meets in the Beit Midrash. 12:30 pm 8:00 pm Parsha shiur for gentlemen. Contact Felicia Westland at the office for details. TUESDAY : 1:00 pm - Business shiur at the offices of Berk Enterprises resumes 20 January. 2:00 pm We are studying the Sefer HaChinuch, a classic text on the 613 mitzvoth. All levels welcome. Take a break from your busy work week for some great food, company and Torah study! Contact Howard Katzeff at howard@berk.co.za for details. WEDNESDAY: EVERY SECOND WEDNESDAY NEXT SHIUR 21 JANUARY 8:00 pm - Ladies Shiur. We are learning Messilat Yesharim (The Path of The Just), a classic work of Mussar (ethics and personality development). A text with English translation will be available for all participants. Please RSVP to Felicia (felicia@clarewynshul.co.za). 7:50-9:50 pm Yeshiva Learning Sessions - watch this space for recommencement date. THURSDAY: 10:00 am - Ladies Parsha shiur with Rabbi Liebenberg in the Beit Midrash. 11:00 am Thursday Night Club for gentlemen - watch this space for details of the next meeting. SHABBAT: Learning programme for all congregants every Shabbat following the Kiddush Bracha for minutes. This week Rabbi Liebenberg will speak on the topic, Martyrdom.

6 MAZAL TOV To Sybil-Ann Cohen on the birth of a grandson, son to Gareth and Emma. To Myer and Rita Herman on the Bar Mitzvah of their grandson, Devan Alperstein, son of Elise and Allan Alperstein. To Ya kov and Emunah Rachel Van Zyl on the Bat Mitzvah of their daughter, Chana. To Merlyn Segall who will be celebrating her 80 th birthday on Friday 16 January. To Eric and Lynette Marx who will be celebrating their 25 th wedding anniversary on Wednesday 21 January. Birthdays Friday 16 January: Saturday 17 January: Sunday 18 January: Monday 19 January: Tuesday 20 January: Wed. 21 January: Anniversaries Friday 16 January: Saturday 17 January: Sunday 18 January: Wed. 21 January: Merlyn Segall, Andrew Stein Dennis Amaler, Evelyn Ress, Adam Silbert Rebecca Modlin Mathy Gerdis Sherice Marks Merle Freed Mark and Cheryl Wagenheim Leslie and Maureen Goldberg Stephen and Esther Kriger Peter and Susan Folb, Lawrence and Shelley Kaplan, Eric and Lynette Marx SPONSORSHIPS The Children s Table is sponsored by: Charles and Deta Silbert in celebration of Adam s 5 th birthday. The Seudah Shlishit is sponsored by: John and Lesley Zieff and family to commemorate the eighth yahrzeit of John's late father, Isaac Ben Yoel Benzion, and to celebrate John's completion of the learning of a Tractate of the Talmud. Upcoming sponsorships 24 January: Kiddush Bracha Ya kov and Emunah Rachel Van Zyl 24 January: Seudah Shlishit Cyril and Rhona Salkinder 31 January: Kiddush Bracha Howard and Alison Katzeff 07 February: Kiddush Bracha Barry and Louise Slavin 07 March: Children s Table Eric and Wendy Berger Please call the office to sponsor/co-sponsor a Kiddush Bracha, Seudah Shlishit and Children s Table.

7 CONDOLENCES We extend sincere condolences to Dennis, Tami, Gavin, Stuart and Mikaela Hammar, Hillary Feldman and Michelle Klein on the passing of their wife, mother and sister, Cynthia. May they be consoled amongst those who mourn for Zion and Jerusalem. Condolences are extended to all family members. CONSECRATIONS The consecration of the tombstones for the late Tony Horwitz will take place this Sunday 18 January at 10:00 am and for the late Sarah Gollom (sister of Rocky Gorin) at 10:30 am. UPCOMING PROGRAMMES NEXT SHABBAT 23/24 JANUARY Communal Friday Night Dinner 23 January Join us for Classically Cape Town Cuisine with special guest Deputy Israeli Ambassador, Michael Freeman. Mr Freeman will speak at a dinner and following the Kiddush Bracha. Bookings through the shul office / marion@clarewynshul.co.za Adults R140; Students and Scholars R100, Children 12 and under R50. We will be joined by the Yeshiva of Cape Town bachurim, Amiad Navon, Geva Frenkel, Nivy Harel and Meir Rosenblatt. TUESDAY 3 FEBRUARY 8:00 PM Guest speaker Rabbi Adi Sultanik Topic: "A State Is Not Delivered On A Silver Platter - But Is It Worth It?" Tea/Coffee will be served. Donations welcome. WEDNESDAY 18 FEBRUARY - 8:00 PM Rabbi Liebenberg will talk about his trip to Israel. Tea/Coffee will be served. Donations welcome.

8 EYES AND EARS AWARENESS PROGRAMME Thank you to our team on duty: Tony Marks, Larry Sherman, Steven Wolffs, Lennie Katzen, Geoff Friedlander. Kindly assist by being aware of unknown individuals and suspicious activity in the area and reporting this to a team member. Please DO NOT gather outside on the street after the service. Shabbat Shalom CLASSIFIEDS HAIRSTYLIST For all your hair requirements in the comfort of your home. Contact Pia on / HOUSEHOLD ITEMS FOR SALE Various household items for sale. Contact Benita or Arnie Stein on Leave message on answering machine. PLEASE DO NOT REMOVE FROM SHUL PREMISES ON SHABBAT