MIZRACHI MATTERS. SHABBAT PARASHAT METZORAH (Vol 8, No 31) the Mizrachi office on EARLY SHABBAT. LATER SHABBAT Minchah at 5:40pm 2

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1 MIZRACHI MATTERS בס"ד SHABBAT PARASHAT METZORAH (Vol 8, No 31) To sponsor the newsletter please call Friday, 4 April (4 Nissan) the Mizrachi office on EARLY SHABBAT LATER SHABBAT Minchah at 5:40pm 2 Minchah at 7:00pm 1 Candle Lighting BETWEEN 6:00pm 6:05pm Candle Lighting NO LATER THAN 6:52pm 1. Beit Yehuda 2. Beit HaRoeh 3. Beit Midrash 4. Bnei Akiva 5. Elsternwick 6. Midrashah 7. Rabbi s Home 8. Goldberger Hall 9. Nachalat David Z manim SHABBAT 5 APRIL 5 NISSAN SUNDAY 6 APRIL 6 NISSAN MONDAY 7 APRIL 7 NISSAN TUESDAY 8 APRIL 8 NISSAN WEDNESDAY 9 APRIL 9 NISSAN THURSDAY 10 APRIL 10 NISSAN FRIDAY 11 APRIL 11 NISSAN Shacharit 7:30am 1 8:00am 1 6:25am 1 6:30am 1 6:30am 1 6:25am 1 6:30am 1; 9:30am 1-4 9:00am 3 7:25am 1 7:20am 1 7:30am 1 7:25am 1 7:30am 1 Dawn 6:25am 5:26am 5:27am 5:28am 5:29am 5:30am 5:31am Tallit & Tefillin 6:46am 5:47am 5:48am 5:48am 5:49am 5:50am 5:51am Sunrise 7:37am 6:38am 6:39am 5:40am 6:41am 6:42am 6:43am Sh ma (גר"א) 10.30am 9:30am 9:31am 9:31am 9:31am 9:32am 9:32am Earliest Mincha 1:53pm 12:52pm 12:52pm 12:52pm 12:52pm 12:51pm 12:51pm Minchah followed by Ma ariv 6:45pm 1, 3 5:50pm 1 5:50pm 1 5:50pm 1 5:50pm 1 5:50pm 1 SHABBAT Mincha: 5:50pm 1 Candles: 5:41pm Sunset 7:08pm 6:07pm 6:05pm 6:04pm 6:02pm 6:01pm 5:59pm Night 7:50pm 6:49pm 6:47pm 6:46pm 6:44pm 6:43pm 6:41pm SECOND MA ARIV 9:30pm 3 9:30pm 3 9:30pm 3 9:30pm 3 9:30pm 3 Shiurim Mishnah Yomit Events R Bert Mond 8:45am 3 R Leor Broh 9:00am 2 Rabbi James Kennard 9:30am 6 Drashot R Yaakov Sprung 1 Topic: Melbourne s Metzorah R Leor Broh 2 R Dudi Winkler 3 R Chezy Deren 9 Rabbi Sprung s Parashat HaShavua Shiur 6:00pm Topic: Hidden Treasures Daf Yomi 8:45am 3 R Dudi Winkler Sefer HaKuzari 8:45am 6 Daf Yomi 9:45pm 3 Daf Yomi 8:15am 3 R Dudi Winkler (for women) 9:30am 6 R Dudi Winkler Practical Halachah in the 21 st Century 8:30pm 2 Pesach stringencies. Examples and discussion R Dovid Segal Gemara B iyun 8:30pm 2 R Chezy Deren Contemporary Halacha 7/93 Hotham Street 8:30pm Michal Kaufman (Lewis house) 9:00pm Daf Yomi 9:45pm 3 Daf Yomi 8:15am 3 R Yaakov Sprung Chumash Shiur for women 10:00am 6 R Dudi Winkler - Chabura Gemara for female uni students 7:30pm 6 R Dudi Winkler Rav Kook Shiur 8:30pm 6 Topic: Pesach Daf Yomi 9:45pm 3 Daf Yomi 8:15am 3 Weekly Parashah Shiur for ladies & girls 7 Morrice Street Caulfield 11:00am Adina Bankier- Karp R Yaakov Sprung Gemara B iyun 6:30pm 6 Not this week R Yaakov Sprung Masechet Brachot 8:00pm 6 Not this week R Yaakov Sprung Haggadah Shiur 8:00pm 6 Chani Winkler (for women) 8:15pm 2 Not this week Daf Yomi 9:45pm 3 Daf Yomi 8:15am 3 R Dudi Winkler Gemara Shiur 8:00pm 3 R Yaakov Sprung Shiur for men 8:30pm 7 Chani Winkler Chabura for female uni students 8:30pm 6 R Dudi Winkler Parashat HaShavua in easy Hebrew 8:45pm 3 Chillen Cholent 9:45pm 6 Daf Yomi 9:45pm 3 Daf Yomi 8:15am 3 Menachot 7:6-8:1 Menachot 8:2-3 Menachot 8:4-5 Menachot 8:6-7 Menachot 9:1-2 Menachot 9:3-4 Menachot 9:5-6 6:35pm 1 Between Minchah Between Minchah Between Minchah Between Minchah Between Minchah and Ma ariv 1 and Ma ariv 1 and Ma ariv 1 and Ma ariv 1 and Ma ariv 1 5:40pm1 Children s Tefillah Groups 10:15am 11:30am Gan Shabbat 10:15am 11:30am Bnei Akiva 5:30pm Seudah Shlishit: Noa Bloch Daylight Saving Time Ends Turn clocks back one hour The Holy Bagel 9:00am 3 Opening of the Yavneh Crèche 10:00am Limmud - Bnei Akiva s Learning Program 6:00pm 3 Opening of the new Yavneh Kinder Centre 10:00am The Great Stories of our Great Leaders for children in Years 2-3 & Years 4-5 5:15pm 3 Launch of new Haggadah with R Immanuel Bernstein 8:00pm 8 Yahrtzeits Solly Joss (Mother) Sheila Esterman, Colette Tugendhaft & Sally Lowinger (Father) Rolene Lamm (Father) Ronnie Ptasznik (Father)

2 MIZRACHI S VIRTUAL NOTICEBOARD The Beit Midrash is in desperate need of a fridge. If you have a spare one that you would like to donate, please call Rae on We wish a hearty Mazal Tov to Shimi & Tzippi Lowinger (nee Bird) on the birth of their daughter Granddaughter to Sally Lowinger (Melbourne) Mark & Bernie Bird (Gold Coast) *** We wish a hearty Mazal Tov to Shmuli Felman and Hadass Fink (London) on their engagement Mazal Tov to the parents Sandra & Phillip Felman (Melbourne) Daniel Fink and Allison Fink (Israel) Mazel tov to the grandfather Ludevit Ehrenreich *** We wish a hearty Mazal Tov to Menachem [Nachy] Felman and Raya Berzon on their marriage Mazal Tov to the parents Sandra & Phillip Felman (Melbourne) Rabbi Azarya & Charnie Berzon (Jerusalem) Mazel tov to the grandfather Ludevit Ehrenreich We wish Mazal Tov to the following members who celebrate their wedding anniversary during the coming week: Max & Sarah Jotkowitz (Monday) We wish Happy Birthday to the following members who celebrate their birthday during the coming week: Avital Greenberger (Shabbat) Orlee Schneeweiss (Shabbat) Ruth Figdor (Monday) Hayley Junger (Thursday) Ilana Zimmerman (Friday) Yoni Garfield (Hebrew) (Friday)

3 ב ס "ד N EWSLETTER FOR THE ELSTERNWICK JEWISH COMMUNITY 5 April Nissan 5774 Parshat Metzora Yahrzeits during the coming week Ed Goldman (Father) [5 April] Rachel Hyman (Father) [7 April] Robert Wald (Father) [10 April] Contact numbers Rabbi Rabbi Chaim Cowen cowen.chaim@gmail.com Co-Chairman Mark Kras imkras@gmail.com Co-Chairman Robbie Wyner robert@foodsinternational.com.au Gabbai Elan Jacobs elanjacobs@hotmail.com Secretary Sally-Ann Jaye ejc@mizrachi.com.au Haphtarah requests Dennis Max classact@werple.net.au Contributions to this Newsletter (please) Sally-Ann ejc@mizrachi.com.au Shabbat times Candle Lighting this week Candle Lighting time if attending Kabbalat Shabbat Kabbalat Shabbat this week Pre-Shacharit Shiur Shacharit Rabbi s Shabbat Shiur: The mad Pesach marathon: Part 3 Mincha at Shabbat ends at Candle Lighting next week Kabbalat Shabbat next week 6.52 pm 6.00 pm 6.30 pm 9.00 am 9.30 am 5.50 pm 6.35 pm 7.50 pm 5.41 pm 5.50 pm The Rabbi s Shabbat Shiurim The early shiur (9.00am, before Shacharit) - come join the Rabbi for cake, coffee and an exploration of the mystical parsha Condolences It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Miriam Hain's father, Alan Weinstock a"h. We send condolences to Miriam & Michael, Anthony, Bradley and Timothy, as well as to Miriam's mother Sue, and brothers Moshe, Michael and Adam and their families. We wish the Hain and Weinstock families a "long life". Mazel Tov Daniel & Louise Lowinger on the birth of a niece, daughter to Shimi and Tzippi Lowinger and granddaughter to Sally Lowinger In shule this week Stuart Lew will be leading Kabbalat Shabbat, Basil Krawitz will be leading Shacharit and saying the Haftorah, and Elan Jacobs will be leading Mussaf. Kiddush this Shabbat You are all invited to the kiddush, which will be sponsored by EJC. EJC s Second Seder EJC is holding it s inaugural Second Seder which promises to be fantastic. Please join in, and Sally-Ann on ejc@mizrachi.com.au for details.

4 (י"א ניסן ( April Friday, 11 Mincha 5:50pm 1,3,4 Light candles by 5:41pm שבת הגדול / פרשת אחרי מות (י"ב ניסן) Shabbat, 12 April Shacharit 7:30am 1, 9:30am 1-4,9 Children s Tefillah Groups 10:15am 11:15am Rabbi Sprung s Shabbat HaGadol Drashah 4:15pm 1 Minchah 5:35pm 1,3 Seudah Shlishit speaker: TBA Ma ariv 6:40pm 1,3 (י"ג ניסן ( April Sunday, 13 Shacharit 8:00am 1, 9:00am 3 Sale of Chametz 8:45am 9:30am Taking place in R Sprung s office at Mizrachi Minchah / Ma ariv 5:45pm 1 Bedikat Chametz AFTER 6:38pm Ma ariv 9:30pm 3 ערב פסח / תענית בכורות (י"ד ניסן) Monday, 14 April Fast of the first born commences 5:33am Shacharit (followed by siyum) Shacharit (followed by the Daf Yomi siyum) 6:30am 1 7:25am 1 A chametz bin will be available for Mizrachi members from 7:30am 10:30am. It will be accessible from Fosbery Avenue. Sale of Chametz 8:30am 9:30am Taking place in R Sprung s office at Mizrachi Finish eating chametz by 10:04am Latest time for removal and burning chametz 11:12am Candle Lighting 5:37pm Minchah / Ma ariv 5:45pm 1-4 Dvar Torah 1 : R Yaakov Sprung א' דפסח April Tuesday, 15 Shacharit 7:30am 1, 9:30am 1-4,9 R Sprung davening with Beit Haroeh Minchah / Ma ariv 5:40pm 1-4 Shiur 1 : R Yaakov Sprung Earliest time for candle lighting and seder preparations 6:36pm Begin S firat HaOmer at Ma ariv ב' דפסח April Wednesday, 16 Shacharit 7:30am 1, 9:30am 1-4,9 Minchah 5:35pm 1-4 Shiur 1 : R Immanuel Bernstein Ma ariv 6:34pm 1,3 Begin reciting V Tein Bracha ג' דפסח )א' דחול המועד( April Thursday, 17 Shacharit minyanim 6:20am 1,7:15am 1 9:00am 3 Minchah / Ma ariv 5:40pm 1 Ma ariv 9:30pm 3 ד ' דפסח )ב ' דחול המועד( April Friday, 18 Shacharit 8:00am 1, 9:00am 3 Minchah 5:40pm 1 Light candles by 5:32pm R Sprung davening with Bnei Akiva ה ' דפסח )ג ' דחול המועד( - April Shabbat, 19 Shacharit 7:15am 1, 9:30am 1-4,9 R Sprung davening with Beit Midrash Minyan Children s Tefillah Groups 10:15am 11:15am Minchah 5:25pm 1,3 Seudah Shlishit speaker: TBA Ma ariv 6:30pm 1,3 ו ' דפסח )ד ' דחול המועד( April Sunday, 20 Shacharit 8:00am 1, 9:00am 3 Candle Lighting 5:29pm Minchah / Ma ariv 5:35pm 1-4 No shiur halachically required. שביעי של פסח April Monday, 21 Shacharit 7:30am 1, 9:30am 1-4,9 R Sprung davening with Nachalat David Children s Tefillah Groups 10:15am 11:15am Minchah / Ma ariv 5:30pm 1-4 Shiur 1 : R Dudi Winkler Earliest time for Candle Lighting and preparations 6:28pm אחרון של פסח April Tuesday, 22 Shacharit 7:20am 1, 9:30am 1-4,9 Yizkor Children s Tefillah Groups 10:15am 11:15am Minchah 5:30pm 1-4 Divrei Torah 1 : Ronen Slonim, David Smith, Jonathan Smith Ma ariv 6:26pm 1,3

5 From the Rav s desk: LAWS OF PESACH Please Note: Due to the multitude of laws governing the Pesach Yom Tov and its preparation, the digested laws that follow should be viewed solely as a summary of the halachos pertaining to the proper observance of the holiday. Please contact me for any further information concerning any doubtful halachic decision. Shabbat Hagadol Shabbat Hagadol commemorates the Jews tying the lamb to their bedposts on Shabbat, the 10 th Nissan, five days before leaving Egypt. When the Egyptians inquired about this unusual use of the Egyptian god, they were informed that the Jews were going to offer it as a korban (sacrifice) to G-d. The Egyptians were powerless to intercede, and no Jew was harmed. It is customary on this Shabbat for all to attend the Rav s drashah, traditionally focused upon a Pesach theme. The Haftarah for Shabbat hagadol speaks about the coming of Mashiach on the great seminal day of the Hakadosh Baruch Hu (Malachi 3:23). Chametz Chametz results when one of the five types of grain (wheat, barley, rye oats, spelt) or their derivatives is permitted to maintain undisturbed contact with water for a period of 18 minutes or longer. Extracts of chometz, alcoholic fermentation, foods processed in chometz, utensils, and chometz admixtures are halachically considered chometz as well. The Torah forbids an individual to eat, possess or derive benefit from chometz during the Pesach Yom Tov. Ashkenazi Jews refrain from partaking of legumes (beans, corn, rice, peas) kitniyos and their admixtures during Pesach. Removal of Chametz Prior to Pesach, one must remove all chometz from one s properties and jurisdiction. This is accomplished through the following processes: Mechirat Chametz (the Sale of Chametz) 1. All forms of chametz not destroyed must be transferred to a Gentile before the end of the fifth hour on the 14 th Nissan. This is normally done through the sale of chometz via the Rav as appointed agent for this sale. The sale is bona fide in nature and transfers possession of all chametz to the Gentile, accompanied by the subleasing of the property on which the chometz is to be found. The non-jew should be allowed free access to the property and items he has purchased. 2. Chametz utensils are rented and their contents are sold. (Sale of utensil would require immersion if and when acquired.) Bedikat Chametz (The Search) 1. After tzait hakochavim (appearance of 3 stars) on the evening of 14 th Nissan (or evening prior to taking leave of one s residence within 30 days of Pesach), one must diligently search for chometz in all areas in which it may have been stored or eaten. This search is not ceremonial in nature and should include such places as: closets, toasters, medicine cabinets, clothes, cars, toy chests, vacuum bags, etc. As such, proper time must be allotted to the search. This year the search is conducted on Sunday evening 13 April, after 6.38 PM. 1. No work, study, or meal should be commenced within ½ hr prior to the search. 2. The search should be facilitated by the aid of a single-wick candle. 3. Prior to the search, the blessing al biyur chometz is recited. It is a custom for some to scatter 10 pieces of bread throughout the house prior to the bedikah. The mere collection of these morsels should not be misconstrued as the fulfillment of the search. Bittul HeChametz (Nullification) After the search, Kol Chamiroh is recited, renouncing title to any chometz not already set aside for either the next morning s breakfast, sale or destruction. One who does not understand Aramaic should recite Kol Chamiroh in his native tongue. The English translation of the Aramaic formula for Bitul Chometz recited after the burning follows: I HEREBY DECLARE ALL LEAV- EN AND CHOMETZ IN MY POS- SESSION WHICH I HAVE DIS- COVERED OR NOT DISCOV- ERED OF WHICH I AM AWARE AND OF WHICH I AM NOT AWARE, TO BE NAUGHT AND AS DUST OF THE EARTH. Biur Chometz (Destruction of the Chometz) Chometz found during the search, and remaining from breakfast, must be destroyed (preferably by fire) during the fifth hour of the halachically-divided 12 hour day. This is followed by a more encompassing bitul nullifying all chometz seen or unseen. This can not be recited during the halachic sixth hour of the day when the use of chometz and its benefits are already forbidden. The Rabbinic prohibition for eating chometz begins with the commencement of the halachic fifth hour of the day. Eating Matzah on Erev Pesach 1. It is forbidden to eat matzoh usable at the seder or consume wine on erev Pesach. One may eat fish, fruit, and meat in moderate amounts that will not detract from his appetite for the Seder Matzoh. 2. When erev Pesach falls on a weekday tedious and or profitable work should not be engaged in after chatzos (halachic midday). Ta anit Bechorim. In gratitude to the Almighty for having been spared during the slaying of the Egyptian first-born, first-born males fast on erev Pesach. A father fasts on behalf of a son too young to fast and a mother fasts for her b chor when the father is a first-born as well. Firstborns may participate in a siyum, which enables them to eat during the remainder of the day. This year the fast is commemorated on Monday 14 April (14 Nisan) and the fast will begin at 5.33 am. The Siyum will take place at 7:05am with an additional one at 8:10am.

6 Matzoh 1. Shemura matzoh (i.e. matzoh guarded from any possibility of becoming chometz and processed expressly for the purpose of Matzas mitzvah) should be used during both Seder nights for the different mitzvos involving matzah. 2. Egg matzoh, whole wheat matzohs made with fruit juices, and chocolate covered matzohs should not be eaten all Yom Tov by anyone, excepting the sick or elderly. Tefillot (Prayers) 1. Tachanun, tzidkascha tzedek, fasts and eulogies are deleted during the entire month of Nissan. 2. Mizmor l soda and lamnatzai ach are omitted on erev Pesach and Yom Tov itself. 3. Full Hallel is recited the first two days of Pesach. (It is a custom in some shuls to recite the entire Hallel on the first two nights of Pesach.) Half Hallel is recited during the remainder of the holiday. 4. Mashiv Haruach u Morid HaGashem is deleted beginning with the repetition of the Musaf sh moneh esrai on the first day of Yom Tov. 5. Vetain Bracha is substituted for tal u matar in the weekday shmoneh esrai, beginning with the first night of Chol Hamoed. 6. Women who normally recite shehecheyanu with the kindling of Yom Tov candles do not recite shehecheyanu on the last two days of Pesach when ushering in the Yom Tov. 7. Yaaleh Veyavo is inserted in Birchas Hamazon during the entire eight days. If one forgets its recitation and begins the next brachah, the entire benching must be repeated. 8. There is a dispute regarding the wearing of tefillin during chol hamoed. Most authorities agree that those who are accustomed to wearing them on these days should not recite the two accompanying blessings. Chametz discovered during Pesach Chometz discovered during chol hamoed should be immediately destroyed. Chometz found during Shabbos or Yom Tov should be covered with a vessel and destroyed after havdalah. Sefirat Ha-Omer (Counting the Omer) 1. Beginning with the second night of Pesach until the night preceding Shavuos, the Omer is counted, computing the days and weeks in the enunciated formula. 2. If, during the day, one realizes that s/he has forgotten to count the preceding evening (or if s/he is doubtful), one should count immediately without the accompanying brachah. One who has entirely missed a day (and night s) count should continue counting without a blessing. 3. There are different customs regarding the 33 day mourning period within Sefirah. Some observe it from Pesach until Lag B Omer, others observe from 1 Iyar until Shavuos (except Lag B Omer), and yet others observe it from the first day Rosh Chodesh Iyar till 3 Sivan (except Lag B Omer). When Lag B Omer falls on Sunday, as it does this year, following Shabbat Kodesh, according to minhag Ashkenaz, haircuts and shaving are already permitted on Friday, Erev Shabbat in honour of Shabbat itself, like this year on on April Weddings, parties, musical entertainment, and haircutting are prohibited during the period of mourning. When crossing the international dateline to Australia from the West Coast of the U.S.A. or from Israel, one should count the missed day upon returning, without a brachah, and continue counting the next day s Omer (the evening of one s arrival) with a brachah. Mechirat chametz Rabbi Sprung s mechirat chometz form (see attached) requires the vendor to know exactly what he is selling to the purchaser and the purchaser must fully understand what he is purchasing, where it is located and have access to its usage. Therefore, the vendor must give consideration to both the content and whereabouts of his chometz, including its approximate value. As the sale of chometz has to be recognised in beis din as well as secular courts, the owner of chometz must appreciate the legal principles of this contract (as in every contractual agreement we enter) and, therefore, makes a kinyan (transaction) with his agent (the Rav) and signs a document indicating such. If the owner of chometz will be spending Yom Tov away, he must inform his agent (the Rav) as to the whereabouts of keys to provide entry to the gentile to whom the chometz has been sold. Rabbi Sprung will be effecting the kinyan for mechiras chometz at the following times: Sunday 6 April am pm Wednesday 9 April pm Thursday 10 April pm Sunday 13 April :30am Monday 14 April 8:30 9:30am Forms are also available in the office. Clear out your box! The shule is not responsible for cleaning individual Synagogue seat boxes and tallit bags which are under private ownership. People must individually check and remove chametz from their own boxes over the next 10 days. Bin There, Done That Properties are to be free of chametz over Pesach. There is a requirement to remove chametz by 11.12am (this year) on Erev Pesach. To enable Mizrachi members to dispose of chametz after their regular residential bin collection, a chametz bin will be available in Fosbery Avenue on Monday 14 April from am. Note this is for chametz only and not for garden refuse, general household garbage, etc. Mizrachi reserves the right to levy anyone caught using the bin for anything other than chametz.

7 Mizrachi Organisation THE EUGEN YAACOV WEISS MIZRACHI CENTRE 81 Balaclava Road, Caulfield North, Victoria 3161, Australia Telephone: (03) Fax: (03) ª"æÆ MARA D ATRA Rabbi Yaakov Sprung PRESIDENT Ian Waller SC CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Daniel Solomon Adar II 5774 March 2014 MAOT CHITTIN APPEAL * * * * * * * * * * MIZRACHI SYNAGOGUES Beit Yehuda Beit HaRoeh Beit Midrash Bogrim Minyan Nachalat David * * * * * * * * * * BEIT MIDRASH NAFTALI HERC Kollel Torah MiTzion Midreshet Ohr HaMizrachi * * * * * * * * * * ELSTERNWICK JEWISH COMMUNITY Faye Rockman Synagogue * * * * * * * * * * LEIBLER YAVNEH COLLEGE The Joseph & Stera Gutnick School of Jewish Studies A.S. Leibler Secondary School Leopold & Isabella Abrahamovits Yavneh Primary School Abeles Liberman Early Learning Centre * * * * * * * * * * KOSHER AUSTRALIA P/L * * * * * * * * * * MIZRACHI CHARITY FUND MIZRACHI SICK VISITING SOCIETY BNEI AKIVA YOUTH MOVEMENT EMUNAH WOMEN S MOVEMENT * * * * * * * * * * MIZRACHI NOMINEES PTY. LTD. ABN Dear Friends Thank you for the valuable contribution you made to the Mizrachi Charity Fund last year. Your generous contribution ensured that together, we were able to gift over $120,000 to the most vulnerable in our community. Some of these recipients are our children s friends. Their family suddenly found itself struggling due to sudden unemployment, illness or a brave but daunting escape from a violent marriage. Other recipients live on the fringes of our community, both metaphorically or in actuality. They may struggle with mental or physical illness that requires expensive medical assistance. Sometimes that recipient is a loving full-time carer, thus unable to work. Your thoughtfulness allowed us to render timely and often ongoing assistance in the form of food vouchers, rent & utility payments, car registrations, medication, interest free loans or just food for a Yom Tov. Increasingly, we receive referrals from Jewish Care, and other communal charity organisations and rather than work independently, we often work together to complement the assistance we can offer every genuine cry of help. Many within our community rely on our ongoing support. Please give generously to our Maot Chittin Appeal. Wishing you a Pesach Kasher V sameach. Sincerely Yvonne Korbl The Land of Israel for the People of Israel according to the Torah of Israel łøø œł œ Ø łøø łøø ıł

8 Mizrachi Organisation THE EUGEN YAACOV WEISS MIZRACHI CENTRE 81 Balaclava Road, Caulfield, Victoria 3161, Australia Telephone: (03) , Fax: (03) , MIZRACHI CHARITY FUNDS MAOT CHITTEN APPEAL 5774 A. Fund Type: Please tick only one of the following two boxes q I do NOT require a tax-deductible receipt (these funds are used for interest-free loans and for cash that is made available to needy people anonymously.) q I do require a tax-deductible receipt B. Payment Type: Please tick only one of the following three boxes q Cash for $ is enclosed. Please hand this directly* to a staff member in the office 81 Balaclava Rd, Caulfield North. q Cheque for $ is enclosed. Cheques should be made payable to Mizrachi Charity Fund. Please hand this directly* to a staff member in the office 81 Balaclava Rd, Caulfield North q Please charge my credit card $ Credit Card Type: q Mastercard q Visa q AMEX Credit card No: Expiry Date: Name on Card: / Signed: Date: Please hand this directly* to a staff member in the office 81 Balaclava Rd, Caulfield North or post to The Mizrachi Charity Fund, 81 Balaclava Rd, Caulfield North or fax to or ring details through on C. Your Details: Please Print Clearly Name: Address: Suburb: Postcode: Phone: address: *The Mizrachi Charity Fund takes no responsibility for any payment left while the office is unattended The Land of Israel for the People of Israel, according to the Torah of Israel łøø œł œ Ø łøø łøø ı ł

9 SALE OF CHAMETZ 5774/2014 HARAV YAAKOV SPRUNG MARA D ATRA MIZRACHI The Torah prohibits us from owning any chametz during the festival of Pesach. In principle a person has the option of consuming all his chametz before Pesach, giving it away, destroying it or renouncing ownership over it. In practice it is often not possible to dispose of all chametz before Pesach, nor can a person be relied upon to genuinely renounce ownership of a significant amount of chametz. Moreover, a person might even have chametz in his possession of which he is unaware. Therefore the practice of Selling the chametz began nearly two thousand years ago during the time of the Mishnah. To ensure that all the legal requirements of a contract of sale are satisfied, it is customary to make one s Rabbi his agent for selling his chametz to a non-jew. It should be noted that chametz remaining in one's possession during Pesach is prohibited for use afterwards. Please Complete both sides of this form and personally present it to Rabbi Sprung*** for the Halachic transaction to be valid, ensuring that no chametz remains in your possession over Pesach. The Chametz that I possess includes the following: 1. NAME & ADDRESSES INCLUDED IN THIS SALE 1. NAME I authorise Rabbi Sprung to sell all Chametz located anywhere in my possession at the noted addresses. 2. HOME (S) OFFICE (S) TYPE OF CHAMETZ Groceries Liquors Beer Cereals Flour Pasta & Noodle products Medicines Toiletries Cleansers Pet Food Insects & Rodents Traps 3. EXACT LOCATION KITCHEN Cabinets Freezer Dishwasher Refrigerator Meat Dairy BEDROOM CLOSET Boxes Shelves LIVING ROOM Cabinets Liquor Bar DINING ROOM Buffet Hutch Sideboard FAMILY ROOM Cabinet Liquor Bar Bookshelves DEN Buffet Liquor Bar Cabinet Bookshelves BATHROOM (S) Cabinets Medicine cabinets Vanity Units BAR PANTRY GARAGE Shelves Freezer Boxes Refrigerator DECK BARBECUE CAR(S) LAUNDRY 4. TIMES FOR KINYAN *** The Rabbi has set aside the following times for selling Chametz in his office at Mizrachi and asks that you please conform to this schedule: Sunday 6 April (6 Nissan) am pm Wednesday 9 April (9 Nissan) pm Thursday 10 April (10 Nissan)... 7:00 8:00pm Sunday 13 April (13 Nissan) :30am Monday 14 April (14 Nissan) am

10 5. VALUE OF CHAMETZ Approximate value of the chametz (overleaf) to be sold $ 6. PLEASE COMPLETE IF YOU WILL BE AWAY FOR PESACH The keys to my addresses can be found with: Name Phone Address 7. POWER OF ATTORNEY I, the undersigned, fully empower and permit Rabbi Yaakov Sprung to act in my place and stead and on my behalf sell all CHAMETZ as defined by Torah and Rabbinic law, (including doubtful Chametz, mixtures of Chametz and inedible Chametz of the sort which tends to adhere to the inner surface of pots pans and cooking utensils) possessed by me (knowingly or unknowingly). The sale will take place as of Monday morning 14 April 2014 by 11.00am. Rabbi Sprung has full right to sell the Chametz utilizing all transactions including the leasing of a small area in listed addresses as mentioned in the general contract used by Rabbi Sprung to effect the sale of Chametz. Rabbi Sprung is granted full power and authority to appoint a proxy to facilitate this as well. The above granted conforms to all Torah and Rabbinical laws, as well as those of Australia. And to this do I hereby affix my signature on this the day of 2014/5774. SIGNATURE NAME (Block letters)

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16 בס"ד The Kollel Menachem Pesach Kashering Service Will take place on Tuesday April 8 Nissan 8 6:00-9:00pm At the Werdiger Hall Kitchen 90 Hotham Street, St Kilda East Please ensure that all vessels being kashered have been thoroughly cleaned and have not been used for the past 24 hours

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18 E U G E N Y A A C O V W E I S S M I Z R A C H I C E N T R E בס"ד SEFIRAT HA OMER CALENDAR סדר ספירת העומר The correct time to count the Omer is immediately after dark. Recite the brachah below if you have counted all the previous days. If you forget one night, you may count during the following day without a brachah, and then continue saying a brachah for the following days. If you forget to count on one day entirely, count the remaining days without saying the brachah. ה נ נ י מוּכ ן וּמ זוּמ ן ל ק יּ ם מ צ ו ת ע שּׁ ה שׁ ל ס פ יר ת ה עו מ ר. כּ מ ו שׁ כּ תוּב בּ תּ ו ר ה. וּ ס פ ר תּ ם ל כ ם מ מּ ח ר ת ה שׂ בּ ת מ י ו ם ה ב יא כ ם א ת עו מ ר ה תּ נוּפ ה. שׁ ב ע שׁ בּ תו ת תּ מ ימו ת תּ ה י ינ ה. ע ד מ מּ ח ר ת ה שׂ בּ ת ה שׂ ב יע ית תּ ס פּ רוּ ח מ שׂ ים יו ם. ו ה ק ר ב תּ ם מ נ ח ה ח ד שׁ ה ל ה': ו יה י נו ע ם ה' א קינוּ ע ל ינוּ. וּמ ע שּׁ ה י ד ינוּ כּו נ נ ה ע ל ינוּ. וּמ ע שּׁ ה י ד ינוּ כּו נ נ הוּ: בּ רוּ א תּ ה ה' א קינוּ מ ל ה עו ל ם. א שׁ ר בּ מ צ ו ת יו ו צ וּ נוּ ע ל ס פ יר ת ה עו מ ר: ק דּ שׁ נ וּ יו ם... ה Insert the number of the day from the chart overleaf ה ר ח מ ן. הוּא י ח ז יר ל נוּ ע בו ד ת בּ ית ה מּ ק דּ שׁ ל מ ק ו מ הּ בּ מ ה ר ה בּ י מ ינוּ. אָמ ן ס ל ה: ל מ נ צּ ח בּ נ ג ינו ת מ ז מ ו ר שׁ י ר : א ק ים י ח נּ נוּ ו י ב ר כ נ וּ י א ר פּ נ יו א תּ נוּ ס ל ה: ל ד ע ת בּ אָר ץ דּ ר כּ בּ כ ל גּו י ם י שׁוּע ת : יו דוּ ע מּ ים א קים יו דוּ ע מּ ים כּ לּ ם: י שּׁ מ חוּ ו יר נּ נוּ ל א מּ ים כּ י ת שׁ פּ ט ע מּ ים מ ישׂור וּ ל א מּ י ם בּ אָ ר ץ תּ נ ח ם ס ל ה: יו דוּ ע מּ ים א קים יו דוּ ע מּ י ם כּ לּ ם: א ר ץ נ ת נ ה י בוּל הּ י ב ר כ נוּ א קים א קינוּ: י ב ר כ נ וּ א קים ו י יר אוּ או תו כּ ל אַפ ס י אָר ץ: א נּ א בּ כ ח. גּ ד לּ ת י מ ינ. תּ תּ יר צ רוּר ה:אב"ג ית"ץ ק בּ ל ר נּ ת ע מּ. שּׁ גּ ב נוּ ט ה ר נוּ נו ר א:קר"ע שט"ן נ א ג בּו ר. דּו ר שׁ י י חוּד. כּ ב ב ת שׁ מ ר ם:נג"ד יכ"ש בּ ר כ ם ט ה ר ם. ר ח מ י צ ד ק ת. תּ מ י ד גּ מ ל ם :בט"ר צת"ג ח ס י ן ק דו שׁ. בּ רו ב טוּב. נ ה ל ע ד ת :חק"ב טנ"ע י ח יד גּא ה. ל ע מּ פּ נ ה. זו כ ר י ק ד שׂ ת :יג"ל פז"ק שׁ ו ע ת נוּ ק בּ ל. וּשׁ מ ע צ ע ק ת נוּ. יו ד ע תּ ע לוּמו ת:שק"ו צי"ת בלחש בּ רוּ שׁ ם כּ בו ד מ ל כוּתו ל עו ל ם ו ע ד: ר בּו נו שׁ ל עו ל ם. א תּ ה צ וּ ית נוּ ע ל י ד י משׁ ה ע ב דּ לס פּו ר ס פ יר ת ה עו מ ר כּ ד י ל ט ה ר נוּ מ ק ל פּו ת ינוּ וּמ טּוּמ או ת ינוּ. כּ מ ו שׁ כּ ת ב תּ בּ תו ר ת. וּס פ ר תּ ם ל כ ם מ מּ ח ר ת ה שׂ בּ ת מ י ו ם ה ב יא כ ם א ת עו מ ר ה תּ נוּפ ה שׁ ב ע שׁ בּ תו ת תּ מ ימו ת תּ ה י ינ ה. ע ד מ מּ ח ר ת ה שׂ בּ ת ה שׂ ב יע ית תּ ס פּ רוּ ח מ שׂ ים יו ם. כּ ד י שׁ יּ טּ ה רוּ נ פ שׁו ת ע מּ י שּׁ ר א ל מ זּ ה מ ת ם: וּב כ ן י ה י ר צ ו ן מ לּ פ נ י ה' א קינוּ ו א קי א בו ת ינוּ שׁ בּ ז כוּת ס פ י ר ת ה ע ו מ ר שׁ סּ פ ר תּ י היו ם י ת קּ ן מ ה שׁ פּ ג מ תּ י בּ ס פ י ר ה.ו א טּ ה ר ו א ת ק דּ שׁ בּ ק ד שׂ ה שׁ ל מ ע ל ה. ו ע ל י ד י ז ה י שׁ פּ ע שׁ פ ע ר ב בּ כ ל ה עו ל מו ת וּל ת קּ ן א ת נ פ שׁו ת ינוּ ו רוּח ות ינוּ ו נ שׁ מ ות ינוּ מ כּ ל ס יג וּפ ג ם. וּל ט ה ר ינוּ וּל ק דּ שׁ נוּ בּ ק ד שׁ ת ה ע ל י ונ ה. אָמ ן ס ל ה:

19 בּ ו בּ SEFIRAH COUNTER 5774/2014 ע ח ס ד שׁ בּ ח ס ד היּו ם יו ם א חד לע מר Night of Tuesday, 15 April 1 גּ בוּ רה שׁ בּ ח ס ד ה יּו ם שׁ נ י י מ ים ל ע מ ר Night of Wednesday, 16 April 2 תּ פ א ר ת שׁ בּ ח ס ד ה יּו ם שׁ ל שה י מ ים ל ע מ ר Night of Thursday, 17 April 3 נ צ ח שׁ בּ ח ס ד ה יּו ם אַר בּ ע ה י מ ים ל ע מ ר Night of Friday, 18 April 4 הו ד שׁ בּ ח ס ד ה יּו ם ח מ שּׁ ה י מ ים ל ע מ ר Night of Saturday, 19 April 5 י סו ד שׁ בּ ח ס ד ה יּו ם שׁ שׁ ה י מ ים לע מ ר Night of Sunday, 20 April 6 מ לכוּת שׁ בּ ח ס ד ה יּו ם שׁ ב ע ה י מ ים, שׁ הם שׁבוּ ע א ח ד ל ע מ ר Night of Monday, 21 April 7 ח ס ד שׁ בּ גּ בוּר ה ה יּו ם שׁ מ נ ה י מ ים, שׁ ה ם שׁ בוּ ע א ח ד ו יו ם א ח ד ל ע מ ר Night of Tuesday, 22 April 8 גּ בוּר ה שׁ בּ גּ בוּר ה ה יּו ם תּ שׁ ע ה י מ ים, שׁ ה ם שׁ בוּ ע א ח ד וּשׁ נ י י מ ים ל ע מ ר Night of Wednesday, 23 April 9 תּ פ א ר ת שׁ בּ גּ בוּר ה ה יּו ם ע שׂ רה י מ ים, שׁ ה ם שׁ בוּ ע א ח ד וּשׁ ל ש ה י מ ים ל ע מ ר Night of Thursday, 24 April 10 נ צ ח שׁ בּ גּ בוּר ה ה יּו ם א ח ד ע שׂר יו ם, שׁ ה ם שׁ בוּ ע א ח ד ו אַר בּ ע ה י מ ים ל ע מ ר Night of Friday, 25 April 11 הו ד שׁ בּ גּ בוּר ה ה יּו ם שׁ נ יּ ם ע שׂ ר יו ם, שׁ ה ם שׁ בוּ ע א ח ד ו ח מ שּׁ ה י מ ים ל ע מ ר Night of Saturday, 26 April 12 י סו ד שׁ בּ גּ בוּר ה ה יּו ם שׁ ל ש ה ע שׂ ר יו ם, שׁ ה ם שׁ בוּ א ח ד ו שׁ שׁ ה י מ ים ל ע מ ר Night of Sunday, 27 April 13 YOM HASHOAH MONDAY, 28 APRIL מ ל כוּת שׁ בּ גּ בוּר ה ה יּו ם אַר בּ ע ה ע שׂ ר יו ם, שׁ ה ם שׁ נ י שׁ בוּעו ת ל ע מ ר Night of Monday, 28 April 14 ח ס ד שׁ בּ תּ פ א ר ת ה יּו ם ח מ שּׁ ה ע שׂ ר יו ם, שׁ ה ם שׁ נ י שׁבוּעו ת ו יו ם א ח ד ל ע מ ר Night of Tuesday, 29 April 15 ROSH CHODESH IYAR DAY 1 WEDNESDAY, 30 APRIL גּ בוּר ה שׁ בּ תּ פ א ר ת ה יּו ם שׁ שׁ ה ע שׂ ר יו ם, שׁ ה ם שׁ נ י שׁ בוּעו ת וּשׁ נ י י מ ים ל ע מ ר Night of Wednesday, 30 April 16 ROSH CHODESH IYAR DAY 2 THURSDAY, 1 MAY תּ פ א ר ת שׁ בּ תּ פ א ר ת ה יּו ם שׁ ב ע ה ע שׂ ר יו ם, שׁ ה ם שׁ נ י שׁ בוּעו ת וּשׁ ל ש ה י מ ים ל ע מ ר Night of Thursday, 1 May 17 נ צ ח שׁ בּ תּ פ א ר ת ה יּו ם שׁ מ נ ה ע שׂ ר יו ם, שׁ ה ם שׁ נ י שׁ בוּעו ת ו אַר בּ ע ה י מ ים ל ע מ ר Night of Friday, 2 May 18 הו ד שׁ בּ תּ פ א ר ת ה יּו ם תּ שׁ ע ה ע שׂ ר יו ם, שׁ ה ם שׁ נ י שׁ בוּעו ת ו חמ שּׁ ה י מ ים ל ע מ ר Night of Saturday, 3 Mayl 19 י סו ד שׁ בּ תּ פ א ר ת ה יּו ם ע שׂ ר ים יו ם, שׁ ה ם שׁ נ י שׁ בוּעו ת ו שׁ שׁ ה י מ ים ל ע מ ר Night of Sunday, 4 May 20 YOM HAZIKARON MONDAY, 4 MAY מ ל כוּת שׁ בּ תּ פ א ר ת ה יּו ם א ח ד ו עשׂ ר ים יו ם, שׁ ה ם שׁ ל ש ה שׁ בוּעו ת ל ע מ ר Night of Monday, 5 May 21 YOM HA ATZMA UT TUESDAY, 5 MAY ח ס ד שׁ בּ נ צ ח ה יּו ם שׁ נ יּ ם ו ע שׂ ר ים יו ם, שׁ ה ם שׁ ל ש ה שׁ בוּעו ת ו יו ם א ח ד ל ע מ ר Night of Tuesday, 6 May 22 גּ בוּר ה שׁבּ נ צ ח ה יּו ם שׁ ל ש ה ו ע שׂ ר ים יו ם, שׁ ה ם שׁ ל ש ה שׁ בוּעו ת וּשׁ נ י י מ ים ל ע מ ר Night of Wednesday, 7 May 23 תּ פ א ר ת שׁ בּ נ צ ח ה יּו ם אַר בּ ע ה ו ע שׂ ר ים יו ם, שׁ ה ם שׁ ל ש ה שׁ בוּעו ת וּשׁ ל ש ה י מ ים ל ע מ ר Night of Thursday, 8 May 24 נ צ ח שׁ בּ נ צ ח ה יּו ם ח מ שּׁ ה ו ע שׂ ר ים יו ם, שׁ ה ם שׁ ל ש ה שׁ בוּעו ת ו אַר בּ ע ה י מ ים ל ע מ ר Night of Friday, 9 May 25 הו ד שׁ בּ נ צ ח ה יּו ם שׁ שׁ ה ו ע שׂ ר ים יו ם, שׁ ה ם שׁ ל ש ה שׁ בוּעו ת ו ח מ שּׁ ה י מ ים ל ע מ ר Night of Saturday, 10 May 26 י סו ד שׁ בּ נ צ ח ה יּו ם שׁ ב ע ה ו ע שׂ ר ים יו ם, שׁ ה ם שׁ ל ש ה שׁ בוּעו ת ו שׁ שׁ ה י מ ים ל ע מ ר Night of Sunday, 11 May 27 מ ל כוּת שׁ בּ נ צ ח ה יּו ם שׁ מ נ ה ו ע שׂ ר ים יו ם, שׁ ה ם אַר בּ ע ה שׁ בוּעו ת ל ע מ ר Night of Monday, 12 May 28 ח ס ד שׁ בּ הו ד ה יּו ם תּ שׁ ע ה ו ע שׂ ר ים יו ם, שׁ ה ם אַר בּ ע ה שׁ בוּעו ת ו יו ם א ח ד ל ע מ ר Night of Tuesday, 13 May 29 PESACH SHEINI WEDNESDAY, 14 MAY גּ בוּר ה שׁ בּ הו ד ה יּו ם שׁ לשׁ ים יו ם, שׁ ה ם אַר בּע ה שׁ בוּעו ת וּשׁ נ י י מ ים ל ע מ ר - פסח שׁ נ י Night of Wednesday, 14 May 30 תּ פ א ר ת שׁ בּ הו ד ה יּו ם א ח ד וּשׁ לשׁ ים יו ם, שׁ ה ם אַר בּ ע ה שׁ בוּעו ת וּשׁ ל ש ה י מ ים ל ע מ ר Night of Thursday, 15 May 31 נ צ ח שׁ בּ הו ד ה יּו ם שׁ נ יּ ם וּשׁ לשׁ ים יו ם, שׁ ה ם אַר בּ ע ה שׁ בוּעו ת ו אַר בּ ע ה י מ ים ל ע מ ר Night of Friday, 16 May 32 הו ד שׁ בּ הו ד ה יּו ם שׁ ל ש ה וּשׁ לשׁ ים יו ם, שׁ ה ם אַר בּ ע ה שׁ בוּעו ת ו ח מ שּׁ ה י מ ים ל ע מ ר Night of Saturday, 17 May 33 LAG B OMER SUNDAY, 18 MAY י סו ד שׁ בּ הו ד ה יּו ם אַר בּ ע ה וּשׁ לשׁ ים יו ם, שׁ ה ם אַר בּ ע ה שׁ בוּעו ת ו שׁ שׁ ה י מ ים ל ע מ ר Night of Sunday, 18 May 34 מ ל כוּת שׁ בּ הו ד ה יּו ם ח מ שּׁ ה וּשׁ לשׁ ים יו ם, שׁ ה ם ח מ שּׁ ה שׁ בוּעו ת ל ע מ ר Night of Monday, 19 May 35 ח ס ד שׁ בּ י סו ד ה יּו ם שׁ שׁ ה וּשׁ לשׁ ים יו ם, שׁ ה ם ח מ שּׁ ה שׁ בוּעו ת ו יו ם א ח ד ל ע מ ר Night of Tuesday, 20 May 36 גּ בוּר ה שׁ בּ י סו ד ה יּו ם שׁ ב ע ה וּשׁ לשׁ ים יו ם, שׁ ה ם ח מ שּׁ ה שׁ בוּעו ת וּשׁ נ י י מ ים ל ע מ ר Night of Wednesday, 21 May 37 תּ פ א ר ת שׁ בּ י סו ד ה יּו ם שׁ מ נ ה וּשׁ לשׁ ים יו ם, שׁ ה ם ח מ שּׁ ה שׁ בוּעו ת וּ שׁל שה י מ ים ל ע מ ר Night of Thursday, 22 May 38 נ צ ח שׁ בּ י סו ד ה יּו ם תּ שׁ ע ה וּשׁ לשׁ ים יו ם, שׁ ה ם ח מ שּׁ ה שׁ בוּעו ת ו אַר בּ ע ה י מ ים ל ע מ ר Night of Friday, 23 May 39 הו ד שׁ בּ י סו ד ה יּו ם אַר בּ ע ים יו ם, שׁ ה ם ח מ שּׁ ה שׁ בוּעו ת ו ח מ שּׁ ה י מ ים ל ע מ ר Night of Saturday, 24 May 40 י סו ד שׁ בּ י סו ד ה יּו ם א ח ד ו אַר בּ ע ים יו ם, שׁ ה ם ח משּׁ ה שׁ בוּעו ת ו שׁ שׁ ה י מ ים ל ע מ ר Night of Sunday, 25 May 41 מ ל כוּת שׁ בּ י סו ד ה יּו ם שׁ נ יּ ם ו אַר בּ ע ים יו ם, שׁ ה ם שׁ שׁ ה שׁ בוּעו ת ל ע מ ר Night of Monday, 26 May 42 ח ס ד שׁ בּ מ ל כוּת ה יּו ם שׁ ל ש ה ו אַר בּ ע ים יו ם, שׁ ה ם שׁ שׁ ה שׁ בוּעו ת ו יו ם א ח ד ל ע מ ר Night of Tuesday, 27 May 43 YOM YERUSHALAYIM WEDNESDAY, 28 MAY גּ בוּר ה שׁ בּ מ ל כוּת ה יּו ם אַר בּ ע ה ו אַר בּ ע ים יו ם, שׁ ה ם שׁ שׁ ה שׁ בוּעו ת וּשׁ נ י י מ ים ל ע מ ר Night of Wednesday, 28 May 44 תּ פ א ר ת שׁ בּ מ ל כוּת ה יּו ם ח מ שּׁ ה ו אַר בּ ע ים יו ם, שׁ ה ם שׁ שׁ ה שׁ בוּעו ת וּשׁ ל ש ה י מ ים ל ע מ ר Night of Thursday, 29 May 45 ROSH CHODESH SIVAN FRIDAY, 30 MAY נ צ ח שׁ בּ מ ל כוּת ה יּו ם שׁ שׁ ה ו אַר בּ ע ים יו ם, שׁ ה ם שׁ שׁה שׁ בוּעו ת ואַ ר עה י מ ים ל ע מ ר Night of Friday, 30 May 46 הו ד שׁ בּ מ ל כוּת ה יּו ם שׁ ב ע ה ו אַר בּ ע ים יו ם, שׁ ה ם שׁ שׁ ה שׁ בוּעו ת ו ח מ שּׁ ה י מ ים ל ע מ ר Night of Saturday, 31 May 47 י סו ד שׁ בּ מ ל כוּת שׁ שׁה י מ ים ל ע מ ר ה יּו ם שׁמ נה ו אַ רבּ ע ים יו ם, שׁ ה ם שׁ שׁ ה שׁ בוּעו ת Night of Sunday, 1 June 48 מ ל כוּת שׁ בּ מ ל כוּת ה יּו ם תּ שׁ עה ואַ ר עים יו ם, שׁ ה ם שׁ ב ע ה שׁ בוּעו ת ל ע מ ר Night of Monday, 2 June 49

20 Metzora 5774 Issue Nisan 5774, April 5, 2014 שבת מציון Shabbat MiTzion Mazal Tov to Eli Lipshitz and Tal Tamir (both alumnus of Washington ) on the birth of their daughters The Real Estate Crisis Reuven Kolton - Former shaliach in Memphis M.A in Economics. Teaching Assistant in Ben-Gurion University and Sapir Academic College If houses could talk, I wonder what they would say about the real estate situation. "Did you hear?" house 1 would say tearfully to house 2, "I've just been sold for $320k. That's still 20% below my peak back in Not to mention that the bank insisted on a 15% down payment. Am I really that ugly?!" "Oh, dear," house 2 would try to comfort, "it's the entire market. Those humans have simply lost their minds they just don't realize how much they depend on us homes. Don't worry, they'll understand their mistake sometime soon." Alternatively, they might not care at all since it doesn't actually affect them. Now contrast that idea with this week's parsha and the concept of Tzara'at HaBayit, a Tzara'at affliction upon the house itself. That is something that a house should care about, perhaps even more than termites or a tough winter. After all, there's a good chance that the final decision made by the Kohen will be to tear it down completely. How can a house protect itself? Well, maybe it can't. The verse which introduces the Home-Tzara'at in our Parsha reads as follows: " When you arrive in the land of Canaan that I give you as a possession, and I will place a Tzara'at affliction upon a house in the land of your possession." Rashi quotes the midrash that teaches, based on this verse, that the purpose of the affliction was so that ultimately the houses would be torn down. Why? Because the Canaanites, upon realizing that they would soon be conquered, hid their riches in their walls, so Hashem would make Bnei Israel ruin the house and thus find the riches. Da'at Zkenim chooses a different explanation based also on the midrash, by which the afflictions of the house are a preliminary stage of punishment in which Hashem is giving us a warning so that we can correct our ways. This brings us to the conclusion that whether the house likes it or not, it really depends either on the previous owner and his wealth or on the current one and his sins. How then can an owner prevent his home from being torn down due to his sins? The Talmud in Yoma 11b makes the following statement based on the next verse: "and will come that whom the house is his - he who distinguishes his house for himself and does not want to share his vessels with other, claiming that he has none, Hashem will publicize him when he vacates his home." According to this, the punishment of Tzara'at to the house comes for a specific sin in which a person uses his house to conceal his possessions from others so that he won't have to share. Perhaps this sin, misuse of a person's own private belongings, is alluded to by a troubling repetition in the original verse brought above (in bold) which we stated earlier as being the introductory one (find the repetition it isn't so hard). This may also explain why this phenomenon is limited to our own private land. The relationship between this and Pesach is quite evident. In the original commandment of Korban Pesach which we read last week in shul, there was an obvious theme in reference to the eating of the paschal lamb it was to be distributed according to households and be eaten in a house and in many cases it was to be eaten along with neighbors. The concept of sharing our houses appears in the beginning of the hagaddah as well, when we recite the invitation for any needy person to come and join us (it is in Aramaic so that everyone would TMT around the globe Moscow Melbourne Shabbat Times Jerusalem Begin 18:25 End 19:37 בס ד Jeremy Gimpel visits TMT Melbourne Daniel Green, new Shaliach in Sydney

21 Metzora 5774 Page 2 understand, as opposed to today). After being enslaved for years, the Jews can sense their freedom, the ability to do what they want, and the first thing they do with their primary possession their home - is share it with others. Without any hesitation they invite over family and friends and sit down to a fantastic meal of redemption, leaving a sign at the entrance for Hashem to see that here is a house of sharing, this is a house to be passed over and spared. A Jew who has arrived finally to the land of Israel, the land of his possession, should be expected to further develop the idea of sharing. Our rabbis teach based on the introductory verse that only after the land has been divided amongst the tribes and each man has settled down and claimed his possession does Hashem begin "giving" Tzara'at upon the houses. When a person reaches his individuality and בס ד builds his personal foundations, he must realize that his house is not intended for secluding himself from other, concealing him. On the contrary - the more a person develops his home the more he can host others and bring benefit to others. It seems quite clear that that is also what Hashem expects. Otherwise, He will make a sign on our houses, that as opposed to the blood on the doorposts which represented the sharing and thus spared the house, will symbolize the selfishness of that house and ultimately lead to its destruction. Indeed, a house so marked by selfishness that it must be destroyed is precisely a real estate crisis. We must continue to develop the original experience of Pesach in which sharing and community were essential parts of our birth as a nation. May we all have a happy and healthy holiday, filled with love and sharing with our family, friends and all of Israel. Shabbat Shalom The Choice: Freedom or Victimhood Rabbi Herzl Hefter - Rosh Beit Midrash Har el and former Rosh Kollel of the first Torah MiTzion Kollel in Cleveland And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued after the children of Israel: and the children of Israel went out with a high hand. When the children of Israel left Egypt, they faced a choice; to maintain a posture of victimhood fueled by desire for revenge or to look inward and forward so that their authentic identity could unfold and develop. Onkelos deviates from the straightforward meaning of the Torah text by translating a high hand, be yad ramah, as reish galei heads held high. The key to understanding the differing connotations of a high hand as opposed to heads held high is in the Targum Yonatan on the same verse. He translates with a raised hand overcoming the Egyptians. The high hand is raised against Egypt. Rabbi Mordechai Yosef of Ishbitz ( ) explains that, in contradistinction to the raised hand, the head held high indicates that the freedom which the Israelites experienced was not against others with pride and a feeling of superiority rather they felt as free people without fear of any man. Our ancestors experienced their freedom not in opposition or response to their former oppressors. It is very tempting to adopt a stance of victimhood. Self-righteousness is very satisfying in an odd sort of way. Together, self-righteousness and victimhood seem to grant the moral high ground. In fact, adopting a posture of victimhood and allowing it to fashion the personality can be very destructive. Too often the victim turns into the victimizer. The abused becomes the abuser. Undoubtedly, the Israelites suffered terrible injustices at the brutal hands of their Egyptian masters. However, to adopt the role as victim, when the post slavery era did not justify it, would in a sense perpetuate the slavery. They would continue to be obsessed with Egypt. The Halacha insures that we will never forget our travails in Egypt. R. Mordechai Yosef is teaching us the nature of the experience of liberation. Freedom is to live in fear of no man. Rav Herzl Hefter teaches at Torah MiTzion's Beit Midrash Boker in Baka on Thursday mornings at the Nitzanim Synagogue. He also leads the Harel Beit Midrash that takes place Wednesday nights at Nitzanim. For more info contact Rav Hefter: herzl.hefter@gmail.com

22 Metzora 5774 Page 3 Bs d ISRAtag Petach Tikva, located in the coastal Gush-Dan area, is the sixth largest city in Israel. Petah Tikva began as an agricultural settlement (Moshava) in 1872, the first one in the country's center, hence the nickname "Em Hamoshavot" - the Mother of (agricultural) settlements. The original idea was to settle in the region of Jericho. This is also the source of the name Petach 'Tikva' (hope) - based on a verse from Hosea which mentions the future settlement in the Jericho area as the fruition of a renewed hope. When the acquisition of land in that region failed, lands were purchased in the coastal plain however the original name was retained. Petach Tikva was established based on an entrenched ideology that synthesizes between Judaism and agriculture. From the very inception of the budding settlement, Baron Rothschild adopted it as a personal project. The gate appearing in last week's ISRA-tag photo was erected in memory of the Baron and is located at the western entrance to the city. In 1937, Petah Tikva became a city after experiencing steady growth. Since the creation of the State and until 2010, the city has grown in population tenfold from 21,000 to 210,000 citizens. The city hosts a large number of industrial areas, many Synagogues and Batei Midrash, parks, and some of the country's largest hospitals and of course, numerous shopping centers. One of Petach Tikva's twin cities is no other than Chicago, Illinois home to a TMT' Kollel for many years. Yishar Koach to Nir Zeira the first to have provided the correct answer Arik Speaker Donate to Torah MiTzion and receive a gift: For 54 NIS/month receive a fleece jacket with TMT s new branding (choice of black, navy or red). For 100 NIS/month receive a Hakol Baseder Haggadah including activity pack to engage the whole family this year at the Seder. [The Haggadah may be purchased for 150 NIS including delivery] To donate/place your order: shabbatmitzion@torahmitzion.org phone: If you would like to advertise in Shabbat MiTzion contact: Ph shabbatmitzion@torahmitzion.org WorldTorahMiTzion Where was this photo taken? Please send answers to arik@torahmitzion.org The answer, further information about this location as well as the name of the first person to recognize this site will be published in next week s edition. Torah MiTzion was established in 1995 with the goal of strengthening Jewish communities around the globe and infusing them with the love for Torah, the Jewish People and the State of Israel. Over the past eighteen years Torah MiTzion's shlichim have inspired and enriched their host communities through a wide range of formal and informal educational programs.