MIZRACHI MATTERS בס"ד SHABBAT PARASHAT RE EH (Vol 8, No 51) Friday, 22 August (26 Av) SHABBAT Candle Lighting by 5:32pm Minchah at 5:40pm 2 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 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY 23 AUGUST 24 AUGUST 25 AUGUST 26 AUGUST 27 AUGUST 28 AUGUST 29 AUGUST 27 AV 28 AV 29 AV ROSH CHODESH ROSH CHODESH 2 ELUL 3 ELUL Shacharit 7:30am 1 7:00am 1 9:30am 1-4 8:00am 1 6:30am 1 6:30am 1 6:25am 1 6:30am 1 7:25am 1 7:30am 1 7:30am 1 7:25am 1 7:30am 1 6:25am 1 Dawn 5:43am 5:42am 5:40am 5:39am 5:38am 5:36am 5:33m Tallit & Tefillin 6:03am 6:02am 6:00am 5:59am 5:58am 5:56am 6:54am Sunrise 6:55am 6:54am 6:52am 6:51am 6:50am 6:48am 6:45am Sh ma (גר"א) 9.39am 9:38am 9:38am 9:37am 9:36am 9:35am 9:33am Earliest Mincha 12:53pm 12:53pm 12:53m 12:52pm 12:52pm 12:52pm 12:51pm Minchah followed by Ma ariv 5:25pm 1, 3 5:40pm 1 5:40pm 1 5:40pm 1 5:40pm 1 5:40pm 1 SHABBAT Candles: 5:38pm Mincha: 5:45pm 1 Sunset 5:51pm 5:52pm 5:53pm 5:54pm 5:54pm 5:55pm 5:57pm Night 6:33pm 6:34pm 6:35pm 6:36pm 6:36pm 6:37pm 6:39pm SECOND MA ARIV 9:30pm 3 9:30pm 3 9:30pm 3 9:30pm 3 9:30pm 3 Shiurim Mishnah Yomit Events Yahrtzeits R Bert Mond 8:45am 3 Not this week R Leor Broh 9:00am 2 R Kennard 9:30am 6 Drashot R Yaakov Sprung 1 Not this week R Leor Broh 2 R Chezy Deren 9 Parashat Hashavuah Shiur with Rabbi Kennard 4:45pm 3 Daf Yomi 8:45am 3 Reb Leor Broh Uniqueness of the Mitzvah of Learning Torah and How did the Giving of Torah change the World? For year 11 & 12 and young adults 7.15pm 3 Daf Yomi 9:45pm 3 Daf Yomi 8:15am 3 R Dovid Segal Gemara B iyun 8:30pm 2 R Chezy Deren Contemporary Halacha 7/93 Hotham St 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 Not this week Tochnit Chodesh Elul Rosh Hashanah with Adina Bankier-Karp and Shira Wenig 8:00pm 2 Daf Yomi 9:45pm 3 Daf Yomi 8:15am 3 Weekly Parashah Shiur for ladies & girls 11:00am 7 Morrice St Chaya Glick R Yaakov Sprung Gemara B iyun for uni men returning from Yeshivot 6:30pm 6 Not this week R Yaakov Sprung Masechet Brachot 8:00pm 6 Not this week Daf Yomi 9:45pm 3 Daf Yomi 8:15am 3 R Yaakov Sprung Shiur for men 8:30pm 7 Not this week Daf Yomi 9:45pm 3 Daf Yomi 8:15am 3 Temurah 5:1-2 Temurah 5:3-4 Temurah 5:5-6 Temurah 6:1-2 Temurah 6:3-4 Temurah 6:5-7:1 Temurah 7:2-3 5:15pm 1 Between Mincha Between Mincha Between Mincha Between Mincha Between Mincha and Ma ariv 1 and Ma ariv 1 and Ma ariv 1 and Ma ariv 1 and Ma ariv 1 5:20pm1 Gan Shabbat 10:15 11:30am Children s Tefillah Groups 10:15 11:30am Bnei Akiva 4:00pm Seudah Shlishit Daniel & Rachel Kraus - The Power of the Ecosystem: Lessons to be learned from Apple Avot U banim 7:15pm 3 Robert Fixler (Father) Ruth Epstein (Father) Molad for Elul 7:34pm (14 chalakim) Tommy Junger (Father) Hans ע"ה Bachrach Michael Herman (Mother) To sponsor the newsletter please call the Mizrachi office on 8317 2504 Mizrachi Charity Fund Presents The Secrets of Italian Cuisine with Roy Doliner 8:00pm 2 The LYC Lion s Den Banquet Agi Bankier (Father) ע"ה Sponsored by Mr Robert Fixler & Family in memory of his late father, Mr Eugene Fixler Eva Lipp (Mother)
MIZRACHI S VIRTUAL NOTICEBOARD Siyum Daf Yomi Megilla This certainly is the me to reconsider par cipa ng in the Daf Yomi cycle. You can enjoy comple ng a full Masechet in a li le over a month. In the past year we have completed 8 Masechtaot and will con nue for the next half year or so to complete many more. The pace is quick, but the joy and sense of achievement you feel when you complete yet another volume of Shas is fantas c. Whilst 8.15am may not be the most convenient me for many and not fit into your schedule, there are shiurim all over town at all different mes. Yirmi Goldshmeidt is a talmid chacham who has wonderful grasp of shas and halacha making for a highly energe c and informa ve shiur. All are welcome and encouraged to a end and join the 14 par cipants of the shiur. It s never too late to start learning Torah. Mazel Tov to all the Daf Yomi par cipants on comple ng another tractate and good luck with the next one. Shabbat Shalom, Simon Weinstein Layning at Beit Yehudah Anyone who wishes to layn their Barmitzvah sedra in Beit Yehudah are welcome to do so on the following basis: Give the gabbaim 3 months' no ce, via the office on 8317 2504 to ensure accuracy, they be heard in advance by one of Mizrachi's regular ba'alei koreh they agree to layn in both the Hashkama and the main minyan on Shabbat in place of one of Mizrachi's regular ba'alei koreh Layning at Beit Haroeh Beth Haroeh is open for you to layn any Shabbat for your Barmitzvah parshah or otherwise. Please contact Lawrence Cher, Beth Haroeh Gabbai on lmcher@mac.com with at least one week s no ce Tefillah This Week Ian Symons will be davening Kabalat Shabbat, David Brykman will be davening Shacharit and Danny Gruber will be davening Mussaf We wish a hearty Mazal Tov to Berri Wajsbort and Pessy Bacher on their upcoming wedding Mazal Tov to the parents Yankel & Devorah Wajsbort (Melbourne) Ruth Raitman (Melbourne) and Shaul Bacher (South Africa) Mazel tov to the grandparents Gine e Newman (Melbourne) Harry & Marion Raitman (Melbourne) and Koppel & Selma Bacher (South Africa) We wish Happy Birthday to the following members who celebrate their birthday during the coming week: Daniel Lowinger (Shabbat) Maurie Brygel (Shabbat) Louisa Gibson (Sunday) Leon Anaf (Monday) Judy Seigel (Hebrew) (Wednesday) If you have an occasion or a milestone event that you would like to be men oned in Mizrachi Ma ers, please email it to devora@mizrachi.com.au by 12:00pm on Thursdays
ב ס "ד NEWSLETTER FOR THE ELSTERNWICK JEWISH COMMUNITY 23 August 2014 27 Av 5774 Parshat Re eh Yahrzeits during the coming week Ben Kaplan (Mother) [25 August] Neville Goldring (Grandmother) [25 August] Steven Shochet (Mother) [26 August] Alvin Diamond (Father) [28 August] Contact numbers Rabbi Rabbi Chaim Cowen 0433-308-584 cowen.chaim@gmail.com Chairman Mark Kras 0410-460-970 imkras@gmail.com Gabbai Elan Jacobs 0419-527-227 elanjacobs@hotmail.com Secretary Sally-Ann Jaye 0437-625-350 ejc@mizrachi.com.au Haftorah requests Dennis Max 9528-6865 classact@werple.net.au Contributions to Newsletter (please) Sally-Ann ejc@mizrachi.com.au Shabbat times Candle Lighting this week Kabbalat Shabbat this week Pre-Shacharit Shiur Shacharit Mincha at Shabbat ends at Candle Lighting next week Kabbalat Shabbat next week 5.32 pm 5.40 pm 9.00 am 9.30 am 5.20 pm 6.33 pm 5.38 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 Birthdays this week Jake & Abby Steiner turn 2 on 23 August Mazel Tov Sara & John Berhang on the engagement of their son Danny to Romy Sachwald, daughter of Claudine & Henry Sachwald Debra Herzog on the engagement of her grandson Danny Berhang to Romy Sachwald, and the engagement of another grandson Joel Steiner to Beth Wigoder In shule this week Dennis Max will be leading Kabbalat Shabbat, Basil Krawitz will be leading Shacharit, Michael Hirschfeld will be saying the Haftorah, and Daniel Lowinger will be leading Mussaf. Kiddush this Shabbat You are all invited to the kiddush, which will be sponsored by EJC. At the Rabbi s For the Young Adults the Wick on Thursday evenings from 8.00 to 9.00pm Recommencing The Monday Night Shiur Talmudic Philosophy: Exploring the mind of a Genius on Monday (obviously) evenings from 8.00 to 9.00pm at the Rabbi s home, Unit 3, 301 Glen Eira Road, Caulfield North Weekday times Sunday: Tefillin beginners class, including breakfast Monday to Friday pre-shacharit Shiur Monday and Thursday Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 8.00 am 15 minutes before Shacharit 6.30 am 6.45 am
Torah Matters 22 August 2014 26 Av 5774 Parashat Re'eh touches on a broad range of mitzvot. Two of these seemingly unrelated mitzvot are linked by a common, yet highly unusual, word. The first relates to an הנדחת,עיר a city slated for destruction due to the idolatry practised by its inhabitants. י צ אוּ א נ שׁ ים בּ נ י ב ל יּ ע ל מ קּ ר בּ ו יּ דּ יחוּ א ת ישׁ ב י ע יר ם ל אמ ר נ ל כ ה ו נ ע ב ד ה א ה ים א ח ר ים א שׁ ר א י ד ע תּ ם '"B'LIAL" men have gone forth from among you and have led the inhabitants of their city astray, saying, 'Let us go and worship other gods, which you have not known.' (Devarim 13:14) The second relates to the mitzva of lending to a fellow in need. ה שּׁ מ ר ל פּ ן י ה י ה ד ב ר ע ם ל ב ב ב ל יּ ע ל ל אמ ר ק ר ב ה שׁ נ ת ה שּׁ ב ע שׁ נ ת ה שּׁ מ טּ ה ו ר ע ה ע ינ בּ אָח י ה א ב יוֹן ו א תתּ ן לוֹ ו ק ר א ע ל י א ל י ה ו ה ו ה י ה ב ח ט א 'Beware, lest there be in your heart a "B'LIAL" thought, saying, "The seventh year, the year of release has approached," and you will begrudge your needy brother and not give him, and he will cry out to the Lord against you, and it will be a sin to you.' (Devarim 15:9) The unusual word,,בליעל is explained by Rashi as a person who has removed from him or herself the yoke of heaven. Yet how can who hesitates in lending to the poor be described in the same terms as one who commits the grave sin of incitement to idolatry, which undermines the essence of our belief system? Rav Shimshon Raphael Hirsch, based on a Gemara in Ketubot, suggests that one who is so obsessive with their physical wealth, to the extent that they withhold their hand from their fellow crying out in poverty, is likened to one engaged in idolatry. Such a person idolises the material, and in the process supplants the primacy of Hashem and His commandments. Perhaps we can also use the connection between these mitzvot to understand a contradiction in the same passage of the parasha. In Devarim 15:4 the Torah states '[h]owever, there will be no needy among you, for the Lord will surely bless you in the land the Lord, your God, is giving you for an inheritance to possess'. Three pesukim later, it says '[i]f there will be among you a needy person...you shall not close your hand from your needy brother', thus suggesting that poverty will not be eradicated by Hashem despite His earlier promise. Rashi resolves this by explaining that the first pasuk relates to a time when Bnei Yisrael are doing Hashem's will - then there will be no needy among you. Neither fulfilment of mitzvot between Man and G-d (as represented by the mitzva to destroy idolatry), nor fulfilment of mitzvot between Man and Man (as represented by the mitzva to lend to those in need), is sufficient alone to qualify, in the words of Rashi, as 'Hashem's will'. Rather, the only way to fulfil Hashem's will and ensure that 'there will be no needy among you' is to hearken to all of Hashem's mitzvot, and recognise the interrelatedness between our spiritual and material wellbeing. Shabbat Shalom Jeremy Herz
Torah Matters 22 August 2014 26 Av 5774 Pilpel Charif - ( חריף (פלפל An Israeli flavour Rav Dudi and Chani Winkler Dear Mizrachi Melbourne community and friends. It's been almost 4 weeks since we've left the community back to our beloved homeland. We've finally moved back to our house in Ramat Beit Shemesh. The kids are making "old new" friends and our family is happy to have us back in Israel for good. We've had 4 sirens so far. One was while we were at the Elisheva Lindell's wedding and the kids were at home. Thank G-D, the kids knew exactly what to do and how to behave and things were under control. Another siren was heard in the middle of shopping at IKEA. Life, fun, joy and most important SHOPPING stops for 10 minutes, and after 10 minutes all goes back to normal. Unfortunately, there are other Israelis which are unable to continue with the routine of their lives since sirens go on and off and rockets fall frequently in some areas. We have mixed emotions of happiness and joy being back in Israel on one hand, but on the other hand, we miss your wonderful Kehila whom we've had the honor to work and serve for almost 3 years. We believe our relationship with the community is really on its beginning and have made a decision that our connection to Mizrachi should go from strength to strength. We will B"H write a monthly post and share with you some words and thoughts of Torah We are thankful to the Mizrachi office for letting us add this monthly "Blog" to the Mizrachi Matters. On this week's Parasha the Torah tells us the following message: "כּ י א-י ח דּ ל א ב יוֹן, מ קּ ר ב ה אָר ץ; ע ל-כּ ן אָנ כ י מ צ וּ, ל אמ ר, פּ ת ח תּ פ תּ ח א ת-י ד ל אָח י ל ע נ יּ וּל א ב י נ, בּ אַר צ " For the poor shall never cease out of the land; therefore I command thee, saying: 'Thou (דברים טו, אי ( land shalt surely open thy hand unto thy poor and needy brother, in thy It seems to be that poverty according to the Torah is part of our life and a natural fact within the existence of this world. Due to this fact, we have an obligation to support those who are needy and the appearance of poverty serves us in a way which one can do Chessed with the poor. This idea can justify all those who learn Torah in Kollel without a financial support, relaying upon the society's charity. However, this statement of the Torah conflicts another Passuk in the same exact Perek:
"א פ ס, כּ י א י ה י ה-בּ א ב יוֹן: כּ י-ב ר י ב ר כ, י הו ה, בּ אָר ץ, א שׁ ר י הו ה א ה י נ ת ן-ל נ ח ל ה ל ר שׁ תּ הּ" "Howbeit there shall be no needy among you--for the LORD will surely bless thee in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance to possess it" From this Passuk it seems that the ideal is not to have poverty among us. Rashi quotes the midrash and offers a solution with an idea of two possibilities: If we follow the laws of the Torah there shall be no poor people within Am Yisrael and poverty will exist only among other nations. However, if we do not follow the laws of the Torah then we shall have poor people among the Jewish nation as well. Should kollel people then relay upon charity money and learn for the sake of learning without working for living? The Gemara in Masechet Ta'anit (21a) may provide us with an answer: אילפא ור' יוחנן הוו גרסי באורייתא. דחיקא להו מילתא טובא. אמרי ניקום וניזיל וניעבד עיסקא ונקיים בנפשין (דברים טו) אפס כי לא יהיה בך אביון. אזלו אותבי תותי גודא רעיעא. הוו קא כרכי ריפתא. אתו תרי מלאכי השרת. שמעיה רבי יוחנן דאמר חדלחבריה נישדי עלייהו האי גודא ונקטלינהו שמניחין חיי עולם הבא ועוסקין בחיי שעה. אמר ליה אידך שבקינהו דאיכא בהו חד דקיימא ליה שעתא. רבי יוחנן שמע אילפא לא שמע. אמר ליה ר' יוחנן לאילפא שמע מר מידי? אמר ליה לא. אמר: מדשמעי אנא ואילפא לא שמע ש"מ לדידי קיימא לי שעתא. אמר ליה רבי יוחנן: איהדר ואוקי בנפשאי (דברים טו) כי לא יחדל אביון מקרב הארץ ר' יוחנן הדר אילפא לא הדר עד דאתא אילפא מליך רבי יוחנן. Ilfa and Rabbi Yochanan have been learning Torah together. They were poor. They've said let go and work in order to fulfil the Mitzva of: "Howbeit there shall be no needy among you". They have set and had eaten bread. While eating, Rabbi Yochanan heard two angels talking. One said to the other let's kill them since they have stopped learning Torah and started working. The other one said let them live since one of them has credit and protection from heaven Rabbi Yochanan then said since I've heard the discussion and Ilfa haven't I'm the one and I can continue learning torah and fulfil the passuk: "For the poor shall never cease out of the land " from this Gemara it is clear that UNLESS you are in a position where you can hear the angels discussion about your credits in the world to come, it is a mitzvah to go and work for your living, to fight poverty and to enable yourself to continue with your learning on your free time. Although it is possible for few unique Torah leaders to learn and not work for their living, this is not the ideal for most Torah learners and the community should encourage our kids to look after their financial future together with their spiritual growth. May Hashem provide עם ישראל with strength, and may we be blessed with peace and easier times for the Jews living in Israel and in the diaspora. Please help us keep the Kesher going by mail, email or phone Shabbat Shalom Rav Dudi and Chani Winkler ravdudi@gmail.com (972-5863-000-49). Winkler613@gmail.com (972-5863-000-48) 36/4 Nachal Ein-Gedi Street. Bet Shemesh. Israel. 9909878 (Home: 972-7378-57-333)
How Kosher Certification Works Yankel Wajsbort During a recent meeting with a supermarket chain where Kosher Australia signage is displayed prominently, a seemingly innocent question from one of the supermarket business managers came up at the tail end of the meeting. What happens if another Kosher authority is unhappy with Kosher Australia signage in our stores? It took me a few seconds to understand the question. The manager was concerned about negative feedback from other Kosher organisations who may prefer to have their signage displayed. The explanation we provided is important as it goes to the heart of Kosher certification and why it works and conversely, how it can be messed with. Kosher certification/approval is based on an unwritten contract between the Kosher Authority and the Kosher consumer. The Kosher Authority undertakes to Kosher certify products based on due diligence and appropriate halachic standards (and without creating a Chillul Hashem!) that is acceptable to the Kosher consumer and the Kosher consumer supports those efforts by relying on the Kosher certification when purchasing products. Without both, the value of the certification from the Kashrus authority drops and eventually disappears since the supplier of the goods ultimately sees no benefit in going through the certification process if there is no commercial value or increased sales. In terms of our supermarket chain scenario, the disapproval of other Kosher authorities is largely irrelevant. It is the Kosher consumer who determines the success of having Kosher signage and whether they will utilise the signage to make their purchases. If Kosher Australia is deemed to be reliable, then the signage works. (Of course, if the signage is placed incorrectly, then the consumers would be leery of the accuracy of symbols, even if they trust Kosher Australia.) Over the past 11 years we have seen Kosher Australia extend Kashrus in Australia from several hundred Kosher products manufactured by a few dozen companies to tens of thousands of products from hundreds of manufacturers. Aside from lots and lots (and lots and lots ) of hard work, this has only been achievable by Kosher Australia maintaining a demonstrably high standard of Kosher supervision coupled with support by Kosher consumers.
The Hon Dr Denis Napthine, Premier of Victoria, Visits Mizrachi The Hon Dr Denis Napthine MP, Premier of Victoria, requested the opportunity to meet with the religious leadership of the Jewish Community of Victoria on Erev Shabbat Friday 8 August 2014. The gathering was held at the Mizrachi Synagogue in Caulfield in the presence of a wide cross sec on of the leadership of the Victorian Jewish Community. Rabbi Yaakov Sprung, Chief Minister of the Mizrachi Congrega on welcomed the gathering and recited the prayer for the State of Israel. This was followed by an address by Mr David Southwick MP who introduced the Premier. The Premier addressed the Rabbis and community leaders and reiterated his party's support for Israel and their right to defend themselves. Rabbi Meir Shlomo Kluwgant, President of the Organisa on of Rabbis Australasia responded to the Premier s address (copy of the address is below) thanking him for his leadership and support, and concluded with a prayer for the safety of the soldiers in the Israeli Defence Forces.
Address to The Hon Dr Denis Napthine, Premier of Victoria by Rabbi Meir Shlomo Kluwgant, President of the Organisa on of Rabbis of Australasia I want to take this opportunity to thank our Premier The Hon Dr. Dennis Napthine for taking the me to come here and address the religious leadership of the Victorian Jewish Community today. It is a show of true leadership and friendship to our community, and we appreciate it. It is Erev Shabbat so I will be brief We are here in a house of prayer. The prayers recited in this and all Jewish houses of prayer, indeed the prayers of the Jewish People, the people of Israel, our songs, our chants, our slogans and indeed our dreams are for peace. We pray for a me when na ons will cease raising their swords against each other in war, for a me when the lamb will lie with the wolf and all will be peaceful. We do not pray for the destruc on of a na on, any na on, nor do we challenge their right to exist, we do not call for the death of the enemies of Israel, nor do we celebrate in their demise. We live in a me when public opinion is swayed by the media and its bias, where the views and opinions of right minded Australians are influenced and swayed to a point of hatred and threats of violence here, in our very streets and neighborhoods. Young Jewish school kids in NSW, an elderly Rabbi in WA, last night one of my sons was driving home from his studies in Kolel and a man pulled up next to him at the lights, rolled down his window, spat at him and then sped off against the red light turning his lights off and swerving into a side street. At a me like this we need true leadership. Like the Prime Minister taking a leadership role on 18C, like you Mr. Premier calling this mee ng. How appalling it was to read the an Israel statement from the Greens, headed The Canberra Declara on on Gaza, appalling but not surprising. But how shocking and surprising it was to see how many signatures from the labor party, 46 and coun ng, were proudly enjoined and intertwined within those signatures. Mr Premier, your government has always claimed to be our friends and to be true supporters of Israel. Your presence here today, your kind words and you open and unambiguous support for our community do not go unno ced. And Mr. Southwick, David, my friend, your reless efforts to bring sanity and advocacy for the people of Israel and the land of Israel are absolutely superla ve. We pray each week in our Synagogues for peace within the ranks of government. Our sages tell us that public safety and security depends on a just and respec ul government. Peace does not mean that we have to agree on everything, but it does mean that we are underpinned by values such as honesty, integrity. Saying what we will do and then doing what we said we will do. Mr Premier, The global Jewish community bemoans and is deeply troubled by the civilian deaths in Gaza. We take no joy, no pride in these casual es, but Israel is doing what has to be done to protect our people and our home. We have gathered today to pray for peace in Israel, and we look to you as our leader in parliament to con nue to do whatever you can to support this cause. Our saluta on on Shabbat is Shabbat Shalom Have a peaceful Shabbat. May we all merit to have a peaceful in Shabbat, for the children on a bus in Sydney, for the elderly Rabbi in Western Australia, for the Jewish people and all people living in Victoria and in Australia, in Israel and across the world.
INFORMAL EDUCATION AT YAVNEH Completing Masechet Avot Three Year 10 and four Year 9 students made a siyum for comple ng Masechet Avot. Gabe Paneth, Elliot and Josh Debinski (Year 10) and Matan Cohen, Daniel Jaffa, Gilad Meyerowitz and Edward Lich g (Year 9) learnt with Netanel Breyer (the Hesder boy) to finish all the mishnayot in this masechet. The boys proudly displayed their knowledge of the mishnayot with Divrei Torah and said the Hadran together with Netanel. The event was a ended by all our Year 9 and 10 students. We are so proud of this achievement and we thank Netanel for working so hard with our boys.
MIZRACHI STANDS WITH ISRAEL On Monday 28th July, Nachalat David held a pizza night with a special Tisha B Av shiur given by Rabbi Chezy Deren. Pizzas were purchased and dona ons were made towards purchasing pizza for the Israeli soldiers. The evening was a huge success and we were able to purchase pizza for 20 soldiers and 5 care packages containing clothing, toiletries and other basic necessi es. Special thanks to Shemesh Pizza for helping to make the event such a great success. *** On Sunday 10th August, thousands of Melbournians, including many from the Mizrachi community, marched on Parliament House to show solidarity with the Jewish State and call for an end to the bloodshed. Community Leaders addressed the crowd urging peach in the region, tefillot were recited and songs of hope were sung.
Jewish Australians have always had a strong emo onal and spiritual to Israel despite the geographic distance. Many visit Israel annually, they send their children to Israel on post high school programmes and, if they are affiliated to a synagogue, are aware that the Prayer for the State of Israel is recited regularly. Zionist movements flourish and large events are organised every year to celebrate Israel s Independence Day. Many Australians serve in the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) and many Australian parents have children who serve or have served in the IDF. The Australian connec on to the IDF is no more apparent than in mes of war and, without a doubt, many of you are aware of Australians affected during Opera on Defensive Edge. In the army and Israeli society, these soldiers are called Lone Soldiers chayalim bodedim, soldiers whose parents either do not live in Israel or are unable to financially support their children. In April this year, a er almost 2½ years, I completed my service as a Lone Soldier because my parents live in Australia. Since then, I volunteer at the Lone Soldier Center in Memory of Michael Levin. Michael was a Lone Soldier from the United States who was killed in the Second Lebanon War. The Center was established to look a er Lone Soldiers and to provide family and social networking for them. Social events are run mul ple mes a week, furniture is delivered weekly, counselling is provided, Shabbat meals are organised 2 3 mes a month and so much more. Our centres around the country are equipped with washing machines, dryers, Playsta ons and lounge areas for soldiers to relax. All these are free of charge to lone soldiers. Most of our staff are volunteers and many are former lone soldiers themselves. In light of Opera on Defensive Edge, we have been inundated with dona ons from around the world ovens, beard trimmers, underwear, toiletries, food, home appliances, furniture and much more. All these go straight to Lone Soldiers. So, on behalf of the almost 3000 Lone Soldiers currently serving, I take this opportunity to thank you for your support and generous dona ons towards our soldiers in Israel. The support from our friends and family around the world and the impact it has on Lone Soldiers cannot be understated. Benji Figdor, Volunteer, Lone Soldier Center in Memory of Michael Levin Benji Figdor stands amongst a new shipment of dona ons from the Argen nian Jewish Community
A Message from Solly Sacks Shalom Chaverim A er my 24 fulfilling and sa sfying years as Director General of the World Mizrachi Movement, I've now formally re red, and have been replaced by Rabbi Doron Perez. From when I started and took over a bankrupt and almost non existent organiza on, I am extremely happy to hand over a vibrant and dynamic one with many ac ve branches and representa ves around the world, and with its headquarters based in the heart of Jerusalem. Over the years, I have been extremely fortunate to have made very many friends and contacts in the various countries, and have been proud to promote the goals and ideals of the Religious Zionist Movement, both in Israel and the Diaspora, where they have held steady and grown to a great extent. The support that we get from our colleagues and branches around the world is unmatched in other organiza ons. During these years my du es have indeed been challenging and demanding, but at the same me most rewarding and sa sfying. I wish to thank you, one and all, for your friendship, support and co opera on during my term of office, and especially to our leadership and execu ve. It would be difficult to list individuals, which I will do at a later, more appropriate opportunity. There is, however, one very special person that I must men on, and who has been at my side since we started, giving me his total support, backing and guidance, and was also instrumental in helping to rebuild the movement, and who s ll has his finger on the pulse, and that is our President Kurt Rothschild. I am happy to s ll be around in an advisory capacity, and I look forward to our con nued rela onship. I wish Rabbi Perez the greatest success, and will be happy to help him whenever and wherever necessary, and I am sure you will all do likewise. I pray for peace and security for Israel and extend a Refua Shleima to our brave soldiers. Once again, thank you all. Sincerely, Solly Sacks
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Naftali Herc s xc Supported by Supported by at present The Inner Dimension of Judaism DISCUSSING CONCEPTS FROM THE MYSTICAL, INNER DIMENSION OF JUDAISM. The second in a series of Shiurim for Years 11 and 12 and Young Adults UNiqUeNess of THe MiTzva of LearNiNG ToraH and How did THe GiviNG of ToraH change THe world? rabbi Leor Broh rabbi of Beit Haroeh, Mizrachi 7.15pm - 8.15pm Sunday 24 August Venue Naftali Herc Beit Midrash @ Beit Midrash 81 Balaclava road, North caulfield Enquiries 9523 9664 information@techip.com.au if there are older ages who wish to have a shiurim series arranged along these lines, then please let us know FisHer GrapHics
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Session 1! Tuesday 26th August @ 8pm! Beit Haroeh (Mizrachi)! TOPIC: ROSH HASHANA!! Tefillah: Adina Bankeir- Karp! Torah Reading: Shira Wenig! Session 2! Tuesday 2nd September @ 8pm! Beit Haroeh (Mizrachi)! TOPIC: YOM KIPPUR!! Tefillah: Beruriah Tenenbaum! Torah Reading: Michal Kaufman! Session 3! Tuesday 9th September @ 8pm! Beit Haroeh (Mizrachi)! TOPIC: SUCCOT!! Tefillah: Avigail Wonder! Torah Reading: Shula Lazar! Session 4! Tuesday 16th September @ 8pm! Beit Haroeh (Mizrachi)! TOPIC: SHMINI ATZERET/SIMCHAT TORAH!! Tefillah: Michal Kaufman! Torah Reading: Esther Loebenstein!
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Re eh Issue 545 Shabbat MiTzion 27 Av, 5774, August 23rd, 2014 Mazal Tov to Shmuel Shtessman, former shaliach Memphis 5772, on his engagement to Michelle Beck! בס ד שבת The Mizbeiach and the Matzeiva Rabbi Sam Thurgood - Rabbi of Beit Midrash Morasha and Rosh Yeshiva of the Yeshiva of Cape Town This week at TMT In Re'eih we find again the oft-repeated command to destroy the pagan altars of the Canaanite nations. Devarim 12:3 reads: ו נ ת צ ת ם א ת מ ז בח ת ם ו ש ב ר ת ם א ת מ צ ב ת ם You shall demolish their Mizbachot and break their Matzeivot. These two different kinds of altars, the Mizbeiach and Matzeiva, appear several times in the Torah. The Matzeiva - a standing stone - is a pillar used for sacrifice. One block of stone upon which the service is performed. A Mizbeiach, on the other hand, is made up of several components joined together - either a Mizbeiach avanim, an altar of stones, where several stones are piled together to build a pillar, or a Mizbeiach adama, wooden frame filled with earth, where each grain of sand is part of the Mizbeiach. (As Rashi explains here) As far as idols go, both are equally symbolic of the theological and moral evil of idolatry, but within service of Hashem we find a distinction at the beginning of Parshat Shoftim (Devarim 16:22): ו ל א תק ים ל ך מ צב ה א ש ר שנ א ה And do not erect for yourself a Matzeiva that Hashem hates This is somewhat surprising as we know that the Avot built Matzeivot in their service of Hashem - most notably, Yaakov at the beginning of Vayeitzei. So what changed? Rashi tells us (again in Shoftim) that the change was one of context. Over the last few centuries, the Canaanites had made the Matzeivot into a symbol of idol worship. Although intrinsically they may be no different to a Mizbeiach, they have now become inextricably bound in human consciousness, and consequently in Divine service - with paganism. The Maharal of Prague, on the other hand, in Netiv HaDin, has a different approach. He explains that the Avot (Patriarchs) had a fundamentally different way of relating to Hashem, one that was acceptable for them, but not for us. A Matzeiva, he claims, represents a particularistic and limited way of relating to G-d. One stone, one aspect, one power. A Mizbeiach contains within it more multiplicity. The Avot, he claims, as the building blocks of our nation, each related to Hashem in a unique, particular way (as we know, Avraham in Chessed, Yitzchak in Din etc.) and it was good and right that they should each express that unique relationship through the singular medium of the Matzeiva. Once the Jewish people were constituted, however, we are the children of all these great people, the heirs of a holistic relationship with Hashem that incorporates all of the multiplicity of nature and the human experience. Tear down the Matzeivot of the Canaanites, never to be rebuilt, but replace their Mizbachot with ours that acknowledge the One G-d who encompasses the multiplicity of His marvelous creation. Idit Wolf returned from Sydney this week Alon Saperia & Noam Bar to Washington Photo from Shavua Hachshara Migdal Oz TMT sets up shop in Colombia: the Bogota Boys - Hananel Evenhen & Achiad Karasenty (with Zeev) Shabbat Times Jerusalem Begin 18:40 End 19:52
Page 2 Re eh ISRAtag Arik Speaker The "Shield Square" in Bat Yam, also known as the "tombstone", is a monument dedicated to the defenders of the city who fell defending its citizens in battle. The square is located on Shderot Haatzmaut (Independence Avenue) at the entrance to Bat Yam from Tel Aviv, and is essentially a gateway to the city. During the War of Independence the defensive post was known as the "King George post", because of the name of the street during the British Mandate. On February 2 1948, Arab fighters were able to penetrate the post and during a rainy night killed two defendants. On February 18, another fighter was killed in this post by an Arab sniper. Since then the post was dubbed the "death post". Bat Yam is a city in the southern greater Tel Aviv Area. It became an official city in 1958. It was established in 1926 as a settlement named Bayit Va'gan by 13 families from the Tel Aviv settler community. Only 11 years later, in 1937, was the name of the city changed to Bat Yam (Hebrew for Daughter of the Sea). Violent events during the 1936 1939 Arab revolt cut the city off from Tel Aviv, since the only access road passed through predominantly Arab Jaffa. Following those events, a new road was built through Holon. This road, which was not easy to maintain and protect, eventually saved the city from being cut off and perhaps falling into enemy hands during the War of Independence. Since its founding and until recent years, Bat Yam has been a city of Aliyah absorption German Jews before the creation of the State, Sephardi Jewry during the state's first years, and in recent decades from the Former Soviet Union. The city is home to a large community of immigrants from Turkey, so much so that Bat Yam hosted visits by Turkish leaders including President Suleiman Demirel and Prime Minister Tansu Ciller. Even the most famous Israeli spy Eli Cohen z"l was a resident of the city. In recent weeks a committee has been established, amidst much criticism, in order to consider the possibility of a union with the city of Tel Aviv-Jaffa. Yasher Koach to Neriah Ashkenazi for providing the correct answer Shlichim Wanted (including French & Spanish speakers) singles & couples: Ph 052 8109583 shlichut@torahmitzion.org To advertise, or to dedicate an issue of Shabbat MiTzion for a simcha, yoretzeit etc.. Ph. 02 620 9022 shabbatmitzion@torahmitzion.org 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.