When Sarah dies, Abraham does what any devoted husband would do - but more so. Not only does he bury her with the honour that was her due; he uses her passing to acquire the first Jewish property in Israel, the country that is called the Land of Life (Eretz HaChaim).

And immediately afterwards, he embarks upon another life-giving mission. He seeks a wife for his son Isaac to ensure the continuation of Sarah's legacy.

And continue it does - when Isaac betroths Rebecca at the end of the parasha - Sarah's tent returns to its former glory and radiance. It is as if Sarah has never died.

Not for Abraham to create a shrine for Sarah's memory - to leave her tent untouched as at the moment of her death. To think that to do otherwise would be a betrayal of her memory. On the contrary, the pall of sadness that such a shrine would cast would truly ensure that Sarah's death was final. Far from being a tribute to Sarah, it would suck the life of the future into the vortex of the past. What Abraham wanted was that the bitter taste of death should propel her life to an even more glorious future. It is for this reason that the parasha of Sarah's death is called Chayei Sarah - the life of Sarah.

It is also for this reason that although Abraham eulogized Sarah, he cried for her but a little. This is indicated in the Torah's using a diminutive letter "caf" in the Hebrew word for crying, "livcota". Miss her, he most certainly would, and so he did cry. But not for long. A far greater tribute would be to ensure that she lived on - and so he immediately got to work.

Abraham, through his personal example, has taught us the true Jewish response to death, and indeed to difficulties of any kind. It is unnatural not to mourn a loss. The Talmud describes such a person as insensitive. At the same time, however, the Talmud criticises a person who cries too much. Rather than allow a tragedy to pull us down to the past, Abraham has taught us to use it to propel ourselves into an even greater future.

May Hashem spare us from all sadness and sorrow

Rabbi Benzion Milecki OAM

 

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Guest in Shul Fri Nov-9th
Assistant Mayor of Kedumim

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We are pleased to welcome Raphaella Segal, a leading member and founder of Kedumim in Samaria, who will speak about recent events in Israel and their ramifications on the communities in Judea and Samaria.

She will also talk about how pioneering is flourishing and the difficulties and determination of life in the Shomron. 

On Shabbos afternoon, Raphaella will also be speaking at Shalosh Seudot between Mincha & Maariv so please join us.
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Looking forward to seeing you in Shule.
On behalf of Rebbetzin Henya and the South Head family wishing you a Good Shabbos.

Rabbi Benzion Milecki OAM

 

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Farbrengen
Shabbat Mevorchim Kislev

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Please join us for a Farbrengen this Shabbat at 6.30 when we will share inspirational thoughts on the month of Kislev - Men and Women welcome.

 

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Brookie's Message

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It's just two weeks till our next great Birthday Club party for children aged over 3 and under Bar or Bat Mitzvah who celebrate their Jewish birthdays in the months of Elul, Tishrei and Cheshvan.

Get those RSVPs in and call us if you want to check that your child is on our database with the correct birthday information.

Really looking forward to celebrating your birthday in Shul. Each children's service will be filled with balloons and decorations and yummy treats. Best of all you will all be blessed by the Rabbi and receive a very special birthday gift!

 

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Chanukah Event
Stay Tuned

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Keep watching this space for news of our fantastic Chanukah event. We're working very hard to make it the best one yet!

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Communal Events 

• Nov 8: Kristallnacht Commemoration - JBD
• Nov 11: Gift of Life at Moriah Spring Fair
• Nov 23-25: Limmud Fair
• Nov-Dec 2012: Mission to Israel - HonestReporting & NSW Jewish Board of Deputies.

Click here for full information

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