The Essence of Purim!
18/03/2016 10:06:58 AM
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 Rabbi's MessageThe Essence of Purim! Dear [first_name] As we approach Purim I would like to remind you of the many mitzvot associated with this wonderful Festival that is truly a family affair: 1. The "Half Coins" (Machatzit HaShekel) It is a tradition to give three coins in “half” denominations—e.g., three half-dollar coins—to charity, to commemorate the half-shekel that each Jew contributed as his share in the Holy Temple. This can be performed on Wednesday afternoon, the “Fast of Esther,” at Mincha time, which at South Head will be 6:45pm. You may wish to consider donating towards our temple, the South Head Building Fund. 2. Torah Reading of Zachor On the Shabbat before Purim (this year, March 19), a special reading is held in the synagogue. We read the Torah section called Zachor (“Remember”), in which we are enjoined to remember the deeds of (the nation of) Amalek (Haman’s ancestor) who sought to destroy the Jewish people. 3. Listen to the Megillah To relive the miraculous events of Purim, listen to the reading of the megillah (the Scroll of Esther) twice: once on Purim eve, Wednesday night, March 23 at 7:27pm, and again on Purim day, March 24 at 6:10am. To properly fulfill the mitzvah, it is crucial to hear every single word of the megillah. At certain points in the reading where Haman’s name is mentioned, it is customary to twirl graggers (Purim noisemakers) and stamp one’s feet to “eradicate” his evil name. Tell the children that Purim is the only time when it’s a mitzvah to make noise! 4. Give to the Needy (Matanot La'Evyonim) Concern for the needy is a year-round responsibility; but on Purim it is a special mitzvah to remember the poor. Give charity to at least two (but preferably more) needy individuals on Purim day, March 24. You can fulfill this mitzvah by donating to South Head's Simchas Yom Tov Fund for families in need. As with the other mitzvahs of Purim, even small children should be taught to fulfill this mitzvah. 5. Send Food Portions to Friends (Mishloach Manot) On Purim we emphasize the importance of Jewish unity and friendship by sending gifts of food to friends. On Purim day, March 24, send a gift of at least two kinds of ready-to-eat foods (e.g., pastry, fruit, beverage) to at least one friend. Men should send to men, and women to women. It is preferable that the gifts be delivered via a third party. Children, in addition to sending their own gifts of food to their friends, make enthusiastic messengers. 6. Eat, Drink and Be Merry! Purim should be celebrated with a special festive meal on Purim day, at which family and friends gather together to rejoice in the Purim spirit. It is a mitzvah to drink wine at this meal. With best wishes for a Good Shabbos on behalf of the Rebbetzin and all of us at South Head,
Rabbi Benzion Milecki OAM
Bar Mitzvah Club
Entering Adulthood
Harold Milner, a proud grandparent who was present at the class shares his thoughts. "As a proud grandfather I was privileged to accompany my grandson Ben to Chazan Yehoshua Niasoff's BarMitzvah program this week. Together with three fathers and six BarMitzvah boys, Yehoshua explained the rituals surrounding the slaughter of Kosher meat and also the difference between Kosher and glatt Kosher. We were regaled with many stories and then Yehoshua brought out his knives as well as some fresh meat to further intrigue everyone. All in all, a terrific evening which was most enlightening and enjoyable. Well done Chazan!" To register your son for our BarMitzvah program please contact Karen on 9371 7300 ext 1
Youth Crew
Wishing you all Shabbat Shalom and looking forward to seeing you at South Head 'the Shule where your child loves to be!' Tzemach, Roli and Yeruchum For details on all upcoming events please contact us on 9371-7300 ext 3 or 0412-482-770 or youth@southhead.org Finding My Mission
Rabbi Shraga Faivel Rimler
Parasha Sheet
Parashat Vayikra
A: Moshe knew that he was a special person. He was the leader of the Jewish people. He was the only person who was able to speak to Hashem ‘face to face’. Yet Moshe felt very humble. In fact, he felt more humble than any other person. Moshe remained humble in his own eyes, in the presence of Hashem and in the presence of the Jewish people. Moshe would say, ‘Hashem has given me a special gift. If Hashem had given these gifts to another person than he would be a much better leader than me’. As you can see Moshe considered himself to be smaller and less important than others. This is why the Alef in the word Vayikra is small. The word Vayikra means and He called. In this instance Hashem is calling Moshe, the leader of the Jewish people, to tell him to command the Jewish people to bring Korbanot to Hashem. Hashem’s calling to Moshe was a sign of love and affection. Hashem loves all of His children, especially the humble. It was because Moshe was so humble that Hashem called to him and showed him special love and affection. It is also interesting to note that Alef is the first of the twenty-one letters in the Alef Bet and is therefore the ‘head’ or the ‘leader’ of all the other letters. So a small Alef which represents leadership and greatness is clearly a contradiction. What we learn from here is that a person’s humility (represented by smallness) should be proportionate to his greatness (represented by the Alef). A person's unique talents should lead him to feel humble so that when he contemplates someone else being given the same talents and abilities as himself, that other person would surely have surpassed his own achievements. We should all take a lesson from the Alef and from Moshe. We all need to act humbly. We should not allow our unique talents and qualities to suspend our feelings of humility, but we should allow them to make us feel even more humble. To read our Parasha sheet click here  Recommended Library ReadingThe Kayla Kuchleffel Collection A Hilarious Compilation of Side-Splitting Essays By America's Foremost "Heimishe" Humorist! Presented by Country Yossi Publications. Purimania - Kayla Kuchleffel can't believe that Purim is just around the corner. Sit back relax and enjoy these delightful essays by a writer with a delightful sense of the ridiculous and the chutzpah to tell it like it is. Shabbat Shalom, Sylvia Tuback, Librarian Communal Events
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666 Old South Head Rd Rose Bay, NSW 2029 (02) 9371 7300 |
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SHMINI
Rose Bay, NSW 2029
(02) 9371 7300