Rabbi's Message
Are You A Dirty Jew?
Dear [first_name],
Before sharing with you an insight from this week's parasha I would like to draw to your attention a wonderful programme available each week at South Head.
Each Wednesday night we provide the opportunity to study one on one or in small groups. The subject is entirely up to you. It could be Talmud or it could be learning the Alef Beis. It could be Bible or it could be understanding the prayers, etc. etc.
This past Wednesday night saw almost 30 participants! So if you want to expose yourself to some real Jewish learning, call Shmuly Kleiner on 0415 135 468 or email shmuly@southhead.org and he will organise it for you.
And now a word from our sponsor...
Are You a Dirty Jew?
If someone said you were dirt, you would no doubt be rightfully offended. And yet in this week's parasha that is precisely what we the Jewish People are compared to.
The verse states: "Who can count you - you are like dirt O Jacob".
This is supposed to be a blessing?
Surely there are better similes to describe the great number of Jews than comparing them to dirt! Indeed, when Abraham is blessed by G-d, he is told that his descendants will be as many as the stars of the heavens!
Truthfully, however, this is not the first time that the Israelites are compared to dirt. When blessing Jacob, G-d said to him, "your descendants will be as the dirt of the earth".
Two of the explanations found in Chassidic teachings are as follows:
1. The Midrash says that Abraham was the first to bring spiritual light to the world and that he in turn taught his family and descendants to do the same. Therefore the blessing to Abraham was that they would be as the stars of the heavens - they would light up the world!
Jacob, on the other hand, was the true founder of the Jewish People, the father of the Twelve Tribes of Israel. As luminous as stars are, they are at great distances from each other. To form a people, however, unity is of utmost importance. Dirt is not only numerous - it sticks together. G-d's blessing to Jacob is that his descendants should not only be individually great and luminous - they should also stick together!
2. The Baal Shem Tov gives another explanation: The earth, although it looks dirty, is filled with things of utmost value - precious metals, precious stones, water, coal and oil. Similarly, although a Jew may occasionally appear "dirty" and lacking in holiness, he or she possesses innumerable spiritual resources just waiting to be tapped.
Now those are amazing blessings!
With best wishes for a Good Shabbos.
On behalf of the Rebbetzin and all of us at South Head.
Rabbi Benzion Milecki OAM
President's Message
Why Synagogues Are Important
Last week I discussed how my father’s death led me to daven at the daily minyan, an enveloping experience. Coincidentally, in his weekly Torah commentary on Parshas Chukat, former Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks also starts with the death of his father: he relates that his personal experience of the trauma of loss gave him insight in understanding the incident of Moses striking the rock instead of speaking to it to get water. He sees the parsha as being about death, loss and bereavement. He writes:
Miriam dies. Moses and Aaron are overwhelmed with grief. Moses, for a moment, loses control, and he and Aaron are reminded that they too are mortal and will die before entering the land. Yet this is, as Maimonides said, “the way of the world.” We are embodied souls. We are flesh and blood. We grow old. We lose those we love. Outwardly we struggle to maintain our composure but inwardly we weep. Yet life goes on, and what we began, others will continue. Read More
Kiddush Sponsor
The Chilchik, Spiro and Fisher Families
This weeks Friday night Kiddush has been kindly sponsored by Murray Spiro in honour of his mothers Yahrzeit and Norman Chilchik in honour of his fathers Yahrzeit. South Head wishes both the Spiro and Chilchik families long life.
This weeks Shabbat morning Kiddush has been kindly sponsored by Jack and Rosalind Fisher in celebration of Jack's 80th birthday. South Head would like to wish a hearty Mazal Tov to Jack, Ros & the entire Mishpocha.
If you would like to sponsor a Kiddush in honour of a Simcha or a Yahrzeit please contact Shmuly on 0401 558 223 or shmuly@southhead.org.
Kollel
Evening Learning Program
This past Wednesday, we continued the South Head evening Kollel. We had thirteen learning groups studying topics including, Jewish law, parasha, Jewish philosophy and mysticism as well as a group shiur on Dreams according to Kabbala.
The Kollel is a weekly event from 7:30-8:30pm Wednesday evenings. All are invited to attend and participate in learning that is of interest to them with our Kollel instructors. For more information, please be in contact with Shmuly Kleiner on 0401 558 223.
Youth News
We're Here For You!
We are recovering from a smashing week at Camp Shalom and we are very quickly getting back into the swing of things. We are once again doing Jewish Birthday home visits, Baby Welcome Packages and much more. To book a Birthday visit please contact Roli on 0412 542 770.
Next week we will be holding our monthly Bless the Kids Shabbat (30/07). The children will create delicious edible treats, partake in exciting activities and receive a special treat from the Rabbi.
Wishing you and your family Shabbat Shalom,
Tzemach, Roli & Yeruchum
For all information on upcoming youth events please contact us on 9371 7300 ext 3 or 0412 482 770 or youth@southhead.org
The Fiery Conductor
Mr. Michael Tabor
"I could have fallen right through the floor. Here was a chasidic Rebbe in New York worrying about the spiritual lives of non-Jews playing in a school orchestra in London. So much so, that he was directing me to go out of my way to influence them by explaining the Seven Laws of Noah — which demand of the entire human race to eschew idolatry, blasphemy, murder, adultery, theft and animal cruelty, and which require the establishment of universal courts of justice." Read More
Parasha Sheet
Parashat Balak
And Balaam arose in the morning, and saddled his ass (22:21)
From here we see how hatred causes a person to break from convention. Balaam had many servants at his disposal; yet in his eagerness to go curse Israel, he saddled his ass himself. Said the Almighty: "Evil one! Their father, Abraham, has already preempted you when, to fulfill My will, he 'rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey' (Genesis 22:3)." (RASHI) Read More
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