The Deeper Meaning of Shloshim
26/08/2016 12:48:25 PM
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Stop Press: Rabbi Dov Lipman of WZO 
Rabbi's Message Dear [first_name], As you may know, the Jewish way of mourning involves two main stages (three in the case of a parent). There is the Shiva - the period of seven days of intense mourning in which we remain locked in our houses, isolated from society. Then there is the Shloshim, a period of thirty days when, while still in mourning, we gradually re-engage with society. Finally, in the case of a parent, there is a twelve month mourning period where, while almost fully engaged with society, we avoid excessive participation in joyous activity and attend Synagogue regularly to recite Kaddish. Whereas the practices of Shiva and Twelve-Months are generally known, this is not the case with Shloshim. I am often asked, “Rabbi, what do we do/don’t we do during Shloshim?” As I mentioned above, Shloshim is a transitional period. Although we may have partially reentered society we are still very much in a state of deep mourning. This is reflected in the various laws of mourning that pertain to Shloshim. We neither cut our hair nor shave, we don’t cut our nails, we neither wear new garments nor newly pressed garments, we don’t bathe for joy (but may bathe, a little briefer than usual, for hygiene) and we limit our work commitments. During Shloshim others should not ask the mourner how he is feeling (the answer should be obvious…) nor send him gifts. We also pray a lot for the neshama of the loved one, study Torah and give Tzeddakah in his merit. It is very difficult to describe the waves of sadness that wash over you at this time. And it’s certainly difficult for others to identify with the way you are feeling inside - after all you are, for all appearances sake, back with the living. You may even question why you are still feeling such deep pain. One explanation is based on the similarity of death to birth. Death, after all, is not final but rather rebirth into a different realm of existence. And so just as a baby is not considered fully viable halachikly until it is thirty days old, so too a person is not considered to be fully dead (and hence not yet reborn into his new spiritual state) until thirty days have passed. (Baal HaTurim as explained in Teshuvot Baruch Hashem). However what is giving me solace at this time is the Zohar’s explanation of Shloshim as elaborated by the famous Ben Ish Chai. This is what the Zohar says: The Ben Ish Chai continues: He then adds: Through the suffering of the mourners on this world, the suffering of the soul is sweetened and reduced. So, it seems that the pain that we undergo during the thirty days after losing a loved one is more than just an emotional catharsis. It actually assists the Neshama on its painful journey toward Gan Eden, making it more bearable. May Hashem put an end to all suffering as He has promised “Death shall be swallowed up forever and the Lord G-d will wipe away tears from all faces” with the immediate coming of Moshiach. With best wishes for a Good Shabbos on behalf of the Rebbetzen and all of us at South Head Rabbi Benzion Milecki OAM South Head Speakers Forum Israel and the House of Saud: An Emerging Partnership?
 President's MessageChasonim for Simchas Torah Last Friday night we had a very nice dinner in shul for a group of bat mitzvah girls and their families, where each of the girls spoke briefly. Our thanks to Rebbetzin Henya Milecki for organising the dinner, cooking all the food (which was very tasty) with a small group of helpers, and doing all this at a time of great personal stress; we wish long life to Henya and the entire Milecki family. On Saturday we had our special New Zealand Shabbos – it was wonderful! Thanks to our speakers, Adrian Shine (who was also our main organiser) and Johnny Weiss (our main financial sponsor) and to Bernice Charif for putting together a special array of Kiwi foods. The highlights were the singing of Adon Olam to the tune of God Defend New Zealand (led by Chazzan Yehoshua Niasoff) and the haka at the Kiddush. Chasonim For Simchas Torah Rodney and Danny and their families are long-time members of South Head. In fact, their appointment has a special significance: their fathers, Max Naumburger (who passed away in early 2013) and Martin Biggs, also had the honour of serving together as Chasonim for Simchas Torah. Read More Kiddush Sponsors Spiro, Pajor & Hart Families This weeks Friday night Kiddush has been kindly sponsored by Marian & Allan Spiro, Michael & Anitta Pajor, Claudia Pajor and Maxine & David Hart in honour of the Bat Mitzvah of their granddaughter, Hannah Pajor. If you would like to sponsor a Kiddush in honour of a Simcha or a Yahrtzeit please contact Shmuly on 0401 558 223 or shmuly@southhead.org. Kollel Evening Learning Program Wednesday night saw NSW receive a months worth of rain in just one night, but that didn’t deter our Kollel participants who came out in force. We had eight learning groups and a shiur on the questions "can we bribe G-d?”. 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.
Exceptional Soldiers Yosef Lautenberg
Parasha Sheet Parashat Eikev
A. Torah education begins before a child is born. When the unborn child is developing in his mother’s womb, the forces that shape and mold his future character and conduct are already operating. Just like the chemical nature of the mother’s diet can influence the embryo’s physical wellbeing, so too, the spiritual nature of her diet (for example, keeping the laws of Kashrut) can influence the unborn child’s spiritual development. Therefore, according to Torah, Jewish education should start before the child is even born. . Read more Communal Events Support The Community!
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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