Making Change Last

Abraham called it Beer Sheva, Isaac called it Beer Shova.

In our Shabbat after-kiddush shiur we will use this tiny difference to explore what makes a revolution successful, the roles of global shakers and quiet achievers, and ultimately, how we can use our ancestors’ experience to cement our legacy and make change last. 

The parasha commences with Rebecca's difficult pregnancy.We are told that she was so overwhelmed with the pain, that she even considered terminating it! This from a woman who had been barren for twenty years! It just doesn't make sense. After all, although many women have severe difficulty in carrying a baby to term, very few would consider termination, especially after so many years of childlessness. And here we are talking about Rebecca, one of the Mothers of our People.

Rashi explains that what troubled Rebecca was not physical pain, but mental anguish. You see, she had this sensation of movement every time she walked past the Yeshiva of Shem. (Yes, they had Yeshivot even in those days to teach mankind morals and ethics and this one was led by Noah's son, Shem). So far so good. But then she noticed the same sensation when she went past a place where they were worshiping idols!

Rebecca was perplexed and scared. She thought to herself that she had some kind of schizophrenic fetus inside her womb. This was not what she had waited for all those years of barrenness.

When she sought advice, she was told that this was no schizophrenic. Rather she had twins - and each had it's own interests. One with a desire to serve G-d and the other to worship idols.

There is a powerful lesson for us too in this story. Often enough we think of ourselves as no good hypocrites, perhaps even spiritual schizophrenics. We want to do, and do, what is right. But then five minutes later we do something wrong, something entirely inconsistent with our previous good behaviour. This leads us to thinking - "what's the point? No matter what I do, I am just no good!" Rather than give up the bad behaviour, we become overwhelmed and give up the good behaviour.

The parasha teaches us that like Rebecca whose womb contained both Jacob and Esau, there lies within each of us not one, but two souls. Each soul is fighting for domination. Sometimes one wins, sometimes the other. But hypocrites or schizophrenics we most certainly are not. It is only natural that when one soul gets it's way and is on the upper, the other soul will counter attack - just like two people wrestling with each other. We must persevere - for as we are promised in the parasha - in the end Jacob (our G-dly soul) will overcome.

In a similar vein, we ought not be too quick to point out the "hypocrisy" of others, a charge that as a rabbi I often hear (often from those who would do better examining themselves, but of course I can never say that...) Just like ourselves, those who we admonish also have two souls in constant battle with each other. Rather than dismissing the good because of the bad, we should better encourage and nurture the good.

On behalf of the Rebbetzin and all of us at South Head, wishing you a Good & Peaceful Shabbos.

Rabbi Benzion Milecki OAM

Life in the Balance was off to a flying start this week with a near record capacity Monday/Wednesday combined attendance of 100. Many students enthusiastically participated in the highly interactive Lesson in which Rabbi Milecki brought attention to the relatively high incidence of the BRCA gene mutation in the Jewish Community and the need to be vigilant in taking necessary precautions. Students learned that our bodies are not our own to do with as we please. Risks can be taken under certain conditions but there are guidelines which need to be understood.  Since the body is the focal point of the soul's mission on earth, physical health is a pre-requisite to spiritual health.

For lots of great pics from this week's class visit us on Facebook

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Name Him Yosef Yitzchak
Dr Yechiel Lasri

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After three unexplained stillbirths, Dr Lasri's parents began to panic. The Moroccan family knew of the Lubavitcher Rebbe because of the his many emissaries in their country. Their letter to the Rebbe received an answer that changed their lives. Click here to read their story.

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Brookie Reports
Camp Shalom Dates Announced

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Camp shalom will take place Monday 16-Friday 20 December.

Click here for flyer.

Registration opens Monday Nov. 4.Register early to receive early bird discount!

Bless the Kids Shabbat is on November 23rd so make a date in your diary to be in Shul by 10.15 if you're under 10 and want to receive the Rabbi's blessing and a special treat and get to make your very own edible treat.

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Chanukah on Fire
An Event for the Whole Family

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The fun begins at 6pm with a spectacular Fire show and continues with events for the whole family. Click here for all the info 

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BatMitzvah Course Graduates

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Mazal Tov to the girls who finished their BatMitzvah Discovery Course last Sunday. 

Over the past 12 weeks the girls had lots of very practical and hands-on learning. They learned about their Neshama, their unique talents and abilities, the three Mitzvot of the Jewish women, the importance of Tzeddakah and many other exciting topics.

Our courses run twice a year so if you have a daughter you'd like to enrol in our next Course which will start in February, please contact Brookie on 0404 055 643 or email youth@southhead.org.

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Mummy & Me
Preparing for Chanukah

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Mums and bubs made their own Chanukiot in readiness for the Festival of Light.

As well as craft time everyone joined in dancing and singing; making challahs for Shabbat and giving tzeddakah.

If you would like to be part of this beautiful early Jewish learning for children visit our homepage for all the information.

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Parasha Sheet
Toldot

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Q. Our Parasha this week tells us of the many wells that Yitzchak dug. Why does the Torah find it important to tells us about the wells Yitzchak dug? What is their significance? What can it mean to us today?

A. Yitzchak's digging of wells during his life is not only to be understood in the physical sense, but also in the spiritual sense. Digging a well involves removing the many layers of the earth. One is required to penetrate beneath the external, earthy surface until the source of life-giving water in that place is uncovered. In every single being there is such a fountain. This idea is represented in the body of a Jewish person and the G-dly soul, the Neshama hidden deep within the body. Each and every single Jew has a Neshama inside of him. The Neshama is an actual part of G-d. It is our job to look deep down into our own Neshama and the Neshamot of every single Jew and to discover the good which is there. Every Jewish Neshama is good because it is a part of Hashem. Even if G-d forbid, a Jew has strayed from the path of Torah and does not do good deeds, the goodness of his Neshama is still there. The Jew will still be able to penetrate the goodness of his Neshama. Nothing can stand in the way of his Neshama. 

Yitzchak knew this and this is why he wanted to give the birthright blessings to Esav. Yitzchak was a righteous man and a great Torah sage. He knew that Esav did not devote his time to Torah study. But Yitzchak was 'digging wells'. He was able to find water where others couldn't i.e. he was focused on G-dliness and he could discover the G-dly soul, the Neshama in every being. As Esav's father, he was trying to penetrate Esav's Neshama, to bring out the goodness within him. He was trying to help Esav fulfill his spiritual potential. Yitzchak was hoping that the blessings would help to bring out the goodness in Esav's Neshama which would ultimately lead him to do good deeds. 

The above lesson is based on the teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe and adapted by Brookie Milecki. 

To learn all about the Parasha, download our Parasha sheet! 

Please share our Parasha sheet around your Shabbat table and let your family and friends explore the Parasha of the week together with you.