Two Pillars: Unconditional Love & Freedom from Fear
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 Yud Tes KislevA Very Special Day Today is Yud Tes Kislev - 19th Kislev - a foundation day in the history of the Chassidic movement which revolutionised the Jewish world in the eighteenth century. But how does it relate to you and me on a daily basis? The founder of the Chassidic movement was Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov. Although the Baal Shem Tov was tragically orphaned at the age of five, his father Rabbi Eliezer left him two instructions which formed the twin pillars of his life's mission, reverberating to this very day. 1) Love every Jew no matter his level of observance, even should s/he live at the end of the world, for s/he is a child of G-d who He loves unconditionally. 2) Fear no one and no thing, apart from G-d alone. In Rabbi Eliezer's final words we can understand the presence of Chabad wherever Jews are to be found in the most remote areas of the world, and their unwavering commitment to Judaism against all odds. In our shule, I have encouraged commitment to these two pillars through suggesting that we begin every day with the statement, "Behold I accept upon myself the positive commandment of 'You shall love your neighbour as yourself", and conclude every prayer with Al Tirah, Biblical verses that emphasise our lack of fear and Ach Tzaddikim, a verse from Psalms that underscores the serenity and tranquility of those who dwell in G-d's Presence. I believe that Yud Tes Kislev is an appropriate day for everyone to recommit to these two pillars of Judaism whether one identifies as a Chassid or not. Chanukah at South Head
Hope You Can Join us With Chanukah almost upon us, I take this opportunity of personally inviting you all to be in Shul for our very special Chanukah program next Friday night Nov-29th There will be communal Menorah lighting as well as delicious latkes and donuts and of course lots of things for the kids. See below for full info. On behalf of the Rebbetzin and all of us at South Head, wishing you a Good & Peaceful Shabbos Rabbi Benzion Milecki OAM
After Kiddush Shabbos Shiur
In the Herbert Hall
How Envy Can be a Force for Good!
A Life of Blessing
Dr Liva Bitton-Jackson
"I walked out feeling such love for the Rebbe. He had been so kind to me, He wanted to give me happiness. He felt that I was terribly,terribly sad. And he was right. I was very, very heartbroken when I came to him, but he changed my life." Read the full story here. JLI
A Pound of Flesh
Lesson 4 looked at the inherent ethics of receiving compensation for donating organs or bone marrow as well as many significant questions such as: whether it would be a good policy to legalise such compensation, and whether assigning a dollar value to parts of one's body would compromise humanity and dignity? Check us out on Facebook or view our Photo Gallery  Brookie ReportsGreat Times Ahead South Head is absolutely buzzing with all the great things in store! This Shabbos join us for Bless the Kids - one of the great traditions at South Head. Kids under 10 will be blessed by the Rabbi, receive a special treat and get to make their own edible Menorah. Be in Shul by no later than 10.15 Shabbos morning. See below for all our exciting Chanukah activities and check out the amazing excursion in a Hummer! As well as all of that we have our Friday night Birthday Club on Dec-6th which you can read about below. Looking forward to seeing you all in Shul and wishing you a Good Shabbos Brookie and the Youth Crew t has evolved through our history. Chanukah on Fire
Chanukah in a Hummer Join South Head Youth as we light up the city of Sydney with the light of the Menorah! All teenagers in year 7 are invited to join us as we ride a hummer, with a Menorah sitting on its roof, through the city of Sydney. The program will also include a musical Havdalah, followed by Menorah lighting and of course donuts and nosh! When: Saturday Night (Motzei Shabbat) Nov. 30th - 4th night of Chanukah Time: 9:15pm-11:00pm Pick up and drop off: South Head Synagogue - 662 Old South Head Rd, Rose Bay Cost: $50pp Bookings are essential! Birthday Club
Our next Friday night Birthday Club is on Dec-6th. Kids over 3 and under Bar or BatMitzvah who celebrate their Jewish birthdays in Tammuz, Av, Elul, Tishrei, Cheshvan and Kislev watch out for your invite in the mail. You'll receive a very special birthday present from the Rabbi as well as being spoiled with a fantastic birthday party and tons of fun. Parasha Sheet
Vayeshev
Q. Yosef has some real big problems! His brothers had sold him into slavery and now he was imprisoned by Potiphar with no real hope of ever being set free. He had no idea if he would ever see his beloved father or any other member of his family ever again. Yet, when he saw the sadness in the eyes of the chief butler and baker who were thrown into prison alongside him, he was able to look beyond his own problems and offer them strength and hope. How was he able to do this? A. Even while Yosef was in the most miserable of places, he was able to focus on others rather than on himself because he realised that everything that happens comes from G-d. Yosef realised that everything that occurs is Divine Providence. Even though he was suffering in the prison cell and even though he yearned to be reunited with his family he realised that Hashem had caused him to be imprisoned for a reason. Yosef knew that while he did not currently know the purpose of his imprisonment, and even though his present imprisonment did not seem to be such a good thing, ultimately his imprisonment was for the good. This is what enabled him to offer the chief butler and chief baker hope even when he was in the most miserable of places. It was his faith in Hashem that allowed him to put his own problems aside and focus on others and help them in their distress. Very often we get caught up with ourselves and our problems. Our problems, whether real or imaginary are sometimes blown out of proportion and often take over our lives. However, we should not allow this to happen. We should be like Yosef. We should realise that everything that happens is Divine Providence and is ultimately for the good, even if we cannot see the revealed good. Having this faith in G-d is what will allow us to move further and help others rather than focus on our own small problems. Having faith in G-d and believing that everything happens for the good will bring true happiness to yourself which you in turn will be able to share with others. 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. |
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Embody and to celebrate the "brit" (covenant) between God and the
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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