The What and How of Prayer
14/02/2014 01:01:01 PM
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An essential part of any religion that believes in a personal G-d is prayer. But what should we be praying for and how should we pray? We can gain some insight into the “what” and “how” of prayer from this week’s parasha. Maimonides writes that it is a Mitzvah to pray to G-d every single day. He bases this on the verse found in Parashat Mishpatim: "And you shall serve G-d your G-d, and He will bless your bread and your water, and He will remove all illness from your midst." It seems that the Torah is telling us that "service" of But what form should this "service" take? In response to this question, the Talmud quotes the familiar verse, recited daily in the Shema: "To serve G-d with all your heart...(as a result of which) I will cause the rain to fall at the right time... and you will eat and be satisfied." From this second verse it is clear that the kind of service that brings material blessings is "service of the heart" - meaning, Prayer. But why do we need both verses? Wouldn't the second verse, which defines service as prayer, be sufficient? Rabbi Joseph Karo, in his work Kesef Mishneh, explains that whereas the first verse is written as an injunction - "You shall serve...", the second merely defines and relates the benefits of "service" without specifically commanding us to serve. Therefore, he concludes, the command to serve is derived from the first verse, whereas the form and manner of this service, "prayer with ALL your heart", is from the second. The emphasis of the first verse, he explains, is on the "what" of prayer: Feeling such a deep and abiding dependency on G-d for all one's most basic material needs - food, water, health - that it elicits prayer to G-d every single day. The emphasis of the second verse is on the "how" of prayer: it should come from ALL one's heart - one should feel such love with G-d that there is no room for any other love. (This, of course, does not preclude a spiritual love for all human beings in each of whom one sees a reflection of G-d). To sum up, Prayer has a "What" and a "How": "What": The Mitzvah (=Command) to pray to G-d daily for our most basic material needs thereby demonstrating our complete and utter dependence on Him. "How": To fall in love with G-d with ALL one’s heart. On behalf of the Rebbetzin and all of us at South Head, wishing you a Good & Peaceful Shabbos. Rabbi Benzion Milecki OAM To be a Jew
In the Free World Being Jewish meant many things to our grandparents. What does it mean to us? What will it mean to our grandchildren? Is new-world individualism compatible with Judaism? As Jews of our countries where should our first allegiance lie - to Torah, to the Jewish People or to the State? Is there a conflict? How can we balance our need to be accepted by the wider community with our desire not to assimilate? Does Judaism have a vision for all humanity? Want the answers? Come join us at JLI from the last week in February. Click here to visit our homepage 
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Prime Minister Ariel Sharon
Click here to read the whole story. The Holiness of Hate
The woes of hate are too many to count. In our modern society, we make every effort to root out any and all forms of hate. Indeed, hate crimes are prosecuted with added energy and harshness. Going back to the dusty roads of ancient civilization, the Torah records a command to help a stranded traveler in his time of need. Even if it’s someone you hate, the law continues, you must still help him. Hate? Did I just hear that? How could there be a possibility of a hated enemy that the Torah actually recognizes? Join us at the after-kiddush shiur to hear the answer. evolved through o Speakers' Forum
Rabbi Yossi Goldman We are delighted to announce the next Speakers' Forum on February 10th . For all enquiries and bookings contact Helen on 9371 7300 ext 4 or email secretary@southhead.org
Youth Report
Full Childrens' Services return next week Friday January 31st - we look forward to seeing you all! Mummy & Me
Term 1 starts Feb 6th We are so excited to get back into our Mummy & Me classes! Join us on Thursdays (from Feb-6) for an exciting morning of fun and socialising; play, dance and so much more, all in a warm and gentle class designed for our littlest learners. Register online or email Brookie youth@southhead.org 
Hope you are all refreshed and enjoyed your summer break! Brookie
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SHMINI
Rose Bay, NSW 2029
(02) 9371 7300