STOP PRESS: This Shabbos Morning

The Kabbalah of Current Geo-Political Events

We are privileged to host Rabbi Shais Taub this Shabbos. Rabbi Shais is an extraordinarily articulate expositor of Torah and a brilliant speaker, known for his work in the field of addiction recovery.

His book, God of Our Understanding: Jewish Spirituality and Recovery from Addiction, in which he asserts that ancient Jewish principles relate to 12-step treatment programs. Publisher's Weekly called the book "a singular and valuable resource for those in need." Taub posits that drugs are the addict's solution rather than his problem, and that those people who turn to chemicals or other compulsive behaviors such as overeating or gambling are attempting to fill a spiritual void.

A few days ago I shared with you Rachel Frankel’s response to the murder of her son Naftali. I also shared Rabbi Steinsaltz’s response. The common thread behind them both was the need for Jewish unity, Jewish pride, commitment to mitzvot and acts of kindness.

Today I want to share with you part of the eulogy read at the funeral of Gilaad Shaar at the request of his family:

Today, at this funeral, in the presence of this family, we need love. We need to speak in one language. We need to rediscover the paths that connect all of us. If in fact we seek to punish our enemies, there is no greater punishment than for them to behold this sight and to see that nothing can divide us. If we want to take revenge on these murderers, and we find them and punish them, the true revenge will be the ability to transcend the differences among us and to embrace one another, despite all of our shortcomings and the disagreements among us. If indeed we want to sanctify Gil-ad’s memory, we need to choose what to sanctify: the hostility towards the other or the love for each other – that which divides us, or that which binds us; the suspicion or the trust among ourselves.

Children don’t write wills, so we must therefore write Gilad’s will. If the family and those assembled here permit me, I would submit that we begin the writing of this will with the words of the Holy Ari:

I hereby take upon myself the commandment of loving thy neighbor as thyself and I hereby love each and every child of Israel as my own soul and my own being.

May Gilaad’s memory be a blessing.

If you do not already do so, please commit to beginning your prayers each day with the above words of the Holy Ari either and end them with the following words of courage and inner security that comes from trust in G-d:

Do not fear sudden terror, nor the destruction of the wicked when it comes. Contrive a scheme, but it will be foiled; conspire a plot, but it will not materialize, for G-d is with us. To your old age I am [with you]; to your hoary years I will sustain you; I have made you, and I will carry you; I will sustain you and deliver you. Indeed, the righteous will extol Your Name; the upright will dwell securely in Your presence.

With best wishes for a Good and Peaceful Shabbos on behalf of the Rebbetzin and all of us at South Head.

Rabbi Benzion Milecki OAM

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Brookie Reports

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Camp Shalom has been amazing this week! 

We played golf, had fun in the Family Play Town, got really Sporty, and had a wild time at the Tree Top Adventure Park. And that was just the excursions! Back at Shul the kids have had treasure hunts and loads of action packed games with lots of prizes and a few surprises! This morning everyone made their own challah for Shabbos so there will be something very special on your Shabbos table tonight!  

A huge thank you and yasher koach to our amazing crew of counsellors: Shaina Aharon, Eli Amzalak, Shani Boskila, Michael Butnaro, Mendel Gestetner, Mendy Joseph, Dasi Kaplan, Keren Gil Kofsky, Mushkie Koncepolski, Mushkie Sebban, Karmi Shariev. Click here to see all our great pics!

Don't forget there are NO Childrens' Services this Shabbat  so we'll see you all NEXT week.  

Wishing you and your family a great Shabbos. 

Brookie & the Youth Crew.

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JLI this Week
What is Torah?

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This week’s lesson was both very simple and very profound, giving us a far deeper understanding of Torah than most have been exposed to. But even more importantly, giving us the courage to live lives that are far more in sync both with our inner selves and the world in which we live.  

Very special moment in class as Moira Blumenthal and the two leading actors of her coming production of The Chosen watch as the Lubavitcher Rebbe speaks about writers using their G-d given talents at a 1973 gathering where Chaim Potok (author of The Chosen) sits in the front row. Please mark September 3rd in your diary when South Head will proudly co-present this powerful production at the Shalom College theatre.

 

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Parasha Sheet
Balak

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Welcome to this week's Parasha Sheet - Balak. 

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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