Sinners of the World - Unite!
01/06/2012 12:41:02 AM
 |
||||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
||||||
 |
 Sinners of the World - Unite!
A Message from the Rabbi
In this week’s parasha we read of the special mitzvah that Kohanim have to bless the people.
But what if the Kohen is not particularly worthy? What if he is unobservant of the important mitzvot of our faith? Would we then allow him to bless us? What would his blessings be worth?
Addressing a case such as this, the Shulchan Aruch (Code of Jewish Law) rules unequivocally that he must still bless us. In the colourful language of the Talmud “we don’t tell a person who has eaten garlic and whose mouth now stinks, to eat more garlic so that his mouth should smell even more.” In other words, we don’t encourage a person who sins to sin even more. Blessing the people is a mitzvah - a Divinely ordained command and responsibility - not a right. It is a sin for the Kohen not to bless the people. It is bad enough that he commits other sins, should he now be encumbered with the sin of not blessing the people?
Should you then ask: what power could the blessing of such a sinful person have? The blessings do not originate from the Kohen but from G-d. G-d blesses us through the Kohanim. And G-d has chosen to deliver his blessings through the medium of the Kohanim no matter their person level of observance.
There is a powerful lesson in this - and it does not only apply to Kohanim. Each and every Jew is part of G-d’s “Kingdom of Priests and Holy Nation” as we read on Shavuot. As such, each one of us is obligated to perform G-d’s mitzvot-commands.
On occasion we all think: what is the purpose? I am a sinful person. What good could possibly come from my observance of a mitzvah? It feels so hypocritical!
The answer is: it’s not about you. It’s about G-d. Whoever and whatever you are - G-d has chosen you as a vehicle for his blessings. Every mitzvah you do is a powerful channel that ensures that G-d’s Divine Light flows into the world. Just because you have messed up in other areas, does not mean that you should mess up again now and not act as a G-d’s conduit for G-d’s light. Get over yourself! Get over what you did a day ago, or even five minutes ago!
No matter who you are, recognize the responsibility and power that you have to heal a fractured world. There is nothing like a mitzvah to bring goodness, kindness and unity to our fractured world. Sinners of the world - Unite!
Shavuot:
An Astounding Success! A number of fantastic programmes transformed South Head into the most inspiring and fun place to be in Sydney this Shavuot. 1) 300 packed the Herbert Hall on Saturday night for what was our most successful Shavuot Programmes ever - The Great Debate - Should You Send Your Child to a Jewish Dayschool? Every one of the speakers was eloquent, forceful and had something to say that was really worthwhile hearing. Judging by the feedback I'm receiving, the discussion on dayschools and the quality of Jewish education daily has reverberated throughout our community - I really couldn't hope for more. A big thank you to our Keynote speaker, Robert Good SC AM, moderator, Mark Friedgut, and panelists: Rabbi Dr Glogauer, Robbie Dinte, Jonny Wahlhaus, Ilana Akres, Mark Schneider, and Natalee Pozniak. 2) Thank you also to Brendan Stern, Robbie Dinte and Michi Hayman for their inspiring talks in our Sleepless @ South Head learning programme. Our Annual Shavuot Dinner was also very well attended and the gourmet dinner enjoyed by all. Thanks to our Cultural Chairman Marianne Stern assisted by Gael Bachmann, Sue Guth, Karen Fried, Reuven Bouskila, Gael Gordon and Brookie - for all their efforts in preparing and organising this wonderful event. 3) Brookie reports that: a) Over 200 children plus babies and adults joined us on Shavuot for our Ice Cream Party and Bike Boy Show! The children were amazed by the tricks and stunts by the world-renown Bike Boy, listened to the 10 Commandments and created their very own edible ice cream Mount Sinai's! Everyone had a lot of fun and all the children went home with big smiles on their faces! b) The South Head Youth Shavuot Evening Learning Programme attracted over forty boys and girls when several of our youth had the opportunity of sharing their wisdom with their peers. 4) Our Friday Night Youth Minyan, run by Brendan Stern attracted almost 70 young people for a joyful service and opportunity to hear Dennis Rudnick share his experiences as a volunteer in Israel's War of Independence. I will also take this opportunity to thank Lisa Rohald and Bindi Maisel for their invaluable assistance in arranging the fliers and general publicity for our various Shavuot events. And at the same time, to point out to our community that we are indebted to them for the graphic appearance of our new website and eNews! Thank you Lisa and Bindi!
Camp Shalom
What Will Your Child be Doing During the Holidays?
Mummy & Me
Nasso - Parasha Sheet
 Parshat Naso speaks about the Mishkan and the laws of the Nazir. It is also the very first time that Hashem tells Aharon and his sons to bless the Jewish people, and reveals the words of the Priestly Blessings to Aharon. Since then, the Jewish people around the world are blessed by the Kohanim on the Jewish festivals. In Israel however, the Jewish people are blessed by the Kohanim more frequently.
Please share our Parsha sheet around your Shabbat table and let your family and friends explore the Parsha of the week together with you.
That's it for this week. Wishing you all the best for a wonderful Shabbos. On behalf of the Rebbetzen and all of us at South Head
Rabbi Benzion Milecki
|
|
 |
Mummy and Me is attended by many Mum's and Bub's on a Monday Morning. Join us for an exciting morning as we play, sing, bake challah, do arts & crafts, Daven and enjoy a Shabbat Party. Click |
|
666 Old South Head Rd Rose Bay, NSW 2029 (02) 9371 7300 |
|
SHMINI
Rose Bay, NSW 2029
(02) 9371 7300