Everyone knows about Moses hitting the rock. It was, as they say, an expensive mistake. It cost him his visa into the Land of Israel.
What is not readily understood is why hitting the rock was considered such a terrible sin. After all, when the Israelites first entered the desert and were in need of water, G-d Himself told Moses to hit the rock Now, forty years into their walk in the wilderness, Miriam dies and the rock dries up. Water is again on the agenda. Only this time - hitting is not in order, only speaking is. Why?
The Midrash explains that the difference is the time lapse. Just because something worked once, doesn't mean it will work again! You have to adapt to changing circumstances - and it takes great wisdom to know if, when and how.
I'm not only talking about adapting to technology or changed outer circumstances. The people closest to us are also in a state of flux - and it's a challenge to adapt to the ever-changing nature of the relationship. Let me give an example.
I know it's not the contemporary view, but Maimonides gives us pretty clear guidelines for educating children. When a child is young, says Maimonides, you need to treat him one way, when she's older, another. To encourage a young child to study Maimonides suggests bribing him with sweets or nuts. When they are a little older, he recommends giving the child money. Older still, honour. When they mature, he advocates promising them the World to Come. And if they finally get it - they will do the right thing because it is the right thing - without any ulterior motive.
Similarly, when it comes to discipline - when a child is young, corporal punishment is at times in order. As King Solomon, the wisest of men, says in Proverbs: One who withholds the staff, hates his son. Yet the Code of Jewish Law says that hitting an older child is a grave sin. Clearly what is appropriate at one stage of our relationship with our children is totally inappropriate at another.
Moses' error in hitting the rock underscores how failure to adapt to changes in our relationships comes at our peril.
With best wishes for a Good Shabbos.
On behalf of the Rebbetzin and all of us at South Head.
Rabbi Benzion Milecki OAM
Youth Report
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT!!!!
We'll be away for the next few days but don't worry we'll keep you updated on all things#CTeen#SkiCamp.
Have a Great SHY Shabbat without us this week and next ~ see you on July 10th!! Shaya, Shmuli & Tzemach
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He Cared About Our Family Rabbi Leibel Bistritsky
While it was obvious to everyone that he was a brilliant scholar, to me what most stood out about him was his modesty and humility .. and I felt that he cared about our family and went out of his way to find out how we were doing...... ” Full Story
Jewish Sparks After Kiddush Shabbat Shiur
Join us in the Herbert Hall straight after Kiddush and learn what happened when Moses hit the rock.
RECOMMENDED LIBRARY READING
THE COMING REVOLUTION; Science Discovers the Truths of the Bible, by Zamir Cohen
This beautifully illustrated publication presents clearly, and in an interesting way, the amazing connection between many scientific discoveries and the ancient Jewish tradition. The reader will be astonished to discover many examples from the world of science to which the Torah testifies. The original Hebrew version was an instant best seller and this book has been translated into several languages.
Shabbat Shalom,
Sylvia Tuback, Librarian
COMMUNAL EVENTS
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Mazal Tov to David & Tessa Hechter together with grandparents Dr Peter & Shirley Kalish and Marshall & Joan Hechter on the BarMitzvah of Cade at South Head this Shabbat.
Mazal Tov to Stan & Cheryl Kaftel and Menashe & Geraldine Harkham on the birth of grandson **** on Rosh Chodesh 1 Tammuz / June 18th; to parents Jared & Tova Kaftel and great grandparents Naji Harkham, Sarah Meschers and Emanuel Meschers.
Mazal Tov to Barry & Wynn Abkin, Solly & Brenda Abkin, Dr Maurice & Rietta Haifer, parents Brett & Kim and grandparents Mike & Annette Haifer on the birth of Ariella (Lexi Hannah) on 5 Tammuz / June 22nd
Mazal Tov to Garry & Sara Lavan on the birth of twin grand-daughters Hadassah and Avigail in Israel on 19 Sivan / June 6th; to parents Shoshana & Jake Segal, grandparents David Segal and Janet Brody, and to great grandparents Dr Alexander & Katia Lawan and Miriam Lavan.
Mazal Tov to Cecil & Norma Hoffman on the birth of grand-daughter Lilly in the USA on April 30th; to parents Lara & Antony Ritch and grandparents Jack & Diane Ritch.
Mazal Tov to Lynton & Joyce Goldstein on the marriage of Marissa & Neil Jankelowitz; and to parents Barry & Gill Jankelowitz.
Condolences to Mark Seskin & family on the passing of his father Fred Seskin ע׳ה on Jun-20 / 4 Tammuz
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Sunday Ann Dresdner for mother Bessie Lubinger Harold Gottlieb for father Solly Gottlieb Joel Bloom for mother Sarah Bloom Leon Kawalsky for father Harold Kawalsky Merle Klug for mother Sarah Bloom Muriel Balkin for father-in-law Yisroel Koppel Balkin Raymond Berger for father Percy Berger Rita Gould for brother-in-law Ronald Samuel Dabscheck
Monday Ian Tolkin for grandmother Sonia Judin Irene Kay for mother Cecile Pitchon Lorraine Becker for sister Naomi Gam Merlyn Jankelowitz for grandmother Dora Ashberg Zelene Bloom for mother Naomi Gam
Tuesday Anthony Masnick for aunty Deborah Bolot Ben Kurzer for father Yisroel Kurzer Carlene Blumberg for father Fritz Rosenberg Darrell Godin for father Hyman Gerald Godin Joshua Tanchel for grandfather Morris Orkin Kurt Hacker OAM for mother Anna Hacker Muriel Balkin for father Fritz Rosenberg
Wednesday Ingrid Cohen for father Samuel David Bergson Margaret Wahlhaus for father-in-law Leopold Wahlhaus Rachel Wahlhaus for father-in-law Leopold Wahlhaus
Thursday Hylton Chilchik for father Barney Chilchik Marlene Ryan for father Hymie Todes Norman Chilchik for father Barney Chilchik Rodney Lepar for father Robert (Rube) Lepar
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