Dirty Jew?
03/07/2015 01:27:55 PM
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FRIDAY NIGHT GUEST SPEAKER: South Head welcomes Shlomo BenHaiem, National Education Director and Keren Kayemet Leisrael emissary, whose great passion and aim is to strengthen the link and love between the Diaspora and Israel.
 Dear [first_name]
If someone said you were dirt, you would no doubt be rightfully offended. And yet in this week's parasha that is precisely what we the Jewish People are compared to. The verse states: "Who can count you - you are like dirt O Jacob". This is supposed to be a blessing? Surely there are better similes to describe the great number of Jews than comparing them to dirt! Indeed, when Abraham is blessed by G-d, he is told that his descendants will be as many as the stars of the heavens! Truthfully, however, this is not the first time that the Israelites are compared to dirt. When blessing Jacob, G-d said to him, "your descendants will be as the dirt of the earth". Two of the explanations found in Chassidic teachings are as follows: 1. The Midrash says that Abraham was the first to bring spiritual light to the world and that he in turn taught his family and descendants to do the same. Therefore the blessing to Abraham was that they would be as the stars of the heavens - they would light up the world! Jacob, on the other hand, was the true founder of the Jewish People, the father of the Twelve Tribes of Israel. As luminous as stars are, they are at great distances from each other. To form a people, however, unity is of utmost importance. Dirt is not only numerous - it sticks together. G-d's blessing to Jacob is that his descendants should not only be individually great and luminous - they should also stick together! 2. The Baal Shem Tov gives another explanation: The earth, although it looks dirty, is filled with things of utmost value - precious metals, precious stones, water, coal and oil. Similarly, although a Jew may occasionally appear "dirty" and lacking in holiness, he or she possesses innumerable spiritual resources just waiting to be tapped. Now those are amazing blessings! 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
Have a Great SHY Shabbat without us this week and see you on July 10th!!
For more info on all programs: youth@southhead.org
Tzemach Yemini 0412 482 770 or Shaya Greene 0412 542 770 or Shmuli Rosenbaum 0432 876 770 
Childhood Teacher
Raizel Goldberg " ...That is how much respect he had for my grandfather who was his childhood teacher when he was a boy. Even though it was a very long time ago, he never forgot and he showed his respect and gratitude in so very many ways to the man who, as he put it, “hut mir avek geshtelt “.auf de fees — put me on my feet...... ” Full Story hit the rock.
RECOMMENDED LIBRARY READING
SWIMMING IN THE SEA OF TALMUD; Lessons For Everyday Living, by Michael Katz & Gershon Schwartz.
Shabbat Shalom, |
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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