Archive for December, 2018

From The Rabbi – Parshat Shemot 5779

The book of Shemot, which we begin reading this week, reminds us of a key ingredient to our nation’s survival.

The word “shemot” means names. There were three things that were critical to preserving the Jewish people’s identity during their bondage in Egypt. They maintained their; language, their mode of dress and their Jewish names.

All Jews should have Jewish names, either given by their parents as newborns, or in some cases, chosen themselves later in life. A Jewish name reflects your Jewish soul and it is something you should be proud of.

So, if you have a Jewish name, why not start using it more frequently.

If you do not have a Jewish name, it is never too late to adopt one and we will be only too happy to assist in this regard.

While this is  always a peaceful time of year, we often struggle to secure Minyanim at Shul. If you are in town and able to join us at Shul, on Shabbat or during the week, please do so as one or two extra people can  make all the difference.

For those of you will be heading off for a well-deserved summer break, I encourage you to consider adding a depth to your summer holiday and bring a meaningful Jewish book, Siddur, Tefillin and/or traveling Shabbat candles along with you. Slowing down is so necessary and offers the opportunity for spiritual growth.

Shabbat Shalom we look forward to see you at Shul.

Levi and Dvorah Jaffe

From The Rabbi – Parshat Vayechi 5779

From time time its nice to receive surprises. Well, this week I visited one of our esteemed congregants and, as usual, I brought along my Tefillin so that we could preform a Mitzvah together. The congregant, seeing the Tefillin on the table, said to me “Hey, Rabbi I see you brought the Tefillin, now you would not want me putting them on twice in one day would you?”. I was pleasantly surprised to hear from this dear congregant that, for the past few months, he has begun donning the Tefillin each morning (except Shabbat). Kol Hakavod! and may others follow this fine example of Yiddisher commitment, which inspired me and is a great source of blessing.     

On the topic of blessings, it is a custom among many Jewish parents to bless their children each Friday evening at the onset of Shabbat, prior to the recital of the kiddush. The opening blessing for boys is “May G-d make you like Ephraim and like Menasheh” Why are these two boys, who were the grandchildren of Jacob, chosen over Jacobs actual children, or the Patriarchs, to become the model and symbol we wish our children to emulate?

As we know, throughout Jewish history, there have been many periods of exile and unceasing struggles against foreign cultures. Growing up in Egypt, a culture by diametrically opposed to their own, Ephraim and Menasheh still managed to hold on to their independent Jewish culture and traditions. The sons of the vizier, who grew up in the Egyptian palace, remained Jacob’s grandchildren.

Jacob blesses all his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and all future generations that we should emulate the example of Ephraim and Menasheh, in maintaining our Jewish identity, regardless of how strong and enticing the influences of our environment may be.

With the increasing temperatures and the holiday season approaching, Brisbane, and particularly the CBD, is becoming very quiet and will become even quieter over the next couple of weeks.

While this is  always a peaceful time of year, we often struggle to secure Minyanim at Shul. If you are in town and able to join us at Shul, on Shabbat or during the week, please do so as one or two extra people can sometimes make all the difference.

For those of you will be heading off for a well-deserved summer break. I encourage you to consider adding a depth to your summer holiday and bring a meaningful Jewish book, Siddur, Tefillin and/or travelling Shabbat candles along with you. Slowing down is so necessary and offers the opportunity for spiritual growth.

Shabbat Shalom we look forward to seeing you at Shul.

Levi and Dvorah Jaffe