The Brisbane Synagogue

Archive for July, 2020

What a wonderful experience it was for us last Shabbat as we finally returned to socially distanced Synagogue services. The Shul looked magnificent and the decorum was amazing. This week a section of the women’s gallery upstairs will be open, in addition to the newly sectioned women’s area downstairs, for those who are not able to make it up the stairs.

Due to the Covid 19 restrictions, it is imperative for all those wishing to attend services to register via the Brisbane Synagogue website prior to Shabbat at www.brishc.com Please also see important message from board member Dr Gery Kaye, the medical adviser to the Brisbane Hebrew Congregation, regarding the importance of wearing face masks.

Our journey as a nation has spanned over 4000 years and, this week, as we conclude the fourth book of the Torah with the double portion of Matot – Massei  (‘Staffs and Journeys’), we reflect on the inspiration we may glean from the combination of these two names, among them that, in order to progress on our respective journeys (Masei) in life, it is necessary for us to remain firmly (Matot) rooted in our traditions.

In addition to ‘Matot‘ meaning ‘Staffs’, it  also means ‘Tribes’, in reference to the 12 Tribes of Israel, who are at times called ‘Shevatim‘ (branches). The difference between a branch and a staff is that a branch is still attached to the tree and receives its moisture and nurture from the tree, whereas a staff is detached from its source and is no longer nurtured by the tree. We as a people have been through periods when we felt a strong and open connection to Hashem, like a branch, and we have also experienced states of exile, when we feel detached from our spiritual source.

One of the fundamental philosophical concepts in Judaism is the idea that we must always look to transform negative occurrences into opportunities for growth, seeing the silver lining in every cloud. We always read the portions of Mattot and Massei during the three  weeks, the time when we mourn the destruction of the Bet Hamikdash (Holy Temple). We traditionally use this period in the Jewish calendar as a time to study about the structure of the Bet Hamikdash and all its details. This is to convey to us the concept of “destroying in order to rebuild”. Destruction may be for the sake of replacing a building with a bigger and stronger one.

The Baal Shemtov commented on the verse “It is the time of suffering for Ya’akov; but he shall be saved out of it” that salvation is not something that simply follows trouble: It is implicit in it. Here too, we find the fusion of two opposites – destroying and rebuilding, affliction and salvation – that comes only when we leave the confines of human reasoning and journey toward the all-encompassing expanses of faith. We see G-d’s goodness everywhere, even in the seeming catastrophe. Employing the analogy of a father and son, seen from the eyes of a son, punishment is an evil. In the eyes of the father, it is for the son’s own benefit. Our goal is to see history through the eyes of G-d and by doing so we are able to turn G-d’s hidden mercy into open kindness, and change the darkness of exile into the radiant light of the Time to Come.

Shabbat is a time for joy, and we are not permitted to actively mourn, therefore this Shabbat we are afforded the opportunity to experience the positivty contained within our challenges.

Wishing you and your family much continued good health and happiness.

Shabbat Shalom and Chodesh Tov

Levi and Dvorah Jaffe

After four months of physical closure, we are now finally coming back to our beloved Synagogue for services this Shabbat. Please be aware that, due to Covid 19 restrictions, if you wish to attend, please register prior to 4pm via the Brisbane Synagogue website: www.brishc.com Our re-opening is, by Divine providence, coinciding almost to the day, with the 134-year Hebrew anniversary of the consecration of our beautiful Synagogue on July 18, 1886 – Tammuz 15, 5646.

For the safety of all, based on the most recent ruling of the Sydney Beth Din and upon advice from our local health professionals in this regard, the Synagogue has adopted strict guidelines, which are detailed on the Synagogue website.

We are certainly living in interesting times and please be aware that there will be various adaptations to our usual conduct in the Synagogue for the foreseeable future.

As restrictions are being lifted across the State and our borders are being re-opened, we urge you to please take care to continue to follow the various health guidelines, so that we will, with the help of Hashem, we will continue to experience the high levels of Covid 19 control we have been blessed with in Qld.

While our physical doors may have been closed over these past four months, our spiritual and emotional doors have always been open, and it has been wonderful to witness the manner in which our community has reached out in support of each other and how we have managed to maintain our social interactions via zoom services, classes and other social events.

Interestingly, in this week’s Parsha there is a short verse “Vayehi achrei hamageifoh – and it came to pass after the plague,” in reference to a plague which took the lives of 24,000 Jews, towards the end of the life of Moshe. A New York Yiddish newspaper recently contained this verse as its headline. Let’s hope and pray that we emerge successfully from this challenging time, as better human beings and Jews, who are able to grow and thrive from all the positive lessons that the Corona virus has hopefully instilled within us.

This Shabbat is the first Shabbat in the ‘Three weeks’ of mourning for our beloved Bet Hamikdash (Temple). Our sages tell us that we should not minimize in any our celebration of Shabbat during this time and we therefore try to find additional reasons to rejoice. How special that we are able to return to our beloved Shul on such an auspicious Shabbat. This proves our deep hope in the coming of Moshiach speedily, a time when all sadness will be transformed into joy.

Please see information below regarding our Communal Social Services organisations, Jcare and the Jewish Help in Need Society, which we encourage you contact if you require any assistance or support.

Wishing you and your family much continued good health and happiness.

Shabbat Shalom

Levi and Dvorah Jaffe