The Brisbane Synagogue

Archive for July, 2020

A non-Jewish professor once asked the Holy Rebbe of Ruzhin why the ananei ha’kavod (clouds of glory), which protected the Jewish people during their forty-year sojourn in the desert, departed when Aaron passed away.

It’s known that bodies give off heat, explained the Ruzhiner. When people gather, if they share an emotional connection, their body heat will mix. If they’re not emotionally connected, however, their heat will rise but remain separate. We know that Aaron “loved and pursued peace,” so the clouds were not an arbitrary miracle, but an actual outcome of his influence. Once he passed, the clouds, generated by the heat of the love he created, disappeared.

Over the past few months we’ve experienced the painful reality of how social closeness can rapidly spread disease. At the same time, we’ve also lost out on much-needed healthy social interaction.

What now?

This Shabbat, the 12th of Tammuz, marks the anniversary of the release of Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneerson, the previous Lubavitcher Rebbe from communist imprisonment in 1927, where he was incarcerated for spreading and strengthening Yiddishkeit (Judaism). On the very first anniversary of his release, he disseminated a letter in which he beseeched every single Jew to strengthen his or her commitment to Torah, and particularly to learning Torah in public.

Following his miraculous release, the previous Rebbe eventually made his miraculous way through the jaws of Nazi Europe to the safe shores of the USA, from where he expanded his activities and positive influence throughout the world, including Australia. In fact, in the late 1930’s an emissary of the previous Rebbe, Rabbi Azriel Zelig Slonim visited Brisbane, where he was instrumental in building a Mikveh here in a private home. This was most probably the first Mikveh in Queensland.

This Shabbat we also read about Bilam’s bracha (blessing) to the Jews—“How good are your tents Jacob, your dwellings Israel.” His blessing is twofold. He was impressed that the Jewish nation pitched their tents so that the doors faced away from each other and they couldn’t see into one another’s homes. And according to the Midrash the doors Bilam is referring to are the doors  of our Synaogues and houses of study. He prophesied that these doors would never close, i.e. Jews would always have places to pray and to study.

This Shabbat is therefore an opportune time for us to reconsider our social lives, particularly as we draw closer to our return, please G-d, next Shabbat to our beautiful beloved Synagogue. Are our social interactions, in person or on social-media, healthy? Are we generating cyber clouds of closeness and holiness, or are we spreading unholy disease by gossiping or giving people an inappropriate window into the privacy of our homes?

Zoom has helped us connect for Torah learning, prayers, social events, and other useful purposes. But the heat our electronic devices produce will never compare to the closeness we’re capable of generating when meeting in person. Of course, many of us are still restricted to social distancing and, due to popular demand, we will continue to conduct our pre-Shabbat zoom sessions on Friday afternoons at 2pm.

These past few months have demonstrated the deep desire among many of our members and friends to connect with each other, and it has been personally gratifying to witness the excitement and anticipation of so many who are eagerly awaiting our return to Shul. Whenever and wherever possible, let’s aim for the ideal: praying and studying Torah in person. When doing so (safely, and with the necessary guidelines), we will generate the warmth and closeness which genuine communal activity affords.

This coming Thursday we begin the ‘Three Weeks’, a period of mourning in the Jewish Calendar, over the destruction of the Bet Hamikdash (Temple), and the exile of our people from the Holy Land of Israel. Please see below information regarding various customs observed during the ‘Three Weeks’.

There has been much discussion in the media lately regarding domestic violence and sexual harassment at home and in the work place. Unfortunately the Jewish community is not immune to this sad state of affairs. Please see article below in this regard.

We look forward to gather together once again, albeit with limited numbers, next Shabbat, as the Shul finally re-opens for services, under special guidelines, which you will find on the Brisbane Synagogue website: www.brishc.com

We again extend a huge Yashar Koach (thank you) to the many dedicated board members and volunteers who have been working tirelessly to clean up the Synagogue, the Hall and Kitchen, so that we will come back to an even more beautiful and clean building next Shabbat.

Although it would appear that we here in Qld are thankfully emerging from the Covid 19, many have been adversely effected by this whole ordeal. 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 and Chag Sameach

Levi and Dvorah Jaffe