The Brisbane Synagogue

Archive for July, 2021

Please be aware that, as from tomorrow morning, for an additional week it is mandatory for everyone to continue wearing masks in public spaces, including the Synagogue, to practice social distancing and sanitize hands. For those attending Shabbat services, it is imperative that you pre-register via our website at www.brishc.com  as we we will unable to write down your name or use a QR code.

This week we commence the fifth and final book of the Torah, Devarim, which means ‘words’, also referred to as Deuteronomy, from the Greek language, meaning “second law” or “repeated law,” as the entire book are the words of Moshe (Moses) who is delivering his final sermon to the Jewish people, reminding them of their past experiences, and encouraging them to stay true to their mission and spiritual heritage, as they cross the Jordan river into the Promised land of Israel.

These words have remained deeply etched in our hearts and souls and within our national consciousness over the millennia, guiding and inspiring us and through a most challenging and often painful history. Most importantly they have served, and continue to serve, to instill hope and optimism for a better future, a utopian world in which goodness, happiness, health, and peace will prevail over evil, sadness, sickness and strife.

This Shabbat, known as Shabbat Chazon, the Shabbat of the vision, is traditionally named after the opening words of the Haftarah reading this week, describing the famous vision of Yeshayahu – Isaiah. The great Chassidic master, Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berdichev, explains that on this very Shabbat each of us is shown a spiritual vision of the third Bet Hamikdash – Temple. Click the following link to view an inspirational video clip in this regard:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohceQim-UwI&list=PLybiLakVppILQntNoDwWOE3FFedf6CU83&index=9

As we approach Tisha BÁv this Motzoey Shabbat (Saturday night) and Sunday, our national day of mourning over the destruction of both Batey Mikdash (Holy Temples), we draw inspiration and encouragement from the words of Moshe, and the Chazon – vision of of the third and final Bet Hamikdash –  Holy Temple, may it be built speedily, Amen!

We extend our deep thanks and sincere appreciation to Reb Yosel (Yossi) White for your great assistance in reading the double portion and more, and leading the service during our absence. May Hashem repay you many times over, materially and spiritually.

Please make a special effort to join us for our Tishá BÁv services on Motzeoy Shabbat (saturday evening) at 7pm and Sunday afternoon at 4pm. It will be appreciate if you could please email Phillip Zavelsky of your attendance at: phillipzavelsky@gmail.com in order to secure numbers for a Minyan on these two occasions.

Shabbat Shalom and well over the fast.

Levi and Dvorah Jaffe

Baruch Hashem – Thank G-d, we are able to return to Synagogue services this Shabbat, as we will conclude the fourth book of the Torah with the declaration, Chazak Chazak Venitchazek – be strong, be strong let’s be strengthened! We will also celebrate Rosh Chodesh, the beginning of the new Jewish month of Menachem Av, which literally means “comfort father”, as this is the month in which we seek comfort for the destruction of both of our ancient Holy Temples, which took place on the 9th day of this month – Tisha B’av. 

Although we will commence “the Nine Days”, a period of more intensified mourning in the Jewish calendar, being that we are not permitted to display public mourning practices on Shabbat, the Shabbatot during this time (this week and next) represent an island in time, when sadness is transformed into happiness.

In honour of this special Shabbat, a delicious Cholent Kiddush, generously sponsored any an anonymous donor, will be served following the service on Shabbat morning, to which everyone is welcome to attend. Please don’t forget to register your attendance via the Brisbane Synagogue website, www.brishc.com and to follow the various government guidelines such as mask wearing and social distancing.  

If you, or anyone you know, may be struggling with anxiety, depression, or other related mental challenges, which are much more prevalent than many of us may be aware, please consider joining us for our Resilience workshop this coming Sunday with prominent Psychologist Prof. Ian Shochet and his wife Astrid. Please see information below in this regard.

For the nearly two thousand years Jews have always prayed daily for the rebuilding of the Bet Hamikdash (Holy Temple). At the  conclusion of the Pesach Seder night, and the most sacred day of our Jewish calendar, Yom Kippur, we cry out to the Almighty”Next Year in Jerusalem”. However, Jews have always been practical and down to earth, and therefore, our sages of blessed memory tell us, that it is our involvement in bettering the world, which will eventually lead to the restoration of Jerusalem and the building of the third and final Bet Hamikdash. Therefore each of us should accept upon ourselves, especially during these three weeks to increase in acts of goodness and kindness, thus hastening the era of our redemption, and that of the entire world.  

May we experience this transformation immediately.

Shabbat Shalom and Chodesh Tov 

Levi and Dvorah Jaffe