The Brisbane Synagogue

Archive for January, 2022

Next Monday we celebrate Tu BiShvat, the new year for trees, a day on which we customarily enjoy various fruits, particularly those of which the land of Israel is blessed, such as grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives and dates, and many have adopted the practice of planting trees, particularly in Israel. We also utilize this day to reflect on some of the lessons we learn from trees.

The Torah teaches that “man is like a tree” and, just as trees require strong roots to enable them to withstand external forces; and require constant watering and nurturing in order to grow. We too need to have strong roots, remaining strongly attached to our Jewish heritage and traditions of our ancestors, nurturing ourselves and our children with the living waters of Torah and Jewish traditions.

But how important is tradition in Judaism? Not just for the Fiddler on the Roof, but to us all.

Despite the effects of secularism, there is still a need inside us to feel connected to our roots, our heritage, and our sense of belonging to the Jewish people.

But for vast numbers of our people tradition alone has not been enough, as many ordinary thinking people feel that to do something just because “that’s the way it has always been done” is simply not good enough.

This week’s Parshah features the Song of the Sea, which we include as part of our daily Shacharit – morning service,  sung by Moses and the Jewish people following the splitting of the sea and their miraculous deliverance from the Egyptian armies.

Among the opening lines of the Shirah (song) is the following verse, This is my G‑d, and I will glorify Him; the G‑d of my fathers, and I will exalt Him.

The sequence is significant. First comes my G‑d, and only thereafter the G‑d of my fathers. So it is clear that while the G‑d of our fathers — i.e. “tradition” — most definitely plays a very important role in Judaism, still, an indispensable prerequisite is that we must make G‑d ours, personally. Every Jew must develop a personal relationship with G‑d. We need to understand the reasons and the significance of our traditions, lest they be seen as empty ritual to be discarded by the next generation.

Authentic Judaism has never shied away from questions. Questions have always been encouraged and formed a part of our academic heritage. Every page of the Talmud is filled with questions — and answers.

When we think, ask, and find answers to our faith, then the traditions of our grandparents become alive, and we understand fully why we should make them ours. Once a tradition has become ours, then the fact that this very same practice has been observed uninterruptedly by our ancestors throughout the generations becomes a powerful force that can inspire us and our children for all time.

Please consider taking additional personal ownership of your Judaism by joining us for a wonderful Jewish learning experience, as we embark on our upcoming JLI Course, Meditation from Sinai – Mindful awareness and divine spirituality to help you think, feel and live deeper, commencing early next month.

Levi and Dvorah Jaffe

Thank you Rabbi Yossi Goldman for the above message   

For the health and well-being of yourself and others, please adhere to the various protocols, such as social distancing, washing / sanitizing hands, and wearing masks in public indoor spaces, including the Synagogue.

These are indeed challenging times for many of us, and as we read of the miraculous redemption of the Jewish people from ancient Egypt in this weeks Parsha (Torah portion) of Bo, meaning “come” in reference to the instruction of Hashem to Moses and Aharon to approach Pharaoh and request of him to “let my people go”, the use of the word “come”, rather than “Go” to Pharaoh, is deliberately used to emphasize that, no matter what challenges we may face in life, Hashem is always accompanying us. As Kind David beautifully writes in his most famous Psalm 23, “Though I walk in the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me”.

Please be aware that there are a number of congregation and community members who are elderly and lonely, or currently in isolation due to Covid, and a visit (when permitted), or even a phone or text message goes a long way to alleviate them of their loneliness. Please contact Howard Posner of JcareQld if you are able to spare some time to assist in this regard.

As the Jewish people were miraculous redeemed from Egyptian slavery, may we too be freed from all our challenges, anxiety and suffering, and merit the ultimate redemption.

This year in Jerusalem!

Kol hakavod to all who continue to support our Synagogue services and ensure that we have regular Minyanim, particularly during he summer months, when quite a number of our regular attendees are away.

Levi and Dvorah Jaffe