The Brisbane Synagogue

Archive for August, 2019

This Shabbat preceding Tisha B’Av (9th of Av) is called  Shabbat Chazon —“Shabbat of the Vision”, as the Haftarah  begins with the words Chazon Yeshayahu, the “vision of Isaiah” regarding the destruction of the Holy Temple. The legendary chassidic master Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev explained that on this special Shabbat, every Jewish soul is shown a vision of the third Holy Temple. The purpose of this vision is to arouse within each of us a yearning to actually see this edifice which will be built by G‑d, and to do as many mitzvot as possible in order to realize this dream. While this vision may not be sensed with the physical eyes, the soul certainly experiences this vision, and it affects us all on the subconscious level.

This evening commences Tisha B’Av – the 9th of Av, which is the saddest day on the Jewish calendar, usually observed as a fast day, and various other mourning practices. However, this year, being that it falls out on Shabbat, when we are not permitted to mourn or fast (except on Yom Kippur), the observances of Tisha B’Av are postponed until Motzoey Shabbat – Saturday night and Sunday. The Talmud teaches us that in the future era of Moshiach, when the world will be filled with peace and joy, all the sad days in the Jewish calendar will be transformed into Yamim Tov, days of celebration. May the sadness and mourning of  Tisha B’Av be postponed indefinitely with the transformation of all sadness and negativity to optimism and joy.

Please see information below regarding special customs for the Nine Days and Tisha B’av observance, which commences tomorrow evening Motzoey Shabbat (Saturday night). 

Please see also information below regarding our upcoming course,  ‘All My Heart’ – A meaningful course on the Art of Jewish Prayer and spiritual experience, commnecing this Monday evening. Please consider joining this course, which will serve to greatly enhance your understanding of the prayers and Synagogue services, especially in the lead-up to the High Holidays.

Shabbat Shalom and well over the fast, and we look forward to seeing you in Shul. 

Rabbi Levi and Dvorah Jaffe

This Shabbat, Jews throughout the world will be united in strength, as we conclude the fourth book of the Torah with the words Chazak Chazak Venitchazek. ‘Be strong, be strong, let’s be strong’. 

Since the last day of  Pesach (Passover) when, due to the extra day of the festival in the Diaspora, Israel has been reading one Torah portion ahead of the rest of the world, and this Shabbat we finally re-unite, as we in the Diaspora will read the double portion of Matot Massei, as our brothers and sisters in Israel conclude the single portion of Parshat Massei.

As in the adage, ‘distance makes the heart grow fonder’, when we re-unite following a period of being separate, this enhances our appreciation for the unity of Am Yisrael – the Jewish nation. 

Jewish unity is particularly pertinent as we enter ‘the Nine Days’, in the lead up to Tisha B’Av, as we are taught in the Talmud that the primary cause for the destruction of the Bet Hamikdash (Temple), was due to Sinat Chinam (baseless hatred) and lack of unity among our people. It is therefore during this time that we seek ways of enhancing Jewish unity, particularly through Torah. 

We extend our Mazal Tov wishes to Gan Gani Jewish Kindergarten for reaching the significant milestone of 30 years of dedicated service to our community and beyond. May they continue to grow from strength to strength, materially and spiritually.   

Please see information below regarding special customs for the Nine Days and Tisha B’av, which commences next Motzoey Shabbat (Saturday night). 

Please see also information below regarding our upcoming course,  ‘All My Heart’ – A meaningful course on the Art of Jewish Prayer and spiritual experience. Please consider joining this course, which will serve to greatly enhance your understanding of the prayers and Synagogue services, especially in the lead-up to the High Holidays.        

Shabbat Shalom and Chodesh Tov, and we look forward to seeing you in Shul. 

Rabbi Levi and Dvorah Jaffe