The Brisbane Synagogue

Archive for July, 2024

We extend our deepest gratitude and sincere appreciation for the many kind and thoughtful condolence messages we have received over the past two weeks. Your words have been a great source of comfort and strength. In times of mourning, we often reflect on the purpose of life. One of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves, and what is most uplifting for the soul of the departed, is to embrace their positive values and qualities, and to integrate their spirit and inspiration into our own lives. This week’s Torah portion includes the story of the daughters of Tzelafchad, who asked Moses for a share of their father’s inheritance in the Land of Israel, as they had no brothers. After consulting with Hashem, Moshe – Moses received the following response, “Tzelafchad’s daughters speak justly. You shall certainly give them a portion of inheritance…”. Every episode in the Torah provides timeless spiritual lessons. The Kabbalistic masters viewed this law of inheritance as a metaphor for the spiritual roles of men and women. The “conquest of the land” is not just a command for the generation of the wilderness; each of us is called to “conquer the land”—to master our physical world and transform it into a sacred and fitting home for G‑d. The physical world often resists and opposes G‑dliness, holiness, and spirituality. We can “conquer the land” through either a masculine approach of battling and uprooting darkness and negativity or a feminine approach of transforming our world by cultivating and revealing the positive elements inherent in creation. During the Shiva for our mother, OBM, countless people shared how deeply she impacted and literally transformed their lives with her warmth and genuine care and non-judgmental open heart and home, making them feel like part of the family. Our sages teach that in the era prior to the final redemption, humanity will reach a time when the feminine qualities of receptiveness, nurturance, and empathy will be recognized and valued for their powerful role in transforming the nature of the world in preparation for Moshiach, the Messiah, may we merit its complete revelation NOW! We invite you to join our upcoming JLI course, “Outsmarting Antisemitism,” returning next month by popular demand. Everyone is welcome With heartfelt prayers for the release of the remaining hostages, for the security and safety of our Chayalim, and enduring peace in Israel and throughout the world! Shabbat Shalom and we share good news. Rabbi Levi & Dvorah Jaffe Thank you Chana Weisberg for extracts of the above message

These words are being typed from Manchester UK, where my family and I have just concluded sitting Shiva, following the sad loss of our mother, who passed on peacefully last Thursday evening, with her family by her side. Dvorah and I feel very blessed and grateful that we were in the UK for a Simcha when we heard the news of her sudden passing and were therefore able to be present for the funeral, which was held the next day, last Friday, Erev Shabbat. My mother was a truly remarkable woman, who touched the lives of countless individuals from all walks of life, and of all ages. The past week has been an emotional whirlwind, as hundreds of people have walked through the doors of our parent’s home, each relating their own personal recollections about the warmth, joy, genuine love, personal attention our mother shared with them, and showered upon the many people who would frequent her open and welcoming home. In light of the fact that I will be in need of daily Minyanim to recite Kaddish, for the Neshmah of my dear mother, I am requesting of each member of our community who is able, to please consider coming to Shul at least once a week for the duration of the next eleven months. For those unable to assist with attending Shul services, please take on an extra Mitzvah in the Zechut – merit of my mother, Sima Rivka Bas Nesanel Halevi OBM, which will mean a great deal to me and my family. This week, we read in the Torah about one of the most avid antisemites in history, who tried to curse the Jewish people and, instead of curses emanating from his mouth, some of the greatest blessings of all time were showered upon the Jewish people. May we witness the ultimate transformation of all sadness and negativity, to true and enduring happiness and joy, with the fulfilment of the words of Isaiah the Prophet, “He will swallow up death forever, and wipe away tears from all faces”. This coming Tuesday will commence a period in the Jewish calendar known as the Three-Weeks, in which we mourn the loss of the Bet Hamikdash – the Holy Temple. The Three-Weeks commence with the fast of Tammuz, a day commemorating several sad events in Jewish history. In addition to the customs of mourning which we observe during this time, it is customary to study about the Bet Hamikdash and the details of its construction. Please see details below regarding our upcoming ‘Heaven on Earth’ course in this regard. Please consider joining us for our upcoming JLI course, back by popular demand next month, entitled “Outsmarting Antisemitism”. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend. With heartfelt prayers for the release of the remaining hostages, for the security and safety of our Chayalim, and enduring peace in Israel and throughout the world! Shabbat Shalom and well over the fast. Rabbi Levi & Dvorah Jaffe