Archive for August, 2024
From the Rabbi
Kol Hakavod to those who continue to attend and support our Synagogue services, both on Shabbat and during the week, as we are currently managing to maintain daily services, through the combined effort and support of our various congregations. Among the hallmarks of a ‘Mature’ Jewish community, is one in which daily Minyanim – Synagogue services are maintained, and we are certainly on the way to achieving this level of ‘Maturity’ within our growing Brisbane Jewish community.
With considerable levels of anxiety and increased stress currently being experienced here in Brisbane and over in Israel, we are pleased to once again offer the current JLI course, ‘Outsmarting Antisemitism’, which tackles this age-old absurdity, from a traditional Jewish perspective with purpose, positivity and pride. Please consider joining us, as we commence lesson one of this uplifting and transformational course this coming Monday evening.
This Shabbat, among other topics, we will read the ’10 Commandments’ and the ‘Shema’, which are among the most foundational principals and prayers within Judaism, and have been instrumental in sustaining our people, and much of the civilized word for over three thousand years.
What is the connection between the Shema and the 10 Commandment?
The word shema means “hear”, and the Shema is a Divine call to the soul to perceive G‑d’s oneness and affords us an opportunity to connect with Hashem and to build a stronger relationship with Him. This daily integration is spiritually and mentally rejuvenating. It’s the antidote to an attitude of same old, same old, dullness.
At Sinai, the giving of the Ten Commandments was accompanied by both natural and metaphysical phenomena. The Torah describes that “all the people saw the sounds of the thunder and the lightning.”, which is explained by the foremost commentator, Rashi, to mean that the people actually saw that which was usually heard.
The last Hebrew letter of the word shema is an ayin, which means “eye”, which may be understood to integrate both hearing and seeing into one expansive dimension. It connects us to the heightened consciousness that we experienced witnessing the revelation of the Torah at Sinai. This revelation is the foundation of our faith, as the Rabbi Yehudah HaLevi in his monumental work, the Kuzari, explains at great length the difference between the Jewish religion and all other religions. The juxtaposition of the Shema following the Ten Commandments in this week’s Torah reading thus suggests an inner and personal connection between G-d and His people.
This Monday we will celebrate Tu B’Av, a joyful chag – festival in the Jewish calendar, associated with Jewish Marriage and unity. May we integrate a deeper appreciation for the 10 Commandments and of the Shema, and may we merit the ultimate ‘marriage’ of heaven and earth, and the expression of world peace and unity with the complete revelation of Moshiach!
Shabbat Shalom and Chag Sameach,
Rabbi Levi & DvorahJaffe
Thank you Katia Bolotin for extracts of the above message.
From the Rabbi
Israel is yet again at the forefront of the news. Why is it that Israel seems to so often take center-stage in the world arena, with an obsession by the media and so many with that tiny slither of land in between the Jordan river and the Mediterranean sea, and all that transpires in the region?
It is a well-known fact that this is the Holy Land for the Jewish people, but it is revered as holy by many others too, as it has a special place in the hearts and minds of billions of people throughout the world. Even those who consider themselves to be secular seem to be pulled by the mystical power of Israel and the city of Jerusalem.
It is no coincidence that all of this attention is coming during the current period in the Jewish calendar, known as “the Three Weeks” and “the Nine Days” during which, not only do we commemorate the destruction of the ancient Temple in Jerusalem by observing various traditions of mourning but rather, we recognize and tap into the huge potential contained in these powerful days, to transform the sadness and destruction into happiness and the rebuilding of the Third and final Bet Hamikdash – Holy Temple, speedily in our days.
Although this concept may seem to be beyond the reach of our current reality, we must not forget that, we have been through deeply challenging periods throughout our history, out of which we have, with the help of Hashem emerged miraculously triumphant.
This idea is most potently expressed this Shabbat, known as Shabbat Chazon – The Shabbat of The Vision, which takes place during the sad period of “the Nine Days”, during which, according to Chassidic tradition each of us is shown a spiritual vision of the third Bet Hamikdash.
Let us increase in our acts of charity, goodness and kindness to prepare for the realization of the above dream and may all of the attention currently being focused on Israel, lead us to the ultimate blessing of a united and peaceful Israel, with the long-awaited and much-needed immediate arrival of Moshiach!
As we commence the fifth and final book of the Torah, the parting sermon delivered by Moshe – Moses to his beloved people, we express our 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!
We invite you to join our upcoming JLI course, “Outsmarting Antisemitism,” returning in the coming weeks, by popular demand. Everyone is welcome.
Shabbat Shalom and wishing you well over the fast.
Rabbi Levi & Dvorah Jaffe