Newsletter
26 September 2020 | 8 Tishrei 5781
Candle Lighting: 5.47pm
Parsha: Haazinu
Shabbat Shuva Havdalah: 6.37pm
SHABBAT SHALOM, SHANA TOVA
So many smachot to celebrate Barmitzvahs, Batmitzvahs, births.
It has been wonderful coming back to Shul, albeit slowly, cautiously and yet so full of hope for a much better tomorrow.
Please find the details if you would like to order your pre packaged Lulav and Etrog set through the Shul office.
G d bless!
Rabbi David Shaw
QUOTE OF THE WEEK - When it rains, look for rainbows. When it is dark, look for stars.
| Date | Dawn | Earliest Time for Tallit & Tefillin | Sunrise | Latest Time for Shema | Midday | Earliest Time for Mincha | Sunset |
| 25 Sep 2020 | 4:45:14 AM | 5:05:55 AM | 5:53:33 AM | 8:56:27 AM | 11:59:21 AM | 12:29:50 PM | 6:05:10 PM |
| 26 Sep 2020 | 4:44:04 AM | 5:04:47 AM | 5:52:26 AM | 8:55:44 AM | 11:59:01 AM | 12:29:34 PM | 6:05:35 PM |
| 27 Sep 2020 | 4:42:54 AM | 5:03:38 AM | 5:51:20 AM | 8:55:00 AM | 11:58:40 AM | 12:29:17 PM | 6:06:01 PM |
| 28 Sep 2020 | 4:41:44 AM | 5:02:30 AM | 5:50:14 AM | 8:54:17 AM | 11:58:20 AM | 12:29:01 PM | 6:06:27 PM |
| 29 Sep 2020 | 4:40:35 AM | 5:01:22 AM | 5:49:08 AM | 8:53:34 AM | 11:58:00 AM | 12:28:45 PM | 6:06:53 PM |
| 30 Sep 2020 | 4:39:25 AM | 5:00:14 AM | 5:48:02 AM | 8:52:51 AM | 11:57:40 AM | 12:28:29 PM | 6:07:19 PM |
| 1 Oct 2020 | 4:38:15 AM | 4:59:06 AM | 5:46:57 AM | 8:52:09 AM | 11:57:21 AM | 12:28:13 PM | 6:07:45 PM |
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12 September 2020 | 23 Elul 5780
Candle Lighting: 5.41pm
Parsha: Nitzavim - Vayelech
Havdalah: 6.31pm
SHABBAT SHALOM
I vividly recall how as a grade ten student at a Jewish Day School here in Johannesburg, our Jewish Studies Rabbi asked my class the following question. “How many stages or steps are there in the Teshuva process?” My hand shot up and I waited to be acknowledged by the Rabbi who was no doubt relieved that at least one of his students displayed such enthusiasm. That I was enthusiastic, was not at all hard for him to discern, I still remember how my hand reached high into the sky and I all but stood up while panting loudly, with an eager look on my face which could only mean, “I know! I really do know!” There are four stages, I blurted out. He looked at me curiously and gingerly asked for me to list them. Well, the first stage is that one has to actually sin. His smile changed to a frown and he promptly kicked me out of the class. But tell me my friends, was I not right? How can one repent if one has not erred in any way? Knowingly or unknowingly. G-d in His wisdom gave us an Elul, a Rosh Hashana and a Yom Kippurim because we all make mistakes. Every single one of us. Everyone that is, except for four who never sinned. Our sages tell who they were. King David’s father Yishai, his son Chilav, Moshe Rabeinu’s father Amram and Benjamin. Everyone else, and I mean everyone else besides these four, has something to repent for. Sometimes it is for something significant, and sometimes it is for something miniscule, but it is always there.
Now here is the biggest paradox in our whole discussion on doing Teshuva. Teshuva is simply recognizing what it is we have done wrong, regretting it if we can, and then desisting from ever doing it again. Oh Yes! If it was something between you and G-d, confess it and if between you and your fellow man, sort it out between you and them. Now here is the paradox: - the worse you actually are is simply an indication of how good you could really be. The further you fall, the higher you have the potential to climb. However no one ever told us just how great we can be. I saw in a sociology text book recently that 95% of us could not even identify a photograph of the back of our own hand if it would be mixed with photos of others. We are even worse off when it comes to knowing our spiritual potential.
The Gemara in Chagiga teaches us the story of Rabbi Elisha Ben Avuyah, known as Acher, “the other”. Once so great, and then so corrupt, that his previous Rabbinic colleagues could not even bring themselves to even mention his given name. One day in defiance of Jewish law he rode a horse on Shabbat. Walking next to him was his long time student Rabbi Meir, who still maintained a relationship with his Rebbe. Upon reaching the Sabbath boundary, the T’chum Shabbat, Acher said to him, “Go back you cannot go any further. Rabbi Meir replied “You too go back Rebbe”, back to the ways of Torah in other words do teshuva. Acher replied to him in what must surely be one of the saddest episodes in all of the Talmud, I can’t for I have heard from Heaven itself that everyone else can return, except for Acher, except for me. Even would I choose to return, and ultimately do teshuva, my repentance it seems, would not be acceptable. I have gone too far. How sad and what makes it even sadder it was simply not true. Rabbi J B Soloveitchik of blessed memory explained that everyone can do teshuva, everyone can surely repent. But the communication from heaven to Acher was so clear, everyone but you Acher. And that was true. Acher can’t repent but you see, you are not Acher. Acher does not exist. You are the great Rabbi Elisha ben Avuyah. Of course sincere repentance is acceptable to G-d. No matter whom you may have been then. How comforting!
The worse you were is just an indication of just how good you could really be, if only you would stop, regret and where appropriate confess to G-d or sort out your fellow man.
Rabbi David Shaw
| Date | Dawn | Earliest Time for Tallis and Tefillin | Sunrise | Latest Time for Shema | Midday | Earliest time for Mincha | Sunset |
| 11 Sep 2020 | 5:01:06 AM | 5:21:35 AM | 6:09:07 AM | 9:06:43 AM | 12:04:18 PM | 12:34:18 PM | 5:59:29 PM |
| 12 Sep 2020 | 5:00:00 AM | 5:20:30 AM | 6:08:01 AM | 9:05:59 AM | 12:03:57 PM | 12:33:57 PM | 5:59:53 PM |
| 13 Sep 2020 | 4:58:54 AM | 5:19:24 AM | 6:06:55 AM | 9:05:15 AM | 12:03:36 PM | 12:33:36 PM | 6:00:17 PM |
| 14 Sep 2020 | 4:57:47 AM | 5:18:18 AM | 6:05:48 AM | 9:04:31 AM | 12:03:14 PM | 12:33:14 PM | 6:00:40 PM |
| 15 Sep 2020 | 4:56:40 AM | 5:17:11 AM | 6:04:42 AM | 9:03:47 AM | 12:02:53 PM | 12:32:53 PM | 6:01:04 PM |
| 16 Sep 2020 | 4:55:33 AM | 5:16:05 AM | 6:03:35 AM | 9:03:03 AM | 12:02:32 PM | 12:32:32 PM | 6:01:29 PM |
| 17 Sep 2020 | 4:54:25 AM | 5:14:58 AM | 6:02:28 AM | 9:02:19 AM | 12:02:10 PM | 12:32:10 PM | 6:01:53 PM |
FUNNY THINGS HEARING IS BELIEVING
Old Morris Weisenstein had serious hearing problems for a number of years. He went to the doctor and the doctor was able to have him fitted for a set of hearing aids that allowed old Morris to hear 100%. Morris went back in a month to the doctor and the doctor said, "Mr. Weisenstein, your hearing is perfect. Your family must be really pleased that you can hear again."
To which Morris said, "Oh, I haven't told my family yet. I just sit around and listen to the conversations. I've changed my will three times!"
MAZELTOV
Birth
Gia and Brett Chait on the birth of a daughter and mazeltov to grandparents Anthony and Naomi Chait and Alan and Roma Abrahamson.
TAKE NOTE:
Kabbalat Shabbat and Havdalah
Join Chazzan Avron Alter & Daniel Tucker for our Musical Kabbalat Shabbat & Havdallah.
With words of inspiration from Rabbi Shaw and Rabbi Suchard
Kabbalat Shabbat on Friday @ 17:00 - Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81250713114?pwd=SnlWK1NQOC94OXhieWtTVENNd2pPQT09
Meeting ID: 812 5071 3114
Password: 18
Havdallah on Saturday @ 19:15 - Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81905551218?pwd=cjlSb21lUXRaMUpzUDJsdEhTNnByQT09
Meeting ID: 819 0555 1218
Password: 18
Selichot
Midnight Selichot in the Main Shul at 12h03
Selichot and Shacharit from Monday will commence at 6am
Mikvah for Men
The Mikvah will remain closed to men for Erev Rosh Hashanh and Yom Kippur
Sandton Shul Mikvah
Sandton shul Mikvah is open every night by appointment only. contact Lynda Romain 24 hours in advance on 083266849 to
make an appointment. All protocolas are adhered to.
Chessed WhatsApp Group
To our lovely Sandton Ladies
We are launching a whatsApp chessed group
We will be making meals for Shiva houses, birth, illness and general chessed.
If you would like to be on the group please whatapp your name and number to Tzipi Orkin on 0849652213 Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much ORT Jet is a critical part of the Jewish support system offering many struggling businesses mentoring, networking and world class training.
ORT Jet has assisted over 100 Businesses this year and has provided them with valuable advice and resources to pivot during a year of uncertainty and change. They have worked with the Gesher Fund by providing a solid soundboard of expert mentors for the Gesher applicants to ensure that the funding provided is utilized in the best way possible. ORT Jet has further offered business training webinars that have impacted close to 2 000 participants. There are currently 117 businesses under ORT Jet Mentorship.
As we approach the Jewish New Year, we implore the community to assist us in empowering Jewish businesses. Please support small businesses in order to ensure the financial health and recovery of our community.
ORT Jet would like to wish you all prosperity and a sweet new year. May this be a time of reflection, giving and sweet beginnings for all. Visit www.ortjet.org.za
Library Books
At the beginning of lockdown people took numerous books from the library. As the Shul has opened we ask you to please return the
books to our library.
Got a Halachic Question?
Need a quick answer - Sms or WhatsApp Rabbi Shaw on 0726966535 or E-mail davidshaw@sandtonshul.co.za The Kosher desk is open from 9am - 5pm on weekdays for all Kashrut related questions. Just WhatsApp them on 063 6939417.
Please let us know if you know of PG good news and GF any sad news or people who are not well.
Refuah Shelaima to any of our Kehilla who are ill.
Security
Should you see anything or anyone suspicious in or around the property, please report it immediately to BHH security or the CSO on 086 18 000 18.
5 September 2020 | 16 Elul 5780
Candle Lighting: 5.39pm
Parsha: Ki Tavo
Havdalah: 6.29pm
SHABBAT SHALOM
If Rosh Hashana is the Day of Judgement and Yom Kippur, ten days later, is the Day of Atonement, it would seem that the order of the days is out of sequence. Surely forgiveness should be sought and would be preferable before the trial rather than being judged and only then pursuing some absolution for what one has done?
In truth, there are two different elements that we seek forgiveness for. The Gemara, our oral law, explains that while King David sinned twice, he was forgiven, while his predecessor King Saul sinned but once and was not. It seems a little unfair to say the least. However, our sages explain that in reality, King David’s sins were sins of passion. It was what he did that required him to redress his actions and seek pardon. With King Saul it was not so much what he did that was so bad. It was rather for who he was. It was not for his behaviour, but rather for his character.
It is way more difficult to sort out who we are than what we do. It is the who that we are that will determine at the end of the day what we do.
Rosh Hashana is the day we make G-d King. First our king and then hopefully the King of the Universe, to who we channel all we do. We go to the very roots of our being and allow Hashem to define our role in His world. Strange as it seems, we don’t mention sin or wrongdoing on Rosh Hashana at all. Our total focus on these days is on making our lives more G-d -centric. We implode our very foundations and place ourselves firmly in G-d’s hands.
We reengineer who we are.
On Yom Kippur on the other hand, we repent and here we do do Teshuva and make right all the wrongs we did or did not do, over the course of the past year, sin by sin.
We still have a little time to reflect on what we could do, what we should do, to emerge from these days, with a cleaner slate and a clearer vision.
Shana Tova Umetuka!
Rabbi David Shaw
| Date | Dawn | Earliest Time For Tallit & Tefillin | Sunrise | Latest Time For The Shema | Midday | Earliest Time For Mincha | Sunset |
| 4 Sep 2020 | 5:08:33 AM | 5:29:02 AM | 6:16:43 AM | 9:11:42 AM | 12:06:42 PM | 12:36:42 PM | 5:56:41 PM |
| 5 Sep 2020 | 5:07:31 AM | 5:28:00 AM | 6:15:39 AM | 9:11:00 AM | 12:06:22 PM | 12:36:22 PM | 5:57:05 PM |
| 6 Sep 2020 | 5:06:28 AM | 5:26:57 AM | 6:14:34 AM | 9:10:18 AM | 12:06:02 PM | 12:36:02 PM | 5:57:29 PM |
| 7 Sep 2020 | 5:05:25 AM | 5:25:53 AM | 6:13:30 AM | 9:09:35 AM | 12:05:41 PM | 12:35:41 PM | 5:57:53 PM |
| 8 Sep 2020 | 5:04:21 AM | 5:24:50 AM | 6:12:24 AM | 9:08:53 AM | 12:05:21 PM | 12:35:21 PM | 5:58:17 PM |
| 9 Sep 2020 | 5:03:16 AM | 5:23:45 AM | 6:11:19 AM | 9:08:09 AM | 12:05:00 PM | 12:35:00 PM | 5:58:41 PM |
| 10 Sep 2020 | 5:02:11 AM | 5:22:41 AM | 6:10:13 AM | 9:07:26 AM | 12:04:39 PM | 12:34:39 PM | 5:59:05 PM |
FUNNY THINGS CHAIM YANKEL AND THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
Chaim Yankel rented a small office on Wall Street and started advertising his investment services. He was having difficulty attracting new clients and he decided that the best way to bring attention to his business would be for him to appear in the newspaper. So he set his ights on the number one financial publication – the Wall Street Journal. He called their reporters, he emailed them. He even sent them packages to their homes. Everything he could think of.
One morning, Chaim Yankel was in the shower when the phone rang. His wife answered it and called out to him that the Wall Street Journal wanted to talk to him. Chaim Yankel was so excited that he dashed out of the shower wet, with shampoo still in his hair. Running downstairs to the phone, he tripped and fell down the stairs. Finally, wet, bruised and dirty, he crawled to the phone and breathlessly said, "Hello?"
The voice on the other end asked, "Is your name Chaim Yankel Lefkowitz?" "Yes," he replied.
The voice continued, "Mr. Lefkowitz, for just a dollar a day, we can give you a one-year subscription to the Wall Street Journal."
MAZELTOV
Birth
Ryan and Mariel Tucker on the birth of a son born in Israel and mazeltov to grandparents Stephen and Alicia Tucker
TAKE NOTE:
Kabbalat Shabbat and Havdalah
Join Chazzan Avron Alter & Daniel Tucker for our Musical Kabbalat Shabbat & Havdallah.
With words of inspiration from Rabbi Shaw and Aharon Chemel
Kabbalat Shabbat on Friday @ 16:45 - Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81250713114?pwd=SnlWK1NQOC94OXhieWtTVENNd2pPQT09 Meeting ID: 812 5071 3114
Password: 18
Havdallah on Saturday @ 19:00- Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81905551218?pwd=cjlSb21lUXRaMUpzUDJsdEhTNnByQT09
Meeting ID: 819 0555 1218
Password: 18
Sandton Shul Mikvah
Sandton shul Mikvah is open every night by appointment only. contact Lynda Romain 24 hours in advance on 083266849 to make an appointment. All protocolas are adhered to.
Chessed WhatsApp Group
To our lovely Sandton Ladies
We are launching a whatapp chessed group
We will be making meals for Shiva houses, birth, illness and general chessed. If you would like to be on the group please whatapp your name and number to Tzipi Orkin on 0849652213
Blood Drive
Help someone live a life filled with joy, love and hope. Join us and donate blood at:
Manor Medical Centre 189 Kelvin Drive, Gallo Manor Date: 6 September 2020 Time: 09:00 to 15:00
Library Books
At the beginning of lockdown people took numerous books from the library. As the Shul has opened we ask you to please return the books to our library.
Got a Halachic Question?
Need a quick answer - Sms or WhatsApp Rabbi Shaw on 0726966535 or E-mail davidshaw@sandtonshul.co.za The Kosher desk is open from 9am - 5pm on weekdays for all Kashrut related questions. Just WhatsApp them on 063 6939417.
Please let us know if you know of PG good news and GF any sad news or people who are not well.
Refuah Shelaima to any of our Kehilla who are ill.
Security
Should you see anything or anyone suspicious in or around the property, please report it immediately to BHH security or the CSO on 086 18 000 18.
29 August 2020 | 09 Elul 5780
Candle Lighting: 5.36pm
Parsha: Ki Teitzei
Havdalah: 6.26pm
SHABBAT SHALOM
THESE DAYS OF AWE
The Vilna Gaon, the preeminent Torah sage who lived in the 18th century taught that Mankind’s primary occupation in this world is to refine our characters. To take our natural predispositions and to work on them, on ourselves, to ensure that we become more than what we have in fact become. This implies that YES!! Human beings can, with effort actually change and change for the better. We can change, fundamentally, in our mindsets, in our hearts and in our souls and not merely temporarily in our external behaviour.
That’s good news, I think! We all have within us a capacity to improve every aspect of who we ultimately are. We can reengineer ourselves for good. We are, my friends, but 3 weeks away from Rosh Hashana. Who will live and who will die, who will be rich and who will be poor, who will succeed and who will struggle? Health, wealth, and happiness. The stakes are humongous.
All Hashem asks of us is to veer a little in His direction, He will do the rest to make the connection strong and secure.
May I suggest that one good way of preparing for the Yemei Din, the days of Awe is to be religious about not speaking bad, neither about one another, nor to one another? The merit of this will go a long way to bring great merit to us as individuals, to our families and to our precious community.
May Hashem bless us all with the very best year ever.
Rabbi David Shaw
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