Newsletter
Make The Connection 28 May 2021
29 May 2021 | 18 Sivan 5781
Candle Lighting: 5.06pm
Parsha: Beha’alotcha
Havdalah: 5.58pm
Mincha Shabbos: 5.05pm
GOOD SHABBOS
What a week! OMG! Israel and all that has occurred there. The rollout of the vaccine here? What will the response to the third wave be and when?
I have two observations on the Parasha and one question.
Firstly, we see from the Sedra how despite Miriam, clearly having absolutely no malice in mind when speaking Lashon Hara to Aharon the Kohein about Moshe Rabbeinu, she was nevertheless, still held responsible for her words. We see how deleterious the effects of Losh are. Even if it’s true. Even if it seems innocuous with no harm intended, it is still not ok and there are sad consequences.
The second observation is Moshe Rabbeinu’s reaction to the criticism. We actually do not find any response at all. He remains silent and when Hashem has rebuked them, he simply prays for his sister to be cured. No wasted energy on justifying his action. He knew he did the right thing. He avoided bartering his dignity for self-interest.
Two good life lessons for us!
BTW if anyone has a good answer for why Aharon escaped being punished please share. I have seen a few approaches, but none made 100% sense.
G d bless.
Rabbi David Shaw
SIVAN RAHAV-MEIR / THE DAILY PORTION / WE SHOULD NOT BE JEWS OF SILENCE
Sivan Rahav-Meir / The Daily Portion / We should not be Jews of silence.
In the face of a wave of worldwide anti-Semitism, rallies were held yesterday in support of Israel throughout the world. One of the most inspiring speakers was Elisha Wiesel, son of Holocaust survivor and Nobel Prize winner Elie Wiesel, who spoke the following before a crowd in New York:
“My father, Elie Wiesel of blessed memory, travelled to the Soviet Union in the 60’s to meet Russian Jews who were prohibited from expressing their faith. They were forbidden to hold a Bar Mitzvah, put on tefillin, or express support for the State of Israel. The Communist Party ruled through lies, and the biggest anti-Semitic lie was that Jews are exploiters and enemies of the working class. Friends, today we are victims of a big lie as well. It’s easy to identify the Communist or the Nazi lie, but the anti-Semitism of today is based on an equally pernicious lie.
When my father visited Russia, Jews there asked him: ‘How many are marching for us in America?’. He was embarrassed to tell them how few there were. He wrote a book about this called ‘The Jews of Silence’. Many thought he meant the Jews of Russia since they were forced to learn the holy Torah in secret, in silence, but he meant us. When we keep quiet, we are the Jews of silence. To those who are here today, I say: You will be able to tell your children that you came here and stood as proud Jews, even as the largest party in the American Congress was filled with extremists who spread lies. These are the same old and evil lies that have been told for thousands of years, while all we want is to work, to pray, to live, and to manage our own state. You will be able to tell your children that you were not Jews of silence.”
QUOTE FOR THE WEEK –
“Be careful to honour your wife,
for blessing enters the house
only because of the wife.” (Bava Metzia 59a)
FUNNY THINGS
G-d and the Professor
An atheist professor was teaching a college class and he told the class that he was going to prove that there was no G-d. He said, “G-d if you are real, then I want you to knock me off this platform. I’ll give you 15 minutes!”
Ten minutes went by. He kept taunting God, saying, “Here I am G-d, I’m still waiting.” He got down to the last couple of minutes and a big 240-pound football player happened to walk by the door and heard what the professor said. The football player walked into the classroom and in the last minute, hit the professor full force, sending him flying off the platform.
The professor got up, obviously shaken, and said, “Where did you come from, and why did you do that?”
The football player replied, “G-d was busy; He sent me!”
MAZELTOV!
Engagement
Mazeltov to Shareen Richter on the occasion of her engagement to Adam Davis
General
Mazeltov to Mark Ostrofsky who recently qualified as a Gastroenterologist
TAKE NOTE:
Shul Services
For the time being Kids Services @ Sandton Shul will only be held on Saturdays @ 10am and Outdoors. Primary School service to meet in the Sukkah and Nursery School service to meet on the grass area by Rabbi Sushards old house. Masks are mandotary.
Masks must please be worn at all times
Please bring your own Siddur and Tallis to Shul
Should you not be feeling well please do not come to Shul
Shabbat
Zoom Kabbalat Shabbat
Join Rabbi Shaw, Chazan Avron Alter, Daniel Tucker and Josh Alter
Kabbalat Shabbat on Friday @ 4.30pm
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81250713114?pwd=SnlWK1NQOC94OXhieWtTVENNd2pPQT09
Meeting ID: 812 5071 3114
Password: 18
Davening Times
Monday and Thursday at 6.15am
Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday is at 6.30am
Sunday is at 7.30am
Weekday Mincha – 5.15pm
Tehillim and Pirkei Avot
We meet daily on Zoom at 4.45pm Sunday to Thursday to have a short shiur in Pirkei Avot and Tehillim for those who are in need of a Refuah Shelaima. Please join Rabbi Shaw on Zoom. The link is sent out by Rabbi David Shaw everyday.
Sandton Shul Mikvah
Sandton Shul Mikvah is open every night by appointment only. Contact Lynda Romain 24 hours in advance on 083 2668149 to make an appointment. All Covid protocolas are adhered to.
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
The Sandton Shul security team is seeking additional volunteers. Volunteers must have completed a relevant CSO training course or be willing to attend one prior to joining the team. Volunteers are to please email harelle@sandtonshul.co.za with your contact details.
Should you see anything or anyone suspicious in or around the shul property then please report it immediately to the CSO on 086 18 000 18.
Should you live in a CAP area and see anything or anyone suspicious in your area then please report it immediately to CAP on 086 122 7227.
Make The Connection 22 April 2021
24 April 2021 | 12 Iyar 5781
Candle Lighting: 5.26pm
Parsha: Acharei-Mot Kedoshim
Havdalah: 6.15pm
Mincha Shabbos: 5.25pm
SHABBAT SHALOM
In Parashat Kedoshim we read” קדושים תהיו כי קדוש אני” (You should be holy for holy am I). It is an instruction told by Hashem to Moshe to relate to the Jewish people. Be Holy! Yet if you look in the list of 613 Mitzvot of the Torah it is absent. Why? Perhaps because, dear friends, we are already holy. All of us! There is no need to be commanded to be what we already are. Now we know, we just need to act in ways that allow us to be and to do exactly what the Creator designed us to be and to do.
I wish you all a pleasant, safe, healthy and holy Shabbat.
Rabbi David Shaw
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Make The Connection 16 April 2021
17 April 2021 | 5 Iyar 5781
Candle Lighting: 5.32pm
Parsha: Tazria Metzora
Pirkei Avot Chapter 2
Havdalah: 6.21pm
Mincha Shabbos: 5.25pm
SHABBAT SHALOM
I am so excited to be introducing a new learning programme to the members of our Shul. It is called ‘The Semichat Chaver Programme”.
It is an innovative, fast paced, interactive, practical Halacha learning programme. Designed by Rav Elyada Goldicht to be easily imparted with thought provoking questions in all areas of Jewish Law, where we include a little Parsha and the philosophical meaning behind the Mitzvot that we learn.
Those who wish can write a test after the first semester and will receive a balabatim smicha signed by Chief Rabbi Shlomo Amar and Rabbi Herschel Schacter.
I have already recruited a number of enthusiastic participants and would like to invite any gentleman who would like to join. One hour a week. No cost. A track for women is currently being planned.
Monday nights straight after Maariv 6.15pm in the Youth Centre. Please contact me if you would like to join.
G-d Bless
Rabbi David Shaw
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Make The Connection 09 April 2021
10 April 2021 | 28 Nisan 5781
Candle Lighting: 5.39pm
Parsha: Shemini
Shabbat Mevarachim
Havdalah: 6.28pm
Mincha Shabbos: 5.30pm
SHABBAT SHALOM
Today is Holocaust Memorial Day. I would like to share with you this short article by Sivan Rahav-Meir .The Holocaust: Six unforgettable facts.
Feelings are not enough. We are getting an overdose of feelings today, on Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day). We are getting saturated with stories, memories, and tears but, in my opinion, we must not neglect cold, hard, dry facts. Here is a list of them courtesy of Professor Yosef Ben-Shlomo; six historical facts that we need to internalize in order to understand why the Holocaust was such an extraordinarily unique event:
1. Judenrein. For the first time in history (other than Haman’s plot against the Jews in ancient Persia), one nation sought the complete elimination of another, despite the fact that the vast majority of the nation targeted for extermination lived outside the territory of the aggressor nation. The goal was not to just put the other nation into exile but to erase it from the face of the earth. In Nazi documents on the number of Jews destined for death, the tiny Albanian Jewish community of 200 souls was noted.
2. Absence of opposition. In the Wannsee Conference of January, 1942, the “final solution” was unanimously approved by the fifteen attendees, all of whom held high-ranking ministerial positions in the German government, and eight of whom were holders of doctorate degrees.
3. The Germans worked against their own interests in World War II. Even as Germany was losing the war, it behaved irrationally. Instead of investing in just fighting enemy forces, the Germans continued “to waste” energy on their Jewish extermination project.
4. They were not crazy. Among the murderers were family men and women, professionals, and intellectuals. They were perfectly sane. Millions of ordinary, regular folks did not see any problem with taking part in this giant extermination project.
5. The concentration camps were not bombed. The death factories continued to operate without interference by the Western allied nations or their armies, even while the allies regularly bombed Nazi munitions factories.
6. There was no way out. Unlike their ability to cope with other horrendous decrees and persecutions throughout history, the Jews of Europe had no way out. There was no possibility of saving themselves through cooperation with the enemy, or by being exiled or by conversion to another faith. Death was their only option.
Today we face Holocaust denial, ignorance, and forgetfulness, as well as claims that the Holocaust was not a unique or particularly anti-Jewish event .It is therefore more important than ever not only to remember what happened, but to make a commitment never to forget.
Something to think about.
Rabbi David Shaw
12 RULES FOR RAISING DELINQUENT CHILDREN
How to Ruin Your Children –
Guaranteed 100% Infallible
- Begin in infancy to give the child everything he wants. In this way he will grow up to believe that the world owes him a living.
- When he picks up bad words, laugh at him. This will make him think he is cute. It will also encourage him to pick up cuter phrases.
- Never give him any spiritual training. Wait until he’s 21 and then let him decide for himself.
- Avoid use of the word “wrong.” It may develop into a guilt complex. Later, when he is arrested, he can conclude that society is against him and that he is being persecuted.
- Pick up everything he leaves lying around – books, shoes, clothes. Do everything for him, so that he will be experienced in throwing all responsibility upon others.
- Let him read any printed matter that he can get his hands on. Be careful that the silverware and drinking glasses are sterilized but let his mind feast on garbage.
- Quarrel frequently in the presence of your children. In this way they will not be too shocked when their home is broken up later.
- Give a child all the spending money he wants. Never let him earn his own. Why should he have things as tough as you had them?
- Satisfy his every craving for food, drink and comfort. See that every sensual desire is gratified. Denial may lead to harmful frustration.
- Take his part against neighbours, teachers, policemen. They are all prejudiced against your child.
- When he gets into real trouble, apologize to yourself by saying: “I never could do anything with him.”
- Prepare for a life of grief. You will be likely to have it.
QUOTE FOR THE WEEK –
“There are three crowns – the crown of Torah,
the crown of priesthood, and the crown of kingship;
but the crown of a good name surpasses all of them.”
Rabbi Shimon
FUNNY THINGS
The Doctors’ Convention
It’s 10pm when the phone rings in Dr. Minkofsky’s house. “It’s Dr. Gold,” says his wife, passing him the phone, “I do hope it’s not another emergency.”
Dr. Minkofsky takes the phone and says, “Hi, what’s up?”
“Don’t worry, everything’s OK,” replies Dr. Gold. “It’s just that I’m at home with Dr. Lewis and Dr. Kosiner. We’re having a little game of poker and we’re short of one hand so we thought you might like to come over and join us?”
“Sure …. yes, of course,” replies Dr. Minkofsky, putting on a serious voice, “I’m leaving right now.” And he puts down the phone.
“What’s happened?” his wife asks, with a worried look.
“It’s very serious,” Dr. Minkofsky replies. “They’ve already called three doctors.”
MAZELTOV TO!
Births
Mazeltov to Rabbi Evan and Cara Widmonte on the birth of a daughter born in Melbourne and mazeltov to grandparents Sam and Bev Leon
Mazeltov to Clive and Vanessa Sher on the birth of a daughter in London and mazeltov to grandparents Paul and Charlotte Sher and Herbert and Rhona Ullman
TAKE NOTE:
Shabbat
Zoom Kabbalat Shabbat and Havdalah
Join Rabbi Shaw, Chazan Alter and Daniel Tucker
Kabbalat Shabbat on Friday @ 5.00pm
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81250713114?pwd=SnlWK1NQOC94OXhieWtTVENNd2pPQT09
Meeting ID: 812 5071 3114
Password: 18
Havdallah on Saturday @ 7.30pm
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/73078935628?pwd=VFB0NDRpbXFncllJcFQwd3FDaGQrQT09
Meeting ID: 730 7893 5628
Password: 18
Davening Times
Monday and Thursday at 6.15am
Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday is at 6.30am
Sunday is at 7.30am
Weekday Mincha
From Sunday weekday Mincha will commence at 5.35pm
Shul Services
Booking is essential for all services – e-mail harelle@sandtonsul.co.za to book
As per the government regulations each service is limited to 250 people indoors
Masks must please be worn at all times
Please bring your own Siddur and Tallis to Shul
Should you not be feeling well please do not come to Shul
Tehillim and Pirkei Avot
We meet daily on Zoom at 5pm Sunday to Thursday to have a short shiur in Pirkei Avot and Tehillim for those who are in need of a Refuah Shelaima. Please join Rabbi Shaw on Zoom. The link is sent out by Rabbi David Shaw everyday.
Sandton Shul Mikvah
Sandton Shul Mikvah is open every night by appointment only. Contact Lynda Romain 24 hours in advance on 083 2668149 to make an appointment. All Covid protocolas are adhered to.
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.
Make The Connection 02 April 2021
3 April 2021 | 21 Nisan 5781
Candle Lighting: 5.47pm
Parsha: 7th Day Pesach
Mincha: 5.30pm
Mincha tomorrow: 5.30pm
SHABBAT SHALOM AND GOOD YOM TOV
I am excited that we are now permitted to safely accommodate many more congregants (250) in Shul services in time for the last days of Pesach and especially in time for our precious and always meaningful Yizkor. All the protocols are still in place, we need to book with Harelle (bookings close on Thursday at 13h00), wear masks, sanitise and of course keep social distance. But we can all be under the gorgeous dome of our sanctuary. Be’rov Am Hadrat Melech! The King’s glory is in a multitude of people! (“the King,” of course, referring to G-d). (Proverbs 14:28) Rabbi Jack Abramowitz explains that this is not just a nice idea; it actually has legal ramifications. For example, what is the preeminent mitzvah of Rosh Hashana? Blowing the shofar, of course!
Wouldn’t we want to blow the shofar as soon as possible on Rosh Hashana because zerizim makdimin le’mitzvot (the zealous are quick to perform mitzvot)? Despite this, for some reason we blow shofar at Musaf rather than at Shacharit. According to the Talmud in Rosh Hashana (32b), at least part of the reason for this is Be’rov Am Hadras Melech (the King’s glory is in a multitude of people) as more people are in shul for Musaf than for Shacharit. There are many, many more examples. Megillat Esther, Yizkor and praying together as a Kehillah Kedosha.
I look so forward to welcoming you in Shul over the Chag!
G d Bless! Enjoy the rest of Pesach!
Rabbi David Shaw
HINEH MAH TOV U’MAH NAIM SHEVES GAM YACHAD –
Behold how good and how pleasant it is when brethren sit together (Psalm 133:1)
FUNNY THINGS
Chaim and the Genie
One day Chaim Kaplan spotted a lamp by the roadside. He picked it up, rubbed it vigorously, and a genie appeared. “I’ll grant you three wishes,” the genie said.
Chaim thought for a moment and said, “I’ve always wanted to be spectacularly wealthy.”
And so it was that Chaim was wealthy.
“I’ve always wanted to be fabulously handsome.”
And so it was that Chaim was handsome.
Chaim thought for another moment and said, “I’ve always wanted to do something that no man has ever succeeded in doing.”
“Poof!” said the genie. “You can now cook Shabbos dinner.”
MAZELTOV TO!
Barmitzvah
Mazeltov to Jesse son of Saul Bregman and Liora Gien Bregman, grandson of Bernard and Debbie Gien and Roy and Melanie Bregman and great grandson of Judy Bloch on the occasion of his Barmitzvah
Births
Mazeltov to Daniel and Sara Zinman on the birth of a son and mazeltov to grandparents Harold and Aileen Zinman
Mazeltov to Mervyn and Lynette Miller on the birth of a grandson and mazeltov to parents Craig and Robin Schraibman
TAKE NOTE:
Davening Times
Monday and Thursday at 6.15am
Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday is at 6.30am
Sunday is at 7.30am
Pesach Times
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Friday 02 |
Shabbat |
17h47 17h30 |
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Saturday 03 |
Shabbat/Seventh Day Pesach Eighth Night Pesach |
08h00 18h00 |
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Sunday 04h |
Eighth Day Pesach |
08h30 |
Shul Services
Booking is essential for all services
As per the government regulations each service is limited to 250 people indoors
Masks must please be worn at all times
Please bring your own Siddur and Tallis to Shul
Should you not be feeling well please do not come to Shul
Tehillim and Pirkei Avot
We meet daily on Zoom at 5pm Sunday to Thursday to have a short shiur in Pirkei Avot and Tehillim for those who are in need of a Refuah Shelaima. Please join Rabbi Shaw on Zoom. The link is sent out by Rabbi David Shaw everyday.
Sandton Shul Mikvah
Sandton Shul Mikvah is open every night by appointment only. Contact Lynda Romain 24 hours in advance on 083 2668149 to make an appointment. All Covid protocolas are adhered to.
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.
Make The Connection 26 March 2021
27 March 2021 | 14 Nisan 5781
Candle Lighting: 5.54pm
Parsha: Tzav
Shabbat Hagadol
Mincha: 5.40pm
Kabbalat Shabbat: 6.00pm
Mincha tomorrow: 5.40pm
SHABBAT SHALOM AND A CHAG PESACH KASHER VE’SAMAYACH
The Seder begins and ends in Aramaic and not Hebrew. Normally we utilize Aramaic only when there is intense kedusha, holiness,because Hashem’s presence is right there. Kaddish, B’rich Shemei when taking out the Torah and Yekum Purkan just after Leining and before returning the Torah to the Aron Kodesh.
That is the reason we bookend the Seder with Aramaic as well. To demonstrate that the Shechina, Hashem’s presence is at each and everyone of our Sedorim.
What an amazing opportunity to have G d in our homes. What an opportunity to be able to bless our families and to daven for the healing of our world, with Hashem right there.
I hope and pray that you have deep and meaningful Seders.
With Pesach greetings and a lot of love
Rabbi David Shaw
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Make The Connection 05 March 2021
06 March 2021 | 22 Adar 5781
Candle Lighting: 6.15pm
Parsha: Ki Tissa
Shabbat Parah
Mincha: 5.35pm
Kabbalat Shabbat: 5.55pm
Mincha tomorrow: 6.10pm
Havdalah: 7.05pm
SHABBAT SHALOM
The whole saga of the Golden Calf appears in our Parasha.
I heard from my one of my mentors many years ago that the main message, amounst the many lessons from this aweful event, is that one has to serve Hashem as Hashem wants to be served and not how we decide to serve Him. We know exactly what G d wants us to do , how He wants it, and when. No Guessing! No speculating. Clear as day in the written and oral law.
There is a plethora of opportunities in absolutely every aspect of our lives to sanctify the moment by doing what G d wants us to do. From Tying our shoes to making Kiddush.
So importand is this concept we have a mitzvah to reall it each and every day!
How rich would our lives be when we allign our will to His!
Be’yedidut
Rabbi David Shaw
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FUNNY THINGS Biblical Professions Three people were arguing about what profession was used first in the bible. The Engineer says, “No, engineering was used first. Just think of the engineering job it took to create the world out of chaos.” The Politician says, “You would have nothing if we didn’t create chaos in the beginning?” QUOTE FOR THE WEEK: One of the greatest challenges of life MAZELTOV TO! Mazeltov to Joel and Sandy Levin on the occasion of their 49th Wedding Anniversary TAKE NOTE: Davening Times Monday and Thursday at 6.15am Shul Services Booking is essential for all services Shabbat Zoom Kabbalat Shabbat and Havdalah Kabbalat Shabbat on Friday @ 5.55pm Meeting ID: 812 5071 3114 Havdallah on Saturday @ 7.45pm Tehillim We meet daily on Zoom at 5pm Sunday to Thursday to have a short shiur in Pirkei Avot and Tehillim for those who are in need of a Refuah Shelaima. Please join Rabbi Shaw on Zoom. The link is sent out by Rabbi Shaw everyday. Sandton Shul Mikvah Sandton Shul Mikvah is open every night by appointment only. contact Lynda Romain 24 hours in advance on 083 2668149 to make an appointment. All Covid protocolas are adhered to. Got a Halachic Question? Need a quick answer – Sms or WhatsApp Rabbi Shaw on 0726966535 or E-mail davidshaw@sandtonshul.co.za 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.
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Make The Connection 19 February 2021
20 February 2021 | 08 Adar 5781
Candle Lighting: 6.15pm
Parsha: Terumah
Shabbat Zachor
Mincha: 5.45pm
Kabbalat Shabbat: 6pm
Mincha tomorrow: 6.20pm
Havdalah: 7.18pm
SHABBAT SHALOM
וְכָל־עַבְדֵ֨י הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ אֲשֶׁר־בְּשַׁ֣עַר הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ כֹּרְעִ֤ים וּמִֽשְׁתַּחֲוִים֙ לְהָמָ֔ן כִּי־כֵ֖ן צִוָּה־ל֣וֹ הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ וּמָ֨רְדֳּכַ֔י לֹ֥א יִכְרַ֖ע וְלֹ֥א יִֽשְׁתַּחֲוֶֽה׃
All the king’s courtiers in the palace gate knelt and bowed low to Haman, for such was the king’s order concerning him; but Mordecai would not kneel or bow low.
The Sfat Emet points out that the Hebrew, describing how Mordechai would neither kneel nor bow low, strangely is written in the future tense and not the past.
He explains that this is coming to teach us that in every subsequent generation, from the time of Purim until the time of Mashiach there will always be proud loyal and brave Jews, who will stand up for true, authentic Torah values in the face of those who threaten our faith and our way of life.
Perhaps suggests the Sfat Emet that is exactly why Haman wanted to exterminate the entire Jewish people and not just Mordechai.
Stand Tall! Stand Proud!
We only kneel and bow low before Hashem Yitbarach Sh’emo!
Be’yedidut.
Rabbi David Shaw
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Make The Connection 29 January 2021
30 January 2021 | 17 Shevat 5781
Candle Lighting: 6.15pm
Parsha: Beshalach
Shabbat Shira
Zoom Kabbalat Shabbat: 6pm
Havdalah: 7.34pm
Zoom Havdalah: 8.30pm
SHABBAT SHALOM
We find in this weeks Parasha the Song of the Sea, sang by our ancestors in recognition of Hashem’s momentous miracles at the Sea of Reeds.
When you look in a Torah scroll, you will notice that it is written in two columns, sometimes in three, with lots of spaces between the phrases. A song.
Why the spaces? There are many approaches to this question. I would like to suggest, that perhaps a reason is, that we thank and acknowledge Hashem for all he does for us that we see clearly. There are so many. The blank spaces are there to represent all of those myriads of kindnesses and miracles that Hashem does for us, without us having a clue.
We need to thank Him for both!
Stay safe and be well! G d bless you all!
Rabbi David Shaw
FUNNY THINGS
Stolen Hearts
Marvin and Shirley Applebaum were childhood sweethearts who had married and settled down in the same neighborhood where they grew up. They were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary and decided to walk down the street to their old school. There, they hold hands as they find the old desk they ‘d shared and where he had carved “I love you, Shirley.”
On their way back home, a bag of money falls out of an armored car and lands practically at their feet. Shirley quickly picks it up and decides to take it home until they decide what to do with it. There, she counts the money, and it’s fifty thousand dollars.
Marvin says, “We’ve got to give it back.”
Shirley says, “Finders keepers” and puts the money back in the bag and hides it up in their attic.
The next day, two FBI men are going door-to-door in the neighborhood looking for the money and show up at their home. They say, “Pardon me, but did either of you find or know about some money that fell out of an armored car yesterday?”
Shirley says, “No.”
Marvin quickly interjects, “She’s lying!! She hid it up in the attic.”
Shirley says, “Don’t believe him, he’s getting senile.”
However, the agents sit Marvin down and begin to question him. “Sir, please tell us the story from the beginning.”
Marvin says, “Well, when Shirley and I were walking home from school yesterday…”
The FBI agents immediately look at each other and say, “Let’s get out of here!!”
QUOTE FOR THE WEEK:
Work to become, not to acquire.
TAKE NOTE:
Zoom Kabbalat Shabbat and Havdalah
Join Rabbi Shaw, Chazan Alter and Daniel Tucker
Kabbalat Shabbat on Friday @ 6pm
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81250713114?pwd=SnlWK1NQOC94OXhieWtTVENNd2pPQT09
Meeting ID: 812 5071 3114
Password: 18
Havdallah on Saturday @ 8.30pm
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/73078935628?pwd=VFB0NDRpbXFncllJcFQwd3FDaGQrQT09
Meeting ID: 730 7893 5628
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Tehillim
We meet daily on Zoom at 5pm Sunday to Thursday to have a short shiur in Pirkei Avot and Tehillim for those who are in need of a Refuah Shelaima. Please join Rabbi Shaw on Zoom. The link is sent out by Rabbi Shaw everyday.
Sandton Shul Mikvah
Sandton Shul Mikvah is open every night by appointment only. contact Lynda Romain 24 hours in advance on 083 2668149 to make an appointment. All Covid protocolas are adhered to.
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.
Make The Connection 15 January 2021
16 January 2021 | 3 Shevat 5781
Candle Lighting: 6.15pm
Parsha: Vaeira
Kabbalat Shabbat: 6pm
Havdalah: 7.39pm
Zoom Havdalah: 8.30pm
SHABBAT SHALOM
It has been such a frenetic week. So many of our nearest and dearest, never mind the broader community have been affected by COVID. Some seriously and some, thank G d less so. One thing we need to get us through this all is a level head. To be logical and simply to follow the guidelines that the experts have suggested. To be sensible! Simply, to use one’s kop!
In the Gemara, Sanhedrin 67B, Rabbi Akiva points out to us that the Torah, when referring to the Plague of frogs says ותעל הצפרדע ותכס את ארץ מצרים, and the Frog ascended and covered the land of Egypt (Shemot 8:2).
It refers to a single frog which when struck split into two and continued to multiply and multiply every time it was hit, until there were so many frogs, they literally filled every house, every room, every bed, even their ovens and kneading bowls.
The Brisker Rav asks: Why, when they saw that with each attempt to kill the frogs they simply multiplied over and over and over with each strike. Why did they continue to hit these miraculous creatures? Hitting them just exacerbated to problem serving to increase their numbers exponentially, it was so logical.
His answer is brilliant and oh so true. When one is angry, when one is grumpy and upset, logic simply stops being logical. Even the most obvious truism becomes properly impossible to perceive. Facts are no longer evident. Evidence before our very eyes alludes us.
We have every reason to be annoyed, even livid and cranky with what is happening, however if we allow ourselves to adopt that mindset we are doomed as we will not be in a position to act rationally, wisely and with logic.
Be calm. Be positive. Be safe. Stay well.
G d bless.
Rabbi David Shaw
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