בס"ד

MIZRACHI MATTERS

SHABBAT PARASHAT TERUMAH (Vol 9, No 22) Friday, 20 February (Rosh Chodesh Adar)

EARLY SHABBAT Minchah at 6:35pm2

Candle Lighting between 6:50pm – 6:55pm LATER SHABBAT Minchah at 7:15pm1

Candle Lighting at 7:30pm

1. Beit Yehuda 2. Beit HaRoeh 3. Beit Midrash 4. Bnei Akiva 5. Elsternwick 6. Midrashah 7. Rabbi’s Home 8. Goldberger Hall 9. Nachalat David

Z’manim SHABBAT

21 FEBRUARY 2 ADAR

SUNDAY 22 FEBRUARY

3 ADAR

MONDAY 23 FEBRUARY

4 ADAR

TUESDAY 24 FEBRUARY

5 ADAR

WEDNESDAY 25 FEBRUARY

6 ADAR

THURSDAY 26 FEBRUARY

7 ADAR

FRIDAY 27 FEBRUARY

8 ADAR Shacharit 7:30am1

9:30am1,2,9 8:00am1 9:00am3

6:25am1 7:25am1

6:30am1 7:30am1

6:30am1 7:30am1

6:25am1 7:25am1

6:30am1 7:30am1

Dawn 5:44am 5:45am 5:46am 5:47am 5:48am 5:49am 5:50am Tallit & Tefillin 6:01am 6:02am 6:04am 6:05am 6:06am 6:07am 6:08am Sunrise 6:56am 6:57am 6:58am 6:59am 7:00am 7:01am 7:02am Sh’ma (גר"א) 10:15am 10:15am 10:15am 10:16am 10:16am 10:17am 10:17am Earliest Mincha 2:07pm 2:07pm 2:06pm 2:06pm 2:06pm 2:06pm 2:05pm Minchah followed by Ma’ariv 7:45pm1, 3 7:55pm1 7:55pm1 7:55pm1 7:55pm1 7:55pm1

EARLY SHABBAT Plag Mincha: Candles between:

6:25pm2 6:45 - 6:50pm

LATER SHABBAT Mincha: Candles:

7:15pm1 7:30pm

Sunset 8:12pm 8:10pm 8:09pm 8:08pm 8:06pm 8:05pm 8:04pm Night 8:54pm 8:52pm 8:51pm 8:50pm 8:48pm 8:47pm 8:46pm SECOND MA’ARIV 9:30pm3 9:30pm3 9:30pm3 9:30pm3 9:30pm3

Shiurim

R’ Bert Mond 9:00am3

R’ Leor Broh 9:00am2

Rabbi Kennard 9:30am6 Drashot

R’ Yaakov Sprung1

The Royal Commission &

Marriage R’ Leor Broh2

R’ Chezy Deren9 Rina Pushett ע"ה Emunah Shiurim Mrs. Reeva Cohen

6:00pm Rabbi Sprung’s

Parashat Hashavuah Shiur “Personalising the Mishkan, Brick by

Brick” 6:45pm2

Daf Yomi 8:45am3

Daf Yomi 9:45pm3

Daf Yomi 8:15am3

Parshanut Hamikrah with Michal Kaufman

9:30am6

R’ Dovid Segal Gemara B’iyun

8:30pm2 Adina Bankier-Karp Shiur for post high

school girls 8:30pm6

R’ Chezy Deren Contemporary Halacha

7/93 Hotham St 8:30pm

Michal Kaufman (Lewis’ house)

9:00pm Daf Yomi 9:45pm3

Daf Yomi 8:15am3

R’ Yaakov Sprung Chumash Shiur

for women 10:00am6 Daf Yomi 9:45pm3

Daf Yomi 8:15am3

Weekly Parashah Shiur for ladies &

girls 11:00am 7 Morrice St R’ Telsner

R’ Yaakov Sprung Gemara B’iyun

for uni men returning from

Yeshivot 6:30pm6

Talmudic Personalities with Rebbetzin Sprung for women of all

ages 7:30-8:30pm6 R’ Yaakov Sprung Masechet Brachot

8:30pm6 Daf Yomi 9:45pm3

Daf Yomi 8:15am3

R’ Yaakov Sprung Shiur for men

8:30pm7 Chaburah for

women for high school and

university students 8:30pm6

Daf Yomi 9:45pm3

Daf Yomi 8:15am3

Mishnah Yomit Keilim 24:13-14 Keilim 24:15-16 Keilim 24:17-25:1 Keilim 25:2-3 Keilim 25:4-5 Keilim 25:6-7 Keilim 25:8-9

7:35pm1 Between Mincha and Ma’ariv1

Between Mincha and Ma’ariv1

Between Mincha and Ma’ariv1

Between Mincha and Ma’ariv1

Between Mincha and Ma’ariv1 7:05pm1

Events

Gan Shabbat 10:30 – 11:30am

Children’s Tefillah Groups 10:15 – 11:30am Seudah Shlishit:

Zahal Disabled Veterans Association – Jeff Lipshatz, Ran Ben Atia & Shimon

Alankri

The Holy Bagel 9:00am3

Consecration for the late

Esther Wiener ע"ה at Springvale

2:00pm

Rabbi Dr Warren

Goldstein, Chief Rabbi of South Africa in Beit

Haroeh 5:00pm

Chillen Cholent Not this week

Yahrtzeits

Sonia Slonim (Husband)

Joe Felman (Father)

Eva Lipp (Father) Martin

Bierenkrant (Wife)

Daniel & Ron Bierenkrant

(Mother)

Ronen, Matan, Hadar & Amit

Slonim (Father) Eva & Ben Slonim

(Son) Aviva Debinski Daniel Slonim

(Brother)

 

MIZRACHI’S VIRTUAL NOTICEBOARD

We wish Happy Birthday to the following members who celebrate their  

birthday during the coming week: 

Pninah Lissauer (Shabbat) 

Ronit Lewis (Sunday) 

Danny Karp (Wednesday) 

Ella Lipshatz (Thursday ) 

Rose Mehlman (Thursday)  

Carolyn Brykman (Friday) 

Michael Gordon (Friday ) 

 

If you have an occasion or a milestone event that you would like to be men oned in Mizrachi Ma ers, please email it

to office@mizrachi.com.au by 12:00pm on Thursdays

We wish a hearty Mazel Tov to  

Dvora & Zviki Ebert  

on the birth (in London) of their daughter 

Granddaughter to Yirmi & Miriam Goldschmiedt and Yechezkel & Nellie Ebert (London) 

Great‐granddaughter of Nosson & Nechama Werdiger and Margit Goldschmiedt 

 

We wish a hearty Mazel Tov to  

Joel Kalkopf and Ba e Gampel 

on the occasion of their wedding 

Mazel Tov to the parents:  Mory and Melanie Kalkopf and Shaina & Paul Gampel 

Mazel Tov to the grandparents:  Shirley Kanter ( London), Buzzy & Melanie Gampel & Ethel Greis 

We wish a hearty Mazel Tov to 

Noa Zaltsman & Ariel Regev 

on the occasion of their wedding in Israel. 

Mazeltov to the parents:  Ora & Barry Zaltsman and Deborah & Gad Regev 

Mazeltov to the grandparents:  Tamara & Benjamin Cohney and Neira & Shaul Zaltsman 

 

 

We wish Mazal Tov to the following members who celebrate their wedding  

anniversary during the coming week: 

 

Judy & Sam Seigel (Friday)

NE W S L E T T E R F O R T H E

ELSTERNWICK JEWISH COMMUNITY

ס ב "ד 21 February 2015 2 Adar 5775 Parshat Teruma

Yahrzeits during the coming week Bev Brand (Brother) [24 February] Anne Atlas (Grandfather) [26 February] Leslie Atlas (Father) [24 February] Mervyn Same (Father) [27 February] Gilda Slomovic (Sister) [25 February] Shabbat times Candle Lighting this week 7.55 pm Candle Lighting time if attending Kabbalat Shabbat 6.50 pm Kabbalat Shabbat this week 6.30 pm Pre-Shacharit Shiur 9.00 am Shacharit 9.30 am Rabbi’s Shabbat Shiur: Making Sense of Shacharit, Part 4 6.55 pm Mincha at 7.40 pm Shabbat ends at 8.54 pm Candle Lighting next week 7.46 pm Candle Lighting next week if attending Kabbalat Shabbat 6.43 pm Kabbalat Shabbat next week 6.30 pm The Rabbi’s Shabbat Shiurim The early shiur (9.00am, before Shacharit) - come join the Rabbi for cake, coffee and an exploration of the mystical parsha Birthdays this week Gabby Recht turns 20 on 21 February Nathaniel Berhang turns 3 on 27 February Mazal Tov Mark Searle on his 60th birthday In shule this week … Joel Burnie will be leading Kabbalat Shabbat, Elan Jacobs will be leading Shacharit, Daniel Lowinger will be leining, John Berhang will be saying the Haftorah, and Josh Akerstein will be leading Mussaf. Kiddush this Shabbat You are all invited to the kiddush, which will be sponsored by Debbie and Mark Searle in celebration of Mark’s special birthday. Weekday times Sunday: Tefillin beginners class, including breakfast 8.00 am Monday to Friday – pre-Shacharit Shiur 15 minutes before Shacharit Monday and Thursday 6.30 am Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 6.45 am Purim @ EJC Terrific plans afoot – Wednesday 4 March - An exciting Purim kids program which features a circus entertainer will commence at 5.30pm. Adult program and a sumptuous supper will be held after Megilla. Email ejc@mizrachi.com.au for a flyer

Contact numbers Rabbi Rabbi Chaim Cowen

0433-308-584 cowen.chaim@gmail.com Chairman Mark Kras

0410-460-970 imkras@gmail.com Gabbai Elan Jacobs

0419-527-227 elanjacobs@hotmail.com Secretary Sally-Ann Jaye

0437-625-350 ejc@mizrachi.com.au Haftorah requests Dennis Max

9528-6865 classact@werple.net.au

Contributions to Newsletter (please) Sally-Ann

ejc@mizrachi.com.au

rabbi abaranok scholarship

Yaffa Travitz, the winner of the 5774/2013 Rabbi Abaranok Scholarship has written of her

experience and is willing to share it. Beit Chana Seminary is located on one of the highest mountains in Tzfat, a most stunning location overlooking Tzfat, Tiveria and the Kinneret. However, the beauty is not just the view outside, in fact the beauty within is incomparably greater. A fundamental objective of the seminary is to not just make an incredible year experience but to prepare us for life as well. We live in apartments amongst really nice families here. In my apartment there are 12 girls and we take care of the apartment together. This is quite an experience as we learn how to get along with one another and look after our own home together. We are 117 girls in the overseas program as well as the 100 Israeli girls that have a seminary program here as well. It can be quite an invasion of girls, but we are warmly welcomed by many of the families here. We are given the opportunity to be involved in running programs for our peers and contributing to the seminary experience. There is no way I cannot mention the 5 counsellors that work non-stop to create the greatest experience for every individual. They even take the time to sit and learn one on one with the girls. We do Chesed at least once a week which consists of going to families that need help for an hour or more. These families eagerly await our arrival every week easing their often challenging lives under the conditions here. Shabbat schedule interchanges, sometimes we are in seminary and other times we go to families in different cities around Eretz Yisroel. Of course a major part my year, is the incredible classes and learning which I really enjoy. We have an intense day, our schedules starting from early morning until late at night with teachers who have a vast amount of knowledge to share. Our classes vary from Chumash to Chassidut, Halacha and Gemara as well as classes on teaching and communicating skills. One of my favourite classes

is about questions in Halacha that arise today, such as whether cloning is allowed according to Halacha or how to go about the impossible situation of choosing between two lives. Majority of our classes are in Hebrew as well as some of the programs. Every teacher has a passion for their subject that they give over. I have gained a lot of knowledge from these incredible teachers as well as strengthened my values. Each and every staff member here is a living example of what I strive to become. I learn life lessons from every one of them. My favourite part is the atmosphere, programs and trips which are incredible experiences. Every night there is a program ranging from guest speakers, games, inspiration, practical hands on learning of life skills etc. We have been on trips around the Golan Heights, a boat on the Kinneret in Tiveria, Yerushalayim, Ein Gedi, Dead Sea, Eilat (yes, we drove from Tzfat – the very top of the map down to Eilat – the very bottom), Masada, Chevron and many more places, as well Shabbat where we often go away. On every trip that we go on, the seminary encourages not only to enjoy ourselves, but also give to the community that we visit. Even on our trip to Eilat, we were given the opportunity to give classes in every school about Tu Bishvat, providing the children with a feeling for Judaism which they do not often get to experience. What makes everything the greatest experience is definitely the girls here. Everyone here wants to learn and grow, everyone is ready to contribute whatever is needed to make the greatest experience. United from at least 20 different countries, we come together, make everlasting friendships and positively influence each other to continuously grow.

rabbi abaranok scholarship

I am grateful to the Rabbi Abaranok Award for enabling me to spend a year in Eretz Israel after completing Year 12. My first week in Israel was a whirlwind of settling in – unpacking, getting to know my two roommates from New York, shopping for breakfast and dinner food, and soaking up the energy of Yerushalayim. Together with 5 other Australian girls, I have met 76 Jewish girls from around the world: America, Canada, England, and South Africa. Being connected through our Jewish faith has enabled us to form personal connections. In a week full of highlights, one of the most joyful was being able to go to the wedding of Amir Cohen, the hesder bachur we were host family for a few years ago. Since I took my first step off the plane and placed my foot on holy soil, I have been filled with a sense of spirituality and gratitude to be able to walk in the land where the Tanach took place. When I walk down the streets of Jerusalem, it is a humbling yet immensely satisfying feeling to know that this is where Jewish history played out. Almost two weeks ago, MMY took us on a tiyul to Eilat and the Negev. Not only is the land and sea spectacular, but when I was snorkelling in the Red Sea I could feel that that this is the sea (not the place) where one of the biggest miracles occurred in Jewish history. When you are riding on camels in the Negev you can experience how our ancestors travelled and the landscape that they would have seen. One of our most profound experiences was when we went on a tiyul to the Old City. I am extremely grateful for the experience of being able to daven at the closest spot to the Kedosh

HaKedoshim that Jews can go to today. And when you are walking up the steps of the Huldah gate you can almost grasp that these are the steps that our ancestors walked up in order to enter the Beit HaMikdash. However, the land and the kedusha is not the only experience that I have been fortunate to encounter. It is amazing to think that after almost 2000 years of exile, I, as a Jewish girl, am able to come back to our homeland and learn Torah. My skills and breadth of Judaic texts are expanding due to the guidance of the inspirational teachers at MMY. What I am really enjoying about MMY is the scope of teachers and the range of hashkafahs they represent. Therefore, when we learn about a certain aspect of Halacha we are exposed to multiple opinions which encourages us to look at the complexity of the Torah world. MMY’s focus on chavrutah learning is both challenging and exciting when you are sifting through a multitude of sources in order to understand a topic. It is quite daunting to think that a month and a half as already passed. I am really looking forward to what the rest of the year will bring. Best regards, Yasmin Schwarz

The photo was taken in Eilat when the

seminary took us snorkeling. Michal Berson is second to the right, Yasmin

Schwarz is third to the left. It is amazing that I am now in our ancestral homeland which is now acknowledged to be the Jewish state. Today more Jews currently live in Israel than in the entire United States. Therefore being in Israel is surreal, it took me a while to properly comprehend that I am now in Eretz Yisroel. Everything about this country amazes me; the pedestrian lights that signal automatically, so that on shabbos one does not have to press buttons. The architectural design of the apartment buildings that ensures nobodies balcony is underneath each other so that everyone has some where to build a succah. The

fact that stores that sell dishes usually have mikvaot attached. My classes at MMY are extremely interesting I am taking a variety of classes including: Halacha classes on Shabbos, Tefilla and Kashrut, a Tanach class in which we are currently looking at Sefer Yoshiayahu, and comparing it the other Nevim and to Parshat Ha'azinu, a Tanach class in which we examine different biblical figures and their relationship with Hashem, a class on the Maharal's interpretation of Aggada from the Gemara, a Hashgafa class and a Hagada shel Pesach class. I also take an Israel advocacy class organised by Jersualem U and an Ivrit class. My Textual skills and Ivrit are improving. I have only been in Israel a short while but I have already gained so much from the experience. An experience that would not have been possible without the Rabbi Abaranok Award. So I cannot adequately express my gratitude that i have been given the opportunity to spend a year of learning in Israel. Best Regards, Michal Berson

From the Rav’s Desk: HILCHOS PURIM BRIEF OVERVIEW

In the period between the destruction of the First Beis Hamikdosh in Jerusalem by the Babylonians (586 B.C.E.) and the Return to Tzion

(later that same century), the Persians defeated the Babylonians and became ascendant in the Middle East. Most of the Jewish people, recently exiled from the land of Israel by the Babylonians, or previously exiled by the Assyrians, now lived in the huge Persian Empire. Megilat Esther relates how the Jews are threatened with annihilation by Haman, advisor to King Ahashverosh, for the moral steadfastness of Mordechai, but are miraculously saved by Hashem through Queen Esther’s intervention. The Jews are victorious over the enemies and their welfare is advanced. PARSHAS ZACHOR (Shab 28 February) Parshas Zachor (Deuteronomy 25:17) is read on the Shabbos prior to Purim. It is a Biblical obligation for all males above bar

mitzvah to hear the reading of Parshas Zachor in the presence of a minyan. Women should make every effort to hear the laining as well. Those listening to the reading of Zachor must have in mind to fulfil their obligation through the ba'al koreh. The latter must have in mind that the listeners will be yotze through him. TA’ANIS ESTHER (Wed 4 March) The Fast of Esther commemorates the fast assumed by the Jewish people prior to battle. The fast is observed on Adar 13, this year corresponding to Wednesday 4 March. It begins at dawn, 5:55am and customarily till after Maariv and Megilla reading. Every healthy person should fast on Ta’anis Esther. Avinu Malkenu and Tachanun are not recited during Mincha. Machatzis Hashekel: It is customary for every male above the age of 20 (or 13 according to various opinions) to contribute 3 half dollars to tzedakah (commemorating the half shekels

contributed to the Temple at this time of the year) prior to Mincha on Ta’anis Esther [even when commemorated on the previous Thursday (Kaf Hachaim, Siman 694 s”k 23)] – or on the morning of Purim day. A special plate is left in the Mizrachi shules for this purpose. PURIM NIGHT (Wed 4 March - Adar 14) Krias HaMegilah: All adults (post bar/bat mitzvah age) and children having reached an educable age, must hear the Megilah in Shul in the presence of the largest minyan possible. The night’s reading may commence immediately after tzais hakochavim (halachic nightfall) and may be read until dawn. The morning reading may commence with sunrise and may be fulfilled until sunset. THE BRACHOS • Al Mikra Megilah • Sheasa Nissim • Shehechiayanu

Both the reader and listeners should stand during the recitation of the blessings. The listeners should concentrate to fulfil their obligations and the reader must do the same on their behalf. NO talking may be done throughout the reading. One not possessing a KOSHER Megilah should not read along with the reader, but should listen in silence. Whereas it is customary to create noise when the name of Haman is read, children should be brought to the reading of the Megilah if they can sit properly next to their parents without disturbing the minyan. PURIM DAY (Thur 5 March - Adar 14) Purim Dress: Since Purim has so many of the “simanim” (tell-tale signs) of Yom Tov e.g. A Hallel-like expression of thanks expressed through reading the Megilah (Tractate Megilah 14a), Kri’as HaTorah and Seudah (in distinction to Chanukah), our Purim attire should appropriately reflect this as well. Shalach Manos: On Purim day every adult Jewish male and female must send at least two varieties of food requiring no further preparation to another individual. The foods may be canned, solid, liquid, etc. Shalach manos delivered on Purim night, does NOT fulfil one’s obligation. Two or more people may send a single shalach manos (during the day), assuming the amount sent is double the usual quality and worth. Shalach manos should be delivered via messenger if possible. One who is in mourning is required to send Mishloah Manos, but may not receive from others. Matanos Le'Evyonim: On Purim day every adult (male & female over bar- and bas- mitzvah age) must give money or food to at least two needy individuals. This amount should be sufficient for the recipient to purchase a Purim Seudah meal consisting

of meat and wine/beer. The Poskim state that more money should be spent on Matanos Le’Evyonim than on shalach manos and one’s own Seudah (Mishnah Berurah 694:3). Please give your matanos le’Evyonim to the office early enough so that it can be distributed as required on Purim. Seudas Purim: The festive meal is normally begun after Minchah and should be eaten primarily before sundown. (Rema, Orach Chaim 695:2). This year, 5775 / 2015 sundown is 7:55pm). The meal should be celebrated in a Yom Tov fashion: meat, wine, candles, (no bracha on the candles) etc. Birchas Hamazon, recited after dark but before ma’ariv having been davened, should include Al Hanissim. Prayers: Al Hanissim is inserted into the S'hmoneh Esrai and Birchas Hamazon. If one forgot to recite it in its proper place (as specified in all siddurim) and recited the berachah following them, he does not return to the beginning nor repeats the Amidah. Drinking: Whereas it has long been a customary within Klal Yisroel to become intoxicated on Purim, drinking was never permitted to legislate or sanction behaviour unfitting for B’nai Torah. Therefore one must regulate his alcoholic intake and that of those around him. Sleep brought about by moderate wine intake fulfils this obligation. (Rema, Orach Chaim 695, se’if 2) Yahrzeits • Yahrzeits should be commemorated in

Adar in a non-leap year for a relative who passed away in either Adar of a Jewish leap year.

• The period of mourning by a child concludes after twelve months, even if the previous year had two Adars. Therefore, if one suffered a loss, ש"חו , of

a parent in Adar 1, the 12 months would conclude in Shvat the following year and the 11-month kaddish would conclude in Tevet.

Matanos Le’Evyonim The mitzvah of Matanot Le’Evyonim, providing the equivalent of a Purim meal for two individuals on Purim day, was always understood by the poskim as being even more important in priority than the monies spent on our Mishloach Manot and personal seudot. Each person above the age of Bar/Bat Mitzvah is supposed to contribute this amount. As has been the practice for years, Mizrachi will distribute Matanot Le'Evyonim on Purim day to Aniyei Ha’Ir (local needy people) and to Aniyei Eretz Yisroel (needy people in Israel). Please bring your monies to the office as soon as possible, place the monies in the baskets already available on the bimah in Bet Yehuda and Bet Midrash or ring through your credit card details on 8317 2504 so funds can be distributed on Purim day itself, as per the Halachic requirement, and please give generously. Remitting the monies earlier than the morning of Purim enables us to distribute appropriately with greater pre-thought and ease.

GUEST SPEAKER Rabbi Dr Warren Goldstein, Chief Rabbi of South Africa for the past 10 years, has led a number of revolutionary initiatives that have changed the landscape of both his own community and indeed world Jewry.

He created the Shabbos Project, which has united over 465 Cities around the world through the keeping of Shabbat together.

A Qualified Dayan, Rabbi Goldstein is the author of several books including Sefer Mishpat Tzedek, Defending the Human Spirit and the Legacy.

The Chief Rabbi has a PhD in Human Rights and Constitutional Law and is a regular columnist for the Jerusalem Post.

Rabbi Goldstein is only in Australia for a couple of days and Beth Haroeh Shule have been honoured as one of his hosts.

BETH HAROEH

IS HONOURED TO INVITE THE COMMUNITY

TO A SPECIAL EVENT TO WELCOME

THE CHIEF RABBI OF SOUTH AFRICA

RABBI DR WARREN GOLDSTEIN

TUESDAY 24th FEBRUARY

5.00PM – 6.30PM

AT BETH HAROEH SHULE

81 Balaclava Rd, Caulfield

HIGH TEA WILL BE SERVED

PURIM IS COMING

Purim cards are now available.

Once again this year EMUNAH,

in conjunction with Bnei Akiva,

is offering donation cards for $5.00

All proceeds support Jewish youth

both in Israel and locally

Call Gilda on 0407 361790

or email gildam@bigpond.net.au

Organization

As Purim is fast approaching, and your thoughts are turning to Mishloach Manot, we present you

with an alternative.

Increasingly, friends and supporters of the Mizrachi Charity Fund are choosing to make

donations to the fund in lieu of Purim gifts after performing the Mitzvah.

These donations enable us to continue our assistance to families in our local community who are experiencing difficulties. And of course, it also eliminates the need to consume food items which

must be disposed of prior to Pesach!

Contact Rae on

8317 2504 or rae@mizrachi.com.au

for details

Refreshments for purchase provided by Access

Leibler Yavneh College Hall2 Nagle Avenue, ElsternwickAccess via Brentani Ave gate only

$10 per person

Enquiries: Susie 0419 387 345

Booking: www.trybooking.com/GUTN

You are invited to a jointevent hosted by Melbourne’sJewish women’s organisations

to acknowledge

With Panelists:

Facilitated by

Family Law Barrister

With an improvisedperformance

by

With thanks to our SponsorsRon and Sarah Tatarka

Issue 579 Terumah ד“בס

Shabbat MiTzion This week’s Shabbat Mitzion is dedicated to the memory of Larry Roth z”l

President of Torah MiTzion (1999-2006)

2 Adar 5775, February 21th, 2015

Shabbat Times

Jerusalem

Begin 16:54

End 18:06

שבת מציון

Around

the world

Half Empty Rabbi Hanan Schlesinger - Former Shaliach, Boca Raton (1999-2007) Executive Director and Community Rabbinic Scholar of Dallas Kollel

We all know that one can look at the glass of

life as half empty or half full – it all depends

on your perspective. One of the keys to

living a fulfilled life is to be able to count our

blessings, to live with gratitude and

appreciation for what we have. We want to

see the good and not to dwell on the bad.

All that, however, is only partially true. As far

as what we’ve got, it’s certainly good to

focus on what’s in the glass and not on

what’s not in it. We want to live content and

satisfied, and not to be constantly chasing an

insatiable desire for more. But as far as

spirituality and religion, the realm of what’s

called the soul, the opposite is actually the

case; we ought to turn our gaze to the half of

the glass that is empty. We should strive

towards a deep realization not merely that

we are half empty, but that we are in reality

a bottom-less pit. The better we become and

the more we know, the more cognizant we

are of how much further we have to go, and

that the journey towards spiritual fulfillment

and moral excellence is an endless one. As

Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel was wont to

say, we must be satisfied with what we have,

but never ever with who we are. Spiritual

complacency is a disease that we must avoid

at all costs. Rather, constantly striving to be

better is what it’s all about. The great Hasidic

master Rav Mordechai Yosef Leiner of Isbitz,

saw a hint of this in the Torah portion that

we are reading this week. All of the walls of

the Tabernacle, as well as its furniture, were

to be built according to specifications that

are expressed in whole numbers. Whether

it’s five cubits or three, one handbreadth or

two, there are no halves. Upon reading

Parshat Terumah however, we see that the

measurements of the Holy Ark that holds the

Tablets of the Covenant are different: It is to

stand two and a half handbreadths long, by

one and a half handbreadths wide, by one

and a half handbreadths high. The receptacle

for the foundational document that

delineates our obligations towards man and

God, is constructed according to a blueprint

expressed completely in terms of what we call

in Hebrew ‘broken numbers’. Not whole

handbreadths, but half handbreadths – for

the length, the width, and the height.

What this teaches is that spiritually and mor-

ally, we are never whole, never complete. We

are never fully consummated; our state is

always only ‘half”. There is always an infinite

path of soul development before us. We

could be so much better, we could come so

much closer to God. We could devote so

much more time to that which is really

important in life.

Again and again Rav Mordechai Yosef reminds

us that life is a journey. An endless journey.

You must know that you haven’t arrived …

and never will. We must always experience

the thirst, always feel the lack. What God

wants of us is to be passionate and absolutely

dedicated to the journey towards wholeness

and truth. We must always be aware of being

on the way, and our aspirations to move

towards Him, to progress forward, must burn

within us like a fiery furnace.

Our challenge therefore, is never to mistake

the ‘half’ for the whole. Never to suppose

that we have the full truth in our back

pockets. We own many possessions, and we

need no more. With the Torah we have

acquired for ourselves, on the other hand,

we will never be satisfied. Truth and human

perfection are never a possession, always a

goal.

Kollel Munich in the JNF\KKL convention in

Stuttgart

Nechama Porat, Roshat

Midrasha in Washington,

giving a shiur on the book

of Ezra

Kollel St. Louis arranged a

visit to the botanical gardens

in honor of Tu Be’shvat

Washington- Learning

mishnayot together

Terumah

This Shabbat, parshat Trumah, we read about the

mitzvah of making the Cherubim (Exodus 25:18-20)

“And you shall make two cherubim…. And the

cherubim shall spread out their wings on high,

screening the ark-cover with their wings, with their

faces one to another”. The image of the faces of the

Cherubim “one to another” merited different

interpretations.

One interpretation, by the Ba’al HaTurim, was that

the Cherubim invoked the image of Torah Scholars

learning Torah in havruta (pair study): “’Their faces

one to another’- like two friends discussing Torah.

Rabbi Meir Segal added to his words (Imrey Da’at,

Trumah), “and it is by two Torah scholars discussing

words of Torah in a modest way, where each one

perceives himself as a student learning from his

friend, that truth comes out. And how beloved are

such wise people like this before the Holy One,

Blessed Be He, that they were set to be the model

image of the Cherubim that stood above the Holy Ark

in the Holy of Holies.

A second interpretation, from Rabbi Binyamin Levine

(Chamesh Yadot , part I, Trumah), held that the

Cherubim hint to the relationship between two

different types of national leadership: “And their

faces should be turned one towards the other, like

two friends, hinting that there should always be

peace between them, between the rabbis and

religious leaders and the (political) lay leadership of

the people.”

A third interpretation was that the Cherubim turning

one towards the other represented the desired

relationship between different groups within the

nation, as Rabbi Shimshon Raphael Hirsch wrote (on

Exodus 25:20): “The whole nation of Israel is

represented not by one cherub but by two, by a pair

of cherubs.... Israel will become a pair of cherubim

who, in mutual respect and consideration, are

peacefully directed one to the other, each one there

for the other, each a guarantor for the other, each

entrusted to the other - in brotherly co-operation, a

whole nation keeping and protecting the whole

community….”

It seems, therefore, that for these commentaries the

image of the Cherubim turning one towards the other

had a very practical translation as they represented the

desire of Torah scholars facing one another; of two

different types of leadership working well together; or

of diverse groups within the nation coexisting

peacefully. The differences and disagreements

between them will certainly continue to exist.

However, since they “are facing one another” in peace

and brotherhood, they may be described as

“disagreements for the sake of Heaven.” As it has been

said regarding the relationship of Hillel and Shammai,

that even though they had many disagreements

between them, nevertheless they exemplified

“machloket leshem shamayim” (disagreement for the

sake of Heaven” (Avot 5:17). And they were even

referred to as “friends and brothers” in the piutim

(liturgical poetry) of the Kalir, similar to the

relationship between Moses and Aaron.

However, as it seems, the Cherubim only faced one

another when the people “did the will of G-d”. When

they did not do so, the Cherubim did not face each

other (Baba Metzia, 99a).

This coming week we mark the fast of the 9th of Adar

because, according to the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Cha-

yim 580), “On the 9th (of Adar) Beit Shammai and Hillel

disagreed.” Stating this as the reason for declaring a

fast seems a bit strange, since Beit Hillel and Beit

Shammai were always disagreeing! In fact, the

commentaries on the Shulchan Aruch disagreed

regarding the nature of the disagreement between

them on that day. According to Rav Mordechai Yaffe,

“On the ninth [of Adar], Beit Shammai and Beit Hillel

disagreed with one another, and since a machloket

“With their faces one to the other” – The Cherubim as an image of Disagreement for the sake of Heaven Daniel Roth – Former Shaliach, New York (1998-99)

Terumah

[disagreement] fell between the scholars of Israel,

even though their disagreement was for the sake of

heaven, nevertheless the Torah had become, G-d

forbid, as if it was two Torahs, this one forbids and this

one permits, this one declares a matter impure, and

the other declares it pure, and no law is known

completely. Behold this is like a tragic day and we fast

on it.” In other words, this was indeed a

“disagreement for the sake of Heaven”. However since

this was their first disagreement, it is worthy to mourn

and fast on this day. However, according to Rav

Eliyahu Shapira, "On the 9th of Adar, they disagreed:

And three thousand of the students died. The killing of

three thousand students can no longer be referred to

as a “disagreement for the sake of Heaven”, rather the

opposite. This is literally a civil war. There is no doubt

that if this is what happened on that day, which was

known in the Talmuds (Yerushalmi Shabbat 1:4, Baby-

lonian Talmud, Shabbat 17a) as being “as wretched for

Israel as the day on which the [golden] calf was

made”, the Cherubim would not be facing each other

as a protest to the nation “not doing the will of G-d”.

Therefore this day, the 9th of Adar, was chosen by the Pardes Center for Judaism and Conflict Resolution to be the international Jewish Day of Constructive Conflict (Yom machloket leshem shamayim). Throughout the world, thousands of people and over a hundred schools, synagogues, mediation centers, religious Zionist kollelim and more will be commemorating this day throughout the coming week (February 21 – 28/ 2nd Adar - 9th of Adar). Each person, organization or community that participates is doing so in different ways, for example through studying texts in havruta, or participating in a facilitated dialogue around a controversial issue, or committing to a type of ta’anit dibbur (fasting from speech) refraining from destructive speech and more. However, the common denominator between everyone that signs up is the desire to establish the 9th of Adar as the Jewish Day of Constructive Conflict, and thereby holding onto the hope that one day we should merit to see the Cherubim once again face one another.

Larry Roth joined Torah MiTzion with one

goal—to implement his business skill in an

organization which embodied the

Religious Zionistic ideals he believed in.

He served as the president of Torah

MiTzion for 7 years, and imbedded in the

movement his business professionalism

along with his dedication and enthusiasm.

His legacy continues to impact

Torah MiTzion till today

ת.נ.צ.ב.ה.

Terumah

ISRAtag Arik Speaker

Torah MiTzion was established in 1995 with the goal of strengthening Jewish communities around

the globe and infusing them with the love for Torah, the Jewish People and the State of Israel.

Over the past eighteen years Torah MiTzion's shlichim have inspired and enriched their host

communities through a wide range of high impact formal and informal educational programs.

Where was this photo taken?

Please send answers to

arik@torahmitzion.org

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location as well as the name of the first

person to recognize this site will be

published in next week‘s edition.

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The Robinson's Arch is actually like a small bulge on the southeastern corner of the Western Wall. This bulge is not particularly conspicuous but had a major historical importance. That "buldge" is actually a small remnant of the most important pas-sage into the Temple Mount during the Second Temple.

Originally this was, a huge bridge with a staircase, which allowed the entrance from the western area outside the Temple Mount, which was much lower into the mountain and eventually to the Temple itself, in that sense a real "Aliya Laregel"

At the base of the bridge there was a large square building which contained many ritual baths (Mikve), being of course a necessary condition not only for the en-trance to the Temple itself, but also for those who only wished to go as far as the Temple Mount.

Although many are those who believe that the Second Temple has been built by Herod the truth is of course different. The Temple itself was built by Jews who returned from Babylon generations before the arrival of Herod. But Herod is the one who renovated and enlarged the Temple and especially the Temple Mount, The remnants that remain today, including Robinson's Arch were indeed initiated by Herod.

According to archaeological finding in the area, such as coins signed by Herod and the descriptions of Josephus Flavius, we can understand that the construction of the arch was a huge archaeological project that probably took decades to com-plete. Even without these findings there is no doubt that the construction of such a large and heavy bow that high, was the application of the peak of engineering knowledge and skills of that time.

No small effort was also invested by the Roman army to destroy almost completely the staircase and its basic structure. To this day you can see the original street that elongated under the arch and the huge holes in it because of the falling of the building blocks of the Arch.

The American biblical scholar Edward Robinson who discovered the Arch's very small remnants in 1838, won the great honor of it being named after him to this date. He was considered an international expert on the Holy Land and discovered and interpreted many historical sites in Israel.

Yasher Koach to

Yochai Bloy

for providing the

correct answer