Rabbi Moss: Whose Birth Are You Celebrating?

Question of the Week:

As a believing Christian, I made a recent pilgrimage to the Holy Land. I was profoundly disturbed by the Jewish state and its criminal occupation of the West Bank. How can you justify usurping land that belongs to others?

Answer:

You are entitled to your opinion on the matter. But I hope you are consistent in your beliefs. Being that you oppose a Jewish presence on the West Bank, I assume you will not be participating in any celebrations during the coming days. According to your view, there is no reason to be merry on December 25.

The Christian holidays celebrate an event that you have named a criminal act - the birth of a Jewish baby to a Jewish family living in the West Bank town of Bethlehem. Your views should not allow you to have any part in this cheer, for if you did you would be giving retroactive approval to a Jewish settlement on the West Bank that dates back more than two thousand years.

Perhaps you will be joined by the UN and other humanitarian organizations around the world condemning any celebrations this week that are connected with this controversial birth, as such events would be recognizing the rights of a Jewish family to live on what you see as occupied territory.

However I must warn you, by espousing this view and not celebrating, you will be vastly outnumbered. Not that it's so bad to be in the minority, I personally have been all my life. But keep in mind, while you accuse Israel of occupying land, there will be two billion Christians around the world celebrating the fact that the West Bank has always been the home of the Jewish people.

Good Shabbos,

Rabbi Moss

To subscribe email rabbimoss@nefesh.com.au

Summer Learning Experience

Mon 27 Dec - Mon 3 January 2011

A week of stimulating classes on contemporary Jewish issues

First Session: 10am - 11am

For Men and Women at 47 Bellevue Rd Family room

TWISTED JUDAISM with Rabbi Moss

Mon Dec 27: The Sabbateans and the tragedy of false messianism

Tue Dec 28: The Sadducees and the rejection of Talmudic tradition

Wed Dec 29: The Samaritans and the dangers of insincere conversion

Thur Dec 30: The Frankists and the corruption of Kabbalah

Fri Dec 31: The Maskilim and the lure of modernism

Women's Shiurim - at 47 Bellevue Rd in the Dining room

Mon Dec 27: Parsha insights with Mrs Dina Gourarie

Tue Dec 28: The Secret of Lot with Mrs Nechama Dina Moss

Wed Dec 29: Jewish strategies for anger management with Renee Mill

Thu Dec 30: "Ayin Hara" The Evil Eye - should we worry? with Rabbi Chaiton

Fri Dec 31: The Power of a Song with Mrs Miriam Dolnikov

Men's Textual Shiurim - at the Shtiebell 49 Bellevue Rd

Gemora Sanhedrin

Mon 27 Dec - Fri 31 Dec with Rabbi Gourarie

Monday: Miracles - their place in Jewish Law

Tuesday: "Ayin Hara" The Evil Eye - should we worry?

- Intermarriage - How bad is it? How could Moshe marry a non-Jewish woman?

with Rabbi Chaiton

Second Session 11am - 12pm at the Shtiebell, 49 Bellevue Rd

Topical lectures for Men and Women

Mon Dec 27: Kaddish - its meaning and its power with Rabbi Moss

Tue Dec 28: The Price of an Israeli Soldier with Rabbi Chaiton

Wed Dec 29: Exploring the holiest site -A multimedia presentation discussing the secrets underneath the Temple Mount with Rabbi Yitzchak Barber

Thu Dec 30: A call to prayer - Understanding response triggers in our daily prayers with Rabbi David Freedman

Fri Dec 31: Don't Be Forgetful - Ancient Talmudic practices that damage or improve your memory with Rabbi Michoel Gourarie

Mon January 3, 11am-12pm

The Truth About Charity - A Rabbinical Forum

Three fifteen minute presentations on the sensitive issues around fundraising and philanthropy, followed by question time

Shysters and Schnorrers - can we ever say no? - Rabbi Gourarie

Does Israel Come First? Priorities in Tzedakah - Rabbi Chaiton

Robin Hood and the Rabbis - can a Shul receive tainted money? - Rabbi Moss

BBQ at 12pm

NEFESH SERVICES - 54 Roscoe St Bondi Beach

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Friday

Candlelighting 7:48pm (not before 6:36pm)

6:10pm Mincha

6:30pm - 7:15pm Shabbos Service followed by Kiddush

Shabbos day

9am Class on Weekly Parsha
10am -12:15pm Morning Service with kids program followed by Kiddush sponsored by Michelle Brenner in honour of the Yorzheit of her father Alexander ben Moshe a"h

Shiur 7:00pm

Mincha 7:45pm folllowed by Sholosh Seudos and Maariv

Shabbos ends 8:51pm

Sunday

8am Shachris followed by breakfast and Beginners Talmud Class

Monday to Thursday

8am Shachris