Rabbi Moss: Are You More Than a Fashion Statement?

Question of the Week:

Hoping you can help with a translation. I recently bought a new suit, and my aunt said to me something like, "Tetchadesh!" I asked her what it means and she said it is Hebrew and you say it when someone gets new clothing. So I asked her again what it means and she sort of said something like, "wear in good health," but she really didn't know exactly what it means. So what does it mean?

Answer:

You may be surprised at the true meaning of this blessing for new clothes. It actually translates: "May you wear it out and need a new one."

This is not a Yiddish curse disguised as a blessing (like the one that goes, "May you make a lot of money and be the only one in your family with it.") This is a real blessing. You should outlive your clothing. You should use your material possessions well and be able to replace them. Your suit will be worn out, but you will keep on trucking, and buy a new one.

There could be a deeper blessing here too. As exciting as a new suit is, it won't last forever. The clothes we wear are no more than an external façade, and the way you look today will not be the way you look in a few years from now. Fashions come and go. Make sure you don't go out with the latest fashion.

Don't define yourself by your appearance. There is something beyond your exterior look, there is your true self. When your clothes wear out, will there be anything left? Do you have anything more to say with your life than a fashion statement? Your aunt blessed you that the real you should remain true to itself. Tetchadesh!

Good Shabbos,
Rabbi Moss

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NEW CLASSES

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Meaningful Motherhood - A discussion group for mothers and babies with Nechama Dina Moss & Shternie Dadon Mondays 10:00 - 11:00am at Nefesh

S.T.E.P. Module 7 The Jewish Calendar with Rabbi Chaiton Mondays 8:15 - 9:15pm 25 July - 19 September At 45 Bellevue Road

ABC's of Love - An advanced search for soulmates with Rabbi Moss Tuesday 8:15 - 9:30pm 16 August at Nefesh

Hebrew Reading Hour - Learn to read Hebrew in 7 weeks with Uncle Velvel *Bookings Essential office@bina.com.au Wednesdays 7:45 - 8:45pm 27 July - 14 September at 17 Anglesea Street

Hebrew Reading Fluency - Improve your confidence, fluency and understanding with Rabbi Spielman *Bookings Essential office@bina.com.au 7:30 - 8:15pm Wednesdays 27 July - 14 September at 45 Bellevue Road

Kabbalah of the Talmud - Life changing lessons from mystical interpretations of Talmudic Allegories with Rabbi Chaiton Wednesdays 8:15 - 9:15pm 10 Aug -7 September at 45 Bellevue Road

Health Brain Healthy Heart - Making your intellect and emotion work for you and your relationships with Rabbi Gourarie Wednesdays 8:15 - 9:15pm 17 August - 31 August at the Jewish House

The Makings of a Mensch - Lessons in good living from the wise with Rabbi Moss Thursdays 1:00 - 2:00pm, lunch included, ABL, Level 24, Chifley Towers, Sydney CBD

and much more at www.bina.com.au

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Friday

Candlelighting 4:50pm

5:00pm Mincha followed by shiur

6:30pm - 7:15pm Shabbos Service followed by Kiddush sponsored by Assia Kichkin in honour of Gabi's birthday - mazel tov!

Shabbos day

9am Class on Weekly Parsha

10am -12:15pm Morning Service with kid's programfollowed by Kiddush sponsored in honour of Paul 'Pauly' Schaffer's Bar Mitzvah Anniversary by his Nefesh friends - mazel tov!

Mincha 4:45pm followed by Seudah Shlishis and Maariv

Shabbos ends 5:48pm

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8am Shachris followed by breakfast in honour of the end of the Shiva of Sassoon Hai ben Mazal z"l

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7am Shachris followed by Chassidus