Thursday, October 25, 2012

Now That's a Relief!

NEW KABBALAH SERIES Wired for Romance - GOLF DAY - see below

 

Question of the Week:

 

This is out of left field but maybe you can help. A religious Jewish guy works in the office next to me. I just bumped into him as he was walking out of the men's room, and I said hello. But he was talking to himself. He held up his finger to tell me to wait until he finished his "conversation" and then greeted me back. No one else was around, and he wasn't on the phone. At first I thought it was bizarre behavior but have come to learn that maybe there is something religious behind it. Is there?

 

Answer:

 

You have just witnessed one of the most powerful religious moments in the universe. And it usually happens outside the men's room.

 

Your colleague was not talking to himself, he was talking to G-d. He was saying thanks for the ability to go to the bathroom. There is a short prayer of gratitude recited by observant Jews every single time they relieve themselves:

 

Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, King of the universe, who has formed man in wisdom, and created within him numerous orifices and cavities. It is revealed and known before the Throne of Your Glory that if but one of them were to be blocked, or one of them were to be opened, it would be impossible to exist even for a short while. Blessed are You, Lord, who heals all flesh and performs wonders.

 

This is nothing short of amazing. Going to the bathroom is not usually seen as a transcendental experience. And yet here we take this less than pleasant bodily function, and use it as a means for appreciating the miracle of our existence.

 

Many people thank G-d after surviving a serious illness. We thank G-d after going to the bathroom.

 

You don't need to lose your health to appreciate it. What a relief.

 

Good Shabbos,

Rabbi Moss

 

To subscribe CLICK HERE or email rabbimoss@nefesh.com.au

 

 

NEW KABBALAH SERIES

Wired for Romance - Kabbalistic teachings on the role of the mind in loving relationships.

 

Tuesdays Nov 6,13 and 20, 8.15 - 9.15pm at Nefesh

Love is centered in the heart. But love is not just about feelings. The mind plays a vital but often neglected part in forming the romantic bond. This series explores how intellect impacts emotion and how we can use our brains to improve the way we love.

 

 

 

MEANINGFUL MOTHERHOOD - Discussion for mothers and babies with Nechama Dina Moss and Shterny Dadon Mondays 10am-11:15am at Nefesh

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Golf Day   

spa for the soul 
 

SERVICES AT NEFESH ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Friday Night

Candlelighting 7:00pm (not before 5:54pm)

Mincha 6:15pm

Shabbos Service - NEW SUMMER TIME 6:30pm followed by Kiddush.

 

Shabbos Day

Class - The Spiritual Parsha 9am

Morning Service 10am -12:20pm followed by Kiddush in honour of the upcoming wedding of Jonathan Seifman & Tahnya Rudzyn- Mazel Tov!

 

Mincha 6:55pm followed by Seudah Shlishis and Maariv

Shabbos ends 7:58pm

 

Sunday

8am Shachris

 

Weekday Minyan Mon-Fri 7am

 

Chassidus Shiur Mon and Thurs 8:00am - 8:45am

This email was sent to shmuly77d@gmail.com by rabbimoss@nefesh.com.au |  
nefesh | 54 roscoe st | bondi beach | NSW | 2026 | Australia

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Did Man Create G-d?

FRIDAY NIGHT SERVICE NEW TIME 6:30pm (Mincha 6:15pm)

 

Question of the Week:

 

At my University a group of students from all faiths and religions, including Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Hindus, Buddhists meet weekly to discuss many subjects. A recurring question often comes up: "Did man create G-d or did G-d create Man?" What would you have to say on that?

 

Answer:

 

Imagine a new colour. Not a new combination of existing colours, or a shade of another colour, but an entirely original colour that does not resemble any other.

 

You can't. It has never been done. It is beyond the human capability to conceptualise anything that has no basis in reality. All human creativity is the result of taking existing ideas and rearranging them, using ingredients that are already present and making a new combination. There is nothing completely new under the sun.

 

Human invention is the mimicking and harnessing of nature. That's why airplanes are modeled on birds, with wings and tails, and cars are built like horses, on all fours with two eyes at the front and exhaust coming out the back. If you look at every human invention, you will find that nothing is absolutely original.

 

Even in the world of fantasy, human imagination can only invent characters that somewhat resemble real creatures. The most outlandish aliens from the weirdest science fiction stories are no more than overgrown frogmen or human lizards with big ears. The scariest space monster looks strikingly similar to a giant lobster. The wildest imaginations have never been able to dream up an entirely original being. Even fictional characters are based on real life.

 

This was also true of the gods of ancient mythology. The Babylonian, Mesopotamian, Egyptian, Greek and Roman deities were all merely exaggerated humans or personifications of forces of nature. It is easy to see how they were man-made, a combination of mortal man's fears and hopes and fantasies. All ancient gods, like all human inventions, were creative depictions of familiar realities.

 

The only exception to this is the G-d of the Torah. G-d is unlike any creature.

A being that is infinite, above the limits of time and space, who can create something out of absolute nothingness has no parallel anywhere. G-d is the only being that is indescribable and incomparable, unequalled and unlimited. He is not made up of parts, not a combination of characteristics, not a magnified version of some other being. He is totally and utterly original.

 

No human could have come up with that. Just as we can't invent a new colour that doesn't exist already, we can't invent a new being that has no basis in our reality. So the fact we are aware of an absolutely original being means we didn't make Him, He made us.

 

We can't create G-d. But we can discover Him. Beyond the frontiers of our perceived reality lies not an army of giant lobsters, but a being that created us with love and purpose. When we have the humility to recognize our limits, we can perceive the unlimited.

 

Good Shabbos,

Rabbi Moss

 

To subscribe CLICK HERE or email rabbimoss@nefesh.com.au 

 

MAKE YOUR YOMTOV/CALL-UP/YIZKOR DONATION click here

 

MEANINGFUL MOTHERHOOD - back on this week Discussion for mothers and babies with Nechama Dina Moss and Sherny Dadon Mondays 10am-11:15am at Nefesh

 

 

 

 

Golf Day   

SERVICES AT NEFESH ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Friday Night

Candlelighting 6:54pm (not before 5:50pm)

Mincha 6:15pm

Shabbos Service - NEW SUMMER TIME 6:30pm followed by Kiddush sponsored by Shirley Sher in honour of her late husband Hilton Sher's birthday.

 

Shabbos Day

Class - The Spiritual Parsha 9am

Morning Service 10am -12:20pm followed by Kiddush sponsored in honour of the upcoming wedding of Sean Jacobson & Dina Levy- Mazal Tov! and by Sandra & Louis Goldstein in honour of the yahrzeit of Louis' mother Hetty Goldstein A'H.

 

Mincha 6:50pm followed by Seudah Shlishis and Maariv

 

Shabbos ends 7:51pm

 

Sunday

8am Shachris

 

Weekday Minyan Mon-Fri 7am

 

Chassidus Shiur Mon and Thurs 8:00am - 8:45am

 

This email was sent to shmuly77d@gmail.com by rabbimoss@nefesh.com.au |  
nefesh | 54 roscoe st | bondi beach | NSW | 2026 | Australia

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Why Segregate Men and Women in Synagogue?

FRIDAY NIGHT SERVICE NEW TIME 6:30pm (Mincha 6:15pm)

 

Question of the Week: 

 

I have an issue with the mechitzah, the separation of men and women in synagogue. Why do we stand divided in the house of G-d? If men can't keep their eyes on the prayer book that is their problem. Why do we have to sit apart?

 

Answer:

 

The separation of men and women goes all the way back to the ancient Temple in Jerusalem. The sages of old noticed that all the men wanted the air conditioning on high, while the women complained that it was like a freezer in there. After much debate it was decided to separate men and women into different sections of the Temple and adjust the temperature accordingly.

 

While some archeologists dispute the above theory, it does have an element of truth to it. Men and women were separated in the Temple because they live in different spiritual climates. There is a clear divide between male and female spirituality, and each deserves to be nurtured in its own setting.

 

As a rabbi who often stands facing both the men and women, I have observed the vastly different energy on the two sides of the shul. While it can't be said for individuals, as a group it seems women are more comfortable with prayer than men. The men's side is more fidgety and agitated, the women's side more serene. The men pray quicker than the women, who tend to take their time saying the prayers. And when I give a sermon I get much more direct feedback from the women's side than the men's. The animated facial expressions on one side speak far louder than the sea of blank stares on the other.

 

Mixing these two distinct moods would be disturbing to both. And so in synagogue, each soul group is given its own space. The collective masculine and feminine soul can both connect to their common source in their own different ways.

 

The male/female divide should be celebrated. It creates a positive tension that makes our relationships exciting and gives breadth and vibrancy to our experience of life. Separate seating in synagogue encourages both women and men to connect to their soul roots each in their own unique way. And it prevents arguments over the air conditioning, saving the male/female tension for far higher purposes.

 

Good Shabbos,

Rabbi Moss

 

To subscribe CLICK HERE or email rabbimoss@nefesh.com.au 

 

MAKE YOUR YOMTOV/CALL-UP/YIZKOR DONATION click here

 

This email proudly sponsored by:

 

 

 Building

 

 

 

Golf Day   

SERVICES AT NEFESH ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Friday Night

Candlelighting 6:48pm (not before 5:45pm)

 

Mincha 6:15pm

Shabbos Service - NEW SUMMER TIME 6:30pm followed by Kiddush

 

Shabbos Day

Class - The Spiritual Parsha 9am

Morning Service 10am -12:20pm followed by Farbrengen in honour of Shabbos Mevorchim 

 

Mincha 6:40pm and naming of Colin & Nicky Cunio's baby daughter- Mazal Tov! followed by Seudah Shlishis in honour of the birth and naming, and Maariv

Shabbos ends 7:45pm

 

Sunday

8am Shachris followed by breakfast and beginners' Talmud 9:00-9:45am

 

Weekday Daily Minyan 7am

 

Chassidus Shiur Mon and Thurs 8:00am - 8:45am

This email was sent to shmuly77d@gmail.com by rabbimoss@nefesh.com.au |  
nefesh | 54 roscoe st | bondi beach | NSW | 2026 | Australia

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Drop Your Jewish Baggage

DON'T MISS SIMCHAS TORAH MONDAY NIGHT see below

 

Question of the Week: 

My family are typical disappearing Jews. Each generation drifts a little further away from Judaism. My grandparents were strictly religious; my parents were not, but were still quite traditional; my generation is Jewish by name only, not involved with anything Jewish. At this rate, what will my kids look like? Is there any way to stop this trend?

 

Answer:

 

Have you seen the new regulations about taking luggage onto a plane? Some airlines don't allow you on the plane with any hand-luggage. There's a spiritual message in that. If you have too much baggage, you can't get on the flight.

 

Many of us see Jewishness as a big bag of treasure, handed down from one generation to another. This bag is very precious, full of wise advice, rich tradition and meaningful insight. But it can be a burden. It's heavy to carry three thousand years of baggage as you travel along the road of life. As valuable as the treasure may be, it will sometimes seem impractical to carry it all. Each generation will look through the treasure for what seems the most valuable, and discard the excess baggage.

 

But there is another way to look at it. Judaism is not the luggage we carry through the journey of life. It is the journey of life. It is not something we take on our travels, it is the path that we are travelling on itself. Jewishness is not static. You don't carry it, you live it. It is not a treasure that belonged to your parents, it is a journey that belongs to you.

 

Jewish commitment is not measured by how much we do but rather by how far we have travelled. It is not about how religious I am today, it is about how much I have grown. If we are growing in our spiritual connection, if we are learning more about our tradition, if we are deepening our commitment to G-d, then we are on the road.

 

This message will seep down to the next generation. Our children will make their own choices, and there are no guarantees. But one thing is clear. Our children's view of Judaism is shaped by the way we live it. If we carry Judaism as a precious burden, then that's what it will be to them - and the burden may seem too heavy. But if we embrace our own Jewishness as a soul journey, then our children will more likely want to come along for the ride.

 

Teach yourself and your children to drop their baggage. It's the only way to fly.

 

Good Shabbos,

Rabbi Moss

 

To subscribe CLICK HERE or email rabbimoss@nefesh.com.au 

 

MAKE YOUR YOMTOV/CALL-UP/YIZKOR DONATION click here

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SERVICES AT NEFESH ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Friday Night

Candlelighting

5:43 pm

Mincha 5:45pm

Shabbos Service 6:00pm followed by Kiddush in honour of the yarhzeit of Tzvi ben Reuvain z'l.

 

Shabbos Day

Morning Service 10am -12:20pm followed by Kiddush sponsored by Stuart Shaw to farewell Samantha Jacobs who is leaving for an extended trip to Israel.

 

Early Mincha 5:15pm and Barmitzvah of Joshua Lipovic - Mazel Tov! followed by Seudah Shlishis in honour of Joshua's barmitzvah and Maariv

Shabbos ends6:39pm

 

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS BEGINS

Sunday Hoshana Rabba

Shachris 8am

YOM TOV SCHEDULE

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Sunday 21 Tishrei / 7 October

SHMINI ATZERES

6:44pm Candle Lighting

6:55pm Mincha

7:30pm Yomtov evening service, followed by Kiddush in the Sukkah and Hakofos dancing

 

Monday 22 Tishrei / 8 October

Shemini Atzeres

10:00am Morning service followed by Kiddush in the Sukkah sponsored anonymously

6:55pm Mincha

7:30pm SIMCHAS TORAH SERVICE, huge Kiddush Kiddush sponsored in merit of the soul of Michael Samuel Ben Habiba z"l and Hakofos dancing till late

 

Candle Lighting for second night must be after 7:40pm

 

Tuesday 23 Tishrei / 9 October

Simchas Torah

10:00am Morning service, Kiddush in honour of the 7th birthday of Maya Segre- Mazel Tov! Hakofos dancing, completing Torah and starting again

2:30pm (approx) Simchas Torah LunchBOOKINGS CLOSED 

6:30pm Mincha followed by Farewell to the Yomim Tovim

7:41pm Yom Tov ends

 

Mazel tov to our chassanim:

 

Dan Lowinger - Chosson Torah

Nissim Chai Nissim - Chosson Bereishis

Danny Meguedeche - Chosson Maftir

 

This email was sent to shmuly77d@gmail.com by rabbimoss@nefesh.com.au |  
nefesh | 54 roscoe st | bondi beach | NSW | 2026 | Australia