Thursday, November 28, 2013

Do We Need Rituals?

UGE MENORAH LIGHTING - DONUTS & WHISKEY TONIGHT 6:30pm

 

DIY CHANUKAH THIS SUNDAY - LAST CHANCE TO PREBOOK BELOW

 

Question of the Week:

 

I had this debate with my sister. We are both trying to raise proud Jewish families, so I was surprised to hear that in her home, they do not light Chanukah candles. She says rituals aren't necessary for Jewish identity. Her words: "It's very cute and quaint to light candles with the kids, but how does that help the world?" I feel she is wrong but couldn't explain why. It does seem a bit silly to say that lighting candles is such a big deal. So, how can I convey that rituals are important?

 

Answer:

 

Imagine you had never seen fire before in your life, and I showed you a flame on a candle. Then I asked you, do you think you can make a fire like this?

 

You would not think it is possible. A flame is such an intricate creation, with hues of red and orange and blue, a flickering motion, intense heat and bright light. Where can one get all the ingredients to make such a concoction?

 

Then I showed you how I made this flame. All I did was light a match.

 

You would be convinced that there is some trick here. How can the simple flick of a wrist create such a magnificent effect? The act doesn't fit the result.

 

We don't think about it, but it's true. The mere act of striking a match alone isn't worthy of its impact. We can't really take credit for making a flame. G-d created the power of combustion, which means that when you take certain materials and manipulate them in a certain way, a fire appears. So the flame is G-d's creation. But that flame can only come if you light the match.

 

The wise King Solomon said, "Every mitzvah is a candle." Like lighting a flame, our act in doing a mitzvah may seem insignificant, but the light it creates is not. An awesome divine energy is released each time we perform a Jewish ritual, because they are not just rituals, they are G-d's commands. Whether it be lighting Chanukah candles, putting on Tefillin or shaking a Lulav, making Kiddush or affixing a Mezuzah, these small acts have cosmic impact. The spiritual result far outweighs the physical effort.

 

Most of us don't understand why striking a match makes a fire. But we all know it works. Rituals work too. The most memorable and powerful moments are made around Jewish rituals. Your children will forget most of the lectures you give them. They wont forget the candles you lit with them.

 

Good Shabbos,

Rabbi Moss

 

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

 

Chanukah Shiur 

 In the Footsteps of the Maccabees

 

Please join Shlomo BenHaiem for an in depth historical understanding of the story of Chanukah. Get to know the Maccabees like never before!

This Shabbos 6:30pm at Nefesh for men and women

 

Do-It-Yourself Chanukah  
INFO
DIY CHANUKAH
Sunday 
December 1
4:30-6:30pm
at Nefesh

Donuts, BBQ, 
Huge Menorah Lighting

Game and Storytime for the kids with 
Rabbi Chaim and 
Morah Mushka!


BOOK NOW

AT THE DOOR 
$15 per person

Includes BBQ, donuts and all activities

WHAT MAKES A MENORAH KOSHER?

- place for eight candles plus a shammes (an additional candle to light the others)
  
- Eight candles all be in a straight line and on the same level, shammes a bit higher or off to the side
  
- Each candle clearly visible
  
- It should be one structure, i.e. have a base that connects all the candle holders into one piece  
Let's explain what
Do-It-Yourself Chanukah
means:

We are going to have some fun and create something unique that will make this Chanukah memorable....    
Make your own original and kosher Menorah using found materials.    
Enter the competition for the most creative Menorah and win!

 

 
Who Is This For?

This is a fun event for all ages, adults and children alike. 
 
Release the artist within you!

There will be a separate table for children with simple materials to help them stretch their imaginations. 
 
What You Will Need

Bring your tools and interesting odds and ends. You can bring your own supplies or choose from our selection on the day.


We really hope to see you there!
  
Happy Chanukah,
Rabbi Moss and Nechama Dina

Prebook and save!
$10 per person, $40 per family PREBOOKED
$15 per person at the door
undefined
  Offer Expires: Friday November 29

SEARCHING FOR SOCCER STARS
 

Nefesh is competing in a five-a-side soccer tournament at Chabad of Double Bay's Chanukah at the Bay event this Tuesday. 

We have some players signed up and need some more.

Please tell Lior Segre or Rabbi Moss if you can play and uphold our unbeaten record!

Remember, winning is not important.....


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
To advertise here contact office@nefesh.com.au 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
  

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

Friday Night Candlelighting 7.30pm (not before 6.20pm)

 

Mincha 5.45pm

 

Chanukah menorah lighting with donuts and L'Chaim 6.30pm

Refreshments sponsored by the Morris family.

L'Chaim sponsored by Yael Cacoub in memory of her grandfather Henri Aharon ben Esther z"l and her uncle Nahum Hai ben Louise Zeiza Taieb z"l.

 

Shabbos Service 7.00pm

 

Shabbos Day

Class - The Spiritual Parsha 9am

Service 10am -12:20pm Followed by Kiddush sponsored by Juliet Vesely and Jeff Reynolds on the occasion of their forthcoming wedding in two weeks. 

 

Mincha 7.30pm followed by Seudah Shlishis

Shabbos ends 8.32pm

 

Sunday Shachris 8am

Weekday Shachris 7am

 

Latest Shema 9.11am 
This email was sent to shmuly77d@gmail.com by rabbimoss@nefesh.com.au |  
nefesh | 54 roscoe st | bondi beach | NSW | 2026 | Australia

No comments:

Post a Comment