Lessons from the Mighty Mosquito

Bar Mitzvah in Auschwitz - video lecture Monday

SEE BELOW FOR FULL TISHA B'AV PROGRAM Question of the Week:   I am emailing you at 3:30am because I can't sleep. Nothing very dramatic, but there is a mosquito in my room that keeps buzzing in my ear and driving me crazy. So I got thinking, why did G-d create mosquitos? What possible purpose could they serve other than annoying people when they are trying to sleep?   Answer:   Be careful who you call annoying. That mosquito may deserve more respect than you think.   Indeed, the Talmud has some harsh words for mosquitoes. It says that while all creatures contribute to the grand scheme of nature, the mosquito is one exception. It is a consumer, but not a giver. It survives by sucking the blood produced by others, but doesn't itself produce anything useful for the world. To take and not give back is the exact opposite of holiness.   And yet, a mosquito may in some cases be better than a human being. Because even when a mosquito annoys you or bites you, it is just doing what it was created to do. But when a person annoys and bites, causes pain and fails to make the world better, then we are lower than a mosquito, because we are neglecting to fulfill the mission for which we were created. A blood-sucking, sleep depriving mosquito is just doing the job of being a mosquito, but a selfish, lazy or spiteful person is not what a person is supposed to be.    In this way, the mosquito does actually make a valuable contribution to the world. It teaches us this very lesson, that being a good mosquito is not being a good person. Unless you want to be worse than an annoying insect, you had better be contributing to the world in a positive way. A day cannot go by without doing a mitzvah. We are not on this earth to eat and party and sit around watching our life go by, we are here to create a buzz about goodness and fix the world. The mosquito is doing his buzz, you do yours.   For that you might need to get some sleep.   Good night, Rabbi Moss   Sources:  Talmud Gittin 56b, Sanhedrin 38a, Tanya Chapter 24, Sicha Achron Shel Pesach 5744 To subscribe CLICK HERE or email rabbimoss@nefesh.com.au  ASK US ABOUT FLEXIBLE PAYMENT OPTIONS BOOK NOW SHABBOS SERVICES TIMES AND COMMUNITY INFO  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Friday, 28 July, 2017 |5 Av 5777 Candle Lighting................ 4:55pm  Mincha............................ 5:05pm Friday Evening Service.......6:00pm Kiddush sponsored by the Barukh family in memory of Farha Na'ima bat Lulu a"h.   Shabbos, 29 July, 2017 | 6 Av 5777 In depth Parsha Class NOT ON THIS WEEK Children's program................. 10:45am Shabbos Morning Service ........ 10:00am- 12:20pm  Kiddush sponsored by Matthew & Elana Jones    Mincha with Pirkei Ovos Ch 3 followed by Seudah Shlishis ............  4:50pm Gematria and story by Rev Amzalak....5:15pm Shiur with Rabbi Moss.......... ............5:35pm Shabbos ends and Maariv.................. 5:53pm Followed by Havdalah   EREV TISHA B'AV | MONDAY 31 JULY FAST BEGINS 5:15PM TISHA B'AV | TUESDAY 1 AUGUST FAST ENDS 5:42PM SEE BELOW FOR TISHA B'AV PROGRAM   WEEKDAY SHACHARIS SERVICES Sunday ............................ 8:00am Mon - Fri........................... 7:00am Latest Shema this week.......9:24am   HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO Noah Weinberg........ 2 Av/ Tuesday 25 July Charli Berkovits....... 2 Av/ Tuesday 25 July Lior Freedman......... 3 Av/ Wednesday 26 July Nicholas Levy.......... 5 Av/ Friday 28 July Toby Stein..............12 Av/Friday 4 August   LONG LIFE TO Ivan Basserabie for his late father Moshe Chaim ben Avrohom... 9 Av/ Tuesday 1 August Cecile Margolin for her late mother Esther Kaplan  Esther bat Avraham... 11 Av/ Thursday 3 August Magda Schaffer for her late husband Paul Schaffer  Pinchus ben Shmuel...11 Av / Thursday 3 August Les Regos for his late father Joseph Regos Yoseph...13 Av/ Saturday 5 August To make a donation for a birthday, an Aliyah, a Yahrzeit or anything else,  please click here.  TISHA B'AV SCHEDULE ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~  CLICK HERE for a brief overview on the laws of Tisha B'av Monday Night 31 July (fast begins 5:15pm) Evening Service 6:30pm and a reading of the Book of Lamentations, chanted by Rabbi Sufrin with explanations by Rabbi Moss, followed by:   Bar Mitzvah in Auschwitz - a video lecture with survivor Rabbi Nissen Mangel (see flyer above)   Tuesday 1 August Morning service 7am including Kinnos service led by Rev Amzalak with explanations and stories of the destruction of the Temple by Rabbi Moss Mincha 4:30pm (with Tefillin) followed by words of Torah and Maariv Fast ends 5:42pm   Breaking the Fast sponsored by R' Eli Barukh in memory of his grandfather R' Barukh ben Yitzchak Rachamim A"H KIDDUSH SPONSORSHIP ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FRIDAY NIGHT: Herring & L'Chaim-$60 (+ B.Y.O Whisky) | HOT SOUP $75  Basic $120 | Deluxe $200 SHABBOS DAY: Herring & L'Chaim- $90 (+ B.Y.O Whisky) | Standard $350 KIDS KIDDUSH & SHABBOS PROGRAM : $180   CURRENT DATES AVAILABLE: Friday Night 11 August Shabbos Day 12 August   Friday Night 18 August  Shabbos Day 19 August Shabbos Day 26 August  *prices quoted above are for the regular community of 120ppl

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Baby Naming Rights?

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With much joy we announce the birth of a baby boy! Sholom Zochor tonight at our home from 8:15pm. Bris (TBC) this Wednesday 7:30am at Nefesh. Wishing everyone only simchas always! Rabbi Aron and Nechama Dina Moss Question of the Week:   Our baby is now almost six weeks old, but we haven't officially named her. We have a problem. I always wanted to name her after my grandmother. But my wife doesn't like that name because she says it sounds ugly. She wants some other name which is nice, but I think it lacks any real meaning for the family. Doesn't it say somewhere that the father has the right to choose the firstborn's name?   Answer:   I'm not sure you want to know the answer to that.   There is indeed a custom in some communities of alternating the right to name a child between the parents. According to one Ashkenazi custom, the mother names the firstborn child, the father the second and so on. But some Sefardi communities have the father choosing the name for the first son, and then the mother the second son, while all daughters are named by the mother.   In your case, following either system, your wife gets to name this child.    But there is a different approach. These systems were only enacted to avoid intractable arguments between parents. That's not the ideal way to name a child. It is far better that both agree on a name together rather than one having to reluctantly concede to the other's wish.   The need for consensus is indicated in the writings of Kabbalah, which state, "When a father and mother give a name to their child, they are given a prophecy to choose the right name to fit the soul of the child." This implies that the prophecy comes when there is agreement between the parents, and both are happy with the name.     This is just the first of many disagreements you will have with your wife in parenting your child. Inevitably there will be times when you will want to do things one way, and your wife will have a different approach. You could alternate the decision making, so one day you get your way and the kids are allowed to drink Coke, and the next day your wife is in charge and they only get water. One day bed time is optional and the next it is strictly enforced.    But think what this will do to your child. She needs parents who are united and working as a team, with one voice and one standard. When there are cracks in the parents' unity, kids slip between those cracks.   Consider your child's needs before your own, and give her a name that is meaningful, comfortable, and acceptable to you both. May this be the first of many harmonious compromises you make for your children.   Good Shabbos, Rabbi Moss   Sources: Yalkut Yosef Kibud Av Vaem p 77 (Sefardi custom) Divrei Yechezkel (hachadash) Kisvei Kodesh p61 (Ashkenazi custom) Sefer Hagilgulim 23 Igros Kodesh v13 p 146 See also Likkutei Sichos v7 p308 To subscribe CLICK HERE or email rabbimoss@nefesh.com.au  ASK US ABOUT FLEXIBLE PAYMENT OPTIONS BOOK NOW SHABBOS SERVICES TIMES AND COMMUNITY INFO  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Friday, 21 July, 2017 |27 Tammuz 5777 Candle Lighting............................. 4:50pm  Mincha......................................... 5:00pm Friday Evening Service................... 6:00pm Followed by HOT soup kiddush sponsored by The Moss family in honour of Chana's 8th birthday- Mazal Tov!   Shabbos, 22 July, 2017 | 28 Tammuz 5777 In depth Parsha Class NO CLASS THIS WEEK Children's program...................10:45am Shabbos Morning Service ........ 10:00am- 12:20pm  Followed by Kiddush.   Mincha with Pirkei Ovos Ch 2 followed by Seudah Shlishis ................   4:45pm Gematria and story by Rev Amzalak........ 5:10pm Shiur with Rabbi Moss........................... 5:30pm  Shabbos ends and Maariv...................... 5:48pm Followed by Havdalah   NEW MOON/MOLAD | SUNDAY 23 JULY 10:00:14PM   ROSH CHODESH AV | MONDAY 24 JULY   WEEKDAY SHACHARIS SERVICES Sunday ........................... 8:00am Mon - Fri.......................... 7:00am Latest Shema this week......9:26am   CONDOLENCES TO Jon Shapira on the passing of his mother Judith Esther Shapira, Yehudith Esther bat Shmuel a"h.     MAZAL TOV TO Rabbi Aron and Nechama Dina Moss on the birth of a baby boy!   HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO Bentzion Sufrin.........28 Tammuz/ Saturday 22 July Phoenix Radus......... 29 Tammuz/ Sunday 23 July Victoria Hoch........... 29 Tammuz/ Sunday 23 July   LONG LIFE TO Tauba Tanchum for her late brother... Leslie Kaplan Eliezer ben Tevia... 1 Av/ Monday 24 July Molly Runds for her late husband Joseph Runds Yosef ben Shaul HaCohen... 2 Av Tuesday/ 25 July Peter Pakula for his late father Henry Pakula Chaim  Hanoh ben Yosef...4 Av/ Thursday 27 July To make a donation for a birthday, an Aliyah, a Yahrzeit or anything else, please click here.  KIDDUSH SPONSORSHIP ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FRIDAY NIGHT: Herring & L'Chaim-$60 (+ B.Y.O Whisky) | HOT SOUP $75  Basic $120 | Deluxe $200 SHABBOS DAY: Herring & L'Chaim- $90 (+ B.Y.O Whisky) | Standard $350 KIDS KIDDUSH & SHABBOS PROGRAM : $180   CURRENT DATES AVAILABLE: Friday Night 11 August Shabbos Day 12 August   Friday Night 26 August Shabbos Day 27 August  *prices quoted above are for the regular community of 120ppl

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A Lopsided Wedding Ceremony?

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Question of the Week:    I am getting married in two months from now, and last night we had a meeting with the rabbi who will be conducting the ceremony. Something came up which I am quite uncomfortable with: the issue of only the groom giving the bride a ring, and not vice versa. This essentially represents to me that I am being purchased. The idea that there is a problem with the bride also giving the groom a ring seems absurd to me. Surely I have as much say in the agreement to be married as my husband-to-be?   I know I am allowed to give the ring after the ceremony. However, I want to exchange rings during the ceremony. Gender equality is a very important issue to me. I am a highly educated woman, and I also value my Jewish identity, but I am quite upset about this. I would like to hear your opinion...   Answer:   I fully understand your concern. Many couples have asked me the same question. Coming from a modern perspective, it does seem a little lopsided for the man to give the ring exclusively. But I believe when you understand the meaning of the ring giving, you may feel differently.    The chuppah is an exact spiritual operation to join your souls together. It is not just a ceremony celebrating your already existing relationship, it is a life-changing event that creates a new relationship. Before the chuppah you are two souls. After the chuppah, you are one. Still two individuals, with two minds and two hearts, but a united soul.   We can understand how two souls can become one by observing how two bodies can become one. The act of reproduction is the physical union of man and woman. In this bodily union, the man gives and the woman receives. Only this way can new life be created, a child conceived. That child is an actual manifestation of the unity of the parents. Man and woman have literally become one flesh.   The physical world is a mirror image of the spiritual world, and the workings of the soul are reflected by the workings of the body. Just as physical intimacy is the union of bodies, the wedding ceremony is an act of spiritual intimacy, uniting souls. And so in this act of spiritual union the man, expressing the male power of bestowal, gives the ring to the woman, the feminine receiver, making them one.   An exchange of rings doesn't create unity, just as an exchange of seed for egg would not produce a child. Only when the groom gives the ring and the bride receives it, then this singular act of his giving and her receiving produces oneness. Any attempt to alter that process would be, quite literally, counterproductive.   We can't play around with the facts of life. The spiritual life has facts too. May you and your partner be blessed with true oneness, and from that oneness may many little ones come.   Good Shabbos, Rabbi Moss   Sources: See Igros Moshe Even Haezer 3:18 Rashi on Bereishis 2:24 To subscribe CLICK HERE or email rabbimoss@nefesh.com.au  ASK US ABOUT FLEXIBLE PAYMENT OPTIONS BOOK NOW SHABBOS SERVICES TIMES AND COMMUNITY INFO  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Friday, 14 July, 2017 | 20 Tammuz 5777 Candle Lighting............... 4:46pm  Mincha........................... 4:55pm Friday Evening Service..... 6:00pm Followed by Kiddush.   Shabbos, 15 July, 2017 | 21 Tammuz 5777 In depth Parsha Class............. 9:00am Children's program................ 10:45am Shabbos Morning Service ...... 10:00am- 12:20pm  Kiddush in honour of Gidon and Rafael Persky's birthdays, sponsored by their parents- Mazal Tov!   Mincha with Pirkei Ovos Ch 1 followed by Seudah Shlishis ...............   4:40pm Gematria and story by Rev Amzalak...... 5:05pm Shiur with Rabbi Moss.......................... 5:25pm  Shabbos ends and Maariv..................... 5:44pm Followed by Havdalah   WEEKDAY SHACHARIS SERVICES Sunday .......................... 8:00am Mon - Fri......................... 7:00am Latest Shema this week.... 9:27am   LONG LIFE TO David Kessler and family on the passing of his sister Nanette Kessler, Genenda bas Avraham a"h.   HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO Deborah Bui.........23 Tammuz/ Monday 17 July Chana Moss..........25 Tammuz/ Wednesday 19 July Misha Lavecky......26 Tammuz/ Thursday 20 July Erna Frankfurter... 27 Tammuz/ Friday 21 July   LONG LIFE TO Marlene Franks and family for her late mother Cecily Wolman Tsovia bat Sabsa Welva..... 22 Tammuz/ Sunday 16 July Zelman Nissen and family for his late father Michael Judah Nissen Michael Judah ben Avrom           22 Tammuz/ Sunday 16 July Judy Swaab for her late mother Adel Reves Sarah bat Avraham............ 22 Tammuz/  Sunday 16 July Adele Glick for her late mother Nachama Rieback ............ 22 Tammuz  / Sunday 16 July Joseph Newman for his late uncle Cyril Moshe Shostak ......... 23 Tammuz/ Monday 17 July Brian Schwartz for his late mother Rebecca (Becks) Schwartz Sara Rivka bat Moshe....... 24 Tammuz/ Tuesday 18 July Rebecca Steiner-Carrion for her late friend Anna Fisher, Channa bat Leib..... 25 Tammuz/ Wednesday 19 July Rev Amzalak for his late father Reb Yizchak ben Reb Avraham..... 27 Tammuz Friday 21 July If you have recently received an Aliyah at Nefesh Shul and would like to make a donation in honour of that, please click here.

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