Are Spiritual Healers Kosher?

Question of the Week:

What's the Jewish position on spiritual healing? I have come across an eastern treatment that looks amazing. It requires me to connect to particular angelic forces and recite incantations in order to activate the healing. As a Jew is there any issue in utilising these healing practices?

Answer:

Spirituality and healing are deeply intertwined. Modern medicine recognises the power of the mind to help heal the body, and the impact of a patient's spiritual state on the healing process. Any attempt to improve our physical health should be coupled with an upgrade in our spiritual health. On many levels, the body and soul are in parallel.

A medical treatment will only be effective if it is compatible with the patient. Factors such as blood type, genetic make-up, allergies and family history need to be taken into account when deciding whether a particular treatment is appropriate for a particular person. A practitioner would be derelict in their duty if they did not first investigate the patient's background before prescribing a mode of treatment.

The same applies to spiritual remedies. Your soul's family history must be taken into account before embarking on any spiritual path. If your soul make up is Jewish, it needs Jewish spirituality to be healthy.

Physical healing practices can be learned from any culture. Stretches and exercises, breathing and relaxation techniques, herbal remedies and natural medicines, if they have been tried and tested and pose no danger, may be helpful, no matter where in the world they come from. These practices don't need to come from a Jewish source in order to heal a Jewish body.

But once a remedy crosses over into the spiritual realm, requiring us to connect with energies, pray to higher beings, focus on names of angels or channel invisible powers, then we must beware. The Jewish soul is allergic to idolatry. We have only one G-d, and we have the Torah as our spiritual health manual. If it doesn't jive with Torah, then it is not compatible with our family history. 

A healthy organism is one connected to its roots. Study Torah and plug in to your soul's source. You need it for your health. Your doctor doesn't have to be Jewish. Your spirituality does.

Good Shabbos,
Rabbi Moss

Note: Some remedies contain non-kosher ingredients. Some spiritual energies are idolatrous and some are not. These issues should be discussed with a competent halachic authority on a case by case basis.

Source:
See Igros Kodesh Volume 10 p38

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New Kiddush options at Nefesh!
Please consider sponsoring a Kiddush- we have a number of dates available in January. 
Friday Night
$75 - Basic
$200 - Deluxe

Shabbos Day
$100- cholent & crackers
$180- cholent, crackers & cake
$300- sushi, cholent, cake & fruit
*all in individual servings/boxes. Prices are for 30 people.  

Email office@nefesh.com.au to book your kiddush. 

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SERVICES & COMMUNITY INFORMATION: VAYECHI
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PRIOR REGISTRATION REQUIRED TO ATTEND SHUL.
PLEASE REGISTER HERE. 
Friday 1 January – 17 Teves  
Candle lighting... 7:51pm (after 6:43pm)
Mincha.............. 6:15pm
Evening Service.. 6:30-7:20pm
Followed by Kiddush

Saturday 2 January – 18 Teves 
Morning Service... 10:00am-12:20pm
Kids Program....... 10:30am 
Followed by Kiddush 

Shiur with Rabbi Sufrin... 6:55pm
Mincha......................... 7:55pm
Shabbos ends & Maariv... 8:53pm

Latest Shema this week...... 9:21am

CONDOLENCES
Daniel and Tegan Barnett and their families on the passing of Ruth Lior Barnett. 
Gary, Michael and David Hendler and their families on the passing of their mother Yetta Hendler, Yetta Bat Shmuel HaCohen.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY
Tooti & Gavin Kotkin... 19 Tevet/Sunday 3 January
Jared & Lauren Kaplan... 20 Tevet/Monday 4 January

LONG LIFE FOR THE FOLLOWING YORTZHEITS
Michelle Brenner for her late father Alexander Brenner
Alexander... 18 Tevet/Saturday 2 January

Steven, Kim and Roy Eckowitz for their late father Henry Eckowitz,
Chona ben Shmuel... 20 Tevet/Mon 4 January

Hana Krawchuk for her late grandfather Isaac Bobrov
Yitchak Bobrov... 20 Tevet/Monday 4 January

Lesley Judelman for her late father Sam Steinhard
Zalman ben Moshe... 20 Tevet /Monday 4 January

Harold Judelman for his late sister Elaine Tudin
Ella bat Yisroel... 21 Tevet/Tuesday 5 January

Adele Glick for her late father 
Mendel Rieback... 24 Tevet/Friday 8 January 

If you would like Nefesh to include your Birthday, Anniversary or Yortzheit in our newsletter and send you an email reminder, just fill in this quick ONLINE FORM.

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Aren't I Jewish Enough Already?

Reminder: Fast of the Tenth of Teves ends tonight @ 8:37pm (Sydney time)
Recite Friday Night Kiddush and commence meal only after this time 

Question of the Week:

I have to admit, I am angry. I was brought up Jewish, attended a Jewish school, and have only known Judaism as my religion. Now I am told I have to convert, because my mother never formally became Jewish. Isn't it a little unfair that all my life I was more Jewish than my friends, was subjected to anti-Semitism, and then I am told I need to convert?

Answer:

I completely understand your frustration. It can't be easy to hear that you need to convert to your own religion. But please don't take it personally. This is not a reflection on you. The entire Jewish nation went through exactly what you are going through now.

After leaving Egypt, where they suffered as slaves and were tormented for being Jewish, the Israelites reached Mount Sinai. There they were told they had to formally accept the Torah, and convert to Judaism by immersing in a mikvah.

They could've had the same complaint as yours. We've always been Jewish, we have even suffered for it, and now we're told we need to become Jewish.

Indeed they were already Jewish in the ethnic sense, but they had not yet become Jewish in the religious sense. They were born into the Jewish clan, but they had not yet committed to the Jewish mission. Only by sincerely accepting the Torah did they take on the complete Jewish identity in body and soul.

The Israelites of old had a moment of truth. Am I ready to stand before G-d and commit myself to being Jewish? Not just for a day or a week or a year. Not just for my lifetime. For generations. And they said yes.

That power of that moment still reverberates to this day. All Jews alive today are descended from a mother who converted to Judaism, who took that plunge, either at Mount Sinai or sometime since then.

Now you have your moment of truth. You can be culturally and ethnically Jewish, as you already are. Or you can stand at your own Sinai and say yes to G-d.

Put aside the emotion and take this decision seriously. If you don't go ahead, you leave things hanging for your children and theirs. But if you do it, your commitment is forever, for all generations, once and for all.

Good Shabbos,
Rabbi Moss

Sources: 
See Exodus 19:10, Rambam Hilchos Issurei Biah 13

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IS ATTRACTION NECESSARY FOR LOVE?

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New Kiddush options at Nefesh
Please consider sponsoring a Kiddush - we have a number of dates available in January. 
Friday Night
$75 - Vegetable Platter, Dip & Crackers
$200 - Sushi, Fruit & Cake

Shabbos Day
$100- Cholent & Crackers
$180- Cholent, Crackers & Cake
$300- Sushi, Cholent, Crackers, Cake & Fruit

Prices are for 40 people.  

Email office@nefesh.com.au to book your kiddush. 

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SERVICES & COMMUNITY INFORMATION: VAYIGASH
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PRIOR REGISTRATION REQUIRED TO ATTEND SHUL.
PLEASE REGISTER HERE.

Friday 25 December – 10 Teves  
Candle lighting... 7:49pm (after 6:41pm)
Evening Service... 6:30-7:20pm
Recite Kiddush at home (after Fast Ends:  8:37pm)

Saturday 26 December – 11 Teves 
Morning Service... 10:00am-12:20pm
Kids Program....... 10:30am 
Lechaim in loving memory of Chaim Shedlezki sponsored by his granddaughter Sarah Grossman Haba and family. 

Shiur with Rabbi Sufrin... 6:50pm
Mincha......................... 7:50pm
Shabbos ends & Maariv... 8:52pm

Latest Shema this week... 9:17am

HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Gary Lazarus... 12 Teves/Sunday 27 December
Shai Behrman... 17 Tevet/Friday 1 January
Debbie Parker... 17 Tevet/Friday 1 January

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY
Gilda & Jonathan Shapira...12 Tevet/Sunday 27 December
Sarah & Benjy Reid... 12 Tevet/Sunday 27 December
Greg & Leah Weinstein... 13 Tevet/Monday 28 December
Daniel & Megan Lazarus... 17 Tevet/Friday 1 January
Vicky & Joel Kahn... 17 Tevet/Friday 1 January

LONG LIFE FOR THE FOLLOWING YORTZHEITS
Rene, Josh, Shannon and Dyllan Garber for their late husband and father Maurice Garber,
Moshe ben Yehuda... 12 Tevet/Sunday 27 December

Libby Moss for her late grandmother 
Jessie Stanley... 13 Teves/ Monday 28 December

Theresa Bengis for her late father 
Yosef ben Emmanuel... 13 Tevet/Monday 28 December

Janice, Leanne & Naomi Shedlezki for their late
husband and father Chaim Shedlezki 
Chaim ben Moshe... 13 Tevet/Monday 28 December

Harold Judelman for his late mother Esther Judelman 
Sheina Ester bat Chaim Guttel... 14 Tevet/ 29 December

If you would like Nefesh to include your Birthday, Anniversary or Yortzheit in our newsletter and send you an email reminder, just fill in this quick ONLINE FORM.

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How To Heal A Broken Heart

SHABBOS MORNING SERVICE TOMORROW ONLY AT 36 FLOOD ST 
(No service at Francis St tomorrow)

Question of the Week

This has been my worst Chanukah ever. My relationship has ended and I am alone again. I really trusted this time, and I was let down. I don't think I can go through this any more. How many times can a heart be broken before you just say enough!?

Answer:

I'm so sorry to hear that you are going through this pain. Just don't give up now. It's Chanukah. And the story of Chanukah is a beginner's manual on surviving heartbreak.

I'm sure you are familiar with the tale. The Syrian-Greeks, who had conquered Israel and contaminated the Temple, had just been defeated by the Jewish rebels called the Maccabees. The victorious Jews went about rededicating the Temple, but could not find any pure olive oil with which to light the Temple candles. The Greeks had systematically defiled all the oil they could find.

But the Jews kept looking. It was almost as if they knew that they would find something. And they did. One jar of oil, pure and untouched, lay hidden in the Temple. The Maccabees joyously lit the candles, although aware that the oil was only enough for one night. But it lasted eight days, exactly enough time to produce new pure oil. 

That jar of oil represents the unbreakable spirit at the core of every person. You have a soul, a divine spark, a holy light, which is untouchable, cannot be harmed, its light cannot be dimmed. People can hurt you, but they can't extinguish your spark. Now is when you need to find that spark. 

Your sanctuary has been contaminated, your heart broken and your trust shattered. You have every right to be angry at the world, to close up your emotions and shrivel into a lonely depression. But then the world will miss out on your light.

Follow the lead of the Maccabees. Search until you find that unbreakable essence at your core. If all you see is brokenness, keep looking until you find your wholesomeness. It is there. It is always there. Believe that you can love and trust again. Pray for your hidden jar of hope to surface. Once it does, it will shine long enough for your heart to heal. 

Good Shabbos and Happy Chanukah,
Rabbi Moss

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New Kiddush options at Nefesh!
Please consider sponsoring a Kiddush- we have a number of dates available in November. 
Friday Night
$75 - hot soup & crackers
$200 - sushi, fruit & cake

Shabbos Day
$100- cholent & crackers
$180- cholent, crackers & cake
$300- sushi, cholent, cake & fruit
*all in individual servings/boxes. Prices are for 30 people.  

Email office@nefesh.com.au to book your kiddush. 

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THIS WEEK'S PODCAST

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SERVICES & COMMUNITY INFORMATION: MIKEITZ
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PRIOR REGISTRATION REQUIRED TO ATTEND SHUL.
PLEASE REGISTER HERE. 

Friday 18 December – 3 Teves  
Candle lighting... 7:46pm (after 6:38pm)
Mincha... 6:15pm
Evening Service... 6:30-7:20pm
Followed by Kiddush

Saturday 19 December – 4 Teves 
This week only @ Moshe Triguboff Centre, 
36 Flood St Bondi
Morning Service ...10:00am-12:20pm
Kids Program... 10:30am 
Followed by Kiddush in honour of Eli Jones' Bar Mitzvah- Mazal Tov!

Back at Nefesh Shul, Francis Street:
Shiur with Rabbi Sufrin ...6:50pm
Mincha... 7:50pm
Shabbos ends & Maariv... 8:48pm

Latest Shema this week...... 9:13am

MAZAL TOV
Elana & Matthew Jones and their families on Eli's Bar Mitzvah this Shabbos.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Tom Moss... 3 Tevet/Friday 18 December
Gavi Sufrin... 6 Tevet/Monday 21 December
Willow Glick... 9 Tevet/Thursday 24 December

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY
Danielle & Gidon Weinstein... 7 Tevet/Tuesday 22 Dec
Dale & Tal Levin... 7 Tevet/Tuesday 22 Dec
Anthony & Rebecca Tockar... 8 Tevet/Wed 23 Dec
Gavin & Beatrish Gordon... 9 Tevet/Thursday 24 Dec

LONG LIFE FOR THE FOLLOWING YORTZHEITS
Linda Isdale for her late mother Joyce Vilensky
Simcha bat Aharon... 4 Tevet/Saturday 19 December

Yvonne Coburn & William Feuermann for their late mother Vera Rachel Feuermann
Rachel bat Zvi... 7 Tevet/Tuesday 22 December

Peppi Glick for his late mother 
Ettie Glick... 10 Tevet/Friday 25 December

If you would like Nefesh to include your Birthday, Anniversary or Yortzheit in our newsletter and send you an email reminder, just fill in this quick ONLINE FORM.

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My Head is Spinning

LIGHT MENORAH AND SHABBOS CANDLES AT HOME TONIGHT AFTER 6:35PM (SYDNEY TIME)
FRIDAY NIGHT EVENING SERVICE TONIGHT 7PM

Question of the Week:

We are having a cultural day at work where people share their religious customs. I have three minutes to talk about Chanukah and wanted to talk about the dreidel (someone else is speaking about the Menorah). Is there a deeper meaning to spinning the dreidel on Chanukah that I could easily present? 

Answer:

Take a dreidel and spin it. Let everyone watch. It's fascinating. You never know which side it will land on. It could fall on the Gimmel, which means you win all, or the Shin, which means you lose all. It may land on Heh, and you win half the pot. And sometimes it ends up on Nun, and nothing happens. 

It all seems totally random. But really it isn't. Every spin has an exact amount of kinetic energy to cause a measured number of turns. The table surface provides an exact amount of friction, and the air pushes the dreidel in a certain way, so it falls exactly as it is supposed to. Nothing is left to chance. There is an exact science to the spin. We just don't get it. 

Life is like that. It may seem random sometimes. Things just happen, you win or you lose, it falls this way or that for no apparent reason. But that is just how it seems. There is a divine hand spinning the world. Every turn is deliberate, every experience you have is supposed to happen, and whether you win or lose, there is a reason behind it.

There are no self-spinning dreidels. There is always a hand behind the spin. Whatever life deals you, whether a nothing Nun, a gainful Gimmel, and halfway Heh or a shameful Shin, that's exactly where you are meant to be.

When you put the four letters of the dreidel together, they stand for "Nes Gadol Haya Sham" - a great miracle happened there. Because when you piece together all the ups and downs of your life into one whole picture, you must admit, it is a miracle you are here.

Good Shabbos and Happy Chanukah,
Rabbi Moss

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Click here for a meaningful downloadable guide for Chanukah

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THIS WEEK'S PODCAST

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SERVICES & COMMUNITY INFORMATION: VAYESHEV
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PLEASE REGISTER FOR SHUL ATTENDANCE HERE. 

Friday 11 December – 25 Kislev  
Light Menorahs at home (after 6:35pm)
Light Shabbos Candles... 7:41pm (Not before 6:33pm)
No Mincha at Shul this week
Evening Service... 7:00-8:00pm

Saturday 12 December – 26 Kislev 
Morning Service... 10:00am-12:20pm
Kids Program... 10:30am 
Kiddush sponsored by Reverend Amzalak in honour of the yortzheit for his late brother Avraham ben Yitzchak OBM on 28 Kislev - Long Life!
Lunch sponsored by Vitali Broyda in honour of his wife Karen's birthday - Mazal Tov!  

Shiur with Rabbi Sufrin... 6:45pm
Mincha.. 7:45pm
Shabbos ends & Maariv... 8:44pm
Light 3rd candle on Menorah

Latest Shema this week... 9:10am

MAZAL TOV
Martin Kitay & Lynda Brauer and their extended families on Martin's Aufruf this Shabbos and their upcoming wedding.
Landon Kahn & Aliza Beaudoin and their extended families on Landon's Aufruf this Shabbos and their upcoming wedding. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Aviv Farhy 2 Tevet/Thursday 17 December
Amber Lessem 3 Tevet/Friday 18 December

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY
Gary & Karen Lazarus... 26 Kislev/Saturday 12 December
Julia & Jarred Rubin... 27 Kislev/Sunday 13 December
Rachael & Brett Kaplan... 29 Kislev/Tuesday 15 December
Adam & Jodi Karpas... 29 Kislev/Tuesday 15 December
Jack & Leyat Reuben... 2 Tevet/Thursday 17 December
Lina & Richie Barel... 3 Tevet/Friday 18 December

LONG LIFE FOR THE FOLLOWING YORTZHEITS
Reverend Amzalak for his late brother Avraham ben Yitzchak... 28 Kislev /Monday 14 December
Ruth Jacobs for her late mother Karoline Sukiennik, Kreindel bat Yaacov... 2 Tevet/Thursday 17 December
Gavin Krawchuk for his late grandfather David Sandler, David ben Mordechai... 3 Tevet/Friday 18 December

If you would like Nefesh to include your Birthday, Anniversary or Yortzheit in our newsletter and send you an email reminder, just fill in this quick ONLINE FORM.

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Is Someone Controlling Your Mind?

Question of the Week

I have been studying the Book of Tanya and find it fascinating. But I am stuck on one idea expressed there. Tanya says that we can control our behaviour, which includes our thoughts, speech and action. I don't agree. We can usually control what we do, and also what we say. But can we control what we think? I can't help what pops into my head!
(just resending this question I wrote to you two weeks ago. I didn't hear back so maybe you didn't receive it the first time?)

Answer:

Apologies for not responding sooner to your message. I actually did receive it the first time. But I ignored it. I didn't even open it. And it was deliberate. 

I decide which messages I open, and which I don't. Just because an alert pops up on my screen does not mean I have to react to it. I may not be able to control the messages that arrive in my inbox, but I can certainly control whether or not I open them. And I didn't open yours. 

My not answering your question is the answer to your question. You may not be able to control the thoughts that pop into your head. But you most certainly can control your reaction to them. If an inappropriate thought enters your mind, you have the choice to entertain it or reject it.

And that is the challenge we are given, to take the reigns of our brains and push away negative thinking. When you reject a bad thought, you don't allow it to become yours, you don't identify it. And each time you do, you become the master of your inbox.

Unless you are a very holy person, you will experience bad thoughts on a regular basis. Sometimes they will be about yourself - "I am a loser, I will never accomplish anything." Sometimes they will be about others - "I could kill that guy". Some of those thoughts may be pretty ugly.  You have no power to stop them flashing through your mind. But you do have the choice to leave those thoughts unopened.

Bad thoughts popping up into your head? That's normal. Delete and go to next message. 

Good Shabbos,
Rabbi Moss

Source:
Tanya Chapter 12

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THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING US!
We are a big step closer to opening our new centre, thanks to 333 kind donors, our generous matchers, and the amazing team of volunteers who made this final campaign the success it was. 

 

TRIBUTE TILES

We have created a feature wall of Tribute Tiles, a perpetual display of steel discs, laser cut with your personal message. 
You can dedicate Tribute Tiles in memory of a loved one, in honour of a person or event, or simply to commemorate this exciting moment in our community.

There are only a handful of tiles still available. If you would like one please be quick!

For more info or to purchase go to www.nefesh.org.au/tributetiles

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THIS WEEK'S PODCAST

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THIS WEEK'S VIDEO

SERVICES & COMMUNITY INFORMATION: VAYISHLACH
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PRIOR REGISTRATION REQUIRED TO ATTEND SHUL.
PLEASE REGISTER HERE. 

Friday 4 December – 18 Kislev  
Light Candles ......7:36pm (Not before 6:23pm)
Mincha ...............6:15pm
Evening Service ...6:30-7:20pm
Followed by Kiddush 

Saturday 5 December – 19 Kislev 
Morning Service.... 10:00am-12:20pm
Kids Program ........10:30am 
Kiddush sponsored by Shaulmeir Ezekiel and Girgee Barukh in memory of their dear mother Eliza (Aziza) on the occasion of her yartzeit.  Catering by Kosher Cuisine. 

L'Chaim in honour of the Isdale and Cunio Families and their new addition- Mazal Tov!

Shiur with Rabbi Sufrin... 6:35pm
Mincha .........................7:35pm
Shabbos ends & Maariv ..8:38pm
Latest Shema this week.. 9:08am

CONDOLENCES TO
Helen Nightingale and family on the passing of her mother Jennifer Librack, Shayna Bat Hersch.
Brian Arenstein and family on the passing of his father Itz Arenstein, Aharon ben Shmuel.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Jake Glick........ 24 Kislev/Thursday 10 November
Levi Diamond ...24 Kislev/Thursday 10 November
Jonah Ink ........25 Kislev/Friday 11 November

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY
Michael & Deb Vitek... 20 Kislev/Sunday 6 Dec
Darryn & Romi Taitz... 21 Kislev/Monday 7 Dec
Jeremy & Nikki Kinstlinger... 22 Kislev/Tuesday 8 Dec 
Jonathan & Joanne Capal... 24 Kislev/Thursday 10 Dec

LONG LIFE FOR THE FOLLOWING YORTZHEITS
Nick Hedges for his late grandfather Nicolas Stark,
Menashe ben Yitzchak... 20 Kislev/Sunday 6 December

Linda Isdale for her late father Lionel Eric Vilensky
Elia Leib... 23 Kislev/Wednesday 9 December

Jacqueline Meyer for her late grandfather Meir Fiszhalter
Meir Ben Avraham... 24 Kislev/10 December

Rene Bermeister for her late mother
Malcha bat Hillel ...25 Kislev/ Friday 11 December

If you would like Nefesh to include your Birthday, Anniversary or Yortzheit in our newsletter and send you an email reminder, just fill in this quick ONLINE FORM.

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THIS WEEK'S NEWSLETTER IS SPONSORED BY:

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Can You Help Us Open the Doors?

ב"ה WE ARE LIVE! We need your help today  The Nefesh Centre is almost ready Let's Open Our Doors Dear S, We are most excited to announce that our final campaign before opening the doors of our new Nefesh Centre has begun! For the next 24 hours your donation will be tripled! Become a partner with us in making this a reality. With thanks and blessings, Rabbi Moss www.charidy.com/nefeshcentre MAKE A DONATION

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VIDEO: How Much is a Slice of Bondi?

 HELP US OPEN THE DOORS!
  This Sunday we hold our final   campaign before
 the opening of our new centre.
 Get in early and
 buy a tribute tile now!

HOW MUCH IS A SLICE OF BONDI WORTH?

 

CAN A VIKING BE A HIDDEN JEWISH SOUL?

Question of the Week:

I feel like I am a Jewish soul born in a non-Jewish body. I have always been surrounded by Jewish friends, loved the religion, and after years of study I just fulfilled my dream and converted to Judaism. My family has no Jewish roots whatsoever, I descend from Vikings on both sides, so it is all a bit of a mystery. Any explanation?

Answer:

Many people from all different walks of life have reported feeling an affinity to Jews and Judaism. Some leave it at that. Others take it further. For them, it is more than just a curiosity with Jewish things or a taste for Jewish cooking. It is in their soul.

The first Jewish couple, Abraham and Sarah, were married for decades before they were blessed with a child. But the Kabbalists say that although no physical children had been born to them, they had given birth to many spiritual children.

Every time husband and wife are together a soul is born. Sometimes that soul comes down into a body, and is born as their child. Other times, the soul remains in the heavens. Abraham and Sarah for all those years were in fact giving birth to souls without bodies. Those souls were then distributed among the nations of the world and spread over history.

These are the souls of converts to Judaism throughout the ages.

When a non-Jew feels within them a pull towards the Jewish faith and the Jewish people, it may be a latent Jewish soul wanting to return to its community, a long lost child of Abraham and Sarah reuniting with its family.

This is why when a convert to Judaism chooses a Hebrew name, they are called the son or daughter of Abraham and Sarah. This is describing a true fact, their Jewish soul came directly from the first Jewish couple. While a born Jew is a distant descendant of Abraham and Sarah, a convert is their actual child.

Now there are plenty of non-Jews who have Jewish taste. Just because you like Jewish humour, enjoy Jewish food and shop at Costco, doesn't mean you have a hidden Jewish soul. 

But someone such as yourself, who studies Judaism and is enthralled by it, explores the laws of Torah and just wants to do more, feels a deep calling to join the Jewish people and embarks on the long and hard journey to do just that  - it must be Abraham and Sarah calling you home. 

Good Shabbos,
Rabbi Moss

Source:
Shelah HaKadosh, Sha'ar HaOsios, Kedushas Hazivug 402.

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  Nefesh Community WhatsApp Groups
  Nefesh Shul has two WhatsApp groups to keep you connected      and up-to-date all week. Our Schmooze Chat group is an open    forum for all Nefesh news and discussion, whilst our News          group is only used to broadcast Nefesh News to the community.    If you would like to be added to either of these chats simply        WhatsApp message the word ' Schmooze' or ' News' to Rabbi    Moss: 0425309755.  

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  New Kiddush options at Nefesh!
  Please consider sponsoring a Kiddush- we have a number of dates   available within the next few weeks. 
  Friday Night
  $75 -  Basic
  $200 - Deluxe sushi

  Shabbos Day
  $100- cholent & crackers
  $180- cholent, crackers & cake
  $300- sushi, cholent, cake & fruit
  *all in individual servings/boxes. Prices are for 30 people.  

  Email office@nefesh.com.au to book your kiddush. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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THIS WEEK'S PODCAST

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SERVICES & COMMUNITY INFORMATION: VAYEITZEI
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PRIOR REGISTRATION REQUIRED TO ATTEND SHUL.
PLEASE REGISTER HERE. 

Friday 27 November – 11 Kislev  
Light Candles........ 7:30pm (Not before 6:23pm)
Mincha .................6:15pm
Evening Service .....6:30-7:20pm
Followed by Kiddush 

Saturday 28 November – 12 Kislev 
Morning Service ...10:00am-12:20pm
Kids Program .......10:30am 
Kiddush sponsored by Robert & Mandy Geller in honour of the recent birth of their son David Meyer, and in honour of the upcoming yortzheit for Robert's father, David Meyer Ben Shlomo on 13 Kislev -  Long Life to Eva Geller, Margaret Nagel & Robert Geller.

Shiur with Rabbi Sufrin ...6:30pm
Mincha .........................7:30pm
Shabbos ends & Maariv ..8:31pm

Latest Shema this week.. 9:08am

HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Rivka Moss ...14 Kislev/Monday 30 November
Mordechai Tzvi Moss ...18 Kislev/Friday 4 November

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY
Gena & Tony Been ...14 Kislev/Monday 30 November
Tammy & Brian Celler... 14 Kislev/Monday 30 November
David & Jen Bighel ...15 Kislev/Tuesday 1 December

CONDOLENCES
Vivien Pollnow and Yvonne Spiegel on the passing of their mother Piri Szenes

LONG LIFE FOR THE FOLLOWING YORTZHEITS
Benjamin Apfelbaum & Henry Apfelbaum for their late father Simon Apfelbaum,
Shimon Moshe  ben Avraham 14 Kislev/Monday 30 November

Michael Gliksman for his late mother Hanka Ann Gliksman,
Hannah bat David 15 Kislev/Tues 1 December

If you would like Nefesh to include your Birthday, Anniversary or Yortzheit in our newsletter and send you an email reminder, just fill in this quick ONLINE FORM.

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The Worst Kept Secret of Chabad

WHAT IS CHABAD'S SECRET?
Professor Gershom Scholem offers a theory

Here's a story that probably nobody knows. I heard it first hand from one of the two people involved, who have both since passed away.

Gershom Scholem was the famed Professor of Jewish Mysticism at Hebrew University in Jerusalem. Despite his broad knowledge of Kabbalah, he was not a particularly religious man. He studied Judaism as an academic pursuit, not a way of life.

Sometime during the 1970's, Professor Scholem was visited by his Australian nephew, David Scholem. A few years ago, David shared with me the fascinating details of their conversation.

David had recently become religious, a move that surprised some members of his family. The Scholems were known for embracing Marxism, Enlightenment, Assimilationism and other secular Germanic philosophies. In fact, Gershom himself, with his ardent Zionism and love of Jewish texts, was somewhat of a black sheep in that mix. But he certainly was not a black hat. And here was his brother's son, yarmulke proudly perched on his head and tzitzis dangling in everyone's face. How could it be?

Professor Scholem was curious to know what turned an educated young man towards tradition. So he asked David what inspired his newfound religiosity.

David's answer was straightforward: "I discovered the Book of Tanya. I found Chabad."

No further explanation was necessary. David was one of thousands of Jews the world over who rediscovered their Judaism having been touched by Chabad, the Chassidic school of Judaism that teaches joyous spirituality, unconditional love, and passionate devotion to the Torah. Anyone who studies Tanya, the masterpiece of Chabad philosophy, will find it hard not to be taken by its profound soulful message. David certainly was.

This intrigued the professor. He was familiar with Chabad's mysticism. But he marvelled at Chabad's dynamism.

The professor asked his nephew, "What is Chabad's secret?"

David thought for a moment, and replied, "They have a general."

Ah. The Rebbe. This must be what sets Chabad apart from all other movements. They have a general, a spiritual leader, a visionary. The Rebbe is Chabad's secret.

The Professor sat up in his chair. Then he gave a piercing look and corrected his nephew, "No. It's not that they have a general. It's that he has an army."

He was referring to the Shluchim – the Rebbe's emissaries, men and women whom the Rebbe sent to every corner of the world to revive Jewish souls and reconnect them to their source. The Rebbe is indeed the visionary. But a visionary needs people to give life to the vision. They, said the professor, are Chabad's secret.

This story came to mind this week, as I joined the Rebbe's army of Shluchim for a record-breaking round the clock Zoom session, that lasted 6 days non-stop and was attended at any one time by many thousands of rabbis from around the globe. We came together to strengthen ourselves and each other, share moving stories and motivational thoughts, and renew our energies to serve the communities we represent.

Sitting with my colleagues from Norway and Netanya, Cambodia and California, Ukraine and Utah, I thought, the Scholems were both right. Ideas are only powerful when there are people to live them. Chabad has a general. And the general has an army. It's no secret. 

Good Shabbos,
Rabbi Moss

​To subscribe click HERE  

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Imagine tiling a brand new bathroom with old-looking tiles... They look AMAZING!

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Nefesh Community WhatsApp Groups
Nefesh Shul has two WhatsApp groups to keep you connected and up-to-date all week. Our Schmooze Chat group is an open forum for all Nefesh news and discussion, whilst our News group is only used to broadcast Nefesh News to the community. If you would like to be added to either of these chats simply WhatsApp message the word ' Schmooze' or ' News' to Rabbi Moss: 0425309755.  

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New Kiddush options at Nefesh!
Please consider sponsoring a Kiddush- we have a number of dates available soon. 
Friday Night
$75 - Basic Kiddush
$200 - Deluxe Sushi Kiddush

Shabbos Day
$100- cholent & crackers
$180- cholent, crackers & cake
$300- sushi, cholent, cake & fruit
*all in individual servings/boxes. Prices are for 30 people.  

Email office@nefesh.com.au to book your kiddush. 

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THIS WEEK'S VIDEO
Yitzchok Dug Wells - and even those are called Avrohom's. 

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THIS WEEK'S PODCAST

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SERVICES & COMMUNITY INFORMATION: TOLDOS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PRIOR REGISTRATION REQUIRED TO ATTEND SHUL.
PLEASE REGISTER HERE. 

Friday 20 November – 4 Kislev  
Light Candles.......7:23pm (Not before 6:17pm)
Mincha............... 6:15pm
Evening Service... 6:30-7:20pm
Kiddush sponsored by the Radus family in honour of Lance & Maxine's wedding anniversary - Mazal Tov! 

Saturday 21 November – 5 Kislev 
Morning Service... 10:00am-12:20pm
Kids Program....... 10:30am 
Kiddush sponsored by Shaulmeir Ezekiel and Girgee Barukh in memory of their dear father Yechezkel Chai on the occasion of his yartzeit. Catering by Kosher Cuisine.

Shiur with Rabbi Sufrin... 6:25pm
Mincha......................... 7:25pm
Shabbos ends & Maariv.. 8:24pm

Latest Shema this week...... 9:08am

This week's class sponsored by Marjan Irving in honour of the Yortzheit for her late husband Peter Irving, Pinchas ben Tzvi on 8 Kislev/ 24 November - Long Life.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Summer Lily Chaya Mushka Hasofer... 8 Kislev/Tuesday 24 November
Sarah Meguideche... 8 Kislev/Tuesday 24 November
Eric Melman... 9 Kislev/Wednesday 25 November

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY
Emma & David Stiles... 8 Kislev/Tuesday 24 November
Michael & Sophie Stern... 8 Kislev/Tuesday 24 November
Kerri & Michael Green... 8 Kislev/Tuesday 24 November
Sue & John Sznajer... 10 Kislev/Thursday 26 November
Paul & Yehudit Khodor... 10 Kislev/Thursday 26 November

LONG LIFE FOR THE FOLLOWING YORTZHEITS
Iryna Dvoskina for her late father Borys Dvoskin
Boruch Ben Avraham... 5 Kislev/Saturday 21 November

Isaak Krutik for his late mother Lyubov Levitanus
Lyubov bat Yisrael... 6 Kislev/Sunday 22 November

Brian Schwartz for his late father Kurt Schwartz
Aharon ben Avraham... 7 Kislev/Monday 23 November

Marjan Irving for her late husband Peter Irving
Pinchas ben Tzvi... 8 Kislev/Tuesday 24 November

Libby Moss for her late brother Peter Irving
Pinchas ben Tzvi... 8 Kislev/Tuesday 24 November

Sue Sznajer for her late mother Irene Wiesner 
Rivka Rachel bat Kasriel... 9 Kislev/Wednesday 25 November

Jackie Regos for her late mother Elizabeth Vertes 
Malka Bat Sarah... 11 Kislev/Friday 27 November

If you would like Nefesh to include your Birthday, Anniversary or Yortzheit in our newsletter and send you an email reminder, just fill in this quick ONLINE FORM.

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This week's newsletter is sponsored by Libby Moss in honour of the Yortzheit for her late brother Peter Irving, Pinchas ben Tzvi on 8 Kislev/ 24 November - Long Life. 

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This email is sent from Nefesh Shul. We'd love to stay in touch with you, but if you wish to be unsubscribed from this list please click here, or click here to manage your subscriptions.

Sent via ChabadOne Communicator