The Kabbalah of Brain Transplants

Question of the Week

I have a bit of a hypothetical question: Brain transplants are not yet possible. But one day they may be. If I had one (and many of my friends have suggested I do), who would I be? Would I still be me, or would I be the donor, just in my body?

Answer:

The concept of a brain transplant is quite hard to get your head around. It's not rocket science, but it is brain surgery. And although it isn't yet possible, the discussion around it is not entirely hypothetical. There are practical implications that are immediately relevant. 

If you believe the human being is no more than flesh and blood, that the body is all there is, then you are your brain. According to this view, identity is made up of your memory, your thoughts and your awareness, all of which are stored in the brain. If you received someone else's brain, you would receive their memory, and so their identity would become yours.

But I think it is absurd to believe that our body is all we are. A person is so much more than just a piece of meat. You have layers to your identity that transcend your physical self. You have a soul. And that is where the real you is found.

Your body, including your brain, is just the hardware. Your soul is the software.  A brain transplant would be like getting a new phone. You transfer your information from the cloud to the new device. Your identity would download onto the new brain. Even with a someone else's brain, the soul would still be yours. You'd still be you. 

This is why someone who loses their memory, due to Alzheimer's or the like, does not lose their identity. Their soul remains in tact. Even if their brain cannot process the information, it is all still there, in the soul. The hardware may be damaged, but the information is all there in the cloud. The soul always remains whole.

This is why when someone passes away, they are still connected to us. The soul leaves the body at the end of life on earth, and takes its memories along with them to the next world. We remember them, and they remember us. The connection always remains, on both ends.

Thanks for a fascinating question. It must have come from a good brain. I think you should keep it.

Good Shabbos,
Rabbi Moss

With thanks to Rabbi Yitzi Hurwitz of Temecula CA for adding the point about memory loss. 
 

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This crane lifted our air conditioning unit and a couple of tonnes of pebbles onto the roof. 

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UPCOMING CLASSES

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THIS WEEK'S PODCAST

 

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SERVICES & COMMUNITY INFORMATION: LECH LECHA
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PRIOR REGISTRATION REQUIRED TO ATTEND SHUL.
PLEASE REGISTER HERE. 
Friday 30 October – 12 Cheshvan 
Light Candles............ 7:03pm (Not before 6:01pm)
Mincha..................... 6:15pm
Evening Service......... 6:30-7:20pm
Kiddush sponsored by the Helfand Family in honour of their beloved Janet (Yonina bat Arie Nachum)- Long Life.

Saturday 31 October – 13 Cheshvan
Morning Service............... 10:00am-12:20pm
Kids Program................... 10:30am
Lunch in honour of Rabbi Sufrin's birthday this week and Yahrtzeit of his grandfather R' Shalom Ber ben Yaakov Yosef Raskin OBM.

Why Does Hashem Test Us So Much? Shiur with Rabbi Sufrin....... 6:15pm
Mincha.............................. 7:00pm
Shabbos ends & Maariv ...... 8:02pm
Latest Shema this week...... 9:15am

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Iliana Lavecky... 13 Cheshvan/Saturday 31 October

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY
Rob & Lana Goldshaft..... 14 Cheshvan/Sunday 1 Nov
Carly & David Zalcberg... 16 Cheshvan/Tuesday 3 Nov
Melanie & Wayne Lipschitz...16 Cheshvan/Tuesday 3 Nov
Tahnya & Jonathan Seifman ...9 Cheshvan/Friday 6 Nov
Ilona & Jaron Hoffenberg...19 Cheshvan/Friday 6 Nov

LONG LIFE FOR THE FOLLOWING YORTZHEITS
Gilda Cohen-Shapira for her late sister Brenda Maraney 
Batya Ita bat Moshe Ya'acov ...16 Cheshvan/Tues 3 Nov

Omer Farhy for his late mother Dita Farhy 
Dita bat Aharon...19 Cheshvan/Friday 6 November

New Shabbos Day Kiddush options at Nefesh!
Please consider sponsoring a Kiddush- we have a number of dates available in November. 
$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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Can You Look Yourself in the Mirror?

Question of the Week

My late grandmother once told me not to put my baby in front of a mirror before he has grown his teeth. She said it will effect his development????  She didn't know why or where it comes from. Is there any basis for this?

Answer:

Many dismiss this as a bubbe maiseh, an old wives' tale. But if you heard it from your own bubbe, then perhaps you shouldn't be too quick to laugh it off. We take our grandmothers' traditions very seriously. 

One respected authority, Rabbi Moshe Stern, validated the custom of not showing babies their own reflection, saying it was practiced in his home town of Debrecen, Hungary. He quotes a 13th century Spanish sage, the Rashba, who says that we should never belittle the traditions of grandmothers, because even if we don't know the reasons behind them, they certainly come from a holy place.

I don't know if looking in the mirror will hinder your son's development. But I do know that being disconnected from his roots will. A person needs to know where he comes from. No one is born in a vacuum. We are all a products of our ancestors. And to know who we are, we need to know who they were.

Your son stems from a long line of proud Jews. When you pass down your grandmother's traditions to your children, you are giving them roots, an identity, a clear sense of who they are.

Your grandparents' traditions included much more than just avoiding mirrors. They had a kosher home, celebrated Shabbos and Yomtov, gave charity abundantly and were active in their shul community. They were learned in Torah and loved being Jewish.

Pass these rich traditions on to your son. Then one day, when he is fully developed, teeth and all, he will look in the mirror and say, "I know who I am. I am a Jew."

Good Shabbos,
Rabbi Moss

Sources:
Shu"t Be'er Moshe 8:36
The exact source of the Rashba is a mystery. It is quoted in Shu"t Veheishiv Moshe 13 (See Igros Kodesh v6 p124). Some have pointed to Shu"t Rashba 1:9

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The electricians installed the lights this week. It's no longer a building site, it's a building!

 

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THIS WEEK'S PODCAST

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

Friday 23 October – 5 Cheshvan 
Light Candles............ 6:57pm (Not before 5:56pm)
Mincha..................... 6:15pm
Evening Service........ 6:30-7:20pm

Kiddush sponsored by Shirley Sher to celebrate the return of Friday Night Kiddushim!   

Saturday 24 October – 6 Cheshvan
Morning Service....... 10:00am-12:20pm
Kids Program.......... 10:30am
Followed by Kiddush

Do I Have to Honour Dishonourable Parents? Shiur with Rabbi Sufrin 6pm
Mincha................. 6:55pm
Shabbos ends & Maariv ......7:55pm

Latest Shema this week...... 9:20am

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Lucia Meyer... 8 Cheshvan/Monday 26 October

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY
Jodie & Daniel Kogan.... 5 Cheshvan/Friday 23 October

CONDOLENCES
Sandra, Wayne and Gavin Lipschitz on the passing of their husband and father Jack Lipschitz.

LONG LIFE FOR THE FOLLOWING YORTZHEITS
Les Pozniak for his late mother Elisabeth Pozniak...9 Cheshvan/Tuesday 27 October

Stephen Etkind & Di Moritz for their late sister Michelle Holzman...11 Cheshvan/Thursday 29 October

Diane, Ruth, David and Jonathan Shteinman for their late husband and father Boris Lazarus Shteinman, Boruch ben Eliazar...11 Cheshvan/Thursday 29 October

Aron Kleinlehrer for his late wife Helen Kleinlehrer, Esther Bat Yaacov... 12 Cheshvan/Friday 30 October

Dan Helfand for his late sister Janet Helfand, Yonina bat Arie Nachum...12 Cheshvan/Friday 30 October

This week's Schmooze is kindly sponsored by Libby Moss in honour of the recent yortzheit for her late father Tzvi ben Reuven - Long Life.

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 Hebrew the Original Language?

Question of the Week:

I was very disturbed by something one of my professors said in a lecture. Here it is: 

"There was a Hebrew King a long long time ago, who was interested in discovering the basic human language. There are over 6,000 human languages on the planet at present. He wanted to find the original language.  

So he got a newborn, and he locked the newborn away in his castle with no human contact. The newborn developed Hebrew. So therefore Hebrew was the basic human language, of which all other human languages arose. His assumption was Hebrew was biologically defined, and everything else was a variant on that. I think that a few of the people who used to take the food to the little kiddy might have been talking to him or something. If it's a true story at all."

I can't imagine a Jewish king did this. If indeed this is not the case, I would love to bring that to my professor's attention so he won't repeat this story erroneously again. Do you know of such a story?

Answer:

The idea that Hebrew is the original language is true. The idea that this was proven by a Hebrew king's cruel experiment is absolutely false.

Several stories of babies being locked away have been recorded in various times and places. An Egyptian Pharaoh did it two and a half thousand years ago, a Roman Emperor tried it in the 13th century and a Scottish King gave it a go in the late 1400's. The results varied. Some of these stories end with the babies speaking Hebrew. Others end more tragically. But none of these stories involve a Jewish king. Your professor has (innocently?) mixed up his sources. 

But the conclusion remains correct: Hebrew is the original language. The world was created with the Holy Tongue. When G-d said "Let there be light" He said it in Hebrew: "Yehi Ohr". Adam was given his name because he was made from the ground (Adama), and Eve (Chava) because she was the mother of all life (Chai). These word plays only work in Hebrew. 

All other languages are translations of the original, their vocabularies a series of made up words. A cow is called a cow in English because we all agree to call it a cow. But it is called a Parah in Hebrew because it really is a Parah. The Hebrew word for things is their actual name. 

There could be scholarly backing for the concept that it all started with Hebrew. Linguists have been able to trace words in multiple languages back to their Hebrew roots. For example, the Hebrew word Derech (way/road), can be found in Daroga (Russian), Derecho (Spanish), Durch (German) and Doro (Japanese), as well as our own English word, Direction. Some offer this as evidence that all roads lead to Hebrew. 

But whatever the scholars may say, the Torah is our ultimate source. And the Torah teaches that Hebrew is G-d's language. This is why we still pray in Hebrew. We are using the very words that G-d used to create the world. The very words have power. Even if we don't understand what we are saying, our soul does. Hebrew is the natural language, the underlying vibration of the universe, the code that G-d spoke into creation. 

So would an untaught baby speak Hebrew? Maybe. Your soul definitely does.

Good Shabbos,
Rabbi Moss

Sources:
Midrash Bereishis Rabba 18:4 (See Rashi to Bereishis 2:23)
 

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The momentum is building and things are happening fast now. Here we are installing acoustic paneling. Makes a huge difference to the sound in the main sanctuary. With G-d's help, just a couple of months until this building is complete!

 

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SERVICES & COMMUNITY INFORMATION: BEREISHIS
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PRIOR REGISTRATION REQUIRED TO ATTEND SHUL.
PLEASE REGISTER HERE. 
Friday 16 October – 28 Tishrei 
Light Candles....... 6:51pm (Not before 5:52pm)
Mincha................ 6:15pm
Evening Service... 6:30-7:20pm

Saturday 17 October – 29 Tishrei
Morning Service......... 10:00am-12:20pm
Kids Program............. 10:30am
Followed by Kiddush

Shiur with Rabbi Sufrin: How the First Sin Changed Everything...5:45pm
Mincha............................. 6:45pm
Shabbos ends & Maariv ...... 7:48pm

Latest Shema this week...... 9:24am
New Moon/Molad.... Saturday 17 October 3:23am
Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan.... Sun 18 Oct-Mon 19 Oct

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Yehezkel-Yoel Ezekiel ... 28 Tishrei/Friday 16 October
Asher Waine ............ 29 Tishrei/Saturday 17 October
Tom Cromer ........... 2 Cheshvan/Tuesday 20 October
Monique Klein ... 3 Cheshvan/Wednesday 21 October

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY
Pia & Jonah Ink....... 2 Cheshvan/Tuesday 20 October
Jodie & Daniel Kogan... 5 Cheshvan/Friday 23 October

LONG LIFE FOR THE FOLLOWING YORTZHEITS
Peppi Glick for his late father Ruby Glick...2 Cheshvan/ Tuesday 20 October
Les Pozniak for his late step-mother Joan Pozniak, Chai Bat Leah... 2 Cheshvan/Tuesday 20 October
Roy, Steven & Kim Eckowitz for their late mother Alma Eckowitz, Chana bat Kalman...2 Cheshvan/Tuesday 20 October

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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HUGE THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE FOR THEIR AMAZING YOM TOV HELP!

Mozelle Friedman for coordinating the delivery of 500+ High Holidays Packs
Machzika HaTorah Congregation for sponsoring the Packs,
and deliverers: Michael Basserabie, Moshe Hai Moses,  Moshe David, Jeremy Parker, Nadine Saacks, Stephen Brookes, Kevin Levine, Allen Rosenberg, Eli Sadra, Ellis Kahn, Angela Meguideche, Hattie & Charlotte Ziff, Anastasia Raines and Noach Kessel.

Kavana Cards were a big hit. Thanks to those who helped make them happen: Deahne and Sam Hemphill, Lexy and Alan Meyerson, Nisan Krimhand of Snap Printers and Carole Yevoli.

Inspirational Chazzanus at over 26 sessions of Shul services: Rabbi Sufrin, Mendel Sufrin & Reverend Amzalak.

Sukkah-Mobile Builders: Yisroel Moss & Aron Sufrin.  And Michael Basserabie and Moshe David for help with the truck.

Chosson Torah & Chosson Bereishis syndicate sponsors brilliantly organised by Larnce Gold!: Anonymous, Albert F, Irina M, Steve B, Malka K, Gavin S, Karin P, Larry D, Libby M, Anonymous, Olivia T, Jack, Henny, Nechama Dina M, Debbie P, Nadine S, Danny M, Shlomo BD, Elli B, Vitali B, Anonymous, Howie R, Michael B, Andrew W, Joe Joe R, Leyat R, Gidon W, Nick H, Michael S, Nick W, Mendel D, Mel L, Josh G, Michael B, Danny B, Jones Family.  

Chosson Maftir Michael Singer.

Generous Simchas Torah L'Chaim sponsorship by Stephen Brookes.

Kiddush Sponsorships by Anonymous.

Kids Lolly Bag Sponsorship by Tanya Stocks.

Over the High Holidays well over 1500 people attended our services. Despite the challenges of number restrictions, we were so proud and grateful to be able to provide uplifting, creative and innovative ways for our community to connect and be inspired throughout the Yom Tov period. We extend our sincerest gratitude to Rabbi Dr Dovid & Laya Slavin for enabling us to use the Harry Triguboff Centre once again this year, and to Rabbi Yossi & Rivky Shuchat and the entire JEMs team for another amazing collaboration.  

And finally, thanks to all those who took up membership, donated and attended Nefesh services. May we all be blessed with a joyous and healthy year!

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The Things We Do for Lulav

Question of the Week:

Someone asked me why we wave the Lulav in six directions - right, left, forward, up, down, backward. I didn't really know how to answer. Is there a simple way to explain this?

Answer:

The four species that we bless on Sukkos correspond to the four letters in G-d's Hebrew name. Waving them in all six directions signifies our faith that G-d is everywhere. Specifically, we are saying that on every level, at every stage of life, in all that happens to us, G-d is there.

Right and left represent Chesed and Gevurah, the power of love and the power of discipline. G-d, like a parent, can be loving and can also be strict. Sometimes G-d's light shines on us and we feel close to Him, other times He seems distant, we feel left in the dark and have to find our own way through. Whether we receive G-d's closeness and love, or whether He gives us space to grow on our own, it is all coming from G-d. He knows exactly what we need, and that's what we get.

Up and down symbolize the highs and lows of life. When we feel we are on top of the world, we need to remember that G-d enabled us to get there. When we feel down in the dumps, we need to have faith that G-d is with us there. There is no success without help, and there is no failure without hope.

Forward and backward stand for the future and the past. We don't know what tomorrow holds, but we have faith that G-d will guide us through whatever lies ahead. And as for the past, all that has happened to us is a part of the plan. All our past experiences, even those that we would rather forget, made us who we are today. We are where we are now because that is exactly where G-d wants us to be. Our entire past was a lead up to this moment. G-d brought you here for a reason.

So the four species are waved in all directions, to recognise that G-d is everywhere, in the good and the bad, in the ups and the downs, in the uncertain future and the turbulent past. And in the middle of all that is you. You are doing the waving. Because G-d will be there for you in all you do, if only you let Him in.

Good Shabbos and Good Yomtov,
Rabbi Moss

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SERVICES & COMMUNITY INFORMATION: SUKKOS
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Here are some instructions for praying at home. Page numbers are from the blue Chabad Siddur. 
Don't have one? You can download it here and print it.

We will hold services for those who would like to attend:

Friday 5:45pm 

Shabbos 10am

Sunday 10am
PLEASE REGISTER HERE. 

Erev Sukkos
Friday 2 October – 14 Tishrei  
Light Candles........... 5:41pm
Before 5:49pm:........ Mincha p101
After 6:14pm........... Shabbos evening service p154
Kiddush for Shabbos & Festivals.... p329

First Day Sukkos
Saturday 3 October – 15 Tishrei
Morning Service for Shabbos and Sukkos:
p5-25, p181-219, Hallel p307, Torah reading for Sukkos, Mussaf for Festivals p339, Kiddush p357.  

Kiddush in the Sukkah sponsored by the Martin Family in honour of the birth and Hebrew naming of Willow May- Mazal Tov!

Candlelighting... after 6:37pm
Evening Service for Second Day Sukkos... p161

Sunday 4 October – 16 Tishrei
Second Day Sukkos
Morning Service for Second Day Sukkos:
p5-25, p181-219, Hallel p307, Torah reading for Sukkos, Mussaf for Festivals p339, Kiddush for Festivals p357.  

Before 6:49*pm ... Mincha p253
After 7:00*pm ..... Maariv p161
Yom Tov Ends....... 7:37*pm
Havdala p297
Latest Shema this week... 9:34*am
*Eastern Daylight savings time

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Leon Goldshaft....... 15 Tishrei/Saturday 3 October
Joshua Lever......... 16 Tishrei/Sunday 4 October
Cassia Partane...... 18 Tishrei/Tuesday 6 October
Tali Whitten.......... 18 Tishrei/Tuesday 6 October
Larnce Gold......... 19 Tishrei/Wednesday 7 October
Sharon Primack...... 19 Tishrei/Wednesday 7 October

LONG LIFE FOR YORTZHEITS
Mike Barel for his late mother Wendy Barel, Braha bat Shaptai
HaCohen...15 Tishrei/Saturday 3 October

Libby Moss for her late father Henry Irving
Tzvi ben Reuven... 20 Tishrei/Thursday 8 October

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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