Do Mermaids Really Exist?

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Question of the Week:   Is it true that Jews believe in Mermaids?   Answer:   The Talmud has a passage that discusses the mating habits of various animals and fish. Why that is important to the Talmud, we can discuss another time.   One marine species is mentioned that reproduces the same way as humans, and the Talmud refers to this species by its Latin name. The rabbis of the Talmud described this species as "sea people."   This mysterious reference to sea people has sparked the imagination of many students of the Talmud. In fact, the great medieval scholar Rashi defined them as being half human, half fish, and translated them into his native French as sirene, meaning mermaids.   But perhaps we would translate it differently. Because the original Latin name quoted in the Talmud uses for these humanlike sea creatures is Dolphinin.   Indeed dolphins resemble humans in some of their mating behaviours. The Talmud was correct to say that they reproduce like humans. But Rashi's text of the Talmud read differently. It said that they reproduce from humans, not like humans. In Hebrew the difference between 'like humans' and 'from humans' is but one letter:מבני אדם or כבני אדם. They appear very similar, but their meanings are far apart.    If this is indeed a misprint, it would explain why Rashi understood that the Talmud is here confirming the existence of mermaids - a perfectly plausible belief in medieval France - while in fact the Talmud is acknowledging the unique affinity between dolphins and humans.   But don't be too disappointed. Even if we don't believe in mermaids, we do believe that people are sometimes half animal. Our life challenge is to elevate our lower half to serve the upper half.   Good Shabbos, Rabbi Moss   Sources: See Talmud Bechoros 8a, Rashi and Tosfos.   LISTEN TO LATEST CLASS: Why Did Hashem Offer the Torah to all Other Nations First? To subscribe CLICK HERE or email rabbimoss@nefesh.com.au  CLICK FLYER TO BOOK NOW SHABBAT SERVICES TIMES AND COMMUNITY INFO ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Friday, 17 February, 2017 | 21 Shevat 5777 Candle Lighting................ 7:28 pm (*Earliest 6:26pm)   Mincha............................ 6:10 pm Friday Evening Service....... 6:30 pm Kiddush sponsored by Helfand family in honour of the recent yortzheit of Dan's father, Aryeh Nochem Ben Yadidyah- Long Life. Shabbos, 18 February, 2017 |22 Shevat 5777 Chassidus Class...................................9:00 am Children's program & kids kiddush sponsored by Leyat Reuben in honour of the yartzeit of her father Meir Ben Chaim and grandmother Rona bat Sheina this past week- Long Life.... 11:00am Shabbos Morning Service........ 10:00 am-12:20 pm   Sushi Celebration within our Community Lunch sponsored by the Diamond family in honour of Shai's birthday- Mazal Tov!   Mincha followed by Seudah Shlishis ......   7:20 pm Shabbos ends and Maariv....................... 8:23 pm Followed by Havdalah   WEEKDAY SHACHARIS SERVICES Sunday  .......................... 8:00 am Mon- Fri........................... 7:00 am Latest Shema this week.......9:48 am   WEEKDAY CLASSES Monday Chassidus............ 8:00-8:45am REFUAH SHLEIMA to Reverend Amzalak, we look forward to seeing you back soon in full strength!   MAZAL TOV TO Liz Mason & Jonny Pearlman on the birth of a boy!   HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO Michelle Kaplan........ 26 Shvat/ Wednesday 22 February Shai Diamond.......... 27 Shvat/ Thursday 23 February Amiell Gold.............. 28 Shvat/ Friday 24 February Dylan Glick.............. 28 Shvat/ Friday 24 February Michaela Waine......... 28 Shvat/ Friday 24 February Robert Dabscheck...... 29 Shvat/ Saturday 25 February Linda Isdale.............. 29 Shvat/ Saturday 25 February   HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO Robert & Natalie Dabscheck..... 23 Shvat/ 19 February Jackie & Les Regos................. 25 Shvat/ 21 February CONDOLENCES TO Nick Hedges on the recent passing of his grandmother, Irene Lowy A"H   LONG LIFE TO Michael Besser for his late father Wolf Besser, Zev Ben Koppel 30 Shvat/ Sunday 26 February

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