1. religion and spirituality
2. judaism

‫בס"ד‬
MIZRACHI MATTERS
SHABBAT PARASHAT VAYIKRA (Vol 9, No 26)
EARLY SHABBAT
Friday, 20 March (Rosh Chodesh Nissan)
Minchah at 6:00pm2
LATER SHABBAT Minchah at 7:15pm1
Candle Lighting between 6:20pm – 6:25pm
Candle Lighting BY 7:15pm
1. Beit Yehuda 2. Beit HaRoeh 3. Beit Midrash 4. Bnei Akiva 5. Elsternwick 6. Midrashah 7. Rabbi’s Home 8. Goldberger Hall 9. Nachalat David
SHABBAT
SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
21 MARCH
22 MARCH
23 MARCH
24 MARCH
25 MARCH
26 MARCH
27 MARCH
Z’manim
ROSH CHODESH
2 NISSAN
3 NISSAN
4 NISSAN
5 NISSAN
6 NISSAN
7 NISSAN
1
1
1
1
1
1
7:20am
8:00am
6:25am
6:30am
6:30am
6:25am
6:30am11
1,2,9
3
1
1
1
1
Shacharit
9:30am
9:00am
7:25am
7:30am
7:30am
7:25am
7:30am
6:11am
6:12am
6:13am
6:14am
6:15am
6:16am
6:17am
Dawn
6:32am
6:33am
6:34am
6:35am
6:36am
6:37am
6:37am
Tallit & Tefillin
7:23am
7:24am
7:25am
7:26am
7:27am
7:28am
7:29am
Sunrise
10:25am
10:25am
10:26am
10:26am
10:27am
10:27am
10:27am
Sh’ma (‫)גר"א‬
1:58pm
1:58pm
1:57pm
1:56pm
1:56pm
1:56pm
1:55pm
Earliest Mincha
Minchah followed by
1, 3
1
1
1
1
1
7:05pm
7:15pm
7:15pm
7:15pm
7:15pm
7:15pm
Ma’ariv
Plag Mincha:
5:50pm2
EARLY SHABBAT
Candles between:
6:10 - 6:15pm
Mincha:
7:10pm1
LATER SHABBAT
Candles BY:
7:04pm
7:31pm
7:30pm
7:28pm
7:27pm
7:25pm
7:24pm
7:22pm
Sunset
8:13pm
8:12pm
8:10pm
8:09pm
8:07pm
8:06pm
8:04pm
Night
SECOND MA’ARIV
9:30pm3
9:30pm3
9:30pm3
9:30pm3
9:30pm3
Shiurim
Mishnah Yomit
Events
Yahrtzeits
R’ Bert Mond
9:00am3
R’ Leor Broh
9:00am2
Rabbi Kennard
9:30am6
Drashot
R’ Yaakov Sprung1
Prime Minister
Netanyahu & the
Meatball Effect
R’ Leor Broh2
R’ Chezy Deren9
Rina Pushett ‫ע"ה‬
Emunah Shiurim
Mr. Yudi New
5:15pm
Rabbi Sprung’s
Parashat
Hashavuah Shiur
“Desperate
Recreation”
6:00pm2
Daf Yomi
8:45am3
Nadav Prawer
Sefer HaKuzari
8:45am6
Daf Yomi
9:45pm3
Daf Yomi
8:15am3
R’ Yaakov Sprung
Chumash Shiur
for women
10:00am6
Daf Yomi
9:45pm3
Keilim 30:4 –
Ohalot 1:1
Daf Yomi
8:15am3
Parshanut
Hamikrah with
Michal Kaufman
9:30am6
R’ Dovid Segal
Gemara B’iyun
8:30pm2
Bein Haftara
leParasha Shuir
Adina Bankier-Karp
Shiur for post high
school girls
8:30pm6
R’ Chezy Deren
ContemporaryHalacha
7/93 Hotham St
8:30pm
Michal Kaufman
(Lewis’ house)
9:00pm
Daf Yomi
9:45pm3
Ohalot 1:2-3
Ohalot 1:4-5
Ohalot 1:6-7
Ohalot 1:8-2:1
Ohalot 2:2-3
Ohalot 2:4-5
Between Mincha
and Ma’ariv1
Between Mincha
and Ma’ariv1
Between Mincha
and Ma’ariv1
Between Mincha
and Ma’ariv1
Between Mincha
and Ma’ariv1
7:05pm1
Gan Shabbat
The Holy Bagel
10:30 – 11:30am
9:00am3
Children’s Tefillah
Groups
10:15 – 11:30am
Seudah Shlishit:
Tamara Bruce
Leil Limmud in
memory of
Miriam White
9:45pm3
6:55pm1
Zev Brykman
(Father)
Sylvia Cher
(Father)
Daf Yomi
Daf Yomi
8:15am3
8:15am3
Weekly Parashah R’ Yaakov Sprung
Shiur for ladies &
Shiur for men
girls 11:00am
8:30pm7
7 Morrice St
Chaburah for
Rabbi Shmuel
women for high
Karnowsky
school and
R’ Yaakov Sprung
university
Gemara B’iyun for
students
uni men returning
8:30pm6
from Yeshivot
Daf Yomi
6:30pm6
9:45pm3
Talmudic
Personalities with
Rebbetzin Sprung
for women of all
ages 7:30-8:30pm6
R’ Yaakov Sprung
Masechet Brachot
8:30pm6
Daf Yomi
9:45pm3
Chillen Cholent
9:45pm
Noam & Yossi
White
(Mother)
Solly Joss
(Mother)
Daf Yomi
8:15am3
MIZRACHI’S VIRTUAL NOTICEBOARD
We wish a hearty Mazal Tov to
Jeremy & Michal Herz
on the birth of their daughter
Mazel tov to the grandparents Naomi & Geoff Bloch and Debbie & Jeff Herz
Mazel tov to the great-grandparents Elaine Bloch-Jaffe,
Ludevit Ehrenreich & Vera & Reuben Medding
We wish a hearty Mazal Tov to
Romi Burman on the occasion of her Bat Mitzvah
Mazel tov to the parents Alissa & Leon Burman
Mazel tov to the grandparents: Eva & Philip Burman and Leon
& Pauline Solowiejczyk
Mazeltov to the great grandmother: Vera Sinaj
We wish Mazal Tov to the following members who celebrate their wedding
anniversary during the coming week:
Monday — Marion & David Slonim
Friday — Dassie & Shmuli Herszberg
We wish Happy Birthday to the following members who celebrate their
birthday during the coming week:
Monday —DL Gold, Marc Seifman
Tuesday - Michal Solomon
Wednesday — Rachel Saddik
Thursday — Romi Burman, Robert Lissauer, Avi Morrison
If you have an occasion or a milestone event that you would like to be mentioned in Mizrachi Matters, please email it
to [email protected] by 12:00pm on Thursdays
‫ב ס "ד‬
NEWSLETTER
FOR THE
21 March 2015
1 Nissan 5775
Parshat Vayikra /
Shabbat HaChodesh
ELSTERNWICK JEWISH COMMUNITY
Yahrzeits during the coming week
Miriam Hain (Father) [21 March]
Sue Weinstock (Husband) [21 March]
Contact numbers
Rabbi
Rabbi Chaim Cowen
0433-308-584
[email protected]
Chairman
Mark Kras
Ed Goldman (Father) [25 March]
Rachel Hyman (Father) [27 March]
Shabbat times
Candle Lighting this week
Candle Lighting time if attending Kabbalat Shabbat
Kabbalat Shabbat this week
Pre-Shacharit Shiur
Shacharit
Rabbi’s Shabbat Shiur: Making Sense of Shacharit Part 347
Mincha at
Shabbat ends at
Candle Lighting next week
Candle Lighting next week if attending Kabbalat Shabbat
Kabbalat Shabbat next week
7.15 pm
6.18 pm
6.30 pm
9.00 am
9.30 am
6.15 pm
7.00 pm
8.13 pm
7.04 pm
6.09 pm
6.30 pm
0410-460-970
[email protected]
Gabbai
Elan Jacobs
0419-527-227
The Rabbi’s Shabbat Shiurim
The early shiur (9.00am, before Shacharit) - come join the Rabbi for cake, coffee and an
exploration of the mystical parsha
[email protected]
Secretary
Sally-Ann Jaye
0437-625-350
[email protected]
Birthdays this week
Joel Freedman on his 30th Birthday
Levana Meira Cowen turns 3 on 23 March / 1 Nissan
Abigail (Abby) Epstein turns 4 on 27 March
Haftorah requests
Dennis Max
9528-6865
Mazal Tov
Debbie & Mark Searle on their first foray into grandparenthood via Jeremy and Sarah
[email protected]
In shule this week …
Rabbi Cowen will lead Kabbalat Shabbat, Basil Krawitz will lead Shacharit, Daniel Lowinger will
lein, Michael Hain will say the Haftorah, and Elan Jacobs will lead Mussaf.
Contributions to
Newsletter (please)
Sally-Ann
[email protected]
Kiddush this Shabbat
You are all invited to the kiddush, which will be sponsored by EJC.
At the Rabbi’s
Young Adults: The Wick, Thursday evenings 8-9pm at 3/301 Glen Eira Road, Caulfield North
Weekday times
Sunday: Tefillin beginners class, including breakfast
Monday to Friday – pre-Shacharit Shiur
Monday and Thursday
Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday
8.00 am
15 minutes before Shacharit
6.30 am
6.45 am
Pesach @ EJC
EJC’s second 2nd Communal Seder will be held on Saturday evening, 4 April. Final bookings by
Tuesday 24 March. Contact Sally-Ann for a flyer – [email protected]
19 March 2015
28 Adar 5775
Dear Members of the Mizrachi and Yavneh Family,
Yom Hashoa, Holocaust Memorial Day, will be on Thursday, April 16th, 2015.
We will be having an assembly at school at 10:10am in which we will commemorate and pay tribute
to those who died Al Kiddush Hashem during the Holocaust.
If any members of your family are Holocaust survivors and would like to honour us with their
presence and/or participate in our candle lighting ceremony during this assembly, please contact me
at the email address below.
As part of this year’s Yom Ha’Shoah ceremony we would like to honour family members from the
Mizrachi and Yavneh community who perished in the Holocaust. These names will be screened
during the commemoration.
If you wish to include the names of your family members, we ask that you email the details to
[email protected] no later than Monday 29th March 2015.
Please note that if you sent this information to us last year, there is no need to re-submit it again as
we have retained the information from last year’s ceremony. The information and lists submitted do
not need to be comprehensive; simply provide the information you have.
Thank you,
Shula Lazar
Deputy Principal Jewish Studies
SHABBAT
20
AND 21 MARCH
TH
ST
YEAR THREE WELCOME
TO BNEI AKIVA
SHEVET ZERAIM
Come join us in Bnei Shule for some singing, dancing, great
ruach and most imporantly welcoming of our youngest
shevet to their very first year of Bnei!
6:00 PM
Kabbalat
Shabbat
9:30 AM
Shacharit
Mizrachi Organisation
‫בס"ד‬
THE EUGEN YAACOV WEISS MIZRACHI CENTRE
81 Balaclava Road, Caulfield North, Victoria 3161, Australia
Telephone: (03) 8317 2555 Fax: (03) 9527 5665 Email: [email protected]
‫‏‬MAOT
MARA D’ATRA
Rabbi Yaakov Sprung
CHITTIN APPEAL
Adar 5775
March 2015
PRESIDENT
Ian Waller QC
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Daniel Solomon
**********
MIZRACHI SYNAGOGUES
Beit Yehuda
Beit HaRoeh
Beit Midrash ‘Bogrim’ Minyan
Nachalat David
**********
BEIT MIDRASH NAFTALI HERC
Kollel Torah MiTzion
Midreshet Ohr HaMizrachi
**********
ELSTERNWICK
JEWISH COMMUNITY
Faye Rockman Synagogue
**********
LEIBLER YAVNEH COLLEGE
The Joseph & Stera Gutnick
School of Jewish Studies
A.S. Leibler Secondary School
Leopold & Isabella Abrahamovits
Yavneh Primary School
Abeles Liberman Early Learning Centre
**********
KOSHER AUSTRALIA P/L
**********
Dear Friends
Thank you for your continued support of the Mizrachi Charity Fund where
every genuine cry for help is met promptly and sensitively.
Last year your generosity enabled us to gift over $130,000 to the most
vulnerable in our community - most of it in the form of food vouchers, rent
payments, utility payments, car registrations, medication and interest free
loans.
We are often called upon in the midst of a crisis situation but our assistance is
not only monetary and increasingly we are referring clients to additional
service providers such as social workers, financial planners and emergency
housing providers in the hope of assisting people to find long term solutions
to their problems which are presented to us as financial - but are actually so
much more than that.
We continue to see a growth in the number of people seeking financial
assistance and often these referrals are coming from other community aid
providers such as Jewish Care who turn to us in order to assist where they
cannot. Additionally, a significant number of referrals continue to come from
our own community members concerned about families finding themselves in
increasingly difficult circumstances due to illness, divorce or unemployment.
Occasionally, these are the people living “next door”!
Our Maot Chittin Appeal ensures that we can sustain our endeavours to
assist throughout the year. But in particular, it ensures that we can
distribute food and funds prior to Pesach which is now only a few weeks
away.
MIZRACHI CHARITY FUND
MIZRACHI SICK VISITING SOCIETY
BNEI AKIVA YOUTH MOVEMENT
EMUNAH WOMEN’S MOVEMENT
Many people within our community rely on us. Please help as generously as
you can.
Wishing you a Pesach Kasher V’Sameach
**********
MIZRACHI NOMINEES PTY. LTD.
ABN 83 005 019 670
Sincerely
Yvonne Korbl
The Land of Israel for the People of Israel according to the Torah of Israel
‫ארץ ישראל לעם ישראל על פי תורת ישראל‬
Mizrachi Organisation
THE EUGEN YAACOV WEISS MIZRACHI CENTRE
81 Balaclava Road, Caulfield, Victoria 3161, Australia
Telephone: (03) 8317 2555, Fax: (03) 9527 5665, Email: [email protected]
MIZRACHI CHARITY FUNDS
MAOT CHITTEN APPEAL 5775
A. Fund Type: Please tick only one of the following two boxes
 I do NOT require a tax-deductible receipt
(these funds are used for interest-free loans and for cash that is made available to needy
people anonymously.)
 I do require a tax-deductible receipt
B. Payment Type: Please tick only one of the following three boxes
 Cash for $__________ is enclosed.
Please hand this directly* to a staff member in the office 81 Balaclava Rd, Caulfield North.
 Cheque for $__________ is enclosed.
Cheques should be made payable to “Mizrachi Charity Fund”.
Please hand this directly* to a staff member in the office 81 Balaclava Rd, Caulfield North
 Please charge my credit card $________________
Credit Card Type:
 Mastercard
 Visa
 AMEX
Credit card No:
___ ___ ___ ___|___ ___ ___ ___|___ ___ ___ ___|___ ___ ___ ___
Expiry Date:
___ / ___
Name on Card:
______________________________________________________
Signed:
__________________________
Date: _____________________
Please hand this directly* to a staff member in the office 81 Balaclava Rd, Caulfield North
or post to The Mizrachi Charity Fund, 81 Balaclava Rd, Caulfield North
or fax to 03-9527 5665
or ring details through on 03-8317 2555.
C. Your Details: Please Print Clearly
Name:
______________________________________________________
Address:
______________________________________________________
Suburb:
______________________________________________________
Postcode:
___________
Email address:
______________________________________________________
Phone: ___________________________________
*The Mizrachi Charity Fund takes no responsibility for any payment left while the office is unattended
The Land of Israel for the People of Israel, according to the Torah of Israel
‫ארץ ישראל לעם ישראל על פי תורת ישראל‬
Mizrachi Organisation
‫בס"ד‬
THE EUGEN YAACOV WEISS MIZRACHI CENTRE
81 Balaclava Road, Caulfield North, Victoria 3161, Australia
Telephone: (03) 8317 2555 Fax: (03) 9527 5665 Email: [email protected]
MARA D’ATRA
Rabbi Yaakov Sprung
Members are advised that the
71st Annual General Meeting
of the Mizrachi Organisation
PRESIDENT
Ian Waller SC
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Daniel Solomon
**********
will take place at
8:00 PM on Monday 20th April 2015,
in the Goldberger Hall,
Weiss Mizrachi Centre
81 Balaclava Rd, Caulfield North
MIZRACHI SYNAGOGUES
Beit Yehuda
Beit HaRoeh
Beit Midrash ‘Bogrim’ Minyan
Nachalat David
**********
BEIT MIDRASH NAFTALI HERC
Kollel Torah MiTzion
Midreshet Ohr HaMizrachi
**********
ELSTERNWICK
JEWISH COMMUNITY
Faye Rockman Synagogue
The Agenda appears below. A complete set of Annual Reports will be circulated via email prior to the AGM. It will also be available for collection in hard
copy from the Mizrachi Office.
A nomination form is attached at the end of the newsletter.
Persons entitled to vote or stand for election at that meeting are required to
have been financial members at 31st December, 2014.
**********
LEIBLER YAVNEH COLLEGE
The Joseph & Stera Gutnick
School of Jewish Studies
A.S. Leibler Secondary School
Leopold & Isabella Abrahamovits
Yavneh Primary School
Abeles Liberman Early Learning Centre
**********
KOSHER AUSTRALIA P/L
**********
MIZRACHI CHARITY FUND
MIZRACHI SICK VISITING SOCIETY
BNEI AKIVA YOUTH MOVEMENT
EMUNAH WOMEN’S MOVEMENT
**********
MIZRACHI NOMINEES PTY. LTD.
ABN 83 005 019 670
 AGENDA 
Opening of Annual General Meeting
Dvar Torah
Apologies
Minutes of the 70th Annual General Meeting
Matters arising out of the Minutes
Adoption of Annual Reports
Leibler Yavneh College Constitutional Amendments
Elections:
a. Mizrachi Chairman
b. Mizrachi President
c. Mizrachi Vice President
d. Mizrachi Treasurer
e. Mizrachi Secretary
f. Leibler Yavneh College Chairman
g. Leibler Yavneh College Deputy Chairman
h. Leibler Yavneh College Treasurer
i. Kosher Australia Board Chairman
j. Building Chairman
k. Bet Midrash Committee Chairman
l. Bet HaRoeh Executive Representative
m. Twelve (12) Committee Members
9. Address by incoming President
10. General business
Rae Bower, Acting Returning Officer
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
The Land of Israel for the People of Israel according to the Torah of Israel
‫ארץ ישראל לעם ישראל על פי תורת ישראל‬
Mizrachi Organisation
‫בס"ד‬
THE EUGEN YAACOV WEISS MIZRACHI CENTRE
81 Balaclava Road, Caulfield North, Victoria 3161, Australia
Telephone: (03) 8317 2555 Fax: (03) 9527 5665 Email: [email protected]
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING, 2015
NOMINATION FORM
MARA D’ATRA
Rabbi Yaakov Sprung
PRESIDENT
Ian Waller SC
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Daniel Solomon
**********
MIZRACHI SYNAGOGUES
Beit Yehuda
Beit HaRoeh
Beit Midrash ‘Bogrim’ Minyan
Nachalat David
**********
We .............................................................................................................
(NAME OF PROPOSER - BLOCK LETTERS)
and ............................................................................................................
(NAME OF SECONDER - BLOCK LETTERS)
being financial members as at 31st December 2014 of the Mizrachi Organisation, hereby nominate
...................................................................................................................
(NAME OF CANDIDATE - BLOCK LETTERS)
BEIT MIDRASH NAFTALI HERC
Kollel Torah MiTzion
Midreshet Ohr HaMizrachi
**********
ELSTERNWICK
JEWISH COMMUNITY
Faye Rockman Synagogue
**********
LEIBLER YAVNEH COLLEGE
The Joseph & Stera Gutnick
School of Jewish Studies
A.S. Leibler Secondary School
Leopold & Isabella Abrahamovits
Yavneh Primary School
Abeles Liberman Early Learning Centre
as a candidate for the position of (PLEASE TICK ONE)
 Mizrachi Chairman
 Mizrachi President
 Mizrachi Vice President
 Mizrachi Treasurer
 Mizrachi Secretary
 Leibler Yavneh College Chairman
 Leibler Yavneh College Deputy Chairman
 Leibler Yavneh College Treasurer
 Kosher Australia Board Chairman
 Building Chairman
 Bet Midrash Committee Chairman
 One of Twelve (12) Committee Members
**********
ACCEPTANCE
I accept this nomination
KOSHER AUSTRALIA P/L
...........................................
Signature of candidate
....../...../.....
Date
............................................
Signature of proposer
....….................................
Signature of seconder
**********
MIZRACHI CHARITY FUND
MIZRACHI SICK VISITING SOCIETY
BNEI AKIVA YOUTH MOVEMENT
EMUNAH WOMEN’S MOVEMENT
To be received at the office by 3:00 PM on Friday 17 April 2015.
**********
MIZRACHI NOMINEES PTY. LTD.
ABN 83 005 019 670
Rae Bower
ACTING RETURNING OFFICER
The Land of Israel for the People of Israel according to the Torah of Israel
‫ארץ ישראל לעם ישראל על פי תורת ישראל‬
Men’s Health at the “G”
PSA Testing, Rehabilitation after Prostate Cancer, Testosterone,
Enlarged Prostate Treatment, Erectile and Continence Restoration
Featuring iconic Melbourne newsreader Mal Walden as the moderator and a keynote
address from AFL legend, TV Personality and Prostate Cancer Survivor, Sam Newman.
Come along to hear from the person behind the personality, Sam Newman on his journey with Prostate Cancer. You will also hear from local
medical experts Dr Christopher Love, Prof. Robert McLachlan, Dr Darren Katz on Men’s Health topics ranging from the latest treatments of
BPH/Enlarged Prostate, Getting your Life back after Prostate Cancer Treatment, Testosterone in the Aging Male and PSA testing.
Date:
Tuesday, 24th March, 2015
Speakers:
Time:
Sam Newman, Keynote Speaker
6:00pm - Arrivals
6:15pm - Food and Drinks
7:00pm - Presentations
9:00pm - Finish
Venue:
Premiership Club Room, MCG
Brunton Ave, Richmond VIC
RSVP (by 23 rd March):
1800 170 009
This is a FREE public health forum.
Bookings essential for catering purposes.
Please advise any special dietary
requirements when registering.
Christopher Love, Urologist
Robert McLachlan, Andrologist
Darren Katz, Urologist
David Sandoe OAM, Patient
Pam Sandoe OAM, Carer
Mal Walden, Moderator
For more information or to register online
visit www.menshealthg.com
Getting there:
Train - Jolimont Station
Tram - No. 75, 70, 48 will drop
you at the ground
Car - Street parking
UROLOGICAL SURGEON
Implant Surgery
Specialist
www.coloplast.com.au
The Coloplast logo is a registered trademark of Coloplast A/S. © 2015. All rights reserved. Coloplast Pty Ltd., Notting Hill, Victoria, Australia.
MCG-2015.indd 1
12/03/2015 12:56:02 PM
Issue 583
Vayikra
1 Nisan 5775, March 21th, 2015
‫בס“ד‬
Shabbat MiTzion ‫שבת מציון‬
Mazal Tov to Yoni Tokayer (Montreal 2012-2013)
on his Engagement with Nina!
On sacrificing
Rabbi Baruch Weintraub–Former Sgan Rosh Beit Midrash
at YU-TMT Zichron Dov Toronto (2011-14)
Current Rav Kehila in Tel Mond and Ram at Yeshivat Har Etzion
This Shabbat Parashat Hachodesh, with
its two facets, connects us twice with the
world of the korbanot (sacrifices). First,
as in the weekly parsha we begin the
reading of Vayikra, which is dedicated
primarily to the temple service in
general, and the detailed laws of the
sacrifices in particular. Second, as the
yearly calendar adds to our Shabbat a
special reading – Hachodesh Haze ('this
month'). There too, the main part of the
reading is dedicated to the introduction
of Korban Peasch.
It seems, then, that our Shabbat presents
a good opportunity to deepen our
understanding of the main role given to
sacrifices in the Torah – both in quantity,
as the laws of korbanot are much more
detailed than those of Shabbat, to state
one example; and in quality, as the
Pesach sacrifice is connected directly to
the redemption from Egypt (Shemot
12:13) and as all the sacrifices are "a
pleasing fragrance to Hashem" (Vayikra
1:9).
What makes the korbanot so important?
This question is, of course, not a new
one. The Rishonim discussed the
reasoning underlying the Korbanot
thoroughly, and we will bring here the
main three reasons being given by them:
The Rambam (Moreh 3:32) explains that
G-d commanded to sacrifice in order to
prevent the people from returning to
Avodah Zara. The common practice at
the time was to sacrifice to the gods, and
Visit in
South Africa
there was no way to Am Yisrael will be
able to cease this practice. Thus, G-d
commanded that sacrificing will continue
but to Him alone.
Ramban (Vayikra 1:9) offers two
suggestions. The first one finds the
reasoning for sacrificing in human
psychology – the burning of the animal
and shedding of its blood will assist its
owner to internalize the punishment that
he deserves for his sin, thus advancing
him towards Teshuva.
The second suggestion of Ramban is
according to "the way of truth", i.e.
Kabbala. While the details are beyond my
apprehension, the general theory seems
to be clear enough – the Korbanot serve
to bring the owner closer to Hashem.
While according to the third explanation
we can readily understand the immense
importance of the Korbanot and the
dependency of the exodus upon them, in
the first two it is more difficult to
understand. Why, according to the
Rambam, do we give such importance for
what is merely an outlet? And why,
according
to
the
psychological
explanation offered by the Ramban, is
there a need for sacrifice in Egypt, with
seemingly no sin committed?
I would like to suggest an understanding
which combines these two explanations,
and which is based upon ideas expressed
by Rabbi Soloveichik in his "Festival of
Freedom". We are used to judging
Yoav Cohen-Hadad
(Shlichut Department)
with Doron Klein,
CEO of TELFED
Torah Mitzion
Cape Town with
Natan Sharansky!
Dinner with the Shlichim
Enjoying treats from
Israel
Shabbat Times
Jerusalem
Begin
17:14
End
18:27
Vayikra
Page 2
strength and success, for individuals as well as for societies, by their achievements: money acquired, positions
of power conquered or art and wisdom created. In sefer Mishlei, however, we are being told: "better is slow to
anger than a mighty man and the ruler of his spirit than a city conqueror." (16:32); or in the words of Chaza"l
"Who is mighty? Who he overcomes his desires".
The sacrifices in the pagan world were intended to 'butter up' the gods or even to outright bribe them. They
really were, then, manipulations of the gods by man. In other words, by possessing something the gods want –
animals, fruits etc. – man could force the gods to help him in his own goals. It can be claimed, therefore, that
in accordance to the Rambam's explanation of the sacrifices for G-d, the latter do not act only as an outlet for
the human desire to sacrifice, but also represent a deep surrender. Shifting the Korbanot from the idols to
Hashem is not only a change of address; it requires man to surrender his illusion of control over the divine
realm, and replaces it with a willing acceptance of the heavenly yoke. Korban Pesach is not coming to
'appease' G-d, but to fulfil his commands, and to differentiate between those who keep them and those who
do not.
Letting go of one's hope to manipulate the metaphysical world can be seen as an act of weakness; but
Korban Pesach teaches us to see it in a completely different light – giving up our desire to control the gods,
enables us to connect with The G-d. And what is true between man and G-d, is also correct in the human
realm – only letting go of our desire to enslave the other will enable us to finally meet him; the ability to put
limits to our freedom is essential in order to render it meaningful.
Page 3
Vayikra
ISRAtag
Arik Speaker
The Worldwide North Africa Jewish Heritage Center named after
David Amar is located in the Machane Israel quarter in Jerusalem
with one side facing King David Street. The Center is dedicated to
various aspects of the history, culture and heritage of the Jews of
North Africa, which includes the communities of Morocco, Algeria,
Tunisia and Libya, and to a lesser extent the Jews from Egypt.
In the past the building hosted a Kollel, a shelter, a Beit Midrash
and a synagogue. The original building rose to a height of three
floors and was built around an inner courtyard with a cistern at its
center.
The center organizes various activities such as conferences, courses and seminars and Chazzanut institute, and displays permanent
and temporary exhibitions.
Moreover the center houses a library with original works, studies
and reference books, an audio-visual database and an archive, all
of which give a picture of the rich heritage of North African Jewry.
The World Center also has a courtyard garden which was built in
Andalusian style with unique mosaics.
One has to note that although today the Sepharadic Jews are a
minority of our nation, until the 12th century, 90% of Jews were
living in Muslim countries. In the 17th century they represented
50% of the Jewish population, and only following the tremendous
growth of the Jewish population in Europe did Ashkenazi Jews
account for 93% of world Jewry before the Holocaust .
Shlichim Wanted
(including French & Spanish speakers)
singles & couples:
Ph 052-8109583 [email protected]
Torah MiTzion was established in 1995 with the
goal of strengthening Jewish communities around
the globe and infusing them with the love for
Torah, the Jewish People and the State of Israel.
Over the past eighteen years Torah MiTzion's
shlichim have inspired and enriched their host
communities through a wide range of high impact
formal and informal educational programs.
Yasher Koach to
Eliya Or
for providing the
correct answer
Where was this photo taken?
Please send answers to
[email protected]
The answer, further information about this
location as well as the name of the first
person to recognize this site will be
published in next week‘s edition.
In cooperation with: