This event will sell out call this week if you haven’t already booked! REGISTER ONLINE @ WWW.SCHARATZEDECK.COM Believe Build Grow Congregation Schara Tzedeck Shabbat Bulletin Partner With Us Rabbi Andrew Rosenblatt Torah Reader: Joseph Marciano Dvar Torah - Rabbi Shlomo Wolbe, z’l, Bais Hamussar Before Moshe and Aharon perform the ten makkos, the Torah offers a short genealogical backdrop. The Torah begins with their great-grandfather Levi, continues with a list of all his children and grandchildren, and ends with the birth of Moshe and Aharon. “They are the ones who spoke to Pharaoh the king of Egypt to take the Jews out of Egypt; this was Moshe and Aharon” (Shemos 6:27). Rashi, bothered by the seemingly superfluous ending of the pasuk, explains that the Torah is informing us that they were complete in both fulfilling their missions and their righteousness “from beginning to end.” Rav Wolbe (Shiurei Chumash, Shemos 6:27, 1:5) comments, that this praise of Moshe and Aharon is in reality the goal of every Jew. We must aim to make it through life in general, and each day in particular, without getting derailed from the tracks of our purpose in this world. Chazal relate that Yochanon served in the most sacred position of Kohein Gadol for eighty years and subsequently became an apostate! He was undeniably a great man, but he did not persevere until the end of his life. The truth is that no one can know where life will take him. Yosef went one bright day to inquire about the welfare of his brothers and the next thing he knew he found himself as a slave and the sole Jew in the most immoral country in the world. These things do not happen only in ancient times. Rav Wolbe related that he himself experienced a similar phenomenon. While learning in the Mirrer Yeshiva in Poland just prior the Second World War, the Polish government forced him to leave the Yeshiva due to his German citizenship. The next eight years found him in Sweden without even a minyan of shomer Shabbos Jews. Despite these radical changes, the Torah attests that Yosef maintained his original January 17, 5775 Vaeira Torah Reading pg.318 Haftorah pg.1149 Mincha 4:15 pm Havdalah 5:35 pm Shabbat Classes will resume when Day Light Savings time begins again March 7, 2015 Shabbat Youth Programming 10:30 am Story: Auerhahn Youth Lounge 2nd Floor 10:45 am Groups: 4-5 yrs - Balcony room, 6-8 yrs - Library (upstairs) 8 yrs. and older Auerhahn Youth Lounge 11:15 am Kiddush: Auerhahn Youth Lounge Weekly Services Jan. 18 -Jan. 22 M 4:35 pm Friday, Jan. 23 M 4:35 pm Cl 4:36 pm Dvar Torah level of righteousness even in Egypt, and we can attest that Rav Wolbe remained steadfast to his ideals throughout his years in Sweden. Additionally, Rav Wolbe mentioned that he once met a Moroccan Jew who related that when he arrived in Israel he was taken to a nonreligious kibbutz. He didn’t capitulate to their lifestyle and he demanded kosher food. They could not get him to change his ways so they sent him to another kibbutz lest he succeed in convincing others to follow his ways. The same scenario repeated itself in the second kibbutz and the successive kibbutzim until they finally gave in and sent him to a yeshiva. How many of us would survive in such a hostile environment with our religious ideals intact? How long would we last if people taunted us every time we davened or attempted to keep kashrus? The same tests often arise on a daily basis, albeit on a smaller scale. Rav Yeruchom Levovitz zt”l would say that a person changes “in accordance with his clothing.” One’s behavior is very much dependant on his surroundings. Although while by himself one might maintain a serious demeanor, when he is in the company of others he might act in a lightheaded manner. Although he merely changed rooms in the house, his behavior changed entirely! When people get married they often change as a result of their spouses. Similarly, a change of job, friends, locale or shul can change a person beyond recognition. As with many creatures, people change their skin to adapt to their surroundings. Our goal is to define our ideals and stick to them no matter in what situation we find ourselves. This was the trait of Yosef, Moshe and Aharon, and it is the hallmark of our leaders throughout the generations! Member Announcements A warm welcome to everyone who is visiting us this Shabbat. Our heartfelt condolences to the family of Geraldine (Gerry) Biely z’l, who passed away this week. Our heartfelt condolences to Irving Sirlin, Frank Sirlin, Heather & Alan Kenney and their families on the loss of Marcia Sirlin, z’l, wife, mother and grandmother. Todah Rabah Our thanks to Howie Kallner for sponsoring Premier Scotch at the Friday Night Kabbalat Shabbat Oneg. Our thanks to the Stein family who are sponsoring the Congregational Kiddush in loving memory and in honour of the yahrzeit of their mother and grandmother, Shirley Stein, z’l. Our thanks to Jason Kalvari for sponsoring the Premier Scotch this Shabbat in loving memory and in honour of the yahrzeit of his father, Aubrey Kalvari z'l. Ski - Learn Whistler Blackcomb with Rabbi Rosenblatt and Friends Sunday, January 25 COST - $40 (for dinner) Call Rachael Lewinski for details 604-808-7080 This event is in memory of Marvin Nider z’l Upcoming Programming Weekly Classes A Bat Mitzvah Challah Bake and Pizza Party For Grade 6 Girls Sunday, January 25th, 2015 5:30 - 7:30 pm Please join Moselle Levy and Kyla Charach RSVP - 604-805-9946 Mondays, 7 - 9 pm TORAH TALKS! Rabbi Rosenblatt - 7 pm Dr. Ralph Rothstein - 8 pm Rabbi Hillel Brody - 8 pm Men’s Talmud Class Beit Midrash (Small Chapel) NCSY Shabbaton Edmonton February 6 - 8 Grades 8 - 12 Register at vancouver.ncsy.org or Contact Rabbi Ross [email protected] Cost $449. International Kosher Out Cooking Class Sold with Susy Siegel Wednesday, January 21 7 - 9 pm Mexican Fiesta Women’s Megillah Reading March 5, 2015 If you are interested in participating in the Women’s Megillah Reading this year, please contact Shelley Karrel, in the synagogue office by January 30th. Aishet Chayil The Industrious Woman of Valour in the Industrial Age with Dvora Sussman Sunday, Jan. 18 - 7 pm VHA - 1545 West 62nd Ave. Presented by Vancouver Hebrew Academy Wednesdays WOMEN’S TALMUD CLASS Rabbi Rosenblatt 9:30 - 10:30 am Beit Midrash (Small Chapel) LUNCH & LEARN Wednesdays, 12:15 pm - 1:15 pm Offices of Kornfeld, LLP 505 Burrard Thursdays The Book of Jeremiah (In Hebrew) Rabbi Rosenblatt 9:00 – 10:00 am Offices of Raber, Mattuck North Mall, Oakridge Centre The Centre for Women’s Learning presents Yaffa Epstein Saturday, January 31 Beit Midrash (Small Chapel) (Immediately after Kiddush) (Rabbi Berger’s 20:20 Class will resume the following week) Topic: The Torah is So Great Even the Angels Want It.