Times: Candlelighting is Friday 5:07pm; Shabbat ends Saturday 6:05pm. The weekly Torah Portion is Behar. Pesach Sheni is on Wednesday.

Mincha in the CBD: Mincha continues at our usual location at Level 5 South, 459 Collins St, at 1.00pm Mon-Thu. Watch out for a surprise special lunch this week.

Study: Mon 12.30 @ East Melb Shule; Wed 1.15 @ Billing Bureau.

Kosher Food in the CBD: Kosher sandwiches and snacks provided by Sidewalk Cafe under Kosher Australia hashgacha are available at the following locations:
-CBW Express- 181 William Street (Open late until 9pm)
-Pronto on Flinders – 335 Flinders Lane
Kosher sandwiches and snacks delivered daily to the CBD.
SANDWICHES: egg mayonnaise and tomato, tuna mayonnaise and pickles, smoked salmon and herbed cream cheese, crisp lettuce, sliced cheese, tomato, cucumber and salad. SNACKS: natural berry yogurt with oat cluster crumble, fresh fruit salad, mixed berry muffin

Thought of the Week with thanks to Yudi New. This week we commemorated Yom Hazikaron and the sacrifices our soldiers continue to make for our land. Immediately after, we celebrated Yom Haatzmaut – the return to our homeland and the gift of the modern State of Israel. It is apt and no coincidence that this week’s Torah reading, Behar, deals with mitzvot directly associated with the land of Israel. Most notably, the mitzvah of shemitta – to leave the land fallow every seventh year. This represents a farmer’s ultimate trust and acceptance that the land is on loan from G-d and we are privileged to work it and reap its benefits. It is said of R’ Nachman of Breslav that when he came to Eretz Yisrael he declared that only upon being in the land can one appreciate its pleasantness where each day is sweeter than the next. Only there can one feel that each day upon the land is a renewed gift from G-d. May we all merit to return to Israel with the true redeemer.