Mazal Tov to Danny & Uschi Schwartz and family on the birth of a son.

Times: Shabbat starts tonight with candlelighting at 7:29pm, ends Saturday night at 8:25pm. Early Shabbat candle lighting is between 6:30pm-6:35pm. The weekly Torah portion is Tetzaveh-Zachor. Purim is on Sunday (12/3) Shushan Purim is on Monday (13/3).

Mincha in the CBD: Mincha (at 2.02pm) continues, and has now switched to the more reliable SMS system.

Study: Wednesday shiur & lunch is on Wednesday at 1.40pm at Billing Bureau, followed by mincha.

Kosher Food in the CBD: Nifla Kosher Catering (KA Hechsher)
Offers Corporate Catering, specialising in individual and board room  lunches.
10% Discount on your first website purchase. Enter promo code “FIRST TIME”. For further details visit www.nifla.com.au
New Stockist- PRONTO ON FLINDERS– 335 Flinders Lane, Melbourne.
Tel. 96297724 stocking sandwiches and pastas.
New Stockist- CBW Express – Corner Little Bourke and William Streets Melbourne.
Tel. 96421491-stocking sandwiches, bagels , muffins and fruits salads.
Thought of the Week with thanks to Yudi New. In pitching his wicked plan to Achashverosh, Haman derides the Jewish people as being “spread and scattered amongst the nations”. Haman chooses the word “yeshno” (literally ”there is”) which the Talmud (Megillah 13b) re-translates as “negligent” i.e. the Jews have been negligent, or worse as developed by the Mahrasha, “asleep” in their observance of Torah and Mitzvot. It’s not that the Jews weren’t observant, says the Ktav Sofer – they most certainly were – the issue was their lack of passion and enthusiasm in their relationship with G-d. Religiously asleep at the wheel, the Jews of Shushan had become observant by default and out of habit. Could there be a greater tragedy and opening for, or rebuke by, an enemy of the Jews such as Haman? Accordingly, on Purim, we must reverse any hint of spiritual lethargy and demonstrate with every aspect of our being (including eating and drinking) the very real joy and excitement which comes with connecting ourselves to G-d – however, concealed He may appear to be.
Wishing everyone a Purim Sameach. L’chaim and fire up!