Times: Shabbat starts tonight with candlelighting at 5:41pm, ends Saturday night at 6:39pm. The weekly Torah portion is Ki Tetzei.

Mincha in the CBD: Mincha continues at 1:00 pm at 459 Collins using the SMS system as a reminder.

New Mincha Minyan: A second mincha minyan is running Mon-Thu at 1:15pm at Empress Diamonds, Level 10, Suite 7, 55 Swanston St. Join the WhatsApp list with Gabi Yitshaki 0413 145 577

Study: Wednesday shiur & lunch is on Wednesday at about 1.15pm at Billing Bureau, following mincha.

Kosher Food in the CBD: Unfortunately, due to lack of demand there is no longer kosher food being sold in the CBD. Glicks, we want you back!!

Thought of the Week with thanks to Michelle Coleman. This week’s Torah reading of Ki Teitzei contains the prohibition of kilayim, combining certain species of animals and plants in specific ways. These laws are first introduced in Vayikra 19:19, where they are described as chukim, which we generally understand as those laws that have no immediately apparent reason.

Not being a farmer, I have never put too much thought into these laws, and could be found happily munching away on cherry tomatoes (a cross between wild currant-type tomatoes and domestic garden tomatoes), tangelos (a cross between tangerines and grapefruits) and various other hybrids that may indeed fall under the category of kilayim.

The Ramban explains the meaning behind kilayim as follows:

G-d instilled in the various species the ability to reproduce so that that species will continue to exist for as long as He wishes. When one crossbreeds (whether animals or plants), it is as if the person is indicating that G-d didn’t create all necessary beings, and this person wants to assist in the creation of the world.

Perhaps this is a law that we should pay more attention to?

(Note: The above is not intended to constitute halachic advice on the kashrut of hybrid fruits. You can read more here:http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/491175/jewish/Is-genetically-grafted-produce-kosher.htm

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