Times: Shabbat starts tonight with candlelighting at 5:47pm, ends Saturday night at 6:44pm. The weekly Torah portion is Ki Tavo.
Upcoming Event: Wednesday, 13th September: Lunchtime lecture with Professor Rael Strous “Is There Any Halachic or Ethical Justification for Assisted Dying?”. Mincha at 1:00pm and lecture at 1:15pm. Location is at the Mercure Grand Hotel, 195 Swanston Street, The Earth Room, Lower Ground Floor. RSVP for catering purposes to events@jbd.org.au by COB Monday 11th September. For more information click here for the Facebook page or here for the JBD website.
Mincha in the CBD: Mincha continues at 1:00pm at 459 Collins using the SMS system as a reminder. On Wednesday, mincha will take place at the Mercure as above.
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 on Wednesday is being replaced by the event mentioned above.
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 Rabbi Leon Anaf. The weekly Torah reading of Ki Tavo describes the 98 curses that G-d threatens to bring upon the Jews should they disobey the Torah. At one point the Torah informs us that the calamities are due to the fact that “you did not serve your G-d with joy.” Remarkably it is referring to a generation of Jews who are loyal to G-d’s laws but without joy and enthusiasm. The Torah demands that that we not only obey the mitzvot, but that we rejoice and take pleasure in their performance: in other words that we are happy.
King Solomon stated that true joy comes from spirituality not material gain. Rabbi Hirsh claimed that the word “sameach” (happy) is related to the word “tsame’áh” which means “grow”. What brings a person joy is growth – spiritual advancement.
When a person is stagnant – when he is not progressing – he feels frustrated and depressed
To the outsider, the Torah lifestyle may seem burdensome and restrictive. To those who experience it, it is the greatest source of joy and accomplishment in the world.
As the current year ends and we approach the New Year may we all achieve spiritual growth and fulfil all the mitzvot with happiness.