JBD – Jews of the Melbourne CBD is now on LinkedIn. Follow us here.

Shabbat starts on Friday at 4:55pm and ends on Saturday at 5:55pm.  The weekly Torah portion is Behar-Bechukotai (Chazak) and Shabbat Mevarchim Sivan. Rosh Chodesh is on Wednesday.
Yom Yerushalayim is on Monday.

Mincha continues at 1pm at A-P GF/459 Collins Mon-Wed, and Thu 1.45pm at L1 Capital using the WhatsApp group to confirm numbers.

Weekly sushi & shiur continues on Wed at 1.10pm (after mincha) at A-P GF/459 Collins – and via zoom. Current topic: fencing law. Details here and on the WhatsApp group.

Thought of the Week with thanks to Yudi New.

This week’s double Torah reading Behar-Bechukotai appears to address disparate concepts.

On closer analysis, religious intentionality emerges as a common theme.  It is no accident that these portions always fall in the lead up to Shavuot, where the Jewish people consciously decided to be bound to G-d through His Torah. For example:

• Shimttah – leaving the land fallow to create a faith consciousness that economic success requires human effort but is dependant on G-d’s blessings;
• Toiling in Torah – Contrast habitual observance with conscious immersion in religious experience.  When there is effort, G-d promises that He will focus His attention directly to the individual. The relationship becomes actively reciprocal;
• Servants and children of G-d – At times we need to relate to G-d as His children, seeking and bound by unconditional love. Alternatively, we might seek to present as devoted servants ready to fulfil our G-dly mission.  Either way, it is important to be aware of the connection.
• The rebuke for being casual – The rebuke in Bechukotai makes multiple references to treating G-d causally and by happenstance. Nothing “enrages” (read distances) G-d more than taking our relationship with Him for granted.

These themes are brought home in a poignant address delivered by the Holy Piezetzner in the Warsaw Ghetto in the spring of 1940. Facing unimaginable suffering, the holy Tzaddik implores his followers to call out to G-d solely to connect with Him and recognise that He is their only source of salvation.

Thank G-d, most of us are not called upon to display such strength. However, the message is clear that intentional Judaism requires proactive ownership of our own spiritual growth and journey and relationship with the Almighty.

Wishing everyone a meaningful and pleasant Shabbat and a growth trajectory in the lead up to Shavuot and Matan Torah.