JBD – Jews of the Melbourne CBD is now on LinkedIn. Follow us here.
Shabbat starts on Friday at 7:45pm and ends on Saturday at 8:42pm. The weekly Torah portion is Tetzaveh and Shabbat Zachor.
Ta’anit Esther is on Monday, fast begins at 5:44am and ends at 8:31pm. Purim is Mon night / Tues.
Megillah reading and special lunch on Purim day at L1 Capital
12:15pm Refreshments
12:30pm Megillah Reading
1:00pm Lunch catered by Mama Falafel & Grill and Dvar Torah.
Mincha is now in summer recess until the end of DST in early April. See the WhatsApp group for further info.
Weekly sushi & shiur continues on Wed at 1.30pm at A-P GF/459 Collins – and via zoom. Current topic: dividing common property. Details here and on the WhatsApp group.
Thought of the Week with thanks to Yehuda Gottleib.
This week’s Torah reading details the special clothing that G-d commanded the kohanim to wear during the service in the Mishkan. The verse states that these clothes were worn “l’kavod u’letifferet” (i.e. for glory and splendour).
Rabbi Sacks writes that the special clothing were intended to look impressive and seem to be at odds with some of the more fundamental values of Judaism. Judaism does not usually focus on externality, and ‘dressing to impress’, rather it generally emphasises hearing rather than seeing. The word “Shema” appears 92 times in the book of Devarim, and is an important theme in Jewish life – the values of listening, hearing and understanding. Rabbi Sacks says that this is the reason we cover our eyes when we say “Shema Yisrael” – we intend to block out sight and focus solely on words and their meaning.
This is also how G-d reveals himself to us – through words. Whether it be via prophecy, or revelation on Mt Sinai, Hashem communicates to us and we listen to his commands. The exception to this is the Mishkan (and later the Temple). The emphasis of these are the visual, with numerous descriptions in the Tanach and Gemara about the appearance of these buildings, their measurements and manner of construction.
The same goes for the priestly clothes, which are described in great detail for us to ensure we create these clothes in their proper manner. Rabbi Sacks says that this is done in order to emphasise the ‘glory and splendour’ of G-d. The beauty of the holy buildings and clothing creates an atmosphere of awe and reverence, because they point to a beauty and grandeur beyond themselves, namely G-d Himself.