THE LEGACY OF RABBI LORD JONATHAN SACKS Z”L This Thursday (20th Marcheshvan), will be the 4th yahrzeit of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, z”l. Next Moztei Shabbat (23rd November), we will be holding a Melave Malka (post Shabbat light meal) in tribute to him with words of inspiration from Rabbi Michael Laitner and music from Rabbi Yossi Binstock. This is open to all the community – please join us! Rabbi Lord Sacks passed away on the Shabbat of Vayera, 2020. Let me share with you a thought that formed part of the hesped, the eulogy that I gave for him at...
LOYALTY The election of an American President is one of the most important events in the modern world. We pray that President-Elect Donald Trump will govern wisely in the best interests of his country and the free world. One concern that has been expressed is – Will President Trump continue to be as loyal to the alliances that have traditionally relied on the USA for support? In this week’s parasha, we see Abraham demonstrating the quintessence of loyalty. His nephew, Lot, had accompanied him on his odyssey from Charan to Canaan. Famine in Canaan took them to Egypt. When they...
THREE LEVELS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS When Noah is described at the beginning of this week’s parasha as “a righteous man, perfect in his generation”, Rashi famously comments that there were those who sought to qualify this accolade. Yes, in his generation he was regarded as righteous, but had he been living at the same time as Abraham, he would not have been extraordinary. What is the difference between the greatness of Noah and that of Abraham? Noah was righteous enough to save himself and his family. It did not extend to him being able to influence his generation. Yiddish culture has...
THE FOURTEENTH PRINCIPLE OF FAITH Moses Maimonides, the great Jewish leader and teacher of the 12th century, enumerated for us thirteen principles of the Jewish faith. They are included in our siddur in two forms: the Ani Maamin (“I believe with perfect faith that…”) an optional extra included at the end of the morning Shacharit service, and Yigdal, a hymn sung after the service on Friday nights. Scholars of Maimonides are puzzled why he opted for thirteen principles of faith. If one were ever to talk about Maimonides favourite number, it would be fourteen, rather than thirteen! Maimonides classifies his...
BE A BLESSING In the section on the verses of blessing in this week’s parasha there is a phrase with an unusual syntax: Yetzav Hashem Itcha Et Habracha “the L-d will command His blessing with you in your granaries and in all your undertakings.” (Devarim 28:8). Normally we refer to G-d ‘granting’ a blessing or ‘conferring’ a blessing. What is meant by “commanding His blessing?” Moreover, we would expect the blessing to be commanded to you. What is conveyed by G-d commanding his blessing with you? The late Dayan Morris Swift (died 1983; his brother, Rabbi Harris Swift, was rabbi...
