This Torah portion will be read from the Sefer Torah written in memory of the late
Aziza bat Farha O.B.M
Shabbat Services
Mincha & Kabalat Shabbat:
6:45 pm
Shacharit & Torah reading:
9:00 am
Mincha & Seuda Shelishit
6:15 pm
Daily Services
Shacharit:
Monday-Friday:7:30am
Sunday 8:00am
Mincha & Arvit 6:45pm
Pls. note that Monday morning services are at the
Chesed-El Synagogue—2 Oxley Rise.
Candle Lighting:
6:37 pm
Shabbat Ends:
7:30 pm
Shema may be recited until
9:16 am
Shekiah (sunset) is at:
6:54 pm
A Thought to ponder
Joining Worlds
The dream of the ladder in our Parshah is something that has captivated people's imaginations for thousands of years. Jacob, the ancestor of the Jewish people, was on a journey going far away from home. The sun set, and he lay down and slept, dreaming of a ladder reaching from earth to heaven.
The basic perspective of Judaism is that "earth" -- meaning practical, physical life, in all its detail, and "heaven," meaning spirituality and holiness, are closely connected.
In every area of activity we have the opportunity to express this connection. The physical details of Jewish law provide the guidance how to achieve this.
For example, the Zohar tells us that the ladder in Jacob's dream represents prayer. Like the ladder, prayer reaches from earth to heaven. It is the means for every individual person to connect with G-d.
The prayer service has different sections. In the morning service there is the preliminary part of the prayers, then the Shema, then the Amidah. These are different stages, similar to the rungs of a ladder. During the service the person is climbing higher and higher, reaching ever closer to G-d. The highest stage is the Amidah prayer, in which you stand in the immediate presence of G-d, as in the throne room, and you speak directly to Him.
Following this interpretation, the angels going up the ladder in Jacob's dream represent the words of prayer. The words coming from our mouths and our hearts rise up to G-d. They carry with them a little bit of the radiance of our soul: our feelings of love and dedication.
The angels coming down the ladder are the messengers from G-d carrying Divine blessing to the person who is praying, to his or her family, to the community, to the Jewish people and the entire world.
After having the dream of the ladder Jacob made a declaration establishing the bond between another version of these two worlds. One world is that of his own personal material success. The other is holiness. How can these two be joined?
Jacob said to G-d, "...of whatever You give me, I will give a tenth to You" (Genesis 28:22). By giving a proportion of his income to charity, Jacob was ensuring that all his wealth was tinged with holiness. Because every hundred pieces of silver he earned meant an extra ten pieces of silver would be used for a sacred purpose. Thus two worlds are joined: the material and the holy, like earth and heaven.
Through the ages Jews have tried to follow Jacob's example, giving a tenth of their income to charity. This practice has been a vital factor in the preservation of the Jewish ideal, learnt from Jacob's dream: to seek in every aspect of life, whether in prayer or at work in the office, to join earth and heaven.
Upcoming events
Chanukah Childrens Choir - Let your children come and join the choir led by our experienced yeshivah boys! There will be weekly practice sessions every Monday until Chanukah (Dec 26th) at 4:30 pm at JBC. Ages 6-12 For more info contact David or Yisrael
NEW! - We are excited to start the new Barmitzvah club. For boys ages 12-14, The first gathering will be Sunday 4th of December at Marina square Bowling from 2:00-4:00pm For more information visit the facebook group “ BCS - Barmitzvah club Singapore ”
We are happy to invite you to the next meeting for our Teenage Girls Social Activity. The next meeting will be a Moroccan cooking class, we will cook together Moroccan fish, Chala and salad.(and then enjoy our feast;)
11-14 Years old meeting will be Sunday 4th December, 17:00 - 20:00
15-18 Years old meeting will be Sunday 11th December, 17:00 - 20:00
Please confirm your place as soon as possible, as we need to make sure all the girls can participate in the class.The location of the meeting will be given at the confirmation email. For any queries and to confirm your place please email nivi.moss@gmail.com
SAVE THE DATE: Channukah@safra: join us for a fun and adventure filled channukah party at safra. Monday December 26th at 2:00 pm. For more info see the flyer.
SAVE THE DATE: Public Menorah Lighting and Cocktail Party - For the first time in Singapore we are having a Public Menorah Lighting on Orchard ave with a brand new 7 meter Menorah followed by a cocktail reception. Wed 21st Sept at 7:30 pm. For more i see the flyer.
Parasha in a Nutshell
Vayeitzei
Genesis 28:10–32:3
Jacob leaves his hometown of Beersheba and journeys to Haran. On the way, he encounters “the place” and sleeps there, dreaming of a ladder connecting heaven and earth, with angels climbing and descending on it; G‑d appears and promises that the land upon which he lies will be given to his descendents. In the morning, Jacob raises the stone on which he laid his head as an altar and monument, pledging that it will be made the house of G‑d.
In Haran, Jacob stays with and works for his uncle Laban, tending Laban’s sheep. Laban agrees to give him his younger daughter, Rachel—whom Jacob loves—in marriage, in return for seven years’ labor. But on the wedding night, Laban gives him his elder daughter, Leah, instead—a deception Jacob discovers only in the morning. Jacob marries Rachel, too, a week later, after agreeing to work another seven years for Laban.
Leah gives birth to six sons—Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar and Zebulun—and a daughter, Dinah, while Rachel remains barren. Rachel gives Jacob her handmaid, Bilhah, as a wife to bear children in her stead, and two more sons, Dan and Naphtali, are born. Leah does the same with her handmaid, Zilpah, who gives birth to Gad and Asher. Finally, Rachel’s prayers are answered and she gives birth to Joseph.
Jacob has now been in Haran for fourteen years, and wishes to return home. But Laban persuades him to remain, now offering him sheep in return for his labor. Jacob prospers, despite Laban’s repeated attempts to swindle him. After six years, Jacob leaves Haran in stealth, fearing that Laban would prevent him from leaving with the family and property for which he labored. Laban pursues Jacob, but is warned by G‑d in a dream not to harm him. Laban and Jacob make a pact on Mount Gal-Ed, attested to by a pile of stones, and Jacob proceeds to the H
SeudaShlishit is sponsored by:
Ms Anne Hill in memory of her late mother Sally Elias o.b.m. whose yahrzeit will be commemorated on Sunday 4 December.
Our Shabbat lunches offer a beautiful opportunity to meet fellow
Jews from all over the world as well as much needed hospitality to
young students, guests and visitors who would not otherwise enjoy
the Shabbat experience. We hope that you will partner with us in
sponsoring these lunches and help us provide much
needed hospitality every Shabbat. Please contact us at :enquiries@jwb.org.sg
Main article
Feeling Stuck?
Philosophers have long struggled with the great question of our freedom of choice on the one hand, and our belief in a higher destiny on the other. Is life determined by fate, or do we enjoy genuine freedom?
Generally, Judaism would seem to subscribe to a personal freedom in matters of morality, faith and the ethical choices we make in life. But when it comes to things like life and death, and even health and wealth, much as we would like to think we are in the driver’s seat, we do seem to be subject to forces beyond our control. Where we live, how long we will live, how comfortably we will live—these are all in G‑d’s hands. Where we can and must choose is what kind of life we will lead. Whether it will be a G‑dly, righteous, upstanding, decent and honest life—this is up to us, and us alone. G‑d steps back to grant us the freedom to determine how good, how kind and how Jewish we will, or will not, be.
And Jacob lifted his feet and went on his way (Genesis 29:1). This verse from our Parshah tells of Jacob’s journey in his escape from the wrath of Esau. He was en route to Haran, where he would eventually establish his family and lay the foundations for the Jewish people. But why the curious language, “And Jacob lifted his feet”? Does the Torah really need to tell us that in order to move, we have to first lift our feet? Was he stuck in a swamp or something?
So many of us look at our circumstances and shrug our shoulders, “Nu, what can you do?” If we were born into poverty or raised in a less-than-privileged environment, we resign ourselves to being doomed to failure. So many people have told me that they were part of the “lost generation” of Jews who had no Jewish education or upbringing. Their immigrant parents were so busy surviving in a new world that they had no time or headspace to raise their children with the Jewish value system they themselves had back in Europe. Tragically, these individuals felt that, Jewishly, they were lost forever.
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks (Chief Rabbi of the United Kingdom) tells the story of how, as a young philosophy student at Cambridge, he traveled the world visiting great leaders. When he came to see the Lubavitcher Rebbe, the Rebbe asked him what he was doing for the Jewish students at Cambridge. He began by saying, “In the circumstances I currently find myself . . .” whereupon the Rebbe interrupted him and said, “No one ‘finds himself’ in circumstances. We create our own circumstances.”
Of course, there are times when we will find ourselves in circumstances beyond our control; but throughout life, we will find ample scope and opportunities to improve our own circumstances. G‑d gives each of us our own unique qualities, talents and potential, and it is up to us to use and develop these gifts. Life is full of inspiring examples of individuals who have overcome disabilities and disadvantages of one kind or another. In the Jewish world, many have risen to prominence from the humblest beginnings. The Torah is the birthright of every Jew. We just have to go out and claim it.
The words of our Parshah are quite deliberate and well-chosen after all. “Jacob lifted his feet and went on his way.” Some people follow their feet wherever they will take them. No matter the direction, they simply coast along, allowing their feet to lead them.
Not so Jacob. He was master of his feet and master of his circumstances. He set his feet on the right road, and became master of his destiny.
May we all be inspired to lift ourselves beyond our circumstances.
Elite kosher shop
The Kosher shop stocks a wide range of products such as meats (imported from Australia),
poultry, dairy products, as well as a large variety of wines.
The Kosher Shop also just received a wide range of products form Israel at very affordable prices such as popular snacks (Bissli etc…), canned foods and much more.
The Awafi Restaurant
Open for Lunch and Dinner To make a reservation call 6336. 5166
Also serving breakfast every morning after Shacharit. Awafi also provides for outside catering.
Feel free to contact us at: 6336 5166
Halacha Corner
Hilchat Rechillut (tail bearing)
1. IDENTITY OF THE PARTICIPANTS - SPEAKER, LISTENER, SUBJECT
Regarding the prohibition against speaking Rechilut, there is no distinction between different speakers - man or woman, close [to the one harmed] or distant. Even if the individual heard something against his parents (or Rabbi), and it distresses him greatly that their honor is damaged, it is a violation to tell them about it. Also, it is forbidden to speak about anyone - man or woman, adult or minor - as we discussed in Hilchot L"H 8:1-3.
Many incorrectly assume that the prohibition against speaking Rechilut does not apply in certain circumstances. For example, if an adult sees two children fighting, and goes to the parents of one child to tell them that the other child was hitting their son, this causes much harm. Typically the informed father then defends his child by striking the other, and then a feud develops between the parents of the children.
4. NO DISTINCTIONS BETWEEN LISTENERS/VICTIMS
Telling Rechilut to either a Jew or a non-Jew is forbidden.
Growing Each Day-With Rabbi Dr. Abraham J. Twerski
You might say to yourself, "My might and the power of my hand have gained me this wealth" (Deuteronomy 8:17).
Moses warned the Israelites that upon entering Canaan and inheriting a prosperous and fertile land "flowing with milk and honey," they should not think that their own prowess had made them wealthy. Rather, they should be aware that Israel was a Divine gift.
For that generation, the challenge was not too difficult, because as Moses had pointed out to them earlier, they had personally experienced forty years of miraculous survival in the desert wilderness, fed by the daily manna and watered by a spring which accompanied them on their journeys. With such overt manifestations of Divine wonders, they would not be likely to ascribe any future success to their own strength and cunning.
Today, however, we stand many centuries away from the Biblical times. We may think that the world operates purely by natural law; that we can completely determine our own fate and fortune, and in which success or failure are due to our shrewdness in business or how much effort we exert.
Thus, Moses' message was intended for us even more than for his generation. Surely we are required to engage in work for the Torah itself states that God will bless the work of "your hands" (Deuteronomy 14:29)], but we should not lose sight of the fact that the Divine blessing, not brains or brawn, ultimately determines our fortune. The only difference between today and Moses' time is that there, God's hand was manifest everywhere, but today it is concealed.
Arseth
6 Kislev/2 December
Manasseh Elitayhu Khafi
Victoria bat Simha
8 Kislev/ 3 December
Victoria bat Salha
Sally Elias
10 Kiselv/ 6 December
Esther Elias
May Their Memory Be A Blessing
Today in Jewish history...
6 Kislev
The SHLA"H arrived in Jerusalem, 1621. Jews barred from settling in Stockholm, Sweden, 1685.
7 Kislev:
King Yehoyakim burned a Sefer Torah, 603 b.c.e. - day was made a fast day. Ancient Jewish holiday (from the end of the Second Beit HaMikdash era) - the exact reason is disputed by historians.
8 Kislev
A relatively quiet day in Jewish History (according to the book)
9 Kislev
Jews of Paris expelled (again) by Charles VI, 1394. (Rabbi Bloch z"l points out that English, French, and Spanish Jewry were expelled roughly at 100 year intervals - 1290, 1394, 1492.)
10 Kislev
- 27,000 Jews of the Riga ghetto taken for execution, 1941.
11 Kislev
- 7000 Minsk Jews executed 1942.
- Yeshiva University received its charter, first American university under Jewish auspices, 1945.
12 Kislev
- Yahrzeit of the Maharshal (Yam Shel Shlomo), 1573.
13 Kislev
- Yahrzeit of Ravina, 499, co-author of Talmud Bavli. His death marks the end of the Talmudic period.
- Mass murder of Jews of Mogilev, 1761
Ongoing Events & Programs
Weekly Minyan, stories and snacks for children after reading of the Torah. For more info contact The boys.
One on one learning with the Yeshiva Boys for adults and children. Contact Mrs. Rivni@ 92327095.
Lunch & Learn Tuesdays at Awafi, JBC. Contact Rabbi Abergel
Talmud class every Wednesday@ 9:00pm in tractate Sanhedrin. Contact Rabbi Abergel
Mikva: Mrs. Simcha Abergel 9673 9184
Mrs. Odelia Rivni 9232 7095
(Appointments at least one day before)
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