Tuesday 26th May
It has been an incredible emotional week in the community in the past week with both happy and sad occasions mixed in together...and Shavuot in the middle.
On Tuesday, Barney Z passed away, after staying and being looked after for a number of years in Lady Sarah Cohen House. Everyone has a story, and Barney's involved being an activist for the South African Liberal Party after the events of the Sharpeville Massacre in March 1960. He was eventually given 'banned' status by the South African government which meant many curfew restrictions were placed on him. Barney put his family first and moved with his wife and two small children to London where he lived since 1967.
Wednesday 27th May
Another member passed on - David C who had been a member for many years and had been a lover of 2 M's - music (he loved playing the saxophone) and Manchester United. Of course Manchester United were playing that night in an attempt to retain the Champions League Final - and just didn't match up to the overpowering possession football of Barcelona. It did remind me of course that Arsenal were 15 minutes away from defeating Barcelona in the 2006 final. And what must Chelsea fans be thinking!
Tribe club met as usual and attracted a really good half term crowd. The children love this afterschool club, especially learning various circus acts in the second session.
Thursday 28th May
The funeral of David C was in the morning - our thoughts are with the family. The rest of the day was spent preparing for Shavuot. We were planning an evening of learning at our home that evening. There is of course a revered custom to stay up all night. We have a tradition that the Children of Israel did not wake up to receive the Torah on the day designated for its revelation - and so to correct this mishap (correct is 'tikkun' in Hebrew) we stay up all night, hence the name Tikkun Leyl. We put on some food (including my wife's amazing cheesecake) and then had two classes, given by myself and Clive. Twenty people came over and it was a pleasant and enlightening evening.
Friday 29th, Shabbat 30th - Shavuot
There were plenty of people in Shul over Shavuot which was great and really encouraging. To be honest, if I ever ask you whether you will be in Shul this Shabbat - it is not because I am checking up on your frequency of attendance rather that I simply would love to see you, and what better place than in Shul on a Shabbat or Yom Tov morning. I gave my drasha after the kiddush on first day, and looked at different opinions on the issue of whether a convert could use the same liturgy as everyone else in praying. For instance, could the convert say 'God of our father' or should he/she say 'God of the fathers of Israel'.This question was asked by a convert known as Ovadiah to Rabbi Moses Maimonides. Maimonides replied that the convert should consider himself as an equal part of the Jewish people and should not change anything. The source of doubt was the declaration made by the Jew who would bring First Fruits to the Temple (hence the Shavuot connection). He or She would say the famous 'Arami Oved Avi' declaration that contains a brief overview of the Exodus from Egypt, hence its use in the Haggada. But one Rabbi in the mishna states that the convert should bring First Fruits, but should not make the declaration as there ancestors did not come out of Egypt and do not come from our forefathers. Maimonides explains that this opinion is not the normative one. There is another opinion in the Jerusalem Talmud which explains that the convert does in fact read the same as anyone else. This, Maimonides decided, was the legally authotitative one.
There were three childrens services on Shabbat, and we were able to share in the joy of a diamond wedding anniversary for Leslie and Sybil. Leslie was in fact the first Cohen called up when I began in Muswell Hill as Rabbi all those...months ago!
Sunday 31st May
In the morning I officiated at the stonesetting of Edna W's late husband Dave. Edna is a woman of incredible strength for her years. She is regularly in Shul so if you have not yet had the privilege of meeting her, you must!
We experienced a wonderful Batmitzvah in our Shul of Abi S. Abi spoke so well and the order of service put together in the main by Abi was quite inspirational. It really made me feel that Sunday batmitzvahs have more meaning than a Dvar Torah on Shabbat. The Dvar Torah still is produced, but much more as well. Abi wrote an introduction to Maimonides, to the Shema and read out a Batmitzvah prayer. The only difficulty was that Abi's uncle Gerry who was dear to us all had become very ill on Sunday.
Monday 1st June
Gerry passed away in the early hours of Monday leaving a whole in the lives of his family and friends. He was a special and unique individual who will I am sure be remembered by so many people.
Monday 1 June 2009
Tuesday 26 May 2009
Diary Entry
Monday 18th May
I have now made it official that Monday is my weekly day off. Now you may ask the question - can a Rabbi have a day off. I mean, doesn't he work 24/7? My answer would be that there is a difference between a Rabbi who is connected to his job 24/7 and one that is available for needs 24/7. A Rabbi has a family, and they also have needs, and so to set aside time when those needs can be taken care of is so vital. I did make it clear that of course for needs such as funerals and stonesettings, the day off would be set aside.
Tuesday 19th May
A nice morning in my Shul office, working on the projects that I am pushing forward in the community at present. One of these projects was also referred to in the recent Jewish Chronicle press relating to my induction. In my speech I had referred to the need for an eruv in the Muswell Hill area, and this quickly became a story.
An 'eruv' is the term given for an enclosed area where it is permitted to carry on Shabbat (carrying is one of the 39 forbidden types of work on Shabbat). A number of hundred years ago, towns would often be enclosed by walls, so there was no problem considering areas or towns enclosed. When these walls were brought down, it became much more complicated to enclose an area. A number of man made boundaries can be used, such as elevated banks, or even central reservations of main roads. But boundaries can also be made of house fronts and garden gates. If for instance, a road goes through the boundary, it would need to be closed off. According to Jewish Law, this could be achieved by putting up two poles and putting some wire from the top of one pole to the second. A number of pairs of poles will then be needed around the boundary of the enclosed area, and this is what constitutes the bulk of the cost of building it.
I think that there are a number of good solid reasons behind building such an eruv and so allowing according to Jewish Law, carrying on Shabbat:
- a religious family would feel comfortable living in our community. We are an Orthodox community and if a few religous families could live in our catchment area, it would only enrich the religious life of the community
- there are a number of families who presently are members and who have said how great it would be if when pushing a buggy on Shabbat, they would not be breaking Jewish Law
- a number of other communities in the United Synagogue are looking to build an eruv. If we are left behind, we will lose any religious core to our community
- family members or friends who live in say Hampstead or Finchley would be able to walk over as a family to Muswell Hill on Shabbat without any worry of carrying
Thursday 21st May
The Talmud class had a visit from Raphy and Maureen from LSJS which was very pleasant and really added to the Shiur atmosphere. The class has such a creative dynanic to it but is also such fun to be a part of. I had to leave prompt on 12pm and with Joost's help in getting me to East Finchley tube station travelled to central London to my monthly talk at Denton Wilde Sapte in Fleet Place. This month I gave a class on the First Commandment, using the commentary of Rashi and last century's great Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik. God exclaims - 'I am the Lord your God who took you out of Egypt, from the House of slavery'. So for instance we looked at the issue of why God introduces Himself with reference to the Exodus and not the Creation. What is the difference between the God of Creation and the God of the Exodus?
A busy day continued with a barmitzvah lesson for David which went very well - I know have the notes of layening the Torah on a computer format so I can email anyone who would like to learn!
Friday 22nd May
Up early this morning to arrive for Shacharit at 7am in Cockfosters and North Southgate Synagogue on Old Farm Avenue. Rabbi Fine had invited me to speak at a breakfast that was annually held there in honour of Yom Yerushalayim, 42 years since the re-unification of Jerusalem. I spoke of how important it is not to think in terms of exile and redemption as if they are two separate time periods that simply meet. In other words, when Jerusalem was recaptured people felt that we were moving from a period of exile straight into redemption. But there is a middle period, where there are signs of redemption but also still clear signs that we are in exile. This is the meaning of our modern State of Israel - it is not what we want totally, but we can still rejoice in its very existence.
Saturday 23rd May
We had the second of our MHY Space, Muswell Hill Youth Service which once again was successful with nearly 25 teenagers and is even becoming first choice minyan for one or two Dads! Joe and Alex davened wonderfully. Sammy, Noah and Ben from Palmers Green layened excellently and others helped as well, The kiddush of chocolate, marshmallows and Pringles went down well! But altogether it is so satisfying to see so many of our teenagers together in Shul. Look out for the next Youth Service in early July.
Sunday and Monday 24th and 25th May
We went down to Richmond as a family and spent the day with friends from Kingston, in Richmond Park enjoying the play areas for children, the roaming deer, and the beautiful weather. The Bank Holiday spirit continued on Monday when we got together with a number of my cousins that live in London - a family reunion of sorts. If you are on facebook and one of my friends, you could view these pictures that my cousin Zila took. I will post one picture that I loved!
Monday 18 May 2009
Diary Entry
Monday 11th May - Lag B'Omer night
There might have been massive festivities on Mount Meron in the north of Israel, as every year - but we also celebrated this day in Muswell Hill. Over forty people attended a barbeque at the Simons house next door to Synagogue. There was plenty of meat, pitta and other delicacies, and a real communal spirit was felt by all. There are at least two other members' gardens that have put themselves forward for next years barbeque, so this will become an annual communal meet...with meat! Thanks to the Simons for hosting, and many thanks to our ever wonderful Adrian for getting the barbeques going and managing them.
Tuesday 12th May
We had a guest at our home this week, a young lady from Krakow in Poland called Maya. She will be getting married under a Chuppa in June - and recently with her husband to be met a group of chidlren and madrichim from Immanuel College in Bushey. The school group began a project to help the married couple to be and brought Maya over so that she could come back with a wedding dress and other goodies - and the Immanuel College families through a Kalla party for her. All great stuff - Elisheva volunteered to house Maya for the time she was in London and helped her get around. She really was a pleasure, and we wish her and her Chattan Jakub a warm mazaltov. When you see what it is like living a religious life in Krakow, you cannot take for granted the facilities that we have day to day. Maya was most excited about taking back a loaf of kosher bread to Krakow!
Wednesday 13th May
This morning began a new chavrouta - or learning partner, with a Rabbi colleague of mine. Chavrouta is the staple structure of learning in the yeshiva schools of learning Torah. One learns with a partner and prepares the sources that the Rav has given out. Then there is a shiur or class by the Rav on these sources. My Wednesday morning chavrouta will be without shiur, but we had some interesting learning, looking into the ideas and laws behind the mitzva to have children - all very fascinating. How many children should one have? Who is obligated to have children? What if one cannot? Does one really need large families? What is the reasoning behind this commandment? Are non-Jews commanded in it? And more.
Tribe club was much fun as usual, and is continuing to be a great success. The children are being taught how to carry out circus talents such as spining plates and the diabalo.
In the evening I unfortunately had to miss the whisky club hosted by Michael Rose and sponsored by family member Simon Lurie. The word got out quick that there were some rare single malts - even an Indian malt! If you didn't make it and would like to come to this great communal event, check e-thos for the next one.
Thursday 13th May
At the Talmud shiur we had a spirited discussion on the topic of having faith in the Sages that wrote the Talmud - those Rabbis we call Chazal (Chachamim zichronam l'vracha). Is everything they wrote in the Talmud to be open to legal analyisis or not. I studied in a yeshiva where most if not all the Rabbis had been pupils of the late Rabbi Yosef Soloveitchik of Boston, USA. Rabbi Soloveitchik comes from a dynasty of Rabbis known as the Brisk dynasty (from Brest-Litovsk of today) and known for their analytical approach to Jewish law. So if in the Talmud, a position is put forward but then rejected, a Brisker approach would still maintain this rejected position in case it impacts on law in another related situation. In other words, everything recorded in the Talmud may have legal impact potentially somewhere else. Rejection does not mean complete rejection. Joost kindly sent me a link to an article on the topic of having faith in the Sages (Emunat Chachamim) which I have been looking at - here is the link if you are interested: http://www.hakirah.org/Vol%205%20Rabinovitch.pdf
Saturday 16th May
We had the chance to wish a warm mazaltov to Rita and Norma who have both turned eighty years, but who both did not look a bit of this age with their wonderful attitude to life. Norma has done such tremendous work building up the Rosh Chodesh group and Rita has so many wondeful stories to tell for anyone who is in conversation with her...which of course could be in fluent French or Italian!
The sermon this week stressed the importance of treating the poor with dignity and the idea that it is better to prevent the movement towards poverty than to move someone back out of poverty - the latter requires so much more effort and resources.
Sunday 17th May
The Cheder had its annual Lag B'Omer barbeque with some much appreciated help from some of the Dads - thanks also to Sara for her help in arranging.
In the afternoon there was a Mother and Daughter Pre-Batmitzvah programme arranged by Niki and myself. We had six girls and their mums and we had some really interesting discussions on the woman's role in the religion, in shul, and in comparison to the male figure. Lots of difficult but important questions were asked. Texts were prepared for reading and learning by the mum and daughter couples - and there were some welcome refreshements from Daniels. Altogether an enriching afternoon.
There might have been massive festivities on Mount Meron in the north of Israel, as every year - but we also celebrated this day in Muswell Hill. Over forty people attended a barbeque at the Simons house next door to Synagogue. There was plenty of meat, pitta and other delicacies, and a real communal spirit was felt by all. There are at least two other members' gardens that have put themselves forward for next years barbeque, so this will become an annual communal meet...with meat! Thanks to the Simons for hosting, and many thanks to our ever wonderful Adrian for getting the barbeques going and managing them.
Tuesday 12th May
We had a guest at our home this week, a young lady from Krakow in Poland called Maya. She will be getting married under a Chuppa in June - and recently with her husband to be met a group of chidlren and madrichim from Immanuel College in Bushey. The school group began a project to help the married couple to be and brought Maya over so that she could come back with a wedding dress and other goodies - and the Immanuel College families through a Kalla party for her. All great stuff - Elisheva volunteered to house Maya for the time she was in London and helped her get around. She really was a pleasure, and we wish her and her Chattan Jakub a warm mazaltov. When you see what it is like living a religious life in Krakow, you cannot take for granted the facilities that we have day to day. Maya was most excited about taking back a loaf of kosher bread to Krakow!
Wednesday 13th May
This morning began a new chavrouta - or learning partner, with a Rabbi colleague of mine. Chavrouta is the staple structure of learning in the yeshiva schools of learning Torah. One learns with a partner and prepares the sources that the Rav has given out. Then there is a shiur or class by the Rav on these sources. My Wednesday morning chavrouta will be without shiur, but we had some interesting learning, looking into the ideas and laws behind the mitzva to have children - all very fascinating. How many children should one have? Who is obligated to have children? What if one cannot? Does one really need large families? What is the reasoning behind this commandment? Are non-Jews commanded in it? And more.
Tribe club was much fun as usual, and is continuing to be a great success. The children are being taught how to carry out circus talents such as spining plates and the diabalo.
In the evening I unfortunately had to miss the whisky club hosted by Michael Rose and sponsored by family member Simon Lurie. The word got out quick that there were some rare single malts - even an Indian malt! If you didn't make it and would like to come to this great communal event, check e-thos for the next one.
Thursday 13th May
At the Talmud shiur we had a spirited discussion on the topic of having faith in the Sages that wrote the Talmud - those Rabbis we call Chazal (Chachamim zichronam l'vracha). Is everything they wrote in the Talmud to be open to legal analyisis or not. I studied in a yeshiva where most if not all the Rabbis had been pupils of the late Rabbi Yosef Soloveitchik of Boston, USA. Rabbi Soloveitchik comes from a dynasty of Rabbis known as the Brisk dynasty (from Brest-Litovsk of today) and known for their analytical approach to Jewish law. So if in the Talmud, a position is put forward but then rejected, a Brisker approach would still maintain this rejected position in case it impacts on law in another related situation. In other words, everything recorded in the Talmud may have legal impact potentially somewhere else. Rejection does not mean complete rejection. Joost kindly sent me a link to an article on the topic of having faith in the Sages (Emunat Chachamim) which I have been looking at - here is the link if you are interested: http://www.hakirah.org/Vol%205%20Rabinovitch.pdf
Saturday 16th May
We had the chance to wish a warm mazaltov to Rita and Norma who have both turned eighty years, but who both did not look a bit of this age with their wonderful attitude to life. Norma has done such tremendous work building up the Rosh Chodesh group and Rita has so many wondeful stories to tell for anyone who is in conversation with her...which of course could be in fluent French or Italian!
The sermon this week stressed the importance of treating the poor with dignity and the idea that it is better to prevent the movement towards poverty than to move someone back out of poverty - the latter requires so much more effort and resources.
Sunday 17th May
The Cheder had its annual Lag B'Omer barbeque with some much appreciated help from some of the Dads - thanks also to Sara for her help in arranging.
In the afternoon there was a Mother and Daughter Pre-Batmitzvah programme arranged by Niki and myself. We had six girls and their mums and we had some really interesting discussions on the woman's role in the religion, in shul, and in comparison to the male figure. Lots of difficult but important questions were asked. Texts were prepared for reading and learning by the mum and daughter couples - and there were some welcome refreshements from Daniels. Altogether an enriching afternoon.
Monday 11 May 2009
Diary Entry
Tuesday 5th May
Visited an esteemed member of our community in the morning who was recovering from a knee replacement. It was great to see him in good fettle, and this certainly cheered me up for the day...until the evening. There I was enjoying the first 10 minutes of the European Champions League Semi-final with Alex Mitchell, whose hospitality was delightful, and Arsenal were already clearly knocked out of the competition. A clear message from above I sensed...either football is just not that important; or stop supporting Arsenal.
Wednesday 6th, Thursday 7th May
The Rabbinical Council of the United Synagogue had organised their annual conference this year in a lovely country house just north of London in Hertfordshire. A scholar was brought in from the States to talk about marital issues such as relationships between couples who do not share the same level of religiousness. We had a talk on the present situation of anti-semitism by Anthony Julius and a quite hilarious talk at dinner by Martin Ziegman, who has a long and successful career as a barrister. He told some great stories about being a religious Jew and a barrister. He had received permission in the 1970's to enter a hotel lift on Shabbat if someone else entered first and only exit when someone else did so. He once entered a lift, and a beautiful lady entered after him. She then proceeded to ask him 'On which floor are you exiting' to which he replied 'When you exit, so will I'. She got off at the next floor! We had a great shiur from Rabbi Yehoshua Hartman who teaches in London, and there was plenty Rabbinic networking time as well...and not to forget, the food was good. This was the first year that the conference was non-residential as there are no kosher hotels now in Bournemourth that can house the conference - but nevertheless it was good value.
I arrived back after the conference direct to Slice Pizza in Golders Green where I took four pizzas to Fortismere School for their Jewish society. There I lead a facilitated discussion on Jewish myticism - in many ways demistifying mistycism. Lag B'Omer is also the yahrtzheit of Shimon bar Yochai who is traditionally understood to have authored the Zohar, a classic work on kabbala. Twenty-five children turned up to the Jewish society meeting - not sure whether for my words of wisdom...or for the pizza!
In the evening was my appraisal group, with Clive, Stephen and Helen in attendance, working with me on how to improve my effectiveness in the community, and discussing ideas and projects that I am looking into. It has so far been incredibly helpful and constructive.
Friday 8th May
The induction was a leader article in the Community Section of the Jewish Chronicle, focussing also on the comments I made in my speech surrounding the eruv. If you would like to be involved in the eruv idea, then be in touch.
Shabbat 9th May
The sermon this week centred around the statement in Ethics of the Fathers - 'In a place where there are no people, strive to be a person'. I applied this to the lack of forthcoming candidates for the position of warden and how important it was that men came forward. I did praise the womenfolk of our community for their dedication to our community!
My talk after Shabbat afternoon service was on a possibly obscure but quite interesting topic. It is considered a mitzvah to give up one's life if put into certain difficult situations, such as being forced to kill someone else or die. The issue we discussed was whether like other positive commandments, this would require a blessing. There has been much discussion on this topic and over what exactly the blessing would be indeed. This week I will talk about whether it is acceptable for a woman to read the megilla on Purim. Come along and enjoy a Shabbat evening discussion.
Sunday 10th May
This week's GCSE breakfast was as tasty as ever, with bagels, cheese, smoked salmon, croissants, rogelach and more. We are studying 'rites of passage' at the moment and on Sunday we focuses on the Jewish funeral, after having covered brit, pidyon haben, and wedding. We spend a family afternoon in sunny Golders Hill Park after which I returned to teach a barmitzvah lesson, batmitzvah lesson and then pop off to the Synagogue AGM
Another busy week! But if a week has passed where a number of Jewish men or women know more about their Judaism, I am satisfied.
Visited an esteemed member of our community in the morning who was recovering from a knee replacement. It was great to see him in good fettle, and this certainly cheered me up for the day...until the evening. There I was enjoying the first 10 minutes of the European Champions League Semi-final with Alex Mitchell, whose hospitality was delightful, and Arsenal were already clearly knocked out of the competition. A clear message from above I sensed...either football is just not that important; or stop supporting Arsenal.
Wednesday 6th, Thursday 7th May
The Rabbinical Council of the United Synagogue had organised their annual conference this year in a lovely country house just north of London in Hertfordshire. A scholar was brought in from the States to talk about marital issues such as relationships between couples who do not share the same level of religiousness. We had a talk on the present situation of anti-semitism by Anthony Julius and a quite hilarious talk at dinner by Martin Ziegman, who has a long and successful career as a barrister. He told some great stories about being a religious Jew and a barrister. He had received permission in the 1970's to enter a hotel lift on Shabbat if someone else entered first and only exit when someone else did so. He once entered a lift, and a beautiful lady entered after him. She then proceeded to ask him 'On which floor are you exiting' to which he replied 'When you exit, so will I'. She got off at the next floor! We had a great shiur from Rabbi Yehoshua Hartman who teaches in London, and there was plenty Rabbinic networking time as well...and not to forget, the food was good. This was the first year that the conference was non-residential as there are no kosher hotels now in Bournemourth that can house the conference - but nevertheless it was good value.
I arrived back after the conference direct to Slice Pizza in Golders Green where I took four pizzas to Fortismere School for their Jewish society. There I lead a facilitated discussion on Jewish myticism - in many ways demistifying mistycism. Lag B'Omer is also the yahrtzheit of Shimon bar Yochai who is traditionally understood to have authored the Zohar, a classic work on kabbala. Twenty-five children turned up to the Jewish society meeting - not sure whether for my words of wisdom...or for the pizza!
In the evening was my appraisal group, with Clive, Stephen and Helen in attendance, working with me on how to improve my effectiveness in the community, and discussing ideas and projects that I am looking into. It has so far been incredibly helpful and constructive.
Friday 8th May
The induction was a leader article in the Community Section of the Jewish Chronicle, focussing also on the comments I made in my speech surrounding the eruv. If you would like to be involved in the eruv idea, then be in touch.
Shabbat 9th May
The sermon this week centred around the statement in Ethics of the Fathers - 'In a place where there are no people, strive to be a person'. I applied this to the lack of forthcoming candidates for the position of warden and how important it was that men came forward. I did praise the womenfolk of our community for their dedication to our community!
My talk after Shabbat afternoon service was on a possibly obscure but quite interesting topic. It is considered a mitzvah to give up one's life if put into certain difficult situations, such as being forced to kill someone else or die. The issue we discussed was whether like other positive commandments, this would require a blessing. There has been much discussion on this topic and over what exactly the blessing would be indeed. This week I will talk about whether it is acceptable for a woman to read the megilla on Purim. Come along and enjoy a Shabbat evening discussion.
Sunday 10th May
This week's GCSE breakfast was as tasty as ever, with bagels, cheese, smoked salmon, croissants, rogelach and more. We are studying 'rites of passage' at the moment and on Sunday we focuses on the Jewish funeral, after having covered brit, pidyon haben, and wedding. We spend a family afternoon in sunny Golders Hill Park after which I returned to teach a barmitzvah lesson, batmitzvah lesson and then pop off to the Synagogue AGM
Another busy week! But if a week has passed where a number of Jewish men or women know more about their Judaism, I am satisfied.
Monday 4 May 2009
Diary Entry
Monday
It was great to be able to pick up Elisheva's parents from Stansted, who had a wonderful time over here for a week, and felt the warmth of the special Muswell Hill Community. They left the community two books on the city of Lodz and its Jewish community and look forward to their next visit. My father-in-law took some video footage which he will transfer into video format so we can all view some bits of Sunday's induction.
Tuesday
The day saw the Magic Moments delegation preparing diligently for their performance in the evening. They ran a moving Yom HaZikaron ceremony attended by about 100 of us. There was so much emotion in the ceremony and we were really allowed to enter if not for a few moments the world of suffering that surrounds young people who live in Israel, especially in the northern areas. This year's group were so impressive, and thanks also must go to Phil Style for putting so much effort into the organisation...and always with a smile.
Yom Haatzmaut was just so much fun, and inspired me to go away and learn Israeli national dancing. Anne Greenwood runs classes for ladies each term, and my wife Elisheva is an avid follower of these. So the women certainly outdid the men in their dancing ability! But everyone had a great time, and we experienced a small part of what those living in Israel experience when they move from the solemnity of Remembrance Day to the joy of Independence Day.
Wednesday
We had a minyan Wednesday morning, where Hallel was said...without a bracha. Lots of discussion on that this year! But we had a minyan - and I think that religious expressions are so vital on Independence Day. In Israel the day often has become marked by blow up hammers, shaving foam and barbeques. OK, they are fun, but their is also the thanksgiving to G-d that we have a State.
My daughter had a wonderful day as her school, Morasha Jewish Primary School was taken to the Independent Jewish Day School in Hendon. I was proud that her school is religious but also teaches how much a central place Israel is in our lives as a people.
Tribe club also marked Independence Day with its Arts and Crafts productions...and the Rabbi taught the Club how to dance Mayim Mayim...you can learn anything with YouTube!
Thursday
The rest of the week was becoming hectic. A speech to write for the induction, teenagers to prepare for the induction, a double portion of layening...and more. But before my induction there was something else that brought me much pride on...
Shabbat
On Shabbat a lunch was organised for about 120 parents and children of families with primary age school children. Run by Rachel, Zoe, and Tamara (thanks so much to you all!) it was a massive success, with great food, a story for the kids, a sing song and just great social. New families found friends, regulars also found new faces - it was just a pleasure to watch - look out for the next one!
Sunday - Induction day.
I am still confused as to whether I was inducted or induced, but whichever one, Sunday's induction was so special. Thanks for all those who came - it was a great day for our community. The Chief Rabbi spoke so well, as well as Simon Hochhauser. Our three teenagers, Emily, James and Noah were just superb. I so wanted the community to hear a young person's perspective on community, and that is what we got. Thanks again for all those who organised the event - as some of you have humorously said - now I can stay! Above are two memories, of the Chief Rabbi speaking, and of my duet with Rabbi Lionel Rosenfeld. I was so appreciative of his officiating the ceremony.
Monday
Lastly - had a really interesting conversation with Rabbi Shneerson, Rav of the Rovno Jewish Community, our twin. He was telling me how the local police recently discovered a mass grave of 20 Jews who had been taken from the Rovno Ghetto and murdered by probably the einsatzgruppen. It was quite a moving conversation and he was telling me about other, larger mass graves around Rovno and how he has been organising proper ceremonies to give honour to those that were killed. It really motiviated me to look to learn more about the history of Rovno's Jewish community. If you know anything, or are interested to learn, be in touch with me.
Sunday 26 April 2009
Diary Entry
Tuesday night - Yom HaShoah.
This is always a period of the year that makes one think deeply about the modern history of our Jewish people. We have Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Day, which was in the middle of last week. This week will bring Israel's Memorial Day for fallen soldiers and then immediately after the Independence Day, Yom Haatzmaut. The United Synagogue commemorated the Holocaust in a well organised ceremony held in Borehamwood and Elstree Synagogue. The moment that touched people most was the playing of a rendering of HaTikva that was sung at the liberation of Bergen-Belsen. You can hear it at the end of the famous Patrick Gordon Walker radio broadcast on entering Belsen - http://www.isracast.com/article.aspx?id=766
Wednesday
Tribe Club returned this week with continued energy, and more importantly more attendees. With more children beginning this coming week, our Tribe Club is becoming a solid part of the fabric of our community. It has a mixture of fun and social with a nugget of Jewish knowledge from the Rabbi for good measure. It is a great way for children to spend time in a Jewish environment after school - so try it out if you haven't yet. Hodaya is loving it!
Thursday
Akiva (the youngest) started nursery this past week which was a big moment for the family! The Talmud Class returned after the Pesach break and was this time around given at Eddy Levin's house. We are learning through lots of Talmudic discussions of Kiddush and Havdalah on Shabbat and Yom Tov, and loving it as well.
Shabbat
This was the -- year anniversary since Rabbi David's barmitzvah...I'll leave you to fill in the gaps. But what a difficult portion it is to read, let alone understand! The sermon in many ways carried on from the theme of last week where Holocaust Day was the main theme. This week it was the way we see the Independence of Israel. One way of looking at our State is in terms of what we want ideally a Jewish state to be. From a religious perspective, is this the redemption or not. On this basis there are complicated discussions as to whether we say Hallel or not on Yom Haatzmaut. If you would like a summary of rationales, then look at the following link which lists the rationales: http://hirhurim.blogspot.com/2007/04/hallel-on-yom-ha-atzmaut.html
There is another way of looking at the State of Israel. Not in terms of where we want to be, but in terms of how far we have come from the helpless persecution of the Holocaust. In our national anthem, Hatikva, authored by Naftali Imber in 1886, we read 'Our hope is yet not lost'. In Ezekiel's prophecy of dry bones which is read on Shabbat Chol HaMoed Pesach, God explains to Ezekiel that the dry bones are in fact 'All the house of Israel' who are saying 'Our bones have dried, our hope is lost'. This statement is clearly echoed in Hatikva. What we have to be so thankful for is that the existence of the State of Israel has restored our hope in a Jewish future that was so nearly shattered in the Holocaust.
This week has seen two new barmitzvah boys join the study of their layening and parasha with the Rabbi.
Sunday
Elisheva enjoyed attending the Rosh Chodesh group at Margaret's and this is an opportunity to wish a warm Happy Birthday to Norma Brewer on a very special Birthday - many more years in health, strength and continue doing so much good for your community!
Guest Blogger
Would you like to be a guest blogger on Rabbi David's Diary, describing the week in Muswell Hill Synagogue community from your perspective. If you would like to, then email me or post a comment.
Twitter
Follow Rabbi David on Twitter - look for rabbidavidmason
This is always a period of the year that makes one think deeply about the modern history of our Jewish people. We have Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Day, which was in the middle of last week. This week will bring Israel's Memorial Day for fallen soldiers and then immediately after the Independence Day, Yom Haatzmaut. The United Synagogue commemorated the Holocaust in a well organised ceremony held in Borehamwood and Elstree Synagogue. The moment that touched people most was the playing of a rendering of HaTikva that was sung at the liberation of Bergen-Belsen. You can hear it at the end of the famous Patrick Gordon Walker radio broadcast on entering Belsen - http://www.isracast.com/article.aspx?id=766
Wednesday
Tribe Club returned this week with continued energy, and more importantly more attendees. With more children beginning this coming week, our Tribe Club is becoming a solid part of the fabric of our community. It has a mixture of fun and social with a nugget of Jewish knowledge from the Rabbi for good measure. It is a great way for children to spend time in a Jewish environment after school - so try it out if you haven't yet. Hodaya is loving it!
Thursday
Akiva (the youngest) started nursery this past week which was a big moment for the family! The Talmud Class returned after the Pesach break and was this time around given at Eddy Levin's house. We are learning through lots of Talmudic discussions of Kiddush and Havdalah on Shabbat and Yom Tov, and loving it as well.
Shabbat
This was the -- year anniversary since Rabbi David's barmitzvah...I'll leave you to fill in the gaps. But what a difficult portion it is to read, let alone understand! The sermon in many ways carried on from the theme of last week where Holocaust Day was the main theme. This week it was the way we see the Independence of Israel. One way of looking at our State is in terms of what we want ideally a Jewish state to be. From a religious perspective, is this the redemption or not. On this basis there are complicated discussions as to whether we say Hallel or not on Yom Haatzmaut. If you would like a summary of rationales, then look at the following link which lists the rationales: http://hirhurim.blogspot.com/2007/04/hallel-on-yom-ha-atzmaut.html
There is another way of looking at the State of Israel. Not in terms of where we want to be, but in terms of how far we have come from the helpless persecution of the Holocaust. In our national anthem, Hatikva, authored by Naftali Imber in 1886, we read 'Our hope is yet not lost'. In Ezekiel's prophecy of dry bones which is read on Shabbat Chol HaMoed Pesach, God explains to Ezekiel that the dry bones are in fact 'All the house of Israel' who are saying 'Our bones have dried, our hope is lost'. This statement is clearly echoed in Hatikva. What we have to be so thankful for is that the existence of the State of Israel has restored our hope in a Jewish future that was so nearly shattered in the Holocaust.
This week has seen two new barmitzvah boys join the study of their layening and parasha with the Rabbi.
Sunday
Elisheva enjoyed attending the Rosh Chodesh group at Margaret's and this is an opportunity to wish a warm Happy Birthday to Norma Brewer on a very special Birthday - many more years in health, strength and continue doing so much good for your community!
Guest Blogger
Would you like to be a guest blogger on Rabbi David's Diary, describing the week in Muswell Hill Synagogue community from your perspective. If you would like to, then email me or post a comment.
Follow Rabbi David on Twitter - look for rabbidavidmason
Sunday 19 April 2009
Diary Entry
Wednesday and Thursday. The last days of Pesach were relatively quiet in Synagogue, but there was nevertheless a pleasant atmosphere there. On the seventh day, I spoke about the idea that the last days of Pesach offer us an opportunity to contemplate on the meaning of Pesach and its symbols. We can actually contrast Pesach to Shavuot. Pesach celebrates the founding of the set of beliefs of our nation whereas Shavuot celebrates the receiving of Law. In fact the dual need for belief and spirituality on the one hand, and Law on the other is described by Rav Aharon Lichtenstein in his article on Conversion which you can find at:
http://vbm-torah.org/halakha-combined.htm
So the fact that there are Rabbis who understand the last days of Pesach as experiencing the closeness of God fits in well with Rav Aharon's idea that the convert first experiences a subjective desire to come close to God. We then refine that desire and concretise it through the Law. Similarly, the Children of Israel came to Mount Sinai with a new found belief in God, and then received the Law, the Torah to eternalise that belief.
We had some really interesting and lovely guests to our house over Pesach - if you were one of them, then thank you!
What I experienced for the first time this year was the mad rush for Chametz...but not just in Golders Green, in Colney Hatch Tesco! It seemed like the place was full of our brethren with trolleys laden high with boxes of cereals. My checkout assistant had never seen anything like it - so I tried to explain what exactly was going on.
http://vbm-torah.org/halakha-combined.htm
So the fact that there are Rabbis who understand the last days of Pesach as experiencing the closeness of God fits in well with Rav Aharon's idea that the convert first experiences a subjective desire to come close to God. We then refine that desire and concretise it through the Law. Similarly, the Children of Israel came to Mount Sinai with a new found belief in God, and then received the Law, the Torah to eternalise that belief.
We had some really interesting and lovely guests to our house over Pesach - if you were one of them, then thank you!
What I experienced for the first time this year was the mad rush for Chametz...but not just in Golders Green, in Colney Hatch Tesco! It seemed like the place was full of our brethren with trolleys laden high with boxes of cereals. My checkout assistant had never seen anything like it - so I tried to explain what exactly was going on.
Shabbat. I spoke in Shul about the history of the Yom HaShoah, the Holocaust Memorial Day instituted by the Government of Israel in 1951. I spoke about the tensions between the religious understanding of commemorating the Holocaust (on 10th Tevet or 9th Av) and the secular understanding that there should be a new day set aside. I also referred to the difficulties Zionism had in the early State years in coming to terms with the Holocaust and how this impacted on their relationship to those that survived. What I think is important for us, in 2009, is to read about the Holocaust and learn it mullti-layered existence. It is not simply a story about hatred. There is so much more, not just relating to the psychology of the murderers but how are nation survived and reacted to the torments and traumas of the Holocaust and post-Holocaust years. An entry into understanding probably should begin with Martin Gilbert's 'Holocaust'. An interesting book on how Israeli society dealt with the survivors is Tom Segev's 'The Seventh Million'. I have recently quoted A. B. Yehoshua's article on looking for a root cause of anti-semitism which you can find at http://www.azure.org.il/article.php?id=18
Sunday. I suppose I cannot finish without a mention of the football frenzy this time of the year. Arsenal were disappointing really - but mazaltov to any Evertonians...and who do you think will take the third Europa Cup spot - Tottenham I hear many of you say?!
May you all have a Shavua Tov, a good week!
Sunday. I suppose I cannot finish without a mention of the football frenzy this time of the year. Arsenal were disappointing really - but mazaltov to any Evertonians...and who do you think will take the third Europa Cup spot - Tottenham I hear many of you say?!
May you all have a Shavua Tov, a good week!
Monday 13 April 2009
Diary Entry - Pesach
We are now in the middle days of Pesach, Chol HaMoed. This year, the first two days of Yom Tov were followed by Shabbat, so it was a tiring beginning to Pesach - but a rewarding and interesting one as well.
I have enjoyed Pesach so much this year, firstly because my community has given me so much food (matza of course) for thought. There were so many searching and interesting questions:
We had First Seder at home, with 12 people round the table. Lots of questions, lots of ideas - and a 3am finish! My daughter Hodaya was in incredible form. I had prepared her that she could ask whatever question she wanted to about the Seder - and ask she did! We had learned how to sign the Ma Nishtana in Makaton, a sign vocabulary for children with special needs (www.makaton.org) - and Netanel did this himself at the Seder - to the delight of all who were there. It is so important that we think of ways of integrating children with special needs into our religious ceremonies and songs - and I should also add how great our Yeladenu Nursery have been on this.
Second Seder was the much awaited communal Seder in Synagogue. Helen put so much work into this, and Leon had been putting much effort into getting the right menu. I contacted nearly everyone who came to give them a piece of the Hagada to say, as well as a thought, Dvar Torah or even chance to put on a little play. Everyone obliged, so that we created a wonderful, collaborative dynamic. This was no read-through communal seder - it was interesting, insightful, and also fun. The food was great as well, and the Chad Gadya, where various attendees reproduced the voices of the song, was unforgettable. There has been wonderful feedback, and so if you think that it is for you, come along next year. About 60 people came - if we can push this to 90 next year, that would be great.
In Synagogue we had Divrei Torah from Clive and Adam on the first two days of Pesach. The Shul was full on first day of Pesach, and there was a great attendance at the recently revived Inbetweeners Children's service for those between the ages of about 5 to 8. It is informative and fun, run by Karen and Simon and will be once a month on the first Shabbat of the month at 11am in the room next to my office.
Shabbat saw an interesting happening. While I was finishing up a portion of Torah-reading, I noticed that a letter 'bet' looked suspiciously like a letter 'chaf', which worried me. In this case, when the issue is the doubt between two letters, the law is that a child who knows his alef-bet is called to say which letter he thinks it is. So I turned round to Benji L., who promptly announced that it was 'chaf' - meaning that we needed to return the scroll and bring out a new one! Benji was chuffed by this intervention (as were his family), although the scroll itself was the Montefiore Scroll that I had been extolling greatly to the community. It's OK though, it can be easily repaired. But a rare instance where a child under barmitzvah can impact on Jewish law - and well done Muswell Hill Cheder!
Chol HaMoed - we needed a break after three days of Yom Tov and Shabbat. So we took the kids to a performance of Zippo's circus for the religious Jewish community in none other than Blackheath common. This was followed on Monday by a trip to the Paradise Wildlife Park near Broxbourne. Great use of Chol HaMoed.
What did you do this Chol HaMoed - I'd love to hear!
Enjoy the rest of Pesach, and don't forget, if you have any questions either write them below on my blog or post them on my Facebook group 'Ask Rabbi David Mason'.
I have enjoyed Pesach so much this year, firstly because my community has given me so much food (matza of course) for thought. There were so many searching and interesting questions:
- Why do we not make a blessing on Hallel?
- Why is matza the bread of freedom but it was also the bread of the children of Israel's affliction?
- Why does the blood motif come up so much in the hagadah?
- Can I cook on Yom Tov in preparation for Shabbat if I forgot to make an eiruv tavshilin?
- Can one count the omer before it gets dark?
- What is the meaning of the Chad Gadya song that we love to sing?
We had First Seder at home, with 12 people round the table. Lots of questions, lots of ideas - and a 3am finish! My daughter Hodaya was in incredible form. I had prepared her that she could ask whatever question she wanted to about the Seder - and ask she did! We had learned how to sign the Ma Nishtana in Makaton, a sign vocabulary for children with special needs (www.makaton.org) - and Netanel did this himself at the Seder - to the delight of all who were there. It is so important that we think of ways of integrating children with special needs into our religious ceremonies and songs - and I should also add how great our Yeladenu Nursery have been on this.
Second Seder was the much awaited communal Seder in Synagogue. Helen put so much work into this, and Leon had been putting much effort into getting the right menu. I contacted nearly everyone who came to give them a piece of the Hagada to say, as well as a thought, Dvar Torah or even chance to put on a little play. Everyone obliged, so that we created a wonderful, collaborative dynamic. This was no read-through communal seder - it was interesting, insightful, and also fun. The food was great as well, and the Chad Gadya, where various attendees reproduced the voices of the song, was unforgettable. There has been wonderful feedback, and so if you think that it is for you, come along next year. About 60 people came - if we can push this to 90 next year, that would be great.
In Synagogue we had Divrei Torah from Clive and Adam on the first two days of Pesach. The Shul was full on first day of Pesach, and there was a great attendance at the recently revived Inbetweeners Children's service for those between the ages of about 5 to 8. It is informative and fun, run by Karen and Simon and will be once a month on the first Shabbat of the month at 11am in the room next to my office.
Shabbat saw an interesting happening. While I was finishing up a portion of Torah-reading, I noticed that a letter 'bet' looked suspiciously like a letter 'chaf', which worried me. In this case, when the issue is the doubt between two letters, the law is that a child who knows his alef-bet is called to say which letter he thinks it is. So I turned round to Benji L., who promptly announced that it was 'chaf' - meaning that we needed to return the scroll and bring out a new one! Benji was chuffed by this intervention (as were his family), although the scroll itself was the Montefiore Scroll that I had been extolling greatly to the community. It's OK though, it can be easily repaired. But a rare instance where a child under barmitzvah can impact on Jewish law - and well done Muswell Hill Cheder!
Chol HaMoed - we needed a break after three days of Yom Tov and Shabbat. So we took the kids to a performance of Zippo's circus for the religious Jewish community in none other than Blackheath common. This was followed on Monday by a trip to the Paradise Wildlife Park near Broxbourne. Great use of Chol HaMoed.
What did you do this Chol HaMoed - I'd love to hear!
Enjoy the rest of Pesach, and don't forget, if you have any questions either write them below on my blog or post them on my Facebook group 'Ask Rabbi David Mason'.
Monday 6 April 2009
Article: Pesach - What we do and Why we do it
I would like to lay in front of you a description of the basic obligations of the Pesach Festival, what in fact these obligations entail and why we do them. This will hopefully give your Seder and Pesach festival that bit more spirit and meaning!
1. Not eating Chametz on Pesach
2. Not eating Chametz from midday on the day before Pesach.
3. Not eating any mixture of Chametz on Pesach.
There are in fact five prohibitions that can be learnt from the Torah that we should not eat Chametz on Pesach. Chametz is something that has gone through the process of leavening – actually leavening agents are also included in this prohibition. Additionally, it is not only eating actual Chametz such as bread that is a problem, but any food product that contains flour, grain, or any leavened ingredient will also be prohibited.
Some important points regarding not eating Chametz:
Some medicines may well contain Chametz.
If the medicine is a bitter tablet, we usually say that this is being taken as medicine and not for food and so it is permitted.
If the medicine is palatable to a human, it may need to be mixed with a non-chametz food before Pesach to annul the Chametz ingredient. In cases of greater need it may well be permitted.
We stop eating Chametz after 4 hours of the day of the 14th Nisan have passed. An hour here is one-twelfth of day light time. This year we stop eating Chametz at 10.49am.
WHY? It is very easy on Pesach to ooze with National self-confidence. God redeems our whole nation, brings us to Mount Sinai as His chosen people, gives us the Land of Israel – all this can inspire a great deal of pride. But we also must remember where we came from – “We were slaves to Pharaoh in Egypt…” Our beginning as a Nation was lowly. We were helpless. Chametz is a symbol of this sense of confidence without thinking about the source of this buoyancy. So on Pesach we are commanded – don’t eat chametz. Don’t eat the symbol of what will prevent you from thinking about your humble origins.
4. Not owning Chametz on Pesach
Not only may we not eat Chametz on Pesach, but we my not own it. That is we may not have in our possession over Pesach any Chametz. If for instance a non-Jew comes in with his/her bread loaf into the house, I do not need to tell them to leave – this is not my Chametz.
WHY? The addition of a prohibition to own Chametz could be explained as causing us to put in an extra effort to emphasise the importance of Matza on Pesach. In other words, we want through Matza to remember the miracles that God did to our people in bringing us out of Egypt. Matza is a key symbol of this Exodus, as we did not have time to allow the dough to rise on our way out of Egypt. So to focus our attention on Matza, we remove our ownership of Chametz.
5. To dispose of all Chametz on the 14th Nisan
We are also commanded to actively get rid of all Chametz on the day before Pesach.There are two basic methods to get rid of Chametz:
Resolving firmly to nullify all Chametz in one’s possession. This is known as the Bitul.
Searching for chametz in one’s possession in order to burn it or destroy it. This is known as Biur.
Both these methods are carried out. A search might not yield all chametz so we also nullify our ownership over what we did not find. If our nullification was not completely sincere, we at least will search for the Chametz as well.
This year we will search for Chametz on Tuesday night, April 7th.
Searching for Chametz technically means making sure that one check any place in which there might be chametz. If one is clear that chametz did not enter into a certain place, then it need not be checked. The custom is that on the night before Pesach we put down 10 pieces of Chametz and ‘search’ for them. A blessing is said and then a proclamation of nullification is said as well. In the morning, a second nullification is said. The blessing and nullifications can be found in most Hagadas.
6. Eating Matza on first night of Pesach
Even although we are usually faced with eight days of eating Matza, we are actually only obligated to eat it on the 15th Nisan (outside Israel it should also be eaten on second seder). The Torah also asks of us: “you shall guard the Matzot”. From this comes the custom of Shmurah Matza or guarded Matza. It is accepted that one should fulfil the precept of eating Matza through this guarded Matza.
Shmura Matza as we know them have been guarded from leaven from the time the grain was reaped. One can also buy machine Shmura Matza that are often guarded from the time of grinding the grain into flour.
The amount to be eaten to fulfil the mitzvah is known as an olive’s’ amount. Today this is understood to be about half the size of a hand baked Matza or two-thirds that of a machine baked square Matza.
WHY? Two reasons can be offered for the importance of Matza. Firstly, as many of us know, when the Children of Israel left Egypt they only had enough time to bake unleavened bread. Here Matza symbolises the taste of freedom. However Matza was also deemed to be the ‘bread of affliction’ representing a lack of freedom. Within Matza lies the Jewish transformation from slavery to freedom.
7. Eating Maror (Bitter Herbs) on 15th Nisan
Connected to eating Matza is a mitzvah to eat Bitter Herbs, or Maror. Different vegetables were suggested to fulfil this and it has become widely accustomed to use horseradish. Another well-liked suggestion in Jewish law is lettuce. Just as the sweetness of the Jews’ sojourn in Egypt ended in bitterness, so also lettuce has an initial sweet taste and then is bitterer. The problem with lettuce is that it often contains small insects that blend in with the lettuce leaf and are difficult to find.
WHY? The Torah explains that the Pesach lamb offering was to be eaten with Matza and with Maror. Now Matza has an independent command for it to be eaten. Maror however, does not. It is only really obligatory when we sacrifice the Pesach offering. However, the Jewish people still eat Bitter herbs, a symbol of our oppression, both physical and spiritual.
8. Telling the Story of the Exodus
Telling the story of the Exodus is one of our favourite tasks – we do it by reading the Hagada. Of course, the Hagada itself tells of a number of Rabbis that stayed up all night discussing the meaning of the Exodus. There is no maximum measure for this command other than the need to say the Shema the next morning! The Hagada is our toolbox for the fulfilment of this mitzvah, and we must therefore understand it. We may read the Hagada in our own language if we will understand it better.
WHY? The Exodus from Egypt was a groundbreaking event for the Jewish nation. It allowed feelings and rumours about the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob to become reality. This God really was all-powerful, and really was the Creator. The Exodus made a massive affect on our belief system. When we tell the story, and attempt to relive it we want to see God’s providence as clearly as our ancestors did.
9. Drinking four cups of wine
10. Leaning at the Seder
Early in the book of Exodus, God explains to Moses that He will redeem the Children of Israel. But God uses four expressions for the word ‘redeem’. On this basis the Rabbis that lived at the time of the Second Temple ordained that we drink four cups of wine to commemorate these four expressions of redemption. I actually discussed the meaning of each of these words in a online parasha essay while Rabbi at Kingston Synagogue on parashat Vaera:
http://www.kingston-synagogue.org.uk/rabbissection/parshaarchive.php?id=149
We also learn from the Rabbi’s the obligation to lean at certain points in the Seder evening.
WHY? Both these customs have in common the expression of freedom and nobility. Thus we drink wine, a noble drink; and we also lean, which was a custom of royalty in Babylonian, Greek and Persian times. Actually leaning meant eating while lying on a bed! But Jewish freedom is not to be free to do what we want. It means being free from the chains of human control, and therefore free to contemplate the ideas of spirituality and God.
Have a wonderful, meaningful and Kosher Pesach and if you have any queries or questions, do not hesitate to be in contact.
1. Not eating Chametz on Pesach
2. Not eating Chametz from midday on the day before Pesach.
3. Not eating any mixture of Chametz on Pesach.
There are in fact five prohibitions that can be learnt from the Torah that we should not eat Chametz on Pesach. Chametz is something that has gone through the process of leavening – actually leavening agents are also included in this prohibition. Additionally, it is not only eating actual Chametz such as bread that is a problem, but any food product that contains flour, grain, or any leavened ingredient will also be prohibited.
Some important points regarding not eating Chametz:
Some medicines may well contain Chametz.
If the medicine is a bitter tablet, we usually say that this is being taken as medicine and not for food and so it is permitted.
If the medicine is palatable to a human, it may need to be mixed with a non-chametz food before Pesach to annul the Chametz ingredient. In cases of greater need it may well be permitted.
We stop eating Chametz after 4 hours of the day of the 14th Nisan have passed. An hour here is one-twelfth of day light time. This year we stop eating Chametz at 10.49am.
WHY? It is very easy on Pesach to ooze with National self-confidence. God redeems our whole nation, brings us to Mount Sinai as His chosen people, gives us the Land of Israel – all this can inspire a great deal of pride. But we also must remember where we came from – “We were slaves to Pharaoh in Egypt…” Our beginning as a Nation was lowly. We were helpless. Chametz is a symbol of this sense of confidence without thinking about the source of this buoyancy. So on Pesach we are commanded – don’t eat chametz. Don’t eat the symbol of what will prevent you from thinking about your humble origins.
4. Not owning Chametz on Pesach
Not only may we not eat Chametz on Pesach, but we my not own it. That is we may not have in our possession over Pesach any Chametz. If for instance a non-Jew comes in with his/her bread loaf into the house, I do not need to tell them to leave – this is not my Chametz.
WHY? The addition of a prohibition to own Chametz could be explained as causing us to put in an extra effort to emphasise the importance of Matza on Pesach. In other words, we want through Matza to remember the miracles that God did to our people in bringing us out of Egypt. Matza is a key symbol of this Exodus, as we did not have time to allow the dough to rise on our way out of Egypt. So to focus our attention on Matza, we remove our ownership of Chametz.
5. To dispose of all Chametz on the 14th Nisan
We are also commanded to actively get rid of all Chametz on the day before Pesach.There are two basic methods to get rid of Chametz:
Resolving firmly to nullify all Chametz in one’s possession. This is known as the Bitul.
Searching for chametz in one’s possession in order to burn it or destroy it. This is known as Biur.
Both these methods are carried out. A search might not yield all chametz so we also nullify our ownership over what we did not find. If our nullification was not completely sincere, we at least will search for the Chametz as well.
This year we will search for Chametz on Tuesday night, April 7th.
Searching for Chametz technically means making sure that one check any place in which there might be chametz. If one is clear that chametz did not enter into a certain place, then it need not be checked. The custom is that on the night before Pesach we put down 10 pieces of Chametz and ‘search’ for them. A blessing is said and then a proclamation of nullification is said as well. In the morning, a second nullification is said. The blessing and nullifications can be found in most Hagadas.
6. Eating Matza on first night of Pesach
Even although we are usually faced with eight days of eating Matza, we are actually only obligated to eat it on the 15th Nisan (outside Israel it should also be eaten on second seder). The Torah also asks of us: “you shall guard the Matzot”. From this comes the custom of Shmurah Matza or guarded Matza. It is accepted that one should fulfil the precept of eating Matza through this guarded Matza.
Shmura Matza as we know them have been guarded from leaven from the time the grain was reaped. One can also buy machine Shmura Matza that are often guarded from the time of grinding the grain into flour.
The amount to be eaten to fulfil the mitzvah is known as an olive’s’ amount. Today this is understood to be about half the size of a hand baked Matza or two-thirds that of a machine baked square Matza.
WHY? Two reasons can be offered for the importance of Matza. Firstly, as many of us know, when the Children of Israel left Egypt they only had enough time to bake unleavened bread. Here Matza symbolises the taste of freedom. However Matza was also deemed to be the ‘bread of affliction’ representing a lack of freedom. Within Matza lies the Jewish transformation from slavery to freedom.
7. Eating Maror (Bitter Herbs) on 15th Nisan
Connected to eating Matza is a mitzvah to eat Bitter Herbs, or Maror. Different vegetables were suggested to fulfil this and it has become widely accustomed to use horseradish. Another well-liked suggestion in Jewish law is lettuce. Just as the sweetness of the Jews’ sojourn in Egypt ended in bitterness, so also lettuce has an initial sweet taste and then is bitterer. The problem with lettuce is that it often contains small insects that blend in with the lettuce leaf and are difficult to find.
WHY? The Torah explains that the Pesach lamb offering was to be eaten with Matza and with Maror. Now Matza has an independent command for it to be eaten. Maror however, does not. It is only really obligatory when we sacrifice the Pesach offering. However, the Jewish people still eat Bitter herbs, a symbol of our oppression, both physical and spiritual.
8. Telling the Story of the Exodus
Telling the story of the Exodus is one of our favourite tasks – we do it by reading the Hagada. Of course, the Hagada itself tells of a number of Rabbis that stayed up all night discussing the meaning of the Exodus. There is no maximum measure for this command other than the need to say the Shema the next morning! The Hagada is our toolbox for the fulfilment of this mitzvah, and we must therefore understand it. We may read the Hagada in our own language if we will understand it better.
WHY? The Exodus from Egypt was a groundbreaking event for the Jewish nation. It allowed feelings and rumours about the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob to become reality. This God really was all-powerful, and really was the Creator. The Exodus made a massive affect on our belief system. When we tell the story, and attempt to relive it we want to see God’s providence as clearly as our ancestors did.
9. Drinking four cups of wine
10. Leaning at the Seder
Early in the book of Exodus, God explains to Moses that He will redeem the Children of Israel. But God uses four expressions for the word ‘redeem’. On this basis the Rabbis that lived at the time of the Second Temple ordained that we drink four cups of wine to commemorate these four expressions of redemption. I actually discussed the meaning of each of these words in a online parasha essay while Rabbi at Kingston Synagogue on parashat Vaera:
http://www.kingston-synagogue.org.uk/rabbissection/parshaarchive.php?id=149
We also learn from the Rabbi’s the obligation to lean at certain points in the Seder evening.
WHY? Both these customs have in common the expression of freedom and nobility. Thus we drink wine, a noble drink; and we also lean, which was a custom of royalty in Babylonian, Greek and Persian times. Actually leaning meant eating while lying on a bed! But Jewish freedom is not to be free to do what we want. It means being free from the chains of human control, and therefore free to contemplate the ideas of spirituality and God.
Have a wonderful, meaningful and Kosher Pesach and if you have any queries or questions, do not hesitate to be in contact.
Diary Entry
This was a real week of Pesach preparation - but it was an exciting week in other ways as well.
Wednesday: The Tribe Club in Muswell Hill put together a wonderful Pesach show, with arts and crafts, and acting coming together to give a real Pesach experience. The staff put so much effort into giving our children a wonderful experience on a Wednesday afternoon - I know for one that my daughter Hodaya looks forward greatly to Tribe Club. So if you haven't tried it out yet, come along and see what fun it can be for your children, in a safe, and Jewish environment. I am there every week and eat with the children - and always teach them a nugget of knowledge over Pizza!
Thursday: I gave my last Talmud class for two weeks so that we can break for Pesach. I love teaching the Talmud class - lots of job satisfaction there! After all, that is what I was learning for seven years while in yeshiva - and many more years before as well! Watch out for an Adult Education programme that I am putting together in June - what I would like to start with this is the creation of a learning evening in Muswell Hill on Tuesday nights. So Tuesday night would be the evening in the week where there is either a session of a short course, or a series of classes by myself - you won't have to commit every week, but it will give you a spiritual dimension to your week!
Shabbat: This was a very special Shabbat for me - and not just because I layened haftara for Shabbat HaGadol. But because we successfully launched MHY Space, the Muswell Hill Youth Service. Over 25 teenagers came and did all the layening and davening, with some wonderful Torah insights from two of the girls, on Pesach and on the weekly portion. This was topped off by a kiddush of chocolate, marshmallows and Daniel's best! I was really proud that so many turned up, and received some wonderful feedback that the children felt comfortable in Shul in the informal atmosphere that we created. We had a great warden, and some of the adults were really helpful in making it a success. I am already planning the next one!
Sunday: What a day! I officiated at the stonesetting for the late Mrs Millie Gould in the morning. Millie had been a member many years ago before moving to Brighton after her husband passed on. I then officiated at a wedding in the afternoon of a couple who have joined our Synagogue. One of my Facebook friends commented that I should make sure that I do not switch round the speeches...or that I make sure that I do not become Hugh Grant.
Sunday continued with scrubbing, cleaning, hoovering and more in our kitchen so it was a late one last night.
The next time I am writing will be after the first days of Pesach - I do hope you enjoy them and I look forward to seeing you in Shul.
Wednesday: The Tribe Club in Muswell Hill put together a wonderful Pesach show, with arts and crafts, and acting coming together to give a real Pesach experience. The staff put so much effort into giving our children a wonderful experience on a Wednesday afternoon - I know for one that my daughter Hodaya looks forward greatly to Tribe Club. So if you haven't tried it out yet, come along and see what fun it can be for your children, in a safe, and Jewish environment. I am there every week and eat with the children - and always teach them a nugget of knowledge over Pizza!
Thursday: I gave my last Talmud class for two weeks so that we can break for Pesach. I love teaching the Talmud class - lots of job satisfaction there! After all, that is what I was learning for seven years while in yeshiva - and many more years before as well! Watch out for an Adult Education programme that I am putting together in June - what I would like to start with this is the creation of a learning evening in Muswell Hill on Tuesday nights. So Tuesday night would be the evening in the week where there is either a session of a short course, or a series of classes by myself - you won't have to commit every week, but it will give you a spiritual dimension to your week!
Shabbat: This was a very special Shabbat for me - and not just because I layened haftara for Shabbat HaGadol. But because we successfully launched MHY Space, the Muswell Hill Youth Service. Over 25 teenagers came and did all the layening and davening, with some wonderful Torah insights from two of the girls, on Pesach and on the weekly portion. This was topped off by a kiddush of chocolate, marshmallows and Daniel's best! I was really proud that so many turned up, and received some wonderful feedback that the children felt comfortable in Shul in the informal atmosphere that we created. We had a great warden, and some of the adults were really helpful in making it a success. I am already planning the next one!
Sunday: What a day! I officiated at the stonesetting for the late Mrs Millie Gould in the morning. Millie had been a member many years ago before moving to Brighton after her husband passed on. I then officiated at a wedding in the afternoon of a couple who have joined our Synagogue. One of my Facebook friends commented that I should make sure that I do not switch round the speeches...or that I make sure that I do not become Hugh Grant.
Sunday continued with scrubbing, cleaning, hoovering and more in our kitchen so it was a late one last night.
The next time I am writing will be after the first days of Pesach - I do hope you enjoy them and I look forward to seeing you in Shul.
Sunday 29 March 2009
Diary Entry
This morning, the Cheder ran a wonderful Pesach event. Each teacher ran a station, and we took the children on a journey through the Seder night, and from slavery into freedom. Pesach often seems to both children and adults as a repetitive event, reading the same story each year, year after year. But in fact, Pesach is a many leveled festival, and the tool to uncovering this depth is the art of questioning. Not resting on what one knows already, but questioning to uncover deeper meaning. In fact Pesach can also be read as Peh Sach - or the mouth that talks. It is all about talking and communicating.
Anyway, back to our Cheder. The children had a great morning, and learnt plenty as well. We are proud of our Cheder which is educating our children to be knowledgable and proud Jewish children. If you read my blog and have children coming into Year 1 this year and you would like to apply to the Cheder that would be great. Information is on e-thos.
On Shabbat, my sermon was on the topic of the Blessing of the Sun, which happens once every 28 years. It represents the return of the sun from our perspective to the time and place in which it was created by G-d. I posted some links last week for info on this.
Next week will see a first I believe - a separate Muswell Hill Youth Service called MHY Space. If you are 12 years and older, then come along to the Beth Hamedrash at 10.30pm and be part of this great experience which I sincerely hope will continue! This is a great way to get teenagers involved and bring them into Shul. We also look forward to Tribe Club's Pesach performance this coming Wednesday afternoon - come along and support the club. It started in September 08 with about 4 children and now has 25 coming along weekly and enjoying some fun in a Jewish environment.
Remember - to hand or send in the sale of chametz form which should be in before the morning of April 8th. If you have any question on Pesach, do not hesitate to be in touch with me.
If you would like some more in depth learning about Pesach, then look at this link from the Har Etzion Yeshiva's Virtual Beit Midrash:
http://www.vbm-torah.org/pesach.htm
I wish you all a Shavua Tov, and be in touch with any of your Pesach questions
Rabbi David
Anyway, back to our Cheder. The children had a great morning, and learnt plenty as well. We are proud of our Cheder which is educating our children to be knowledgable and proud Jewish children. If you read my blog and have children coming into Year 1 this year and you would like to apply to the Cheder that would be great. Information is on e-thos.
On Shabbat, my sermon was on the topic of the Blessing of the Sun, which happens once every 28 years. It represents the return of the sun from our perspective to the time and place in which it was created by G-d. I posted some links last week for info on this.
Next week will see a first I believe - a separate Muswell Hill Youth Service called MHY Space. If you are 12 years and older, then come along to the Beth Hamedrash at 10.30pm and be part of this great experience which I sincerely hope will continue! This is a great way to get teenagers involved and bring them into Shul. We also look forward to Tribe Club's Pesach performance this coming Wednesday afternoon - come along and support the club. It started in September 08 with about 4 children and now has 25 coming along weekly and enjoying some fun in a Jewish environment.
Remember - to hand or send in the sale of chametz form which should be in before the morning of April 8th. If you have any question on Pesach, do not hesitate to be in touch with me.
If you would like some more in depth learning about Pesach, then look at this link from the Har Etzion Yeshiva's Virtual Beit Midrash:
http://www.vbm-torah.org/pesach.htm
I wish you all a Shavua Tov, and be in touch with any of your Pesach questions
Rabbi David
Tuesday 24 March 2009
Article: The Blessing over Trees
Our religion is full of interesting and meaningful customs and laws that connect to the world around us. We are about to experience the obligation of two blessings that are not said very often at all. The first, the blessing of Trees or Birkhat HaIlanot is said annually; but the second blessing over the Sun is said once in 28 years. It was last said in 1981 when I was at Cheder in Edinburgh, and will be next said when I will please G-d have reached retirement age...just about!
Let us look here at the blessing on Trees.
The source of this blessing is the Talmud, which in Tractate Berachot 43b states:
“Says Rav Yehudah, ‘The one who goes out in Nisan and sees trees in blossom, should say ‘Blessed is the one who does not lack anything in His world and created in it good creations and good and pleasant trees in order for people to derive benefit’’”.
This statement finds itself in the major codes of Jewish law, including Rambam’s code and in the Shulchan Aruch of Rabbi Yosef Karo. However there are a few questions surrounding the blessing that have differing opinions:
• The time of the blessing. Although the Talmud clearly states Nisan, some early authorities felt that this was not being totally specific and was a rough guide. If trees blossomed in Adar this would also be an acceptable time to bless, and if trees did not blossom until Sivan this also would be fine. There is an opinion that one should not however bless on almond blossom that buds before Nisan. The point here is that one knows that almonds blossom early regularly each year. If a tree blossoms unusually early one year, the blessing is permitted to be said.
• Should we make a blessing when fruit buds. There is an opinion of an early authority known as the Mordechai (1250-1298, German rabbi) that one should bless a second time when fruit begins to form on the tree, although this is rejected by most authorities, including the Shulchan Aruch who clearly states ‘one should only bless once each year, and if one delayed to bless until the fruit had grown, he should not any more bless’.
• One tree or many trees. There is one way of beautifying the saying of this blessing which is to say it on more than one tree, not a single one. In fact the version of the Talmud that is in our hands has the word ‘trees’ in the plural, which could be understood as one being required to bless on sight of a number of trees, not one. Again, this in best practise so to speak in performing the blessing, however if one blessed over one tree it is acceptable. The Caf HaChayim a modern day Sephardi authority actually suggest that the best way to recite the blessing is in a minyan and followed by kaddish. It is also best practise to say the blessing on Rosh Chodesh Nisan itself.
• Blessings are divided into different categories, and an interesting question in what category would the blessing on trees fall into. Some say that it is blessing where one gains benefit, like blessings over consuming food, or nice smells. An alternate understanding is that it is a blessing of praise of G-d. In fact this difference can impact on halacha regarding the blessing. For instance if I should only bless on fruit trees, I could imply that it is the benefit to me that is important here. But if I hold that I could bless even on non-fruit trees that simply look beautiful, the blessing would seem to be one of praising G-d for the diversity that He created in the world.
The idea that would seem to rise out of reciting this blessing is that G-d’s creation was built purposefully for the benefit of humankind. There is nothing lacking in creation that cannot match our needs, and fruit trees are representative of this diversity. It may be that we bless when the blossom grows because we know at that point that fruit is on its way. Kabbalists derive much meaning from this blessing, discussing through it concepts such as renewal, and even transmigration of the soul into the animal or vegetable world.
Let us look here at the blessing on Trees.
The source of this blessing is the Talmud, which in Tractate Berachot 43b states:
“Says Rav Yehudah, ‘The one who goes out in Nisan and sees trees in blossom, should say ‘Blessed is the one who does not lack anything in His world and created in it good creations and good and pleasant trees in order for people to derive benefit’’”.
This statement finds itself in the major codes of Jewish law, including Rambam’s code and in the Shulchan Aruch of Rabbi Yosef Karo. However there are a few questions surrounding the blessing that have differing opinions:
• The time of the blessing. Although the Talmud clearly states Nisan, some early authorities felt that this was not being totally specific and was a rough guide. If trees blossomed in Adar this would also be an acceptable time to bless, and if trees did not blossom until Sivan this also would be fine. There is an opinion that one should not however bless on almond blossom that buds before Nisan. The point here is that one knows that almonds blossom early regularly each year. If a tree blossoms unusually early one year, the blessing is permitted to be said.
• Should we make a blessing when fruit buds. There is an opinion of an early authority known as the Mordechai (1250-1298, German rabbi) that one should bless a second time when fruit begins to form on the tree, although this is rejected by most authorities, including the Shulchan Aruch who clearly states ‘one should only bless once each year, and if one delayed to bless until the fruit had grown, he should not any more bless’.
• One tree or many trees. There is one way of beautifying the saying of this blessing which is to say it on more than one tree, not a single one. In fact the version of the Talmud that is in our hands has the word ‘trees’ in the plural, which could be understood as one being required to bless on sight of a number of trees, not one. Again, this in best practise so to speak in performing the blessing, however if one blessed over one tree it is acceptable. The Caf HaChayim a modern day Sephardi authority actually suggest that the best way to recite the blessing is in a minyan and followed by kaddish. It is also best practise to say the blessing on Rosh Chodesh Nisan itself.
• Blessings are divided into different categories, and an interesting question in what category would the blessing on trees fall into. Some say that it is blessing where one gains benefit, like blessings over consuming food, or nice smells. An alternate understanding is that it is a blessing of praise of G-d. In fact this difference can impact on halacha regarding the blessing. For instance if I should only bless on fruit trees, I could imply that it is the benefit to me that is important here. But if I hold that I could bless even on non-fruit trees that simply look beautiful, the blessing would seem to be one of praising G-d for the diversity that He created in the world.
The idea that would seem to rise out of reciting this blessing is that G-d’s creation was built purposefully for the benefit of humankind. There is nothing lacking in creation that cannot match our needs, and fruit trees are representative of this diversity. It may be that we bless when the blossom grows because we know at that point that fruit is on its way. Kabbalists derive much meaning from this blessing, discussing through it concepts such as renewal, and even transmigration of the soul into the animal or vegetable world.
Sunday 22 March 2009
Diary Entry
Welcome to my first posting in a new weekly Diary blog, as Rabbi of Muswell Hill Synagogue where you will get to hear about my Rabbinic week. In fact this past week was one of firsts - and not just the first time in decades that Fulham beat Manchester United at the Cottage! On Wednesday evening I hosted the Whisky club and about 16 whisky lovers converged on the Rabbinic home for an evening of great whisky and interesting halachic thought - can one dring whisky that has matured in a sherry cask...and we somehow found ourselves talking about when one would celebrate Shabbat in space!
The other first was my first venture into Fortismere Senior School to lead a Jewish Society meeting. I brought in Pizza, chips and drinks for the children, sponsored by Tribe, and we had a really interesting discussion on different concepts of Liberty, which of course connects in to Pesach, the festival of Liberty. I discussed with them Isaiah Berlin's famous 'Essay on Liberty'and the difference between positive freedom and negative freedom. Is freedom simply to be free to do what one wants, or being freed from our negative and destructive desire. They found this very interesting, and I will hopefully be going in once every month...with the pizza of course.
Shabbat saw the longest parasha for quite a time - and the first double portion since September 2007.
At Cheder, we are preparing for a Cheder Seder Experience this coming Sunday, and are proud that we sent packages of mishloach manot to children in Rovno, our twin community. Thanks to Jacqui Waltz for sending this, and to the Cheder children for packing them. We received mishloah manot from Rovno and consumed them last week in Cheder.
This year sees the reciting of a blessing that is only recited every 28 years - the blessing of the sun. The basis for the blessing is that the sun began its 'revolution' as seen from earth on the beginning of the fourth day of creation (Tuesday evening) and will return to this beginning point in time every 28 years. This year the time for reciting this blessing will be after Morning service on Wednesday April 8th, which will be erev Pesach. It is best to say this blessing with a minyan, so you may want to come to Shul for the service that will be held erev Pesach.
Here are two web links which give some good information on the sources for this blessing and the astronomy background to it:
http://www.kehillaton.com/en/articles_birkat_hachama.asp?c=1
http://hirhurim.blogspot.com/2009/03/hachama-betkufata-overview-of-birkat.html
I have also written a piece about another blessing that is said annually - the blessing over trees. I will post that as a separate article on this blog.
FACEBOOK GROUP - If you are on Facebook then you are welcome to join my group Ask Rabbi David Mason where you can ask me questions and where I will post articles and links of Jewish interest.
Have a great week!
The other first was my first venture into Fortismere Senior School to lead a Jewish Society meeting. I brought in Pizza, chips and drinks for the children, sponsored by Tribe, and we had a really interesting discussion on different concepts of Liberty, which of course connects in to Pesach, the festival of Liberty. I discussed with them Isaiah Berlin's famous 'Essay on Liberty'and the difference between positive freedom and negative freedom. Is freedom simply to be free to do what one wants, or being freed from our negative and destructive desire. They found this very interesting, and I will hopefully be going in once every month...with the pizza of course.
Shabbat saw the longest parasha for quite a time - and the first double portion since September 2007.
At Cheder, we are preparing for a Cheder Seder Experience this coming Sunday, and are proud that we sent packages of mishloach manot to children in Rovno, our twin community. Thanks to Jacqui Waltz for sending this, and to the Cheder children for packing them. We received mishloah manot from Rovno and consumed them last week in Cheder.
This year sees the reciting of a blessing that is only recited every 28 years - the blessing of the sun. The basis for the blessing is that the sun began its 'revolution' as seen from earth on the beginning of the fourth day of creation (Tuesday evening) and will return to this beginning point in time every 28 years. This year the time for reciting this blessing will be after Morning service on Wednesday April 8th, which will be erev Pesach. It is best to say this blessing with a minyan, so you may want to come to Shul for the service that will be held erev Pesach.
Here are two web links which give some good information on the sources for this blessing and the astronomy background to it:
http://www.kehillaton.com/en/articles_birkat_hachama.asp?c=1
http://hirhurim.blogspot.com/2009/03/hachama-betkufata-overview-of-birkat.html
I have also written a piece about another blessing that is said annually - the blessing over trees. I will post that as a separate article on this blog.
FACEBOOK GROUP - If you are on Facebook then you are welcome to join my group Ask Rabbi David Mason where you can ask me questions and where I will post articles and links of Jewish interest.
Have a great week!
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