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Reverend Brodie's thoughts - past and present.

Thu, 25/11/2010

 

שבת פרשת וישב

No parades, fireworks, speeches.
The emphasis is on the Menorah
restoration of the Temple Service
freedom to practice Judaism.

Rabbi Dr Twerski

 


Thu, 25/11/2010

שבת פרשת וישלח

“Yaakov was greatly afraid of Esav …”
(Bereishit 32.8)

So he took practical measures for self-defence ...
and then he prayed.
 


Thu, 25/11/2010

Vayeitzei

“… beware that you speak to Yaakov
neither good nor bad”
37:24

Good that emanates from the wicked is inherently evil
Rabbi Dr Twerski
 


Thu, 04/11/2010

 

שבת פרשת תולדות
Shabbat Parshat Toldot 5771

“ … And Esau’s two wives
were a source if bitterness
to Yitzchak and Rivka”
(Bereishit 21:35)

Exposure to wickedness in one’s childhood
lowers the threshold of disapproval
 


Thu, 04/11/2010

 

“ Serve the L-rd with joy …”
Tehillim 100

Happiness is one of the things
that doubles when you share it
Harry Lauder
 


Thu, 04/11/2010

שבת פרשת וירא
Shabbat Parshat Vayeira 5771

“… There is no fear of G-d in this place
and they will kill me …”
Bereishit 20.11

Where there is no fear of G-d
even murder can be rationalised
 


Thu, 14/10/2010

 

שבת שובה
Parshat Haazinu
Shabbat Shuvah 5770

 The most severe exile is a Jew alien to himself
for he is both captive and captor.

Reb Shollom of Belz

 


Thu, 14/10/2010

 

יום כפור - Yom Kippur 5771

“Shema Koyleynu …”
(Machzor)

Pray hard for yourself, your Community and Klal Yisroel
because individually and collectively
we desperately need Hashem’s help

 


Thu, 14/10/2010

סוכות - Chag HaSukkot 5770

Hashem caused us to dwell in booths
to be appreciative of everything given to us

Rabbi Dr Twerski

 


Thu, 14/10/2010

 

שבת פרשת נח
Shabbat Parshat Noach 5771

“You are my witnesses says Hashem …”
(Yeshayah 43.10)

A witness of some sort every Jew born is bound to be.
for good or evil, he adds his evidence
to the record, and makes a Kiddush Hashem
or the reverse

 


Thu, 14/10/2010

 

לך לך פרשת שבת
Shabbat Parshat Lech Lecha 5771

“… Walk before me and be perfect”
Bereishes 17:1

A slip of the tongue
is the truth of the mind

 


Thu, 14/10/2010

שבת פרשת בראשית
Shabbat Parshat Bereishit 5771

Torah is the divine teaching
given to Israel
and the message of Israel to mankind
(Chief Rabbi Hertz)
 


Fri, 03/09/2010

שבת פרשת ואתחנן

“And you shall not covet …
anything that belongs to your fellow”
(Devorim 14:18)

People will forget what you said
but will never forget if you envied them.
 


Fri, 03/09/2010

שבת פרשת דברים

“Do not fear them,
For Hashem will fight them”
(Devorim 3.22)

Hashem, our only reliable protector.
 


Fri, 03/09/2010

Nitzavim-Vayelech 5770

“And you shall return to the L-rd your G-d …”
(Devorim 30.2)
“If not now, when?”
Pirkei Avot 1.14

 


Fri, 03/09/2010

שבת פרשת עקב
“… there Aharon died
… and Elazar his son
ministered in his place”

Happy is the man whose son succeeds him in holiness

 


Fri, 03/09/2010

“… in order that it will be well with you
When you do what is good and right …”
(Devarim 12.28)

In between the lines the Torah
spells out good conduct beyond the 613 Mitzvot.

 

 


Fri, 03/09/2010

שבת פרשת שופטים

“When you come to a city to wage war
you shall call out to it for peace”
(Devarim 20.10)

Israel longs for peace.

 


Fri, 03/09/2010

שבת פרשת כי תצא
 

“If you build a new house
you shall make a fence for your roof …”
(Devarim 22.8)

By extension, we are to prevent any mishap.

 


Fri, 03/09/2010

תבוא כי פרשת שבת

“…bring first fruits…”
(Devorim 26.1)
No matter how much sweat we invest
everything is a gift from Hashem.
 


Wed, 07/07/2010

שבת פרשת מטות?מסעי
Shabbat Parshat Matos-Masei 5770

“If he pushed him out of hatred …..”
Bamidbar 35:20

You can disagree
but you do not have to be disagreeable
 


Thu, 01/07/2010

“… Behold a people that dwells alone …”
(Bamidbar 23.9)

Bilam’s prophecy – a blessing or a curse?
Certainly true!
 


Thu, 01/07/2010

שבת פרשת פינחס

“ … One lamb you shall offer in the morning
and one lamb in the afternoon”
(Bamidbar 28.4)

A lesson in consistent Judaism.
 


Thu, 17/06/2010

שבת פרשת חקת
Shabbat Parshat Chukat 5770

“The King of Arad
attacked the Children of Israel”
(Bamidbar 24.1)

He had the courage to do so
because Aaron,
the champion of peace and amity
had just died
 


Thu, 17/06/2010

שבת פרשת קרח
Shabbat Parshat Korach 5770

“…for all the Congregations are all holy ...”
(Bamidbar 16.3)

In fundamental contrast Hashem commands
“you shall be holy” not “you are”
 


Thu, 17/06/2010

שבת פרשת שלח לך
Shabbat Parshat Shelach 5770

“… and they shall make themselves Tzitzit”
(Bamidbar 15.38)

A three year old is introduced to Holiness
 


Thu, 17/06/2010

שבת פרשת בהעלתך
Shabbat Parshat Behaalotecha 5770

“And the rabble lusted lusting …”
(Bamidbar 11.14)

Deliberately placing oneself into temptation
is the triumph of the Yetzer Harah
 


Wed, 16/06/2010

“And Hashem came down upon Sinai …”
Shemot 19.20

The choice of the lowest mountain for Matan Torah
teaches that humility is the pre-requisite
for the study of Torah and the development of Midot.
 


Thu, 13/05/2010

שבת פרשת במדבר
“They shall camp around the Tent of Meeting”  Bamidbar 2:2

All are equidistant to the Mishcon in the centre.
 


Fri, 07/05/2010

בחקתי שבת פרשת בהר

Literal Translation: On the Mount – My statutes

Torah from Sinai is immutable.
 


Fri, 30/04/2010

שבת פרשת אמר

Nine Tzaddikim don't make a Minyan,
Ten sinners do.
Ten Tzaddikim is a nucleus of a Holy people.

 


Thu, 22/04/2010

שבת פרשת אחרי מות קדשים

Literal translation: After death – Holiness

But do strive for a LIFEtime of Holiness
 


Fri, 16/04/2010

שבת פרשת תזריע?מצורע

Sefirat Haomer is a daily process for seven weeks.

Spiritual elevation can be achieved
only by progressing one day at a time.
(Rabbi Dr Twerski)

 


Thu, 08/04/2010

Neshamot of
Six Million Holocaust Martyrs
deserve ONE Yahrzeit light
in EVERY Jewish home

 


Thu, 01/04/2010

שבת פרשת צו
Shabbat Parshat Tsav 5770

“Acquire for yourselves a lamb for your families…”
(Vayikra 12:21)
 


Thu, 01/04/2010

שבת פרשת שמיני
Shabbas Chol Hamoed 5770

Not only is consumption of Chametz forbidden
but it must be removed from sight.

Likewise we have to rid ourselves of bad habits so as to prevent relapse
 


Fri, 19/03/2010

שבת פרשת ויקרא
Shabbat Parshat Vayikra 5770

The word Vayikra is written with a diminutive Aleph,
which represents our small children
whom Hashem calls to ensure our eternity.
 


Thu, 11/03/2010

שבת פרשת ויקהל- פקודי
Shabbat Parshat Vayakhel Pikudei 5770

"Every wise-hearted woman spun with her hands…”
Shemot 35.25

How is how the Yiddishe Mama builds her home
 


Sun, 07/03/2010

שבת פרשת כי תשא
Shabbat Parshat Ki Tisah 5770

“The children of Israel
shall observe the Shabbat
to make the Shabbat…”
Shemot 31.16)

Being aware of Neshamah Yeterah
makes it into a blessed experience.
 


Fri, 26/02/2010
Bo

שבת פרשת בא
Shabbat Parshat Bo 5770

 

“… if your son will ask you …”
Shemot 13.14

Be sure to find a better answer
Than “because I say so!
 


Fri, 26/02/2010

שבת פרשת בשלח
Shabbat Parshat Beshalach 5770
Tu Bishevat

Acknowledge Hashem’s
ongoing creation
by celebrating
the renewal of nature
 


Fri, 26/02/2010

שבת פרשת משפטים
Shabbat Parshat Mishpatim 5770

“Distance yourself from falsehood …”
(Shemot 23.7)

Note: Not merely “you shall not lie”
but “keep a distance …”
 


Fri, 26/02/2010

שבת פרשת יתרו
Shabbat Parshat Yisro 5770

“You shall not murder …”
(Shemot 20:13)

Failure to defend your fellow men
is murder by default
 


Fri, 26/02/2010

שבת פרשת תרומה
Shabbat Parshat Terumah 5770

“and they shall make me a Sanctuary
that I may dwell among them”
(Shemot 25.8)
 


Fri, 26/02/2010

שבת פרשת תצוה
Shabbat Parshat Tetzaveh 5770

“…There is a People, scattered among the nations …”
(Megilat Esther)

Scattered, but united by a shared Torah destiny.
 


Mon, 11/01/2010

שבת פרשת וירא
Shabbat Parshat Vayeira 5770

“… if I find 50 Zadikim in Sdom
in the midst of the city
I shall forgive …”
(Bereishit 18:27)

Zadikim can only save Sdom
if they operate in the midst of the city.
 


Mon, 11/01/2010

שבת פרשת שמות
Shabbat Parshat Shemot 5770

 

Pharoah: “… Israel is too mighty from us”

The Jews’ wealth is taken from us
Is classical anti-Semitism.
 


Mon, 11/01/2010

שבת פרשת ויחי
Shabbat Parshat Vayechi 5770

“And Yaakov blessed Yosef …
may the angel bless the boys …”
(Bereishit 48.15/16)

We are truly blessed by Nachass
from the next generation.
 


Thu, 24/12/2009

שבת פרשת ויגש
Shabbat Parshat Vayigash 5770

“… Ani Yosef …”
Bereisheit 45.3

Two words provided the answer
to a history of strife and anguish.
so will “Ani Hashem”
explain our chequered history.
Chofetz Chaim
 


Thu, 17/12/2009

שבת פרשת מקץ
Shabbat Parshat Mikeitz 5770

“… let them store the food of the good years…”
Bereishit 41.35

Identifying the problem
AND
finding a solution
must be the correct
interpretation of the dream
 


Thu, 10/12/2009

שבת פרשת וישב
Shabbat Parshat
Vayeishev 5770
Shabbat Chanukah

The Shabbat and
Chanukah Lights

Anytime in creating
a very special ethos
of Miraculous Serenity.

 


Thu, 03/12/2009

שבת פרשת וישלח
Shabbat Parshat Vayishlach 5770

“Yaakov became very scared …”
(Bereishit 32.8)
Despite Hashem’s promise
of Yaakov’s safety
he feared Esav’s devoted
Kibbud Av
could tip the balance
in his favour
 


Fri, 27/11/2009

 שבת פרשת ויצא
Shabbat Parshat Vayeitzei 5770

“And Yaakov lifted up his legs
and went on his way …”
Bereishit 28:1

His dreams on Moriah
spurred him on his way.


Thu, 19/11/2009

שבת פרשת תולדות
Shabbat Parshat
Toldot 5770

“Avimelech to Yitzchak”
(Bereishit 26:29)
Avimelech expects gratitude
for not hurting Yaakov
when he drove him away


Thu, 12/11/2009

"…  Yitzchak took Rivka for a wife and he loved her …” 

(Bereishit 24.67)

Far more important is the love after marriage than the romance before.

 


Wed, 08/02/12 | 15 Shevat 5772

Shabbat and Candle Lighting Times

Friday 3rd February 2012
Sedra:  Bashalach
Shabbat begins:  4.39 pm
Shabbat ends:     5.49 pm
Candlelighting is between   
3.58 pm and  4.39 pm

 

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