ShabbatUK in Hendon & Golders Green

Every week we experience the Shabbos

On Shabbos Parshas

Lech Lecha,let’s deepen this

experienceUKשבתIn conjunction with

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SHABBAT UK

Dear Members of the NW London Kehilla,

This year, Shabbat UK is on Parshas Lech L’cha, 25th October.

This project mainly targets those who have not truly experienced Shabbos observance. But it is an opportunity for everyone (religious and not-yet-religious alike) to together celebrate the beauty of Shabbos and enhance their appreciation of this mitzvah.

Last year, the Frum community mobilised itself quite late in the day. A number of events and activities were organised which left an indelible impression on the participants.

This year the organisers are looking to build on last year’s incredible success with the kiruv element of the Shabbat UK to encourage the frum kehillos of NW London to participate in their own way. This will heighten Shemiras Shabbos and foster a sense of unity generated undertaking cross communal activities.

Highlights of activities to be announced over the coming two weeks will אי”ה include a large Oneg on the Friday night with boy’s learning session (possibly incorporating the launch of this Avos u’Bonim cycle) as well as stories, food, and singing in a warm and uplifting atmosphere in two parallel functions (Golders Green and Hendon). This will be matched with a Friday night Oneg for the Girls.

Rabbi Daniel Rowe, Moshie Kahan, Osher Levene, Marc Rogoff, Mordechai Ullmann, Duddy Itzkowitz, Jack Ostreicher, Danny Sanger, Rabbi Jonny Chodie, Danny Wulwick, Lipi Werjuka, Rabbi Amram Landau, Jonny Wolf, David Rosenthal, Danny

Brodie, Dov Philips, Shia Stobiestski, Greg Reodiger, Dovid Guttentag, Eli Katz, Yossi Fachler, Itzik Feder, Yitzi Lerner

We the undersigned fully endorse this event and strongly encourage all Rabbonim and Askonim to join in this קריאה של .מחזק מצות וקדושת שבת, וגדול המעשה יותר מן העושה to be חיבה

Dayan C Ehrentreu Rabbi YM Greenberg Rabbi S Winegarten

בס”ד

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Shared LearningAn initiative has been setup to Split the 39 Melochos amongst shuls (this allows each shul to learn it in the way that suits them)To get your shul involved and to request a melacha please contact:

RABBI JONNY [email protected]

ELI [email protected]

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Boys SchoolsLets Complete it together!Grammar Schools to split Mishnayos Shabbos

To get your school involved please contact:

MARC [email protected]

Primary Schools to learn 39 Melachos via a worksheet

To get your school involved please contact:

RABBI AMRAM [email protected]

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Shul Communal or Joint Shul shalosh seudosIt was suggested that shuls join together with a shul close to them for joint shalosh seudosTo get your shul involved please contact:

JACK [email protected]

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Oneg Friday Night for BoysAll school boys are invited to one of two special communal Onegs on Friday night at 8.30pmNer Yisroel (Hendon)or

Golders Green Beis Hamedrash – Munks (Golders Green)For more information please contact

LIPI [email protected]

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Oneg Friday Night for GirlsInviting all Grammar School Girls - Venue to be confirmedFor more information please contact

RABBI SHIMSHON [email protected]

OSHER [email protected]

CHANI [email protected]

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Shabbos Shiurim weekMENTorah Way have offered to supply speakers for individual shuls who wish to host a shabbos shiur or shiurim during the week of SUK.

To request a speaker please contact:

DUDDY [email protected]

LADIESOrah have offered to supply speakers for Ladies shiurim

To request a speaker please contact:

OSHER [email protected]

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?? Quiz Time??Answers can be found on back page

1. Which passuk is said in a sad tune in the parshah and why?

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A Stronger Desire To ReturnRabbi Elchonon Feldman Belmont United Synagogue

Kindly Sponsored לעילוי נשמת הש"ץ שלמה בן אברהם משה ז"ל לעילוי נשמת חנה בת אלעזר ע"ה

שיבנה בית המקדש במהרה בימינו

Tragedies sadly come in all shapes and sizes but Chazal pinpoint a specific event that was so grossly unfortunate that it acted as the forerunner, the precursor, of all tumultuous misfortunes that would befall our people throughout history. This episode is the chet hameraglim (sin of the spies) as the Talmud states:"Today you cried for nothing; in the future I'll give you a real reason to

cry." (Ta'anis 29a)The immediate fall-out of this incident was the Divine decree that an

entire generation would die in the wilderness never entering into the land

of Israel. This led to a most harrowing custom which would take place on

Tishah b’Av during our people’s 40 years wanderings through the desert.

The Gemara Yerushalmi records that Moshe would instruct the Children of

Israel on the eve of Tishah b’Av to dig their own graves. Then as the sun

set and the fast commenced they would climb within, lie down and wait

until the morning. Those whose decree it was to die within that year did not

rise and the remainder ascended, repeating the process each year. Words

fail when trying to articulate the gross anxiety that each person most have

felt as they lay in their own tomb and this annual experience must always

be considered when we think imagine the idyllic life of the generation who

left Egypt. However, just as when a parent metes out punishment to a wayward

child, when Hashem must discipline us, it causes him great pain. In parshas

Devarim we see a fascinating juxtaposition when discussing the final leg of

the journey into the land of Israel. The Torah says:So it was, when all the men of war finished dying from among the people, that the Lord spoke to me saying, (Devarim 2:16-17)

Why, asks Rashi and many other commentators, does Moshe specify

only now that Hashem spoke directly to him? Rashi quotes a Sifrei

(midrashic compilation) that says:But since the spies were sent until now, the Hebrew word vayidaber (denoting G-d’s speaking to Moses with endearment) is not mentioned in [this] section, only vayomer (denoting a less affectionate form of communication), to teach us that during those entire 38 years during which time the Israelites were under ban by G-d, the Divine speech

was not directed towards Moshe in an expression of affection, face to face, and with peace of mind. This is to teach us that the Divine Presence rests upon the prophets only for Israel’s sake.

This is so poignant. Moshe was the greatest prophet that will ever exist.

A human being who is considered to be a true servant of G-d, a beloved

even. Still, he was kept at arm’s length during the period when our people

were being punished and felt distant from Hashem. If G-d cannot be close

to us in His manifest presence, then we see from this juxtaposition, He will

not be close to anyone, even Moshe. There is no greater pain, no stronger

anguish, than Hashem’s feelings (koviyachol) of having to hide and be

distant from us. This much is clear from our Torah.As we sit at our table this Shabbos we know that today is the ninth of

Av. If this calendar date would have fallen on a weekday, no food or drink

would have passed our lips and we acknowledge as well the great sadness

that we would be feeling in commemorating through communal mourning

the destruction of our Temple and many other tragedies of Tishah b’Av.

However, now that the fast has been relegated to Sunday we have a great

opportunity for reflection. Shabbos isn’t simply the postponement of the

fast, rather it now plays the role of an oasis, a small moment of pause in

which we can sense the deep and powerful unconcealed relationship that

Hashem yearns to have with us even in the midst of our chastisement. This

Shabbos more than any other can bring us to greater appreciation for the

eternal love that Hashem has for us and His pain in our distance from Him.

In this way perhaps as we enter this year into Tishah b’Av, we too will

feel a greater longing, a stronger desire to return. Our sadness and longing

for a relationship with Hashem will be more acute and our annual day of

mourning will be so much more than an anniversary date. In doing so

perhaps we will truly all merit together the fulfillment of the prophecy in

Yeshayah that is read in this week’s haftarah:“Therefore,” says the Master, the Lord of Hosts, the Mighty One of Israel, “Oh, I will console Myself from My adversaries, and I will avenge Myself of My foes. And I will return My hand upon you and purge away your dross as with lye, and remove all your tin. And I will restore your judges as at first and your counsellors as in the beginning; afterwards you shall be called City of Righteousness, Faithful City. Zion shall be redeemed through justice and her penitent through righteousness.”Amen, may it be Hashem’s will.

OnegShabbos בס"ד

North West London's Weekly Torah and Opinion Sheets

For Questions on Divrei Torah or articles, to receive this via email or for sponsorship opportunities please email [email protected]

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25 July ’15 ט' אב תשע”ה

פרשת דבריםערב תשעה באב

הפטרה: ישעי א' א' - כ"זפ' דברים שבת חזון

London 8:46 pm הדלקת נרות

מוצש’’ק London: 10:06 pm

?? Quiz Time?? Answers can be found on back page.

1. What is the connection between the end of Parshas Pinchas and the beginning of

Parshas Matos that discusses nedarim, vows?

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Moshe Rabbeinu - Mesiras Nefesh and Hakoras Hatov Personified

Rabbi Zvi PortnoyLoughton & Chigwell Synagogue


SPONSOR A SHABBOS KIT FOR A FAMILY’S FIRST SHABBOS

In association with the

Shabbos Project

UKשבת contact Roz Goldschneider [email protected]

S P O N S O R E D

In Parshas Matos the Torah discusses the

nekamah, revenge, that Hashem instructs

Moshe to wreak against the nation of Midyan.

The Midrash Tanchuma notes that the use of words in Hashem’s

instructions to Moshe are (Bamidbar 31:1) ‘nekom nikmas Bnei

Yisrael’ which loosely translates as ‘take revenge against them for

that which they did to the Bnei Yisrael.’ Yet the Midrash points out

that in Moshe’s subsequent instruction to the Bnei Yisrael (31:3)

he tells the Jewish people to fight against Midyan ‘lo’seis nikmas

Hashem b’Midyan.’ The use of these words by Moshe, suggests

the Midrash, implies that the battle which was to be waged was

fundamentally one being for fought for Hashem rather than one

being fought in revenge for the evil machinations of Midyan

against Klal Yisrael.

Indeed Rashi notes on the words ‘nikmas Hashem’ that the two

are inextricably linked. Those who stand against Klal Yisrael are

enemies of Hashem.

The Midrash elaborates on this point and says something

fascinating. Moshe Rabbeinu in switching the precise words

Hashem gave to him, was conveying a message to Hashem so

to speak. The only reason Klal Yisrael has these enemies is due

the Torah and mitzvos that You Hashem gave to us! Their hatred

towards us is due to our allegiance to You. To be clear, Moshe

was not blaming Hashem, rather he was stating that this revenge

was not a personal one, it was for a much greater and nobler

cause, to take vengeance for the sake of Hashem and His Torah.

Therefore, Moshe in conveying the mitzvah to Klal Yisrael says this

is Hashem’s nekamah, G-d’s revenge, which we the Jewish people

are carrying out on His behalf.

The meforshim, Rashi amongst others, point out something

incredible. Hashem tells Moshe that once the mission against

Midyan has been carried out ‘tei’asef el amecha’ you will bought in

to your people and will pass on from this world. Yet immediately

Moshe went ahead with this mission with happiness, knowing

only too well that his death depended on its completion. The

Yalkut Shimoni and the Midrash Rabba both elaborate on this

point even more emphatically. Hashem told Moshe, if you want

to live another thousand years that’s fine just don’t battle against

Midyan! Exactly what that means is another discussion, yet the

bottom line was that Moshe responded that he would rather Klal

Yisrael vanquish its enemy even if that resulted in his imminent

death. What enormous self sacrifice! Moshe Rabbeinu, prepared

to give up 1000 years of his lifetime, so that Klal Yisrael could do

what Hashem had instructed them to.

Conversely, Rabbi Yitzchok Zilberstein points out, that Hashem

had told Moshe, “I want you to take revenge against Midyan.” Yet

the Midrash says that Moshe handed the mission over so to speak

to the rest of the Jewish people. Moshe’s rationale was, ‘how can

I take revenge against Midyan? How can I engage in battle with

a nation who I took refuge amongst when I fled from Mitzrayim?’

despite the fact that this same Midyan shunned his father-in-law,

his wife and their entire family! Yet for Moshe it sufficed that they

gave him shelter in a difficult time for him not to wage war with

them.

Moshe Rabbeinu: a true paradigm of mesiras nefesh and

hakoras hatov.

OnegShabbos בס"ד





18 July ’15 ב' אב תשע”הפרשת מטות מסעי

פ' מטות מסעי הפטרה: ירמי ב' ד' - כ"ח, ג' ד'

הדלקת נרות פרקי אבות: פרק ב' London 8:55 pm מוצש’’ק

London: 10:18 pm

Oneg Shabbos PublicationOneg Shabbos is looking for each shul to get their Rabbi to write a Devar Torah for the SUK week (Lech Lecha)Approximately 700 words in English (due to time restrictions some shuls may need one of the mispallelim to write it for the Rov).

Deadline for entry is Sunday 11th October 2015 10.00pm

To confirm or for further information please contact:

MARK [email protected]

?? QUIZ TIME??Answers can be found on page 11

1. How many miracles happened to Pinchas when he went to kill Zimri and Kozbi and what

were they?

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What Appears Unjust May Be Our SalvationR' Barry KaganJFS


WHAT WILL YOU BE DOING?In association with the International Shabbos Project שבתUK

[email protected]

S P O N S O R E D

Imagine you are a rising star in your chosen sport, you have been selected to play in all the top youth teams and you have been training every day for most of your life with the same group of talented youngsters. You have been through a rigorous regime, honing your skills and fitness and planning the perfect strategies. Your group has risen through the ranks and you are about to embark on a promising career as a multi-million pound star. Your future is guaranteed. Nothing could go wrong.

But then, you wake up one morning and read the morning press: your training

partners have all been selected for the next step up, they’ve all been selected to

represent their country at international level, whereas you have been overlooked.

You have not been chosen with the others after it seemed a mere formality.Imagine the feeling of pain; imagine the feeling of disappointment, anguish

and heartache. It could have been; it should have been! Why not me? I am so

good; I am as good as anyone else! Why not me? The thoughts would resound

in your head over and over again. You would be faced with the same pain every

morning when you wake up. You would be faced with the same pain every time

you see your previous team mates perform when you have been sidelined.When the kehunah was introduced to Klal Yisrael, Hashem appointed Aharon,

his sons and any other future grandsons as Kohanim (Kach es Aharon v’es banav

ito, (Vayikra 8:2)). However, Pinchas, the son of Elazar had already been born so

he was not anointed. According to the Maharal he was too young to be anointed.

He was from exactly the same family, but was not appointed as a Kohen. Imagine

his pain, imagine his anguish! He might think: “Am I worse than anybody else?

My father is a Kohen, my uncle is a Kohen, all my cousins will be Kohanim, why

not me?” Every morning he would be faced with the same reality, the same

missed opportunity. He may be excused for feeling hard done by and overlooked. Yet, when it came to standing up for the glory of Hashem, he zealously stepped

forward and avenged the honour of Hashem: “Haeshiv es chamosi mei al Bnei

Yisrael b’kanoy es kinosi” – “he turned My wrath away from the Bnei Yisrael, in

that he was zealous for My sake.” For this act of killing Kozbi and Zimri he was

rewarded with the “bris kehunas olom” and “brisi Shalom,” eternal priesthood and

a covenant of peace. Not only was Pinchas recompensed by becoming a Kohen,

but the Ibn Ezra says that the line of the Kohanim Gedolim would originate from

him. Indeed, according to the Yalkut Shimoni, he will be the one to usher in the

ultimate geulah as Eliyahu Hanavi. He ended up receiving a much greater reward

than he would have received had he been included at the outset. We never know what the future may yield. When we view events as isolated

and disconnected, then events in our life can appear burdensome. The whole

picture does not make sense and we wonder why things have not worked out the

way we desired. But then, the very negative itself transpires to be the source of

positivity, growth and success. It is easy to recognize this in hindsight, but as

Rav Mattisyahu Salomon says, we need to recognize this in foresight. Rabbi Zev Leff gives an analogy of a person in shul hearing the chazzan say

Ashrei. However, he leaves early and only hears the chazzan say the beginning

of the passuk: “shomer Hashem es kol ohavav v’es kol hareshaim …” he misses

the last word of the passuk and thinks, “that’s not fair, Hashem protects all the

ones He loves and the wicked!” If he arrives late he only hears the end of the

passuk: “… es kol ohavav v’es kol hareshaim yashmid” and he thinks, “that’s not

fair, Hashem destroys the ones He loves together with the wicked.” Of course,

had he been in shul to hear the whole passuk, he would make sense of the entire

verse. He would have been able to put the comma in the correct place: “shomer

Hashem es kol ohavav, v’es kol hareshaim yashmid!” Everything is coordinated

from Above and everything fits into an ultimate plan.By definition, we enter this world in the middle of “davening” – we all arrive

after the beginning and we all leave before it ends. We cannot envisage the whole

picture. We need to have the awareness that all events are directed towards our

good and the perfection of the world. The account of Pinchas teaches us to keep

perspective, to maintain a broader view and recognize that everything transpires

for our ultimate good. So the next time we see ourselves as having been overlooked, despite our

skills and talents, let us remember that what appears unjust at first, might turn

out to be our salvation. Even if we are not initially picked for the team, we may yet

end up being the captain.

OnegShabbos בס"ד





11 July ’15 כ"ד תמוז תשע”ה

פרשת פינחסמברכין החודש

פרקי אבות: פרק א'הפטרה: ירמי א' א' - ב' ג' פ' פינחס

London 9:01 pm הדלקת נרות

מוצש’’ק London: 10:27 pm

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HostingInvite guests that you know (from work or neighbours) for a mealTo register as a host please contact:

DAVID [email protected]

DANNY [email protected]

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Newspaper ArticlesCreate a buzz through Newspapers.If you have any pictures, stories from this year or last year please email

HEAD OF PR J [email protected]

or directly to

JEWISH TRIBUNE: MORDECHAI [email protected]

HAMODIA: YEHOSHUA [email protected]

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Estate Agent SignsWe are excited to announce the launch of the Shabbat UK EAB (Estate Agent Boards) Campaign.Estate Agents around London have agreed to place their boards in front of properties promoting Shabbat UK.

Now we just need places to put them!

It is a great chance to show the community we are all #keepingittogether

To sign up to the Shabbat UK EAB Campaign visit www.shabbatuk.org/boards

For more information email [email protected]

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Email UpdatesWe are looking for point of contacts from your shul.Please could you email the contact details for your dedicated member to [email protected]

To receive updates of local events please email [email protected] and request updates for Shabbat UK events in the Hendon and Golders Green

This year’s Great Challah Make is sure to sell out.

Don’t miss out - register NOW at:

www.shabbatuk.org/ challah-make/

Ready...Steady...

Bake!

‘Shabbat is the choicest fruit and flower of the week. The coming

of the Queen transforms

even the humblest home into a palace.’

(Rav Yehuda HaLevi, Kuzari III 5)

Documents

ShabbatUK in Hendon & Golders Green