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GOOD SHABBOS
2 October 2009 |
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Dear All,
The weather has changed , and during the Neilah service, the heaven’s opened and there was an E-mazing ‘Electric Thunder & lightening show……which ended as the Rabbi blew the Shofar, and of course when I got home the ‘Komputta’ ‘Electronic Gates’ were all hit….Oey vy……This years service at Sandton was the ‘Best of the Best’ and the Shul was virtually full the whole day…..
I had to go to hospital early Tuesday to complete the treatment for the Thyroidectomy I had out just before Rosh Hashanah, and was unable to get a letter going…I am 100 % (not sure I was 100% before) now, and have just got home from the Milpark, where I had a few chats with Doc Irving Lissoos, and old Chaver, and he brought me a wonderful Article he wrote last year on ‘Yiddisher’ humour, which I asked the Webmaster to send, BUT….Alas it was misplaced and never got sent yesterday….I will get a copy from Irv, who still stays in VP (Victory Park)…
There is no letter this week, and I have just included two articles of GR8888 interest …The one being Netanyahu speech at the United Nations, and a Personal (received it maybe 50 X today…?? ) letter to the Judge…..who I remember well as he was the ‘Balabos’ at Ort for many years…….
Have a Good Yomtov and those in the ‘Beloved Country’, I reckon Sukka’s could be very wet…??? And my Zunnelle’s Joel & Martin who returned to London straight after the Fast, reckon the weather is Toxic there ……..was GR888 to have them and my ‘Cuzzie Sarge’ from Oekland over Yomtov…….
Following an impassioned speech at the UN Thursday, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke to the media of an experience he had with the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, 25 years ago.
By Miriam Davids, lubavitch.com
In his official speech Thursday at the UN, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu minced no words decrying the “perversion of truth” and the “perversion of justice” emanating from the UN’s Goldstone report accusing Israel of war crimes during the Gaza strike.
“The UN is undermining its own legitimacy by siding with terrorists over their victims,” he charged.
Netanyahu began his speech deploring the fact that Holocaust denier, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadenijad has a platform at the UN for espousing his lies. The Israeli Prime Minister castigated delegates who gave the Iranian President an audience: "have you shame? have you no decency?"
Following his impassioned speech, Netanyahu spoke with members of the Israeli media. In answer to one journalist who asked whether he might not be lending credibility to Ahmadenijad by addressing his denial of the Holocaust, Netanyahu chose to focus on a prescient experience he had with the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, 25 years ago.
“Let me tell you something,” said Netanyahu. “In 1984, after I came to the UN as Israel’s Ambassador, I met the Rebbe of Lubavitch. He began speaking to me—he spoke to me for 40 minutes.
“You know what he told me, back in 1984?” Netanyahu asked.
“He told me, ‘you are going to a place of deep darkness and lies, and if you will light one candle of truth, you will dispel the darkness.’
“That is what I tried to do here—to present the truth clearly and with confidence.”
Later in the evening, prior to leaving back to Israel, Netanyahu spoke to Jewish community leaders at the 92nd Street Y. Introduced by Alan Solow, Chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations, and by Elie Wiesel, the Prime Minister, in his only address to the American Jewish community on this visit to the U.S., chose to speak at length about his encounter with the Rebbe when he arrived at the UN as Israel’s Ambassador.
"You will go into a house of lies," he said the Rebbe told him in that prescient meeting on Simchat Torah at Lubavitch Headquarters back in 1984.
Netanyahu pointed out the lies that emanating from the UN regarding Israel--lies about Israel as the aggressor and lies about the Holocaust. To dispel the lies and the darkness, the Rebbe told him, he must "light a candle of truth."
“You felt a wave of reaction in the audience,” Steven Salsberg, Vice Chairman of the Council on the Environment of New York City, told Lubavitch.com following the speech.
In what appears to have been a profound moment in his life, the Prime Minister, speaking with emotion and admiration for the Rebbe, described in detail his impressions of that Simchat Torah in 770, when the Rebbe carried the Torah and a light seemed to shine on him.
Audience members were riveted. “Netanyahu indicated that he then felt the power of truth,” says Salsberg, founder of the companies that make up the Salsberg Group.
Salsberg, who is well known for his activism for social responsibility in Jewish and American circles, told lubavitch.com that in his view, “Many in the audience felt that this was the message of ohr la-Goyim [a light unto the nations]—the Prime Minister of the Jewish State bringing the Rebbe’s message of truth to the United Nations.”
Netanyahu ended his speech reiterating the Rebbe’s message, and appealing to his audience to do likewise, and "light a candle for truth and justice for the Jewish people," this Yom Kippur.
As guests left the room, Salsberg heard many “talking about how in the past, they had heard different Israeli and American leaders meet the Rebbe and describe their experiences.
“But never have they heard something so compelling as this, something so illuminating 25, years later.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLCpJTchK8Q A Youtube on the Subject
Q: What are a gut, a hut, and a cut?
A: Kishka, sukkah, and circumcision
I have included this personal letter (as I have received it 50 X, and not personal anymore…..I say no more….)
EMAIL FROM AN OLD FRIEND
To: Judge Richard Goldstone
From: Barbara Press
Subject: Hello Richard... It's been a while...
Dear Richard
Our paths have crossed many times compelling me to correspond directly with you. I pray your indulgence that you hear me out by reading to the end of my missive. In fact I ask you to share my letter with Noleen from beginning to end and to respond with your thoughts.
It has been a while since (inspired by you as head of ORT South Africa) I, together with Rabbi Bernard at Oxford Shule, established a school to teach the Killarney-Houghton Black domestic workers how to write, read, sew, cook and drive. It has been a while since you praised my father Hubert Press as one of the finest business brains you had ever encountered. It was been a while since I dined with you, Noleen, David and Marilyn Rivkin, discussing opera.
Jewish life has been crying out for a man of the stature of Adolph Cremieux, of Justice Louis Brandeis, of Sir Moses Montefiore, people of the highest=2 0integrity and purpose. For those who champion their own people are remembered forever in the annals of history. But those who are self-serving are lost in a trail of ignominy.
South African Jewry stand tall and your efforts in championing Truth and Reconciliation in South Africa were applauded and earned you a reputation as a man of stature.
I am bewildered by the direction you have taken as part of the United Nations Human Rights Council. This rogue Council has been tainted by a membership that does not condemn Iranian tyranny, Chinese oppression, African despotism but spends their time condemning one country unjustly, Israel.
The Goldstone Commission bears your name. One would expect the mandate of any report to be objective so that your name could be respected and a legacy ensured. Instead your committee ignored the facts, embraced bias and rendered the report bearing your name, illegitimate.
You tried to defend yourself in the New York Times but it was transparent and not effective. You could have resigned from the commission and retained your integrity. You knew that Israel faced 12000 Grads and Kassams from its Iran backed terror base of Gaza, 8000 irreversibly traumatizing the families and children of Sderot. You knew that the U.N. never passed one resolution condemning these deadly missiles. You knew that before and during Operation Cast Lead Israel made thousands of cell phone calls to warn civilians. You knew that Israel sent housands of texts to warn civilians. You knew that Israel dropped hundreds of thousands of leaflets in Arabic (I managed to obtain one of these as evidence) to warn civilians. You knew that Israel aborted operations to avoid civilian deaths. You knew that Israel set up medical facilities on the edge of Gaza to treat civilians. You knew that Israel dropped supplies of food into Gaza to feed civilians.
You also knew that Hamas operatives are not "civilians". You knew that not only were they not civilians but that they hid behind their own civilians to fire on Israeli civilians. You knew that they misused ambulances for military purposes. You knew that mosques and schools were used for Hamas depots and launching pads. You knew that Hamas operatives kill or shoot at the legs of any Gazans refusing to target Israel.
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The video footage and U-tube sequences are still available for any and all of us to witness.
You clearly knew that one of your team members had condemned Israel in a published letter even before the conclusion of the incursio n or the beginning of your investigation. But you did not resign or distance yourself from the hypocrisy of this illegitimate report. Instead a tedious 500-page report of the 3 week battle was padded with pages from the tainted U.N. mockery of Israel's security barrier (misnamed the "wall"). What a sad indictment of the charter of the United Nations.
Richard, you were indeed a respected legal giant in Johannesburg. This report did not arise from ignorance or naivete. I am trying so hard to resist the conclusion that your role and report might represent a self-serving desire to ingratiate yourself for a more senior position in the kangaroo court called the United Nations. But if true-and one hopes that this is not the case-at what price? Association with the infamous U.N.
garners no respect in the USA so why would anyone seek to be head inmate at the U.N. Asylum?
I have been very direct as South Africans are want to be. But many of us South Africans have been tainted by the perfidy of the Goldstone report.
This is the Jewish time of Judgment when the scales of fate are entered in the book of life and we all need to look into our souls. I am not sure how you could comfortably extricate yourself. Perhaps we could discuss this face to face.
Good Yomtov to you, Noleen and your family.
Regards
Barbara Press Fix
I will post various ‘Meisa’s’ on the site over the next couple of days, and also go to ; http://www.stantgsm.com/list_info.php as there are a few Communal events coming up, and of course the WOW breakfast at Summer Place among the……got a few pictures of the Yom Kippur Storm in Klerksdorp……what a mess http://www.stantgsm.com/list_pics.php
Bit of a Sukkah ‘meisa’……
The Laws of the Sukkah according to Dr. Seuss
Rules of the Sukkah
You can build it very small (1)
You can build it very tall (2)
You can build it very large (3)
You can build it on a barge
You can build it on a ship (4)
Or on a roof but please don't slip (5)
You can build it in an alley (6)
You shouldn't build it in a valley (7)
You can build it on a wagon (8)
You can build it on a dragon (9)
You can make the skakh of wood (10)
Woud you, could you, yes you should
Make the skakh from leaves of tree..You shouldn't bend it at the knee (11)
Build your Sukkah tall or short …..No Sukkah is built in the Temple Court
You can build it somewhat soon…You cannot build it in the month of June (12)
If your Sukkah is well made ….. You'll have the right amount of shade (13)
You can build it very wide ……You can not build it on its side
Build if your name is Jim…….Or Bob or Sam or even Tim
Build it if your name is Sue (14) …. Do you build it, yes you do!
From the Sukkah you can roam…. But you should treat it as your home (15)
You can invite some special guests ….. Don't stay in it if there are pests
You can sleep upon some rugs ……… Don't you build it where there's bugs
In the Sukkah you should sit ….And eat and drink but never ...
If in the Sukkah it should rain … To stay there would be such a pain (16)
And if it should be very cold ……… Stay there only if you're bold
So build a Sukkah one and all ….. Make it large or make it small
Sukkah rules are short and snappy ….Enjoy Sukkot, rejoice be happy.
Footnotes:
1. Maimonides (RMBM) Mishne Torah, Hilchot Sukkah, Chapter 4, Section
1. The minimum height of a Sukkah is 10 tefachim. A tefach is a
measure of the width of the four fingers of one's hand. Some say a
tefach is 10cm. The minimum width and length of a Sukkah is a mere 7
tefachim.
2. The maximum height is 20 Amot. An Amah is the length from the elbow
to the tip of the middle finger. Let?s say an Amah is 60 cm.
3. According to RMBM the Sukkah can be built to a width of several
miles. Shulchan Aruch also says there is no limit on the size of the
width.
4. RMBM Hilchot Sukkah Chapter 4, Section 6.
5. RMBM Hilchot Sukkah Chapter 4, Section 11. RMBM states that one may
construct a Sukkah by wedging poles in the four corners of the roof
and suspending scakh from the poles. The walls of the building
underneath are considered to reach upward to the edge of the scakh. 6. RMBM Hilchot Sukkah Chapter 4, Section 8-10 discusses the ins and
outs of building your Sukkah in an alley or passageway.
7. There is a location referred to in the Talmud called Ashtarot
Karnayim. According to the discussion there are two hills, with a
valley in between where the Sun does not reach. Therefore it is
impossible to sit in the shade of the roof of the Sukkah. I can't find
the reference...hopefully next year.
8. RMBM Hilchot Sukkah Chapter 4, Section 6. You can go into a Sukkah
built on a wagon or a ship even on Yom Tov.
9. RMBM Hilchot Sukkah Chapter 4, Section 6. OK, RMBM says a camel but
dragon rhymes with wagon a lot better, don't you agree. Anyway, RMBM
says you can build your Sukkah on a wagon or in the crown of a tree,
but you can't go into it on Yom Tov. There is a general rule against
riding a beast or ascending into the crown of a tree on Yom Tov. 10. Chapter 5 deals with the rules for the scakh. Basically, you can
use that which has grown from the ground, and is completely detached
from the ground. So, for example, you cannot bend the branches of a
tree over the Sukkah to form the scakh. But you can cut the branches
from a tree and use them as scakh.
11. This would be a violation of the rule cited in the prior footnote. 12. Shulchan Aruch, Hilchot Sukkah, Perek 636, Section 1. The Sukkah
should not be built sooner than 30 days before the Hag. However, if
the structure is built prior to 30 days, as long as something new is
added within the 30 days, the Sukkah is kosher.
13. Of course it's a well known rule that you must sit in the shade
from the roof of the Sukkah and not in the shade that may be cast by
the walls. It seems that this might affect the height of the walls,
depending on the longitude of the location where you are building your
Sukkah.
14. Women and minors are technically exempt from the Mitzvah of
dwelling in the Sukkah. However, a Sukkah built by Sue is perfectly
kosher.
15. RMBM ibid Chapter 6, Section 6 explains that you should eat, drink
and live in the Sukkah for the 7 days as you live in your own home.
One should not even take a nap outside of the Sukkah.
16. RMBM ibid, Section 10. If it rains one should go into the house.
How does one know if it is raining hard enough? If sufficient
raindrops fall through the skhakh (roof covering) and into the food so
that the food is spoiled - go inside! Oeyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy….
FOR the MOST ‘Jacked up’ Yiddisher Wedding registry, ‘Gib A Kuk’ at ;
www.lechaim.co.za ………….Run by Young Yiddisher ‘Boychix’ ……
Mazeltov to Hayley & Yoav Kissos on the birth of their Princess this week….Mazeltov to Babbo Maxine , the the Zaida’s Simon & Alon and the Whole Mishpocha….
Mazeltov to Natalie (Katz) and Ian Lutrin on the birth of their first Princess this week…..The ‘Lutrin Clan’ have been chavers of mine for many years, and the Kindrlach were all at school together….mazeltov to Milton and the WHOLE Mishpocha………………
Mazeltov to Cindy (Reichman) & Marc (Nowitz) on their enegagement this week….Mazeltov to Jeff, Cindy’s Dad who I grew up with in the Sixties…Mazeltov to the whole ‘Mishpocha’……
Mazeltov to Michelle (Savitz) & David Freeman on their engagement this week……. Davids Dad Les, was at Highlands with me, and David & my Zunnelle Martin are Chaveirim…..and to his Mom Rene, whose wedding I did ‘Amolikke Yoren’…..To Michelle’s parents, Bev & Robert …Mazeltov….and of course to the whole Mishpocha……
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| MANTIS SECURITY TIP (Call 011- 487-1000) of the week; |
- It is very important to take a few moments and think about your walk home from Shul….
- The ‘Gunovim’ see well dressed Yidlach, BUT….do not realize that they are not carrying anything of value, and can attack you…….
- Always walk in groups and where ever possible, consult the Shul’s CSO to see if there are any patrol cars following members home……..
- No time to be a ‘HERO’, think before you start that walk……
- Have a Good Yomtov from Mark Kramer and his team at MANTIS SECURITY……..
- Be ‘Wakker’ & ‘StreetwiZe’ all the time…………
| Call; Mark Kramer @ MANTIS (011-487-1000) for advice and sign up and discuss it with his experienced staff. |
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Have a peaceful, restful Shabbos….…
From Stan and the Clan.
smookler@netactive.co.za
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The ‘Stan The Good Shabbos’ Joke Book is now available at Major Bookstores around the ‘Beloved Country’ and also on Kalahari.net …sooo get yours, and eventually when I have recovered my outlay, I can consider a second book….
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Please remember that the VORT comes in after the sign off, and is a self standing item…
Check out the new Archive Section
on the website where you can view past pictures from Engagements, Weddings, Anniversaries, Births, Bar Mitzvahs / Bat Mitzvahs, and many other Jewish Simchas |
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Parsha of The Week |
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Thanks to Rabbi Yossy Goldman, Sydenham Shul , C/O ‘Beloved Country’ for always giving divine wisdom with his “Vorts”…..
OF TOWERS & TABERNACLES
A Sukkot Message From Rabbi Yossy Goldman
Many moons ago, when downtown Johannesburg was still home to Jewish shopkeepers and office dwellers, I would organize the Central City Sukkah. The little booth stood at the foot of the Carlton Centre, a huge office and shopping complex, and provided food, refreshments and, of course, the Lulav and Etrog for many Jews in the district.
Once, I asked a photographer to take a shot of the Sukkah and the skyscraper. He had to use a rather sophisticated lens to get them both into one picture. Naturally, the Sukkah was dwarfed by the skyscraper. But I couldn’t help thinking that, in the end, the humble little Sukkah would outlast even the mightiest of skyscrapers.
Indeed, after 9/11 and the collapse of the world’s tallest towers, that feeling is even stronger.
There are two opinions in the Talmud as to what we commemorate when we build our Sukkah. One is that it recalls the Booths our ancestors built to shelter themselves from the burning desert sun after the Exodus from Egypt. The other, is that the Sukkah recalls not a physical shelter but the spiritual shelter provided by the Clouds of Glory, Hashem’s protective cover that shielded them from many harmful effects.
Rashi, in his commentary on the Bible, seems to favour the latter opinion of spiritual shelter rather than physical shelter. This seems to be corroborated by the Halacha in the Laws of Sukkah that if the Schach, the leafy covering is so thick that the rain cannot penetrate, then the Sukkah is actually invalid (posul).
It would seem, therefore, that the purpose of the Sukkah is to remind us wherein lies our true security. It is the protective cover of G-d, as symbolized by the Clouds of Glory rather than our own man-made shelters.
This is, in fact, the most important moral lesson we are meant to derive from the Sukkah. “Life is but a Sukkah,” a temporary dwelling, here today, gone tomorrow - “a fleeting dream,” as we said on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
Every year, in my sukkah at home, we sing an old Yiddish song called “Ah Sukkele ah Kleineh” – or, The Little Sukkah. It is the story of a dilapidated, barely standing sukkah that is being threatened by gale force winds. The wife and daughter of the house are petrified that any moment their sukkah will, G-d forbid, collapse. But the husband and father comforts them, reminding them that their little sukkah, a symbol of the ongoing Jewish Journey, with all the threatening winds of history, is still standing for over 2000 years. The sukkah becomes the symbol of the Jewish condition, frail and vulnerable but, inevitably indestructible. Somehow, by the grace of G-d, we survive come what may.
No winds can destroy the Jewish Sukkah. Our traveling tabernacle has given us shelter from the winds of change that swept through many continents over the centuries of Jewish journeys. When we remember that it is Hashem, the Guardian of Israel, who is our ultimate shelter and source of security, we find strength and serenity no matter what is howling outside.
May we all enter the Sukkah literally and figuratively and find the shelter and security
we all seek in the warm embrace of the small but impregnable Sukkah.
Chag Sameach. See you in the Sukkah.
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