From the Rabbi
DEVAR TORAH - Vayeitsei 5786
We are delighted to wish Mazal Tov this week to Emma Barripp and Lawrence Rom on their forthcoming wedding, which we are celebrating in Shule with a Shabbat Kallah. Mazel Tov to their parents Judy and Stephen and Bernice and Mervyn, and to all their family and friends.
Jaquerli and Gilad Serafim are kindly hosting the Shabbat Schmooze at their home this Shabbat afternoon. We will meet in the lobby of 343 Pitt Street and 7:15pm and we will celebrate the 78th anniversary of the UN Partition Plan that established the legitimacy of the State of Israel, with a talk by Oved Lobel, Policy Analyst at AIJAC. There will be Mincha, refreshments, Maariv and Havdalah and all are warmly welcome.
When Jacob rested overnight during his flight from Esav, he set rocks around his head to protect himself as he slept. According to a Rabbinic Midrash, the stones began to argue amongst themselves about who should have the honour to support Jacob's head. God resolved the argument by turning them into one stone. So, we find, the text of the Torah reports several stones at night but only one stone in the morning.
What is this Midrash trying to convey? We live in a world of multiplicity. All around us we see separation and difference, but at the heart of the universe is unity, the oneness of God. Unity is different to superiority. We do not say that God is the best or the biggest one, in truth He is the only One.
Jacob is the Patriarch who symbolises the connection between the One God and the disparate universe. He had four partners, and produced thirteen children, but the result was just one Jewish People. He had two names: Jacob and Israel but was one man with a single spiritual mission. Jacob dreamt of a ladder with many rungs and angels, but connecting just one heaven and one earth. He fought Esav for many years but ultimately reconciled with him.
It was impossible for Jacob to surround his head with several stones and for them to remain separated. His mission was to create unity where previously there had been division, and this is symbolised in the Midrash by their unification, to support his head, through which he guided all his thoughts and actions.
That is why for the first time in Jewish history, there are no sidelined or discarded children. There are plenty of fights and arguments, as we will see in the forthcoming parshiyot, but the essential unity of the Jewish People was maintained. Whenever that had been undermined, it has been regarded as a national calamity. The loss of the Ten Tribes in the Kingdom of Israel when the Assyrians conquered them has never been forgotten, and there are still hopes that they will return. In the eighteenth century when the extreme sect, the Frankists converted to Catholicism, the Baal Shem Tov still grieved them, and said 'no matter how diseased a limb may be, while it remains attached there is still hope. Once it is cut off, we know that a cure is impossible'. One of our jobs is to maintain the unity of the Jewish People and be true successors of our ancestor Jacob.
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From The Senior Vice President
It's been such a joy to be part of our congregation growing and finding more ways to connect with one another over the past few years - whether it's through learning, social gatherings, or simply sharing a meaningful Kiddush. There's a real sense of momentum at The Great, and I'm so proud to be part of it.
For our women, last week's Rosh Chodesh shiur was a real highlight. Expertly led by Hinda Young, over 20 women stayed on after Kiddush for a session that was not only educational but also inspiring, practical, and deeply meaningful. It was such a beautiful way to connect, and due to its success, we'll now be holding monthly Rosh Chodesh shiurim for women. I encourage women of all ages to come along - you'll be warmly welcomed.
Of course, that's just one of many communal events happening at The Great.
Over summer, we're running our Summer Shmooze series - casual Saturday early evening gatherings in local homes with inspiring speakers. This week, we're grateful to Gilad and Jaquerli for opening their home as we welcome Oved Lobel, Policy Analyst at the AIJAC, who will lead a discussion on "The UN Partition Plan: 78 Years On."
We're also continuing our very successful monthly Shabbat lunches. The next one is on 13 December, featuring guest speaker Peter Wertheim AM, Co-CEO of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, speaking on "Tackling the Challenges Facing the Australian Jewish Community."
Chanukah activities for the whole family will be held on 18 and 19 December, with more details coming soon.
On top of that, we have coffee clubs and community groups for both men and women. There really is something for everyone at The Great. The best news is that most of our events are free to attend, thanks to the generosity of our members.
Shabbat Shalom and I look forward to seeing more of you at more of our events.
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