Parashat Ki Tavo
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Rabbi’s Drosh
There is a very special practice in the lead up to Rosh Hashannah - Selichot.
Selichot are special prayers for forgiveness which are recited to appeal to Hashem to have compassion on us during this powerful time of year. They are recited on the Saturday night before Rosh Hashannah (or the previous Saturday night if - like this year - there are less than three days between Saturday and Rosh Hashannah).
The main reason for this is the line from one of the prayers themselves. “After the departure of the Sabbath, we approach You [in prayer,] incline Your ear from on high, You Who are enthroned upon praises, [and] hear our cry and our prayer!”.
Most Jewish communities also continue reciting Selichot throughout the Ten Days of Repentance (Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur).
One beautiful story about the origins of Selichot talks about King David realising that the Temple would be destroyed and appealing to Hashem. King David asked Hashem how the people could be forgiven and was told that they would recite the Selichot and the 13 Attributes of Mercy and be forgiven.
If you would like to read the Selichot in English or in Hebrew click on the link below.
This Shabbat we were meant to have the pleasure of hearing Morris read the Haftorah in Shul. Unfortunately, we cannot attend services at level 4, but join us on Friday Night Live where we will hear the Haftorah alongside our regular programme.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Friedler
The Friedlers’ Highlights
Full Steam Ahead Online
Thanks to the power of Zoom, Google, and Whatsapp, we have been able to go ahead with almost all our meetings and classes this week! Thank you to you all for your patience and flexibility as we have switched from face-to-face to online!
Virtual Shofar for Preschool
Normally during the month of Elul I am in the Preschool almost every school day to blow the Shofar for our young friends. This year we have had to do it virtually. To learn a little about the Shofar and hear the call click on the link below.
GROW! Jewish Ideas for Personal Development Class
Thank you to all the ladies who joined Deb for the Jewish Women’s Learning Class of stories, examples and practical tips for developing ourselves in lockdown and the lead up to the High Holy days.
Rabbi’s Class - Joseph and Rosh Hashannah
We had a fascinating and totally different look at the story of Joseph and his brothers. The class included insights into Rosh Hashannah and the power for Teshuva. Part 1 is available via the link below and then Part 2’s link is available in the comments.
Friday Night Live
Lovely to see so many children joining us at the family-friendly 4.30pm Friday Night Live! A special thank you to Alan Brown for his beautiful music and singing and to Mike Silverman for administering Zoom.
Drive Through Vaccination
Deb got her first shot this week at one of the drive through vaccination centres and Rabbi is coming up for his second shot.
It is great to hear how many of our members are already vaccinated.
If any members are concerned about getting the vaccine, please feel free to contact the Rabbi to discuss vaccinations from a Jewish perspective.
Rabbinical Council of Australasia and COVID19 Halacha
This week we joined with close to 50 colleagues from Australasia as we learned about the Jewish perspectives on COVID19.
We had the opportunity to learn about various halachic perspectives with Harav Hagaon Rabbi Hershel Schachter Shli”ta who was a student of the great Rabbi Soloveitchik.