Parashat Vayishlach
Rabbi’s Drosh
In this week’s Parasha we see Yaacov and Esav finally meet after 20 years and make peace.
When Yaacov prepared for this encounter with Esav with gifts, prayers and worst-case scenario preparing for war.
When they finally meet, we read that Yaacov introduced 11 of his children. Rashi asks the question Where was Dina? Rashi quotes the Midrash that Yaacov placed her in a box so that Esav would not fix his eye on her and want to marry her.
Yaacov wanted to protect Dina from Esav but the Midrash criticises Yaacov for doing this because Dina may have been able to influence Esav to repent and come back to the right path.
How careful should we be with what we expose ourselves and our children to?
As we are coming up to summer and school holidays, our children and grandchildren have more free time than usual. We want to protect them but on the other hand we can’t just ‘put them in a box’ wrapped up in bubble wrap.
A righteous woman like Dina could have been a great influence on Esav, and yet there is also a message here that we all need to be wary of bad influences. As we approach Channukah, we can see the way the Jews had to find this balance with the influence of Greek culture which imposed a huge threat to the survival of Jewish culture.
In all these examples, the challenge is the same. We need to find the right balance between protection and exposure.
This shabbat we celebrate Liorah's Bat Mitzvah! Mazel Tov to the Keren and Gooding families!
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Friedler
The Friedlers’ Highlights
Honouring Rabbi Lord Sacks
Thank you to all the team involved in Sunday’s ceremony. It was a real privilege for Deb, Hillel and I to be part of it. I spoke about the Rabbi, his time in New Zealand and special message to Hillel in his final days. Deb gave a tribute to Lady Elaine and Hillel lit a memorial candle in his honour.
Zooming into Edgeware, London
This week we joined the community in Edgeware via Zoom as the Rabbi was invited to present to the morning ‘minyan‘. To hear an excerpt of the Rabbi’s talk about performing a brit during COVID19 restrictions and what the Talmud tells us about the limitations and leniencies, click below.
A Week of Minyanim
Thanks to our minyan supporters who enabled us to have two extra minyanim this week on top of our regular three.
If you will be in Auckland over summer and can help be a ‘minyan man‘ while many of the community are away, then please contact the Rabbi.
Catching Up with Rabbi Tal
It was a pleasure to have Rabbi Tal from the WJCC in Welligton here in Auckland on Monday. We collaborate on various projects together and it is always a pleasure to meet face-to-face.
Our current focuses are on Kosher Kiwi and working with the Sydney Beit Dinn to overcome COVID19 limitations to conversion.
Haftorah Club Commences
A huge Kol HaKavod to Many Harris for this exciting initiative and thank you to Natanya Da Costa for feeding the hungry Haftorah learners.
Come support our club members each Saturday morning as they share their new skills by reading the weekly Haftorot!
Tours for St Peter’s Boys
This week we welcomed groups of St Peter’s students through three tours of the Auckland Hebrew Congregation as they learned about Judaism and our community.
Here the boys gather round to see one of our Torah scrolls and hear the Torah being read.
Learning with Purpose
A fascinating look into Yaacov (Jacob) and his journeys! You can join hear the class via the link below. This week the Rabbi’s Class learning was dedicated in loving memory of Desiree Gelbart’s late mother and to give strength to Caroline in childbirth.