Question of the Week:
The terrorist massacre in Jerusalem has hit all of us hard. There are now 5 more widows, 24 more orphans. It just seems to reinforce the hopelessness of this conflict. Will it ever end? Is there any hope? How are we going to win this?
Answer:
The Jewish nation stands together in mourning yet again. Those holy brothers, who returned to their souls to their Maker while in the midst of prayer, will join the long list of innocent martyrs throughout the ages whose lives were cruelly taken from them for no other reason than that they are Jews.
But there was another type of martyr in this attack, an Israeli policeman by the name of Zidan Saif. He heroically entered the synagogue after hearing that terrorist were on a killing rampage inside, and though he was a traffic police, ill-equipped for such a mission, he saved hundreds of lives. But Zidan himself was shot and died of his wounds. leaving behind a wife and seven month old daughter.
Zidan is a hero of Israel. But Zidan was not Jewish. He was an Arab. Although ethnically he was closer to the terrorists than their Jewish victims, ideologically he couldn't be further away from them.
Zidan was a member of the Druze community, a monotheistic religious group that emerged from Islam but differs from Islam in many ways. One is that the Druze preach loyalty to their host country, wherever they live. In Israel, they serve in the army and many Druze, like Zidan, have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.
The Druze revere Jethro, Moses' father in law, as their major prophet. Curiously, Jewish tradition teaches that after Jethro converted to Judaism, he did not accompany the Israelites on their journey to the Promised Land, but returned to his own people to teach them Torah. There is no record in Jewish writings of how successful he was in spreading the message of Moses. But perhaps the Druze are the fruits of his efforts. To this day, they uphold the seven laws of Noah, the Torah's moral code for all humanity.
Zidan's story makes it clear that the battle in Israel is not about race, it is not about land, it is about ideology. There is one ideology that all over the world refuses to live peaceably with others. That is radical Islam.
The Talmudic tradition records a chilling prophecy about the end of time, when the children of Yishmael - the Arabs - will afflict horrible pain on the children of Israel. But the very name Yishmael means "G-d will hear." G-d will hear the cry of the victims and respond, and that's when Moshiach will come.
We need to pray. Pray for the victims, cut short in the middle of their prayers. Pray for their bereaved families, that G-d should hear their cries. Pray that our leaders have the strength and clarity to fight this battle to its end. And pray that Moshiach should come now.
Zidan was laid to rest, surrounded by his Druze brethren and hundreds of black-hatted Jews who came to pay respect to a righteous gentile. In the midst of this tragedy, we must hold on to this display of unity among people of different religions, serving G-d side by side with mutual respect. A small light can dispel a lot of darkness. Goodness will win.
Good Shabbos,
Rabbi Moss
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Don't miss this rare opportunity to pick up a beautiful piece from a famous Jewish artist. There will be 18 pieces on sale, including Chagalls, all elegantly framed and ready to grace your walls. The proceeds from the sale will be donated to the Nefesh Building Fund. A huge thank you to Levi and Sarah Weisz who have kindly arranged the sale to benefit the shul, and thanks to Richie Harkham of Harkham wines for the drinks.
NEW SERIES
Meaningful Motherhood presents
THE WHOLESOME KITCHEN
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SERVICES AT NEFESH
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SHABBOS SERVICES
Friday Night, 21 November 2014
Candle Lighting: 7:23pm (*Not before 6:13pm)
Mincha: 6:00pm
Shabbos Service: 6:30pm followed by Kiddush
Shabbos Day 22 November | 29 Cheshvan
Parshas Toldos
The Chassidic Parsha Class: 9.00am
Shabbos Service:10:00am-12:15pm followed by Kiddush/Lunch sponsored by the Morris family.
Mincha:7:20pm
Shabbos ends and Maariv: 8:24pm
MOLAD/ NEW MOON: SHABBOS 22 NOVEMBER | 29 CHESHVAN | 9:46:17AM
ROSH CHODESH KISLEV: SUNDAY 23 NOVEMBER
WEEKDAY SERVICES
Shacharis Sunday: 8:00 am, Mon - Fri 7am
Latest Shema this week: 9:10 am
CHASSIDUS CLASS
Monday 8:00-8:45am
TANYA CLASS
Monday 8:00pm- 9:15pm
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO
Peter & Richelle Goldshaft for 28 Cheshvan/ 21 November
HAPPY JEWISH BIRTHDAY TO
Arlene Schwartz for 30 Cheshvan / 22 November
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