Question of the Week:
I have a question for you ..... it's a little trivial but here goes anyway....
A non-Jewish colleague refuses to say 'Bless-you' after I sneeze. He says it's because I am Jewish. Where did the 'bless you' ritual originate from and is it purely a Christian thing? What is the Jewish equivalent?
Answer:
Your friend may have a point. The bless you response to a sneeze was enacted by one of the popes during the bubonic plague. So it definitely has non-Jewish undertones.
But long before that, Jews blessed each other upon sneezing. The Talmud records that in the earlier generations, people didn't get sick before they died. They simply sneezed and their souls left their bodies. So it was customary to wish a sneezer "To Life!", for fear that their sneeze was a herald of death.
Things changed in the times of our forefather Jacob. He prayed that one should rather get sick some time before dying, in order to have a little warning and time to prepare for leaving this world. His request was granted, and so sneezing no longer meant impending death. But it still could be a symptom of illness. And so the custom became to wish a sneezer good health - Assuta in Aramaic, Tzu gezunt in Yiddish, or Labriyut in modern Hebrew.
Fascinatingly, one source says that after being blessed with health, the sneezer himself should respond to the one who blessed him "Bless you!" (Baruch tihyeh in Hebrew). Another interesting note: the sages taught that one does not respond to a sneeze while in the middle of studying Torah. Torah study is too holy to be interrupted, and anyway its power will protect the sneezer from all harm.
Indeed these days most people survive a sneeze without any major consequences. But that doesn't mean we should no longer wish each other good health. Words have power. The more we bless each other the better. A sneeze is as good an excuse as any to bless someone.
G-d bless you,
Rabbi Moss
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NEW SERIES
Meaningful Motherhood presents
THE WHOLESOME KITCHEN
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Rabbi Yossi and Rivky Shuchat will be hosting two information evenings for new families for prospective new families interested in the JEMs program. Many of our Nefesh families already attend the wonderful JEMs programs, and we encourage you to check it out!
This will be a great opportunity for you to:
▪ Find out what JEMs is and our philosophy
▪ Find out about the enrolment process
▪ Meet Rabbi Yossi and other new parents
▪ Ask any questions you may have
▪ Receive the best choice of days
▪ Hear about government payments
Rose Bay area
When: Monday 17 November 8:00 for an 8:15PM start
Where: Home of Justin and Avril Jacobson, 24 Lyons St, Dover Heights
RSVP: Text Avril on 0409 836 663 or text Rivky on 0450-424-770 or [email protected]
Maroubra area
When: Wednesday 19 Nov 8:00 for an 8:15 PM start
Where: Pacific Square Physiotherapy, Level 1 Pacific Square Shopping Centre, Maroubra Junction (level 1, opposite Fitness First and next to the Maroubra Medical Centre)
Hosted by: Aylene Fine and Nicky McLellan
RSVP: Text Aylene on: 0404 328 663 or text Rivky on 0450-424-770 or [email protected]
2 Hour Free parking: In the centre, access from Boyce Rd or Maroubra Road
SERVICES AT NEFESH
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SHABBOS SERVICES
Friday Night, 14 November 2014
Candle Lighting: 7:16pm (*Not before 6:07pm)
Mincha: 6:00pm
Shabbos Service: 6:30pm followed by Kiddush
Shabbos Day 15 November | 22 Cheshvan
Parshas Chayei Sorah
The Chassidic Parsha Class: 9.00am
Shabbos Service:10:00am-12:15pm followed by Kiddush sponsored by Stuart Shaw in honour of his birthday- Mazal Tov!
Mincha:7:10pm
Seudah Shlishis in honour of the call up and wedding of Michael Stern and Sophie Lambert - Mazal Tov!
Shabbos ends and Maariv: 8:16pm
WEEKDAY SERVICES
Shacharis Sunday: 8:00 am, Mon - Fri 7am
Latest Shema this week: 9:11 am
CHASSIDUS CLASS
Monday 8:00-8:45am
TANYA CLASS
Monday 8:00pm- 9:15pm
SAVE THE DATE: NEXT SHABBOS DAY 22 NOVEMBER FARBRENGEN AFTER SHUL - ALL WELCOME!
WE WISH LONG LIFE TO
Anne Sarzin who has yorzeit this coming week for: her late husband Dr Barney Sarzin on 23 Cheshvan/ 16 November, late aunt Elise Kaplan on 27 Cheshvan/ 20 November and late uncle Dr Isadore Kaplan on 27 Cheshvan/ 20 November.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO
Michelle & Jeremy Saunders for 23 Cheshvan/ 16 November
HAPPY JEWISH BIRTHDAY TO
Simon Cohen for 23 Cheshvan/ 16 November
If you have a life cycle event not listed here, we don't have your info. Please email [email protected] to update us.