בס״ד עֵ קֶ ב

In loving memory of Mordechai Avraham ben Nechemia z"l

Volume 34 | #41 “I shall provide rain for your land in its proper time, the early and the late rains, that you may gather in your 31 July 2021 grain, your and your oil” 22 Av 5781 ( 11:14) Shabbat ends: 10.00pm Sheffield 10.25pm Glasgow 10.52pm Edinburgh 10.47pm Birmingham 10.12pm Southport 10.34pm Hull 10.23pm 8.22pm

Please look regularly at the social media and websites of the US, Tribe and your community for ongoing updates relating to Coronavirus as well as educational programming and community support. You do not need to sign into Facebook to access the US Facebook page. The US Coronavirus Helpline is on 020 8343 5696. May God bless us and the whole world. INSIDE: The Third Place by Daniel Friedman

Eikev Shabbat Nachamu by Avigail Foldes Artscroll p.980 Hertz p.780 Soncino p.1032 Sir Montefiore by Ben Vos Artscroll p.1197 Hertz p.794 Sefer Shmuel Soncino p.1051 by Pnina Savery Daf Hashavua Sidra breakdown Identifying עֵ קֶ ב Eikev 3rd Sidra in: ‘the ’ ,by Rabbi Dr Harvey Belovski ּדְְבָרִ ים Devarim Golders Green United Synagogue

The Book of Devarim, to inherit the Land which the Lord By Numbers: Moshe’s valedictory promised to your ancestor”.(Devarim speech, contains many 8:1) 111 verses reminders about loyalty The identity of the ‘mitzvah’ 1,747 words to God and to the (singular) is unclear. Cryptically, . Moshe’s audience lived in a (d. 1105) interprets it 6,865 letters miraculous cocoon in which enemies according to its straightforward were vanquished and fell from meaning (ke’peshuto in Hebrew). the sky, yet they now had to wrest The super-commentaries assume Headlines: the Land from its inhabitants, resist that Rashi means either ‘the whole the lure of its indigenous religions Torah’ or the ‘entire corpus of Uniqueness and navigate the complexities of commandments’. Read either way, of the Land its rain-dependent agriculture. The according to Rashi, success in the transition would be arduous and not Land is contingent on the ’ of without its disappointments. commitment to observing the One such reminder appears near entire Torah. Indeed, in his Arabic the start of our sidrah: Tafsir, Rabbi Sa’adia Ga’on (d. 942) “The entire mitzvah I am translates the singular ‘mitzvah’ prescribing you today you must into the plural – ‘mitzvot’. Perhaps safeguard and perform, in order that (as is the case with some collective you will live and flourish and come nouns, especially when describing a

United Synagogue Daf Hashavua In loving memory of Tzemach ben Yisrael z"l Produced by US Living & Learning together with the Rabbinical Council of the United Synagogue Editor-in-Chief: Rabbi Baruch Davis Sidra Summary Editorial and Production Team: Rabbi Daniel Sturgess, Rabbi Michael Laitner, 1st Aliya () – Devarim 7:12-9:10 Rebbetzen Nechama Davis, Moshe encourages the Israelites to keep God’s commandments. This will allow Joanna Rose them to prosper in the Land and to be the most blessed of peoples. In the same Available also via email US website way that God took them out of , so too He will allow them to defeat the www.theus.org.uk ©United Synagogue Cana’anite nations. The nation must destroy the Cana’anites’ idols. Moshe To sponsor Daf Hashavua please entreats the Israelites to remember the 40 years in the desert, including the contact Danielle Fox on 020 8343 6261, eating of the manna. God will bring them into a Land with abundant resources, or [email protected] where they will lack nothing. If you have any comments or questions regarding Daf Hashavua please email [email protected] Point to Consider: Which mitzvah is derived from 8:10? huge number of discrete items) the Finally, the Seforno (Rabbi singular ‘mitzvah’ is also used as Ovadiah ben Ya’akov d. 1550) the plural. Another example of such observes that idolaters: a collective noun is the Rabbinic “…hope to achieve through usage of the word ‘’ to their temporal success in refer to the entire corpus of Oral three areas: longevity, children and , each fragment of which is resources”. itself called a ‘Mishnah’. Recognising that the Israelites Clearly addressing the same might be enticed into joining issue, the Chizkuni (Rabbi Chezekiah the Canaanite idolaters in their ben Manoach c.13th century) offers attempts to realise these primal a novel alternative. He observes needs, Moshe assures the Israelites that the verses previous to ours that observance of the mitzvot, warn against coveting “… the rather than idolatry, would enable and the upon [the idols] and them to attain them all: “In taking them for your-selves, lest order that you will live” refers to you entrap yourselves, for it is an longevity. “And flourish” refers to abomination to the Lord your God”. numerous children. “And come to (Devarim 7:25) inherit” refers to wealth and honour As such, the ‘mitzvah’ of our through inheriting the Land. verse refers not to the entire corpus of mitzvot, but specifically to the prohibition against coveting. The Chizkuni justifies this reading with reference to the subsequent verses, … according to which demand that we remember the vicissitudes of our 40-year Rashi, success journey through the desert to the Land, during which God cared for in the Land is our needs with manna and self- laundering clothes (Devarim 8:2-4). contingent on As the Chizkuni observes: “If your desires encourage you the Israelites’ to long for the silver and gold upon commitment to [the idols], trust in your Creator and remember the entire journey along observing the which He led you, when you had no need for silver and gold”. entire Torah.

2nd Aliya () – 8:11-9:3 Egypt, they repeatedly provoked God, initially with the sin Moshe warns the Israelites not to forget God once they of the golden calf, which Moshe now recalls in detail. He enter the Land. They should not fall into the trap of also reminds them of the sin of the spies. thinking that they inherited the Land thanks to their own efforts and merits; rather it was God who guided and 4th Aliya (Revi’i) – 10:1-11 protected them during the years in the desert. Failure to Moshe describes how he carved two new stone tablets, heed this lesson will result in exile from the Land. having broken the first set upon seeing the worship of the golden calf when descending Mount Sinai. In the 3rd Aliya (Shlishi) – 9:4-9:29 aftermath of the golden calf, the tribe of Levi was set The Israelites should remember that they are a “stiff- apart for its special functions of guarding the Ark and necked people” and they are not inheriting the Land serving God. because of their own righteousness. In fact, since leaving The Internet in Jewish Thought – Part One by Rabbi Moshe Freedman, New West End United Synagogue This October will mark its associated technologies have protect ourselves and others from the thirtieth anniversary affected our behaviour, including harm (Deuteronomy 4:9 and Berachot since Tim Berners-Lee the effect it has had on the way 32b). There are many practical published the first we forge relationships. From examples of the principles of health website, marking the beginning of online dating to Zoom meetings, and safety in the Torah, for example the World Wide Web. The original WhatsApp groups to Instagram, the commandment to build a maakeh purpose of his seminal work was social media has transformed our (guardrail) on a roof to prevent people to keep track of the projects and personal and professional lives from falling. Similarly, while the computer systems at CERN, the while revolutionising the internet has many benefits, there European Organization for Nuclear entertainment industry are risks as well. While Research’s largest particle physics with online streaming social media can be used research centre. and on-demand TV to connect friends and It is hard to remember what the programmes and films. share experiences world was like before the internet, While some Jewish with one another, it and it is hard to imagine what it would communities remain can also be exploited be like today without it. Humanity suspicious of the online by predators with has never had such unfettered world for fear of the nefarious objectives. Not access to a world of information, negative influence it could all material is appropriate and we have never had more ways have, most embrace the tremendous to view, and so much of the online of communicating with one another. opportunities the internet has to experience has a seductive and Alongside the invention of the printing offer as the most powerful tool at our addictive nature. press, the telephone and wireless disposal for sharing information and The way we use technology is one radio, the internet has certainly taken communicating with one another. of the greatest challenges humanity its place in the history of inventions The internet and the technologies faces in contemporary times. The final that have globally shaped humanity. that use it, such as computers and teaching in Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the From a Jewish perspective, smartphones, are neither inherently Fathers 6:11, Green Siddur p. 572) the internet with everything it good nor bad; like all tools, their states that “All that the Holy One, entails, yields several themes intrinsic value stems from how we blessed be He, created in His world, that merit discussion regarding use them. A chainsaw is very useful He created solely for His glory.” Every the collective effect it has on us, to a tree surgeon for coppicing trees, human invention – even the internet both in specific communities and but, left in the wrong hands, that – can be used for good, provided we within broader society. There are same instrument would be deadly. utilise it correctly in order to bring also issues of how the internet and The Torah demands that we glory to our Creator.

In memory of Moshe ben Avraham Zarach z"l

5th Aliya (Chamishi) – 10:12-11:9 6th Aliya (Shishi) – 11:10-21 Moshe urges the Israelites to fear and love God and to Moshe goes on to say that God always has “His eyes” on open their hearts to Him. Moshe recalls the miraculous the Land of Cana’an. He then tells them a passage which we Exodus from Egypt, the splitting of the Sea of Reeds and recite twice daily as the second paragraph of the Shema (see the earth swallowing and his rebels. green siddur, p.68). It spells out the benefits of fulfilling the commandments and the consequences of neglecting them. The mitzvot of tefilin, mezuzah and studying Torah are stated. Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak Hakohen Kook (1865-1935) – Part One by Rabbi Gideon Sylvester, US Israel Rabbi

My grandfather, Alec This was also the time when the Silvert, grew up on British was preparing to Sydney Street in the issue the Balfour Declaration in 1917 East End of London. declaring its support for a Jewish Sometimes, he would walk to the homeland in the . These Machzikei Hadas Synagogue in Brick efforts were hampered by some Lane to see the great scholar Rabbi of England’s most successful and Isaac Kook (“Rav Kook”), assimilated , who feared that doyen of Religious Zionism and future any association with Zionism might Chief Rabbi of the Land of Israel. leave them open to accusations Rav Kook was not a Londoner. He of dual loyalties, threatening their was born in 1865 in Lithuania and hard-earned positions in English studied at its great academies. society. Rav Kook was a passionate attacked Rav Kook for his From the age of twenty-three, he led Zionist who believed that a Jewish approach, but he would not give way. various communities in Lithuania, state would unleash the spiritual He had enormous love for humanity but he always dreamt of living in the potential of the Jewish people which in general and the Jewish people Land of Israel. He managed this in had been shackled by years of living in particular. “I would rather err by 1904 when he was appointed rabbi in foreign cultures. He was even being overly generous with my love of a community in Jaffa. But on a cited in a Parliamentary debate as an than sin by straying into unwarranted wartime trip to a rabbinic conference authoritative Jewish voice rejecting hatred”, he said. Moreover, he in Switzerland during the summer the objections to Zionism and admired the pioneers’ concern for the of 1914, he became stranded due to supporting the declaration. Jewish people and their passion for the outbreak of . Unable to return After the War, Rav Kook returned building the Jewish homeland which, home he initially went to St Gallen in to Jerusalem as rabbi of the city. ironically, he believed stemmed from Switzerland before he accepted a new Then, Sir Herbert , High a kind of religious energy. So, he position in London in 1916. Commissioner of Palestine, appointed visited the pioneers on their kibbutzim His three years in Britain were him Chief Rabbi of the entire Land and assisted them by appealing to momentous. With the end of World of Israel. In his new role, Rav Kook European colleagues to purchase the War One, Russia was demanding that distinguished himself by befriending pioneers’ etrogim for the festival of all Russian refugees return home. the secular pioneers who had been Sukkot. For the Russian Jews who had fled shunned by some other rabbis, who It was this deep love of God, His to London, this was unthinkable. Rav accused them of polluting the Holy people and its land that made Rav Kook intervened with the government Land with their very secular and Kook such a well-loved leader and a to prevent it. No Jew was sent back. even anti-religious lifestyles. These revered rabbi to this day.

In memory of Frida Mirel bat Chaim Simcha z"l

7th Aliya (Shevi’i) – 11:22-25 like a mother does not forget the of her womb, so Moshe urges the people to remember their Torah learning too God will never forget the Jews and will avenge those and to have a connection with Torah scholars (see Rashi). nations who have persecuted them. Yeshaya famously calls upon the Jews to be a “light unto the nations”. Haftarah Taken from the book of Yeshaya, this is the second of the seven ‘haftarot of consolation’ read after Tisha B’Av. Just Sefer Shmuel (the Book of Samuel) Chapter 2: Eli’s Sinful Sons by Pnina Savery, US Jewish Living Educator and Participant in the Chief Rabbi’s Ma’ayan Programme

Chapter 2 begins the wicked actions of Eli’s sons, same day. The family will not die with ten verses Pinchas and Chofni. They commit out, there will be a remnant, but they of praise and two categories of sins. Firstly, they will always suffer from early . thanksgiving from use the Mishkan (Sanctuary) service The messenger of God emphasises Chana to God. We to further their own interests, by that it is their failure to administer see here the greatness of Chana: not coercing the Jewish people who the Mishkan service properly which only is her heartfelt prayer for a child come to offer sacrifices to God into is the main sin they are to be in the previous chapter answered by giving larger portions than required punished for. This severe punishment God favourably, but she composes a to the priests. Secondly, they act represents the severity of their sins. beautiful song of gratitude for what immorally with women who work in In addition, it highlights the weak she has received. In her humility, she the vicinity of the Mishkan. spiritual leadership that exists at understands that her good fortune Eli does rebuke his sons, although the start of the period of Sefer is down to the chesed (kindness) it seems too little and too late. Three Shmuel. If we remember the chaos of God, rather than her own worth. times he repeats the word “hear” and anarchy that defined the period This teaches us the importance implying that he is responding to of the shofetim (), we can see of the three elements that make rumours that he has heard, rather that the lack of strong leadership up our prayer: praise, request and than something that he has taken is still a problem. When the text thanksgiving. the time to investigate properly. In contrasts Shmuel with the family of The middle section of the chapter response, the sons “did not hearken” Eli, it is showing us that the describes Shmuel as he grows up, to his weak reprimand (1 Shmuel Shmuel will fill this void. Whilst this alongside the story of Eli the Kohen 2:24-25). story is tragic, we have hope that Gadol (High Priest) and his wayward In the final section of the chapter, the situation will improve under the sons. Shmuel is described positively. God sends word to Eli that his house future guidance and leadership of the The final verse of the section states: will be cut off from the priesthood righteous Shmuel, son of a righteous “And the child Shmuel continued and his sons will both die on the woman, Chana. to grow in the esteem of God and man” (1 Shmuel 2:26). Eli is so impressed with Shmuel that he prays on Chana’s behalf, and she continues It is fascinating how the text to have more children: another three sons and two daughters. contrasts the righteous The structure of this passage places great emphasis on Shmuel’s character of Shmuel, even as a character. It is fascinating how the text child, with the wicked actions of contrasts the righteous character of Shmuel, even as a child, with Eli’s sons, Pinchas and Chofni. In memory of Devorah bat Avraham z"l The free on-demand video platform from the United Synagogue

PRAYER CURRENT AFFAIRS JEWISH LEARNING ENTERTAINMENT

Visit www.TheUS.tv