בס״ד רֹאׁש ROSH הַ ּׁשָ ָ נ ה HASHANA In loving memory of Harav Yisrael ben Eliyahu

Volume 34 | #46 7 September 2021 1 Tishrei 5782

Rosh Hashana, 7th & 8th, September 2021, 1 & 2 Tishrei 5782

Candle Lighting London times: A long-lasting candle and the candles for the first night Shana Tova from of Rosh Hashana, Monday 6th September, should be lit by 7.21pm. the US and the Candles for the second night of Rosh Hashana, Tuesday 7th September, should be lit Daf Hashavua after 8.22pm from the long- lasting candle. team Rosh Hashana ends in London on Wednesday 8th September at 8:19pm

Jerusalem Times: A long-lasting candle and the candles for the first night of Rosh Hashana, Monday 6th September, should be lit by 6.16pm. Candles for the second night of Rosh Hashana, Tuesday 7th September, should be lit after 7.32pm from the long- INSIDE: Please look regularly at the lasting candle. social media and websites Rosh Hashana ends in What can we learn of the US, Tribe and your Jerusalem on Wednesday community for ongoing updates 8th September at 7.31pm from our by Chief Ephraim Mirvis relating to Coronavirus as well as educational programming Tzom Gedalia (the Fast and community support. of Gedalia), Thursday 9th When ‘Stacey Dooley You do not need to sign September, into Facebook to access the 3 Tishrei 5782 Sleeps Over’ came to US Facebook page. The US London: starts at 4.41am, Coronavirus Helpline is on ends at 8.11pm Woodford Forest 020 8343 5696. Jerusalem: starts at 5.06am, by Rabbi Mordechai and Rebbetzen Blima May God bless us and the ends at 7.23pm Wollenberg whole world. Daf Hashavua Welcome to the Rosh Hashana 5782 edition of Daf Hashavua by Rabbi Baruch Davis, Chigwell & Hainault , Daf Hashavua Editor-in-Chief

Since the first Covid Tribe team and Rebbetzen Kezia Levin, again during the chazan’s repetition? lockdown began in as well as an historical article on Tzom Rabbi Sacks gave a powerful answer, March last year, I am Gedalia and its message of hope by conveying one of the fundamental very gratified to say that Rabbi Dov Kaplan and a checklist elements of : the we have managed to for the new year from Rabbi Gideon blasts before Musaf fulfil the produce a Daf online version every Sylvester. obligation of individuals to hear the single week, often under challenging Last November, we were shocked shofar, but the shofar blasts during circumstances. More recently we have and deeply distressed by the untimely Musaf fulfil the obligation of each resumed producing hard copies, four passing of Rabbi Sacks zt’l and we are individual as part of the community as weeks at a time. I’d like to thank our still reeling from the loss. Rabbi Sacks a whole. A community is not simply outstanding Editorial & Production was a mentor and guide to many a collection of individuals but much Team for making this possible: and rebbetzens around the more. Rabbi Michael Laitner, Rabbi Daniel world, but especially within the United Rabbi Sacks explained that, we are, Sturgess, Rebbetzen Nechama Davis Synagogue, and we have run many as it were, saying to God: “Even if You and Joanna Rose, along with the Tribe programmes during this year where can’t forgive us as individuals, forgive Page Team: Rabbi Nicky Goldmeier, we have shared his teachings. us as a people”! Rebbetzen Shira Chalk and Paul With the permission of the Rabbi Perhaps before the era of Covid, we Solomons. Our grateful thanks also Sacks Legacy Trust and the Jewish focused too much on those members to graphic designer Richard Herman, Chronicle, we have included an extract who were coming to shul, and not and, of course, to all our writers, from an article which Rabbi Sacks enough on those who stayed away. without whom there could be no Daf wrote for the Jewish Chronicle just The closing of our shuls meant that, Hashavua! before Rosh Hashana 1994, about the ironically, we reached out directly In this special edition, we welcome symbolism of the shofar. to ALL members. Even last Rosh the Chief Rabbi’s article about the Last year, Chief Rabbi Ephraim Hashana with our shuls open but timeless recipe for Jewish continuity, Mirvis invited Rabbi Sacks to address many members staying away, we took Rabbi Mordechai Wollenberg shares rabbis and rebbetzens just before the shofar to them. a thought-provoking idea with us Rosh Hashana, for what turned out As we re-open, the challenge for following the charming television to be the last time, where he spoke each one of us will be to find the programme featuring his family and about another aspect of shofar: the balance between our own individual Rabbi Rafi Goodwin poignantly reflects mitzvah itself. He asked the question spiritual and physical needs as well on the horrific attack that he endured of the (Rosh Hashana 16b): as those of the community. May we on Erev Shavuot. seeing that we blow 30 notes before choose wisely. We also carry several articles for Musaf, we have performed the mitzva. May God bless us all with a good our younger members, courtesy of the Why then do we blow the shofar and sweet year.

United Synagogue Daf Hashavua Produced by US Living & Learning together with the Rabbinical Council of the United Synagogue Editor-in-Chief: www.theus.org.uk Rabbi Baruch Davis ©United Synagogue 2021

Editorial and Production Team: To sponsor Daf Hashavua please contact Danielle Rabbi Daniel Sturgess, Fox on 020 8343 6261, or [email protected] Rabbi Michael Laitner, Rebbetzen Nechama Davis, If you have any comments or questions regarding Joanna Rose Daf Hashavua please email [email protected] What can we learn from our High Holy Days about the recipe for Jewish continuity? by Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis

Just before he passed fish, to wear their identity with pride. away, Jacob our This is a major lesson of our High If our children Patriarch summoned his Holy days. On Rosh Hashana, we see in us no more grandchildren, Ephraim read about the trials of Abraham, the and Menashe, born to founder of our faith, who brought truth than a superficial Joseph and Osnat in Egypt. As they and sanctity into a world of idolatry or intermittent sat before their saintly grandfather, he and sacrilege. It may not have been searched, at this poignant moment, easy or fashionable, but Abraham was commitment to our for appropriate words with which to committed to a life of service to God. bless them; words that would inspire Similarly, on we read in Judaism, then there them and all future generations to the Book of Jonah of his confrontation is every chance retain their Jewish identity against with a group of sailors. He had initially all odds. attempted to flee from his sacred that their own Jacob declared: “May they prophetic mission, but the sailors had multiply like fish in the midst of determined that he was responsible Jewish identity will the land.” (Bereishit 48:16). What for the cataclysmic storm they were be superficial and supremely important message did he experiencing. Desperate to discover wish to convey through this blessing? the identity of this enigmatic stranger, intermittent The classic explanation is that fish they posed four questions to him: multiply rapidly and thus are a symbol “What is your occupation? Where do This is a timeless recipe for Jewish of continuity, but the Midrash gives a you come from? What is your country? continuity. If our children see in us no very different answer. Of the two signs From what people are you?” Jonah more than a superficial or intermittent of a kosher animal, cloven hooves and replied with one simple statement: “I commitment to our Judaism, then chewing of the cud, one is revealed am a Hebrew, and I fear the Lord God there is every chance that their own and one is hidden. Yet, the two signs of Heaven, who made the sea and the Jewish identity will be superficial of a kosher fish - fins and scales – dry land.” (Jonah 1:8,9) and intermittent. Yet, if they see in are both visible. Jacob wanted his As far as Jonah was concerned, us unbridled pride in our identity, grandchildren and all subsequent every significant element of his uncompromising commitment to generations to know that if they were life, his comings and goings, his and mitzvot and the joy of being part to successfully contend with the occupation and his identity, were of a vibrant Jewish community, then challenges that each successive era encapsulated in one single fact: “I am they will treasure their identity just as would bring, they would need, like a Jew and I’m proud of it.” we have.

In loving memory of Harav Yitzchak Yoel ben Shlomo Halevi In 1994, then Chief Rabbi Sacks wrote in the Jewish Chronicle, that the Jewish people was at a critical stage in its quest for continuity. This article has been edited for Daf Hashavua with the permission of the Rabbi Sacks Legacy Trust and the Jewish Chronicle. Shofar’s message of return and renewal by Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks zt’l

MANY YEARS ago, I him since. The period from Rosh than of being lost. Teshuvah means spent Rosh Hashana Hashana to Yom Kippur is called finding your way back home again. with a Chasidic group the aseret yemei teshuvah, the The shofar on Rosh Hashana in New York. Staying Ten Days of Penitence. Teshuvah is surely just that: a call to come with me was a man means, however, not "penitence," home. To the Jewish imagination, in his 40s who had not been to but "returning," retracing our steps, the ram's horn means many things. synagogue since childhood. I asked coming home. It was the sound of him what had brought him there. He In that single word is one of revelation at Mount told me the following story. the deepest aspects of Jewish Sinai. It was the He was born, and had been spirituality. For the Torah, a sin is accompaniment of educated, as a Jew. He had been not merely a wrong committed battle in Joshua's day. to cheder, where his teacher taught against God; it is a dislocation, For Amos and him Chasidic songs. In his teens, behaviour that is out of place. An Ezekiel, it was a he had drifted away. He became a averah is a "transgression" of the siren of warning. For writer of pop songs — a successful moral boundaries of the world. the sages, it recalled one. But in the past few years he Chet, a "sin," means an act which Abraham's supreme had increasingly sensed a void in has missed its mark, as an arrow trial on Mount Moriah his life, as if he felt that this way of misses its target. when, after the binding life was not, after all, what he was One who acts in ways that do of Isaac, he offered a meant to be. not belong eventually finds that he ram caught in a bush by One day, he had been reading does not belong. That is why, in its horn. But for Jeremiah a paper and had seen a reference the Torah, the punishment for sin and the authors of our daily to the forthcoming Jewish High is exile. Adam and Eve were exiled prayers, the "great shofar" Holydays. He told me that, at that from Eden. The Israelites were is the sound summoning moment, the songs of his childhood exiled from their land. When we exiles to return, the music of came back to him and, in a flash of act in ways that do not belong, we homecoming. insight, he knew that he was being place ourselves outside the laws Towards the end of his life, called back to where he belonged. and traditions that make us who Moses gathered the Israelites That was why he had made the we are. and expounded to them his vision journey here. He had tried to forget, We become alienated, strangers of the Jewish future. He foresaw but now he could not help but to all that once rooted us as part of that the Israelites would indeed remember. He was a Jew. a family, a community, a people and enter and possess the land. But that Reflecting on what these days its history. The most characteristic would be only the beginning, not are about, I have often thought of sense of sin is less one of guilt the end, of their spiritual journey. In loving memory of Chaya Rachel bat Moshe Ben-tzion They would prosper, and in chronicles of human history, there For, in our heart of hearts, we their new-found affluence they is no parallel to the return to Zion: know that to be Jewish is more would lose touch with the core of a nation reconstituted after 2,000 than to be a member of an ethnic their existence. They would forget years of dispersion, the language group. It is to be an heir to the most God, acquire the pagan habits of the Bible resurrected as a living remarkable spiritual destiny ever of their neighbours, and begin to tongue, the landscape of our origins conferred upon a nation. disintegrate as a people. turned once again into a Jewish It is to belong to a people who They would suffer military home. staked their lives on a vision of a disaster and be forced into exile. In the short term, Israel has society which practised justice and There they would be treated as been the country that waged war compassion, charity and equity, pariahs and come close to despair. to survive. In the medium term, it which valued education, the family But they would return. They would has been the country that makes and communal responsibility and turn back to God, who would turn peace. But in the long term, it is which strove to "perfect the world back to them, and "from the furthest the home of the Jewish spirit — under the sovereignty of God." corners of heaven" they would be and that is its next and greatest That is what sustained our brought back to their land. challenge. ancestors, and it is what drives our Nothing more precisely defines In the diaspora, too, we have quest for continuity. This instinctive the unfinished business of the become secularised, more so knowledge is what speaks to us on Jewish people today than this. For than any other faith community. these holy days. Moses, as for the whole of Jewish That is why I set in motion the As a people, we have passed spirituality, the word teshuvah, Decade of Jewish Renewal, and through many traumas this past "return," carried a double sense. why the United Synagogue has century: anti-Semitism, the It meant physical return to a land, led the movement to make our Holocaust, anti-Zionism and and spiritual return to a congregations more accessible and Israel's wars. Inevitably, they vocation. welcoming. have deflected our attention. As a people, When physical survival is at we have stake, spiritual concerns tend to returned to For, in our heart of take second place. But we have our land. hearts, we know reached a critical breathing-space, In the when we can survey what has that to be Jewish happened to us and what yet is more than to be needs to be done if we are to fulfil the hopes posterity has vested in a member of an us, the generation of return. For those with an ear for history, ethnic group. It is the shofar of 5755 resonates with to be an heir to the a message from Heaven to the Jewish people. We have most remarkable been estranged. Let us be spiritual destiny so no longer. ever conferred upon a nation. When ‘Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over’ came to Woodford Forest by Rabbi Mordechai and Rebbetzen Blima Wollenberg, Woodford Forest Synagogue

“What was it like having a non- Jewish film crew in your home?” I was asked after the Wollenberg family had our proverbial 15 minutes of fame (actually, more like 45) on the TV show “Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over”. Having any film crew follow you is a daunting experience, regardless of their religion! Add to that the fact we had not really had any house guests in over a year due to Covid and it was definitely quite a challenge. When we signed up for the show, our hope was to show people a Stacey Dooley with the Wollenberg family in Woodford Forest Synagogue Photo: UKTV window into our lives as religious Jews, to educate others and had seen all the beautiful things This is true for all of us, no matter hopefully break down a few barriers we know and take for granted where we are, who we are or what and stereotypes. but through someone else's eyes, we are doing: people know we The experience reminded us that from things as basic as all sorts of are Jewish and we always have we always have the opportunity candles in a kosher shop to kosher the opportunity to have a positive to make a Kiddush Hashem – to wine and food not being available impact on another person we bring honour to God’s name and our everywhere. encounter. community. Our children are very Rabbi Sacks, of blessed memory, In (ch. 2 mishna 1), aware that they are ambassadors often said that, “non-Jews respect Rabbi Judah the Prince teaches us for the Jewish people, but it is still Jews who respect Judaism, and to, “Know what is above you… an daunting to be shown on camera. they are embarrassed by Jews eye that sees, an ear that hears, Baruch Hashem, they did us proud. who are embarrassed by Judaism.” and everything is written in a book” We did not coach them in any way Despite living in very different (Green siddur p.529). but they spoke in very mature terms worlds, we forged a genuine bond As we approach Rosh Hashana, a and were able to express adult with Stacey based on mutual time of judgement, being constantly ideas and concepts to the crew in a respect and openness on both sides. watched – take it from us: if it is so very meaningful way. She was genuinely shocked by the daunting to be watched by a film People we do not know and who antisemitism we experienced and at crew, imagine being watched by the are not Jewish have been in touch no time was there any suggestion Almighty Himself! to tell us how much they enjoyed we should be “less visibly Jewish”. Just as the film crew were very the show and how special Judaism She also mentioned that she was welcoming and non-judgemental is. When Rebbetzen Blima said at very taken by the fact that the and cast us in a positive light, we the end of the programme that the whole family were comfortable with trust that the Almighty will do the experience was an eye opener for and proud of their Jewish identity same for all of His “subjects” this her, she was expressing how we and background. coming Rosh Hashana. At this point, the soul realises it will not be able to fulfil any more mitzvot once it leaves the body. The What Were soul becomes distressed and pleads with the angel not to be taken away. The angel in turn then comforts the soul saying it has no reason to fear We Sent For? its destination, a seat right by God’s Throne. I summarised this song to Rina by Rabbi Rafi Goodwin, and concluded that God needs us Assistant Rabbi, Chigwell & Hainault United Synagogue to learn lots of Torah and do lots of mitzvot and we do not want to go back to Heaven before we have Erev Shavuot, ministering angel responsible for done as much good as we can down Sunday 16th May, is pregnancy called Lailah (Talmud here. a day etched in my Niddah 16b). The angel summons the Looking back, it feels like the memory. I was brutally soul to be sent down into a newborn heavenly court was at that very attacked by two men baby. The soul at first refuses to go. moment deliberating my fate. The in an antisemitic hate crime. (The It bemoans that there is so much haunting words of Unetaneh Tokef men have since been remanded pain and evil on the earth below were being read out, ‘’who shall live in custody). My life was in the and yearns to stay in Heaven where and who shall die, who shall live balance. Thank God, I was saved it will be safe and pure. Despite its out his allotted time and who shall by a few selfless and brave angels protests, the angel tells the soul it depart before his time.’’ that God sent my way in my time is time to face its destiny. The angel The conclusion I came to with of need. The special blessing we proceeds to show the soul that it can Rina’s help was, ‘not just yet’, I have insert into the on fast ultimately achieve so much more in got more to do. days, ''Blessed are You, Lord, who a body doing mitzvot and learning Every Rosh Hashana we must ask answers in time of distress'' was Torah. The soul agrees to be planted ourselves: Are we going to use the being played out in real time. into the newborn baby despite all the new year God has given us to fulfil What is more fascinating is the challenges that will await it in the the mission our souls were sent discussion I had with my five-year- years ahead. down for? old daughter, Rina, a few minutes Fast forward to the end of the If we resolve to base our year prior. soul’s time in the body. The angel on this question, we will merit to Rina made the following summons the soul back to Heaven. have a truly sweet new year. observation: If Heaven is so special because God lives there, and when we die our souls go up to Heaven, we should be happy to die! She Every Rosh Hashana we must ask looked at me for my approval. ourselves: Are we going to use the After some deliberation, the famous song, ‘Neshomele’, written new year God has given us to fulfil the by Abie Rotenberg provided the perfect response. The song is based mission our souls were sent down on the Midrash Tanchuma (Pekudei 3) and the last in the fourth for? If we resolve to base our year on chapter of Pirkei Avot. It portrays a discussion between this question, we will merit to have a every soul in Heaven and the truly sweet new year.

In memory of Yehuda ben Yaakov HaCohen The : Do We Really Need Another Fast Day? by Rabbi Dov Kaplan, Tribe Israel Team

There are four fasts Gedalia’s kind and wise leadership, relating to the loss of supported by the Babylonians. This To appreciate the the First Temple that subservience to the Babylonians significance, we were instituted by the was intolerable to some Jews. A prophets. These fasts man named Yishmael ben Netaniah need to understand were suspended during the Second and a group of his supporters were what transpired Temple era and then reinstituted invited to dine with Gedalia, but after its destruction. Three of them they treacherously killed him and immediately were designated on the dates of many others. This terrible crime following the historical events leading up to the occurred on Rosh Hashana. conquest of Jerusalem and the fall In the aftermath of Gedalia's Babylonian of the Temple. The assassination murder, the Jews feared reprisal destruction of the of Gedalia ben Achikam, for which from the King of Babylon and the Fast of Gedalia was decreed, abandoned the Land to save Temple however, occurred after the Temple themselves. The prophet Jeremiah us and bring us back to His favour. was lost. advised them to stay in Israel A tremendous obstacle for the Why was it important to declare where they would continue to potential penitent, however, is the another fast day for an event that prosper and warned them that, loss of hope in themselves to be occurred after the destruction of if they left, they would face able to change their ways, or they the Temple? And why did it have to destruction. Unfortunately his lose hope that God will actually be so close to Yom Kippur? words did not penetrate and the forgive them. To appreciate the significance, people refused to listen. The The hope the Jews had held in we need to understand what remaining Jews left for Egypt. They their hearts until Gedalia was struck transpired immediately following even kidnapped Jeremiah and took down was lost, despite Jeremiah’s the Babylonian destruction of him with them. efforts. That was a tragic error the Temple, as described in the Jeremiah had tried to instil and serves as a reminder to us books of Kings II (chs. 40-41) and hope within the people after the that, no matter how bad we might Jeremiah (ch. 25). loss of Gedalia, but, tragically, he imagine things are, we must remain We read there that the failed. That was the real tragedy optimistic and preserve hope, hope Babylonian king, after the quelling of the murder of Gedalia – the loss which stems from the knowledge of the Judean rebellion and the of hope. We mark the occasion that God loves us like a father and fall of Jerusalem, allowed many by fasting not on Rosh Hashana, mother love their child. Jews to remain in Israel. He even when it happened, but on the day This is therefore, another appointed a Jew named Gedalia afterwards, 3rd Tishrei. aspect of having an additional to govern them there. Gradually, There is also a connection with fast day right before Yom Kippur. many Jews who had fled the Land Yom Kippur. Judaism teaches that Let us remain hopeful that we can to escape the horrors of the war to achieve atonement for our sins change our ways, improving our began to return to their homes and shortcomings we must repent relationships at home, with God, in in Israel and the people enjoyed sincerely. When we do so, the our communities and everywhere peace and prosperity under merciful Creator promises to forgive else.

In memory of Yisrael Shmuel ben Yirmaya Yehoshuah This story is designed to accompany themes of the Rosh Hashana prayers or for discussion at other times during Rosh Hashana. Buried in his socks… by Rebbetzen Kezi Levin, Brondesbury Park United Synagogue

Mr Reichman was the lawyer read the first will. It millionaire would be buried in a very successful was with shock and disbelief that the traditional white linen burial businessman and had they learned that the only request garments as mandated by Jewish built up a fortune. He included in the will was for their law. No amount of pleading and had more money than father to be buried in his favourite persuasion would change the he could ever spend. With hundreds pair of chequered socks! Chevra Kadisha’s mind. Eventually, of millions of pounds in his bank Given this strange but important the family came to the realisation account, almost every wish was request, the children implored that their father’s last will would his. He had people who made sure the Chevra Kadisha – the Jewish not be fulfilled and he would not his every need was taken care of Burial Society - to comply and be buried in his socks. quickly and efficiently. When Mr allow for their father to be buried Thirty days later, on the Reichman needed something, it was in his favourite pair of socks. occasion of the shloshim, the as good as done. But the Chevra Kadisha refused family gathered to hear their Given the man he was, it was point blank, saying that the late father’s second will. hardly a surprise when, shortly "By now," read the lawyer after he passed away aged 88, a relaying the message from the lawyer arrived with word for his grave, "I am buried according family that the deceased had left to Jewish law. I lived my life two wills detailing all his final according to the way I believe wishes. The first will was to be God wanted me to live. Despite read immediately as it contained my wealth, including a vast information pertaining to the funeral international property empire and the second will was to be read and investment portfolio, I still at the shloshim, marking 30 days didn’t get buried in those favourite after a person passes away. chequered socks of mine. The children and Don’t worry, dear children. I grandchildren all gathered don’t need the socks where with sad hearts in Mr I am now. But I wanted to Reichman’s luxurious teach you an important living room, to hear life lesson…”

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER: What was the life lesson that Mr Reichman was trying to teach his children? Is there anything that we can take with us when we leave this world? What do you think are the greatest gifts we can give to others during our lifetime?

In memory of Yaacov ben Shmuel Rosh Hashana Checklist 2021 by Rabbi Gideon Sylvester, The US’s Israel Rabbi The High Holy Day period is the time when we look back and evaluate our behaviour over the past year. It is also a time for looking forward, thinking about how we can be slightly better Jews and more compassionate people in the year to come. Each of us will have our own experiences to look back on and our own resolutions to make for the coming year. The questions below are designed to help trigger that process. They are based on the teaching of Rabbi Dr. Abraham Levy that, “A good Jew is someone trying to be a better Jew”. In keeping with the times, our theme this year is “Hands, Face, Space”.

HANDS 3. In a year in which so many people have struggled The Torah tells us that when a needy person asks for with physical and mental health and suffered from support, we should not turn them away, but “you shall financial strains, have I stood up for vulnerable people surely open your hands to them” (Devarim 15:7-8). The in my family, community and workplace? Biblical prophet Yeshayahu (Isaiah) was very critical of 4. Did I stand up for Israel in May when over 4,000 those who feigned deep religiosity, but failed to stand rockets were fired at its civilians? up for the vulnerable. He said that God would not 5. Have I stood up for Israel against efforts to listen to them because “their hands are full of blood” defame, boycott, divest and sanction it? (Isaiah 1:15). 6. Did I make the effort to wash my hands and take all the recommended precautions to keep others safe 1. How have I responded to beggars and charitable during Covid? appeals this year? Did I donate money? Or food and 7. How about my Jewish handwashing? Do I wash essential items? Or volunteer expertise? Or give time? my hands in the prescribed way before eating bread – 2. Could I have given more? Could I give a little extra on Shabbat and weekdays? How about when waking charity this week? up in the morning?

FACE so? Is there someone who would still appreciate an The Mishna says, “we should greet everyone with a invitation? cheerful face” (Pirkei Avot 1:15). We are taught that there are seventy faces to 1. With so much time spent at home, how did I the Torah (Bemidbar Rabbah 13:16), which is treat those around me? a beautiful way of saying that each word has 2. How much effort did I make to reach out to immense depth, significance and nuance. those who live alone and might be lonely during 4. Did I dedicate time to Jewish study this year? lockdown? 5. Could I invite my family and friends to join me 3. Have I invited lonely people to join my Shabbat in finding or creating an appropriate opportunity for or Yom Tov where it has been possible for me to do Jewish learning this year? 2. How can I proudly live my Judaism, keep SPACE kosher and observe Shabbat when surrounded by In 1996, NASA astronaut Dr. Jeff Hoffman brought a colleagues? Sefer Torah on board the Space Shuttle Columbia. On 3. Do I change the subject or walk away when Shabbat, while orbiting Earth, he read from the book of conversations slip into malicious gossip? Bereishit (Genesis), “In the beginning God created the 4. Do I appreciate the incredible beauty of God’s heaven and the earth.” creation in the spaces around me? Two more Sifrei Torah, rescued from the Bergen 5. Do I translate that appreciation of God’s world Belsen Concentration Camp, have been taken to space; into prayer? the first by the Israeli astronaut Ilan Ramon who 6. Do I (whenever its safe for me to do so) support tragically died on re-entry to earth in 2003, and the my community by praying in synagogue? second by Steve MacLean of Canada in 2006, on the 7. Soon, we will commemorate the first yahrzeit Atlantis, when it journeyed to the International Space of Rabbi Sacks zt”l. He constantly encouraged us Station. to show appreciation for people around us. Have I done that enough? Could I do it more often? Is there 1. Do I proudly carry my Judaism wherever I go? someone who I could thank or praise today? Torah-Reading Summary

First Day Rosh Hashana to Shmuel. Channah recites a beautiful song, praising The Torah reading is divided into five aliyot, taken from God’s ability to reverse fortunes. a section of parashat Vayera (Bereishit chapter 21). Avraham’s wife Sarah is 90 years old and childless. Second Day Rosh Hashana On Rosh Hashana, God had ‘remembered’ her. Our The reading is from the end of parashat Vayera (Bereishit reading begins with the subsequent birth of Yitzchak. chapter 22) and depicts Akeidat Yitzchak (the Binding Sarah sees the potential negative effect that Avraham’s of Yitzchak). Avraham, who is well over 100 years old, wayward first son, Yishmael, could have on Yitzchak. is told by God to take his son Yitzchak to Mount Moriah She tells Avraham to send away Yishmael and his and bring him as an offering. Having previously been mother Hagar. God tells the reluctant Avraham to do as told by God that Yitzchak would be his heir and having Sarah has requested. Hagar and Yishmael are travelling always encouraged Avraham’s acts of compassion and in the desert and Yishmael is dying of thirst. An angel kindness, this Divine instruction seems to defy logic. appears, telling Hagar that a great nation will come from Nevertheless, Avraham obeys, showing that his devotion Yishmael. A well of water miraculously appears. to God is not conditional on his logical understanding. As Avraham raises the knife, an angel appears, telling Haftarah First Day him not to touch Yitzchak, presenting a ram to be offered The first two chapters of the Book of Shmuel (Samuel) instead. Avraham is praised for his faith. relate the moving story of his birth. Elkanah had two wives, Channah and Peninah. Peninah was blessed Point to Consider: How old was Yitzchak at the time of with many children, but Channah was childless. the Akeidah? (see Rashi to Bereishit 25:20) Every year, the family would make the journey to the Tabernacle in Shilo. One year, Eli the Kohen spots Haftarah Second Day Channah by the Tabernacle courtyard. She is praying The prophet Yirmiyahu (Jeremiah) was not only a voice fervently for a child. Eli mistakenly thinks Channah of warning and anguish. He was also a prophet of hope, is drunk. After confronting her, Channah corrects Eli, evident throughout the haftarah, which contains the explaining the reason for her prayers. Eli promises moving depiction of Rachel, the ‘mother of Israel’, crying Channah that God will answer her. After returning from her grave for her exiled children. God comforts her home with Elkanah, Channah conceives and gives birth that eventually the Jews will return. Rosh Hashana on the Wings of Eagles by Rabbi Cobi Ebrahimoff, Tribe Programmes Rabbi

‘Kanfei Nesharim’ others in a new country, they still joined the family around the white (Wings of Eagles) was had not received word of where sheet. an Israeli operation they would go to. After lighting the candles, which enabled 42,862 Mr Ma’atuf told the family, the family started singing the Yemenite Jews to “Throughout our years in Yemen, poem Achot Ketana. This poem arrive in the newly established during the hardest of times, we is very well known in Sephardic State of Israel between June and celebrated Shabbat and Yom Tov communities, especially as it September 1950. Yemenite Jews as proud Jews. Now that we’ve is recited on Rosh Hashana in were told to make their way to arrived in the holy land of Israel, Sephardic and other communities, Aden, the capital of Yemen, where we will do so with more simcha such as Yemenite ones, before the they were settled in camps until (joy) and enthusiasm than ever Maariv evening prayers. In Achot they were ready to travel. British before”. However, Rosh Hashana Ketana, the Jewish people are and American transport planes was about to commence, and the likened to a "little sister," praying were hired to make 380 flights family were standing outside the that the old year and its curses from Aden to Israel in a series terminal since in those days there end, and the new year and its of secret operations. Given the was no indoor arrivals terminal blessings begin. dangerous conditions for many at Lod Airport. How could they תִ כְלֶה שׁ ָ נָה וְקלְלותֶ יה. ?Jews in Yemen, escaping to Israel celebrate Rosh Hashana תָחֵל שׁ ָ נָה ובִרכותֶ יה. was essential and perhaps even Mrs Ma’atuf pulled out a white averted a threat to their lives. sheet from her suitcase and May last year’s curses Our story takes place at Lod spread it on the floor outside the conclude. Airport (known today as Ben Gurion terminal. She told her husband May next year’s blessings Airport). Mr and Mrs Ma’atuf and children to join in and sit on begin. arrived from Yemen with their the floor around the sheet. Mrs two young daughters in the early Ma’atuf took the fire torch which That Rosh Hashana, the poem morning hours of 11th September they had from the camp in Aden carried a particularly special 1950. The family was delighted and carefully split it to make two meaning - a new era of blessings to arrive in Israel as their life-long candles. She used two stones in Eretz Yisrael! Other passengers dream had finally come true. They from the ground to support each and their families started gathering were eager to leave the airport and candle as she placed the candles around the white sheet, joining settle into whatever new home on the white sheet. Mrs Ma’atuf lit together for a beautiful Rosh would be allocated to them by the the candles and covered two pittot Hashana service and celebration. state. However, by the time their (pita breads) which she had packed Within a few minutes, over one passports were ready and identity for the journey. The family were hundred people had joined in! papers were issued it was just proudly reciting their prayers out After the prayers, Mr Ma’atuf an hour before the start of Rosh loud when a passenger, carrying proclaimed, “a new year with the Hashana. Amidst the crowds, a bottle of wine, arrived at the people of Israel in the Land of confusion and disorientation of terminal. He realised that it was Israel… welcome home!!!!” having just flown for the first time Yom Tov and kindly offered his The next part of the story is even and arriving with hundreds of bottle of wine for Kiddush as he more incredible. People started filling the white sheet with food, outside the terminal answered got married and started lighting taking out whatever they had in ‘Amen’ as one and exchanged Shabbat candles as a young their bags – honey, apples, random heartfelt wishes of Shana Tova! Jewish mother. Inspired by her snacks and cans of drink…in the Shemesh Ma’atuf was a young experience at the airport, every blink of an eye, the white sheet was child when she arrived from Friday afternoon she hands out full of food and drink for all to enjoy. Yemen but the wonderful Rosh 100 Shabbat candles to women Mr Ma’atuf made Kiddush and Hashana experience at Lod Airport in the city of Lod where she then Hamotzi on the pittot and left a strong impression on her. brought in Rosh Hashana with such over 100 Jews standing together She settled in Lod where she tremendous simcha 71 years ago!

DISCUSSION POINTS: • Why do you think many Jews had to travel secretly from countries like Yemen to the new State of Israel? • That Rosh Hashana at Lod Airport inspired Shemesh Ma’atuf to help others. Have you had an experience, or heard of one from somebody else, that has inspired you to help others? • What blessings would you like for the year ahead? TRIBE MATHS CHALLENGE! This Rosh Hashana, the Shemita, sabbatical year, commences. Shemita takes place at the end of a seven-year cycle.

• How many Shemita years have occurred according to the Jewish way of counting the years? • Israelites arrived in the land of Israel in the year 2492. It took them 14 years to settle before they started counting Shemita years. How many Shemita years occurred since counting began? • The 2nd Temple was destroyed in year 69 CE, one year after Shemita. How many Shemita years occurred since the destruction of the 2nd Temple? • 5782 is a leap year (a year with an extra month in the Jewish calendar). The Jewish calendar has a 19-year cycle of leap years, occurring in years 3, 6, 8, 11, 14, 17 & 19. This year is the second leap year of the cycle. How many leap years will occur before the next Shemita?

ANSWERS

is 5789/2028). is Shemita (Next 5787 & 5784 years: 2 •

2021-(69-1)=1953, 1953/7 = 279 = 1953/7 2021-(69-1)=1953, •

2492+14=2506, 5782-2506=3276, 3276/7= 468 3276/7= 5782-2506=3276, 2492+14=2506, •

5782/7= 826 5782/7= • The Magic A story based on a parable by the “Dubno Maggid” (Rabbi Yaakov Kranz, 1740-1804) – Bell taken from Tribe Spark

The Dubno Maggid was a master storyteller who travelled through Jewish communities in Eastern Europe inspiring hope and joy despite the difficult conditions in which many Jews lived. We suggest that adults and children read this story together, perhaps at the Rosh Hashana table, and consider how the discussion questions at the end of the story are particularly relevant to Rosh Hashana.

nce upon a time, a wine. At the end of the sumptuous nothing rich person invited a meal the poor person asked his happened. poor person to have a friend if he could have a look at the He rang the bell one meal at his house. The bell. He discovered that it was just last time as loudly as he could but Opoor person could not believe an ordinary bell and he decided not a single servant appeared. what he saw inside the home to go and buy one for himself. Furiously the person stormed out of the rich person. There were Each time he would ring his bell, of the house and went straight beautiful paintings, thick carpets servants would appear with trays back to the shopkeeper. “I demand and exquisite furniture. The table of delicious food and he would my money back,” he shouted. “This was laid with sparkling crystal and never go hungry again! bell doesn’t work properly!” fragrant flowers filled the vases Sure enough, the next morning “You are being foolish,” the dotted around the room. the poor person went to the market shopkeeper explained. “The bell Most of all though, the poor and bought himself a little bell at doesn’t make the food appear it person was fascinated by a little a shop. He proudly took it home just signals to the servants that bell that the rich person rang from and showed it to his family. He it is time to bring it to the table! time to time. Each time the bell was asked them to sit around the table The servants and cooks have rung, servants would appear with and he rang his new bell. Nothing been working all day to cook and elaborate trays of food, drinks and happened. He rang it again but still prepare the food!” DISCUSSION POINTS: • Is there something that was used in shul, or you might have heard elsewhere instead today on Rosh Hashana, that reminds you of the bell and links the story to Rosh Hashana? If so, why? • Which of the characters do you identify with? Why? • Do you agree with the shopkeeper that the customer was being foolish? Could you imagine yourself reacting as the shopkeeper did? Together...

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