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s; vacug s; phbjx Volume 27 No. 39 PINCHAS Daf Hashavua 11 July 2015 • 24 Tammuz 5775 Shabbat ends in London at 10.18 pm Artscroll p.876 • Hertz p.686 • Soncino p.932 Solutions in Effective Succession Planning the Sidrah: by Rabbi Yoni Birnbaum, Hadley Wood Jewish Community In August 2011, Steve Jobs announced his being cannot be seen – it can only be felt and resignation as CEO of Apple. Steve Jobs was experienced. the icon and face of the company; an Rabbi Shimshon Raphael Hirsch (d.1888) investment in Apple was often seen as an therefore understands that if the phrase ‘a investment in him personally. Yet Apple man in whom there is spirit’ is used to received widespread acclaim for the describe Yehoshua, it must be that he remarkably smooth transition to their new possessed this quality to an exceptional CEO, Tim Cook. degree. His moral and spiritual strength was Effective succession planning somehow more refined and is an essential component of more developed than his real leadership. Particularly peers. Perhaps this also when following a leader of enabled him to rise above outstanding quality, how is the influence of specific it possible to ensure that the interest groups, because he successor will rise to the possessed an independent challenge? inner strength and spirit. When Moshe asked G-d to There is a powerful message select a worthy successor to here. Leadership in any field lead the people after his requires many qualities. passing, G-d’s response was We may all face moments, striking in its brevity. “Take for yourself whether at work, within our own family or in Yehoshua [Joshua] the son of Nun, a man in the community, when we are required to show whom there is spirit.” (Bemidbar 27:18) leadership. The Hebrew word used for spirit is “ruach”. In the final analysis, the most important factor The commentators struggle with its meaning in leading others is developing an inner stable in this context, because ruach generally refers core of spiritual strength. This may mean to the spiritual and moral element present avoiding being ‘swayed by the crowd’. within every human being. It includes the We first need to analyse and judge crowd powers of perception as well as the ability to behaviour against what we know to be right make independent decisions in life. That is or wrong. It is for that very reason that why the word ruach also means a current of Yehoshua – a person of true ‘spirit’ – was air, because this component of the human chosen as a worthy successor to Moshe. The 10 Minute Challenge by Rabbi Mendel Lew Senior Rabbi Stanmore & Canons Park United Synagogue The British Heart Foundation recently published declares the oneness of G-d. the results of a survey into the health of the UK “Love your fellow” declares population. Sadly, it makes for depressing the oneness of our people. reading. On the whole, the foods consumed are Both are meaningful and not of the healthiest variety, and the majority of inspirational messages that people are clearly not doing enough exercise. resonate with us. However, their emotional appeal might be Exploring the reasons for this poor lifestyle, two reserved for dramatic and life-changing principal culprits were identified: a lack of time moments. (due to family or work commitments) and a lack of motivation. In response, the BHF is The daily offerings, on the other hand, are a encouraging people to ‘start small’ by taking at reminder of ‘the little everyday things’, those least 10 minutes every day to make a small things which are constant and consistent, change towards a healthier lifestyle. whose repetitive nature can make it difficult for them to arouse any Imagine an identical survey under- inspiration at all. Yet without them taken into the health of Judaism we could not function. today. Its conclusion would no doubt determine that a lot of work To further emphasise and illustrate is required to get us into shape this point, let’s return to the British religiously. Perhaps the reasons Heart Foundation and its survey. why Judaism is not in optimum Their research determined that most shape would mirror the ones in new diets and exercise regimens the BHF survey – a lack of time quickly run their course, due to lack of and motivation. motivation. They are boring and tedious. The 10 minute challenge is a new and Fascinatingly, it is a concern raised in this innovative way to make the unsustainable week’s sidrah, which lists special offerings, achievable. brought daily, on Shabbat and on the various festivals. Regarding the daily offerings, the This is also the Torah’s message. If you struggle verse says: “The one lamb you shall offer in the to read Hebrew, perhaps spend 10 minutes a morning and the second lamb you shall offer in day practicing. If you read Hebrew but cannot the afternoon” (Bemidbar 28:4). understand it, maybe dedicate 10 minutes to improve your comprehension. If you are This verse was cited as the most important verse accomplished in both, but cannot fathom the in the entire Torah in a discussion between style and layout of Torah, that is also a three great Talmudic Rabbis, called Ben Zoma, surmountable objective. Ben Nanas and Ben Pazi. Whilst well-known “The one lamb you shall offer in the morning verses, such as “Shema Yisrael” (Devarim 6:4) and the second lamb you shall offer in the and “Love your fellow as you love yourself” afternoon”. Ten minutes a day really will make (Vayikra 19:18) could be perceived as more all the difference. As with diets, a consistent important, it was this verse in our sidrah that daily approach will soon make you fit, strong prevailed. Why? and healthy as a Jew, feeling more connection The reason is profound. “Shema Yisrael” and belonging. Great Part 3: Rev. Simeon Singer (1846-1906) British-Jewish by Rev Stanley Brickman, former Chazzan at Hampstead United Synagogue Scholars One of the most familiar and enduring signs to ‘ordain’ Ministers rather than Rabbis. of a British-Jewish household or synagogue At the age of 19 he became the first is the Authorised Daily Prayer Book (better Minister of The Borough Synagogue in known as the “Singer’s Siddur”), first South London and a Chaplain at the local published in 1890 and now in its fourth prisons. edition, with a green cover. The original edition was a tour de force, offering an In 1879 he took his best known position, at accessible and affordable version of the the beautiful New West End Synagogue. siddur with English translations. Based on The distinctive decorative gold quotations the German Rabbi Seligman Baer’s Avodat from Tehillim (Psalms) which adorn the Yisrael and in line with the Polish synagogue originated with Rev Singer, who community of Hamburg, it set was artistically talented. out a standard version of the He hosted Theodore Herzl, liturgy for British-Jewish the founder of modern Congregations in the UK and Zionism, in his house. He the Commonwealth. Who assisted in the formation of was the man behind this a petition to the Sultan in tremendous achievement? the name of the Chovevei Simeon Singer was born in Zion religious Zionist London in 1846. His family movement, to help gain land originated from Bohemia and for Jewish settlement in the Land of Israel. At his he was a direct descendant of Rev. Simeon Singer the famed Rabbi Yonatan instigation, the first Jewish Eybeschutz (d. 1764). Anglo Conference of Preachers was launched. He was also an advocate of At the age of 13 he was awarded The the Jewish Volunteer Movement. He was Barnett Myers Scholarship and became one sought after and associated with many of the first pupils at the Jews College organisations on behalf of his people, both School. at home and abroad. He was a notably brilliant student, His literary remains as well as historical well educated in Hebrew, French, studies and sermons were published by his German, Italian, Classics, Mathematics son-in-law Israel Abrahams. However, and Science. In 1890 he received his his greatest achievement remains the Rabbinical Diploma (Semicha), although Singers Prayer Book. If you use it today in he never used the title, in line with shul, perhaps take a moment to think the policy of the Chief Rabbi at that time about the man behind it. Journeys with The Book of Shmuel (Samuel I) Chapter 22 the Prophets: by Rabbi Dr Moshe Freedman, New West End United Synagogue Part 36 Summary: David escaped to the Caves of ‘spiller of blood’ (Rashi on Berishit 25:25). Adullam, where he became the leader to The nation became an arch enemy of the around 400 men in need of help, who had Jewish people. heard that he was hiding there. David Rabbi Shimon Ashkenazi HaDarshan of arranged for his parents to stay with the Frankfurt (c. 1260) cites Midrashic sources King of Moav and progressed to the Forest which associate Doeg with the nature of of Cheret. King Shaul demanded loyalty Edom, for shedding the blood of so many from his men. innocent Kohanim. He also turned David and A Deeper Look: Doeg Ha’Adomi (Doeg the his wife into fugitives, making it seem Edomite), a trusted servant of acceptable for others to kill Shaul, revealed that he had them. He is credited with being witnessed Achimelech provide the one who persuaded Shaul to David with food and armament erroneously spare the life of in the Kohanim’s city of Nov. Agag (Shmuel I 15:8). He would Shaul assumed that this had also regularly embarrass people been an act of treachery in a serious way, which the against him and summoned Talmud (Bava Metzia 58b) likens Achimelech.