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Service Times
g n i h t e Som e n o y r e v for E
Parshat Nitzavim
27 Ellul 5776 30 September 2016
Shabbat Kabbalat Shabbat
18:30
(Candle Lighting)
18:30
Shacharit
09:15
Leining
10:15
Mincha followed by Seudah
18:20
Shabbat Ends
19:33
& Ma’ariv
Weekday
Sun*
d"sb
Shacharit
Mincha & Ma’ariv
07:30
19:30
Mon
See Rosh Hashanah
Tues
Timetable
Wed*
06:30
19:30
Thur*
06:30
19:30
Fri*
06:30
19:00
Security team: Yellow
Page No.s Artscroll Gutnick Hertz
Leining
Haftarah
1086 1316 878
1202 1480 883
Thought For The Week It’s Within Our Reach We read Parashat Nitzavim during these
There is no concept of irretrievable break-
days of Selichot – extra daily prayers for
down in the relationship between us and
forgiveness during the month of Ellul. The
Hashem. In our prayers we refer to Him
* Selichot ** Mincha & Kabbalat Shabbat
Selichot prayers give us the opportunity
as ‘Avinu Malkenu’ – our Father and our
Chayim Arukim
for introspection before Rosh Hashanah,
King – because He judges us simultane-
so that we can admit to ourselves where
ously with justice and with mercy. There
we have gone wrong during the past year,
is a parallel duality in the way that we
and ask Hashem to put us back on the
approach Him to repent. We recognise
right track, so that we can start the New
that He has ultimate power over our lives,
Year with a renewed commitment to the
so we approach in fear of His judgment.
Torah and its mitzvot.
But we also know that He loves us like
Candle Lighting
18:15**
to all those who have Yahrzeit this week as follows
שבת
Howard Lee Nina Lee Nina Lee Michael Rappaport
Father Husband Mother Father
Sun
Philip Science Stephen Cohen Denise Simon
Father Brother Mother
Mon
Michael Gould Sidney Kaye Ben Goorney
Father Father Mother
Tues
John Blaskey Roger Blaskey Tony Raynes Linda Dwek
Mother Mother Mother Mother
Vivienne Newgrosh Tony Woolf Peter Woolf
Mother Mother Mother
7 October 5 Tishrei
Ella Lentin
Father
first move towards Him, however far we
שבת
Anne Cohen Jennie Mond Victor Levenson
Father Father Father
have strayed.
1 October 28 Ellul
2 October 29 Ellul
3 October 1 Tishrei
4 October 2 Tishrei
Thurs
6 October 4 Tishrei
Fri
8 October 6 Tishrei
a father loves his children, and that He It may seem like a daunting task, but
will forgive the sincere penitent. It is up
our Parasha reassures us that keeping
to us to choose to life (Devarim 30:20)
the Torah is not so hard. It is not beyond
and to open our hearts to him during Ellul
our reach – it is in our mouths and in
when He is listening out for our Selichot
our hearts (Devarim 30:14). Hashem will
prayers
always be there to help us if we make the
Rabbi Joel Portnoy Shabbat Weather AM Rainy 13o High 6o Overnight Low
Parsha
verview
First Aliyah - 3 verses On the final day of his earthly life, Moses gathered all the Israelites - men, women, and children - to enter them into a covenant with G-d. Second Aliyah - 3 verses This covenant established the Israelites as G-d’s exclusive nation. The covenant, Moses explained, was not limited to those who were physically present on that day, rather it included all future generations of Jews, as well. Third Aliyah - 14 verses Moses warned the Israelites not to be tempted by the idolatrous lifestyles of the Egyptians or the other nations. Moses warned of the dire consequences which will befall those who forsake their covenant with G-d. Also discusses communal responsibility for not appropriately punishing individual sinners. Fourth Aliyah - 6 verses Moses describes what will occur after they are exiled from their land due to their sins. Eventually they will wholeheartedly return to G-d, and G-d will gather them from the furthest reaches of the heavens and return them to the land of their forefathers. Fifth Aliyah - 4 verses When G-d gathers His exiles, the curses which accompanied them throughout their sojourn in foreign lands will be placed upon their enemies who persecuted them. The Israelites will once again serve G d, and will be blessed with abundance. Sixth Aliyah - 4 verses Moses enjoins the people to follow the mitzvot, because they are within everyone’s reach to be able to perform. Seventh Aliyah - 6 verses The Jews have been given free choice to choose between good and evil, life and death. Their choice will determine whether they are the beneficiaries of G-d’s blessings or curses. Moses implores the Israelites to choose life.
s Nitzavim is alway read on the Shabbat before Rosh Hashanah.
S L E W
JE
M S I DA
U J F O
Delve into the deeper side of Judaism This week we relate a staggering story from the Talmud
The Torah Is Not In Heaven Moshe told the Jews, “the Torah is no longer in Heaven - I brought it down to earth and revealed it all to you. Therefore, do not say ‘if only we had another Moshe who would bring us the Torah from Heaven and explain it to us, we would study’”. Rather, He gave the power to the Sages to judge matters of halacha on earth. Any ultimate decision must reflect the opinion of the majority of these authorities The Talmud relates the following story (B.M. 59b): A dispute arose among the Sages whether or not a certain type of oven could become ritually impure. R’ Eliezer ben Horkenos, perhaps the most outstanding Sage of the generation, declared the oven in question pure, while the other Sages considered it impure. R’ Eliezer presented arguments to support his view, but the Sages, who were the majority, would not accept them. “If the halacha is as I teach,” exclaimed R’ Eliezer, “may the carob tree here in the courtyard confirm it!”
A miracle transpired whereby the carob tree moved one hundred amot forward. “We don’t accept proof from a carob tree,” the Sages protested. Even though G-d changed the laws of nature for R’ Eliezer, they still said his halachic decision is still wrong. “If the halacha is as I teach, let the river demonstrate
We are bidden by the Torah not to heed even a Heavenly Voice in halachic matters. it!” At that, the river began to flow backwards. “We don’t bring proofs from rivers,” the Sages protested. “If I am right,” insisted R’ Eliezer, “let the walls of the Study Hall prove it!” As the walls began to cave in, R’ Yehoshua called out, “What business do you have with a dispute among Torah scholars?”
Immediately, the stopped falling.
walls
Finally, R’ Eliezer proclaimed, “If I am right, let Heaven prove it!” A Heavenly Voice was heard: “The Halacha is always as R’ Eliezer teaches”. Rabbi Yehoshua arose and declared, “We are bidden by the Torah not to heed even a Heavenly Voice in halachic matters. The Torah is no longer in Heaven, but is established by a majority of Sages on earth.” Later one of the Sages, R’ Natan had a revelation of the prophet Eliyahu and questioned him, “What did G-d say at that time?” Eliyahu replied, “He smiled with satisfaction and exclaimed, ‘My sons won, my sons won’. The Heavenly Voice was meant as a test for the Sages, whether or not they would follow the majority opinion as commanded by the Torah, and they passed the test. . Based on ‘The Midrash Says’, by Rabbi M. Weissman
If you would like to share your words of wisdom, please submit your article of no more than 500 words to nick@hale-community.org.uk
We are looking for sponsors for the Childrens Kiddushim and lunch over Rosh Hashanah & Yom Kippur. Please contact the Shule office if you can help. Thank you.
Inviting the Ladies of the South Manchester Community to join our new female singing group. Come along to a weekly informal singalong in the Pearl Suite, Hale Shule, for an hour of fun and stress release! We hope to welcome everyone from beginners to more experienced singers. However, if you’ve ever been told you can’t sing, then this is the group for you! NO AUDITIONS! Covering a wide range of music from light classics to songs from the shows, as well as modern Israeli and traditional Hebrew melodies, led by our very own Marilyn Blank. Starting Thursday 13th October at 8.15pm. Please contact Gillian Cohen on 07785 270 044 or email: voiceconnect1@aol.com to pre-register. No charge - a service to the community.
Partners in
Torah
Parsha Stats Nitzavim is the 51st of 54 sedras 8th of 11 in Devarim Written on 87 lines in a Torah 40 verses - ranks 53rd (10th in Devarim) 657 words - ranks 51st (8th in Devarim) 2575 letters - ranks 51st (8th in Devarim)
Did You Know According to most reputable authorities who count the Mitzvot in each parsha, there are no mitzvot recorded in this week’s parsha. However, according to some Mitzvah counters, the mitzvah of repentance is found in this week’s parsha.
QA &
Those that do not count it maintain that Teshuva is a gift from G-d, and one should not need to be ‘commanded’ to take advantage of such a gift.
Read through the Parsha in English and find answers to the questions. LOLLIPOPS WILL BE AWARDED TO ANYONE WHO READS THROUGH IT, AND TELLS RABBI NICK THE CORRECT ANSWERS!
Which professions are mentioned as standing before Hashem? What materials were the idols made out of in Egypt? Which cities were destroyed like Sodom and Gomorrah? How many ways will Hashem bless our handiwork? Where are we told that the Torah is not to be found? Which words are accepted as the biblical reference to Free Will?
Parshat Nitzavim contains one of the clearest indicators that Human Beings have been given Free Will to choose how we should behave in any situation.
Just For Fun Question: Did you hear about the hungry clock? Answer: It went back four seconds!
LAST WEEK’S ANSWERS: 1. Aramean. 2. The third year of a tithing cycle. 3. Plaster. 4. Shimon, Levi. Yehudah, Yissachar, Yoseph & Binyamin. 5. 12 BONUS: Seder Night.
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KING AHEAD YOUTH
EDUCATION
In The Spotlight Rosh Hashanah 5777 With the busy Yom Tov season approaching, it may be a relief to know that much has been done to try and make the experience as inspirational and meaningful, and for those who are looking for it, as participatory too. Rabbi Aharon Bloch will be leading his first Musaf Explanatory Service in parallel to the Rabbi’s Explanatory Service in the Main Shule. Together with Sruli Portnoy who will be the Chazan, they will be offering a unique ‘Carlebach-style’ Musaf, replete with familiar tunes as well as some new ones. Rabbi Aharon and Rabbi Portnoy have also produced a revised edition of ‘Insights’, which should provide some englightening materials for those who wish to read it during the service. Additionally, Rabbi Nick, Shira and the HYPE team will be providing programmes for children of all ages. There will be a creche facility at the Nursery, as well as children’s programmes for primary school, and discussino groups for those in secondary school. For full details of service times, please refer to the Yamim Noraim timetable.
Kiddushim 1 October Angie & Robert Goodall If you would like to sponsor an edition of ‘Something For Everyone’, in honour of a simcha or for a yahrzeit, or for any reason, please contact the Shule office on 0161 980 8846 or admin@hale-community.org.uk
8 October Unsponsored 15 October Unsponsored