Sponsored in loving memory of Ruth Keller z”l Rut bat Yitzchak z”l
Service Times
g n i h t e Som e n o y r e v for E
d"sb
Parshat Vayikra
4 Nissan 5777 31 March 2017
Shabbat Kabbalat Shabbat
18:30
(Candle Lighting)
18:30
Shacharit
08:45
Leining
09:45
Kiddush & Variety Programme
11:00
Mincha & Seudah
19:25
Shabbat Ends
20:35
Weekday Shacharit Mincha & Ma’ariv
Security team: Red
Page No.s Artscroll Gutnick Hertz
Leining
Haftarah
544 618 409
1165 1423 427
Thought For The Week
Sun
09:00
19:30
Mon
07:00
19:30
Tues
07:00
19:30
Wed
07:00
19:30
Imagine you lived at the time when the
these reveal the full meaning of a mitzvah.
Thurs
07:00
19:30
violin was invented. One day, you are walk-
Our observance of mitzvot is not predicated
Fri
07:00
18:30
ing down the street, and you hear the most
on our understanding them, but rather on
18:35*
beautiful music emanating from a nearby
our implicit trust that Hashem issued the
window. You meet the inventor and enquire
mitzvot with good reason.
Candle Lighting * Mincha & Kabbalat Shabbat
Chayim Arukim
to all those who have Yahrzeit this week as follows
The Sound of Music
about the sublime sounds you have been hearing. He explains that he has nailed a
In the same way that catgut and horse hair somehow produces a beautiful sound,
Muriel Davies Tony Raynes Edward Cobb Ronald Polak
Father Father Father Mother
Harvey Beaver Jonathan Lever Nigel Spier
Sister Mother Father
Ian Keller Michael Levy
Mother Mother
Ronnie Abrahams Steve Talbot Mark Hilton
Father Mother Father
wouldn’t look at him in disbelief?! What has
At any point in the day, there could be
catgut and horse hair got to do with such
dozens of ways to filfill Hashem’s instruc-
7 April 11 Nissan
David Zucker
Father
beautiful melodious sounds!
tions, in even the most mundane situa-
שבת
Deana Berger Jonathan Feingold Stephen Lentin
Husband Father Daughter
This exercise can help us understand
Sun
2 April 6 Nissan
Mon
3 April 7 Nissan
Tues
4 April 8 Nissan
Thurs
6 April 10 Nissan
Fri
8 April 12 Nissan
Kiddushim 1 April Communal Kiddush and Variety Programme
flat piece of wood to a box to make a neck, and then strung some catgut tightly from the neck across the open side of the chest. By stroking it with his bow, made from horse hair (no less), he is able to produce the sounds you have been hearing! Who
Hashem’s mitzvot. We often want there to
we can take a few twigs and a lemon and connect to Hashem! Or we can take an animal, some blood, some flour, and some oil, and perform the highest form of service to Hashem!
tions. Which other religion can boast such a claim!
Rabbi Nick Kett
be a reason for the mitzvot, and there have been countless sources over the years who have suggested reasons. However, none of
Shabbat Weather
8 April Della & Maurice Gould
AM Showers
15 April Unsponsored
6o Overnight Low
13o High
Parsha
verview
First Aliyah - 13 verses G-d calls out to Moses from the Tabernacle and teaches him the laws of the voluntary burnt offering, the Olah sacrifice. This aliyah discusses the laws of the cattle, sheep, or goat Olah. Second Aliyah - 10 verses G-d then teaches Moses the laws of the fowl Olah. There were three types of voluntary meal offerings: unbaked flour, baked loaves, and the shallow-fried meal offering. All voluntary meal offerings also contained olive oil and frankincense. Third Aliyah - 10 verses The deep-fried meal offering, the mandatory barley offering, and the Omer offering are discussed. No Temple offering can include any leavened items or anything which contains honey. Fourth Aliyah - 17 verses The “Peace Offering,” the Shelamim sacrifice, could be brought from cattle, sheep, or goats. Discusses the prohibitions against consuming blood and the specific fats which were offered on the altar. These prohibitions apply to all animals, even those not offered in the Temple. Fifth Aliyah - 26 verses The “Sin Offering,” the Chatat sacrifice, is brought by an individual who is guilty of inadvertently transgressing a sin. This includes the unique sacrifices brought by a High Priest who sins, by the Sanhedrin who issue an erroneous ruling, and a monarch who sins. Sixth Aliyah - 19 verses The final type of Chatat is for a common person who sins. The Korban Oleh V’yored, a sin offering, depended on the financial position of the transgressor. Seventh Aliyah - 16 verses Three types of Asham Sacrifices are discussed: a) for one who inadvertently misappropriates Temple property. b) for one who falsely swears regarding money owed to another. c) for one who is uncertain whether he violated a Torah prohibition.
Sacrifices are always from domesticated animals, rather than wild ones, so that they are easy to find.
S L E W
JE
M S I DA
U J F O
Delve into the deeper side of Judaism This week we take a look at the inner meanings behind sacrifices
Repeat After Me Our Sages teach us the world was created for three main purposes: the study and fulfillment of Torah, the performance of kind acts, and the Temple service. The sacrifices, as it were, evoke Heavenly satisfaction, and connect the upper celestial spheres to this world. After the Temple’s destruction, the sacrifices were replaced by the formalised wording of our prayer services. No it is our prayers which connect the lower worlds with the upper ones. This is not to say that Hashem needed to ‘fill a void’ to satisfy Himself. Rather, the sacrifices, now our prayers are there to benefit human beings. Although the laws of sacrifices are categorised as ‘chukim’, Divine precepts beyond our human comprehension, the commentators offer various explanations for these laws. The Ramban explains that the sinner was greatly humbled upon witnessing how the animal was slaughtered, butchered, and burnt. He would be-
come conscious of the fact that all the acts performed on the sacrifice should actually have been executed upon him, for ultimate justice demands death for any violation of the A-lmighty’s mitzvot. Also, it will draw a person to realise that all that elevates a human being above the world of beasts, is the Divine soul, leading him to ask how he could have allowed his animal nature to gain the upper hand. The intended ef-
The effect of the spoken word cannot compare to action accompanied by visual impression fect of a korban, then, is to arousethe sinner to heartfelt repentance. Each part of the procedure was planned by Hashem to atone for some aspect of the sin. Since a sin usually involves thought, speech, and action, these three aspects of the sin all need atonement which they achieve through a sacrifice.
on the sacrifice atoned for the sinful deed. Vidui - the verbal confession served to atone for sinful speech. The burning of the animal’s innards and kidneys, atoned for his having gone astray in his thoughts. Sprinkling the blood on the altar symbolised that the sinner’s blood should have been shed because of his evil act. Why couldn’t the Torah simply command that the transgressor confess his sin and be rebuked? The answer is that the effect of the spoken word cannot compare to action accompanied by visual impression. Bringing an animal to the Temple, resting his hand on it, and witnessing how it was slaughtered and burnt arouses in a sinner far more profound awareness of the evil of sin than a mere oral confession of his wrongdoing. Based on ‘The Midrash Says’ by Rabbi M. Weissman
Semicha - resting hands
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
Parsha Stats Vayikra is the 24th of 54 sedras 1st of 10 in Vayikra Written on 215 lines in a Torah 111 verses - ranks 26th (2nd in Vayikra) 1673 words - ranks 20th (1st in Vayikra) 6222 letters - ranks 20th (1st in Vayikra)
Did You Know THE HALE RECIPE BOOK LAUNCH
There are 16 mitzvot in this week’s parsha: 11 positive mitzvot and 5 prohibitions. The word ‘Vayikra’ refers to Hashem calling Moshe. The aleph in the word is smaller than the other letters, to indicate the unique line of communication that Moshe had with Hashem. In the absence of a Temple, our dinner tables are considered our Altars. We dip our bread into salt to remind us of the commandment to add salt to every sacrifice.
Tip #23 Building Blocks
TEFILLAH TIPS
As Jews, we believe that the twenty-two letters of the Aleph Bet are sacred, profound, spiritual forces. They are, in effect, the raw material of Creation. When G-d combined them into words, phrases and commands, they brought about Creation; translating His will into reality. As an analogy, one combination of hydrogen and oxygen produces water, while another produces hydrogen peroxide. So
it is with all the elements and their infinite possible combinations. Similarly, Hebrew letters can be arranged into countless combinations, each resulting in a new blend of the cosmic spiritual forces represented by the letters. The Men of the Great Assembly had the ability to combine letters, verses and ideas in ways that unlock the gates of heaven. This is one reason why it is helpful to pray in Hebrew, using the text of the Siddur.
The Korban Olah is considered by the Talmud to be an atonement for improper thoughts. The Chatat is brought for improper deeds. The Torah presents the Olah first, because it is usually improper thoughts which occur first.
Just For Fun Question: Why did the cow refuse to be slaughtered? Answer: Because it’s a pain in the neck!
2
L
KING AHEAD PESACH
In The Spotlight The Hale Recipe Book Launch
EDUCATION
Let my people go! Until Monday 24th April when HYPE and Trust programmes will resume Chag Kasher V’Sameach Rabbi Aharon & Elisheva and Rabbi Nick & Shira A Kashering facility will be available again this year at Shule for those who wish to kasher any metal cutlery or utensils for Pesach on Sunday 2nd April, from 11.00am - 12.00pm.
Over 100 people celebrated the completion and launch of a brand new recipe book to mark the 40/30 Anniversary. It boasts over 170 recipes submitted by people currently, or formerly from Hale, and features stunning supporting photographs. The project was the brainchild of Michelle Sallon, who has worked tirelessly with her team, including Sylvia Dobkin, Natalie Zemmel, photographer Tanya Duman, and graphic designer Marcelle Kauffman, to bring it to fruition. John Blaskey opened the evening with his characteristic wit and humour. The guests were treated to samples of some of the recipes, as well as a cooking demonstration by Sula Leon, who prepared five pastry dishes in 45 minutes! With over 300 copies sold so far, this will go down as one of the highlights of the 40/30 anniversary year. If you have not yet ordered your copy, please contact the Shule office. The books cost £25.
Mazaltov to Rochelle Huddlestone and to Ronnie & Joy Polak on the birth of a granddaughter and great granddaughter, a daughter to Abby & David. Susan & Jonathan Lipton on Michael’s engagement to Sirke Rinkoff.