Chodesh tov! With the dawn of the month of Nissan we begin a new book of the Torah, Vaykira. Although traditionally this is the book of the Torah which is more focused on practice and worship of God rather than stories, it contains nuggets of insight and inspiration. This week we will examine the following passage: יג וְאִ֨ם כָּל־עֲדַ֤ת יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ יִשְׁגּ֔וּ וְנֶעְלַ֣ם דָּבָ֔ר מֵֽעֵינֵ֖י הַקָּהָ֑ל וְ֠עָשׂ֠וּ אַחַ֨ת מִכָּל־מִצְוֹ֧ת יְהֹוָ֛ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר לֹא־תֵֽעָשֶׂ֖ינָה וְאָש

Salutations! To recap: a. Shabbat Shkalim (Census) b. Shabbat Zachor (Story of Amalek) c. Shabbat Parah (Parah Adumah) d. Shabbat HaChodesh (The Jewish Calendar) We have finally reached the final special Shabbat which takes place every year on the Shabbat preceding Rosh Chodesh Nissan. It outlines two major concepts: a. The Jewish Calendar b. The traditions of Pesach (the offering, matzah, blood on the doorpost etc.) This week's dvar Torah will focus on the Jewish Calendar. C

Greetings all! So to recap our special Shabbatot: a. Shabbat Shkalim (census) b. Shabbat Zachor (story of Amalek) c. Shabbat Parah (Parah Adumah) d. Shabbat HaChodesh Shabbat Parah recalls the ancient and mystifying practice of slaughtering the Parah Adumah (see below), a perfect, unblemished red cow, burning it and using its ashes to purify those who were impure in preparation for the Pesach offering (which is why we read it in the lead up to Pesach). Like all ritual slaught

As mentioned in a previous email, this time of year is home to a few special Shabbatot. We have already mentioned Shabbat Shkalim (the census), this week is Shabbat Zachor. Traditionally, the maftir, "זכור את עמלק" - "remember Amalek" is attended by many people, who make an effort to come to Shule specifically to hear the maftir and to take full advantage of a delicious kiddush. There are many token events that have become very popular in contemporary Judaism. Why Shabbat Zac

What a first month it has been for the Shnatties in Israel! But it has been at great month at Hineni Melbourne and Hineni Sydney as well! Each month we are making "The Month that Was" videos to send to the Shnatties and to share with you all. Enjoy watching all the great things that having bee going on at home in Australia! #Update #Hineni

The plot of this week's Parsha pales in comparison to the awe-inspiring stories of Exodus and the census. Parshat Termuah is the world's first fundraiser, with Moses requesting of the people to donate portions so that Bnei Yisrael can build the Mishkan, the mobile house of God. This is an incredibly complex process which involves walls, curtains, gold, silver etc. Parallel to the parsha is the Hafotrah whose theme is always connected to the reading. In the case of this week's