Newsletter Snippets
This is the place for D’var Torah, news, the occasional inspiring story, or just anything relating to the Newcastle Hebrew Congregation.
Get the “Cliff-notes” – Read a weekly Parsha summary
Parsha, parshah, parashat, parshas.... it's all the same. Have you ever thought "I really should read this week's Parsha?" Then despite all best intentions, something gets in the way. You then soothe your guilt by thinking "not everyone in this life hit the ground...
Parshat Vayigash 5782
Parshat Vayigash 5782 - Vayigash in a Nutshell Genesis 44:18–47:27 Judah approaches Joseph to plead for the release of Benjamin, offering himself as a slave to the Egyptian ruler in Benjamin's stead. Upon witnessing his brothers' loyalty to...
Vayishlach: Geed Hanasheh—Sciatic Nerve
Parshat Vayishlach 5782 Vayishlach: Geed Hanasheh—Sciatic NerveGeed hanasheh is the sciatic nerve, a sinew in the hip that Jews are forbidden to eat. Many know that kosher meat must be slaughtered and salted. Not many know about neekur, the intricate process that...
Vayetsei: Rising and Falling – the ladders in our lives
Parshat Vayetsei 5782 (Reprinted with permission from Rabbi Lew, Manchester England). Rising and Falling - the ladders in our lives. Our Sidrah begins with a dream in which a ladder features prominently. You may have heard about the breaking story that occurred...
Parshat Toldot: Delayed Gratification
Parshat Toldot 5782 DELAYED GRATIFICATION Imagine answering a knock on the door one afternoon, to a neighbour offering you $1000 for the beaten-up old vase on your front hall table. It’s a no-brainer; you’d take the money in a flash and slam the door on him...
Parshat Chayei Sarah 5782
Parshat Chayei Sarah 5782 - in a nutshell (reprinted from Chabad.org with permission) Sarah dies at age 127 and is buried in the Machpelah Cave in Hebron, which Abraham purchases from Ephron the Hittite for four...
The Rebbe Rashab: Rabbi Shalom Ber Schneersohn
This guy changed my life - today's his birthday. When I wrote in the subject line that this man changed my life I wasn’t exaggerating. His name is Rabbi Shalom Ber Schneersohn and he was born on this day in 1860 (and passed in 1920). Until I discovered his...
Parshat Vayeira 5782: Something worth dying for
Parshat Vayeira 5782 G‑d reveals Himself to Abraham three days after the first Jew’s circumcision at age ninety-nine; but Abraham rushes off to prepare a meal for three guests who appear in the desert heat. One of the three—who are angels disguised as men—announces...
Lech-Lecha 5782: Wise ones, watch your words
Lech-Lecha 5782 The portion of Lech-Lecha introduces us fully to Abraham and Sarah - the couple responsible for announcing monotheism to the world. It was they who reintroduced the one and only G-d to a society who had expunged Him. Where civilisation had deleted G-d...
Parshat Noach 5782: Where’s your Ark?
Parshat Noach Earlier this week, we all panicked while living a few hours without WhatsApp, Facebook and Instagram. During this strange time, I realized something: I am just like Noah! For an entire year, Noah was in the ark. One must assume that he didn't have any...