An evening with Howard Jacobson, interviewed by Rabbi Shlomo Levin

How is one to convey news of the arrival of a work of genius? . . . It is the most intelligent and important novel [in years] . . . It is, to repeat and to repeat plainly, a work of genius." - A. C. Grayling, The Times on Kalooki Nights

Howard Jacobson is Britain’s greatest Jewish novelist, whose latest outstandingly brilliant novel “Kalooki Nights”, recently won the Jewish Quarterly Wingate Prize 2007.

Here’s your chance to hear him discuss Jewishness, literature and comedy in his inimitable witty style.
Details: Sunday, 2 December 2007, 8:00 – 9:30pm, £10 per person, Refreshments, Book signing session.
Reserve your place in advance by emailing Diane.

Shemita Update Nov/Dec 07 - What you can buy now

Sign up for Shemita Updates from the London Beth Din Kashrut Division .

Until further notice:

• You can and should buy Israeli fruit - ie produce that grows from trees.



• You can and should buy Israeli wine and spirits (if you like Arak, I guess!)



• You should not buy Israeli vegetables, herbs or flowers ie produce that grows from the ground, such as melon. The only exception to this are 'Alei Katif' hydroponically produced bug free herbs and vegetables (also MSG free but high in taste and nutrients)



• You should buy all other Israeli products, such as Bisli (please eat Bisli responsibly, at least more responsibly than I do!) Bisli is available at Morrisons Supermarket in Chalk Farm if you want to support local distributors of Israeli products!

For an explanation of the Shemita (sabbatical year) and how we observe it, please see the other posts in the Shemita 5768 label.

What a load of rubbish...and other enticing events!

We are delighted to welcome James Dunlop, Camden Council's Recycling advisor who can help you to help the environment and your own bank balance - and yes, it's a Mitzva!

Tonight, Wednesday 21 November at the Shul. More details below.

Also, dont forget that Talmud, Hebrew Reading and Cookery continue this evening. 8pm at the Shul. Regular course charges apply, either using your term ticket or £10 per session (concessions available).

What a load of rubbish! Why put your waste in a landfill site and clog up the planet? Why not recycle it instead and help produce something new? Find out the many ways that you can help maintain and sustain your environment and save money with James Dunlop, Camden’s Recycling and Environment Advisor. A video, a talk and anything you want to know about recycling – what you can (and can’t) leave out for recycling collection; where your recycled rubbish ends up; What about food?

The blessing of everything, Parashat Chayei Sara

‘And Abraham was old, advanced in days, and G-d had blessed Abraham with ba-col’. (Bereishit 24,1)

This verse occurs straight after Abraham has finalised the burial arrangements for Sarah his wife. Why does the Torah refer to him as both ‘old’ and ‘advanced in years’? What, in this context, is the explanation of the word ‘ba-col’ which we normally translate as ‘with everything’?

The commentary of Rabbi Ovadia Seforno (aka Seforno, 15/16 century) explains that the phrase ‘advanced in days’ means that the time had come for Abraham to marry off Isaac. This explanation fits within the context of the passage as Abraham starts this process in the very next verse. Therefore, this phrase explains that Abraham’s obligation to marry off Isaac still existed, emphasised by the fact the Abraham was growing old.

If so, what is the meaning of the word ‘ba-col’? If Abraham needed and wanted to marry off Isaac, can this word mean that Abraham was blessed with ‘everything’?

Rashi, in a similar vein to Seforno, writes that the numerical value of the letters in the word ‘ba-col’ is the same as the numerical value of the letters in the word ‘ben’ (son). Abraham, it seems, was blessed ‘ba-col’ because he had Isaac but action was now required to take care of Isaac’s future. Perhaps we see here how even when we have blessings, we still need to apply these blessings to our situation through our actions.

Ibn Ezra (1089-1167) takes a different approach. He writes that ‘ba-col’ means that Abraham was blessed with a long life, wealth, honour and children – all that Abraham desired.

It is noteworthy also to consider the Talmud’s comment (Bava Batra 16b) that the blessing of ‘ba-col’ was that Abraham did not witness the rebellion of his grandson Esau and that his own rebellious, expelled son Ishmael did teshuva, repented of his evil ways before Abraham passed away (see the end of the Sidra, 25:9, which states that Isaac and Ishmael both buried Abraham, plus Rashi’s comment there).

Ramban (1194-1270) quotes Ibn Ezra, also explaining that although Abraham was blessed ‘ba-col’ he still wanted to help Isaac. Ramban then makes an intriguing suggestion, based on suggestions made in the Talmudic passage quoted above. According to Rabbi Meir, one of the Talmudic sages, the blessing of ‘ba-col’ was that Abraham did not have a daughter. On the other hand, his protagonist Rabbi Yehuda explains that Abraham did have a daughter.

How could Rabbi Meir say that not having a daughter was a blessing?

Ramban explains that given the nefarious nature of society around Abraham, if he had a daughter, she would have had no choice but to marry an unsuitable husband and in such a society she would have suffered from that husband. Therefore, Abraham as the representative of moral values in his society, was blessed by having a boy who could continue that legacy, rather than a girl who would suffer from the society around her.

Advice for guests and families of Bar/Bat Mitzva and Aufruf (1)

Mazaltov! Have an enjoyable and uplifting Simcha (joyous occasion). Thank you for celebrating with the rest of the South Hampstead community. Here is some advice to explain and clarify some of the goings-on and what you need to do.

Please refer both your Jewish and non-Jewish guests to this posting in advance of your Simcha

How should I come to South Hampstead Shul (Synagogue)?

1. If you are coming to South Hampstead on Shabbat (the Sabbath - prior to Friday sundown to 3 stars on Saturday night, see the Shul website for weekly times), please note that driving is prohibited on Shabbat (see a separate future post which discusses why).


2. If you are inviting non-Jewish guests, although they do not observe and respect the laws of Shabbat, please inform them that parking is controlled from 9.30am-1.30pm on Shabbat and that pay and display parking is limited.


3. In addition, the Shul is not able to provide parking vouchers, especially on Shabbat.


4. We also strive for good neighbourly relations so please encourage non-Jewish guests to use minicabs or public transport to come to the Shul. The nearest tube is Chalk Farm.

Should I bring anything with me?

1. No, certainly if you are Jewish! The laws of Shabbat prohibit transfering items from private to public domains, such as from your home to the street and to the Shul, unless this happens within an Eruv. Currently, South Hampstead Shul is not within an Eruv.


2. So, for example, men should not bring their Talit (aka Tallis) instead using one provided at the Shul. Similarily, do not bring Siddurim (prayer books), instead use those provided at the Shul.


3. Please also advise non-Jewish guests that although they do not observe Shabbat, they should be sensitive to this law of Shabbat and carry items discreetly, even if they see that some attendees do not observe this aspect of Shabbat.


4. Electronic items, such as mobile phones and cameras are not activated on Shabbat. For security reasons, if non-Jewish guests bring such items are brought, they must be deposited at security before entry to the Shul. In line with what is written in the rest of this section, Jews should neither use such items nor bring them to Shul on Shabbat.

How should I dress?

1. South Hampstead Shul has a relaxed atmosphere but is also a place of prayer where some formality is appropriate. For example, some men wear suits and ties whilst others will wear more relaxed but still smarter clothing e.g. chinos and a shirt rather than jeans and a polo shirt. Ascot dress is too dressy for Shul but neither is your house party gear appropriate!


2. Another aspect of a place of prayer is that clothing should be modest, especially in cut. In the shul, we stand before G-d in prayer and it is important that we are dressed appropriately. As such, both women and men should dress appropriately in this regard.


3. Married women cover their hair in the Shul even if they do not when outside (Jewish law requires married women to cover their hair in public). Whilst some women wear wigs (called a sheitel or pe'ah nochrit) in Hebrew, others prefer hats or scarves. Non-Jewish women, whilst not formally obligated to cover their hair in Shul by Jewish law, may wish to do so out of respect for the Shul environment.


4. Men, both Jewish and non-Jewish, should wear a head covering in Shul. This is normally done by wearing a cuppel/yarmulka/kipa and applies to both Jewish and non-Jewish men. A stock of cuppels/yarmulkas/kipot (plural) is available at the entrance to the Shul. After the service, please return any which you borrow.
   

When should our guests arrive?

1. Usually, the Shabbat morning service starts at 9.30am although many of the congregation arrive later. It is not fair to non-Jewish guests to expect them to arrive this early and sit through the entire service. Therefore...


2. For a barmitzvah, non-Jewish guests should arrive between 10.35 and 10.45am.


3. For a batmitzvah, non-Jewish guests should arrive between 10.50 and 11am.


4. For an aufruf, non-Jewish guests should arrive by 10.35am.

They will be in good time for the simcha if they arrive at these times and will not need to sit through the first part of the service which is irrelevant for their purposes and probably completely unintelligable for them.

What should we expect in the service?

1. The service is conducted mainly in Hebrew although the prayer books have English translation. Rabbi Shlomo announces page numbers and explains the service at frequent intervals. If you are unfamiliar with the service and

(a) read Hebrew, then go for the prayers you are familiar with and pray at your own pace or

(b) if you are not a Hebrew reader, then please make use of the translation which I hope you will find inspiring.

Although the Shul is a place of prayer, it also has a relaxed atmosphere as discussed above. One of the Hebrew words for a Shul is a beit kenesset, which means a house of gathering. As such, it is a bit like an extended family occasion and in some ways more of a community centre than just a Shul.

After the service finishes, the community normally enjoys a Kiddush to celebrate the Simcha and to allow people to catch up over some food and drink.

Sweets and Applause

Although in some communities, sweets are gently thrown at a barmitzvah boy to symbolise the sweetness of his coming of age, the custom in South Hampstead is not to throw sweets.

Please do not throw sweets. In addition to the waste, they get trodden into the carpet, can cause damage to people or property and also to any children caught in the scramble to retrieve them. It would be a much bigger Mitzvah (good deed) to give sweets to a shelter, hospital or charity or the Shul's elderly peoples' Friendship club to celebrate your Simcha.

Please do not applaud after the bat/bar mitzva part of the section ends. It is really not appropriate since the bar/bat mitzva is not a performance. Instead, it is the celebration of a Jewish child attaining responsibility.

The appropriate way to celebrate is to wish the family 'siman tov u'mazaltov', which is a blessing for good. It is often sung in South Hampstead and if so, it is appropriate to clap along with the song.

In closing

This whole posting is designed to ensure that you and your guests are familiar with the service, enhance the occasion, respect the sanctity and atmosphere of the Shul and help you to gain the maximum religious benefit from your special occasion.

If you have any questions, please email me

Mazaltov!

Shalom Zachar

Hi to all, my apologies for not posting for some time. It's been a busy time since...

...With thanks to G-d, my wife and I have been blessed with a son (exhibit A above). This posting is in gratitude and also attempls to explain why you are invited to a Shalom Zachor at our house this evening!

Some communities have the custom of making a small party called a Shalom Zachar / Sholom Zochor (if you use Ashkenazi pronounciation) on the first Friday night after a baby boy is born. The SZ takes place in the home of the newborn baby.

This custom is mentioned by the Rema (Rabbi Moshe Iserlis), a complementary work printed together with the Shulchan Aruch indicating where Ashkenazi custom differs from Sefaradi custom.

Why is there a Shalom Zachor? (the clue is in the italicised line at the end of this paragraph)

Here is what Rema writes: (Section Yoreh De'ah, chapter 265, paragraph 12) 'some people have the custom to make a festive meal and celebration on the Friday night after a baby boy is born.. The guests arrive at the newborn's home and taste some food. This is a Seudat Mitzva / a meal celebrating a mitzva.

Why would this be a seudat mitzva? Perhaps it relates to the seuda (meal) which accompanies the brit itself, but then why not just have a seuda with the brit?

Taz (not Taz for those who may be confused) presents intriguing answers. Quoting Terumat Hadeshen, he writes that since people are 'around' on Friday nights, everybody has the chance to go and celebrate with the baby and its family. This includes those who may not be able to attend the brit itself. Taz writes further, quoting the Midrash (Rabbinic teachings on the Torah), that just as people in Temple times would attend the Temple to bring a sacrifice to G-d, so too do we 'attend' in the most similar way that we can, on the holy day of Shabbat, before the baby enters the brit (which, btw, means both covenant and circumcision - the circumcision is to enter the covenant as described in this week's Sidra - cool! - see chapter 17 of Bereishit/Genesis).

Even more fascinatingly, Taz also quotes the Derisha who suggests that rather than being a party of celebration, the Shalom Zachor in fact commemorates all that the baby has forgotten already! According to the Talmud (Tractate Niddah, page 20b), the child learns the whole of the Torah whilst in its mother's womb but then an angel gently strikes the child (leading to the indentation between the upper lip and the nose) causing the child to forget the Torah that he has learnt. Thus the Shalom Zachar is to 'remember' that the child needs to start learning Torah and build up his own achievements in this regard. This should stimulate us to remember the Torah and understand that it is through our own efforts - qualatatively perhaps more than quantitativley - we realise that if we do not remember the Torah, we can easily forget it.

Tosafot (Bava Kama 80a, s.v 'velibi' as quoted by the Gra) explains that the custom to make a festive meal is to give thanks for the safe arrival of the baby. This may explain why the custom arose to have a Shalom Zachar in addition to the Brit.

This could also explain the custom to eat chickpeas and fruit at the Shalom Zachor, which are seen as a sign of fertility, in similar fashion to eating the simanim on Rosh Hashana (see the index for a post explaining this.)

However, it does not explain why a Shalom Zachar is generally only for a male child whilst a similar party for a girl is called a Simchat Bat or a Zeved Bat (see page 816 of the green Siddur for more on this). More on this another time, all being well - hopefully when somebody in the shul has a girl.

Conclusion

Hopefully we have now seen why some communities have the custom of a Shalom Zachar. However, it is certainly not obligatory and should not be held if the baby or parents would be put under strain.

Aruch Hashulchan, in a cautionary note (Yoreh De'ah 265:37) questions how the Shalom Zachar could be a festive meal especially as the custom is just to 'nosh' rather than make hamotzi and have a proper seuda! He mentions another custom of going to wish Mazaltov to the parents and baby after Shul on Shabbat morning but not to eat anything at their house so that there is no pressure on the parents to provide catering or hospitality!

Shemita (1)

This Jewish year (5768) is a Shemita (Sabbatical) year. Amongst the Mitzvot of the Shemita year is that the Land of Israel should not be worked, that any produce which it produces of its own accord must not be traded for profit and that such produce must be treated in a specified way.

We will discuss some of these issues at the Shabbat Mincha shiur this Shabbat, Parashat Bereishit, all being well, with an update planned for the blog.