Religion

Rabbis find perfect pitch for Rosh Hashanah

Sep 17, 2020 1 Comment

A video by the South African Rabbinical Association of 40 South African rabbonim and chazzanim singing Avinu Malkeinu is being shared around the world as a symbol of hope and harmony ahead of the high holy days, which so many people will celebrate alone or apart from one another this year.
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Sefardim do Rosh Hashanah with eastern flair

Sep 17, 2020 Go comment!

If you thought that the Rosh Hashanah experience was universal and uniform, think again. While many Ashkenazi Jews may be used to eating a few traditional New Year foods, Sefardim partake in an uplifting and colourful yom tov experience that goes well beyond apples dipped in honey.
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Fire and rebirth

Sep 17, 2020 Go comment!

This will be a high-anxiety Yom Kippur. Even the wave of relief from the shofar blast signalling the end of the fast will be short-lived.
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Blasting our way out of our tears

Sep 17, 2020 Go comment!

When you think of Rosh Hashanah, what comes to mind? While there are so many customs, rituals, and traditions associated with this holiday, no doubt the shofar stands out as the featured highlight.
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Doing Yom Kippur alone

Sep 17, 2020 Go comment!

I’d like to tell you an idea about Yom Kippur, but to do so I must explain a lesson from my childhood.
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Jonah’s whale of contemplation

Sep 17, 2020 Go comment!

If we didn’t know the book of Jonah so well, (or have vague memories of it on Yom Kippur afternoons – pre-COVID-19, of course), the second chapter would catch us by surprise.
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Understanding our mission

Sep 17, 2020 Go comment!

Today [Rosh Hashanah] is the birthday of the world. Everything we know came into being on this day except the creator of all things. Why did G-d create the world? He desired a dwelling place in the lower realm. Ours is the lower realm. Why was man created? To be partners in creating the dwelling place for G-d in the lower realm. How do we achieve that? By fulfilling the mitzvot, thereby elevating mankind and the world, and by studying Torah, thereby drawing true wisdom and knowledge into our hearts, minds, and into the lower realm.
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Chief Rabbi and Rebbetzin’s lockdown lessons

Sep 10, 2020 Go comment!

This year has been like no other, and it was therefore very difficult to write Rosh Hashanah messages like any other year. As Rosh Hashanah 5781 approaches, we (Gina and I) take this opportunity to reflect and share some of our lessons from lockdown with you. It is our hope that as the resilient and magnificent community South African Jewry is, we will all emerge from this stronger, more evolved, and more equipped than ever to approach 5781 with hope and optimism.
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Forgiveness is taking back control

Sep 10, 2020 Go comment!

“I’m sorry. Do you forgive me?” When you hear this with increasing frequency, you know Rosh Hashanah is around the corner.
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Seven tips for staying healthy during the Yom Kippur fast

Sep 10, 2020 Go comment!

(JTA) There is a marked difference between the intended feeling of being uncomfortable with not eating or drinking for 25 hours, and actually becoming ill as a result of not getting enough liquids and nutrients.
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Shuls, rabbis, and corona congregations

Sep 10, 2020 Go comment!

I was chatting to my son, Bentzy, who is in the United States, and he shared something fascinating with me. Did you know that since the coronavirus struck, there’s been a surge in downloads of apps that focus on meditation? Many millions of Americans are downloading apps called Calm, Headspace, Meditopia, and Relax: Master your destiny. How’s that for irony? Meditation is all about getting away from the big, noisy, mechanical, robotic world. And how do we achieve it? With a digital app!
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Rosh Hashanah schools’ creative writing competition

Sep 10, 2020 Go comment!

Who better to give us their creative thoughts than high school scholars? We called on the schools to send us their best articles or pieces of creative writing about Rosh Hashanah 2020. We selected these three, although it was a tough decision as all the work sent was excellent. – Editor
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Rabbis have their work cut out for them

Sep 10, 2020 Go comment!

A young man walks into the rabbi’s office and asks if he may speak to him for a few minutes. Apparently, he is considering a career in the clergy, but doesn’t know exactly what it entails and his father has suggested that he chat with the family’s spiritual leader.
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The end is embedded in the beginning, and the beginning in the end

Sep 10, 2020 Go comment!

For a long time now, the concept of Mashiach and the anticipation of his arrival has become more and more of a mainstream discussion. An ever-increasing number of people are debating this concept, and if there was ever a moment of anticipation this year, undoubtedly Pesach would have been that defining moment.
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In the birth of a new year

Sep 10, 2020 Go comment!

Never in our lifetimes have we longed for a different kind of year to be born! When we recited Hayom Harat Olam last year as 5780 dawned, we could not imagine the year that was being ushered in!
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Healing our broken hearts

Sep 10, 2020 Go comment!

Back in March, when the full impact of coronavirus hit South Africa and President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the hard lockdown, the festival of Pesach was just around the corner. Who will ever forget Pesach 5780?
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In homage to the honey-makers

Sep 10, 2020 Go comment!

As Jewish people around the world mark the sweetness of a new year with apples dipped in honey, the SA Jewish Report delved behind the scenes to uncover the buzz about bees and their keepers who bring this Rosh Hashanah ritual to fruition.
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Blossoms, blue china, and family love

Sep 10, 2020 Go comment!

It’s the blossoms! Three colours! The blossoms of the trees on the pavement. Pink, dark pink, and white. That means yom tov, and it means Rosh Hashanah!
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Dressing to impress all part of the majesty

Sep 10, 2020 Go comment!

Growing up, Oxford Shul, located in Riviera, Johannesburg, was the place to see and be seen, especially around Rosh Hashanah and the high holy days. Oxford Shul was the largest synagogue in Africa, able to accommodate 1 600 congregants and an additional 1 000 with the overflow in the Simon Kuper Hall. The demand to be a member was so great, a member literally had to die in order for a seat to free up.
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‘Song of praise’ ignites memories

Sep 10, 2020 Go comment!

I’m not a writer as such. Words for me wait to find expression through song, voice – physical, or poetic form. However, it’s interesting that when being asked to pen something, it focuses your thoughts in a different way to the embodied form.
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