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13th February 2021 / 1st Adar 5781
Mishpatim / Shabbat Rosh Chodesh / Parshat Shekalim

Dear Member,

 

Please see below for our weekly e-newsletter.

 

The Shul is now closed for all services and all other events until further notice.

 

The Shul office will remain open for phone calls only. Please do not visit the Shul office for any reason. If you are due to make a payment, this can be done by debit/credit card by ringing Michelle on 020 8629 2783 or by cheque through the post.

 

If you know of anyone that needs our help please contact the Shul office.

This week’s Cranbrook News is kindly sponsored by
Barbara Mervish and family, in loving memory of her father
Reuben Symons z’l, Reuven ben Shaul.

Details of our Weekday Zoom services are detailed below.

 

Shabbat Shalom

 

Cranbrook US

News and Views
 

“You shall not wrong a stranger or oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt” (Exodus 22:20)

 

This is a fascinating verse. It tells us that we should not steal from or oppress a stranger, as we were strangers in Egypt. Why should that be the rationale for the commandment - we should not wrong or oppress a stranger, because it is morally reprehensible to do so, and not because we were strangers in Egypt! Just in last week’s parasha, we are told to be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. Surely a holy nation doesn’t oppress strangers?

 

Yes, a holy nation doesn’t oppress strangers, but the reason that they don’t is not only because G-d said, so, it is because G-d wants us to build empathy for those who are “other” than ourselves. If you are a holy person, and you are concerned with your own development and growth perhaps you might not hear or be bothered by the needs of the stranger. Moses’s first moment of greatness does not arise when he gives the Torah to his people. It arrives when he grows up and goes out to his brothers. Rashi explains that he built up empathy for their plight as slaves, their pain and persecution. This is the moment when Moses is crowned with greatness -when instead of looking at himself and his personal spiritual needs, he looks out for the needs of others. If we are to be a great nation our first step must be to build our empathy for others.

 

Rashi explains that we learn from this verse an important concept. “If you have a certain blemish, do not spread it to your friends.  Just as you might afflict a stranger, he might afflict you in exactly the same manner - you too were a stranger in the land of Egypt”.  I believe Rashi here is pointing to a very deep, psychological insight. If one has an unreasonable response to a stranger (literally the words of the verse - don’t afflict a stranger!) - someone who you really don’t know all that well, the likelihood is that the stranger is not at fault here. This is something that psychodynamic therapists explain as “splitting” - cutting off any negative emotions and experiences from oneself and “projecting” those thoughts and emotions onto a convenient other.  It allows us to feel more comfortable about ourselves, and to vent our frustrations with ourselves onto someone else. 

 

This is clearly not an acceptable way to act. Rashi here is pointing to us having self- knowledge and understanding. Understand where it comes from and accept and work on yourself, rather than venting it onto others So the next time you find yourself speaking unkindly about others, perhaps stop and think. Who are we speaking unkindly to - them, or ourselves?  The Torah is commanding us “know thyself” - be aware of those negative emotions, and work on them, rather than ignoring them and blaming someone else. This is what it takes to be a holy nation.

 

I wish you all a very good Shabbos.

 

Rabbi Steven, Siobhan, Maya and Talia Dansky.

There are occasions that we need men to help make a minyan at a levoya, this is a great mitzvah. We appreciate that during this difficult time men do not want to go out, perhaps some of our younger members would like to help out.

If you are interested please give Harold a call on 07434 580885.

Sponsorship

 

If you would like to mark a birthday or Simcha, or want to commemorate a Yahrzeit, this can be done by sponsoring Cranbrook News. In the forthcoming weeks, there are many dates that are available. The cost of sponsoring Cranbrook News is £15.

 

Sponsorship is available for the on-line version of Cranbrook News on the following dates: March 6th, 13th, 20th & 27th;
April 3rd, 10th, 17th and 24th.

 

To book any of these dates please call the synagogue office on: 020-8629 2780 or e-mail admin@cranbrooksynagogue.org.uk

Condolences to:
 

Hugh and Marc Koslover on the loss of their father, Morris Koslover.

We wish Long Life to everyone who is observing a Yahrzeit this week:  

Edward Adler, Michael Alexander, Sylvia Allen, Sandra Barnett,
Valerie Barzilai, Bernard Berman, Kenneth Black, Millicent Boxer,
Sheila Brand, David Bresh, Debroy Caine, Alexandra Clements,
Frederick Cohen, Doreen Curtis, Melvin Danser, June Davis,
Audrey Davis, Helen Flax, Renee Graham, Steven Graham,
Melvyn Granby, Eunice Green, Helen Harris, Lester Harris,
Derek Hooker, Morris Huberman, Geraldine Jackson, Martin Jacobs,
Peter Kay, Jeffrey Leader, Lindsey Levison, Rose Levy,
Stephen Levy, Solomon Macatonia, Maureen Marcus,
Laura Mendoza, Barbara Mervish, Bradley Mervish,
Michelle Mervish, David Michaels, Frank Morris, Brenda Moss,
Allan Osborne, Michelle Osborne, Neville Peters, Max Placks,
Sarah Roat, Ilana Scott, Helen Selner, Shirley Silver,
Brenda Stanton, Frances Wallace, Helen Walters,
Raymond Waxman, Harvey Weinfass, Loretta Zack and
Michelle Zubary.

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