Jewish Congregation Adass Yisroel, Berlin (Public Corporation)
We will read on Shabbat about the middle stages of our exodus from Egypt. We also have a lot in the Parsha regarding the interaction between Moshe Rabeinu and Pharaoh. In this context, the following Pasuk reads : וּמֹשֶׁה֙ בֶּן־שְׁמֹנִ֣ים שָׁנָ֔ה וְאַֽהֲרֹ֔ן בֶּן־שָׁלֹ֥שׁ וּשְׁמֹנִ֖ים שָׁנָ֑ה בְּדַבְּרָ֖ם אֶל־פַּרְעֹֽה׃ {פ} "And Moshe was eighty years old, and Aaron eighty-three, …
Continue reading "Shabbat Kodesh Parashat Vaerá – On Vitality…"
Moshe Rabeinu, the most influential leader that our nation ever had, would not qualify contemporarily as a national political leader. His response to Hashem's instruction: וְעַתָּ֣ה לְכָ֔ה וְאֶֽשְׁלָחֲךָ֖ אֶל־פַּרְעֹ֑ה וְהוֹצֵ֛א אֶת־עַמִּ֥י בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל מִמִּצְרָֽיִם׃ "Come, therefore, I will send you to Pharaoh, and you shall free My people, the Israelites, from Egypt.” - was to refuse it. Not …
Continue reading "Ethics and leadership… Schabbat Kodesh Parshat Shemot"
Shabbat Kodesh Parashat Vayetze Our sages describe Yaakov Avinu as the "Choicest of the Patriarchs". His twelve children all remained "within the family". This, in contrast to Avraham Avinu, who had a son Yishmael, and Yitzchak, who's son Esav did not continue the family tradition in the way his parents wished for. The question is, …
Shabbat Kodesh Parshat Toldot From very early in my life, I was exposed to real Tzadikim's biographies . I always loved the chapters describing the absolutely amazing sensitivity and thoughtfulness of real great people to the needs and feelings of other human beings. And of course to their Avodat Hashem and devotion to Torah studying. It gave me …
Shabbat Kodesh Parashat Vayera We start the Parsha with the promise made through the visiting "guests" to Avraham Avinu: "I will surely return to you at this time next year, and behold, your wife Sarah will have a son." Sarah Imeinu, who was listening to the conversation, is criticised for "laughing" upon hearing the promise, …
After the Nazis invaded the small village of Klausenburg, Romania, they began to celebrate the "defeat" of the Jews in their usual sadistic fashion. They gathered the Jews into a circle in the centre of town, and then paraded their Rebbe, Rabbi Yekusial Yehuda Halberstam (1905-1994), into the centre. (The Rebbe was taken to Auschwitz, where …
Continue reading "The choice is ours… A story which speaks for itself – and to us!"
On the eve of Yom Kippur 5784 / 2023 We know that Kol Nidrei ("all vows") is the Hebrew and Aramaic declaration made in the synagogue before the evening service begins on Yom Kippur. That"Kol Nidre" is a very emotional moment in our lives - is a much known phenomena - experienced annually by the most religious, as well as the least …
Ahead of the new year 5784 we wish the members and friends of Adass Yisroel Berlin all the very best, a happy new year and chatima tova. - Rabbi Chaim Michael Biberfeld Shelita
Shabbat Kodesh Parashat Nitzavim We will read this week Parshat Nitzavim. This Parsha is always being read at the last Shabbat of the year. I have noticed an unusual repetition of one particular word, in both - last week's Parsha, (Ki Tavo) and this week's - Nitzavim. The word "Today". It appears in different contexts more than in any Parshiot in the whole Torah. There must be a reason! …
Shabbat Kodesh Parashat Ki Tavó We will read this week ((Devarim 30, 11-12) כִּ֚י הַמִּצְוָ֣ה הַזֹּ֔את אֲשֶׁ֛ר אָנֹכִ֥י מְצַוְּךָ֖ הַיּ֑וֹם לֹא־נִפְלֵ֥את הִוא֙ מִמְּךָ֔ וְלֹ֥א רְחֹקָ֖ה הִֽוא׃ Surely, this Instruction which I enjoin upon you this day is not too baffling for you, nor is it beyond reach. לֹ֥א בַשָּׁמַ֖יִם הִ֑וא לֵאמֹ֗ר מִ֣י יַעֲלֶה־לָּ֤נוּ הַשָּׁמַ֙יְמָה֙ וְיִקָּחֶ֣הָ לָּ֔נוּ וְיַשְׁמִעֵ֥נוּ אֹתָ֖הּ וְנַעֲשֶֽׂנָּה׃ It …