6:54am - early candle lighting
7:55pm - Candle Lighting, Friday.
8:53pm - Havdalah, Saturday.
These times are for Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Eruv Status: Kosher
Shabbat Shalom!
This being the Shabbat before Purim, on which we celebrate the foiling of Haman the Amalekite's plot to destroy the Jewish people, the weekly Parshah is supplemented with the Zachor reading (Deuteronomy 25:17-19) in which we are commanded to remember the evil of Amalek and to eradicate it from the face of the earth.
"Parshat Zachor" is the second of four special readings added during or immediately before the month of Adar (the other three being "Shekalim", "Parah" and "Hachodesh")
Links:
The Zachor Reading with commentary
More on Who Was Amalek?
Please click here to view the Yeshivah Shule Tzetel for Shabbos Parshas Terumah, Parshas Zochor and Purim
Please click here to view the PDFs of the Weekly Publications regularly distributed in Shule each Shabbos.
PARSHAH IN A NUTSHELL
Exodus 25:1–27:19
The people of Israel are called upon to contribute thirteen materials—gold, silver and copper; blue-, purple- and red-dyed wool; flax, goat hair, animal skins, wood, olive oil, spices and gems—out of which, G‑d says to Moses, "They shall make for Me a Sanctuary, and I shall dwell amidst them."
On the summit of Mount Sinai, Moses is given detailed instructions on how to construct this dwelling for G‑d so that it could be readily dismantled, transported and reassembled as the people journeyed in the desert.
In the Sanctuary's inner chamber, behind an artistically woven curtain, was the ark containing the tablets of testimony engraved with the Ten Commandments; on the ark's cover stood two winged cherubim hammered out of pure gold. In the outer chamber stood the seven-branched menorah, and the table upon which the "showbread" was arranged.
The Sanctuary's three walls were fitted together from 48 upright wooden boards, each of which was overlaid with gold and held up by a pair of silver foundation sockets. The roof was formed of three layers of coverings: (a) tapestries of multicolored wool and linen; (b) a covering made of goat hair; (c) a covering of ram and tachash skins. Across the front of the Sanctuary was an embroidered screen held up by five posts.
Surrounding the Sanctuary and the copper-plated altar which fronted it was an enclosure of linen hangings, supported by 60 wooden posts with silver hooks and trimmings, and reinforced by copper stakes.
Zachor in a Nutshell
Deuteronomy 25:17–19
This being the Shabbat before Purim, on which we celebrate the foiling of Haman the Amalekite's plot to destroy the Jewish people, the weekly Parshah is supplemented with the "Zachor" reading (Deuteronomy 25:17–19) in which we are commanded to remember the evil of Amalek and to eradicate it from the face of the earth.
Remember what Amalek did to you on the road, on your way out of Egypt. That he encountered you on the way and cut off those lagging to your rear, when you were tired and exhausted; he did not fear G‑d. And it shall come to pass, when the L‑rd your G‑d has given you rest from all your enemies round about, in the land which the L‑rd your G‑d is giving you for an inheritance to possess it, that you shall obliterate the memory of Amalek from under the heavens. Do not forget.
HAFTORAH IN A NUTSHELL
Parshat Zachor Haftorah in a Nutshell
I Samuel 15:2-34.
This week's special haftorah discusses G‑d's command to destroy the people of Amalek. This to avenge Amalek's unprovoked attack on the Israelites that is described in the Zachor Torah reading.
Samuel conveys to King Saul G‑d's command to wage battle against the Amalekites, and to leave no survivors—neither human nor beast. Saul mobilizes the Israelite military and attacks Amalek. They kill the entire population with the exception of the king, Agag, and they also spare the best of the cattle and sheep.
G‑d reveals Himself to Samuel. "I regret that I have made Saul king," G‑d says. "For he has turned back from following Me, and he has not fulfilled My words."
The next morning Samuel travels to Saul and confronts him. Saul defends himself, saying that the cattle was spared to be used as sacrificial offerings for G‑d. Samuel responds: "Does G‑d have as great a delight in burnt offerings and peace-offerings, as in obeying the voice of G‑d? Behold, to obey is better than a peace-offering; to hearken, than the fat of rams. . . . Since you rejected the word of G‑d, He has rejected you from being a king."
Saul admits his wrongdoing and and invites the prophet to join him on his return home. Samuel refuses his offer. "The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel from you, today; and has given it to your fellow who is better than you." Samuel then kills the Amalekite king.
(Ed. One of my favourites)
SAGES ON THE PARSHAH
Speak to the children of Israel, that they should take to Me a terumah ("uplifting") (Exodus 25:2)
Every created entity has a spark of G‑dliness within it, a pinpoint of divinity that constitutes its "soul," its spiritual function and design. When we utilize something to serve the Creator, we penetrate its shell of mundanity, revealing and realizing its divine essence. Thus we elevate these "sparks," reuniting them with their Source.
(The Chassidic Masters)
https://w2.chabad.org/media/pdf/68/pfhc681159.pdf
ZICHRON YAAKOV
THIS COMING WEEK IN HISTORY
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