The Great Lights

Rabbi Benzion Milecki OAM - Shabbat Bereishis 5767

Thursday, Oct-19

I am currently in Melbourne participating in a Conference of the Organisation of Rabbis of Australasia which was addressed this morning by Chief Rabbi of Great Britain, Sir Jonathan Sacks.

Chief Rabbi Sacks began his address by underscoring the importance of Rebbetzens as equal partners with their husbands in the service of their communities. Referring to Adam and Eve, Rabbi Sacks explained that it was only upon Adam's discovery that Eve was not merely a help-mate but a full partner in her own right that their union was blessed with Garments of Light. And it was only when Adam recognized Eve's greatness that G-d's greatness was revealed to him. In our case, I am certainly aware, as I am sure most of you are, of the indispensable role that Rebbetzen Henya plays in the lives of our congregation and its individual congregants. May G-d bless her with the fulfilment of all the desires of her heart for good. At the same time I would like to extend our gratitude for the contributions of Nissa Niasoff and Rutie Sebban - here too emphasising not only their roles as helpmates to their husbands, Chazan Yehoshua Niasoff and Rabbi Dovid Sebban, but their own unique contributions.

I was also thrilled to hear Rabbi Sacks say that the primary role of a Rabbi at times of crisis is to instil Bitachon - hope and positivity - in his congregation. Specifically, Rabbi Sacks asked that Psalms of Hope be recited every day. Those who have been following my sermons through the High Holiday period will be aware that this is precisely the message that I have been imparting to you. I therefore urge you once again to continue the practice of reciting Al Tirah - as it appears in the bookmarks that I sent to you prior to Yom Tov.

I will conclude with a final thought that I heard from Rabbi Yossi Engel of Adelaide. In an original insight, he explained that both the sun and the moon are called in this week's parasha, the "Great Lights". There are those who achieve greatness as the source of illumination. And there are those who are equally great through reflecting the illumination of others. What is however common to all of us is that we must illuminate the world.