The weather has been ‘Kooking’ in the ‘Ou Transvaal’ ….BUT there is definitely a ‘Tzuk’ in the air and autumn will come earlier this year…..Could be a very cold winter ahead….. as the weather has changed with very little Summer in Gauteng,,,,,
The Lone URC Rugger match was the ‘Mighty Lions’ playing the Sharks @ Ellis Park….The ‘Zillionth local derby, and although the Sharks were favourites, the Lions put in a very big effort, and at no time did it look like the Sharks could win the Game .. beating the Sharks 34-22…..No real GR8888 Shpielers on either side ,BUT….it was definitely a Lions team effort …Morne Van den Berg was very solid at Scrum half and had a good game…..A poor crowd turnout….
The 6 Nations continued with England playing Ireland at Twickenham, in front of a sell-out stadium….The Irish played very hard Rugger from the beginning, and made England look like a bunch of School boy Shpielers…….For Ireland, Gibson Park at age 38 was quite E-mazing, and managed to create soooo many Gaps for the Irish to pounce on….The Poms looked ragged, and in my opinion only Marcus Smith had any kind of game for the Irish when he came on as a replacement….Itjoe was very poor and Henry Pollock has a lot to learn still….. England’s bright newcomer looked like a ‘Nogshlepper’ ….Ireland won 42-21…Stuart Mc Closkey was outstanding for Ireland…. England were shocking, and the Rugby E-fundi’s are blaming George North ??? He did miss some penalty touches, BUT….he was not the problem ….Generally, England had NO clue on the night and must be out of the reckoning for the 6 nations Cup……
The Wales –Scotland game was very fierce & full of fire , with Wales totally taking control in the first half and looked like running away with the Game, BUT …..Scotland made a comeback and at 23-19 with 15 minutes to go they were still in it…. And eventually got the winning try to beat Wales in the last minutes….What a game of True Grit……
A Union house of ill repute (to get past the “IT” geeks……)
A dedicated Teamsters union worker was attending a convention in Las Vegas and decided to check out the local house. When he got to the first one, he asked the Madam,
"Is this a union house?"
"No," she replied, "I'm sorry it isn't."
"Well, if I pay you $100, what cut do the girls get?"
"The house gets $80 and the girls get $20," she answered.
Mightily offended at such unfair dealings, the union man stomped off down the street in search of a more equitable, hopefully unionized shop.
His search continued until finally he reached a house where the Madam responded,
"Why yes sir, this is a union house. We observe all union rules."
The man asked, "And if I pay you $100, what cut do the girls get?"
The girls get $80 and the house gets $20."
"That's ! more like it!" the union man said He handed the Madam $100, looked around the room, and pointed to a stunningly attractive blonde.
"I'd like her," he said.
I'm sure you would, sir," said the Madam.
Then she gestured to a 92-year old woman in the corner, "but Ethel here has 67 years seniority and according to union rules, she's next." (Net soooooooooo….)
The Protea’s played India in the super 8 of the World T-20 (baseball) world cup game, and after battling to make runs and David Miller came to the rescue…The Indians were bowled out cheaply and the Protea’s won the game comfortably…..
David Miller and Dewald Brevis led a brilliant fightback as South Africa posted a highly competitive total of 187-7, after beng 20-3, before dismissing India for a meagre 111 to win their T20 World Cup Super Eight match by 74-runs at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday evening.
Keshav Maharaj (3-0-24-3), Corbin Bosch (3-0-12-2) and Marco Jansen (3.5-0-22-4) were outstanding with the ball as the defending champions and tournament favourites were humbled in a match-up which may yet become the final in a repeat of the previous T20 World Cup. ….
Little Mary Margaret was not the best student in Catholic School. Usually she slept through the classes. One day her teacher, a Nun, called on her while she was sleeping. "Tell me, Mary Margaret, who created the universe?"
When Mary Margaret didn't stir, little Johnny who sat behind her, took his pencil and jabbed her in the rear. "G-d Almighty!" shouted Mary Margaret.
The Nun said, "Very good," and continued teaching her class.
A little later the Nun asked Mary Margaret, "Who is our Lord and Saviour?"
But again Mary Margaret didn't stir from her slumber. Once again, little Johnny came to her rescue and stuck Mary Margaret in the butt with his pencil. "JC!" shouted Mary Margaret.
The Nun once again said, "Very good," and Mary Margaret soon fell back to sleep.
The Nun soon asked Mary Margaret a third question: "What did Eve say to Adam after she had her twenty-third child?"
Again little Johnny came to the rescue. This time Mary Margaret jumped up and shouted,
"If you stick that damn thing in me one more time,….I'll break it in half!" ( The Nun fainted).
The Premier League Tukka was interesting this week with Villa being held to a draw by Leeds, , which loses them points while chasing a Top 4 spot , Chelsea were also held to a draw3 against Burnley, Manchester City got a 2-1 win against Newcastle, Liverpool were VERY lucky to get the win against Nottingham Forest 1-0 and of course the mighty Manchester United played Everton on Monday after the weekend’s Tummel and it was a very exciting game, with both sides attacking all the time, and in the end they managed to score a goal by Sesko and beat Everton 1-0 which leaves them in the top 4 at the moment…..
Those in the USofA can get their supply Biltong, Droe Wors and other Souff Effrikken 'Gerichten' from the Biltong Guy larryburnettcox@gmail.com …all products are ‘Glatt Kosher’ ( in separate area)…., and they have a wide variety of ‘Lekker’ Biltong/Wors details at http://www.stantgsm.com/category/info/15 …There has been a bit of a wobble, as readers were writing in saying they cannot connect with Biltong Guy….The owner, ex Slaaaaaaapstad, Larry Burnett has contacted me and pointed out that the Website was ‘Hacked’ and was out of operation and they are back on track….. Call 1800biltong (18002458664) or direct to Larry 949 500 3431
Be kind to your dentist because he has fillings too. — Shabbat Shalom
"You mustn't exaggerate; that's always a sign that your argument is weak" — Bertrand Russell
"There is one thing which gives radiance to everything. It is the idea of something around the corner" — G. K. Chesterton
"Waiting is still an occupation. It is having nothing to wait for that is terrible" — Cesare Pavese
Life is like a ten speed bike. Most of us have gears we never use. – Charles M. Schulz
You must look within for value, but must look beyond for perspective. – Denis Waitley
"If a man does his best, what else is there?" - General George S. Patton
"Glory is fleeting, but obscurity is forever." - Napoleon Bonaparte
The trail is the thing, not the end of the trail. Travel too fast and you miss all you are traveling for. – Louis L'Amour
"God made the world round so we would never be able to see too far down the road." – Karen Blixen/ Isak Dinesen
Got stuck in "Repetition" . Wonder why? - Shabbat Shalom
“A lie doesn't become truth, wrong doesn't become right, and evil doesn't become good, just because it's accepted by a majority.” — Booker Taliaferro Washington
“Truth doesn't mind being questioned. A lie does not like being challenged.” — Nietzsche
“The truth is rarely pure and never simple.” — Oscar Wilde
"The greatest deception men suffer is from their own opinions." — Leonardo da Vinci
When you have eliminated all which is impossible, then whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth. — Sherlock Holmes
Every lie we tell incurs a debt to the truth. Sooner or later, that debt is paid. — Valery Legasov
"Facts are many, but the truth is one." — Rabindranath Tagore
The Middle East is Tukka on Shpielka’s with Trump sending more and more weapons, planes, warships to the area….Could Purim be the time for the attack…??? Or will Donald call it off last minute????
The 'Koppie' & Mountain’ climbers... posting the most E-mazing Pichaaaaaa’s on their website http://lazarowhike.blogspot.com/ ….. 'Gib A Kuk’ ……….. Nepal; Twin Towers above Kristi with emphasis on the flora and steps …Jenni & Jeff have speany 3 months in Nepal and are going to leave soon… ……Rupakot Resort, reaching over 3,000 feet (part 2), with video ….-
Anything goes in the “ The Beloved country” these days ….Capitec Bank which has grown into a monster of a Bank in no time, with cheaper. Easier banking were involved in the sale of a Funeral policy, and when the Bobba died, everything went haywire…. Two granddaughters of a deceased Granny, carried the dead body of their late grandmother into a Capitec Bank in KwaZulu-Natal and were arrested – but were a no-show in court….. On social media, a clip of a family wheeling the body of a relative inside their local Capitec Bank in KwaDukuza went viral. …..The body of an elderly woman was placed in a body bag and dumped inside the branch located on Chief Albert Luthuli Street. …..According to reports, after the woman’s death, the family of the deceased notified the bank to pay out her funeral policy……The family reportedly became frustrated by the delay in the release of the funds. The bank was quickly shut down by authorities over health and safety concerns…… “Reports indicate the family had two policies with the bank for their grandmother. One was paid out, and the second was pending verification due to an unclear funeral parlour stamp…. The family brought the deceased’s body to the bank using a funeral parlour vehicle, causing a disturbance and intimidation.” And were charged with intimidation, disturbance and extortion ….. The funeral parlour said that on instruction, they were helping the family get the money owed so they could also get paid…..These Funral policies are very controversial with some offering things like Tents at the Graveside, eats afterwards etc, BUT…..to get the benefits is sometimes a nightmare….
Eli is a Genealogist of note…Eli Rabinowitz – 'Gib A Kuk' at his blog… https://elirab.me/about/ ……. E-mazing news from 'Der Heim’s' & The 'Beloved Country' … Doing what he does best ….Everything …
Eli’s latest project is “The “In my Pocket” project ….. https://docs.google.com/.../1sQAVq314pl1Y0TFRPR3W.../edit … Eli is running his “In My Pocket Project at Herzlia, Weizmann and 2 King David Schools again for the 3rd year! ……Expanding the project to ORT schools in Lithuania, Latvia and Mexico.
A co-worker told Van Der Merwe (Van) that Van’s wife was being unfaithful
everyday at 1:30 in the afternoon with Van’s best friend.
Worried and hurt, Van ran home at 1:30 to see if this was true.
He came back to the office contented and relieved.
His co-worker asked him how it went.
"Look," said Van. "Don't start such terrible rumours!
That guy isn't my best friend ... in fact I don't even know him!" (Ag Neeeee……)
Lekker “Yoke” for the Mountain Goats (Capetonians)
The T5 diet was invented by a chap in Mitchell's Plein.
You only eat food that starts with "T".
Tjicken, Tjops, Tjilli, Tjips and Tjocolate!.................(Lekker my Laaaaani..)
Always good to hear about a Platteland (Klein Dorpie) reunion Krugersdorp are having one on the 8th March 2026 at Inyoni Creek Retirement Village in the Clubhouse. It's been put together by Anne Stamelman, Doreen Fittinghoff and Beulah Jankelowitz and for finer details contact them Annestamelman@gmail.com ..In its day Krugersdorp had a good community……My first Landlord Late Les Sonneberg was from Krugersdorp and I often went out to do Simcha’s there….The Groiser Meyerowitz family were all from Krugersdorp ….The Eicholz family, ‘Kobby Kobrin’, and even an OU Lichtenberger, Victor Brust, whose Zunnelle Jack is still there… Many have sadly passed on, and others emigrated, BUT……Like Lichtenberger’s, there are still many around…..Contact them and enjoy the get-together….. Inyoni is the Top section of Elphin lodge and the entrance is by the Edenvale hospital entrance….
"Hello sir, would you like to contribute something to the old folks home?"
"Yes, actually." Beams the old man.
"Inge, put your jacket on and pack a suitcase!"
Issy and Howard were brothers disliked by the entire community.
They ran a crooked business, they lied, and they cheated the poor.
But they were also very, very wealthy.
When Issy died, Howard went to Rabbi Bloom and said, "I will donate one million dollars to the synagogue if at the funeral you say that my brother Issy was a mensch."
The Rabbi thought long and hard but eventually agreed.
When it came time for the funeral, the Rabbi recounted Izzy’s wrong doings during his eulogy at length.
He then closed with the sentence "But, compared to his brother, he was a mensch!" (Otazay.)
The DL Link had their yearly Dinner this week, and it was another superb evening, highlighting the work and care the DL Link offer Cancer sufferers….. Nik Rabinowitz was the MC and was very good for the occasion….. Riva Flax Caterers did the Dinner which was a ‘cut above the rest’…… Besides the dinner , DL LINK have already started the alterations to their premises opposite the Three Roses coffee shop, and funs are always needed ….To assist with a donation, press on link…
https://dllink.co.za/donate This is Tukka a good cause with cancer soooooo prevalent these days, and patients needing a place to relax at….
THE YOUNG PRIEST…..
The elderly priest, speaking to the younger priest, said, "You had a good idea to replace the first four pews with plush bucket theatre seats. It worked like a charm.
The front of the church always fills first now."
The young priest nodded, and the old priest continued, "And, you told me adding a little more beat to the music would bring young people back to church, so I supported you when you brought in that rock 'n roll gospel choir. Now our services are consistently packed to the balcony."
"Thank you, Father," answered the young priest.
“I am pleased that you are open to the new ideas of youth."
"All of these ideas have been well and good," said the elderly priest, "but I'm afraid you've gone too far with the drive-thru confessional."
"But, Father," protested the young priest, "the confessions and donations have nearly doubled since I began that!"
"Yes," replied the elderly priest, "and I appreciate that". "But the flashing neon sign:
'Toot 'n Tell or Go to Hell ' cannot stay on the church roof!" (Einaaaaaaaaaaah….)
Irwin was boasting in Shul after the Rabbi’s service on organ donations.
He said.’’ I am not a organ donor , but I once gave a old piano to the Chevra Kadisha.’'
Everybody is sooo sad that our AARTO traffic system has been postponed again…Reckon even when (if) they get it going it will not work properly, as there has been too much fraud setting it up, and how will they ever enforce cancelled licences etc….Unfortunately it will be the same donkeys who pay Tax/TV licences etc, who will suffer the most, as they are traceable & responsible…. At the moment there are no camera traps being set, because the Schmucks never paid the provider and they have withdrawn all the camera’s….You can actually see there are no traps, because in that big dip by Sandringham school, there have been camera’s nearly every day…..They have not been there for a good few weeks….
Van Der Merwe (Van) goes to South African Railways to apply for a job. The Interviewer asks him, "Have you been in military service?""Yes," he says, "For three years."
The interviewer says, "That will give you extra points toward employment" and then asks, "Are you disabled in any way?"
Van says, "Yes 100%...a mortar round exploded near me and blew my ‘beitzim’ off."
The interviewer tells Van, "O.K. I can hire you right now. The Hours are from 7:30 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. You can start tomorrow come in at 10:00 A.M."
Van is puzzled and says, "If the hours are from 7:30 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. then why do you want me to come in at 10:00 A.M?"
"This is a government job" the interviewer says.
"For the first two hours we sit around scratching our ‘beitzim’....... no point in you coming in for that."
The Chai FM “Yiddisher’ radio is available from anywhere in the world now…….Tune in to ; (link for ChaiFM) for people to listen live from anywhere in the world: https://app.chaifm.com/listen-live
Yiddish Webinar tomorrow at 10.00am Join Zoom Meeting
When ‘Uncle Bob’ in Zim-BOB-We passed on, it definitely did not stop his nightmare reign….which has been continued by the family….His wife Grace smacked a worker a few years ago and cannot come back to the Beloved Country, and now his Zunnelle Chatunga Mugabe was involved in a shooting at the ‘Mugabe house’ ….from early reports it looks like the cover up has begun with Chatunga claiming the security guard shot himself (twice in the back???) and the gun is missing…..and they are now trying to get bail, and another Gonnif will get away with murder….??
Myron Michel’s is a very reliable Shlepper, and is very versatile, doing lifts to anywhere ….Contact Myron on 082-3273686 and e-mail ; See
Sleeping Beauty, Tom Thumb, and Quasimodo were all talking one day. Sleeping Beauty said, "I believe myself to be the most beautiful girl in the world."
Tom Thumb said, "I must be the smallest person in the world."
Quasimodo said, "I absolutely have to be the ugliest person in the world."
They decided to go to the Guinness Book of World Records to have their claims verified.
Sleeping Beauty went first and came out looking deliriously happy.
"It's official; I AM the most beautiful girl in the world,"
Tom Thumb went next and emerged triumphant, "I am officially the smallest person in the world."
Sometime later, Quasimodo came out looking confused and simply stated,
"Who the hell is Camilla Parker Bowles?" ( That says it all…………)
Really sad what is happening to the Royal family in Great Britain ….It went on while Queen Elizabeth was around, BUT…..it was Tukka swept under the carpet, Prince Charles, the New King, Tukka was also bad news in HIS day with Camilla, BUT….it was really suppressed by the Queen…. Disgraced ex-Prince Andrew was arrested on his 66th birthday on Thursday 19 February, on suspicion of misconduct in public office for allegedly passing secret documents to paedophile pal Jeffrey Epstein…His older brother, King Charles released a statement following his arrest. In the statement, King Charles expressed that full, fair and proper process will follow. He also said the police have his full support. He went on to say that the law must take it’s course and he will not comment further…..and of course the Markle/debacle does not stop with rumours that she holidayed with Prince Andrew a few times before marrying Harry, and Meghan’s career from the past is Tukka not great ….Always used to say “God Save The Queen” BUT……..
After Bob died, everyone gathered at his funeral. Then the Rabbi started to speak:
"He was a model husband, a decent man, a terrific father..."
The widow then makes a motion for her son to come to her.
"What is it mother?" he whispers.
"Dear, go check the coffin, I think we're at the wrong funeral..." ( Oy…..)
What is the best thing about dating a homeless woman? ???? You can drop her off anywhere.
What is the difference between in-laws and outlaws? Outlaws are wanted.
Where does virgin wool come from????? Ugly sheep.
How do you spot the blind man at a nudist colony? It isn't hard.
What does the bride of a Polish man get that's long and hard on her Wedding night????
His last name.
Why are hurricanes named after women????
Because, they arrive wet and wild, then leave with your house and car.
Monday is Purim and exactly one month’s time is Pesach already…..On Purim, it’s a Mitzvah to get ‘On Ge Shnosnkerd ‘…BUT….within reason, and you just have to be careful in these times we live in….Have a ‘shnapps’ in moderation…..Many, many Purim functions around….. Enjoy the Chag…. https://www.stantgsm.com/category/pictures/4
Methinks from summaries of the Budget, it is a reasonable one with Sin Taxes and the fuel levy the big rises…..No increase in personal tax and a few shweet moves to keep the people happy
I must point out the following; When sending large lists of e-mails, the chances of providers blocking them are Great…..The next problem is the letters get spammed, and go into the spam/reject/ Junk files….If you don’t receive the letter, please look in the spam/Junk file….
and it has the current letter and past letters also
Property in Slaaaaaaapstad has gone Mishuga, and the council just keep inflating property values, and the rates are jumping at an incredible rate, so much so that the average household just cannot pay these inflated prices, and as they knock down older buildings and newer ones come up and the NEW prices are forcing residents out of most area’s….They have extra costs like electricity home users charge and City wide cleaning levy, and that’s besides the exorbitant rates and refuse that still have to be covered …. One just has to look what a mess is going on in Sea point to realize it’s become a money making racket…..Many buildings in Main road have been take out with new MONTSTER coming in their place, and somehow these developers are getting away with a dozen parking spaces for a building with 100 apartments….Can you imagine the parking problem coming….. Already those dreaded Meter maids hassle you so much every time you park in main road and the cost of parking is crazy….. Poor Checkers get all the parkers who buy something and get a bit of free parking……. Eishhhhhhhhhhhh
Minsker the Shlepper”… Paul Minsker has been singing in the Sandton Shul choir, and he does ‘Shlepping’ ….Besides Airport runs, Sun City etc., he also does ‘Shlepping’ of confidential documents…… 083-5426480 see https://www.stantgsm.com/view-post/pauls%20driver%20service/8242’
Met up with my OLD school chaver from Orange Grove/Highlands, Selwyn Kurlansky who is here from Perth for a few weeks……. Really good to catch up about ‘Amolikke Yoren’ and how the time has flown and things have changed……..We drove past the Pinestreet Shul where we both had our Barmy’s 60 years ago, and across the road we used to go to Cheder with Mr Himmelstein…..Eishhhhh, those were the days….Selwyn stayed across the road from the Pine street Shul in 16th. Street…. Picture; https://www.stantgsm.com/category/pictures/4
The JWBS first book sale of 2026 takes place at Genesis on the First March …. a Good selection of books for sale ….This week is the book sale which starts at 9.00 am at Genesis centre in the Shtetl…..
Eish Sipho…………………………………..! ! ! ! ! ! !
A Zulu boy buys a lotto ticket and wins the lottery jackpot.
He goes to the post office to claim it and the man verifies his ticket number.
The Zulu says, "I want my R10 million."
The man replied, "No, sir, it doesn't work that way. We give you a million today and then you'll get the rest spread out for the next 5 years."
The Zulu said, "Oh, no!! I want all my money right now!! I won it and I want it."
Again, the man explains that he would only get a million that day and the rest during the next 5 years.
The Zulu, furious with the man, screams out, "LOOK I WANT MY MONEY!
If you're not going to give me my R10 million right now, then....
I want my R2.50 back for the ticket !!!!!! (Yislaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaik, a winner all the way……)
Sue Lyons has more than 30 years’ experience teaching all grades, language, literature and creative writing and teaches TEFL (English as a foreign language). …. Sue also runs Engleeeeesh classes……. Who knows, the Good Shabbos letter might become more refined. Contact Sue at ; suzannelyons625@gmail.com …….. Mobile; 082 8511510
The DA ‘s Helen Zillie who is standing for Mayor of Joburg is in for a challenge with her ex party Chief, Herman Mashaba standing for Mayor also….Methinks that it will be difficult for Zillie to beat him, as he has a massive following, and although ‘Godzilla’ has a good track record the cards are stacked against her, with Mashaba having learnt a lot in his days with the DA…. Going to be a royal battle, BUT….Mashaba will win, unless a few ‘dirty’ tactics are used…
The Yiddish show on Chai FM 101.9 …….. Every Thursday from 10am to 11am.
Featuring the 3 Kaplan’s Ronnie Kaplan, Hylton Kaplan and Shoshana Kaplan and Judy Moritz …..…..…. All 4 are very well known in the community
A mom was carpooling her Sarah and friend Melanie to Hebrew School one day when she caught wind of the conversation between the two six year olds in the back seat...
Melanie, "Our family is kosher" Sarah, "What's kosher?"
Melanie, "That's when you can't have cheese with your ham sandwich!!" Oy……..vy………
What is the most common disease transmitted by Jewish Mothers? …… Guilt.
Abe and Sarah had just returned home from a party.
Sarah said, "Do you realize what you did tonight, Abe ?????"
"No I don't," Abe replied, "But I'll admit I was wrong…. What did I do ????" (Ja Neeee…)
"Today is a GIFT, that's why it is called the PRESENT."
‘GOKO’ Safaris offer Kosher Safaris Tanya & David Libesman are the Originators of the Tours when they take all the hassle out of Booking/Air tickets etc, and of course arrange for a Kosher Chef to accompany the Tour….. In Hoedspruit (has an Airfield) Devorah & Jesse Lemmer are there to do the finer details….. info@gokosafari.co.za
Steven Kuper is a New Shlepper on the block and does any kind of driving, to most area’s any time of the day….Steven also runs a Home & Pet sitting service….. Contact Steven @ 082 – 8544361
What does an air conditioner have in common with a computer?
They both lose efficiency as soon as you open windows.
A cartoonist was found dead in his home. ……..Details are sketchy.
Paddy says "Mick, I'm thinking of buying a Labrador .
”Bugger that” says Mick "have you seen how many of their owners go blind?"
Man calls 999 and says "I think my wife is dead" The operator says how do you know?
He says "The sex is the same but the ironing is building up!"
Sharks have been on Earth for over 400 million years
Warthogs can reach speeds of 48km/h
FOR the MOST 'Jacked up' 'Yiddisher' Wedding registry, 'Gib A Kuk' at; www.binuns.co.za …… Online Helpdesk … 0861 772 665
Happy 60th Wedding Anniversary to Riva (Rabinowitz ) & Stan Stein…… Quite E-mazing, and at their little anniversary party Riva’s Boet Eli & Jill Rabinowitz were here to celebrate this milestone with them……. Many more in Good health Picture; https://www.stantgsm.com/
Happy birthday to my ‘old’ Chaver Joel Shefts in Sydney…..Wow, how the years have flown Joel, and next year is the BIG 70 ….Joel was a one man Band ‘Amolikke Yoren’ and we did many Simcha’s together…….Many more ‘Boytjie’
Sincere condolences to the Segell family on the loss of their Beloved Myrisse….. Myrisse battled for the past few years with her illness and it was very hard….In my of my chats when I visited she mentioned that her Late Dad was Alf Widman, the UP MP for Orange Grove where I stayed……. Sincere condolences to the family …..
Sincere condolences to the Subel family on the loss of their Beloved Varda…..Varda is originally from Klerksdorp and only moved recently to Joburg….Her daughter Marissa runs the Kosher Nando’s and I wish the family sincere condolences on the passing of their Beloved Varda….
Sincere condolences to the Smit family on the loss of their Beloved Maxine…… Maxine’s husband Dion’s Mom, the Late Mavis Smit was the secretary @ Highlands North High when I was there and was there for over 40 years……. Sincere condolences to the family on your sad loss….
Please note that I only list ‘Yidden’ who have passed away, that I know, and the Chevra Kadisha offer a list of daily burials & Unveilings, which lists all people passing away….. Click on the link, and you will have all the details……
BEST PRICES ON TOP QUALITY BEDS, APPLIANCES AND FURNITURE. CONTACT THEM FOR THE BEST PRICE AND ADVICE ……… IDEAL FURNISHERS MIDWAYS MALL 280 CORLETT DRIVE BRAMLEY GARDENS
NATHAN FINE & AND MENDEL MEYER AND THEIR FAMILY WISHES ALL THEIR FRIENDS a GOOD SHABBOS …. PHONE 011 887 5456 …. 011 614 1351
FOR ANY EMERGENCY, SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY OR POTENTIAL THREATS SPECIFICALLY RELATED TO THE JEWISH COMMUNITY OR JEWISH INSTALLATIONS, CONTACT THE CSO ON 0861 8000 18
MANTIS SECURITY TIP (Call 011- 487-1000) of the week ……
THE CSO has issued a warning to motorists using navigation applications like (Waze/Google etc), specifically Waze…..
Waze give routes to minimize travel times ,using real time traffic patterns.
It does NOT prioritize safe areas/crime area’s….
As a result, it may take you through high risk areas ,due to it being quicker…????
Those araes may seem quicker as there are very few Waze users in the area’s…..
They encourage you to;
Remain vigilant and study navigation routes suggested
Avoid routes through unknown areas or known dangerous areas…
Where possible manually select routes through safe areas
Disable automatic re-routing, which take syou away from safe rotes to quicker dangerous routes
Trust your instincts and if an area looks dodgy, do not take the route…
Be VET awre when leaving shopping centres/airports etc, as the Mumzers follow you from popular places and then attack you….
Be ‘Wakker’ & ‘StreetwiZe’ all the time…………
Call; MANTIS @ (011- 487-1000) for advice and sign up and discuss it with their experienced staff.
Have a peaceful, restful Shabbos...From Stan and the Clan
How would you translate Joe Shmo into Yiddish? Yossel the Shlemiel? Not sure? Well, to be perfectly honest, neither am I.
At any rate, your average Joe (or “average Yossel”) usually has a somewhat limited perspective on matters of faith, theology and spirituality. I mean, he’s not exactly a philosopher, right?
So what does our average Yossel think about the rather substantial number of commandments Judaism expects us to fulfil?
Frankly, not much.
“Rabbi, why on earth did God give us so many obligations? Why do we need so many commandments? Non-Jews have a grand total of seven, and we Jews need 613?! Gimme a break!”
I suppose that is a fair and reasonable question. I just don’t like Joe’s tone, which could use some respect and humility. Still, I get it.
From dear Joe’s perspective, a mitzvah is just a commandment, an obligation, a duty and an unwanted burden. So, who needs so many obligations? It’s a yoke around his neck. But what if there were a different perspective entirely? Then I believe that even he might look at things very differently.
What if a mitzvah were not a burden but an opportunity? What if I told you that every mitzvah is nothing less than a bridge-building exercise that can transport mere mortals to a heavenly space? That while God seems so far away, distant and unreachable, a mitzvah actually closes the gap and is a bonding agent, bringing us closer to God.
I wonder if all the Joes out there knew that the word mitzvah doesn’t only mean “commandment” but also “connection.” They might well have a totally different approach to all these so-called burdensome and tedious “obligations.”
A mitzvah is not only a commandment or just another responsibility. It’s not a load or a liability, God forbid. Etymologically, the word mitzvah—from the Hebrew tzavta—means “connection” or “bonding. A mitzvahs a means of connecting and bonding the Jew to God. It binds the commanded to the commander.
All thinking human beings who ever reflect or ponder on the purpose of life, in particular, and the purpose of the Jewish way of life, would surely be inspired to learn that a mitzvah is not just another job on God’s “to do” list. Instead, it is the chance to connect to God.
If we think about it, how can a mere mortal of flesh and blood possibly connect to the immortal and infinite One Above? The gap is so vast and seemingly unbridgeable. It would seem impossible.
And so, God gave us mitzvahs.
And every one of them has a specific purpose to refine our character in one way or another. Kashrut trains us to be disciplined. Shabbat gives us precious family time, when we can become humanized again after a week of pressures from everyone and everything (technology included). The mourning laws bring us comfort and a level of bereavement therapy. And so on and so forth.
But every mitzvah also has a common denominator: It is a bonding agent. Yes, a mitzvah is an opportunity to reach the infinite! How? Because, as far as we may be from each other, by performing a good deed asked of us by our Creator, a connection between us has now been established.
Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn (1880-1950) once gave an illustration to demonstrate this point. Please forgive me for taking some editorial license here.
What relationship is there between the smartest person on earth and the simplest? Let’s use, for example, a great professor, perhaps Albert Einstein, and the newspaper delivery boy on the street corner. They appear to have nothing in common. What connection or relationship can they possibly have? Could they engage in a conversation? What would they discuss?
Yet Einstein wants to buy a newspaper, and this simple boy has one. Suddenly, a relationship is born. This lad, who has never even heard of the Theory of Relativity, can meet a need of this brilliant individual. And a connection has been made.
How much more so is the gap between a finite human being (even an Einstein) and the Infinite Supreme Being! It is infinitely wider than the gap between the professor and the newspaper boy.
But just as Einstein’s desire for a newspaper established a relationship between them, likewise, a mitzvah God asks us to perform establishes a connection between us, too. We are fulfilling not only His command but His desire, His wishes for us. The gap between mortal and immortal, finite and infinite, is suddenly bridged. We are actually bonding with God!
So Yossele, please don’t look at a mitzvah as just another job or burden. This is a golden opportunity to bond with God as no other on earth. You don’t have to escape to the mountain tops of the Himalayas to find spirituality; stay home and do a mitzvah. And you will become spiritual and more Godly.
This week’s Torah portion gets its title from the opening line, V’atah Tetzaveh, “And you, (Moses) shall command the Children of Israel to bring you pure olive oil to kindle the Menorah” in the sanctuary.
Moses, as the great spiritual leader of the Israelites, is not only commanding them but connecting them. Moses was the Divinely appointed agent to help link Jews with God. How? Via the mitzvahs that he taught them, including this one.
Our saintly leaders down the generations have always followed in Moses’s footsteps and guided the people of Israel. May we heed their calls, do the mitzvahs and get connected.
