BS”D 5 Iyar 5781 Today we continue with Mesillas Yesharim and we are on paragraph 8 of Chapter One, “Man’s Duty in the World.” R. Luzzatto states that the world was created to serve mankind. Yet, he observes, the world itself stands in the balance. If a person is drawn towards this world, forgetting about the world to come, and distances himself from his creator, then he will be corrupted and will corrupt the world with him. The author then says that, nonetheless, if man can rule over himself and use this world to serve the Creator, he will be elevated and the world will be elevated with him. This is described in some sciences as a feedback loop or a vicious circle. As an example, a…
BS”D 4 Iyar 5781 We continue looking at Rabbi Luzzatto’s text (Mesillas Yesharim, now at paragraph six in chapter one). Rabbi Luzzatto states that everything, for good or bad, is a test. If one finds oneself in a bad situation one can misuse the name of Hashem. If one finds oneself in a very good situation one can think one is satiated and does not need to follow the mitzvot. The author compares this to fighting a war on two fronts. It is true that someone in dire need may pray fervently or wonder why his prayers are not fulfilled and it is also true that, once one’s wishes are fulfilled, one may pray less fervently and forgive to give thanks for what one has. It is…
BS”D 3 Iyar 5781 Today we look at Mussar, specifically at Chapter One of Mesillas Yesharim. The author, R. Moshe Chaim Luzzatto, of blessed memory, begins by stating that the foundation of devotion is to clarify and verify one’s duty in the world and that one should make an effort to achieve that in all of one’s labours through one’s lifetime. It is important to note here that R. Luzzatto does not give an endpoint to this. One must strive to know better what is one’s duty in the world but not rest once enough is achieved. The search for one’s duty is constant and does not end. How does one know better and know one’s duty? By studying and learning. This, however, should not be limited…
BS”D 2 Iyar Today we celebrate the Independence of Israel, on the Fifth of Iyar 5708, when the dominion of the Jewish people was returned to part of the promised Land of Israel. After many long years during which the Land lay forsaken in a state of ruin and destruction, during which we, her children, were dispersed in bitter exiles, where we were enslaved, humiliated and persecuted, Jewish sovereignty was re-established in the Land of Israel. Three thousand, seven hundred and six years after God, the endower of all lands, had promised Avraham, at the covenant drawn between them, that To your seed I have given this land, from the River of Egypt to the Great River the Euphrates (Bereshis 15:18), Avraham’s children were able to once…
We invite you to take part in a series of online events accompanying the commemoration of the 78th anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. From the 19th to the 26th of April we will present you online: a play a lecture a concert a recital dedicated to ghetto themes. Broadcasts – on Facebook and the TSKŻ Youtube channel. The events are organized by: TSKŻ Kraków TSKŻ Warsaw TSKŻ Częstochowa
“WE REMEMBER – Theatres on the 78th Anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising” – is a nationwide theatre initiative by Gołda Tencer, director of the Esther Rachel and Ida Kamińska Jewish Theatre. Warsaw Ghetto Poetry on the 78th Anniversary of the Uprising Over 30 theatres from the whole country have responded to Gołda Tencer’s appeal for a joint commemoration of the anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising by sending the Jewish Theatre their actors’ recorded interpretations of Holocaust poetry – including poems from Children of the Ghetto, by Stefania Ney (Grodzienska). The recordings will be posted on the social media profiles of participating theatres on the anniversary of the uprising and the Jewish Theatre will broadcast footage from all the theatres throughout the week starting on 19…
BS”D Today is the second day of Ijar and we will soon start to commemorate Remembrance Day, actually the “Memorial Day for the Fallen Soldiers of the Wars of Israel and Victims of Actions of Terrorism”. The siren sounds and all are quiet. Entertainment, in Israel, stops for the day. How can we celebrate that in Kraków with the current situation? Sure, there are restrictions imposed by the health authorities, but we can still in private say a prayer for them or light a candle. Jews, wherever they are, remember those who were killed by terrorists and those who have given their lives for Israel, may their memory be a blessing, and give them a prayer. text D Cohen
BS”D Iyar is the Babilonian name for this month, which is referred to in the Torah as the “second month”. Another name for this month is Ziv – radiance. It is said that the generation that left Egypt became radiant during this month, for they were healed of their blemishes as they prepared themselves to receive the Torah. Rosh Chodesh Iyar is always celebrated for two days, for the preceding month of Nisan is always a full month of thirty days. The first Rosh Hodesh Iyar after the Exodus from Egypt fell on Shabbos. The people of Israel were encamped at Marah at that time and there the bitter water they found was miraculously transformed into sweet, fresh water, suitable for drinking, through the wood which Moshe…
For safety reasons, we celebrate the holidays at home. The photos show the preparation of the Seder meals delivered, before Pesach, to our members.
On the occasion of the upcoming Pesach holiday, we wish all members and friends of the Jewish Religious Community in Krakow happiness, peace and, above all, good health during this difficult time for all of us.CHAG PESACH SAMEACH! (Pesach starts on the 14th day of the month Nisan and lasts until the 21st of Nisan. According to the Gregorian calendar in 2021 these are the days from March 27th to April 4th) The Board of the Jewish Religious Community in Krakow