Word from the Rabbi -

Shalom,

Approaching the conclusion of this year and entering the dawn of the next, it is customary to shower one another with blessings.

The reason being is that Rosh HaShana is the Head of the Year, this means it is the day/s which give the signals and energy for the year ahead. Thus, HaShem looks at each particle of creation to determine its vitality for the year ahead.

Hence begins a shower of blessings for each individual and for the creation as a whole.

May G-d grant you a year of....

Abundance
Blessings
Clarity
Divinity
Enrichment
Friendship
Graciousness
Health
Infinity
Joy
Knowledge
Love
Moshiach
Nourishment
Openness
Pleasantness
Quiet
Reality
Serenity
Tranquility
Unity
Vigour
Wonders
X
Youth
Zest..

Most importantly, a year of the complete and final Geulah through the revelation of Moshiach, Now!!

~ Rabbi Mosheh M. Serebryanski

Wandering in the Fields

Shalom,

The King (G-d) is in the fields (accessible for all to approach). As we near Rosh Hashana - the day of judgment - The King is listening to us ever so closely and is attentive to our every overture to draw closer to whence we emanate from.

Life as we think we know it is full of variety, including things we appreciate and others we are not able to perceive their benefit to us.

However, if we are to draw ourselves heavenward we need to release ourselves from our self centred state of existence. Thus, as we near the day of the annual self reflection and judgment of where we stand, it is time to leave our "cities" and go to the "fields". "Cities" are filled with continuous demands of involvement in worldly affairs, whereas "fields" reflect a state of freedom from such matters, and an atmosphere where one can be reflective and connect with their true self uninhibited by the winds of society that howl around us.

It is when we go "out" into the "fields" that The King comes to “greet us”. When G-d sees the efforts we put in to shed external influences and come closer to our source, G-d "meets" and assists us in this journey.

Indeed, when G-d sees that we want nothing less than the true and complete redemption for all, G-d reveals to us Moshiach, Now!!!

~ Rabbi Mosheh M. Serebryanski

Peacefully at War

Shalom,

Wars, battles and conflicts of all types seem to be the norm in our lives. We breathe in , then out, we lie down, then we get up. Our blood circulation and our very act of movement are counter gravity.

Our consumption and disposal, destruction and construction. The entire universe seems to work in a manner of pro and con, to and fro.

Ideas, emotions, words and actions all brim with one countering the other. Indeed, we live our lives in a war zone. Enter into this dynamic thoughts of the future and worries from the past, and the picture only becomes more complex.

This week’s parashah guides us how to "win", or live in peace with, the aforementioned "war".

"When you will go out to war.." the parashah begins.

In Chassidut it explains how this refers to the descent of the soul into this materialistic world.

The verse then continues to say that the soul is "..upon your enemy..". Relating to the advantage of the soul over the forces that wish to consume it in "gravity" - materialism and ego.

So how does a person win this war or at least stay on top of it in a peaceful, tranquil manner? To this the possuk continues and states "... and G-d, your G-d, will deliver them into your hands..." A person is to internalise G-d by recognising that everything has a positive and G-dly purpose and that the essence of everything is good, and it is only our limitations that inhibit us from perceiving G-dly reality. Once we have made ourselves more "G-dly" by conducting our lives in accordance with the pathway G-d has set for us to reveal this reality, then we will live in a state of clarity and be at peace with all that we have and live through.

The ultimate stage of eternal "victory" will be when the earth will be filled with the knowledge of G-d and the continuous creation of every matter by G-d will be revealed for all to see with the final Geulah through Moshiach, Now!!!

~ Rabbi Mosheh M. Serebryanski

Shalom,

The month of Elul is in the air and the time for some self reflection is in high order.

The first verse/possuk in this week’s parshah gives us some lessons on what to look for. Shoftim v'shotrim titen l'cho b'chol sh'orecha. — Judges and officers shall you place for yourself before all your gates.

In chasidic thought, it is expounded how one is to take a lesson in their personal life from everything in life, especially from the guide to life - the Torah. So too, in regard to the aforementioned possuk/verse, it is explained how each one is to be his/her own judge and own disciplinarian in regard to all of his/her actions, words and even thoughts.

Thus, as we enter the month of Elul one is to reflect on his/her thoughts, speech and actions over the past year and seek ways to be more aware and "in control" of them over the forthcoming year.

May we immediately merit the time when we will have judges and advisors (and complete self discipline) as in days bygone with the coming of Moshiach, Now!

~ Rabbi Mosheh M. Serebryanski

Choices, Choices, Decisions, Decisions.

How easy life would seem if everything simply happened and we didn't have to choose or make decisions. Truth be told, many times choices and decisions are only a lack of our ability to have clarity.

In the beginning of this week’s Torah reading, G-d lays out for us our options; follow My ways and you will have blessing or stray from them and have curse. In referring to following G-ds ways and the subsequent blessings, the word Hayom is used.

Hayom can mean today or the day. Day reflects clarity, and perhaps then G-d is relaying to us a message. Follow in My ways and you will have clarity, once that is attained blessings will flow.

Such are the impeding days of Moshiach, when everything will be "day" and "clear" forevermore.

May The Day of Moshiach be revealed Now!!!

~ Rabbi Mosheh M. Serebryanski

Growth - The Jewish Approach.

We are currently in a period of mourning the destruction of the temples (botei mikdosh) and the resulting consequence

One of the most effective ways to mourn destruction is to begin rebuilding and through positive growth.

On a personal level. Each one of us faces challenges during our lifetime. In light of the above, one is to seek to do something positive and transform the negative element of the challenge into a positive.

On a communal level. In these weeks the Chabad Centre in Surfers Paradise is expand-ing its physical premises to meet a growing demand. Each and every person that so wishes may participate in the expansion of our "Mini Temple". Our sages say that each house of prayer and study is like a "Mini Tem-ple" - Mikdosh Me'at.

It is our fervent want that G-d bring to an end all types of mourning and negativity, with the final advent of Moshiach Now!

~ Rabbi Mosheh M. Serebryanski

Living Moshiach, Now!

In these three weeks we mourn the destruc-tion of the 2 holy temples (botei mikdosh) and all subsequent troubles.

Yet, while we are in a mourning mode, we are to increase in words and most importantly behaviours that exemplify the exact opposite. It is a time of building, creating and encouraging positive construction and growth. Each one in his/her personal and social life. We also learn and talk about the construction of the third Beit Hamikdosh, for words are at the essence of creation.

"Living in reality" means to recognise all elements that exist, whether positive or other-wise, and to live accordingly. "Living Moshiach" means the assurance of the immi-nent revelation of Moshiach to all, inspires us to behave accordingly. The task of Moshiach is to make the final transformation of the world into a dwelling place for G-d. Thus, by each individual being more positive and holy, increasing in acts of good-ness and kindness, we make the reality of Moshiach evident to all.

~ Rabbi Mosheh M. Serebryanski

Shalom,

The Power of Bittul (total submission) to HaShem

This weeks parashah relates the laws of the parah adumah - the red heifer. This is a type of mitzvah which is entirely beyond the realm of hu-man and even spiritual rationale. It is a mitzvah per-formed ONLY because G-d commanded it be done in a specified manner.

The red heifer is to purify a person who has come in contact with and been affected by the most opposite of life - death. Mosheh Rabeinu pondered how this mitzvah, that brings purity to the impure, yet makes impure the one who makes another pure and then re purifies the person, operates. This is the power of one who has total submission to G-d. G-d is the creator of all boundaries and categorisa-tions yet supersedes them and simultaneously also creates a seamless coexistence between all of them. Thus, when one is able to be on a level of total submission to The Creator, one can also attain such levels harmony.

All the aforementioned will be clearly revealed and experienced by all with the coming of Moshiach, Now!

~ Rabbi Mosheh M. Serebryanski

Shalom,

Shabbos and Rosh chodesh are based on dif-ferent cycles; Shabbos is based on the solar cycle where as Rosh chodesh is based on the lunar cy-cle. On Rosh chodesh we celebrate the renewal of the moon. The sun is a provider of light where as the moon is a recipient of light. Thus, this combination of both elements teaches us that we need to have both elements in our life for a healthy balance.

Yet, in the days of Moshiach, we will have a reinvigorated moon. It is then that the good in everything will be revealed and all will shine.

May we merit this revelation with the final stages of Moshiach, now!!!

~ Rabbi Mosheh M. Serebryanski

Shalom,

Allow G-d to permeate your being!

At the time of the giving of the Torah, when G-d spoke the words "I am your G-d...", there was no echo. Everything was silent and still. There was no movement in the entire universe. G-d "came down" to the mountain and Moshe went up. There was a fusion of heaven/spirituality and earth/materialism. Indeed, there was complete harmony in the entire creation. It was the type of harmony we so yearn for with the coming of Moshiach.

The ten utterances with which G-d created the world, finally found their respective "partner" in the Ten Commandments. Thus, the world and all therein found solace with itself. Not only did they "allow" Gd to enter, but every fibre of existence bonded and became one with their Creator - G-d. All was permeated with G-d. There was nothing that rejected this - no echo.

So too, every year on Shavuoth, and using the days before to be prepared for this, you can experience this very feeling of tranquillity and let it permeate the year ahead and your entire life.

May we merit that the preparing for this day alone and making plans to come together to hear and experience this great moment, be itself enough to have the true and complete harmony when the entire creation will once again be at one with its Creator, through the coming of Moshiach, Now!

~ Rabbi Mosheh M. Serebryanski

Shalom,

Preparing for Shavuoth.

This shabbath we bless the forthcoming month of Sivan in which we celebrate the giving of the holy Torah on Mount Sinai.

Every year on this very day of Shavuoth we receive the Torah anew, with all the spiritual elements related to it recurring.

As such, just as then - so too today. When Jewish people congregate to hear and experience the giving of the ten commandments and all that transpired, we can relive the giving of the Torah.

In this newsletter you can find the times and places on the Gold Coast and Byron where and when you, your friends and family and especially the children - the guarantors, can hear and be present at the giving of the Torah this year, 5770.

At Mount Sinai was also a revelation of the time of Moshiach. May we thus merit that this year we will hear the ten commandments all together in the third Beith HaMikdosh to be rebuilt through Moshiach, Now!

~ Rabbi Mosheh M. Serebryanski

Shalom,

Lag bomer - a day of salvation!

One may rely on Rabbi Shimeon (Rashbi) at a time of constraint. The holiness and greatness of the soul of Rashbi is such that when one rejoices in his way of rejoicing, it has the ability to lift them out of any predicament they may find themselves.

This Lag BaOmer, in the year of 5770, reflects breaking out of one’s constraints with joy. One should participate and connect with the enormous power of the day by joining with as many people as possible in a spirit of joy and unity.

This joining together forms part of the ultimate unity and joy with the complete geulah - redemption, through Moshiach, Now!!!

~ Rabbi Mosheh M. Serebryanski

Shalom,

Taking initiative and uplifting the past. As we approach Pesach Sheini, there are many lessons to derive from it.

The most common one is the ability to have a second chance. However, a main element of Pesach Sheini is that the people who could not participate in the korbon Pesach due to impurity felt so strongly about this mitzvah. The people understood that no matter how great the deed of caring for the departed was, it prohibited them from partaking in one of the greatest expressions of gratitude to G-d. Thus they initiated a request to have another op-portunity to do the Korban Pesach.

The request was granted, and a new mitzvah was given. The new aspect of this second Pesach is that chometz may be eaten. This shows that when a person is so humble, there is no need to be concerned with the negative elements of cho-metz.

This heightened level of refinement and humil-ity prepare a person for the spiritual levels of Lag BaOmer, the receiving and internal-ising the Torah with joy on Shavuoth and finally for the greatest revela-tion of all; when the earth will be filled with the knowledge of G-d in the final stage of Moshiach, Now!!!

~ Rabbi Mosheh M. Serebryanski

Shalom,

Perfecting, not perfection, is our task.

Sefirat haomer is the time between Pesach - freedom from bondage and Shavuot - receiving the torah.

We tend to be full of gratitude when we witness great miracles and wonders in our lives. Yet, when the excitement dissipates, we seem to be almost unchanged by what transpired. We promise to do a world of good, but fail to deliver long term and even in the short term. We commit to change our-selves or certain behaviours, but seldom implement these commitments.

Such is the period of time between the great exodus and the readiness to accept, and most importantly, internalise the torah in our daily lives. Sefirah is a time to analyse and refine every de-tailed element of our fiber.

It is a period that one is to utilise to refine her/his very being in every detail in preparation for internalising the torah with joy.

Thus, when we reach Shavuot, we are ready to not only hear the voice of G-d, but allow it to per-meate to our core. So too, as we are on the threshold of the final redemption, we continue to perfect ourselves in preparation for G-d perfecting the world in the final days of Moshiach, Now!!!

~ Rabbi Mosheh M. Serebryanski

Shalom and greetings for a joyous Pesach!

Chametz represents the opposite of humility, matzah represents humility. Humility means that while one recognises their strengths they do not credit themselves. Humility is when a person realises that there is a greater force, G-d, who continuously creates everything including what we would other-wise want to take credit for. It is a sense of recognis-ing where we come from, where we end up and what the real source of our talents and accomplishments is. This also enables one to overcome (almost) any challenge one encounters.

When we approach Pesach, the festival of free-dom, from all types of bondage with such an atti-tude, it is no wonder we eat only the food of humil-ity. For it is with the element of humility that we can truly free ourselves from all types of bondage and constraints.

Thus, this is also the festival celebrating the greatest redemption of all, soon to be, through Moshiach. For in the final age of Moshiach, all will have a healthy sense of self and the world we live in, for the truth will be seen by all. This will also result in true peace and harmony for all will have a healthy appreciation of themselves and all elements of the world, leading to no more jealousy, no more war, no more hunger, ....... for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of G-d as the waters cover the ocean with the coming of Moshiach Now!

Shabbat shalom,

Rabbi Mosheh M. Serebryanski

Shalom,
We have now entered the month in which we became free from boundaries. In this month of Nissan, we are given yet another opportunity to break boundaries. To break through means to free ourselves from anything constricting us in moving forward in our lives in a positive and joyous manner on the pathway to becoming closer to G-d.

Wishing you a kosher and joyous chag ha’Pesach. Please remember to get rid of any and all chametz! One can sell it through going to our website: chabadinparadise.com and fol-lowing the instructions. Also, one needs to rid themselves of their own chometz known as ego.

May we already merit the time when there will be boundaries no more and negativity will be transformed to positivity through Moshiach, Now!!!

Shabbat shalom,

Rabbi Mosheh M. Serebryanski

Murder in our midst – May G-d avenge his blood!

Tragic is only a word. Life is beyond words and so is death. However, murder is another category altogether. We may be able to track down the perpetrators; we may even be able to exact punishment, the act of murder still remains the same.

It is now clear that Jack was murdered near Byron Bay a number of weeks ago. The feel-ings are rampant. The eulogies are many. However, the lessons for us should not be overlooked. We must take to heart that noth-ing happens in a vacuum, or perhaps un-wanted things do happen in a vacuum. We busy ourselves with life and do our best to pay attention to and help others. Yet, when something out of the ordinary happens we are to take stock of our lives and pay attention to those matters which relate to the event that transpired.

We need to apply the energy elicited from the event in a positive outlet. Perhaps we are doing our best in being tolerant and accept-ing etc, but just as well we may also be able to improve in areas that relate to our percep-tion of one another.

The above are some thoughts that I hope will elicit people to think about what hap-pened and try and utilize the energy and feel-ings associated with these thoughts to be used in a positive way and to make the world a better place by beginning with our own world.

This is specifically related to the month of Adar, a month of transforming dark to light and revealing G-d in every element. Thereby leading us into the month of Nissan and to the days when death will be no more, with the final stages of Moshiach, Now!!!

Rabbi Mosheh M. Serebryanski

Shalom,

L’chayim, L’chayim v’leevrocho! (to life, to life and to blessings). Such are the customary salutations Chasidim confer upon each other when having a little…, well it’s Purim in the air and some guessing to what that may be we’ll leave to you. Is this a "silly season"? A fool’s day? A drunken day? A let loose party? A topsy turvy day? Well, the response to all of the above is…. Yes AND No!!! huh? Yep!!!

Indeed, Purim is one of the most profound Jewish holy days. It is even compared with Yom Kippur - WOW!

Purim is a time of "joy that breaks boundaries" as opposed to drunkenness that can place a person into depression or an even greater expression of their ego.

Purim is a time that one is more easily able to transform darkness into light, as opposed to mistaking darkness for light.

Purim is a time of thanksgiving for our very life and of the unconditional bond with G-d, as opposed to a greater demand for selfish attention. Purim is a time for sharing with each other our basic needs, and beyond, without discrimination or judgment, as opposed to thinking that everything is owing to us.

In short, Purim is a time for positive growth, a day of transformation from selfishness to selflessness. On Purim, the primary power used to attain this, is unbounded joy.

On the Shabbat preceding Purim, we read about annihilating Amalek. The numerical value of the Hebrew word for Amalek is the same as the Hebrew word Safek, which means doubt. Our sages state that true joy is attained when there is no doubt. Thus, one can truly rejoice on Purim and reach the level of "ad dlo yoda" (until not known) without that much (if any at all) to drink. In fact, a little too much can be a spoiler. The removal of doubt allows for clarity, truth and purity, it allows the G-dly soul, our essence that in our day to day life may be "not known", to shine forth. So on this Purim, let us try to reach new levels of joy. A joy that comes from our very essence, the "not known".

When each person reveals his or her own essence, then the essence of everything will be revealed and shine forth through Moshiach, Now!!! L’chayim!!!

Rabbi Mosheh M. Serebryanski

Shalom,

The tabernacle, Purim and the final redemption. The themes of these three elements are one and the same; make a dwelling place for G-d with and in the mundane. How is this great feat accomplished?

First we need some attitude, otherwise referred to as having a philosophy, goal or a destination which is combined with passion. We need to align ourselves, check the “where we are” and the “where to” elements of our compass. Then we map out how we are going to deal with the details of our journey and any eventuality along the way. We also need to leave room for flexibility and unforeseen conditions and circumstances.

Well, that is quite a bit to take into consideration on any long journey.

How much more so when the goal is to make ourselves and all that we possess and come in contact with, a dwelling place for G-d. In other words, to transform our individual world and all that it entails, and enable it to absorb a revealed presence of G-d.

Like in the building of the sanctuary, the events of purim and so too in bringing about the ultimate redemption for the entire world, we need to do our part. Once we each do our individual part, regardless of what those around us may or not do, then G-d completes the task for us.

Some ask how can doing my small share bring salvation for the entire world?

First of all, at least you have a clean and pure life.

Secondly, whether you notice it or not, you have an impact on others, many times without even knowing it.

Thirdly, when enough individuals do their part this creates a whole.

Fourthly, when G-d sees enough people doing their share, G-d helps those who are not able or willing to do their part to realise the error of their ways.

When we take the above in consideration and on top of that we increase in a pure joy, then we are able to break through all boundaries and transform the negative into a positive.

It is with the increase of pure joy that we will merit the greatest joy of all with the complete redemption through Moshiach, now!

Rabbi Mosheh M. Serebryanski.

Shalom,

So here we go again, another week gone by, another portion of the torah read and even studied ... and life goes on.

Where are we headed? What direction are we taking? Are we on cruise control by a Superior Being? What is this all about? Do we have any answers? Are there any answers? Do we even need answers? Perhaps pondering is a good exercise? Maybe the purpose is just to seek? Did anyone wonder if there really was any question in the first place? Sometimes a little reminder can help avoid the above dialogue, if there was any.

Remember? G-d created and continuously creates the world every moment. The world and all therein is the sole possession and creation of G-d. Yep, G-d even has the copyrights to it and owns its patent. All plans and purposes are known only to the Creator - G-d.

So where do we fit in? Well, we may never know. However one thing we do know. When we physically act in accordance with the directives of G-d - the Creator, we'll be privy to everything that happened at Mount Sinai and beyond, including everything that preceded it, with the final and complete redemption through Mashiach, NOW!!!

Rabbi Mosheh M. Serebryanski

Shalom,

Shabbath Shira and Tu B'Shvat come together this year. Yes, just like when the Jewish people left Egypt and began to sprout as a people, so too we celebrate the new year for fruit bearing trees.

In this week’s parasha there is also the reference to the revival of the dead in the ultimate stage of Moshiach. All this teaches us that every moment life begins anew and we have a new opportunity to grow and "bear fruit". In addition, we are to realise that only in the future to come will we have the complete appreciation of our current labour. For at that time there will be war no more and death will be gone forever.

What can one do? Start living Moshiach, Now. Live as though you are already nourishing from the fruits of the labour of exile, like the Jewish people did while crossing the sea of reeds. As is well known, when one can start picturing a goal in their mind and begin living towards it, they are on their way to achieving it.

Have a joyous Shabbath Shira, Tu B'Shvat, and a great fresh start,

Rabbi Mosheh M. Serebryanski.

Shalom,

With gratitude to G-d, Chabad of Gold Coast & Northern Rivers is making another groundbreaking step towards creating the warm, welcoming and inclusive Jewish Communal Centers for which the local Chabad centers have now become known. This time it expresses itself in the manner of a much sought after weekly newsletter, inspired and produced by members of the growing local "Chabad Family".

Indeed this weeks torah portion opens with the words "come to Pharoah", our sages have explained that G-d did not instruct Moshe to go on his own, rather G-d said "let's go together". Thus, as we move forward, only when we work together can we accomplish great things.

As such, it is with great joy to see people getting together and committing their time, energy and talents on a weekly (daily) basis to create this newsletter for the benefit of the community.

Yet another act of Living Moshiach in our daily lives Today & Now!!!

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Mosheh M. Serebryanski

Over the past week we once again witnessed yet another tragedy caused by humankind. This time it reared its ugliness in a most contrasting place for such a dark occurrence, the Chabad House in Mumbai, India.

Details and eulogies are plentiful. Now is a time of standing up, being counted and to do something about it.

We are now in a month of light, Chanukah, so let us take a cue from it and do something to bring more light, love and peace into the world. Yes, every person can do something in their daily lives to increase light. Just like a flame that is made of many small lights, our individual deeds add up collectively to banish darkness and evil from the world.

So take a hold of the energy created by hearing, reading or/and watching the events of the past week and turn its negativity into something positive.

Some suggestions that come to mind, surely you can think of some as well. However, the main thing is to increase in positive actions.

Personal;
Light Shabbat candles.
Learn the Holy Torah.
Put on tefillin.

Interpersonal;
Give tzedaka – charity.
Help someone.
Be more welcoming to people.
Greet people in a friendly way.
Smile – even to yourself.
Contact someone whom you haven’t been in touch with for a while.

Communal;
Arrange a friendly gathering of perhaps people you usually don’t have much to do with
Join a communal activity or class
With esteemed blessing for peace and harmony, both personal and global.