Who are we?
North Shore Temple Emanuel is a progressive, egalitarian congregation
that celebrates the spirit and contribution of each and every member.
Our Values Statement
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Our expression of Judaism is woven from many strands that make up Jewish
life. We affirm
Halachah (Jewish Law) as an
evolving process while recognising the responsibility of each member of
our congregation to make informed choices for personal Jewish growth.
Halachah (Jewish Law)
Judaism is not just a set of beliefs about God, humankind and the universe. Judaism is a comprehensive way of life, filled with rules and practices that affect every aspect of life: what you do when you wake up in the morning, what you can and cannot eat, what you can and cannot wear, how to groom yourself, how to conduct business, who you can marry, how to observe the holy days and
Shabbat and perhaps most important, how to treat God, other people and animals. This set of rules and practices is known as
halachah.
The word halachah is usually translated as “Jewish Law” although a more literal translation might be “the path that one walks”. The word is derived from the Hebrew rood
Heh-Lamet-Kaf, meaning to go, to walk or to travel.
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Mitzvot (Jewish responsibility)
At the heart of halachah is the unchangeable 613 mitzvot that God gave to the Jewish people in the Torah (the first five books of the Bible). The word mitzvah means “commandment”. In its strictest sense, it refers only to commandments instituted in the
Torah; however the word is commonly used in a more generic sense to include all of the laws, practises and customs of halachah and is often used in an even more loose way to refer to any good deed.
Some of the mitzvot are clear, explicit commands in the Bible (thou shalt not murder; write words of
Torah on the doorposts of your house). Others are more implicit (the mitzvah to recite grace after meals which is inferred from “and you will eat and be satisfied and bless
Adonai your God”) and some can only be ascertained by Talmudic logic (that a man shall not commit incest with his daughter, which is derived from the commandment not to commit incest with his daughter’s daughter).
Some of the mitzvot overlap; commandment to rest on Shabbat and a negative commandment not to do work on Shabbat.
Tzedakah (charity/social justice)
Tzedakah is the Hebrew word for the acts that we call “charity” in English: giving aid, assistance and money to the poor and needy or to other worthy causes.
However, the nature of tzedakah is very different from the idea of charity. The word “charity” suggests benevolence and generosity, a magnanimous act by the wealthy and powerful for the benefit of the poor and needy. The word
tzedakah is derived from the Hebrew root Tzade-Dalet-Qof, meaning righteousness, justice or fairness. In Judaism, giving to the poor is not viewed as a generous, magnanimous act; it is simply an act of justice and righteousness, the performance of a duty, giving the poor their due.
Tikkun Olam (repairing the world)
Tikkun Olam translates to “repairing the world” It is important in Judaism and is often used to explain the Jewish concept of social justice. In some explanations, the more
mitzvot that are performed, the closer the world will be towards perfection.
Some Jews believe that acts of tikkun olam will either trigger or fulfill the prophesied coming of the
Moshiach (messiah) or messianic age (the World to Come). The belief in
tikkun olam is also central to the Zohar, the most important book in
kabbalah (Jewish mysticism).
The phrase is used in prayers such as Aleinu: l’takken olam b’malkhut Shaddai: (to repair the world in the realm of God). It is also used in the Mishnah, in the phrase mip’nei tikkun olam (because of tikkun olam) to indicate that a practise is followed not because it is the law, but because it helps avoid negative social consequences.
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We value our role as a centre for life-long Jewish learning and spiritual
development within the synagogue, the community and the home. Hebrew is an
integral part of our Jewish learning and services.
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We serve as an extended family, which values friendship and
chavurah
(communal friendship) to respond to the spiritual and social needs of our
members.
Chavurah (communal friendship)
The word
Chavurah comes from haver, meaning friend. A Chavurah is a small friendship group, anywhere from ten to twenty people.
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We accept our obligation to reach out to Jews who do not currently
participate in Jewish religious life and offer all who desire it the means
to reawaken their interest and involvement.
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We are committed to the State of Israel, Klal Yisrael
(the entirety of the Jewish people) and the welfare of all humanity.
Klal Yisrael
The totality of the Jewish people
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