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Parashat Shmini
פרשת שמיני |
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Got a mobile?

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Links to "Old" Pages
(will eventually be
moved to a different URL)
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The
Renewal Fund can now accept PayPal!
UK Taxpayer? Please read this!
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Stay informed with our latest updates!

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Welcome to the website of the Aberdeen
Hebrew Congregation! We are a Jewish community based in Aberdeen, serving
the Grampian region and the North East of Scotland. Although our numbers
may be small, we are a thriving community; sadly without a permanent
rabbi, but we do host a series of social, cultural and religious events
throughout the year. Visitors are always welcome to our shul, and indeed
on many occasions visitors have helped us make a minyan.
Jewish life in Aberdeen can
be difficult at times, but it is also very interesting and rewarding. Our
shul is the cornerstone of spiritual life for many of our local Jewish
families and friends.
Please take a moment to
browse our newly updated website! For those who are looking for the
old-style pages, please follow the links to the left (the old pages will
remain on the server for as long as we have the space). Any queries
regarding the site may be directed to the webmaster. For other
queries and information, please see our Contacts
page.
Thank you for
visiting! !הכל טוב
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Do you buy stuff online?
Easy Fundraising is our new initiative to help raise cash for the Shul renovations. For every online purchase you make from over 2000 retailers, a small %age of their profit comes to us instead! All you have to do is visit the Easy Fundraising site first, then the retailer - and shop as normal.
It really is that easy, and does not cost you anything!
Please register now, and start donating to a good cause right away!
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At the moment in Aberdeen, we are counting the Omer. This is a period that lasts for fifty days and represents the time between the Exodus from Egypt and the giving of Torah on Mount Sinai, which is celebrated as
Shavuot.
The word Omer literally means "a sheaf", as in a
bundle of grain stalks tied together; but also means a specific
amount, as in "an omer of grain". The word "omer"
therefore also came to be used to mean an offering, brought
to the Temple during the 50-day period.
At
a more spiritual level, the 50-day count is a period of self-growth.
While in Egypt, the Jews had spent over 400 years living amongst
one of the most depraved and idolatrous societies on Earth.
Immediately after departing Egypt, they were not spiritually
developed enough to receive or appreciate the gift of Torah,
hence the 50-day waiting period until they finally reached Sinai. |
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The fifty-day
Omer period is tinged with sadness, and no-body quite knows
why. Perhaps this is connected to the origins of the harvest
offering, where at this point farmers would be anxious as to
whether the coming season would yield adequate produce. It may
also be related to the destruction of the second Temple, after
which of course people could no longer bring their ceremonial
offerings of the first barley and wheat.
During
this fifty days, we are prohibited from holding weddings, which
are joyous occasions; this may be as a result of Roman influences,
as one of their beliefs was that during this time the spirits
of the dead returned to Earth and could not be appeased by weddings
- only funerals. |
However, there is some good news! On the 33rd day of the Omer count, the sadness
is suspended and on that one day, weddings may be held. It is
also traditional for young children to have their first haircut
on this day (the hair is not cut during the rest of the Omer
period).
Lag B'Omer (the 33rd day of the Omer count, which this year falls on 9 May) is widely observed in Israel, where
children celebrate by dressing as hunters, practicing with bows
and arrows, lighting ceremonial bonfires or picnicking in the
woods. Above is a picture of one of the sculptures at Kirkhill Forest, on the outskirts of Aberdeen. |
Last year, in slides.... please see the Events page for more!
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Haiti Earthquake Relief - Emergency Appeal Here
Japan Tsunami Relief Emergency Appeal Here
All contents (c) Aberdeen Hebrew Congregation 2011/5772 unless
stated otherwise
Last Updated 19 April 2012 - 27 Nisan 5772
also Yom HaShoah and 13th day of the Omer
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