Welcome to Adas Yeshurun Herzlia, Winnipeg’s only Modern Orthodox synagogue. We offer traditional services, interesting classes, and programs for every age. It is a place where everyone is welcome regardless if you are Ashkenazi or Sephardic, observant or not so observant. We invite you to join our welcoming and caring Jewish community where you’ll feel right at home.

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This Week’s Dvar Torah

The people of the book also know how to fight

In this week’s Parsha we see the transformation of Yaacov. Up to now the Yaacov we knew was a “wholehearted man who dwelt in tents”. Our Rabbis explain that he spent his time studying Torah in the tents of Shem and Ever. He was a good “yeshiva bocher”.
Suddenly in this week’s Parsha a new Yaacov emerges. He finds himself at a well. There he meets his future wife, Rachel. A group of shepherds also gather at the well. They must all wait because on the well is a stone so heavy that it would take many people to remove it. Suddenly Rachel appears and when Yaacov see’s her we are told:

While he was still speaking with them, Rachel came with her father’s flock, for she was its shepherd. And when Jacob saw Rachel, the daughter of his uncle Laban, and the flock of his uncle Laban, Jacob went up and rolled the stone off the mouth of the well, and watered the flock of his uncle Laban. (Beresheet 29:9-10)
Rashi makes the following comment:

and rolled the stone off: as easily as one draws the stopper from the mouth of a bottle — thus showing you how strong he was (Rashi Beresheet 29:10)

Where did Yaacov find the strength to remove the stone single handed? If he had such strength, why did he run away from Esav? The Radak suggests that in those moments “Hashem blessed him with extraordinary strength”. 

But let me suggest a far simpler answer. Yaacov had the strength all along but never used it. Brut strength is not the way of Yaacov (and his descendants). Yaacov’s strength is a spiritual one. But when backed into a wall, when forced to help those in need, Yaacov leaves his books and fights like a lion.

Yaacov shows the way for the Jewish nation. The people of the book when pushed become warriors for justice. I like to think of our forefathers as the first “hesder soldiers”. Avraham gathered 318 men and fought against mighty kings to free his nephew Lot. Yaacov rolled stones off wells to help those in need.

Today our brave soldiers in Israel are doing the same. War is not our way. We would rather that our sons and daughters not be on the battlefield. But when push comes to shove the Jewish nation is fierce. Our soldiers have put their books down and with weapons in hand will fight like lions to protect the Jewish nation. May Hashem protect all of them and bring them home safely.

Wishing you all
Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Yosef Benarroch
Adas Yeshurun Herzlia

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This Week’s Shabbat

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Weekday Prayer Services

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The Adam Anhang Learning Center

Virtual classes will be conducted using the Zoom app.
Meeting ID: 279 466 0776
Password: 359636

Sunday after breakfast	Sefer Hachinuch
Tuesday after Maariv	Talmud
Wednesday 7:00 pm	Weekly Parsha

Listen to Rabbi Benarroch’s latest classes below:

Genesis – Vayetze – The Land of Israel belongs to the Jewish people

Weekly Parsha – Toldot – Yitzchak “The true Israeli Jew”

Go to Archived Classes


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This Week’s Yahrzeits

Kislev 11	November 24, 2023	Badonna Greenberg
Kislev 12	November 25, 2023	Caroline Berbrayer
Kislev 13	November 26, 2023	Herman Kraut
Kislev 13	November 26, 2023	Judith Veres
Kislev 13	November 26, 2023	Jarniewski Family
Kislev 15	November 28, 2023	Bertha Kowall
Kislev 17	November 30, 2023	Alex Malkin
Kislev 17	November 30, 2023	Noga Paz

In loving memory we remember them. May their memory be blessed !

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Address: 620 Brock St, Winnipeg, MB R3N 0Z4 , Canada
Phone: (204) 489-6262
Email: reception@adasyeshurun.ca