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Rabbi Dovrat is the current Rabbi of the Wellington Jewish Community Centre. He grew up in Israel and received Smicha from Kolel Evan-Shmuel. He receieved a Masters Degree in History and Talmud from Haifa University. In the past Rabbi Dovrat has served four years in the South African Jewish Community. He is a teacher for Torah and Talmud in Yeshivot in Israel. Ten years ago he opened a Yeshiva and Ulpana in Modi'in, his current home. This is Rabbi Dovrat's second time in Wellington. Happily married to Tova with five children who all reside in Israel. Currently Rabbi Dovrat is involved in many different aspects of Jewish life including Schitah, Hebrew school and Interfaith work.
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From the Rabbi: To Dig or Not To Dig |
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Tuesday, 01 June 2010 21:10 |
One of the current topics for discussion in the media is whether to allow mining in certain areas of New Zealand. Experts believe that there are places rich with gold and other precious metals that could be used to help the New Zealand economy.
I have spoken to geologists who are familiar with this and asked them how they know where to find these when they can’t see them with the naked eye. Why has it only been discovered recently? From the answers that I received I understood that firstly there are outside signs like stones or the colour of rocks that can tell you if there is something buried underneath. Also if they dig deep and take samples to the laboratory, they can determine what the layer of land consists of. After the tests, they make a map according to the signs that have been found and can prepare a report on the probability of the quantity of minerals to be found.
What interested me in this subject is the question of why others did not know about this for many years and I came to the conclusion that we are not able to look inside things and really understand what we have around us. Sometimes because of obstacles (perhaps sand, weeds and rocks) it prevents us seeing the treasures that lie underneath. This was found to be the case with people who had a similar experience in America.
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From the Rabbi: If Not Now, When? |
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Friday, 30 April 2010 16:00 |
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In many congregations there is a minhag to read one chapter from the book of Pirkey Avot (Ethics of the Fathers) every Shabbat between Passover until Rosh Hashanah.
This book is not a book of halachot or mitzvoth. As you all know the Torah comprises the entire code of Jewish life- civil, religious, ritual law and ethical behaviour. The Pirkey Avot primarily deals with moral and practical teachings. In this article I will try to explain one or two sentences of one of the greatest Rabbis: HILLEL.
He said: “Do not say when I am free I will study, for perhaps you will not become free”
He also said a short sentence ?? ?? ????? ?????? (Im lo achshav ematay?) If not now when? What does it mean? What did Hillel want to teach us? It’s contrary to the saying: don’t do something today that you can do tomorrow. Hillel is trying to teach us to act soon after you have decided that you have to do something.
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From the Rabbi: Job Description |
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Tuesday, 27 April 2010 17:59 |
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Here is the job description for a vacant position
If you are a man with inspiration
Fully skilled in communications
Blessed with a good co-ordination
We need your application.
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From the Rabbi: Kosher Co-Op as an example |
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Tuesday, 06 April 2010 11:25 |
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In this month’s article I have decided to comment on “The Kosher Co-op has new management”, as published in the Centre News last month.
1. First of all I would like to thank Ari (and his mother, Jayne) for taking on the responsibility and hard work of continuing to maintain this crucial service for our Community. I really think that we are blessed to have Ari’s experience. Together with this, I think we must also thank the members of the Board for devoting so much time to running this Community. I personally know how many hours they take off from their own work and businesses and family in order to improve all aspects of Community life, especially during the Pesach period when we are all so busy.
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