 A music teacher, Frano Selak, dubbed 'The World's Luckiest Man' after narrowly escaping death seven times before winning the lottery, has decided to give away his fortune. The 81 year-old won $1 million six years
ago in the lottery in Croatia after earlier surviving plane and train crashes. He also survived other disasters including landing on a haystack after falling out of a plane door that had blown open.
The retiree decided that "money cannot buy happiness" and decided to live a frugal life. Mr. Selak sold his luxury home on a private island, gave away his fortune to family and friends and moved back to his modest home in the center of Croatia. He kept the last bit of his winnings for a hip replacement operation so he could enjoy life with his wife, and said he has never been happier. "All I need at my age is (my wife) Katarina. Money would not change anything. When she arrived I knew then that I really did have a charmed, blessed life."
The Jewish festivals of Sukkos, Shemini Atzeres and Simchas Torah are referred to as zman simchasaynu, our time of happiness. Who is truly happy? One who can truly appreciate the blessings G-d has given. Chag Sameach -- may you and your families enjoy these joyous holidays.
Torah Reading for Shemini Atzeres and Simchas Torah
Shemini Atzeres is a two-day holiday immediately following the seventh day of Sukkos. It begins on Thursday. Simchas Torah is celebrated on Friday, the second day of Shemini Atzeres. The Torah reading for the first day is Deuteronomy 14:22 -- 16:17.
Shemini Atzeres is a holiday in its own right. 'Shemini Atzeres' literally means 'Stop (on) the Eighth Day'. Benjamin Franklin once said, 'fish and visitors smell in three days'. The Almighty, however, has a different perspective! G-d, who has had us as 'visitors' for Sukkos, asks us to stay with Him for an eighth day. Seeing our loved ones leave is difficult; so too, G-d loves His children and desires that we spend one more day with Him in festive celebration.
On Simchas Torah we read the final Torah portion, V'zos Ha'Bracha (Deuteronomy 33:1 -- 34:12). We then immediately proceed to the first chapter of Genesis, reminding us that the Torah is a circle which never ends. The completion of the Torah is a time of great celebration. There are processions around the synagogue carrying Torah scrolls, with plenty of high-spirited singing and dancing.
Parshas Bereishis Genesis 1:1 -- 6:8
This first portion of the Torah begins with G-d's creation of the world in six days and His 'resting' on the seventh. All was created during this first week; from the separation between light and darkness, to the establishment of the sun, moon and stars, to the creation of Man (Adam) and Woman (Eve) in G-d's image and their placement in the Garden of Eden.
Adam and Eve are given one command -- to refrain from eating the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge. Eve is enticed by the snake to eat of the forbidden fruit, and she offers some to her husband as well. G-d punishes them for their transgression, and they are banished from the paradise of Eden.
After the expulsion their first two sons, Cain and Abel, each bring an offering to G-d. In jealousy Cain kills his brother, and G-d sends him into exile to wander the face of the earth.. The Torah then gives a genealogy of the first ten generations of the world, beginning with Adam and leading up to the birth of Noah and his three sons.
Quote of the Week
Success is getting what you want; happiness is wanting what you get. -- Charles F. Kettering (1876-1958, American inventor & businessman)
Joke of the Week
While baseball is generally considered a “modern” sport, there are references in the Torah that could lead one to deduce that, in fact, baseball dates back thousands of years. In honor of the St. Louis Cardinals having made it to the World Series (Go Cardinals!) here are several examples
In the beginning (big inning) -- Genesis 1:1
And Abner said to Joab, “Let the young men now arise and play before us” -- Samuel II 2:14
...and he measured two lines… -- Samuel II 8:2 ...and he set the bases… -- Kings I 7:39
Behold, Rebecca came out with her pitcher… -- Genesis 24:45
..Seek out a man who is a skillful player… -- Samuel I 16:16
Who can stand before the Giants? -- Deuteronomy 9:2
...and (it)…was foul… -- Exodus 7:21
And Miriam was shut out… -- Numbers 12:15
...for it was an error… -- Numbers 15:25
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