What is Oneg Shabbat?

Once a month we come together as a community to dive and explore a chosen topic over a delicious lunch. They are held from 12:45-2:15pm after the Shabbat Morning Service. This year the Onegs are being taught in series of three and in January-March we will be learning with Rabbi Benji on the topic of Mitzvot.

Oneg Series: Ol Mitzvot, Al Mitzvat: How do we engage with mitzvot as objects?

We often describe the “ol mitzvot,” the yoke of the mitzvot and their weight on us. But what happens when these mitzvot take on quite literally the role of objects in our lives? We will use this series to explore the two mitzvot whose blessing is “al mitzvat” (“on the mitzvah of”), looking at Tzitzit/Tallit (fringes) and tefillin (phylacteries). Whether or not you use or where these objects, we will explore their significance for us and our lives today.

Saturday 10th May – Tefillin and Tzitzit: An Overview of an Everlasting Covenant - With Yael Roberts.

“The Holy One, Blessed be He, wrapped Himself in a prayer shawl like a prayer leader and showed Moses the structure of the order of the prayer” (Tractate Rosh Hashanah 7b). We learn that the Divine wears both Tallit and Tefillin. Why? Come explore passages of Talmud that detail God’s engagement with these objects. Why does the Talmud personify God in this way? And how might this influence how we understand the Tallit/Tzitzit and the Tefillin?

Saturday 14th June – Tzitzit: The Kindness and Compassion of the Sea - With Yael Roberts.

“Sky-blue dye (t’khelet) is similar in its color to the sea, and the sea is similar to the sky, and the sky is similar to the Throne of Glory” (Tractate Sota 17a). A deep dive into the Mitzvah of Tzitzit and its mystical significance through the lens of t’khelet (The sky blue dye on the Tzitzit).

Saturday 12th July -  Tefillin: Knowing the Divine through Wrestling - With Yael Roberts. “this teaches that the Holy One, blessed be He, showed Moshe the knot at the back of his head tefillin” (Berakhot 7a). A deep dive into the Mitzvah of Tefillin and its mystical significance with God’s face hidden in exile.

Who can come?

This group is for members of all ages and if there is a particular topic you would like to see covered please let us know.

Do I need to bring anything?

We ask members to contribute in whatever way they can. This may be through bringing a dish, donating an amount towards our cost or volunteering (setting up, washing dishes, hosting table etc.) on the day.

Do I need to book in?

Yes. There is no charge to join us for the Oneg, but we have limited seating in the room and so want to ensure that we don't disappoint people. To book in, click on the links below, or contact Louise Wendel.