Family First – or Last?

This Sunday (20^th March) we will celebrate Purim, the happiest day in the Jewish calendar. There are many lessons to be learned from this special day. One of them is the true meaning of kindness and unity. Read more

The Source of Happiness

The festival of Purim (celebrated this year on Saturday night 19 March and Sunday 20 March)  is the happiest day on the Jewish calendar. On this day we read the Purim story, have a festive meal, give food gifts to each other and help those in need. We are taught that on Purim we should celebrate with great festivity and happiness. Read more

Kindness – Strength or Weakness?

Kindness and charity are one of most honourable and elevated traits. Yet sometimes the kind-hearted and generous feel taken advantage of and trodden upon. The inability to ever say no results in feelings of resentment and frustration. Read more

Keep Laughing

The Talmud relates that the great sage Rabbah had the following practice. When he lectured in Talmudic law he would always begin with a joke, causing the students to laugh, after which he would continue with a serious presentation of in-depth analysis of Jewish Law. Read more

The Art of Grand-Parenting

Question:
Firstly, Mazel Tov on becoming a grandfather and may your new granddaughter bring you much joy and “naches”! In the past I attended your BINA Parenting classes. I recently also become a grandparent and was wondering if you are now going to give lectures on grand-parenting? I am looking forward to coming. Read more

Recognizing the Individual Student

Next week in Australia thousands of boys and girls will begin the new school year. As parents, teachers and educators it is a good time to reflect on the goals of education and the values that we want our children to absorb in the school experience. Read more

How to Receive a Compliment

Have you ever thought of how you respond when someone compliments you or appreciates what you have done? Read more

Fire and Ice – Your weekly message from Rabbi Michoel Gourarie

In this week’s Parsha we read the story of the ten plagues that punished the Egyptians and made way for the final exodus from Egypt. Read more

Do It Today – Your Weekly Message from Rabbi Gourarie

One of the secrets of success is to respond quickly to a project or a task as soon as it comes our way. Many people suffer from a procrastination problem that can be very destructive. They live by the rule – what we can do tomorrow why do today. Postponing important jobs that might be difficult, often leads to canceling them and loosing the opportunity. Read more

Be a Child – Your weekly message from Rabbi Michoel Gourarie

Growth, change and self-development aren’t always easy. They require a lot of effort, and some risk taking. Read more

Why do we always have to eat? Your weekly message from Rabbi Gourarie

Question: Why are we Jews so obsessed with food? Every festival has its own dish. The one that really confuses me is Chanukah. Read more

The Empty Menorah – A Chanukah Message from Rabbi Gourarie

The festival of Chanukah begins this coming Wednesday evening. The highlight of these eight days is the mitzvah of kindling the Chanukah candles every evening. Traditionally this mitzvah is fulfilled by placing the candles in a Menorah of eight holders. But in the first few days the Menorah always seems very empty and incomplete. Wouldn’t it be more logical to kindle these flames in single candlesticks, adding one each night? Read more

Don’t Be an Angel – Your Weekly Message from Rabbi Michoel Gourarie

There are different ways that parents praise their children when they are being really good. One compliment I often hear parents give is: “you are such an angel.”

We use this form of praise because in our minds we have an image of angels as perfect holy beings that never do anything wrong. However, while it is true that angels are very special beings, calling someone an angel is not such a compliment. Read more

When Sun Meets Moon – Your weekly feature from Rabbi Gourarie

Most nations use one of two calendar systems. Many cultures have a solar calendar with a year of 365 days. Others, such as Muslims, use a system based entirely on lunar months that last an average of 30 days. Read more

The Parenting Package

Parenting is a real challenge. Without any training or simple manual, young people are thrown into this huge responsibility. Today we are witnessing a parenting crisis. What are the essential ingredients of successful parenting? Read more

Definition of Unity

In Jewish tradition one of the greatest ideals is unity and Shalom (peace). Harmony between husband and wife, respect between friends and communal solidarity generate blessing and success. Read more

We Can Do It Too

A week ago the world watched in awe as thirty three Chilean miners were rescued from underground after being trapped for so long. What makes this story even more amazing is the combination of incredible inner strength demonstrated by the miners and the fantastic effort by the rescuers outside. Read more

Chaos – Good or Bad?

Is chaos good or bad?  Your weekly message from Rabbi Michoel Gourarie… Read more

Two approaches to toxic situations

One of the strongest powers of influence is our surrounding. Read more

A Sukkos Thought – True Happiness

Sukkos is a time of joy. How do we achieve true happiness?…a message from Rabbi Michoel Gourarie Read more

Rosh Hashana message from Rabbi Gourarie

Rosh Hashana Codes Read more

Say it – Your weekly message from Rabbi Gourarie

A woman once complained to a marriage counsellor that her husband never says that he loves her. Read more

A Different View: Your weekly message from Rabbi Gourarie

Recently, to get some much needed exercise I began playing tennis, which I haven’t done for some time. While I am enjoying it immensely I sometimes forget some of the rules and have to be reminded of how exactly the game is played. Read more

Not Naive – Just Loving: Your weekly message from Rabbi Gourarie

A gentile seeking to convert to Judaism once approached the great sage Hillel and said: “Teach me the whole Torah while I stand on one foot.” Hillel responded: “What is hateful to you do not do to others. This is the essence of Jewish teaching – the rest is the commentary which you must go and study.” Read more

What Comes First?

A Jewish marriage begins with the signing of the Ketuba (legal marriage document) in which the groom pledges to be a good and faithful husband. Read more

Is This Relationship For Me? from Rabbi Gourarie

Uncertainty in relationships is very common. Read more

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