The Shul

36 Pages·2016·5.41 MB·English

B”H
The Shul
weekly magazine
Weekly Magazine Sponsored By Mr. & Mrs. Martin (OBM) and Ethel Sirotkin
and Dr. & Mrs. Shmuel and Evelyn Katz
Shabbos Parshas Vayishlach
Kislev 16 - 17
December 16 - 17
CANDLE LIGHTING: 5:15 PM
SHABBOS ENDS: 6:10 PM
Yud Tes Kislev
Rosh Hashana of Chassidus
Monday, December 19
The Shul Welcomes
Mr. Eli Beer - President of United Hatzalah
Mendy Reiner - Renewal Project Director,
A.J. Gindi - Kidney Donor
Over Thirty Years of Serving the Communities of Bal Harbour, Bay Harbor Islands, Indian Creek and Surfside
9540 Collins Avenue, Surfside, Fl 33154 Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] www.TheShul.org Email: [email protected]
The Shul Weekly Magazine
Everything you need for every day of the week
Contents
Nachas At A Glance
Every week out boys Mishmar programs grow!!
Weekly Message
Thoughts on the Parsha from Rabbi Sholom D. Lipskar 3 We now have close to 100 children a week
attending the different age programs.
Celebrating Shabbos
Schedules, classes, articles and more... Everything you 4 -5
need for an “Over the Top” Shabbos experience
Community Happenings 6 - 7
Sharing with your Shul Family
A Time to Pray
Check out all the davening schedules and locations 8
throughout the week
Inspiration, Insights & Ideas 9 - 16
Bringing Torah lessons to LIFE
Meyer Youth Center
17- 19
The full scoop on all the Youth events around town
Get The Picture
The full scoop on all the great events around town 20 - 26
In a woman’s world
Issues of relevance to the Jewish woman 27
French Connection
Reflexions sur la Paracha 28

Latin Link
Reflexion Semanal 29
The ABC’s of Aleph
Serving Jews in institutional and limited environments. 30 The Shul Hebrew School making edible menorahs
Networking while learning about Chanukah
Effective Advertising 31 - 32
Numbers To Know
Contacts at The Shul
33
Daily Study
A complete guide to all classes and courses offered at
34
The Shul
Get The Picture
The full scoop on all the great events around town 35 -36
Quotable Quote
The first thing we heard from the Rebbe was:
“What is forbidden, one must not; and what is
permitted, one need not”
Rabbi Mordechai of Haradak, a disciple of
Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi
Thoughts on the Parshah
from Rabbi Sholom D. Lipskar
Shabbos Parshas Vayishlach
The diabolical efforts and desire by evil people to annihilate G-d's
Continuing the incredible
chosen children is represented by the name Jacob who holds onto
saga of the genesis
his enemy’s heel that tries to tread on and squash him. Jacob is
of the Jewish people
forced to do whatever possible to escape that threatening heel.
beginning generally from Adam
It sometimes seems impossible, but with having G-d in his life,
and Genesis, moving towards
supernatural capacities are activated that express themselves
Noah and his important role
within the limits of our natural world.
in that continuity, and then
the first Jew Abraham who
The second, which is far more Insidious and cunning, attacks us
begins the development of the
with rationality, pleasure, physical enjoyment, and tangible material
formal “Children of Israel”, this
acquisitions that satisfy and excite us at least in the short-term.
week's portion contains many
Coupled with vast amounts of information that utilizes scientific,
extraordinary events that have
philosophic, exotic jargon, the Jewish ideology and lifestyle is
great impact on our historical
perceived as outdated, archaic, not plausible etc. To successfully
evolution.
fight against those challenges is represented by the name Israel.
The name connotes being connected to the G-dhead, dedicated to
Among the many important occurrences, the single most
living beyond our limited rationalities and seeing beyond temporary
significant story is the episode of Jacob's wrestling with the
pleasures and beyond the measurements of simple metrics to
Archangel representing Esav. They struggle and just before the
determine the quality of a person or society. It is the Jewish higher
break of sunrise, the angel realizes that he cannot overcome the
spiritual consciousness and a total commitment without any kind
extraordinary powers of Jacob. He manages to dislocate the cuff
of personal bias. In the course of the struggle, unfortunately many
of Jacob’s hip causing him to limp. As the angel attempts to leave,
victims fall by the wayside.
Jacob holds on to him and forces him to bless him. The angel then
shares with Jacob one of the most significant facts of the Jewish
The true meaning of being a Jew is to be connected to a behavior
people; the origin and the bestowing of the name Israel upon his
that often transcends rationality but this tried method of life has
eternal offspring.
been dictated to us by G-d.
The text States "the angel said to Jacob, “Your name will soon no
Both elements are critical but when the Israel concept is
longer be called Yaakov but Israel, as you lorded over angels and
predominant we are no longer called Yaakov for we have now
men and ably prevailed".
reached a higher and deeper level that also includes the physical
superiority with strength and creativity to be a true King David even
What was so significant here that brought about the name that we
in a world of Goliaths.
carry for all of history and is also the name of our Holy Land Israel?
Jacob's travails, trials and tribulations through 20 years exile are all
The Alter Rebbe, author of the Tanya and Shulchan Aruch, whose
condensed experiential versions of our travails through more than
Holiday of Redemption we celebrate this Monday / Yud Tes Kislev,
2,000 years of our own Exile/ Galuth.
put his very life on the line for promulgating that world Outlook,
which continues to so successfully be manifested by his direct
In our diasporic exile we are confronted with two major challenging
descendant and “filler of his place”, the Rebbe. His directives are
forces that try to overwhelm us many times expending every effort
literally transforming a world that had just raised its head from the
to make us extinct. One is the murderess, barbaric Nations who
ashes of the Holocaust to being one of the most vibrant Jewish
tried to physically annihilate us (it will never be) beginning with
periods of all times.
our arch enemy Amalek to our recent murderers the Nazis, and so
many others that it would take much ink just to list their names.
Have a great week and over-the-top Shabbos!
The second is the spiritual, ideological, rational battle for our mind
and lifestyle, such as the Syrian Greeks in the Chanukah era and
Modernity as expressed in our 20th and 21st century behavior and
Rabbi Sholom D. Lipskar
assimilatory processes.
3
Celebrating Shabbos with our Youth
Everything you need for an “Over the Top” Shabbos experience
Weekly Riddle
Morah Malkie’s Elisheva Adouth's
Tot Shabbat Aleph Wonder Girls
Questions:
Ages: 1 - 4 Grades: 1 - 3
11:00 am - 12:00 pm 10:00 am - 12:00 pm 1) What competitive sport is mentioned in this parsha?
Montessori Classrooom 2 2) In this parsha, who has a name that is also the name of an
classrooom 2 animal? (5 answers)
3) In the Prophets, what names are types of animals? (14 answers)
Answers from last week:
1) In naming all the sons, the verse states "And she called." Only
with Levi does it state "he called his name Levi," implying that he
was not named by his mother (Genesis 29:34).
Tehila's Basya's
Pre Tween Girls Tween Girls 2) The Torah does not state any reason for the name of Leah's
daughter, Dina (Genesis 30:21).
Grades: 4 - 5 Grades: 6 - 8
3)Michal placed terafim in the bed of David to help him escape
10:00 am - 12:00 pm 10:30 am - 12:00 pm from her father, Shaul (1-Shmuel 19:13).
Classrooom 4
RIDDLE RULES
Answers to the riddles can be given to Sholom
Lobenstein any time over Shabbos. The first
child to give a correct answer to each of the
questions will win an INSTANT prize!
Mendy's
Sholom's
Hebrew School
Junior Boys
Grades: 4th - 8th
Grades: 1 - 4
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Classroom 1
Shaykee’s Debbie’s Shmuely's
Davening With Dad Teen Girls Teen Boys
Grades: 9th - 12th
Grades: 7th - 8th Grades: 9th - 12th
10:30 am - 12:00 pm
10:30 am - 12:00 pm 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Teen Girls Room
Montessori 3 Haime Library
4
Celebrating Shabbos
Everything you need for an “Over the Top” Shabbos experience
Kiddush This Week:
Kiddush this week is available for sponsorship.
Shabbos Schedule
Candle lighting 5:15 p.m.
Shalosh Seudos This Week:
Mincha / Kabbalas Shabbos 5:15 p.m. Shalosh Seudos this week is available for sponsorship.
Shabbos Day Hashkama Minyan 7:15 a.m.
Tanya / Hayom Yom 9:00 a.m.
Shacharis (Morning Services) 9:00 a.m.
Children’s Programs 10:00 a.m.
the caterer for this week’s
Upstairs Minyan 10:30 a.m.
30 Minutes of Tanya: Classroom #1 +/- 12:00 p.m. kiddush and Shalosh seudos is
With Mrs. Vivian Perez (for Women) After Davening Food Art
Kiddush 12:00 p.m.
Daf Yomi 4:15 p.m.
Men’s Shiur 4:15 p.m.
Women's Shiur 4:15 p.m.
Shalosh Seudos for Boys 4:15 p.m.
Mincha 5:00 p.m.
Shabbos Ends / Ma’ariv & Havdalah 6:10 p.m.
Weekly Video of The Rebbe kiddushim at The Shul
Father & Son Learning 7:15 p.m. Please help us to provide our weekly Shabbos Kiddush and
Shalosh Seudos by becoming a sponsor. Or join the Kiddush Bank
Sephardic Minyan Friday Evening by becoming a Partner ($770 annually ) or Patron ($360 anually)
Mincha / Kabbalat Shabbat 5:00 p.m.
Shabbat Day Shacharit 9:00 a.m.
The following dates are available for sponsorship:
Mincha 5:00 p.m.
Shabbos Ends / Arvit & Havdalah 6:10 p.m. Kiddush Shalosh Seudos
December 17, 24, 31 December 17, 24, 31
If you wish to become a sponsor, please speak with Stacy
at 305-868-1411 ext 313 or email [email protected]
-
Candle Lighting 5:18 p.m.
Mincha 5:15 p.m.
Eruv Information
We would like to emphasize that every Erev Shabbos, individuals should call the Eruv Hotline to make sure
that the Eruv is operational. The number to call is 305- 866-ERUV (3788).
The Eruv message is recorded approximately two hours prior to candle lighting. Surfside:
The Eruv in Surfside now includes the walking paths along the beach. Pushing strollers and
carrying is permitted on the paths, but not beyond the path or onto the beach.
Bal Harbour: The Eruv in Bal Harbour included the inner (western) walking path only. The pier at Haulover Cut is not included.

To pay your annual dues visit: www.miamibeacheruv.com
5
Community Happenings
Sharing with your Shul Family
Birthdays Yahrtzeits
17 Kislev Mr. Eliezer Aharon Portnoy 17 Kislev Binyomin ben Michoel obm
17 Kislev Mrs. Stephanie Schwartz
Husband of Mrs. Bessie Bedzow, Father of Mrs. Sarah Rachel
17 Kislev Mr. Tzadik Slomianski
Sheridan, Mrs. Marlene Weisleder and Mrs. Hannah Shear
18 Kislev Mrs. Anne Gontownik
17 Kislev Sally Handelman obm
18 Kislev Mr. Adam Kaufman
18 Kislev Mr. Craig Michael Silverman Family Friend of Mr. & Mrs. Simon Falic
20 Kislev Mr. Lionel Dubrofsky 18 Kislev Shmuel Leib ben Yehoshua Zecharia Halevi obm
20 Kislev Mr. Sidney Feltenstein Father of Mrs. Chana Shuster
20 Kislev Mrs. Malka Rappaport
18 Kislev Bashka bas Moishe Laizer obm
22 Kislev Mr. Lawrence Jaffe
Mother of Mrs. Perla Gilinski
22 Kislev Mr. Michael Perez
19 Kislev Rivka bas Yaakov obm
23 Kislev Mrs. Iris Egozi
Mother of Mr. Oded Ben-Arie
Kid’s Birthdays 19 Kislev Chava Necha obm
17 Kislev Leah Azoulay Mother of Mrs. Aviva Stauber
17 Kislev Alyssa Cohen
19 Kislev Nissan Shmuel ben Yochanan obm
17 Kislev Lyla Pesha Goldfarb
Father of Dr. Nancy Scheinman
19 Kislev Israel Chaim Tzvi Andrusier
19 Kislev Shimon ben Yisroel obm
19 Kislev Ariela Davit
20 Kislev Joel Joseph Barouch Kamhazi Father of Mr. Nathan Litchkowski
21 Kislev Alexander Arev 21 Kislev Ruchl Dvora bas Elie obm
21 Kislev Levi Yitzchok Katz Mother of Ms. Ruzena Slomovic
21 Kislev Dovid Notik
21 Kislev Chaim Tzvi obm
22 Kislev Yosef Yehudah Ness
Father of Mrs. Pesie Davis
23 Kislev Alexander Yeoshua Labkowski
21 Kislev Miriam bas Mordechai obm
Anniversaries Grandmother of Mr. Jacob I. Sopher
Mr. & Mrs. Jerry & Lilla Sher 23 Kislev Raizel bas Reb Chaim Schneor obm
Mr. & Mrs. Sanford and Barbara Musikar Mother of Mr. Menachem Koegel
Dr. & Mrs. Robert B. and Laurel Mondshine
23 Kislev Leon Reinerman obm
Mr. & Mrs. Morris and Charlotte Marcus
Father-in-law of Mrs. Raquel Grosfeld
Dr. & Mrs. Joshua and Jeanette Furman
23 Kislev Celia Weinbach obm
Mr. & Mrs. Shlomo Zalman and Marcy Lederman
Mr. & Ms. Saul and Florette Gilinski Mother of Mr. Moshe Weinbach
Mr. & Mrs. Shlomo and Rochel Leah Danzinger
Dr. & Mrs. Jean Jacques and Perla Edderai Condolences
Mr. & Mrs. Alexander and Sofi Matz
Our heartfelt condolences go out to Mr. Avrom Chaim Zelmanovitch on
Mr. & Mrs. Eli and Ruthy Ginsburg
the passing of his dear Sister, Margaret Weiss obm. May her dear soul be
Mr. & Mrs. Daniel and Diana Sragowicz
bound with the Eternal Bond of Life and may the family be comforted
among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
Mazal Tov
Our heartfelt condolences go out to Mrs. Jody Soltanoff on the passing
Mazal Tov to Mr. & Mrs. Isser and Devora Lea New on the birth of a son. May they
of her dear Husband, Peter Schwalbe obm. May his dear soul be bound
raise him to Torah, Chupah and Ma'asim Tovim and have much nachas from him.
with the Eternal Bond of Life and may the family be comforted among
Mazal Tov to Mrs. Fay Garber on the birth of a great-grandson in London. May the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
she see him raised to Torah, Chupah and Ma'asim Tovim and have much nachas
from him.
Community Notice Board:
Mazal Tov to Rabbi & Mrs. Baruch and Feige Knight on the birth of a grandson.
May they see him raised to Torah, Chupah and Ma'asim Tovim and have much Give A Meaningful Gift! Honor a special event or
nachas from him. person by making a donation to The Shul.
We’ll send a dedication card to the Family
Mazal Tov to Dr. & Mrs. Jean Jacques and Perla Edderai on the birth of a grandson
notifying them of your generous gift.
May they see him raised to Torah, Chupah and Ma'asim Tovim and have much
nachas from him.
6
Community Happenings
Sharing with your Shul Family
Kislev Light & Power Thanks To Our Donors
Light & Power and Wine for Kiddush & Havdalah for We sincerely thank the following members and supporters of The Shul
for donations received between 12/06/16 and 12/12/16
the month of Kislev is Kindly Sponsored by
We apologize for any errors or omissions that we may have made.
Sragowicz and Freund Families 1st Merchant Funding, LLC Rabbi & Mrs. Jacob Katz
Mr. & Mrs. Dan Arev Dr. & Mrs. Shmuel Katz
in loving memory of Aryeh Leib ben Azriel, obm Australtex S.A. Mr. & Mrs. Shaya Klein-Weberman
Mr. & Mrs. Laurent Becker Mr. & Mrs. Leon Kopel
(Leon Sragowicz) May his neshama have an aliya.
Mr. David Benzaken Mr. Shmuel Levinsky
Dr. & Mrs. Ivan Berend Dr. & Mrs. Gene Moteles
“Those who establish Synagogues for prayer and those who come there to
Ms. Claudia Carral-Allouche Ms. Vivian Naimer
pray, those who provide lights for illumination, wine and grape juice for kiddush
Mr. Gavriel Davidov Mr. & Mrs. David Portnoy
and havdalah, food for the wayfarers and charity for the needy, and all those who
occupy themselves faithfully with communal affairs - may The Holy One, blessed Ms. Liv-Tiferet De Vitton Mr. & Mrs. Harold Rosenstein
be He, give them their reward, remove them from all sicknesses, heal their entire Mr. & Mrs. Shlomo Djamal Ms. Martha Ruffin
body, pardon all their sins, and send blessing and success to all their endeavors, Mr. & Mrs. Ettai Einhorn Dr. & Mrs. Michael Salzhauer
together with all Israel their brethren; and let us say Amen.” Mr. & Mrs. Errol Feldman Mr. & Mrs. Jaime Schapiro
Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Fiske Mr. & Mrs. Yosef Schwartz
Mr. & Mrs. Gustavo Galagovsky Mr. & Mrs. Fred Shainbaum
Mr. Daniel Gielchinsky Mr. & Mrs. Marc Sheridan
Mr. Diego Goldfarb Mr. & Mrs. Yossi Sokol
Mr. & Mrs. Ron Gottesman Mrs. Mina Sragowicz
Refuah Shleimah
Greater Miami Jewish Federation Mr. & Mrs. Eran Tobul
If you have a health update on anyone listed please contact The Shul. We would like to keep
Mrs. Raquel Grosfeld Ms. Esther Waisman
the listing current and remove names of people who have recovered.
Ms. Renee M. Grossman Mr. & Mrs. Richard Waserstein
MEN WOMEN
Mr. Durrel Handwerger Mr. & Mrs. Adam Weinberg
Sholom Meir ben Pearl Miriam bat Risha Raizel
Rabbi & Mrs. Meir Shlomo Herz Mr. & Mrs. Paul Weintraub
Michael Joseph ben Natalie Lee Dana Ella bas Devorah Hinde
Mr. & Mrs. Meir Izak Young Israel of Bal Harbour
Gabriel ben Esther Chana bas Shoshana
Eber Avraham ben Fruma Esther Shifra bas Chaya
Community Notice Board
Shmuel ben Sarah Perl Ilana bas Shaina Rochel
Yosef ben Edwina Chava bas Elka Menucha Do you need a driver on occasion – a shopper – someone to pick
Avrohom ben Feigel Chaya bas Rachel up your meds – friends to or from an airport – children from school
Mordechai David ben Esther Raizel Fayge bas Chaya or taken and brought home from activities?
Yedidya Chaim Raphael ben Elana Miriam Leah bas Helen
Do you need to go to a doctor, dentist, hairdresser or somewhere
Yehuda ben Chaya Sara
Shimon Yitzchak ben Leah Rochel else ?
Roi ben Orly
Do you need to come back from a doctor, dentist, hairdresser or
Chaim Tzvi Hirsch ben Guttel
somewhere else?
Do you need someone to accompany an elderly/sick family
member or friend for some part of the day or more - someone who
has a smile on her face and wonderful outlook in life?
REMINDER Do you need someone to help balance your check book, keep your
records straight, organize your papers?
2016 Tax Year Ends on
Do you need someone to help write/edit, coach your barmitzvah/
December 31!
batmitzvah child with their speech?
Do you need an all round ‘helper’ in some way?.
Please submit your payments and
Do you need a receptionist - office assistant – computer literate,
donations by December 30 well organized with good (English) speaking voice ?
to qualify for your tax deduction Great references - Shomer Shabbos -
Sarah Libke at your service!
on your next IRS return!
Sarah Libke Caplin
cell: 786 389 6528 email: [email protected]
7
A Time to Pray
Davening schedules and locations throughout the week
Daily Learning Schedule at The Shul
6:20 -6:50 am Derech Mitzvosecha Foundational Chassidic Discourse R’ Zalman Lipskar
7:45 am Daf Yomi R’ Dov Schochet
8:45 am (approx) Halacha Sephardic Custom R’ Shimshon Tzubeli
10:15 - 11:00 am Maamorim Maamor of the Rebbe R’ Shea Rubinstein
Shacharis Minyanim (mon - Fri) Sunday Shacharis Minyanim
Main Minyan 6:50 7:30 9:00 Main Minyan 8:00 am 9:00 am
Sephardic Minyan 8:00 Sephardic Minyan 9:00 am
Daily Chumash & Tanya after every Minyan
Sunday Mincha /Maariv
mincha / Maariv Minyanim (mon - Thurs) Minyanim
Main Minyan 2:00 pm Early Mincha 5:15 pm 10:00 pm Main Minyan 5:15 pm
Sephardic Minyan 5:15 pm Following Late Maariv 10:00 pm
Evening Kolel Schedule - Monday and Thursday 8:45 -9:30 pm
Mon & Thurs 8:45 - 10:00 pm Evening Community Kolel Chavrusah
To our beloved Soldiers in the Israeli Defense Forces,
Halachic Times courageously protecting and defending Eretz Yisroel. We pray
Based on times for December 21 for you and all of the soldiers safety and well being daily.
Dan Shlomo ben Eliyahu
Benyamin Aharon Ben Jeniya Gila Rut
Alot Hashachar / Dawn 5:46 am
Jonathan ben Aliza Sher
Earliest Talit & Tefillin 6:19 am
Michael Shmuel ben Eliezer Eliyahu
Netz Hachamah / Sunrise 7:04 am Amir Herzel ben Dvora Dorry
(Earliest Amidah) Eitan Gabriel Ben Karine Cecile
Latest Shema 9:39 am
Zman Tfillah 10:32 am

Chatzot / Midday 12:19 pm
Earliest Mincha 12:46 pm
Plag HaMincha 4:33 pm
Shekiah / Sunset 5:35 pm
(preferable latest time for Mincha)
Tzeit Hakochavim / Nightfall 6:01 pm
(Earliest preferable Ma’ariv)
Times taken from www.chabad.org
Please note that during the week times may
vary by a minute or two. If anyone would like to send us the name of a soldier in the IDF
we would love to add them.
8
Inspiration, Insights & Ideas
Bringing Torah lessons to LIFE!
Hayom Yom
In the winter of 1942, the sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Y. Schneersohn, of righteous memory, gave
his son- in-law, the future Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, of righteous memory, the task of
compiling an anthology of Chasidic aphorisms and customs arranged according to the days of the year.
The calendar was entitled Hayom Yom. In describing this work Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak
wrote: …”A book that is small in format…but bursting with pearls and diamonds of
choicest quality.” “A splendid palace of Chasidism.” True to these words, Hayom Yom
has become a beloved classic work and a source of daily spiritual sustenance.
Friday - Kislev 16 Monday - Kislev 19 Tuesday - Kislev 20
A fundamental principle of Chabad philosophy From a letter by my father:* The first printing of the "Book of the Intermediates"
is that the mind, which by its innate nature rules - Tanya - was completed on Tuesday, Kislev 20,
The 19th of Kislev...the festival on which "He
over the heart,) must subordinate the heart to 5557 (1796) in Slavita. It included Part I - Sefer
redeemed our soul in peace," and our soul's
G-d's service by utilizing the intellectualization, Shel Benonim, - Part II - Chinuch Katan - and
illumination and vitality were given to us, this
comprehension and profound contemplation of Shaar Hayichud Veha'emunah.
day is Rosh Hashana for Chassidus bequeathed
the greatness of the Creator of the universe.
us by our sacred forebears, identical with the Igeret Hateshuvah, first edition, was printed
Shabbos - Kislev 17 teachings of the Baal Shem Tov. in Zolkvi 5559 (1799); second edition, first
printing, Shklov 5566 (1806).
Chassidus Chabad opens the gates to the
"This day is the beginning of Your works," the
chambers of chochma and bina, enabling one Igeret Hakodesh, first printing, Shklov 5574.
fulfillment of the true intention behind the
to know and to recognize - with intellectual
creation of man on earth, which is to call forth The corrected edition of all four parts was
comprehension - "He who spoke and the world
revelation of the light of the inward part of our printed in Vilna (Rom edition) in 5660 (1900)
came into being. It awakens the feelings of the
holy Torah. and has been reprinted many times since.
heart so that it is aroused with the emotion
engendered by that particular intellectual On this day, that light is called forth, in a general Wednesday - Kislev 21
comprehension. And Chassidus Chabad shows way, for the entire year. It is our duty, on this Learn Mishna by heart, each person according
the way that each individual - commensurate day, to awaken our hearts with an innermost, to his capacity, and then while walking in the
with his innate abilities - can "approach the elemental desire and will, in the very core of street, review Mishna from memory; you will
Sacred," to serve G-d with his mind and heart. our heart, that G-d illuminate our souls with the thereby merit welcoming Mashiach.
light of His Inner Torah.
Sunday - Kislev 18 Chassidim must study Chassidus; all chassidim
The Tzemach Tzedek writes: The love expressed "From the depths I called to You, O G-d," to elicit on Mondays, Thursdays, and Shabbat; T'mimim
in "Beside You I wish for nothing," means that the depth and inwardness of G-d's Torah and an hour every day.
one should desire nothing other than G-d, not G-d's mitzvot from the inwardness and essence Thursday - Kislev 22
even "Heaven" or "earth" i.e. Higher Gan Eden of the Infinite (May He be blessed), to illuminate
A practice instituted by the Rebbe: Every morning
and Lower Gan Eden, for these were created the inwardness of our souls. That all our being after davening - including Shabbat, festivals, Rosh
with a mere yud.... The love is to be directed (meaning our total existence, the essence and Hashana and Yom Kippur - say a portion of Tehillim
to Him alone, to His very Being and Essence. the extensions) be devoted to Him alone, to as the book was apportioned for the days of the
This was actually expressed by my master and banish from within us any of the natural traits month. When Tehillim is completed with a minyan
teacher (the Alter Rebbe) when he was in a state that are evil and unworthy. Instead, all our works - Mourner's Kaddish is said. In a month of 29 days,
of d'veikut and he exclaimed as follows: and affairs (our Avoda, meaning - davening and say the last two portions on the 29th.
Torah and mitzvot, and our worldly undertakings
Friday - Kislev 22
I want nothing at all! I don't want Your gan eden,
necessary for the maintenance of the body), be
I don't want Your olam haba... I want nothing but From my grandfather's talks of Elul 5635 (1875):
with sincere intention for the sake of Heaven, as
You alone. The three days before Shabbat are a preparation
G-d wishes.
for Shabbat. The Zohar says about Shabbat that
GOOD YOM TOV. "from it are all days blessed." "All days" refers to
May G-d the Merciful Father have compassion
the six days of the week on which G-d conferred a
upon us and lead us along the good and
MAY YOU BE INSCRIBED AND SEALED
general blessing - "G-d will bless you in all you do."
righteous path and may we "see His face in
The blessing of Shabbat is for the days preceding
FOR A GOOD YEAR IN THE uprightness.Tehillim 11:7.
it and the days following it. The preparations for
STUDY OF CHASSIDUS
* Dated, Wednesday, Kislev 16, 5662. Shabbat begin Wednesday, and are announced by
AND THE WAYS OF CHASSIDUS the brief l'chu n'ran'na3 of three verses.
9
Inspiration, Insights & Ideas
Bringing Torah lessons to LIFE!
PARSHA MESSAGES
Is There Peace in Your Family? whole. As long as a family is torn by mistrust and
conflict, none of its members can be whole. You
Success is no Substitute for
may be right or wrong in your arguments, but
Familial Harmony
as long as the conflict lingers, you will remain
By: Rabbi YY Jacobson
broken. We cannot make ourselves whole, nor
can we mend the world, if we lack the courage
Disaster
and vulnerability to create peace within our own
One afternoon a man came home from
families. The family is the nucleus of civilization.
work to find total mayhem in his house.
His three children were outside, still in In fact, nowhere does the Bible describe a Sometimes we have no choice but to create
their pajamas, playing in the mud with empty human being in such a way—that he or she was music out of torn chords. If we have tried
food boxes and wrappers strewn all around the "shalam," whole. It is an extraordinary description whatever we can to reconcile and it did not work,
front yard. The door of his wife's car was open, for a human being, who from the genesis of we must create wholeness within a fragmented
as was the front door to the house. Proceeding time, is characterized by duality, fragmentation state. We cannot change other people and each
into the entry, he found an even bigger mess. A and conflict. of us must learn to develop his or her own
lamp had been knocked over, and the throw rug relationship with G-d. Yet, we must try and do
was wadded against one wall. In the front room Apparently, something extraordinary occurred whatever we can to create familial harmony.
the TV was loudly blaring a cartoon channel, in the life in Jacob, which made him whole, When we can’t achieve this, we must know that
and the family room was strewn with toys and precisely at this juncture of his life. there will be moments in which we will have to
various items of clothing. In the kitchen, dishes grieve over a terrible loss.
filled the sink, breakfast food was spilled on the The Preceding Scene
counter, nosh was all over the floor, a broken There is no escaping the juxtaposition between George Burns once quipped that happiness is
glass lay under the table, and a small pile of this statement—“Jacob arrived whole”—and the having a large, loving, caring, close-knit family in
sand was spread by the back door. He quickly preceding scene in the Bible. In the previous another city. It is often easier to get along with
headed up the stairs, stepping over toys and scene, Esau finally made peace with his brother the "whole world" than with your own family.
more piles of clothes, looking for his wife. He Jacob. After decades of estrangement, hostility But it is only through family harmony that we
was worried she may be ill, or that something and ire, and the fear of outright war between can achieve genuine wholeness in our lives.
serious had happened. He found her lounging the brothers, they had at last reconciled, even if
in the bedroom, reading a novel. She looked they would not live together.
up at him, smiled, and asked how his day went.
It is a profound development. Twenty-two years
He looked at her bewildered and asked, "What
earlier Esau vowed to kill Jacob, “The days of
happened here today?" She again smiled and
answered, "You know everyday when you come mourning for my father are near; then I will kill And You said, "I will surely do
my brother.” Now, as they are about to meet again,
home from work and ask me what in the world
good with you" (Gen. 32:13)
we stand posed anticipating a harsh encounter.
did I do today?" "Yes," was his incredulous reply.
Upon hearing that Esau is approaching him
She answered, "Well, today I didn't do it."
with a force of four hundred men, Jacob is “very
Rabbi Moshe Leib of Sassov
Whole afraid and distressed.” He devises an elaborate
"Jacob arrived whole to the city of Shechem," the defense, including a strategy for war. used to say: "Master of the
Torah states in this week's portion, Vayishlach.
When Esau finally appears, something very Universe! Everything You do is
different transpires. The Bible’s description of
What a gift it is—to be whole, complete. To be
most assuredly good, but there
the meeting is unforgettable:
wholesome, unified, integrated, holistic. How
many of us can claim to be whole? is a good which is immediately
“Esau ran toward him, embraced him, fell upon
his neck, and kissed him. And they wept.” There is apparent, and a good which
How did this happen? What was the secret
no anger, animosity or threat of revenge. Peace
behind Jacob's "wholeness" at this moment? He does not seem to be so at first.
has at last descended upon the Abrahamic
had been married for years, he had many children,
family. The next scene in the Torah reads: "Jacob May it be Your will to bestow
and was a successful man. He had garnered
arrived whole…"
much wealth and had dealt successfully with upon us only that type of good
many an adversary.
The message to us seems clear; You may be which is immediately revealed!"
a wonderful, accomplished and successful
What transpired at this moment which conferred
individual, but as long as you are not on speaking
upon Jacob this condition of "wholeness"?
terms with your own sibling, you will not be
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