The Shul B”H weekly magazine
Weekly Magazine Sponsored By Mr. & Mrs. Martin (OBM) and Ethel Sirotkin and Dr. & Mrs. Shmuel and Evelyn Katz A Home of The Lubavitcher Rebbe, May His Merit Shield Us A House of Torah, Prayer And Acts of Goodness
Shabbos Parshas Bo Shvat 5 - 6 January 15 -16 Candle Lighting: 5:33 pm Shabbos Ends: 6:28 pm
Yud Shvat Wednesday - January 20
Over Tirty Years of Serving the Communities of Bal Harbour, Bay Harbor Islands, Indian Creek and Surfside 9540 Collins Avenue, Surfside, Fl 33154 Tel: 305.868.1411 Fax: 305.861.2426 www.TeShul.org Email: [email protected] The Shul Weekly Magazine Everything you need for every day of the week Contents Nachas At A Glance
Weekly Message 3 Thoughts on the Parsha from Rabbi Sholom D. Lipskar Celebrating Shabbos 4-5 Schedules, classes, articles and more... Everything you need for an “Over the Top” Shabbos experience Community Happenings 6-7 Sharing with your Shul Family
A Time to Pray 8 Check out all the davening schedules and locations throughout the week Inspiration, Insights & Ideas 9-14 Bringing Torah lessons to LIFE
Get The Picture 15-20 The full scoop on all the great events around town
In a woman’s world 21 Issues of relevance to the Jewish woman
The ABC’s of Aleph 22-23 Serving Jews in institutional and limited environments.
French Connection 24
Latin Link 25
Networking 26-28 Effective Advertising
Numbers To Know 29 Contacts at The Shul Daily Study A complete guide to all classes and courses offered at 30 The Shul Get The Picture 31-32 The full scoop on all the great events around town
Quotable Quote
There are two ways to get warm on a cold winter day: a) own warmth but does not generate any heat or warm anyone else. Thus chassidim would say: “Don’t be a tzaddik in a fur coat!” Thoughts on the Parsha from Rabbi Sholom D. Lipskar
Shabbos Parshas Bo 4) The Rebbe Maharash (fourth Rebbe) who traveled to Paris to encounter a young Jew who had strayed from Jewishness and his coming week on the 10th influence him to repent and return. He succeeded in his vital of Shevat, Chassidim the mission; 5) The Rebbe Rashab (fifth Rebbe) who personally world over, together with endangered himself to travel to Petersburg to plead to the T government on behalf of the Jewish Community; and 6) the the entire Jewish Community, will commemorate the Hilula/ previous Rebbe who devoted so much of his time and effort to Yahrtzeit of the previous Rebbe help fellow Jews. and the 66th anniversary of the 7th beloved Rebbe Menachem The Rebbe’s personal commitment to every single Jew, young, Mendel Schneerson’s (May His old, male, female, sick, poor, learned or ignorant is legendary. Merit Shield Us) ascension to the leadership of Chabad/Lubavitch This is what is demanded of us. To love each other selflessly and world Jewry. and completely and that will bring our final redemption with Moshiach. One of the formal acts that designates a Rebbe’s accepting the awesome responsibility that accompanies that sacred office is Have a great Shabbos, a good week. the reciting of a Maamor – a Torah treatise consisting of the most profound concepts of Kabalah/Chassidut that is attributed as revealed directly from Sinai.
On the 10th of Shevat 5711 -1951, the Rebbe initiated his leadership by transmitting his first Maamor. Based on the final Rabbi Sholom D. Lipskar Maamor of the previous Rebbe explaining the verse “I have come into my garden, my sister bride, (Song of Songs), this Maamor expounds the most pristine, transcendent aspects of G-dliness, infinity, creation, purpose and the soul. Unfailing Love Based on letters and talks of the Rebbe, Scholars of great erudition study diligently to comprehend the Rabbi M. M. Schneerson depths of the content of this beyond intellectually brilliant thesis. Towards the end of this Maamor, the Rebbe relates a No matter how strongly you pull someone series of stories that are generally not included in this type of onto the right track with ropes of love, intellectually challenging analysis of esoteric concepts. These events are an illustrative response to the question – What does you can’t take away free will. They may a Rebbe demand of us? always turn their back and run away.
The answer is “to love our fellow Jew” as represented by 1) the Love can fail, and we must know that it can Alter Rebbe (Founder of Chabad/Lubavitch and author of the fail. For if love was always reciprocated, famed Tanya and Code of Jewish Law) who interrupted his holy there would never be unconditional love. prayer on Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the year, to personally prepare a fire and cook warm broth for a birth-mother living But you have done your part, you have shown love. in a hovel with no one to care for her; 2) The Miteller Rebbe (Second Chabad Leader) whose health was negatively affected And what is the reward of the mitzvah of love? by his skin contracting and bristling with pain when a young person lamented about his youthful transgressions; 3) The gains another window to shine into this world. Tzemach Tzedek (Third Rebbe) who early in the morning before prayers, sought out a needy person to give him some money In other words, everything that really matters. enabling him to purchase his livelihood in the market place; 3 Celebrating Shabbos with our Youth Everything you need for an “Over the Top” Shabbos experience Torah Quiz
Morah Malkie’s Yakira Leah’s Tot Shabbat Aleph Wonder Girls Ages: 1 - 3 Ages: 4 - 6 11:00 am - 12:00 pm 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Questions Montessori Classrooom 2 classrooom 2 Bechoros? (Shemos Rabbah, Mechilta) Eiruvin, Shulchan Aruch - Orach Chaim)
3. Which Rabbi never walked four Amos (cubits) without his
Itty’s Rochelle’s Last Week’s Answers: Pre Tween Girls Tween Girls 1. All houses of idol worship turned bloody. If one sat down in one, Grades: 2nd - 5th Grades: 6th - 8th his clothing became stained with blood. In the future, HaShem will humiliate all idols with their worshippers. (Shemos Rabbah 10:00 am - 12:00 pm 10:30 am - 12:00 pm 9:11)
Classrooom 1 2. When the lions, tigers, bears and other wild animals attacked the Egyptians, they could not escape into trees or on the rooftops. Even dangerous birds participated in this plague to give the
3. Six Prophets are mentioned in Parashas Vaeira: Moshe, Aharon, Pinchas (who is Eliyahu), and Korach’s three sons, Asir, Elkana, and Aviyasof. (Rabbeinu Bachya) Mendel’s Sholom’s Junior Boys Hebrew School Prizes kindly sponsored by the Goldczer Family Ages: 4 - 8 Grades: 4th - 8th in loving Memory of 10:00 am - 12:00 pm 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Aryeh Leib ben Zev Volf obm Montessori 3
Mishnayos Ba’al Peh Shaykee’s Debbie’s Yosef’s After Mincha Davening With Dad Teen Girls Teen Boys Montessori 3 Grades: 9th - 12th GREAT PRIZES!!! Grades: 7th - 8th Grades: 9th - 12th 10:30 am - 12:00 pm Prizes kindly sponsored by the 10:30 am - 12:00 pm 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Goldczer family in loving memory of Teen Girls Room Aryeh Leib ben Zev Volf Obm Classroom 1 Haime Library
4 Celebrating Shabbos Everything you need for an “Over the Top” Shabbos experience
Kiddush This Week: Shabbos Schedule Kiddush this week is available for sponsorship.
Candle lighting 5:33 p.m. Mincha / Kabbalas Shabbos 5:35 p.m. Shalosh Seudos This Week: Shabbos Day Hashkama Minyan 7:15 a.m. Shalosh Seudos this week is available for sponsorship Tanya / Hayom Yom 9:00 a.m. Shacharis (Morning Services) 9:00 a.m. Children’s Programs 10:00 a.m. Upstairs Minyan 10:30 a.m. the caterer for this week’s 30 Minutes of Tanya: Classroom #1 +/- 12:00 p.m. With Mrs. Vivian Perez (for Women) After Davening kiddush and Shalosh seudos is Kiddush 12:00 p.m. Food Art Daf Yomi 4:35 p.m. Men’s Shiur 4:35 p.m. Women’s Shiur 4:35 p.m. Shalosh Seudos for Boys 4:35 p.m. Mincha 5:20 p.m. Shabbat Ends / Arvit & Havdalah 6:28 p.m. Weekly Video of The Rebbe kiddushim at The Shul Please help us to provide our weekly Shabbos Kiddush and Sephardic Minyan Friday Evening Shalosh Seudos by becoming a sponsor. Or join the Kiddush Bank Mincha / Kabbalat Shabbat 5:20 p.m. by becoming a Partner ($770 annually ) or Patron ($360 anually) Shabbat Day Shacharit 9:00 a.m. Mincha 5:20 p.m. Shabbat Ends 6:28 p.m. The following dates are available for sponsorship: Kiddush Shalosh Seudos Jan 16, 30 Jan 16, 23,30
If you wish to become a sponsor, please speak with Stacy at 305-868-1411 ext 313 or email [email protected]
Candle Lighting 5:38 p.m. Mincha 5:40 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 Shevat 6 Dr. Leonardo Blachar Shevat 6 Devorah bas Rubin obm Shevat 6 Mr. David Muhlrad Mother of Mrs. Zohara Weiss Shevat 6 Mr. Sam Herman Shevat 6 Dovid ben Moshe obm Shevat 6 Mr. Shlomo Azari Father of Mr. Lenny Wolfe Shevat 7 Mrs. Ingrid Dorfman Shevat 7 Reuven ben Chunya obm Shevat 7 Mrs. Julia Bsiri Brother of Mrs. Miriam Basha Arber Shevat 7 Ms. Brianna Diener Shevat 7 Devorah bas Zev obm Shevat 8 Mr. Alexander Ponte Wife of Mr. Elias Sussman Shevat 8 Mrs. Allison R. Gutfreund Mother of Mr. Ira Sussman and Mr. Joel Sussman Shevat 8 Mrs. Elana Saka Shevat 9 Reb Eliezer ben Meir obm Shevat 8 Mrs. Rochel Leah Schwartz Father of Mr. Menachem Koegel Shevat 8 Rabbi Yossi Stern Shevat 9 Nissim ben Zvi obm Shevat 9 Mr. David Cytrynbaum Father of Ms. Patricia Cohen and Shevat 9 Mr. Hernan J. Gleizer Mr. William Lustgarten Shevat 9 Mr. Jorge Woldenberg Shevat 10 Itzchak Melech Hacohen ben David Mordechay obm Shevat 9 Ms. Katie Werner Brother of Mr. Barry Cohen Shevat 10 Mr. Aaron Jacob Mondshine Shevat 10 Moshe Menachem ben Baruch obm Shevat 10 Mr. Chaim S. Stauber Father of Dr. Bracha Reich Shevat 10 Mr. Michael Davit Shevat 11 Chava bas Shlomo obm Shevat 10 Mrs. Nicole Kavana Sister of Mrs. Dana Werner Shevat 10 Ms. Esther Lilly Moore Shevat 11 Fruma bas Shmuel Mordechai obm Shevat 10 Ms. Leah Stark Mother of Dr. Bracha Reich Shevat 11 Mr. Aaron Knight Shevat 12 Yitzchak ben Frejah obm Shevat 11 Mr. Monroe Milstein Father of Mrs. Perla Edderai Shevat 11 Mr. Sam Greenwald Shevat 12 David ben Yosef obm Shevat 11 Rabbi Mordechai Halperin Husband of Mrs. Orit Cohen, Father of Mrs. Ravit Feldman Shevat 12 Mr. Chaim Lerman and Mrs. Meital Eber Shevat 12 Mrs. Linda Laulicht
Kid’s Birthdays Mazal Tov Shevat 6 Gavriel Bramy Mazal Tov to Dr. & Mrs. Shmuel and Evelyn Katz on the engagement of their son Shevat 7 Tanya Colodner Dr. James Jacob (JJ) to Chantal Low. May the wedding be in an auspicious time Shevat 7 Pessi Goldie Lerman Shevat 8 Menachem Mendel Katan Mazal Tov to Drs. Raul & Janet Mitrani on the engagement of their daughter Shevat 8 Anna Afriat Lindsey. May the wedding be in an auspicious time and may the young couple Shevat 8 Malka Schwartz Shevat 9 Sophie Hamburger Shevat 9 Ben Greisman Shevat 9 Elias Salama Mazel tov to Rabbi & Mrs. Moshe and Bluma Schneider on the birth of a Shevat 10 Shana Cohen grandson, born to their children Rabbi Tzvi and Pearl (nee Schneider) Rimler Shevat 10 Yosef Meir Gorin of Crown Heights. May they see him raised to Torah, Chupah and Ma’asim Tovim Shevat 11 Ita Henia Andrusier and may they have much nachas from him. Anniversaries Mr. & Mrs. Max and Ruthy Benoliel Mr. & Mrs. Meir and Batya Cosiol Mr. & Mrs. Alberto and Marlene Colonomos Mr. & Mrs. Nathan and Chaya Litchkowski Welcome to New Members Mr. & Mrs. Azriel and Chana Wasserman Dr. & Mrs. Joshua Furman Mr. & Mrs. Martin and Golda Jacobs Mr. Eduardo Sucher Rozen & Mrs. Milena Liascovitz Mr. & Mrs. Harvey and Ann Finkel 6 Community Happenings Sharing with your Shul Family
Shvat 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 the month of Shevat is Kindly Sponsored by for donations recieved between 01/05/15 and 01/11/16 We apologize for any errors or omissions that we may have made. Mr. Jacky Koenig Mr. Gabriel Ammar Mr. Andrew Roth In honor of his dear wife, Aviva and their children Mrs. Estela Berry Mr. & Mrs. Isaac Salver Mr. Alberto Chocron Dr. & Mrs. Michael Salzhauer Abraham Baruch, Adela Margalit, Elke Baz and Mr. Arnold Lewis Cohen Dr. & Dr. Stephen Robert Scheinman Eliyahu David. Rabbi & Mrs. Shlomo Diamont Mr. Ryan Shear Mr. Samuel Dror Mr. & Mrs. Jaime Slomianski “Those who establish Synagogues for prayer and those who come there to pray, Mrs. Perla Gilinski Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Sragowicz those who provide lights for illumination, wine for kiddush and havdalah, food Mr. & Mrs. Isere Halberthal Steven S. Ashear Foundation for the wayfarers and charity for the needy, and all those who occupy themselves faithfully with communal affairs - may The Holy One, blessed be He, give them their Mr. & Mrs. Ernest Kern Mrs. Esther Vlosky reward, remove them from all sicknesses, heal their entire body, pardon all their Mr. & Mrs. Harry Mamane Mr. & Mrs. Adam Weinberg sins, and send blessing and success to all their endeavors, together with all Israel Mr. & Mrs. Isaac Mamane Mr. & Mrs. Paul Weintraub their brethren; and let us say Amen.” Mr. & Mrs. Yehuda Marrus Mr. & Mrs. Robert Wexler Drs. Raul & Janet Mitrani Mr. & Mrs. Jorge Woldenberg Refuah Shleimah Mr. & Mrs. Temuri Nanikashvili Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey Wolf If you have a health update on anyone listed please contact The Shul. We would like to keep Mr. Mordechai Olesky Mr. & Mrs. Shmuel Wolf the listing current and remove names of people who have recovered. Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Penson Mr. & Mrs. Avrom Chaim Zelmanovitch MEN WOMEN Mr. & Mrs. George Rohr Shmuel ben Sarah Perl Shifra bat Chaya Yosef ben Edwina Leah Yehudit bat Chana Gittel Avrohom ben Feigel Ilana bas Shaina Rochel Mordechai David ben Esther Raizel Chava bas Elka Menucha Yedidya Chaim Raphael ben Elana Chaya bas Rachel The Shul Parking Garage Yehuda ben Chaya Sara Zilpah bas Sara In response to numerous incidents in our garage and with the Shimon Yitzchak ben Leah Rochel Elana bas Susana safety of our children, members and staff foremost in mind, we Roi ben Orly Fayge bas Chaya insist on TOTAL compliance with the following rules in the garage. Chaim Tzvi Hirsch ben Guttel Miriam Leah bas Helen • You must always park in a legal spot • Do not park in handicap parking Community Notice Board: • Do not park along the perimeter of the garage If you have a new or slightly used Shaitel that you • Do not double park • Do not take up more than one space would like to donate to The Shul Sisterhood • Do not block another vehicle Please Contact There is additional parking in the lots North and South of The Shul. Mrs. Devorah Failer 305.323.2410 When cars park illegally, you take an already challenging situation in the garage and turn it into a near impossible and dangerous Child Enrichment Center situation. You create more havoc, less visibility and more aggravation which itself contributes to the likelihood of an accident, G-d forbid. The Shul’s Child Enrichment Center has opened our wait list for the 2016-2017 Academic Year. If you are not in a legal spot To be added to the wait list YOU WILL BE TOWED please visit Please Note Contact us at (305) 868-1411 to schedule a tour of The North side parking lot and The Shul our program and facility. garage are closed on Shabbos and Yom Tov. Please do not open the barriers. *Please note that adding your name to this list does not guarantee a space in our program. 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 5:40 pm 10:00 pm Main Minyan 5:40 pm Sephardic Minyan 5:40 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. Based on times for January 20 We pray for you and all of the soldiers safety and well being daily. Alot Hashachar / Dawn 5:57 am Jonathan ben Aliza Sher Netz Hachamah / Sunrise 7:08 am Michael Shmuel ben Eliezer Eliyahu (Earliest Amidah) Amir Herzel ben Dvora Dorry Latest Shema 9:49 am
Chatzot / Midday 12:31 pm Earliest Mincha 12:58 pm Plag HaMincha 4:47 pm Shekiah / Sunset 5:55 pm (preferable latest time for Mincha) Tzeit Hakochavim / Nightfall 6:24 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 - Shvat 5 before davening; so she davened very early, One must recite words of Torah copiously, saying then ate breakfast. When her father-in-law, the Tehillim or verbally reviewing Mishna whenever Tzemach Tzedek, learned of this he said to her: and wherever possible, in order to bolster the “A Jew must be healthy and strong. The Torah existence of Creation, to be saved from chibut says about mitzvot, ‘Live in them,’ meaning bring hakever and kaf hakela, and to merit all the vitality into the mitzvot. To be able to infuse highest revelations. mitzvot with vitality, one must be strong and joyful.” Then he concluded: “You should not Shabbos - Shvat 6 be without food. Better to eat for the sake of My father wrote that he heard in the name of davening rather than to daven for the sake of the Alter Rebbe that all rabbinic authors until eating;” he then blessed her with long life. [She and including the Taz and Shach, composed their was born in 5593 (1833) and passed away on works with ruach hakodesh, the Divine Spirit. Sh’vat 10, 5674 (1914)]. An individual’s ruach hakodesh, as explained by Korban Ha’eida in Tractate Sh’kalim (Talmud scrupulously, nothing compromised. It is a Mitzva My father told this teaching of the Tzemach Yerushalmi), end of ch. 3, means that the and duty of every Rabbi in Israel to inform his Tzedek to someone at yechidus, adding: “And mysteries of Torah are revealed to him. This congregation that the current tribulations and this must be done with joy.” comes from the aspect of chochma in its pre- agonies are the “birth-pangs of Mashiach.” G-d is revelation state. demanding that we return to Torah and mitzvot, Thursday - Shvat 11 that we not hinder the imminent coming of our The routine of the day begins with saying modeh Sunday - Shvat 7 righteous Mashiach. ani (Siddur Tehilat HaShem p. 6, “I acknowledge When the Alter Rebbe was nine he studied before You, living and eternal King etc...”). This geometry and astronomy. At ten he composed a Tuesday - Shvat 9 is said before the morning laving of the hands, When my father concluded the entire Talmud for even while the hands are “impure.” The reason is years old, it happened that he lectured publicly the third time he said a maamar on the subject on Rambam’s laws of kidush hachodesh. The of the meaning of a hadran. a Jew’s “I acknowledge.” He might lack one thing preeminent Torah-scholars who were present or another, but his modeh ani remains intact. at that time in the study-hall were utterly During the year of mourning for his mother, my overwhelmed. father concluded the entire Mishna at the end Friday - Shvat 12 of eleven months, and the entire Talmud at her Intellect and excitement are two separate Monday - Shvat 8 Yahrzeit. worlds. Intellect - a world cold and settled; In these days especially, when by G-d’s kindness excitement - a world seething and impetuous. we stand at the threshold of redemption, Wednesday - Shvat 10 Man’s avoda is to combine them, unite them. we must make every conceivable effort to When my grandmother, Rebbetzin Rivka, was The impetuousness then becomes transformed strengthen every facet of our religion. Mitzvot eighteen (in 5611, 1851) she fell ill and the into a longing, and the intellect into the guide must be observed b’hidur, with “beauty,” beyond physician ordered her to eat immediately upon in a life of avoda and action. minimal requirements. Customs must be kept awakening. She, however, did not wish to eat 9 Inspiration, Insights & Ideas Bringing Torah lessons to LIFE!
Yud Shvat - Time for Renewal Yud Shvat Based on the teachings of the Lubavitcher Parsha Messages his letter was addressed to “Anash, the students, Rebbe the temimim, and all those who share closeness with Chassidus and chassidim in all places. G-d ud Shvat (the tenth of the Hebrew month of Midnight T Shvat) is the anniversary of the passing of Based on Likkutei Sichos, Vol. III, pp. 864-868 bless you all.” the Previous Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef B”H, Rosh Chodesh Shvat, 5711, Y Yitzchak Schneersohn. On the day of the passing of Brooklyn, N.Y. a righteous man, “all his effort... for which he toiled upon the Egyptians was the Plague of the Firstborn, which Moshe indicated would Greetings and blessings, throughout his lifetime... becomes revealed and T radiates downward.” As such, it is a time to focus on take place at midnight. To shield themselves In anticipation of the great and holy day, the tenth the spiritual message of the Previous Rebbe’s life, from this plague, Jews were to sprinkle blood of Shvat, the hillula of my revered father-in-law, the and his unbounded commitment to preserve and from the Paschal offering and from milah, Rebbe, I would like to inspire [you] with regard to advance Jewish practice. circumcision, on their doorposts. [the study of] the maamar which he prepared for publication on the day of his passing, the maamar For Chassidim today, however, the primary Why did Moshe indicate when this plague would entitled Basi LeGani, Yud Shvat, 5710. take place? He didn’t do so for any of the other the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, plagues. Also, why was it necessary for the Jewish You will certainly study it on the night and day of accepted the reigns of leadership of the movement. his hillula. 48 years ago, at the gathering celebrating his though they didn’t have to take precautions To quote our Nasi in his letters (Kuntres 34 and acceptance of this position, the Rebbe stated clearly: against the previous nine? Kuntres 365): “Chabad always put the emphasis on individual initiative, not on relying on the Rebbeim.... I will help, The purpose of the last plague was not only to This day is uniquely suited to bond oneself with indeed, help as much as I can... but of what avail have the Egyptians become aware of G-d’s might, the Tree of Life. Every member of the chassidic will it be to provide texts to study, sing Chassidic but also to rain personal destruction upon them. brotherhood can be found worthy to have the merit melodies, and to toast LeChaim if there will no effort At such a time, it was possible for the Attribute of my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe, obm, shine and initiative on your part.” of Justice to declare: “How are they [the Jews] upon him and all the members of his household. different from them [the Egyptians],” for there At that same gathering, the Rebbe clearly outlined were Jews in Egypt who were mired in idolatry. the paths of the tzaddikim, the foundations of the his goals for our generation: “We are at the close It was thus conceivable that some of the Jewish world, our fathers, the saintly Rebbeim, , [and this will of the period when the approaching footsteps of people would also suffer dire consequences. enable us] to be delivered with regard to children, Mashiach can be heard. Our task is to complete the health, and abundant sustenance. process of drawing down the Divine presence... so that it can rest in our lowly world.” In order to remove any possible complaint about Anash and the students, the temimim, rouse yourselves and come to the courtyards of G-d — the On that same occasion, the Rebbe explained at precisely midnight, so that it emanated from synagogues and the houses of study — to prayer that although Moses could have constructed the a level at which logic (and the complaint of the and to the public [Torah] study sessions. Hold Sanctuary which accompanied the Jews in the desert Attribute of Justice) had no standing. farbrengens with brotherly love to strengthen Torah entirely alone, he refrained from doing so in order study by supporting the students of Torah and those to enable the entire Jewish people to participate in who are involved in the service of G-d. this endeavor. Similarly, the Rebbe continued, the the night is symbolic of and related to severity, Rebbeim of the previous generations did not want and thus, during this part of the night, it becomes Anash, the students, the temimim, and all those the campaign to bring Mashiach to be their private increasingly dark. The second part of the night is who participate in the paths of the chassidim and undertaking, but rather an effort shared by the symbolic of and related to kindness, for which Chassidus:all of you, stand prepared, you, your Jewish people as a whole, and by each individual Jew. reason the darkness lessens. wives, your sons, and your daughters, to receive G-d’s blessings — the outpouring of life, plentiful The Rebbe taught us to take responsibility for our The moment of midnight unites the two sustenance, and satisfaction from your descendants lives and to direct our efforts to the ultimate good, opposites, kindness and severity, since, at — that G-d will pour out to you and to us through the coming of the Redemption. Even now, we can that time, there descends an illumination of the arousal of abundant mercies from the source of G-dliness that wholly transcends the natural true mercy and kindness, [following a motif similar although he is no longer with us in a physical sense, order. For only something entirely higher than to that implied by the hymn] Machnisei Rachamim, he is not removed. But the lesson of the Rebbe’s life two opposites can unite them. which my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe, obm, is not what he can do, but what each one of us can whose hillula is being celebrated, will arouse. May do. you be blessed with children, health, and abundant Each one of us has a part to play in making the there was a manifestation of the essential love sustenance. Redemption a reality. The anniversary of the Rebbe’s that G-d has for the Jewish people - a love that Menachem Mendel Schneerson acceptance of leadership is a time to renew our transcends all logic and reason. Because of this commitment to this mission and take the initiative. love, when the Attribute of Justice asks: “How 10 Inspiration, Insights & Ideas Bringing Torah lessons to LIFE! are they different from them,” G-d responds that, Door to Holiness street addresses to locate his mark. whatever their state, the Jewish people are His By Moshe Bryski children. And the love of a father for his children cannot be affected by any logical complaint. blood on the door? And for that matter, why the door? Why not the window, the stoop or the But this gives rise to the following question: rooftop? Since G-d’s love for the Jewish people was made manifest at the stroke of midnight, why was it Let us take a moment here to analyze the necessary for them to mark their doorposts? concept -- the symbolism -- of a door. The door creates privacy, in addition to providing shelter and protection. The door is what separates come about through the spiritual service of the the public person from the private person, the Jewish people, even this transcendent degree of external self from the internal self. In the privacy Divine love had to be drawn down through their of one’s home is where all of the facades and service. For although this love is always whole inhibitions tend to fall away, allowing the best and complete, in order for it to manifest itself (and sometimes the worst) of what a person has below and be received in an inward manner, to offer to come to the surface. there had to be a degree of service consonant with that which was being revealed. By way of example, some people can be very patient on the outside -- all smiles and cheerful This is why the sign on the Jewish houses when in public, and yet, when they come home, consisted of the blood of circumcision and of o what’s with the blood on the doors? it’s moody-broody time; no patience for the the Passover offering, as both indicate a level of kids, no tolerance for the spouse, not a smile service that transcends logic: The bond between S anywhere in sight. On the other hand, some a Jew and G-d achieved through circumcision is up to the liberation of Israel from slavery in people can be very quiet, withdrawn, reserved above logic, as we see from the fact that the ancient Egypt. On that fateful night, G-d dealt and uptight when in public, but barrels of fun mitzvah takes place while a child is utterly incapable of understanding the deed. own homes. The door is where that transition Bringing the Paschal offering in Egypt was -- precipitating total Egyptian surrender. tends to take place. logic, for the lambs used for the offering were “They [the Israelites] shall take some of its Our Judaism asks of us: What sort of doors do worshipped by the Egyptians. Nevertheless, the you have? What transpires on the inside of those Jewish people took the lambs, kept them for on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the doors? Is there a spirit of sanctity and holiness four days, and declared that they were going to houses.... When I see the blood I shall pass over on the other side of that threshold? Are there you; there shall not be a plague of destruction Jewish books on the shelves? Are there kosher upon you when I strike in the land of Egypt” products in the cupboard and in the fridge? Are This manner of service above and beyond (Exodus 12:7-13). the Shabbat and Jewish holidays celebrated the level of understanding elicited a similar therein with joy, meaning and depth? Are words response from G-d - the revelation of His Did G-d need a sign on the door in order to of Torah shared? Are prayers recited? Only you limitless love for the Jewish people. know which home was inhabited by Israelites?A and the Almighty truly know the answers to simple question: Did G-d really need a sign on those questions. Thus, our Sages say that it was “in the merit of the door in order to know which home was their faith [in the coming redemption] that our inhabited by Israelites and which not? Our Judaism asks of us: What sort of doors do you ancestors were redeemed from Egypt.” have? There is a great deal of discussion about Well, the suggestion goes, perhaps G-d didn’t how Jews ought not shy away from behaving as For faith too transcends the bounds of logic. need any extra demarcation, but you know, with Jews on the outside (as well there should be), it being such a busy night and all, perhaps the but sometimes it behooves us to address the Malach Hamavet (Angel of Death) needed that issue of not being lax with our Judaism on the extra marker while making his sweep through inside -- where it really counts. the neighborhood. The Talmud tells us that “there was a great But let’s be real about this. This is not some custom in Jerusalem” that whenever a family sat scene out of a Hollywood movie where the down to a meal, they would tack a cloth on to wrong guy is taken out at the wrong time. Surely the door of their home. This served as a sign to the real Angel of Death doesn’t use painted all strangers and passersby that it was mealtime 11 Inspiration, Insights & Ideas Bringing Torah lessons to LIFE! and that anyone who was hungry or so desired the fact that G-d commands us to wear these was welcome to walk on in and partake with Halacha of The Week portions which include the unity of G-d, Exodus them. By Rabbi Dov Schochet and they are placed opposite the heart and above the brain to show the ultimate power of What is posted on our proverbial doors? Do we G-d and our commitment to accept His will. have a symbolic “welcome mat” at the door, or is it more like a “do not disturb” sign? Do we welcome the opportunity to be hospitable and benevolent to those in need of comfort, so precise that even if one mistakenly picked up speaking) slam those doors in the faces of rabbis or needy individuals who seek entry to we do not pass over an opportunity to do a the sincerity of our hearts? in a way that they will generally come across the One of the most beautiful and enduring of all biblical precepts is that of the mezuzah, which is posted on the right doorpost of a Jewish home. between the elbow and shoulder, facing the n this week’s portion we have 2 of the four heart. However, this is only in the case that the Jewish home; a home where holiness, modesty, paragraphs where the Torah mentions the person writes with their right hand. A person decency and goodness are a way of life -- even I (if not especially) behind closed doors. The sign on your hand and a remembrance between on their right arm. (As this can be a complex mezuzah represents G-d’s presence in the home your eyes”. These four paragraphs where the question, one should ask their personal Rabbi as well as His protection over all who reside Torah discusses the sign are actually the portion in cases that they use both their right and left therein. It is not merely a nice Jewish ornament. hands.) One should be careful that the knot of Indeed, if we only appreciate the mezuzah for Rashbam, the grandson of Rashi and a its facade -- its external appearance -- rather commentator to the Torah, explains that while than its internal spiritual meaning and we’re not too overly concerned about whether the in a literal sense there is a simple message the scroll contained therein has been scribed in Torah is teaching. Just as something written on accordance with the Torah’s instructions in one’s heart and worn around one’s neck is not centered between one’s eyes. The knot of the that regard, then we’re missing what it is that a forgotten, so must the memory of the Exodus Jewish door is all about. A Jewish door is where and our relationship with Hashem be constantly of one’s neck. the facade is supposed to end and where truth on our minds and hearts. and authenticity are supposed to begin. It’s not what the mezuzah case looks like that’s most separate Mitzvot, one can make one blessing for important; it’s what’s inside that really matters. to wear them throughout the day, the custom both. There are some communites which make a What is the true essence of the matter? is to wear them only during the Shachrit prayer. unique blessing for each but that is not Chabad custom. However if one spoke between putting thoughts must be pure while they are worn. As marking their doorposts with the blood of the on to the actual prayer. This is also the reason second blessing. door marker. It was their testimony that they were truly ready to leave Egypt. They were While generally one can perform a Mitzva While there are varying customs regarding devoted -- inside and out -- to G-d and to Moses, they are exempt from (as women are from was why their homes were truly untouchable requirements while wearing them, those that by the Angel of Death. For the blood on the are exempt do not wear them. before the prayer of U’Va L’Tzion. After garbing oneself with a Talit, we then put For various reasons, we are careful to put the represent the mind and the soul must control was that separates Jew from Egyptian. It’s all in and weaken our physical and material pursuits. the door. authorities, the daily blessing that Hashem Our physical engagements must be subjugated adorns us with glory is a reference to the to our divine mission. 12 Inspiration, Insights & Ideas Bringing Torah lessons to LIFE!
and was given the lead role of Jean Valjean. During Stories With Soul the performance, the British producer Cameron Recently In The News Mackintosh came over to me and said: “Dudu, after strengthen me all the time. It Once Happened perform on Broadway.” From Auschwitz to Israel, the by Dudu Fisher Saga of a Long-Lost Mini- I was thrilled. I couldn’t believe it. I, Dudu Fisher t was the winter night of 5 Shevat 5692/1932. of Petach Tikva, Israel, would appear on Broadway? Torah A Jewish woman by the name of Fraida Gisha How a journalist made a priceless Iwas in her ninth month of pregnancy in Riga, But I told him I didn’t think that will be possible. personal discovery Latvia. A serious problem arose and the doctors He asked me why not and I explained that I am recommended ending the pregnancy to save the a religious Jew and I do not work on Friday night woman’s life. and Saturday. The woman said to the doctors: “Wait, don’t do A few months later I got a phone call from him, anything.” And to her sister standing next to her telling me triumphantly that he had managed to she said, “Leah, go and pray for me in shul.” arrange that all the performances would take place Leah walked to the shul in the middle of the night. only on weekdays. She entered and approached the holy ark. There Two months passed and there was another call from she poured out her heart to G-d. She prayed and Mackintosh. This time, he had bad news. “Dudu,” cried. Suddenly she felt a hand on her shoulder. She he said, “there’s a problem. All the professional By Shlomo Rizel turned around and saw an older woman. organizations are against me and are unwilling to hen Israeli journalist Yaakov Maor “Why are you crying?” asked the woman. Leah told was sent to Vienna 40 years ago to her about her sister in the hospital. them all and as of now, I am not winning.” W newly founded European Economic Union, he “Come with me,” said the woman. She took her to I was so very disappointed. My mother suggested couldn’t have guessed that the trip would result the home of the (previous) Lubavitcher Rebbe, that I go to the Rebbe. in a priceless discovery with deep personal Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Schneersohn. Leah wrote a note, said her sister was ill and the doctors were concerned and even wanted to end the pregnancy. serious problems of health, livelihood, and children. I should go to talk to the Rebbe about Broadway?” Maor—then in his 20s—visited the Mizrachi The Rebbe’s faithful secretary, Rabbi Yechezkel Synagogue daily for prayers. He piqued the Feigin, gave the note to the Rebbe. Five minutes But my mother urged me and I went. I thought I would need to explain my entire situation to interest of the rabbi, who asked him to speak to later he came out of the Rebbe’s room and gave the congregation about Israel. Leah a letter with a response for her sister: “G-d the Rebbe but to my surprise, he immediately should help you so that all will be well and so that understood the issue. He looked straight at me and So he spoke about life there—about the you give birth to a healthy, live child.” said: “Hold strong with Yiddishkeit (Torah and its country’s natural beauty and about the Yom Kippur War, which had recently ended. He also With trembling hands, Leah took this letter and spoke about a group of idealistic young families returned to the hospital. As she walked in, all the The Rebbe’s look was so powerful. I looked at the Rebbe’s eyes and felt calm. I felt certain that who were re-establishing ancient Jewish towns doctors came running to her and exclaimed: We on the West Bank of the Jordan River. have no idea what happened here but an hour after you left, your sister went into a normal labor stand strong on my principles and not perform on The synagogue’s president became excited about and a girl was born.’ That was my mother. This baby Shabbat. building communities on the ruins of cities that girl was my mother. Two months later I got a phone call from had been razed at the time of the destruction of the Second Temple, and expressed his desire to We have the original note in a safe but everyone in the family, including me, of course, have a photocopy on my behalf, and I could perform on Broadway without compromising on Sabbath observance. out how Vienna Jewish community could assist of the letter with them. When I travel the world, them in strengthening the new settlements. the letter is always in my pocket. Anybody in the family who gives birth takes the letter with her to It was a miracle; until I got this job without Shabbat The answer: Torah scrolls. “Elon Moreh and the hospital. and Jewish holiday performances, there was no Ofrah were using Torah scrolls temporarily such thing. And afterward, until today, there has loaned to them by synagogues in Jerusalem, For many years I was a cantor, just like my been nothing like it. I auditioned for many other which needed them back,” Maor relates from his grandfather wanted me to be. One day, I was shows and always, the moment it came to Shabbat home in Moshav Hemed. “Unless they owned traveling in London and I saw the musical Les observance, it fell through. their own Torah scrolls, the settlements would Miserables. As I sat there, I thought, I can do that. It’s not an easy test. But those words of the fall apart since proper prayer services could not When the musical arrived in Israel, I went to audition Rebbe, “Hold strong with Yiddishkeit,” continue to be held without them.” 13 Inspiration, Insights & Ideas Bringing Torah lessons to LIFE!
The synagogue president spoke with several “This childhood friend—now family—told his friends in Vienna’s Jewish community. They adopted daughters that their father sewed a wanted to help, too; soon, Maor found himself secret pocket in his coat, which he made from in a large cellar in which hundreds of Torah the sleeve of a different coat, and in which he scrolls were stored. Small Jewish communities hid his Torah scroll, taking it with him wherever that once dotted the European countryside, he went. When he got to Auschwitz, he was told which collapsed when their members died or to remove all his clothing. One of the prisoners emigrated, had given their Torah scrolls and tasked with collecting the stolen clothing for other holy books to Vienna’s larger community. the Nazis was a Jew from Munkatch. Describing Over the years, hundreds of Torah scrolls the coat and the time it was taken from him, he had been amassed in a room below a local begged the man to take the Torah scroll from its synagogue. hiding place. After selecting the ones he would take back to “The Torah was returned to him three days later. Israel, Maor turned to leave. One of his escorts attached to the dowels, we were shocked to see The camp’s Jews studied it, and secretly read stopped him, telling him about a Torah scroll the rust damage.” from it on Shabbat and holidays. Yaakov Meir written on deerskin that he should see. (Normally, ‘The Hand of G-d’ managed to survive the horrors of Auschwitz, Torah scrolls are written on parchment made Maor’s breath stopped when he realized that but was shot by a Nazi soldier on the death from cowhide.) A Torah written on deerskin is the scroll in his hands might be his family’s lost march to Germany in the last weeks of the war. Torah. He asked permission to look for another “Grandfather’s blood, sprayed on his beloved acquire enough animal skin to create parchment sign. “As far as my family knows, my grandfather for an entire Torah scroll. Torah when he was killed, bore silent witness to was murdered on the week that the portions of his death, but it also bore witness to his regular Maor remembered that his maternal Tazria and Metzora are read. So I asked to open reading from his Torah and his living with it grandfather—after whom he’d been named, the scroll to those portions. Who knew if we throughout that terrible time,” recounted Maor. Rabbi Yaakov Meir Hellman of Munkatch, Years later, his blood was carefully sponged Hungary (presently in western Ukraine near “Large blood stains were found on those Torah Slovakia)—had once owned a Torah scroll from the scroll by Zaka volunteers and buried portions. It was a sign that the Torah scroll in Jerusalem. written on deerskin that had been passed down had been open in exactly that place when my in his family for generations until it was lost in grandfather was killed by the Nazis. It was eerie. Auschwitz. He was curious to see what such a Eternal Proof of Faith I still get goosebumps when I talk about it,” he Maor was granted permission to take the scroll Torah scroll looked like. When it was brought to said, showing me the hair standing up on his with him to Israel. Every year, on the holiday of him, he noted its unusually small size. arms as his voice shakes with emotion, as if he Simchat Torah, he takes it from the ark he had “My mother, the daughter of Rabbi Yaakov Meir, were witnessing the discovery just then. built for it and dances with it. As far as he’s concerned, returning his grandfather’s Torah to told me that her father’s grandfather was a “It was the hand of G-d that guided me there wealthy Jewish merchant who traveled a lot,” his mother—and his emotional telling of the story to each of his many grandchildren—is he recalled. “So he bought a tiny Torah scroll, calmed down, we went above ground, where specially written on thin deerskin, to take with the greatest and sweetest vengeance possible there was a yeshivah, and I recited Kaddish in against the Nazis. him on his travels. The chances that it was memory of my grandfather.” the same scroll were minute, but once I saw The Maor family had a new cover made for the how small it was—as small as the scroll my How did he know about the scroll, and about his Torah scroll; on it, they embroidered, in large grandfather carried—I decided to take a closer grandfather’s death? gold letters: “You shall live by these words: And look. “Grandfather had a childhood friend who was it was when the ark travelled [to] Munkatch, “The man responsible for the collection had no with him in Auschwitz. The two were exiled Auschwitz, Vienna, Ramat Gan, Kedumim, idea how the Torah scroll got there or what its together from ghetto to ghetto, and from Hemed.” history was, but he let me look for clues to its concentration camp to concentration camp. The scroll will continue to accompany the identity to see if it belonged to my grandfather. He survived the war. He tried to emigrate to Maor family from generation to generation. I told the people around me that our family Palestine, but the British caught him and sent Even though the scroll is not kosher for Torah always said that the atzei chaim (the two dowels him to Cyprus, where he married the sister-in- around which the Torah scroll is wound) weren’t law of his late friend, my grandfather, Yaakov of its journeys—it remains “eternal proof that made of wood, as is usual, but of copper, and so Meir.” we pass on, from generation to generation, the ends of the Torah scroll had been damaged our traditions, faith, connection to and love by rust, which made the rabbis in Auschwitz The couple adopted Yaakov Meir’s three orphan for the Torah, and knowledge of G-d’s Divine question whether or not it was kosher. When daughters, one of whom became Yaakov’s intervention in our lives.” we rolled the scroll to its ends, where it was mother. 14 Get the Picture The full scoop on all the great events and classes around town
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