B”H

THEWEEKLY MAGAZINE SHUL SPONSORED BY MR. & MRS. MARTIN (OBM) AND ETHEL SIROTKIN & DR. & MRS. SHMUEL AND EVELYN KATZ

SHABBOS PARSHAS EMOR IYAR 14 -IYAR 15 MAY 8 - 9 CANDLE LIGHTING: 7:38 PM SHABBOS ENDS: 8:33 PM

LAG BA’OMER TUESDAY, MAY 12

The Shul - Lubavitch - An institution of The Lubavitcher , Menachem M. Schneerson (May his merit shield us) Over Thirty five 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.TheShul.org Email: [email protected] www.theshulpreschool.org www.cyscollege.org THE SHUL WEEKLY MAGAZINE EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK

NACHAS AT A GLANCE CONTENTS MAZAL TOV TO THE LEVI FAMILY WHO CELEBRATED JOSEPH’S BAR MITZVAH WITH THE COMMUNITY, VIRTUALLY. WITH BEAUTIFUL MESSAGES FROM Weekly Message: 3 Thoughts on the Parsha - Rabbi Sholom D. Lipskar FAMILY AND FRIENDS AT THE KOTEL, IN AND AROUND THE WORLD. AND ALTHOUGH WE WEREN’T ACTUALLY IN ISRAEL, IT SURE FELT LIKE WE WERE. Celebrating Shabbos: 4 - 5 Schedules, classes, articles & 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 Daily Study: 9 A complete guide to all classes and courses ofered at The Shul Inspiration, Insights & Ideas: 10 - 21 Bringing Torah lessons to LIFE

French Connection 22 Reflexions sur la Paracha Latin Link 23 Reflexion Semanal In a Woman’s World 24 Issues of relevance to the Jewish woman

Networking 25 Efective Advertising

Numbers To Know 26 Contacts at The Shul Get The Picture 27 - 28 THE SHUL BAT MITZVAH CLUB VIRTUAL MOTHER DAUGHTER The full scoop on all the great events CHALLAH BAKE around town

QUOTABLE QUOTE

Against your will you are formed, against your will you are born, against your will you live, against your will you die...

– Ethics of the Fathers 4:22 THOUGHTS ON THE PARSHA FROM RABBI SHABBOS PARSHAS EMOR oday, on Friday just missed the first opportunity. The Torah states the before , reasons for the inability to participate in the original we celebrate Pesach experience was that the Jewish people TPesach Sheini/A Second were in a state of spiritual impurities where they Pesach. This holiday was were required to be quarantined from the source of established in the Torah holiness or they were distanced from it. when a group of Jewish people who were not able Extrapolating those concepts to modern times, we can to celebrate the regular be quarantined from our regular life connections or we Pesach due to prevailing may be distant from our spiritual connections having circumstances, pleaded lived a life with its various enslaving characteristics to Moses that they such as social norms, materialistic quests, ego, should not be denied the wasted opportunities, misguided life choices and a opportunity of that uplifting experience of Pesach. general disconnect from our fundamental essential spiritual beings, severing us from a meaningful and Moses presents their request to Hashem, responding purposeful life at the highest levels. that when one is in a condition of spiritual impurity or is far from the proper destination to bring the It is that time that we are given a second opportunity. Pesach offering, he shall have a second opportunity one month later. Hence, we have the law of Pesach Our experience today in this unfortunate pandemic Sheini. that we are living through gives us a reset opportunity to rethink our priorities and reconnect with our This is the only positive commandment in the powerful sources and origins. We can experience true Torah where we are given a second chance to fulfill freedom from the limitations around us, recognizing it without any deficiencies and receive the same that G-d has given us a gift of who we are and that benefits as if we would have done it the first time we can attain ultimate levels of inner freedom that around. Why is this so with this particular Mitzvah brings true peace on every level, in every aspect of and no others such as Shabbat, Yom Kipper, or our life, with a tranquility that is healthy physically any other Mitzvah? and spiritually.

Pesach is unique as it represents the birth of the Let’s take advantage of that second chance Jewish people. Our source and origin of nationhood reset opportunity and achieve a new level of true emanates from our exodus from the enslavement satisfaction to ourselves, our families and our and exile of Egypt. It is when we were born as a communities. nation, expressed by the prophet Ezekiel “a nation taken from the midst of another nation.” Have a great Shabbos and a wonderful week

That fundamental connection to our origin and roots is vital to who we are and how we function as a Jewish people. When you are not connected to your source it is impossible to have a clarity of mission and purpose, and when there is no clarity of the starting Rabbi S. Lipskar point there is no clarity of the destination.

It was therefore important to have another chance to connect to that vital origin if for whatever reason one 3 CELEBRATING SHABBOS EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR AN “OVER THE TOP” SHABBOS EXPERIENCE Eruv Information We would like to emphasize that every Erev Shabbos, individuals should call the Eruv Hotline to make sure SHABBOS SCHEDULE that the Eruv is operational. The number to call is Candle lighting 7:38 p.m. 305- 866-ERUV (3788). The Eruv message is recorded approximately two Pirkei Avos Chapter 4 After Mincha hours prior to candle lighting. Surfside: The Eruv in Surfside now includes the walking paths along the beach. Pushing strollers and carrying is permitted Shabbos Ends 8:33 p.m. on the paths, but not beyond the path or onto the beach. Count The Omer - Day 31 Bal Harbour: The Eruv in Bal Harbour included the inner (western) walking path only. The pier at Haulover Cut is not included.

Next Week: Shabbos Parshas Behar- Bechukosai To pay your annual dues visit: www. Candle Lighting 7:42 p.m. miamibeacheruv.com Mincha 7:45 p.m.

PARSHA IN PICTURES Test your Parsha knowledge. Can you tell the story of the parsha using the pictures below

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To our beloved Soldiers in the Israeli Defense HALACHIC TIMES Forces, courageously protecting and defending BASED ON TIMES FOR MAY 13 Eretz Yisroel. We pray for you and all of the soldiers safety and well being daily.

Alot Hashachar / Dawn 5:15 am Menachem Mendel ben Chaya Leah Earliest Talit & Tefllin 5:50 am Daniella Malka bat Natanya Netz Hachamah / Sunrise 6:35 am Menachem Mendel ben Aurit Eden Chana bat Karine Cecile (Earliest Amidah) Benyamin Aharon ben Jeniya Gila Rut Latest Shema 9:54 am Zman Tfllah 11:01 am Chatzot / Midday 1:17 pm Earliest Mincha 1:51 pm Plag HaMincha 6:38 pm Shekiah / Sunset 7:59 pm (Preferable latest time for Mincha) Tzeit Hakochavim / Nightfall 8:24 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.

5 COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS SHARING WITH YOUR SHUL FAMILY

BIRTHDAYS YAHRTZEITS 15 Iyar Mr. Bennet Ryan Blachar 15 Iyar Beines ben Zalman Ber obm 15 Iyar Mrs. Chana Cohen Husband of Mrs. Pola Lekach and 15 Iyar Mrs. Beth Ellen Dozoretz Father of Mrs. Jana Falic 15 Iyar Mr. Mitchell I. Kirschner 15 Iyar Yaakov obm 15 Iyar Mr. Chase Werner Father of Mrs. Raquel Rubin 15 Iyar Mr. Isaac Zelcer 16 Iyar Ora bas Menache obm 16 Iyar Mrs. Orly Alexander Mother of Mrs. Elana Saka 16 Iyar Mrs. Annie Gurvitsch 17 Iyar Reb Yisroel ben Harav Yitzchok Yaakov obm 16 Iyar Mr. Larry Scheinfeld Father of Rebbetzin Chani Lipskar 17 Iyar Esther Malka bas Isaac obm 16 Iyar Mrs. Elizabeth Ziefer Sister of Mrs. Fanny Selesky 17 Iyar Mr. Reuven Berry 18 Iyar Avrohom Yitzchok ben Chaim Druker obm 17 Iyar Ms. Hava Eva Bouhadana Grandfather of Mr. Abraham Gewirtz 17 Iyar Mr. Jared Friedman 19 Iyar Bianca obm 17 Iyar Mr. Joshua Gilinski Mother of Mr. Peter Cohn 17 Iyar Dr. Horacio Groisman 19 Iyar Chonyeh ben Moshe Chaim obm 17 Iyar Ms. Aliza Lekach Father of Mrs. Ofi Osin- Cohen 17 Iyar Mr. Amit Subar 19 Iyar Tzvi Hersch ben Mordechai obm 18 Iyar Mrs. Elodie Amelie Amanou Brother of Mrs. Bessie Bedzow and 18 Iyar Mr. Alberto Colonomos Uncle of Rabbi Henry Eichler 18 Iyar Mr. Joseph Maya 19 Iyar Yehoshua Yaakov ben Moishe obm 18 Iyar Ms. Anna Sher Father of Mr. Max Gilinski and 19 Iyar Ms. Taylor Cohen Ambassador Isaac Gilinski 19 Iyar Ms. Gail Feigenbaum 21 Iyar Tema Dovid ben Feivel HaCohen obm 19 Iyar Ms. Maya Feldman Brother of Dr. Gene Moteles 21 Iyar Avner ben Chilibi obm 19 Iyar Ms. Daniela Stivelman Grandfather of Ms. Lydia Hasson 19 Iyar Ms. Stephanie Sussman 21 Iyar Levi ben Dovber Robinson obm 19 Iyar Ms. Patti Waksal Father of Judge Steven Robinson 20 Iyar Mrs. Batya Ammar 21 Iyar Perel bas Yaacov Kopel obm 20 Iyar Ms. Michelle Klainbaum Mother of Dr. Gene Moteles 20 Iyar Mr. Cory Dyan Silverman 20 Iyar Ms. Mollie Sussman MAZAL TOV 21 Iyar Ms. Carol Jaimovich Mazal Tov to Mr. & Mrs. Mike and Vivienne Perez on the 21 Iyar Mrs. Sarita Lekach engagement of their son Asher to Elliana Mintz daughter 21 Iyar Ms. Vivian Naimer of Alexander and Devorah Mintz.. May the wedding be in a good and auspicious time and may the young couple KID’S BIRTHDAYS build an everlasting edifice in Israel. Mazal Tov also to the grandparents, Mrs. Raquel Hub and Mr. & Mrs. Hanoj and 15 Iyar Ilai Benaya Berdugo Myrna Perez 16 Iyar Eily Goldfarb 16 Iyar Yael Shmuel Mazal Tov to Dr. Zevi Neuwirth on his engagement to Chaya 17 Iyar Amit Haroush Althaus. May the wedding be in a good and auspicious time 19 Iyar Elias Bengio and may the couple build an everlasting edifice in Israel. 19 Iyar Naomi Capland Mazal Tov to Mr. & Mrs. Moshe and Tila Levi on the Bar Mitzvah 19 Iyar Sara Fraida Katan of their son Joseph. May they continue to raise him to Torah, 20 Iyar Ariel Roller Chupaha and Ma’asim Tovim and have much nachas from 20 Iyar Kayla Saka him. Mazal Tov also to the grandparents, Mr. & Mrs. Simon and 21 Iyar Asher Arev Jana Falic and Mr. & Mrs. Ahuva and Yaakov Levi and to the 21 Iyar Sara Belecen great grandmothers, Mrs. Nili Falic and Mrs. Pola Lekach. 6 COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS SHARING WITH YOUR SHUL FAMILY IYAR LIGHT & POWER THANKS TO OUR DONORS We sincerely thank the following members and supporters of The Shul Light & Power and Wine for Kiddush & Havdalah for donations received between 04/28/20 and 05/04/20 for the month of Iyar is Kindly Sponsored by We apologize for any errors or omissions that we may have made. Mr. & Mrs. Yankie Andrusier Mr. & Mrs. David Lichter Mr. & Mrs. Menahem Banon Mr. Martin Lustgarten Mr. & Mrs. Isaie Bouhadana Mr. & Mrs. Isser New Mr. & Mrs. Yanky and Odelia Weiss Mr. Uri Bublil Mr. & Mrs. Jack Osman Dr. Brad Kenneth Cohen Mr. Ari Propis in honor of their children Dr. & Mrs. Brian Dooreck Mr. & Mrs. Edward Rosengarten Naomi, Mayer and Eli Mr. & Mrs. Zev Drizin Rabbi & Mrs. Dovi Scheiner Mr. & Mrs. Dovid Duchman Mr. & Mrs. Mark Schnapp and in honor of Yankie’s Birthday Dr. & Mrs. Raymond Failer Mr. & Mrs. Shea Schneider Mr. & Mrs. Morris Gad Mr. & Ms. Ytamar Segall Mr. Daniel Gielchinsky Mr. & Mrs. Bentzy Shemtov “Those who establish for prayer and those who come there to Mr. & Mrs. Jonathan Gilinski Mr. & Mrs. Ezzy Wasserman Mr. Berel Golomb Mr. Bernard Werner pray, those who provide lights for illumination, wine and grape juice for kiddush Mr. & Mrs. Levi Green Rabbi & Mrs. Aryeh Wuensch and havdalah, food for the wayfarers and charity for the needy, and all those Mr. & Mrs. Sam Greenwald Ms. Belinda Zaret & Ms. Liv- Mr. & Mrs. Reuven Herssein Tiferet De Vitton who occupy themselves faithfully with communal affairs - may The Holy One, Mr. Shlomo Karmely Mr. & Mrs. Adam Ziefer blessed be He, give them their reward, remove them from all sicknesses, heal Mr. Yehuda Lewis

their entire body, pardon all their sins, and send blessing and success to all COMMUNITY NOTICE BOARD their endeavors, together with all Israel their brethren; and let us say Amen.” Dearest Community Family, While our ofces are currently closed, the Shul Shluchim and Staf are always here for you. We are frequently checking emails and remain available by phone, if there is anything we can do to assist you. Please feel free to call The Shul at (305) 868-1411 ext. 311 (calls are being forwarded to home numbers) or send REFUAH SHLEIMAH an email to [email protected] and we will be happy to If you have a health update on anyone listed please contact The Shul. We would like to assist you or relay your messages to Rabbi and Rebbetzin keep the listing current and remove names of people who have recovered. Lipskar, or relevant department. For regular updates, MEN WOMEN please check our website Yehonatan HaLevi ben Malka Esther Yocheved bas Raizel www.TheShul.org. Eliezer ben Sarah Bracha Whatever the need, we will make every efort to assist you Aharon ben Beylah Shima Leah bas Gittel where possible. Meyer Eliezer ben Sarah Sarah Libke bas Baile Menachem Mendel ben Sara Chana Bayla bas Masha In the meantime, please take the recommendations of the Yehoshua ben Tamara Rina Chaya Miriam bas Leah health authorities very seriously. The best way to stop the Isaac Gilbert ben Nelly Esther Bracha spread is to stay home and avoid exposing yourself and Bentzion ben Nomi Rachel Genya Baila bas Gisela others to contagion as much as possible, especially those Margalite Sonia Simcha bat Sultana who are at greater risk.

Eber Avraham ben Fruma Tzipora Pnina bas Slava You can socialize online by joining one of our daily classes Esther Feige bas Krandel - the full schedule is under the Education menu. If you Shlomo Yaakov ben Chaya Tziporah Pnina bas Slava would like to join, please download the Zoom app from Sarah Rochel Chaya Miriam Yehudit bat the Apple App Store or Android. Once downloaded on Chaim Zelig Ben Eidel Chava your phone or computer, you can join the class by using Ari ben Na’ama Clara bat Corina this link: https://zoom.us/j/6457054016 Tzvi Yitzchak ben Chaya Rivka bat Shoshana Chaim Tzvi Hirsch ben Guttel Miriam bat Risha Raizel With very best wishes,

The Shul Shluchim and Staf 7 DAILY WISDOM Inspiring insights on the Torah

Shabbos, 15 Iyar

Finding the Positive in the Negative His mother’s nickname was Shelomit bat Dibri. Leviticus 24:11 Although the Torah only mentions this woman’s nickname, it still identifies her, thereby apparently shaming her in public. Needless to say, this seems inconsistent with the Torah’s rule against shaming people publicly.

In truth, however, the Torah is actually praising her by mentioning her name in connection with this incident. She was singled out by Divine providence to be one through whom the exemplary character of the rest of the Jewish women was demonstrated.

This, in fact, is one of the ways through which misdeeds can be transformed into merits – by serving as the impetus for proper behavior. The negative example set by Shelomit inspired future generations of Jewish women to live up to the example set by our ancestors in Egypt.

Monday, 17 Iyar Sunday, 16 Iyar We are G-d’s Partners [G-d instructed Moses to tell the Jewish people,] “The G-d Promises; G-d Fulfills redeemer [of the field], who is related to [the seller], may [G-d instructed Moses to tell the Jewish people,] “In the seventh year, the land must be given a complete come forth and redeem that [land] which his relative rest. . . . I will command My blessing for you in the had sold.” Leviticus 25:25 sixth year.” Leviticus 25:4 The laws of redeeming land prior to the Jubilee year are Although leaving the land fallow for a year may indeed based on the principle given two verses ago (Leviticus 25:23): improve its fertility, this cannot be the purpose of the “The land must not be sold [in such a way as] to sever it sabbatical year. If it were, G-d would have promised to [permanently from its original owner], for the land belongs increase the yield of the year following the fallow year, to Me.” The prohibition of a permanent sale reminds us that not the year preceding it. By promising an increased the land ultimately belongs to G-d; we should never consider yield in the sixth year – which should naturally be the ourselves its true owners. least productive! – G-d shows us that it is specifically and exclusively His blessing that is the source of the The same applies to whatever wealth or property we may increased yield. accrue during our lifetimes. “The earth and its fullness are G-d’s.” We should never lose sight of the fact that G-d has The lesson for us is as follows: As Jews, we are required given us whatever we possess only as His partners, in order to to spend time every day praying and studying the Torah; refine it, elevate it, and transform it into His true home. we must give charity, support Jewish education, and abstain from work on the Sabbath and . How can we hope to live financially sound lives when our non-Jewish neighbors, who are not “handicapped” by any of these obligations and restrictions, struggle to earn their livelihood?

The sabbatical year teaches us that when we do what G-d desires, He will bless us – not only spiritually, but materially as well.

8 Tuesday, 18 Iyar Wednesday, 19 Iyar

The Value of Work The Purpose of Reward [G-d instructed Moses to tell the Jewish people,] [G-d instructed Moses to tell the Jewish people, “You must not take interest.” Leviticus 25:36 “When someone is your bondman,] you must not work him with backbreaking labor.” Leviticus 25:43 There is a subtle yet crucial difference between an investor profiting from his investment and a lender profiting from Working without purpose is demoralizing and can even a loan. When we invest in a financial venture, the invested drive a person insane, whereas working for a constructive money still belongs to us; thus, our money is “working” for purpose – even if the task requires great effort – is us. We have therefore earned the profit that the venture richly rewarding. The satisfaction that results from returns. In contrast, a loan transfers ownership of the accomplishment can be greater even than the satisfaction principal to the borrower; the money now belongs to the borrower, even though he is obligated to repay it later. from the actual wages. Thus, taking interest on a loan is profiting from someone else’s effort without having participated in that effort. The The efforts we are required to expend in studying the lender is collecting interest based only upon the fact that Torah and fulfilling G-d’s commandments may be great, the money used to belong to him. but we have been taught that our efforts here below have profound influence on the cosmic realm above. Keeping Taking interest on a loan is therefore opposed to the this knowledge in mind enables us to study the Torah and way G-d wants the world to operate. G-d intended that fulfill G-d’s commandments with enthusiasm, joy, and we refine ourselves by working for our achievements, purpose. both spiritual and material. In the words of the sages, “If someone says to you, ‘I have toiled without results,’ do not believe him. If he says, ‘I have not toiled, but have nonetheless seen results,’ do not believe him either. Only if he says, ‘I have toiled and seen results,’ believe him.” Friday, 21 Iyar Our Infinite Worth Thursday, 20 Iyar [G-d instructed Moses to tell the Jewish people,] “The priest must evaluate [the Blessings in Disguise pledger] in accordance with how much he can [G-d said,] “If you do not listen to Me . . . ” Leviticus afford.” Leviticus 27:8 26:14-43 The pledger’s wealth is evaluated based on what he Jewish mysticism teaches us that G-d, the Torah, actually possesses, regardless of whether he has chosen and humanity all possess both hidden and revealed to make use of all his wealth or only of part of it. G-d dimensions. In the Torah’s “revealed” dimension, the evaluates us in a similar way. All Jews received the entire corrective punishments described in these verses are Torah when our souls stood at Mount Sinai, so the entire indeed curses; but in the Torah’s concealed dimension, Torah is our inheritance and our possession. Therefore, these “punishments” are really blessings. This does not mean that they are only “figurative” blessings – painful regardless of how much of the Torah we have studied or experiences we must endure for a greater good. They are internalized, G-d regards us as spiritually wealthy. G-d’s real blessings, and not just ordinary blessings, but the favorable evaluation of our wealth and worth is filtered greatest, most sublime blessings. down into the consciousness of the non-Jewish nations of the world. This is why non-Jews – whether or not they In fact, it is specifically the most sublime blessings that are conscious of it – have a deep-seated high regard for have to be couched (and sometimes experienced) as curses. This is because whenever G-d bestows a blessing the Jewish people. upon us, it must first pass through the heavenly “court,” where the prospective recipient is judged as to whether Nonetheless, merely possessing inherent spiritual wealth he or she is worthy of receiving it. However, when a is not enough; we are meant to make use of the Torah’s blessing is “disguised” as a curse, it “bypasses” the court’s infinite power to refine both ourselves and the world by “prosecuting attorneys” and makes its way straight to us, studying all aspects of it and internalizing it to the best of its recipients. our ability and beyond. When we experience what appears to be a Divine curse, it is really His blessing in disguise. This awareness helps transform G-d’s hidden blessings into revealed ones. 9 PARSHA MESSAGES PARSHAS EMOR ETERNITY AND MORTALITY By Rabbi Jonathan Sacks

ur Parshah begins with a restriction on affect whether you may or may not the people for whom a kohen (priest) serve as a priest in the house of G-d? Tum’ah should therefore not be may become tamei, a word usually thought of as “defilement,” as if there Otranslated as “defiled, impure, ceremonially Yet these decrees do have an were something wrong or sinful about unclean.” A priest may not touch or be under underlying logic. To understand them, it. Tum’ah is about mortality. Death the same roof as a dead body. He must remain we have first to understand the bespeaks mortality, but so too does aloof from close contact with the dead, with concept of the holy. birth. A skin disease like tzaraat makes the exception of a close relative, defined in G-d is beyond space and time, yet us vividly aware of the body. So does our Parshah as a wife, a mother or father, son an unusual physical attribute like a or daughter, brother or unmarried sister. The G-d created space and time as well as the physical entities that occupy misshapen limb. Even mold on a garment law for the kohen gadol, high priest, is stricter or the wall of a house is a symptom of still. He may not allow himself to become space and time. G-d is therefore “concealed.” The Hebrew word for physical decay. There is nothing wrong ceremonially unclean even for a close relative, about any of these things, but they though both he and an ordinary priest may universe, olam, comes from the same Hebrew root as ne’elam, “hidden.” As focus our attention on the physical and do so for a meit mitzvah, that is, one who has are therefore incompatible with the holy no one else to attend to his funeral. Here the the mystics put it: creation involved tzimtzum, divine self-effacement, space of the Tabernacle, dedicated to the basic requirement of human dignity overrides presence of the non-physical, the Eternal the priestly imperative of purity. for without it, neither the universe nor we could exist. At every point, the Infinite that never dies or decays. These laws, together with many others in infinite would obliterate the finite. There is a graphic example of this at the Leviticus and Numbers—especially the beginning of the book of Job. In a series of rite of the red heifer, used to cleanse those Yet if G-d was completely and permanently hidden from the physical blows, Job loses everything: his flocks, his who had come into contact with the dead— herds, his children. Yet his faith remains are hard for us to understand nowadays. world, it would be as if He were absent. From a human perspective, intact. Satan then proposes subjecting They already were in the days of the sages. Job to an even greater trial, covering Rabban Yochanan ben Zakkai is famous for there would be no difference between an unknowable G-d and a nonexistent his body with sores. The logic of this saying to his students, “It is not that death seems absurd. How can a skin disease defiles, nor that the waters [of the red heifer] G-d. Therefore G-d established the holy as the point at which the Eternal be a greater trial of faith than losing your purify. Rather, G-d says, ‘I have ordained a children? It isn’t. But what the book is statute and issued a decree, and you have no enters time and the Infinite enters space. Holy time is Shabbat. Holy saying is that when your body is afflicted, permission to transgress it.’” The implication it can be hard, even impossible, to focus seems to be that the rules have no logic. They space was the Tabernacle, and later, the Temple. on spirituality. This has nothing to do with are simply divine commands. ultimate truth, and everything to do with They are indeed perplexing. Death defiles. G-d’s eternity stands in the sharpest the human mind. As Maimonides said, But so does childbirth. The strange cluster possible contrast to our mortality. you cannot give your mind to meditating of phenomena known as tzaraat, usually All that lives will one day die. All on truth when you are hungry or thirsty, translated as leprosy, coincides with no that is physical will one day erode homeless or sick. and cease to be. Even the sun, and known illness, since it is a condition that can The biblical scholar James Kugel recently affect not only a person but also garments the universe itself, will eventually become extinct. Hence the extreme published a book, In the Valley of the and the walls of a house. We know of no Shadow, about his experience of cancer. medical condition to which this corresponds. delicacy and danger of the Tabernacle or Temple, the point at which That- Told by the doctors that, in all probability, Then, in our Parshah, there is the exclusion which-is-beyond-time-and-space he had no more than two years of life from service in the Sanctuary of a kohen enters time and space. Like matter left (thankfully, he was in fact cured), he who had a physical blemish—someone and antimatter, the combination describes the experience of suddenly who was blind or lame, had a deformed of the purely spiritual and the learning of the imminence of death. He nose or misshapen limb, a crippled leg or unmistakably physical is explosive, says, “The background music stopped.” hand, a hunchback or a dwarf. Why so? Such and must be guarded against. Just as By “background music” he meant the an exclusion seems to fly in the face of the a highly sensitive experiment has to sense of being part of the flow of life. We principle that “the L-rd does not look at the be conducted without the slightest all know we will one day die, but for the things people look at. People look at the contamination, so the holy space most part we feel part of life and of time outward appearance, but the L-rd looks at had to be kept free of conditions that that will go on for ever (Plato famously the heart.”4 Why should outward appearance bespoke mortality. described time as a moving image of 10 eternity). It is consciousness of death that detaches us from this sense, separating GRAIN, GROWTH AND GOODNESS us from the rest of life as if by a screen. By Shlomo Yaffe

Kugel also writes, “Most people, e are commanded by the Torah to bring, on the second day of Passover, a when they see someone ravaged by measure—an omer—of the first cutting of our barley harvest to the Holy chemotherapy, just tend to keep their Temple in as an offering to G-d, and not to partake of that year’s Wgrain crop until that offering is made. We then count 49 days, and on the 50th day, distance.” He quotes Psalms 38:12, “My which is Shavuot, we bring the first of our wheat harvest as an offering to G-d, and we friends and companions stand back at the do not use of the year’s wheat crop for Temple offerings until this is done. sight of my affliction; even those closest to me keep their distance.” Although the Hence, the 49-day count leading from Passover to Shavuot is called “the Counting physical reactions to chemotherapy are of the Omer”—a reference to the omer of barley that was brought on the first day of quite different from a skin disease or a the count. bodily abnormality, they tend to generate As always in the Torah, there are eternal personal and societal insights to be gleaned the same feeling in others, part of which from particular public ritual. has to do with the thought, “This could happen to me.” They remind us of the In biblical tradition, barley is primarily animal food. Wheat is the key and ideal human “thousand natural shocks that flesh is food. heir to.” The Hebrew word for offering, korban, means “to draw near.” This 49-day period This is the logic—if logic is the right of the Sefirat HaOmer (the Omer count), the arc between these two offerings of word—of tum’ah. It has nothing to do barley and wheat, is an opportune time for spiritual and ethical self-development. It represents the opportunity to draw close to G-dliness the entire universe of the with rationality, and everything to do human personality, from the most basic drives for self-preservation to the most with emotion (recall Pascal’s remark subtle intellectual and artistic insight. that “the heart has its reasons of which reason knows nothing”). Tum’ah does not Each one of us contains a broad range of emotional and intellectual characteristics. mean “defilement.” It means that which Regarding the emotional aspects, most of us would agree that a “barley offering” is in distracts from eternity and infinity by order. The animalistic appetites for physical pleasure and expression of ego must be making us forcibly aware of mortality, of controlled and tamed by connecting them to the Divine. We must offer up our physical the fact that we are physical beings in a drives and desires to control by G-d, lest they get the better of us. We see every day the harm caused to individuals and those around them, as well as to whole societies, physical world. by the untrammeled expression of the animal drives. What the Tabernacle represented in When it comes to our intellectual and creative side, however, we are inclined to believe space, and Shabbat in time, was quite that all intellectual and artistic endeavors are inherently positive, inasmuch as they radical. It was not rare in the ancient are uniquely human and intrinsically refined. There are those who would argue that world, nor in some religions today, to untrammeled intellectual and artistic expression is itself a fundamental good. believe that here on earth everything is mortal. Only in heaven or the afterlife will Torah rejects this premise. We must also bring an offering of our “wheat”—our human we encounter immortality. Hence many endeavors, the uniquely human aspects of our soul—to G-d. If we do not bind our intellect and creativity to the unchanging and transcendent G-dly values articulated religions in both East and West have by Torah and fed into our consciousness by the G-dly soul, then—no matter how been otherworldly. In Judaism holiness profound our musings or how refined our aesthetic—we risk creating and inspiring exists within this world, despite the fact falsehood, evil and destruction. Not all art inspires positive behavior or attitudes, not that it is bounded by space and time. every music uplifts the soul, nor is every philosophy helpful or even benign. But holiness, like antimatter, must be carefully insulated. Hence the stringency Indeed, there is nothing more destructive than negative concepts, beliefs and societal of the laws of Shabbat on the one hand, paradigms. All the worst evils of a terribly violent and inhumane 20th century the Temple and its priesthood on the stemmed not from misused “barley,” greed and base animal passions, but from misused “wheat,” malignant ideologies. other. Archimedes of Syracuse famously said, “Give me a place to stand upon, and with a The holy is the point at which heaven and lever I will move the whole world.” That place exists; it is the human mind. The only earth meet, where, by intense focus and question is—“to where the movement?” The ideas in those minds can lift the world a complete absence of earthly concerns, up to the heights of virtue and peace, or cast it down to the depths of depravity and we open up space and time to the sensed destruction. Only by shining the light of G-dliness into our souls can we distinguish presence of G-d, who is beyond space between the ideas and creations that refine humanity and those that pollute it. and time. It is an intimation of eternity in The process of counting and living the Omer arc gives us the ability and clarity to begin the midst of life, allowing us at our holiest each step of our intellectual, creative, societal or political endeavor by asking: “Does moments to feel part of something that this essay, or poem, or work of art, or piece of music, or speech, or campaign to mold does not die. The holy is the space within public opinion move us closer to unity by expressing a G-dly vision of a harmonious, which we redeem our existence from uplifted, and refined world?” mere contingency, and know that we are If we do, it will. held within the “everlasting arms” of G-d.

11 4 POWERFUL INSIGHTS FROM THE REBBE ON PARSHAS EMOR

The Power of Words

The name of this week’s Torah reading, Emor, means “speak,” highlighting the power of our words. Our Sages state: “Lashon hara (malicious gossip) kills three: the one who speaks, the one who listens, and the one who is being spoken about.” We can understand why the speaker and the listener suffer. They have committed a serious transgression. But why should the person spoken about be affected?

In resolution, the mystic sages of the Kabbalah explain that speaking about a person’s negative qualities provokes their expression. Although the person might True Education not even be aware that he is being spoken about, the fact that his character flaws are being discussed fans Our Sages explain that the opening verse of our Torah the revelation of those qualities. reading teaches us ‘lihazhir gedolim al hakatanim’, which literally translates as “to warn the elders concerning the children.” Implied is that a parent must take responsibility The converse is also true. Consistent mention of the for the education of his children. We cannot sit back good a person possesses — and within every person passively and expect their education to happen naturally. there are unfathomed reservoirs of good — will It won’t. Unless effort is invested — personal effort, facilitate the expression of that good in the person’s not merely relying on teachers and schools — a child’s conduct. character will not grow. In that vein, the Rebbe Rashab taught that just as the Torah requires us to put on tefillin every day, it requires us to spend half an hour each day thinking about our children’s education.

The term lihazhir contains a further allusion. Zohar, its root, means “shining” or “splendor.” We can infer that by working to educate our children, our own souls will shine with splendor. The most effective way to educate a child is to lead by example. When a parent continuously and systematically manifests a virtue in his or her conduct, it would be highly unlikely for his or her child not to possess it.

There is also a reciprocal effect. As we endeavor to communicate and teach our children, we grow ourselves. The positive traits which we deem important - and therefore seek to impart - become reinforced and strengthened through sharing them with others.

12 LAWS OF INTEREST Counting & Refining

This Torah reading of Emor contains a description of the festivals G-d commands the Jewish people to celebrate. It begins with the festival of Pesach, for that is when our people became a nation. The next holiday mentioned is the holiday of Shavuot. But unlike all the other holidays mentioned in this passage, a specific date is not mentioned for Shavuot. Instead of specifying the day on which the holiday should be celebrated, the Torah gives us the mitzvah of Counting the Omer and states that on the fiftieth day of the Counting of the Omer, Shavuot should be observed.

The Counting of the Omer does more than chronologically bridge the gap between Pesach and Shavuot. The spiritual import of the mitzvah enables the two holidays to complement each other. On Pesach, “the King of kings, the Holy One, blessed be He, was revealed” to the Jewish people. Is Impurity Evil? They, however, were not able to internalize the revelation for they were still sullied by the impurity that had become Parshat Emor begins with the command to the priests attached to them through the years of Egyptian exile. As our to avoid the impurity stemming from contact with a Rabbis say: “It took G-d one moment to take the Jews out of Egypt, but forty years to take Egypt out of the Jews.” human corpse. Impurity is not evil. On the contrary, burying a corpse is a great mitzvah and yet a person Moreover, in a complete sense, “taking Egypt out of the Jews” who does so becomes impure. — i.e., the personal refinement the Jews must undergo — must come from their own efforts and not from a revelation It is a result of the descent experienced by mankind from Above. This defines the nature of the divine service after the Sin of the Tree of Knowledge. Before that prescribed for the Counting of the Omer: to refine and elevate our personalities. The 49 days of the Counting of the Omer sin, man was intended to live forever. The body correspond to the 49 dimensions of our personalities. and the soul would function in utter harmony. The sin, however, brought about the potential for the Chassidic thought sets out an entirely new set of parameters separation of the body and the soul — death. The for this task. Not only must we abandon our undesirable vacuum created by that separation is the source of character traits and polish the positive ones, we must focus impurity. on conquering our fundamental self-concern, the dimension of our personalities labeled as yeshut, self-concern. At that point, our emotions no longer focus on “what I want” and In the era of the Redemption, G-d says, “I will cause “what I feel,” but they become aligned with the middos the spirit of impurity to depart from the earth.” Man Elyonus, G-d’s emotional qualities, and reflect them. That is will return to an Eden-like existence. Indeed, it will the inner meaning of the term sefirah. Not only does it mean be more than a return to Eden, for in the Ultimate “counting,” it also means “shining forth.” A person is given Future, it will be revealed that the body has a higher the potential to beam forth G-dly light. spiritual source than the soul. In the present era, the body derives its vitality from the soul and dies when the connection between the two is severed. In the Ultimate Future, the soul will derive its vitality from the body and appreciate the transcendent G-dliness invested in material existence.

13 LAWS OF INTEREST LAG BA’OMER MY INVISIBLE EMOTIONS What Is Kabbalah? resting place in Meron, Israel, celebrate this significance of a bow and arrow both day with singing, dancing, Torah study and from a literal and spiritual point of view. By: Rabbi YY Jacobson an increase in acts of love and unity. The first weapons devised by man were In the Beginning designed for hand-to-hand combat: the A man comes to the psychiatrist, shouting Playing with the Bow sword, the spear, the ax, and the like. But One particular custom practiced on the day that he is in dire need of help. The a person’s enemy or prey is not always an of Lag B’Omer is unique: Children go to parks psychiatrist attempts to calm him down, arm’s-length, or even within sight; soon and fields to play with bows and arrows. but to no avail. The man is in a state of the warrior and hunter were inventing What is the reason for this peculiar custom? panic, screaming that it is an emergency an array of weapons capable of reaching One well-known explanation has to do with and he must be helped immediately. targets that are a great distance away, the fact that during Rabbi Shimon’s lifetime, or that lie invisible and protected behind The psychiatrist informs him that if he no rainbow ever appeared in the sky. This barriers of every sort. Chief among these continues hollering this way, he won’t be is profoundly significant, because Genesis new weapons was the bow and arrow, able to help him. “Please sit down and tell relates that the rainbow represented G-d’s invented early on in human history. The me the whole story from the beginning.” The covenant never to destroy the world again Bible, too, speaks of the bow as a weapon. patient finally gives in. He sits down, and even if the human race would degenerate Isaac and Jacob both discuss it with their starts talking silently: “In the beginning,” he to its status prior to the Flood. But as long sons. For many countries and cultures, says, “I created heaven and earth.” as Rabbi Shimon was alive, his merit and the bow and arrow has served as the main piety alone were enough to ensure that The Birth of Jewish Mysticism projectile weapon for a very long time. In G-d would not regret His creation, with no his work “The Origin of the Family, Private This Tuesday, May 12, known in Hebrew need for the rainbow. On the day of Rabbi as Lag B’Omer, the thirty-third day of the Property and the State”, Frederick Engels Shimon’s passing, however, the world was comprehensively covered the subject of omer, is the anniversary of the passing of in need of the rainbow. Thus, each year on one of the greatest sages and spiritual the bow, the conditions under which it was that day we recall this man’s greatness by invented and the value of its invention. giants in Jewish history, Rabbi Shimon bar playing with the bow. Yochai. Rabbi Shimon, who lived in Israel Engels wrote: “The bow was already a very under Roman occupation around 165 CE The Questions complex weapon representing a long period (approximately one hundred years after the This explanation, however, poses two of accumulated experience, refinement destruction of the Second Temple in 70 C.E.), problems. First, it seems far fetched of mental power and the coordinated was an extraordinary scholar and author to associate the archer’s bow with the understanding of the relationship between of the Zohar, the most basic Kabbalistic celestial rainbow, just because they both a range of other inventions. Even at its work. He was responsible for revealing include the word ‘bow’ in English and share simplest, the bow is rather complex in its to the world the wisdom of the Kabbalah, the same term in Hebrew (keshes). Second, overall constitution, combining as it does initiating a new era in the development and according to this interpretation, playing the bow itself, the string and the arrow exposure of Jewish mysticism. The most with bows and arrows on the day of Lag shaft, which must interact mechanically significant revelation came about on the B’Omer constitutes a negative symbol. It in a complex fashion... The bow and arrow day of Rabbi Shimon’s passing, on which reflects the tragic ability of the human race became the decisive weapon in an epoch he expounded for many hours on the most to destroy G-d’s world. But why would we of savagery. Their appearance heralded intimate secrets of the divine wisdom. That institute a custom that might hamper the a high level of development, and through day was Lag BaOmer. intense joy of the day as requested by Rabbi them, hunting for game became one of the Shimon himself? Why the need to focus on normal branches of labor.” Centuries were to pass before the great such a special day on the power of mankind Kabbalist Rabbi Isaac Luria (1534-1572) In the writings of Chassidism one dimension to sink to the lowest depths? On the day of would proclaim, “In these times, we are of the bow is emphasized. The man who Lag B’Omer we ought to focus on the life of allowed and duty-bound to reveal this invented this device had to grasp the Rabbi Shimon, not on his death! Especially wisdom,” and Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov paradox that the deadly arrow must first be that he himself requested it be a day of (1698-1760) and his disciples were to make pulled back toward one’s own heart in order joy, not melancholy. It is therefore logical them accessible to all via the teachings of to strike the heart of the enemy; and that to assume that the bow and arrow game Chassidism. But Lag BaOmer remains the the more it is drawn toward oneself, the professes a profoundly positive symbol as day on which “Jewish mysticism” made its more distant a foe it can reach. well, one that fits in to the joyous nature first emergence from the womb of secrecy of the day, celebrating the life and vision Two Types of Enemies and exclusivity. of Rabbi Shimon. Indeed, Rabbi Shimon’s One of the fundamental ideas of Jewish Before his passing, Rabbi Shimon instructed book, the Zohar, states: “Do not anticipate mysticism is that every physical invention his disciples to observe his yahrzeit (the day the coming of Moshiach (Messiah) until you and phenomenon originates in the realm of his death) as a time of joy and festivity, see the shining colors of the rainbow.” From of the metaphysical. Consequently, the two since the day of a person’s death marks the the Zohar’s perspective, the bow represents types of weapons, the sword and the bow, culminating point of all that he achieved a deeply positive symbol. designed for two different types of foes, in the course of his life on earth. Since exist also on a psychological and spiritual then, Jews the world over, especially at his Two Types of Weapons plane. To understand this, we must analyze the 14 Every human being professes two types of with this or that impediment. Some trials, And what about the deeper chaos at foes both within his psyche and within his however, require not an outer change but an the core of the human consciousness? environment: exposed enemies and hidden inner transformation; not a change of pace, How about the profound void and sense ones. Exposed foes are the conscious but a change of heart. They necessitate the of disintegration in the sub cellar of the patterns and behaviors in our lives that courage of going to places where you may human psyche? How about the existential openly and overtly threaten our well-being: have never gone, of trailblazing pathways loneliness and the deeply embedded negative and promiscuous temptations, that have never been charted. They demand demons beyond the conscious reach? This addictions, acts or words of immorality. of you to discover what you actually look is where the “hidden” part of Torah plays When you realize that you are addicted, for like on the inside. its primary role. The teachings of Kabbalah example, to alcohol, weed or promiscuous and Chassidism have come to the world intimacy, it is hard to deny that you are The Essence of Kabbalah to tell the dramatic story of the interplay deteriorating. Your enemies, your demons, Now we will understand the deeper among the soul of man, the “soul” of G-d in this instance are open and naked. But a meaning behind the playing with the bow on and the soul of history, entangled with one human being also possesses an entirely Lag B’Omer, the day that marks the birth of other in a courageous attempt to bring different array of skeletons. 150 years Kabbalah and Jewish mysticism. The Torah, the world face to face with its Creator. before Sigmund Freud, the founder of the the body of Jewish wisdom developed over This part of Torah focuses primarily on the Chabad school of Kabbalah spoke at length 3300 years, is generally comprised of two nature of the soul of man and the soul of of the destructive forces within our lives parts, reflecting the two streams of Judaic all existence. Just like the bow, the Kabbalah that are often invisible and indiscernible. thought -- the rational and the mystical, and the Chassidic teachings inspire the These are subconscious, primal emotions the exoteric and the esoteric, Jewish law person to delve into the quintessence of and instincts that may live under cover and Jewish mysticism, the “revealed” part his or her consciousness, to uncover the for decades, infecting our lives but never of Torah and the “hidden” dimension of “fragment of G-d” that constitutes the exposing their face. Self-deception, buried Torah. Though together these two layers core of human existence and allows him to feelings of vengeance, hate, selfishness, make up the colorful and multi dimensional encounter the true depth of life and stand anger, jealousy, arrogance, fear, shame, mosaic of Torah thought, each has its own up to the multitude of undisclosed demons insecurity, self-hate, loneliness, and unique function and role. The former can be that attempt to extinguish the light of G-d many other subliminal streaks, are often compared to the “sword,” the latter to the in his soul and his world. It teaches how buried beneath myriads of strata of “bow.” the complex notes of the human psyche identity, but which nonetheless execute The first stream of Torah, which discusses and the world can be transformed into a profound influence over our daily lives Jewish law and ethics, is like the close- symphony of G-d. and relationships. At times, our inner range weapon that helps man in meeting destructive forces come disguised in masks That is why you need to learn both: People the open challenges of life and the who only learn mysticism, are disconnected of piety and holiness. Religion is but one conscious demons in his heart. It teaches example. People often employ religion as from the concrete, pragmatic and authentic us to distinguish between good and evil, expression of Torah. Conversely, the a tool to cover up for inner dysfunction or between the holy and the profane, between even evil. People often confuse themselves exclusive study of Jewish law may leave light and darkness, between the desirable you with the lingering question, who are to be G-d. (“He is a self-made man and and the disgraceful. he worships his creator.”) People are you for real? Are you serving G-d or serving sometimes pious externally, but deeply It focuses primarily on behavior, on our yourself? Do you have a real relationship arrogant and unrefined internally. expressed life. The external body of Torah is with G-d? our tool for meeting the obvious challenges A Complicated World A New Weapon of life. Do not kill or steal, it instructs us; There was a time in history when the The hidden forces of destruction are often feed the hungry, hallow your relationships revealed part of Torah sufficed. The more lethal than the exposed ones, because with the sanctity of marriage, rest on Kabbalah remained concealed from most of their invisibility allows for profound denial. Shabbat, eat only kosher foods—for thus the people and only a select few passed it on To deal with them, one cannot use the you will fulfill your duty as a Jew to G-d and from generation to generation. But as the regular old-fashioned weapons, which preserve the order that G-d instituted in His world became a much more complicated can only be effective on close and open world. enemies. To confront the invisible enemy, place and humans became much more one must employ an entirely new and But not everything is as up front as the complex, Divine providence sent the great different style weapon: the bow and arrow. explicit do’s and don’ts of the Torah. mystical masters, chief among them Rabbi Beyond them lie the ambiguities of intent Shimon, to teach us how to open windows The “secret” of the bow and arrow, and motive, the subtleties of love and awe, to the super-conscious forces of our soul; as mentioned above, consists of the the interplay of ego and commitment. Who how to discover that deep place in the paradoxical truth that the more one draws am I in my very essence? Beyond my daily human soul where man and G-d are both the arrow toward oneself, the more distant schedule and duties—who am I in my strangers and brothers. Rabbi Shimon Bar and invisible a foe it can reach. deepest and truest place? Yochei, the man most responsible for the dissemination of Kabbalah, taught the This is true on the psychological and How about the subconscious ills of the spiritual plane as well. For a human being Jewish people and the world how to use the spirit? What about the underlying and bow and arrow. to conquer his inner disguised demons, his primal attitudes and perceptions that never subliminal fears, his buried evil, he must allow me to transcend my bubble and (This essay is based on a talk delivered have the courage to pull back and retreat touch the Divine? How about my carefully to the core of his soul. Some problems in by the Lubavitcher Rebbe on Lag B’Omer, guarded ego? How about the evil that often 5711, May 24, 1951). life can be solved by acquiring skills to deal lies buried beneath religious zealousness? 15 PIRKEI AVOS CHAPTER 4 PACK LIGHTER AND TAKE WHAT TRULY MATTERS By Yael Trusch

I think I travel light. I learned this tip from my husband, who is quite “the traveler.” Not just because he travels a lot, but because he’s a pro at it. He goes to Asia for 15 days at a time with just a backpack and carry-on roller bag (complete with tefillin, kosher snacks and Shabbat garb). This summer, I attempted to impress world?” said Rabbi DovBer gently. him with my minimalist packing skills “At home? Oh yes ... At home, it is a What does an inverted world mean? when I planned a vacation for our family different matter altogether ... ” Perhaps the things that seem to matter of six. As I tried to balance his proclivity in this world are insignificant in the for light travel with my irrational desire As I attempted to justify squeezing next world, while the things regarded to have the perfect outfit for each one more “indispensable” outfit inside as insignificant in this world are of the child per day (and then some), I was our luggage, I wondered ... Am I as utmost value in the next world. As Reb reminded of a poignant Chassidic story focused on, and attached to, those DovBer taught, we are all travelers on about a devoted follower of the Baal “possessions” that can’t be measured a journey, passing through on the way Shem Tov, the founder of Chassidism ... in the physical realm? Do I expend the to a “clear world.” Our possessions and same amount of energy on the mitzvot The Baal Shem Tov recommended a Jew the physical reality that surround us that I’m here to perform as I do on other visiting him that he stop by the town of are but temporary. And perhaps what stuff? Do I greet everyone with a smile? Mezeritch on his way back home. There really matters during this journey is not Do I pray with intention—not just for he should visit a man by the name of the titles, accolades or possessions we myself, but for others? Do I make sure Reb DovBer. accumulate, but the good we create. to consistently share of what I have Perhaps our real possessions are When the Jew finally found Reb DovBer been given? getting stored, and accounted for, in in Mezeritch, he was shocked by his I’m the impertinent guest in the story! the next world. “minimalist” lifestyle. The bench that True, I’m more “into” my stuff than my sat the children whom Reb DovBer In Ethics of Our Fathers, it says, “The husband is. I can easily get distracted taught became a table to eat and later world is like an antechamber before the by, and even attached to, my material transformed into beds for the family to World to Come. Prepare yourself in the possessions! sleep on. antechamber so that you may enter the However annoyed I was by this banquet hall.” (Chapter 4). He was greeted warmly, however, and awareness and the “travel light” sat in Reb DovBer’s humble abode Will the collection that I’ve amassed business, I realized that I admire my sharing wonderful words from their in the chamber warrant my entry into husband’s level of clarity as to what’s esteemed Rebbe. But after a while, the banquet hall? Am I living my life as really important in life. It goes well the guest couldn’t contain himself though I’m a traveler passing through? beyond his packing skills. Which brings and asked his host: “Reb DovBer, how me to this cryptic passage in Talmud. As to my summer packing? More than a do you live like this? Where’s all your few of the “indispensables” came back stuff?” It tells the story of Rabbi Yehoshua and untouched. Maybe I’ll figure out how to his son, Rav Yosef, who became ill, even In typical Jewish fashion, Reb DovBer travel more efficiently by next summer. on the verge of death. After his recovery, replied with a question: “And where’s (In fact, maybe I should start packing Rabbi Yehoshua asked his son: “What all your stuff?” now ...) did you see when you were dying?” Rav To which the guest replied in shock: Yosef said: “I saw an inverted world. “Why, me? I’m just a traveler passing Those above were below and those through! I don’t shlep everything I own.” below were above.” Rabbi Yehoshua replied: “My son, you have seen a clear “But aren’t we all travelers in this world.” (Bava Basra 10b) 16 STORIES WITH SOUL

he great Rabbi Moshe Sofer (the He offered the Parness a shipment of your question. Chasam Sofer) was sitting with newly arrived coffee. The price was his students one day when they right, so the Parness gave a deposit “Once I was traveling with my Rebbe, Twere interrupted by the Parness (the and concluded the deal. Before the day Rabbi Nosson Adler of Frankfurt. head) of the Jewish community. ended, news reached the fair that the crop in had been damaged by “The weather was bad, but it was a He hadn’t wanted to disturb the Rabbi bad weather, and the price of coffee trip of extreme urgency to the Jewish when he was busy with his students, had risen. community, so we left immediately. but when the Chasam Sofer noticed the man’s distraught face, he excused The Parness sold the coffee at a great “We started out after dark, and after himself and called the Parness into an profit. we had gone but a short distance, the adjoining room. team of horses refused to budge. The The next day he bought large quantities driver went off to get help and we tried “What has happened?” the Rabbi of merchandise. to shake off the cold by immersing inquired. ourselves in learning. The pattern repeated itself every day The man answered with a sigh. of the fair, and by the end, he had not “Finally the driver returned and readied only recouped all his losses, but had the team to continue the journey. “I am in deep trouble. I have lost my become even richer than before. Suddenly, my Rebbe leaped out of the entire fortune. There’s no hope, for I carriage and began dancing in the snow. am in such deep debt, and I’ve signed It occurred to the Parness to buy I was shocked and couldn’t understand promissory notes for others as well. I’m something special for the Chasam his actions. on the brink of utter ruin. Tomorrow, Sofer. when it becomes known that I didn’t go “ ‘Don’t you see, Moshe, the driver has to the fair at Leipzig, my creditors will Knowing the rabbi’s knowledge of harnessed a team of oxen together come running, and that will be my end.” jewelry, he purchased a valuable gem with horses!’ to present to him. Back home, he went “How much money do you need to go at once to visit the Rabbi and tell him “I got out of the carriage and explained to the fair?” the Chasam Sofer asked. the good news. “Your blessings were to the driver that we were forbidden to fulfilled beyond my dreams. In addition be drawn by a team composed of mixed “Oh, Rabbi, the amount I usually bring to repaying you, it would be an honor if species (kilaim, is forbidden, since the is not worth talking about. At this you would accept this gift.” animals have differing strengths and it point, I would be grateful for travelling causes them great hardship). money and a bit of cash.” The Parness The Rabbi took the box in his hand mentioned an amount. and opened it, revealing the gem. “It’s “I offered him extra money if he would beautiful, and very valuable as well,” he go and exchange the oxen for horses. “That’s no problem. I think I have just said turning the gem this way and that. that amount here.” Then he handed it back to the Parness. “When he had gone, I asked my teacher to enlighten me as to his strange The Chasam Sofer went to a certain “But, Rabbi, it’s yours.” behavior. He answered, ‘My dear drawer in his desk and withdrew the Moshe, when in Frankfurt do I get to do cash. “No. You see, if you had given it to me the rare mitzva of kilayim? Now, that it at any other time, perhaps I would comes my way, once in my life, should “Rabbi, I can’t take the money from you. have accepted it, for it would support I not rejoice?’ I came to you for advice, not a loan. If I my for some time. But since take your money, how can I guarantee I gave you the loan, I cannot accept “That is why, when I got the chance to that I will be able to repay you?” even something which has ‘the dust of do the mitzva of ribbis (not accepting interest’ on it.” interest from a fellow Jew), I rejoiced. The Chasam Sofer smiled. “Don’t worry, with G-d’s help, you will repay me. May The Parness left, and some students “Who comes to a rabbi to request a you have much success.” who had observed the scene came free loan? When that mitzva came to their Rabbi with a question: “If you my way, I couldn’t conceal my joy Deeply grateful and with new hope, the had no intention of accepting the and excitement!” Parness took the money and left. He gift, why did you receive it with so caught the early train to Leipzig, and much happiness and pay it so much upon leaving the train met a friend who attention?” was a big wholesaler and importer. “I will tell you a story which will answer 17 RECENTLY IN THE NEWS SHOULD ISRAEL GIVE IN AND RISK ITS FUTURE? By Dr. Shmuel Katz

y thought following viewing Obviously, there is a lot of information at the conclusion of World War One. “Battle in the Holy Land” the which is available, but I would like to The British and the French received the important Fox News Special share with you a few points in order mandate to the region from the League Mwhich was Presented by Mr. Pete to put some of the events, in the of Nations. They held the region until Hegseth. correct and relevant context which I the division of the area among the am sure, you will appreciate. people who lived there. Thank you very much for undertaking the impossible project of trying to Addressing the legality of the It is very clear from any objective understand the thousands of years Jewish presence in the region: review of the history of the region, that history and the dynamics in the In addition to the overwhelming there was never, ever, in the history Middle East in a few short films. biblical, archeological and historical of the world, an Arab Palestinian information about the Jewish state in that region, which was called Unfortunately, there are too many presence in the Land of Israel, there Arab Palestine. About 80% of the local and international forces that are are multiple valid modern legal Jewish ancestral homeland which was trying to manipulate the events and arguments which are ignored by recognized by the famous Balfour the information, in the region and many leaders around the world, due Declaration in 1917 and later by the beyond. to various self-serving motives and League of Nations, was given by the agendas. The following are some of British to the Hashemite Kingdom There were multiple books written those legal arguments which show of Trans Jordan in 1946. They could about this topic from multiple points the legality of the Jewish presence in have called Trans Jordan also “Arab of view, but there are some very the land of Israel: Palestine”, but this did not happen. simple facts that people are not The remaining 20% of this land became aware of, or just ignore. 1. Israel’s Legal Founding - Alan what is called today the disputed land, Dershowitz Professor of Law: the remnant of the Jewish ancestral I do not know how much of the https://www.prageru.com/video/ homeland or the area that some of information you had while you were israels-legal-founding/ the Arab Palestinians want to build preparing the film, but I am confident their own brand-new state of Arab that you were trying to present both 2. The Legal case for Israel - Prof Palestine, removing all the Jews from sides of the story, which are very Eugene Kontrovich that region. The newly addressed two- different. Many times, when people https://www.torahcafe.com/ State solution concept, to solve the are exposed to bits and pieces of professor-eugene-kontorovich/ conflict about these remaining 20% of information and are not aware of the the-legal-case-for-israel- the land, is very illusive, as there are relevant context, the story sounds video_33fb484b5.html no serious honorable partners to the completely different from the reality. state of Israel, to implement this idea, I understand that you could not 3. WHO OWNS JERUSALEM? The since the creation of the State of Israel. address all the relevant context, due Case Under International Law to the limitation in the length of the (Is it the Capital of Israel?). Dr. An interesting description and film that you could produce, but it left Jacques Gauthier delineation of the maps of the evolution some of the information incomplete https://www.youtube.com/ of this region in the Middle East, in that for the viewers to get a comprehensive watch?v=SYbq9rI1kOA&t=630s location, can be found on pages 6-7 and accurate impression. I am sure in the very informative short booklet that you will be able to supplement it Even before the establishment of “Israel 101” by StandWithUs. in your next film. the Jewish state in the land of Israel, https://www.standwithus.com/ incited Muslim rioters attacked Jews. israel101 Interestingly, Dennis Prager, tried One of the most famous was the to explain the current conflict in the horrendous massacre of Jews and Most of the growth of the local and Middle East in a short and very simple the expulsion of the rest of them the immigrated Arab population in video: from the Holy City of Hebron, in 1929. the Land of Israel occurred following the expansion of the Jewish presence The Middle East Problem in Five The land of Israel was occupied by in the region, where the Jews inspired Minutes: the Ottoman Empire for about 400 by their national aspiration joined the https://www.prageru.com/video/ years until the time that they lost it, local Jews who were already living the-middle-east-problem/ 18 there for generations. and pay bonuses to terrorists and https://kidsthemovie.com their families. Interestingly, the only time that Jews 7. There are many wonderful were not allowed to live in the Holy You can read the “Hamas Charter” moderate Muslims who are City of Jerusalem, was between the which is mentioned and delineated peaceful and reject the Radicals, first two wars of aggression, which in the very informative list of some but unfortunately, The Muslim were imposed on Israel. This began relevant short booklets at: Brotherhood 100-year plan for the by the expulsion of all the Jews from https://www.standwithus.com/ USA, has a different agenda: the city of Jerusalem during the booklets https://israelunwired.com/brigitte- Israeli War of Independence of 1948, gabriel-reveals-the-muslim-plan-for- which was started by the invasion of They hope that by using deception the-destruction-of-america/ all the neighboring Arab countries, and palatable terminologies and https://www.actforamerica.org/sites/ and concluded following the Six- concepts, the uninformed individuals default/files/Downloads/An%20 Day War of 1967, which was started around the world, will fall for their Explanatory%20Memorandum%20%20 by Egypt, Syria and Jordan, with the narrative and will support blindly, %281%29.pdf - The translated text of intent to liquidate the State of Israel their sinister agenda. the “100 year plan for the USA”. by force. Luckily, the State of Israel https://israelunwired.com/muslim- managed to survive both wars and The following informative videos will congresswoman-talib-the-muslims- even managed to gain control of give you an important insight into are-coming/ some more of its ancestral homeland. some serious current trends that will If the Arab countries would not have help you in your important work: Muslim Brotherhood investigative attacked Israel in 1967, Israel would reporting Videos: still have been contained within the 1. Oslo Process = terror against https://www.dropbox.com/s/ indefensible 1948 armistice lines, Israel hphgyam5i0f71v9/Muslim%20 with all the serious dangers that it “Relentless” is a powerful one-hour Brotherhood%20final%20export%20 could have had to face. documentary using primary source June%2017%202019.mov?dl=0 video clips to examine the history https://gatesofvienna.net/2018/05/ Unfortunately, due to the leadership of the Mideast conflict and how the civilization-jihad-in-the-usa-the- of self-serving corrupt Palestinian Peace Process unraveled in a surge practicum/ leadership, multiple attempts to of violence. reach generous peaceful resolution https://www.youtube.com/ 8. The Art of Extremism - to the conflict have failed miserably. watch?v=7znAFDoAsGY Challenging Radical Dawa - The Evidently, because these leaders disturbing link between the Nazis never had a serious intent to create 2. The THIRD JIHAD | RADICAL and Jihadis a brand new Arab Palestinian state, ISLAM’s Vision for America (Full https://www.youtube. but was focused mainly on ways to Documentary HD) com/watch?time_ destroy the State of Israel. https://www.youtube.com/ continue=190&v=sgh4shX3qb8 watch?v=VwqdFMq7QYY They were not able even to consider 9. Muslim Leaders Declare Aim Of some very basic concepts for a peace 3. Honor Diaries - exclusive World Domination. Rome, London, agreement like: extended clip Spain, Paris, America, ISIS “8 Points for Peace”: Honor Diaries is more than a movie, https://www.youtube. http://www.aish.com/jw/ it is a movement to save women and com/watch?time_ me/104843234.html girls from gender inequality, forced continue=155&v=ZmGRshS0PAw marriages and human rights abuses. Most people did not read the “Charter https://www.youtube.com/ 10. Exposing physical and of Hamas” or that of Fatah, and watch?v=w-zWq_Xzw_g intellectual terrorism to awaken therefore, do not even think about the oblivious the consequences of the creation of 4. Faithkeepers: Countering an additional Radical Muslim terror Christian Persecution in the The risks to free society are too high state, which relentlessly exploits Middle East to remain timid or silent and let evil and incites even its own young and https://www.youtube.com/ prevail: old people. They are constantly watch?v=-Cm2Ks7T4-8 planning to carry on their radical Islamic agenda to the detriment of 5. Hezbollah: A Global Threat - all peace-loving people in the region English and in the world. They misdirect the https://www.youtube. humanitarian funds provided to them com/watch?time_ by the international community and continue=482&v=Z1QDSJ-hSeQ use them to build their propaganda 6. Kids Chasing Paradise Trailer - machine, their terror infrastructure Abuse of Children by Radicals 19 IN MINT CONDITION By Rabbi

ne fine autumn morning in 1952, Soon, with help of our longtime printer, while I was studying in the Shaya Gansbourg, we located a place Chabad yeshivah at 770, one of in Lower Manhattan where they made Othe Rebbe’s secretaries came running the molds, and another place that made into the study hall, asking me if I had the dies, and also discovered a fellow in a driver’s license. I said that I did. I had Connecticut who could stamp the coins gotten it at age sixteen upon the advice once the die was ready. of my family while home in Boston for the summer. “Oh good,” the secretary We rushed our in-house designer, said. “The Rebbe wants to go to the Avrohom Weg, to have the artwork [the resting place of the Previous Rebbe] prepared for both sides of the coin, and as soon as possible and needs someone the very next day, Thursday, we sent to drive him there. Can you take him?” it on to the mold-making place in the morning, and once we had the mold, to That is how I came to drive the Rebbe to So on Wednesday, I wrote a note to the the die-making place in the afternoon. the Ohel for the first time. Afterwards, I Rebbe: And, on Friday morning, we got word was privileged to drive the Rebbe there from the stamper in Connecticut that: many hundreds of times in the course Regarding the silver coins for Lag “We will have eleven thousand coins of the forty years that I worked in his B’Omer, after investigating the matter delivered to you Sunday morning, office. On many of these occasions the today, we found that although usually finished.” Rebbe would speak with me about office two months are needed for the matters or other timely issues. process, there are two mints willing to I told him, “Make sure that the work is manufacture the coins: one in — not done on Shabbat.” He agreed. Fast forward to Tuesday, May 8, 1990, owned by a supporter of Chabad — who On Friday, I notified the Rebbe that the just five days before the scheduled Lag is ready to try to mint them in about coins will be ready and delivered hours B’Omer parade at Chabad- Lubavitch two days and send them on a flight on before the parade. He responded with World Headquarters. On the road Sunday, and the second one is near New obvious satisfaction and added a very returning from the Ohel, the Rebbe York, but is uncertain whether he can special blessing: “May you have peace asked me if it would be possible to mint make them before Lag B’Omer. a silver coin — like a silver dollar — that of mind in your own affairs, as you he would be able to give out during the To this note, I attached a sketch of what have provided me [with peace of mind] parade. the coin might look like — it would regarding this.” have a picture of Lubavitch World It was an extraordinary blessing. You That year large crowds were expected, Headquarters at 770 find this language in the Talmud, but this because when Lag B’Omer came out on on one side, and a picture of a Lag was a very unusual thing for the Rebbe a Sunday many more children, especially B’Omer bonfire on the other. The Rebbe to say. public-school children from the entire responded that having the coins minted tri- state area, could attend. in Milan would not work as they would The event was a huge success. arrive only after the start of the parade. To the Rebbe’s question I responded Thousands of children participated in the The Rebbe thanked me for the effort that I had no knowledge of the process parade. Besides the children and adults and added: “It is my fault that I didn’t of minting a coin, but as soon as we got from the tri-state area, there were many bring this up at the proper time.” back I would make inquiries. others who came from as far away as Florida and California, and a large group When we saw the unsettling words, “It’s That day, after we finished the evening had even traveled from Israel. After the my fault,” we knew we couldn’t leave prayers and I drove the Rebbe home, parade was finished and all the children it at that. We had to find some way to I sat down with my son, Hillel Dovid, marched by the Rebbe, the teachers have the coins for Lag B’Omer. and my son-in-law, Yosef Baruch and supervisors were summoned by Friedman to make inquiries. It was By now it was Wednesday afternoon, the Master of Ceremonies, Rabbi J.J. already nighttime and most businesses so the three of us sat down and thought Hecht, to the Rebbe’s platform where in America were closed by then, so we and prayed, and we made many more the Rebbe handed each of them a pack tried contacting mints around the world. phone calls. We immersed ourselves in of these special coins to distribute to the We soon learned that minting a coin is the intricacies of minting a coin, learning children. a complicated procedure and would take what was needed — from preparing the And then the Rebbe led everyone considerable time. Although it was not a artwork to creating a plaster mold to in singing the words of Psalm 133 simple project, we found two mints that casting a metal die, which would then that were engraved on the coins: were willing to try to mint the coin for us be used to stamp blank coins with the “How good and how pleasant it in a few days. desired image. is when brothers dwell together.” 20 21 FRENCH CONNECTION REFLEXIONS SUR LA PARACHA Vivre avec la paracha Se remettre à (son) niveau par Tali Loewenthal Notre monde moderne a, lui aussi, besoin de « compter le Omer » uand le peuple juif quitta pour essayer de progresser étape l’Égypte, il fit un grand bond en par étape, en améliorant nos avant : en un temps très court, vies intérieures, notre moralité Qils passèrent d’un esclavage abject à personnelle, l’interaction de nos la liberté. Les Sages nous disent qu’ils émotions. Les gens jouissent-ils de durent alors s’atteler à une tâche liberté, ou bien sont-ils de plus en nouvelle et importante : se remettre plus asservis à leurs propres appétits à niveau. ?

C’est l’une des explications du « Les enseignements de la Torah compte du Omer » observé entre donnent des conseils non seulement Pessa’h et Chavouot. Dès le second sur la façon de mener une vie juive, soir de Pessa’h, nous commençons mais aussi sur la façon de construire à compter les jours. Au bout de une société saine et juste. Les sept sept semaines, soit quarante-neuf lois Noa’hides enseignent comment jours, nous arrivons à Chavouot, le tous les êtres humains devraient cinquantième jour, où la Torah fut semaines sont l’occasion d’améliorer chercher à vivre. (Les sept lois donnée au mont Sinaï. cette structure et de la rendre plus Noa’hides commandées par D.ieu stable. Ce n’est qu’après cette période à toute l’humanité sont : croire en Ce compte des jours les uns après d’amélioration de soi que le peuple D.ieu [et ne pas servir les idoles], les autres représente l’effort de juif fut prêt à rencontrer D.ieu au Sinaï ne pas blasphémer contre D.ieu, ne s’améliorer selon un processus et à recevoir Sa Torah. pas commettre de meurtre [ce qui graduel, étape par étape. Quitter inclut l’interdiction de l’euthanasie l’Égypte fut un bond en avant, une Cette quête s’applique aussi à et de l’avortement, sauf pour sauver percée depuis les plus grandes l’individu à travers les âges. Après la vie de la mère], ne pas voler, ne profondeurs. Mais il y a aussi le l’expérience édifiante de Pessa’h, pas commettre l’adultère, l’inceste besoin de se remettre à niveau, le compte du Omer exprime l’effort et d’autres formes d’immoralité d’acquérir des qualités authentiques d’intérioriser cette expérience : se personnelle, ne pas manger le et permanentes en tant qu’individus changer d’une manière authentique membre d’un animal vivant et mettre et en tant que nation. et permanente afin d’être à la hauteur en place un système judiciaire [et de son nouveau niveau de liberté éducatif] pour appliquer ces lois Autrement, la liberté gagnée en spirituelle. dans la société.) En appliquant les quittant l’Égypte pourrait facilement limites, les contraintes et les devoirs être perdue : au lieu d’être esclave Nous pouvons également appliquer positifs imposés par ces lois dans des Égyptiens, on deviendrait esclave cette idée à la société dans son le contexte de la vie moderne, nous d’autre chose. ensemble à notre époque moderne. pouvons chercher à rattraper notre Au cours du siècle dernier, nous propre progrès. En prenant soin Les enseignements ‘Habad, basés avons connu un grand bond en avant de notre structure interne en tant sur les écrits des kabbalistes, dans le progrès technologique qui qu’êtres humains, nous pouvons nous expliquent que les sept semaines nous a procuré de nombreux types préparer, globalement, à rencontrer représentent sept différents de confort et de liberté. Mais cette D.ieu et à découvrir le monde aspects du caractère qui sont les liberté et ce pouvoir portent avec eux véritablement parfait promis par les forces émotionnelles constituant une dangereuse instabilité. Nous le Prophètes. la structure de base de l’individu voyons dans les terribles horreurs d’il (Amour, Sévérité, Miséricorde, désir y a soixante-quinze ans, et aussi dans de Victoire, Soumission, Dévouement, les problèmes sociaux d’aujourd’hui. et Accomplissement). Les sept 22 LATIN LINK REFLEXION SEMANAL Parasha de la Semana El gen del Cohen producto de la violación de una mujer Por Elisha Greenbaum judía por un egipcio. La Torá insinúa que el comportamiento coqueto de Alguna vez has estado en una esta mujer, fue lo que pudo haber sinagoga y te has dado cuenta de precipitado esta terrible situación, la increíble cantidad de personas pero el crimen fue cometido por un ¿de diferentes razas que están en los egipcio. pasillos? Es difícil de creer que tengan algo en común, más todavía un linaje Esta triste excepción solo demuestra y religión en común. qué tan modestos y puros eran todos los otros judíos. El incidente En los años 90, salió un estudio más desafortunado y el peor de que intentaba probar que los todo el tiempo en el que estuvieron kohanim (sacerdotes), sin importar esclavizados no fue adulterio, Di-s no su maquillaje racial o facial, todos lo permita, sino abuso. Es en honor a descienden de un ancestro paternal nuestros ancestros que, sin importar en común. Los genetistas a cargo, las tentaciones, ellos pelearon para juntaron muestras de ADN de permanecer fieles, y casi sin excepción cientos de kohanim, y buscaron una lo lograron. marca en común en el cromosoma Y. Increíblemente, encontraron que más Matrimonios judíos en el transcurso del %98 de los hombres con tradición de la historia, son un modelo para familiar de ser sacerdotes, mostraban toda la humanidad, y las promesas una evidencia que descendían del asumido. Seguiría a su “padre” en y lazos que nos unen con nuestros mismo tátara tátara tátara abuelo. la rutina y recitaría la Bendición compañeros y Creador permanecerán Sacerdotal; lo llamarían para la firmes e inquebrantables para Encontré fascinante que el hermano primera Alía en la Torá. Legaría una siempre. mayor de Moisés, el bíblico Gran tradición sacerdotal a sus hijos…Pero Sacerdote Aaron, vivió hae unos en verdad él no es un Kohen, y su ADN 3300 años, pero todavía lega su y el de sus futuros hijos varones no sello genético a estos hombres. llevaría esas marcas cruciales. Sacerdotes Ashkenazies, Sefaradites, Yemenitas e italianos pueden seguir Pero casi el %100 de todos los sus raíces hasta los judíos del Éxodo. hombres con tradición familiar de Y si la ciencia moderna nos ha dado ser sacerdotes, sí descienden de la herramienta de comprobar nuestro Kohanim. Generación tras generación legado, ¿No es obvio que el próximo de mujeres judías que fueron fieles paso sea dedicarnos a nuestro a sus maridos y a sus tradiciones. propósito en común, La Torá de Di-s Qué registro orgulloso de fidelidad. y las mitzvot? Los genetistas describen este resultado como el “mayor resultado de certidumbre paterna que se haya Clases y Eventos El Gen Fiel Clases en Espanol Recientemente, me he cruzado con registrado”, y no hay razón para Porcion Semanal una estadística que me ha “movido asumir que sus hermanas, casadas Rabbi Shea Rubinstein el piso”. De acuerdo a un laboratorio con levitas e Israel, hayan sido menos Lunes 8:45 pm - 9:45 pm fieles a sus esposos y a su religión. australiano, casi un cuarto de las ( Women) pruebas de ADN realizadas demostró Mrs. Vivian Perez que el padre asumido no es el Esta devoción a nuestros esposos y a Martes 10:45 am - 12:00pm verdadero padre biológico. ¡Un cuarto! nuestro Di-s ha sido siempre el camino 198 Park Drive, Bal Harbour Village del judío. Incluso durante nuestra Jueves 11:00 - 12:00 Compara éste número con los judíos esclavitud en Egipto, cuando estaban Call Vivian for details - 305.213.3202 a través de la historia. ¿Qué hubiera sujetos a las caprichosas demandas de una nación cruel, nuestras mujeres Analisis de distintos temas basados en la Perasha sucedido si la esposa de un Kohen Rabbi Shlomi Halsband hubiera cometido adulterio? El hijo se distinguían. El Libro de Levítico trae Miercoles 8:30 - 10:00 pm ilegítimo resultante, sería un Kohen el único ejemplo de ilegitimidad, el Domingo 8:30 - 10:00 pm 23 IN A WOMAN’S WORLD ISSUES OF RELEVANCE TO THE JEWISH WOMAN WEEKLY CLASSES Women’s Mikvah: Please call Mrs. Devorah Failer for an appointment: 305-866 1492 or PLEASE CHECK 305-323-2410 Please Note: Shabbos & Yom Tov visits must be Prepaid OUR VIRTUAL CLASS SCHEDULE

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CUMIN BLACK BEAN BURGERS PREPARATION Using a fork, mash beans in medium bowl. Mix in onion, breadcrumbs, 2 tablespoons salsa, cumin INGREDIENTS and hot pepper sauce. 1 (15 to 16 ounce) can black beans, rinsed, drained Season with salt and pepper. Using moistened ⅓ cup chopped red onion hands, shape bean mixture into two 3- to 4-inch- ¼ cup dry bread crumbs diameter patties. 2 tablespoons bottled chunky salsa 1 teaspoon ground cumin Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat) or preheat ½ teaspoon hot pepper sauce broiler. Brush barbecue rack with oil. Grill burgers Vegetable oil until heated through, about 3 minutes per side. 2 hamburger buns Grill cut sides of buns until lightly toasted, about 1 Toppings: salsa, guacamole, caramelized onions, minute. Transfer burgers to bottom halves of buns. sliced onion, sliced tomatoes Spoon your choice of toppings over each burger and top with buns.

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CONTACTS AT THE SHUL 305.868.1411 Rabbi Rabbi Sholom Lipskar Ext 311 Associate Rabbi Rabbi Zalman Lipskar Ext 345 Rabbi’s Executive Assistant / CYS Ms. Lydia Hasson Ext 311 Rebbetzin Rebbetzin Chani Lipskar 305.992.8363 JLAC / Adult Ed/ Singles Rabbi Shea Rubinstein Ext 342 CYS College / Kolel Rabbi Dov Schochet 305.790.8294 Accounting Mrs. Geri Kelly Ext 341 Controller Mrs. Janice Barney Ext 318 Events / Offce Manager Ms. Milena Liascovitz Ext 328 Director of Events and Marketing Mrs. Devorah Leah Andrusier Ext 313 SHUL GABOIM Youth Director Rabbi Shaykee Farkash Ext 329 Operations / Maintenance Rabbi Shlomi Katan Ext 319 Mr. Andrew Roth Reception Mrs. Mindy Natoli Ext 0 Mr. David Portnoy Mikvah Mrs. Devorah Failer 305.323.2410 Rabbi Henry Eichler Pre-School Director Mrs. Chana Lipskar Ext 325 Mr. Ettai Einhorn Sephardic Minyan 305.868.1411 Mr. David Ben-Arie Hebrew School / Editor Mrs. Aurit Katan 786.382.9006 Mr. Seth Salver Hashkama Minyan Mr. Lazer Milstein 305.349.3040 Mashgiach Mr. Mordechai Olesky 786.262.9115 BOARD OF TRUSTEES Sidney Feltenstein - Chairman Alberto Kamhazi Simon Falic Shmuel Katz M.D. FOUNDATION TRUSTEES Matias Garfunkel Leo Kryss Albert Pollans - President Ambassador Isaac Gilinski Rabbi Sholom D. Lipskar Jaime Gilinski Jaime Gilinski Lazer Milstein David Lichter Max Gilinski Michael Perez Rabbi Sholom D. Lipskar Saul Gilinski Ryan Shapiro Monroe Milstein - Treasurer Sam Greenberg Claudio Stivelman Abel Holtz Morris Tabacinic BOARD OF DIRECTORS Mike Izak Steven M. Dunn - President Anita Givner Jacob Givner - Vice President Sam Greenwald EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE David Wolf - Vice President Sharon Hakmon Steven M. Dunn - Chair Rabbi Sholom D. Lipskar Mitchell Feldman - VP Oversight Albert Lichy Devorah Leah Andrusier Rabbi Zalman Lipskar Rabbi Zalman Lipskar - VP Development Rabbi Sholom D. Lipskar Janice Barney Lazer Milstein Eric P. Stein - Treasurer Alexander Matz Joel Baum Orit Osman Joel Baum - Financial Treasurer Ezzy Rappaport Maurice Egozi Brian Roller Dovid Duchman - Secretary Elliott Rimon Velvel Freedman - Associate Secretary Yaacov Saidof Henry Eichler Ryan Shapiro Carolyn Baumel Seth Salver Mitchell Feldman Marc Sheridan Max Benoliel Alex Tauber Daniel Gielchinsky Daniel Sragowicz Betzalel Camissar Jacob J. Givner Cynthia Stein Barry Cohen Evelyn Katz Eric P. Stein Boruch Duchman Rebbetzin Chani Lipskar Michael Tabacinic Henry Eichler 25