B”H

THEWEEKLY MAGAZINE SHUL

SPONSORED BY MR. & MRS. MARTIN (OBM) AND ETHEL SIROTKIN & DR. & MRS. SHMUEL AND EVELYN KATZ SHABBOS PARSHAS MIKETZ TEVES 3 - 4 DECEMBER 18 - 19 CANDLE LIGHTING: 5:15 PM SHABBOS ENDS: 6:11 PM

TEVES 5 SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20 The anniversary of Lubavitch’s court victory, for the return of the books of the Agudas Chasidei

The Shul - Chabad 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 NACHAS AT A GLANCE CONTENTS CHANUKAH MIVTZOIM WITH THE SHUL TEENS Weekly Message: 3 Thoughts on the Parsha - Sholom D. Lipskar

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 THE SHUL MENORAH PARADE AND CHANUKAH CONCERT 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 - 20 Bringing lessons to LIFE

Get The Picture 21 - 22 The full scoop on all the great events around town

In a Woman’s World 23 Issues of relevance to the Jewish woman

French Connection 24 Reflexions sur la Paracha

Latin Link 25 Reflexion Semanal

Numbers To Know 26 Contacts at The Shul

Get The Picture 27 - 28 The full scoop on all the great events around town THOUGHTS ON THE PARSHA FROM RABBI SHABBOS PARSHAS MIKETZ

his week’s portion influence and utilizing the Jewish capacity to improve has meteoric ascents civilization and to extract the holy sparks that exist in every and descends. space even the darkest. Tis elevated to the most powerful person in Egypt His approach was obviously successful as these two sons saving the entire country born and raised in the most secular of environments, in and the world from famine the luxury and hierarchy of social power and hedonistic and gaining the trust of pleasures would later become two of the tribes that make like no one else. He up the Jewish people. was obviously vindicated from the calumnious They were raised and contained the critical ingredients that falsehood that placed him would be necessary for the Jewish people to transverse the in prison as he attains the long and arduous Jewish journey through exile for most of highest conceivable level of their existence. The Jewish people are like links in the chain respect. that needs each link to connect to the whole.

We then learn of the challenges and difficulties faced by As we are now in the last moments in exile prepared for the the 10 brothers of Joseph and the deep additional pain that final redemption let us activate these two factors in bringing they subject their father to, when they are forced to bring the richness, glory, truth and invincible strength of our past back to Egypt. into our present and move with pride, humility and alacrity to be a “light into the nations”. It is really the actual beginning of the Jewish exile that will last for 210 more years under the most debilitating, cruel Have a wonderful Shabbos and a great week. and dangerous conditions. Joseph begets two sons prior to the advancing years of hunger and names each one with a very different almost contradictory name. His oldest he names Menashe which has the etymological similarity to the word that indicates forgetting as he specifically states that “he will call him Menashe as he was apt to forget his Father’s G-d.” He named his second son which has Rabbi Sholom Lipskar the etymological similarity to the word that means fruitful, productive and expansive.

An obvious question that the Torah commentators ask is why he would name his first born in an almost negative manner indicating a possibility of forgetting Hashem. Here the Torah teaches us a very important lesson in how to prepare ourselves to live in an exilic environment surrounded by challenging conditions who worship the animal hedonistic instinct and deny G-dliness.

First you must make sure not to forget the past, not to create a revisionist history and change the reality and foundations of our identity based on a modernity with new trends that are inconsistent with what can be considered an old-fashioned, old world, old-school, way of life.

Joseph made certain that every time he saw Menashe, his presence represented and proclaimed the importance of not to forget but to remain loyal and honest to a past that has a promise of eternity permeating the present and forging into the future. Once that commitment is clear then the second son Efraim represents growth, power, expansiveness, 3 CELEBRATING SHABBOS EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR AN “OVER THE TOP” SHABBOS EXPERIENCE

Eruv Information

SHABBOS SCHEDULE We would like to emphasize that every Erev Shabbos, individuals should call the Eruv Hotline Candle lighting 5:15 p.m. to make sure that the Eruv is operational. The number to call is 305- 866-ERUV (3788). Mincha / Kabalas Shabbos 5:20 p.m. The Eruv message is recorded approximately two hours prior to candle lighting. Surfside: The Eruv in Shacharis 1st Minyan 8:30 a.m. Surfside now includes the walking paths along the Shacharis 2nd Minyan 10:30 a.m. beach. Pushing strollers and carrying is permitted on the paths, but not beyond the path or onto the beach. Mincha 5:20 p.m. Shabbos Ends Bal Harbour: The Eruv in Bal Harbour included the inner (western) walking path only. The pier at / Ma’ariv & Havdalah 6:11 p.m. Haulover Cut is not included.

To pay your annual dues visit: www.miamibeacheruv.com

HALACHIC TIMES BASED ON TIMES FOR DECEMBER 23

Alot Hashachar / Dawn 5:43 am Earliest Talit & Tefllin 6:19 am Netz Hachamah / Sunrise 7:04 am (Earliest Amidah) Latest Shema 9:40 am Zman Tfllah 10:33 am Chatzot / Midday 12:19 pm Earliest Mincha 12:47 pm Plag HaMincha 4:33 pm Shekiah / Sunset 5:36 pm (Preferable latest time for Mincha) Tzeit Hakochavim / Nightfall 6:01 pm To our beloved Soldiers in the Israeli Defense (Earliest preferable Ma’ariv) Forces, courageously protecting and defending Eretz Yisroel. We pray for you and all of Times taken from www.chabad.org the soldiers safety and well being daily. Please note that during the week times may Menachem Mendel ben Chaya Leah Vary by a minute or two. Menachem Mendel ben Aurit Eden Chana bat Karine Cecile 4 PARSHA IN PICTURES Test your PARSHA knowledge. Can you tell the story using the pictures below

5 COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS SHARING WITH YOUR SHUL FAMILY

BIRTHDAYS YAHRTZEITS 4 Mr. Alex Kirschenbaum 4 Tevet Chesya bas Noah obm 4 Tevet Rabbi Shmuel Tevardovitz Grandmother of Mrs. Jane Mary Freund, 4 Tevet Mr. Danny Wax Mr. Ari Sragowicz and Dr. John Sragowicz 5 Tevet Mr. Max Benoliel 5 Tevet Mrs. Ginette Dekelbaum-Sultan 4 Tevet Reb Chaim Zvi ben Horav Eliyohu Akiva obm 5 Tevet Mrs. Chana Liba Dorfman Brother of Rabbi Sholom Dovber Lipskar 5 Tevet Dr. Reuven Freedman and Mr. Yosie Lipskar 5 Tevet Mr. Levi Green 4 Tevet Schmeryah obm 5 Tevet Mr. Ronald J. Kupferman Father of Mr. Robert Malove 5 Tevet Ms. Yael Haya Lipschutz 5 Tevet Corrinne obm 5 Tevet Mr. Andrew Septimus 6 Tevet Mr. Gilinski Mother of Mr. Jonathan Gross 6 Tevet Ms. Kopel 5 Tevet Raphael obm 7 Tevet Mr. Joel Aaron Kaplan Father of Mr. Gideon Azari 7 Tevet Mrs. Channa Solaimanzadeh 5 Tevet Yehudis Raksin obm 8 Tevet Mrs. Anita Givner Grandmother of Mrs. Zelda Rochel Katz 8 Tevet Mr. Gabriel Groisman 6 Tevet Chaya Rivka bas Chana Malka obm 8 Tevet Mrs. Yafa Raviv 8 Tevet Mr. Salver Mother of Mrs. Judit Groisman and 8 Tevet Mrs. Rebeca Schapiro Grandmother of Mr. Gabriel Groisman 9 Tevet Mr. Alan Lipton 6 Tevet Natan ben Yosef obm 9 Tevet Mr. Portnoy Brother of Mrs. Cipora Fraiman 9 Tevet Mrs. Rosita Retelny 7 Tevet Chaya bas Bayla obm 9 Tevet Mr. Brian Roller Mother of Mrs. Judy Milstein 9 Tevet Mrs. Nechama Michal Rosenblum 9 Tevet Ms. Jill Leslie Rosenstein 7 Tevet Mordechai ben Zev Meyer obm 9 Tevet Ms. Charna Pia Schneider Father of Mrs. Rivka Shapiro 9 Tevet Mr. Shea Schneider 7 Tevet Rab Yaakov ben Avner Paltiel obm 10 Tevet Mr. Anton Fischman Brother of Rabbi Shimshon Tzubeli 10 Tevet Mr. Aaron Gewirtz 8 Tevet Devorah bas Chaim obm 10 Tevet Mrs. Michelle Wachtel Mother of Mr. Sidney Feltenstein KID’S BIRTHDAYS 8 Tevet Haim obm 4 Tevet Adam Michael Father of Mr. Menahem Ivcher 4 Tevet Hiskiyahu Yisrael Wachtel 8 Tevet Tziona bas Shlomo obm 5 Tevet Chaya Chudaitov Sister of Mrs. Dana Werner 7 Tevet Shneur Zalman Shagalov 9 Tevet David obm 7 Tevet Michal Sokol Father of Mr. David Brecher 9 Tevet Abraham Cohen 9 Tevet Yaakov ben Leon obm 9 Tevet Ezra Immanuel Gheblikian 9 Tevet Joshua Rachamim Wolf Son of Mr. Leon Gandelman 10 Tevet Milah Gilinski 9 Tevet Liza Buchman obm 10 Tevet Eli Gut Mother of Mrs. Rivka Shapiro 10 Tevet Joshua Zachary More 9 Tevet Tzivia bas Yehuda obm Mother of Mrs. Dana Werner 10 Tevet Chaim ben Dov HaKohen obm ANNIVERSARIES Husband of Mrs. Nily Falic, Mr. & Mrs. Shlomo and Rochel Leah Danzinger Father of Mr. Jerome Falic, Mr. & Mrs. Shimon and Judy Eckstein Mr. Leon Falic and Mr. Simon Falic Mr. & Mrs. Eli and Ruthy Ginsburg 10 Tevet Yaakov ben Rafael obm Dr. & Mrs. Jean Jacques and Perla Edderai Brother of Mr. Gideon Azari Mr. & Mrs. Alexander and Sofi Matz Mr. & Mrs. Levi Yitzchak and Gittel Danzinger 6 COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS SHARING WITH YOUR SHUL FAMILY

TEVES LIGHT & POWER Light & Power and Wine for & Havdalah for the month of Teves is Sponsored by Mr. Saul Gilinski and children. Isaac, Jonathan and Natalie In loving memory of the frst Yahrzeit of Mrs. Florette (Faygel) Gilinski obm

“Those who establish Synagogues for prayer and those who come there to pray, those who provide lights for illumination, wine and grape juice for kiddush and havdalah, food for the wayfarers and charity for the needy, and all those COMMUNITY NOTICE BOARD who occupy themselves faithfully with communal affairs - may The Holy One, blessed be He, give them their reward, remove them from all sicknesses, heal We would like to remind you of the importance and their entire body, pardon all their sins, and send blessing and success to all mandatory requirement to wear a mask while in The their endeavors, together with all their brethren; and let us say Amen.” Shul, including while praying. It is essential for the safety and health of all to keep your mask on at all times, properly covering your mouth and nose.

This rule will be vigorously enforced so please comply REFUAH SHLEIMAH and respect The Shul rules and guidelines. The safety If you have a health update on anyone listed please contact The Shul. We would like to of our community depends on you, so please adhere keep the listing current and remove names of people who have recovered. to all conditions and directives. MEN WOMEN Yehonatan HaLevi ben Malka Esther Yocheved bas Raizel Thank you for your co-operation. Eliezer ben Sarah Bracha Aharon ben Beylah Shima Leah bas Gittel It is a pleasure to have you with us in Shul . Meyer Eliezer ben Sarah Sarah Libke bas Baile Menachem Mendel ben Sara Chana Bayla bas Masha Yehoshua ben Tamara Rina Chaya Miriam bas Leah Thanks to everyone complying with our safety Isaac Gilbert ben Nelly Esther Bracha standards we are able to enjoy praying together Bentzion ben Nomi Genya Bailah bat Giete Sura regularly. Margalite Sonia Simcha bat Sultana Sarah Rochel Tzipora Pnina bas Slava Rabbi Lipskar Chaim Zelig Ben Eidel Feige bas Krandel Ari ben Na’ama Chaya Miriam Yehudit bat Tzvi Yitzchak ben Chaya Chava Chaim Tzvi Hirsch ben Guttel Clara bat Corina Rivka bat Shoshana Miriam bat Risha Raizel MAZAL TOV Mazal Tov to Rabbi & Mrs. Aaron and Chana Balkany on the upcoming marriage of their son Menachem to Orr Menachem may the wedding be in a good and auspicious time and may the young couple build an everlasting edifice in Israel.

7 ALL THINGS SEPHARDIC WEEKDAY SCHEDULE

SCHEDULE SHACHARIT MON - FRI: KARBONOT - 7:45AM HODU 8:00AM SHACHARIT SUN KARBONOT - 8:15AM HODU 8:30AM FRIDAY NIGHT, DEC 18 MINCHA / ARVIT SUN - THURS: 5:15 PM MINCHA / ARVIT FRIDAY 5:00 PM • MINCHA/ARVIT: 5:05 PM ARVIT 2ND MINYAN 9:00 PM • CANDLE LIGHTING: 5:15 PM DAILY: DAF YOMI () @7AM • SHKIAH (SUNSET): 5:33 PM DAILY:CHOCK LE'ISRAEL AFTER SHACHARIT. MONDAY 5:40 PM - TEENS AGES 14 -17 SHABBAT, DEC 19 8:00 PM - HALACHA IN HEBREW • SHACHARIT: 9:00 AM HALACHA IN HEBREW • NETZ HACHAMA: 7:02 AM TUESDAY • ZMAN KERIAT SHEMA: 9:03 AM 8:00 PM - TOMER DEVORAH LEARNING • CLASS BY RABBI MASSRI: 4:45 PM WEDNESDAY • MINCHA/ARVIT: 5:15 PM 8:00 PM - PIRKEI AVOT IN SPANISH THURSDAY • SHKIAH (SUNSET): 5:33 PM 8:00 PM - INSIGHTS ON THE PARASHA • SHABBAT ENDS: 6:12 PM MINCHA FOLLOWED BY ARVIT @5:25 PM

• RABENU TAM: 6:46 PM WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY CLASSES ARE AVAILABLE ON ZOOM MEETING ID: 897 051 8825

MESSAGE FROM RABBI MASSRI And Pharaoh said to Yosef, “I have had a dream, but no one can interpret agricultural or personal matters Potifar had, he would have Yosef take care of it. Now I have heard it said of you that for you to hear a dream is to tell its them and the matters were blessed with success. Nonetheless, when his wife meaning”. Yosef answered Pharaoh, saying, “Not I! God will see to Pharaoh’s framed Yosef, Yosef became a nation-wide object of scorn and derision. (Even welfare”. (Genesis 41:15-16) in prison Yosef was recognized as a saintly individual, but his infuence was severely limited.) When Pharaoh recognized Yosef’s wisdom and sagacity he It was a dream come true. It was a nightmare. We often use these expressions made him viceroy. A parade was held in Egypt’s capital publicizing Yosef’s to describe events that seem to us unreal. Often the events that precipitate appointment; Pharaoh bedecked him with regal garments and give him a such expressions lead us to wonder, ‘Who’s in charge here? It’s a legitimate royal daughter for a wife. From that time on, as Yosef’s prestige grew, his question any time things are - or seem – out of order. It’s the question fame and infuence grew further still. Pharaoh asked when he dreamt his dream, and it’s a question we ask when we take a look at the events around us and the events within us. Let’s look We have Chanukah. We celebrate Chanukah only once a year, but we can at the answer. apply its lessons often. There are times when we rise up to reclaim our heritage and our holiness only to fnd everything in total disarray. Put even After they are introduced, Pharaoh tells Yosef HaTzaddik, ‘I’ve heard it said in the prison of disarray there is a fask of the kohen gadol’s (High Priest) about you that you can hear a dream and interpret it. To which Yosef replies, pure and untainted oil, his Torah teachings, to be found. When we polish off ‘No! The wisdom is not mine, but God’s. He will provide Pharaoh with a our menorah and light the oil we let the world know: Even the littlest - can satisfactory answer (Genesis 41:15- 16). So who’s right? They’re both right. light up the world! Even the littlest - are so potent that they shine for days on God is, of course, in absolute charge, and all and everything that happens end and grow constantly. When we publicize the teachings of the Torah - in is under His Divine providence. Nonetheless, He has given the world over the proper setting - we add to its prestige. to mankind and each of us is responsible to take care of the responsibilities within his/her realm. The realm of the tzaddik is greater than that of an Yosef leaves prison and his infuence begins to far and wide. Then, ordinary person. The realm of the tzaddik includes the entire world, including when people give the tzaddikim and the Torah their due respect, it can be - especially! - Mankind. This is what is meant by the verse, ‘Yosef rules over said that the world has a master, that there is truly one in charge. Then we can the earth; he provides for all the people. When does that happen though? realize that the dream-like good is genuine, a token of God’s favor toward us. When does the tzaddik have the opportunity to exercise his infuence on Then we can realize even a much higher perception: that our ‘nightmares mankind, which will allow them to beneft both materially and spiritually? were not random, but lovingly planned; not to our detriment, but to our When ‘Pharaoh lets him out of the prison of negative publicity or public eternal beneft. opinion. When he was working for Potifar, Yosef was known to be a righteous Shabbat Shalom Umevorach!!! individual; he was always mentioning God’s name. Whatever business, 8 ALL THINGS SEPHARDIC ויקח מאיתם את שמעון ויאסור אותו לעיניהם" - מב, כד"

מעשה באדם אחד שפגע בכבודו של מיסד תנועת המוסר, רבי ישראל סלנטר, וגרם לו עלבון צורב. לאחר שהתוודע האישלזהותו של האיש אותו העליב, התמלא חרטה ואץ אליו כדי לבקש את סליחתו. נענה לו רבי ישראל באצילות רוחו ואמר לו בפה מלא שהוא מוחל לו במחילה גמורה, ולא הסתפק רק בזאת אלא תהה בפני האיש שמא זקוק הואר לדבר מה, כי מוכן הוא לעשות בעבורו כל אשר לאל ידו. נבוך האיש ומלמל במבוכה" :לא די בכך שהעלבתי אותך ואתה מוחל לי בלב שלם, ועוד מבקש אתה להיטיב עמי? במה זכיתי לכך?" השיב רבי ישראל ואמר: "חכמינו זכרונם לברכה לימדונו במסכת קדושין, שמעשה מוציא מידי ,מעשה ומחשבה, אך מחשבה אינה מוציאה מידי מעשה ומחשבה, ואם אדם רוצה לעקור מלבו מחשבה רעה ותרעומת עלהזולת צריך הוא לעשות זאת על ידי מעשה ממש ,ולכן מבקש אני להיטיב לך. ודבר זה נלמד מיוסף הצדיק, כפי שמובא במדרש,שלאחר שאסר את שמעון אחיו ושאר אחיו יצאו מלפניו, הוציאו ממאסרו, האכילו והשקהו, הרחיצו וסכו .ולמה עשה כן? מפני ששמעוןהיה ראש המדברים נגד יוסף ואמר לאחיו לוי "הנה בעל החלומות הלזה בא" והציע להשליכו אל הבור, וכיון שרצה יוסף לעקר מלבו ".כל שנאה כנגדו, לא הסתפק רק במחשבה בכך שמחל לו, אלא גם עשה מעשה ושמש אותו במסירות כדי לגלות בזה אתמחילתו הלוואי שנזכה כולנו להגיע לרמה כזאת כמו שהרמ"ק כותב בספרו תומר דבורה שתפקידנו כאן זה להדבק במידותיו של הקדוש ."ברוך הוא בחינת "מה הוא רחום, אף אתה רחום

THE WEEKLY HALACHA MOMENT BY NETANEL AMINOV

Question: Do women have an obligation to pray every day? Answer: Little Background:

The Mishna (Berachot 20a) states that women are obligated in praying every day. The concludes that praying is not considered a “Time Bound ” which is the reason why women are obligated to pray.

The Sephardic custom follows the ruling of Maran Rabbenu Ovadia Yosef zt”l [1] that women are only obligated to pray once a day. Meaning, one can choose which prayer she wants to pray including Arvit (although it’s preferable to pray shacharit). One may pray more than one prayer if she wants to but it’s not an obligation. [2] It is also good to note that according to the Sephardic custom a woman may not mention the name of Hashem in Birkot “Shema” and “Pesukei Dezimra” since they are considered a “Time Bound Mitzva” (Ashkenaz women who mention the name of Hashem have what to rely on). [3] Furthermore, one should pray Birkot Hashachar and Birkot HaTorah even if she chooses to pray Mincha or Arvit instead of Shacharit. The Ashkenaz custom is to follow the ruling of the Berurah [4] which states that women are obligated to pray Shacharit and Mincha every day. Summary: According to the letter of the law. Practically speaking, if a woman chooses to pray Shacharit as her prayer, she is only obligated to pray Birkot HaShachar, Birkot HaTorah, the frst Pasuk of Shema and Shmona Esrei. everything else is optional and as we mentioned above she may not mention the name of Hashem in Birkot “Shema” and Pesukei Dezimra. If chooses to pray Mincha she only needs to pray Ashrei and Shmona Esrei. Sources: [1]. Rambam and Shulchan Aruch 106:1 Yehaveh Da’at vol. 3 Siman 7; Rambam Tefflah 1:1. See also Yabia Omer vol. 6 O.C. 17:3

[2]. Kaf HaChaim 106:7; Yalkut Yosef Otzar dinim le’ishah, p. 31. See however Ohr LeTzion vol. 2, 7:24 which says that women are obligated in Shacharit and Mincha.

[3]. Shulchan Aruch 70:1; Yechaveh Da’at vol. 3:3; Yabia Omer vol. 2, 6:9; Halachah Berurah 70:2, 106:2 & 3, see however Or Letzion vol. 2, 6:10 who argues.

[4]. Mishnah Berurah 106:4. See also Yalkut Yosef Otzar dinim le’ishah, p. 30 which states that Ashkenaz teachers should teach their Sephardic students the correct way to pray and that they shouldn’t mention the name of Hashem in the Berachot of Pesukei Dezimra and Birkot Shema. 9 DAILY WISDOM Inspiring insights on the Torah Shabbos, 4 Teves Sunday, 5 Teves

The Gift of Love Crisis Mode [Joseph said,] “Put my goblet – the silver goblet – at the top of then approached [Joseph]. Genesis 44:18 the pack of [Benjamin], the youngest one.” Genesis 44:2 Judah did not shy away from speaking harshly with Joseph; moreover, he began his appeal harshly. He knew that when Joseph knew that the Jewish people would be in exile for a long someone’s life is at stake, we must not be diplomatic; our time, and that not all of them would possess the same level listeners must sense that we are not involved because of of Divine consciousness that enabled him to thrive in Egypt. ulterior motives, such as political or fnancial interests. When it Joseph therefore sought a way of protecting them from Egyptian is clear that the cause for which we are fghting cuts to the core depravity, ensuring that they would eventually leave Egypt and of our being, it will evoke an honorable and compassionate receive the Torah. Joseph realized that what they needed was a response. love for G-d powerful enough to overcome the materialism of Today’s “,” our Jewish children, are threatened by Egypt. Joseph’s silver goblet alludes to this love, for the word a different sort of “Egypt” – that of assimilation. To save these for “silver” (kesef) is related to the word for “yearning” (kisuf). Benjamins, we cannot wait for someone to appoint committees Joseph further knew that not-yet-fully-righteous people cannot that will conduct lengthy research and then deliberate over spark such a love by themselves, so he implanted this love in what should be done and how much it will cost, etc. When them by “implanting” it within Benjamin. lives are at stake, we must do whatever we can to save them, immediately. Judah’s efforts proved unexpectedly fruitful: his presumed enemy proved to be his greatest ally, and even Pharaoh himself provided the greatest possible means for securing the uncompromised continuity of Jewish tradition. So it will Monday, 6 Teves be when we follow Judah’s example, selfessly and vigorously exerting ourselves on behalf of our children. Transcending and Transforming [Joseph told his brothers,] “G-d sent me ahead of you to ensure that you survive in [this] land.” Genesis 45:7 Tuesday, 7 Teves

It was impressive that Joseph maintained his holiness in exile, Manifest Destiny but his primary achievement was that he increased holiness in [Joseph told his brothers to tell their father,] “G-d has the world, by teaching the Egyptians about G-d. Joseph’s example made me master of all Egypt; Come down to me; do gives us the strength to follow in his footsteps, by frst remaining not delay.” Genesis 45:9 immune to the negativity of exile and then by transforming it into holiness. The primary purpose of the Egyptian exile was for the Jewish people to elevate the sparks of holiness that were trapped in Egypt. Since Egypt was the economic superpower of that era, the wealth of the whole civilized world was tied to that of Egypt. Thus, when the Jewish people took the wealth of Egypt with them when they later left, they were not only elevating the wealth of Egypt but that of all the nations of the world. This is why Joseph told his father that he was the master of Egypt: He was saying, “Now that I have become ruler over Egypt and gathered the world’s wealth, the Egyptian exile can begin, since the fulfllment of its purpose is now possible.”

Similarly the purpose of our present exile is to elevate the physical world by revealing the G-dliness inherent in it.

10 Wednesday, 8 Teves Thursday, 9 Teves

Healthy Regret Feminine Power [G-d said to ,] “Do not be afraid to go down to The total of Jacob’s household who came to Egypt was 70 Egypt, for it is there that I will make you into a great persons. Genesis 46:27 nation.” Genesis 46:3 By descending into the Egyptian exile, the Jewish people began the G-d was not trying to soothe Jacob’s regret over leaving the process of elevating and transforming the 70 nations of the world. Promised Land, for a Jew should regret not living in the Land of Israel. Rather, G-d was telling Jacob that his regret over going into Yocheved’s birth just before Jacob’s family entered Egypt brought their exile was the key to not becoming intimidated by it, and therefore, number to 70, thus enabling Jacob to begin the mission of refning the the key to overcoming it. 70 nations.

Since G-d put us in exile, it follows that He has given us all the The process of transforming the world is twofold: frst, we must cure the strength we need to overcome its challenges. As long as the exile world of its opposition to holiness, and then, we must transform it into continues, it is the optimal setting for our individual and collective holiness. The former is the “masculine,” assertive approach, whereas the growth and development. Here, however, lurks a great danger. latter is the “feminine,” nurturing approach. When we realize that we have no reason to be intimidated by exile and that we beneft so greatly from it, we can fall into the trap of Thus, the commandments entrusted to women – ensuring that the family becoming habituated to it. As a consequence, we can become is nourished in accordance with the Torah’s laws, ensuring the safety and vulnerable to exile’s negative effects on us, and it goes without spiritual warmth of the home (as exemplifed by kindling the Sabbath saying that we can no longer elevate it properly. candles), and sanctifying marital life – are all ways of transforming the Therefore, like Jacob, we should always cultivate regret over the mundane aspects of ordinary human life into expressions of holiness. fact that we are not in our proper environment, the Land of Israel in the Messianic Redemption. As long as we remember who we really are and the lives we are really meant to lead, we need not fear exile; we will overcome it.

Friday, 10 Teves Hypocrisy is a Dream Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream, but there is no one who can interpret it.” Genesis 41:15

The dreams of Joseph and Pharaoh led to the Jewish people’s exile in Egypt. Exile was caused by dreams because exile itself is like a dream. In dreams, conficting and contradictory situations can coexist. Similarly, our behavior in exile seems hypocritical: selfessness and selfshness coexist almost simultaneously.

Living this spiritually inconsistent life is potentially frustrating. We may think that we are being dishonest with ourselves. Considering all our faults, we may feel that our connection to G-d is not real, that our efforts to advance spiritually are ultimately futile.

The connection between exile and dreams teaches us that although our actions may seem hypocritical at times, we should not become disheartened. We must strive to live as consistently as possible, not giving up because of momentary lapses. The effects of misdeeds last only until we repair their damage through repentance. The effects of our good deeds, in contrast, last forever.

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7:20 - 7:50 am 7:20 - 7:50 am 7:20 - 7:50 am 7:20 - 7:50 am 7:20 - 7:50 am CHASSIDUS CHASSIDUS CHASSIDUS CHASSIDUS CHASSIDUS Derech Mitzvoisecha Derech Mitzvoisecha Derech Mitzvoisecha Derech Mitzvoisecha Derech Mitzvoisecha Rabbi Zalman Lipskar Rabbi Zalman Lipskar Rabbi Zalman Lipskar Rabbi Zalman Lipskar Rabbi Zalman Lipskar 7:50 - 8:05 am 7:50 - 8:05 am 7:50 - 8:05 am 7:50 - 8:05 am 7:50 - 8:05 am SYNOPSIS CHITAS SYNOPSIS CHITAS SYNOPSIS CHITAS SYNOPSIS CHITAS SYNOPSIS Chumash, , Chumash, Tanya, Chumash, Tanya, Chumash, Tanya, Chumash, Tanya, Rambam’s book Rambam’s book Rambam’s book Rambam’s book Rambam’s book of Mitzvos of Mitzvos of Mitzvos of Mitzvos of Mitzvos Rabbi Zalman Lipskar Rabbi Zalman Lipskar Rabbi Zalman Lipskar Rabbi Zalman Lipskar Rabbi Zalman Lipskar 8:05 - 9:05 am 8:05 - 9:05 am 8:05 - 9:05 am 8:05 - 9:05 am 8:05 - 9:05 am DAF YOMI DAF YOMI DAF YOMI DAF YOMI DAF YOMI Tractate Shabbos Tractate Shabbos Tractate Shabbos Tractate Shabbos Tractate Shabbos Rabbi Dov Schochet Rabbi Dov Schochet Rabbi Dov Schochet Rabbi Dov Schochet Rabbi Dov Schochet (Men) (Men) (Men) (Men) (Men) 9:05 - 9:35 am 9:05 - 9:35 am 9:35 - 10:00 am 9:05 - 9:35 am 9:05 - 9:35 am RAMBAM RAMBAM MEGILLOT RAMBAM RAMBAM One chapter a day One chapter a day Mishlei - One chapter a day One chapter a day Rabbi Aryeh Schottenstein Rabbi Aryeh Schottenstein Rabbi Dov Schochet Rabbi Aryeh Schottenstein Rabbi Aryeh Schottenstein (Men & Women) 1:30 - 2:30 pm 9:35 - 10:05 10:00 - 11:00 am 11:15 am - 12:00 pm 10:30 - 11:00 am THE BOOK OF PARSHA OF THE WEEK PARSHA OF THE WEEK PARSHA OF THE WEEK FOOD FOR THOUGHT Rabbi Dov Schochet Rabbi Aryeh Schottenstein Rebbetzin Chani Lipskar Rabbi Shea Rubinstien Dobie Rubinstien ( Women Only ) ( Women Only ) (Women Only) (Men & Women) (Women Only)

8:45 - 9:45 pm 11:00 am - 12:00 pm 11:15 - 12:15 pm 12:00 - 1:00 pm 4:15 - 4:30 pm PARSHA IN SPANISH SHABBOS TANYA SENIOR TORAH ACADEMY SHABBOS INSPIRATION Rabbi Shea Rubinstein Exploring customs w/ Rabbi Sholom Lipskar Rabbi Dov Schochet Rabbi Sholom Lipskar chassidus and Kabbalah (Men & Women) (Men & Women) Rabbi Shea Rubinstien (Men & Women) (Men & Women) 12:00 - 1:00 pm 3:00 pm 2:00 pm PIRKEI AVOT TANYA IN ENGLISH PARSHA IN SPANISH Rabbi Dov Schochet Mrs. Vivian Mrs. Vivian Perez (Men & Women) (Women Only) (Women Only) https://zoom.us/j/758161843 https://zoom.us/j/758161843 password 5899 Passcode 540360

2:00 pm TANYA IN SPANISH Mrs. Vivian Perez (Women Only) https://zoom.us/j/758161843 password 5899

8:00 pm PARSHA OF THE WEEK Rabbi Sholom Lipskar (Men & Women)

12 PARSHAH MESSAGES IT’S ABOUT TIME By Adin Even-Israel (Steinsaltz)

not contradict each other but work in tandem. Timing arshat Vayeishev concludes with a puzzling In Joseph’s case, it took two years and an statement: “Yet the chief butler did not remember opportunity until the chief butler opened his PJoseph; he forgot him.” How can this be? A mouth. In the grand scheme, all the chief person’s memory can be good or bad, but it seems butler must do is open his mouth in order to unlikely that a person like Joseph and an experience get the process of Joseph’s rise to greatness such as the one the chief butler had in prison could underway. The chief butler certainly did not have been forgotten so quickly. What happened to intend for Joseph to reach the high station the chief butler? Why did he have to wait until – as that he eventually achieved; that was not Parshat Mikeitz begins – “the end of two full years”? the intention of anyone who was involved in the story. Yet the butler’s words to Pharaoh On the simplest level, even if the chief butler had suddenly give Joseph an opportunity to get wanted to take action on Joseph’s behalf, the right that point to events that must occur. This is true out of prison and begin advancing to a higher opportunity to do so would have been elusive. It takes in the life of the individual, and it is true as well in status. time for such an opportunity to present itself, for the the life of a community or a nation: Events occur king to seek the butler’s counsel. In the meantime, This is where the chief butler’s role in Joseph’s in a certain preordained order. These markers it is not necessarily surprising that the butler forgot ascension comes to an end. From this point on, are the fixed times at which each event must about the matter. the story can progress in many different ways. come about. That is to say, there is a course of After Joseph interprets his dream, Pharaoh events that advances with the assistance of a Nechemiah 2 relates a story about another butler – could have easily said to him, “You are the variety of mechanisms, a series of causes and Nechemiah himself – who finds himself in a similar best dream interpreter that I have, and as a effects that operate on one side of causality. situation. Nechemiah had heard long before that reward I am entering you into the ranks of Then, a heavenly decree determines the exact lay in ruins, and while he wants to do the magicians.” In order for the narrative to moment that the event must come into effect, and something to help improve the situation, it is not avoid the random whims of causality, to move with that, it occurs. within his power to do so. Nechemiah does not turn further on its destined course, it needs a push to the king and request to be sent to Jerusalem, The verse, “Let me know, O God, my end, and in the right direction. because such a blunt request made at the wrong the measure of my days, what it is,” speaks of time may not only be rejected, but may jeopardize his From the standpoint of inner causality, a predetermined measure to a person’s life. Our relationship with the king as well. As in the case of Joseph’s departure from prison occurred at sages, both in the Talmud and in the , deal Pharaoh’s butler, the problem is one of timing. There, a predetermined date and time. When this extensively with this subject. The basic assumption too, the moment arrives when “I did not meet with moment arrives, all sorts of things begin to is that there is a ketz to every person’s life, even disfavor before him” – the king is in a good mood; transpire that cause this departure to actually if certain events or deeds can change its precise he is amenable to conversation – and it is then that come about. “At the end (miketz) of two full duration, shortening or lengthening it. Even when Nechemiah can make the offer, with the chance that it years” – the event that propels Joseph at the discusses the relationship between will actually be accepted. age of thirty to the height of his greatness is the events that a person experiences and his his “fixed time” (ketz), which is independent predetermined ketz, it is clear that some kind of What underlies these two stories is that things can take of the series of events that preceded it. It ketz exists for every person. There is a ketz for time to crystallize, to unfold. The essence of the matter was just as likely for Joseph to have fallen a person’s greatness, a ketz for his death, and is that everything that occurs has a predestined time, into a pit before meeting with his brothers. a ketz for every other significant lifetime event. a particular point when it is supposed to happen. This In that scenario, he would have stood there As a rule, we are not privy to these fixed times. notion, found both in and in the Midrash, is an screaming until those same Midianites would A person may sense that a significant event is important key to understanding how things develop, have found him and brought him to Egypt, and approaching, but even then he does not truly not only in Tanach but in other areas as well. he would have come to “the end of two full know when it will transpire. Thus, the moment of “at the end of two full years” years” via a different route. One aspect of fixed times is that even when we depends on two factors: when one would expect an In order to reach this ketz, events are know when an event will occur, we cannot always event to occur based on the natural development of pushed forward so as to occur at a certain, be certain. The Talmud tells of various cases things, and when the event is destined to occur. The designated time: “And it came to pass at the where, because of a person’s behavior, a certain first factor refers to the complex and multifaceted end of two full years that Pharaoh dreamed.” number of years was added or subtracted from process of causality; every event has a unique way of The time assigned for this event to occur has their predetermined allotment of years. For unfolding, a system characterized by cause and effect. come. Pharaoh experiences his dream, and a example, several years were added to the life of The second factor represents a different kind of process begins to unfold. Benjamin the Righteous because he supported reckoning, which likewise plays a role in determining a poor woman. Similarly, Rabbi Akiva’s daughter the nature of events. We are speaking of the intent “Let me know, O God, my end” was destined to die at her wedding, but as a of an event, its inner purpose. These two factors do Within time, there are often markers or signs result of a charitable deed that she performed, 13 she was allowed to live beyond her wedding day. prospect that displeases Maimonides, as it , and Lithuania, known as the Chmielnicki means that he and his contemporaries will Massacres. Apparently, no ketz remains absolutely fixed to its not live to see it. exact date, irrespective of other factors. Even when The times of the ketz are sensitive periods for the a fixed date for a particular event is decreed from on How events unfold Jewish people. Just as the physical world contains high, as we find in various prophecies, these dates Just as there are junctions in the road, plateaus and mountains, the same is true in the can shift as well. For the individual as well, there there are also junctures in time. In order to realm of time. When one walks on flat land, it may are dynamic factors in life that can alter his fate in reach one’s destination, it may be that one seem that all is well, but when one encounters a one way or another. This idea is found frequently in must pass a particular junction. However, mountain, it is impossible to ignore it, even if it can Tanach, as it says of the redemption, “In its time, I there is not always only one way to reach ultimately be overcome – and the same can be said will hasten it.” We see from this example that even that junction; it may be that one can reach of the events in the life of a person or in the history when an event is assigned a specific time, like the it in several different ways. Similarly, one of a nation. Occasionally, we encounter signs that redemption, it is always possible for this time to be ultimately arrives at a predestined juncture indicate that, as we proclaim in the Musaf service on moved forward. in time, but what exactly will happen at Rosh Hashana, “today the world is pregnant.” This that time and, more significantly, which “pregnancy” can result in the birth of a Jacob, but In the same vein, the ketz of from Egypt developments will lead to that juncture, is it can also result in the birth of an . Whatever and the ketz of the Babylonian exile were not fixed yet undetermined. the nature of this momentous “birth” – whether it absolutely. It says in Jeremiah that the Babylonian heralds salvation and consolation or, Heaven forbid, exile must last seventy years. But in reality, attempts When Jacob blesses his sons before his the opposite – it is always a time of upheaval. to establish an accurate chronology seem to death and speaks with them about “what indicate that fewer than seventy years transpired will befall you in the end of days,” this is The ketz of the Messiah is a time of tremendous between the destruction of the First Temple and the kind of statement that, whether in its change throughout the world. Hence, any potential the construction of the Second Temple. Our sages plain or its midrashic sense, certainly does preordained time for this is a si gnificant point, a offer three possible explanations in an attempt to not refer to a specific predetermined date. deep fissure in the sequence of time, foreshadowing reconcile the number found in Jeremiah with the Nevertheless, Jacob is clearly speaking that certain important events are about to happen. actual chronology. Whatever the case may be, about specific events that are destined to How they will happen and what their nature will be it seems clear that the length of the exile did not occur and which will arrive, sooner or later, apparently depends on other factors. necessarily amount to the seemingly preordained at their appropriate times. His blessing seventy years. includes a prophecy about the Kingdom of Our sages say that the Messiah may come in Judah and a prophecy about Samson. The stillness and quiet, but may also come in storm and The ketz of the Egyptian exile also seems to change. two events are not of the same era and tempest. Here, too, the destination is known, but The Torah says, “They will serve them, and they will do not refer to the same ketz. However, in the way there is not set. If one follows the good oppress them – four hundred years.” For this exile both cases it is understood that before the and straight path, he will not have to experience as well, it must be that “In its time, I will hasten it” final ketz arrives, a series of events have tribulations; but if he does not follow the proper applies. When the words of the Covenant between to occur, though not necessarily all at the path, God will appoint over him “a king whose the Pieces are compared to the time the People of same time or in a specific way. Samson’s decrees are as harsh as Haman’s.” When the time Israel actually spent in Egypt, it turns out that the exploits are bound to occur as a result of of the redemption comes, the world will undergo Egyptian exile lasted for less than half of the period Jacob’s blessing; but at least some of the change. If one allows the change to come quietly, it that it was supposed to last. In order to reconcile developments of Samson’s narrative appear will be quiet; if not, its arrival will be accompanied this reality with the verse, our sages derive from to be the results of his own, frequently by loud noise and great anger. the beginning of the verse – “your offspring will misguided freedom of choice. be a stranger” – that the years are counted not According to our sages, “It would have been fitting from the time of the Covenant between the Pieces, ’ blessing leaves a similar impression: for Jacob our patriarch to go down to Egypt in iron but from the birth of Isaac. Even then, when the To reach the ketz, certain events must chains, only that his merit saved him, and God two chronologies do match up approximately, it is a occur, but each of these necessary events brought it about that he traveled to Egypt of his difficult interpretation to accept. can come about in very different ways. own volition. The People of Israel had to end up in Egypt; they could not escape this fate. But the route Each of these is an example of a ketz that, despite There is a tradition that every year that is to Egypt was never set in stone: If not for Jacob’s its fixed nature, also included ups and downs. predicted to be the ketz, the year of the merit, he and his family could have been brought redemption, is a dangerous and problematic there against their will. In the end, though the final Whenever we speak of designated times for year. Such a year can truly be the time that destination remained the same – enslavement in redemption, it should be understood that while the the Messiah is destined to arrive, but this Egypt – Jacob was able to improve his lot for the time exists, it does not necessarily hinge on a specific is not guaranteed to be true. Hence, it is duration of the journey. date. There are many historical examples of this. a time that is marked by anxiety, when we Even Maimonides, who was certainly not the type are especially encouraged to engage in “And it came to pass, at the end of two full years” to engage in calculations of the time of redemption, Torah study and good deeds. Maimonides’ signals that the time has come for something to records one ketz. In his Epistle to , he writes tradition, for example, was based on the occur. The “how” of the matter is trivial – Pharaoh that although we know that our sages have said, and verse, “In this (hazot) year of jubilee you has a dream, the chief butler happens to be for good reason, “May those who calculate the end shall return each man to his ancestral present, other events align, and ultimately, they all come to grief,” a tradition has been passed down heritage,” where the numerical value cross the threshold simultaneously, reaching their to him from his ancestors as to when the time of of the word “hazot” alludes to the year ketz at precisely the right time. redemption will be. He says that the redemption 5408. In precisely that year there were will occur in approximately four hundred years, a major pogroms against the of , 14 FIGHTING FAMINE Based on the teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson

he Torah portion of Mikeitz relates how Yosef distributed food to the starving people of the “entire earth” during a time of famine. He wasT able to do so because in the preceding years of plenty, “he placed food in the cities; the food growing around each city he placed inside it.” At frst glance we may conclude that he placed food inside the city next to which it grew. But this conclusion raises the following diffculties: Why does the verse have to emphasize that Yosef placed the food in the nearest city; would we think he had transported it to a more distant one?! Moreover, why does the Torah fnd it necessary to tell us where he placed the food? Rashi answers by explaining that “the food growing around each city he placed inside it” means the following: “Each kind of soil is best suited for certain types of produce, therefore earth from the area [where the produce was grown] was There is an additional lesson alluded to by placed together with the produce, keeping the Rashi : the “earth” must be from the place On the other hand, being humbled by the fact that food from rotting.” in which the produce grew. This means to the Torah is G-d’s Word, and as such so completely Thus, “he placed inside it” refers not to placing say that a person’s humility must be “in transcends comprehension that in order for a food inside the city next to which it grew, but place.” created being to succeed in his studies he must rather to preserving the food by placing soil constantly be aware of the Giver of Torah — that is Being so humble as to be defenseless humility that is “in place.” from the area in which it grew together with the before the blandishments of one’s evil produce itself — “inside it.” inclination, or being so servile that one is Here the Torah teaches us yet another vital lesson: There is a lesson in this Rashi : stepped upon by all — not least by one’s own evil inclination — is described as Yosef sustained the “entire earth” during the time A Jew’s principal “produce” consists of the Torah misplaced humility. of famine. This means that in a time of spiritual he learns and the mitzvos he performs. When a famine — a period of ignorance of Torah and things Jew amasses a huge amount of “produce,” he In this regard, a person must be “ferce as Jewish — it is incumbent upon each and every must know that in order for it to be “preserved,” a leopard and courageous as a lion” — a Jew (every Jew being spiritually termed “Yosef”) he must surround it with “earth from that place.” statement found at the very beginning of to provide even those outside his immediate the Shulchan Aruch, the Code of Jewish surroundings with spiritual sustenance. “Earth” symbolizes self-abnegation, as we say at Law, and thus crucial to its fulfllment. the conclusion of the Amidah : “Let my soul be Here Rashi teaches us that the spiritual food which [so humble that it is] as earth to all.” This feeling With regard to Torah and mitzvos as well, one gives a fellow Jew must be of a permanent of humility and self-effacement makes possible if one is so meek that he avoids leaving nature (“keeping the food from rotting”); he must the actions of the next verse: “Open my heart to his familiar surroundings to spread Torah see to it that the lessons will sustain the recipient Your Torah, and let my soul eagerly pursue Your learning for fear that the outside world all the days of his life. commandments.” may have an undue infuence on him, his humility too is entirely out of place. One Last Adjustment Our deeds are the medicine by which the world heals itself. It’s not size and quantity that matters. Only one small, good deed and everything could fall in place. Which deed will that be? It could be any one. Whatever you can do, do it believing that this is the one to tip the scales.

15 HEY TEVES 11 TREASURES OF THE CHABAD LIBRARY AND THE STORIES THEY TELL On Tevet 5, we celebrate the Library of Agudas Chassidei Chabad - Yosef Yitzchak Lubavitch and its position as the communal treasure for all who value the teachings and ideals of Chabad Chassidism.

For decades, the library has been open to researchers as well as the general public, sharing its priceless collection of sacred books and artifacts. Led by Rabbi Shalom Dovber Levine, its staff has published hundreds of valuable books, meticulously researched and artfully laid out.

To celebrate, we present you with 11 treasures from the library, each of which presents another facet of Jewish history. These are not the oldest, most valuable, or even the most historically signifcant of the library’s vast collection, which contains parchment manuscripts that predate the printing press, writings of the master Kabbalists and the Baal Shem Tov’s own siddur with his handwritten notes. Rather they were selected because they show how our people have marshalled their faith and innate goodness to overcome whatever challenges came their way, even in the most diffcult circumstances. 1. The Diaries of the Sixth Rebbe 2. Rebbetzin Chana’s Tehillim 3. The Broken Stick of Suffering Among the precious belongings Rebbetzim Chana brought to her husband was her Tehillim (Book of ), from which he would pray for hours. The annals of Chassidic history will forever remember the “brothers Schapiro,” grandsons of Among the precious belongings Rabbi Pinchas of Koretz and administrators of the Rebbetzim Chana brought to her husband Slavita publishing house, who were imprisoned Much of the library was collected by the sixth was her Tehillim (Book of Psalms), from because of accusations that they had printed Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak , a which he would pray for hours. books illegally and caused the death of a former prolifc writer with a powerfully expressive pen Rabbi , father employee. who journaled throughout his life. Entries from of the Rebbe, was exiled for his fearless his younger years often include teachings he work on behalf of Jewish life in the Soviet After years of imprisonment, they were sentenced heard from his father and elder Chassidim; others Union. His wife, Rebbetzin Chana, soon to 1,500 lashes and a lifetime of hard labor simply recount the events and experiences of the joined him in the remote swampy village in Siberia. They suffered greatly on account of day. he had been forced to make home. Among the lashes they received and were ultimately exonerated by Czar Alexander II. Written over decades, they chronicle the terror the precious belongings she brought was and resolve of his time spent in Soviet prison, the her Tehillim (Book of Psalms), from which he would pray for hours. A small Torah scroll that the brothers used during highs and lows of his travels on behalf of , their incarceration was gifted to the Rebbe by one and more. In her diary, she recounts the time she of their descendants. The Rebbe frequently held The entries from his last years are often brief, fell ill with a mysterious illness. After the this scroll during services and danced with it on recounting his state of health and what he doctors left, her husband sat down at her . managed to write that day—primarily Chassidic bedside with the Tehillim, saying he would discourses and replies to the hundreds of letters now “practice some medicine” of his own. The Rebbe was also given a walking stick that he received from around the world. “The tears poured from his eyes in rivers,” originally belonged to Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of she recalled. “As I lay in bed, I could sense Berditchev, whose granddaughter was married Through reading his journals, one gains a window in his voice how heartbroken he was—his to one of the brothers. The granddaughter took into the life of a selfess leader who stood up to broken heart could have moved boulders. the stick with her and stood outside the prison the communists, barely escaped the Nazis, and I believed then with perfect faith, as I where her husband was held. It was a muddy day, zealously endeavored to build Judaism in America. believe now, that his recital of Psalms and she slipped, breaking the stick. She had the helped me recover from my sickness.” handle replaced, but the break can still be seen.

16 4. Vouching for a Wandering Collector spread, the Jewish residents of Lubavitch 9. Letter Against Secularization of scrambled to amass the sums needed. the Cheder In an effort to ascertain how much they In 1910, a rabbinic would need to pay to exempt the entire conference took place in St. village, and what forms they would need Petersburg. Rabbi Shmarya to fll out, three of the seven sons of the Leib Medalia was sent to Tzemach Tzedek (the third Rebbe) wrote represent the city of Vitebsk. this letter to Rabbi Aaron Lipschitz, rabbi The Jewish educators of The Alter Rebbe was believed to have written many of Bilinitz, to learn how his community had his city composed and brief letters of introduction, vouching for destitute dealt with the law. signed this letter for him people collecting on behalf of their needy families. to bring to the conference. This is the only known surviving letter, in which he 7. On Behalf of a Missing Boy In it, they lay out the evokes the Talmudic teaching that “anyone who challenges imposed by the has compassion upon the creatures is subject to government’s insistence that students be taught mercy from Heaven.” Russian language and secular subjects, which they felt impeded the students’ mastery of Jewish 5. Encouragement in the Face of subjects and development as G-d-fearing Jews. Illness Rabbi Medalia was eventually appointed Chief Rabbi of Moscow, a position he held until he was assassinated by the Soviets in 1938, an atrocity which was not acknowledged until the 1960s.

10. A Desperate Coded Letter from Nazi-Occupied Belorussia As the Nazi inferno This letter was written by Rabbi Dovber of swept through Europe, Lubavitch, addressed to two brothers-in-law when The context of this brief, undated letter, Jews on both sides the wife of one was suffering from a terrible illness. written by Rabbi Nochum Dovber of of the Atlantic tried Despite the bleak prognosis, he encourages them Ovrutch, grandson of the Tzemach Tzedek, desperately to maintain to continue to pray and hope that G-d heal her is not entirely clear. Addressed to R’ Yaakov contact, and to help through the agency of medical care: Ayerov, he pleads that action be taken on people escape the behalf of a man whose son had been taken impending Holocaust. …I am greatly distressed from this evil thing, from him. One can perhaps speculate that This short letter was for it is a dangerous illness, and she needs great the boy had been taken for a 25-year term penned by Rabbi Leib [Divine] mercy. Yet, they should not hold back from of forced service in the Czar’s army, an Shenin, rabbi of the Belarussian town of Dokshitz, [praying for Divine] mercy. And [may] G-d send His ordeal which many did not survive. a bastion of Chabad Chassidism, to his friend, word and heal her, through the compound of such Rabbi Yochanan Gordon, erstwhile shochet of and such a healer, a skilled doctor etc. 8. Caring for the Poor of Lubavitch Dokshitz, who had since relocated to New York. In the poverty-stricken shtetls of Eastern Afraid to sign his own name, lest he attract undue 6. When Jewish Clothing Was Europe, many attention from the Nazi censors, the rabbi wrote Forbidden Jewish people the letter under the guise of R’ Yochanan’s elderly survived largely uncle. In it he mentions his extreme “weakness,” due to the and writes that he does not have enough to generosity of their subsist on. (relatively) better- off brethren. There Understanding how dire the situation was, R’ were often several Yochanan submitted Rabbi Shenin’s letter—along societies (chevras), with a lengthy cover letter—to the previous Rebbe, each devoted to noting that this was the frst time he had heard providing another from his friend since the outbreak of the war. service. Tragically, R’ Leib was murdered by the Nazis In the 1860s the Czar issued a decree forbidding This is the cover of the pinkas (charter) of along with (almost) all the Jews of his town. Jews from dressing in the traditional manner. the Chevra Malbish Arumim (“Dressers of 11. Prayers for Jews in the Holocaust Long frocks, kippahs, and payos (sidelocks) were the Unclothed”), founded in Lubavitch in all forbidden. As word of the atrocities in Europe reached 1860, which notes the dire need of the America, several requests were written to the sixth poor, particularly their children. In order for the Jews to acclimate themselves to the Rebbe, formally asking him to pray on behalf of new law, for an interim period they were allowed Each member of the charter—led by the European Jewry. Virtually all of the signers of to maintain their traditional dress as long as they Tzemach Tzedek and his sons—listed how this petition (like the Rebbe himself) had close paid a tax. When news of the impending law much he would donate on a regular basis. relatives, friends, and loved ones in Europe, whose fate was yet unknown. 17 MY ENCOUNTER WITH THE REBBE THE PARATROOPER’S BIRTHDAY

was raised in , Israel, in a family of dedicated Lubavitchers. After completing my yeshivah Istudies, I served as a paratrooper in the IDF. This was in 1989, and I was stationed deep in Lebanon, in a place that was swarming with terrorists.

Imagine my astonishment when — just before going out on a dangerous military mission — I called home and heard my father tell me that he had received a telephone call about me from the Rebbe’s office in New York. Apparently the Rebbe had wanted to ensure that I would properly celebrate my birthday (which falls on Chanukah) and fulfill all the customary birthday observances. I managed to get a leave close On the 9th day of the Hebrew month of Shevat, 1990, as the I knew that two years prior, after the to Chanukah and was able to celebrate my birthday with Rebbe was distributing dollars passing of his wife, Rebbetzin Chaya for charity, Rabbi Krishevsky Mushka, the Rebbe announced the my family. I also learned that the Rebbe’s office had already presented the tefillin to him. “Birthday Campaign,” calling on After verifying with his secretary, everyone to use his or her birthday contacted Rabbi Avraham Krishevsky in Jerusalem and Rabbi Leibel Groner, that Rabbi — which is like a personal Rosh Krishevsky was in the process of Hashanah — as a day of introspection, asked him to prepare a set of leather tefillin boxes. The being paid for his work, the Rebbe of taking on good resolutions, and of handed the tefillin back to him so having a with friends. Rebbe’s office also arranged for a scribe to pen the parchment they could be forwarded on to me in Israel. But how did the Rebbe know that my scrolls which Rabbi Krishevsky then was to place inside the birthday was coming up? It had been Shortly thereafter, I received the nearly two months since I started boxes. Once the tefillin were complete and ready for use, tefillin, and I have been putting serving in Lebanon, during which them on daily ever since. time I hadn’t visited home and hadn’t Rabbi Krishevsky intended to written to the Rebbe. bring them to New York, where he was planning to be for the About a year later, I was in a car accident and injured my left The next day I called home again celebrations of the fortieth anniversary of the Rebbe’s hand. I underwent surgery and it to discuss what to do regarding my seemed like everything was fine. birthday, only to hear my father give leadership. He assumed that the Rebbe would want to see But after a few months, when I me even more astonishing news: The returned for a checkup, it turned Rebbe’s office had called again to say the gift and forward it to me from his own hand. out that the bone hadn’t healed that the Rebbe decided to give me a properly, and another operation set of tefillin as a present. When my father found out was needed. Of course, I wrote to the Rebbe and requested his Now I was totally shocked. Two about all this, he ordered a special velvet bag embroidered blessing. The Rebbe’s answer was phone calls from the Rebbe’s office to check my tefillin. in two days’ time! A present from the with the words, “A gift from the Rebbe! But why tefillin? I already had Rebbe to Efraim Karasik, Tevet 5750,” and he gave it to Rabbi When I had them checked, the tefillin which my father bought for scribe found a problem with me at the time of my Bar Mitzvah. Krishevsky, so that he could place the tefillin inside. the tefillin that I put on my left 18 hand — the very hand that I had do to merit such a gift from additional protection. injured! There was a small crack in the Rebbe?” And I have no the Hebrew letter chaf in the word idea. As much as I’ve tried to This thought was in the back of yadchah which means “your hand,” research this, I haven’t yet my head for a long time, and a few and which comes from the verse found a similar case of the years ago I discovered something that reads, “You shall bind them for Rebbe sending a set of tefillin very interesting: At a reunion of a sign upon your hand.” Obviously, I to someone else. all of the soldiers who served in immediately had that corrected. Lebanon with me thirty years ago, I asked my father if perhaps he I heard mentioned repeatedly that When the day for the surgery had written something unusual throughout our company’s stay in arrived, I was examined by the head to the Rebbe that could have Lebanon — despite all that we went of the department. He wanted to caused this. He denied that he through over there — not one of us look at my medical records before wrote anything unusual — he was harmed, and we all returned operating and decided to send me had merely asked the Rebbe healthy and whole in body and mind. for another x-ray. After looking at to bless the whole family and the x-ray results, he told me: “No mentioned that I was serving in I don’t have an explanation for this, surgery is necessary. Everything is Lebanon. The Rebbe certainly but I do believe there is a connection fine. You are free to go!” knew how dangerous the to the blessing of the Rebbe who, situation was over there and far away in New York, cared about Every morning when I put on the had urged all IDF soldiers to us deeply and prayed Rebbe’s tefillin, I look at the words put on tefillin as a life-saving for us, ensuring that we leave the that my father had embroidered on measure. It’s possible that the war zone unharmed. the bag, and I ask myself, “What Rebbe wished to strengthen made me so special? What did I me spiritually and to give me

WITH RABBI DOV SCHOCHET

6 WEDNESDAYS BEGINNING 12/23/2020 8:00 PM - 9:30 PM

19 STORIES WITH SOUL IT SHOULD AGAIN SEE LIGHT

ost of the people of the shtetl of The first night of Chanuka arrived and big city. The doctor’s fee was tremendous Roshvenitz were very poor, but, being every corner of the shul was packed tight. and the medications very costly. When G-d Chasidim, poverty could not detract At the southern wall stood the Chanuka blessed his wife with a complete recovery, Mfrom their joy of life, as it was derived from menora, a masterpiece of the silversmith’s Reb Baruch’s entire hard- earned savings their Rebbe, the great Rabbi Avraham Yaakov of art -- intricate in design, glowing, and were gone. Sadigora. sparkling in the lamplight. Chanuka arrived and Reb Baruch was In those days, traveling to the Rebbe was not The bidding began, and then rose quickly. inconsolable. He had come so close to an easy undertaking. It cost far more than most It wasn’t long before the poor and average attaining his heart’s desire, and now it was of them could afford, and so they established a homeowners were outbid, leaving only lost. special fund to pay the traveling expenses of one the wealthy to continue the contest. In the person. Each Jewish family would contribute to end, Reb Lipa, a wealthy wood merchant As the nights of Chanuka passed by, Reb the communal pot, and when a special occasion won the honor. With great emotion he Baruch watched the successive lightings with would arise, a raffle would be held. The winner approached the menora. He recited the a pained heart. Finally, the eighth and final would travel to the Rebbe as an emissary of the three blessings, and ignited the wick. night came. The bidding was frenzied, and community. the poor looked on as their wealthy brethren This scene was repeated each night of bid astronomical sums for the honor. Reb At the Rebbe’s court, the representative was given Chanuka. The same bidding, the same Baruch felt that his heart would break. a private interview with the Rebbe who would enthusiasm, and in end, the same result: question him about the state of his Chassidim one of the wealthy congregants always Suddenly all was still. All eyes focused on the in the little village. But that wasn’t all. When the emerged the winner. figure ascending the bima. Could it be Reb emissary set off, the Rebbe always presented him Baruch, the blacksmith!? With tears running with a pure, silver coin. These coins became the The poor people of the shtetl realized that down his face, he turned to the crowd: “My property of the community and were its prized the coveted honor would never fall to one dear friends, this is the second year that I treasure. of them. They had to content themselves have yearned with my whole soul to kindle with watching the lighting and answering the holy menora. All year I saved, but then It was a month before Chanuka and a special “amen” to the blessings. my wife became ill. G-d has granted her a meeting was called. The villagers twittered with complete recovery, but my savings are gone. anticipation of this unexpected event. Finally One of them, however, couldn’t accept the Believe me, my brothers, I cannot continue; the caretaker of the shul began to speak: “My situation. Reb Baruch, the blacksmith, was my soul is expiring from longing. So, I am dear brethren, we have called you here tonight a Chasid to the core of his soul. His love making you a proposition. My house is to discuss the matter of the holy coins of our for his Rebbe filled his entire being, and very small-- worth about 300 crowns. I am beloved Rebbe. We have merited to amass many he was heartbroken that he couldn’t light giving it to the community. I will continue to coins, and we have decided to give them all to a the menora even once. Chanuka passed live in it, but as a tenant of the community. G-d-fearing silversmith who will make from them and once again life’s dreary sameness Accept my plea and restore the soul of a poor a most beautiful menora.” returned to the inhabitants of the little blacksmith.” shtetl. Excitement rose as the congregants murmured Reb Baruch’s heartfelt words touched their approval to one another. “The beautiful But for Baruch the blacksmith life was everyone. Tears flowed freely, and a great menora, we will put in our study hall, and each different. He had a mission which filled roar came up from the crowd. “Reb Baruch Chanuka we will sell the honor of lighting it to his nights and days. He began to work has won the bidding!” was heard from every the highest bidder. This money will help pay for a little extra every day, and he hoarded corner. When he rose to kindle the silver the many needs of our community- - food and every penny he managed to scrape menora, there was not one heart which did medicine for the sick and poor, dowries for needy together -- all this for his much longed-for not tremble at the sight of the flame that brides, salaries for the teachers.” The congregants Chanuka lighting. Months went by and he burst forth and rose up from the soul of Reb were all very excited, and each of them dreamed managed to amass a tidy sum. Baruch, the blacksmith. about the beautiful silver menora made from the Rebbe’s holy coins. A month before Chanuka his wife took ill. When all the old remedies failed to cure her, a doctor was summoned from the 20 RECENTLY IN THE NEWS MENORAH-LIGHTING COMPLETES CIRCLE FOR MAYOR AND POLISH JEWISH EXPAT or Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski, the lighting with the rest of the city, by the Nazis and anti-Semitic bent of Poland’s Communist of the 20-foot-tall public menorah their collaborators. regime, it was too late. They did not manage in front of the towering Palace of Culture and to gain permission to leave during the Polish FScience in Warsaw completes a circle. Reading Following World War II and the Holocaust, Jewish exodus of 1956, and Stokx-Gruber grew about the ceremony some 1,300 kilometers to the Poland, along with the relatively few Jews up in an oppressively anti-Jewish atmosphere. west in Amsterdam, it did much the same for Polish- who returned there, fell under the boot born Eva Stokx-Gruber. of Soviet Communism. In fact, the Palace “My mother survived the war because she of Culture that serves as the menorah’s ‘looked good,’ which means she did not look On Friday afternoon, the early onset of the second backdrop over the eight days and nights of classically Jewish,” recalls Stokx-Gruber. “But evening of Hanukkah, the 48-year-old Trzaskowski Hanukkah and is Poland’s tallest building, my father and I, we both did not ‘look good.’ We joined Rabbi Sholom Ber Stambler, director of was gifted to Communist Poland by Soviet looked very Jewish.” Chabad-Lubavitch of Poland, in kindling the giant despot Joseph Stalin in 1952 and completed menorah in front of the capital’s Palace of Culture. three years later, after his death. Things came to a head in the aftermath of the The signifcance of the lighting was not lost on the Six Day War in 1967. “We cannot ignore the mayor, a young political leader in a country laden “Stalin built a monument here for himself people who, when facing a threat to world with 1,000 years of triumphant and tragic Jewish that outlasted his life and his time,” says peace and Poland’s security and peaceful history. Chabad’s Stambler, whose Hanukkah operation, take the side of the aggressors, the activities included a live-streamed musical havoc-wreakers and the imperialists,” Poland’s Ninety-two years earlier in a very different Warsaw, holiday program, as well as sending out leader Władysław Gomułka declared in the the Rebbe—Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, menorah-and-candle kits throughout the Congress Hall at the Palace of Culture about of righteous memory—married Rebbetzin Chaya country, including to Jewish prisoners. “The “Zionist-Jewish circles.” He added that “we do Mushka, the middle daughter of the Sixth Rebbe— Palace of Culture was for so long a center of not want to have a ffth column in our country.” Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, of righteous darkness. Today, the menorah stands at that memory. The ceremony was held in the very place to share the message of faith, “Gomułka said it was time for the Jews to leave courtyard of Yeshivah Tomchei Temimim in Warsaw, tolerance, religious freedom and the power Poland from the same exact place where the while the grand wedding reception took place just a of light.” menorah stands, from the Palace of Culture,” stone’s throw away from where the Palace of Culture recalls Stokx-Gruber. now stands, at a hall that once occupied Pańska 35. Recalling Darkness, Seeing Light For Eva Stokx-Gruber, 63, a Polish-born Jew The anti-Semitic intrigues intensifed in 1968- “All this happens,” Mayor Trzaskowski noted about living in Amsterdam, the darkness that once 69. Her father took the hint, and in 1969, at the the menorah-lighting, “thanks to Rabbi Menachem emanated from the Palace of Culture is not age of 59, moved his family to the Netherlands. M. Schneerson, who is known as the most infuential a lesson learned from history books. When Stokx-Gruber was 13 at the time and has lived rabbi in contemporary history.” a friend in Poland sent her a link to a news in Amsterdam ever since. Today, Stokx-Gruber story about Chabad’s Warsaw menorah- proudly reports, her family is not only alive but The Rebbe launched Chabad’s Hanukkah awareness lighting and the mayor’s warm participation, Jewish. campaign in 1973, and in the decades since it has it was the contrast with her own memories grown in size and scope, revitalizing the modern of the country’s post-war anti-Semitism that “Our ancestors remained Jewish for thousands observance of the Festival of Lights. Today, there are moved her most. of years, who are we to fnish it off?” she asks 15,000 public menorahs dotting the globe from rhetorically. “My children are Jewish, my Washington, D.C., to Paris, to Moscow, and, for the Stokx-Gruber was born in 1957 to Holocaust grandchildren are Jewish—my grandson goes last 15 years, Warsaw. survivors in Warsaw. Her mother was from to Sunday Hebrew school here at Chabad of the capital city and managed to stay hidden Holland. Hitler wanted to destroy us, but he “We have already gotten used to it that it is for much of the war before being handed couldn’t.” celebrated practically all around the world, but we over to the Nazis by her Polish neighbors. are especially proud because it all started in our city, Sent to Auschwitz, her siblings perished, Seeing the giant menorah on the steps of the Warsaw,” stated Trzaskowski. “It was here … [that] but she survived. Stokx-Gruber’s father, who Palace of Culture in the heart of Warsaw—with the Rebbe married the daughter of his predecessor made it through the war fghting with the the participation of the city’s mayor no less— and everything … that he did for humanity started Red Army, was from Złoczów, Poland, (today, brought something out in her. … . These lights closed the circle, coming back to Zolochiv, Ukraine), and was a descendant the place where it all started, to Warsaw.” “It was very emotional for me,” says Stokx- of the saintly R’ Michel Zlotchever (1721?- Gruber. “They wanted Polish Jewry to cease to If in some parts of Europe old buildings serve as 1786), a disciple of the Baal Shem Tov. It was exist but we are still there, in Warsaw, too. reminders of the rich Jewish life that once was, in both of her parents’ deep roots in Poland Warsaw it is their utter absence that stands out. The that led them to remain there after the war, “Am Yisrael Chai!—The Jewish People lives!” synagogues, study halls, schools and orphanages where they met and married. are all gone, just like virtually all of Warsaw’s pre- war population of 400,000 Jews—destroyed, along By the time they recognized the distinctly 21 22 23 24 25 26 IN A WOMAN’S WORLD ISSUES OF RELEVANCE TO THE JEWISH WOMAN

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SFENJ surface. by Jaime Geller The mixture will be sticky. The more you knead the smoother the mixture will become. Do not add more four to the mixture. INGREDIENTS 1 tablespoon active dry Cover with plastic wrap and allow to rise for 3 to 4 hours, until 1 tablespoon mixture triples in size. 1 ½ cups lukewarm water, divided 4 cups all-purpose four In a heavy bottom, deep pot or pan heat 2-inches evoo over 1 teaspoon kosher medium-high heat to 350°F. Extra virgin oil, such as Colavita, for frying 1 cup sugar, for garnish Dip your hand in water and pull pieces of dough roughly the size of a small peach. ( is not meant to be perfect.) Poke a PREPARATION hole in the center of the ball of dough and roll a bit to resemble Mix yeast, sugar and ¾ cup water in a small bowl. Allow yeast a rustic bagel. to activate by setting aside in a warm spot for ffteen minutes. Yeast is activated when small bubbles appear on the surface of Fry for 3 minutes, fip and fry for 2 minutes more, until golden the water-yeast mixture. brown and pufed. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. In a large mixing bowl or standing mixer, stir together four, salt, yeast mixture and remaining ¾ cup water. Knead for ten minutes Dip warm sfenj into sugar and serve using the dough hook attachment or by hand on a foured work

27 FRENCH CONNECTION REFLEXIONS SUR LA PARACHA Vivre avec la paracha La sagesse de Joseph du cachot pour interpréter ses rêves et non pour l’Égypte devait déjà imaginer la réalité de la future devenir conseiller du roi ! famine et chaque jour engranger de la nourriture. Comment gérer un pays? Les sept vaches maigres devaient être également par Yossef Y. Jacobson B) Il est évident, d’après le récit, que Pharaon présentes et vivantes dans l’esprit des gens et dans fut sidéré par la façon dont Joseph résolut son leur comportement pendant la période de richesse. haraon, le roi d’Égypte, ft deux rêves, lit-on dans problème. Pourtant, nul besoin d’être un spécialiste Et en conséquence, si ce système était implanté en la Paracha de cette semaine. Dans le premier, le hors pair pour conseiller, dans le cas de sept années Égypte, la nation continuerait à jouir de l’abondance, Psouverain se voyait debout devant le Nil. d’abondance suivies de sept années de famine, de même pendant les années de famine. C’est ainsi que mettre de la nourriture de côté en prévision de la toutes les vaches allaient coexister. Et voici que sortaient du feuve sept vaches, belles et période maigre. Quel était donc le génie contenu grasses et elles paissaient dans l’herbe. Et voici que dans le conseil de Joseph ? C’est cette version qui intéressa tant Pharaon sept autres vaches sortaient après elles de la rivière, dans l’interprétation de Joseph. Pour commencer, laides et décharnées et vinrent se mettre à côté des C) Pharaon fut également stupéfait par Pharaon fut frappé par l’ingéniosité de Joseph qui autres vaches sur la rive du feuve. Et les vaches l’interprétation que donna Joseph des rêves eux- prenait en compte le détail qui avait échappé à laides et décharnées mangèrent les sept vaches mêmes, qu’aucun de ses propres conseillers n’avait tous. Mais ce qui l’impressionna encore davantage belles et grasses. (Genèse 41, 1-4) pu imaginer. Mais l’interprétation de Joseph semble fut la démonstration que ses rêves, non seulement simple et évidente : Quand les vaches sont-elles Dans le second rêve, le Pharaon voit sept épis de blé contenaient la prémonition des futurs événements grasses ? Quand il y a beaucoup à manger. Et quand mais offraient également les instructions pour y faire fns et rabougris avaler sept épis gras et saturés de sont elles décharnées ? Quand elles n’y a rien à grains. face, non seulement les problèmes mais également manger. Quand l’épi est il plein ? Quand la récolte est les solutions. Aucun des sages de l’Égypte ne peut donner à abondante. Et quand l’épi est-il maigre ? En temps de Pharaon une interprétation satisfaisante de ses rêves. disette. Dès lors, pourquoi Pharaon fut-il à ce point Avez vous besoin de D.ieu ? Avez-vous un ami C’est alors que “le jeune esclave hébreu”, Joseph, stupéfait par l’interprétation que Joseph donna de véritable ? est extrait de sa prison et conduit au palais royal. Il ses rêves ? Et pourquoi personne d’autre n’avait-il pu donner la même ? La sagesse de Joseph apparaît clairement quand interprète les rêves comme signifant que sept années nous réféchissons au message spirituel qui se cache d’abondance, représentées par les vaches grasses derrière l’histoire. Car nous le savons, les histoires de et les épis fournis, seront suivies de sept années de Unir les vaches Au cours d’un discours de Chabbat en 1973, le Rabbi la Torah contiennent toujours des enseignements famine, représentées par les vaches maigres et les spirituels. épis chétifs. Les sept années de famine seront si de Loubavitch donna l’explication suivante : terribles qu’elle “avaleront” les années d’abondance, Les experts en rêves égyptiens avaient en réalité Nous vivons tous des cycles d’abondance et des n’en laissant aucun souvenir. imaginé l’interprétation de Joseph, soit que sept cycles de famine dans notre vie. Parfois, les choses années de famine succèderaient à sept années vont très bien: nous avons l’aisance matérielle, le Joseph donne alors des conseils à Pharaon pour gérer succès et le confort. Trop souvent, dans ces moments, la situation : “Maintenant, Pharaon doit trouver un d’abondance. Mais ils l’avaient rejetée parce qu’elle ne tenait pas compte d’un détail important dans le rêve. nous oublions d’investir du temps et de l’énergie homme visionnaire et sage et le charger du destin pour cultiver une véritable intimité émotionnelle de l’Égypte. Un rationnement devra être imposé à Dans le premier rêve de Pharaon, il avait vu comment avec notre époux ou notre épouse, pour développer l’Égypte pendant les années d’abondance, explique les sept vaches laides et décharnées qui suivaient une véritable relation avec nos amis, pour créer des Joseph, pendant lesquelles on engrangera le blé pour les sept vaches grasses “se tenaient près des autres liens sincères avec D.ieu. Nous sentons que nous nous les années de famine à venir.” vaches [grasses] sur la rive du feuve”. En d’autres suffsons à nous-mêmes et que nous n’avons besoin Pharaon est médusé par la clairvoyance de Joseph. termes, c’était un moment au cours duquel les de personne dans notre vie. deux groupes de vaches existaient ensemble et “Peut-il exister un autre homme habité par l’esprit Et pourtant, une période de famine arrive, une crise divin comme cet celui-là?” demande-t-il à ses c’est seulement par la suite que les vaches maigres commencèrent à dévorer les grasses. C’est ce détail sérieuse éclate (à D.ieu ne plaise) et nous sentons conseillers. “Personne ne possède ta lucidité, dit-il à soudain le besoin de nous dépasser et de renouer Joseph. Tu dirigeras ma maison et tout mon peuple du rêve qui poussa les interprètes du Pharaon à repousser l’interprétation que Joseph allait par la avec ceux que nous aimons, avec D.ieu. Mais nous ne sera conduit selon tes ordres. Seul mon trône te sera savons pas comment faire. Parce que lorsque nous interdit.” suite proposer, et les obligea à offrir une série de décodages farfelus. Car comment était-il possible que ne nourrissons pas nos relations et notre spiritualité C’est ainsi que Joseph est nommé vice-roi d’Égypte. Le l’abondance et la famine coexistent? pendant les années d’abondance, et que la roue reste de l’histoire est connu. tourne, nous manquons cruellement des outils dont Et c’est ici que s’exerça le génie de Joseph. Quand nous avons désespérément besoin pour survivre à la Trois questions il commença à dire à Pharaon de se préparer aux crise. Les commentateurs bibliques se débattent avec années de famine, il ne lui offrit pas un conseil, qui trois questions majeures concernant cette histoire aurait été malvenu, sur la façon de gérer son pays. C’est là l’essence de la sagesse de Joseph: ne jamais remarquable. Mais ce conseil faisait partie de l’interprétation des séparer les années d’abondance des années de rêves elle-même. famine. Quand nous vivons dans l’aisance, nous A) Il est diffcile de comprendre comment, à la suite ne devons pas nous laisser devenir aveugles et de son interprétation des rêves, Joseph entrepris de Joseph avait compris que la présence de toutes insensibles devant ce qui est réellement important donner à Pharaon des conseils sur la gestion de la les vaches, les grasses et les maigres, contenait dans la vie. Les priorités que nous cultivons “pendant famine à venir. Comment cet esclave à peine libéré la solution pour la famine menaçante. Durant les les bons moments” doivent être de l’espèce qui nous n’a-t-il pas craint de prodiguer des conseils non années d’abondance, l’Égypte devait “vivre” avec les soutiendra également dans d’autres circonstances. sollicités au roi d’Égypte, le monarque qui régnait sur années de famine, comme si elles étaient actuelles. une superpuissance ? Pharaon avait fait sortir Joseph Pendant la période de jouissance des années fastes, 28 LATIN LINK REFLEXION SEMANAL Parasha de la Semana Disfraces verdad eres mi hijo Esav?”. El otro le responde: “Sí, lo Este es el trasfondo a partir del cual debe ser Cuatro escenas, cuatro disfraces, soy”. Entonces Itzjak lo bendice: “Oh, el aroma de mi comprendido el encuentro de Iosef y sus hermanos. cuatro situaciones en las que no se ve hijo es como el aroma de un campo bendecido por El hombre ante el cual los hermanos se arrodillan no lo que hay detrás de la máscara. Di-s”. Pero no es Esav. Es Iaacov disfrazado. parece un pastor hebreo. Habla egipcio. Está vestido Por Rabino Jonathan Sacks z”l con las ropas de un gobernador egipcio. Lleva puesto Escena dos: Iaacov ha huido a la casa de su tío Labán. un anillo con el sello del faraón y la cadena de oro hora Iosef es el líder de Egipto. Ha llegado la Al llegar, conoce a Rajel, se enamora y, para casarse de la autoridad. Ellos piensan que están en presencia hambruna que él predijo. Se extiende más allá con ella, se ofrece trabajar para su padre durante de un príncipe egipcio pero se trata de Iosef —su de Egipto, hasta la tierra de Canaán. En busca siete años. El tiempo pasa rápido: los años “parecieron hermano— disfrazado. A unos pocos días porque la amaba”. El día de la boda de alimentos, los hermanos de Iosef emprenden el viaje a Egipto. Llegan al palacio del hombre que está se acerca. Labán prepara un banquete. La novia entra Cuatro escenas, cuatro disfraces, cuatro situaciones a cargo de la distribución de granos: a la tienda. Esa noche, tarde, Iaacov la sigue. Al fn se en las que no se ve lo que hay detrás de la máscara. ha casado con su amada Rajel. Cuando se hace de día, ¿Qué tienen en común? Algo muy notable. Es gracias Ahora Iosef era el gobernador de todo Egipto, y era descubre que ha sido víctima de un engaño. No es a no ser reconocidos que Iaacov, Lea, y Iosef él quien vendía el grano a toda la gente de esa tierra. Rajel, sino Lea disfrazada. pueden ser reconocidos: tenidos en cuenta, tomados Los hermanos de Iosef llegaron y se arrodillaron ante en serio, obedecidos. Itzjak ama a Esav, no a Iaacov. él. Apenas los vio, Iosef reconoció a sus hermanos, Escena tres: Iehudá se ha casado con una muchacha Este último ama a Rajel, no a Lea. Iehudá piensa en pero se comportó como un extraño y les habló con cananea y ahora es padre de tres hijos. El primero su hijo menor, no en la situación de Tamar. A Iosef lo dureza… Iosef reconoció a sus hermanos, pero ellos se casa con una chica del lugar, Tamar, pero muere odian sus hermanos. Sólo cuando se presentan como no lo reconocieron a él ( 42:6–8). demasiado joven de manera misteriosa y deja a su algo o alguien que no son pueden conseguir lo que mujer viuda y sin hijos. Iehudá sigue una versión buscan: para Iaacov es la bendición de su padre; para Le debemos a la idea de una escena- premosaica de la ley del levirato y casa a su segundo Lea, un marido; para Tamar, un hijo; para Iosef, el buen tipo, una dramatización representada varias veces hijo con Tamar para que pueda tener un hijo y así trato y el respeto de sus hermanos. La situación de con algunas variaciones; estas se evidencian en “mantener vivo el nombre de su hermano”. Él se estos cuatro individuos se resume en una sola frase particular en el libro del Bereshit. No hay reglas niega a tener un hijo que, en efecto, pertenecerá a muy conmovedora: “Iosef reconoció a sus hermanos, universales en cuanto a cómo hay que decodifcar el su difunto hermano, por lo que “desperdicia sus pero ellos no lo reconocieron a él”. signifcado de una escena-tipo. Un ejemplo es “chico semillas” y por eso muere también muy joven. Iehudá encuentra chica junto a pozo de agua”, y el encuentro se niega a dar a Tamar a su tercer hijo, y entonces ella ¿Funcionan los disfraces? En el corto plazo, sí; sucede tres veces: entre el esclavo de Abraham y se queda aguná, “encadenada”, atada a alguien con pero a largo plazo, no necesariamente. Iaacov sufre Rivká, entre Iaacov y Rajel y entre Moshé y las hijas quien no puede casarse, sin la posibilidad de casarse mucho por haber tomado la bendición de Esav. Lea, de Itró. En este caso, es probable que el escenario con nadie más. a pesar de casarse con Iaacov, nunca gana su amor. no sea signifcativo (los pozos eran los lugares de Tamar tiene un hijo (de hecho tiene mellizos), pero encuentro de los extraños en esos tiempos, así Los años pasan. Muere la esposa de Iehudá. Al volver Iehudá “nunca más tuvo intimidad con ella”. A Iosef como hoy lo son los dispensadores de agua en una a casa de trasquilar, ve a un lado del camino a una sus hermanos ya no lo odiaron, pero comenzaron a ofcina). A lo que debemos prestar atención en estos prostituta con un velo. Le pide que se acueste con él y temerle. Incluso luego de asegurarles que no les tres episodios es a sus variaciones: el activismo de le promete, como forma de pago, una cría del rebaño. guardaba rencor, ellos pensaban que se vengaría Rivká, la demostración de fuerza de Iaacov, la pasión Ella le pide como garantía “su sello con su cuerda y su luego de la muerte de su padre. Lo que conseguimos de Moshé por la justicia. La manera en la que la gente bastón”. Al día siguiente, él envía a un amigo a llevarle con un disfraz nunca es el amor que buscamos. actúa frente a un extraño que está junto a un pozo la cría, pero la mujer ha desaparecido. Los locales es, en otras palabras, una prueba de su carácter. En dicen no conocerla. Tres meses más tarde, Iehudá se Pero pasa algo más. Iaacov, Lea, Tamar y Iosef algunos casos, sin embargo, una escena-tipo parece entera de que su nuera Tamar está embarazada. Él se descubren que si bien es probable que nunca se indicar un tema recurrente. Este es uno de esos casos. enfurece. Ella estaba atada a su hijo menor y no tenía ganen el afecto de aquellos de quienes lo buscan, Si buscamos entender qué se pone en juego en el permitido relacionarse con nadie más. Debe de haber Di-s está con ellos; y eso, en última instancia, es encuentro de Iosef con sus hermanos, tenemos que cometido adulterio. “Tráiganla y quémenla”, dice él. sufciente. Disfrazarse es esconderse: de otros y quizás pensarlo de la mano de otros tres episodios que La van a asesinar, pero ella pide un favor. Le dice a también de uno mismo. Sin embargo, no podemos ocurren todos en Bereshit. alguien que le lleve a Iehudá el sello, la cuerda y el ni necesitamos escondernos de Di-s. Él oye nuestro bastón. “El padre de mi hijo”, dice ella, “es el hombre llanto. Responde a nuestras plegarias silenciosas. El primero sucede en la tienda de Itzjak. El patriarca al que pertenecen estas cosas”. Iehudá entiende de Escucha lo ignorado y lo consuela. Ninguno de los está viejo y ciego. Le dice a su hijo mayor que vaya inmediato. Tamar, sin poder casarse por estar atada cuatro episodios termina con una reconciliación, pero al campo, cace un animal y prepare la cena para a tener un hijo que perpetuara la memoria de su sí se forjan las respectivas identidades. Esto es lo que que pueda bendecirlo. Al muy poco tiempo, Itzjak primer marido, había engañado a su suegro para hace que no sean historias seculares sino crónicas escucha que alguien entra. “¿Quién eres?”, pregunta. que cumpliera con el deber con el que debería haber religiosas de crecimiento psicológico y maduración. “Soy Esav, tu hijo mayor”, responde la voz. Itzjak no permitido que cumpliera su hijo menor. “Ella es más Lo que nos transmiten es simple y profundo: quienes está convencido. “Acércate y déjame tocarte, hijo mío. honrada que yo”, admite Iehudá. Él pensó que se están de pie frente a Di-s no precisan disfraces para ¿De verdad eres Esav o no?”. Itzjak extiende la mano y había acostado con una prostituta, pero era Tamar estar de pie con la frente en alto ante la humanidad. siente la textura áspera de la piel que cubre sus brazos. disfrazada. Sin estar muy seguro, le pregunta de nuevo: “¿Pero en

29 NUMBERS TO KNOW

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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 Jacob Givner - President Anita Givner Steven M. Dunn - Vice President Sam Greenwald EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE David Wolf - Vice President Sharon Hakmon Joey Givner - Chair Rabbi Sholom D. Lipskar Mitchell Feldman - VP Oversight Ben Jacobson Devorah Leah Andrusier Rabbi Zalman Lipskar Rabbi Zalman Lipskar - VP Development Albert Lichy Janice Barney Lazer Milstein Eric P. Stein - Treasurer Rabbi Sholom D. Lipskar Joel Baum Orit Osman Joel Baum - Financial Treasurer Alexander Matz Steven Dunn Brian Roller Dovid Duchman - Secretary Ezzy Rappaport Velvel Freedman - Associate Secretary Elliott Rimon Maurice Egozi Ryan Shapiro Carolyn Baumel Yaacov Saidof Henry Eichler Marc Sheridan Max Benoliel Seth Salver Mitchell Feldman Daniel Sragowicz Betzalel Camissar Alex Tauber Daniel Gielchinsky Cynthia Stein Barry Cohen Jordan Wachtel Evelyn Katz Eric P. Stein Boruch Duchman Rebbetzin Chani Lipskar Michael Tabacinic Henry Eichler 30 THE “MACCABEES” VISIT THE HOMES OF HEBREW SCHOOL CHILDREN, LIGHTING THE MENORAH WITH THEM, PLAYING DRAIDEL AND BRINGING CHA- NUKAH TREATS AND JOY