B”H

THEWEEKLY MAGAZINE SHUL SPONSORED BY MR. & MRS. MARTIN (OBM) AND ETHEL SIROTKIN & DR. & MRS. SHMUEL AND EVELYN KATZ SHEVII - ACHARON SHEL PESACH NISSAN 20-22 APRIL 14 - 16 CANDLE LIGHTING 1ST NIGHT: 7:26 PM CANDLE LIGHTING 2ND NIGHT: AFTER 8:19 PM (FROM PRE-EXISTING FLAME) SHABBOS PARSHAS SHEMINI SHABBOS MEVARCHIM NISSAN 23-24 APRIL 17 - 18 CANDLE LIGHTING: 7:27 PM SHABBOS ENDS: 8:21 PM

ROSH CHODESH IYAR FRIDAY- SHABBOS APRIL 24 - 25 Wednesday, April 22 10:58 (12 chalakim) PM

The Shul - Chabad Lubavitch - An institution of The Lubavitcher Rebbe, Menachem M. Schneerson (May his merit shield us) Over Thirty five Years of Serving the Communities of Bal Harbour, Bay Harbor Islands, Indian Creek and Surfside 9540 Collins Avenue, Surfside, Fl 33154 Tel: 305.868.1411 Fax: 305.861.2426 www.TheShul.org Email: [email protected] www.theshulpreschool.org www.cyscollege.org THE SHUL WEEKLY MAGAZINE EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK

NACHAS AT A GLANCE CONTENTS

Weekly Message: 3 THE SHUL PROVIDING MASKS TO THE POLICE STATIONS OF BAL Thoughts on the Parsha - Rabbi Sholom D. Lipskar HARBOUR, BAY HARBOR, SURFSIDE AND INDIAN CREEK Celebrating Shabbos: 4 - 5 Schedules, classes, articles & more... Everything you need for an “Over the Top” Shabbos experience Community Happenings: 6 -7 Sharing with your Shul Family A Time to Pray: 8 Check out all the davening schedules and locations throughout the week Daily Study: 9 A complete guide to all classes and courses ofered at The Shul Inspiration, Insights & Ideas: 10 - 21 Bringing Torah lessons to LIFE

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

Networking 25 Efective Advertising

Numbers To Know 26 Contacts at The Shul Get The Picture 27 - 28 The full scoop on all the great events around town

THE SALE OF CHOMETZ BEFORE PESACH QUOTABLE QUOTE

I am asleep, but my heart is awake

– Song of Songs 5:2 THOUGHTS ON THE PARSHA FROM RABBI SHOLOM LIPSKAR SHEVII - ACHARON SHEL PESACH - PARSHAS SHEMINI e are living today in a world mist and clouds of Fire” there were filled with turmoil and a significant part of the population chaos. We are suspended that wanted either (1) to go back to Win a space far from any sense of Egypt; (2) battle the Egyptians; (3) certainty or surety. The natural order commit a mass suicide (similar to has overrun its limited parameters Masada) or (4) pray. They were not and our limited comprehension yet totally free of their threatening and knowledge leaves us with a Egyptian slavemasters. sense of doubt. As we prepare to celebrate the last days of Passover G-d commanded them to move when we emphasize miracles and forward and when Nachshon son redemption, we must find some of Aminadav jumped in (with total language that gives us a sense of faith) the waters split with two confidence and strength and allows giant walls of water looming over a us to fill that space of doubt with dry road between them. resolution and joyfulness. Beyond all previous miracles We know that everything in it was a true test of faith and creation is synchronized so that any total submission to Hashem that deviation in the originally structured prevailed at the “Splitting of the order can cause chaos. Such are Sea”. When they came back on to the most serious maladies of the body. Strengthening dry land, they were no longer threatened by Egypt who the balance, order, structure and synchronization of our had perished in the raging sea. Being free from mortals lives by living according to our Maker’s directives gives us was necessary to be a servant to G-d. maximum completion and minimum chaos. The eighth day of Pesach we read the Haftorah from Isaiah As in all mundane occurrences there is Divinely Provident (10:32) describing the final Redemption, the advent of synchronization, how much more so in Spiritual Matters. Moshiach and the condition of the world at that time. “The lion and the lamb will lie together etc.” tells us, whether The fact that we celebrate Shevii Shel Pesach/the 7th of we interpreted this text actually or metaphorically, that Pesach, Acharon Shel Pesach/the last and eighth day of we will have a very nice, coordinated and good world. A Pesach, all within the Portion of Shemini (the eighth), and quantum leap from today. in close proximity to each other, surely gives us a message that is beyond the specific lessons we learn from each The term Shemini, the name of this week’s Torah of these three individually. The seventh of Pesach which portion refers to the day after Moses, acting as the High celebrates the “Splitting of the Sea” and the Jewish People Priest temporarily, finishes seven days of live practice, achieving the next level of freedom, and the Eighth of instruction and training “Shivas Yimei Hamiluim” with Pesach which concentrates and relates to the upcoming his brother Aaron and Family. Now the eighth day which final redemption with Moshiach, and the weekly portion of is the first day of Nissan, the formal dedication of the Shemini each have their particular identity which carries Tabernacle takes place with Aaron and his sons taking a special message. The intersection of these three days their permanent/generational place as the Kohanim/ and concepts points to a commonality that they share. Priests and with the head of each of the twelve tribes performing the dedication rites on each of the next twelve The Splitting of the Sea was a pivotal event in the process days of Nissan. Why is it significant to refer to that day of our Exodus. Even as the “Children of Israel” were at the as the eighth when it had really no connection to the first seashore protected by G-d’s presence via His “clouds of seven practice/training days, and furthermore, this was 3 actually the first day of the formal dedication? that Jewish existence throughout history has been above and beyond the natural order. Though we live within Seven is the order of Nature as Hashem created the world the confines of our civilization and are affected by the in seven days – six days of work and one of rest. Eight multiple happenings around us nonetheless we are able represents the energy that is above and beyond Nature. to rise above the natural order. Chanukah is eight days celebrating a miracle that defied Nature. A Bris is on the eighth day performing an act that Yes, we do have painful consequences from the world that is beyond rationality etc. has at this point gone berserk, but we are imbued with absolute freedom, a practical and real view of a Messianic When the presence of Hashem comes to dwell in the reality and the knowledge and certainty that we are not Tabernacle on the First day of Nissan, it was an eighth subjected to the limits of nature. level experience. Hashem who is beyond time and space and beyond description or comprehension will now have So let us celebrate the last two days of Pesach with a physical manifestation in a literal “Dwelling Place” in the feeling of security, joyful fervor, optimism, faith in Hashem Tabernacle. and a recognition that as Hashem is, was and will be so too are we His children, an eternal essential part of G-d As we celebrate these concepts, they each proclaim Almighty Himself. that we can transcend our physical limits and truly comprehend and appreciate, in an experiential way, As we celebrate, let us keep in mind and pray for all freedom represented by the seventh day/Splitting of the those who need healing to be healed immediately and Sea, Moshiach represented by the eighth day/with the completely, for all those who need consolation to be Moshiach Haftorah and Seudah and Hashem represented comforted and consoled, and for the entire world to find by His coming to dwell in our earthly, physical world. They peace of mind and soul. all connect to the essence of our Souls which is fused to the essence of Hashem. With love and anticipating our being together with each other once again very soon with celebration, health and Let’s thank Hashem and rejoice for these extra ordinary, peace of mind and soul. beyond nature gifts. Have a great Yomtov and enjoyable Shabbat. The Torah states that each of us must perceive our emancipation from Egypt not only as the commemoration of an historical experience 3332 years ago but as our own personal exodus from our own limits, imprisonments, Rabbi S. Lipskar boundaries and infringements. We can do so even under these most challenging conditions. NISSAN LIGHT & POWER If we accept all that I have just shared with you not only Light & Power and Wine for Kiddush & Havdalah on a theoretical, aesthetic level but something that is real for the month of Nissan is Kindly Sponsored by and practical in our lives, then it can make a real difference in how we feel and live. Mr. Daniel Shapiro “In honor of my dear Father, All of the above factors 1) Emancipation which is Dov ben Yaacov” imbedded in our fundamental DNA beings, as Jews have proclaimed Freedom for Humanity since our Exodus from “Those who establish Synagogues for prayer and those who come there to Egypt; 2) a real belief in the coming of Moshiach who G-d pray, those who provide lights for illumination, wine and grape juice for kiddush has assured will come - and the Rebbe has emphasized and havdalah, food for the wayfarers and charity for the needy, and all those that this is the generation when he will be revealed and who occupy themselves faithfully with communal affairs - may The Holy One, we actually celebrate his advent in our homes with our blessed be He, give them their reward, remove them from all sicknesses, heal families with a Feast for Moshiach / Seudas Moshiach their entire body, pardon all their sins, and send blessing and success to all established by the Baal ShemTov 250 years ago, drinking their endeavors, together with all Israel their brethren; and let us say Amen.” 4 cups of wine as we did on the Seder night and singing celebrating his imminent coming; and 3) the realization 4 CELEBRATING SHABBOS EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR AN “OVER THE TOP” SHABBOS EXPERIENCE

KIDDUSH THIS WEEK: SHABBOS SCHEDULE Kiddush this week is available for sponsorship.

Candle lighting 7:27 p.m. Mincha / Kabbalas Shabbos 7:20 p.m. SHALOSH SEUDOS THIS WEEK: Shalosh Seudos this week is available for Shabbos Day Hashkama Minyan 7:15 a.m. sponsorship. Tanya / Hayom Yom 8:50 a.m. Shacharis (Morning Services) 9:00 a.m. Children’s Programs 10:00 a.m. Upstairs Minyan 10:30 a.m. The following dates are available for sponsorship: Kiddush 12:00 p.m. Daf Yomi THE6:00 SHULp.m. IS CLOSED TEMPORARILY. Kiddush Shalosh Seudos Men’s Shiur 6:00 p.m. March 14, 28 March 14, 21, 28

Women’s Shiur THERE WILL 6:00BE p.m.NO MINYANIM THISIf you SHABBOS wish to become AT a THEsponsor, SHUL please speak with Milena Shalosh Seudos for Boys 6:00 p.m. at 305-868-1411 ext 328 or email [email protected] Mincha 7:00 p.m. Shabbos Ends / Ma’ariv & Havdalah 8:21 p.m. Weekly Video of The Rebbe

Sephardic Minyan Friday Evening Mincha / Kabbalat Shabbat 7:00 p.m. KIDDUSHIM AT THE SHUL Shabbat Day Shacharit 9:00 a.m. Please help us to provide our weekly Shabbos Kiddush and Mincha 7:00 p.m. Shalosh Seudos by becoming a sponsor. Or join the Kiddush Shabbos Ends / Ma’ariv & Havdalah 8:21 p.m. Bank by becoming a Partner ($770 annually ) or Patron ($360 anually)

Next Week: Shabbos Parshas Tazria - Metzorah Candle Lighting 7:31 p.m.

Mincha 7:35 p.m.

Eruv Information We would like to emphasize that every Erev Shabbos, individuals should call the Eruv Hotline to make sure that the Eruv is operational. The number to call is 305- 866-ERUV (3788). The Eruv message is recorded approximately two hours prior to candle lighting. Surfside: The Eruv in Surfside now includes the walking paths along the beach. Pushing strollers and carrying is permitted on the paths, but not beyond the path or onto the beach. Bal Harbour: The Eruv in Bal Harbour included the inner (western) walking path only. The pier at Haulover Cut is not included.

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

5 COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS SHARING WITH YOUR SHUL FAMILY

BIRTHDAYS KID’S BIRTHDAYS 17 Nissan Mr. Joseph Baumel 17 Nissan Aaron Danzinger 17 Nissan Mrs. Mazal Berdugo 17 Nissan Eliav Shimon Eichler 17 Nissan Mr. Chanoch Perez 17 Nissan Sarah Esther Schottenstein 17 Nissan Ms. Laura Sheridan 17 Nissan Shmuel Avraham Portnoy 18 Nissan Mr. William Blachar 18 Nissan Aden Saka 18 Nissan Mr. Levi Yitzchak Danzinger 18 Nissan Rosie Rappaport 18 Nissan Mr. Noam Chaim Glick 18 Nissan Simcha Btesh 18 Nissan Ms. Giselle Shani Matz 19 Nissan Daniela Ostrowiak 18 Nissan Mr. Elliot Michael 19 Nissan Judah Capland 18 Nissan Mrs. Judy Milstein 20 Nissan Miriam Hazan 18 Nissan Ms. Sabrina Weingarten 24 Nissan Shelly Haya Woldenberg 19 Nissan Mr. Paul Nicholas Farago 25 Nissan Tali Solaimanzadeh 19 Nissan Mrs. Sofi Matz 26 Nissan Talya Levy 19 Nissan Mr. Huda Neuwirth 26 Nissan Yasha Liba Lipskar 19 Nissan Mr. Jorge Pack 26 Nissan Eliyahu Lipskar 19 Nissan Ms. Margie Sultan 26 Nissan Shoshana Sarah Stein 20 Nissan Mrs. Bella Krieger 27 Nissan Sophie Abigail Bogachek 21 Nissan Mr. Joshua David Matz 29 Nissan Eliyahu Akiva Diamont 21 Nissan Ms. Lisa Beth Ann Rosenstein 22 Nissan Mr. Mendel Notik YAHRTZEITS 22 Nissan Mrs. Ethel Meril Sirotkin 22 Nissan Ms. Michelle Robyn Weintraub 17 Nissan Debora Yosifove obm 23 Nissan Mrs. Tami Benveniste-Plitt Mother of Mrs. Tamara Rosen 23 Nissan Mrs. Beatrice Fischman 17 Nissan Dov ben Leiba and Yaakov Yechezkel obm 23 Nissan Mr. Fred Shainbaum Husband of Mrs. Jayne Shapiro 23 Nissan Ms. Suzanne Steinmetz Father of Mr. Ryan Shapiro and 23 Nissan Ms. Sharon Zisman Mr. Daniel Shapiro 24 Nissan Mr. Danny Barouk 17 Nissan Tzvi ben Shabtai obm 24 Nissan Mr. Hillel Gontownik Father of Mr. Shabtai Plutno 24 Nissan Mrs. Sara Mizraji 17 Nissan Rochel obm 25 Nissan Ms. Chanie Berdugo Mother of Mrs. Beverly Bavly 25 Nissan Ms. Lilly Lipton 17 Nissan Moshe ben Yosef obm 25 Nissan Ms. Esther Mamane Father of Mr. Joseph Bouhnik 25 Nissan Mr. Joseph Mitrani 18 Nissan Alex obm 25 Nissan Mr. Jefrey Wolf Father of Mr. Frederick Liss 25 Nissan Mr. Myles Wolfe 18 Nissan Chaim Moshe ben Yisroel obm 26 Nissan Mrs. Sandra Gewirtz Brother of Mrs. Rosita Zelcer 26 Nissan Mr. Jonathan Gross 18 Nissan Mesod ben Chamame obm 26 Nissan Ms. Madeleine Gross Grandfather of Rabbi Shimshon Tzubeli 27 Nissan Ms. Jewel Bertman 18 Nissan Jenny obm 27 Nissan Ms. Galit Cohen Grandmother of Mr. Barry Wax 27 Nissan Mrs. Jana Falic 18 Nissan Nachman obm 27 Nissan Mrs. Miki Feldman Father of Mr. Morris J. Kaplan 27 Nissan Mr. Ira Mack 18 Nissan Dora bas Shabetai obm 27 Nissan Mr. Jimmy Sultan Mother of Mr. Joseph Maya 28 Nissan Ms. Rachel Mondshine 20 Nissan Zvi Gad ben Shlomo David obm 28 Nissan Mr. Jacob Safier Father of Mr. Edward Rosengarten 28 Nissan Mr. Josh Wildes 20 Nissan Yehudit bas Mordechai HaKohen obm 29 Nissan Mrs. Rochelle Berman Mother of Mr. Mordechai and Mr. Alan Turgel 29 Nissan Mrs. Henni Halberstam 21 Nissan Mina obm 29 Nissan Mrs. Blimie Levy Mother of Mrs. Jane Mary Freund, 29 Nissan Mr. George Rohr Dr. John Sragowicz and Mr. Ari Sragowicz 29 Nissan Mrs. Marsha Sussman 21 Nissan Hana bas Sheiyah obm 29 Nissan Mr. Baruch Waldman Mother of Mrs. Lana R. Weintraub 30 Nissan Dr. Jean Jacques Edderai 21 Nissan Avrohom Aba ben Shneur Zalman Halevi obm 30 Nissan Mrs. Taliah Nerenberg Father of Mr. Sergio Gurvitsch 30 Nissan Ms. Ariela Stein 22 Nissan David obm 30 Nissan Mrs. Stefanie Wolf Father of Mr. Michael Weinstock 22 Nissan Eli Green obm Father of Mr. Levi Green ANNIVERSARIES 22 Nissan Esther bas Mordechai Osher obm Mother of Dr. Raymond Failer Mr. & Mrs. Brent & Jessica Levison 22 Nissan Herber obm Mr. & Mrs. Yonathan & Mazal Berdugo Husband of Ms. Esther Vlosky

6 COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS SHARING WITH YOUR SHUL FAMILY 24 Nissan Menachem ben Gedalia obm Father of Mr. Mitchell I. Kirschner THANKS TO OUR DONORS 24 Nissan Dreisha bas Yosef obm We sincerely thank the following members and supporters of The Shul Mother of Dr. Bernard Baumel for donations received between 03/31/20 and 04/13/20 24 Nissan Shalom Nachum ben Avraham HaLevi obm Brother of Mr. Jerry Gontownik We apologize for any errors or omissions that we may have made. 24 Nissan Bertha bat Rachel obm Grandmother of Ms. Lydia Hasson Mr. & Mrs. Yankie Andrusier Dr. & Mrs. Gene Moteles 25 Nissan Michal bas Reb Yoseph Aron obm Mr. & Mrs. Koby Assaraf Dr. Zev Neuwirth Mother of Mr. Paul Weintraub Mr. & Mrs. Menahem Banon Mr. & Mrs. Isser New 25 Nissan Rene Maklouf obm Perla obm Mr. & Mrs. Leeor Ben-Moshe Mr. & Mrs. Edward Ohayon Kevin obm Mr. & Mrs. Michael Blisko Mr. & Mrs. Jack Osman Father, sister and brother of Mr. & Mrs. Isaie Bouhadana Mr. & Mrs. Samuel Ostrowiak Mr. Stephane Bsiri Mr. & Mrs. Laszlo Brett Mr. Ari Propis 26 Nissan Esther Rose Packer obm Mother of Mrs. Phyllis Franklin Mr. & Mrs. Salomon Btesh Rabbi & Mrs. Ezzy Rappaport 26 Nissan Reouven Goldberg obm Mr. Uri Bublil Mr. Zion Revivo Father of Mrs. Julia Bsiri Dr. Brad Kenneth Cohen Mr. & Mrs. Eliott and 26 Nissan Sholom ben Tzvi Mayer obm Father of Dr. Stephen Robert Scheinman Dr. & Mrs. Brian Dooreck Jennie Rimon 27 Nissan Shlomo ben Dov obm Mr. & Mrs. Zev Drizin Mr. & Mrs. Edward Son of Mrs. Genia Bruder Mr. & Mrs. Steven M. Dunn Rosengarten 27 Nissan Rivka bas Shmuel obm Mother of Mr. Steven Kevelson Mr. & Mrs. Michael Elchadif Dr. & Mrs. Michael Salzhauer 28 Nissan Georgette Amoyal Haroush obm Mr. & Mrs. Harvey Finkel Rabbi & Mrs. Dovi Scheiner Mother of Mr. Ariel Haroush Mr. & Mrs. Leon Franco Mr. & Mrs. Mark Schlachet 28 Nissan Mendel ben Pesach obm Mr. & Mrs. Shmuel Friedman Mr. & Mrs. Mark Schnapp Father of Mrs. Rebeca Schapiro 28 Nissan Binyamin ben Alter obm Mr. & Mrs. Morris Gad Ms. Meryl H. Schneider Father of Mr. Jefrey Freimark Gerald & Daphna Cramer Mr. & Mrs. Shea Schneider 30 Nissan Paul Spiegel obm Family Foundation Mr. & Mrs. Robert Father of Mrs. Geri Kelly 30 Nissan Golda bas Yitzchak obm Mr. & Mrs. Aaron Gewirtz Schottenstein Mother of Mr. Mordechai Gottlieb Mr. & Mrs. Abraham Gewirtz Mr. & Mrs. Jorge Schvetz 30 Nissan Abel Yosef ben Yitzchok obm Mr. Daniel Gielchinsky Mr. & Mrs. Bentzy Shemtov Father of Mrs. Raquel Sragowicz Mr. & Mrs. Jonathan Gilinski Mr. & Mrs. Abe Mark Sher Mr. & Mrs. Jacob J. Givner Mr. Albert Sitt REFUAH SHLEIMAH Mr. Berel Golomb Mr. & Mrs. Yossi Sokol If you have a health update on anyone listed please contact The Shul. We would like to Greater Miami Jewish Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Sragowicz keep the listing current and remove names of people who have recovered. Federation Mr. & Mrs. Richard Sragowicz MEN WOMEN Mr. & Mrs. Levi Green Mr. & Mrs. Aaron Stauber Yehonatan HaLevi ben Malka Esther Yocheved bas Raizel Mr. & Mrs. Sam Greenwald Mr. & Mrs. Eric Stein Eliezer ben Sarah Bracha Mr. & Mrs. Ralph Gut Ms. Suzanne Steinmetz Aharon ben Beylah Shima Leah bas Gittel Mr. & Mrs. Roshi Handwerger Mr. Yitzhak Stern Meyer Eliezer ben Sarah Sarah Libke bas Baile Mr. & Mrs. Manuel Jaimovich Mr. & Mrs. Moris Tabacinic Menachem Mendel ben Sara Chana Bayla bas Masha Mr. & Mrs. Paul Jaimovich Mr. & Mrs. Mendel Yehoshua ben Tamara Rina Chaya Miriam bas Leah Ms. Judith Kaplan Tenenbaum Isaac Gilbert ben Nelly Esther Bracha Mr. David Karchov Mr. Dovi Wachtel Bentzion ben Nomi Rachel Genya Baila bas Gisela Mr. & Mrs. Shlomie Katan Mr. & Mrs. Paul Weintraub Margalite Sonia Simcha bat Sultana Mr. & Mrs. Edward Mr. Lawrence Weiss Eber Avraham ben Fruma Tzipora Pnina bas Slava E. Kopelman Mr. Jacky Werta Esther Feige bas Krandel Mr. Edward J. Leventhal Mr. & Mrs. Jefrey Wolf Shlomo Yaakov ben Chaya Tziporah Pnina bas Slava Mr. & Mrs. Albert Lichy Rabbi & Mrs. Aryeh Wuensch Sarah Rochel Chaya Miriam Yehudit bat Mr. & Mrs. Sheldon Lisbon Ms. Belinda Zaret & Ms. Chaim Zelig Ben Eidel Chava Mr. & Mrs. Frederick Liss Liv-Tiferet De Vitton Ari ben Na’ama Clara bat Corina Mr. & Mrs. Brian Lotkin Mr. & Mrs. Adam Ziefer Tzvi Yitzchak ben Chaya Rivka bat Shoshana Mr. Martin Lustgarten Chaim Tzvi Hirsch ben Guttel Miriam bat Risha Raizel Mr. & Mrs. William Lustgarten Mr. & Mrs. Lazer Milstein 7 A TIME TO PRAY DAVENING SCHEDULES AND LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE WEEK

DAILY LEARNING SCHEDULE AT THE SHUL - ALL LEARNING IS BEING DONE VIRTUALLY. PLEASE CHECK THE "DAILY VIRTUAL SCHEDULE" FOR UPDATED TIMES, TOPICS AND CLASSES. 6:20 -6:50 am The Rebbe’s Maamorim Chassidic Discourse R’ Zalman Lipskar 7:45 am Daf Yomi R’ Dov Schochet 10:15 - 11:00 am Maamorim Maamor of the Rebbe R’ Shea Rubinstein

CURRENTLY THERE ARE NOT MINYANIM AT THE SHUL

SHACHARIS MINYANIM (MON - FRI) SUNDAY SHACHARIS MINYANIM Main Minyan 6:50 7:30 9:00 Main Minyan 8:00 am 9:00 am Sephardic Minyan 7:45 Sephardic Minyan 8:00 am DAILY CHUMASH & TANYA AFTER EVERY MINYAN SUNDAY MINCHA / MINCHA / MAARIV MINYANIM (MON - THURS) MAARIV MINYANIM Main Minyan 2:00 pm Early Mincha 7:30 pm 10:00 pm Sephardic Minyan 7:30 pm Following Main Minyan 7:30 pm

EVENING KOLEL SCHEDULE - MONDAY AND THURSDAY 8:45 -9:30 PM Mon & Thurs 8:45 - 10:00 pm Evening Community Kolel Chavrusah To our beloved Soldiers in the Israeli Defense HALACHIC TIMES Forces, courageously protecting and defending BASED ON TIMES FOR APRIL 22 Eretz Yisroel. We pray for you and all of the soldiers safety and well being daily.

Alot Hashachar / Dawn 5:35 am Menachem Mendel ben Chaya Leah Earliest Talit & Tefllin 6:08 am Daniella Malka bat Natanya Netz Hachamah / Sunrise 6:51 am Menachem Mendel ben Aurit (Earliest Amidah) Eden Chana bat Karine Cecile Benyamin Aharon ben Jeniya Gila Rut Latest Shema 10:03 am Zman Tfllah 11:08 am Chatzot / Midday 1:19 pm Earliest Mincha 1:52 pm Plag HaMincha 6:30 pm Shekiah / Sunset 7:48 pm (Preferable latest time for Mincha) Tzeit Hakochavim / Nightfall 8:12 pm (Earliest preferable Ma’ariv)

Times taken from www.chabad.org Please note that during the week times may Vary by a minute or two. If anyone would like to send us the name of a soldier in the IDF we would love to add them. 8 DAILY STUDY A COMPLETE GUIDE TO ALL CLASSES AND COURSES OFFERED AT THE SHUL HTTPS://ZOOM.US/ 6457054016 ALL OUR CLASSES ARE HAPPENING "VIRTUALLY" PLEASE DOWNLOAD THE ZOOM APP FROM APPLE STORE OR ANDRIOD AND JOIN OUR CLASSES. UPDATED CLASS SCHEDULES ARE EMAILED OUT DAILY

DAILY CLASSES SUNDAY MONDAY

The Rebbes’ Maamorim 6:20 - 6:50 am Daf Yomi 9:00 am In Depth Chumash 1:30 pm PHL 101 PHL-301 PHL-501 Rabbi Z. Lipskar TXT 220 Rabbi Dov Schochet TXT-110 Rabbi Dov Schochet (Men Only) (Men Only) (Men and Women) Daf Yomi 7:45 - 8:45 am TXT-220 Rabbi Dov Schochet Tanya - Sichos 8:00 - 10:00 pm Insights to our Torah Portion (Men Only) PHL-322 Rabbi Shlomo Haltzband (Spanish) 8:45 - 9:45 pm (Men Only) PHL-120 Rabbi Shea Rubinstien Chassisdic Discourses 10:15 - 11:00 am (Men and Women) PHL-322 PHL-510 Rabbi Shea Rubinstien Women’s Study Group 8:30 - 10:00 pm (Men Only) TXT-110 Rebbetzin Chani Lipskar Community Kollel (Men) 8:00 - 9:30 pm At the home of: PLEASE CALL THE SHUL (Monday & Thursday) LAW-154 FOR DETAILS (Men Only)

WEDNESDAY TUESDAY THURSDAY Megillot - Men and Women 8:45 -9:30am TXT 121 Studies in the fve Megillot Rabbi Dov Schochet Parsha (Men & Women) Purposeful Prayer 11:00am - 12:00 pm 11:15 am - 12:00 pm TXT-101 - Rabbi Shea Rubinstein Women’s Torah Class 10:00 - 11:30 am TXT-501 Rabbi Shea Rubinstien (Men and Women) TXT-110 Rebbetzin Chani Lipskar Tanya Class In Spanish ( Women) Chassidic Discourses (Men & Women) Senior Torah Academy (Men & Women) 10:45 am - 12:00pm 11:30 - 12:30 pm 12:00 - 1:00 pm PHL-120 Mrs. Vivian Perez PHL-320 PHL-501 Rabbi Sholom D. Lipskar TXT-120 Rabbi Dov Schochet or Rabbi Zalman Lipskar 198 Park Drive, Bal Harbour Village (Main Sanctuary) Book of Judges - Years 2780 -2835 Tanya Class - English 1:15 - 3:00 pm Senior Torah Academy 12:00 - 1:00 pm PHL-120 Mrs. Vivian Perez Women’s Tanya Class (Spanish) Pirkei Avot ETH-101 Rabbi Dov Schochet 198 Park Drive, Bal Harbour Village 11:00 am - 12:00 pm PHL-320 Mrs. Vivian Perez (Men and Women) Spanish Kolel - Chassidus 8:00 - 10:00 pm PHL-301 Rabbi Shlomo Haltzband - (Men only) Call Vivian for details - 305.213.3202

9 DAILY WISDOM Inspiring insights on the Torah

Friday, 23 Nissan Cloven Feet [G-d instructed Moses to tell the Jewish people, “You may only eat animals] whose feet are [not only partially] cloven but completely split into [at least two sub-]feet.” Leviticus 11:3 The first sign of a kosher animal is its split foot. The foot both touches the ground and separates us from the ground. It therefore alludes to the notion that in our involvement with the physical world, we must remain separate from it, aloof in our dealings with materiality. The fact that the foot must be split alludes to the notion that there must be an opening in this barrier: We must make sure that the light of holiness permeates even the most mundane aspects of creation, and make sure to retain Divine consciousness even when we are involved in the mundane aspects of our lives.

The other sign of kosher land animals is rumination. This alludes to the necessity of deliberating before engaging the mundane aspects of life. First, we must weigh our intentions, ensuring that they are solely toward elevating the world, purging them of any desire to simply indulge in sensuality for its own sake. Second, we must weigh the methods we employ in elevating the world, ensuring that they conform to the guidelines set forth in the Torah.

Sunday, 25 Nissan Shabbat, 24 Nissan Healing Subconscious Flaws Avoiding Being Duped [G-d told Moses,] “If a person develops [certain kinds [G-d instructed Moses to teach the Jewish people how] of lesions on the skin,] he must be brought to Aaron to distinguish between the defiled and the undefiled. the priest [in order to determine if he is afflicted with Leviticus 11:47 tzara’at].” Leviticus 13:2 Spiritually, this decree refers to making the moral distinction The first types of tzara’at that the Torah discusses between what is acceptable, healthy behavior and what is not. are those that appear on a person’s skin. The skin This distinction is easy enough when matters are clear and is the external layer of our body; this type of tzara’at obvious. But all too often, the distinction is blurred, and what is therefore alludes to an imperfection in our external in fact defiled can easily be taken as being undefiled. behavior. Specifically, it afflicts people who are guilty of unintentional, spontaneous injurious gossip or slander. By studying the Torah, we remain connected to G-d, who is not subject to the limited reach of human intellect. Thus attuned to We can indeed purify our deliberate behavior, speech, Divine consciousness, we instinctively know what is spiritually and thought of negativity. Nevertheless, some healthy and what is not. subconscious negativity might remain, lurking so deep within that we might never become aware of it on our own. When the only trace of negativity remaining within us is this delicate, the only way it can surface is in spontaneous behavior, such as unpremeditated gossip – the casual remark that slips through otherwise innocent conversation. Spontaneous speech discloses the inner recesses of the heart.

When the Tabernacle or Temple stood, G-d let people know when they still possessed this slight imperfection of character by afflicting them with tzara’at. Although we lack this open sign today, we can still notice the slips of our tongue and take them as cues to refine ourselves accordingly.

10 Monday, 26 Nissan Thursday, 29 Nissan

Achieving Spiritual Balance Pride and Arrogance This is the law regarding someone suffering from If a man or a woman has a lesion on the head . . . a lesion of tzara’at . . . when he is to be purified. Leviticus 13:29 Leviticus 14:32 The eruption of tzara’at on the head is caused by self-pride and arrogance, as opposed to tzara’at elsewhere on the The fact that the symptom of tzara’at was a white body, which is the result of gossip or slander. The reason spot on the flesh indicates that tzara’at resulted for this difference is that gossip and slander are superficial when holy rapture is not balanced by an equal sense misdeeds, as explained above, which therefore affect of humble commitment to our Divine mission. Divine the skin elsewhere on the body. Pride and arrogance, in rapture is an expression of our love of G-d, whereas contrast, are warped mental attitudes that affect the head. humble devotion to His will is an expression of our fear We should continuously strive to eliminate these character of G-d and submission to His will. Love of G-d and fear imperfections. of G-d are identified in Jewish mystical texts as the “right hand” and “left hand” of our soul, respectively. Thus, favoring one over the other upsets our spiritual Tuesday, 27 Nissan balance.

Purging Negativity Opposite forces can only be harmonized by using a A garment that has the lesion of tzara’at on it . . . third force that surpasses and encompasses them both – the study of the Torah. Studying the Torah Leviticus 13:47 with a sense of self-nullification to G-d enables us to Our skin, clothing, and homes are three increasingly external rise above the limitations of logic and nature. We can layers that envelop us. Tzara’at first affected the outermost harmonize the opposites of love and fear, and restore “garment,” the house, because at first, gossip is a totally the healthy balance between them. This is another superficial symptom. If the individual did not take this cue, way in which the study of the Torah is the antidote neglecting to purge himself of his hidden negativity, tzara’at for gossip and slander, bringing healing and harmony broke out on his clothing. This indicated that his hidden flaws into the world. had started to seep into him from the outside. If he ignored this cue as well, tzara’at broke out on his skin, indicating that his inner evil, although still superficial, was now part Friday, 30 Nissan of him. At this stage, he had to be ostracized from society, with the hope that this demonstration of the consequences Even Righteous People Can Repent of his misbehavior would inspire him to mend his ways. I will place a tzara’at-lesion on a house. Leviticus 14:34 Wednesday, 28 Nissan Sincere repentance elevates us to degrees of Divine consciousness that we could not Looking at Others Positively have attained otherwise. Since tzara’at struck The priest must examine [the article to determine if it is specifically people who seemingly had nothing to afflicted with tzara’at]. Leviticus 13:55 repent for, it enabled even these people to achieve the closeness to G-d normally reserved for people The Torah specifically requires the priests to judge cases of tzara’at because they are the spiritual heirs of the very first priest, Aaron, who have repented for some misdeed. who was famous for promoting brotherly love among the Jewish people. Because of their love for their fellow Jews, the priests – Although this held true of tzara’at in general, it was while taking care not to bend the law of the Torah in any way – most clearly seen in the tzara’at of homes, where will make absolutely sure that the law indeed requires them to the sufferer was rewarded openly by suddenly pronounce the sufferer defiled before doing so. And if the priests acquiring the worldly wealth hidden in his walls. do have to declare a person defiled, they will do whatever it takes to declare him undefiled at the earliest possible opportunity. This physical windfall reflected the spiritual windfall that the person acquired: his newfound Similarly, when we encounter someone who appears to be closeness to G-d. afflicted with some negative character trait, we should not rush to reject him. Rather, we should first examine ourselves, in order This is how we should view any apparent to determine how well we exemplify the ideals of brotherly love. misfortune or seeming setback in life. It is G-d’s If we are in any way lacking in this regard, we have no right to pass judgment on others, for it could well be that our perception is way of elevating us to a level of relationship with skewed by our unrefined feelings. Him that we could not have reached on our own. 11 PARSHA MESSAGES SHEVII - ACHARON SHEL PESACH - PARSHAS SHEMINI MIRIAM’S SONG Based on the teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe

sung on the night of the Exodus in and drowned the pursuing Egyptians Egypt, the “Song at the Sea,” the in it, and expresses Israel’s desire that “Song at the Well,” Moses’ song G-d lead them to their homeland and upon his completion of writing the rest His presence amongst them in Torah, the song with which Joshua the Holy Temple. It concludes with a stopped the sun, Deborah’s song, reference to the ultimate redemption, King David’s song, the song at the when “G-d will reign for all eternity. dedication of the Holy Temple, and King Solomon’s “Song of Songs” Actually, there are two versions of the extolling the love between the Song at the Sea—a male version and Divine Groom and His bride Israel. a female version. After Moses and the children of Israel sang their song, The tenth song, says the Midrash, “Miriam the prophetess, the sister will be the shir chadash, the “new of Aaron, took the tambourine in her song” of the ultimate redemption: hand; and all the women followed her a redemption that is global and with tambourines and dances. And absolute; a redemption that will Miriam called to them: ‘Sing to G-d, for annihilate all suffering, ignorance, He is most exalted; horse and rider He jealousy and hate from the face cast in the sea…’” iriam the prophetess … took the of the earth; a redemption of such tambourine in her hand; and all proportions that the yearning it The men sang, and then the women the women followed her with evokes, and the joy it brings, require sang, danced and tambourined. The Mtambourines and dances. a new song—a completely new men sang—sang their joy over their musical vocabulary—to capture the deliverance, sang their yearning for And Miriam called to them: “Sing to G-d….” voice of Creation’s ultimate striving. a more perfect redemption—but Exodus 15:20-21 something was lacking. Something that Encore only a woman’s song like Miriam’s Song We don’t sing when we are frightened, The most well known of the ten could complete. despairing, sleepy, or after a heavy meal. songs of redemption is Shirat We sing when we are pining after one we HaYam, the “Song at the Sea” sung Feeling and Faith love, when we are yearning for better times, by Moses and the children of Israel Miriam, the elder sister of Moses and when we are celebrating an achievement upon their crossing of the Red Sea. Aaron, presided over the female encore or anticipating a revelation. We recite this song every day in our to the Song at the Sea. morning prayers, and publicly read We don’t sing when we are complacent. We it in the synagogue twice a year: on Miriam, named “Bitterness” because at sing when we are striving for something, or the seventh day of Passover (the the time of her birth the people of Israel when we have tasted joy and are climbing anniversary of the splitting of the entered the harshest phase of the it to the heavens. sea and the song’s composition), Egyptian exile. Miriam, who when the and on a mid-winter Shabbat in infant Moses was placed in a basket Song is prayer, the endeavor to rise above the course of the annual Torah- at the banks of the Nile, “stood watch the petty cares of life and cleave to one’s reading cycle—a Shabbat which from afar, to see what would become source. Song is our quest for redemption. is therefore distinguished with the of him.” name Shabbat Shirah, “Shabbat of The Midrash enumerates ten preeminent Song.” It was Miriam, with her deep well of songs in the history of Israel—ten feminine feeling, who truly experienced occasions on which our experience of The Song at the Sea praises G-d for the bitterness of galut (exile and redemption found expression in melody His miraculous redemption of Israel persecution). And it was Miriam, with and verse. The first nine are: the song when He split the Red Sea for them her woman’s capacity for endurance, 12 perseverance and hope, who stood lonely watch over the tender, fledging life in a basket at the edge of a REMEMBERING THE mammoth river, whose vigilance over “what would become of him” and his FUTURE mission to bring redemption to her By Yanki Tauber people never faltered. In every generation,” say our sages, “a person is obligated to see himself The scene of the young woman as if he himself has come out of Egypt.” standing watch in the thicket of rushes at the edge of the Nile, the hope “Mitzrayim, the Hebrew word for “Egypt,” means “boundaries” and of redemption persevering against “constrictions”; yetziat mitzrayim, “going out of Egypt,” is the endeavor to the bitterness of galut in her heart, rise above all that inhibits the soul of man, be it limitations imposed by an evokes the image of another watching outside force, or the physical, psychological or spiritual limitations imposed matriarch—Rachel. As the prophet by habit and nature. Jeremiah describes, it is Rachel who, in her lonely grave on the road from One of the most constricting elements of the human condition is the Bethlehem to Jerusalem, weeps over phenomenon of time. Time carries off the past and holds off the future, her children’s suffering in galut. It is confining our lives to a temporal sliver of “present.” But on the first night she, more than the male patriarchs or of Passover we break the bonds of time, having received a mandate to leaders of Israel, who feels the depth experience the Exodus “as if he himself has come out of Egypt.” We recall of our pain; it is her intervention before the Exodus in our minds, verbalize it in the telling of the Haggadah, digest G-d, after theirs has failed, which brings it in the form of matzah and wine. As we passover the centuries, memory the redemption. — those faded visages of past that generally constitute our only answer to the tyranny of time — becomes experience, and history is made current and Miriam and her chorus brought to the real. Song at the Sea the intensity of feeling and depth of faith unique to womankind. Passover is an eight-day festival, with two opening and two closing days Their experience of the bitterness of of heightened observance and commemoration (Yom Tov). While the theme galut had been far more intense than of redemption runs as a current through the entire festival, the first days that of their menfolk, yet their faith had of Passover focus primarily on our first redemption — our liberation from been stronger and more enduring. So Egypt thirty-three centuries ago—while the closing days highlight the final their yearning for redemption had been redemption — the future era of divine goodness and perfection heralded by that much more poignant, as was their Moshiach. joy over its realization and their striving towards its greater fulfillment. On the first two nights of Passover we conduct the Seder, reliving our redemption from Egypt in the telling of the Haggadah, the eating of the Today matzah and the bitter herbs, and the drinking of the four cups of wine. On The great Kabbalist, Rabbi Yizchak Luria the seventh day of Passover, we read the “Song at the Sea,” which contains (“The Ari,” 1534-1572), writes that the an important allusion to the Messianic era; on the eighth day, the haftarah last generation before the coming of (reading from the Prophets) is from Isaiah 10:32-12:6--one of the primary Moshiach is the reincarnation of the prophecies on the future Redemption. Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov, founder of generation of the Exodus. the Chassidic movement, instituted the custom of partaking of “Moshiach’s Feast”--a mirror seder of sorts that includes matzah and four cups of wine— Today, as we stand at the threshold on the afternoon of the eighth day of Passover. of the ultimate redemption, it is once again the woman whose song is the Thus on the latter days of Passover, our transcendence of time enters a new, most poignant, whose tambourine heightened phase: it is one thing to vitalize memory to the point of actual is the most hopeful, whose dance is re-experience, but quite another to make real an event that lies in the future, the most joyous. Today, as then, the especially an event that has no parallel in the history of man. Yet in the closing redemption will be realized “in the merit hours of Passover, we enter into the world of Moshiach. Having vaulted over of righteous women.” Today, as then, millennia of past on the seder nights, we now surmount the blank wall of the woman’s yearning for Moshiach—a future, to taste the matzah and wine of the ultimate redemption. yearning which runs deeper than that of the man, and inspires and uplifts it—forms the dominant strain in the melody of redemption. 13 YIZKOR AT HOME YIZKOR IS SAID ON THE 2ND DAY YOM TOV - THURSDAY APRIL 16TH BETWEEN SHACHARIS AND MUSAF

May Yizkor Be Said Alone? Since my parents passed away, I have never missed a Yizkor service. This year, the synagogue is closed, and I am sheltering in place due to coronavirus. May I still say Yizkor?

Response: Under normal circumstances, Yizkor should be recited during synagogue services in the presence of fellow Jews, each recalling his or her loved ones.

While synagogue attendance is an important element of Yizkor, it is not a requirement when it is not possible. This year, we will all recite Yizkor privately at home, secure in the knowledge that that is what G-d wants from us right now, taking comfort in knowing that our loved ones would surely want us to stay safe.

(Note that this is not the case for Kaddish, which may not be recited privately.)

This may be obvious, but it is worth mentioning: The Yizkor prayer asks that G-d bring benefit to the souls of our loved ones in the merit of charity we pledge. Even though you will pledge at home this year, our communal organizations can use donations more than ever. So make sure to give that tzedakah (after the holiday, of course).

TEXT OF YIZKOR

14 Translation: May the All-Merciful Father Who dwells in the supernal heights, in His profound compassion, remember with mercy the pious, the upright and the perfect ones, the holy communities who gave their lives for the sanctification of the Divine Name. They were beloved and pleasant in their lives, and [even] in their death were not parted [from Him]; they were swifter than eagles, stronger than lions to carry out the will of their Maker and the desire of their Creator. May our G-d remember them with favor together with the other righteous of the world, and avenge the spilled blood of His servants, as it is written in the Torah of Moses, the man of G-d: O nations, sing the praises of His people, for He will avenge the blood of His servants, bring retribution upon His foes, and placate His land — His people. And by Your servants the Prophets it is written as follows: I will cleanse [the nations of their wrongdoings,] but for the [shedding of Jewish] blood I will not cleanse them; the Lord dwells in Zion. And in the Holy Writings it is said: Why should the nations say, "Where is their G-d?" Let there be known among the nations, before our eyes, the retribution of the spilled blood of Your servants. And it is said: For the Avenger of bloodshed is mindful of them; He does not forget the cry of the downtrodden. Further it is said: He will render judgment upon the nations, and they will be filled with corpses; He will crush heads over a vast area. He will drink from the stream on the way; therefore [Israel] will hold its head high.

15 PRINTABLE PROGRAM FOR YOUR QUARANTINE MOSHIACH’S MEAL With suggested readings for each of the four cups

s the final hours of Passover slip away, Jews in every part of the world celebrate the Feast of Moshiach A(Moshiach’s Seudah in Yiddish), a custom of the Baal Shem Tov and his students. Just as we enter Passover with a celebration of the liberation from Egypt, so we sign off with a celebration of a much greater liberation yet to come.

Usually, many people gather for the feast, everyone sings, the rabbi talks a little, and everyone imbibes four cups of wine (or grape juice). Since the vast majority of us Meals (and give the rabbi some perfect faith in the coming of Moshiach. will be home this year due to Coronavirus, time to repurchase your chametz Even if he delays, I will wait every day this means that you and I are now taking before defrosting those bagels in for him to come.” Though all believing the place of the rabbis and communal the freezer). Jews accept this principle intellectually, leaders. for many the concept of Moshiach Next Year In Jerusalem! remains an abstraction. Partaking Not sure what to do? of Moshiach’s Seudah reinforces our Cup 1: A Teaching of the Rebbe belief in this principle, translating our Here’s a suggested program, comprising A Reflection of Moshiach awareness of Moshiach into a meal, a four readings, each of which may be The eighth day of Pesach is physical experience which leads us to followed by a cup of wine. traditionally associated with our associate this concept with our flesh What You Will Need to Prepare in hopes for the coming of Moshiach. and blood. Advance For this reason, the haftorah read on that day contains many The Baal Shem Tov’s linking of our Enough wine or grape juice for each prophecies which refer to the era of awareness of Moshiach to the physical participant to drink four cups. the redemption. Among the best- is significant, because it prepares us Wine glasses. known of these: “The wolf will dwell for the revelations of the era of the Matzah. with the lamb; the leopard will lie redemption. In that era, the G-dliness Kosher for Passover refreshments. down with a young goat”; “He will that is enclothed within the physical Reading material (such as this page and raise a banner for the nations and world will be overtly manifest. As the the articles listed below) printed before the gather in the exiles of Israel.” prophet Isaiah declared, “The glory of onset of the holiday. G-d will be revealed, and all flesh will (Since it is customary to sing the Hopp About two hundred and fifty years see it together.” At that time, “the glory Cossack melody at this meal, you may ago, as the time for Moshiach of G-d” will permeate even the physical want to practice it or even print up the drew closer, the Baal Shem aspects of the world—“all flesh.” sheet music here in advance as well.) Tov instituted a custom which The Program underlines the connection between Chassidut explains that the preparations the redemption and the eighth day for a revelation must foreshadow the Pray the afternoon service on the final day of Pesach: on that day he would revelation itself. Since, in the era of the of Passover earlier than usual, so you have partake of Moshiach’s Seudah, the redemption, the revelation of G-dliness enough time to set the table and wash for festive meal of Moshiach. will find expression even in the physical matzah well before sunset. The program world, it is fitting that our preparation is flexible, but we suggest you sing your Transforming the Belief in for these revelations be associated favorite niggunim (Chassidic melodies) and Moshiach into Reality with physical activities such as eating read the following four articles, each one Moshiach’s Seudah is intended to and drinking. followed by a l’chaim over another (small) deepen our awareness of Moshiach glass of wine or grape juice. and enable us to integrate it into Transforming the Worldly our thinking processes. The twelfth Moshiach’s Seudah, as mentioned After night has fallen, don’t forget to article of Rambam’s thirteen above, is held on the eighth day include the Passover inserts in Grace After principles of faith is “I believe with of Pesach. The Torah originally 16 commanded us to celebrate Pesach us that self-transcendence does not fulfillment of the prophecies of the for seven days. When our people require that we erase our personal haftorah recited on the eighth day of were exiled, however, a certain degree identities. Self-transcendence may be Pesach: “A shoot will come forth from of doubt arose regarding the exact accomplished within each individual’s the stem of Yishai . . . , and the spirit date on which the holidays should be nature. A person can retain his of G-d will rest upon him”—with the celebrated. To solve the problem of distinctive character and identity, coming of Moshiach, speedily in our determining the Jewish calendar in yet dedicate his life to spreading days. exile, our sages added an extra day to G-dliness instead of pursuing personal each festival. In other words, the eighth fulfillment. Once he has fundamentally Adapted from Likkutei Sichot, vol. 7, pp. day of Pesach had been an ordinary transformed his will, an individual can 272–278, and the Rebbe’s talks of the day, but through the power endowed proceed to a more complete level of last day of Pesach 5722 [1962]. by the Torah, the Jewish people were service of G-d in which his essential able to transform it into a holy day. commitment permeates every aspect Cup 2: The Baal Shem Tov and the of his personality. Empty Glass When Moshiach comes, a similar Every year, in honor of Passover, transformation will occur throughout This innovation of the Rebbe Rashab members of the Baal Shem Tov’s all of creation. Even the material exemplifies the comprehensive household purchased a large quantity and mundane aspects of the world contribution of Chabad Chassidut to the of new cups to be used for the duration will reveal G-dliness. Celebration of legacy of the Baal Shem Tov. The Baal of the holiday. Moshiach’s Seudah on the eighth day Shem Tov taught each Jew how to reveal of Pesach—once an ordinary day, now his essential G-dly nature and thus rise Of course, following Jewish law, the transformed—anticipates the kind of above his personal identity. Chabad, glasses that were to be used would transformation that will characterize an acronym for the Hebrew words first be immersed in a mikvah. the era of the redemption. chochmah, binah and daat (“wisdom, understanding and knowledge”), brings The glasses came in a variety of shapes Why the Baal Shem Tov? the Baal Shem Tov’s teachings into the and sizes. Now, in Jewish literature That the Baal Shem Tov originated realm of the intellect, allowing them to there is a system for measuring liquids, the custom of Moshiach’s Seudah is be integrated and applied within each with specific names for the various particularly fitting. Once, in the course individual’s personal framework. amounts. In the Baal Shem Tov’s home, of his ascent to the heavenly realms the glasses were referred to by the on Rosh Hashanah, the Baal Shem Tov The Mission of Our Generation Jewish name for the amount of liquid encountered Moshiach and asked him, Our generation has been charged they were able to contain. Thus, a glass “When are you coming?” Moshiach with the responsibility of making all that contained three ounces or so was replied, “When the wellsprings of your Jews aware of Moshiach—and this called a revi’it glass, etc. teachings spread outward.” includes the custom of conducting Moshiach’s Seudah. This mission is Before Passover, the Baal Shem Tov The goal of the Baal Shem Tov’s life was particularly relevant in our day, for would look through the glasses and to prepare us for Moshiach, and the the Jewish people have completed all instruct which cups could be set upon institution of Moshiach’s Seudah was the divine service necessary to enable the table and which should be set part of that life’s work. Moshiach to come. As the Previous aside. He provided no reasons for his Rebbe expressed it, “We have already directives, but everyone knew that The Contribution of Chabad polished the buttons.” Moshiach is surely his reasoning was sound. Like many other teachings of the Baal waiting: “Here he stands behind our Shem Tov, the custom of conducting wall, watching through the windows, Thus passed the first seven days of Moshiach’s Seudah was explained and peering through the crevices.” The walls Passover. widely disseminated by the successive of exile are already crumbling, and now, rebbes of Chabad. Moreover, in 5666 in the immediate future, Moshiach will Now, the final meal on Passover, known (1906) the Rebbe Rashab (the fifth be revealed. as Moshiach’s meal, was special. It Lubavitcher Rebbe) added a new was open to the public; everyone element to Moshiach’s Seudah: the There are those who argue that who passed through the sage’s door drinking of four cups of wine. speaking openly about the coming of was free to enter and partake of the Moshiach may alienate some people. festivities. Before the meal began, the During the time of the Baal Shem Tov, The very opposite is true. We are living Baal Shem Tov instructed that a certain the main ingredient of Moshiach’s in the time directly preceding the age cup be removed from the table because Seudah was matzah. The tasteless of Moshiach. The world is changing, it had not been immersed. flatness of matzah symbolizes selfless and people are willing, even anxious, humility, a desire to transcend oneself. to hear about Moshiach. It is thus our During the meal, a newcomer entered Wine, by contrast, is flavorful and duty to reach out and involve as many and asked for some wine. “Sorry,” he pleasurable, and thus symbolizes people as possible in the preparations was told, “but there are no more clean the assertiveness of our individual for his coming. cups.” personalities. Combining matzah and wine in Moshiach’s Seudah teaches These endeavors will escalate the 17 “What do you mean?” he asked with The prophet Isaiah describes an But once that mission is complete surprise, pointing to the cup that had individual upon whom “the spirit of and the world is at peace, buzzing been set aside, “I see a clean cup right G-d rests, a spirit of wisdom and with wisdom until even the leopards over here that no one is using!” understanding, a spirit of counsel and and wolves are behaving and the very heroism, a spirit of knowledge and fear earth itself is full of knowledge, then “Oh,” he was told, “that cup has not of the Lord.” everything changes. What would be been immersed in the mikvah and must crucial at such a point would be not not be used.” What will this individual accomplish? a king, but a teacher. Yes, the world Something quite different than what is enlightened, but it is still a world “It doesn’t matter,” he replied we are used to kings accomplishing. emerging into enlightenment. The dismissively, reaching for the cup. The prophet continues: Moshiach, as a teacher, would guide people to see and to understand this At that point, the Baal Shem Tov, who A wolf shall live with a lamb, and a new world into which they had entered. had hitherto been silent during the leopard shall lie with a kid; and a calf exchange, spoke with sadness. “He just and a lion cub and a fatling shall lie And yet, the very word moshiach testified about himself.” together, and a small child shall lead means “anointed.” Anointed for what? them. A cow and a bear shall graze, Anointed to be a king. But who will The words were mysterious to everyone their children shall lie down together; need a king? aside from the man himself. Hearing and a lion, like cattle, shall eat straw. the rebbe’s gentle words of rebuke, he What really is a king? Yes, a king admitted his shortcoming. It was true. An infant shall play over the hole of a governs, but is that really what a king He and his wife were not particular viper snake, and over the eyeball of is? about the laws of family purity, which an adder, a weaned child shall stretch require a previously menstruant forth his hand. They shall neither harm The question was asked by several of woman to immerse in a mikvah before nor destroy on all My holy mount, for the rebbes of Chabad. Here’s how they being intimate with her husband. the earth shall be full of the knowing of answered: G-d as water covers the seabed. Inspired, they resolved to mend their A king—an authentic, genuine-to-the- ways. Basically, what that means is that core king—is an individual who stands the messianic times are not simply head and shoulders above the people Translated from Sefer Hasichot, 5702. times of love, peace and hanging out around him. That’s why a king who together. They are times when “the must force the people to accept him Cup 3: Why Does Moshiach Have to earth shall be full of the knowing of as king is not a real king. A real king is Be a King? (Tzvi Freeman) G-d,” so inundated with that knowing, someone like King Saul, who, when Dear Rabbi, that higher awareness, that state of chosen by the prophet Samuel and the enlightenment, that even the wild people, could not be found, because he Every time you people talk about the beasts of the field will behave. had hid himself, hoping that he would messianic era, and “the Moshiach” not be chosen. (which I assume equates with If so, in such a state, who needs a king? “messiah”), you insist on talking Who needs any government at all? About King Saul, the prophet says that about him as a king. Well, we started Let the people, so fully enlightened he was “from his shoulders up taller than guillotining kings over two hundred and aware of their Creator and their all the people.” That’s not just a vertical years ago, and they haven’t really been responsibility to His creation, self- measurement. “Shoulders” refers to in fashion since. We have found liberal organize and work things out between emotions. Saul’s emotions were at the democracies much more adept at one another. I mean, do you really level of another person’s intellect. His protecting the rights of the individuals, expect enlightened beings to hurt, mind, then, was completely beyond, in and working for the maximum benefit steal, extort, or otherwise cause bodily a higher realm altogether. of the maximum number of people. or monetary harm to one another? So Kings were notoriously lousy at all that. who needs government in such a world, This will also be the character of the never mind a king? Moshiach. Yes, he will be a teacher— So how about we just call him (or her) because that’s what those times will an “enlightened spiritual leader”? The Okay, to get to that point, we may be all about: learning, knowing, gaining “king” title seems such an anachronism. well need an outstanding individual, a divine wisdom. But a teacher—a good great leader who could deal with the teacher—limits his lesson to that for —Looking forward to your response oppressors and dictators and other which the student is ready and can powerful shmendriks of the world. As handle. The Moshiach will be a teacher, Dear Looking Forward, Maimonides puts it, someone who will but one with a kingly character: as strengthen the Torah and “fight the wars enlightened as they may be, he will see You raise an excellent point, but I’m not of G-d”—not necessarily military wars, far beyond. And yet, as a teacher-king, sure whether you really understand but actions that have very powerful he will be capable of transmitting that how sharp a point it really is. political and social ramifications. transcendental knowledge to all of us 18 as well. Perhaps not cognitively, but in “Elana, come. We’re taking you to my kept walking until the water was up to some form in which it can be shared. mother in-law’s cousin. She’s married his chest, then up to his neck, then his to a great tzaddik [righteous man].” nose. And then it happened. The sea An interesting idea, because it fits so Here was an opportunity for me to split, and the nation of Israel passed well into the idea of what the messianic receive a blessing for children. through. Once they reached the other era is all about and how it fulfills the side, their enemy came chasing after purpose of creation—as Rabbi Schneur We wound our way through the them, and the wall of water crashed Zalman writes, “everything depends on twisted alleyways of a very religious down, drowning the Egyptian soldiers our work throughout the time of exile.” neighborhood in Jerusalem, until we in the stormy sea. arrived at the tzaddik’s home. His Meaning that through the toil of our wife, the rebbetzin, opened the door. What would have happened if Nachshon hard work, our struggle and persistence She greeted us as though we were old hadn’t jumped in? What would have in the most trying times right up until friends, although she didn’t even know happened if he hadn’t kept walking into that glorious era, we will draw into the who I was or why I was coming to meet the waters? Would G-d have split the world a deep light, an essence-light, her and her husband. She rushed us to sea open? I don’t know. Maybe, maybe such as could never have been revealed the dining-room table, which was laid not. without that labor. It is that essence- out with salads and delicacies. Before light that the Moshiach will have the job I knew it, I was sitting at the table, What would have happened if you of revealing to us. Something entirely surrounded by this incredible family decided you couldn’t meet “one more” transcendental, and yet, something and being served tons of food. person? What if you had turned down that each of us touches; something that opportunity to go on “one more from which each of us draws strength Now, just as a side note, by this point in date,” the one where you met your every time we defy the confusion and the week I had had my full of meat and husband? Would you be married now? darkness of our present world to do chicken and potatoes. I definitely was I don’t know. Maybe, maybe not. what we know is right and beautiful. not hungry and had no idea that I was going to be eating yet another (mind What would have happened if you This teacher, then, is the ultimate of you, delicious) Passover meal. I thought decided that you had had enough, and teachers. A king teacher. For he will that I was done already. But no, the you were done trying to conceive? show us the very core essence of our rebbetzin informed me that we were What if you decided this when you souls, and how they are rooted in the taking part in the Seudat Moshiach had only one more chance to ovulate? Core Essence of All Being. He will reveal (“Meal of Moshiach”). I had no idea Would you have a baby now? I don’t to us how we are all kings. what she was talking about. She then know. Maybe, maybe not. turned to me and said, “I’m not trying Cup 4: A Personal Experience to be nosy, but do you want a blessing And what if you were tired of dealing (Elana Mizrahi) from my husband for children?” with rejection and sending out My husband and I had been married resumes? If you hadn’t sent out that for three-and-a-half years, and we I nodded yes. I had already received last one, would you be working now? desperately wanted children. We were various blessings; undergone many, Maybe, maybe not. living in Jerusalem at the time. Passover many treatments; and tried dozens of was coming to an end, and although we things to become pregnant. How could The last day of Passover, when we have had had a wonderful holiday, there was one more blessing hurt? the Seudat Moshiach, is about the “one a sadness that clouded our joy. It had more.” The one more meal, one more been another seder without a baby, And, a year later to the day, I gave birth blessing, one more date, one more another week of Chol Hamoed without to my son. A few months after his birth, try. It’s about the one more good deed a child to take around to parks and my single friend got married; five years that will tip the scales and bring the festive events. Another year of asking, later, she gave birth to her second son, redemption. “When will our personal redemption also on the last day of Passover. come?” And for me, it will always be about So, what is the Seudat Moshiach? the blessing I received on the last day On the seventh day of Passover, we ate What is its power? of Passover, and the precious baby I what I thought was going to be the last was given on that day—my Avraham holiday meal in the mid-morning, and I G-d took the Jewish people out of Nissim, for nissim means “miracles.” settled down to read and enjoy the last Egypt, and seven days later, they stood hours of Passover. (In Israel, Passover before the Red Sea. The Egyptians were is celebrated for seven days; outside almost upon them; there was nowhere of Israel, an eighth day is observed as to go. They felt desperation. Should well.) All of a sudden, I heard a knock they go back to Egypt? Should they on my door. Two friends had come to fight? What now? Moses stretched visit. One of them was single, the other out his arm and raised his staff to the newly married. sea. Nothing happened. Then one man, Nachshon the son of Aminadav, stepped into the sea. Nothing happened. He 19 4 POWERFUL INSIGHTS FROM THE REBBE ON PARSHAS SHEMINI

Transcend Nature The Torah emphasizes that the dedication of the Sanctuary took place on the eighth day. Why the eighth? The reason is that the natural order of the world is structured according to a pattern of seven, as indicated by the seven days of the week. Eight represents the transcendence of nature. Therefore, the Sanctuary where G-d’s presence — a revelation of G-dliness far above nature — was manifest was dedicated on the eighth day.

Eight is the sum of seven and one. One signifies G-d’s transcendence, but as He exists alone, above this world. Eight reflects how the one permeates Body & Soul the seven. Unlike one, it does not refer to pure transcendence that leaves no place for the natural. In the 11th chapter of Leviticus, the Torah discusses some of the laws of ritual impurity, food that comes in contact Instead, it points to a fusion of the transcendent and with a source of impurity is rendered ritually impure. the natural, how His transcendence will pervade and permeate the natural order symbolized by seven. The above-quoted verse touches on two of the necessary conditions before a foodstuff is susceptible For this reason, our Sages associate the number eight to contamination: 1) The food in question must be fit for with the realm of Mashiach, stating that the harp to human consumption. 2) It must first come in contact with be played in the Temple in that era will have eight water or one of the other “seven liquids”. strands (rather than the seven-stringed harp played Man is a synthesis of body and soul, the Torah that in previous generations), for the new awareness instructs and inspires one’s life likewise possesses both a that will dawn in the era of Mashiach will erase the “physical” element as well as a conceptual-spiritual side. dichotomy between the physical and the spiritual. In The “body” of Torah is its legal code and pragmatic guide that time, our spiritual awareness will permeate our to daily living; its “soul” is the inner dimension of these physical activities, endowing them with inner depth laws, which addresses the internal world of the human and meaning. mind and heart, man’s relationship with his Creator and his purpose in life. The is also true of the laws regarding the ritual impurity of food. These, too, have a moral-spiritual application to our lives. The first law recounted above—that only food that is fit for human consumption is open to contamination— expresses the idea that the loftier a thing, the more vulnerable is it to corruption. Animal fodder is of a limited potential; equally limited are its negative uses. But the food that drives the human mind and heart can be the instrument of tremendous achievement; conversely, it may fuel the most destructive endeavors. The same applies to all areas of life. A person may choose to “play it safe” and avoid anything touched by controversy, risk, or the possibility of failure---anything that may challenge his spiritual purity. But in doing so, he also disavows his most lofty potentials, the vulnerable but invaluable “human food” resources of his life. 20 4 POWERFUL INSIGHTS FROM THE REBBE ON PARSHAS SHEMINI

Divine Reason The conclusion of this week’s Torah reading speaks about the laws of kashrus: which animals may be eaten and which may not. These laws are placed in the category of chukim, laws that do not have an explanation within the realm of mortal wisdom.

That said, there is still a difference of opinion among our Rabbis: Does G-d have reasons for these commandments? Some explain that we as material beings cannot perceive spiritual truths and therefore we do not fully understand. But there are spiritual reasons for each.

Others differ. They explain that we should fulfill G-d’s will because it is His will. We don’t need a reason to do what He wants. We should do what He wants because He wants it and should feel happy that He has given us A Selfless Love the opportunity to connect to Him by fulfilling His will. This week’s Torah reading contains the commandment: “Do not drink intoxicating beverages... when you come to the Tent of Chassidut explains that there is validity to both Meeting,” prohibiting priests from bringing sacrificial offerings approaches. All mitzvot should be fulfilled because when inebriated. that is what G-d wants. If He commanded us to chop firewood or draw water, we should do so gladly. On the The Hebrew word for sacrifice, korban, shares the root kerov, other hand, G-d is not a creature of whim. He, His will, meaning “close.” Offering a sacrifice meant coming closer to G-d. and His wisdom are one. And thus everything that He At present, our prayers take the place of sacrifices and it is through wants also has a reason. prayer that we develop intimacy with Him. Nevertheless, there is a difference between man’s A person so preoccupied with his material affairs that he cannot desires and G-d’s. When it comes to human beings, we think of the spiritual can be considered as drunk. He may pray, but have desires and we have reasons for them. For the when he prays he is thinking about his material needs. For whom things we want and the reasons we want them existed is he praying — for himself or for G-d? Prayer as connection to before we did. Their existence motivates our desire. G-d — indeed, prayer for any purpose other than serving his own needs is beyond him. This isn’t true when speaking about G-d. On the contrary, it is His desire that brings about their existence. We must come close to G-d for His sake, not for our own. On a There was no world before He created it, and when He personal level, we are all familiar with self-serving love, coming created it, it came into being as He desired, according close to another person for one’s own gratification. Yes, at times, to the dictates of His will and reason. Kosher food came that may also make the other person feel good. But one is taking into being because He wants man to partake of it. as much — or more — than giving.

But there is a deeper kind of love, one where we devote ourselves to another person for that person’s sake, where we care about them and are willing to sacrifice ourselves on that person’s behalf. There is no expectation of receiving anything in return; we make the commitment out of love, because we feel for that person.

Such a relationship should be paralleled in our Divine service. G-d should be served and we should come close to Him without any ulterior motive — neither material or spiritual. Such a commitment can only be genuinely made when one is level-headed and looking at the world objectively. Only when a person is in control and makes decisions with reserve composure can he truly act for others.

21 HALACHA OF THE WEEK BY RABBI DOV SCHOCHET SEFIRAS HAOMER he Talmud tells us that during the time before Shavuot 24,000 students of Rabbi TAkiva died because they weren’t treating each other with the proper respect.

This was a great blow to the nation as they represented the continuation of the study of Torah. Eventually Rabbi Akiva found 5 new students who were able to carry on the tradition. One should follow the local custom, though one is permitted to get whether it follows the first or married during the 30 day mourning To commemorate this tragic second tradition. If there is no local period for parents if they do not event there are certain customs custom then one has the right to have children, the custom is even of communal mourning observed choose either of the tow traditions. one without children does not get during this time. Tradition has it In some communities (including married during Sefirat HaOmer. that the students actually passed Chabad) the custom is to be strict away over a 33 day period, and the like both traditions because we are If one is celebrating a Bris during the customs of mourning are only for not certain which is correct. In any Omer, the father, Mohel and Sandak those 33 days. However there is a event one cannot deviate from the can all take haircuts for it is a festival debate when these 33 days actually custom of their community whether for them. The custom of not cutting were. One tradition has it that these to be lenient or even to be strict as hair applies equally to men, women 33 days begin from the first day of the Torah warns us against having a and even children. However if one is Sefirat HaOmer and conclude on Lag fragmented community. cutting hair from other places on the BaOmer, which is why we celebrate body (e.g. to cut one’s mustache) if on that day to mark the end of the The mourning is expressed in the there is some need it is permitted. mourning period. following ways: We do not make get married during this time, take While all of these customs are to However another tradition has these haircuts, listen to music, have commemorate the aforementioned 33 days beginning on the 2nd day of lively dancing or make the Bracha tragedy, obviously we must take Iyar and concluding on the eve of Shehechiyanu. to heart the reason for this event Shavuot. (According to this tradition and learn from it. During the weeks the celebration of Lag BaOmer is not The custom is be lenient regarding of the Omer it behooves us to related to the end of the mourning the blessing of Shehechiyanu (for recognize the love and respect the period, rather it is connected to the eating a new fruit, wearing a new Torah demands that we exhibit for passing of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai suit etc.) on Shabbat. another. And to correct any failings who commanded that his passing in this area. should be celebrated.) While marriage is frowned upon during this time, one is permitted to One cannot accept the leniency of get engaged. both traditions i.e. not start the mourning until Rosh Chodesh and If one gets engaged it is permitted finish it by Lag BaOmer. to make a meal as long as there is no dancing or live music. Even 22 STORIES WITH SOUL IT ONCE HAPPENED adopted.

“One morning the man came to me in a state of terror. He had dreamed of his dead parents who told him to do whatever I would instruct him. They said if he refused, he would die in his sleep. From that moment on he was the most willing penitent.

“Slowly, I instructed him in the Jewish religion. He stopped eating forbidden food, began to recite prayers, and begged the Al-mighty to forgive his he man, a follower of the great happening they threw me into the errant ways. After several weeks tzadik, the Spoler Zeide, came to back of the carriage and we drove passed, he even began sleeping near him weeping bitterly. “Rebbe,” away. When I recovered from the me and became completely attached The cried, “what am I to do? Stolen initial shock, I tried to explain that it to me in word and deed. property was found in my courtyard, was not I, but the other man who had and I am being accused of being a stolen the silver, but they scorned “A few days later I dreamed that thief. My lawyer tells me that I will not my words. It was obviously nothing Eliyahu told me to flee from that escape with less than three months would avail, and I accepted it as the place and go to the town of Zlotopoli in prison.” will of Heaven. where I would be offered the position of beadle of the town. But then I The Zaide listened and replied, “I will “I was thrown into a cell full of remembered the “Gypsy,” and my be a better lawyer for you, and you frightening criminals who found my promise not to abandon him. But, will receive only one month in prison.” appearance an occasion for great I reasoned, if a miracle could come mirth. They pulled at my sidelocks about for me, it could come about for “But, Rebbe,” the man continued, and beard, and I could only entreat him, too. plaintively, “I am an innocent man. the One Above to rescue me from Why must I be punished for a month?” their evil clutches. They tried to extort “I told the repentant man to follow money from me, but when they saw I me. When we came to the first door, “I will tell you a tale of a similar incident had none, they set out to beat me. we saw it was open. He held my belt which occurred to me, and you will and we passed through the door understand. Once I was staying at “The first one laid into me as two together, and continued into the black the home of a very hospitable Jewish others held me down. As soon as his night, with no thought as to where customs officer. I became friendly hand touched me, he cried out in pain. we were going. Many hours later, we with another guest there, and when His hand swelled and gushed with stopped at the house of a Jew who the Shabbat ended, we made plans blood. The thieves and murderers told us that we had found the path to to continue our journey together. who surrounded me took conference Zlotopoly. Unbeknownst to me, the other man with one another. One said I was a had stolen some valuable pieces of sorcerer, another claimed I was a “Three days later, we arrived in the silver from the house. saint; regardless of their opinion, town, and I was appointed to the they all agreed to leave me alone. position of beadle. So you see, don’t “As we proceeded down the road, complain about the judgements we heard the sounds of a carriage “When the immediate danger had of G-d, for they are very deep and approaching very fast. The man asked passed, I looked around at the other beyond the understanding of men. me to watch his pack for a moment prisoners. One, called “Gypsy” turned Just be strong in your faith, for I and he disappeared in the mass of out to be, instead, a Polish Jew who can assure you that everything that trees. The carriage stopped in front had been imprisoned for horse- happens, no matter how it appears, is of me and I recognized the customs stealing. I realized that I had been only for the good. And, as I promised, officer and a gentile officer. incarcerated precisely in order to you will sit in prison no more than one help this pathetic man repent. Little month.” “’Seize him,’” the Jew cried. “’He is the by little we spoke and I gained his thief!’ trust. He related a sad tale of being orphaned and then falling in with “And before I knew what was a band of Gypsies, whose ways he 23 RECENTLY IN THE NEWS RABBI YEHUDAH LEIB GRONER, 88, AIDED THE REBBE FOR MORE THAN FOUR DECADES

abbi Yehudah Leib Groner spent decades serving as an aide to the Lubavitcher Rebbe— RRabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory. During that span of time, Rabbi Groner was a firsthand witness to many of the events that sent ripples of transformation from the Rebbe’s office in New York in ever- expanding circles across the globe. He passed away on April 7, on the eve of Passover, after several very difficult weeks battling the coronavirus. He was 88 years old.

Yehuda Leib Groner was born in New York in 1931 to his parents, Mordechai Avraham Yeshaya and Menuchah Rochel, who was a descendant of Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, the founder of Chabad and the author of the Tanya. the hall from Rabbi Schneerson’s His parents fiercely guarded the Torah At that time, back in the late 1940s, office, and they were captivated way of life at a time when it was not Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson by his dynamic blend of principled at all easy to do so. As a teenager, he was catalyzing new approaches to practicality and profound learning, as enrolled as a student in the Central Jewish education and sent young well as by his deep aura of dedication Lubavitch Yeshivah, Tomchei Tmimim, students like Groner far and near to and urgency. Circa 1949, while still a re-established on American shores ignite the spark of Torah and mitzvot student, Groner set himself to help in the new headquarters of the sixth wherever Jews had scattered. At the out wherever he could, taking on the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef same time, Rabbi Schneerson (who sort of laborious and indispensable Yitzchak Schneersohn, of righteous would soon succeed his father-in- tasks that transform a raw text into memory (1880-1950) at 770 Eastern law as Rebbe) was also pioneering a a polished publication. In many ways, Parkway. revolution in Chassidic scholarship this set the tone for much of what and publishing, preparing key texts was to come: a willingness and desire Though he probably didn’t know it at the from the successive Chabad rebbes to be of service, to help, to facilitate, time, young “Leibel” was destined to for print that had previously remained to ease the burden of leadership. spend the rest of his life working at 770. in manuscript, or were circulated in Like many of his peers, he gravitated mimeographed copies. Energetic Along with his youthful peers, he naturally to the Rebbe’s son-in-law, activism and publications for Jewish was party to the dramatic events of Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, and children went hand in hand with 1950, following the passing of Rabbi would ask him questions he had in the painstaking intellectual work of Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn. All hope learning, both relating to normative transcription, annotation and indexing for the future of Chabad, and for a Talmudic topics and to more esoteric of complex and innovative works of revitalization of Jewish life in the issues that are found in Chassidic halachic adjudication and Chassidic aftermath of the Holocuast, rested teachings and Kabbalah. Leibel was a illumination. on the challenge of prevailing on the serious student and grew into a scholar Rebbe to fully accept his position as who was knowledgeable in both areas. The yeshivah hall where Leibel and his father-in-law’s successor. This his peers studied was just down

24 aid the Rebbe as he spent many hours distributing dollars to the thousands who stood in line each Sunday.

As one of those rare few with such close proximity and regular access to the Rebbe, it was natural that he became both a conduit and a gatekeeper. People turned to him with all kinds of requests to seek the Rebbe’s advice and blessing on their behalf, while he sought simultaneously to protect the Rebbe’s space, time, and privacy. As the number of people who sought the Rebbe’s guidance grew exponentially, the Rebbe relied less on a more formal format of correspondence and would was finally achieved one year later, in Rebbe’s glosses and instructions, which inscribe his responses in brief note form 1951, when the Rebbe delivered his became one of the most authoritative directly on the original letter that he first formal chassidic discourse and sources for customs particular to had received. The responses were then landmark “mission statement.” From Chabad Chassidim. Back in his youth relayed telephonically (and later, by then on, Groner’s vocation in life was to he and his yeshivah peers had grown fax) to the correspondent. The number serve the Rebbe, to facilitate his work accustomed to asking the Rebbe of letters and notes that passed in this and to observe his holy conduct. questions that arose in the course of manner through Rabbi Groner’s hands their studies. In the years to come, he is unquantifiable. After his marriage to Yehudis Gurevitch would remain an engaged student, in 1954, he joined the group of the listening carefully to the Rebbe’s many In recent years, Rabbi Groner spent time Rebbe’s secretaries serving under the talks and discourses and sometimes traveling to visit many communities Rebbe’s chief of staff, Rabbi Chaim following up with questions. where the Rebbe’s emissaries serve, Aizik Hodakov. Wherever his help was inspiring audiences with memories of needed, he proved himself an able and For many years, Rabbi Groner also the many special things he merited to willing aid. He served together with served as a teacher at the Beth Rivkah see. other members of the secretariat as school for girls. But in 1977, the Rebbe a timekeeper and doorkeeper for long suffered a heart attack. Rabbi Groner He is survived by his wife, Yehudis (nee nights when the Rebbe received people now committed himself to working Gurevitch), who he married in 1954; by for private audiences. The secretaries full-time as an aid to the Rebbe, their sons, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Groner would also take dictation from the sensing that the need for additional (Charlotte, N.C.), Rabbi Menachem Rebbe and ensure the efficient dispatch support would be even greater. Mendel Gorner (Kiryat Gat, Israel) and of his responses to the voluminous Aharon Groner (Monsey, N.Y.); by their correspondence directed to him from In the later years, especially, Rabbi daughters, Gitty Levin (Fort Lauderdale, around the world. Ranging from Groner was there wherever and Fla.), Chaya Sandhaus (Brooklyn, N.Y.), responses to individuals and families to whenever the Rebbe appeared, ready Sarah Tennenbaum (Brooklyn, N.Y.) community leaders and heads of state, to be of service—a gesture he took on and Shaina Wilhelm (Brooklyn, N.Y.); these interactions were always loaded as a sign of respectful attentiveness and by many grandchildren and great- with deep personal meaning and often befitting the stature of so great a grandchildren. with geopolitical significance, too. leader of the Jewish people. Following just a few paces behind, he would be At the same time, Rabbi Groner there whenever the Rebbe entered continued to assist with the scholarly the main synagogue at 770, whether work of publishing. Among other works to participate in communal prayer, he was involved in, he was instrumental lead a farbrengen or to share words of in compiling and publishing Sefer inspiration with a gathering of young Haminhagim Chabad, based on the children. He would likewise be there to 25 FRENCH CONNECTION REFLEXIONS SUR LA PARACHA Vivre avec la paracha La traversée de la Mer Rouge

a route réellement la plus courte des enfants d’Israël pour aller vers la Terre Promise aurait Lété de passer à travers le pays des Philistins. Cependant, D.ieu désirait donner à la nation juive nouvellement née l’occasion de rejeter les restes de l’influence égyptienne, et de se former dans les nouveaux chemins d’une vie sainte, par le moyen de la divine Torah, qui devait leur être donnée sur le mont Sinaï. D’ailleurs, le chemin le plus court vers la Terre Sainte, s’ils l’avaient pris, aurait entraîné le peuple dans une guerre avec les Philistins, et on pouvait douter si les enfants d’Israël qui où ils étaient en sécurité, pour les faire la mer ; un violent vent d’est se leva et venaient juste de sortir de siècles d’un mourir dans le désert. « Est-ce faute souffla toute la nuit. Par cette tempête esclavage continuel, seraient “ assez de trouver des sépulcres en Égypte les eaux de la Mer Rouge furent divisées forts pour se battre contre les hommes », s’exclamaient-t-ils, « que tu nous et se rassemblèrent en muraille de libres ; il se pourrait qu’ils décident as conduits mourir dans le désert ? chaque côté, laissant un passage sec de retourner en Égypte plutôt que de Pourquoi nous as-tu fait cela, de nous au milieu. Les Israélites marchèrent le faire face à une guerre sanglante. C’est faire sortir d’Égypte ? N’est-ce pas ainsi long de ce chemin sec et sortirent sains pourquoi D.ieu conduisit le peuple juif que nous te parlions en Égypte, disant et saufs bien loin de leurs poursuivants. par un chemin de détour qui le mena à : « Laisse-nous tranquilles, que nous travers le désert jusqu’à la Mer Rouge. puissions servir les Égyptiens. Car nous Les Égyptiens continuèrent leur préférons servir les Égyptiens que de poursuite, sans hésitation, dans la Après trois jours, Pharaon fut averti mourir dans le désert. » Mais Moïse, même voie. Mais les roues de leurs de la marche des enfants d’Israël. La calme et ferme dans un des, moments chars s’embourbèrent dans le lit de direction inattendue de leur route lui les plus critiques de son existence, dit : la mer, et glissèrent. Ils se trouvèrent fit penser qu’ils étaient en train de se « Soyez sans crainte, restez silencieux, incapables d’avancer ; et ils sentirent perdre dans le désert. Pharaon regretta et voyez le salut du Seigneur, qu’il qu’une fois de plus ils avaient combattu alors de leur avoir permis de s’en aller. accomplira pour vous en ce jour : car si en vain contre le Seigneur. Ils se vous avez vu les Egyptiens en ce jour, détournèrent pour fuir, mais c’était trop Il mobilisa par conséquent son armée, vous ne les reverrez plus jamais. Le tard ; car sur l’ordre de D.ieu, Moïse et prit personnellement la tête de sa Seigneur combattra pour vous, et vous, étendit son bâton, et les eaux reprirent cavalerie d’élite et des chars de guerre, tenez-vous tranquilles. » leur cours habituel, se refermant sur pour poursuivre ardemment ses anciens les chars et les chevaux et les guerriers, esclaves. Ils les atteignirent près du Moïse fit avancer les Israélites jusqu’à sur toute l’armée de Pharaon. « Pas un bord de la Mer Rouge et les poussèrent ce qu’ils parviennent tout au bord de d’entre eux ne subsista ». tout près de l’eau, s’efforçant d’arrêter la Mer Rouge. La colonne de nuées leur fuite. changea alors de place ; car, reculant Ainsi, D.ieu sauva les enfants d’Israël du front vers l’arrière de la foule des des Égyptiens en ce jour. Israël vit Sa Une partie du peuple juif était prête Hébreux, elle, se mit à planer entre les grande puissance ; ils reconnurent D.ieu à combattre les Égyptiens ; d’autres deux armées. et crurent en Lui et en Son serviteur préféraient se noyer dans les flots de la Moïse. mer plutôt que de risquer d’être battus Alors, D.ieu s’adressa à Moïse : « Lève et de devoir retourner en esclavage. ton bâton, étends ta main vers la mer, Alors, Moïse et toute la communauté Un troisième groupe de gens effrayés et divise-la ; et les enfants d’Israël chantèrent ce Chant de Louanges à et faibles commencèrent à se plaindre entreront dans la mer à pied sec. » D.ieu pour leur délivrance miraculeuse : contre Moïse, craignant qu’il ne les ait Moïse fit ce que D.ieu lui ordonnait. Il leurrés en les faisant sortir d’Égypte, leva son bâton et étendit sa main sur 26 LATIN LINK REFLEXION SEMANAL Parasha de la Semana El Síndrome del Faraón ansiedad. Esta ansiedad podría Error. Ése es el Faraón otra vez. Quizás Por Tzvi Freeman resolverse fácilmente, a través de la un poco más sutil, pero no obstante aceptación de una Fuerza Omnipotente Faraón. a gente se ríe de los términos y y más allá de la naturaleza, nuestro eufemismos modernos que usan sujeto prefiere ignorar la realidad obvia Monoteísmo significa que el orden los psicólogos, pero a menudo me que se halla ante sus ojos en favor del natural no es un juego absolutas de Lpregunto si a veces no sería bueno concepto del mundo del orden natural reglas para jugar o para romper. Creer utilizarlos para tratar los asuntos de la que ya ha integrado previamente en que hay Una Fuerza Infinita detrás de Torá. Por ejemplo, los cuatro hijos de la su personalidad. Esto podría resultar todas las cosas, significa reconocer Hagadá de Pesaj, podrían entenderse finalmente, en ahogarse bajo las olas que Él puede encontrarse haciendo Sus mejor como el hijo Dotado, el Niño Con del Mar Rojo. cosas en cualquier parte, de acuerdo Dificultades, el Niño Equilibrado y el Niño a las reglas o no. Nada lo detiene en con Déficit Inquisitivo. Esos términos Ahora que he proporcionado una visión conseguir Su camino, ningún comité intolerantes como “Profanador del más simpática de las dificultades supervisor, ninguna junta de apelación, Sagrado Shabat” podrían suavizar su personales del Faraón, se hace más fácil ningún accionista, ninguna suegra. Ni terminología por “quién sufre un déficit entenderlo. Después de todo, hacemos siquiera el Orden Natural. en el comportamiento Sabático”. Estoy lo mismo que él todo el tiempo. Se trata seguro que se puede aplicar en muchos de la “Angustia” ¿La prognosis? Según los profetas, otros casos... “quien posee un déficit estamos muy preparados para esto. Jasídico”, etcétera. La angustia es un estado en el que Como leemos en la Haftará en el último ignoramos la realidad obvia y percibida, día de Pesaj: “Como en los días en que Hay también algunos aspectos en favor de la pervertida, improbable salimos de Egipto, te haré ver milagros”. importantes de la historia del Éxodo visión de cómo imaginamos que debe (Isaías 10:32) que podrían entenderse mejor si ser el orden natural. Nos figuramos usásemos la terminología psicológica. nuestra vida como un forcejeo entre Rabí Menajem Mendl de Lubavitch (el Tomemos el evento de la partida del nuestra propia competencia y las leyes “Tzemaj Tzedek,” 1745-1826) explicó, Mar Rojo que ocurrió en el séptimo día de la física, comercio y aceptación “Como en los días cuando ustedes de Pesaj. Es fácil burlarse del Faraón social. Eso significa que tenemos apuntaron al Mar Rojo que se abría y cuando consideramos los hechos mucho de qué preocuparnos. dijeron, ‘¡Éste es mi Di-s que hace esto! superficialmente. Él ve a un pueblo La realidad obvia es que nuestra vida Como entonces, en estos tiempos, les conducido por un pilar de fuego, diaria está llena de milagros que vienen permitiré ver milagros más maravillosos caminando sobre el fondo seco del mar, desde Arriba. Tenemos muy poco aún, de los que suceden diariamente en entre dos pilares de agua, inmovilizados control sobre dónde terminamos y lo vuestras vidas.” como paredes de piedra (incluso Indiana que tenemos que hacer ahí. La física no Jones lo habría pensado dos veces) y tiene mucho que decir. Podemos hacer Abramos nuestras mentes e como un loco corre hacia adentro con lo mejor que podemos con cualquier intentemos de nuevo. todo su ejército. Y no es que no tuviera cosa que se nos ha dado y tener algún precedente del cual aprender. confianza en el Director de Todo, que Él sabe lo que está haciendo. Podríamos pensar que al Faraón “le faltaba un tornillo”. El Faraón era, sin Pero en cambio, nos preocupamos. Clases y Eventos embargo, intelectualmente cuerdo. Clases en Espanol Sólo que sufría de un “Síndrome de ¿Por qué nos preocupamos? Porque no Porcion Semanal déficit de Monoteísmo”. percibimos los milagros. ¿Por qué no Rabbi Shea Rubinstein percibimos los milagros? Porque vemos Lunes 8:45 pm - 9:45 pm Para ser más específico, el Faraón la marcha del orden natural a nuestro Tanya( Women) pertenecía a un subconjunto de alrededor, y si hay un orden natural, los Mrs. Vivian Perez cuestionadores del monoteísmo que milagros no pueden suceder, ¿verdad? Martes 10:45 am - 12:00pm poseen una fijación con el orden natural ¡Después de todo, los milagros 198 Park Drive, Bal Harbour Village percibido (“Ma’at” en el egipcio Antiguo. significan que las leyes de naturaleza se Jueves 11:00 - 12:00 Similar al concepto budista de Karma. han eliminado temporalmente, y que la Call Vivian for details - 305.213.3202 En idioma moderno, “Física”). Cuando vida se pone totalmente anómala, y la Analisis de distintos temas basados en la Perasha aparece un conflicto entre el orden voz de Di-s brama: “¡toma nota! “¡Esto Rabbi Shlomi Halsband natural y la realidad percibida (es decir, es un milagro!”. Miercoles 8:30 - 10:00 pm un milagro), el sujeto experimenta Domingo 8:30 - 10:00 pm 27 IN A WOMAN’S WORLD ISSUES OF RELEVANCE TO THE JEWISH WOMAN WEEKLY CLASSES Women’s Mikvah: Please call Mrs. Devorah Failer for an appointment: 305-866 1492 or PLEASE CHECK 305-323-2410 Please Note: Shabbos & Yom Tov visits must be Prepaid OUR VIRTUAL CLASS SCHEDULE

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Lemon Leek Roasted Cornish Hens PREPARATION By allrecipes.com Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

INGREDIENTS Place hens in a lightly greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Stuf each hen with 1 lemon half and 1/4 of the sliced leeks, then sprinkle with seasoning. 4 Rock Cornish hens Bake at 350 degrees F 9175 degrees C) for 1 hour, 2 lemons, halved or until hens are cooked through and juices run clear.

2 sliced leeks, white part only Let stand 10 minutes, then remove lemon and leeks. 2 tablespoons poultry seasoning

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CONTACTS AT THE SHUL 305.868.1411 Rabbi Rabbi Sholom Lipskar Ext 311 Associate Rabbi Rabbi Zalman Lipskar Ext 345 Rabbi’s Executive Assistant / CYS Ms. Lydia Hasson Ext 311 Rebbetzin Rebbetzin Chani Lipskar 305.992.8363 JLAC / Adult Ed/ Singles Rabbi Shea Rubinstein Ext 342 CYS College / Kolel Rabbi Dov Schochet 305.790.8294 Accounting Mrs. Geri Kelly Ext 341 Controller Mrs. Janice Barney Ext 318 Events / Offce Manager Ms. Milena Liascovitz Ext 328 Director of Events and Marketing Mrs. Devorah Leah Andrusier Ext 313 SHUL GABOIM Youth Director Rabbi Shaykee Farkash Ext 329 Operations / Maintenance Rabbi Shlomi Katan Ext 319 Mr. Andrew Roth Reception Mrs. Mindy Natoli Ext 0 Mr. David Portnoy Mikvah Mrs. Devorah Failer 305.323.2410 Rabbi Henry Eichler Pre-School Director Mrs. Chana Lipskar Ext 325 Mr. Ettai Einhorn Sephardic Minyan 305.868.1411 Mr. David Ben-Arie Hebrew School / Editor Mrs. Aurit Katan 786.382.9006 Mr. Seth Salver Hashkama Minyan Mr. Lazer Milstein 305.349.3040 Mashgiach Mr. Mordechai Olesky 786.262.9115 BOARD OF TRUSTEES Sidney Feltenstein - Chairman Alberto Kamhazi Simon Falic Shmuel Katz M.D. FOUNDATION TRUSTEES Matias Garfunkel Leo Kryss Albert Pollans - President Ambassador Isaac Gilinski Rabbi Sholom D. Lipskar Jaime Gilinski Jaime Gilinski Lazer Milstein David Lichter Max Gilinski Michael Perez Rabbi Sholom D. Lipskar Saul Gilinski Ryan Shapiro Monroe Milstein - Treasurer Sam Greenberg Claudio Stivelman Abel Holtz Morris Tabacinic BOARD OF DIRECTORS Mike Izak Steven M. Dunn - President Anita Givner Jacob Givner - Vice President Sam Greenwald EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE David Wolf - Vice President Sharon Hakmon Steven M. Dunn - Chair Rabbi Sholom D. Lipskar Mitchell Feldman - VP Oversight Albert Lichy Devorah Leah Andrusier Rabbi Zalman Lipskar Rabbi Zalman Lipskar - VP Development Rabbi Sholom D. Lipskar Janice Barney Lazer Milstein Eric P. Stein - Treasurer Alexander Matz Joel Baum Orit Osman Joel Baum - Financial Treasurer Ezzy Rappaport Maurice Egozi Brian Roller Dovid Duchman - Secretary Elliott Rimon Velvel Freedman - Associate Secretary Yaacov Saidof Henry Eichler Ryan Shapiro Carolyn Baumel Seth Salver Mitchell Feldman Marc Sheridan Max Benoliel Alex Tauber Daniel Gielchinsky Daniel Sragowicz Betzalel Camissar Jacob J. Givner Cynthia Stein Barry Cohen Evelyn Katz Eric P. Stein Boruch Duchman Rebbetzin Chani Lipskar Michael Tabacinic Henry Eichler 30