Shabbos Parshas Lech Lecha Cheshvan 10 - 11 November 8 - 9

B”H

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

SHABBOS PARSHAS LECH LECHA CHESHVAN 10 - 11 NOVEMBER 8 - 9

CANDLE LIGHTING: 5:17 PM SHABBOS ENDS: 6:10 PM

THE SHUL WELCOMES RABBI JEREMY GIMPEL & RABBI, DR. KENNETH BRAUDER

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.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 - SUKKOS CONTENTS

ISRAELI CONSUL GENERAL, LIOR HAIAT VISITED THE SHUL THIS WEEK Weekly Message: 3 Thoughts on the Parsha - Rabbi Sholom D. Lipskar Celebrating Shabbos: 4 - 5 Schedules, classes, articles & more... Everything you need for an “Over the Top” Shabbos experience Community Happenings: 6 -7 Sharing with your Shul Family Inspiration, Insights & Ideas: 8 - 20 Bringing Torah lessons to LIFE Get The Picture 19 -26 The full scoop on all the great events around town

French Connection 27 Reflexions sur la Paracha Latin Link 28 Reflexion Semanal

Hebrew Parsha Thoughts 29

A Time to Pray: 30 Check out all the davening schedules and locations throughout the week In a Woman’s World 31 CHASSIDUS IN STARBUCKS Issues of relevance to the Jewish woman OUR HEBREW ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS LEARNING CHASSIDUS BEFORE SCHOOL Networking 32 Efective Advertising

Numbers To Know 33 Contacts at The Shul Daily Study 34 A complete guide to all classes and courses ofered at The Shul

Get The Picture 35 - 36 The full scoop on all the great events around town

QUOTABLE QUOTE How fortunate are we: How good is our portion, how pleasant is our lot, and how beautiful our inheritance

From the morning prayers THOUGHTS ON THE PARSHA FROM RABBI SHOLOM LIPSKAR SHABBOS PARSHAS LECH LECHA

The hearts (thoughts/ It is precisely through the challenges that we are able perspectives) of to reach, the lofty levels of G-d’s intention for us. True Ministers and Kings faith is to accept all that happens in life as coming from are in G-d’s hands”. Hashem. Even when we cannot fathom the reasons “Though a fundamental for difficult realities, it does not diminish our faith and principle of Jewish faith reliance on G-d. Without friction there is no movement. and law is the concept of To move forward we need a backward thrust. Every free choice, yet our Torah descent is only there to bring us to a higher ascent. categorically states that Every challenge allows us to break through and reach secular Kings and leaders loftier heights. are preprogrammed by Hashem to fulfill His will. This time in history bodes the coming of Moshiach. Our very challenging and convoluted social norms require In this week’s Torah portion a complete paradigm shift from our materialistic, we begin the saga of the hedonistic, conspicuous consumption, me, me, me, Jewish journey through society to a vision of kindness, goodness, G-dliness and History. Abraham is directed by G-d to leave his familiar, selflessness. comfortable zone of family, environment and nationality and travel to an unknown land where his future is It is not by arbitrary design that more and more people destined. He is promised children, wealth, universal are recognizing the need for meaning and purpose in life. recognition and Blessings. It is not by chance that the world’s leadership is being tested and challenged. Soon after arriving at his Divinely destined destination, the land of Caanan (eventually to be the land of Israel) a The world does not depend on who is the face of its famine sets in that forces Abraham to descend to Egypt leadership. Our future is not bound with a particular where he can survive this physical challenge. name or person who makes international executive decisions. Two obvious serious issues are engendered: 1) Hashem just promised Abraham a cornucopia of positive From an eschatological perspective, our fate is determined blessings when he would leave his home and go to by G-d. From a personal and practical perspective, our Canaan, and practically the opposite occurs; 2) whereas fate and future depend on each person alone. You and the primary objective of Abraham was to promulgate I individually, and our singular acts and behavior. As G-d’s presence in the world and to attract the masses Maimonides, the classic philosopher codifier and Jewish to recognize G-d’s omnipotence and omnipresence, the leader par excellence wrote, “Every person must perceive apparent opposite occurs. The population of Canaan the entire world as perfectly balanced with the good and said that until Abraham and his G-d arrived all was good bad equal on either side of the scale. Each of us with a and positive but once Abraham arrives a famine ensued. simple act, regardless of its significance can weigh the entire world in either direction. A positive deed brings This apparent paradox of faith and commitment is the the person and the entire universe to the positive side genesis of the Jewish People and Jewish Faith. and a negative deed unfortunately brings the converse.

It is actually this seeming inconsistency that is the It is up to you and me to prepare our world for Moshiach. foundation of Jewishness. Throughout History we Jews Hashem wants us to go “Over the top”. have faced extraordinary problems and setbacks. We have been the recipients of persecution, prosecution, Have a good Shabbos and a great week! genocide, hate, intolerance and blame for every ill that society has encountered. Yet we are the “Chosen People” – “Children of G-d” - those whom G-d loves and cherishes.

How do we reconcile these polarized realities? Rabbi S Lipskar

3 CELEBRATING SHABBOS WITH OUR YOUTH EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR AN “OVER THE TOP” SHABBOS EXPERIENCE

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

Morah Malkie’s Tanya Andrusier Sara Fraida Katan Menashe New Chaya Mushaka Tot Shabbat Tot Shabbat 2 Pre Tween Girls Pre-Tween Boys Lipskar Aleph Wonder Girls Ages: 0 - 3 Pre1 - K Grades: 4 - 5 Grades: 5 - 6 11:00 am - 12:00 pm 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Grades: 1 - 3 10:00 am - 12:00 pm 10:00 am - 12:00 pm 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Back of Women’s Back of Women’s Section section Montessori 1 Haime Library Montessori 2

Kaylee Andrusier Zalmen Rosenfeld Chayale Lipskar Mendel Shur Teen Girls Davening With Dad Tween Girls Teen Boys Youth Boys Grades: 9th - 10th Grades: 1 - 4 Grades: 7th - 8th Grades: 6 - 8 Grades: 9th - 12th 10:00 am - 12:00 pm 10:30 am - 12:00 pm 10:30 am - 12:00 pm 10:30 am - 12:00 pm 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Montessori 3 Teen Girls Room Montessori 3 Back Offce Sephardic Shul

4 CELEBRATING SHABBOS EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR AN “OVER THE TOP” SHABBOS EXPERIENCE KIDDUSH THIS WEEK: Kiddush this week is sponsored by Mr. & Mrs. SHABBOS SCHEDULE Anton and Beatrice Fischman, proud grandparents of a baby girl, in honor of Olivia and Michael Sugar Candle lighting 5:17 p.m. Mincha / Kabbalas Shabbos 5:20 p.m. SHALOSH SEUDOS THIS WEEK: Shabbos Day Hashkama Minyan 7:15 a.m. Shalosh Seudos this week is available Tanya / Hayom Yom 8:50 a.m. for sponsorship. Shacharis (Morning Services) 9:00 a.m. Children’s Programs 10:00 a.m. Upstairs Minyan 10:30 a.m. Kiddush 12:00 p.m. Daf Yomi 4:05 p.m. The caterer for this week’s Kiddush and Men’s Shiur 4:05 p.m. Shalosh Seudos is Food Art Women’s Shiur 4:05 p.m. Shalosh Seudos for Boys 4:05 p.m. Mincha 5:05 p.m. The following dates are available for sponsorship: Shabbos Ends / Ma’ariv & Havdalah 6:10 p.m. Weekly Video of The Rebbe Kiddush Shalosh Seudos Nov: 30 Nov: 9, 16, 23, 30 Sephardic Minyan Friday Evening Mincha / Kabbalat Shabbat 5:10 p.m. If you wish to become a sponsor, please speak with Milena at 305-868-1411 ext 328 or email [email protected] Shabbat Day Shacharit 9:00 a.m. Mincha 5:00 p.m. Shabbos Ends / Ma’ariv & Havdalah 6:10 p.m. KIDDUSHIM AT THE SHUL Please help us to provide our weekly Shabbos Kiddush and Shalosh Seudos by becoming a sponsor. Or join the Kiddush Bank by becoming a Partner ($770 annually ) or Patron ($360 anually)

Next Week: Shabbos Parshas Vayeira Candle Lighting 5:14 p.m.

Mincha 5:15 p.m.

WEEKLY DAVENING SCHEDULE ON PAGE 30 Eruv Information We would like to emphasize that every Erev Shabbos, individuals should call the Eruv Hotline to make sure that the Eruv is operational. The number to call is 305- 866-ERUV (3788). The Eruv message is recorded approximately two hours prior to candle lighting. Surfside: The Eruv in Surfside now includes the walking paths along the beach. Pushing strollers and carrying is permitted on the paths, but not beyond the path or onto the beach. Bal Harbour: The Eruv in Bal Harbour included the inner (western) walking path only. The pier at Haulover Cut is not included.

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

5 COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS SHARING WITH YOUR SHUL FAMILY

BIRTHDAYS YAHRTZEITS 11 Mar Cheshvan Ms. Bonnie Drazen 11 Mar Cheshvan Tzila bas Moshe obm 11 Mar Cheshvan Ms. Tifany Khalily Mother of Mrs. Aviva Greenberg 11 Mar Cheshvan Mr. Gustavo Klimberg 12 Mar Cheshvan Mazaltov bas Zohra obm 11 Mar Cheshvan Mr. Jonathan Malove Mother of Mr. Isaie Bouhadana 11 Mar Cheshvan Mrs. Rochel Waldman 12 Mar Cheshvan Pinchas ben Sender obm 12 Mar Cheshvan Ms. Shirley Abraham Father of Mr. Moshe Shlomo Lerman 12 Mar Cheshvan Mr. Jonathan Izak 12 Mar Cheshvan Rachel obm 12 Mar Cheshvan Mrs. Janie. S Kupferman Wife of Mr. Jose Morel 12 Mar Cheshvan Ms. Jane Marcus 12 Mar Cheshvan Chaya Bahiya Zlata bas Shmuel obm 12 Mar Cheshvan Mrs. Renee Felice Moore Daughter of Mr. Sam Saka 12 Mar Cheshvan Mr. Shneur Wolf 13 Mar Cheshvan Moshe Yehuda obm 13 Mar Cheshvan Dr. Matilda Anhalt Father of Mr. Lawrence Jafe 13 Mar Cheshvan Mrs. Nava Izak 13 Mar Cheshvan Rachel bas Benyamin obm 13 Mar Cheshvan Mr. James (J.J.) Katz Mother of Mrs. Nily Falic 13 Mar Cheshvan Mr. Frederick Liss 14 Mar Cheshvan Shloyme ben Yitzchak obm 13 Mar Cheshvan Mr. Joshua Schmutter Father of Mrs. Fana Holtz 13 Mar Cheshvan Mr. Lawrence Shefel 14 Mar Cheshvan Yisroel Yosef ben Dovid Hacohen obm 14 Mar Cheshvan Mrs. Joni Blachar Father of Mr. Andrew Roth 14 Mar Cheshvan Ms. Ariel Brenner 15 Mar Cheshvan Feiga bas Mordechai obm 14 Mar Cheshvan Mr. Abraham Gewirtz Mother of Ms. Marilyn Cohen 14 Mar Cheshvan Mr. Yaakov Mizrachi 15 Mar Cheshvan Shmuel ben Felix obm 14 Mar Cheshvan Mr. Adam Weinberg Father of Dr. Janet Mitrani 14 Mar Cheshvan Mrs. Miriam Weinschneider 15 Mar Cheshvan Devora Sheva obm 14 Mar Cheshvan Mrs. Joy Ziefer Mother of Mr. Morris Mendal 15 Mar Cheshvan Mrs. Carolyn Baumel 16 Mar Cheshvan Malka Maya obm 15 Mar Cheshvan Mr. Meir Falic Mother of Ms. Esther Vlosky 15 Mar Cheshvan Mrs. Esty Scheiner 16 Mar Cheshvan Kreindel bas Leib obm 15 Mar Cheshvan Mrs. Esther Sitbon Mother of Mrs. Fanny Selesky 15 Mar Cheshvan Mrs. Amy Wax 17 Mar Cheshvan Avraham Tzvi ben Falic obm 16 Mar Cheshvan Mr. Jordan Anhalt Father of Mr. Eric Stein 16 Mar Cheshvan Ms. Ariana Garfunkel 17 Mar Cheshvan Meyer ben Shmuel obm 16 Mar Cheshvan Mr. Claudio Stivelman Father of Mr. Alan Lipton 16 Mar Cheshvan Mrs. Judith Zisman 17 Mar Cheshvan Mrs. Liba Barouk 17 Mar Cheshvan Mrs. Robbye Henesch 17 Mar Cheshvan Mr. Jesse Joseph Salver ANNIVERSARIES 17 Mar Cheshvan Ms. Janet Weingarten Mr. & Mrs. Ben & Marissa Jacobson

Mazal Tov Mazal Tov to Mr. & Mrs. Boruch and Yonit Duchman on the engagement of their KID’S BIRTHDAYS son Mendy to Sarah Rottenberg. May the wedding be in a good and auspicious time and may the young couple build an everlasting edifce in Israel. 12 Mar Cheshvan Motki Edelkopf 12 Mar Cheshvan Chana Simcha Portnoy Mazal Tov to Dr. & Mrs. Jean Jacques and Perla Edderai on the birth of a 12 Mar Cheshvan Emily Roller grandson born to their children Sharon and David Benarroch. May they see 12 Mar Cheshvan Shai Yosef Weinberg him raised to Torah, Chupah and Ma’asim Tovim and have much nachas from 13 Mar Cheshvan Yonathan Simcha Rosenberg him. 14 Mar Cheshvan Simcha Yisroel Gassner 15 Mar Cheshvan Eliyahu Wachtel WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS 16 Mar Cheshvan Jacob Rimon 17 Mar Cheshvan Ariella Rebecca Levene Mr. & Mrs. Abbey and Helene Berkowitz Mrs. Sari Weinberg

6 COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS SHARING WITH YOUR SHUL FAMILY

CHESHVAN LIGHT & POWER THANKS TO OUR DONORS Light & Power and Wine for Kiddush & We sincerely thank the following members and supporters of The Shul Havdalah for the month of Cheshvan is for donations received between 10/29/19 and 11/04/19 We apologize for any errors or omissions that we may have made. Kindly Sponsored by Mr. & Mrs. Shlomo Alexander Mr. Martin Lustgarten Mr. Gabriel Ammar Mr. Rafi Maman Mr David B. Schottenstein Mr. & Mrs. Yankie Andrusier Mr. & Mrs. Asher Mamane “In honor of my incredible wife, Eda Anonymous Mr. & Mrs. Alexander Matz Sirota Schottenstein, and her 2 x Mr. Daniel Belecen Mr. & Mrs. Temuri Nanikashvili Chai birthday. May it be a year full of Mr. & Mrs. Max Benoliel Mr. & Mrs. Eliezer Nerenberg Mr. & Mrs. Michael Blisko Mr. & Mrs. Isser New success, happiness, health and joy. Mr. & Mrs. Jerold Blumstein Mr. & Mrs. Jack Osman Mr. & Mrs. Isaie Bouhadana Mr. & Mrs. Samuel Ostrowiak And in honor of the Yahrzheit of my Rabbi & Mrs. Menachem Mr. Shlomo Pessar grandfather, Leon Schottenstein, Mendel Brod Mr. Badri Pichkhadze Mr. Samuel I. Burstyn Mr. Ari Propis Aryeh Leib HaKohen, a source of real Mr. Itamar Carmi Mrs. Rosita Retelny inspiration to our entire family.” Mr. & Mrs. Emilio Liba Cohen Mr. & Mrs. Russell Rosen Ms. Marilyn Cohen Mr. & Mrs. Edward Ms. Morri Cohen Rosengarten “Those who establish Synagogues for prayer and those who come there to pray, those who provide lights for illumination, wine and grape juice for kiddush Mr. & Mrs. Igal Dahan Mr. Andrew Roth and havdalah, food for the wayfarers and charity for the needy, and all those who Dr. & Mrs. Samuel Davit Dr. & Mrs. Michael Salzhauer occupy themselves faithfully with communal affairs - may The Holy One, blessed be He, give them their reward, remove them from all sicknesses, heal their entire Dr. & Mrs. Brian Dooreck Rabbi & Mrs. Dovi Scheiner body, pardon all their sins, and send blessing and success to all their endeavors, Mr. & Mrs. Zev Drizin Mr. & Mrs. Larry Scheinfeld together with all Israel their brethren; and let us say Amen.” Mr. & Mrs. Maurice Egozi Mr. & Mrs. Allen Schloss Mr. & Mrs. Gabriel Eilemberg Mr. Aaron Schlosser Mr. Raquel Eisen Mr. & Mrs. Mark Schnapp REFUAH SHLEIMAH Mr. & Mrs. Michael Elchadif Mr. Marvin Schnee If you have a health update on anyone listed please contact The Shul. We would like to Mr. & Mrs. Anton Fischman Mr. & Mrs. Shea Schneider keep the listing current and remove names of people who have recovered. Mr. & Mrs. Isaac Mr. & Mrs. David MEN WOMEN Gilbert Franco Schottenstein Eliezer ben Sarah Shima Leah bas Gittel Mr. Jill Friedman Mr. & Mrs. Pedro Seidl Aharon ben Beylah Sarah Libke bas Baile Meyer Eliezer ben Sarah Chana Bayla bas Masha Mr. Morris Gad Mr. & Mrs. Bentzy Shemtov Menachem Mendel ben Sara Rina Chaya Miriam bas Mr. Arturo Garcia Mrs. Ethel Meril Sirotkin Yehoshua ben Tamara Leah Bracha Mr. & Mrs. Bruce Gelb Mr. Eddy Sitbon Isaac Gilbert ben Nelly Genya Baila bas Gisela Mr. Daniel Gielchinsky Mr. Mendel Steinberg Esther Malka Tziril bas Devorah Mr. & Mrs. Gabriel Gilinski Mr. Michael Tabacinic Bentzion ben Nomi Rachel Dina Margalite Sonia Simcha bat Sultana Mr. & Ms. Ighal Goldfarb Mr. & Mrs. Simon Tisminesky Eber Avraham ben Fruma Tzipora Pnina bas Slava Mr. Berel Golomb Ms. Chaya Vartikovskaia Esther Feige bas Krandel Mr. & Mrs. Levi Green Mr. & Mrs. Jordan Wachtel Shlomo Yaakov ben Chaya Tziporah Pnina bas Slava Mr. & Mrs. Sam Greenwald Mr. & Mrs. Ezzy Wasserman Sarah Rochel Chaya Miriam Yehudit bat Mr. & Mrs. Sharon Hakmon Mr. & Mrs. Heschel Weiner Chaim Zelig Ben Eidel Chava Ari ben Na’ama Clara bat Corina Jewels by Jacob Mr. & Mrs. Paul Weintraub Tzvi Yitzchak ben Chaya Rivka bat Shoshana Mr. Samuel Klein Mr. & Mrs. Mark Weisleder Aryeh Leib ben Sura Henya Miriam bat Risha Raizel Rabbi & Mrs. Baruch Knight Mr. & Mrs. Michael Werner Rafael Maya ben Sol Dana Ella bas Devorah Mr. & Mrs. Menachem Kurant Rabbi & Mrs. Aryeh Wuensch Aaron ben Tamar Hinde Labtek Innovations LLC Mr. & Mrs. Jacky Yerushalmy Raphael Moshe ben Chana bas Shoshana Miriam Ilana bas Shaina Rochel Mr. & Mrs. Eli Levitin Ms. Belinda Zaret Meyer Yankev ben Chaya Chava bas Elka Menucha Rabbi & Rebbetzin Mr. & Mrs. Sergio Zelcer Etel Chaya bas Rachel Sholom D. Lipskar Mr. & Mrs. Adam Ziefer Alexander ben Esther Fayge bas Chaya Mr. & Mrs. Alan Lipton Raizel Miriam Leah bas Helen Mr. & Mrs. Frederick Liss Rafael Moshe ben Sarah Moshe ben Zoila Chaim Tzvi Hirsch ben Guttel 7 WEEK in review

SOLOMON CTEENS JUNIOR GIRLS PROGRAMS

HE SOLOMON LEADERSHIP OST BAT MITZVAH - PRE very night of the week PROGRAM LAUNCHED THIS CTEENS, OUR CTEEN JUNIOR the shul is packed with T WEEK AT THE SHUL, HOSTING P CLUB IS A FUN INTERACTIVE Echildren of different ITS FIRST EVENT, A MEET AND GREET GROUP THAT COMES TOGETHER ages learning, singing and WHERE THE MENTORS AND TEENS GOT EVERY OTHER WEEK FOR LEARNING, doing exciting projects and AcQUAINTED AND BONDED THROUGH BONDING AND ACTIVITIES. games. DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES.

8 A glimpse at The Shul’s YOUTH programs and activities

HEBREW SCHOOL MISHMAR BAT MITZVAH CLUB

hildren from the oldest HE BOYS YOUTH DiVISION Our first official Bat class and our hebrew ENJOY PIZZA, LEARNING, Mitzvah Club OF THE YEAR Cschool bar mitzvah TSINGING AND FRIENDSHIP The girls learned the division earned a trip to EVERY WEEK AT THE SHUL. importance of celebrating serendipity for excellent their Hebrew Birthdays. behaviour.

9 DAILY WISDOM Inspiring insights on the Torah Portion from the Lubavitcher Rebbe Shabbat, 11 Cheshvan Monday, 13 Cheshvan Circumcising Negativity Transcending Our Selves Spiritually, circumcision is the removal of the “foreskin of the heart,” the layer of apathy and [Abraham] came forward and said [to G-d], haughtiness that obstructs our true connection “Would you obliterate the righteous along with the with G-d. In order to spiritually circumcise wicked?!” Genesis 18:23 ourselves, we must wean ourselves of our attachment to self-indulgence. It is usually not so When Abraham saw that the angels were already difficult to renounce obvious or coarse material headed toward Sodom in order to annihilate it, he gratifications. It is harder to wean ourselves realized that he had to go against his naturally kind of more subtle attachments, whose negative disposition and that he could not mince words. He effect on us might not be so apparent. Therefore, had to argue vehemently and demand of G-d that He G-d has promised to complete the process of annul His decree. spiritual circumcision for us. This latter aspect of circumcision will occur in its fullest sense only in From Abraham’s example we learn that when we the Messianic Era. are presented with the opportunity to save another person, either physically or spiritually, we must not Circumcision is the only commandment that is hesitate. We should immediately do all in our power sealed in our physical flesh. Through it, every Jew to come to the person’s aid, even if that means acting is connected physically and irrevocably to G-d, in direct opposition to our natural dispositions. and thus we are given the power to transcend our material drives in order to manifest our true G-dly natures. Tuesday, 14 Cheshvan Misguided Piety

The wickedness of Sodom and its neighbors was Sunday, 12 Cheshvan a misguided overreaction to Noah’s Flood. The Spiritual Transparency generation of the Flood had been wiped out chiefly because they practiced and condoned robbery – the G-d’s self-revelation here to Abraham was on forceful and unjust taking of one person’s property a fundamentally higher plane than His previous by another. The residents of Sodom, aware of this, appearances to him. By circumcising himself in declared private property rights absolute, outlawing response to G-d’s command, Abraham became charity and hospitality as unjust uses of another the first human being to surrender his selfhood person’s possessions. entirely to G-d. Abraham could now experience G-d directly, without his ego getting in the way. In their zeal, the people of Sodom did not realize that Thus, Abraham’s circumcision paved the way for this opposite extreme was just as destructive as the Giving of the Torah, through which this self- transparency became the hallmark of Jewish condoning robbery. So, since the world cannot fulfill existence. its purpose of being G-d’s true home if we human beings cannot get along with each other, Sodom This means that by accepting the Torah from G-d and its neighbors had to be eliminated, just like the and committing ourselves to living according to His generation of the Flood. Nonetheless, since their vision for us, we can remove all barriers between intentions, however warped, stemmed from a desire G-d and ourselves. This, in turn, enables G-d to to do the right thing, we are told that these cities will reveal Himself in our lives in increasingly tangible be restored in the Messianic Era. ways. We can learn from this that our challenge is to find proper balance rather than live a life of extremes.

10 Wednesday, 15 Cheshvan Friday, 17 Cheshvan Words that Matter Being a Positive Influence [The angel said to Lot,] “Hurry! Escape [to the nearby city], for I can do nothing until you arrive there. Genesis Abraham’s inn was the first public institution 19:22 devoted to the dissemination of the belief in Angels possess no intrinsic identity; they are simply monotheism and to the ethical behavior that follows personifications of G-d’s missions. Therefore, when from this belief. By establishing a public institution the angels previously declared, “We are going to that challenged the world’s hallowed tenets, destroy the city,” they meant that G-d was going Abraham promoted the awareness of monotheism to destroy the city through them, since they did not even among people who never actually visited his perceive themselves as separate from G-d. inn. As its renown spread, Abraham’s inn wielded increasingly profound and broad influence. Lot, however, misunderstood their words to mean that they did have independent powers outside of G-d’s. Likewise today, the very existence of synagogues Therefore, the angels were compelled here to clearly and institutions of Torah study exert great positive state that their power was G-d-given. influence upon a city simply by the mere virtue of their presence, over and above the intrinsic value When speaking with others, we too must take into of the study and prayer that take place within their account how they will interpret our words, ensuring walls. that our intentions not be misinterpreted.

Thursday, 16 Cheshvan Feminine Power

The more attuned a prophet is to the affairs of this world, the greater his or her degree of prophecy. Since Abraham was somewhat detached from worldly matters, he could not perceive Ishmael’s true negativity. Sarah, in contrast, was more involved in worldly matters, so she readily was able to perceive Ishmael’s evil. Her prophetic vision was therefore superior to Abraham’s.

Furthermore, we are taught that in the Messianic Era, the feminine aspect of creation will rise above the masculine. Abraham’s and Sarah’s spiritual refinement was so lofty that it enabled them to experience a foretaste of the Messianic Era. For this reason, too, Sarah’s prophetic vision was superior to Abraham’s.

Nowadays, as we approach the Messianic Era, all of us can welcome the flowering of feminine power in the world, acknowledging that women’s more intense experience of physical life grants them a higher level of spiritual insight than that given to men.

11 PARSHA & HOLIDAY MESSAGES SHABBOS PARSHAS LECH LECHA INNER DIRECTEDNESS By Rabbi Jonathan Sacks

s character strictly personal – either societies pay great attention to and has now spread throughout you are or aren’t calm, courageous, education. The young internalize the West. Ours is the age of the charismatic – or does culture have the values of the group, which Facebook profile, the vivid symbol Ia part to play? Does when and where of other-directedness. stay with them through life as a you live make a difference to the kind way of navigating change without of person you become? disorientation or dislocation. Whether or not this is sustainable is They carry their inner world an open question. But this insightful That was the question posed by three with them whatever they do and study helps us understand what great American-Jewish sociologists, wherever they go. Failure in such is at stake in the opening of our David Reisman, Nathan Glazer and societies is marked not by shame parsha, the words that brought the Reuel Denney in their 1950 classic, but by guilt. Jewish people into being: The Lonely Crowd. Their argument was that particular kinds of historical Finally come the societies that The Lord said to Abram, “Go forth circumstance give rise to particular have already achieved maximal from your land, your birthplace and kinds of people. It makes a difference, growth and are on the brink of your father’s house to the land that they said, whether you lived in a society decline. Life expectancy has I will show you.” (Genesis 12:1) with a high birth- and death-rate – risen. The birth-rate falls. There where families had many children is affluence. Much of the burden Abraham was commanded to leave but life expectancy was short – or of care has been taken over by behind the sources of both tradition- one on the brink of growth, or one in centralized agencies. There is directedness (“your father’s house”) the early stages of decline. Each gave less need for the driven, focused, and other-directness (“your land, rise to its own type of character: not resilient inner-directed types your birthplace”). He was about that everyone was the same but that of an earlier age. The mood to become the father of an inner- you could discern certain traits in the is no longer of scarcity but of directed people. population and culture as a whole. abundance. The primary problem is not dealing with the material His entire life was governed by an High birth- and death-rate societies, environment; it is getting on inner voice, the voice of God. He did such as non-industrialized societies with and winning the approval not behave the way he did because or Europe in the Middle Ages, tend to of others. That is when the third that is how people had always acted, give rise to tradition-directed people: character type emerges: the nor did he conform to the customs people who do what they do because other-directed individual. Such of his age. He had the courage to “be that is how things have always been people are more influenced by on one side while all the rest of the done. In these societies – often highly others in their age group, and by world was on the other.” His mission, hierarchical – the primary struggle the media, than by their parents. as we read in next week’s parsha, is to stay alive. Order is preserved by Their source of direction in life is was to “instruct his children and his ensuring that people stick rigidly to neither tradition nor internalized household after him to keep the way rules and roles. Failure to do so gives conscience but instead, of the Lord by doing what is right and rise to shame. contemporary culture. Other- just” (Genesis 18:19), so that they directed people seek not so too would carry with them the inner Societies on the brink of growth – much to be esteemed but to be voice wherever they went. Theirs transitional societies, such as Europe loved. When they fail, they feel was a morality of righteousness- during the Renaissance and the not shame or guilt but anxiety. and-guilt, not honor-and-shame or Reformation – produce inner-directed conformism-and-anxiety. Hence the types. Culture is in a state of change. Already by 1950, Riesman and centrality of education in Judaism, There is high personal mobility. There his colleagues believed that this since Jews would have to hold fast is a mood of invention and exploration. new, third character-type was to their values even when they were This means that people have constantly emerging in the America of their a minority in a culture whose values to adapt to new challenges without day. By now, thanks to the spread were diametrically opposed to their losing a sense of where they are going of social media and the collapse own. and why, which means facing the future of structures of authority, the while keeping faith with the past. Such process has gone far further Hence the astonishing resilience of 12 Jews throughout the ages, and their ability to survive change, insecurity, First, Experience the Connection even catastrophe. People whose By Yitzi Hurwitz values are indelibly engraved in their minds and souls can stand firm against the majority and persist in This week’s parshah, Lech Lecha, starts when Abraham is 75 their identity even when others are losing theirs. It was that inner years old. G-d tells him his first command—to go to a land voice that guided the patriarchs and that He will show him. matriarchs throughout the book of Genesis – long before they had become a nation in their own right, Why doesn’t the Torah tell us about his early life; how he and before the more public miracles of the book of Exodus. recognized his Creator; how he came to understand that G-d is the one true G-d and the personal sacrifices he made, standing Jewish identity is that inner voice, learned in childhood, reinforced by up for his belief? Why doesn’t the Torah tell us about the kind lifelong study, rehearsed daily in of person he was, as it does by Noah, saying: “Noah was a ritual and prayer. That is what gives us a sense ofInner-directed people righteous man”? What lesson is the Torah trying to impress tend to be pioneers direction in life. on us by starting the story of Abraham with a command? It gives us the confidence of knowing that Judaism, virtually alone among the cultures and civilizations of its Abraham was the first Jew. His life is a lesson on what being day, has survived while the rest have been consigned to history. a Jew is all about. The Torah only shares stories of Abraham It is what allows us to avoid the that provide a lesson for us on how to be a Jew. false turns and temptations of the present, while availing ourselves of its genuine benefits and blessings. By opening with G-d’s first command to Abraham, G-d is Inner-directed people tend to be sending us a message—that the connection between G-d and pioneers, exploring the new and a Jew is not based on one’s understanding of G-d, so that the unknown even while keeping faith with the old. Consider, for example, greater the understanding, the greater the connection. Rather, the fact that in 2015 Time Magazine our connection is because he chose us, regardless of our identified Jerusalem, one of the world’s most ancient religious philosophical or theological understanding. Our connection is centers, as one of the world’s five greater than any understanding; it is an intrinsic connection fastest-growing centers for hi-tech start-ups. Tradition-directed people with G-d because he chose us, like he chose Abraham. live in the past. Other-directed people live in the present. But inner- directed people carry the past into By not describing Abraham’s character, G-d stresses this the present, which is how they have point: A Jew is always connected, regardless of his or her the confidence to build the future. spiritual state. This life-changing idea of inner- directedness – the courage to be different – began with the words Also, opening with a command tells us that our purpose is, lech lecha, which could be translated first and foremost, to do His commandments. as “Go to yourself.” This means: follow the inner voice, as did those who came before you, continuing Don’t make the mistake of thinking that you need to reach their journey by bringing timeless values to a rapidly-changing world. some spiritual level to start doing mitzvahs. The opposite is true; by doing mitzvahs, you experience the infinite connection that is always there.

13 5 POWERFUL INSIGHTS FROM THE REBBE ON PARSHAS LECH LECHA

Isaac and Ishmael

We read in Genesis (17:7–27) how G-d appears to Abraham and instructs him to circumcise himself and all the males of his household. G-d further commands that henceforth every newborn male should be circumcised on the eighth day of his life, as a sign of the “eternal covenant” between G-d and the seed of Abraham.

G-d then informs Abraham that, in one year’s time, he and Sarah will have a son, Isaac. Abraham’s reaction to the divine promise was to proclaim, “If only Ishmael would live before You!” Abraham seems perfectly happy to see Uncovering the Sparks Ishmael as his heir—as the one who continues his life’s work and perpetuates his unique relationship with G-d. At the “Covenant Between the Parts” G-d said to Abraham: G-d rejects Abraham’s proposal. He reassures him that “Know that your children shall be strangers in a land not Ishmael will become a great people, “but my covenant I theirs, and they will enslave them and afflict them . . . and shall establish with Isaac.” G-d’s insistence on Isaac as the afterwards they will go out with great wealth.” progenitor of His chosen people tells us something very fundamental about the nature of our relationship with Him Exile—galut, in Hebrew—is much more than a person’s physical removal from his homeland. A person in exile is a Ishmael came into the world by natural means, while Isaac’s person severed from the environment that nourishes his birth was a supernatural event. Ishmael was circumcised way of life, his principles and values, his spiritual identity. at the age of thirteen, the age of daat (awareness), whereas Isaac entered into the covenant of circumcision The Talmud offers the following explanation for the as an eight-day-old infant—an age at which a person is phenomenon of galut: “The people of Israel were exiled not even aware of what is taking place, much less of its amongst the nations only so that converts might be added significance. Ishmael represents a rational relationship to them.” Chassidic teaching explains that the Talmud is with G-d. Isaac represents a supra-rational bond. referring to souls of a different sort that are transformed and elevated in the course of our exiles: the sparks of holiness Abraham discerned many positive qualities in Ishmael, and contained within the physical creation. was prepared, to see him as his heir. Yet G-d insisted that his covenant with Abraham be perpetuated specifically The great Kabbalist Rabbi Isaac Luria taught that every through Isaac and Isaac’s descendants—a people whose object, force and phenomenon in existence has a spark of commitment to G-d will transcend the natural and the holiness within it—a pinpoint of divinity that constitutes its rational. soul, its spiritual essence and design. This spark embodies the divine desire that the thing exist, and its function within G-d’s overall purpose for creation. When a person utilizes something to serve his Creator, he penetrates its shell of mundanity, revealing and realizing its divine essence.

It is to this end that we have been dispersed across the face of earth: so that we may come in contact with the sparks of holiness that await redemption in every corner of the globe.

14 5 POWERFUL INSIGHTS FROM THE REBBE ON PARSHAS LECH LECHA

The Power of Truth

This week’s Torah reading begins with the story of our Patriarch Abraham. The Torah refers to Abraham as Haivri, “the Hebrew.” When explaining the meaning of that term, our Sages note that it literally means “the one on the side” and explain: “Abraham was on one side and the entire world on the other.” Despite the paganism and idolatry of his surroundings, Abraham held fast to the connection with G-d that he had established. Moreover, he was not content with merely maintaining his own private belief system. He proudly shared his awareness with others, influencing them to adopt The Journey of Life the worship of one G-d. This week’s Torah portion is named Lech Lecha, recalling G-d’s first command to Abraham. Lech means “go.” G-d was telling him Numbers were against him, but truth was on his to go out, to leave his native land and his father’s household, to side and when truth is pitted against numbers, emerge from the cocoon of protected existence and set out on his truth will always win out. For there is nothing own path in the world. that can stand against the rock-ribbed power of something true. R. Moshe Alshich explains lecha to mean “to yourself.” By journeying throughout the world, Abraham was setting out on a Abraham transmitted this spiritual heritage to his path of self-discovery. The purpose of his journey to Eretz Yisrael, descendants. Every one of them has the power his descent to Egypt, his return to the land, and all his wanderings to stand up against a multitude when he knows was intended to enable him to understand his own identity and that he is right. It’s not chutzpah. It’s the power of express his positive qualities in his surrounding environment. truth. G-d leads us all from the cradle onward, step by step, through a variety of experiences — the sum total of which are intended to enable us to discover and express our inner G-dly potential. When Abraham set out on his journey, he took with him “the souls he had made in Charan”: the people he had motivated to join his mission. Man’s journey through life is not intended to be a lonely trek on mountain crags or in desert valleys. Quite the contrary, G-d leads us through a world with other people with whom we interact in synergy, both giving and receiving. For they are on similar journeys, parallel in purpose if not necessarily in route. As a person grows to appreciate these concepts, he will be able to maximize his opportunities in life, making his experiences happier and more fruitful. He will not be encumbered by fear or worry, because he will realize that at every moment, a watching hand is guiding him, directing him to encounters intended to advance his personal growth and his contribution to the world.

Young Leaders uch has been written and taught about the education of our own children in the ways of the Almighty. But as a light unto the nations, we must help educate their children as well:

15 HALACHA OF THE WEEK BY RABBI DOV SCHOCHET

Laws of Erev Shabbat entire day, for in this case even if they should leave enough time that even ravelling: One is forbidden to travel arrive right before Shabbat the family if there is an unexpected mishap we more than 3 Parsah (a distance or host had sufficient time to prepare still have enough time to arrive before that would take about a third of as they knew of the person’s arrival. Shabbat begins. Otherwise there can Tthe day to travel) on Friday. While some be a direct violation of Shabbat if a This only applies if the person is in a state this law plainly, Maimonides person drives or is driven on Shabbat place where he or others can prepare itself. says that this is from the beginning of Shabbat for him. If the person is in a the day. The idea being that the sages place where they can’t properly prepare Other concerns can be if one arrives did not want one to travel on Friday for Shabbat, they can travel as long as to a host late and was not expected and arrive without sufficient time to necessary on Friday to maybe reach a they might feel pressure to add food to prepare a Shabbat meal. Therefore, place where they can properly celebrate the oven or pot, which can also cause they required that one arrive at their Shabbat. Similarly, if the person is in them to violate the laws of cooking on destination with ample time to prepare. an unsecured place, where they will Shabbat. not be able to properly enjoy the day A Parsah is equal to 4 Mil (a Mil is 2000 Fasting: We do not partake in a fast on cubits, or between 3-4000 feet). There of Shabbat, they can travel as long as needed on Friday until they arrive in a Friday for that would mean we begin is an argument how long it takes to the day of Shabbat in an uncomfortable travel a Mil, from 18 to 24 minutes. place where they feel comfortable and secure. state. However, this is only if the fast is (This length of time is relevant in many for an individual and can be pushed to areas, including the amount of time it If the person has food prepared for another day. When there is a communal takes for dough to ferment and become Shabbat with them, they may travel fast or a fast related to Erev Rosh Chametz.) The stricter opinion would as much as they please, for regardless Chodesh or the Yahrtzeit of a Tzaddik only allow one to travel a distance that where they end up, they will have when some have the custom to fast, takes 3 hours and 36 minutes to travel. sufficient food for Shabbat. one can fast on Friday until after the Whereas the more permissive view stars come out and Kiddush. would allow one to travel a distance Some argue that once people started that takes 4 hours and 48 minutes, this preparing an abundance of food Festive meals: One should not partake is the view of the Alter Rebbe. for Shabbat, one can arrive at their in a large meal on Friday for they will destination even in the afternoon, for not have a proper appetite for the While the sages worded this law as there is no concern that there will be Friday night meal. Even a small meal a restriction on distance, the logic insufficient food because the host or with bread one should refrain from, behind it was to ensure arrival in one’s the family prepares enough regardless. from 2 hours before Shabbat. If one has destination with sufficient time to Therefore, practically one can arrange a meal relating to a Mitzva of that day prepare. Therefore, if one was traveling to arrive even shortly before Shabbat, e.g. a Brit Milah, it is proper to have the with a wagon or on a horse, or in especially considering the fact that we meal in the beginning of the day and modern terms with a car or the like, can easily call and inform the hosts that not start the meal at a time when it will what is relevant is not the distance they we will be joining for Shabbat, giving interfere with the Friday night meal. are travelling but the time it takes to them ample time to prepare before get to their destination. Furthermore, arrival. Even after one makes Kiddush, one this is not an allowance to travel that should not partake in any food before amount of time/distance regardless, It is clear from all the discussion that washing for the main Mitzva is to enjoy rather it is only permitted if one were the only concern the sages had was the meal of Shabbat, which is the food to leave at sunrise. However, if for one of arriving at one’s destination that comes after the bread. If one were example one were to leave an hour but not having the time to prepare a to eat before the bread, they cannot after sunrise, then they would lose one Shabbat meal. Today, with cars and properly enjoy their meal. hour of permitted travel time. Basically, traffic, there are other concerns that one is allowed to travel up to 4 hours must be addressed. While one does not Even though generally we are told and 48 minutes after sunrise. have to be worried about arriving and to restrict our indulgences, from the not having food, there is a real concern above we see how careful we must As the entire concern was to have of not arriving at one’s destination be to fully enjoy the Shabbat day and provisions for Shabbat, if one had at all. Cars have flat tires, there can meals. This allows us to have a full alerted their hosts by way of a be heavy traffic or other unexpected experience of the beauty of the day, messenger that they were coming for delays. (Most of these issues weren’t expands our minds and hearts, and Shabbat, or before leaving home they particularly concerning when travelling brings to the main point of Shabbat: a told their family that they would be by foot or wagon.) Therefore, today day of full body and soul connection to back for Shabbat, they can travel the while we can leave and arrive later, we Hashem.

16 MY ENCOUNTER WITH THE REBBE THE YOUNGEST DIPLOMAT y family’s connection with the at the time, and my father wanted me Rebbe began in 1971 when my to get a blessing from the Rebbe for father, Tzvi Caspi, worked for my upcoming bar mitzvah. And this is MIsrael’s foreign service in New York and how I was privileged to meet with the the President, Zalman Shazar, came to Rebbe again. the United States. Mr. Shazar – who was born in Russia to a Lubavitch family This time the meeting took place in – wanted to visit the Rebbe, and my the Rebbe’s office. The Rebbe asked father was given the task of making the me how I was preparing for the Bar arrangements. Mitzvah, and I told the Rebbe that I was learning Parshat Shemot, the first I was ten years old at the time, and I portion in the Book of Exodus, which remember the president’s visit very well. I hoped to read by myself from the As he was leaving, Mr. Shazar told my Torah scroll. father, “You know, the protocol is that when the leader of a country travels to another country, his “Ah, Parshat Shemot,” the Rebbe said, “that is a very first visit is to the leader of the hosting country. I am visiting important portion. It opens with the beginning of exile, but our leader, and that’s why my first visit was to the Rebbe.” immediately it describes the seeds of redemption. It tells us the story of Moshe Rabbeinu and mentions how the From that point on, a strong connection developed between Jews turned to G-d, and He heard their prayer. The process my father and the Rebbe. They met many times, engaging in that began then eventually led to their redemption from very intense conversations which lasted well into the night. slavery, the exodus from Egypt and the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai.” For Simchat Torah of 1971, the Rebbe invited a large group of Israeli diplomats and dignitaries to participate in the The Rebbe spoke with me in Hebrew mixed with some dancing with the Torah at 770 Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn. Yiddish, which I didn’t always understand. At the end of My father was very happy to organize this, and he also the meeting the Rebbe shook my hand and said to me in brought me along. Hebrew, “Brachah v’hatzlachah – Blessing and success,” and then he added in Yiddish “Zei gezunt un shtark – Be I vividly recall the dense crowd, the noise and commotion, healthy and strong.” I wasn’t completely sure what this and looking down from a high platform at the restless sea meant, so I turned to my father and asked, “Abba, is the of black hats. And then, suddenly, the room fell silent. You Rebbe blessing me that I should be healthy? I’m not sick.” could hear a pin drop. And the sea of hats split down the The Rebbe heard my question and clarified in Hebrew, “I middle as if by magic, forming a path through which the am blessing you with robust health.” Rebbe entered. I watched astounded – this was my first encounter with the phenomenon called Chabad-Lubavitch Nearly forty years later, I came to understand what the – marveling at the special connection the Rebbe had with Rebbe meant. I began experiencing severe problems with his chasidim. my spine which worsened until I was paralyzed. I was unable to walk and was confined to a wheelchair. At a certain point during the night, my father introduced me to the Rebbe, who asked me to recite one of the verses Searching for a cure, I found a hospital in the United States of the Hakafot service out loud, for all the room to hear. I – the Cleveland Clinic – where the doctors used a new remember the verse: “G-d is king, G-d was king, G-d will be treatment to slowly enable me to walk again on my own. king for ever and ever.” Afterwards the Rebbe congratulated me on a job well done, adding, “I didn’t know if you were During my recovery, my physiotherapist took me out going to succeed, so I gave you an easy verse.” to a basketball court. It was difficult and painful for me to move, yet here I was being asked to play ball. The This was my first encounter with the Rebbe. physiotherapist threw the ball to me, and I managed to catch it with my hands. The following year, the Rebbe again invited the diplomats for Simchat Torah, and this time I knew what to expect. And It was a feat for me, and I was overcome with emotion. again, the Rebbe honored me to recite a verse; this time it So much so that I started trembling. At that moment I was: “May the glory of G-d last forever; may G-d find delight saw, before my eyes, the Rebbe’s kind and understanding in His works.” Afterwards, the Rebbe told me, “I remember face, and I remembered him saying to me “Be healthy and that last year you did well, so I gave you a more difficult strong … I am blessing you with robust health.” verse this time!” Thank G-d, I was able to return to Israel and recover My third encounter with the Rebbe occurred half a year completely. That is how I merited to see the Rebbe’s later, when our three-year mission in New York ended and blessing fulfilled. we were about to return to Israel. I was twelve years old 17 STORIES WITH SOUL THE SECRET SOVIET CIRCUMCISION By Asharon Baltazar Reb Chanoch Hendel Galperin lived during will be a Jew and will stay a Jew.” a historically dark time—Soviet Russia had stifled religion to criminal degrees, with The woman then rejoined her baby inside any mention of it immediately perking the her room. ubiquitous ears of authorities. From his bag, Reb Chanoch produced a Jews chose to either continue practicing in small cake. And from the kitchen, Chaya- secret or simply surrender their heritage Basha brought a bottle of spirits. The altogether. Those fortunate enough fled, celebrants sat around the table, sharing but Reb Chanoch, imbued with love for his “lechaims” interspersed with Torah fellow Jews, stayed behind to coax sparks— his “counterrevolutionary” activities, Reb insights. Spontaneous but soft singing which never die—from the embers of Chanoch was still unfazed. He gladly agreed broke out every once in a while. Caught up Soviet Judaism, often succeeding. Here is to perform the circumcision, remarking, in their world, they didn’t even notice the one such instance. “I am so grateful to you, Chaya Basha. deepening shadows. Because of you, I’ll merit establishing One bitterly cold winter day, an elderly Just as the Chassidim were about to head another soul’s eternal connection to its home, a series of raps sounded on the woman approached Reb Chanoch. She Creator.” introduced herself as Chaya-Basha, door, freezing the small apartment with a widow from the other side of town. Looking bright already, Chaya-Basha terror. Chaya-Basha felt panic rising in her Speaking in hushed tones, she told Reb gave Reb Chanoch an address, and the throat as she rushed to undo the locks to Chanoch he needed to circumcise her two appointed an hour for the ceremony. the door. Abrasha, weary from the office, grandson, the responsibility of arranging Before she hurried off, he told her to dress stepped inside and surveyed the scene. which fell squarely on her frail shoulders. the baby in a clean diaper and also prepare He walked over to the men, inquired about Her son, Abrasha, wanted nothing to do a tub of warm water. Reb Chanoch picked their health, and even apologized for being with it. up two trusted fellow Chassidim—one held up in the office. The Chassidim offered to act as sandek and one to assist in the him a “Lechaim” of his own. For as long as his mother remembered, circumcision—and then made his way Reb Chanoch plopped a kippah on Abrasha’s ardent patriotism decorated Abrasha’s through the frosty weather to the address. world, which began expressing itself early head and reminded him to say a blessing in his childhood with his enrollment in In the small, quiet apartment, Reb Chanoch before partaking. Communist clubs. With time, he climbed found the baby all prepped as instructed. Several rounds of “Lechaim” dissolved the many ranks of the Communist Party The mother, isolated in an adjacent Abrasha’s diffident attitude and placed until he became a recognizable and room, ignored the men. Chaya-Basha, him at ease in the company of Chassidim. rather popular personality. He served as a however, bustled around them, making Abrasha didn’t feel like he was home, but member of several organizations as well as sure everything was in order. Reb Chanoch rather in some distant memory, gathered the director of the local Party. set his bag down, removed a white coat in an old synagogue with some old friends. customarily worn for Yom Kippur and Now many Jews had joined the Communist Encouraged by Reb Chanoch, Abrasha slipped it on. He also looped a surgical reminisced. About the days in Cheder, party, some of whom still maintained touch mask onto his ears. Within a few minutes, with their Jewish roots. Abrasha was one of about his old friends, and about his father Reb Chanoch had deftly ushered the baby who stood praying till noon and often wept them. Even if it was for the shortest while, into Avraham’s covenant. one could always catch Abrasha attending in the middle. Unable to contain himself, the Yom Kippur services in the synagogue. Because neither of the boy’s parents were Abrasha started singing the melodies present to specify a Jewish name, the three recalled from his father’s prayer. Despite And so it came to be that Abrasha and his men decided on “Yisrael,” after the saintly his closed eyes, tears rolled freely down his wife, also a Jewess, became the delighted Baal Shem Tov. Their reasoning: It was the face. parents of a baby boy. Circumcising his Baal Shem Tov who gifted his followers Outside, the morning crept up. son never even occurred to Abrasha, yet with the love for their fellow Jews, which his mother would give him no rest. Fearing prompted them to risk their very lives for “Listen, Abrasha,” said Reb Chanoch, looking for his own career, Abrasha was opposed this child. Abrasha dead in the eye. “Even though to the idea. If the wrong people would hear there’s no one in this room capable of about it, his tenure in the Communist Party Suddenly, a muffled call for Chaya-Basha reaching your father’s heels, his righteous would come to a swift end. could be heard. Chaya-Basha rushed to soul cannot rest content from your current the other room and reappeared with her lifestyle. You must start wearing tefillin Abrasha’s resolution over the matter daughter-in-law. The woman’s eyes were crumbled when his mother mentioned daily, keeping Shabbat, learning Torah, puffy and red. Looking at the Chassidim, eating kosher, and maintaining a separated suicide. She threatened through tears, voice shaking with emotion, the woman shaking Abrasha to his very soul. He kitchen… And we will help you every step said, “Even though I don’t know Hebrew nor of the way.” eventually agreed, but on two conditions: Yiddish, I am still a Jewess, my ancestors The circumcision was to happen in absolute being respected rabbis in various cities. I’ve Abrasha agreed. And since it was already secrecy and without his participation. This strayed far from tradition, and my husband 6 o’clock in the morning, the Chassidim bid way, Abrasha could extricate himself from is a Communist official. However, I’m glad I him farewell and left. potential fallout by blaming his mother. listened to my mother-in-law and agreed Within a few days, Abrasha absolved to this circumcision. Certainly, my little boy Having spent several years in Siberia for himself from his government position. 18 IN CHICAGO, RECLAIMING JEWISH IDENTITY THROUGH ADULT CIRCUMCISION By Menachem Posner

with their respective spouses, divorced and reunited. By that time, her family was in Israel and his in Chicago. To further complicate things, he knew no Hebrew, and she knew just a little English.

But they finally accomplished their dream of building a home together in Chicago.

‘Every Jewish Milestone Should Be Celebrated Beautifully’

We interrupted our conversation when the rabbi came down to inform us that the bris had been completed. As Notik and the mohel heartily congratulated Ilya tanding in the sun-drenched with lively calls of mazal tov, he smilingly sanctuary, large windows showing While Ilya was being operated on, his told his wife that he was feeling great. manicured lawns framed by wife, Alina, shared their life story. Sverdant shrubbery, we could just feel Then, holding a cup of wine, the rabbi that something special was happening. She told how her father had become recited the traditional blessings, a member of the Communist Party in including the prayer in which the In the floor above us, a circumcision was order to become a factory manager in celebrant was given his new Hebrew taking place. After nearly 60 years of life, her hometown of Bender, then part of name, Yosef Yitzchak Meir, after his two Ilya would soon fulfil the first mitzvah the Soviet Union, now in the contested grandfathers: Yosef and Yitzchak Meir. given to Abraham, finally claiming the area of Moldova claimed by the mostly Yosef Yitzchak, the rabbi pointed out, Jewish heritage that had been his all unrecognized state of Transnistria. Yet, was also the name of the Sixth Chabad along. even his professional accomplishments Rebbe, who had battled valiantly for the were not enough to secure his daughter survival of Judaism during the darkest Rabbi Shmuel Notik, who directs F.R.E.E., a spot at university in a system that days of Stalinist oppression. the Russian Jewish community of discriminated against Jews. Chicago and Suburbs, says he facilitates We then proceeded to the adjoining an adult circumcision every few weeks, With no recourse, at the age of 17, she room for the traditional festive meal, usually a Soviet-born male between the traveled to Kharkov in Soviet Ukraine to and I was struck by how elegant it ages of 40 and 80, who has chosen to further her education. And it was there all was. It turned out that Shternie enter into the Covenant of Abraham. that she met Ilya, one year her senior. Notik, who has been spearheading FREE together with her husband “In the early ’90s when people were Like her, Ilya was Jewish (his great- since 1981, puts special emphasis on streaming out of Russia by the grandfather had been a well-known celebrating the circumcisions in a most thousands, we would have as many as rabbi of Kharkov, author of the ethical appealing fashion. “Every holiday or 10 circumcisions a week,” recalls Notik, work, Shem Tov, Vilna, 1913), but he Jewish milestone should be celebrated who was born in Moscow and raised knew little about his heritage other than beautifully,” she says, “and especially in the clandestine Chabad-Lubavitch the fact that he was different. Alina said when an adult Jew reclaims his identity underground community in Samarkand her parents always made sure to get by having a bris. We make sure that a before emigrating to the United States matzah for Passover, and celebrate with special feeling pervades the entire event, as a teen. “Several years ago, we began honey strudel and attend synagogue on and over time, that itself has inspired a campaign to provide circumcisions for Rosh Hashanah. It could have cost them many of the guests to go ahead with those who didn’t do it when they first their careers, but they took that risk and their own circumcisions.” arrived, and we now have, thank G-d, did what they could. another circumcision or two every few As we feasted on an abundance of steak, weeks.” The pair felt an instant kinship and, after turkey breast, challah and salads, the several years of courtship, decided to rabbi shared that he recently facilitated All told, he estimates that 6,000 Jewish marry. In a dramatic story that spanned a circumcision for an 84-year-old man, men and boys have been circumcised three decades and three continents, the along with his son and his grandson. through his organization. two parted ways, married, had children 19 Another man at the celebration, David, and everything that they got from their it for themselves.” used the Russian term maladets, “hero,” parents.” to describe the men who undergo Upon returning to America that fall, circumcision in adulthood. ‘The Feeling of Coming Home’ Heber observed how circumcision was being done for the many Russian Jews “In my experience, everyone eventually A big part of that culture, I learn, is then arriving in New York. He returned comes around and does the circumcision,” celebrating milestones like this one to Moscow the following summer with asserts the mohel, Rabbi Levi Heber, who in an unhurried fashion. As a very state-of-the art anesthetics, sutures, flies to Chicago from New York once or occasional drinker, the extra Scotch was fine needles and medical know-how, twice a month to perform circumcisions. beginning to have its effect on me, but I which he passed on to the longtime “The Jewish soul is deeply connected to couldn’t leave until I had completed my mohel of Moscow, Avrohom Genin. this mitzvah, and that comes through.” interviews. Today, he has the pleasure of performing The conversation flowed naturally As we concluded, the mohel, who had circumcisions on the sons of his between Russian, English and Hebrew. a few minutes before David would take erstwhile campers, seeing how the him to the airport,told me how he was seeds of Judaism planted nearly three Having lived in Kharkov until 1995, when exposed to the world of circumcision. decades ago have grown into vibrant he came to the United States for work “In 1990, I went to Moscow to serve as family trees. reasons, Yosef Yitzchak Meir heaped head counselor in the Jewish summer high praise on Rabbi Moshe Moskovitz camp,” he recalls. “We knew very little Even though he has performed and his fellow Chabad rabbis in Kharkov, Russian and the kids knew virtually no thousands of circumcisions— who have rebuilt Jewish life in the city, English, but they so wanted to embrace sometimes in three states in a single which has approximately 30,000 Jews. Judaism.” day—he says that each one is special, One of his sons, then a student in the especially when it involves an adult. Chabad preschool in Kharkov, was With just poor Soviet-era anesthesia, “There is the feeling of finally coming circumcised as a child. boy after boy committed to undergo home, fixing something that has been circumcision—no easy feat for a young waiting to be corrected all along.” “My parents don’t know about my man entering adolescence. “They saw bris yet,” he continued. “They survived how we lived as Jews, and they wanted the Holocaust by escaping Kharkov until the Russians beat back the Nazis and lived most of their lives under the Communists, and they are still afraid.”

Notik is no stranger to observing Judaism in spite of danger. His grandfather perished in Soviet prison for the “crime” of upholding Judaism, and he vividly remembers the fright his family experienced when a drunk banged on their door late one night. They were sure the secret police were coming for them, too.

In true Russian Jewish fashion, the meal was punctuated with frequent “lechaims” in which blessings were heaped upon those present, their families and anyone else. The blessings for the rabbi included wishes that he soon succeed in procuring the funds to build a new community center— one that would be the pride and joy of the entire Russian-speaking Jewish community in the area.

“The Russian culture is very rich and very strong,” the rabbi explains, “and even children born in America still identify as Russian Jews. They enjoy Russian cuisine, Russian literature, playing chess 20 How can I? HOW CAN I? ב״ה ?How Can I

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DESTINATION JUDEA ARE WE LIVING OUR DESTINY?

Rabbi Jeremy Gimpel, a Sgt. Major in the IDF reserves, is one of Israel's premier media personalities. He's the Founder of The Land of Israel Network & one of the four founding families of The Arugot Farm in South Eastern Gush Etzion, Judea. His short documentaries and music videos have over 20 million views on YouTube and The Land of Israel Network is the #1 Podcast in Israel. He has been featured on Fox News, BBC, CNN and other international news outlets to voice his opinion about Israel, Judea & Samaria and Israeli sovereignty. In 2018 Jeremy & his wife Tehila sold their home and most of their possesions to move and establish the Arugot Farm, the newest and deepest settlement in Judea today. With six children, the mission has been the adventure of a lifetime. In a short time togethet with 3 other families they have transformed a barren desolate mountain at the edge of the desert into a Garden of Eden like oasis with thousands of fruit trees and vineyards a flock of sheep and the largest ecological pool in Israel. Today, the Arugot Farm hosts thousands of tourists a year and has turned the most sensitive region in Israel into a family friendly, fun, educational and spiritual attraction.

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26 FRENCH CONNECTION REFLEXIONS SUR LA PARACHA Vivre avec la paracha La quête de soi dernière justement, j’ai rêvé que dans la Paradoxalement, plus notre voyage est «Va vers toi», dit D.ieu à Abraham... maison de ‘Haïm Yankel le colporteur, du personnel, plus nous avons besoin d’être Adapté des enseignements du Rabbi de village d’Usseldorf, un coffre de pièces guidés et aidés. Loubavitch par Yanki Tauber d’or était enterré sous le mur derrière le fourneau. Est-ce que je vais voyager Un bon sens de l’orientation peut nous ans le livre de Zacharie, il y a un jusqu’à Usseldorf pour briser le mur d’un guider à travers le circuit routier le plus passage qui décrit la rencontre pauvre péquenaud ? » ‘Haïm Yankel se labyrinthien ; un sens aigu des relations entre un être humain et une armée précipita chez lui, démolit le mur derrière humaines nous permet d’appliquer Dd’anges. L’homme y est défini comme « les politiques de management les son fourneau de sa maison et vécut un voyageur parmi les sédentaires. » heureux de longues années grâce à son plus tortueuses ; les données et les trésor caché. systèmes cognitifs stockés dans notre « Le Voyageur » est une appellation cerveau facilitent notre recherche de plus qu’appropriée pour notre espèce Une fois que tous les voyages ont été nouveaux domaines d’études. Mais si remuante. D’autres créatures se achevés, que toutes les quêtes ont été nous cherchons une voie vers le centre déplacent également de lieu en lieu, réalisées, il reste encore une frontière que de nous-mêmes, le savoir et les aptitudes mais seules les migrations de l’homme peu de gens ont traversée, un territoire d’une vie entière se révèlent soudain sont motivées par le désir d’être ailleurs que moins de gens encore ont conquis inefficaces. Nous nous retrouvons dans que là où il se trouve. Contrairement : la frontière de soi. Nous parcourons le l’obscurité, n’ayant pour seul recours que aux souris, aux érables et aux anges, qui monde, et au-delà, nous cartographions d’invoquer notre Créateur : « D.ieu, qui sont heureux d’être ce qu’ils sont et où l’univers et la structure de l’atome, en suis-je ? », crions-nous. « Donne-moi un ils sont, l’être humain est constamment quête d’indications, d’un signe, sur le sens indice. Dis-moi pourquoi Tu m’as fait ! » en mouvement, toujours à chercher à se des choses, mais combien parmi nous rendre quelque part, de préférence là où ont-ils pénétré à l’intérieur de nos âmes ? Ce paradoxe est implicite dans la première personne n’est encore allé. directive au premier Juif mentionnée dans Lékh Lékha, ces mots qui débutent l’appel la Torah. Quand il est ordonné à Abraham Le problème, c’est qu’il ne reste nulle part de D.ieu à Abraham qui mit en route et « Va vers toi-même », il est enjoint à cet où aller. définit l’histoire juive, signifie littéralement homme ingénieux, artisan de sa propre « Va vers toi ». «Va vers toi, ordonna D.ieu réussite, de mettre de côté ses talents Il y a cent ans, c’était la ruée vers l’Ouest. au premier Juif, de ta terre, de ton pays innés (« ta terre »), la personnalité qu’il Alors, les jeunes allèrent vers l’ouest, natal et de la maison de ton père, vers la a développée pendant sept décennies jusqu’à ce qu’il n’y ait plus d’ouest. Alors terre que Je te désignerai. » et demie d’interaction avec son un homme gagna la course vers le Pôle environnement (« ton pays natal ») et la Nord, et un autre vers le Pôle Sud. Un autre Quand l’appel divin résonna, Abraham sagesse découverte et formulée par son être humain fut le premier à atteindre le pouvait se prévaloir d’une vie de esprit phénoménal (« la maison de ton sommet de l’Everest (bien que l’identité découvertes et d’accomplissements père ») et de suivre « aveuglément » D.ieu du premier fasse encore débat à ce jour), sans précédent. Il était l’homme qui avait « vers la terre que Je te désignerai ». et puis un autre fit le « pas de géant » qui découvert la vérité du D.ieu Unique, celui laissa la première empreinte de botte sur qui avait affronté le roi le plus puissant Dans nos voyages extérieurs, notre la lune. de son temps, bravé la mort dans savoir, nos talents et notre personnalité une fournaise ardente au nom de ses sont les instruments de notre exploration Alors, que nous reste-t-il ? Un voyage vers croyances et converti des milliers de gens du monde autour de nous. Mais dans la une autre galaxie ? Une incursion dans le à la foi et aux valeurs monothéistes. Tout quête de notre véritable soi, ces mêmes futur ? Ces destinations, si toutefois elles cela, il y était arrivé entièrement par lui- instruments – qui constituent en eux- sont jamais atteintes, satisferont-elles la même, sans maître, guide ou voix divine mêmes un « soi » extérieur et superposé curiosité du Voyageur ? pour le diriger, avec rien d’autre que son à notre essence – dissimulent autant Nous avons tous entendu l’histoire du immense esprit et sa quête passionnée qu’ils révèlent, déforment alors même pauvre villageois qui avait rêvé qu’un de la vérité pour le conduire. qu’ils éclaircissent. trésor était enfoui sous un pont à Cracovie. Et puis, dans sa soixante-quinzième Nous utilisons ces instruments dans notre Arrivé dans la grande ville, il reconnait le année, survint le commandement divin quête – nous n’en avons pas d’autres. pont de son rêve. Le préposé au péage : « Va vers toi-même ! » Maintenant que Mais si notre voyage doit nous conduire du pont, remarquant un rôdeur avec une tu as achevé tes explorations et atteint à l’essence de nous-mêmes plutôt que pelle et des intentions suspectes, prend tes objectifs, tourne-toi vers l’intérieur et vers un mirage, il doit être guidé par Celui le pauvre à partie, qui avoue la raison de entame un voyage dans l’essence de ton qui nous a créés à Son image et a inscrit le sa présence. « Des rêves ! » s’exclama propre être. schéma de nos âmes dans Sa Torah. le gardien ironiquement. « Tiens, la nuit 27 LATIN LINK REFLEXION SEMANAL Parasha de la Semana Dejando el Hogar nuestras normas habituales de Por Yossy Goldman comportamiento, somos desafiados a mantener el código de la conducta al e cuenta una anécdota ocurrida que estamos acostumbrados durante durante el encuentro entre dos todo el año. famosos rabinos de antaño S—el Rabino Eliahu, el “Gaon” Es como la historia del shadjan (erudito) de Vilna, y el Rabino Iaakov (casamentero) quién sugirió una Krantz, conocido como el “Maguid” jovencita a un muchacho y la alabo (predicador) de Dubno. El Maguid exageradamente. Después de su de Dubno visitó Vilna y fue al gran primera cita, el muchacho llamo Gaon. El Gaon le pidió al Maguid ofuscado al shadjan para decirle lo que predicara para él, como era su que opinaba de el. “¡¿Cómo se atreve especialidad. “Déme musar (palabras a presentarme tal muchacha?! ¿Usted de reprimenda). Regáñeme” dijo el Cien años atrás, una generación no sabía que cojea?” Absolutamente Gaon. “Di-s no permita, que tenga la entera de judíos observantes de la impávido, el shadjan replico, “Pero, jutzpah (insolencia) de regañar al gran Torá emigró de Europa. Vinieron a ¿cuál es el problema? Eso ocurre Gaon de Vilna”, contestó el Maguid, América, la tierra de las oportunidades solamente cuando ella camina.” absolutamente horrorizado por la de oro, para escapar pogromos y sugerencia. “No me importa, este es persecuciones. Con sangre, sudor y Es cuando salimos de nuestros su fuerte y deseo oír musar de usted”, lágrimas se levantaron de las cenizas a capullos espirituales, de nuestros insistió el Gaon. las riquezas y personificaron el sueño cómodos hogares y comunidades, americano —una historia de éxito que hacia la sociedad en general que El Dubner Maguid pensó un rato y sorprende e inspira. Pero el hecho es podemos notar que cojeamos un poco, después accedió renuentemente a que en su mayor parte, a medida que perdiendo nuestro equilibrio judío. Es los deseos de su ilustre anfitrión. Dijo sus negocios prosperaban, sus vidas entonces que nuestra fe, nuestros el Maguid, “¿Que gran logro es ser religiosas decaían. Indiscutiblemente, valores y creencias se ven realmente un Gaon, estando sentado en Vilna el judaísmo recibió un golpe desafiadas. en su aislado kloiz (pequeño salón de descomunal. La mayoría no podía estudio)? Salga al mundo, mézclese sostener sus valores del viejo mundo Que Di-s ayude a que los hijos con la gente, y entonces veamos qué en el nuevo mundo de América. La de Abraham a que emulen a su clase de Gaon es”. transición del shtetl (aldea judía antepasado, que dejó su tierra y europea) a los rascacielos resulto caminó fuerte en su fe, creciendo De hecho, es mucho más fácil ser demasiado contrastante, y los hijos y hasta alcanzar gran éxito espiritual y estudioso y piadoso en un ghetto que nietos de estos inmigrantes crecieron material. está fuera de este mundo, el cual a ignorantes de sus propias tradiciones menudo es indiferente e incluso hostil, sagradas. a la Torá y a sus valores. En una escala menor, vemos este Ésta, de hecho, fue más o menos la fenómeno hoy en día, cuando las prueba de Abraham en la Perashá de familias emigran o se mudan de una Clases y Eventos esta semana. “Vete de tu tierra, de ciudad a otra. Al alejarse de sus apoyos Clases en Espanol tu lugar de nacimiento, de la casa de espirituales a los cuales estaban Porcion Semanal tu padre, a la tierra que te mostraré” acostumbrados, forcejean y batallan Rabbi Shea Rubinstein Y allí —lejos de su entorno natural y con su espiritualidad. La mayor parte Lunes 8:45 pm - 9:45 pm comodidad —Abraham llevó a cabo su de sus esfuerzos está dirigida al Tanya( Women) misión Divina. Él difundió la existencia restablecimiento y reorganización Mrs. Vivian Perez de un Di-s único en un mundo de sus vidas. Reordenar las Martes 10:45 am - 12:00pm totalmente pagano y, en el proceso, infraestructuras religiosas, a menudo, 198 Park Drive, Bal Harbour Village su propio nombre y reputación llega último. Jueves 11:00 - 12:00 quedaron marcados eternamente. Call Vivian for details - 305.213.3202 Fue solamente después de salir de su Y en un nivel más sutil, una prueba Analisis de distintos temas basados en la Perasha hogar, que Abraham se convirtió en el similar se nos presenta cuando Rabbi Shlomi Halsband padre fundador del pueblo judío. tomamos nuestras vacaciones Miercoles 8:30 - 10:00 pm anuales. Lejos del hogar y de Domingo 8:30 - 10:00 pm 28 בפרספקטיבה יהודית

וקנ תד - טבמ אה ל ו ק ו ת עב ו םל , תאו סמ י ר ו ת שפנה המ ןתינ םשהל תמ נ ה ? ומיא ן ישיא הב י טב תד י יארבו תשרפ לש ו שירוה םהרבא בא י נ ו השוריב לכל ירהו ה לכ לש ו ! בשה ו ע םידוהיה " תאמ רש י גרבניו תא חבה י הר לש נ ו טב ו ב , תא תחה י הר ףוס ףוס ךל - ךל . םדא רש ו הצ תכלל , מלשל ו ת , תא בעה ו הד סה ז י פ י ת נשל ו ת שע י ר פמ ו םסר רזח עהמ ב ו הד בל ותי םדקתהל , רפשל םלוע , פשהל י ע בוט . רה ג ל י ם יפואו . תאז תמה נ ה לש נ ו . לב י מ ו ז י הנ דג ו הל תראופמו . דצב ךרדה אוה האור נש י םישנא םילכוא תא בשעה קר ףלאב שה ל י ש י גמ י ע םדא סמ ו ג שדח זא המל רה ו ע ארבנ ושאר ן ? . , מש ו כ ן ול רתו לע כה ל , לע מצע י ותו ותושיו רסמתהלו צרל ו ן םשה . יכ הז סה י פ ו ר לש חה י י ם . נחנא ו םיצור שעה י ר הרומ גהנל צעל ו ר םדיל אצויו םלוע םלשומ , גר ו ע , הפי ? זא לע י נ ו רבדל םתיא . הלאשהו דגה ו הל איה המל םשה טה ו ב ישפהל ל רש ו ו ל י ם תושעלו ותוא הזכ . . " המל א םת םילכוא בשע ? " אוה לאוש ביטימהו ארב םלוע בש ו רה ו ע אוה קתל ן , רבגתהל לע רה ג ל י ם גמ ו נ י ם , , " יא ן נל ו ףסכ אל ו לכ ," הנע דחא םהמ " ושאר נ י בוטהו גמ י ע קר רחא ךכ ? לבל ו ם םירצי . לכל דחא שי תא גתאה ר רבכ לש ו הש םימי לש א אב לכוא פל י נ ו , םלוע בש ו לע י נ ו שפחל תא טה ו ב יכ אוה לש ו ךכבו הש ו א קתמ ן תא מצע ו םדקתמו כל ן נחנא ו םילכוא בשע " יא נ ו עבט י הנבומו . אוה ןתונ תחנ חור םשהל . " רדסב , ואוב לא י בה י הת נאו י תא ן םכל רה ו ע הפידרהו רחא י חה ו רמ י ו ת יה םנ כאל ו ל " רמא שעה י ר . עבט י י ם לצא י נ ו . לבא צא י ל ו ת , נצ תועי , תבשה לח םוי טפ י התר לש לחר מא נ ו . . תולטבתהו ןה כת ו נ ו ת צש ר י ך בעל ו ד י"א ושחב ו ן . לחר התיה תמלשומ .. " ות הד " רמא עה נ י , לבא שי יל השיא לע י ה ן קבאמב לש לכ חה י י ם . המל ? תינרתוו , תרסח גא ו - הרתיו וחאל הת השימחו םידלי , םה םש תחתמ ץעל ." . . . ףאו הנתנ הל תא סה י מ ן עש ל י ו המכיס " יש ב או ו גם םה " רמא שעה י ר . המל םשה ארב נל ו ךרד םירוסי דע םע בקעי , לבל בתת ז ה . מוא םיר מש י ל ת וסנכנ םלוכ כמל ו נ י ת פמה ו א תר . ךרדב , מש ג י ע י ם החלצהל בעב ו תד מה י ד ו ת ? קה ו ד םהלש התיה הנח ר"ת : ח הל ,, הנפ עה נ י לא שעה י ר קב ו ל טקש ךרו נ הדי , ה תקלד רנה - 3 צמה ו ו ת לש השיא רמאו ול : " דא ו נ י שיא םע בל בוט , נא י המל םשה ארב תא םדאה רוציכ ןתנהנ הידוהי . בקעיו הצר נבל תו התיא תא םע הדומ ךל לש תחק ונתוא , םשה םלשי ךל אש י ן ול בג ו ל תו וסמשו לג רחהל י ב כה ל לארשי ." . . ךרדב מל י ל ו י את ו ו ת י ו ? דכ י היהיש םלשומ פכ י אש כ ן יה ו נב הי הנע ול שעה י ר : " לא בתת י י ש , נא י חמש המל םשה ארב םדא יש רצ ו ער ענמ ו ר י ו - םימלשומ , ףסוי נבו ימי ן יה ו םג דצ י ק י ם דאמ תושעל תא הז בשב י ל כ ם . םתא עשמ ה נש נ רע עממ י ומיא . ? רה י המ הז םגו יפי ראות . הת נ ו דאמ כאל ו ל לצא י .... גה נ ן לש י וח הל ית נ קו ? רבכ בש ו ע י י ם , אשדה לצא י גב י הנ גמ י ע רוצי פמ ו נ ק , ןשקע , שרוד תא לש ו , לבא , רמוא ברה י למ ו אב ו ו י שט : לחר גל הבו לש 20 םירטמיטנס ." . . . . מעמ י ד תא םלוכ םוד בס י ב ו אלמל תא התיה תמלשומ - דצ י הק , על ו התמ האל יתומחג ו . קר גב י ל 13 אוה רצ י ך יל רצי תא איה קתמה נ ת , תלעב שתה ו הב . לכ יח הי המכ מעפ י ם חב י י ם ונקקזנ הרזעל מצע ו שדחמ יבהלו ן נש ו דל דכ י נשל ו ת תקבאנ דגנ העבט הלרוגו נשל ו ת ןקתלו רחאמ י ם , ונתמהדתלו םישנא ולצינ תא רה ג ל י ם תקצלו כרע י ם חל י י ו. ותוא . יע נ הי יה ו כר תו ברמ כב י יכ ו ו ן לש א צמ ו נתק ו תל ו םתלע אה י ש י ת ? על יתי ם התצר הל י אשנ ישעל ו עשרה . רק ו ב ו ת נחנא ו רמ ג י ש י ם רמ ו מ י ם הבושתהו איה הש ק ב "ה אל ארב נל ו נמו םילצו , םיקשענ , םיסמחנ םימהדנו םלוע םלשומ , יכ םלוע בש ו שי קר בוט , בקעי הצור מלש ו ת לבא םשה ןתונ ול תא גמ י ל ו י י חש י ת ו ת לש םישנא סה ו בב י ם שי ול לצא ו . ונתוא אוה ארב דכ י נש רחב האל , יש ו תרצ תא טה ו ב . - אל יתארב ונתוא . חתה ו הש רקמב י ם לאכ ו איה טב ו ב דכ י קתנש ן תא עה ו םל בה תל י םלוע לש םימלשומ אלא לש קתמ נ י ם . אש ד ם םדאל באז . םלשומ . האלמו םק ובור לש םע לארשי . בקה "ה אל ארב בשב י ל נ ו תיב תחקרמ לבא המ אש נ ח נ ו לע ו ל י ם רהל ג שי יכ םו אלא תיב רח ו תש . םלוע לש שע י ה . תיב נחנא ו אל מהמ ו לש מ י ם . נחנא ו אוה אכ י ן ספאכו על ו תמ המ תהש ר שח רח ו תש אוה קמ ו ם " למ ו כ ךל ." קתמהמ נ י ם ! הז רופיס יח י נ ו … . תאזבו עב ו םל ב2,000 שה נ י ם ושארה נ ו ת לש ו . םלוע בש ו נחנא ו תמ םידדומ םע עור , םורגנ תחנ בל ו אר םלוע . םירצי , לבא טאל טאל קנמ םי םיקנתמו ______הנה ער י ו ן תמ ו ך חול יה םו םוי : ושרפ ת תאזו רת ו נתמ ו נאל ושו ת . כה ו תבת איה הרומ , וטנמ ר תי תנמאמו ישארב ת חנו תופטוע ונתוא דב י דכ ו ך . תישיא תכמסומ . חתה ל נ ו ריציכ פכ י ו לש בקה "ה שממ , רזנ רקה י הא לש ךל ךל נפומ תי לא לכ דחא גתל ו ב ו ת , לאשל ו ת תריצילו רשק רבה י הא נעגהו ו לעל י ב תו תותיחשלו . תחאו אמ י ת נ ו . ךל ךל המ ל י כ ל ו ך עש ו ףט אב י מ י י ל : " יכ חשה י ת לכ רשב כרד ו " " האלמו ךתוא . [email protected] ראה ץ סמח " לכל דחא אמ י ת נ ו שי רש י הט … יק האנ , , קר תשרפב ךל ךל גמ י ע בשה ו ע חמשה סג תו חור , לצע תו , את ו ו ה , פכ י תו הבוט , , תמאב . בשה ו ע נחנא ו םע םהרבא בא י נ ו חור טש ו ת … " ארה וש ן סמש ר ושפנ לע םוסריפ

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A TIME TO PRAY DAVENING SCHEDULES AND LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE WEEK

DAILY LEARNING SCHEDULE AT THE SHUL 6:20 -6:50 am The Rebbe’s Maamorim Chassidic Discourse R’ Zalman Lipskar 7:45 am Daf Yomi R’ Dov Schochet 8:45 am (approx) Halacha Sephardic Custom R’ Shimshon Tzubeli 10:15 - 11:00 am Maamorim Maamor of the Rebbe R’ Shea Rubinstein

SHACHARIS MINYANIM (MON - FRI) SUNDAY SHACHARIS MINYANIM Main Minyan 6:50 7:30 9:00 Main Minyan 8:00 am 9:00 am Sephardic Minyan 8:00 Sephardic Minyan 9:00 am

DAILY CHUMASH & TANYA AFTER EVERY MINYAN SUNDAY MINCHA / MINCHA / MAARIV MINYANIM (MON - THURS) MAARIV MINYANIM Main Minyan 2:00 pm Early Mincha 5:25 pm 10:00 pm Sephardic Minyan 5:25 pm Following Main Minyan 5:25 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 NOVEMBER 13 Eretz Yisroel. We pray for you and all of the soldiers safety and well being daily.

Alot Hashachar / Dawn 5:22 am Menachem Mendel ben Chaya Leah Earliest Talit & Tefllin 5:54 am Daniella Malka bat Natanya Netz Hachamah / Sunrise 6:37 am Menachem Mendel ben Aurit Eden Chana bat Karine Cecile (Earliest Amidah) Benyamin Aharon ben Jeniya Gila Rut Latest Shema 9:19 am Zman Tfllah 10:14 am Chatzot / Midday 12:04 pm Earliest Mincha 12:33 pm Plag HaMincha 4:27 pm Shekiah / Sunset 5:32 pm (Preferable latest time for Mincha) Tzeit Hakochavim / Nightfall 5:57 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. 30 IN A WOMAN’S WORLD ISSUES OF RELEVANCE TO THE JEWISH WOMAN

WEEKLY CLASSES Women’s Mikvah: Monday Please call Mrs. Devorah Failer for an Women’s Study Group Rebbetzin Chani Lipskar 8:30 - 10:00 pm At the home of : Miriam Wiener appointment: 305-866 1492 or 128 Camden Drive Bal Harbour 305-323-2410 Please Note: Shabbos & Yom Tov visits must be Prepaid Tuesday Prayer Class Rebbetzin Chani Lipskar 9:15 - 10:15 am 1111 Kane Concourse Suite 618 The Shul Sisterhood Tanya Class In Spanish Mrs. Vivian Perez 10:45 am -12:00 pm

198 Park Drive, Bal Harbour Village Who we are... Wednesday The Shul Sisterhood organizes all of The Shul’s programming Morning Torah Class Rebbetzin Chani Lipskar 10:00 - 11:00 am and classes geared toward women in the community. Our The weekly portion - Women’s Perspective objective is to bring women of all ages and backgrounds Haime Library together to learn, laugh, experience, and rejuvenate their mind, Tanya Class in English Mrs. Vivian Perez 1:15 - 3:00 pm body and soul. Meet new friends, 198 Park Drive, Bal Harbour Village relax and get inspired! Thursday If you would like to be a part of The Shul Sisterhood, Women’s Tanya Class – Spanish – Mrs. Vivian Perez please call 305. 868.1411 Call Vivian for details – 305.213.3202

CHICKEN, SCALLION, AND GINGER PREPARATION

FRITTERS 1. In a food processor, combine the scallions By LEAH KOENIG (spring onions), jalapeño, ginger, and cilantro INGREDIENTS (coriander) and pulse until very fnely chopped. Add 1 bunch scallions (spring onions), white and green the chicken, four, eggs, and salt and pulse until a parts, roughly chopped wet batter forms—it should be the consistency of thick pancake batter. Transfer to a bowl, cover, and 1 jalapeño, seeded and roughly chopped refrigerate for 1 hour. 1-inch (2.5 cm) piece fresh ginger, peeled and roughly chopped 2. Line a large plate with paper towels. In a large ½ cup (20 g) roughly chopped fresh cilantro frying pan, heat about ¼ inch (6 mm) oil over (coriander) or fat-leaf parsley medium heat. Working in batches of 4–5, scoop out the batter by the ¼ cup (60 g) and add to the 1 lb (455 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or pan, gently fattening and nudging into rounds. Fry, frm, skinless fsh fllets, roughly chopped fipping once, until golden brown on both sides ¼ cup (35 g) all-purpose (plain) four and cooked through, about 8 minutes. Add more 2 eggs oil in between batches, if necessary. Transfer to the paper towels to drain. Serve hot. 1½ teaspoons kosher salt Vegetable oil, for frying 31 PLEASE READ ONLY NETWORKING AFTER SHABBOS EFFECTIVE ADVERTISING

PAID ADVERTISEMENTS DO NOT CONSTITUTE ENDORSEMENTS BY ANY RABBIS OR THE SHUL. THE SHUL RESERVES THE RIGHT TO ACCEPT OR REGECT ANY AD SUBMITTED.

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32 NUMBERS TO KNOW

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 Youth Director Rabbi Shaykee Farkash Ext 329 SHUL GABOIM Operations / Maintenance Rabbi Shlomi Katan Ext 319 Reception / Accounts Payable Mrs. Mindy Natoli Ext 0 Mr. Andrew Roth Mikvah Mrs. Devorah Failer 305.323.2410 Mr. David Portnoy Pre-School Director Mrs. Chana Lipskar Ext 325 Rabbi Henry Eichler Sephardic Minyan Chazan Shimshon Tzubeli 305.865.4205 Mr. Ettai Einhorn Hebrew School / Editor Mrs. Aurit Katan 786.382.9006 Mr. David Ben-Arie Hashkama Minyan Mr. Lazer Milstein 305.349.3040 Mr. Seth Salver Mashgiach Mr. Mordechai Olesky 786.262.9115

BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOUNDATION TRUSTEES Sidney Feltenstein - Chairman Mike Izak Albert Pollans - President Michael Blisko Alberto Kamhazi Jaime Gilinski Simon Falic Shmuel Katz M.D. David Lichter Matias Garfunkel Leo Kryss Rabbi Sholom D. Lipskar Ambassador Isaac Gilinski Rabbi Sholom D. Lipskar Monroe Milstein - Treasurer Jaime Gilinski Lazer Milstein Max Gilinski Michael Perez BOARD OF DIRECTORS Saul Gilinski Ryan Shapiro Steven M. Dunn - President Rabbi Sholom D. Lipskar Sam Greenberg Claudio Stivelman Mitchell Feldman - Vice President Alexander Matz Abel Holtz Morris Tabacinic Rabbi Zalman Lipskar VP Development Lazer Milstein Eric P. Stein - Treasurer Ezzy Rappaport EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Joel Baum - Financial Treasurer Eliott Rimon Steven M. Dunn - Chair Evelyn Katz Dovid Duchman - Secretary Brian Roller Carolyn Baumel Seth Salver Devorah Leah Andrusier Rebbetzin Chani Lipskar Max Benoliel Ryan Shapiro Janice Barney Rabbi Sholom D. Lipskar Boruch Duchman Michael Tabacinic Joel Baum Rabbi Zalman Lipskar Velvel Freedman David Wolf Maurice Egozi Orit Osman Eli Freund Henry Eichler Marc Sheridan Bruce Gelb Mitchell Feldman Daniel Sragowicz Ighal Goldfarb Daniel Gielchinsky Cynthia Stein Sam Greenwald Jacob J. Givner Eric P. Stein Jerrod M. Levine 33 DAILY STUDY A COMPLETE GUIDE TO ALL CLASSES AND COURSES OFFERED AT THE SHUL

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 (Men Only) Tanya - Sichos 8:00 - 10:00 pm Insights to our Torah Portion Chok L’Yisrael - Sephardic 8:45 am PHL-322 Rabbi Shlomo Haltzband (Spanish) 8:45 - 9:45 pm Reb Shimshon Tzubeli (Men Only) PHL-120 Rabbi Shea Rubinstien (Men and Women) Chassisdic Discourses 10:15 - 11:00 am Women’s Study Group 8:30 - 10:00 pm PHL-322 PHL-510 Rabbi Shea Rubinstien TXT-110 Rebbetzin Chani Lipskar (Men Only) Community Kollel (Men) 8:00 - 9:30 pm At the home of: Miriam Wiener (Monday & Thursday) LAW-154 128 Camden Drive Bal Harbour (Men Only)

WEDNESDAY TUESDAY THURSDAY Hebrew 101 10:00 - 11:00 am Megillot - Men and Women 8:45 -9:30am HEB 101 Rabbi Mendel Shul 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

NUMERIC CODES INDICATE ALL CLASSES LOCATED CYS COLLEGE COURSES AT THE SHUL VISIT WWW.CYSCOLLEGE.ORG UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

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