B”H

THEWEEKLY MAGAZINE SHUL

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

SHABBOS PARSHAS BO YUD SHEVAT SHEVAT 9 - 10 JANUARY 22 - 23 CANDLE LIGHTING: 5:39 PM SHABBOS ENDS: 6:34 PM

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

NACHAS AT A GLANCE NACHAS AT A GLANCE CONTENTS BUILDING UPDATE! Weekly Message: 3 Thoughts on the Parsha - Sholom D. Lipskar

Celebrating Shabbos: 4 - 5 Schedules, classes, articles & more... Everything you need for an “Over the Top” Shabbos experience

Community Happenings: 6 -7 Sharing with your Shul Family

A Time to Pray: 8 Check out all the davening schedules and locations throughout the week

Daily Study: 9 A complete guide to all classes and courses ofered at The Shul

Inspiration, Insights & Ideas: 10 - 20 Bringing Torah lessons to LIFE

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

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

French Connection 24 Reflexions sur la Paracha

Latin Link 25 Reflexion Semanal

Numbers To Know 26 Contacts at The Shul

Get The Picture 27 - 28 The full scoop on all the great events around town THOUGHTS ON THE PARSHA FROM RABBI SHABBOS PARSHAS BO - 70 Years That Changed a spiritual lighthouse manned by one of the The World Rebbe’s Shluchim/ambassadors to every country, major city and habitation. From the pinnacles of This Shabbos, the monarchial palaces to the simple hamlet of a lone 10th of Shevat, we farmer at the outskirts of a forgotten landscape, will commemorate the Rebbe’s influence is palpable and effective. and celebrate the 70th anniversary of our In this week’s Torah portion Bo, Hashem said to Rebbe’s accepting the Moses, “come to Pharaoh”. He did not say “go to mantle of leadership of Pharoh,” which would have been more appropriate. the Chabad movement This indicated that G-d went together with Moses. and consequently In every generation there is the Moses that relates world Jewry. to that generation. The Rebbe is our Moses and Hashem was constantly with him, providing super His mission, as stated in his opening state of the human powers and capacity that clearly evidenced world address in 1951, was to make our physical, Hashem’s direct intervention and complicity in all material, flawed world a place where G-d would be that he said and did. present and revealed in a manner that it would be His home - His essential personal dwelling place. The Rebbe’s immense scholarship, prophetic vision, selfless commitment and deep love for every Based on the previous Rebbe’s last treatise Jew and caring attention for every one of G-d’s published and distributed on his Yahrtzeit that set creations is an incredible gift to our generation. By the tone for our Rebbe’s clear and unadulterated realizing the potential of that gift and utilizing the mission driven objective, he identified the Jewish Rebbe’s directives for our lives, we can cross that people as ““ - The Army of G-d. hairline border between exile and redemption.

Reeling from the incomparable tragedy of the We can actually achieve and merit the advent of Holocaust and sitting on the debris of shattered Moshiach when our world will be a Garden of Eden dreams and families, the Rebbe infused the post- with no more wars, illness, pandemics, strife, Holocaust generation with a sense of purpose and jealousy, hatred or empty competitiveness. meaning permeated with power, resilience, alacrity and a Jewish chutzpah that would overcome all The success of the Rebbe’s strategy and its boundaries and obstacles. consistent upward trajectory is proof positive that with a little more effort we can “get it done” “over Framing his mission as the war between good and the top”. evil, light and darkness, holiness and profaneness, with the objective for good, light and holiness Have a meaningful Shabbos and a wonderful week. to prevail in the entire world preparing it for the messianic era, the Rebbe developed, trained and inspired a venerable army of men, women and children that became the force to implement this seeming impossible mission. Rabbi Sholom Lipskar

He did accomplish this. Now, anywhere in the world where you travel, there is a presence of G-dliness and holiness emanating from 3 CELEBRATING SHABBOS EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR AN “OVER THE TOP” SHABBOS EXPERIENCE

Eruv Information

FRIDAY We would like to emphasize that every Erev Shabbos, individuals should call the Eruv Hotline to make sure that the Eruv is operational. The SHABBOS SCHEDULE number to call is 305- 866-ERUV (3788). Candle lighting 5:39 p.m. Mincha / Kabalas Shabbos 5:40 p.m. The Eruv message is recorded approximately two hours prior to candle lighting. Surfside: The Eruv in Surfside now includes the walking paths along the Shacharis 1st Minyan 8:30 a.m. beach. Pushing strollers and carrying is permitted on the paths, but not beyond the path or onto the Shacharis 2nd Minyan 10:30 a.m. beach.

Bal Harbour: The Eruv in Bal Harbour included Mincha 5:25 p.m. the inner (western) walking path only. The pier at Shabbos Ends Haulover Cut is not included.

/ Ma’ariv & Havdalah 6:34 p.m. To pay your annual dues visit: www.miamibeacheruv.com

HALACHIC TIMES BASED ON TIMES FOR JANUARY 27

Alot Hashachar / Dawn 5:51 am Earliest Talit & Tefllin 6:23 am Netz Hachamah / Sunrise 7:06 am (Earliest Amidah) Latest Shema 9:48 am Zman Tfllah 10:43 am Chatzot / Midday 12:33 pm Earliest Mincha 1:02 pm Plag HaMincha 4:56 pm Shekiah / Sunset 6:01 pm (Preferable latest time for Mincha) Tzeit Hakochavim / Nightfall 6:25 pm To our beloved Soldiers in the Israeli Defense (Earliest preferable Ma’ariv) Forces, courageously protecting and defending Eretz Yisroel. We pray for you and all of Times taken from www.chabad.org the soldiers safety and well being daily. Please note that during the week times may Menachem Mendel ben Chaya Leah Vary by a minute or two. Menachem Mendel ben Aurit Eden Chana bat Karine Cecile 4 PARSHA IN PICTURES Test your PARSHA knowledge. Can you tell the story using the pictures below

5 COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS SHARING WITH YOUR SHUL FAMILY

BIRTHDAYS YAHRTZEITS 10 Shevat Ms. Shana Cohen 10 Shevat Boruch ben Dovid obm 10 Shevat Mr. Michael Davit Father of Mr. Elgamil 10 Shevat Mrs. Nicole Kavana 10 Shevat Moshe Menachem ben Baruch obm 10 Shevat Mr. Aaron Jacob Mondshine Father of Dr. Bracha Reich 10 Shevat Ms. Esther Lilly Moore 10 Shevat Itzchak Melech Hacohen ben David 10 Shevat Mr. Chaim S. Stauber Mordechay obm 11 Shevat Ms. Ita Henia Andrusier Brother of Mr. Barry Cohen 11 Shevat Mr. Anthony Azoulay 11 Shevat Dobbe Faiga bas Menachem obm 11 Shevat Mr. Sam Greenwald Mother of Mrs. Roslyn Jafe 11 Shevat Mr. Aaron Knight 11 Shevat Luis Elias obm 11 Shevat Mr. Monroe Milstein Father of Mr. Michael Mordechai Smulevich 12 Shevat Mr. Simcha Applegrad 11 Shevat Chava bas Shlomo obm 12 Shevat Mr. Michael Henesch Sister of Mrs. Dana Werner 12 Shevat Mr. Alan Kornbluth 11 Shevat Fruma bas Shmuel Mordechai obm 12 Shevat Mrs. Linda Laulicht Mother of Dr. Bracha Reich 12 Shevat Mr. Chaim Lerman 12 Shevat Shlomo Yitzchak ben Moshe obm 12 Shevat Mr. Victor Weingarten Father of Mr. Yosef Schwartz 13 Shevat Dr. Stephen Brenner 12 Shevat Bert Cohn obm 13 Shevat Mr. Joseph Lekach Father of Mr. Peter Cohn 13 Shevat Ms. Bonnie G. Weintraub 12 Shevat Yitzchak ben Frejah obm 13 Shevat Ms. Stacey N. Weintraub Father of Mrs. Perla Edderai 13 Shevat Mr. David Wolf 12 Shevat David ben Yosef obm 13 Shevat Mrs. Natalie Wolf Father of Mrs. Ravit Feldman 14 Shevat Mr. Ethan Danial 13 Shevat Irving ben Rafael obm 14 Shevat Mr. Abi Goldshtein Uncle of Mrs. Leslie Baum 14 Shevat Mr. Ronald Nyman 13 Shevat Mercado Maya obm 14 Shevat Ms. Talya Esther Portnoy Father of Ms. Esther Vlosky 15 Shevat Mr. Ezekiel Mizraji 13 Shevat Jacob obm 16 Shevat Ms. Raquel Abraham Father of Mr. Alexander Matz 16 Shevat Mr. Gabriel G. Berenfus 13 Shevat Akiva ben Hersh obm 16 Shevat Ms. Allison Diener Father of Mr. Sergio Zelcer 16 Shevat Mr. Dovid Ezra Lipschutz 14 Shevat Israel Rosenfeld obm Father of Mrs. Chani Labkowski 14 Shevat Nosson Ha Cohen obm KID’S BIRTHDAYS Father of Mr. Shmuel Levinsky 11 Shevat Myriam Amanou 14 Shevat Menachem Mendel ben Shraga Faivel obm 13 Shevat Benjamin Bogachek Husband of Mrs. Cecilia Knoll 13 Shevat Gita Aidel Lipskar 15 Shevat Mordechai Katz obm 14 Shevat Sarah Gittel Jaimovich Grandfather of Mr. Mordechai Turgel 15 Shevat Charles Meyer Gielchinsky 16 Shevat Moshe ben Zalman Dov obm 15 Shevat Aaron Ginsburg Father of Mr. Sidney (Shaya) Gordon 15 Shevat Aaron Yitzchak Katan ANNIVERSARIES Mr. & Mrs. Eli and Jane Mary Freund Mr. & Mrs. Moshe Shlomo and Esther Lerman Rabbi & Mrs. Chaim Zvi and Deenie Lipskar Mr. & Mrs. Danny and Liba Barouk Mr. & Mrs. Ralph and Mary Gut Mr. & Mrs. Glenn and Lisa Moses

6 COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS SHARING WITH YOUR SHUL FAMILY

SHEVAT LIGHT & POWER THANKS TO OUR DONORS Light & Power and Wine for Kiddush & Havdalah We sincerely thank the following members and supporters of The Shul for the month of Shevat is Sponsored by for donations received between 1/12/20 and 1/18/20 We apologize for any errors or omissions that we may have made. Mr. & Mrs. Yanky and Odelia Weiss Mr. & Mrs. Jackie Abraham Mr. & Mrs. Gregory Levine In Loving Memory Of : Ms. Raquel Abraham Mr. Martin Lustgarten Mr. Yaacov Amar Mr. & Mrs. William Lustgarten Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Amram Mr. & Mrs. Lazer Milstein זלטה בת אריה ליב Ms. Kaylee Andrusier & Ms. Mr. Serge Moyal יצחק מורדכי בן יוסף Itty Andrusier Mr. & Mrs. Eliezer Nerenberg “Those who establish for prayer and those who come there to pray, Mr. & Mrs. Gideon Azari Mr. & Mrs. Charles Ness those who provide lights for illumination, wine and grape juice for kiddush Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Azoulay Dr. & Mrs. Zev Neuwirth and havdalah, food for the wayfarers and charity for the needy, and all those Dr. & Mrs. Jonah Bardos Mr. Mordechai Olesky who occupy themselves faithfully with communal affairs - may The Holy One, Mr. & Mrs. Isaac Baroukh Mr. Allan Perelis blessed be He, give them their reward, remove them from all sicknesses, heal Dr. & Mrs. Bernard Baumel Mr. & Mrs. Ariel Peretz their entire body, pardon all their sins, and send blessing and success to all Mr. Reuven Bigio Mr. Shon Perez their endeavors, together with all Israel their brethren; and let us say Amen.” Mr. & Mrs. Michael Blisko Mr. & Mrs. Eric Rosenstock Mr. & Mrs. Isaie Bouhadana Mr. & Mrs. Aryeh Rubin Mr. & Mrs. Levi Boymelgreen Mr. & Mrs. Seth Salver Dr. & Mrs. Stephen Brenner Ms. Esty Scheiner Mr. & Mrs. Betzalel Camissar Mr. & Mrs. David Mr. Raul Chami Schottenstein REFUAH SHLEIMAH Mr. & Mrs. Emilio Liba Cohen Mr. Evan Schottenstein If you have a health update on anyone listed please contact The Shul. We would like to Mr. Ashley Diener Mr. David Shalom keep the listing current and remove names of people who have recovered. Dr. & Mrs. Brian Dooreck Mr. & Mrs. Zalman Shapiro Mr. & Mrs. Maurice Egozi Mr. & Mrs. Yossi Sokol MEN WOMEN Yehonatan HaLevi ben Malka Alta Miriam Chaya Mr. & Mrs. Ettai Einhorn Mr. & Mrs. Max Spielberg Eliezer ben Sarah Esther Yocheved bas Raizel Mr. Yossef Ezekiel Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Sragowicz Aharon ben Beylah Bracha Mrs. Chava Fux Mr. & Mrs. Eric Stein Meyer Eliezer ben Sarah Shima Leah bas Gittel Mrs. Perla Gilinski Ms. Suzanne Steinmetz Menachem Mendel ben Sara Sarah Libke bas Baile Mr. & Mrs. Levi Green Mr. & Mrs. Stanley Stern Yehoshua ben Tamara Chana Bayla bas Masha Mr. & Mrs. Sam Greenwald Street Holes, Inc. Isaac Gilbert ben Nelly Esther Genya Bailah bat Gietel Sura Mr. & Mrs. Sharon Hakmon Mr. & Mrs. Alex Tauber Bentzion ben Nomi Rachel Sonia Simcha bat Sultana Horn Family Philanthropic Mr. Baruch Toledano Margalite Tzipora Pnina bas Slava Fund Mr. & Mrs. David Wolf Sarah Rochel Feige bas Krandel Mr. & Mrs. Mendi Labkowski Mr. & Mrs. Adam Ziefer Chaim Zelig Ben Eidel Chaya Miriam Yehudit bat Mr. & Mrs. Jaime Lapidus Mr. Maickel Zrihem Corcia Ari ben Na’ama Chava Tzvi Yitzchak ben Chaya Clara bat Corina Chaim Tzvi Hirsch ben Guttel Rivka bat Shoshana WELCOME NEW MEMBERS Miriam bat Risha Raizel Welcome to new CYS Student and Shul Member MAZAL TOV Mr. Alexander Bendayan Mazal Tov to Mr. & Mrs. Bentzi and Menuchah CONDOLENCES Shemtov on the birth of a daughter. May they raise her to Torah, Chupah and Ma’asim With deep sadness we announce the passing of our dear Tovim and have much nachas from her. friend and Shul member, Mr. Albert Pollans, obm. May his dear soul be bound with the Eternal Bond of Life and may the family be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

Our heartfelt condolences to Mr. & Mrs. Ralph and Sara Mizraji on the passing of their beloved son, Samuel obm. May his dear soul be bound with the Eternal Bond of Life and may the family be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem. 7 8 9 DAILY WISDOM Inspiring insights on the Torah Shabbos, 10 Shevat Sunday, 11 Shevat

For the Children Joseph’s Bones You must tell your child on that day. Exodus 13:8 Moses took the bones of Joseph with him. Exodus 13:19 Interestingly, the commandment to retell the story of the Exodus – which is the source for the annual Passover Seder – The Hebrew word for “bone” (etzem) also means “essence.” is given in the context of describing “the child who does not The Jewish people were about to embark on a journey know how to ask,” the most immature of all the four types of through a desert whose barrenness and perils were a children to whom we must tailor our description of the Exodus. refection of its spiritual desolation. In order to be able to This teaches us that our duty to retell the Exodus applies mainly survive this journey, Moses ensured that the Jewish people to this uninitiated child. We must fnd the words to inspire were accompanied by the essence and spirit of Joseph. even this type of child with gratitude to G-d for liberating us Joseph’s essence is expressed in his name, which means from Egypt and from all past, present, future, personal, and “May He add,” for when he was born, his mother Rachel collective Egypts. prayed, “May G-d add for me another son.” This wish This is so because the Exodus from Egypt was absolute: not includes the desire to welcome the estranged Jew back one Jew remained in Egypt. Since the Exodus was so all- into the fold. In a more general sense, it includes the encompassing, the transmission of its message must also desire to transform all mundane reality into the vehicle for encompass each and every individual that can possibly holiness it was originally intended to be. understand it, even if this takes extraordinary effort. The odyssey of exile is likened to a journey through a By ensuring that even “the child who does not know how to barren, perilous desert. In order for us to persevere through ask” understands the meaning of the Exodus, we ensure that periods of spiritual desolation, we must take our cue the other children will understand it, too, much as lifting up from Joseph’s essence. We must strive to bring even the the bottom of any structure automatically raises the rest of the most distant and rebellious individuals back to the fold, structure, as well. showing them that they are truly G-d’s beloved children. When we remain true to this objective, we are assured that in the end, no Jew will be left behind.

Monday, 12 Shevat Tuesday, 13 Shevat Embracing Spiritual Challenges Pharaoh drew near. Exodus 14:10 Eliciting G-d’s Blessings [G-d told Moses,] “Take up your staff and raise your The Midrash offers another interpretation: By chasing them, Pharaoh arm over the sea.” Exodus 14:16 drew the nearer to G-d, as evidenced by their crying out to Him The splitting of the Sea of Reeds was a miraculous and when they saw the Egyptian army approaching. Indeed, it is often supernatural event. Yet there had to be a natural action to opposition that awakens our deepest reserves of energy. “ignite” the miracle: G-d instructed the people to journey forward and Moses to lift his staff over the water. G-d always When we are confronted with a challenge, we should view it as an demands some human act frst and only then does He opportunity for spiritual growth rather than try to avoid it. Comfort perform miracles. and contentment can cause us to lose sight of priorities, weakening our sense of urgency in our Divine mission. Physical or spiritual This is because events that occur without our involvement do adversity can shock us out of this indifference, undermining our not truly affect us. Only when we expend some effort do we self-assurance and affording us the opportunity to advance in our appreciate G-d’s miracle. The same applies in all areas of life. relationship with G-d by breaking through the obstacle. Asking for G‑d’s blessings is not suffcient; we must make some effort that can serve as a conduit for the blessing.

10 Wednesday, 14 Shevat Thursday, 15 Shevat

Changing Direction The Lesson of the Manna Moses had to forcibly make the Israelites set out G-d told Moses [to tell the people . . . ] “The people will go from the Sea of Reeds. Exodus 15:22 out and gather each day’s portion on that day.” Exodus 16:4 The Jewish people did not tarry out of greed. They were fulflling G‑d’s commandment to empty Egypt of its wealth. Even if we believe that everything is in G-d’s hand, we still tend to The spiritual dimension of this directive was to salvage all the think that our own efforts also play a role in acquiring our physical potentials of holiness present in this wealth. sustenance. In contrast, manna was not acquired through human effort, and so left no room for such misconceptions. From this we learn two lessons: First, once we know what our Even so, G-d did not allow the people to collect more than one Divine mission in life is, we must be so devoted to it that doing day’s worth of manna at a time, for whenever the pantry would anything else seems unthinkable. On the other hand, as soon have been full, the people would not have felt dependent upon as it is clear that it is time to change direction, we must not G-d. hesitate. We should apply ourselves to our new mission with the same enthusiasm we gave to our previous mission. On the other hand, G-d did require the people to go out and gather the manna, rather than deliver it to their doorsteps. In this Second, just as the Jews did not want to leave a single piece way, He prepared them for their eventual entry into the real world. of Egyptian wealth unelevated, we should desire to bring If acquiring the manna had not required any human effort, the every last individual closer to G-d. Until we receive a clear people would have dismissed it as an isolated miracle, irrelevant directive to focus on something else, we must view every to real life. By being required to collect the manna, they learned individual estranged from G-d as a priceless pearl waiting to that human effort and G-d’s blessings work together. be redeemed from Egypt. The manna taught us that our sustenance comes from heaven. Even when it appears to be the fruit of our own labor, it is in fact a gift from G-d.

Friday, 16 Shevat The Sabbath [On Friday, Moses told the people,] “Tomorrow will be a day of rest, a holy Sabbath unto G-d.” Exodus 16:23

This is the frst explicit mention in the Torah of the obligation to observe the Sabbath. It is appropriate that the Sabbath is introduced in connection with the manna, for the Sabbath and the manna share a common purpose – to underscore our complete dependency upon G-d as the true source of all sustenance. Belief that human effort is the sole determining factor for success makes it hard to justify giving up a full day’s income. Not working on the Sabbath is a clear affrmation of our faith that sustenance lies in G-d’s hands and that our work is no more than a vessel through which G‑d’s blessings can fow.

11 DAILY STUDY A COMPLETE GUIDE TO ALL CLASSES AND COURSES OFFERED AT THE SHUL HTTPS://ZOOM.US/ 6457054016 PASSWORD: 699576 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 MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY

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

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

2:00 pm 8:00 - 9:30 pm TANYA IN SPANISH JLI Mrs. Vivian Perez Secrets Of The Bible (Women Only) Rabbi Dov Schochet https://zoom.us/j/758161843 password 5899

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

12 PARSHAH MESSAGES DOOR TO HOLINESS By Moshe Bryski o what’s with the blood on the doors? hungry or so desired was welcome to walk on in and partake with them. The Torah tells us of the fnal steps leading up Sto the liberation of Israel from slavery in ancient What is posted on our proverbial doors? Do we Egypt. On that fateful night, G‑d dealt the fnal blow have a symbolic “welcome mat” at the door, to the Egyptians by smiting the frstborn of each of or is it more like a “do not disturb” sign? Do their households while sparing the frstborn of the we welcome the opportunity to be hospitable Israelite households — precipitating total Egyptian and benevolent to those in need of comfort, surrender. friendship or sustenance? Or do we (fguratively speaking) slam those doors in the faces of “They [the Israelites] shall take some of its blood or needy individuals who seek entry to [of the Paschal sacrifce] and place it on the two the sincerity of our hearts? doorposts and on the lintel of the houses.... When I see the blood I shall pass over you; there shall not One of the most beautiful and enduring of all be a plague of destruction upon you when I strike in biblical precepts is that of the mezuzah, which the land of Egypt” (Exodus 12:7-13). is posted on the right doorpost of a Jewish home. The mezuzah testifes that this home is Did G-d need a sign on the door in order to know truly a Jewish home; a home where holiness, which home was inhabited by Israelites?A simple in sight. On the other hand, some people modesty, decency and goodness are a way of question: Did G-d really need a sign on the door can be very quiet, withdrawn, reserved and life — even (if not especially) behind closed in order to know which home was inhabited by uptight when in public, but barrels of fun doors. The mezuzah represents G-d’s presence Israelites and which not? and laughter when within the confnes of in the home as well as His protection over all their own homes. The door is where that who reside therein. It is not merely a nice Jewish Well, the suggestion goes, perhaps G-d didn’t need transition — from the superfcial “you” to the ornament. Indeed, if we only appreciate the any extra demarcation, but you know, with it being real “you” — tends to take place. mezuzah for its facade — its external appearance such a busy night and all, perhaps the Malach — rather than its internal spiritual meaning and Hamavet (Angel of Death) needed that extra marker Our asks of us: What sort of doors we’re not too overly concerned about whether while making his sweep through the neighborhood. do you have? What transpires on the inside the scroll contained therein has been scribed of those doors? Is there a spirit of sanctity in accordance with the Torah’s instructions in But let’s be real about this. This is not some scene and holiness on the other side of that that regard, then we’re missing what it is that a out of a Hollywood movie where the wrong guy is threshold? Are there Jewish books on the Jewish door is all about. A Jewish door is where taken out at the wrong time. Surely the real Angel of shelves? Are there kosher products in the the facade is supposed to end and where truth Death doesn’t use painted street addresses to locate cupboard and in the fridge? Are the Shabbat and authenticity are supposed to begin. It’s not his mark. and Jewish holidays celebrated therein what the mezuzah case looks like that’s most with joy, meaning and depth? Are words of important; it’s what’s inside that really matters. So again, what’s with the placing of the sacrifcial Torah shared? Are prayers recited? Only you What is the true essence of the matter? blood on the door? And for that matter, why the and the Almighty truly know the answers to door? Why not the window, the stoop or the rooftop? those questions. So, what was the signifcance of the Israelites’ marking their doorposts with the blood of the Let us take a moment here to analyze the concept — Our Judaism asks of us: What sort of Passover sacrifce? It was not an address or a the symbolism — of a door. The door creates privacy, doors do you have? There is a great deal of door marker. It was their testimony that they in addition to providing shelter and protection. The discussion about how Jews ought not shy were truly ready to leave Egypt. They were door is what separates the public person from the away from behaving as Jews on the outside devoted — inside and out — to G‑d and to Moses, private person, the external self from the internal (as well there should be), but sometimes indeed to the point of self‑sacrifce. And that self. In the privacy of one’s home is where all of the it behooves us to address the issue of not was why their homes were truly untouchable facades and inhibitions tend to fall away, allowing being lax with our Judaism on the inside — by the Angel of Death. For the blood on the the best (and sometimes the worst) of what a where it really counts. doorpost was there — not for G‑d’s beneft or for person has to offer to come to the surface. His messenger’s beneft — but for the beneft The Talmud tells us that “there was a great of the Israelites who fnally understood what it By way of example, some people can be very custom in Jerusalem” that whenever a family was that separates Jew from Egyptian. It’s all in patient on the outside — all smiles and cheerful sat down to a meal, they would tack a cloth the door. when in public, and yet, when they come home, on to the door of their home. This served as it’s moody‑broody time; no patience for the kids, a sign to all strangers and passersby that no tolerance for the spouse, not a smile anywhere it was mealtime and that anyone who was 13 REALITY CHECK By Chaya Shuchat

You need to be realistic.” perceive the truth—that the world per se is truly good, since, after all, the natural It’s a phrase I’m used to hearing, usually about world is what G-d intended. This is attained “an idea that sounds like an exciting possibility to through the work of Chassidut. me, but hopelessly outlandish to someone else. And, I must admit, reality often seems to side Let’s examine this. with the other person. I’m blessed with a vivid imagination, yet even the best ideas have a way of When the Jews were in Egypt, their only coming up short when put into practice in the real option was to get away. Sometimes, an world. Getting things done takes time, effort and environment is so toxic that there is no hard work, and the results seem puny compared choice but toSometimes, an environment to the original inspiration. is so toxic that there is no choice but to leave leave. There is no fxing the situation If there’s ever a time for fguring out this reality or working around the situation. You need thing—whether you’re trying to live with it or break to get out. This was the state of the Jewish free of it—this week is it. In this week’s parshah of people in Egypt. In fact, our sages say, the Bo, we read of the Jewish people leaving Egypt. redemption came not a moment too soon. Our sages say: “In every generation we must The Jews had already sunk to the 49th see ourselves as if we personally have gone out level of impurity, and if they had stayed in of Egypt.” Chassidic teachings explain that the Egypt any longer, they might never have Hebrew word for Egypt, Mitzrayim, has the same gotten out. the two. But once the Torah was given, for the frst letters as the word “meitzarim,” restrictions. Going time in history, G-d broke down the boundaries out of Egypt, in a spiritual sense, means leaving Our situation now is different. “Going out between the “upper world” and the “lower world.” behind the beliefs or attitudes that limit us, that of Egypt” in the Chassidic sense—leaving hinder us from accomplishing our goals. our boundaries and limitations—is not Leaving Egypt was a prelude to this dramatic shift an exercise in denial. The challenges in the world. The Jews had to break through the But what does this mean in a practical sense? How and struggles are out there, and they’re evil force of Egypt in order to receive the Torah. do we break free of our limitations, when those real. But we also know that G-d created They couldn’t refne that powerful evil. They just limitations have their way of imposing themselves the world with all its limitations and had to get away from it. upon us, like it or not? Can we just wish reality boundaries, and nothing in this world away? can stop us from fulflling His will. If a Once the barrier was broken and the Torah was goal seems unrealistic or overreaching, given, the emphasis shifted. Instead of breaking When the Jews left Egypt, G-d revealed himself then perhaps it’s appropriate to check through or breaking away, our efforts are now through plagues and miracles and carried His frst whether indeed that’s what G‑d wants directed at refning the world and bringing people triumphantly away. But that isn’t the reality from us at this time. But once we have G-dliness into it. We have the power now to for most of us on a day-to-day basis. We have to determined what our goals are, then we transform the world with the light of Torah and contend with our little battles and struggles alone, are not to be deterred by any obstacles or mitzvahs. By doing mitzvahs, we bring G-d’s with no outright sign of divine intervention. setbacks. It is best to set modest and yes, limitless energy into the fnite boundaries of realistic goals, but not to swerve from them the world. We can do this as souls within bodies, The of 25 Tevet sheds some light on once they’ve been set. without requiring miracles or supernatural this question: powers. Why is there a difference between the From my father’s sichot (talks): Exodus from original exodus from Egypt and our We will leave exile in a peaceful, orderly way Egypt means leaving limitations and bounds, and spiritual “going out of Egypt” today? With the fnal Redemption, the prophet Isaiah Chassidut is to enable man to leave the restrictions Why was the emphasis then on breaking says, “You will not leave in haste and you will not of the material world. free, while today it is on learning how to go in a furry.”4 work within the boundaries of the world, There is a difference: The Egyptian exodus means without getting bogged down by them? We will leave exile in a peaceful, orderly way, shattering and then departure, which is why they because we will have learned how to transcend went away from Egypt. The Chassidic exodus The exodus from Egypt was the frst stage the limitations of this world while still working means purifcation and correction, stepping out of in a remarkable change that the world was within it. We will have learned how to make the worldly limitations and bounds while remaining to undergo—the giving of the Torah. Until most of reality as it is—with all the power and in the world. This means, while functioning within the Torah was given, the spiritual world goodness that G-d already invested in it. the world we must transcend its limitations. We stayed spiritual and the physical world are to remove the limitations and bounds, and stayed physical. There was no joining of 14 IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF OUR SAGES SAGE OF THE WEEK - DON ISAAC ABARBANEL By YY Ben Shaul

on Isaac Abarbanel ben Yehudah (1437‑ diplomacy and linguistic abilities grand inquisitor, pressured against the 1508) was born in Lisbon Portugal to the with a multilingual tongue. He was decision. Don Yitzchak chose to go into exile famed Abarbanel family. The prestigious the Minister of Finance in Portugal to with his brethren and he left Spain in 1492. Dfamily was said to have descended from King King Afonso V - the African. He later He later became a fnancial advisor to the David and royalty was very common to the was beseeched to come to Spain to King of Naples. life of Don Yitzchak. He was a student of Rav be the Minister of Treasury and head Yosef ben Shlomo Ibn Yahya: Parshan on the the fnances for King Ferdinand & In his later years he threw away all these Torah, author and poet, rabbi, and rebuilder of Queen Isabella. Interesting ot note, secular accomplishments and devoted Ibn Yahya of Calatayud / Zaragoza the two leading fnancial advisors to himself to writing a commentary on the Bible Spain; a direct descendant of Hiyya al‑Daudi the Spanish king were Abraham Senor and author holy works and that is how he who was great-grandson of Hezekiah Gaon, and Don Isaac Abarbanel. Senor was is remembered today. He was said to have also a member of the Davidic dynasty. (Yosef the catalyst for fnancing the voyages regretted working for so many mortal kings Ibn Yahya composed a commentary on the of Christopher Columbus to the new in his lifetime, that he wanted to devote the Five Megilot, and a book on Gan Eden and world. Columbus seemingly came remainder of his days to the immortal King the afterlife called “Torah Ohr.” Two additional from a Jewish family that converted to of Heaven and Earth. Don Yitzchak had broad books, “Derech Ha-Chaim” and “Ner Mitzva” Christianity in 1391 who later moved knowledge and tremendously deep faith and were lost in the 1414 burning of the Talmud to Genoa Italy. Many hints exist to his is a hero in the course of our in Padua Italy. His son Gedaliah is the author Jewishness throughout his writings for us all. of “Shalshelet HaKabbalah”. The primary and logs in our possession today. reason these book burnings were so critical He died in 1508 in Venice and was buried in and damaging to Jewish history is that many Abarbanel was so valuable to the Padua next to Rabbi Yehudah Minz, Rav of writings prior to the printing press in the kings that he didn’t have to convert Padua. The Siege of Padua in 1509 destroyed 1450s were only handwritten and copied by to Christianity. Many times did Don the Jewish cemetery and sadly, his grave hand. Once a book or scroll was changed, Isaac personally offer and spend large location is unknown. damaged, manipulated or burned - there amounts of his personal wealth to was very little to remedy the situation for the bribe the Spanish Monarchy to cancel future generations.) the expulsion and permit the Jews to remain in Spain. Some claim that Don Isaac was a real renaissance man ‑ Abarbanel offered 600,000 crowns he combined within himself philosophy, for the revocation of the edict by the Torah knowledge, great fnancial acumen, Inquisition but the Torquemada, the 15 4 POWERFUL INSIGHTS FROM THE REBBE ON PARSHAS BO The Challenge The name of this week’s Torah reading Bo means “come.” The term is interpreted as meaning “enter” or “penetrate.” Moses was commanded to come and approach Pharaoh. As the Zohar states, he was told to enter room after room, penetrating to the very core of Pharaoh’s palace. The Zohar continues, explaining that Moses shrank at this command. He was daunted by the charge to confront evil at its very core. To reassure him, G-d told him, “Come.” “Come,” i.e., “come with Me,” and not “go,” “go alone.” G-d promised that He would accompany Moses and face Pharaoh with him. The Power of Renewal This command thus requires personal initiative, and “This month is for you the beginning of months.” simultaneously, promises that such initiative will be Our Sages interpret this statement as a rewarded by G-d’s assistance. Moses was required commandment to sanctify the new moon. When to act on his own, but not independently. G-d would the new moon was sighted by the Jewish people support his efforts. and testimony to that effect was delivered in court, This dynamic is replayed in microcosm in the myriad the new month began. spiritual struggles that we all continually face. We must The holidays we observe are dependent on the days confront Pharaoh - brave the challenges to Jewish of the month. They are not just celebrations on the involvement that the outside environment appears earthly plane, but rather events that cause changes to present. And this includes not only viewing those in the spiritual realms above. Thus G-d and the challenges from afar, but penetrating to their core and heavenly court wait, as it were, for the judges on looking at them from up close. this earthly plane to determine when the months One would be foolish not to be somewhat daunted by the begin. task. And yet, one’s hesitation should only be temporary. This is not only a halachic concept. In an inner We have the power to persevere in our mission. When personal sense as well, the power of renewal is we do, we find out that we are not alone. G-d is with us, vested in the Jewish people. No matter what a supporting our efforts. person’s situation is, he is capable of renewing This enables us to transform the world around us. Just himself. He can penetrate to the G-dly core within as Pharaoh became the power who urged the Jews out his heart and find the inner resources to make of Egypt, so too, every element of our existence can radical changes in his life and his circumstances. become a positive and contributory, influence, aiding our Every Jew possesses a soul that is an actual part Jewish involvement. of G-d. Just as G-d stands above the natural order and manipulates it at will, so too, every Jew has the potential to rise above his natural tendencies and his habits and begin a new phase of personal development. We do not have to accept our present limitations. On the contrary, our G-dly potential is infinite and at each and every moment, we can exercise our capacity for renewal, changing our situation radically. 16 4 POWERFUL INSIGHTS FROM THE REBBE ON PARSHAS BO

Home and Away A difference between the Paschal offering brought in Egypt and subsequent Paschal offerings is that those brought in Egypt were sacrificed by each family within their homes, while the later offerings had to be sacrificed in the Mishkan or Beis HaMikdash.

Why did the Egyptian Paschal offering differ from all subsequent Paschal offerings?

The Midrash informs us that “G-d earnestly Midnight desired a dwelling in the nethermost level,” The tenth and final plague was the Plague of the Firstborn, i.e., in this physical world. This was primarily which Moses indicated would take place at midnight. To accomplished, according to the Midrash, when shield themselves from this plague, Jews were to sprinkle the Mishkan was built, as the verse states: “And blood from the Paschal offering and from circumcision, on you shall make for Me a Sanctuary and I shall their doorposts. reside among them.”

Why did Moses indicate when this plague would take place? Our Sages comment: “It does not state [‘I shall And why was it necessary for the Jewish people to seek reside] in it,’ rather, ‘in them,’ that is to say, protection? within each and every Jew.” Since all verses are The purpose of the last plague was to rain personal first and foremost to be understood in their destruction upon the Egyptians. At such a time, it was simple sense, it follows that in addition to the possible for the Attribute of Justice to declare: “How are they primary Mishkan and Beis HaMikdash, each Jew [the Jews] different from them? [the Egyptians],” for there should create his own personal Mishkan and were Jews in Egypt who were mired in idolatry. Beis HaMikdash, so that G-d will reside within him. In order to remove any possible complaint, G-d brought the final plague at precisely midnight, so that it emanated from This is why the Jews were to bring offerings a level at which logic had no standing. At the time of the final within their own homes in Egypt, for since those plague, there was a manifestation of the essential love that offerings took place at the time of the nation’s G-d has for the Jewish people — a love that transcends all birth, the purpose of that nationhood had to logic and reason. Because of this love, G-d responds that, be stressed — that, through their personal whatever their state, the Jewish people are His children. spiritual service, they would have G-d dwelling within each one of them, transforming their This is also why the sign on the Jewish houses consisted of individual homes into a dwelling place for G-d. the blood of circumcision and of the Passover offering, as both indicate a level of service that transcends logic: The bond between a Jew and G-d achieved through circumcision is above logic, as we see from the fact that the mitzvah takes place while a child is utterly incapable of understanding the deed. Bringing the Paschal offering in Egypt was also bound up with self-sacrifice, and beyond logic, for the lambs used for the offering were worshipped by the Egyptians.

This manner of service above and beyond the level of understanding elicited a similar response from G-d — the revelation of His limitless love for the Jewish people. 17 YUD SHEVAT 7 TEACHINGS FROM THE REBBE’S “MISSION STATEMENT” The following teachings are excerpted and freely translated from the inaugural address of the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory, delivered on the 10th of Shevat, 1951. Mentions of “the Rebbe” refer to the Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak , the sixth Rebbe of Chabad, who had passed away exactly one year before the inaugural address of his successor.

1. If You Want to Love G-d, You Need to Love People

Love of G-d, love of the Torah, and Love of the Jewish people are bound up with one another, so much so that they are all one. Only when you love your fellow as yourself are you able to love G-d, who transcends the world and is the master of all things. For this reason the Rebbe relinquished his own physical and even spiritual interests out of love for the Jewish people. If you have love of G-d but not love of the Torah and love of people, you are actually lacking in love of G-d. On the other hand, if you love people you will ultimately come to love the Torah and love G-d as well.

2. When a Rebbe Ascends, We Must All Ascend With Him

The Rebbe’s ascent beyond the physical might lead you to think that it has become ever more difcult to connect to him. Know that the contrary is true: Your connection must only increase more and more. Just as the Rebbe constantly ascends to new heights, so we must gather additional strength in order that we may accompany him.

3. Your Purpose is Far More Profound Than You Think The Zohar teaches that there is depth within depth, there is the revealed and the hidden, and within the hidden is concealed yet deeper purpose. The Rebbe gifted people with various kinds of missions. Some of us were instructed to engage in a trade or in commerce, but the inner intention was to advance Torah study and mitzvah observance. Others of us were instructed to become spiritual educators, disseminators of Judaism, or simply to teach children the Aleph-Bet. We must all realize that these are all but external garments for a more profound vision. The deeper vision is to spread the wellsprings of Chassidism, and thereby to attain ultimate redemption. 18 4. The People and the Leader Are One

All who had and have a connection with the Rebbe will continue to have a connection to the Rebbe in the future. You must know that all the instructions received from the Rebbe have an inner intent, and that inner intent is to reveal the inner core of the Torah, that the wellsprings shall be spread to the outside … and then “Moses and the Jewish people shall sing.” The “and” in this verse (Exodus, 15:1) signifes ultimate connection. The verse uses the singular form of the verb “to sing” (yashir) rather than the plural (yashiru), indicating that the people and their leader become a single entity.

5. Feed Bodies and Feed Souls Each one of us is required to recognize that our purpose is to emulate our forefather Abraham. When arriving in a place where the people didn’t know of G-dliness, didn’t know of Judaism, Abraham put himself aside. His priority was to see to it that even such people would ultimately go into the streets and shout “G-d world!” (el olam, Genesis, 21:33) meaning that G-dliness and the world are one. Your love of the Jewish people should not only be actualized physically, in giving food to the hungry and water to the thirsty, but also in bringing Jews to love of Torah and to love of G-d.

6. Your Earthly Work Transcends the Loftiest Heavens

The ultimate purpose of creation does not lie in any supernal realm, for all those realms entail a descent for G-d. They are but revelations. It is specifcally in this world that G-d’s transcendent essence is most tangibly encountered. Through the earthly labor of subduing all that is unholy and transforming it into holiness, we uncover G-d’s most intimate and transcendent self within the earthly garden.

7. You Are In the Driver’s Seat

In Chabad it was always demanded that each individual must take responsibility for their own spiritual work, and that they must not rely on the Rebbes. In Chabad we each have to work independently, with every limb and sinew. As the Talmud says: All is in the hands of heaven except for fear of heaven (Brachot, 33b). I am not refusing to help you, heaven forfend. I will help as much as I am able. But unless you work independently, what will be gained if I distribute new teachings, if we sing inspiring melodies, and say l’chaim?! Each person must independently transform their worldly excitement into holy excitement.

19 MY ENCOUNTER WITH THE REBBE A FATHER’S FINAL WORDS MR. BENTZION CHEN

was born into a Chabad-Lubavitch family in what was then called Leningrad (and now is called St. Petersburg). During Imy childhood, chasidim suffered greatly in Soviet Russia, as these were the years when the KGB mercilessly persecuted those who were intent on keeping the embers of Judaism burning.

A few months before her wedding, my mother watched her father, Rabbi Yitzchok Raskin, as he was aggressively dragged from his home by KGB agents for the crime of teaching Torah underground. Before he left, he managed to say to his children, “Keep the ways of your forefathers” — which earned him a blow from his captors. Unfortunately, these were the last words I got married in Tashkent and began forget them in the Rebbe’s presence. they heard from him — they later learned working as a technician in the Soviet Indeed, when we finally came into that he was murdered just a few weeks Union’s aerospace industry. The his office, I was so moved that I was after his arrest. whole time we were hoping to leave. unable to utter a word. However, when In our , the participants I looked at the Rebbe’s warm face and When World War Two ended, a treaty was would wish one another that they his fatherly smile, I felt a calm come signed between Poland and the Soviet should one day merit to meet the over me and I was able to speak. The Union allowing Polish citizens, who fled to Rebbe in America, and we even had Rebbe asked us many questions. He Soviet territory during the war, to return a song that we would sing about was very interested in life in the USSR to their homeland. Lubavitchers used this. and wanted to know how the chasidim this opportunity to organize an extensive there celebrated the holidays, what network of document forging, which Eventually my wife and I and our their farbrengens were like, and how enabled many to leave under the assumed two daughters were granted an exit they were managing to keep the Torah. identities of Polish citizens. permit. We went to Israel, where After we answered his questions, we we settled in , and asked the Rebbe to bless those who My parents also wanted to leave and, for just before Passover of 1973, we had given us their names. Among that reason, we moved to the border town traveled to New York to visit the them was the name of a student in of Lvov where the network functioned. Rebbe for the first time. Our dream the school where my wife worked; the But before the arrangements could be of many years was finally fulfilled! boy was very sick and we submitted a made, the KGB found out and my parents, letter from his parents to the Rebbe. among many others, were arrested on When we arrived, we requested a The Rebbe read the letter but didn’t the charge of treason. Thus, at the age private audience. We were staying at say anything. At that point, my wife of eleven, I was left without parents and the home of my wife’s cousin, Rabbi spoke up, but the Rebbe only said, “I had to bounce around from one relative’s Gershon Jacobson, and he helped us know; I was already asked.” home to another. get ready for our audience. At his suggestion, we prepared a written Unfortunately, after we got back, this After the death of Stalin, many of the list of all the topics we hoped to child passed away. We understood prisoners who had been sent to labor discuss with the Rebbe, as well as that the Rebbe must have seen things camps were released, including my the many requests for blessings that others couldn’t and that, in this parents, who were freed after six years that other Jewish refugees from the case, he knew there was no possibility of imprisonment. A little while later, we Soviet Union had asked us to bring of overturning the decree. moved to Tashkent, where there was a before the Rebbe. Rabbi Jacobson large community of Lubavitchers. said that if we don’t write these Also in this conversation, I asked things down in advance, we might the Rebbe about the various job 20 opportunities that were suggested to me to me. But many have never come This then became my primary aim, in Israel — among which was a position to see me. I’ve sent a few of my and the impetus behind the books I in the aerospace industry. I was inclined disciples to ask them why they don’t published in Russian. towards this field since I had experience in come, but the only answer has been: it, but there were other promising offers ‘If we come, we won’t have a choice Recently, a friend of mine from as well. The Rebbe asked me about the but to change, and we’re afraid of Moscow contacted me and told me kind of people who work in this industry, that...’” that his daughter visited Israel with the and upon hearing that these were highly- Birthright program. Before departure, educated people, he advised me to accept After we left the Rebbe’s office, I said he gave her my book, The Rebbe this position. to my wife, “This is very interesting You Don’t Know, a compilation of information, but why did the Rebbe inspirational stories about the Rebbe. He spoke about the need to reach out to feel the need to tell us this at four When she finished reading it, she gave the many highly- educated but secular o’clock in the morning? There must the book to her friend, but the friend immigrants coming to Israel from the be some significance to this.” returned it, explaining, “I don’t want to USSR, saying that we have to ease their read this. I am afraid that if I read it, absorption process not only materially but It took several years, but eventually I will have to change my way of life...” also spiritually. Despite the fact that they I found out. were well-educated and had university When I heard that, the Rebbe’s words degrees, most of them were lacking In the beginning of the 1990s, when echoed in my ear. It reminded me how basic knowledge of Judaism. The Rebbe the big waves of Jewish immigrants right the Rebbe was and encouraged suggested that we open centers where were coming from the former Soviet me to increase my efforts in continuing we could teach them Torah and Jewish Union, I came to understand that to spread his message — because the history in order to bring them closer to we had to help them not just with more people learn about the Rebbe, Judaism. their physical needs but with their the more connected they feel to him, spiritual needs as well — as the the more they want to make positive The Rebbe also told us, “In recent years, Rebbe had instructed us. We needed changes in their lives by keeping Torah many Jews have arrived in New York to connect these Jews with him, as and its mitzvot. from cities in the Soviet Union where this would influence their connection Chabad chasidim lived. And through those to their heritage. chasidim, these people were connected

EVERY DAY, TRANSCEND THE LIMITATIONS AND BOUNDARIES SET FOR YOU BY THIS WORLD. MAKE EVERY DAY ANOTHER EXODUS FROM EGYPT.

BUT WITH TWO DISTINCTIONS:

EGYPT HAD TO BE BROKEN. THE WORLD MUST BE REPAIRED.

WE LEFT EGYPT. WE MUST STAY WITHIN THE WORLD.

THIS IS THE PARADOXICAL PATH OF INNER TRUTH: REMAIN WITHIN THE WORLD, BUT ESCAPE ITS GRASP.

BECAUSE IN TRUTH THE WORLD IS GOOD. BUT AS LONG AS YOU ALLOW THE WORLD TO DICTATE YOUR BOUNDARIES, IT WILL NOT SHOW YOU ITS TRUTH.

21 TU B’ SHVAT ECOLOGY AND SPIRITUALITY IN JEWISH TRADITION By David Sears

cology is a highly practical branch of science. our sages have warned us against treating Nothing could be more “down to earth” than food disrespectfully. Just as the Supernal preservation of the planet. Yet there is a facet Wisdom despises nothing, since everything Eof ecological awareness that is often overlooked. is produced there—as it is written, ‘You have This is its spiritual dimension. When we act as formed them all with wisdom’ (Psalms self-absorbed individuals, with little regard for 104:24)—a person should show compassion anyone or anything that exists outside ourselves, to all of the works of the Holy One, blessed we immediately fall into moral and spiritual error. be He.” As the saying goes, “A blind horse heads straight for the pit!” RaMaK’s words bespeak a G-d-centered view of the universe, as opposed to one Thus, countless laws in the Torah adjure us to open that is man-centered or nature-centered. our eyes and act responsibly and compassionately In the words of the Baal Shem Tov (Rabbi toward the world around us. Among other Israel ben Eliezer, founder of Chassidism, ecological mandates, it promulgates the laws 1698–1760), we must seek the welfare of of bal tashchit (neither to destroy wantonly, nor all precisely because we are equally G-d’s demonstrated his preparedness to engage in waste resources unnecessarily); the prohibition of works, created to perform His will. the study of these mysteries before his teacher, cutting down fruit trees surrounding an enemy city Rabbi Yochanan, at which point the trees of the in wartime; the laws of covering excrement, and “Do not consider yourself superior to feld were encompassed by heavenly fre and removing debris from public places; and so forth. anyone else,” the founder of Chassidism broke into song, echoing the verses of Psalm In doing so, the Torah indicates that although we states. “In truth, you are no different than 148: “Praise G-d from the Earth, sea giants may feel at odds with nature, having to struggle to any other creature, since all things were and all watery depths . . . mountains and hills, survive, in truth the world comprises a potentially brought into being to serve G-d. Just as fruitful trees and all cedars . . . Praise G-d!” harmonious whole, in which each element is G-d bestows consciousness upon you, He precious. bestows consciousness upon your fellow If we listen closely, this song still may be heard. man. In what way is a human being superior Rabbi Aryeh Levin (the “Tzaddik of Jerusalem,” Rav Avraham Yitzchak Kook (1865–1935), to a worm? A worm serves the Creator with 1885–1969) told how he once was walking in Ashkenazic of pre‑state Israel and all of his intelligence and ability; and man, the felds with his mentor, Rav Avraham Yitzchak a leading 20th-century thinker, expresses this too, is compared to a worm, as the verse Kook. In the course of their Torah discussion, idea compellingly: “If you are amazed at how states, ‘I am a worm and not a man’ (Psalms Rabbi Levin picked a fower. At this, Rav Kook it is possible to speak, hear, smell, touch, see, 22:7). If G‑d had not given you a human remarked, “All my days I have been careful never understand and feel—tell your soul that all living intellect, you would be able to serve Him to pluck a blade of grass or a fower needlessly, things collectively confer upon you the fullness of only like a worm. In this sense, you are when it had the ability to grow or blossom. your experience. Not the least speck of existence is both equal in the eyes of Heaven. A person You know the teaching of our sages that not a superfuous; everything is needed, and everything should consider himself, the worm and all single blade of grass grows here on Earth that serves its purpose. ‘You’ are present within creatures as friends in the universe, for we does not have an angel above it, commanding everything that is beneath you, and your being is are all created beings whose abilities are it to grow. Every sprout and leaf says something bound up with all that transcends you.”1 G-d-given.” meaningful, every stone whispers some hidden message in the silence—every creation sings its A spiritually attuned person will recognize that This kinship of all creation and shared song.” every creature is essentially bound up with every mission of serving G-d, each creature in other creature, and that we share a collective its own way, is often compared to a cosmic “These words of our great master,” Rabbi Levin destiny. Thus, our most fundamental attitude song. As we recite during the Sabbath concluded, “spoken from a pure and holy heart, should be one of compassion, not acquisitiveness prayers, “The soul of every living being engraved themselves deeply in my heart. From or aggression. This ethic applies toward all levels shall bless Your Name . . . All hearts shall that day on, I began to feel a strong sense of of creation. As master Kabbalist Rabbi Moshe revere You, and every innermost part shall compassion for all things.” Cordovero of Safed (“RaMaK,” 1522–1570) sing to Your Name.” Indeed, when the adjures: “One’s compassion should extend to all Talmud describes the mysteries of the So may it be for us who hear this story today creatures, and one should neither despise nor maaseh merkavah (“workings of the [divine] and contemplate its perennial truth. destroy them; for the Supernal Wisdom [i.e., the chariot,” i.e., the mystical experience), it divine wisdom that brings all existence into being] associates this prophetic wisdom with song. extends to all of creation—the “silent” or mineral The sages relate how Rabbi Elazar ben Arach level, plants, animals and humans. This is why 22 STORIES WITH SOUL IT ONCE HAPPENED Many years ago, when the Jews of Spain were “Are you Avitar Ibn Karashkash, the man to asked them to wait a moment until he got suffering from the Inquisition, a famous doctor whom G-d has given the strength to heal his things together. Avraham quickly made by the name of Avitar Ibn Karashkash lived in the sick?” asked the stranger. his way to the special part of the garden. He Madrid. To escape the wrath of the Inquisition, carefully dug up the sapling and uncovered he left his beautiful and his prestigious job as “That is my name,” answered Avitar. “But a box. Opening the waterproof box he found a skilled surgeon, and exiled himself to a small I am no longer permitted to work in my a pair of tefillin and a note. “These tefillin town. There, he hoped he would be left to live out profession.” will give you strength and encourage you in his life in peace. Judaism so that you not, G-d forbid, fall into “I am Duke Fransicso Alba. My dear wife, despair and dejection. In addition, carefully Avitar had a young son, Avraham. Avraham was the Duchess, is very sick and needs an take the sapling you have uprooted, and delighted with his new life in the small town operation urgently. You must come and plant it in new earth. Guard it and care for where Avitar was able to devote many hours of operate on her or else she’ll die. You it painstakingly, and it will be the source of attention to Avraham and personally supervise cannot let her die,” begged the Duke in a great livelihood for you. For this sapling is his Torah studies. In addition, Avitar carefully plaintive voice. from a far‑off land. It provides food for the instructed Avraham about the special garden he special silkworms that produce the valuable had planted, discussing with Avraham each plant “Certainly you have access to great doctors silk material purchased from abroad. Remain growing there. in Madrid, Toledo, Barcelona,” said Avitar. a good Jew, my dear son, and the good L-rd “Why me? You surely know that I am will bless you and help you like the blessing One day Avitar called his son into the garden and forbidden to practice my profession. of your father who loves you‑‑Avitar Ibn said, “Today is Tu B’Shevat, the New Year for Trees. Doing so could only endanger my life.” Karashkash.” On this day it is decided in the Heavenly Courts which trees will bear fruit and which trees will dry “I have been everywhere and have Avraham wiped away his tears and went up. What is within our power is to plant trees, to approached everyone. No one will to join the Duke’s men. He wondered if he care for them and to hope that they will grow and perform the dangerous operation. I beg would ever see his father alive again. bear fruit. However, this is not dependent on us.” of you, help me,” the Duke cried. “I will make sure no one harms you. I will bring a Months later, while Avraham was living on Avraham would never forget that special Tu ship to take you and your family to safety the island of Majorca, he turned thirteen. B’Shevat when his father permitted him, for the if necessary. My wife is suffering. Please, Precisely at the moment when he first put first time, to plant saplings. And he would never help.” on his tefillin he saw a small boat coming forget his father’s serious words. “Avraham, closer to the port. As it got closer he couldn’t promise me that you will always try to be a good The Duke broke out in uncontrollable believe what he saw. His father was getting Jew, to grow upright and faithful to our people.” tears. “I will do what you ask of me,” said out of the boat! Avitar. “But one thing you must promise. Twelve saplings Avraham planted that day, If anything happens to me, you must take After an emotional meeting, Avraham found according to the years of his life. Then, Avitar took my son to safety.” The Duke agreed readily. out that the Duke had finally been able to save Avraham to a part of the garden where no one Avitar from the Inquisition. Avitar explained else was permitted; Avitar was experimenting Avitar hadn’t lost his skill as an expert that he had not come earlier because he with certain plants there. “Avraham,” Avitar said surgeon. The operation went well and the had been sick. He did not, however, explain quietly to his son, “Remember what I am telling Duchess’s life was saved. But when he that his “sickness” was due to the terrible you. If ever you need to leave here and I am not returned home, he found the officers of torture he had suffered at the hands of the with you, come here first. Take out this sapling the Inquisition awaiting him. inquisitors. and you will find something underneath that will have a tremendous influence on you in the Avraham broke out in a bitter cry as his In due time, Avitar and Avraham gathered future.” father was taken away. Soon, though, around themselves a group of Jews and the Duke’s men arrived; they had heard set up a Jewish settlement on the island. A few months later, in the middle of the night, what happened to the faithful doctor and And each year, on Tu B’Shevat, they planted the hoof-beats of a horse were heard near the would take Avraham to a safe haven. They saplings according to Avraham’s years. Karashkash house. There was a sharp knock on promised him that the Duke would do the door. everything in his power to save Avitar.

“What do you want?” asked Avitar. Avraham didn’t want to go with the Duke’s men, but he had no choice. He 23 IT’S US AGAINST US, BUT YOU CAN SAVE THE WORLD THE REBBE’S GARDENING PARADIGM AS AN ANTIDOTE TO DIVISIVENESS AND CONFUSION By Tzvi Freeman

f I were hurtling down a rabbit-hole and a wondrous and intimate place of Choose Your Universe a genie offered me one wish, I would meeting for G-d and His bride, the How do people fall into this “with-me/ likely request a tour guide. Now tell me human soul. That’s how the ancient against-me” attitude? Ithat the past ten months haven’t taken us Midrash describes this world— as all on a dizzying Ozian spin. G-d’s original place of delight. And Perhaps because it’s just such a neat that is how the Kabbalah describes and tidy way of organizing people, Look out the window of your space the core-essence of each creation: determining what narrative I believe capsule and you’ll find you’ve entered Oneg, divine pleasure, is the engine and what I reject, along with what my an insanely adversarial universe, one in within every detail of this universe. policy is on any matter at hand. It saves which the major preoccupation of far too all that neuro-transmission power for many people is ”Who’s on my side and Yes, the garden is ridden with really useful things—like figuring out who’s against me?” bugs, weeds, dry wood, and rotting how to skewer anybody who is against cellulose. It’s not just messy— it’s a me. Problem is, the adversarial universe is horrid disaster. The stewards of the swiftly heading for cosmic implosion. It’s garden (that’s us) have not exactly But no, it’s more sinister than that. eating up civilization as we know it before been diligent in their craft. our very eyes. The Rebbe often cited a treatise by his But don’t let outward appearances predecessor, Rabbi Shalom Dovber of Tell me there’s a tour guide, some wisdom, deceive you. The world and all it Lubavitch, in which he describes this some leadership, somewhere, anywhere. contains is essentially a good place. attitude as the root of all causeless hatred and intolerance. It derives, I guess that’s why several people have A very good place—as G-d Himself stated when He created it, “And G-d he wrote, not from any reason or asked me, “What would the Rebbe have sensitivity, but from the coarse said about the current mess?” saw all that He created, and behold, it was very good.” egotism endemic to our species. We’re right on season to ask the question. And it has always proven itself non- Seventy years ago at this time of year (11 Now let’s all get down and dirty to sustainable. clean up the mess. Shvat, 1951—which falls this year on But once you understand that both you Saturday night, Jan. 23), the Rebbe, Rabbi May I point out that this is not the and the other guy occupy the same Menachem M. Schneerson of righteous language we have come to expect divine garden, the Rebbe explained, memory, formally took upon himself the from Orthodox rabbis—or from then you see that every bush, every leadership of the weary and orphaned spiritual guides in general. We’re rock, and even every human being refugees that then comprised the core usually told that this is just a pit- has a vital role. If the Designer of the of Chabad-Lubavitch, and although few stop—more pit than stop—on the Garden put it there, it’s because it realized it at that time, leadership of the way to heaven. Religion is then brings Him delight. Yes, that includes Jewish people everywhere. presented as some formula for your fellow human being. He provided guidance at a time when all journeying out of here and into there. Of course, in a garden, not everything’s seemed lost for many, when an entire But the Rebbe told us this is it. We world had just been annihilated and a purpose is readily apparent. A garden are here already. This is the world has to be “worked and protected” future for believing Jews seemed futile. we’ve been given. It’s precious. It’s a He built that motley crew into a decisive much more than a home or a field. delight to its Maker. And we are here Every fruit comes with its peel, husk, force for goodness and wisdom in today’s to make that discovery. world. pit, stem, etc. that requires extraction Describing the world as a divine and disposal before getting to the juicy The message? It’s not a rabbit-hole. garden presents a serious paradigm meat inside. It’s not a wild and crazy jungle either, shift. Let’s look at a few of the ways And so it is with people. In this raw, where man eats man and only the most this mindset rearranges the plates mixed-up garden-world of ours, there brutish survive. upon which our universe rests, and are good people who do rotten things most importantly given current and bad people who do fantastic It’s a delightful garden. circumstances, how this transforms things, so that dividing the world into the way we relate to one another as good guys and bad guys gets really That’s how this world is described in the fellow humans of the garden. non-functional. Biblical Song of Songs, a divine garden, 24 Better to just say, as the Mishnah says, “Do not despise any man, and do not discriminate against anything, for there is no man that has not his hour, and there is no thing that has not its place.” I have a bush in my garden that seems a real waste of valuable space. While the other bushes and trees are blossoming and showing off their colorful berries, spreading their elegant branches and cooling us with their leaves, this bush just demands space and lots of my time pruning its branches. But then, sometime in January, after the wind, hail, and snow have greyed out all the color of the garden, this bush opens Education proposal. Three days later, wide its sleepy buds, blossoming into In matters of foreign policy, the he signed a proclamation declaring the thick, textured petals of a deep, cabernet Rebbe had been highly critical of Rebbe’s birthday “Education Day, USA” sauvignon red. In that month, it is the Carter. A naive observer, listening for posterity. prince of the garden. to the Rebbe’s harsh criticism of Carter’s Middle East policy and But now, as Carter was about to leave In some gardens, you will find an awkward, particularly his attitude towards office, the Rebbe emphasized that his spooky sort of dwarf tree, sparse with Israel could have easily seen Carter gratitude for the outgoing president’s leaves and heavily-laden with horribly almost as the Rebbe’s nemesis. good achievements “is in no way to be bitter, thick-pitted berries. You would construed as a retraction” of the sharp certainly remove it, did you not know that Yet now the Rebbe continued by criticism he had offered regarding other by laying those berries beneath a press, admonishing those who were policy decisions. Disagreement and you could acquire a precious, nourishing “rubbing salt into the wound” of the partnership, criticism and gratitude— oil, for cooking, for salad dressing, for light, defeated president. Yes, we know he the Rebbe was saying—can be held warmth, and for healing sun-parched skin. made serious errors. But… together. Actually, they must be held Work With Everybody There were instances in the past four together. Here’s one neat instance from exactly years, which, but for the endeavors With what glue? With the superglue 40 years ago, when the Rebbe spoke of the President, could easily have of wisdom. As the founder of Chabad, about “the peaceful transference of led to war. Not only did he thus Rabbi Schneur Zalman of , government.” The circumstances were save millions of Americans from explained, wisdom is the power by certainly different—in many ways, the the horrors of such a consequence, which the good is discerned from the opposite of all that shakes our world but in all probability the rest of the bad, so that each thing finds its part in in these times. Nevertheless, some of world. And for this, he deserves our the cosmic symphony. the lines from that talk could have been thanks and gratitude. spoken yesterday. Whoever you meet, wherever life takes Beyond that, over the past four you, toss out the cellulose wrapping Such as the very first words: years, the Rebbe had cultivated a and find the juice inside. Everyone and warm relationship with Jimmy Carter, In a democracy such as the U.S.A., an everything has something valuable to vocally encouraging and supporting offer. orderly transference of government is his push for the establishment of a effected through the electoral process. federal Department of Education. Work with those G-d has given you to The choice made by the people in the Until then, education was subsumed work with. Even if you don’t believe polling booths decides who will occupy within the rubric of the Department they’re the best for the job. the highest office in the land — the of Health, Education, and Welfare. Presidency; thereby ensuring a smooth It’s not a waste of time. It’s saving and peaceful transition from one The mechanisms, machinations, and the world. You’re bringing harmony administration to the next. agenda behind this move and the between its parts, revealing the Rebbe’s part in it are documented underlying oneness and beauty of our Yet a disturbing trend has been evident in on pages 159-166 of Phillip universe. past elections.… Wexler’s eye-opening book, Social It’s part of the hard work, the deep Jimmy Carter, the incumbent Democrat Vision—the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s transformative paradigm for the wisdom, and the delightful art of president, had just suffered a crushing divine gardening. defeat. What was to become known as world. On the 14th of April, 1978, the Reagan era had just begun. Carter endorsed the Department of 25 26 PLEASE NOTE: THIS WEEK CLASS WILL BE ON THURSDAY 12.28.2021

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31 FRENCH CONNECTION REFLEXIONS SUR LA PARACHA Vivre avec la paracha La mystique de l’obscurité l’ignorance de ce fait honteux pour le peuple Y voir clair dans le noir L’obscurité céleste a des effets spirituels juif car ces Juifs moururent et furent enterrés par Lazer Gurkow négatifs au niveau humain. Elle est certes la pendant la période d’obscurité. transcendance de la lumière, mais comme l’être a neuvième des Dix Plaies d’Égypte fut la humain ne transcende pas la lumière, il ressent 2) L’obscurité donna l’occasion aux Juifs de plaie de l’obscurité : « Nul ne put voir son cette transcendance comme un contentement circuler dans les maisons égyptiennes afn de frère, nul ne put non plus se lever de sa dans l’obscurité. Sujet à un tel contentement repérer les objets précieux qu’ils allaient plus L pendant une période de temps prolongée, il tard emprunter. Quand ils demanderaient aux place, pendant trois jours; mais, pour les Enfants d’Israël, il y eut de la lumière dans toutes leurs risque d’en oublier complètement la vertu de la Égyptiens de les leur prêter, ces derniers ne demeures. » (Exode 10, 23) Divinité. pourraient nier les posséder, car les Juifs leur indiqueraient invariablement où ils étaient La plaie physique de l’obscurité prend ses racines L’aveuglement et l’immobilité cachés. dans l’obscurité spirituelle, qui peut être défnie L’obscurité physique affecta les Égyptiens de comme une absence de la présence révélée de deux manières. La première fut que « personne Selon l’un des commentateurs,6 les deux D.ieu. Dans une réfexion sur l’origine spirituelle ne put voir son frère » et la seconde, que « raisons sont vraies. Pendant les trois premiers de cette plaie, le Midrach cite deux opinions personne ne put se lever de sa place ». Le jours, les Juifs enterrèrent leurs morts et durant : Rabbi Né’hémia enseignait que l’obscurité Midrache enseigne que cette plaie dura six les trois derniers, ils explorèrent les maisons prenait sa source dans les régions du Guéhinom jours. Les trois premiers jours, les Égyptiens ne égyptiennes. (le purgatoire) ; Rabbi Yéhouda enseignait pouvaient pas se voir, mais ils étaient toujours qu’elle provenait des sphères célestes. capables de se lever et de se déplacer. Durant Sur un plan métaphorique, ces deux activités les trois derniers jours, l’obscurité s’intensifa constituent les antidotes aux deux formes Les maîtres ‘hassidiques expliquent la différence au point de paralyser le moindre de leur d’obscurités évoquées : entre ces deux formes d’obscurité : mouvement. Ils ne pouvaient même plus se 1. L’obscurité classique, associée au Guéhinom, lever de leurs sièges. 1) L’antidote à l’obscurité qui dissimule la agit comme un rideau. Quand un rideau est tiré lumière est de déchirer le « rideau » qui la sur une fenêtre, il obstrue la lumière du soleil et Ces deux périodes de trois jours peuvent être voile et de pénétrer dans la lumière. Durant laisse la pièce complètement dans le noir. C est considérées comme correspondant aux deux les trois premiers jours, alors que les Égyptiens là l’obscurité du Guéhinom, où la présence de types d’obscurités évoquées plus haut. Durant aspiraient à la clarté, les Juifs y pénétrèrent. D.ieu est totalement dissimulée. les trois premiers jours, les Égyptiens subirent Ils distinguèrent alors clairement la lumière l’obscurité classique dans laquelle on se sent de l’obscurité et les justes des impies. Ils 2. L’obscurité céleste est primordiale ; elle privé de lumière et on se languit d’elle. Pendant comprirent pourquoi leurs frères étaient morts précède toute lumière. L’essence de D.ieu est au- ce temps, ils ne pouvaient voir leur frère. Ici, et se hâtèrent de les enterrer pour enlever delà de toute révélation. Quand Il choisit de Se leur frère est une métaphore pour la lumière de toutes traces d’impiété parmi eux. révéler, Il irradia à l’extérieur, de sorte que Sa D.ieu. Ils voulaient jouir de cette lumière, mais lumière fut visible, mais au-delà de cette lumière, l’obscurité les en empêchait. Durant la seconde 2) L’antidote à l’obscurité qui se satisfait régnait toujours l’obscurité. C’est là le domaine période de trois jours, l’obscurité fut de forme d’elle-même est de regarder dans le noir et de Son Essence et l’Essence ne requiert pas céleste. Ils devinrent satisfaits de l’obscurité : ils d’identifer son origine divine : de reconnaître de lumière. Confortablement installée en elle- n’aspiraient plus à voir leur « frère », mais ils ne que la satisfaction de l’homme sans lumière est même, le rayonnement ne lui fait pas défaut car pouvaient se lever de leur place. Leur « place » un refet du fait que Son créateur transcende elle transcende toute lumière. est une métaphore pour leur satisfaction dans la lumière. Durant la seconde période de l’obscurité. Ils ne pouvaient plus s’élever au-delà trois jours, alors que les Égyptiens étaient En d’autres termes, l’obscurité classique de ce contentement pour apprécier la valeur de bloqués « sur place », dans leur satisfaction de dissimule la lumière divine, alors que l’obscurité la lumière de D.ieu. l’obscurité, les Juifs regardèrent dans des lieux céleste révèle l’Essence de D.ieu, qui transcende sombres et secrets et découvrirent des trésors toute lumière. Les deux antidotes « d’or » et « d’argent ». Selon la Kabbale, l’or et Sur le plan humain Que faisaient les Enfants d’Israël pendant que l’argent représentent l’amour de D.ieu. Les Juifs Ces deux formes d’obscurité spirituelle, quand les Égyptiens étaient plongés dans l’obscurité? cherchèrent dans l’obscurité et découvrirent elles sont vécues au niveau humain, suscitent leur amour pour ses racines divines cachées. deux réactions très différentes. L’obscurité Le Midrache cite les deux desseins que servit la classique est la dissimulation de la lumière. plaie de l’obscurité: Abandonné dans l’obscurité spirituelle, l’être humain aspire à la Divinité de par sa condition 1) De nombreux Juifs ne voulaient pas quitter même. l’Égypte. Aussi D.ieu décréta-t-Il qu’ils y mourraient. Les Égyptiens restèrent dans

32 LATIN LINK REFLEXION SEMANAL Parasha de la Semana El tiempo lunar posicionamiento con respecto a nosotros que vemos calendario consagrado en Jerusalem por Hillel II en El judío no habrá de ser un pueblo más, más o menos de su luz. ¿Por qué, entonces, hablar de el siglo IV E.C. “nacimiento” de la luna? sino un pueblo diferente. Año embolismal Por Eliezer Shemtov Una respuesta es que tanto el sol como la luna Dado que el año lunar tiene un promedio de 355 sta semana leemos sobre la primera orden que fueron creados ambos con el propósito de iluminar días —número coincidente con el valor numérico recibió de D-os el pueblo judío mientras aún la Tierra.3 Esa es su razón de ser. Si no cumplen de la palabra shaná (‘año’)— y el año solar tiene 365 estaba en Egipto: fjar el mes de partida como el con su función, es como si no estuvieran. En otras días, resulta que las fechas, fjadas por la luna, se van E palabras: si no iluminan, existen apenas de manera corriendo unos diez días por año con relación a las primer mes del año y marcar el tiempo según el ciclo lunar. Con el “nacimiento” de la luna nueva comienza virtual, pero no real. estaciones, fjadas estas por el ciclo solar. el nuevo mes en el calendario judío. Es esta una enseñanza muy importante: nuestra razón Siendo que la Torá nos encomienda que observemos En la época en que existía el Templo se realizaban de ser como pueblo y como integrantes del pueblo siempre la festividad de Pésaj en la primavera allí sacrifcios en honor al día.2 En la actualidad lo judío es iluminar el mundo con la luz de la Torá. Si no boreal,4 agregamos un mes al calendario cada dos conmemoramos por medio de plegarias y lecturas de lo hacemos, por más que tengamos existencia física, o tres años para compensar la diferencia. es como si no existiéramos. Realmente no existimos la Torá especiales. Como en todas las mitzvot, también en esta hay una si no cumplimos con nuestra función primaria. En la Torá no hay nombres de meses; el mes en el cual enseñanza para la vida. Un pueblo lunar salimos de Egipto se llama primer mes, el siguiente Todas las mitzvot que hacemos para iluminar Durante la segunda semana de cada mes, salimos es el segundo mes, y así sucesivamente. (los nombres el mundo se dividen en dos tipos: constantes y una noche a la calle a bendecir a D-os por la luna de los meses son una herencia importada del exilio cambiantes. Las que son constantes evocan la luz nueva. En una de las plegarias que recitamos, babilónico, que tuvo lugar unos mil años después de que irradia el sol: es el caso del uso diario de los mencionamos la similitud que existe entre el pueblo la entrega de la Torá). teflín, por ejemplo. Las mitzvot cambiantes, la luz de judío y la luna: así como la luna mengua y crece, del la luna; el Séder de Pésaj y la escucha del Shofar en ¿Por qué razón es tan importante determinar el mismo modo el pueblo judío, aunque se encuentre Rosh Hashaná son ejemplos de estas. punto de referencia que se empleará para contar el abatido, volverá a crecer y recuperar su luminosidad. pasar del tiempo como para que este sea el primer Cada uno de estos tipos tiene una ventaja y una Históricamente, la 15ª generación contada a partir precepto que D-os haya ordenado al pueblo judío? desventaja. Las mitzvot constantes, si bien no de nuestro patriarca Abraham, la generación del rey Nuestros sabios explican que este primer mandato motivan tanto como las esporádicas, se hallan Salomón (correspondiendo al 15º día del ciclo lunar), representa algo así como una “Declaración de profundamente arraigadas en nosotros. Las mitzvot fue una época en la cual “la luna se encontraba en Principios” del pueblo judío. El judío no habrá de ser esporádicas, aunque no tan profundamente su plenitud”. Fue en ese entonces que se construyó el un pueblo más, sino un pueblo diferente. Mientras arraigadas, nos motivan mucho. los demás cuentan el tiempo según el ciclo solar, primer Templo de Jerusalem y el pueblo judío gozó el pueblo judío lo hará según el ciclo lunar, ya que de un período de tranquilidad, seguridad e infuencia El año embolismal nos enseña que debemos buscar el sol y la luna representan sus respectivos roles y internacional sin par. Este período será igualado la manera de fusionar ambos tipos de mitzvá, o sea, razones de ser. cuando “la luna se llene de vuelta” con la llegada del introducir la cualidad de uno en el otro. En otras Mashíaj. palabras, debemos buscar novedad y frescura en los El sol y la luna diferen entre sí en que el sol irradia preceptos constantes, y constancia en la innovación. luz propia, mientras que la luna ilumina por medio El Calendario de luz refejada. Los demás pueblos cuentan el El intervalo entre un “nacimiento” de la luna y el Veamos un ejemplo de cómo introducir la ventaja tiempo según el sol porque aspiran a mostrar su siguiente dura exactamente 29 días, 12 horas, 44 “lunar” en una Mitzvá “solar”: minutos y 3,33 segundos. Dado que no es posible grandeza, mientras que el pueblo judío cuenta el Colocamos los teflín diariamente sobre el brazo y tiempo según la luna; con esto, expresa el hecho de tener un mes con días fraccionados, alternamos entre meses de veintinueve días y otros treinta. la cabeza para subyugar nuestros pensamientos, que su razón de ser es vivir una vida que refeje la sentimientos y acciones al servicio de D-os. Una voluntad y grandeza de D-os. Podríamos decir que, Antiguamente, cuando existía el Beit Hamikdash y manera de introducir frescura en ese acto diario mientras los demás pueblos aspiran a vivir cada uno el Sanedrín funcionaba, el nuevo mes se establecía es pensar cada día en alguna idea o sentimiento de acuerdo con su verdad, el pueblo judío aspira a por medio de dos testigos oculares que llegaban personal que necesita ser sublimado... La tarea de vivir de acuerdo con Su verdad. a Jerusalem a prestar testimonio ante la Suprema subyugar es constante (“solar”); el contenido de “Nacimiento” de la luna corte, que determinaba si estaban dadas las dicha subyugación, cambiante (“lunar”). En la literatura talmúdica y halájica, el momento condiciones para anunciar el nuevo mes. No es que no supieran cuándo ocurría el nacimiento de la Un modo de introducir la cualidad “solar” en las exacto de la reaparición mensual de la luna en actividades “lunares” es buscar constantemente Jerusalem se denomina molad, ‘nacimiento’ de luna; es que se necesitaba la consagración del mes por medio del testimonio de dos testigos oculares propuestas novedosas para transmitir el mensaje la luna. Es uno de los datos cruciales para poder atemporal del judaísmo. El libro que tienes en tus calcular y determinar el comienzo de un nuevo mes. “constitutivos”. Si no aparecían dos testigos el día 30, automáticamente se trasladaba el comienzo del manos es un intento de aplicar dicho objetivo. Cabe preguntarse; ¿por qué lo denominamos nuevo mes al día 31. ¿Se te ocurre una manera creativa de transmitir el ‘nacimiento’ si la luna no muere ni nace? De hecho, judaísmo? la luna es igual durante todo el mes; hasta su luz Hoy en día, al carecer de un Sanedrín facultado para es igual durante todo el mes; es solo debido a su determinar el comienzo de cada mes, empleamos el 33 NUMBERS TO KNOW

CONTACTS AT THE SHUL 305.868.1411 Rabbi Rabbi Sholom Lipskar [email protected] Ext 311 Rebbetzin Rebbetzin Chani Lipskar [email protected] 305.992.8363 Associate Rabbi Rabbi Zalman Lipskar [email protected] Ext 345 Rabbi’s Executive Assistant / CYS Ms. Lydia Hasson [email protected] Ext 311 JLAC / Adult Ed/ Singles Rabbi Shea Rubinstein [email protected] Ext 342 CYS College / Kolel Rabbi Dov Schochet [email protected] 305.790.8294 Youth Director / Hebrew School Rabbi Shaykee Farkash [email protected] Ext 329 Pre-School Director Mrs. Chana Lipskar [email protected] Ext 325 Accounting Mrs. Geri Kelly [email protected] Ext 341 Controller Mrs. Janice Barney [email protected] Ext 318 Events / Offce Manager Ms. Milena Liascovitz [email protected] Ext 328 Director of Events and Marketing Mrs. Devorah Leah Andrusier [email protected] Ext 313 Operations / Maintenance Rabbi Shlomi Katan [email protected] Ext 319 Reception Mrs. Mindy Natoli [email protected] Ext 0 Sephardic Minyan Rabbi Yair Massri [email protected] 917.982.6165 Hashkama Minyan Mr. Lazer Milstein 305.349.3040 Editor Mrs. Aurit Katan [email protected] 786.382.9006 Mashgiach Mr. Mordechai Olesky [email protected] 786.262.9115 Mikvah Mrs. Devorah Failer [email protected] 305.323.2410

BOARD OF TRUSTEES Sidney Feltenstein - Chairman Alberto Kamhazi Simon Falic Shmuel Katz M.D. Matias Garfunkel Leo Kryss Ambassador Isaac Gilinski Rabbi Sholom D. Lipskar Jaime Gilinski Lazer Milstein Max Gilinski Michael Perez Saul Gilinski Ryan Shapiro Sam Greenberg Claudio Stivelman Abel Holtz Morris Tabacinic Mike Izak BOARD OF DIRECTORS Jacob Givner - President Anita Givner Steven M. Dunn - Vice President Sam Greenwald EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE David Wolf - Vice President Sharon Hakmon Joey Givner - Chair Rabbi Sholom D. Lipskar Mitchell Feldman - VP Oversight Ben Jacobson Devorah Leah Andrusier Rabbi Zalman Lipskar Rabbi Zalman Lipskar - VP Development Albert Lichy Janice Barney Lazer Milstein Eric P. Stein - Treasurer Rabbi Sholom D. Lipskar Joel Baum Orit Osman Joel Baum - Financial Treasurer Alexander Matz Steven Dunn Brian Roller Dovid Duchman - Secretary Ezzy Rappaport Velvel Freedman - Associate Secretary Elliott Rimon Maurice Egozi Ryan Shapiro Carolyn Baumel Yaacov Saidof Henry Eichler Marc Sheridan Max Benoliel Seth Salver Mitchell Feldman Daniel Sragowicz Betzalel Camissar Alex Tauber Daniel Gielchinsky Cynthia Stein Barry Cohen Jordan Wachtel Evelyn Katz Eric P. Stein Boruch Duchman Rebbetzin Chani Lipskar Michael Tabacinic Henry Eichler 34 PLEASE READ ONLY NETWORKING AFTER SHABBOS EFFECTIVE ADVERTISING

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