1 CROWN HEIGHTS ~February 01, 2008 כאן צוה ה’ את הברכה CommunityNewspaper פרשת משפטים | כה שבט, תשס”ח | בס”ד WEEKLY VOL. I | NO 13 FEBRUARY 01, 2008 | SHEVAT 25, 5768 REBBE'S BLACKOUT HELP-OUT In the aftermath of New York City's blackout of 1977, the Rebbe approached the Crown Heights Jewish Community Council • Following city-wide looting and arson, he wanted to pay for damages done to Crown Heights stores and shops. The non-Jewish ones too • Memories of Reb Izzy Rosenfeld OB"M on page 4 Fruma Life Terror Town Mrs. Fruma Junik Shlucha Mrs. Tzivia Pizem reports from Bombed S'derot • cherishes her memories Shleimus Haaretz, page 12 and sense of humor • Page 6 Forbidden cake Sam Malamud Launches UN's New Shoah Stamp (and not because of the diet) • Page 16 Halacha column, page 2 It's all about friendship and a circle of kids • Page 16 Beis Din of Crown Heights Candle Lighting 390A Kingston Avenue, Brooklyn, NY Feb.01 Lighting Motzei Tel- 718~604~8000 Fax: 718~771~6000 Shabbos Rabbi Y. Heller is available daily at 788 Eastern Parkway #210 ❖ 10:30am ~ 11:30am ☎ 718~604~8827 Brooklyn 4:55 5:57 2:30pm - and after 8:00pm ☎ 718-756-4632 Yerushalayim 4:33 5:51 Rabbi Y. Raitport is available by appointment. ☎ 718~604~8000 ext 39 Rabbi A.. Osdoba: ☎ 718~771~8737 9:30pm to 11:oopm Rabbi y. Zirkind: ☎ 718~604~8000 ext 39 Rabbi s. Segal: ☎ 718~360~7110 2 CROWN HEIGHTS ~February 01, 2008 The Vaad Hakohol Rabbi Segal on eating cake "Nightlife Outdid Itself" By Rabbi Shlomo Segal Halevi that if the lettering is made from By Ilana Rauch collapse due to lack of financial sup- the cake itself, a person may break the Member of Crown Heights Bais Din port or proper organization. Over lettering. All through this past summer, my the summer, a significant amount of Question: Is friends that had stayed in Crown women had grown not only to trust it permitted on But the Shulchan Aruch (chapt. 458:26) Heights surprised me with constant that Nightlife would provide quality Shabbos to eat disputes this. He discusses the custom updates on their anything-but-boring and worthwhile programming, but had from a cake that of making designs on the Matzos which summer lives. Whether it was attend- come to have confidence that it could h a s le tt er i ng are used for Pesach in order to know ing a wine tasting event, taking voice fill a void in their day – a much needed or pictures? Is which matzo is to be used as the first lessons or hearing from an acclaimed structure that would unite them with there a difference Matzo at the seder, and which as the speaker, it was clear that their summer fellow Lubavitch girls in the same stage between engraved second etc. He writes the following: nights – yes every night - were filled of life. Now the word is spreading, and letters and writ- “The symbols they make should be done with non-stop fun. I was overjoyed to Nightlife continues to prove itself. ten letters? as it is done with an instrument or by hear about the opening of a new lounge hand because you are not permitted in the heart of Crown Heights, a nightly One particular event which particularly Answer. It is cited in the Shulchan to break cake on Yom Tov. There are venue for single girls to enjoy classes, affirmed for me that Nightlife is an Aruch (chapt. 340:3) that we are others who forbid eating cake that has workshops, delicious food and a cool overwhelmingly positive force in our prohibited from cutting a cake that has letters although he is not intending to place to hang out. community was actually something lettering on it even one is not intend- erase the letters but only to eat it as it they chose to label as "recreational." It This new source of excitement was ing to cut the lettering because it is is explained in chapter 340. was their second "Open Mike Night" simply called "Nightlife." considered erasing. This is also cited by which truly allowed the women to the Alter Rebbe (chapt. 340:4): “Our From this we can derive that according When I arrived in the fall, I was excited share with others something beautiful. sages have forbidden us to erase even to the Alter Rebbe, even letters that are to hear that the program was continuing Hashem obviously imbued so many if it is not for the intention of writing.” made from the cake itself are forbidden throughout the year. My appreciation women with the ability to inspire Therefore, one may not cut a cake to break while eating the cake. for its value was heightened when I and appreciate Him through artistic that has something like lettering on it discovered Nightlife's headquarters - and performance-related endeavors. although he is intending only to eat the Designs on the cake the lounge itself. It was obvious much In providing an environment where cake because it is considered erasing. care and pride went into its design; this is possible, I am of the belief that But you may give it to a child because Regarding designs on the cake, the from the candles in the bathroom to Nightlife outdid itself. It not only when a child does something for his Mishne Brura writes (340:16) that the bongos strewn among the cozy gathered women together and provided own pleasure, we are not obligated to there are those who are stringent even armchairs, someone wanted the twenty- them with an appropriate and delightful make him stop. about designs. The Magen Avrohom something ladies of Crown Heights evening, but it served an important (340:6) prohibits designs and not only to feel comfortable and pleased with community and even religious need. In chapter 343:10 it seems from the letters. their surroundings. When I attended a Alter Rebbe that a person may not even few of the events, it became clear that Actually, what always strikes me most break the lettering with his mouth (not But from the Alter Rebbe, it seems that the meticulous planning, focus, and about this project is the dedication with his hands) because it is considered he does not prohibit designs: passion about this project extended to to organization and sophistication of erasing. As he writes: “Cake that has the content of the gatherings as well. those who are involved. This is apparent lettering on it is forbidden to be eaten on 1) In all the references, the Alter Rebbe I was aware what a challenge it was in every detail of the events, from the Shabbos. An adult should not put it into does not mention designs at all but to put together such a program in a carefully chosen speakers and instruc- a child’s mouth.” From this we derive only letters (see chapters: 340. 343. community that operates so heavily tors to the appetizing food they serve that eating it even without cutting it is 458. 460). by word-of-mouth and is so skeptical with every program. I think this is, in forbidden on Shabbos. of vast projects that often eventually some part at least, a secret to the suc- 2) In chapter 458 he writes that making cess they've had in both This is not in accordance with the rul- symbols on the Matzos by piercing a attracting and impressing ing of the Mishne Brura which allows hole or making cracks is permitted. This NIGHTLIFE! people. breaking the lettering while eating the is similar to making designs. Upcoming Events So – for a beautiful, excit- cake. ing program, which serves But we still need to understand, why Thursday, Jan.31st, 8pm a vital and deserving Lettering from the cake itself is there a difference between designs The Best Kept Secret: purpose for the Crown and lettering? Finding & Keeping Your Heights women and com- Regarding the lettering that is made Soulmate PLEASURABLY munity – I would like to from the cake itself, the Magen Avro- Regarding making designs there is also Guest Speaker: Mrs. Esther Piekarski thank Moshe and Faigy hom writes (340:6) in the name of R”S a prohibition of writing and erasing. Motzei Shabbos, Feb.2nd, 8pm Rubashkin, the Nightlife Learn Your Rhythm: Dance staff and the many others We would like to have and Nutrition Workshop who devote their ener- Newspaper with Dages Keapes gies to this unparalleled Community project. I really believe a Community Events Monday, Feb.4th, 8pm that the Rebbe intended 392 Kingston Avenue Da Ma L'Hashiv: Is Chabad a Cult? for Crown Heights to be Brooklyn, NY 11225 page. Guest Speaker: Rabbi Yossi Jacobson 718 771 9000 a hub of holy activities, Published & edited weekly by the Vaad Hakohol Any Simchos, Thursday, Feb.7, 8pm where Jews get together, of Crown Heights. 7 Things I've Learned About Life While inspire one another, and Moshe Rubashkin, Chairman Events, Auctions etc. On Shlichus In South Africa celebrate our community Dr. Tzvi (Harvey) Lang, Vice Chairman Guest Speaker: Mrs. Rochel Goldman and heritage. Nightlife is Rabbi Plotkin, Secretary To do this we need pouring all their resources Leyout: SimplyUnique Motzei Shabbos, Feb.9, 8pm to make that possible All material in this paper has been copyrighted. It is the your imput! Color Analysis Workshop for us young women. 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