The Shul B”H weekly magazine
Weekly Magazine Sponsored By Mr. & Mrs. Martin (OBM) and Ethel Sirotkin and Dr. & Mrs. Shmuel and Evelyn Katz A Home of The Lubavitcher Rebbe, May His Merit Shield Us A House of Torah, Prayer And Acts of Goodness Shabbos Parshas Yisro Shvat 19 - 20 January 29 -30 Candle Lighting: 5:44 pm Shabbos Ends: 6:38 pm
Chof Beis Shvat Yahrzeit of Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneersohn Monday, February 1
Over Tirty 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.TeShul.org Email: [email protected] The Shul Weekly Magazine Everything you need for every day of the week Contents Nachas At A Glance
Weekly Message 3 Thoughts on the Parsha from Rabbi Sholom D. Lipskar The Shul Post Bas Mitzvah Club Tu B’Shvat event
Celebrating Shabbos 4-5 Schedules, classes, articles and 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 Inspiration, Insights & Ideas 9-14 Bringing Torah lessons to LIFE
Get The Picture 15-22 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 23
Latin Link 24
Networking 25 Effective Advertising
Numbers To Know 26-28 Contacts at The Shul Daily Study A complete guide to all classes and courses offered at 29 The Shul
The ABC’s of Aleph 30 Serving Jews in institutional and limited environments.
Get The Picture 32 The full scoop on all the great events around town
Quotable Quote
Pray with lowered eyes and a soaring heart
– Shulchan Aruch Thoughts on the Parsha from Rabbi Sholom D. Lipskar
Shabbos Parshas Yisro singular place that serves to unite us, to bring us closer to the most revealed manifestation of the Master of the Universe, Almighty G-d his week we read and Himself. simultaneously experience the single most cataclysmic Thank G-d, our community is making this environment a true dwelling T place for Almighty G-d. We have seen enormous exponential event in all of history. Almighty G-d, Supreme Creator of the achievement towards that goal as more and more of our brothers Universe and all that is in it, and and sisters connect to our Father in Heaven. On Shabbos you can Redeemer of the Jewish people see the multitudes of Jewish families that are enjoying G-d’s day of from enslavement to becoming rest. Our Shul, the pioneering spirit of this extraordinary renaissance free, appears before the entire of Jewishness, recognizes a number of Synagogue’s created in our community of the Jewish people environment by original members of this community. (approximately 3,000,000+ individuals). He then transmits a As the community grows, thank G-d our Shul and space have literally code for life that addresses every aspect of living: what one must or become much too small for the many activities. Our children / may do, what one must not or should not do. These Torah behaviors Youth Programs, Education for Youth and Adults and social events utilize every single organ of our 248 bodily parts and each one of desperately need expanded space. Those that have been to our our arteries and veins (all 365 of them). Every single eventuality events know that even with a tent it is inadequate and, of course, of life, from the high summits of achievement and pleasure to the Hashem’s house must be the most beautiful. Thank G-d, this coming lowest moments of challenge and pain, is included in that “How week we embark on the next stage of our growth, expanding our to live” Manual where we are guided to successfully navigate the physical plant to accommodate all of our community in a better way, vicissitudes of life. from youngest to oldest and everyone in between.
The event of Revelation is continued at the end of next week’s Please join us for our 34th annual dinner together with our historic reading, Mishpatim. Here, Jewish leadership accompanies Moses to where he will remain as he enters the heavenly sphere for the next 40 days and 40 nights. This is a very unique moment everybody’s presence to make us a singular, beautiful, G-dly of communication between Moses and the Jewish people, who community. were then at the absolute most pristine and achieved moment ever imaginable. They were in the throes of the Revelation, when Have a great Shabbos, great weekend and looking forward to see literally the entire universe had stopped. No sounds, no movement, you at the dinner. except the permeating sounds of the Ten Commandments. Have a good Shabbos and a great week. It is a moment of great holiness and Moses communicates with the leaders of Israel and with all of the Jewish People and sets their compass to direct them as they embark on their mission to make this world G-d’s beloved private chamber, where He desires to be Rabbi Sholom D. Lipskar more than anywhere else. He leaves His celestial heavenly throne and comes down to be with us, His children. He created us to make a loving, respectful home for Him.
Immediately thereafter, the Jewish people are commanded to build a physically beautiful tabernacle/dwelling place for Almighty G-d Himself. “Make for Me a sanctuary and I will dwell among them”, indicating that each of us becomes a sanctuary and together build a 3 Celebrating Shabbos with our Youth Everything you need for an “Over the Top” Shabbos experience Torah Quiz
Morah Malkie’s Yakira Leah’s Tot Shabbat Aleph Wonder Girls Ages: 1 - 3 Ages: 4 - 6 11:00 am - 12:00 pm 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Questions Montessori Classrooom 2 1. How many of the 613 Mitzvos can we still perform nowadays? classrooom 2 (Source: Chofetz Chaim) 2. Which two Tzaddikim were buried beside Har Sinai? (Source: Seder Hadoros)
3. Which seven prophets did Hashem send to the non-Jews to offer them the Torah? (Bava Basra)
Itty’s Rochelle’s Last Week’s Answers: Pre Tween Girls Tween Girls 1. The unborn fetuses in their mothers’ womb also joined in the Grades: 2nd - 5th Grades: 6th - 8th Shira, singing to HaShem at the splitting of the Red Sea. Some chorus! (Shemos Rabbah 23:8) 10:00 am - 12:00 pm 10:30 am - 12:00 pm 2. When the Bnei Yisrael arrived at Marah, Moshe gave them a Classrooom 1 science class to show how all HaShem’s creations can be used in many different ways. For example, certain herbs and plants can actually provide cures and better health for mankind. Indeed, this demonstrates that all wisdom can be found in the Torah, as the Mishna in Pirkei Avos (5:22) states: “Delve into it [the Torah] and delve into it, because it is all in it!” Then Moshe told them that, ultimately, they should rely on praying to HaShem and keeping His Mitzvos to ensure good health! (Rabbeinu Bachya) Mendel’s Sholom’s Junior Boys Hebrew School 3. When Sancheriv, the king of Ashur during the days of Chizkiya and Yeshayahu Hanavi, wanted to conquer Yerushalayim, he and Ages: 4 - 8 Grades: 4th - 8th his army were destroyed by a miracle. Had the Bnei Yisrael sung Shira to thank HaShem for saving them from the largest army in 10:00 am - 12:00 pm 10:00 am - 12:00 pm history, HaShem would have sentMoshiach right away! Montessori 3 Prizes kindly sponsored by the Goldczer Family in loving Memory of Aryeh Leib ben Zev Volf obm
Mishnayos Ba’al Peh Shaykee’s Debbie’s Yosef’s After Mincha Davening With Dad Teen Girls Teen Boys Montessori 3 Grades: 9th - 12th GREAT PRIZES!!! Grades: 7th - 8th Grades: 9th - 12th 10:30 am - 12:00 pm Prizes kindly sponsored by the 10:30 am - 12:00 pm 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Goldczer family in loving memory of Teen Girls Room Aryeh Leib ben Zev Volf Obm Classroom 1 Haime Library
4 Celebrating Shabbos Everything you need for an “Over the Top” Shabbos experience
Kiddush This Week: Kiddush this week is sponsored in honor of The Shul Child Shabbos Schedule Enrichment Center and all the teachers. Candle lighting 5:44 p.m. Mincha / Kabbalas Shabbos 5:45 p.m. Shalosh Seudos This Week: Shabbos Day Hashkama Minyan 7:15 a.m. Shalosh Seudos this week is available for sponsorship Tanya / Hayom Yom 9:00 a.m. Shacharis (Morning Services) 9:00 a.m. Children’s Programs 10:00 a.m. the caterer for this week’s Upstairs Minyan 10:30 a.m. 30 Minutes of Tanya: Classroom #1 +/- 12:00 p.m. kiddush and Shalosh seudos is With Mrs. Vivian Perez (for Women) After Davening Food Art Kiddush 12:00 p.m. Daf Yomi 4:45 p.m. Men’s Shiur 4:45 p.m. Women’s Shiur 4:45 p.m. Shalosh Seudos for Boys 4:45 p.m. Mincha 5:30 p.m. Shabbat Ends / Arvit & Havdalah 6:38 p.m. Weekly Video of The Rebbe kiddushim at The Shul Please help us to provide our weekly Shabbos Kiddush and Sephardic Minyan Friday Evening Shalosh Seudos by becoming a sponsor. Or join the Kiddush Bank Mincha / Kabbalat Shabbat 5:30 p.m. by becoming a Partner ($770 annually ) or Patron ($360 anually) Shabbat Day Shacharit 9:00 a.m. Mincha 5:30 p.m. Shabbat Ends 6:38 p.m. The following dates are available for sponsorship: Kiddush Shalosh Seudos Feb 6, 13, 20, 27 Feb 6, 13, 20, 27
If you wish to become a sponsor, please speak with Stacy at 305-868-1411 ext 313 or email [email protected]
Candle Lighting 5:49 p.m. Mincha 5:50 p.m.
Eruv Information We would like to emphasize that every Erev Shabbos, individuals should call the Eruv Hotline to make sure that the Eruv is operational. The number to call is 305- 866-ERUV (3788). The Eruv message is recorded approximately two hours prior to candle lighting. Surfside: The Eruv in Surfside now includes the walking paths along the beach. Pushing strollers and carrying is permitted on the paths, but not beyond the path or onto the beach. Bal Harbour: The Eruv in Bal Harbour included the inner (western) walking path only. The pier at Haulover Cut is not included.
To pay your annual dues visit: www.miamibeacheruv.com 5 Community Happenings Sharing with your Shul Family
Birthdays Yahrtzeits Shevat 20 Mr. Daniel Zev Givner Shevat 20 Yitzchak bar Nedgmah obm Shevat 20 Mr. Michael Bouhnik Grandfather of Dr. Jean Jacques Edderai Shevat 20 Mrs. Perla Gilinski Shevat 20 Reb Yehuda obm Husband of Mrs. Hermine Gewirtz Shevat 20 Ms. Esther Vlosky Shevat 20 Equteil ben Kawa obm Shevat 21 Mr. Shaul Eliezer Gheblikian Husband of Ms. Sonia Kawa Shevat 21 Ms. Jeni Wexler Shevat 20 Krajundla obm Shevat 21 Ms. Sivana Levine Mother-in-law of Mrs. Raquel Grosfeld Shevat 22 Mr. Jordan Alexander Mondshine Shevat 21 Brina Gitel obm Shevat 22 Mr. Shimon Litchkowski Grandmother of Mr. Arnold Lewis Cohen Shevat 22 Mrs. Raizel Marrus Shevat 21 Sara Bas Eliyahu Chaim obm Shevat 22 Ms. Daniella Sredni Mother of Mrs. Geri F. Levine Shevat 22 Ms. Pearl Schneider Shevat 21 Sara Bas Eliyahu Chaim obm Shevat 22 Rabbi Shea Rubinstein Wife of Mr. Irving Hoine Shevat 23 Dr. Charles Nenner Shevat 22 Cholom obm Shevat 23 Mr. Barry Cohen Husband of Ms. Reine Fiss Shevat 23 Mr. Jack Benishai Shevat 22 Henry obm Shevat 23 Mr. Morris Mendal Husband of Ms. Nina Mack Shevat 23 Mrs. Chaya Camissar Shevat 23 Eliyahu ben Mordechai obm Shevat 23 Ms. Chaya Tzivia Schneider Father of Mrs. Bahee Salver Shevat 24 Mrs. Eva Saka Shevat 23 Abraham ben Sender obm Shevat 24 Rabbi Simeon Schreiber Father of Mrs. Rosita Boruchin Shevat 25 Mrs. Chaya Alperovitz Shevat 24 David ben Isaac obm Shevat 25 Mrs. Gilda Azout Father-in-law of Mrs. Rosita Boruchin Shevat 25 Mrs. Stephanie Levy Shevat 24 Abraham David ben Eliyahu obm Shevat 25 Ms. Shoshana Greenberg Father of Mr. Jerry Dalfen Shevat 26 Mr. Sanford Musikar Shevat 25 Liba bas Shmuel obm Shevat 26 Mrs. Rose Schreiber Mother of Mrs. Bluma Schneider Shevat 26 Mrs. Sulamita Simkovicius Shevat 25 Leah Rapaport obm Shevat 26 Ms. Alessandra Stivelman Sister of Mr. Leonard Spodek Shevat 26 Ms. Jassi Lekach Shevat 25 Moshe obm Father of Mr. Salomon Wahnich Shevat 26 Chaim Yaakov Shlomo ben Mordechai obm Kid’s Birthdays Father of Mr. Matias Garfunkel Shevat 20 Noum Wasserman Shevat 26 Yehoshuah Aryeh ben Avraham Shmuel obm Shevat 21 Chana Katz Father of Mr. Sanford Musikar Shevat 22 Chaya Mushkah Lipskar Shevat 24 Yechida Slomianski Shevat 24 Jacob Bronfeld Shevat 25 Yan Kessous Shevat 26 Melanie Benlolo Shevat 26 Caleb Schwartz Mazal Tov Mazal Tov to Mr. & Mrs. Isaie and Nicole Bouhadana on the Bar Mitzvah of Anniversaries their grandson, Avraham Natanel Cohen, son of Eva and David Cohen. May they continue to see him raised to Torah, Chupah and Ma’asim Tovim and have much Mr. & Mrs. Yankie and Devorah Leah Andrusier nachas from him. Mr. Max Dekelbaum & Mrs. Ginette Dekelbaum-Sultan Mr. & Mrs. Israel And Gabriela Rachel Kopel Mazal Tov to Rabbi & Mrs. Shlomie and Aurit Katan on the birth of a son. May they raise him to Torah, Chupah and Ma’asim Tovim and have much nachas from him. Congratulations to Mr. & Mrs. William and Janice Barney on the birth of their granddaughter, Dani Rose. May she be a source of blessings and joy to her family. 6 Community Happenings Sharing with your Shul Family
Shvat Light & Power Thanks To Our Donors Light & Power and Wine for Kiddush & Havdalah for We sincerely thank the following members and supporters of The Shul the month of Shevat is Kindly Sponsored by for donations recieved between 01/12/15 and 01/18/16 We apologize for any errors or omissions that we may have made. Mr. Jacky Koenig Mr. Abraham Alexandrov Mr. Morris Mendal Ms. Sarah Arison Mr. & Mrs. Richard Moore In honor of his dear wife, Aviva and their children Mr. Aryeh Assouline Mr. & Mrs. Glenn D. Moses Abraham Baruch, Adela Margalit, Elke Baz and Mr. & Mrs. Aaron Attias Mr. & Mrs. Edward Ohayon Mr. Doron Barnes Dr. Allen Packer Eliyahu David. Dr. & Mrs. Ivan Berend Mr. Shlomo Peretz Mr. Alex Blavatnik Mr. & Mrs. Hersh Reich “Those who establish Synagogues for prayer and those who come there to pray, Mr. & Mrs. Salomon Btesh Mr. & Mrs. Harold Rosenstein those who provide lights for illumination, wine for kiddush and havdalah, food Rabbi & Mrs. Betzalel Camissar Rabbi & Mrs. Shea Rubinstein for the wayfarers and charity for the needy, and all those who occupy themselves Chabad Chayil Mrs. Linda R. Salzhauer faithfully with communal affairs - may The Holy One, blessed be He, give them their Rabbi & Mrs. Uri Cohen Mrs. Orit Cohen reward, remove them from all sicknesses, heal their entire body, pardon all their sins, and send blessing and success to all their endeavors, together with all Israel Mr. & Mrs. Michael Davit Mrs. Beverly Schottenstein their brethren; and let us say Amen.” Ms. Yvonne Dayan Ms. Stephanie Schwartz Mr. & Mrs. Lois and Ami Dueck Mr. & Mrs. Steven Schwartz Mr. & Mrs. Craig Edelstein Ms. Evy Schwartzman Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Elferssy Mr. Jack Shaio Dr. & Mrs. Samuel Feldman Ms. Jayne Shapiro Rabbi & Mrs. Velvel Freedman Mrs. Ethel Sirotkin Dr. & Mrs. Joshua Furman Mr. & Mrs. Arnaud Sitbon Refuah Shleimah Mr. & Mrs. Michael Gad Mr. Michael Stern If you have a health update on anyone listed please contact The Shul. We would like to keep the listing current and remove names of people who have recovered. Ms. Lucy Gateno Mr. & Mrs. Moris Tabacinic Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Gellman Mr. & Mrs. Shimshon Tzubeli MEN WOMEN Mr. & Mrs. Sam Greenwald Dr. Jesse Viner Eber Avraham ben Fruma Esther Shifra bat Chaya Ms. Lydia Hasson Mr. & Mrs. Baruch Waldma Shmuel ben Sarah Perl Leah Yehudit bat Chana Gittel Mr. Irving Hoine Mr. & Mrs. Paul Weintraub Yosef ben Edwina Ilana bas Shaina Rochel Ms. Sarette Hornblass Mr. & Mrs. Michael Werner Avrohom ben Feigel Chava bas Elka Menucha Mr. Saeed Kalimi Khodadadian Mr. & Mrs. Michael Werner Mordechai David ben Esther Raizel Chaya bas Rachel Mr. Marc Leder Dr. & Mrs. Joseph Zebede Yedidya Chaim Raphael ben Elana Zilpah bas Sara Mr. Marc Lehmann Ms. Jacqueline Zion Yehuda ben Chaya Sara Fayge bas Chaya Mr. Steven Leiter Ms. Mireille Zion Shimon Yitzchak ben Leah Rochel Miriam Leah bas Helen Ms. Blimie Levy Ms. Rosy Zion Roi ben Orly Mrs. Nina Mack Chaim Tzvi Hirsch ben Guttel The Shul Parking Garage In response to numerous incidents in our garage and with the safety of our children, members and staff foremost in mind, we insist on TOTAL compliance with the following rules in the garage. • You must always park in a legal spot Child Enrichment Center • Do not park in handicap parking • Do not park along the perimeter of the garage The Shul’s Child Enrichment Center has opened our • Do not double park wait list for the 2016-2017 Academic Year. • Do not take up more than one space To be added to the wait list • Do not block another vehicle please visit There is additional parking in the lots North and South of The Shul. When cars park illegally, you take an already challenging situation in the garage and turn it into a near impossible and dangerous Contact us at (305) 868-1411 to schedule a tour of situation. You create more havoc, less visibility and more aggravation our program and facility. which itself contributes to the likelihood of an accident, G-d forbid.
*Please note that adding your name to this list does If you are not in a legal spot not guarantee a space in our program. YOU WILL BE TOWED 7 A Time to Pray Davening schedules and locations throughout the week
Daily Learning Schedule at The Shul
6:20 -6:50 am Derech Mitzvosecha Foundational Chassidic Discourse R’ Zalman Lipskar 7:45 am Daf Yomi R’ Dov Schochet 8:45 am (approx) Halacha Sephardic Custom R’ Shimshon Tzubeli 10:15 - 11:00 am Maamorim Maamor of the Rebbe R’ Shea Rubinstein
Shacharis Minyanim (mon - Fri) Sunday Shacharis Minyanim Main Minyan 6:50 7:30 9:00 Main Minyan 8:00 am 9:00 am Sephardic Minyan 8:00 Sephardic Minyan 9:00 am
Daily Chumash & Tanya after every Minyan Sunday Mincha /Maariv mincha / Maariv Minyanim (mon - Thurs) Minyanim Main Minyan 2:00 pm Early Mincha 5:50 pm 10:00 pm Main Minyan 5:50 pm Sephardic Minyan 5:50 pm Following Late Maariv 10:00 pm
Evening Kolel Schedule - Monday and Thursday 8:45 -9:30 pm
Mon & Thurs 8:45 - 10:00 pm Evening Community Kolel Chavrusah
To our beloved Soldiers in the Israeli Defense Forces, Halachic Times courageously protecting and defending Eretz Yisroel. Based on times for February 3 We pray for you and all of the soldiers safety and well being daily. Alot Hashachar / Dawn 5:53 am Jonathan ben Aliza Sher Netz Hachamah / Sunrise 7:03 am Michael Shmuel ben Eliezer Eliyahu (Earliest Amidah) Amir Herzel ben Dvora Dorry Latest Shema 9:48 am
Chatzot / Midday 12:34 pm Earliest Mincha 1:01 pm Plag HaMincha 4:56 pm Shekiah / Sunset 6:05 pm (preferable latest time for Mincha) Tzeit Hakochavim / Nightfall 6:34 pm (Earliest preferable Ma’ariv)
Times taken from www.chabad.org Please note that during the week times may vary by a minute or two. If anyone would like to send us the name of a soldier in the IDF we would love to add them. 8 Inspiration, Insights & Ideas Bringing Torah lessons to LIFE! Hayom Yom In the winter of 1942, the sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Y. Schneersohn, of righteous memory, gave his son- in-law, the future Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, of righteous memory, the task of compiling an anthology of Chasidic aphorisms and customs arranged according to the days of the year. The calendar was entitled Hayom Yom. In describing this work Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak wrote: …”A book that is small in format…but bursting with pearls and diamonds of choicest quality.” “A splendid palace of Chasidism.” True to these words, Hayom Yom has become a beloved classic work and a source of daily spiritual sustenance. Friday - Shvat 19 Wednesday - Shvat 24 “The people saw and moved.” Simply perceiving Rambam, “To know that there is a First Being, G-dhood caused the people to move, a who caused the existence of all beings... movement showing vitality, life. The knowledge of this principle is a positive command, as it is said, I am the Eternal your G-d.” * * *
This is a Mitzva relating to mind and intellect.* If you only knew - The Tzemach Tzedek said - the True, every one of Israel believes in G-d with a power of verses of Tehillim and their effect in simple faith, and his heart is whole with G-d; the highest Heavens, you would recite them still it is the duty of the mind and intellect to constantly. Know that the chapters of Tehillim bring this faith to a level of knowledge and shatter all barriers, they ascend higher and still comprehension. This is the meaning of “To higher with no interference; they prostrate know that there is a First Being;” the Mitzva themselves in supplication before the Master of all worlds, and they effect and accomplish with as written in Torah: “Know the G-d of your father kindness and compassion. and serve Him with a whole heart” and it is also written, “know this day etc.” Monday - Shvat 22 There are two sorts of statutes: a) statutes Thursday - Shvat 25 Shabbos - Shvat 20 that create life, and b) statutes created by life. Studying a parsha of Chumash with Rashi every My father wrote in one of his letters: According Human laws are created by life so they vary day (Sunday until Sheini, Monday until Shlishi, to the glosses of Ashri, when laving the hands from land to land according to circumstances. etc.), saying Tehillim every day and the entire for a meal, pour water over each hand three The A-lmighty’s Torah is a G-dly law that creates Tehillim on Shabbat m’varchim - be scrupulous times consecutively; this was the practice of my life. G-d’s Torah is the Torah of truth, the same in about all of these. It is crucial for you, for your father (R. Shmuel). He would leave a little water all places, at all times. Torah is eternal. children and your children’s children. from the third pouring cupped in the palm of his left hand and, with this water, rub his hands Tuesday - Shvat 23 Friday - Shvat 26 together. Once, as the Alter Rebbe stepped out of his Ahava, affection, is the breath of life in the room, he overheard his wife remarking to Avoda of Chassidus. It is the thread that binds Sunday - Shvat 21 several women, “Mine says...” chassidim to each other, that binds Rebbe to It is the duty of Chassidic wives and daughters chassidim and chassidim to Rebbe. Ahava works The Rebbe said: “With one mitzva I am yours; in a direct way (initiated affection) and also rank of every activity dedicated to strengthening with how many are we G-d’s!” With these religion and Judaism in general, particularly words he fell onto the doorpost in dveikut. On affection). It knows no barriers and transcends concerning taharat hamishpacha. They must “awakening” from the dveikut he said: “Go out the limits of time and place. organize a Society of Chassidic Daughters to and see” - to step out of self and perceive the reinforce all the chassidic practices concerning Divine, comes from (the following words in that upbringing and education of children - as verse) “daughters of Zion,” Malchut arousing prevalent from time immemorial in chassidic homes. valorous woman is her husband’s crown.”
9 Inspiration, Insights & Ideas Bringing Torah lessons to LIFE!
who are more spiritual, while His speech - which Cold Feet Parsha Messages is on a lower level - creates revealed things. By Lazer Gurkow In light of the above, it is clear that human ears ago, I found myself in an airplane Shabbos Rest - In Thought, thought cannot be compared to G-d’s, since high above the Grand Canyon. I was on my Speech and Action man’s thought alone cannot affect another’s Yway to accept a job as head counselor of a Based on Likkutei Sichos, Vol. XI, pp. 80-85 deeds, while G-d’s thought can and does. Man’s West Coast summer day camp when I began to speech, however, inasmuch as it is capable of doubt myself. Was this job right for me? Was I rom the passage in the Ten Commandments: compelling external action, does bear some good enough? What had I gotten myself into? A “The seventh day is Shabbos to G-d your similarity to G-d’s speech. FL-rd,” our Sages learn that we are to refrain of my stomach. on that day not only from physical creative The factors involved in refraining from labor labor, but also from speaking about such labor, on Shabbos with regard to action, speech and This experience was new to me at the time, for just as G-d rested from the Ten Utterances thought can be understood accordingly: but today, many years later, it is a familiar of Creation, so too are we to refrain from such companion. I experience it every time I take up a The general reason for refraining from labor speech. new challenge in life. I felt it on the day before on Shabbos is, “For [in] six days, the L-rd made my wedding, when I became a father, before I the heavens and the earth... and rested on the Moreover, our Sages go on to say that on seventh day.” Yes, we are supposed to emulate Shabbos, a pious individual shouldn’t even think about work and labor. The reason is that G-d the Creator, but although G-d’s Shabbos rest created with His speech the revealed world and also involved resting from speech and thought with His thought the concealed worlds; just as since, in man’s realm, thought and speech do strangers. I welcome them heartily. They still He rested from both speech and thought on the not necessarily result in action, the Biblical seventh day, so too will a pious individual rest. commandment to rest on Shabbos does not I learn to ignore them and focus on the task at require a cessation of mundane thought and hand. I view the apprehension that they bring as Since the underlying reason for man’s cessation speech. assurance that the endeavor upon which I am of creative physical labor is the same with about to embark is worthwhile. regard to both action and speech, why is actual Nevertheless, since there is some modicum of physical labor prohibited by the Torah, while comparison between man’s speech and G-d’s, our Slackening and Apathy speaking about such matters is only rabbinically Sages - who have the power to prohibit those The Torah tells us that our ancestors journeyed proscribed, and thinking about such things is things that are similar to Torah prohibitions - not prohibited at all, but simply not done by also prohibited speaking about creative physical Wondering why the Torah found it necessary to pious individuals? labor. Action differs greatly from both speech and Man’s thoughts about labor, however, can in no they embarked, our sages explained that they thought, since it involves something external way compare to Divine thought, so there is no to the person himself. Thought and speech, reason for it to be even rabbinically prohibited. however, take place within a person. Still, a pious individual who seeks to emulate is the Hebrew word rifyon, which means G-d’s ways will refrain from mundane thoughts Thought reveals one’s ideas and feelings to a slackening. Our ancestors experienced a on Shabbos, since G-d rested on the seventh day slackening of enthusiasm and a sense of oneself, and speech reveals them to others. Yet, from thoughts of creation. there is a great difference between thought and apprehension and dread as they approached speech as they relate to action: their encounter with destiny at Sinai. Human thoughts are ethereal, and do not G-d had singled them out from among the directly relate to action. Thus, one’s thoughts can You shall not make of Me gods of silver, nations to bestow his mandate upon them. Well only affect oneself. gods of gold... (Ex. 20:20) aware of what it meant to be chosen by G-d, they fretted over their state of worthiness. They had Speech, however, is produced by expelling air, lived for more than two centuries in the midst and requires the physical involvement of one’s G-d is commanding the Jewish people, of Egyptian idolatry and depravity. Could they tongue and lips, etc. Because it is so much closer “Don’t make silver and gold your gods, repent and transform in seven short weeks? to action, it has the power to compel others that they should rule over you. Don’t Could they live a righteous and exalted life? to act. Human thought, however, has no direct worship your money.” Were they worthy of the task? relationship to action. But G-d’s thoughts are fully capable of bringing (Rabbi Yaakov Aharon of Zalvazin) were attacked by the tribe of Amalek. The about action, i.e., creation. The only difference Midrash relates that when our ancestors left between His thought and His speech is that His Egypt the nations of the world stood in awe and thought, being more sublime, creates creatures were afraid to engage them in war. Amalek was 10 Inspiration, Insights & Ideas Bringing Torah lessons to LIFE! the only tribe that had the temerity to attack strengths and focus on the positive. them. Chof Beis Shvat This is even more true on the spiritual front. As Amalek was roundly defeated, but his brazen we consider the many commandments in the act destroyed the aura of invincibility that The Passing of Rebbetzin surrounded our ancestors. The kabbalists taught all. We may not have been raised with religious Chaya Mushka and the that Amalek represents the characteristic of observance. We may not be accustomed to the apathy. He disparages our awe for the Torah, path of Torah. Is it appropriate to approach G-d Rebbe’s Response mocks our passion for G-d, scoffs at our spiritual when we are saddled with the sins of our past? aura and questions our religious convictions. If we focus on our negative past, on our inner Amalek’s physical attack against our ancestors represented his metaphoric assault on their and slowly grow apathetic to Torah. We will spirit. When they questioned their self-worth, expose ourselves to our inner Amalek and lose they exposed themselves to Amalek’s attack. our passion for Judaism. The alternative is to By doubting their own ability they made channel our minds and thoughts towards the themselves vulnerable to his mockery. soul. Seeds of doubt are healthy because they keep our ego in check, but these seeds must never be The Soul permitted to control our state of mind. Where Within every Jew there a soul, a virtual fragment would I have been today if I had heeded my of the divine. The soul pines for G-d and yearns single mitzvah pulses with G-dly energy. Every n Wednesday, February 10, 1988 (Shevat strengths. Only then can we put our concerns in single mitzvah is a precious channel of joy and a 22, 1988) the Rebbe’s wife of 59 years, perspective. pure source of ecstasy. ORebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneerson, passed away after a brief illness. Positive Thought We are capable of harnessing our soul’s passion. A woman once complained to the Lubavitcher We are capable of living up to G-d’s mandate, She had felt ill the night before and was brought Rebbe. “I have a mean streak,” she said, “I but only if we try. Little by little we can grow to the hospital, where she requested a glass of don’t know why, but I refuse every favor that every day. Step by step we can lift ourselves up. water. After reciting the blessing “Blessed are is requested of me. I have been in therapy for You, G-d… by whose word all things come into The slow path is often the safe path. In this case being”, she returned her soul to her Maker. years, but it seems I am beyond repair.” it is also the wise path. The Rebbe told her that she was too focused An erudite and wise woman, Rebbetzin Chaya on her faults. When you zero in on your Mushka carried the mantle of her exalted shortcomings it obscures your potential for position in a most humble and unpretentious good. The Rebbe suggested that rather than Israel encamped opposite the Mountain fashion. Though she was the wife of a leader struggle with the darkness of her soul, she (Ex. 19:2) revered by hundreds of thousands, almost nothing was known about her until after her passing, when those who knew her felt that they Why was the Torah given on a mountain, advised. “Seek out opportunities to perform could tell of her life and personality without favors and force yourself to perform them.” violating her jealously guarded privacy. are both made of earth; a mountain is When our ancestors arrived at Sinai they left just higher. The intention of giving the Torah was so that the Children of Israel motorcade accompanied her to the Chabad would elevate and spiritually purify the cemetery in Queens, New York. There she was too must learn to focus on the positive. We too physicality of the world. This is hinted interred near her father, the previous Rebbe, to by the mountain, which is dust of Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneerson. darkness. the earth but is high, symbolizing the On the very day of her burial, the Rebbe Whether it is seeking new employment established a charity fund in her name, which opportunities, exploring possible career continues to this day to serve a variety women’s changes, seeking a shidduch or raising children, (Sefer Hama’amarim) social and educational purposes. we often fail before we succeed. It is easy to In the days and months following her passing, despair and be assailed by doubts of inadequacy. the Rebbe spoke frequently on the theme, “And Yet it is incumbent upon us to marshal our the living shall take to heart”—how the passing 11 Inspiration, Insights & Ideas Bringing Torah lessons to LIFE! of a person close to oneself should prompt one One should not make calculations on Shabbat. to positive action, in the form of lessons derived Halacha of The Week For one who does so might inadvertently write from that person’s life and deeds undertaken to By Rabbi Dov Schochet down the problem to help solve it or provide the perpetuate his or her memory. solution. This only applies if the calculation is a Speaking on Shabbat relevant and needed one. If the numbers have Childhood, marriage, work, religion, illness— no relevance e.g. how much one spent on a party things that one thinks one knows exactly what he opening verse of revelation is “I am which already passed, one may make the mental they mean—were given new meaning in the G-d.. who redeemed you from Egypt”. Many calculation on Shabbat. Rebbe’s teachings. He did the same with the commentaries ask why does it mention the concepts of death and mourning. T When the words are necessary for a Mitzva one may speak them on Shabbat. Therefore one is The Rebbe noted that Torah law prescribes set “who created heaven and earth”? While many answers are given, one basic idea is the personal allowed to hire a teacher on Shabbat to teach a periods for mourning the passing of a close child Torah. Similarly one is allowed to arrange relative. A certain set of mourning practices are nature of the Torah. Hashem does not want us to view the Torah in an impersonal way, that a match for marriage on Shabbat. Even to hire a teacher to teach a child a trade is permitted. it is simply our tradition. Rather the Torah is something that we must experience personally, However in all of these cases one should not But isn’t “mourning” a feeling rather than an act? How, then, asked the Rebbe, can a person be as our ancestors who stood at Sinai had all personally experienced the exodus. would be analogous to conducting business on instructed to mourn? Or to reduce the intensity Shabbat. of his mourning when a certain mandated One of the ten commandments concerns the “mourning period” ends? laws of Shabbat. While the basic concept One can also make a pledge to help the poor on of remembering and guarding the Shabbat Death, explained the Rebbe, is a phenomenon so relates to the different productive labors that sum of money. While there is debate if one can devastating to our sense of self that we cannot we are forbidden to engage in on Shabbat, pledge an object on Shabbat, for the pledge deal with it with any of the ordinary tools of life. in a deeper sense it also relates to all of our alone can be considered a transfer, all agree Only our submission to the supra-rational law Shabbat conduct, including our speech. In fact of G-d can empower us to contain our mourning the prophet Isiah writes that on Shabbat we and not allow it to overwhelm our lives. must refrain from “speaking the words” which creating an obligation. As for the concept of death itself, the Rebbe saw our sages understand to mean, refrain from There is some debate whether it is proper to death not as the end of life, but as the beginning speaking as we do during the week. have bids on Shabbat. Some authorities held of new, loftier and a greater form of life. For the The basic concept is that we should not discuss that actual bidding for Mitzvot was too similar soul lives on. Indeed, when the soul is freed on Shabbat any plans for the week which to common business and is not allowed, even from the limits of the physical condition, it can include prohibited activities on Shabbat. So one express its spirituality and purity unobscured by can not say “I will buy that object tomorrow.” custom is to be lenient, the reason being that a the body. negotiation can only be considered a business as the person is not asking another to act and it if an object is being transferred, bidding in a shul is not for a tangible object but for a Mitzva. but as progression and achievement, a person is simply a statement of fact, it is still prohibited. As the person is discussing things which are not Some are scrupulous that even when losing the can live beyond the point that the soul and bid they pay whatever they bid, considering the body are parted. If those in the land of the permitted on Shabbat, it is considered weekday speech. bid a pledge, thus avoiding any appearance of living are spurred by his passing to do positive, business on Shabbat. constructive and G-dly deeds, than the death Even idle chatter which does not include any itself becomes a form of life. mention of labor, should be minimized on Interestingly the portion the Torah is given in Shabbat, for the way we talk on Shabbat should is called Yitro, a person who Rashi tells us was Finally, a basic tenet of the Jewish faith is well versed in all different forms of idolatry. The the belief that, in the age of Moshiach, those be elevated from the rest of the week. However one who enjoys talking about the news or novel Torah is making it clear as to what the objective who have died will be restored to eternal life. Thus death is but a temporary hiatus before a concepts immensely may do so on Shabbat. But for a person with the ability to study Torah it renewed, and far greater, phase of life. Indeed, for the mission of Torah to be complete it must the Talmud compares death to sleep, implying is inappropriate to waste time talking of these matters even during the week. engage the Yitro’s of the world and elevate all of that, like sleep, it is a “descent for the sake of the gross materialism that surrounds us. ascent” -- a time of foment and preparation for a One should not mention anything which recalls greater, more energized tomorrow. pain on Shabbat. One should not bring up the loss of a loved one or any similar point which will hamper the joy one is meant to feel on Shabbat.
12 Inspiration, Insights & Ideas Bringing Torah lessons to LIFE!
opinion. tried to give him a chocolate bar. He said, “I was Stories With Soul raised in a Chasidic home and I was taught to Her special relationship with children is also do a mitzva in a complete manner and not to A Real Queen well-known. Whenever I visited her, there were take a reward. Adapted from Beis Moshiach Magazine refreshments on the table, and when I visited her with my children, I could see that she made The Rebbetzin replied: “I was also raised in a fter the passing of the Previous Rebbe, the effort to prepare snacks for them. Chasidic home and I was taught that when the elder Chasidim turned to the Rebbe given something one should take, it especially Ain an attempt to convince him to accept THE CHILDREN chocolate!” the mantle of leadership. The Rebbe adamantly Mrs. T. Holtzman: My husband remembers that refused. It is said that the Rebbetzin was the one as a child he innocently asked the Rebbetzin, CARING ABOUT A FRIEND who convinced him to accept. “Why do the Rebbe and Rebbetzin need such a Mrs. Mira Raskin relates: The Rebbetzin and I big house? There are no children here.” Without were in touch for many years. We spoke on the The Rebbetzin knew what it meant to be the waiting for an answer he said, “Ah, there were phone several times a week. The Rebbetzin had wife of the Rebbe. Being the daughter of the probably children here once who grew up and a daily routine and I usually knew when she Previous Lubavitcher Rebbe, she knew precisely got married, and now the house is left for you would call me. alone ...” role. Yet, she encouraged the Rebbe all the same. On 21 Shevat, 1988 [the day before her passing], Without displaying a hint of hurt, the Rebbetzin the Rebbetzin didn’t call me all day. The Shortly after the Rebbe accepted the leadership, smiled and replied with an answer that morning passed and then the afternoon, and the Rebbetzin made the choice to remain he’ll remember forever, “Richtig, richtig, alle it was evening but the Rebbetzin still hadn’t behind the scenes. She did this consistently and Chassidim zainen dem Rebbe’ns kinder” (Right, called. I was very worried but I didn’t want to persistently. It was her desire and she lived this right, all Chasidim are the Rebbe’s children). call because I was even more afraid that I might way until her last day. disturb the Rebbe and Rebbetzin. A SECRET VISIT Had the Rebbetzin chosen to live in the public In 1954, the Rebbetzin made a secret visit to At eleven o’clock at night, after having gone to Paris that lasted a number of days, in order to sleep, the Rebbetzin called and apologized for volumes. But she chose to live a very private life gain information on the refugees then in Paris. A calling at that late hour. She told me she had and precious little is known about her except for large number of Lubavitcher families lived there gone out to take care of some things with a a few stories from a small circle of people with under strained circumstances. friend, and when she returned home, she didn’t whom she was close. We share with you some of feel well. In her great concern for others, she these stories. The Rebbetzin was very concerned about the didn’t want to worry anyone and so she didn’t situation and took an interest in all the details, tell anyone. NOBILITY and even visited the place without anybody Rabbi Shalom Dovber Butman visited the Rebbe knowing, at night, in order to see things for The Rebbe noticed something was amiss and and Rebbetzin many times. He relates: herself. In her tone, in her questions, and in wanted to call the doctor. The Rebbetzin refused her general approach, one could see genuine but the Rebbe insisted. The Rebbetzin agreed The Rebbe’s grandfather and my grandfather concern as a mother has for her children. Her on one condition - that the doctor check the were brothers, and I was invited many times to comments displayed concern as well as great the home of the Rebbe and Rebbetzin. wisdom. Each question was carefully worded. didn’t forget to call to report to me what was With that very same wisdom, she was also able happening, so I wouldn’t worry. She put herself One of the amazing things that characterized to avoid speaking about anything she declined aside and put her energies into worrying about the Rebbetzin was her ability to listen. Whoever to discuss. the welfare of others. spoke to her remembers the good feeling she gave her visitors, and the interest she took in OUR PLEASURE That night, the Rebbetzin’s condition worsened, each one. Somebody once said to the Rebbetzin that she and she was taken to the hospital, where she and the Rebbe should merit to enjoy much passed away. May her merit protect us. The Rebbetzin’s uniqueness was seen in every nachas (pleasure) from the Chassidim. The expression on her noble face, in her hand Rebbetzin responded by saying, “Our nachas is motions, in her manner of speaking. She spoke when we hear that you have nachas ...” for hours with people, inquiring, taking an interest, but mostly listening. The Rebbetzin ESPECIALLY CHOCOLATE never cut anyone off in the middle of a sentence. A yeshiva student once saw the Rebbetzin She always listened with her full attention and carrying bags and and took them for her into her house. When he brought them in, the Rebbetzin Only then, did she say something or express her 13 Inspiration, Insights & Ideas Bringing Torah lessons to LIFE!
once he and his wife arrived with two children acknowledges Kern, who now lives in Michigan Recently In The News at the time—they now have three more—“we and observes Shabbat. realized how important it is to be here because if we weren’t, the needs of many Jewish students The Morgantown facility largely houses people would have never been met.” convicted of white-collar crime, though Gurevitz Rabbi Behind Bars: makes it a point to say that he does not ask Organizing a Different Kind of Gurevitz primarily focuses on the university inmates about their convictions. Nevertheless, students. But a few months after he arrived in the rabbi still brings some muscle with him to Minyan in West Virginia town, he got clearance to enter the prison. help get the 10 people necessary for a minyan. Working with college students on campus and prison inmates on Shabbat Jan Ditzian, 72, is a competitive powerlifter in inmates said, “So rabbi, you’ll be back next week the 132-pound weight class and lives just over ost rabbis don’t consider close proximity the same time?” the border in Pennsylvania. He comes each week to a prison a selling point when for Shabbat and also tutors inmates in Hebrew purchasing a home. But after living M “I couldn’t say ‘no.’ So I said ‘yes,’ and I worked it during the week. Describing the prison as in Morgantown, W.V., for a few years, Rabbi out with the chaplain so we could come every “extremely safe,” he says that most of its Jewish Zalman Gurevitz wanted to move closer to week.” population, which includes lawyers, accountants both the University of West Virginia campus— and doctors, is “very intelligent.” and to the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI The group had enough people to form a minyan Morgantown) there. (a quorum of 10 Jewish men necessary for public “They are good people to talk to,” says Ditzian, whose background is in industrial psychology. Gurevitz and his wife, Hindy, have served Torah that same year. In 2011, the rabbi started He had also been principal of a Jewish Sunday the student body at the Rohr Chabad Jewish walking more than two miles each way to the school in Morgantown and had previously Student Center at West Virginia University since prison every Shabbat. (Before he moved, it had connected with Chabad leaders in Pittsburgh. 2007. But he has another congregation of sorts: After Gurevitz moved to West Virginia, he He visits a group of inmates at the minimum- Shabbat.) He notes that he is motivated in part reached out to Ditzian; eventually, the two security prison every Shabbat. by the Rebbe’s classic work, Hayom Yom. started going to prison together. He is inspired by the concern for Jewish “When it comes to spiritual matters, you have While Ditzian belongs to a local synagogue, he inmates expressed by the Lubavitcher Rebbe— to compare yourself to someone who is doing considers the prison “my congregation.” Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous the better than you,” he says. “When it comes to memory. In the early 1980s, when incarceration physical matters, you have to look at someone “They seem to be extremely appreciative, and rates in the United States started increasing who is in a worse situation.” dramatically, the Rebbe began talking more “They seem to like my coming.” about the importance of spending time with ‘A Jew Is a Jew’ Steven Kern used to travel around Asia as part Aside from people like Ditzian, “the general environments. of a group of volunteer chiropractors, and says Jewish community is not ready to accept felons,” he would study the dominant religion within states Gurevitz. As an example, the rabbi says he “As a follower of the Rebbe and a student of whatever country he was visiting. In 2013, after the Rebbe, I knew how important it was to him,” on the outside and explained that he couldn’t said Gurevitz, who took over the duty started income-tax return, Kern was sentenced to one change his schedule because of the strict rules year in prison. at the prison. The person told him, “You better organization Aleph Northeast. When Gurevitz teach them to be good people.” moved to Morgantown, he was asked to take There, he met some of the other Jewish inmates over the visits. and started participating in services. Kern’s Yet the rabbi feels that “as a Chabad emissary, to mother was Jewish, and he says he had read me a Jew is a Jew, no matter what they did.” The Aleph Institute—a Florida-based the Torah many times as part of his interest in organization founded under the direction of the religions, but didn’t know much about Jewish says the subject of criminal justice has become Rebbe—is dedicated to assisting incarcerated culture or prayers. Jews and their families, estimating that more somewhat personal. In fact, with recent talk of than 5,000 Jews are currently in prisons across Gurevitz gave him a book to help him learn prison reform at the national level aiming to the United States. The organization also Hebrew, which he did while working in the lower the incarceration rate, Gurevitz quips: “I’m provides services and support to Jewish men prison laundry room. Eventually, Kern, in his 40s, the only rabbi who will be happy when I lose and women serving in the U.S. military. had his bar mitzvah ceremony with the support my minyan.” of the rabbi. For Kern, the time in prison was The Spiritual and the Physical transformative. “I can say it was a wonderful experience in to West Virginia, he was a bit uncertain. However, part because I found my “Jewish heritage,” 14 Get the Picture The full scoop on all the great events and classes around town
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