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The El Paso Issue 163 CHABAD TIMES A publication of Chabad Lubavitch of El Paso
January - February 2021 | Shevat - Adar 5781 6516 Escondido Drive. • El Paso, TX 79912 • 915.584.8218
El Paso County Judge Ricardo Samaniego lit the shamash on the giant Menorah in front of the Chabad Lubavitch Center for Jewish Life on the first night of Chanukah. The event was broadcast live and covered by local media.
The 10th day of Shevat, Shabbat, January 23, marks the 71st anniversary of the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s leadership. It was on this day in the year 5710-1950, in the shadows of the devastation of the Holocaust, that the Previous Rebbe passed on and the Rebbe assumed the mantle leadership of the Chabad Lubavitch movement and started an unprecedented revolution, changing world Jewry forever. Much has been written about the Rebbe’s life and eternal impact of the world. The army of shluchim (emissaries) today numbering over 5,000 in literally every corner of the globe is the greatest Rabbi Yisrael Greenberg and Mr. Adam Frank lit the giant Menorah at the Chanukah and most obvious testament to the Rebbe’s continued Family Festival; a drive-in celebration featuring the Clan Tinkers Family Circus at the leadership and inspiration to so many. Despite the West Towne Marketplace, with over 70 cars in attendance. enormous responsibilities of creating and nurturing this mammoth operation, the Rebbe always remained focused on the needs and great potential of each individual. Spend a few moments reflecting on how you can do more good every day. Give charity before Shabbat begins. Treat others with respect. Commit yourself to observing another mitzvah. Dedicate more time to Torah study. Because each act of kindness makes this world a better place and hastens the arrival of Moshiach when goodness, peace and freedom will abound for all. To learn more about the Rebbe, visit TheRebbe.org
Your Purim Guide
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The Rabbi’s Message Three Loves
formally assumed leadership of righteous place and a space where When we fulfill our unique the Chabad Lubavitch movement the will of G-d is realized all the mission we enhance the entire and during the night he said: “In time. world. It can be difficult and America it is customary to make In Chassidic parlance this is exhausting, but there is no greater a statement upon assuming a new called making a home for G-d joy than contributing to the world position. My statement is that in this world. Home is where what only we can. there are 3 loves in Judaism: the you are most comfortable and As we celebrate 70 years from love of G-d, the love of Torah expressed, so we need to make the historic day that the Rebbe and the love for our fellow Jews. our world a place where G-d is made the “statement” of his It’s crucial to appreciate that all 3 most comfortable and expressed. leadership, let us absorb the loves are interdependent.” Every one of us is crucial to message of the 3 loves and ensure Love for our creator can only be accomplishing this global and that the entire world becomes Seventy years ago, on the 10th realized through passionate Torah historic task. Each one of us brighter and more joyful through of Shevat, (this year it falls on study, which in turn can only be has a mission no one else can encouraging everyone in fulfilling Shabbat January 23) the Rebbe wholesome when accompanied accomplish, and the entire world their mission in bringing more held a Chassidic Farbrengen by a genuine love for every Jew. is waiting for each one of us to do goodness and kindness to our (gathering) to observe the first To share the beauty of Torah with our part through Torah study and world - one Mitzvah at a time. Yartzeit since the passing of another and to ensure the message Mitzvah observance. his father-in-law, the previous reaches every corner of the earth. There are always givers and Rebbe. These loves are meant to make takers, and there is no greater Rabbi Yisrael Greenberg At this event the Rebbe our world a better place, a more gratification than to be a giver. From Our Mail Box
While I was in the waiting area at were filled with tears, as I valued all I had Upshernish … waiting for the Covid vaccination, I learned, all you helped to illuminate in Yosef Yitzchok Friedman was thinking about how blessed I was, ways far beyond what I learned through Proud Parents especially the past 10-11 years. So much years at temple or even from my parents. has transpired, all wonderful to enrich my I appreciate how you always paused Dr. Alexander and Miriam Friedman life spiritually and physically. each class to review, how you summed I have no doubt that Hashem is up, and with the last class how you Bar Mitzvah allowing me to be able to do more, learn reviewed everything and clearly tied it all Lane Frank more and be a positive influence for together. It was profound for me, and I Proud Parents others. While I realize that our lifespan is was left speechless. limited, I feel that more good years are For me you are definitely one of the Adam and Dana Frank ahead. gifts during the last 9 months of the Proud Grandparents Thank you for all you have done for pandemic, and for me a time of major Jerry and Stanlee Rubin me and you know you can always call on isolation. me. Well, these classes [that you deliver on Special Birthday Thank you and Shainy for your Sunday afternoon on Zoom] are so good. Julio Sidransky generosity. Covid has created I certainly understand your comment unconventional times for us, but with the some weeks ago that such talks by the support of you and others, we were still Rebbe have been the central influence able to have a beautiful Bris for our baby. in your absorbing deep messages of For that alone we are forever grateful. Judaism that you can use as guidance Congratulations on your new addition as on the path. These classes are certainly well. deepening my path.
Thank you so much for the wonderful I used the link you sent this morning Shabbat Care Package. Beautifully done, and listened carefully to the class from as all Chabad El Paso does. My Shabbat Tuesday evening. I appreciate how each will be extra special. class logically builds an understanding by adding detail to detail. There is a Thank you for the Chanukah bag of logical development of thought and treats. Thank you, Rabbi Greenberg, for connectedness to the details. And each In This Issue your articles in the newspaper so maybe class leads to a clear conclusion that more people will understand our ancient includes practical application in each of Yud Shevat...... p 1 and wonderful religion. our lives. is published by At this point I am anticipating that The Rabbi’s Message...... p 2 Best wishes for success, health & CHABAD LUBAVITCH imparting wisdom in your new “home.” I will be able to join via Zoom to the OF EL PASO Mazel Tov...... p 2 JLI 6 classes beginning in February and hopefully some of the Tuesday and 6516 Escondido Drive ...Your classes have become very From Our Mailbox...... p 2 important to me. They inspire me Sunday classes before that. Until then I El Paso, Texas 79912 and take me to even deeper depths of appreciate access to the recordings. (915) 584-8218 A Message from the Lubavitcher Rebbe...p 3 Judaism. Although I am usually quite a [email protected] communicator, I felt speechless at the end Thank you for sharing this [pre Chabad Tomorrow...... p 3 of the 6 week classes [of the JLI course Shabbat] message with me. I shall read Director entitled Secrets of the Bible]. My eyes it many times to always remember the Chabad Pillars 2020...... p 4 message. RABBI YISRAEL GREENBERG Editor Chabad In Photos...... p 5 ADVERTISE IN THE EL PASO CHABAD TIMES RABBI LEVI GREENBERG Rabbi’s Blog...... p 6 Reach every Jewish household in El Paso The Chabad Times is published Raffle Ticket...... p 6 five times a year for the Jewish ADVERTISING OPTIONS Holidays. Your Purim Guide...... p 7 Business Card $100 Half Page $500 Chabad of El Paso does not certify Double Business Card $180 Full Page $700 the kashrut of its advertisers. JLI Journey of the Soul...... p 8 Call Chabad at 915-584-8218 to place your ad now! Shevat - Adar 5781 | January - February 2021 The El Paso CHABAD TIMES Page 3
A Message from the Lubavitcher Rebbe No Need to Worry upright. And when one conducts himself innermost soul you most definitely according to the directives of the Torah, trust that G‑d watches over you. All this is the good path, and such conduct you need to do is to bring forth this in itself helps a person to go ahead with thought from within your soul to your all his affairs in a way that is good for day-to-day life. After all, “there is him. nothing that stands in the way of the As in all matters of faith, the above- will.” mentioned principle likewise requires As was said above, the way to neither intellectual argumentation nor accomplish this is not by profound profound and complex philosophical intellectual debate, but by relying on proofs. For every individual of the your inner feeling that you place your Children of Israel, man or woman, trust in G‑d — not by seeking out senses in his soul that he truly has faith doubts, nor by creating problematic — even when he is not thinking about queries that are not at all problematic whether this principle is correct or and in fact do not trouble you. Averting Blessings and Greetings! not only in public matters, but also whether it is a rational imperative. As the your attention from all of this will no You write of your state of mind, in his private affairs. This concept Sages affirm, all Jews are “believers, the doubt help you to rid yourself easily in which you find it difficult to make enables us to understand the principle descendants of believers.” This means of all the confusing factors that have decisions on any matter and remain in of trusting in the One Who conducts that the faith that is within them, both been spoken of. doubt as to whether you are doing as the world and Who is the essence of in their own right and as a heritage from It would be advisable that before you ought, and so on. good, for accordingly, everything is their forebears who were believers, and the morning prayers on weekdays, In view of your upbringing, of also for the good, plainly and simply. all the spiritual properties that became a few times a week, you set aside a which you write, there is certainly Every believer’s mind, too, theirs in their own right and also as a few cents to be donated for tzedakah no need for me to emphasize the understands that the first direct heritage, — this faith and these spiritual — preferably on Mondays and subject of Divine Providence, a result of this trust is that there is no properties are utterly strong within them Thursdays and on the eve of Shabbos. fundamental principle in our faith and worry and no confusion. For when a all. This is self-explanatory. And it goes without saying that such in our Torah, the Torah of Life. The person is weighing in his mind what I hope that these lines of mine, limited an undertaking should be made meaning of this concept, hashgachah he should decide and how he should as they are in quantity, will suffice to without a formal vow. peratis, is straightforward — that G‑d, act, at that time, too, G‑d is watching rouse your thoughts and to guide you With blessings for a strengthening Who created and directs the world, over him and helping him, helping all toward the truest and innermost point of your bitachon and for good news watches over every man and woman, those who desire what is good and within your own self — that in your regarding all the above, Page 4 The El Paso CHABAD TIMES Shevat - Adar 5781 | January - February 2021 Shevat - Adar 5781 | January - February 2021 The El Paso CHABAD TIMES Page 5 Chanukah Family Festival Page 6 The El Paso CHABAD TIMES Shevat - Adar 5781 | January - February 2021 From the Rabbis’ Blog www.chabadelpaso.com/blog Dedicated by Northeast Feed What Ten Months Can Do swine flu pandemic happened. But Egypt within hours of Moshe arriving humanity’s collective memory forever. after 10 months of unprecedented with the promise of redemption? The COVID era is unique in the fact global disruption, you can be sure the Imagine Jews in Auschwitz were that people everywhere experienced its COVID era will be seared into the told that G-d would first patiently disruptions personally. But aside from collective memory of humanity for a afflict their oppressors for 10 months the devastating pain, loss and financial very long time. and only then take them out of the ruin it wrought, it also revealed the The weekly Torah reading these barbed wires. They would surely deep reservoirs of perseverance past few weeks describes the story of forgo seeing their murderous captors and goodness we all possess. The the exodus from Egypt and specifically suffer and prefer to get out of there outpouring of concern for neighbors, the ten plagues G-d inflicted on the immediately. Why did the exodus friends, community members and Rabbi Levi Greenberg Egyptians for enslaving the Jews. from Egypt need to happen over such complete strangers is simultaneously Remember when local schools Many who are familiar with a long period of time? astonishing and heartening. Many announced they were closing for the story of Exodus don’t realize The 10 plagues were not just a utilized the many extra hours suddenly 2 weeks in March 2020 due to the that more than ten months elapsed punishment for the Egyptians’ sadistic available because of the closures to mysterious novel Coronavirus? Many from when Moshe and Aharon first behavior. They were designed to increase their Torah study and try out thought COVID would disrupt our demanded Pharaoh let the people go disprove their heathen ideology and new Mitzvahs, discovering a new lives for a very short time but here we until they actually left. Each plague prove to them and to the rest of the appreciation for their Judaism. are 10 months later with most local was a one month procedure. For world that G-d is in control of the These past 10 months will reshape schools barely resuming in-person three weeks Moshe warned them of universe. Had the Jews been whisked our lives and the world we live in for instruction and the future is anyone’s the impending plague and each one away from slavery in a matter of hours, generations to come and it is up to us guess. lasted a week. days or even weeks, it would have to choose which part of the experience Imagine the school and business Only after enduring miraculous been big news for a while but forgotten will make its most indelible mark. closures only lasted 2 weeks as harassment for close to a year, Pharaoh almost as quickly as it happened. Only Let’s ramp up the unique positivity initially announced, you can be finally snapped and chased the Jews because Egypt endured more than 10 we can generate specifically during sure we would have forgotten the out of the land in mere hours, which months of divine harassment in such this once-in-a-lifetime situation and virus ever existed by now, just like presents the glaring question: Why a public way did the knowledge of ensure that we can be proud of this most people can’t tell you when the could G-d not whisk the Jews out of G-d’s omnipotence remain seared in era’s lasting effects. 17th Annual Raffle Dear Friend,
Celebrating 34 years of community and friendship, we are filled with a sense of pride and gratitude. Pride in the beautiful community we have become and gratitude to you for partnering with us in this revolutionary endeavor. Your commitment and support is what enables us to reach out to every Jew in the region regardless of social status, background or affiliation. At Chabad we aim to facilitate the spiritual growth of every Jew. To provide opportunities to discover our glorious heritage, the beauty of Torah and mitzvot, at a comfortable pace and in a non-judgmental environment. During these challenging times we have continued our programming online and in socially distant settings to ensure that every Jew have the opportunity to continue to grow in their Judaism and feel part of the community. We are hosting our annual fundraising raffle to help support the many ongoing activities. Please participate by purchasing one or more tickets and become a partner in ensuring a vibrant Jewish future in El Paso. The grand prize is two round trip tickets to Israel ($3,000.00). One (1) ticket - $100.00 | Three (3) Tickets - $250.00 The raffle drawing will be held on February 15, 2021.
Chabad remains dedicated to strengthening Jewish identity, unity and education in El Paso. With much appreciation for your support,
Rabbi Yisrael and Chana Greenberg Rabbi Levi and Shaina Greenberg
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Tel: Signature: Shevat - Adar 5781 | January - February 2021 The El Paso CHABAD TIMES Page 7 Purim – The Story, Celebration and Customs Danger In Exile modern-day heirs. Now, as then, there are evil 4) Eat, Drink and Be Merry Jewish morale was at an all-time low. The schemers who seek to scapegoat the Jewish people Purim should be celebrated with a special Temple in Jerusalem had been destroyed, the and - Heaven forfend - to erase us from the face festive meal on Purim Day, at which family and nation conquered, and for almost 70 years, had of the earth. Each time they rise up to destroy us, friends gather together to rejoice in the Purim been dispersed in foreign lands. The prophesied their schemes are foiled by the miraculous Hand spirit. It is a mitzvah to drink wine or other end of Exile had not materialized, and the blight of of G-d. The most striking example in recent times inebriating drinks at this meal. assimilation had set in. Just then, the enemy arose was the Persian Gulf War that ended victoriously 5) Special Prayers (Al Hanissim, Torah to carry out his evil plans. This time it was Haman. on Purim, 5751 (1991). reading) Descended from the Jew-hating tribe of Amalek, From Redemption to Redemption On Purim we include the Al HaNissim prayer, Haman devised his scheme to solve ‘the Jewish Throughout our history, we have seen miracles. which describes the Purim miracle, in the evening, problem’ once and for all, by annihilating every Jew, Despite centuries upon centuries of persecution, morning and afternoon prayers, as well as in the men, women and children, throughout the world, in we have survived and flourished, by the Grace Grace After Meals. In the morning service there a single day. of G-d. Yet we have remained in exile for nearly is a special reading from the Torah Scroll in the Rallying The Jews 2,000 years, hoping and praying for the final and synagogue (Exodus 17:8-16). And it almost worked. Were it not for Mordechai. complete Redemption - the Redemption that Purim Customs: A descendent of King Saul, and advisor to King will end suffering and exile forever. May the Masquerades and Hamantashen Achashverosh, Mordechai sensed the danger. observance of Purim be a precursor to the coming A time-honored Purim custom is for children Donning sackcloth and ashes, he went to the gate of of Moshiach, our Righteous Redeemer, whose to dress up and disguise themselves - an allusion the palace, crying aloud, rallying the Jews to return imminent arrival will bring about a better life for to the fact that the miracle of Purim was disguised to Torah. His niece, Queen Esther, called for him. all the nations of the world. in natural garments. This is also the significance He told her that she must go to the King and plead Purim Mitzvot behind a traditional Purim food, the hamantash for her people. Officially in disfavor, she feared to Here are the details about the Mitzvot of Purim, - a pastry whose filling is hidden within a three- go, but saw that she had no choice. She undertook how to do them and their significance. cornered crust. a three-day fast of penitence, and called upon the 1) Listen to the Megillah Pre/Post Purim Observances: whole Jewish people to do likewise. Then she went Listen to the reading of the Megillah (the Scroll Torah Reading of “Zachor” to the King. of Esther) twice: once on Purim eve, Thurday On the Shabbat before Purim a special reading Victory night, February 25, and again on Purim day, Friday is held in the synagogue of the Torah section It is a story of great courage and self-sacrifice-- February 26. called Zachor (“Remember”), in which we are first and foremost by Queen Esther and Mordechai, To properly fulfill the mitzvah, it is crucial to enjoined to remember the deeds of (the nation and ultimately by the whole Jewish nation. For hear every single word of the Megillah. of) Amalek (Haman’s ancestor) who sought to throughout the duration of the whole year, not At certain points in the reading where Haman’s destroy the Jewish people. one single Jew chose to convert, even to save his name is mentioned, it is customary to twirl The Fast of Esther life. The nation was awakened to a whole-hearted graggers (Purim noisemakers) and stamp one’s To commemorate the prayer and fasting that return to Torah and mitzvot, and throughout the year feet to “eradicate” his evil name. Tell the children the Jewish people held during the Purim story, we strengthened their faith and observance. And in the that Purim is the only time when it’s a mitzvah to fast on the day before Purim. This year the fast merit of this, they were able to rise up against their make noise! is observed on Thursday, February 25. The fast enemies and destroy them, on the 13th of Adar, 2) Give to the Needy begins at 5:21 am and ends at 6:26 pm. the very day destined for the “final solution.” The Matanot La’evyonim The “Half Coins” Jewish people had shown their true character. They Concern for the needy is a year-round (Machatzit Hashekel) had earned the right to leave Exile, to return to the responsibility; but on Purim it is a special mitzvah It is a tradition to give three coins in “half” Holy Land, and rebuild the Temple. As it was in to remember the poor. denominations - e.g., three half-dollar coins - to those days, so may it be with us today. Each year in Give charity to at least two, (but preferably charity, to commemorate the half-shekel that each fulfilling the special mitzvot of the Purim festival, more) needy individuals on Purim day, February Jew contributed as his share in the communal we reaffirm our commitment to the eternal values 26. offerings in the time of the Holy Temple. This of the Torah... and we share in the very same merit The mitzvah is best fulfilled by giving directly custom, usually performed in the synagogue, is that redeemed the Jewish people in the days of to the needy. If, however, you cannot find poor done on the afternoon of the “Fast of Esther,” or Mordechai and Esther. people, place at least two coins into a charity box. before the reading of the Megillah. Purim - Then and Now As with the other mitzvot of Purim, even small Shushan Purim One of the Purim mitzvot is the reading of children should fulfill this mitzvah. In certain ancient walled cities - Jerusalem the Megillah - the Scroll of Esther, in which the 3) Send Food Portions to Friends is the primary example - Purim is observed not miracle of Purim is recounted. The Talmud tells us Mishloach Manot on the 14th of Adar (the date of its observance that “whoever reads the Megillah backwards does On Purim we emphasize the importance of everywhere else) but on the 15th of Adar. This not fulfill his obligation.” Our Sages explain that Jewish unity and friendship by sending gifts of is to commemorate that fact that in the ancient “backwards” does not only mean in reverse order; food to friends. walled city of Shushan, where the battles it also means that whoever reads the Megillah On Purim day, February 26, send a gift of at between the Jews and their enemies extended for merely as ancient history has missed the point. The least two kinds of ready-to-eat foods (e.g., pastry, an additional day, the original Purim celebration Purim story is directly relevant to our contemporary fruit, beverage), to at least one friend on Purim day. was held not on the 14th but on the 15th of Adar. world. As the Megillah itself tells us, that when we Men should send to men and women to women. It The 15th of Adar is thus called “Shushan celebrate Purim each year, the miraculous events of is preferable that the gifts are delivered via a third Purim” and is a day of joy and celebration also in Purim are “remembered and reenacted” in our lives. party. Children, in addition to sending their own those places where it is not observed as the actual Haman, Then and Now gifts of food to their friends, make enthusiastic Purim. One does not have to look far to find Haman’s messengers.
C e l e b r a t e P u r i m I n S t y l e !
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