B”H

THEWEEKLY MAGAZINE SHUL

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

SHABBOS PARSHAS PINCHAS TAMMUZ 18 - 19 JULY 10 - 11 CANDLE LIGHTING: 7:58 PM SHABBOS ENDS: 8:54 PM

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

NACHAS AT A GLANCE CONTENTS CAMP GAN ISRAEL AT THE SHUL WEEK TWO Weekly Message: 3 MORE PICS ON PAGE 27 Thoughts on the Parsha - Rabbi Sholom D. Lipskar Celebrating Shabbos: 4 - 5 Schedules, classes, articles & more... Everything you need for an “Over the Top” Shabbos experience Community Happenings: 6 -7 Sharing with your Shul Family 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 - 21 Bringing Torah lessons to LIFE

French Connection 22 Reflexions sur la Paracha Latin Link 23 Reflexion Semanal In a Woman’s World 24 Issues of relevance to the Jewish woman

Networking 25 Efective Advertising

Numbers To Know 26 Contacts at The Shul Get The Picture 27 - 28 The full scoop on all the great events around town

QUOTABLE QUOTE “The best way of breaking down barriers between people or communities is through simple, unforced acts of kindness. One act can undo years of estrangement.”

The Home We Build Together, p.132 THOUGHTS ON THE PARSHA FROM RABBI SHOLOM LIPSKAR SHABBOS PARSHAS PINCHAS

earest Community A major torch to bring this light as quickly as possible is the Family, Rebbe’s campaign for every single Jew, Man Woman and Child to participate in the common study of Rambam that DAs we entered the three- encompasses the entire Torah in a very meaningful way. week period of sadness commemorating the The Rambam/Maimonides wrote a compilation and destruction of both of our synopsis of the entire written and oral law in the most Temples and many other systematic fashion, available to every single person in two calamities, reading the texts. One is an exposition of all 613 precepts detailed in his portion of Pinchas it is a magnum opus Mishnah Torah, and the other a short, very good time to reflect and to concise description of each Mitzvah in his Book of Mitzvot, raise ourselves to higher describing each of the 248 positive Commandments and levels. The Torah tells us that 365 prohibitions and their source in the Torah. in every generation when the Temple is not rebuilt, it 39 years ago, the Rebbe initiated this significant project with as if it is destroyed at that moment before our eyes. If we hundreds of thousands of people around the world studying would be deserving, it would be immediately built again as Rambam each day. G-d does not hold back on that which He promises us. For those who can study three chapters per day, you can Our portion of Pinchas opens our eyes to a bright future as finish the entire Rambam in one year. For those who only the Jewish people are again counted and prepared to actually can study one chapter per day, it will take three years, inherit the Holy Land that has been set aside for them since and for those who can take a few minutes every day even the beginning of creation, as promised to Abraham. We children can study the Book of Mitzvot and also finish the read about Jewish women being recognized in their proper, entire book in one year. equal role as partners in the Holy Land as Jewish leadership continues from Moses to Joshua. A specific calendar is available that addresses all three opportunities, and texts are also available both in print and In these last moments of exile as we prepare for our final online that can make the study available and accessible in a redemption, I want to share with you a very important very easy way. learning program initiated by the Moses of our times, our Rebbe, in which I am strongly encouraging every member of As our community, thank G-d, has grown in so many our community to participate. ways, we are taking this opportunity to participate in this significant project starting immediately as the new cycle is As we continue to adjust to the various conditions that beginning tomorrow. impact our lives, we are constantly searching for ways to enhance the quality of our living in every way spiritually There will be classes available on Zoom and for any questions and materially. Especially as we commemorated the 17th or assistance in participation you can please call any one of of Tammuz when we historically faced the most difficult the Shul’s Shluchim. challenges, from the beginning of our formal induction as Almighty G-d‘s chosen children, the Nation of Israel, at I hope and pray that we all will take this in a serious way Mount Sinai when we transgressed with the golden calf, until as it will definitely bring blessings and merit to all of us today as our Holy Temple remains in its state of destruction collectively and individually, materially and spiritually, and we are still in exile, waiting for the final redemption with with all that we need to make our lives filled with health, Moshiach, we are able to see the transformative power of happiness, success and peace of mind and soul. Torah and Mitzvot as we move ever closer to the Messianic era. Wishing you only the best, with Torah greetings and blessings, Our Rebbe, the formidable leader of the Jewish people of our generation, stood at the forefront of this objective and mission to transform the darkness to light and to bring the world to its proper holistic state, ready to be an abode to Almighty G-d and welcome Moshiach. Rabbi Sholom D. Lipskar

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

Next Week: Shabbos Parshas Matos - Massei Candle Lighting 7:56 p.m. SHABBOS SCHEDULE Mincha 8:00 p.m.

Candle lighting 7:58 p.m. Eruv Information Mincha / Kabalas Shabbos 8:00 p.m. 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 Shacharis 1st Minyan 8:30 a.m. 305- 866-ERUV (3788). Shacharis 2nd Minyan 10:30 a.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 Mincha 7:45 p.m. beach. Pushing strollers and carrying is permitted on the paths, but not beyond the path or onto the Pirkei Avos Chapter 6 After Mincha beach. Shabbos Ends / Ma’ariv & Havdalah 8:54 p.m. Bal Harbour: The Eruv in Bal Harbour included the inner (western) walking path only. The pier at Haulover Cut is not included.

ALL MINYANIM ARE FOR MEMBERS ONLY!! To pay your annual dues visit: www. miamibeacheruv.com

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

4 ALL THINGS MESSAGE FROM RABBI MASSRI “Pinchas, son of Elazar, son of Aharon the Kohen, turned back My wrath from upon Bnei Yisrael, when he zealously SEPHARDIC avenged Me among them, so I did not consume Bnei Yisrael in My vengeance. Therefore, say, Behold! I give (SEE PAGE 8 FOR INFORMATION ON HOW TO REGISTER) him My covenant of shalom” (Numbers 25:11-12)

After Pinchas acted with zealotry by killing Zimri and Kozbi, SHABBAT SCHEDULE he was rewarded by G-d with the “Covenant of Peace”. FRIDAY NIGHT JULY 10 Aharon HaCohen- famously cited as Pinchas paternal MINCHA/ARVIT AT THE SHUL: 7:00 PM grandfather at the start of the Sedra - is described as both EARLIEST CANDLE LIGHTNING: 6:50 PM (Ohev Shalom) “the Lover of Peace” and (“Rodef Shalom”) “the pursuer of peace”. The Brisker Rav says that we might REGULAR CANDLE LIGHTING: 7:57 PM have expected that G-d’s reward to Pinchas would be “My SHKIAH (SUNSET): 8:15 PM Covenant of Zealotry or Bravery” but why, after killing what seemed like in “cold blood,” was he rewarded by G-d with TZET HAKOCHAVIM: 8:58 PM the “Covenant of Peace”? He answered that sometimes the real act of peace (of making peace between G- d and the SHABBAT, JULY 11 children of Israel) needs to be made in ways that appear SHACHARIT AT THE SHUL: 9:00 AM less than peaceful.

NETZ HACHAMA: 6:37 AM The Netziv answers that the Torah rewarded Pinchas by ZMAN KERIAT SHEMA: 9:22 AM ensuring that the natural inclination such actions usually have on those who carry them out- i.e. violence begets CLASS BY RABBI MASSRI: 7:30 PM violence, would not take effect in spite of the fact that his actions were violent and the antithesis of peace. Pinchas MINCHA/ARVIT AT THE SHUL: 7:55 PM would remain a peace-loving, kind, and compassionate SHKIAH (SUNSET): 8:15 PM man. Chazal defined G-d’s promise of peace to Pinchas and his descendants as being a personal and individual state of TZET HAKOCHAVIM: 8:54 PM inner being. What is now colloquially referred to as “being RABENU TAM: 9:27 PM at peace with one’s self.”

The Chatam Sofer explains that the act of killing might not be associated with the “Lover of Peace” (Ohev Shalom), but EEDA SCHEDULE it is associated with the “Pursuer of Peace” (Rodef Shalom). The terminology of `Rodef’ in the expression “Rodef SHACHARIT Shalom” is unusual. It seems to have connotations that do KORBANOT: 7:45 AM not fit in with the context of peace. The Chasam Sofer says HODU: 8:00 AM that there are occasions, in order to make peace, a person MINCHA/ARVIT: 8:00 PM must be ”Rodef Shalom” i.e. chase away the peace. There are occasions when the ultimate peace is only achieved CLASSES WITH RABBI MASSRI AT THE SHUL through a temporary act of pursuing (i.e. — chasing away) peace or separating such as Avraham and his nephew Lot CHOK L'YISRAEL: EVERY DAY AFTER SHACHARIT separated in order to have peace between them. HALACHOT SHABBAT: EVERY DAY AT 7:45 PM Shabbat Shalom and stay safe!!! PIRKEI AVOT IN SPANISH: WEDNESDAY AT 7:00 PM Rabbi Yair Massri PARASHAT HASHAVUA: THURSDAY AT 7:00 PM 5 COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS SHARING WITH YOUR SHUL FAMILY

BIRTHDAYS YAHRTZEITS 19 Tammuz Mr. Jonathan Gluck 18 Tammuz Leah bas Yehudit obm 19 Tammuz Mr. Joseph Goldbrenner Mother of Mr. Terence Speyer 19 Tammuz Mr. Dan Goldfarb 19 Tammuz Sisel Klurman obm 20 Tammuz Ms. Sarah Saka Friend of The Shul 20 Tammuz Ms. Ali Ziefer 20 Tammuz Chaya Henya Tzirrel bas Shmuel obm 21 Tammuz Mr. Oliver Bouhnik Mother of Mr. Max Gilinski and 21 Tammuz Mrs. Tila Levi Mother of Ambassador Isaac Gilinski 21 Tammuz Mr. Felix Lichter 20 Tammuz Dovid Avraham ben Yitzchak obm 22 Tammuz Mr. Yossi Berdugo Father of Mrs. Renee Felice Moore 22 Tammuz Ms. Gabriella Davit 21 Tammuz Hadassah bas Tzvi Hirsch obm 22 Tammuz Ms. Tehila Lekach Mother of Mr. Brian Lotkin 22 Tammuz Mrs. Deborah Philipson 21 Tammuz Yitzhak Zev ben Zvi Gad obm 22 Tammuz Mr. Aryeh Rubin Brother of Mr. Edward Rosengarten 22 Tammuz Mr. Benjamin Wolf 22 Tammuz Flora Berdugo obm 23 Tammuz Mr. Abraham Alberto Benacerraf Mother of Mrs. Fortuna Mamane 23 Tammuz Ms. Michla Duchman 23 Tammuz Linda Haya obm 23 Tammuz Rabbi Mendy Duchman Grandmother of Mrs. Sofi Matz 23 Tammuz Mr. Jorge Farago 24 Tammuz Chana bas Mor Tivador obm 23 Tammuz Mrs. Michla Mamane Mother of Mr. Abe Sreter 23 Tammuz Mr. Clement Salama 25 Tammuz Dovid ben Nisan obm 23 Tammuz Mr. Jaime Schapiro Father of Mrs. Alla Weingarten 24 Tammuz Mr. Shlomo Alexander 25 Tammuz Shlomo ben Zecharia obm 24 Tammuz Ms. Danielle Brenner Father of Mrs. Orly Alexander 24 Tammuz Mr. Jacobo Fux 24 Tammuz Mr. Sidney (Shaya) Gordon 25 Tammuz Mr. Sean Segal 25 Tammuz Mrs. Lana R. Weintraub ANNIVERSARIES Dr. & Mrs. Richard and Nathalie Kofer KID’S BIRTHDAYS Mr. & Mrs. Sam and Rivkah Greenwald 23 Tammuz Daniel Biton Mr. & Mrs. Jacob and Hadassah Teshuba 24 Tammuz Sonia Levy Mr. & Mrs. Ighal and Sabrina Goldfarb 25 Tammuz Ari Halberstam 25 Tammuz Samuel Joshua Lichtiger 25 Tammuz Sassona Zohara Lichtiger

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS COMMUNITY NOTICE BOARD Mr. & Mrs. Israel and Chava Elgamil Mr. Tzvi Lipman (30) The Shul camp is currently running from 9:00 am - 3:30 pm For the safety of everyone involved, during camp hours ONLY camp staf and children will be allowed into the building.

6 COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS SHARING WITH YOUR SHUL FAMILY

TAMMUZ LIGHT & POWER THANKS TO OUR DONORS We sincerely thank the following members and supporters of The Shul Light & Power and Wine for Kiddush & Havdalah for donations received between 06/30/20 and 07/06/20 for the month of Tammuz is Kindly Sponsored by We apologize for any errors or omissions that we may have made. Mr. & Mrs. Menahem Banon Mr. & Mrs. Max Lichy Mr. & Mrs. Isaie Bouhadana Mr. Martin Lustgarten Ighal and Sabrina Goldfarb Mr. Uri Bublil Mr. & Mrs. Jacob Motzen Mr. David Charnowitz Ms. Gail Nedelman Dr. Brad Kenneth Cohen Mr. & Mrs. Isser New in honor of their children Rabbi & Mrs. Uri Cohen Mr. & Mrs. Shlomo Peretz Mr. & Mrs. Allen Davoudpour Mr. Ari Propis Dr. & Mrs. Brian Dooreck Mr. & Mrs. Edward Rosengarten “Those who establish Synagogues for prayer and those who come there to Mr. & Mrs. Baruch Dorfman Rabbi & Mrs. Dovi Scheiner pray, those who provide lights for illumination, wine and grape juice for kiddush Mr. & Mrs. Zev Drizin Mr. & Mrs. Mark Schlachet Mr. & Mrs. Simon Falic Mr. & Mrs. Mark Schnapp and havdalah, food for the wayfarers and charity for the needy, and all those Mr. & Mrs. Morris Gad Rabbi & Mrs. Moshe Schneider who occupy themselves faithfully with communal affairs - may The Holy One, Mr. Arturo Garcia Mr. & Mrs. Shea Schneider Mr. Daniel Gielchinsky Mr. & Mrs. Jorge Schvetz blessed be He, give them their reward, remove them from all sicknesses, heal Mr. & Mrs. Jonathan Gilinski Mr. & Mrs. Zalman Shapiro their entire body, pardon all their sins, and send blessing and success to all Mr. Berel Golomb Mr. & Mrs. Bentzy Shemtov Mr. Daniel Gordon Mr. & Mrs. Ezzy Wasserman their endeavors, together with all Israel their brethren; and let us say Amen.” Mr. & Mrs. Levi Green Ms. Edna Pena Werta Mr. & Mrs. David Haccoun Rabbi & Mrs. Aryeh Wuensch Ms. Lydia Hasson Rabbi Yair Massri REFUAH SHLEIMAH Mr. & Mrs. Manuel Jaimovich Mr. Jose Yankelevitch If you have a health update on anyone listed please contact The Shul. We would like to Mr. & Mrs. Paul Jaimovich Ms. Belinda Zaret & Ms. Liv- keep the listing current and remove names of people who have recovered. Ms. Judith Kaplan Tiferet De Vitton MEN WOMEN Mr. & Mrs. Jacky Koenig Mr. & Mrs. Adam Ziefer Yehonatan HaLevi ben Malka Esther Yocheved bas Raizel Mr. & Mrs. Eddy Levi Eliezer ben Sarah Bracha Aharon ben Beylah Shima Leah bas Gittel COMMUNITY NOTICE BOARD Meyer Eliezer ben Sarah Sarah Libke bas Baile Menachem Mendel ben Sara Chana Bayla bas Masha Dearest Community Family, Yehoshua ben Tamara Rina Chaya Miriam bas Leah Our ofces have re-opened and we are so happy that we Isaac Gilbert ben Nelly Esther Bracha are beginning to return to normal, and gradually opening Bentzion ben Nomi Rachel Genya Baila bas Gisela up the minyanim and multiple services that the Shul Margalite Sonia Simcha bat Sultana provides, while following safety and social distancing Eber Avraham ben Fruma Tzipora Pnina bas Slava directives. Esther Feige bas Krandel For regular updates to services and events, please check Shlomo Yaakov ben Chaya Chaya Miriam Yehudit bat our website at www.TheShul.org or call The Shul at Sarah Rochel Chava 305-868-1411. Chaim Zelig Ben Eidel Clara bat Corina Ari ben Na’ama Rivka bat Shoshana Please continue to follow the recommendations of the Tzvi Yitzchak ben Chaya Miriam bat Risha Raizel health authorities, to ensure the safety of our community Chaim Tzvi Hirsch ben Guttel and particularly those who are at greater risk. Classes will continue online for the foreseeable future. The full schedule and instructions how to connect to a class can be found under the Education menu on our website. We look forward to seeing you in person very soon, With very best wishes, The Shul Shluchim and Staf 7 Rabbi & Rebbetzin ב“ה Sholom and Chani Lipskar

Board of Trustees Sidney Feltenstein - Chairman Simon Falic Matias Garfunkel Isaac Gilinski Jaime Gilinski Max Gilinski Saul Gilinski Sam Greenberg Abel Holtz Mike Izak Alberto Kamhazi Shmuel Katz M.D. Leo Kryss Lazer Milstein The ShulRegulations is gradually for reopening Opening for Members only for Shacharis and Mincha Services, Michael Perez Ryan Shapiro Claudio Stivelman with limited seating and strict distancing guidelines. Morris Tabacinic —–—— President You should not come to Shul but pray comfortably at home if you have any of the Steven Dunn following conditions. Vice Presidents We look forward to seeing you in Shul but will require you to follow the Social Distancing Jacob Givner a. Even slightly unwell (fever, coughing, shortness of breath, sore throat or David Wolf guidelines and sniffling)to fill out the online form. The form must be submitted to be allowed Vice President - Oversight Mitchell Feldman b. You have been exposed to someone who is a possible COVID-19 carrier entrance to The Shul. Vice President Development within the past 14 days Associate Rabbi Shul Oversight c. You are experiencing a loss of taste or smell (potential symptoms of Covid- Rabbi Zalman Lipskar 19) Treasurer A mask must be worn at all times and you should bring your own Tallis and Siddur to Eric Stein d. Anyone who has traveled in the past 14 days Financial Treasurer Joel Baum CPA e. You have any underlying health issues that put you at greater risk i.e. heart Shul, to limit cross-contamination. You can find complete guidelines and the registration Secretary disease, diabetes, immune-compromised, respiratory issues, obesity and so Dovid Duchman form on The Shul website www.TheShul.org Associate Secretary on). Velvel Freedman f. Adults over 65 – this group has shown the greatest susceptibility to the virus, ———— please consult your physician to make sure that he feels that it’s prudent and Board of Directors Our Shul is an example for other institutions all around South Florida, who observe Carolyn Baumel advisable for you to attend. Your health and safety are paramount. Max Benoliel Betzalel Camissar the way we are reopening and use our guidelines and protocols. We need to lead by Barry Cohen While in Shul, masks MUST be worn at all times. No exceptions. As supplies are limited Boruch Duchman Henry Eichler exampleplease and bring comply your withown masks,all the if rulespossible. and regulations. We are serious about keeping Anita Givner Sam Greenwald our members safe and anyone who does not respect our protocols will not be allowed Sharon Hakmon Please disinfect your hands with the provided hand sanitizers before entering the Shul. Albert Lichy Alexander Matz on the premises. Ezzi Rappaport Elliot Rimon There will be bathroom attendants to open the doors and allow one person in at a time. Yaacov Saidof Seth Salver Alex Tauber These Inguidelines order to be areable into adhereplace toto theensure Social our Distancing safety. parameters, Please respect we will the need positions to put ———— severely limit the number of congregants in any room. Cantor forth by our medical and Rabbinic guides. If these guidelines are not adhered to, the Chazan Yaakov Motzen Associate Cantor Rabbi Betzalel Camissar One should bringShul their may own Tallisnot have and Siddurthe ability to Shul, to toremain limit cross open. contamination. ————

Director of Operations While in Shul we will need to maintain a 10 foot distance from anyone not part of your Shlomi Katan ______Thequarantined safety of ourfamily. community We will arrange depends the seatson you, to ensure so please that this adhere is complied to all with.conditions When

Special Projects the regular Shul is filled to capacity, an auxiliary minyan will be added in the Social Hall. Devorah Leah Andrusier and directives. ————

The Meyer Youth Center Reading of the Torah and all other functions will follow halachic guidelines, as instructed Rabbi Shaykee Farkash ———— by the Gaboyim.

The Shul Child Enrichment CenterWe thank you all for your continued cooperation and look forward to a successful Chana Lipskar ______Children under Bar Mitzvah or Bat Mitzvah are not permitted in the Shul at this time. (We reopening and returning to our regular schedule as soon as we can. Rohr Community Kolel are trying to be creative in arranging for a special service just for children and will be in & Kolel Levi Yitzchok Academy for the Elderly contact if this can be realized). Rabbi Dov Schochet ————

Chaim Yakov Shlomo No kiddushim will be held. College of Jewish Studies Smicha Program THE SHUL Rabbi Dov Schochet No food or drink of any kind is allowed to be brought into the Shul Dr. Nathan Katz ————

Adult Education & Jewish Latin American Connection (JLAC) Rabbi Shea Rubinstein ————

Sisterhood Cara Roller - President “An Institution of The Lubavitcher Rebbe, Menachem M. Schneerson (May his merit shield us) ” ———— Serving The Communities of Bal Harbour ∙ Bay Harbor Islands ∙ Indian Creek ∙ Surfside

9540 Collins Avenue, Surfside, Florida 33154 ● Tel (305) 868-1411 ● Fax (305) 861-2426 ● www.TheShul.org 8 DAILY STUDY A COMPLETE GUIDE TO ALL CLASSES AND COURSES OFFERED AT THE SHUL HTTPS://ZOOM.US/ 6457054016

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

To our beloved Soldiers in the Israeli Defense HALACHIC TIMES Forces, courageously protecting and defending BASED ON TIMES FOR JULY 15 Eretz Yisroel. We pray for you and all of the soldiers safety and well being daily.

Alot Hashachar / Dawn 5:16 am Menachem Mendel ben Chaya Leah Earliest Talit & Tefllin 5:52 am Daniella Malka bat Natanya Netz Hachamah / Sunrise 6:39 am Menachem Mendel ben Aurit Eden Chana bat Karine Cecile (Earliest Amidah) Benyamin Aharon ben Jeniya Gila Rut Latest Shema 10:00 am Zman Tfllah 11:09 am Chatzot / Midday 1:26 pm Earliest Mincha 2:01 pm Plag HaMincha 6:53 pm Shekiah / Sunset 8:14 pm (Preferable latest time for Mincha) Tzeit Hakochavim / Nightfall 8:40 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.

9 DAILY WISDOM Inspiring insights on the Torah

Shabbos, 19 Tammuz Sunday, 20 Tammuz

Authority Sacred Speech [G-d instructed Moses to tell the Jewish people,] “You must [G-d instructed Moses to tell the Jewish people,] offer up an ascent-offering [on Sukot] of 13 young bulls “If someone makes a vow to G-d . . . he must not [on the first day] . . . ” Numbers 29:13 violate his word.” Numbers 30:3

If we indulge the “animal” side of our personalities, always The word for “violate” in Hebrew (yacheil) comes giving in to what it insists are its “needs,” it will quickly learn from the word for “profane” or “unholy” (chol). The to assert itself and make increasing demands on us. Instead, we should accustom it to make do with the minimum, while inner meaning of this verse is therefore that we we strive for greater and greater fulfillment in spiritual areas. should not make our words “unholy”; even our On the other hand, if we try to change our animal side too mundane conversation should be imbued with abruptly, it will simply refuse to comply. We must accustom holy intentions and be consistent with the greater it gently and gradually, showing it step by step how spiritual purpose of Creation, making a home for G-d in this fulfillment is even more satisfying than material satisfaction. world. Once our material drives have been trained in this way, we can make a quantum leap and wean them entirely of their material orientation, just like the quantum leap from the last day of Sukot to Shemini Atzeret, when the number of bulls offered up drops from seven to one. Tuesday, 22 Tammuz

Moderating Asceticism The descendants of Reuben and Gad had an abundance of livestock. Numbers 32:1 Monday, 21 Tammuz These two tribes wanted to live as shepherds Moses is not Enough Eleazar the priest said to the soldiers returning from battle . because this occupation is conducive to a . . Numbers 31:21 meditative lifestyle. Moses initially opposed their proposal, since he knew that until the Messianic Ritual defilement is a spiritual condition that surrounds the object, Era, it is G-d’s intention that we confront the while forbidden food physically penetrates into the object. Thus, a physical world – and even combat it when vessel that has absorbed forbidden food needs to be purged of it by necessary – in order to refine it and elevate it. being immersed in boiling water or heated until white-hot, whereas a vessel that has been ritually defiled needs only to be immersed Moses only agreed after stipulating that they first in a ritual pool (mikveh), whose waters merely surround the vessel help their brethren conquer the Land of Israel. from without. The experience of confronting the material world would ensure that their subsequent return to Moses looked at reality from the higher, Divine perspective. He felt shepherding would not be an escape from reality. that an overall change in a person’s attitude would affect all aspects of their life, down to the minutest details; therefore, purification from ritual defilement should be sufficient. Eleazar, however, Similarly, we should not view the time we are inherited the outlook of his father, Aaron. Looking at reality from forced to spend in the mundane world, elevating the earthly perspective, he knew that sweeping, overall changes and refining it, as an annoying nuisance. Rather, are not enough; we must work on the details as well. we should view it firstly as our true Divine mission, and secondly, as the key to ensuring Similarly, our inner Moses might tell us that it is enough to correct that we study the Torah, pray, and perform G-d’s the past by making sweeping, general resolutions. We must therefore also make sure to listen to our inner Aaron or Eleazar commandments with pure and proper intentions. in order to ensure that we take all the necessary steps to purify ourselves of crippling negativity.

10 Wednesday, 23 Tammuz

Life’s Journeys These are the journeys. . . . Numbers 33:1

The founder of Chasidism, Rabbi Yisrael Ba’al Shem Tov, taught that these 42 journeys correspond to the 42 spiritual journeys that we make throughout our lives. We begin from birth, just as the Exodus from Egypt is the Jewish people’s national birth. The final journey is to the spiritual Promised Land, the life that awaits us in the afterlife.

Although some of the intervening journeys in the Jewish people’s trek through the desert were accompanied by setbacks, all the stations on our spiritual journey through life are meant to be holy and positive. If we choose good over evil, we will indeed live through these phases of life in the way G-d intends. If, like the Jewish people in the desert, we make some wrong choices, we will experience them as temporary setbacks. Although at every step in the journey of life, we strive to make the right choices, we should also recognize that even setbacks can be transformed into positive, growth experiences.

Thursday, 24 Tammuz Friday, 25 Tammuz

Seizing the Day Ambassadors of Love This is the land that will fall to you [by lot] as an inheritance. [G-d instructed Moses,] “The cities you must Numbers 34:2 give the Levites must [include] the six cities of refuge.” Numbers 35:6 The use of the verb “to fall” (tipol) to describe how the Land of Israel becomes ours teaches us an important lesson. The reason why Levite cities served also as cities of refuge was because the Levites’ lives were the The fact that we are obligated to perform certain commandments antithesis of unintentional murder. The murderer’s only within the Land of Israel alludes to the fact that we can perform confinement to these cities therefore served to G-d’s commandments and elevate material reality only during our neutralize the effect of his crime. physical lifetime. We do not have this opportunity before and after our souls are within our bodies, even though our souls are alive Unintentional murderers were liable to the death before birth and live on after death. penalty only if the murder was the result of their negligence. Negligence that can result in another person’s death is a blatant disregard for other people’s welfare. This insensitivity toward other people is diametrically opposed to the ideals of brotherhood exemplified by the Levites. The Levites’ role is to connect the Jewish people with G-d – through the Tabernacle (and Temple) service – and to connect them with one another, by teaching them the Torah.

Similarly, all of us can learn from and emulate the Levites. We should all strive to enhance our own connection to our fellow human beings, their connection to each other, and their connection to G-d, so that we always take care to ensure that no physical or spiritual harm come to another person.

11 PARSHA MESSAGES PARSHAS PINCHAS MOSES’ DISSAPOINTMENT By Rabbi Jonathan Sacks

idden beneath the surface of Parshat your brother Aaron was . . .” unusually, is written above the line, Pinchas the sages uncovered a story as a superscription. The Talmud says of great poignancy. Moses, having The italicized words are seemingly that the nun was added to avoid Hseen his sister and brother die, knew redundant. G-d was telling Moses besmirching the name of Moses that his own time on earth was coming he would soon die. Why did He need himself, by disclosing that his grandson to a close. He prayed to G-d to appoint a to add, “as your brother Aaron”? On had become an idolatrous priest. successor: “May the L-rd, G-d of the spirits this the Midrash says: this teaches of all mankind, appoint a man over this us that Moses wanted to die the How are we to explain Moses’ apparent community to go out and come in before way Aaron did. The Ktav Sofer failure with his own children and them, one who will lead them out and bring explains: Aaron had the privilege grandchildren? One suggestion made them in, so the L-rd’s people will not be like of knowing that his children would by the sages was that it had to do sheep without a shepherd.” follow in his footsteps. Elazar, his with the fact that for years he lived in son, was appointed as High Priest in Midian with his father-in-law Jethro There is, though, an obvious question. his lifetime. To this day cohanim are who was at the time an idolatrous Why does this episode appear here? It direct descendents of Aaron. Moses priest. Something of the Midianite should surely have been positioned seven likewise longed to see one of his influence re-appeared in Jonathan chapters earlier, either at the point at which sons, Gershom or Eliezer, take his three generations later. G-d told Moses and Aaron that they would place as leader of the people. It was die without entering the land, or shortly not to be. That is the story beneath Alternatively there are hints here thereafter when we read of the death of the story. and there that Moses himself was so Aaron. preoccupied with leading the people It had an aftermath. In the book of that he simply did not have time to The sages sensed two clues to the story Judges we read of a man named attend to the spiritual needs of his beneath the story. The first is that it Micah who established an idolatrous children. For instance, when Jethro appears immediately after the episode in cult in the territory of Ephraim and came to visit his son-in-law after the which the daughters of Zelophehad sought hired a Levite to officiate in the division of the Red Sea, he brought with and were granted their father’s share in shrine. Some men from the tribe him Moses’ wife Tzipporah and their the land. It was this that triggered Moses’ of Dan, moving north to find more two sons. They had not been with him request. A Midrash explains: suitable land for themselves, came until then. upon Micah’s house and seized What was Moses’ reason for making both the idolatrous artefacts and The rabbis went further in speculating this request after declaring the order the Levite, whom they persuaded about the reason that Moses’ own of inheritance? Just this, that when the to become their priest, saying, sister and brother Aaron and Miriam daughters of Zelophehad inherited from “Come with us, and be our father spoke negatively about him. What their father, Moses reasoned: the time is and priest. Isn’t it better that you they were referring to, said the sages, right for me to make my own request. If serve a tribe and clan in Israel as is the fact that Moses had physically daughters inherit, it is surely right that my priest rather than just one man’s separated from his wife. He had done sons should inherit my glory. household?” so because the nature of his role was such that he had to be in a state of The second clue lies in G-d’s words to Only at the end of the story are purity the whole time because at any Moses immediately before he made the we told the name of the idolatrous moment he might have to speak or be request for the appointment of a successor: priest: Jonathan son of Gershom spoken to by G-d. They were, in short, son of Moses. In our texts the complaining that he was neglecting his Then the L-rd said to Moses, “Go up this letter nun has been inserted into own family. mountain of Abarim and see the land I have the last of these names, so that it given the Israelites. After you have seen it, can be read as Menasheh rather A third explanation has to do with you too will be gathered to your people, as than Moses. However, the letter, the nature of leadership itself. 12 Bureaucratic authority – authority in it might become the prerogative of Not everyone succeeded with all their virtue of office – can be passed down the rich. Or because children of great children, not even Abraham or Moses from parent to child. Monarchy is like scholars might take their inheritance or David or Solomon. Not even G-d that. So is aristocracy. So are some for granted. Or because it could lead to himself. “I have raised children and forms of religious leadership, like the arrogance and contempt for others. Or brought them up but they have rebelled priesthood. But charismatic authority because learning itself might become against Me.” – in virtue of personal qualities – a mere intellectual pursuit rather than is never automatically handed on a spiritual exercise (“they do not first Two things rescued the story of Moses across the generations. Moses was a utter a blessing over the Torah”). and his children from tragedy. The prophet, and prophecy depends almost book of Chronicles refers to Gershom’s entirely on personal qualities. That, However, there is a fifth factor worthy son not as Jonathan but as Shevual or incidentally, is why, though kingship of consideration. Some of the greatest Shuvael, which the rabbis translated as and priesthood in Judaism were male figures in Jewish history did not “return to G-d.” In other words, Jonathan prerogatives, prophecy was not. There succeed with all their children. Abraham eventually repented of his idolatry and were prophetesses as well as prophets. fathered Ishmael. Isaac and Rebecca became again a faithful Jew. However In this respect Moses was not unusual. gave birth to Esau. All twelve of Jacob’s far a child has drifted, he or she may in Few charismatic leaders have children children stayed within the fold, but the course of time come back. who are also charismatic leaders. three of them – Reuben, Shimon and Levi – disappointed their father. Of The other is hinted at in the genealogy A fourth explanation offered by the Shimon and Levi he said, “Let my soul in Numbers 3. It begins with the words, sages was quite different. On principle, not enter their plot; let my spirit not “These are the children of Aaron and G-d did not want the crown of Torah to unite with their meeting.” On the face Moses,” but goes on to list only Aaron’s pass from parent to child in dynastic of it, he was dissociating himself from children. On this the rabbis say that succession. Kingship and priesthood them. Nonetheless, the three great because Moses taught Aaron’s children did. But the crown of Torah, they said, leaders of the Israelites throughout the they were regarded as his own. In belongs to anyone who chooses to take exodus – Moses, Aaron and Miriam – general, “disciples” are called “children.” hold of it and bear its responsibilities. were all children of Levi. “Moses commanded us the Torah as We may not all have children. Even if we an inheritance of the congregation Solomon gave birth to Rehoboam, do, we may, despite our best endeavors, of Jacob,” meaning that it belongs to whose disastrous leadership divided find them at least temporarily following all of us, not just an elite. The Talmud the kingdom. Hezekiah, one of Judah’s a different path. But we can all leave elaborates: greatest kings, was the father of something behind us that will live Menasheh, one of the worst. Not all on. Some do so by following Moses’ Be careful [not to neglect] the children parents succeed with all their children example: teaching, facilitating or of the poor, because from them Torah all the time. How could it be otherwise? encouraging the next generation. Some goes forth … Why is it not usual for We each possess freedom. We are do so in line with the rabbinic statement scholars to give birth to sons who are each, to some extent, who we chose to that “the real offspring of the righteous scholars? become. Neither genes nor upbringing are good deeds.” can guarantee that we become the R. Joseph said: so that it should not be person our parents want us to be. Nor When our children follow our path said that the Torah is their inheritance. is it right that parents should over- we should be grateful. When they go impose their will on children who have beyond us, we should give special R. Shisha, son of R. Idi said: so that they reached the age of maturity. thanks to G-d. And when they choose should not be arrogant towards the another way, we must be patient, community. Often this is for the best. Abraham did knowing that the greatest Jew of all not become an idolater like his father time had the same experience with Mar Zutra said: because they act Terach. Menasheh, the archetypal evil one of his grandchildren. And we must highhandedly against the community. king, was grandfather to Josiah, one never give up hope. Moses’ grandson of the best. These are important facts. returned. In almost the last words R. Ashi said: because they call people Judaism places parenthood, education of the last of the prophets, Malachi donkeys. and the home at the heart of its values. foresaw a time when G-d “will turn the One of our first duties is to ensure that hearts of the fathers to their children, Rabina said: because they do not first our child know about and come to love and the hearts of the children to their utter a blessing over the Torah. our religious heritage. But sometimes fathers.” The estranged will be reunited we fail. Children may go their own way, in faith and love. In other words, the “crown of Torah” which is not ours. If this happens to us was deliberately not hereditary because we should not be paralyzed with guilt. 13 THE THREE WEEKS SEARCHING FOR G-D Can “hide and seek” work if the seeker stops searching? From the talks of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson

any Jews are dejected, angels, we are like humans; and if our exhausted by the difficulty of ancestors were like humans, then we exile. And their discontent is are like donkeys—and not even like Mjustified—ad matai (how long must the donkey of Rabbi Pinchas ben Yair.” we wait)?! . . . And then He demands of us that we should constantly search . . . Sunday There is a well-known analogy which we must search . . . Monday we must chassidim repeat in the name of the search . . . Maggid, Rabbi Dov Ber of Mezeritch, that compares exile to a father And when we search through the holy who conceals himself from his son. books for an explanation, we find Certainly, the father desires to be that the Talmud explicitly says, “All together with his son; the purpose the designated times [for Moshiach’s of the concealment is only to awaken arrival] have already passed, and within the son a desire and yearning now [his arrival] is contingent only to find his father. After all, when the on teshuvah (repentance).” And it son is constantly in the presence of is a clear halachah that through his father, his desire to be with his thinking a single thought of teshuvah father is not revealed, for “continuous one becomes a tzaddik (righteous pleasure is not pleasure.” person)—and there is no Jew who the Father is hiding. hasn’t thought penitential thoughts, There arises a situation, however, not once, but many times! when the son ceases searching for the Practically speaking: The son doesn’t Father . . . He claims that “the signs [of think about G-d; he thinks about So, how can one register a complaint our redemption] we have not seen . . . worldly matters. True, he does against a mortal of flesh and blood and there is none among us who know everything in a kosher manner, as who is finite and limited—this is how long [the exile will last].” He, dictated by the Code of Jewish Law; how he was created by G-d; it is not therefore, concludes that G-d must he even studies Torah properly. But his fault!—how can one criticize him have forsaken him; he loses hope and he has stopped thinking about the for not constantly thinking about discontinues his search for G-d.When Giver of the Torah or about conducting the redemption . . . it is not possible the Father sees that the son is no business honestly, because he has . . . G-d Himself says, “I ask only longer seeking Him . . . then the exile forgotten that G-d alone is the one commensurate to one’s capabilities,” truly begins who “gives you the strength to amass but He has not given us the strength wealth.” . . . When the Father sees that the son is no longer seeking Him . . . then the And when criticized, the son responds, Therefore we must increase in light— exile truly begins. For as long as the “Why do you complain to me? . . . The and not just any light, but specifically son is searching for the Father, as long complaint should be directed to G-d . . the light of simchah (joyousness). as the search for redemption occupies . How long can we sit in exile? . . .” Since simchah “breaks all boundaries the son, this constitutes a preparation, and limitations,” it breaks through the a beginning and a spark of the Indeed, it is true that the father must person’s limitations, the limitations redemption. But when the son stops conceal himself from his son in order of this world, and the limitations searching, then we have the fulfillment to awaken within him a yearning for imposed by this dreadful darkness . . . of the verse, “I will conceal, indeed I his father… But what should the son will conceal, My face on that day.” The do when the father places him in an Baal Shem Tov explains that the verse incredible darkness? . . . And especially thus implies the concealment itself is if the son is on such a low level, as concealed, for the son is unaware that it says, “If our ancestors were like 14 was amiss. I was almost afraid to ask, TEMPORARY but couldn’t contain my curiosity.

Turns out a major customer had gone SETBACK bankrupt overnight; left him with a huge By Elisha Greenbaum unpaid back-order and warehouses of overstock.

esterday I was making my Though I tried to summon some rabbinical rounds around the area; platitudes of comfort, he was having visiting various businessmen, nothing of it. “I started off with nothing,” Ychatting with them and offering them he declared, “G-d blessed me till now, the opportunity to put on tefillin with and this is just a temporary setback. maybe a short Torah thought thrown in Gives me the opportunity to try some for their trouble. other products, take the company in a whole new direction.” One of my regular stops has always impressed with the cheerful attitude I am in awe of his determination and taking his rightful seat at a new table. of the owner and the atmosphere of focus. It reminds me of the explanation And with that determination and industry that is always buzzing around brought in the classic book of Tanya to attitude, how could he not succeed? the joint. Here was a place, I used to the verse “For a righteous man may think, with a well thought-out business fall seven times, and yet he rises”: Man At this time of year our focus is model, led by an entrepreneur with is obliged to constantly reach for new on commemorating the national vision, working to his plan, and rightly heights. One who is static may not calamity that has been our lot over enjoying his much-deserved success. fall, but will definitely not rise. Even the two thousand odd years since someone content to take finite, baby the destruction of the Temple. We Yesterday was a shock: Instead of steps wouldn’t abandon his former fast and pray in an effort to persuade the usual sight of workers cheerfully level before establishing a foothold on G-d to redeem us and build us a third, gossiping as they packed the product, the next. Only someone who has the permanent, Temple. The setbacks we instead of well-lit administration energy and imagination to attempt to as a nation have suffered are not just offices throbbing with paper-pushing fly needs to “fall,” if only in comparison some cosmic joke played out on us and phone-orders, the place was like with his previous level. by an unfeeling, malicious Divinity; a ghost town. A couple of desultory rather they have been the longest and menials listlessly sealing a half-empty Just as before attempting to jump, greatest training run in history, forcing container, lights dimmed all over the one bends one’s knees; lowering us to build up our stamina for the place, a skeleton crew of secretarial oneself, if you will, in order to achieve blastoff that lies ahead. staff filing their nails; light years from maximum elevation on takeoff, so, what I have come to expect. too the temporary road-humps on our Only a people who have suffered as path through life are really G-d’s ramp, we have, can anticipate a payoff of In all this frenetic hive of inaction, one helping us shoot into the stratosphere. the magnitude that we deserve. The exception stood out like the beacon of vicissitudes of fate have toughened light which shone from his office: the In spirituality, your finite previous self and tempered us, awakened us to look owner; shirt sleeves way up his biceps, actually hinders your progress, and for new opportunities, and guaranteed piles of papers sliding around the desk if you aspire to mature you must first us a future of redemption and and a phone welded to his ear. purge yourself of your previous level. happiness, beyond even our overloaded The same is true of life. My friend expectations. His face lit up in the usual manner at has faith that this setback is just the my tentative tap on his door. He eagerly opportunity he needed to clear his mind stood to wrap the straps, all the while from the small-stakes he was bidding chitchatting with me as if nothing at all for till now and a chance to focus on

“Whether it was because of Judaism’s strong sense of G-d’s transcendence or our long experience of exile, Jews found G-d in the when rather than the where.”

Faith in the Future

15 STORIES WITH SOUL

ur Sages tell us that the Holy explanation, he scooped up a handful “Whoever has eaten garlic, leave the Temple was destroyed because of sand and placed it in Rabbi Abbahu’s room at once!” he exclaimed. Rabbi of baseless hatred amongst mouth! Judah had such a strong aversion to OJews. The atonement: love of one Jew the odor of garlic that he was unable to for another without any particular Rabbi Abbahu was shocked. What continue teaching. reason. could Rabbi Shimon be thinking to do something like this to him? He couldn’t Rabbi Chiyya Hagadol, one of the Here are two stories illustrating the speak for some time as it was difficult most prominent of all the great rabbis cardinal mitzva of Ahavat Yisroel. to clean his mouth from the gritty sand. present, rose from his place and left When he finally could speak, he turned the House of Study. The students Once the two great Torah Sages, Rabbi to his colleague and asked, “Why did looked at one another in wonder, for it Shimon ben Lakish and Rabbi Abbahu, you do that to me?” was well known to Rabbi Chiyya that students of Rabbi Yochanan, were his teacher disliked the smell of garlic traveling from Tiberias, where the Rabbi Shimon replied, “G-d is pained and he would never have shown such Academy was located, to the city of when anyone speaks ill of the Jewish disrespect for him. Caesarea. people. The Jews are His beloved children, and just as parents love their Fearing that Rabbi Judah would Many students from all over the land of children, even when they disobey suspect his great student, all the other Israel and even from other lands flocked them, G-d also loves His children even students present also rose and left the to the great Torah center of Tiberias, to when they sin, and he doesn’t want to study hall, except for one. study at the feet of the greatest Torah hear bad reports about them. If you see giants of the time. that the Jews are sinning, you should The one who remained was Rabbi rebuke them and help them return to Shimon, Rabbi Judah’s son, who saw Caesarea was an international center the proper paths.” how very upset the entire incident had populated not only by Jews, but also by left his father. the highest echelons of Roman society Rabbi Abbahu accepted this harsh as well -- aristocracy and wealthy lesson from Rabbi Shimon with Rabbi Judah couldn’t bear to think that merchants. humility. He became one of the greatest the learning had stopped for the whole defenders of his people, especially day because of one student. These Romans built beautiful palaces before the Roman rulers. and lived an ostentatious and raucous Rabbi Shimon decided to speak to lifestyle. They enjoyed theaters, sports, Many times he succeeded in persuading Rabbi Chiyya the following day. “It was and the cruel spectacle of wild animal the Roman Emperor to revoke evil your fault that my father interrupted fights in which hapless prisoners were decrees which were so common the lecture and we missed out on a torn limb from limb. during that difficult period. Under his whole day’s learning!” beneficent influence, even Caesarea Sadly, there were Jews who fell under developed into a city where Torah could Rabbi Chiyya replied to him with this the influence of the Romans, attending blossom again. explanation: “You must know that I their theaters and joining in their vulgar would never do anything to upset my entertainments, until some of them ______teacher and master. I certainly would even deserted the path of Torah. never do something which I know he abhors. However, I was concerned Rabbi Abbahu had once lived in The great Sages of the Talmud lived in how the guilty person would be able Caesarea, and the closer he drew to an era of prodigious accomplishments to extricate himself. How embarrassed the city, the more he longed to be in Torah. Life in the great Academies he would be to leave the House of back in the Academy in the company was vibrant with intellectual striving, Study. I knew that if I were to leave, of the Sages. He remembered the but of equal importance was the all the others would follow suit, and unholy atmosphere of Caesarea with students’ development of exemplary the guilty party would then be able to revulsion, and suddenly he wanted to personality traits, such as respect and leave undetected. In spite of the fact turn back to Tiberias. love for one another. that precious Torah learning would be lost, that was preferable to one of my “Perhaps we shouldn’t continue on Once, the senior students of Rabbi colleagues being shamed in front of our trip,” he said to Rabbi Shimon. “The Judah the Prince were gathered around everyone.” city of Caesarea is not the kind of place him listening intently to his lecture. where we should spend our time. There Rabbi Judah suddenly stopped speaking That day Rabbi Shimon learned an are so many Jews who have strayed and gazed around the room, focusing important lesson from Rabbi Chiyya from Torah, it hurts me to see them.” his eyes on each of his students. No -- how important the honor of another Jew should be in one’s own eyes. Suddenly, Rabbi Shimon dismounted one understood what had happened. from his donkey, and without a word of 16 MY ENCOUNTER WITH THE REBBE DO NOT PUSH MRS. SARAH KARMELY

hen I first became Torah observant, my husband gave me a hard time about it. He Wdid not understand why I was suddenly doing some of the things I was doing – to him it seemed I was becoming a different person than the one he had married – and he did not like it.

So I wrote a very self-righteous letter to the Rebbe, complaining, “I’ve decided to keep Torah and my husband won’t cooperate. But isn’t it true that I must do it despite what he says?”

I fully expected the Rebbe to respond, “Yes, you have to do what the Torah commands, no matter what your husband wants.” But the Rebbe did not say that. Instead, he gave me a Sephardi rabbi, one who understood “This is your true fortune … and your two-part answer that basically said: his background and knew how to mission as a role model to all your “Don’t fight with your husband about speak to him about religious matters. acquaintances and all Jewish women,” religion, and find someone to influence the Rebbe wrote, referring to the fact The moment I found such a person him, someone whom he will respect.” that I was then teaching the Laws and took a step back, things started to of Family Purity to newly-religious improve. It was such wise advice, and fully in women in my community in Queens. keeping with the Rebbe’s approach There were further issues to be sure “Therefore, it is impossible that you of finding a positive solution to every will feel fortunate (or even have simple problem. And I wish I had immediately – some quite painful. In fact, there was a point in time that I considered peace of mind) if you separate from done what he said, but it took me a your husband.” while to accept that harmony in the divorce. At one stressful juncture, I wrote to the Rebbe that I couldn’t take home – what Judaism calls Shalom The Rebbe ended that if I was still it anymore. I wanted a husband who Bayit – had to take precedence. unhappy after my last child has grown would accompany me on my journey up and left the home, then we can to become fully Torah observant, not Generally, what happens when a take up this subject again. Meanwhile, one who was fighting me every step wife fights with her husband about he would pray for me at the gravesite of the way. If we divorced, I reasoned, religion? Whether or not he gives in, of the Previous Rebbe. he is not going to like her and he is not all this strife would go away, and we going to like religion, which he will see could both lead happier lives apart Although in hindsight I understand as a divisive force in their marriage. from each other. that the Rebbe knew we would never Furthermore, their children will be get divorced, he executed a brilliant The Rebbe’s response was a very adversely affected when they see psychological maneuver by letting me strongly worded note in which he their parents fighting and they too will think that my request was not rejected pointed out to me that I had gotten identify religion as the cause of the outright, just postponed. tension in the home. married in a religious ceremony, sanctified with the name of G-d. Not This is just how the Rebbe stressed the As for the second part of the Rebbe’s only that, I had been blessed with positive every step of the way. Once advice, I had to accept that I wasn’t children, and therefore had a duty to when I wrote him a very depressed supposed to be my husband’s rabbi raise them in a complete, and not a letter, saying that I don’t know where – I was his wife. He was Sephardi so broken, home. my marriage was going as I was not at the way to reach him was through a all successful in helping my husband 17 to become observant, the Rebbe go to the synagogue downstairs actually tore off the part of the letter where the Rebbe was receiving people My husband ended up becoming where I was badmouthing myself and and handing out booklets of chasidic even more religious than me. But wrote: “You succeeded in the most teachings. his progress came about only after essential areas – running a household I stopped arguing with him about and family according to the Torah … I went running to stand in line, and religion and related to him with love and even your husband is increasing when my turn came, the Rebbe looked and patience, just as the Rebbe was in [his observance of] the Torah and at me sternly and said, “Bangkok with telling me to do. mitzvot from time to time…” your husband.” Today, I give other people the advice Whenever I went to see him, The people standing around asked me, which I first received from the Rebbe, complaining about my husband, he “What is the Rebbe talking about?” and I also tell them what I learned would always put me back on track. by trial and error: If you decide to be But I just said, “Nothing. I get it.” And And he would reassure me, “Don’t observant, it can be hard on your I went to Bangkok with my husband, worry – your husband will get there. spouse. Suddenly, you are a different who was very happy that I did. But Just don’t push and don’t argue.” person than the one he or she then he said to me, “I suppose that I married. That frightens them. And won’t be seeing you for another year.” The Rebbe understood that sooner possibly, they find that you are now or later, my husband was going to That is when I realized how much I looking down on them. So they don’t become Torah observant, but I had had been neglecting my husband. I like it. But, no matter what, you cannot to let him do it at his own pace. I had had thrown myself into trying to help become a holy man or woman at a to relate to him with patience and others come close to Torah which kept cost to your Shalom Bayit. understanding, not with whining or me away from home a great deal of nagging. Most times when things were difficult time. But charity begins at home! and I would ask the Rebbe for help, One summer, I had to decide what to “Give more time to your husband” was he would tell me to do everything to do. Should I go by myself on a vacation what the Rebbe had been trying to tell preserve the harmony of the home, to Israel, where modest dress and me when he told me to go to Bangkok, to do things “in a diplomatic way.” You kosher food would not be an issue? despite the problems of religious can say the same thing in the nice tone Or should I go along with my husband observance that it would pose. or an argumentative tone. You can on a business trip to Bangkok, where present it as “my way or the highway,” all these things would be problem? When I finally and fully implemented or you can present it in a gentle way. When I wrote a note to the Rebbe all of the Rebbe’s advice, his promise This what the Rebbe taught me. about it, I received a response from to me that “everything will work out in the Rebbe’s secretary to immediately the end” was realized.

PEACE

It is the greatest of struggles, but one who makes peace between his ego and his mission in life, he can make peace between the world and its purpose of creation.

Between woman and man.

Between earth and heaven.

18 LAWS OF INTEREST been able to see his wife of 61 years, RECENTLY IN THE NEWS he has been missing her so much that his children came up with a plan to help him see his wife face-to-face again. RUNNING UPHILL When he reached his wife’s room, he Sometimes running uphill is the only way to see the view. placed his hand up on the window and by Sara Debbie Gutfreund held up a sign that read “I love you brother and I had been shopping for sweetheart.” And I thought of all the our parents, who are far younger than hills this couple must have climbed this man, and I wondered what he was over 61 years to get to the place where doing out in the middle of this crowded an 88-year-old man would climb into warehouse. Perhaps he didn’t have a bucket to be raised 30 feet into the children or maybe they just lived far air just to be able to look into his wife’s away. eyes again. Here too was a little piece of greatness. The greatness of years of But as he finished paying for his love. groceries and I was about to move beyond the six-foot tape between Sometimes greatness whispers. us, I noticed that he wasn’t moving These two embodiments of gratitude uring the coronavirus I’ve been forward. Above his mask, his eyes and love reminded me of a story I running on the same path every looked misty and though his voice was saw recently of a teacher asking her day. It’s close and not crowded. muffled, I could clearly hear him say students to list the Seven Wonders DBut one of the reasons why it’s not to the cashier: “Thank you so much of the World. Most of the students such a popular path is that the whole for working today. I am so grateful to responded: Egypt’s Great Pyramids, way out is uphill. And it’s not just a you.” And then he turned to the person the Taj Mahal, the Grand Canyon, slight incline; it’s more like a ski slope packing up his cart and repeated the the Panama Canal, the Empire State level hill. same thing: “Thank you so much. I Building, St. Peter’s Basilica and China’s When I first began running it every day, really appreciate that you are here Great Wall. But the teacher noticed I resisted every step much the way I working so that we can buy groceries. that one student hadn’t responded to was resisting the quarantine itself. This Stay safe, be healthy, thank you.” her question and when the teacher again? This is crazy. I can’t believe I am asked her for her answer, she said she waking up and doing this again. But couldn’t make up her mind because as the weeks went by, I noticed that As he slowly pushed his cart away, there were just so many wonders. But while running uphill still wasn’t easy, I noticed that he stopped by the the teacher pressed her to share what it was getting easier. And as I became customer service desk to thank that was on her list so far. more and more used to the struggle, I worker too. Stunned out of my pity for began to lift my head more and notice the older man, I knew I was witnessing After hesitating she said, “I think the the scenery. The stream glinting in a little piece of greatness. A greatness wonders of the world are: 1. To touch 2. the morning sun. The wooden bridge that can only come from him struggling To taste 3. To see 4. To hear. 5. To feel 6. echoing beneath my feet. The pink up many hills through many stages of To laugh 7. To love.” cherry blossoms glowing against a life practicing gratitude all the way. I’m clear, blue sky. The smell of freshly cut sure this man did not think anything The teacher was surprised and the grass and the yellow flowers pushing about what he was saying. It was clear room was completely silent. And I think through the ground like the hope that saying thank you and appreciating in that silence many of the students of spring stubbornly finding its way all the people around him was second realized that we don’t have to travel through. nature to him. He was used to lifting across the world to see extraordinary his head up and noticing the beauty things. Often the most beautiful and And then there was the feeling of the around him. extraordinary sights are all around us. way down that began to overshadow They are in front of us in the grocery the struggle. The way that I felt flying That night I saw a video clip of an store line. They are shining through the down the miles of hills back to my 88-year-old man in Watertown being shaking hands pressed against nursing car. Like a bird set free. Like a child lifted in a bucket truck to be able to home windows. They are waiting for us on a playground. Like a long exhale of see his wife through the window of her as we climb our own hills. Quietly but gratitude after holding my breath for nursing home. “They could have lifted stubbornly moving forward despite the far too long. me 10 stories and it would not have struggle. bothered me,” Nick Avtges said. “As One day after my run, I was standing long as I got to see her.” Sometimes greatness whispers. behind an older man at Costco. He Sometimes beauty waits for us to lift must have been in his mid-eighties and Before the coronavirus pandemic, Nick our eyes from the ground. Sometimes as I tried to breathe steadily behind my used to visit his wife every day and stay running uphill is the only way to see the mask, I was feeling sorry for him. My by her side all day. But since he hasn’t view. 19 20 21 22 IN A WOMAN’S WORLD ISSUES OF RELEVANCE TO THE JEWISH WOMAN WEEKLY CLASSES Women’s Mikvah: Please call Mrs. Devorah Failer for an appointment: 305-866 1492 or PLEASE CHECK 305-323-2410 Please Note: Shabbos & Yom Tov visits must be Prepaid OUR VIRTUAL CLASS SCHEDULE

FOR ALL THE SHUL CLASSES THAT The Shul Sisterhood

ARE HAPPENING Who we are... USING THE ZOOM APP / ONLINE The Shul Sisterhood organizes all of The Shul’s programming and classes geared toward women in the community. Our DURING THIS TIME. objective is to bring women of all ages and backgrounds together to learn, laugh, experience, and rejuvenate their mind, body and soul. Meet new friends, HTTPS://ZOOM. US/J/6457054016 relax and get inspired! If you would like to be a part of The Shul Sisterhood, please call 305. 868.1411

LEMON CHERRY CHOCOLATE SORBET PREPARATION CAKEBy: Jaime Geller Prepare an 8-inch springform pan. INGREDIENTS 2 pints chocolate sorbet, lightly softened 1. Scoop the chocolate sorbet over the bottom of 2 pints cherry sorbet, lightly softened the pan in small batches, packing it as best possible, 2 pints lemon sorbet, lightly softened smooth the top with an ofset spatula. Freeze until 6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, fnely chopped frm, about 45 minutes. ⅓ cup coconut milk 2. Repeat with cherry sorbet over top and freeze until frm and again with the lemon layer.

3. Place the chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Heat the coconut milk in a small pot or microwave until just simmering. Pour the hot milk over the chocolate, let stand 1 minute, then stir until smooth. Remove the side of the springform pan. Spread the chocolate over top and freeze until set, about 10 minutes. Serve immediately or cover and freeze up to 2-3 days.

23 FRENCH CONNECTION REFLEXIONS SUR LA PARACHA Vivre avec la paracha Comment – et pourquoi – sauver la situation? Adapté d’un discours du Rabbi de Loubavitch

es Juifs meurent, par milliers. Beaucoup se sont laissé séduire par les filles de Midian qui les Dont entraînés d’abord à la débauche, puis à l’idolâtrie la plus abjecte. La colère de D.ieu éclate et un fléau surnaturel commence à décimer le peuple. Un homme va sauver la situation. Ce n’est pas Moïse, ni Aaron, mais Pin’has, petit fils d’Aaron, dont il n’a pas encore été question dans le récit biblique.

Pin’has tue Zimri, prince de la tribu de Siméon, qui, aux yeux de tous, avait pris pour épouse une C’est pourquoi la Torah coupe court à Veau d’or dans l’espoir que le peuple princesse midianite et s’était isolé ces calomnies en présentant Pin’has soit épargné. Pin’has en était le digne dans sa tente avec elle. Au péril de comme le « fils d’Éléazar, fils d’Aaron petit-fils : devant la souffrance de sa vie, Pin’has traverse le camp des le Cohen ». L’acte de Pin’has fut un ses frères qui mouraient à ses côtés, Siméonites armé d’une lance, pénètre acte salvateur, un acte de paix qui mit il se tortura l’esprit pour trouver une dans la tente du prince et les tue, lui fin à la profanation du nom de D.ieu et solution et parvint à retrouver dans et sa courtisane, mettant ainsi un ainsi au fléau qui décimait le peuple. les profondeurs de sa mémoire la loi terme à la profanation du nom divin. Un acte digne d’un descendant que Moïse avait naguère enseignée et Immédiatement le fléau s’interrompt. d’Aaron qui, comme son aïeul, « que D.ieu avait fait oublier à tous, y Le peuple d’Israël est sauvé de aimait la paix et poursuivait la paix ». compris Moïse lui-même. Pour sauver l’anéantissement, une fois de plus, et ses frères, il fit ce qu’il fallait faire, c’est à Pin’has qu’il doit cette fois-ci Mais ce n’est pas la seule leçon que mettant sa propre vie en danger. son salut. cette généalogie nous enseigne. Car celle-ci n’est pas seulement Aujourd’hui, alors que le peuple juif Que retient l’histoire juive de Pin’has mentionnée après l’acte de Pin’has, et le monde en général sont victimes ? Est-il l’archétype du vengeur mais dès le début du récit de l’incident, d’une confusion des valeurs sans sanguinaire ou du héros de la paix ? à la fin de la paracha précédente : « précédent qui résultent en un danger Est-il celui qui a tué, sans procès, un Et Pin’has, fils d’Éléazar, fils d’Aaron tant matériel que spirituel, nous coupable ou bien celui qui a sauvé des le Cohen vit... » Si la seconde mention avons l’enseignement du « Moïse de millions de Juifs ? Pin’has, donneur de de son ascendance nous édifie sur la notre génération » qui nous engage mort ou sauveur de vies ? valeur de son geste et sa résultante, à agir pour que tous les Juifs, enfants la première mention nous éclaire sur et adultes, bénéficient pleinement de Immédiatement, des railleurs se la motivation de Pin’has. leur héritage. mettent à l’œuvre : voilà bien le digne descendant – par sa mère – d’une D’emblée son analyse de la situation Il est temps d’agir. lignée de gens cruels et violents ! À n’était pas celle d’un vengeur excédé la première occasion, il a laissé libre devant un affront au Créateur. Aaron, cours à sa sauvagerie en faisant son illustre grand-père, était un être justice lui-même ! pétri d’amour du prochain, qui avait été jusqu’à endosser la responsabilité du 24 LATIN LINK REFLEXION SEMANAL Parasha de la Semana Como tomar justicia con las nutrientes enriquecidos continuaron. tiene fin y por ello se ve obligado manos propias a hacerlo. En otras palabras, si te Por Yanki Tauber Así que un viernes por la tarde, después gusta hacerlo, entonces no deberías de que todos los trabajadores habían estar haciéndolo. (En caso de que se i vecino de arriba tenía un partido para el fin de semana, cerré esté preguntando de donde encontré jardín en la azotea. Una obra la llave del agua del apartamento de estas Normas básicas, todo está en el muy fina y elegante, excepto arriba. precedente del asesinato de Zimri a Mpor el hecho de que su sistema de manos de Pinjas, como se describe en drenaje especial aún no se había El lunes por la mañana golpearon en la Biblia y discute en el Talmud y los instalado, y el incesante goteo que mi puerta. Hubo una pelea a gritos. comentarios.) descendía de la azotea nos enloquecía. Me llamó criminal y le expliqué que hay situaciones en las que un Bueno, esto detuvo mi carrera como Peor aún, una nube de mosquitos ciudadano común decide tomar la ley un bandido de raíz. Aunque fue se cernía bajo las ventanas de los en sus propias manos. Él amenazó con divertido mientras duró. dormitorios, por lo que cada mañana demandarme, le dije que esperaba mis tres hijas despertaban con con gusto su demanda. Nota del Editor: Este artículo no picaduras de insectos. Le pregunté pretende ser un tratado halájico al joven a cargo de las renovaciones Al final esa misma semana, en el complejo tema de tomarse la si podría detener la tortura del conectaron una manguera para enviar justicia por las propias manos. Debe agua. Él pacientemente explicó que el agua a otra parte. Pero antes de que consultarse a un Rabino en caso de los árboles y arbustos en maceta tuviera la oportunidad de saborear necesidad real. (que incluía algunos helechos muy adecuadamente mi satisfacción por delicados, especialmente importados la forma en que había manejado la de algún país exótico subtropical) situación, descubrí las tres reglas debían ser alimentados con una fundamentales sobre cómo tomar la pequeña pero constante corriente ley por mis propias manos. Para mi de agua enriquecida con nutrientes, desgracia, me di cuenta de que no que no puede interrumpirse. Pero cumplí con los tres requisitos. están trabajando en una solución para desviar el agua por algún camino Las tres reglas fundamentales sobre Clases y Eventos menos molesto. Me indicó que hable cómo tomar la ley en las propias Clases en Espanol con el paisajista a cargo del proyecto manos son: Porcion Semanal para mayor aclaración. “No me Rabbi Shea Rubinstein importa lo que estás haciendo allí 1. Tiene que haber una verdadera Lunes 8:45 pm - 9:45 pm y cómo lo haces”, le dije, no de mala y extraordinaria necesidad - por Tanya( Women) gana. “Sólo detén la caída de agua, ejemplo, decenas de miles de Mrs. Vivian Perez ¿de acuerdo?” personas están muriendo en una Martes 10:45 am - 12:00pm plaga, y cientos de miles más morirán 198 Park Drive, Bal Harbour Village Pero no se detuvo. Trate de Jueves 11:00 - 12:00 a menos que se tomen medidas Call Vivian for details - 305.213.3202 comunicarme con mi vecino. Hablé drásticas para impedirlo. con él plomero, con el capataz, el Analisis de distintos temas basados en la Perasha Rabbi Shlomi Halsband jardinero, su secretaria privada 2. Uno debe estar preparado para Miercoles 8:30 - 10:00 pm (quien me dijo que él estaba en San pagar el precio. La ley no le protegerá Domingo 8:30 - 10:00 pm Francisco de viaje). Le rogué, le de las consecuencias de su acción. supliqué. Las lágrimas brotaron de Uno debe estar dispuesto a sacrificar mis ojos al describir el sufrimiento todo - incluyendo su propia integridad. de mi familia. Rogué, supliqué grité, me enoje. Pasaron las semanas, 3. Debe ser completamente en contra y el goteo de agua enriquecida de su naturaleza actuar de esta con nutrientes y el zumbido de manera, y se debe a que el dolor no los mosquitos alimentados con 25 NUMBERS TO KNOW

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

BOARD OF TRUSTEES Sidney Feltenstein - Chairman Alberto Kamhazi Simon Falic Shmuel Katz M.D. FOUNDATION TRUSTEES Matias Garfunkel Leo Kryss Albert Pollans - President Ambassador Isaac Gilinski Rabbi Sholom D. Lipskar Jaime Gilinski Jaime Gilinski Lazer Milstein David Lichter Max Gilinski Michael Perez Rabbi Sholom D. Lipskar Saul Gilinski Ryan Shapiro Monroe Milstein - Treasurer Sam Greenberg Claudio Stivelman Abel Holtz Morris Tabacinic BOARD OF DIRECTORS Mike Izak Steven M. Dunn - President Anita Givner Jacob Givner - Vice President Sam Greenwald EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE David Wolf - Vice President Sharon Hakmon Steven M. Dunn - Chair Rabbi Sholom D. Lipskar Mitchell Feldman - VP Oversight Albert Lichy Devorah Leah Andrusier Rabbi Zalman Lipskar Rabbi Zalman Lipskar - VP Development Rabbi Sholom D. Lipskar Janice Barney Lazer Milstein Eric P. Stein - Treasurer Alexander Matz Joel Baum Orit Osman Joel Baum - Financial Treasurer Ezzy Rappaport Maurice Egozi Brian Roller Dovid Duchman - Secretary Elliott Rimon Velvel Freedman - Associate Secretary Yaacov Saidof Henry Eichler Ryan Shapiro Carolyn Baumel Seth Salver Mitchell Feldman Marc Sheridan Max Benoliel Alex Tauber Daniel Gielchinsky Daniel Sragowicz Betzalel Camissar Jacob J. Givner Cynthia Stein Barry Cohen Evelyn Katz Eric P. Stein Boruch Duchman Rebbetzin Chani Lipskar Michael Tabacinic Henry Eichler 26 CGI AT THE SHUL WEEK 2 THE HAPPY FACES OF THE SHUL CGI CAMPERS AS THEY ENJOY ANOTHER WEEK OF ACTIVITIES, WATER FUN, LEARNING TZIVOS HASHEM, DRESS UP COMPETITIONS AND MORE! SUPPORT THE SHUL

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