Program Schedule Spring/Summer 2016 CANDLE LIGHTING TIMES 2 RABBI’S MESSAGE 3 SHABBAT AND HOLIDAY DINNERS 4 ANNUAL DINNER 5 LEARNING PROGRAMS AT THE SHUL 6 305 West 79th Street, New York, NY 10024 Phone: (212) 580-2391 Fax: (212) 721-4872 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE 7 Email: [email protected] www.carlebachshul.org LAG BA’OMER 8 SHABBAT & HOLIDAY CANDLELIGHTING TIMES We wish to offer a special thank you to Avromi and Ruchi Melohn on donating a new floor for our upstairs dining room. On behalf of the community we wish to give special thanks to the Council of Orthodox Jewish Organizations (COJO), for their outstanding work, all year round and especially their Pesach fund for those in need. We also wish much continued blessings to Michael Landau, Sam Domb and Rabbi Avrom Mermelstein. The Carlebach Shul DATE PARSHA CANDLES May 6-7 Acharei Mot 7:40 May 13-14 Kedoshim 7:47 May 20-21 Emor 7:53 May 27-28 Behar 7:59 June 3-4 Bechukotai 8:05 June 10 Bamidbar 8:09 June 11 First night of Shavuot 9:17 June 12 Second night of Shavuot 9:18 June 17-18 Nasso 8:11 June 24-25 Beha’alotecha 8:13 July 1-2 Shelach 8:12 July 8-9 Korach 8:10 July 15-16 Chukat 8:07 July 22-23 Balak 8:02 July 29-30 Pinchas 7:55 August 5-6 Matot-Masei 7:47 August 12 Devarim- Shabbat Chazon 7:38 August 13 Tisha B’Av August 19-20 Vaetchanan- Shabbat Nachamu 7:28 August 26-27 Eikev 7:18 2 - The Carlebach Shul A MESSAGE FROM RABBIPRESIDENT’S NAFTALI CITRON LETTER ✍ Part 2 of the article explaining the letter of the Besht to his brother in-law. Letters in bold based on excerpts from the Korets edition, as found in Immanuel Etkes The Besht: Magician, Mystic, and Leader. Translated by Saadya Sternberg. In part one we explained how The Baal in one’s relationship with G-d. This can Shem Tov describes his Heavenly ascent be compared to a parent who pulls and his encounter with Moshiach. He is away from his infant in order for the told that the Moshiach will come when the child to learn how to walk on his own. Besht reveals the wellsprings of Chasidut The experience of G-d making Himself to the outside and enables others to more distant was to allow the Besht and meet make the unification of the Divine names his followers the opportunity to earn with the Ohr Hachaim. during prayer. their own spiritual heights, rather than At some point Reb Gershon wrote to the be granted a free gift. Despite the fact Besht that the Ohr Hachaim had, in fact, The Besht realizes that this will take that the Besht was not allowed to share passed away but that a great Kabbalist, a very long time and that those in the details of the insights he was given, Reb Sholom Sharabi, was teaching at desperate trouble will not be saved. As he still felt comforted by his vision. He the Kabbalistic Yeshiva in Beth El. Reb the letter continues, the Besht is only recognized that although he could not Gershon suggested that perhaps it was allowed to reveal some of the secrets teach to others the insights in full detail, Reb Sholom whom the Besht had seen in explaining how to unite the Divine names he was able to visualize the potential his vision. With this in mind, we can now during prayer. greatness others could achieve; this gave him hope for the future. In addition, he understand why Reb Gershon was a key Yet while I was there I learned three understood that although others have figure who the Besht felt needed to know Segulot (Charms) and three holy to obtain greater heights through their these secrets. names which are easily learned and own efforts, he would be there to assist explained. So I calmed down and in their journeys, thereby enabling their Reb Gershon was the connecting thought that perhaps by this means success. And so, despite his inability to factor between the Besht and the great my colleagues too would be able fully share his knowledge, others would Kabbalists of Eretz Yisroel. Through Reb to come to the level and rank that I still be able to succeed in achieving Gershon these secrets could then be have, that is, they would be able to spiritual ascent. transmitted to the great Kabbalists of have ascent of the soul and to learn Israel and assist in bringing the immediate and perceive as I have, yet I was The Besht pleaded for the sake of Reb redemption. not given permission my whole life Gershon, the Besht’s brother-in-law, that to reveal this and I asked on your the Besht would be allowed to teach Reb Since the Besht recognized Reb behalf to teach it to you and was Gershon these secrets, but his request Gershon as being a vital link in the chain not at all permitted and I was sworn was denied. Why was Reb Gershon so of Chasidic transmission, the Besht fast to this. Yet this I shall inform important in this regard? Reb Gershon taught Reb Gershon many lessons. In you: and let the Blessed Lord assist was a rabbinical figure who had lived in you, and may your paths be in G-d’s Kitov and Brody, and who learned with a number of stories we find that the presence and lose not the sight of Kabbalists and scholars. He served as a lessons the Besht taught to his brother- them especially when in the Holy Dayan (Rabbinic Judge) and was involved in-law with regards to using the mystical Land. in a high profile case that may have union of names during prayer in order caused him to ultimately leave Brody. The to make heavenly ascent. One such The Besht was given secrets that would Besht had a vision of the noted Kabbalist, lesson involved the Besht’s approach to assist him in teaching people how to the Ohr Hachaim (Chaim Ibn Attar), which ascending to higher levels. The Besht felt make mystical unions and heavenly indicated that if the Besht could meet the that in order to connect to G-d, the true ascents, but he was forced to swear not Ohr Hachaim, together they would bring objective did involve using the names of to make use of these secrets. Why give Moshiach. As a result of this vision, the G-d as mathematical formulas. Formulas him this insight and deny him its use? The Besht attempted to travel to Israel, where Besht believed that when a person grows the Ohr Hachaim lived, in order to meet without soul, the Besht taught, would not closer to G-d and subsequently descends with him. After the Besht’s endeavor to affect spiritual ascent. into darkness, it is an opportunity to reach the Holy Land failed, he deputized learn how to become more self-sufficient Reb Gershon to travel in his place and To be continued next issue… Spring-Summer 2016/5776 - 3 FRIDAY NIGHT DINNERS WITH RABBI NAFTALI CITRON & SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKERS Dr. Nehemia Polen Come celebrate the Giving of The Torah with Rabbi Naftali Citron and Scholar in Residence Dr. Nehemia Polen Dr. Nehemia Polen is a Professor of Jewish Thought and Director of the Hasidic Text Institute at Boston’s Hebrew College and author of “The Holy Fire, recounting the life and teachings of the Piaseczno Rebbe.” JUNE 10TH DINNER $40 for members and first-time attendees, $50 for non-members Shavuot Dinners: SATURDAY NIGHT JUNE 11TH AND SUNDAY NIGHT JUNE 12TH $45 for members and first-time attendees, $55 for non-members. With a $5 discount if reserved by June 7th JULY 15TH Dinner with Rabbi Naftali Citron The Ethics of the Torah: the Mussar teachings of Rabbi Yeruchum Levovitz and his connection to the Carlebach family. Rabbi Levovitz was the Mashgiach Ruchani (spiritual leader) of the Mir Yeshiva in Poland before the war. His students went on to lead the major Yeshivas in Poland during the inter-war years. His works in Mussar (Ethics) are considered classics and can be found in many Yeshivas today. His son, Reb Simcha Zissel Levovitz, married Rabbi Naphtali Carlebach’s daughter, Shulamis. Reb Simcha Zissel published his father’s books as well as other Mussar works. AUGUST 12TH SHABBAT CHAZON Moshe Liebert - Yahrzeit Remembering our beloved Past President, Moshe Liebert on the occasion of his sixteenth yahrzeit. Please join us on this “Opening Up to our Spiritual Potential” for a Shabbat dinner dedicated in his memory. SEPTEMBER 9TH Rabbi Citron Welcome-back Shabbat!!! Join old and new friends for a Shabbat of renewal as we celebrate the “King In the Field”; the energy of Divine Mercy that awakens us to become closer to our Divine Potential. SEPTEMBER 23RD Judith Leventhal is a psychotherapist as well as a mesmerizing storyteller and co-author of the Small Miracles series. A few of the titles include Small Miracles for the Jewish Heart, and Small Miracles of Love and Friendship. Unless otherwise noted, dinner : $40 for members and first-time attendees, $50 for non-members There is a $5 discount if reserved by Wed. 1:00AM before the dinner 4 - The Carlebach Shul THE CARLEBACH SHUL’S TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2015 THIRTEENTH ANNUAL Cocktails 6:30 p.m. Dinner 7:30 p.m. GALA DINNER THE ST. REGIS NEW YORK AND SCROLL OF HONOR 2 E.