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Rabbi Lipskar's weekly d'var torah
Vayeitzei
In this week’s portion we accompany Jacob en route from his Father’s house in Beer Sheva to Charan. He stops to pray and sleep and receives a G-dly communication in his famous dream of a ladder on which angels are ascending and descending. Recognizing that the general abode of angels is in Heaven, it would be more appropriate for them to descend first and then ascend. Why then in this case are they ascending first?
Yaacov left Beer Sheva, Israel, an environment of sanctity and purity, the home of Isaac and Rivkah. Charan, his destination, was a place of corruption, murder, immorality and distrust. This was the first instance of a Jew going into exile. Running for his very life from the murderous wrath of Esau, Yaakov achieves his eternal destiny – the twelve tribes of Israel (the foundation of the Jewish People) in that environment.
Each environment and condition requires G-dly energy around us to protect us and allow us to achieve the maximum. In Israel, there was a certain class of energy angels that were appropriate for the great opportunities in the holy place of Israel. In exile another sort of energy angel is required to protect us from physical and spiritual annihilation and to harness the powers that exist in exile to sanctify and serve G-d. Hence the angels in his dream ascended and then descended. The angels that accompanied him to the border of Israel went back up and new angels that would be with him in exile come down.
Yaacov represents every Jew, who are called the children of Israel (another name for Yaacov). As we observe and experience Yaacov’s life, it reflects on each of our lives. The same way that Yaacov was accompanied by G-d’s angels to protect, support, lead, assist and give him exponential success through life’s journey so too are we accompanied by G-d’s angels.
At each instance of life, we receive the Divinely directed system relative to our needs. When we are holy, happy and uplifted, the angels are those that have expertise in dealing with these types of experience and emotions. When we are in exile, difficulty and challenged, the angels are those who have expertise in dealing with difficult circumstances.
We are each experiencing many changes in our society, world and personal lives. Whether in a time of joy, success and positivity or a time of challenges, difficulties and doubt, we can be assured of Hashem’s angels accompanying us for protection and blessing.
At each instance, G-d is with us. “Uforatztah Yomah V’akedmath Tzafonah V’Negbah”. – “And you shall spread forth to the West, East, North and South” – Blessings that transcend all boundaries.
Have a good Shabbos and a great week.
Rabbi Sholom D. Lipskar
The Shul Pushka Campaign
It's the little things in life that count. G-d fills the world every moment with His divine energy. Tzedakah is one of the special and significant ways to create an all-encompassing Mitzvah, and in today's world, we need more Mitzvot than ever. It doesn't matter where or how much you give, just make Tzedakah part of your day.
The Shul provides beautiful Pushkas (Charity Boxes)* to the community and to all those that would like to participate in the important Mitzvah of Tzedakah. To request a ShulPushka please call: The ShulShul Office: 305-868-1411 or fill out this form below.
To Learn More About The Meaning of Tzedakah Click Here
Jewish Holidays
All Jewish holidays begin the evening before the date specified on most calendars. This is because a Jewish "day" begins and ends at sunset, rather than at midnight. If you read the story of creation in Genesis Ch. 1, you will notice that it says, "And there was evening, and there was morning, one day."
From this, we infer that a day begins with evening, that is, sunset. Holidays end at nightfall of the date specified on most calendars; that is, at the time when it becomes dark out, about an hour after sunset.
UPCOMING JEWISH HOLIDAY
Chanukah Begins sunset of Thursday, December 10, 2020 Ends nightfall of Friday, December 18, 2020
Fast of Tevet 10 Begins sunrise of Friday, December 25, 2020 Ends nightfall of Friday, December 25, 2020
Purim Begins sunset of Thursday, February 25, 2021 Ends nightfall of Friday, February 26, 2021
Passover Begins sunset of Saturday, March 27, 2021 Ends nightfall of Sunday, April 4, 2021
Second Passover Monday, April 26, 2021
Lag B'Omer Friday, April 30, 2021
Shavuot Begins sunset of Sunday, May 16, 2021 Ends nightfall of Tuesday, May 18, 2021
Rosh Hashanah Begins sunset of Monday, September 6, 2021 Ends nightfall of Wednesday, September 8, 2021
Yom Kippur Begins sunset of Wednesday, September 15, 2021 Ends nightfall of Thursday, September 16, 2021
Sukkot Begins sunset of Monday, September 20, 2021 Ends nightfall of Monday, September 27, 2021
For more information Click here
Project 33154
Project 33154 is a community wide program to create a neighbor to neighbor Jewish experience. The initial case study started Chanuka 2002 where 10 young Yeshiva boys visited every home in Bay Harbor to identify which ones were Jewish and give them the necessary items (Menorah, Candles, Guides etc.) for the Holiday of Chanuka.
Over 250 Jewish Homes were identified together with a color coded map or Members, Non-Members and Unaffiliated Jews. Over the next Purim and Passover the same idea was used in the Surfside and Bal Harbour area and over 800 new Jewish homes were contacted and had a taste of The Shul.
Block Shluchim
Together with color coded map each neighborhood was split up into different areas that include a lay leader from The Shul.
Before each Yom Tov The Shul prepares a special food package which promotes holiday awareness.
Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, Succot, Chanukah, Purim, Pesach andShavout
Every newly identified Jewish household in the Bal Harbor, Bay Harbor Islands and Surfside areas has been contacted with thousands of Apples and Honey packages, Chanukah kits and Purim Mishloach Manos and food packages distributed this year.
Over 350 pounds of hand-made Shemurah Matzo (that’s about 2,450 pieces of matzah) has been distributed throughout 33154. If you are new on the 33154 area, please let us know so you can be included on this amazing and inspiring Jewish Program.
Send a letter to the Rebbe זי"ע
Throughout his lifetime, the Rebbe received hundreds of letters every day, from people of every conceivable background, occupation and faith. Today people continue to send letters to be placed at the Ohel for the Rebbe's guidance and intervention On High, in the age-old tradition of written prayer petitions at our holiest sites
Whether referring to one's own self or mentioning someone else's name in a letter, one should always include the name and mother's name (e.g. Isaac the son of Sarah) of both the one(s) who are in need of blessing and the signer.
http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/761128/jewish/Why-Use-the-Mothers-Name-When-Praying-for-Someone.html
http://www.ohelchabad.org/templates/articlecco_cdo/aid/78445It is preferable to use one's Jewish name. (Customarily gentiles use their father's name.) Letters can be written in any language. You can fax directly to the Ohel at: (718) 723-4444 Or you can use the form below to have the rabbis at Ohel Chabad Lubavitch http://www.ohelchabad.org/templates/articlecco_cdo/aid/78445personally bring your prayers to the Rebbe’s resting place.
The Rebbe
The Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson of righteous memory, the seventh leader in the Chabad-Lubavitch dynasty, is considered to have been the most phenomenal Jewish personality of modern times. To hundreds of thousands of followers and millions of sympathizers and admirers around the world, he was -- and still is, despite his passing -- "the Rebbe."
Whether referring to one's own self or mentioning someone else's name in a letter, one should always include the name and mother's name (e.g. Isaac the son of Sarah) of both the one(s) who are in need of blessing and the signer.
Click Here to Know More Click Here.
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