ASK THE RABBI
Rabbi Lipskar's weekly d'var torah
Vayikrah 5780
As we go into the third book of the Torah, Vayikrah, dealing with the offerings that the Jewish people were obligated to bring under various circumstances, we enter a part of the Torah that defies much rationalization.
There are many questions that baffle the mind when it comes to the offerings, including the extraordinary detail relating to the instructions for each type of offering i.e. which part must be burned and which part can be eaten, the location of the parts of the sacrifice on the altar for various types of sacrifices, and the various conditions under which a person is obligated to bring a particular offering or in some instances bring an offering as an expression of gratitude.
Though the specifics of these commandments have no real storyline or any events of interest or excitement, it is precisely this part of the Torah that we begin to study with a child as we introduce him to the study of Torah. It is because the purity of acceptance of these concepts is similar to the purity and total acceptance of a child’s attitude and relationship to G-d and the Torah. It is an acceptance of a lifestyle that transcends simple logic and the human limited perception of life and its meaning.
We are now in the second week of a total transformational relationship to our general lifestyle and priorities. Our information bank and source of knowledge does not encompass any understanding of what is going on and we cannot even plan for our immediate future. It is literally living one day at a time and hoping for some breakthrough when G-d will bring us back to a sense of normalcy. At this time, the only thing certain in our lives is our relationship with Almighty G-d and the necessity to follow His directives in any way that we can.
There are more prayers, psalms, Torah study, act of kindness and loving thoughts being expressed today than anytime that I can remember. We are thrilled to say hello to our loved ones at 6 feet away and have a complete smile on our faces knowing that we love and feel close and safe with each other.
As we entered the month of Nissan, the month of Miracles, we recognize that every moment of life is a miracle. As the Holy Baal Shemtov taught that the difference between nature and a miracle is the second time it happens. The first time everything is a miracle and as we contemplate our inner thoughts, we recognize that waking up every morning healthy and well and having our basic necessities met is really a gift from Almighty G-d.
As we enter into this next Shabbos in our homes with our closest beloved family, let us rejoice with gratitude and prayer that we are closer to Moshiach than ever before, and we are given the opportunity to realign and recalibrate our objectives and priorities to reach the highest levels.
Have a wonderful Shabbos and a healthy positive week.
Rabbi Sholom 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.
List of All Holiday Dates
Below is a list of all major holiday dates for the next four years. All holidays begin at sundown on the day before the date specified here.
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5779 |
5780 |
5777 |
5778 |
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sunset of Sunday, September 29, 2019 |
10/3/2016 |
9/21/2017 |
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Begins sunset of Tuesday, October 8, 2019 |
10/12/2016 |
9/30/2017 |
9/19/2018 |
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Begins sunset of Sunday, October 13, 2019 |
10/17/2016 |
10/5/2017 |
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Begins sunset of Sunday, October 20, 2019 |
10/24/2016 |
10/12/2017 |
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Tuesday, October 22, 2019 |
10/25/2016 |
10/13/2017 |
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Begins sunset of Sunday, December 22, 2019 |
12/13/2017 |
12/3/2018 |
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Monday, February 10, 2020 |
2/11/2017 |
1/31/2018 |
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Begins sunset of Monday, March 9, 2020 |
3/12/2017 |
3/1/2018 |
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Friday, April 19, 2019 |
Begins sunset of Wednesday, April 8, 2020 |
4/11/2017 |
3/31/2018 |
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May 23, 2019 |
Tuesday, May 12, 2020 |
5/14/2017 |
5/3/2018 |
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Saturday, June 8, 2019 |
Begins sunset of Thursday, May 28, 2020 |
5/31/2017 |
5/20/2018 |
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8/1/2017 |
7/22/2018 |
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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.
Connect With The Shul
