ASK THE RABBI
Rabbi Lipskar's weekly devar torah
Boruch HaShem
Parshas Korach – Gimmel Tammuz
Dear Community Family,
It is not so usual for me to be challenged to such a degree that I cannot find the words that properly represent my feelings and the reality.
This Shabbos when we read the portion of Korach, the first organized and serious contrarian rebellion against Moses and Divine leadership of that level, is also first day of the month of Tammuz when we commemorate the 23rd anniversary of our Rebbe leaving our world in a physical bodily manifestation.
The concept of a Rebbe is not so easy to integrate in a rational system as it requires a recognition of a transcendent realization of a powerful level that transcends the physical human body but yet integrates with the practicality and physicality of our mundane existence.
It is a fundamental notion to recognize that the life force of our bodies is not merely the chemical physical flow of blood that oxygenates and vitalizes all of our organs but another level of energy that lives in the body but transcends it. The mind that lives in the brain is definitely not a physical, chemical, structural, tangible element. That has not only been determined by our holy Torah as expressly stated in the writings of Chassidus and Kabbalah and primary Jewish foundational sources, but has been so determined by neurologists and scientists such as Dr. Wilfred Penfield who states so in his classic text, "The Mystery of the Mind" published by Princeton University press.
According to our Torah sources emanating from the Talmud, a Rebbe (represented by the paradigm of Moses) is considered to be an encompassing general soul that connects with every single Jewish soul in the world and serves as a source of strength and energy for all those who are connected with him.
Our Rebbe was that level of Jewish leader who personally thought about and cared for every single Jewish man, woman and child wherever they were in the world, from the most successful places as recognized leaders of their communities and world, to the simplest person rotting away in a dark dungeon, unknown and forgotten by everyone, and every single person in between.
Though there were unfortunately many representations of the Korach personality who challenged, criticized and tried to undermine the Rebbe’s influence and impact, today even the most obvious fools cannot say anything that would diminish the historic impact of the Rebbe who in so many professionals’ opinion was the singular powerful force that literally saved Jewry in the post Holocaust epoch.
Only millennial Leaders of that level continue to lead and empower even after they are physically not here in the same way. We definitely miss the Rebbe’s smile, contact, inspiration and clapping, arousing movements of his hands that served as a conductor’s baton directing the most important orchestra in the world, G-d's army. Still we are constantly in some way energized and reminded of our mission and to follow his directives. It is not unusual to hear thousands of his emissaries and hundreds of thousands of people around the world saying "The Rebbe’s inspiration continues to be with me”, ranging from prime minister Netanyahu who stated so in the United Nations, to the son of Elie Wiesel who ended his letter to his deceased father hoping that he was Farbrenging with the Rebbe in the celestial abode, to so many I meet on a regular basis who share with me that the Rebbe inspired and continues to influence their lives.
The only way to properly appreciate this loving father figure, giant of our generation, that we were so privileged to have, is to study, read and understand his works and live according to his way and directives.
Let's do so!
Have a great Shabbos and wonderful week
Rabbi Sholom D. Lipskar
P.S. I had the opportunity and privilege to visit the Rebbe’s OHEL this week and took with me the entire list of our community family which I read, thank G-d, and were included in my prayers at this holy place in the week of the Rebbe’s Hilulah.
May all the blessings come to practical fruition in everyone's life in a positive, good, healthy, happy and peace-of-mind-and-soul manner.
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.
|
|
5775 |
5776 |
5777 |
5778 |
|
|
9/25/2014 |
9/14/2015 |
10/3/2016 |
9/21/2017 |
9/10/2018 |
|
|
10/4/2014 |
9/23/2015 |
10/12/2016 |
9/30/2017 |
9/19/2018 |
|
|
10/9/2014 |
9/28/2015 |
10/17/2016 |
10/5/2017 |
9/24/2018 |
|
|
10/16/2014 |
10/5/2015 |
10/24/2016 |
10/12/2017 |
10/1/2018 |
|
|
10/17/2014 |
10/6/2015 |
10/25/2016 |
10/13/2017 |
10/2/2018 |
|
|
12/17/2014 |
12/7/2015 |
12/25/2016 |
12/13/2017 |
12/3/2018 |
|
|
2/4/2015 |
1/25/2016 |
2/11/2017 |
1/31/2018 |
1/21/2019 |
|
|
3/5/2015 |
3/24/2016 |
3/12/2017 |
3/1/2018 |
3/21/2019 |
|
|
4/4/2015 |
4/23/2016 |
4/11/2017 |
3/31/2018 |
4/20/2019 |
|
|
5/7/2015 |
5/26/2016 |
5/14/2017 |
5/3/2018 |
5/23/2019 |
|
|
5/24/2015 |
6/12/2016 |
5/31/2017 |
5/20/2018 |
6/9/2019 |
|
|
7/26/2015 |
8/14/2016 |
8/1/2017 |
7/22/2018 |
8/11/2019 |
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
