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