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Rabbi Lipskar's weekly devar torah
Baruch Hashem
Tetzaveh 5779
This week's Torah portion continues the establishment of a formal environment where G-d would dwell and where the Jewish people would be able to connect with G-d through the service of the Kohanim, the priests, who were officially consecrated in this week's Torah portion.
We begin the portion regarding the oil for the candelabra and conclude the portion with the construction of the golden altar where the incense was burnt on a daily basis, in the service to Almighty G-d. These two special services, the lighting of the candelabra and the incense, which serve as anchors to this extraordinary Torah portion, are especially significant as they underscore and emphasize the entire purpose of the building of the Tabernacle and its critical impact on our world. The tabernacle wherein G-d would dwell becomes the terrestrial residence, so to speak, of G-d, where He is most visible and revealed, from whence holy, G-dly influence must illuminate and permeate the entire world.
Light and incense are extremely powerful forces. Light dissipates darkness and illuminates and enlightens the environment around us. Light gives us the opportunity to see what is good and positive and to reject that which is negative. Light represents G-d's Torah and mitzvot and also represents our G-dly soul which is referred to as the “light of G-d”.
Incense, representing the sense of smell, also touches the essence of the person as we see that when someone is in a state of being faint or weak, giving them something strong to smell immediately resuscitates them. Smell reaches the inner core of our being. It is much more powerful and infusing than taste or sight, or the other senses that we have. On Yom Kippur, whereas you cannot eat or drink or anoint, you are allowed to smell even the most pungent odor. Incense smell is not external but relates to the inner essence, the soul.
The Torah teaches us that when we are building a house that represents G-d’s dwelling place, which can and should be our own homes and each of us individually (as the language when requesting the building of the Tabernacle expressly states - “and I will dwell among them”, each and every one of them), our objective is to be a source and generator of light and to enlighten and make the world more brilliant and G-dly.
The aroma of incense which represents our soul connection represents the determining force of our identity indicating that our physical beings, which are merely garments for our souls, do not become the objective of our existence but the tools and mechanisms through which the soul brings and fulfills its ultimate meaning and purpose.
The objective of building a dwelling place for G-d and putting within that space all of the necessary elements is to allow His dwelling place to affect the world to become a holier and better place and preparing it for the coming of Moshiach.
We also read this week the commandment that must always be in the forefront of our thought process, to remember and never forget what the evil Amalek did to the Jewish people. Never forget to eliminate darkness and negativity and to remove all evil from this world. The most effective way of doing this is by activating our souls and creating light.
Have a wonderful Shabbos and a great week. G-d bless you.
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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5775 |
5776 |
5777 |
5778 |
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9/25/2014 |
9/14/2015 |
10/3/2016 |
9/21/2017 |
9/10/2018 |
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10/4/2014 |
9/23/2015 |
10/12/2016 |
9/30/2017 |
9/19/2018 |
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10/9/2014 |
9/28/2015 |
10/17/2016 |
10/5/2017 |
9/24/2018 |
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10/16/2014 |
10/5/2015 |
10/24/2016 |
10/12/2017 |
10/1/2018 |
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10/17/2014 |
10/6/2015 |
10/25/2016 |
10/13/2017 |
10/2/2018 |
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12/17/2014 |
12/7/2015 |
12/25/2016 |
12/13/2017 |
12/3/2018 |
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2/4/2015 |
1/25/2016 |
2/11/2017 |
1/31/2018 |
1/21/2019 |
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3/5/2015 |
3/24/2016 |
3/12/2017 |
3/1/2018 |
3/21/2019 |
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4/4/2015 |
4/23/2016 |
4/11/2017 |
3/31/2018 |
4/20/2019 |
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5/7/2015 |
5/26/2016 |
5/14/2017 |
5/3/2018 |
5/23/2019 |
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5/24/2015 |
6/12/2016 |
5/31/2017 |
5/20/2018 |
6/9/2019 |
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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
