ASK THE RABBI
Rabbi Lipskar's weekly d'var torah
Behaalotecha
When Aaron saw that all the tribes were involved in the dedication of the Mishkan (Tabernacle), he felt disheartened that neither he nor his tribe, Levi, had a role in the ceremony. Hashem reassured him: “Your service is greater than theirs—for you and your descendants will kindle the Menorah.”
Unlike the other services in the Mishkan and later in the Temple, which ceased with their destruction, the light of the Menorah continues to shine—symbolized by the Chanukah lights we still kindle today. These flames represent not only physical light but spiritual illumination. As it says in Proverbs, “The soul of man is the candle of G-d.”
Every Jew is, in a sense, a Kohen—a spiritual emissary of Hashem—with the mission to light up their own soul and inspire the souls of others. The Menorah teaches us that Torah and mitzvot are the oil that allow our inner flame to ignite and shine brightly.
Aaron’s daily lighting of the Menorah wasn’t just routine—it was a personal renewal of dedication. The Or HaChaim explains that the Menorah had to be cleaned, refilled, and sometimes even reshaped daily. Through this, Aaron was essentially re-inaugurating the Menorah each day. Rashi praises Aaron by saying she-lo shinah—he never changed. He approached the mitzvah with fresh passion and unwavering enthusiasm.
This is our challenge too: to treat every mitzvah not as repetition, but as an opportunity to connect anew with Hashem.
Each of us possesses a holy soul which comprises all of the aforementioned traits. A desire to connect with Holiness and spirituality, and a natural inclination to do good, kindness and bring light. From time to time, these soul flames are obscured with many layers of physical crassness and hibernate into internal embers or even into their potential state as the spark of fire is hidden in a flint stone. A flint stone may be buried, exposed to water or wind, but when struck, it sparks.
Even someone who feels disconnected can be reignited through the warmth of Torah and mitzvot. Sometimes all it takes is a kind word, a shared insight, or an act of kindness to awaken that inner flame.
There is likely someone in your life—family, friend, or acquaintance—waiting for that spark. Don’t underestimate the power of sharing even a little light. You’ll be amazed at the joy and fulfillment that comes from helping another soul shine.
We must remain passionate and on fire not only in the hypothetical or potential, but we must actualize it and turn it into reality by inculcating and infusing that energy into our daily lives.
Let’s GET IT DONE as a family as a community.
Wishing you a good Shabbos and a week filled with light and inspiration.
Rabbi Zalman Lipskar
(adapted from the writings of my Father and Teacher, Rabbi Sholom D. Lipskar, obm)
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 Shul Pushka please call The Shul Office at 305-868-1411 or fill out the 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
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 of 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 Harbour, 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 in 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
