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Rabbi Lipskar's weekly d'var torah
Shabbos Noach
One can view the entire Torah narrative of Parshas Noach as a story of lost opportunities — of roads not taken and chances missed.
It begins with Noah’s own generation. Noah warns his society of the impending destruction that would wash away their world and their civilization. Yet either his voice was not persuasive enough, or their hearts were too hardened to listen. They continued with life as usual, distracted, complacent, dismissive.
Throughout history, both Jewish and general, we’ve seen this pattern repeat: warnings ignored, signs of danger overlooked. No one likes prophets of doom; they interrupt our comfort, disturb our equilibrium. We say we want change, but often we cling to the status quo. And so, Noah’s generation perished, not because they didn’t know, but because they refused to act.
The tragedy deepens when we realize that even Noah himself fell short of his ultimate calling. After the Flood, he emerges into a pristine world, a second chance to rebuild humanity from holiness and truth. Yet he retreats into the vineyard, into comfort and forgetfulness. That’s why our sages are so critical of him. Noah was righteous, but not transformative. He saved himself and his family, but he didn’t change the world.
Judaism teaches that not choosing, when a moral choice is clear, is itself a form of failure. Sins of omission, the opportunities we let slip away, are often more damaging than sins of commission. The Torah tells us: “Choose life.” Life is about choosing — about seizing the moment to do what’s right, not just what’s safe.
And this brings us to the deeper, personal lesson that the Baal Shem Tov reveals. The word Teivah -“Ark”, also means “word.” When the world feels flooded with confusion, indulgence, and moral chaos, we must enter the Teivah, the holy words of Torah and prayer. Immersing ourselves in those words gives us clarity, purpose, and peace.
The Torah says that G-d had to push Noah into the Ark, because even a righteous person can hesitate. Faith takes courage. And later, when the storm subsides, G-d must again command him, “Go out of the Ark.” Because once you’ve tasted holiness, it’s easy to stay there, to remain cloistered in spirituality. But G-d’s message is clear: You can’t stay inside forever. You must take the light you’ve found and bring it into the world.
As the Baal Shem Tov beautifully compares, there are two ways to stay warm in a cold world: you can wrap yourself in a fur coat and stay comfortable, or you can light a fire and warm everyone around you. Noah was a tzaddik in pelt — a righteous man in a fur coat. He made sure his family was safe, but he didn’t ignite warmth beyond his own walls. G-d’s command, “Go out of the Ark”, was also a mission: Now go light the fire. Inspire. Heal. Rebuild.
And so it is for us, in these weeks after the High Holidays. We stood before G-d in awe and holiness, surrounded by light and prayer. It’s tempting to stay in that spiritual cocoon, to remain inside our personal Ark. But G-d says: Lech min ha-teivah - Go out. Bring that holiness into your home, your workplace, your community. Transform the world outside just as you were transformed within.
Because life’s greatest tragedy is not when we fall, but when we refuse to rise, when we miss the chance to act. May we have the courage to hear G-d’s push, to step forward, to choose life, to light fires of faith and goodness in a world that desperately needs warmth.
Have a good Shabbos and a week filled with courage, purpose, and light.
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.
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