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 Rabbi Lipskar's weekly d'var torah

Vayikrah 

This portion commences the third Book of the Torah, Vayikrah, AKA Leviticus. The emphasis and great majority of this book addresses the various laws and observances regarding the cattle, fowl and meal/flour offerings brought on the Altar in the Tabernacle.  These offerings were sacrificed for many reasons including donations, pledges, expiation of sin and daily, Sabbath and holiday obligatory offerings.

Different species were offered to enable everyone, regardless of financial ability, to partake in this lofty service to Almighty G-d. Those who could not afford an ox, sheep or goat could bring a pigeon or dove and the extremely indigent who could not even offer a bird, could offer some wheat flour.

The Torah states that the fowl offerings were burned on the Altar with their feathers (Ch. 1 v17). Rashi, who teaches the Torah to the five-year-old child, immediately comments that though the smell of burning feathers is extremely foul it indicates the fact that Hashem beautifies His Altar with the offering of the poor even though the physical smell may seem offensive.

Similarly, when stating the wheat/flour offering of the most impoverished, the Torah uses the word “when a soul brings an offering” (Ch. 2 v1).  Again, Rashi explains that the term “soul” is not used with any other offering except here, to teach us that when those who have nothing, bring their meager, poor gifts to Hashem, He considers it as if they gave their souls to Him.

Even when we are occupied with the loftiest, most esoteric form of Divine Service, the basic, humanitarian sensitivity towards our less fortunate brothers is paramount.  It is the good thoughts and proper intention that counts. Even more than the physical abundance.  “Rachmonah Liba Boyee”, “Hashem desires the heart”.

As we approach the 11th of Nissan when we commemorate the 123rd birthday of Our Rebbe (may his merit shield us) we can look to his example of loving every Jew regardless of class, station, knowledge, wealth or piety – like he loved himself.

Have a great Shabbos and a good week.

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 Shul Pushka please call The Shul Office at 305-868-1411 or fill out the form below.

Click here to request a Pushka

 

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.

   All holidays begin at sundown on the day before the date specified here.

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.

Thu, April 3 2025 5 Nisan 5785