ASK THE RABBI
Rabbi Lipskar's weekly d'var torah
Baruch Hashem
VAYISHLACH ~ YUD TES KISLEV 5780
As we celebrate the Rosh Hashanah for Chassiduth on the 19th of Kislev (Yud Tes Kislev) we commemorate the emancipation of the Founder of Chabad/Lubavitch, the Alter Rebbe, Reb Schneur Zalman of Liadi, from a death-row imprisonment. The story of the Alter Rebbe’s imprisonment through the false accusation by fellow Jews whose mission was to destroy and eliminate Chassiduth is an updated re-experience of this week’s Torah portion.
Only a fellow Jewish brother from the same upbringing and family can completely destroy another Jewish brother and family.
As the Alter Rebbe faced the most formidable challenges and painful circumstances even to the extent of imminent loss of his life, he stood on the shoulders of his illustrious Father Jacob who faced similar challenges and difficulties and not only survived and persevered but was successful in an “over the top” manner.
As we read the following episode just substitute Yaacov and Eisav for the Alter Rebbe and his opponents.
Yaakov meets Eisav. This confrontation is prefaced by trepidation, fear, anxiety, insecurity and dread but also hope and faith by Yaakov, and anger, revenge, murderous intent and faithless power by Eisav.
They march toward each other with opposite emotions and expectations. Yaakov, even as he prepares for a miracle, resigns to the possibility of significant loss of life and possessions while Eisav strives to kill and annihilate. A miraculous spirit of camaraderie and fraternity ensues as they come together in embrace and seeming love, albeit only temporarily.
This traumatic episode is preceded by Yaakov wrestling with the angel representing Eisav, and when Yaakov is given the name Yisrael which becomes the eternal identity of the Jewish People. The sequence of these events and their content must have relevance, not only to the Biblical story of that time and place where it actually transpires, but to each of us in our personal lives and time.
was a strong person with a very powerful family. Two of his sons killed an entire city. One of his sons saved the mighty Yaakov
Eisav was a product of Yitzchak, our second Patriarch, and so contained enormous energy. Together with being a progeny of Yitzchak and Rivkah, Kaballah teaches that his origin was from the world of Tohu/Chaos where the light/energy forces are extremely powerful and multitudinous to the extent that they overwhelmed and shattered the vessels of creation because they could not contain them.
Yaakov realized this and knew that eventually he would need and have the power to harness this enormous energy and utilize it to illuminate G-d’s world.
His initial fear was based on the recognition of Eisav’s yet-unrefined power, while their brotherly embrace was a precursor to the messianic period, when that which challenged and threatened us during our exile/Galut experience will be elevated and transformed to fill the world with the light of holiness as the waters fill the seas. That is what the Alter Rebbe’s Chassiduth teaches and promulgates.
Have a good Shabbos and a great week and Le Shana Tova for Chassiduth and the study of Chassiduth!
Rabbi 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.
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