- Click here for KYY newsletter.
- Rabbi & Mrs. Mendy Spalter invite you to a farbrengen this Friday night for the refuah shlaima of Chaya Mushka bas Hadassa Shaina, at the home of Rabbi & Mrs. Yosef Wolowik 412 N Alta Vista Blvd.
- This year imarks 200 years from the the passing of the Alter Rebbe. We sent out an email about the division of Tanya and the Shulchan Aruch. Please go here or here to see the list. We need your participation!
We will also be making a special weekend program for our community: Including a Shabbos Program, a Melave Malke and a Sunday learning Program. Click here for Melava Malka info.
Shul Bulletin
Announcements - Vayechi
Shabbos Schedule - Vayechi
- Shabbos Candle Lighting: 4:34 pm
- Late Minyan for Kabolas Shabbos: 6:20 pm
- Shiur Chassidus with Rabbi Raichik: 9:00 am
- Last Time To Read Shema: 9:26 am
- Early Minyan Shacharis: 9:30 am
- Shacharis: 10:00 am
- Kol Yakov Yehuda: 10:15
- Mincha: 4:35 pm
- Shabbos Ends: 5:37 pm
- Father and Son Learning: 7:30 pm
Sholom Zochor
Yossy and Chaya Nassy
Invite the community to a Sholom Zochor
at the home of Rabbi Yochanan Henig 111 S Fuller Ave.
Kiddush Sponsors - Vayechi
- The Bastomski family for the yahrtzeit of their brother Chaim Zeev ben Avrohom Yitzchok Bastomski ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
- Rabbi & Mrs. Chaim Binyomin Burston for the yahrtzeit of Mrs. Chana Baila Burston’s father Dov ben Pesach ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
- The Frimerman family in honor of the ufruf of their son Yisrael. May he be Zoche to build a binyan aday ad.
- The Gaboim of the shul in honor of Shabbos Chazak. May they and the entire community be blessed with kol tuv se’ela.
Early Minyan Kiddush Sponsors - Vayechi
- Rabbi & Mrs. Yitzchok Arnold for the yahrtzeit of Rabbi Yitzchok Arnold’s father Noson Notte ben Yakov Yeshayohu Hakohen ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
- The Gaboim of the shul in honor of Shabbos Chazak. May they and the entire community be blessed with kol tuv se’ela.
- Rabbi & Mrs. Velvel Geisinsky in honor of Rabbi Velvel Geisinsky’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
- Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Levin in honor of Mr. Daniel Levin’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
- Rabbi & Mrs. Zali Munitz in honor of Rabbi Zali Munitz’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
- Mr. & Mrs. Menachem Rubinstein for the yahrtzeit of Mr. Menachem Rubinstein's father Moshe ben Nosson ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
Women's Shabbos Shiur - Vayechi
At the home of Mrs. Chana Rachel Schusterman
126 N Fuller Ave.
4:00 pm
Speaker: Mrs. Chana Rachel Schusterman
Mazal Tov To - Vayechi
- Rabbi & Mrs. Shaye Eichenblatt on the engagement of their daughter Chani to Yisroel Silman.
- Rabbi & Mrs. Levi Kramer on the birth of their daughter Shaina Mushka.
- Mr. & Mrs. Aron Nassy on the birth of their grandson (to Yossy and Chaya Nassy).
- Mr. & Mrs. Yankee Bloch on the birth of their grandson (to Eli & Ruthie Bloch).
Upcoming Birthdays
- Mattisyahu Tzvi Stark - 16 Teves
- Chaim Binyomin Estulin - 16 Teves
- Yitzchok Tzvi Gorelik - 18 Teves
- Rabbi Zali Munitz - 21 Teves
Upcoming Anniversaries
- Mr. & Mrs. Yisroel Schochet - 16 Teves
Upcoming Yahrtzeits
- Chaim Zeev ben Avrohom Yitzchok Bastomski - 17 Teves
- Sora Golda bas Yaacov (Mrs. Necha Lerner’s mother) - 17 Teves
- Noson Notte ben Yakov Yeshayohu Hakohen (Rabbi Yitzchok Arnold’s father) - 17 Teves
- Dov ben Pesach (Mrs. Chana Baila Burston’s father) - 19 Teves
Announcements - Vayigash
- Click here for KYY newsletter.
- Rabbi & Mrs. Mendy Spalter invite you to a farbrengen this Friday night for the refuah shlaima of Chaya Mushka bas Hadassa Shaina, at the home of Sholom and Ruchama Langsam - 434 N Alta Vista Blvd.
- This year is 200 years from the the passing of the Alter Rebbe. We sent out an email about the division of Tanya and the Shulchan Aruch. Please go here or here to see the list. We need your participation!
Save the Date: We will also be making a special weekend program for our community: Shabbos Program, Melave Malke and a Sunday learning Program. Shabbos Parshas Shemos, 23-24 Teves/January 5-6. Details to follow. - Anyone who took a Mesechta of Mishnayos for Rabbi Labkowsky should please make sure to finish in time for the shloshim - this Tuesday.
- The Simons Family invite the community to a Melava Malka with Rabbi Yossi Jacobson for men & women this Motzei Shabbos. Click here for more info.
Shabbos Schedule - Vayigash
- Shabbos Candle Lighting: 4:29 pm
- Late Minyan for Kabolas Shabbos: 6:20 pm
- Shiur Chassidus with Rabbi Raichik: 9:00 am
- Last Time To Read Shema: 9:23 am
- Early Minyan Shacharis: 9:30 am
- Shacharis: 10:00 am
- Kol Yakov Yehuda: 10:15
- Mincha: 4:25 pm
- Shabbos Ends: 5:32 pm
- Father and Son Learning: 7:30 pm
Fast of Asarah B’Teves
Sunday, Teves 10/December 23
- Fast Starts: 5:36 am
- Minchah: 4:15 pm
- Fast Ends: 5:25 pm
For all the laws and customs
Please see the Chabad Chodesh
Kiddush Sponsors
- Mr. & Mrs. Milton Goodman for the yahrtzeit of Mr. Milton Goodman’s mother Risha bas Tzvi Hirsh ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
- Rabbi & Mrs. Shaya Berkowitz for the yahrtzeits of Rabbi Shaya Berkowitz’s father Moshe Yaakov ben Yeshaye ob"m and brother Tanchum ben Moshe Yaakov ob"m. May the neshomos have an aliya.
- Mr. & Mrs. Shimon Benarroch for the yahrtzeits of Mrs. Kelly Benarroch’s sister Simcha bas Moshe ob"m and brother Mordechai ben Moshe ob"m. May the neshomos have an aliya.
- Mr. & Mrs. Shalom Elharrar in honor of Rabbi Shalom Elharrar’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
- Mr. Betzalel Fleischman in honor of his birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus. Also for the yahrtzeit of his mother Perel bas Noson ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
- Mr. & Mrs. Doron Israeli for the yahrtzeit of Mr. Doron Israeli’s father Yona ben Yitzchok ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
- Rabbi & Mrs. Sender Munitz for the yahrtzeit of Mrs. Gittie Munitz’s father Yitzchok Yosef ben Avrohom Dov ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
- Mr. & Mrs. Shmuel Stroll in honor of their anniversary. May they have many more happy years together.
- Mr. & Mrs. Meilach Weiss in honor of Mr. Meilach Weiss’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
Early Minyan Kiddush Sponsors
- Mr. & Mrs. Menachem Rubinstein for the yahrtzeit of Mr. Menachem Rubinstein's father Moshe ben Nosson ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
Women's Shabbos Shiur - Vayigash
At the home of Mrs. Chana Weiss
411 N Martel Ave.
4:00 pm
Speaker: Rabbi Yisroel Hecht
Mazal Tov To - Vayigash
Upcoming Birthdays
- Shmuel Dovid Andrusier - 10 Teves
- Mr. Bob Meyer - 10 Teves
- Mr. Betzalel Fleischman - 12 Teves
- Rabbi Shimon Raichik - 13 Teves
- Mr. Nachum Marks - 13 Teves
- Mr. Shalom Elharrar - 13 Teves
- Mr. Meilach Weiss - 14 Teves
Upcoming Anniversaries
- Mr. & Mrs. Shmuel Stroll - 11 Teves
Upcoming Yahrtzeits
- Mordechai ben Moshe (Mrs. Kelly Benarroch’s brother) - 9 Teves
- Yenta bas Nochum (Mr. Avrohom Plotkin’s mother) - 9 Teves
- Yisroel Yitzchok ben Mordechai Hakohen (Mrs. Miriam Feiner’s father) - 10 Teves
- Yona ben Yitzchok (Mr. Doron Israeli’s father) - 10 Teves
- Perel bas Noson (Mr. Betzalel Fleischman’s mother) - 12 Teves
- Moshe Yaakov ben Yeshaye (Rabbi Shaya Berkowitz’s father) - 14 Teves
- Tanchum ben Moshe Yaakov (Rabbi Shaya Berkowitz’s brother) - 14 Teves
Devar Torah - Vayigash
Surfing on the Waves of a
Good Fabrengen!
By Rabbi Shimon Raichick
These articles in the last few weeks’ have discussed the meaning and purpose of a true chassidishe fabrengen. Some may think that an inspiring fabrengen the likes of which were commonplace in the past is rare or even impossible today. We ask ourselves; is it really possible to have a great fabrengen nowadays?
Let’s begin with a story. While recently in New York I heard Rabbi Yossi Denberg from Florida tell a story about his great uncle Reb Nisan Neminov. He heard the story from Reb Yoel Kahn. Once, in the 1950’s Reb Yoel saw the Rebbe’s secretary, Reb Moshe Leib Rotshtein walk out of the Rebbe’s room shaken up. He asked him why he was so upset. Reb Moshe said that the Rebbe had asked him to do something earlier in the day and tonight asked if it was done. He told the Rebbe about the various unexpected difficulties he encountered that prevented him from accomplishing the Rebbe’s instructions. The Rebbe then told him about a letter he recently received from Reb Nisan from France. Reb Nisan wrote that people are speaking about him, saying that he’s not a mekushar (bound) to the Rebbe. He said that after much soul searching and examination of all the powers of his neshama he was unable to find anywhere in his being where he was not a mekushar to the Rebbe. Still, people persist in saying that he is not a mekushar. Therefore his lack of hiskashrus could be hidden in the higher powers of the neshama, which he cannot find correct unless he were a tzaddik. Therefore, he wrote the Rebbe that he is willing to do whatever the Rebbe wants from him regardless of what it is. The Rebbe then turned to Reb Moshe Leib and said; “I didn’t ask Reb Nisan to do anything but he’s ready to do everything. I asked you do something and all I got were excuses…” (Others tell this story differently, but the meaning is the same) This story shows the true hiskashrus of a chosid to a Rebbe. If he feels that something is missing he will do anything to complete the connection.
Many will hear this story and say to themselves that it’s a great story but I’m not Reb Nisan and therefore it is not relevant to me. Even if I go to a fabrengen there’s no chance I’ll reach that level. So what does telling this story accomplish?
This year, at the tail end of the Kinus HaShluchim, I met some businessmen from LA who had been at the Kinus. They weren’t shluchim nor had they studied in a Lubavitcher Yeshiva. They wanted to go to the Ohel so we went together. It was obvious that they were quite moved by their experience at the Kinus. After writing our panim and a few l’chaims, Mr K, decided to read his pan out loud; “Thank you Rebbe for everything that you have done… I am your servant and am ready to do anything that you tell me to….” Mr K puts on tefillin. I don’t know how much Chassidus he learns or for how long he davens. He’s a businessman. So what happened that got him so inspired? He went to the Kinus, he absorbed the atmosphere, he met the shluchim, made l’chaim, and sang some nigunim. This is what moved him and caused him to realize that one must be connected to the Rebbe. The Kinus was the chassidishe fabrengen.
When someone leads a fabrengen he needs to realize that he is not a lecturer or a performer. Giving over at a fabrengen is the sum total of living Chassidus, learning, davening, and then fabrenging to inspire both him and others. For this to work, those that attend need to realize that they are players’ not just observers. If you are in business, and you attend a trade show or a convention, people will try to sell you on many ideas. If you aren’t interested in their product, as good as the presentation may be, you still won’t be sold. If it matters to you, if your life and livelihood depend on it, then it will arouse you.
In order to be moved by a Yud Tes Kislev or a Yud Shevat fabrengen you need to be a player, not just an observer. You don’t need to take a time machine backward a hundred years to sit with the original chassidim, it’s still available today if you really want.
Over 15 years ago in the yeshiva there was a Rosh Chodesh Kislev fabrengen. Many of those who attended were not there in 5739 and some had never actually seen the Rebbe. One boy in particular wasn’t interested to be there. All he really wanted to do was go surfing. The whole night the person leading the fabrengen really put himself into it and drew this boy into it with him. He had a profound impact on him. It came without any plan or specific preparation. He just let go and it happened by itself. This is how a true fabrengen works both in the past and in the present. To live this way lays the foundation of our future as Chassidim. Chassidus gives us the energy and strength to take us out of our own bondage and bring a personal redemption for ourselves and others and leads toward the true and complete geula.
Announcements - Miketz
- Click here for KYY newsletter.
- Rabbi & Mrs. Mendy Spalter invite you to a farbrengen this Friday night for the refuah shlaima of Chaya Mushka bas Hadassa Shaina, at the home of Rabbi and Mrs. Wolf 158 S Detroit St.
- The Friday night Chanuka Farbrengen will iy"h take place at the home of Rabbi & Mrs. Shalom Elharrar - 157 N Fuller Ave.
- In honor of Hey Teves Chabad/Atara's will stay open on Monday untill 10:00 pm - especially for our community to be able to fulfill the Rebbe's instructions to celebrate Hey Teves not only with Chassidic gatherings but also with purchasing books. They will also be having a special SALE!!! Ample parking available in the back.
- Please say Tehillim for Chaya Mushka bas Hadassah Shaina.
Shabbos Schedule - Miketz
- Mincha Erev Shabbos: 12:30 pm and 3:15 pm.
- Shabbos Candle Lighting: 4:27 pm
- Late Minyan For Kabolas Shabbos: 6:40 pm
- Shiur Chassidus with Rabbi Raichik: 9:00 am
- Last Time To Read Shema: 9:19 am
- Early Minyan Shacharis: 9:30 am
- Shacharis: 10:00 am
- NO KYY
- Mincha: 4:25 pm
- Shabbos Ends: 5:30 pm
Kiddush Sponsors
- Rabbi & Mrs. Naftoli Estulin in honor of Rabbi Naftoli Estulin’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
- Mr. & Mrs. Chaim Lerner for the yahrtzeit of Mr. Chaim Lerner’s mother Bassya bas Mordechai ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
- Rabbi & Mrs. Yosef Yitzchok Schneerson in honor of Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Schneerson’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
- Rabbi & Mrs. Shmuel Stroll for the yahrtzeit of Rabbi Shmuel Stroll’s mother Tsharna Gittel bas Yaakov ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
Early Minyan Kiddush Sponsors
- Mr. & Mrs. Moshe Anatian for the yahrtzeit of Mrs. Rochel Anatian’s father Moshe Pulat ben Bechor ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya. Also in honor of their son Menachem Mendel Yishai’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
- Rabbi Levi Benjaminson in honor of his birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
- Rabbi & Mrs. Ari Goldman in honor of their birthdays. May they have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
- Chonye Grossman in honor of his birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
- Mr. & Mrs. Michael Zaghi in honor of Mr. Michael Zaghi’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
Shabbos Kalla
Mushky Wolowik
Invites all women to her Shabbos Kalla
at 711 N McCadden Pl.
3:30 pm
Speaker: Rabbi Yrachmiel Wolowik
Mazal Tov To - Miketz
- Rabbi & Mrs. Eli Vcherashansky on the birth of their grandson to Yitzy and Esther Malka Kleinman).
- Rabbi & Mrs. Yrachmiel Wolowik on the upcoming marriage of their daughter Mushky to Schneur Zalman Korf.
- Rabbi & Mrs. Meir Schmukler on the upcoming marriage of their daughter Mushky to Chaim Perman.
- Mr. Joel Yachzel on the birth of his granddaughter Leeba (to Eliyahu and Elianna Ickovic).
Upcoming Birthdays
- Rabbi Naftoli Estulin - 2 Teves
- Elchonon Dovber Grossman - 3 Teves
- Rabbi Dovid Drizin - 4 Teves
- Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Schneerson - 8 Teves
- Rabbi Levi Benjaminson - 8 Teves
Upcoming Yahrtzeits
- Moshe Pulat ben Bechor (Mrs. Rochel Anatian’s father) - 2 Teves
- Chaya Liba bas Yosef (Mr. Mendel-Hilel Ganzburg’s mother) - 2 Teves
- Simcha bas Moshe (Mrs. Kelly Benarroch’s sister) - 3 Teves
- Yitzchok Yosef ben Avrohom Dov (Mrs. Gittie Munitz’s father) - 3 Teves
- Risha bas Tzvi Hirsh (Mr. Milton Goodman’s mother) - 3 Teves
- Chaim ben Avraham Halevi (Mrs. Debbie Tibor’s father) - 4 Teves
- Bluma bas Eliezer Hakohen (Mr. Zechariah Davidson’s grandmother) - 5 Teves
- Tsharna Gittel bas Yaakov (Rabbi Shmuel Stroll’s mother) - 5 Teves
- Aharon Dovid ben Yitzchok Aizik (Mr. Allan Stark’s father) - 6 Teves
- Chaya Barbera bas Binyomin (Mr. Jon Engelson’s mother) - 8 Teves
Devar Torah - Miketz
A Good Fabrengen is the Fuel of a Chosid
By Rabbi Shimon Raichik
There is a vital need to refresh, reinvigorate and reinstate the positive approach of the fabrengens of the early chassidim. This is the subject of a letter from the Previous Rebbe (v.9 page 246). He writes that fabrengens of the past were filled with true inner content. There was no place for emotional outbursts. All of the participants were surrounded by an atmosphere filled with the spirit of true sincerity.
As the fabrengen progressed some would speak about a certain behavior of the Rebbe, while others would describe the davening of the Rebbe that they had merited to hear. Many spoke about an experience they had in a yechidus, while others would be thinking about a yechidus which they were not allowed to share. During these precious moments, each person found them removed in their thoughts beyond time and space. They would envision themselves standing many years before in the room of the Rebbe, staring at his majestic appearance, trembling from the holiness, together with an inner sense of wondrous delight, listening to every single word of the Yechidus. These were not just passing memories; rather moments from the past very much lived in the present. They relived these moments and through them became aroused to the point that they would, all at once burst out spontaneously and simultaneously into a niggun full of heartfelt meaning. It was often a niggun of longing, of pouring out of the soul, and of supplication all at the same moment.
How pleasant it was to hear the stories of the lives of these chassidim which described the ways of chassidus during these fabrengens. The niggunim and dancing that came through all of this evaporated any distance in time. Everyone felt that at this very moment they were standing with the Rebbe in his room. This was the format of the fabrengens of chassidim of the past. The Previous Rebbe said that this is his intention in calling for public fabrengens. The fabrengens should be done in this fashion. These fabrengens should take place on Shabbos Mevarchim. By carrying out the fabrengens appropriate to the proper intention it will be good for them in both physical and spiritual health.
Some think that in order to have a good fabrengen you need to take a lot of mashke. The Previous Rebbe writes (v. 4 page 284) that R. Hillel Paritcher would relate that when R. Aisik from Homil was in his 80’s, his eyes began to hurt and the doctor forbade him from drinking mashke. Generally R Aisik would take mashke saying that this was the way of the original chassidim. Now, in his 80’s they would pour a cup of mashke and he would take a sip and then place it in front of him and say; “looking at it can’t hurt”. The Previous Rebbe commented by saying that the lack of mashke doesn’t need to diminish in any way the essence of a good fabrengen, which is a source and way of life in internalizing a feeling in the life of the Torah and mitzvos.
Today, when we attend a fabrengen, we don’t go just to show our allegiance to the cause. We go to put ourselves into it. We go to connect to someone who was there by the Rebbe as he retells what it was like. The feelings of what happened when the Rebbe gave Chanukah gelt, or what the Rebbe said after the Yom Kippur War in 1973 when he began the mivtza of Channuka. We go to hear about Channuka in 1978 after the heart attack or by Zos Chanukah. We get drawn into it; it’s not just a story. A fabrengen is not a speech or a sermon or a lecture. We need to sing the niggunim, make l’chaim, relive, refresh and participate. By taking part we are drawn in and taken along, and this is why it is so important.
Announcements - Vayeishev
- Click here for KYY newsletter.
- Chanukah Farbrengens: Farbrengens will take place iy"h every night of Chanukah in our Shul beginning @ 9:30 pm with a guest speaker & a sponsor to be announced. A video of the Rebbe on the subject of Chanukah will be shown (except Shabbos).
- Rabbi & Mrs. Mendy Spalter invite you to a farbrengen this Friday night for the refuah shlaima of Chaya Mushka bas Hadassa Shaina, at the home of Avi and Brooke Hecht 821 N Formosa Ave #302.
- Please say Tehillim for Chaya Mushka bas Hadassah Shaina.
Shabbos Schedule - Vayeishev
- Shabbos Candle Lighting: 4:25 pm
- Shabbos Mevarchim Tehillim: 8:15 am
- Followed by a Shiur Chassidus with Rabbi Raichik
- Tehillim Club: 9:00 am
- Last Time To Read Shema: 9:15 am
- Early Minyan Shacharis: 10:00 am
- Shacharis: 10:15 am
- Kol Yakov Yehuda: 10:30
- Mincha: 4:25 pm
- Shabbos Ends: 5:28 pm
- Molad of Chodesh Teves: Thursday, Kislev 29/December 13, 4:09 pm and 11 Chalakim
- Rosh Chodesh Teves: Friday, December 14
Chanukah
Kislev 25 - Teves 3/December 9-16
For all the laws and customs please see the Chabad Chodesh
- We light the first candle Motzoei Shabbos.
- Plag Haminchah on December 9 is 3:42 pm.
- Sunset on December 9 is 4:44.
- Plag Hamincha & sunset change daily during Chanukah - check calendar!
Kiddush Sponsors
- Mr. & Mrs. Zechariah Davidson in honor of the birthdays of Mr. Zechariah Davidson, Mrs. Yehudis Davidson and their son Moshe. May they all have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
Early Minyan Kiddush Sponsors
- Rabbi & Mrs. Yitzchok Arnold for the yahrtzeit of Rabbi Yitzchok Arnold’s mother Devorah bas Yechiel Shraga Faivish Halevi ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
- Levi Benjaminson in honor of his anniversary. May they have many more happy years together.
- Mr. & Mrs. Steve Zipp in honor of the birthdays of Mr. Steve Zipp, Mrs. Shifra Klein and Mr. Arthur Diller. May they all have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
Women's Shabbos Shiur
At the home of Mrs. Etty Bastomski
418 N. Fuller Ave.
3:45 pm
Speaker: Mrs. Doonie Mishulovin
Mazal Tov To
- Rabbi & Mrs. Yisroel Hecht on the birth of their grandson (to Boruch and Mooka Hecht).
- Rabbi & Mrs. Zalmy Fogelman on the birth of their daughter. Mazal tov to the grandparents Rabbi & Mrs. Shmuel Fogleman.
Upcoming Birthdays
- Yaakov Wolowik - 24 Kislev
- Mr. Shmuel David Faynerman - 24 Kislev
- Mr. Arthur Diller - 25 Kislev
- Sholom Yehuda Gorelik - 27 Kislev
- Mr. Zechariah Davidson - 27 Kislev
- Menachem Mendel Yishai Antian - 28 Kislev
- Rabbi Ari Goldman - 28 Kislev
- Rabbi Chayim Mishulovin - 28 Kislev
- Chaim Eliyahu Mishulovin - 28 Kislev
- Mr. Michael Zaghi - 29 Kislev
Upcoming Yahrtzeits
- Devorah bas Yechiel Shraga Faivish Halevi (Rabbi Yitzchok Arnold’s mother) - 28 Kislev
- Bassya bas Mordechai (Mr. Chaim Lerner’s mother) - 1 Teves
Devar Torah
A Good Fabrengen is the Best Medication
By Rabbi Shimon Raichik
The Previous Rebbe wrote in a letter (vol. 4 pg. 285) that it’s impossible to determine just how much good comes, both physically and spiritually from a chassidishe fabrengen. The truth is that it requires a great deal of preparation to achieve the proper mindset and heartfelt interest in order to receive what a fabrengen has to offer. Just as it takes effort to prepare a maamar to say in public, the preparation for a fabrengen is far greater.
In another letter (vol. 3 pg. 291) the Previous Rebbe described his experience in a clinic. The Rebbe described the procedure carried out by the doctors while administering an injection. He saw the tremendous care taken to check the cleanliness of all the instruments. The nurse dressed in special white garments. They washed their hands repeatedly and looked under their fingernails meticulously. In the end they poured strong chemicals on their fingers, especially their nails to remove any contaminants. When they finished the preparations, they washed the foot to be given the injection with alcohol and other cleansers to remove even the smallest amount of dirt. They repeated this procedure two or three times.
When I saw all this careful preparation, I asked them why it was necessary to do this if I had just finished a meticulous cleaning of my own. They explained that it is an unbreakable rule that any time someone receives a shot of medicine, the surface where the injection is made must be washed following this procedure. If this procedure is not followed exactly, they run the risk that a minute amount of bacteria can enter the body together with the medicine. Then, not only could the bacteria neutralize the power of the medicine, it could even make the sickness worse. The Rebbe then connected all of this to the meaning of a good fabrengen.
When chassidim gather together for a fabrengen, it’s is like good dose of medicine. It is a great remedy that truly enlivens the soul. It brings help that is impossible to estimate. Most fabrengens are led by individuals who demand that the attendees improve their ways, establish times to learn that they will keep, and that the learning should lead to action. Although these requests are delivered with a heartfelt love, nevertheless, it feels like getting a shot. The purpose of taking a shot is to get well. The injection leads to a good outcome but it comes with a “shtech”; with the point of a needle.
Before one goes about sticking someone with a needle, he needs to be certain that it is clean. The words spoken need to be carefully chosen and infused with deep heartfelt content. As we have seen; every chassidishe vort enters into the mind and heart and arouses the heart and attaches one to the truth. He also needs to be sure that the place where the shot is given is also very clean. There shouldn’t even be the slightest bit of dirt. If you don’t keep these conditions, not only will you lose the benefit of the remedy, but more importantly it is dangerous because the dirt from the outside, (unimportant or unrelated ideas or personal attacks), while easy to remove beforehand can cause great damage after the fact.
There is a story about the famous letter that the Rebbe Rashab wrote for chassidim in the year 1901 when he was unable to be present in Lubavitch at the Yud Tes Kislev fabrengen due to communal affairs. The letter is called “The Maamer of Rosh Hashana of Chassidus”. (It is printed in the beginning of the Kuntres Hamayon.) There were a few thousand copies that were hand written and distributed. Many chassidim finally received it in Teves or Shevat or even later. The Previous Rebbe wrote a report (found in Kuntres Hamayon) about the responses he received from chassidim all over Russia, including the following story. The Chassid Reb BenTzion Osyevski was traveling on business and brought the letter to his relative Reb Yaacov Osyevski in Petersburg. Although Yaccov was non-religious, this letter aroused his inner being and brought back memories of his childhood. He was so moved that he asked to arrange a specially prepared yom tov seuda in order to celebrate a second Yud Tes Kislev fabrengen in honor of this letter. They made this farbrengen on the fifteenth of Shevat. The fabrengen was made with great joy, a large crowd of chassidim, in an opulent fashion. All of the great chassidim of the time attended. In the midst of this fabrengen, Reb Yaacov clearly very moved, stood up and swore that from this moment on his house would be kosher. He would keep Shabbos and only eat kosher food. The very next day he broke his old dishes and bought all new dishes. Shabbos Shira was the first Shabbos that he kept according to halacha. From this we can clearly see the power of a chassidishe fabrengen. When one becomes aroused with the great words of the Rebbe, it has the power to bring someone who has been desecrating Shabbos and eating non kosher for 19 years to do teshuva. Chassidim cannot overestimate their own spiritual powers.
(Adapted from the letters of the Previous Rebbe)