- Click here for KYY update.
- Click here for this week’s JEM “Here’s My Story”.
- Sunday: “Bracha's Tehillim and Torah Club” for women and girls, EVERY Sunday, 10:15 - 11:30 am, in Kol Yakov Yehuda.
- Save The Date: Farbrengen for men & women with Rabbi Yossi Jacobson Thursday, 8 Shevat/January 9, in honor of Yud Shevat & the Siyum HoRambam.
- Please say tehillim for Rabbi Bart's father (Mordechai ben Chana) & Mrs. Debbie Alison (Devorah Miriam bas Sarah).
Shul Bulletin
Announcements - Va’era
Shabbos Schedule - Va’era
- Shabbos Candle Lighting: 4:33
- Shabbos Mevarchim Tehillim: 8:15 am
- Followed by a Shiur Chassidus by Rabbi Shimon Raichik
- Thillim Club: 9:00 am
- Last Time To Read Shema: 9:26 am
- Early Minyan Shacharis: 10:00 am
- Shacharis: 10:15 am
- KYY: 10:30 am
- Mesibas Shabbos For Girls (in KYY) 3:30 pm
- Mincha: 4:30 pm
- Shabbos Ends: 5:36 pm
- Molad Chodesh Shevat: Wednesday, 29 Teves/January 1, 1:42 pm and 6 chalokim.
- Rosh Chodesh Shevat: Thursday, January 2.
Kiddush Sponsors - Va’era
- Rabbi & Mrs. Meir Ashkenazi in honor of Rabbi Meir Ashkenazi’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
- Rabbi & Mrs. Yosef Bukiet for the yahrtzeit of Rabbi Yosef Bukiet’s father Harav Chaim Meir ben Reb Avrohom Shmuel ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
- The Elharrar, Goldman & Hecht families for the yahrtzeit of Reb Yaakov Chayim ben Reb Mordechay ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
- Rabbi & Mrs. Asher Habibian for the yahrtzeit of Rabbi Asher Habibian’s mother Pari bas Reb Shlomo ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
- Mr. & Mrs. Ariel Haratz for the yahrtzeit of Mrs. Elisa Haratz’s father Reb Mordechai ben Reb Yaakov ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
- Rabbi & Mrs. Reuven Nathanson for the yahrtzeit of Rabbi Reuven Nathanson’s mother Malka Chana bas Reb Yosef ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
- Dr. & Mrs. Ze'ev Rav-Noy for the yahrtzeit of Dr. Ze'ev Rav-Noy’s father Reb Yehudah Mordechai ben Reb Baruch ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
- Rabbi & Mrs. Gershon Schusterman for the yahrtzeit of Mrs. Chana Rachel Schusterman’s mother Chava bas Reb Yakov Yisroel ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
- Rabbi & Mrs. Yonah Mordechai Weiss for the yahrtzeit of Rabbi Yonah Mordechai Weiss’s mother Miriam bas Reb Alter Mordechai ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
Early Minyan Kiddush Sponsors - Va’era
- Yonatan Avila in honor of his birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
- Mr. & Mrs. Yossi Goldman in honor of the birthday of their twin daughter’s Bracha Chaya & Chana Shulamis. May they have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
Also for the yahrtzeit of Mrs. Dina Tova Goldman’s mother Bracha Chaya bas Reb Refoel ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya. - Rabbi & Mrs. Zali Munitz in honor of the 3rd birthday of their triplets Rivkah, Dina & Yitzchak Yosef. May they live and be well kein yirbu, and to thank Hashem for his miracles and infinite kindness!
- Mr. & Mrs. Mitch Reichman in honor of Mr. Mitch Reichman’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
- Mr. & Mrs. Jack Soussana in honor of Mrs. Elka Soussana’s birthday. May she have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
Women's Shabbos Shiur - Va’era
4:30 pm - At the home of: Mrs. Tzirel Frankel
109 S Vista Ave.
Shabbos Mevorchim Farbrengen
Mazal Tov To - Va’era
Upcoming Birthdays
- Rabbi Yehudah Lerman - 25 Teves
- Eliyahu Binyomin Engelson - 25 Teves
- Rabbi Simcha Meir Bart - 26 Teves
- Rabbi Dov Avrohom Fine - 26 Teves
- Yitzchak Yosef Munitz - 27 Teves
- Mr. David Peretz - 28 Teves
- Elisha Lerman - 28 Teves
- Mr. Harvey Benton - 28 Teves
- Yonatan Avila - 28 Teves
- Mr. Mitch Reichman - 28 Teves
- Dovid Leib Bastomski - 1 Shevat
- Rabbi Meir Ashkenazi - 2 Shevat
Upcoming Anniversaries
- Mr. & Mrs. Boruch Greenbaum - 1 Shevat
Upcoming Yahrtzeits
- Reb Mordechai ben Reb Yaakov (Mrs. Elisa Haratz’s father) - 25 Teves
- Masha bas Reb Shlomo (Mrs. Nana Rushka Stark’s mother) - 25 Teves
- Bracha Chaya bas Reb Refoel (Mrs. Dina Tova Goldman’s mother) - 26 Teves
- Chava bas Reb Yakov Yisroel (Mrs. Chana Rachel Schusterman’s mother) - 26 Teves
- Reb Yaakov Chayim ben Reb Mordechay (Mrs. Milka Elharrar’s father) - 26 Teves
- Harav Chaim Meir ben Reb Avrohom Shmuel (Rabbi Yosef Bukiet’s father) - 27 Teves
- Reb Shmuel ben Reb Moshe (Mrs. Marsha Alperin’s father) - 28 Teves
- Reb Avrohom ben Reb Nachum (Dr. Sholom Fine’s father) - 28 Teves
- Pari bas Reb Shlomo (Rabbi Asher Habibian’s mother) - 28 Teves
- Malka Chana bas Reb Yosef (Rabbi Reuven Nathanson’s mother) - 29 Teves
- Reb Yehudah Mordechai ben Reb Baruch (Dr. Ze'ev Rav-Noy’s father) - 29 Teves
- Reb Shmuel ben Reb Avrohom (Mrs. Nana Rushka Stark’s father) - 29 Teves
- Chana bas Reb Moshe (Mr. Jon Hambourger’s mother) - 1 Shevat
- Miriam bas Reb Alter Mordechai (Rabbi Yonah Mordechai Weiss’s mother) - 1 Shevat
Devar Torah - Va’era
When I look into the Mirror, do I see a Chosid?
By Rabbi Shimon Raichik
This Shabbos falls out after Chaf Daled Teves and before Yud Shevat. Therefore it’s a good time for each one of us to think about what being a Lubavitcher Chosid means to us on a personal level.
For those of us who were fortunate enough to be by the Rebbe, and went to the fabrengens, yechidus and dollars may think that all they need to do is recollect those times and relive the past. Aside from the fact that this leaves those who were not by the Rebbe with a question about what they should do, also, the Previous Rebbe says (Sicha 5700) that this is a time for cheshbon, not just recollections. Each one of us needs to take personal stock; in what way am I a chosid? How is being a chosid expressed in my every day living? For this we are all equals, its not just for those who were by the Rebbe, it’s the same for all of us.
Certainly we need to learn a lot of Chassidus and be connected through the learning. We can also sit with our eyes closed and picture how the Rebbe wants a chosid to look today. He wants a chosid that learns chassidus and educates his children in the ways of the Rabbeim. A chosid should have an untrimmed beard even if it’s difficult and maintain a kashrus standard on the highest level. Certainly there should not be any improper books in the home and the girls should be tznuis. We should all be mehader in mitzvos and have set times for Torah study. We should care for others, even those we do not know, etc.
Once we have drawn that picture in our minds we can compare it to our personal situation. How do I fit into that picture? Am I trying? Would the Rebbe approve? It’s about so much more than the hat and the kapote, it’s about our pnimius and where we stand while we stand in front of the Rebbe.
There’s a story about a boy who was convinced he was a rooster. His father asked a professor to help him get some sechel into his son to undo his false notion that he was a rooster. The professor showed up to the coop for observation, presenting himself as a fellow rooster. When lunchtime rolled around, the boy began to thrash around with the other roosters in the seed that was thrown out. The professor took out a sandwich. The boy called him out. He said if you’re a real rooster you need to eat seed. The professor replied; c’mon we’re in the 21st Century, we’re modern roosters, we don’t have to eat seed anymore. We can be 100 percent rooster while eating sandwiches! The boy looked at him with curiosity and said; maybe.
This same interaction occurred throughout the day. When it came time to sleep, the boy sat down with his feet tucked under himself with his head underneath his arm. The professor rolled out a sleeping bag and went to sleep. The boy woke him up. He said if you’re a real rooster you need to sleep like a rooster. The professor replied; c’mon we’re in the 21st Century, we’re modern roosters, we don’t have to sleep like that anymore. We can be 100 percent rooster with a sleeping bag! The boy looked at him with curiosity and said; maybe.
At dawn all the roosters began to crow, all of them aside the professor who woke up to the sound of his alarm clock. That was the straw that broke the camel’s back; the boy could not bear the professors behavior any longer. He said, look, if you’re not eating, or sleeping, or getting up like a rooster, then you’re simply not a rooster! So too with our life as Chassidim, if we talk about being a chosid but we don’t walk our talk we need to ask, where do we fit in?
Just like the Jews in Mitzrayim were in their galus so long they were unable to hear Moshe’s announcement that the time of their redemption had arrived, so too people say that they cannot live in the proper image of a chosid today. Each and every one of us needs to realize that, in truth, we have the power to break out of any difficulty. The Rebbe put within us this ability and it’s our responsibility to find it. If we seek we will find that we have been given the power to break through in all matters. Hashem appeared to the Avos, Vayera el Avraham, Yitzchak v’Yaakov and revealed to us Himself through Torah and Moshe Rabbenu. We were given the match, it’s up to you; do you want to light it?
Announcements - Shemos
- Click here for KYY update.
- Click here for this week’s JEM “Here’s My Story”.
- Sunday: “Bracha's Tehillim and Torah Club” for women and girls, EVERY Sunday, 10:15 - 11:30 am, in Kol Yakov Yehuda.
- Wednesday: 4th & FINAL Shiur for men in the halachos of Ribbis-Interest and their application to everyday life given by Rabbi Elchonon Tauber - Rov of Beis Yehudah. Wednesday 22 Teves/December 25, 8:45 pm. The topic will be - The Laws of Heter Iska.
- Thursday: Farbrengen for men in shul with Rabbi Dov Wagner in honor of 24 Teves.
- Please say tehillim for Rabbi Bart's father (Mordechai ben Chana) & Mrs. Debbie Alison (Devorah Miriam bas Sarah).
Shabbos Schedule - Shemos
- Shabbos Candle Lighting: 4:29
- Shiur Chassidus by Rabbi Raichik: 9:00 am
- Shiur Chassidus by Rabbi Zalman Friedman: 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 am
- Mesibas Shabbos For Girls (in KYY) 3:30 pm
- Mincha: 4:30 pm
- Shabbos Ends: 5:32 pm
Kiddush Sponsors - Shemos
- Rabbi & Mrs. Chaim Binyomin Burston for the yahrtzeit of Mrs. Chana Baila Burston’s father Reb Dov ben Reb Pesach ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
- Tzivi burston for the yahrtzeit of his grandfather Reb Dov ben Reb Pesach ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
- Mr. & Mrs. Moshe Fishman for the yahrtzeit of Mrs. Miriam Fishman’s mother Basya Rochel bas Reb Shmuel Hirsh ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
- Rabbi & Mrs. Yisroel Hecht for the yahrtzeits of Rabbi Yisroel Hecht's parents Reb Avraham Dov ben Reb Yehoshua ob”m & Rebbitzen Lieba bas Reb Boruch ob”m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
- Rabbi & Mrs. Zali Munitz in honor of Rabbi Zali Munitz’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
- Mr. & Mrs. Elozor Plotke in honor of Mr. Elozor Plotke’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
- Rabbi & Mrs. Yosef Wolowik in honor of Mrs. Henny Wolowik’s birthday. May she have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus. Also in honor of the birthdays of their children Yitzchok & Rivka. May they have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
Early Minyan Kiddush Sponsors - Shemos
- Rabbi & Mrs. Zev Geisinsky in honor of Rabbi Zev Geisinsky’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.
Women's Shabbos Shiur - Shemos
4:30 pm - At the home of: Mrs. Sima Zeifamn
421 N Poinsettia Pl.
Speaker: Rabbi Levi Kramer
Mazal Tov To - Shemos
- Rabbi & Mrs. Yisroel Feiner on the marriage of their son Yossi to Brocha Dalfin.
Upcoming Birthdays
- Yitzchok Tzvi Gorelik - 18 Teves
- Shlomo Nathanson - 18 Teves
- Dr. Moshe Benarroch - 19 Teves
- Rabbi Zali Munitz - 21 Teves
- Sholom Dovber Friedman - 22 Teves
- Mr. David Peretz - 22 Teves
- Yitzchok Wolowik - 23 Teves
- Mr. Simcha Pollard - 23 Teves
- Zalmy Shem-Tov - 24 Teves
- Mr. Elozor Plotke - 24 Teves
Upcoming Yahrtzeits
- Reb Dov ben Reb Pesach (Mrs. Chana Baila Burston’s father) - 19 Teves
- Lieba bas Reb Boruch (Rabbi Yisroel Hecht’s mother) - 21 Teves
- Basya Rochel bas Reb Shmuel Hirsh (Mrs. Miriam Fishman’s mother) - 22 Teves
- Reb Avraham Dov ben Reb Yehoshua (Rabbi Yisroel Hecht’s father) - 24 Teves
Devar Torah - Shemos
We Never Look Away from an Opportunity to Help Our Brother
By Rabbi Shimon Raichik
The first event the Torah discusses about how Moshe Rabbenu lived is when he left the palace of Pharoh to see how his brethren were doing. He saw a Jew, the husband of Shlomis bas Divri from the tribe of Dan being beaten by a Mitzri. The cause of his abuse was not because of him rather because of his wife. He killed the Mitzri and the fled Mitzrayim.
Until this point Moshe Rabbenu had lived a life of luxury in the palace of Pharoh with Batya taking care of his every need. Nonetheless he went out to see the condition of his brethren. He looked around and didn’t see anyone going to help this Jew. He didn’t think about himself or the danger. He thought only of his brother and saved him so that he wouldn’t be killed. From that point on he became a fugitive. No longer could he return to the comfortable life he had in the palace.
This is a lesson for each one of us. We need to go out and look into the condition of our brethren and see to it to help save them from the dangers of the Mitzri, any difficulty, both physically and spiritually.
We see this same approach in the Rebbe’s struggle to clarify the law of Mihu Yehudi in Israel as well as his insistence not to give away the Shtachim, the territories conquered in the wars in Israel. The Rebbe was a lone voice; no one else was involved or listening. Nevertheless the Rebbe waged unrelenting campaigns because it was necessary. At one point the Rebbe was threatened that his insistence to speak out would cost a setback in the Tefillin Campaign. He was told if he didn’t stop the Tefillin booth at the Kosel would be shut down. Nevertheless the Rebbe continued to speak out.
We must ask ourselves; if we saw a fire burning down someone’s house, would we look away and just say things like; it’s not my problem. I can’t get involved. Why me? There are others greater than me, etc.? Would you sit around and make calculations or would you get out there and help the other person? So too with ruchnius, whether its chinuch or kashrus or a hidur mitzvah or ahavas Yisroel, we need learn from Moshe Rabbenu to do what we can and be concerned about everyone.
This has special importance to us today when so many of our brethren need encouragement to stay strong in all matters of Yiddishkeit. We need to help each other with words of encouragement and support all efforts. We also need to struggle against any foreign influences even if we feel as if we are only a lone voice or that it is an uphill battle. We learn from the example of the Rebbe and Moshe Rabbenu not to be concerned about social pressure or even threats to hold us back from going forward in any way available to help each other.
With such ahavas Yisroel, doing without thinking of ourselves and without any calculation will we merit the revelation of Moshiach Now!
Announcements - Vayechi
- Click here for KYY update.
- Click here for this week’s JEM “Here’s My Story”.
- Sunday: “Bracha's Tehillim and Torah Club” for women and girls, EVERY Sunday, 10:15 - 11:30 am, in Kol Yakov Yehuda.
- Sunday: "Who's Responsible for Kashrus In Your Home & In Your City?" with Rabbi Avi Juravel (Director of the Technical Services Department, in the OU). Sunday, 12 Teves/December 15, 7:30 pm. Click here for more info.
- Monday: The Garden School is hosting a free of charge parenting class which is open to the general Jewish community. Click here for more info.
- Tuesday: Kollel Yechiel Yehuda is offering an incredible video presentation (in English) of a virtual tour of the Beis Hamikdash. Click here for more info.
- Wednesday: 4th & FINAL Shiur for men in the halachos of Ribbis-Interest and their application to everyday life given by Rabbi Elchonon Tauber - Rov of Beis Yehudah. Wednesday 15 Teves/December 18, 8:00 pm - chavrusa learning, 8:45 shiur. The topic will be - The Laws of Heter Iska.
- Wig Gemach: Wig Consignment Store will soon be opening in LA!!! Looking for wig contributions for gemach and/or consignment sales. For further details or to donate please call Ariella Istrin 8186421886. Donors can receive tax receipt upon request.
- Please say tehillim for Rabbi Bart's father (Mordechai ben Chana) & Mrs. Debbie Alison (Devorah Miriam bas Sarah).
Shabbos Schedule - Vayechi
Fast of Asarah B’Teves
Friday, Teves 10/December 13
- Fast Starts: 5:30 am
- Minchah: 12:15 & 3:00 pm
For all the laws and customs
Please see the Chabad Chodesh
- Shabbos Candle Lighting: 4:27
- Shiur Chassidus by Rabbi Raichik: 9:00 am
- Shiur Chassidus by Rabbi Zalman Friedman: 9:00 am
- Last Time To Read Shema: 9:19 am
- Early Minyan Shacharis: 9:30 am
- Shacharis: 10:00 am
- Kol Yakov Yehuda: 10:15 am
- Mesibas Shabbos For Girls (in KYY) 3:30 pm
- Mincha: 4:25 pm
- Shabbos Ends: 5:30 pm
Sholom Zochor
Shmaya and Chayale Altein
Invite the community to a Sholom Zochor
at 261 S Mansfield Ave.
Kiddush Sponsors - Vayechi
- Rabbi & Mrs. Yisroel Bastomski for the yahrtzeit of Rabbi Yisroel Bastomski’s brother Reb Chaim Zeev ben Reb Avrohom Yitzchok ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
- Rabbi & Mrs. Shaya Berkowitz for the yahrtzeit of Rabbi Shaya Berkowitz’s father Reb Moshe Yaakov ben Reb Yeshaye ob"m, and brother Reb Tanchum ben Reb Moshe Yaakov ob"m. May the neshomos have an aliya.
- Rabbi & Mrs. Shalom Elharrar in honor of Rabbi Shalom Elharrar’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
- Rabbi & Mrs. Naftoli Estulin for the yahrtzeit of Rabbi Naftoli Estulin’s brother Reb Noach ben Reb Zalman Leib 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.
- Mr. & Mrs. Chaim Lerner for the yahrtzeit of Mrs. Nettie Lerner’s mother Sora Golda bas Reb Yaacov ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
- Mr. & Mrs. Avrohom Plotkin or the yahrtzeit of Mr. Avrohom Plotkin’s mother Yenta bas Reb Nochum ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
- Rabbi & 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 - Vayechi
- Mr. & Mrs. Moshe Anatian for the yahrtzeit of Mrs. Rochel Anatian’s mother Chaya Soro bas Reb Dovber ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
- Rabbi & Mrs. Yitzchok Arnold for the yahrtzeit of Rabbi Yitzchok Arnold’s father Reb Noson Notte ben Reb 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.
Women's Shabbos Shiur - Vayechi
4:15 pm - At the home of: Mrs. Sima Zeifman
421 N Poinsettia Pl.
Speaker: Rabbi Yecheskel Raeburn
Mazal Tov To - Vayechi
- Rabbi & Mrs. Shmaya Altein on the birth of their son. Mazal tov to the grandparents Rabbi & Mrs. Simcha Bart.
- Mr. & Mrs. Yirmiyahu Andrusier on the bar-mitzvah of their son Shmuel Dovid. Mazal tov to the grandparents Mr. & Mrs. Zalmen Roth.
- Rabbi & Mrs. Yisroel Feiner on the marriage of their son Yossi to Brocha Dalfin.
- Rabbi & Mrs. Nutti Gross on the birth of their grandson (to Tzvi & Shana Kravitz).
- Rabbi & Mrs. Avrohom Klyne on the birth of their granddaughter Esther Leah (to Zalmy & Malki Klyne),
- Rabbi & Mrs. Getzy Rosenfeld on the birth of their daughter. Mazal tov to the grandmother Mrs. Mira Labkowsky.
- Mr. & Mrs. Zalmen Roth on the birth of their granddaughter (to Aron & Sarah Nahary).
- Mr. & Mrs. Meilach Weiss on the pidyon haben of their grandson Kehos Weiss.
Upcoming Birthdays
- Mr. Betzalel Fleischman - 12 Teves
- Rabbi Shalom Elharrar - 12 Teves
- Mr. Nachum Marks - 13 Teves
- Mr. Meilach Weiss - 14 Teves
- Chaim Binyomin Estulin - 16 Teves
- Moshe Lazer Wagshul - 16 Teves
- Mattisyahu Tzvi Stark - 16 Teves
Upcoming Anniversaries
- Rabbi & Mrs. Shmuel Stroll - 11 Teves
- Mr. & Mrs. Milton Goodman - 13 Teves
Upcoming Yahrtzeits
- Yenta bas Reb Nochum (Mr. Avrohom Plotkin’s mother) - 11 Teves
- Chaya Soro bas Reb Dovber (Mrs. Rochel Anatian’s mother) - 11 Teves
- Perel bas Reb Noson (Mr. Betzalel Fleischman’s mother) - 12 Teves
- Reb Tanchum ben Reb Moshe Yaakov (Rabbi Shaya Berkowitz’s brother) - 14 Teves
- Reb Mordechai Meir ben Reb Chaim Elozar Hakohen (Mrs. Rivka Katz’s father) - 14 Teves
- Reb Noach ben Reb Zalman Leib (Rabbi Naftoli Estulin’s brother) - 14 Teves
- Reb Moshe Yaakov ben Reb Yeshaye (Rabbi Shaya Berkowitz’s father) - 14 Teves
- Reb Noson Notte ben Reb Yakov Yeshayohu Hakohen (Rabbi Yitzchok Arnold’s father) - 17 Teves
- Reb Chaim Zeev ben Reb Avrohom Yitzchok (Rabbi Yisroel Bastomski’s brother) - 17 Teves
- Sora Golda bas Reb Yaacov (Mrs. Nettie Lerner’s mother) - 17 Teves
Devar Torah - Vayechi
When we are Connected, Nothing Can Stand in Our Way!
By Rabbi Shimon Raichik
This week’s parsha is titled “Vayachi Yaakov- And Yaakov lived”. This refers to the best years of Yaakov life, the 17 years he lived in Mitzrayim. The whole parsha is titled Vayechi yet its content is basically the opposite. The parsha discusses the end of Yaakov’s life when he gives the brachos to his children, his passing and then his internment in Maaras HaMachpela. What connection does this have to the parsha’s name, Vayachi, which denotes life?
To answer this the Rebbe quotes the Gemara Taanis that states; Yaakov lo meis- Yaakov did not die. The Gemara asks how is it possible that he did not die; he was embalmed, he was eulogized and he was buried? The Gemara answers; “Ma zaro b’chaim, af hu b’chaim- Since his children are alive, so too he is alive”. This means that when we, Yaakov’s children, live in the ways of Yaakov, he is alive, “Vayachi” here in this world.
This answer is very important to us today. This week was Hei Teves, the day that commemorates Didon Notzach, the victory of the sefarim being returned to the Rebbe’s library in 770. During the time that the court case ensued everyone was aware of the great pain it was causing both the Rebbe and the Rebbitzin, so much so that it even took a physical toll upon them. In a sicha, the Rebbe put the entire episode with the sefarim into perspective. He explained that some think that Yud Shevat 5710 brought an end to an era. They say that the sefarim were the personal property of the Previous Rebbe, and since there was a levaya and Kaddish was said etc., the property now belonged to his heirs. The Rebbe explained that a Rebbe is not a private individual or even an overseer of a large organization. The entire existence of a Nasi is for Klal Yisroel, not himself. Therefore Yud Shevat did not bring the end of an era, rather the era continues on through those that follow in his ways; his children and his chassidim. On the contrary, the Rebbe’s work expanded exponentially both after Yud Shevat, (and then again after Gimmel Tammuz). The more that his children live in his ways the more he is alive in an ever-expanding measure, more and more from year to year.
Therefore when some one hears a story about the Rebbe, it is not for the purpose of reminiscence or nostalgia for the past. It is a lesson for us today. When we live with his Sichos, Maamarim, horaos and stories the Rebbe lives, Vayachi, through us in an ever greater measure.
Some may ask; what about the distance in time from Gimmel Tammuz that grows with every passing day? Other’s say; “You were there, I was not”, etc. What we must always keep in mind is that just like the relationship between a parent and their child is not just a physical connection so too the relation between a Rebbe and chosid. It is not nor has ever been based upon the physical; its soul to soul, which is beyond time. The Rebbe, a neshama klalis, is unified with each and every individual neshama at its essence as explained in the Tanya. To feel this we need to take action and not just wait to be inspired, to get on a high. The way to feel this connection is though avoda, the service of following in his ways, nothing less. We sit down with a maamar or a sicha and we learn it, and then relearn it. And then we think about it and take to heart that he is my Rebbe and I am his student and this maamar or sicha is speaking directly to me not only to others.
Once the chosid R Zalman Zlatapolsky, a chosid of the Rebbe Maharash, and later a chosid of the Rebbe Rashab, came to visit the Rebbe Rashab in Monton after the passing of the Rebbe Maharash. He arrived early in the morning, sat down on a bench and began singing a nigun. Soon enough he became deeply involved and then engrossed in the nigun to the point that he became oblivious of his surroundings. At one point the Rebbe Rashab passed the chosid unnoticed. Later, in yechidus the Rebbe Rashab asked him which maamar he was thinking of when he was singing the nigun. The chosid began to cry, told the Rebbe the name of the maamar and began to repeat the maamar, a maamar that he had heard many years before by the Rebbe Maharash. Some time later when the Rebbe Rashab was in Monton with the Previous Rebbe, he stopped by a bench and told the Previous Rebbe that this is the spot that R Zalmen sat and sang the nigun. The connection of a Rebbe and a chosid is beyond time and space.
We learn like this until we become one with it and then there is a connection, and then it impacts this life that we are living here today. Then it’s zaro b’chaim, its felt. When we are zaro b’chaim then Yaakov lo meis and the Rebbe lives through us. With this we have the power to bring the revelation of Moshiach.
Announcements - Vayigash
- Click here for KYY update.
- Click here for this week’s JEM “Here’s My Story”.
- Motzei Shabbos: In honor of Hey Teves Chabad/Atara's will be opening up Motzei Shabbos at 7:00 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.
- Sunday: “Bracha's Tehillim and Torah Club” for women and girls, EVERY Sunday, 10:15 - 11:30 am, in Kol yakov Yehuda, with Rabbi Simcha Bart.
- Sunday: Farbrengen for men in honor of Hey Teves. Sunday, 5 Teves/December 8 at 8 pm in shul.
- Wednesday: 3rd Shiur for men in the halachos of Ribbis-Interest and their application to everyday life given by Rabbi Elchonon Tauber - Rov of Beis Yehudah. Wednesday 8 Teves/December 11, 8:00 pm - chavrusa learning, 8:45 shiur.
- Save The Date: Rabbi Avi Juravel (Director of the Technical Services Department, in the OU) will speak on "Who's Responsible for Kashrus In Your Home & In Your City?" Sunday, 12 Teves/December 15, 7:30 pm.
Shabbos Schedule - Vayigash
- Shabbos Candle Lighting: 4:25
- Shiur Chassidus by Rabbi Raichik: 9:00 am
- Shiur Chassidus by Rabbi Zalman Friedman: 9:00 am
- Last Time To Read Shema: 9:15 am
- Early Minyan Shacharis: 9:30 am
- Shacharis: 10:00 am
- Kol Yakov Yehuda: 10:15 am
- Mesibas Shabbos For Girls (in KYY) 3:30 pm
- Mincha: 4:25 pm
- Shabbos Ends: 5:28 pm
Fast of Asarah B’Teves
Friday, Teves 10/December 13
- Fast Starts: 5:30 am
- Minchah: 12:15 & 3:00 pm
For all the laws and customs
Please see the Chabad Chodesh
Sholom Zochor
Shaya and Mushka Lowenstein
Invite the community to a Sholom Zochor
at 613 N Highland Ave.
Kiddush Sponsors - Vayigash
- Mr. & Mrs. Milton Goodman for the yahrtzeit of Mr. Milton Goodman’s mother Risha bas Reb Tzvi Hirsh ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
- Mr. & Mrs. Shimon Benarroch for the yahrtzeit of Mrs. Kelly Benarroch’s sister Simcha bas Reb Moshe ob"m and brother Reb Mordechai ben Reb Moshe. May the neshomos have an aliya.
- Mr. & Mrs. Chaim Lerner for the yahrtzeit of Mr. Chaim Lerner’s mother Bassya bas Reb Mordechai ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
- Rabbi & Mrs. Yosef Schneerson in honor of Rabbi Yosef Schneerson’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
Also in honor of their son Aaron’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 Reb Yaakov ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
- Mrs. Debbie Tibor for the yahrtzeit of her father Reb Chaim ben Reb Avraham Halevi ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
Early Minyan Kiddush Sponsors - Vayigash
- Rabbi & Mrs. Levi Benjaminson in honor of Rabbi Levi Benjaminson’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
- Rabbi & Mrs. Dovid Drizin in honor of Rabbi Dovid Drizin’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.
- Mr. & Mrs. Allan Stark for the yahrtzeit of Mr. Allan Stark’s father Reb Aharon Dovid ben Reb Yitzchok Aizik ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
- Mr. Michael Zaghi in honor of his birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
Women's Shabbos Shiur - Vayigash
4:15 pm - At the home of: Mrs. Yehudis Davidson
418 N Poinsettia Pl.
Speaker: Rabbi Yisroel Hecht
Mazal Tov To - Vayigash
- Rabbi & Rebbitzen Shimon Raichik on the birth of their granddaughter (to Yisroel Noach & Mushky Raichik).
- Rabbi & Mrs. Shaya Lowenstein on the birth of their son. Mazal tov to the grandparents Rabbi & Mrs. Shaul Raigorodsky.
- Rabbi & Mrs. Dovid Thaler on the birth of their grandson (to Izzy & Sheindy Zirkind).
Upcoming Birthdays
- Rabbi Dovid Drizin - 4 Teves
- Avraham Aron Moishe Gertz - 5 Teves
- Aaron Schneerson - 6 Teves
- Idan Schmeidler - 7 Teves
- Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Schneerson - 8 Teves
- Mr. Daniel Levin - 8 Teves
- Rabbi Levi Benjaminson - 8 Teves
- Mr. Bruce Pollard - 9 Teves
- Shmuel Dovid Andrusier - 10 Teves
- Mr. Bob Meyer - 10 Teves
Upcoming Anniversaries
- Rabbi & Mrs. Sheye Eichenblatt - 2 Teves
Upcoming Yahrtzeits
- Reb Chaim ben Reb Avraham Halevi (Mrs. Debbie Tibor’s father) - 4 Teves
- Reb Chaim ben Reb Aryeh Leib (Rabbi Dovid Morris’s father) - 5 Teves
- Tsharna Gittel bas Reb Yaakov (Rabbi Shmuel Stroll’s mother) - 5 Teves
- Bluma bas Reb Eliezer Hakohen (Mr. Zechariah Davidson’s grandmother) - 5 Teves
- Reb Aharon Dovid ben Reb Yitzchok Aizik (Mr. Allan Stark’s father) - 6 Teves
- Chaya Barbera bas Reb Binyomin (Mr. Jon Engelson’s mother) - 8 Teves
- Reb Mordechai ben Reb Moshe (Mrs. Kelly Benarroch’s brother) - 9 Teves
- Reb Yisroel Yitzchok ben Reb Mordechai Hakohen (Mrs. Miriam Feiner’s father) - 10 Teves
- Reb Yona ben Reb Yitzchok (Mr. Doron Israeli’s father) - 10 Teves
Devar Torah - Vayigash
Our Greatest Opportunity
By Rabbi Shimon Raichik
Once by a fabrengen Rabbi Naftali Estulin related a question he was asked about not taking off time from Avodas Hashem. The person first said that we serve Hashem around the clock 24/7 365 days a year. He then asked; what would be so terrible if I took a little vacation here and there to do whatever I feel like doing, just to have a good time?
Why does a person feel a need to get out and get loose? It really depends on perception. What does Torah and mitzvos look like? Does it look like one restriction piled on top of another? This is especially true for Lubavitchers who have even more restrictions! Whether it’s the restrictions of food having to be cholov Yisroel and pas Yisroel year round or not being able to even trim our beards or saying the entire Tehillim on Shabbos Mevarchim, it looks like a lot of restrictions. Once someone said to me; Hey Rabbi you don’t let me live!
On the other hand there is a completely different much better way to see things. We can see the Torah and mitzvos for what they really are, an amazing opportunity and joy to be able to do something for Hashem, my Father my King. Once by a fabrengen the Rebbe told a story told of a conversation he had with a diamond dealer who came for advice in keeping Torah and mitzvos. The Rebbe asked him about his trade, how diamonds are sized and rated, how much a ½ carat diamond weighs, then a 1 carat stone then 2 carats etc. The Rebbe then asked how could a person possibly want to wear a large high carat stone if it would be so much heavier than a small low carat one. The man replied that when it’s a diamond it’s never too heavy to carry. So too with mitzvos, every mitzvah is another diamond. It’s all a matter of perspective. If it’s seen as restrictions then you’ll want the day off. If it’s seen for what it really is, an opportunity for the neshama, then you’ll wait with anticipation to do a mitzvah and always want another opportunity to do even more.
At a fabrengen for Shabbos Mevarchim Tammuz 1980 the Rebbe answered someone’s question of what the big deal is if he misses one time Tehillim on Shabbos Mevarchim. The Rebbe explained that it’s like food for the neshama. It’s like someone telling you that you have already been eating for 50, 60 years and then suggests that you take a week off from eating. Anyone who would hear such an idea would think the man is meshugena! What’s the fact that he ate for 50, 60 years got to do with right now? Today he needs to eat if he wants to survive. This is true for the neshama also; it needs the Torah and mitzvos today. We know the teaching of the Baal Shem Tov that Hashem is constantly renewing the creation. Because of this we need to constantly draw down a new, better and more revealed connection with Hashem. This new month is being recreated from nothing. This month needs also it’s own avodah of Tehillim.
This is also like the brachos we say over mitzvos; “Asher kidshanu b’mitzvosav”. Don’t read just that He sanctified us, but also “asher”, that we have oisher, joy, pleasure for the mitzvah with which He sanctifies us.
On Tu bShvat 5739 the Rebbe brought the mashal of hide and seek for galus. As long as the son searches for his father he does not become too complacent or too comfortable. Once he makes peace and gives up his search then it’s a double galus. As long as were uncomfortable with any distance from Hashem then we are still alive. If we always feel like we are missing something and we always want to be closer to the Rebbe and to mitzvos then we are filled with desire, otherwise it’s dry. In order to keep feeling, to stay alive and to keep growing we need Chassidus. It gives us the life to bring into every mitzvah and constantly bring us closer to coming of Moshiach Now!