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ב"ה

Shul Bulletin

Pesak Regarding Cholov Akum

Cholov akum products in our times
when there is a government supervision

By Rabbi Shlomo Segal 
Member of the Bais Din of Crown Heights

Question:

What is the reason for not eating cholov akum products in our times, when there is a government supervision which prohibits mixing milk of an un-kosher animal with milk of a kosher animal, in addition of receiving  a penalty for transgression of this regulation?

Answer:

It is stated in the tractate Avoda Zoro 35b, “The following things of a non-Jew are forbidden [to eat] but one can benefit from the milk which was drawn by a non-Jew and a Yid was not present.” 

The Gemoro asks, “If on account of the possibility that there may have been a substitution [of animals], [the milk of] a clean animal is white and of an unclean animal greenish in color! If, on the other hand, it is on account of the possibility of a mixture [of a clean animal's milk with that of an unclean animal], let him curdle it, because a Master has declared: The milk of a clean animal curdles but that of an unclean animal does not!

And the Gemoro answers, that also in cheese and milk that was for drinking, there is a suspicion that perhaps a little un-kosher milk may have been mixed into the kosher milk.  

It is likewise cited in the Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah (chapt. 115:1), “Milk that was drawn by a non-Jew and a Yid was not present then, is forbidden to drink because perhaps some un-kosher milk has been included”. 

From this we derive that the prohibition of cholov akum is because maybe there was some un-kosher milk mixed into the kosher milk, and therefore a Yid needs to supervise this, and this will cause that the non-Jew fears mixing something un-kosher into the milk.

Government supervision 

Based on this Halacha, many poskim in our times were lenient with milk that was produced in different factories owned by non-Jews. Since they are under government supervision and if they will include milk from a non-kosher animal in kosher milk, they will penalize the owner of the factory and the factory will forced to close. So surely they fear mixing the milk. Therefore there is reason to permit milk produced by the factories, because they will not risk mix the milks for no logical reason.    

Chabad Chassidim

But as it is known that by Chassidim in general, and especially by Chabad chassidim, that they were very particular about the prohibition of cholov akum, although there was no suspicion of mixing the milk, and they eat only cholov yisroel products. We also find in many of the Rebbe’s letters to be very particular even regarding children, that they should use only cholov yisroel.   

In reality, we do find in the words of the Rishonim that the prohibition of cholov akum still remains, although the reason of the prohibition is not existing at the present.  

The Rashbo wrote in his sefer (Toras Habayis, Bayis 3 Shaar 1), “Every thing that has been prohibited in the chapter of the tractate of Avoda Zora (quoted earlier) was prohibited by a number of sages, and therefore cannot be permitted, even if the basis for this prohibition does not exist any longer.

We also read about a wonderful fact in the sefer Hazichronos of Muharash Avuhav, who wrote, “Although in the Gemoro, the primary reason for the prohibition is because of a suspicion that some non-kosher milk may have been mixed into the kosher milk, this would be the revealed and obvious reason that our sages have publicized and it was in order that their words should be accepted, and as it is stated in the Gemoro (Avoda Zora 35a). 

But their main intention in this prohibition was that the Jewish nation should be a holy nation to Hashem, therefore they prohibited milk drawn by a non-Jew that was not supervised by a Jew, as they have prohibited non-Jewish bread, pas akum,  or non-Jewish cooking, bishul akum.    

In the responsa of the Divrei Yisroel (chapt. 15), he quotes from the Divrei Chaim, 

in the name of Boruch Taam that he has a tradition passed on from Moshe Rabenu that the reason that milk which was drawn by a non-Jew and was not supervised by a Jew is forbidden, is not only for the reason that some non-kosher milk may have been mixed into the kosher milk. Because this reason the sages have revealed for the world but there is an additional concealed reason.

In the Sefer Hamaamorim- Yiddish from the Previous Rebbe (page 57) it is stated, “The Yetzer Hora misleads the person with forbidden matters which the person is unaware of and this G-d forbid kills the person with a spiritual death.  

As the known story of a person who came with his son-in-law, a great scholar, to the Alter Rebbe in Liozna, and complained that his son-in-law always conducted himself in an appropriate way, but suddenly he began having doubts about belief in Hashem and he himself had great agony from this.

The Alter Rebbe responded, that the son-in-law had without his awareness eaten from cholov akum and subjects similar to cholo akum. This originated from the yetzer hora who throws his arrows from a distance and they, G-d forbid, kill or wound the person in a spiritual sense. 

This story is also mentioned in the Rebbe’s letters (Igros vol.16, page 243). “In regards to what I have mentioned to you about cholov akum based on the famous story of my father-in-law, the Rebbe, that this causes doubts in belief in Hashem. . If one needs to be cautious with this at all times, it is surely so when it relates to the youth in the United States.” 

Announcements - Eikev

  • Click here for KYY UPDATE # 1. 
  • Click here for this week’s JEM “Here’s My Story”.
  • This shabbos is the shloshim of Mrs. Brocha Leah Chava Bas Shmuel Finkelstein. Click here for a special letter from the family. 
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Mendy Spalter invite you to a farbrengen this Friday night for the refuah shlaima of Chaya Mushka bas Hadassa Shaina, it will take place in conjunction with the Pinson Shalom Zachor at the home of Rabbi & Mrs. Mendy Pinson 118 S Detroit St.
    To host a Friday night farbrengen in your home please sign up using this link.
  • Please say Tehillim for Ovadia ben Zehava Chaya for a full and speedy recovery. A Chabad Shliach in Dagestan, who was shot and is in grave condition. 

Shabbos Schedule - Eikev

  • Shabbos Candle Lighting: 7:40 pm
  • Shiur Chassidus with Rabbi Raichik: 9:00 am
  • Last Time To Read Shema: 9:29 am
  • Early Minyan Shacharis: 9:30 am
  • Shacharis: 10:00 am
  • Mesibas Shabbos For Girls (in KYY) 4:30 pm
  • Pirkei Avos Shiur with Rabbi Raichik: 6:40 pm
  • Mincha: 7:40 pm - Pirkei Avos - Perek 5
  • Shabbos Ends: 8:43 pm

Two Sholom Zochors

Mendel & Chani Pinson
Invite the community to a Sholom Zochor
at 118 S Detroit St.  

Eli & Tova Feiner
Invite the community to a Sholom Zochor
at 305 S McCadden Pl. 

Kiddush Sponsors - Eikev

  • Rabbi & Mrs. Tzvi Boyarsky in honor of their anniversary. May they have many more happy years together.
    Also in honor of Rabbi Tzvi Boyarsky’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
  • Mr. & Mrs. Ariel Haratz in honor of Mr. Ariel Haratz’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
  • The Raichik Family for the yahrtzeit of their mother Rebbitzen Leah bas Reb Avrohom Abele Hakohen Raichik ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Shalom Perl for the yahrtzeit of Mrs. Leah Perl’s mother Chana Priva bas Reb Alter Yehoshua ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.  
  • Mr. Joel Yachzel in honor his birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.

Early Minyan Kiddush Sponsors - Eikev

  • Rabbi & Mrs. Zalmy Fogelman in honor of their anniversary. May they have many more happy years together.
    Also in honor of the birth of their daughter Chaya. May they have much nachas from her and may she grow up to Torah, to Chupa and to Maasim Tovim.
  • Reuven Gradon in honor his birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Mendy Pinson in honor of the birth of their son. May they have much nachas from him and may he grow up to Torah, to Chupa and to Maasim Tovim.
  • The Raichik Family for the yahrtzeit of their mother Rebbitzen Leah bas Reb Avrohom Abele Hakohen Raichik ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
  • Mr. & Mrs. Jack Soussana in honor of their son Gavriel’s 5th birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.

Women's Shabbos Shiur - Eikev

At Maayon Yisroel - 140 N. La Brea Ave.
6:00 pm
Speaker: Rabbi Reuven Wolf
Special shiur for the shloshim of
Mrs. Brocha 
Leah Chava Bas Shmuel Finkelstein 
Refreshments will be served

Mazal Tov To - Eikev

  • Rabbi & Mrs. Mendel Pinson on the birth of thier son. Mazal tov to the grandparents Rabbi & Dr. Nochum Pinson. 
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Eli Feiner on the birth of their son. Mazal tov to the grandparents Rabbi & Mrs. Yisroel Feiner. 
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Shmuly Raitman on the upshernish of their son Mendel. Mazal tov to the grandparents Rabbi & Mrs. Zalman Schmukler.
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Gershon Schusterman on the birth of their granddaughter Chava (to Yekusiel (Kushi) and Frieda Schusterman). 
  • Mr. & Mrs. Zalman Roth on the engagement of their son Avi to Malky Cohen.

Upcoming Birthdays

  • Mr. Reuven Gradon - 20 Av
  • Mr. Ariel Haratz - 20 Av
  • Gavriel Soussana - 20 Av 
  • Levi Yitzchok Perl - 21 Av
  • Menachem Mendel Raeburn - 21 Av
  • Yitzchok Meyer Davidson - 22 Av
  • Rabbi David Diamand - 24 Av
  • Rabbi Tzvi Boyarsky - 24 Av
  • Meir Rubashkin - 25 Av
  • Mr. Joel Yachzel - 26 Av
  • Menachem Mendel Perl - 26 Av

Upcoming Anniversaries

  • Rabbi & Mrs. Zalmy Fogelman - 24 Av

Upcoming Yahrtzeits

  • Rebbitzen Leah bas Reb Avrohom Abele Hakohen Raichik - 24 Av
  • Chana Priva bas Reb Alter Yehoshua (Mrs. Leah Perl’s mother) - 24 Av
  • Reb Mannis ben Reb Yitzchak Leib Halevi (Rabbi Simcha Frankel’s grandfather) - 26 Av

Devar Torah - Eikev

Providing Good Company Accompanied by Giants

By Rabbi Shimon Raichik

This Shabbos is Chof Av the yartzeit of Rav Levi Yitzchok, the Rebbe’s father. The Rebbe explained the meaning of the name Levi in a sicha given in 5750-1990.

The name Levi reminds us of of being separate. The tribe of Levi is known for having been separated by Hashem from the rest of Klal Yisroel after the sin of the golden calf. They were set aside by Hashem to spend their lives serving Him in the Beis HaMikdash.  The name Levi also has the meaning of escorting or connecting, as in the meaning of the name given by Leah; “Hapaam yilaveh eishi eilai- now my husband will escort me”

The service of the tribe of Levi reflects both approaches simultaneously. They did not take a portion in the land in order to remain separate in the Beis HaMikdash, singing, carrying the vessels and learning the Torah. They also were teachers of the Torah; “Yoru mishpateicha l’Yaakov, v’Torascha l’Yisroel”, they had the job of lowering themselves to the level of those that sinned by the golden calf in order that they should understand the Torah and how to live according to its judgments.

The Beis HaMikdash itself also exemplified these opposite, yet compatible qualities. On one hand there were 10 levels of separation that separated between the world and the Kodesh HaKedoshim where only the Kohen Gadol would enter once a year on Yom Kippur. On the other hand  the windows faced outward in order enable the light of Hashem’s presence dwelling inside the Beis HaMikdash to go out and shine to the entire world. The Beis HaMikdash served a dual purpose; to be a dwelling place for Hashem, a ‘Dira lo Yisborach’, and to penetrate every part of the world, similar to the tribe of Levi.

The Rebbe related this to the life of his father Rav Levi Yitzzchok. On one hand he was a great Gaon in Kabbolah, Nigleh and Chassidus. He had many writings that have been lost. On the other hand he was directly involved in leading his community with great mesirus nefesh at a time of pronounced governmental opposition making his work very dangerous. Nevertheless he did not waiver in his complete dedication towards others. For example he fought the government directly in order to provide kosher matzos for Pesach and would preform weddings and other mitzvos in clear view of the NKVD.

Rav Levi Yitzchok embodied both of these qualities. He achieved the highest levels of Torah and avodah along with an intense involvement with the details and needs of the community. Even while in galus he effected those around him both Jew and non-Jew alike. He reflected his namesake, shevet Levi, who did not take a portion in the land and remained totally dedicated to the Klal.

Chabad Chassidim are the shevet Levi of our time. We need to learn and be inspired by the example of the giants that preceded us while realizing the responsibility we have; to strive to our very best both in achieving the highest levels in Torah and avodah while going out and personally touching the lives of others in order to illuminate every neshama, and bring the light of Moshiach to the entire world now!

Good Shabbos

Letter From Finkelstein Family

My Mothers Shabbos Candles
By Sarah Goldberg

L'elui Nishmas Brocha Leah Chava Bas Shmuel

This coming Shabbos, Chof Menachem Av, marks our mothers Shloshim. In her honor we want to share with you that which she instilled within my sister and I, the power of Jewish women and their Shabbos candles. We ask you to join us in honoring her with the mitzvah uniquely given to the Jewish women.

Back in the late 70's a brief and special moment took place in Kings Plaza, of all places, which created a great ripple effect. It was a fall day, right around Thanksgiving. My mother was there, a fresh new balas teshuva, and she spotted a young woman whom she quickly approached.

"Are you Jewish?"  she asked.

The bewildered young woman responded coldly, “Yes?”

To which my mother handed her a candle lighting packet.

"Oh, I’m not interested in this." She responded abruptly and uninterested.

Not deterred, my mother pulled out a pamphlet about Bais Chana in Minnesota.

"Well maybe you’ll be interested in a Jewish woman’s learning institute."

The young woman took the pamphlet and on it she found a list of questions she was having herself: what it means to be Jewish etc.

In the merit of this brief incident, this searching young woman became Lubavitch, married and today B”H has seven children and eighteen grandchildren, some of whom are shluchiim. 

Our mother always made a special effort to light Shabbos candles on time. She felt strongly about doing the mitzvah that we women were uniquely given, the right way, by lighting on time.

In her merit we want to ask all Jewish women and girls to please take on lighting Shabbos candles before the 18 minutes this Shabbos Parshas Ekev.

In a sicha from Parshas Chayei Sarah, the Rebbe emphasizes the midrash in Yalkut Shimoni. There it says that through lighting Shabbos candles we will merit that Hashem will show us the lights of Tzion and usher in the geulah. May it be speedily now! (Likutei Sichos Vol. 15 pg 173)

Announcements - V’Eschanan

  • Click here for this week’s JEM “Here’s My Story”.
  • The Los Angeles Shidduch Network is hosting a special event on Monday, 15 Av/July 22. Click here for more info. 
  • The rebbe encouraged everyone to listen to a daily siyum from the beginning of the 9 days through tu b’av. You can participate in a siyum every night after maariv at the shul. Thank you to all those who volunteered to make siyumim. For those who live out of town and/or are unable to make it to a siyum you can call in to listen live to our siyum. Dial (712) 432-0075 Access Code: 731783#.

Shabbos Schedule - V’Eschanan

  • Shabbos Candle Lighting: 7:44 pm
  • Shiur Chassidus with Rabbi Raichik: 9:00 am
  • Last Time To Read Shema: 9:27 am
  • Early Minyan Shacharis: 9:30 am
  • Shacharis: 10:00 am
  • Mesibas Shabbos For Girls (in KYY) 4:30 pm
  • Pirkei Avos Shiur with Rabbi Raichik: 6:45 pm
  • Mincha: 7:45 pm - Pirkei Avos - Perek 4
  • Shabbos Ends: 8:47 pm

Sholom Zochor

Yitschok and Mussie Abend
Invite the community to a Sholom Zochor 
at 364 N Fuller Ave. 

Kiddush Sponsors - V’Eschanan

  • Mr. & Mrs. Meilach Weiss thanking Hashem for all the miracles and kindness He has shown their family. May Hashem continue to shower them and the entire community with kol tuv sela.
  • Dr. & Mrs. Ze'ev Rav-Noy in honor of their anniversary. May they have many more happy years together.
  • Mr. & Mrs. Reuven Horwitz in honor of Mrs. Sarah Horwitz’s birthday. May she have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.

Early Minyan Kiddush Sponsors - V’Eschanan

  • Rabbi & Mrs. Dovid Drizin in honor of their anniversary. May they have many more happy years together.
  • Izzy Soussana in honor of his birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.

Women's Shabbos Shiur - V’Eschanan

In honor of Mrs. Margalit Winograd
At the home of: Mrs. Sterna Citron
723 N Orange Dr.
6:30 pm
Speaker: Mrs. Sterna Citron

Mazal Tov To - V’Eschanan

  • Rabbi & Mrs. Yitzchok Abend on the birth of their son. Mazal tov to the grandparents Rabbi & Mrs. Yosef Schneerson.

Upcoming Birthdays

  • Yosef Gorelik - 13 Av
  • Rabbi Dovid Morris - 13 Av
  • Yakov Yehuda Duchman - 15 Av
  • Rabbi Sheye Eichenblatt - 15 Av
  • Mr. Izzy Soussana - 17 Av
  • Mr. Dan Schmeidler - 18 Av
  • Rabbi Menachem Rubinstein - 19 Av
  • Shlomo Mordechai Habibian - 19 Av

Upcoming Anniversaries

  • Dr. & Mrs. Ze'ev Rav-Noy - 13 Av
  • Mr. & Mrs. Bob Meyer - 13 Av
  • Mr. & Mrs. Yrachmiel Kahn - 13 Av
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Dovid Drizin - 15 Av
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Tzvi Boyarsky - 19 Av 

Upcoming Yahrtzeits

  • Harav Yaakov Yehuda ben Harav Yehoshua (Mrs. Chana Rochel Duchman’s father) - 15 Av
  • Shlomo ben David (Mr. Zev Oster’s father) - 17 Av
  • Ester bas Avrohom (Mr. David Peretz’s mother) - 19 Av

Kashrus Letter #5

Dear Members of Congregation Levi Yitzchak,

B"H, last week, Rabbi Luban of the Orthodox Union came to make an inspection of many restaurants and stores.  He spent over 20 hours going into different food establishents to see the mashgichim in action.  Many establishments were to his satisfaction.  Here are some of the establishments that were endorsed:

  1. Abba's - La Brea
  2. Bocca Steak House - Pico
  3. Bocca Steak House - Sherman Oaks- Encino
  4. Brami's Pizza - North Hollywood 
  5. Classic (Le Palais) Pastry - Pico
  6. Elat Pastry Cafe - Pico
  7. Fish in the Village - North Hollywood
  8. Glatt Mart - Pico
  9. Kabab Mahaleh - Pico
  10. Meshuga 4 shushi - La Brea
  11. Milk & Honey - Pico
  12. Pita Way - Melrose
  13. Shalom Pizza -Pico
  14. Ventura Kosher Meats - Tarzana

We want to thank Rabbi Vann, Rabbi Davidi and Rabbi Sederivitsky for all the effort and work put into this matter.  Also, we would like to thank the Rabbis that were assisting Rabbi Luban - Rabbi Nathanson, Rabbi Bodenstein and Rabbi Kaplan.

Please remember, I am not the one endorsing these places.  Everyone should confirm for themselves if everything is up to their standard.

Rabbi Shimon Raichik

Devar Torah - V’Eschanan

Keep Your Wheels On-Der Aibishter Veit Zicher Helfin!

By Rabbi Shimon Raichik

I recently heard the following story at a fabrengen told in the name of Abba Pliskin. He told it to a person was having difficulty with giving tzedaka.

There was once a wealthy businessman who would spend his summers at the fairs in different cities in Europe to purchase supplies for his business. Usually he would start his journey at the beginning of each summer and return before its end, getting off the roads before winter arrived. One year he was delayed and started his trip later in the summer. As it turned out, winter arrived early that year. As he traveled home with a wagon full of merchandise it started to rain. Eventually he and his wagon full of merchandise ended up in a ditch. The driver got out to survey the problem and found that two of the large metal wheels were firmly lodged in the ditch. He told the businessman that the wagon was overloaded and there was no way the two of them could pull it out themselves, even with the help of the horses. The only way to go forward would be make the wagon significantly lighter by unloading some of the merchandise and leaving it in the forest. Without the wagon becoming lighter they may never get to their destination. The driver waited inside the wagon while the businessman thought over which packages to unload. Suddenly the driver felt the entire wagon shake. He jumped out only to see the businessman trying to remove the wheels from the wagon. The driver asked what he was doing. He said; “The merchandise I need. The wheels are made of heavy metal so I’m removing something heavy I don’t need”. The driver told him that without the wheels they couldn’t move!

Abba Pliskin then turned to the man (having difficulty giving tzedaka) and said; we all go through difficult times. We are often weighed down with our heavy baggage, the things we need and the things we think we need. When we get stuck, we feel overwhelmed and we begin to find things to eliminate to lighten our load. If we have slow month in business we think about cutting down on tzedaka. If we need to build up our business, soon enough we don’t have time for mincha-maariv. Others feel they need to change their appearance. It’s harder to find a job with a full beard. For others it’s tznius. We think that by cutting these things out we will lighten our load. It will help us with our baggage, to have the things that we want or think we need, be it the lifestyle the social status or the financial worth we seek.  The truth of course is the opposite. Our emunah and bitachon in Hashem, the davening and our hiskashrus are the wheels that get us where we need to go.

Some say that these wheels are so heavy! It requires so much time and dedication to be a proper chosid. Don’t you have a thin light spare tire that we can use instead? The truth is that Chassidus isn’t making it harder; it’s strengthening and lubricating the wheels to move faster and better to get us out of the hole.

Often I hear people say that they don’t feel that they and their unique struggles are really understood by others. It’s true there are many challenges today and there is a lot on the line. Especially in our times we can take incredible strength and inspiration from the previous generation to keep our wheels on and keep moving forward; even in times like these. 

Take, for example the lives of my parents. We should never know what they lived through. Even though they survived the Holocaust the horrors went with them. My father listened to the Previous Rebbe’s instruction to run away from Poland. He escaped to Shanghai and was in charge of the yeshiva throughout the war. When I look through many his letters to the Rebbe from those times one theme runs throughout. He would always ask that he should be a Tomim as it should be, he should fulfill the purpose and he shouldn’t stumble. We found many pidyonos placed in his Tanya in the times that he could not send them because of the war. They said; I’m here for a purpose, to serve Hashem.

When my father arrived on the shores of America, it was with the knowledge that his entire family had been wiped out. He found out from his Aunt (his father’s sister) what happened to them. He was the sole survivor. In his notes we found written to Rebbe that he’s asking; “To fulfill the intention for which I came here (America)” He had one focus, it was the wheels of emunah and bitachon in Hashem that everything would work out well. “Der Aibishter veit Zicher Helfin! (Hashem will certainly help)” was something we would often hear him say. Hiskashrus, davening, learning Torah and Chassidus gave him the strength to pull through in his life.

My mother was raised in a wealthy warm chassidishe home. Her father was Abbela Rappaport a wealthy Gerrer chosid. She was ten years old at the outbreak of the war. Her father passed away 6 months later. She ran and hid, along with her mother and three siblings in the barn of Polish peasants. There was a trench that they used to get in and out of the barn. One day the SS came to search the barn. They heard one officer say that the barn is free of Jews. The other said maybe they were hiding in the hay and ran his bayonet through the hay to be sure. Luckily they had gone into the trench and were behind the barn at the time.

After the war she came to America as a teenager. When talk of possible shidduchim surfaced she had to make a choice. She was in a new country staring a new life. She could marry a good Jew without a beard and a long coat, someone educated that spoke English and have simpler life. Nevertheless she chose my father, a chosid with a full beard, who spoke a broken English and wore a long coat all week.  She explained that when pictured her father she knew that he would want that she should marry a chassidishe bochur. From the warmth of her father’s home she took a feeling of Chassidus and emunah in Tzaddikim. After being married for six weeks, when the Previous Rebbe told the young couple to go to Los Angeles California on shilchus, she went without hesitation. She went to a place that did not have the basic necessities for raising a Jewish family because the Rebbe told them and she had emunah.

We need to learn from their example to our lives. We cannot take off the wheels and we should not look for other things to replace them. Our Chassidic lifestyle is what makes us move and gives us the life in the Torah and mitzvos we do, and gets us out of the hole. Yes it’s 19 years after Gimmel Tammuz, true its difficult. But we will not get ahead by removing the wheels. The Rebbe said that we are here to bring Moshiach. The Rebbe is giving us strength to be an inspiration to our families and to others. Let’s stay focused on fulfilling our purpose. Der Aibishter Veit Zicher Helfin to bring Moshiach Now! This is what I think of when I look at the Rebbe’s picture and the picture of my father. 

Announcements - Devarim

  • Click here for this week’s JEM “Here’s My Story”.
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Mendy Spalter invite you to a farbrengen this Friday night for the refuah shlaima of Chaya Mushka bas Hadassa Shaina, it will take place in conjunction with the Lipskier shalom zochor in the Shaarei Tefila Glaser Lounge.
    To host a Friday night farbrengen in your home please sign up using this link.
  • The rebbe encouraged everyone to listen to a daily siyum from the beginning of the 9 days through tu b’av. You can participate in a siyum every night after maariv at the shul. Thank you to all those who volunteered to make siyumim. For those who live out of town and/or are unable to make it to a siyum you can call in to listen live to our siyum. Dial (712) 432-0075 Access Code: 731783#.
  • In honor of the Three weeks, Kollel Erev is hosting a series of Shiurim about the Bais Hamikdosh and yemos hamoshiach. This week the shiur will be given by Rabbi Shimon RaichikClick here for more info. 

Special Women’s Event

Dear Women of Los Angeles, 

Please join us this Sunday, Av 7/July 14, at the old Kollel - 368 N La Brea Ave. In Unity with Torah Tefillah and Tzedaka during The Nine Days, for the Refuah Shlaima of Rachma bas Joya and leiluy nishmas Mrs. Bracha Leah Chava bas Shmuel ob"m Finkelstein.

  • 10:30 am:  Rabbi Bukiet: "Laws Pertaining to the Bais Hamikdash"
  • 11:30 am:  Mrs. Fruma Schapiro : "Internalize and Reflect Geulah Consciousness".

Baby sitting and refreshments will be available.
(questions call 323-935-5302)

May our unity and good deeds bring refuos and yeshuos to all Am Yisroel, and Moshiach Now!

Sponsored by: Congregation Levi Yitzchok, Congregation Ahavas Yisroel, Neshei Chabad and Bais Chana of California Women's Yeshiva

Shabbos Schedule - Devarim

  • Shabbos Candle Lighting: 7:47 pm
  • Shiur Chassidus with Rabbi Raichik: 9:00 am
  • Last Time To Read Shema: 9:25 am
  • Early Minyan Shacharis: 9:30 am
  • Shacharis: 10:00 am
  • Mesibas Shabbos For Girls (in KYY) 4:30 pm
  • Pirkei Avos Shiur with Rabbi Raichik: 6:45 pm
  • Mincha: 7:45 pm - Pirkei Avos - Perek 3
  • Shabbos Ends: 8:50 pm

Fast of Tishah B’Av

 Monday Night

  • Fast Begins: 8:05 pm
  • Ma’ariv: 8:45 pm

Tuesday

  • Shachris: 7:00, 8:00 & 9:00 am
  • Midday: 1:00 pm
  • Minchah (First Minyan): 1:35 pm
  • Minchah (Second Minyan): 7:20 pm
  • Fast Ends: 8:40 pm

For the laws and customs of the fast
Please see the “Chabad Chodesh”.

TWO Sholom Zochor's

Tzvika and Leah Grossman
Invite the community to a Sholom Zochor
at 366 N Citrus Ave. 

Meir & Simcha Lipskier
Invite the community to a Sholom Zochor
at Shaarei Tefila Glaser Lounge.

Kiddush Sponsors - Devarim

  • Mr. & Mrs. Yehonoson and Devorah Miriam Allison (John and Debbie) in honor of the birth of their granddaughter. May they have much nachas with good health from all of their children and grandchildren and may she grow up to Torah, to Chupa and to Maasim Tovim.
  • Anonymously in honor of the many good thing happening in their family. May they and the entire community be blessed with kol tuv se’ela.
  • Mr. & Mrs. Nachum Cherman in honor of Mr. Nachum Cherman’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
  • Mrs. Miriam Diller for the yahrtzeit her grandfather Yacov ben Yehoshua ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
  • Mr. & Mrs. David Milner for the yahrtzeit of Mr. David Milner’s mother Shein bas Shlomo ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Gershon Schusterman for the yahrtzeit of Mrs. Chana Rachel Schusterman’s father Yaakov ben Menashe ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.

 

Early Minyan Kiddush Sponsors - Devarim

  • Rabbi & Mrs. Dovid Hoch in honor of their daughter Chaya Aidel’s birthday. May she have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
  • Mr. & Mrs. Mitch Reichman for the yahrtzeit of Mr. Mitch Reichman’s mother Roichel Devorah bas Yaakov ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
  • Mr. & Mrs. Steve Zipp in honor of the early minyan. May they and the entire community be blessed with kol tuv se’ela.

Women's Shabbos Shiur - Devarim

6:45 pm at the home of Mrs. Bunia Newman
400 N Highland Ave.
 Speaker: Rabbi Simcha Bart

Mazal Tov To - Devarim

  • Rabbi & Mrs. Dovid Thaler on the birth of their granddaughter Mirel (to Rabbi & Mrs. Sholom Ber Halberstam).
  • Meir & Simcha Lipskier on the birth of their son.
  • Tzvika & Leah Grossman on the birth of their son. Mazal tov to the grandparents Rabbi & Mrs. Fischel Grossman. 
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Yitzchok Arnold on the birth of their granddaughter Bas Sheva (to Chaim & Leora Budd). 
  • Mr. & Mrs. Yonason Allison (john and debbie) on the birth of their first granddaughter (to Danny & Sarah Talkins). Mazal tov to the Talkins family and to the Great Grand Parents Dave & June Simon. They should all have alot of nachus with good health from all of their children and grandchildren.

Upcoming Birthdays

  • Rabbi Dovi Goldman - 7 Av
  • Heshy Mishulovin - 7 Av
  • Mendy Lerman - 8 Av
  • Shnuer Zalman Berkowitz - 8 Av
  • Mr. Reuvein Caplan - 8 Av
  • Akiva Hoffman - 9 Av
  • Mr. Nachum Cherman - 10 Av
  • Rabbi Moishe Carlebach - 10 Av
  • Moshe Meir Polityko - 11 Av
  • Nadav Lerman - 11 Av
  • Alexander Sender Labkowsky - 11 Av
  • Pesach Newman - 12 Av

Upcoming Yahrtzeits

  • Yacov ben Yehoshua (Mrs. Miriam Diller's grandfather) - 7 Av
  • Yaakov ben Menashe (Mrs. Chana Rachel Schusterman’s father) - 8 Av
  • Yitzchok ben Yakov (Mrs. Ruchama Thaler’s father) - 9 Av
  • Roichel Devorah bas Yaakov (Mr. Mitch Reichman’s mother) - 10 Av
  • Shein bas Shlomo (Mr. David Milner’s mother) - 11 Av
  • Moshe Aharon Hakohen ben Noson Notte (Rabbi Yitzchok Arnold’s brother) - 12 Av
  • Kaila bas Yedidya (Rabbi Danny Rotenberg’s mother) - 12 Av

Devar Torah - Devarim

Feeling Let Down By the System?
The Rebbe's Advise

By Rabbi Shimon Raichik

There is a common theme I hear from others when they speak about their difficulties with following the higher standards and leading a chassidishe life. They will often say that they are the way they are because of their difficult yeshiva experience. They could not relate to the teachers, their message or their demands, nor could the teachers relate to them. Their parents also were demanding. In short, the system let them down.

Especially in these turbulent times like these, I understand and feel what they are saying. I have sent my children though the system and know about the frustrations and challenges that we face.

I recently came across the letter below in which the Rebbe clearly addresses this perspective. It is self-understood and requires no further explanation. 

B.H.
15 Iyar, 5738
Brooklyn, N.Y.

Sholom uBrocho:

I am in receipt of your letter of May 18, in which you write about your present state and feelings towards Jews, Yiddishkeit, the Torah, etc., which you blame on the attitude towards you on the part of the Yeshiva and its students.

Needless to say the connection is most surprising, for it is plain and obvious that a Jew, whoever he may be, who believes in the Torah and does his best to observe its Mitzvos, does it because his personal commitment to G-d’s Torah and Mitzvos, which were given to each and every Jew at Sinai, and as our Sages tell us that the souls of all the Jews of all generations were present there and accepted the Torah and Mitzvos. Hence, if a Jew should declare, G-d forbid, that he does not accept the Ten Commandments because his friends or teacher do not conduct themselves as they should - I do not think that anyone will say that this is a proper or sensible approach.

To put in a different way: If a teacher whom you respect will say that two times two is five, it is incorrect; and if a teacher whom you do not respect will say that two times two is four, it is nevertheless correct, for Truth is independent. Judging by your writing, there is surely no need to elaborate to you on what is self-evident.

As for your complaint about your friends’ attitude towards you – it is also clear that neither I nor anyone else can make a judgment on this without first hearing what both sides have to say.

Now, let us assume - from your point of view - that you have reasons to complain -- surely you know, and must have seen it yourself from other situations where people have a disagreement, that in every dispute between two people it is impossible that one should be 100% right and the other 100% wrong. It would be rare indeed, if it ever happened, although one does not have to be 100% right to win his case, and 99% against 1%is also sufficient. But when one of the two parties, who is personally involved and consequently subjective, claims to be 100% right and all the others 100% wrong, this is most extraordinary. Don’t you think that someone who examines the whole situation objectively may find you also wrong at least to the extent of 1%? If this be very likely, how is it that you do not mention anything about it in your letter, not even by as much as a hint?

All that has been said above is by way of response to your writing, dealing with the “letter” as distinct from the “spirit.”

The crucial point, however, is that suffice it to consider the fact that Yiddishkeit, Torah and Mitzvos, and the Jewish people have survived 3500 years of persecution, pogroms, the Holocaust, etc., and yet our people is alive and thriving to this day, while many powerful nations and “civilizations” have disappeared without a remnant – to be convinced (despite your assertions in the beginning of your letter) that the Torah is Toras Emes, and its Mitzvos are Emes, and that “they are our life and the length of our days,” both for our Jewish people as a whole and for  every Jew individually. It is also self-understood that G-d desires Jews to observe His Mitzvos not for His benefit, but for the benefit of the one who lives in accordance with G-d’s will.

In light of the above, I hope and trust that you will do all that is in your power to learn the Torah with devotion and diligence and to fulfill the Mitzvos with    Hiddur -- not because I, or anyone else tells you to do this, but because it is the Truth itself, as has been amply verified by the uninterrupted history of our people from generation to generation. And although this is an obvious “must” for its own sake, this is also the channel to receive G-d’s blessing for Hatzlocho in all your needs, as well as for your parents and all your dear ones.

With blessing,

Announcements - Matos-Masei

  • Click here for this week’s JEM “Here’s My Story”.
  • 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. Sol Feiner - 305 S McCadden St.
    To host a Friday night farbrengen in your home please sign up using this link.
  • This Sunday will be the seocnd session of Yarchei Kallah. Click here for more information. 
  • Rabbi Yosef Bukiet will continue giving Shiurim to the women about the Beis Hamikdosh from 10:30 to 11:30 am for two more Sundays: Sunday, 29 Tammuz/July 7, and Sunday, 7 Av/July 14, at the Schneerson’s - 364 N Fuller Ave. 
  • The rebbe encouraged everyone to listen to a daily siyum from the beginning of the 9 days through tu b’av. You can participate in a siyum every night after maariv at the shul. Thank you to all those who volunteered to make siyumim. 
  • In honor of the Three weeks, Kollel Erev is hosting a series of Shiurim about the Bais Hamikdosh and yemos hamoshiach. This week the shiur will be given by Rabbi Avrohom ZajacClick here for more info. 

Shabbos Schedule - Matos-Masei

  • Shabbos Candle Lighting: 7:49 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: 9:22 am
  • Early Minyan Shacharis: 10:00 am
  • Shacharis: 10:15 am
  • Mesibas Shabbos For Girls (in KYY) 4:30 pm
  • Pirkei Avos Shiur with Rabbi Raichik: 6:50 pm
  • Mincha: 7:50 pm - Pirkei Avos - Perek 2
  • Shabbos Ends: 8:52 pm
  • Molad of Chodesh Menachem-Av, Monday, Av 1/July 8, 9:18 am
  • Rosh Chodesh Menachem-Av: Monday, July 8

For the laws and customs of the nine days
Please see the “Chabad Chodesh”.

Kiddush Sponsors - Matos-Masei

  • Rabbi & Mrs. Chaim Burston for the yahrtzeit of Rabbi Chaim Burston’s father Yehuda Shmuel ben Yitzchok ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Shalom Elharrar and Rabbi & Mrs. Yehosuah Goldman for the yahrtzeit of Mrs. Milka Elharrar and Mrs. Rochel Goldman’s mother Simcha Chaya bas Yosef 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. Simcha Levenberg for the yahrtzeit of Mr. Simcha Levenberg’s father Velvel Efraim ben Yisroel Halevi ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Michy Rav-Noy in honor of Rabbi Michy Rav-Noy’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.

Early Minyan Kiddush Sponsors - Matos-Masei

  • 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. Menachem Rubinstein for the yahrtzeit of Rabbi Menachem Rubinstein’s grandfather Tzvi Hirsch ben Yechezkel Yaakov ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.

Women's Shabbos Shiur - Matos-Masei

At the home of: Mrs. Yehudit Schneerson
364 N Fuller Ave.
6:30 pm 
Speaker: Rabbi Shaya Berkowitz

Mazal Tov To - Matos-Masei

Upcoming Birthdays

  • Mr. Yanky Bloch - 27 Tammuz
  • Chaim Israeli - 28 Tammuz
  • Rabbi Michy Rav-Noy - 28 Tammuz
  • Mr. Doron Israeli - 28 Tammuz
  • Moshe Schneerson - 28 Tammuz
  • Menachem Mendel Lerner - 29 Tammuz
  • Menachem Mendel Stroll - 2 Av
  • Rabbi Tzemach Rosenfeld - 2 Av
  • Mr. Ephraim Levy - 3 Av
  • Dr. Sholom Fine - 3 Av
  • Eliyahu Lipsker - 4 Av
  • Rabbi Avrohom Wagshul - 5 Av
  • Mr. Dennis Blauner - 5 Av

Upcoming Yahrtzeits

  • Chaika bas Yosef (Mrs. Sarah Goldstein’s mother) - 28 Tammuz
  • Hershel Tsvi ben Avraham (Mr. Richard Rosenbloom’s father) - 28 Tammuz
  • Tzvi Hirsch ben Yechezkel Yaakov (Rabbi Menachem Rubinstein’s grandfather) - 1 Av
  • Shimon ben Yaakov Reuven (Mr. Maayan Kerbel’s grandfather) - 1 Av
  • Velvel Efraim ben Yisroel Halevi (Mr. Simcha Levenberg’s father) - 1 Av
  • Malka bas Yitzchok Yosef (Mrs. Chani Rotenberg’s mother) - 2 Av
  • Yehuda Shmuel ben Yitzchok (Rabbi Chaim Burston’s father) - 4 Av

 

Devar Torah - Matos-Masei

What Does It Mean to Live
as a Lubavitcher Chosid in 2013?

By Rabbi Shimon Raichik

To be frank I feel torn. We are living in difficult times. It’s 19 years since Gimmel Tammuz. There is an entire generation of Lubavitchers who never saw the Rebbe. Parnasa is difficult for many. For some shalom bayis is a challenge. Others are stretched from raising a family, while for a few it seems that all of these things are problematic. Are people even getting the guidance, support and resources they truly deserve so that we ask for yet more, and even higher standards than ever before? The types challenges we have seen as of late are such that I never thought in my adult life I would be called upon to address.

So where do we begin? We know that Hashem gave the Torah to us, not to angels but neshamos in gufim, people of flesh and blood, with a yetzer hara. This week’s parsha Matos-Massai discusses vows. Why do we take a vow? And why do we go to a chacham to release us from a vow? The Rebbe explains that a person takes a vow when they become fearful if have the strength to not abuse the permissible. Abuse of the permissible leads to falling into the forbidden. In an effort to avoid a tragedy a vow is taken from the permissible thereby creating a safeguard, a protection to avoid a devastating downward spiral.

When a chacham releases the vow it’s for one of two reasons. One is because the person who took the vow underestimated their abilities. The chacham can see that they really are able to rise above their challenges. By releasing the vow he gives the necessary vote of confidence to the one who takes the vow. Another reason is that the Torah is giving the chacham the power to release the vow thereby infusing the person with the strength to overcome their challenge and utilize the physical to serve Hashem. 

When are the parshios of Matos and Massei read together? When parshas Pinchas is the first parsha of the Three Weeks. This shows that there is a special connection between Pinchas, Matos and Massei. The Rebbe explains that the name of the parsha encapsulates its theme. A matah is a tribe just like the word shevet. Chassidus connects this meaning with yet another meaning for these words. A shevet is a live twig connected to the branch, while a matah is a disconnected dried up stick. The matah represents the galus Jew, without moisture while a shevet represents the Jew in the times of the Mikdash connected to Hashem full of life and vigor. The advantage of the stick is, that although he may be dried up, nevertheless he is “stiff necked”, he is unwavering and unbending in the service of Hashem.

Massei represents our journey from the limitations of Mitzrayim, any limitation in the service of Hashem, into and through the work of this world until we reach Yarden Yareicho, until the revelation of Moshiach.

In order to go forward we need to be like a matah, a stick firm and resolved throughout the journey. As the Baal Shem Tov teaches, the 42 journeys in the desert correspond to the challenges of our entire life’s travel. Be it the challenge of not speaking lashon hara like at Rismah, or the lust of Kivros HaTaavah. And even though we do not see the miracles in Egypt, the splitting of the Red Sea and the revelation on Mount Sinai still we are called upon to always persevere until we reach the final destination.

It’s the matah, the strength implanted within the Jew to call upon the firm resolve necessary wherever we are, whoever we are 24/7, to be a Jew connected to Hashem and a chosid of Moshe Rabbenu. We take this inspiration from Pinchas and his mesirus nefesh. We see this mesirus nefesh in the entire life of the  Previous Rebbe. The Rebbe Rashab brought the Previous Rebbe into communal responsibilities at the age of 15. He took him to the Ohel of the Rebbe the Tzemach Tzedek and the Rebbe Maharash. Bringing him to the Ohel was similar bringing him to the Akeida, demanding from him that his work from now on will be with mesirus nefesh. The Rebbe Rashab said to the Previous Rebbe that mesirus nefesh means to approach everything: “Azoi un nisht anderesh- This way (Judaism without compromise) and no other way”. When we read about the life of the Previous Rebbe we see that he lived the life of mesirus nefesh through and through, azoi un nisht anderesh.  When we emulate this approach we are strong anytime, anywhere, a Jew connected to Hashem and a chosid connected to the Rebbe, even 19 years after Gimmel Tammuz.

Last week the Supreme Court ruled against traditional marriage. This was a decision that went against the will of the people of California who voted in favor of traditional marriage. It was a dark day for a country that seems to have fallen so far from its original values. This brings to mind a sicha from Shushan Purim parshas Ki Sissa in 1974. The Rebbe was fighting that the religious parties should not enter into a coalition with the Labor party without an agreement to amend the law of Who is a Jew to define a Jew to be solely defined according to halacha. The religious went ahead anyway and entered the coalition without an agreement. Rav Kook said at the time that it way a dark day for Judaism. The Rebbe said that it wasn’t a dark day rather it was a clear day. We need to know where they stand. What happened brought clarity. So too with the Supreme Court, we now have clarity as to where they really stand; they do not care about Hashem. They also showed this by not allowing a moment of silence in the schools. If you force Hashem into a closet there is no telling where one can end up (ch’vSh).

This is also true in our personal lives. If we feel over confident and don’t feel the need to stand up and be strong and instead we go with the flow and give in to social pressure with regard to all matters regarding Judaism, then there is no telling where we may end up (ch’vSh). We cannot assume that it will just work out. This is true in all areas of our lives, our conduct speech and tznius, there’s no telling where we could end up.

So too with regard to Eretz Yisroel, we seek the acceptance of the world, we want to fit in. This leads to apathy and complacency. We need to be strong and stubborn like a mateh to stand up for shleimus haaretz with true force and resolve.

Some feel that I am speaking to the choir. We are already chassidim, we keep the minhagim. We are secure. Why do we have to be concerned? The Rebbe once spoke at a fabrengen about why we read about forbidden relations on mincha close to the closing of Yom Kippur. It’s the holiest day of the year. We are fasting, dressed in white and davening the whole day; it’s the furthest thing from the mind. The reason is because that if after Yom Kippur you feel secure that you can just go on your way and you’ll be ok, you are mistaken. If you feel that you do not have to grapple any longer and that you a 100 percent complete, you are mistaken. If you feel that way and are too confident then you spiral out of control into the prohibited. Even after the holiest day of the year, there are no guarantees; we always need Hashem’s help. We always need to strengthen our connection. We have no guarantees that we will not go off course.

Some feel that there are many legitimate heterim, they wonder why must we be so stubborn about mesora, minhagim and chumrahs.

In the early years of Chabad Houses a group of women wanted to have their own women’s minyon with their own ‘chazanit’. The Rav said that there was no problem in halacha. When they wrote the Rebbe, the answer was that surely the Rav was unaware of the fact that this is the way the Reform movement began.

What is so important about not wavering from the mesora of the Rabbeim? Because otherwise we don’t know where we’ll end up.  The ways of the Rabbeim are the ways that we guard and keep. It’s hard, where do we get the strength? My father once told me an explanation of the Rav HaMagid on the following gemara. The gemara quotes the pasuk “What does Hashem your G-d ask of you other that to fear Him”. The gemara asks: Is fear a small matter? The gemara answers is yes, relative to Moshe Rabbenu it is a small matter. How does this relate to each of us, we are not Moshe Rabbenu? Because the gemara says “legabi Moshe, which means relative to Moshe it is easy. This means that if we are standing in front Moshe Rabbenu, in his presence, then it’s easy.

So when I go home I shut the door and leave the world behind. I look on the wall and see the picture of the Rebbe facing me. I’m alone with Hashem and the Rebbe. What does this picture mean to me? Is it only that I love the Rebbe and that I am his chosid? How do I look to the Rebbe? Am I comfortable with what the Rebbe sees in me and how I am right now?  Am I the chosid he knows that I have the ability to be? Is my home, my dress, my character, and am I living in such a way that I can be in front of the Rebbe? When I get home late at night and stand alone with Hashem and the Rebbe this is what the picture is telling me. Then I have the mateh, the strength to overcome. The Rebbe is asking me to act, to do all that I can to bring Moshiach Now.

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