- Click here for this week's KYY newsletter.
- Click here for this week's Lmaan Yishmeu publication.
- Click here for this week’s JEM "Here’s My Story".
- Click here for a list of our ongoing shiurim.
- Click here to pay up all your building fund, kibud or yiskor pledges and outstanding membership. Thank you to all of our supporters!!
Shul Bulletin
Announcements - Mikeitz
Shabbos Schedule - Mikeitz
- Shabbos Candle Lighting: 4:33 pm
- Late Kabolas Shabbos: 6:15 pm
- Last Time To Read Shema: 9:26 am
- Chassidus for Early Minyan: 8:45 am
- Shiur Chassidus: 9:00 am
- Early Minyan Shacharis: 9:30 am
- Shacharis: 10:00 am
- NO Kol Yaakov Yehuda this Shabbos
- Mincha: 4:35 pm
- Shabbos Ends: 5:36 pm
- Father & Son Learning: 7:00-8:00 pm
Kiddush Sponsors - Mikeitz
- Mr. & Mrs. Shaul Raigorodsky in honor of the birth of their granddaughter Ella Soro. May they have much nachas from her and may she grow up to Torah, to Chupa and to Maasim Tovim.
Early Minyan Kiddush Sponsors - Mikeitz
- Mr. & Mrs. Moshe Anatian for the yahrtzeit of Mrs. Rochel Anatian’s father Reb Moshe Pulat ben Reb Bechor ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
- Rabbi & Mrs. Levi Lieberow in honor of Mrs. Chaya Liberow’s birthday. May she have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus. Also, in honor of their son & daughters’ birthdays. May they have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
- Rabbi & Mrs. Sender Munitz for the yahrtzeit of Mrs. Gittie Munitz’s father Reb Yitzchok Yosef ben Reb Avrohom Dov ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
- Rabbi & Mrs. Menachem Rubinstein for the yahrtzeit of Rabbi Menachem Rubinstein’s father Reb Moshe ben Reb Nossonv ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
- 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.
Women's Shabbos Shiur - Mikeitz
4:30 at the home of Mrs. Sima Zeifman
421 N Poinsettia
Speaker: Rabbi Levi Kramer
Mazal Tov To - Mikeitz
- Rabbi & Mrs. Levi Benjaminson on the birth of their son. Mazal tov to the grandparents Rabbi & Mrs. Sholom Perl.
- Mr. & Mrs. Aron Yakovlev on the birth of their daughter.
Upcoming Birthdays
- Rabbi Naftoli Estulin - 2 Teves
- Elchonon Dovber Grossman - 3 Teves
- Rabbi Dovid Drizin - 4 Teves
- Mr. Yossi Rimler - 5 Teves
- Aaron Schneerson - 6 Teves
Upcoming Yahrtzeits
- Bassya bas Reb Mordechai (Mr. Chaim Lerner’s mother) - 1 Teves
- Reb Moshe ben Reb Nosson (Rabbi Menachem Rubinstein’s father) - 1 Teves
- Reb Moshe Pulat ben Reb Bechor (Mrs. Rochel Anatian’s father) - 2 Teves
- Chaya Liba bas Reb Yosef (Mr. Mendel-Hilel Ganzburg’s mother) - 2 Teves
- Reb Yitzchok Yosef ben Reb Avrohom Dov (Mrs. Gittie Munitz’s father) - 3 Teves
- Simcha bas Reb Moshe (Mrs. Kelly Benarroch’s sister) - 3 Teves
- Reb Chaim ben Reb Aryeh Leib (Rabbi Dovid Morris’s father) - 4 Teves
- Reb Chaim ben vAvraham Halevi (Mrs. Debbie Tibor’s father) - 4 Teves
- Bluma bas Reb Eliezer Hakohen (Mr. Zechariah Davidson’s grandmother) - 5 Teves
- Tsharna Gittel bas Reb Yaakov (Rabbi Shmuel Stroll’s mother) - 5 Teves
- Reb Aharon Dovid ben Reb Yitzchok Aizik (Mr. Allan Stark’s father) - 6 Teves
Mincha today
Mincha today will iy"H take place at
12:35, 3:00 & 3:15 pm
For the halchos of Erev Motzei Shabbos Chanuka
Please see the Chabad Chodesh
Announcements - Vayeishev
- Click here for this week's KYY newsletter.
- Click here for this week's Lmaan Yishmeu publication.
- Click here for this week’s JEM "Here’s My Story".
- Click here for a list of our ongoing shiurim.
- Click here to pay up all your building fund, kibud or yiskor pledges and outstanding membership. Thank you to all of our supporters!!
- SUNDAY: Masbia Program. The shul kitchen will be open from 7am till 12pm. All foods are fine, including Milchig, Fleishig, Pareve, fruits, vegetables, frozen, canned and packed foods. All except foods cooked at home. Please note: If you can send proteins such as- chicken, meat, fish, and cheeses, it would be tremendously beneficial to these families.
Shabbos Schedule - Vayeishev
- Shabbos Candle Lighting: 4:29 pm
- Late Minyan Kabolas Shabbos: 6:15 pm
- Last Time To Read Shema: 9:22 am
- Shabbos Mevarchim Tehillim: 8:15 am
- Followed by a Shiur Chassidus by Rabbi Raichik
- Thillim Club: 9:00 am
- Early Minyan Shacharis: 10:00 am
- Shacharis: 10:15 am
- Kol Yaakov Yehuda: 10:00 am
- Mincha: 4:30 pm
- Shabbos Ends: 5:32 pm
- Father & Son Learning: 7:00-8:00 pm
- Molad Chodesh Teves: Thursday, Kislev 28/December 26, 8:02 pm and 8 chalakim.
- Rosh Chodesh Teves: Shabbos & Sunday, December 28 & 29.
Kiddush Sponsors - Vayeishev
- Rabbi & Mrs. Zalmy Klyne in honor of Rabbi Zalmy Klyne’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
- Mr. & Mrs. Reuven Solomon for the yahrtzeit of Mrs. Resha Solomon’s father Reb Gershon ben Reb Dovid ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
- Rabbi & Mrs. Velvel Tsikman in honor of Mrs Polina Tsikman’s birthday. May she have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
Early Minyan Kiddush Sponsors - Vayeishev
- Tzeischem Leshalom to Rabbi & Mrs. Zalman Friedman. May it be meshane makom meshane mazal letova ulivracha.
- Rabbi & Mrs. Chaim Fyzakov in honor their daughter Tanya Meira's 2nd birthday and their daughter Ariella Rosa's 5th birthday. May they have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
- Rabbi & Mrs. Yakov Greenbaum in honor of Rabbi Yakov Greenbaum’s 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.
Women's Shabbos Shiur - Vayeishev
4:30 at the home of Mrs. Sima Zeifman
421 N Poinsettia
Speaker: Rabbi Yisroel Hecht
Mazal Tov To - Vayeishev
- Rabbi & Mrs. Mendel Cunin on the engagemnet of their son Levi to Sheina Chincholker.
- Rabbi & Mrs. Mendel Goldman on the engagement of their daughter Adina to Levi Avtzon.
- Rabbi & Mrs. Shmuly Gurary on the birth of their daughter Esther. Mazal tov to the grandparents Rabbi & Rebbitzen Shimon Raichik.
Upcoming Birthdays
- Moshe Davidson - 23 Kislev
- Yaakov Wolowik - 24 Kislev
- Mr. Shmuel David Faynerman - 24 Kislev
- Mr. Arthur Diller - 25 Kislev
- Mr. Zechariah Davidson - 27 Kislev
- Sholom Yehuda Gorelik - 27 Kislev
- Rabbi Yakov Greenbaum - 28 Kislev
- Rabbi Ari Goldman - 28 Kislev
- Menachem Mendel Yishai Antian - 28 Kislev
- Mr. Michael Zaghi - 29 Kislev
Upcoming Yahrtzeits
- Reb Gershon ben Reb Dovid (Mrs. Resha Solomon’s father) - 28 Kislev
- Devorah bas Reb Yechiel Shraga Faivish Halevi (Rabbi Yitzchok Arnold’s mother) - 28 Kislev
Devar Torah - Vayeishev
Who came to visit the Alter Rebbe?
This past Tuesday was Yud Tes Kislev, it is known that when the Alter Rebbe was in prison, he was visited by Baal Shem Tov and the Maggid.
The Alter Rebbe asked the Baal Shem Tov and the Maggid the reason why he was in prison. They answered that because he was revealing Penimius HaTorah in such an open way, a kitrug- a decree on high arose that caused the imprisonment. He asked that if this was the case perhaps he should not continue with this approach. They answered him that in the end he would be victorious and then he should not only continue but should do so in an even greater measure.
From this we understand that the reason for prison was not due to a fight with the Misnagdim rather a decree from above. Since this was clarified to the Alter Rebbe why did he ask if should continue? In a seemingly similar incident with the Maggid it was the Alter Rebbe himself who provided the answer. Once, Reb Pichas of Koritz was not pleased when he found a page of Chassidus near a bathroom. When the Alter Rebbe saw this he gave him a mashal to avoid a hakpada. Once, the child of a King was seriously ill. The doctors said that the only remedy was to grind a special stone into powder. This stone was a precious diadem in the King’s coveted crown. The King gave orders to dismantle the crown and use it to save the prince’s life. They explained that the prince’s mouth was shut. The King answered to feed him drop by drop, and if that did not work, to place it on his lips so that possibly it would eventually absorb into his mouth. Even though most of it might be lost and it was a rare and priceless stone, it was well worth it because the King said that “I need the prince, without the prince I do not need the crown”. So too the Jewish people in galus are Hashem’s prince. The Jewish people need Hashem to use his crown jewel, Penimius HaTorah, even on the lips, notwithstanding the fact that some might fall on the ground, so that perhaps a few drops will become absorbed. If so: Why was there a decree aroused from above again against the Alter Rebbe since he already explained the purpose of spreading Chassidus, and; Why was the Alter Rebbe asking if he should continue?
The Rebbe explains that there are two reasons why Chassidus is revealed in our present times.
The first reason is because the galus is so dark that we need medicine to survive. We need spiritual injections to fight the spiritual diseases and infectious bacteria prevalent in our times. The neshama needs a strong dose of medicine to revive the heart and provide a ‘stimulus package’ to move forward and be strong in the service of Hashem. That was the example the Alter Rebbe gave to Reb Pinchas of Koritz.
The second reason is that we are in the historical time period of “Erev Shabbos”, when we are already able to sense the aroma of Shabbos, the coming of Moshiach. As is known it’s a mitzvah to have a taste of the food for Shabbos on Erev Shabbos. In the era of Moshiach Hashem will reveal the inner secrets of the Torah. This is as the Rambam explains at the end of Mishneh Torah that the world will be filled with the knowledge of Hashem like water covers the ocean. In this time of Erev Shabbos, the Friday afternoon of the sixth millennia, it’s a mitzvah to reveal and study Penimius HaTorah to prepare us for the Torah of Moshiach.
There is basic difference between a medicine and a food. Medicine is used to give a boost, a ‘shot’ to the neshama to give it the wherewithal to overcome the forces of negativity. Food on the other hand, offers the one who partakes whatever he likes, not just a bit of this and a bit of that. The Torah of the Maggid was like a booster shot used to revive the neshama. The second level likened to food is related to Chabad Chassidus internalized like food. Therefore there was a second kitrug on the Alter Rebbe because he did not have permission to reveal so much. Therefore the Alter Rebbe’s question was if he should continue in the way of Chabad or style his teachings after the Maggid.
The Rebbe Rashab once explained that “yefutzu maaynoseicha chutza” really ‘kicked in’ after the Alter Rebbe was freed from prison after Yud Teis Kislev as a preparation to bring Moshiach.
It is not sufficient to learn bits and pieces just to keep our neshama alive like taking medicine, rather we need to internalize Chassidus like food, by integrating it into our Chabad and thereby merit the full revelation of the Torah of Moshaich, now.
(Based on Likutei Sichos v. 30)
Reminder! Masbia Program
Dear shul member
We'd like to remind everyone that this Sunday is the Masbia Program.
The shul kitchen will be open from 7am till 12pm.
All foods are fine, including Milchig, Fleishig, Pareve, fruits, vegetables, frozen, canned and packed foods. All except foods cooked at home.
Please note: If you can send proteins such as- chicken, meat, fish, and cheeses, it would be tremendously beneficial to these families.
Announcements - Vayishlach
- Click here for this week's KYY newsletter.
- Click here for this week's Lmaan Yishmeu publication.
- Click here for this week’s JEM "Here’s My Story".
- Click here for a list of our ongoing shiurim.
- Click here to pay up all your building fund, kibud or yiskor pledges and outstanding membership. Thank you to all of our supporters!!
Motzei Shabbos Fleishige Melava Malka for father & sons:
HACHANA for YUD SHEVAT
This year Yud Shevat marks 70 years of the Rebbe's Nesiyus, leadership. In preparation for this occasion Chabad Chassidim, the world over, are taking upon themselves different hachlotos for this special day, such as adding in Mivtzoim, Tzedakah, Ahavas Yisroel, strengthening in the learning of Chitas and Rambam and learning the Rebbe Sichos and Maamarim.
With this in mind, we would like to divide the Rebbe's Sichos from Parshas Vayishlach till Yud Aleph Nissan (the Rebbe's birthday) among the members of our shul, Congregation Levi Yitzchak, You can put your name down by at least one Sicha a week. If all the Sichos of a Parsha are taken then multiple people can choose the same Sicha.
Some of the Sichas are in Hebrew and some are in Yiddish. Many of these were translated and you should be able to find the translations in shul.
The Rebbe writes in the Hayom Yom, 24th of Sivan.
"You ask: What does your spiritual bond with me -your hiskashrus- consist of, since I do not know you by face? True connection is attained by Torah Study. When you study my maamarim of Chassidus, read the sichos, associate with my friends (the members of chassidic brotherhood and the temimim) in their studies and in their farbrengens, and fulfill my request by reciting Tehillim and maintaining a regular study schedule, -this is what constitutes hiskashrus."
Shabbos Schedule - Vayishlach
- Shabbos Candle Lighting: 4:26 pm
- Late Kabolas Shabbos: 6:15 pm
- Last Time To Read Shema: 9:18 am
- Chassidus for Early Minyan: 8:45 am
- Shiur Chassidus: 9:00 am
- Early Minyan Shacharis: 9:30 am
- Shacharis: 10:00 am
- Kol Yaakov Yehuda: 10:00 am
- Mincha: 4:25 pm
- Shabbos Ends: 5:29 pm
- Father & Son Learning + Melava Malka: 7:00-8:30 pm
Kiddush Sponsors - Vayishlach
- Mr. & Mrs. Moshe Davidoff for the yahrtzeit of Mrs. Esther Davidoff’s father Reb Aaron ben Reb Boruch ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
- Rabbi & Mrs. Fischel Grossman in honor of Rabbi Fischel Grossman’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
- Mr. & Mrs. Avrohom Aron Grunfeld in honor of Mr. Avrohom Aron Grunfeld’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
- Rabbi & Mrs. Martin Leaderman in honor of Rabbi Martin Leaderman’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
- Rabbi & Mrs. Mendel Plotke in honor of the birth of their daughter Rivka. May they have much nachas from her and may she grow up to Torah, to Chupa and to Maasim Tovim.
- Rabbi & Mrs. Yosef Shagalov in honor of Rabbi Yosef Shagalov’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
Early Minyan Kiddush Sponsors - Vayishlach
- Rabbi & Mrs. Levi Benjaminson in honor of their anniversary. May they have many more happy years together.
- Rabbi & Mrs. Yecheskel Raeburn in honor of their anniversary. May they have many more happy years together.
- Mr. & Mrs. Steve Zipp in honor of Mr. Steve Zipp’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
Women's Shabbos Shiur - Vayishlach
4:30 at the home of Mrs. Milka Elharrar
157 N Fuller
Speaker: Rabbi Haller
Mazal Tov To - Vayishlach
Upcoming Birthdays
- Mr. Avrohom Aron Grunfeld - 16 Kislev
- Mr. Joseph Michael Dunn - 17 Kislev
- Rabbi Zalmy Fogelman - 17 Kislev
- Rabbi Fischel Grossman - 18 Kislev
- Mr. Steve Zipp - 18 Kislev
- Rabbi Zalman Schmukler - 19 Kislev
- Rabbi Martin Leaderman - 19 Kislev
- Rabbi Zalman Klyne - 21 Kislev
- Rabbi Yosef Shagalov - 22 Kislev
Upcoming Anniversaries
- Rabbi & Mrs. Shaya Berkowitz - 19 Kislev
- Rabbi & Mrs. Levi Benjaminson - 19 Kislev
- Rabbi & Mrs. Yecheskel Raeburn - 19 Kislev
- Rabbi & Mrs. Shloime Arnold - 20 Kislev
Upcoming Yahrtzeits
- Reb Aaron ben Reb Boruch (Mrs. Esther Davidoff’s father) - 19 Kislev
- Chaya bas Reb Avrohom (Rabbi Benyomin Hoffman’s mother) - 20 Kislev
- Reb Yeshayohu ben Reb Aharon (Mrs. Fradel Bukiet’s father) - 20 Kislev
- Reb Shlomi ben Reb Ezra (Mrs. Ariela Hecht’s father) - 21 Kislev
Devar Torah - Vayishlach
A Long Distance Fabrengen
What a Yud-Tes Kislev farbrengen can accomplish
By Rabbi Shimon Raichik
“Yud-Tes Kislev is a day to farbreng together, resolve to establish times to study Torah and Chessidus, and follow the ways and customs of Chassidus, with true love and friendship” (Hayom Yom).
A 'lost soul' finds himself at a Yud-Tes Kislev farbrengen, as described by the Previous Rebbe on Acharon shel Pesach, 1934:
In the city of Petersburg there once lived a wealthy man who was born into a Chassidic family in the Mohilev region. At the age of fourteen, he left his community and moved to the big city of Petersburg. There he succumbed to the pressures and pleasures of the time and place, until he eventually desecrated Shabbos, ate treif food, etc.
Nevertheless, he maintained some interest in Chabad. When the Alter Rebbe's portrait was first publicized, he commissioned a famous artist to make a large copy of it, as well as a portrait of my great- grandfather, the Tzemach Tzedek. He prominently displayed the paintings in his library, adjoining his study.
Years passed, and his business prospered. The Jewish names he gave his children at birth were soon replaced by Russian names. His extravagant house- hold pursued the pleasures of the world with passion. His social circle was comprised mostly of non-Jews, or assimilated Jews who had forgotten their roots.
One day, in the winter of 1892, he had to visit the home of a local Chassidic merchant regarding a business matter. Coming in, he saw the rooms filled with people sitting around festive tables and everyone was singing joyously. The heartwarming scene reminded him of his childhood years at his parents' home.
The host immediately rose to welcome his guest and ushered him into his office, to discuss their business. The Chossid had known this man's parents, and was aware that he had strayed very far.
When their business was done, the guest asked:
"Excuse me, but what occasion are you celebrating today? Do I owe you a Mazel Tov for a family event?" "Yes," replied the host, ''we are indeed celebrating a family simchah. We were just talking long distance with our parents in Gan Eden. We were so glad to hear good regards from them, that we have gathered to celebrate."
Seeing the perplexed look on his guest's face, the host continued: "Today is Yud-Tes Kislev, the day of the Alter Rebbe's liberation. There is a great celebration right now in the Alter Rebbe's abode in Heaven. The Tzaddikim have assembled there to wish him Mazel Tov on his liberation and the growth of Chassidism. Our parents and grandparents who used to travel long distances to visit the Rebbes of their respective generations are also joining in the celebration. We, their children and grandchildren, are rejoicing together here, joining them up there, celebrating this holiday."
Hearing these poignant words, the guest felt like joining the farbrengen for a while. Feeling strange and distant, he was ashamed to do so. How could he, who ate treif food, join these pious people?
Reading his guest's mind, the host invited him to join the celebration, saying: "By the way, my dear friend, while you're here with.us,' you will get regards from your father and grandfather, too ... " The host did everything to make him feel at home.
A seudas Mitzvah is always a wonderful occasion among Chassidim, especially a seudah held in honor of Yud-Tes Kislev, which is celebrated in cities and towns around the world. This celebration was being held in the very place where the miracle of liberation had occurred. This farbrengen happened over 40 years ago, when the elderly Chassidim (including Reb Yitzchok and Reb Zalman Rubashov) who had known the Chassidim and misnagdim who were present at the first Yud-Tes Kislev, were still alive. This Yud-Tes Kislev feast was thus celebrated with exceptional joy and enthusiasm.
Several hours passed. The guest forgot entirely that he had reserved theater tickets for his friends and himself. So absorbed was he among his Chassidic brethren, that is seemed to him that he was back in his parents' home.
He recalled the festive Yud-Tes Kislev dinners that were served in his grandfather's little shul, He also remembered the special dinner which his grand- mother, mother and aunts used to prepare when his grandfather came home from visiting the Rebbe in Lubavitch. Recollections from his youth now sprang to life. He fondly recalled Reb Boruch Asher the melamed, the Chassidic teacher of his childhood.
He stayed at the farbrengen for several hours. In 1897, a friend of mine told me that when this man came home from the Yud-Tes Kislev farbrengen, he walked straight into his library and recited the Maariv prayers with heartbreaking sobs of sincere regret that came from deep within him.
Within a few days he bought new dishes, kashered his kitchen, and became a new person.
Some people turn to repentance through a pogrom or because of a harsh dictator such as Haman. But why wait for hard- ship? Repentance can better be aroused by a loving farbrengen, or by memories of a true Jewish home. Better through kindness than through suffering, G-d forbid.
dvar malchus price change
As a service to our members, the shul purchases and has shipped to LA copies of the weekly Dvar Malchus. Costs have continued to rise for the publication and shipping. Each copy costs us nearly $4.00.
Therefore, the price for a Dvar Malchus will be raised from $3.00 to $4.00 starting this week with Parshas Vayeshev.
Copies of Chayenu will continue to be available for $3.00 each.
Announcements - Vayetzei
- Click here for this week's KYY newsletter.
- Click here for this week's Lmaan Yishmeu publication.
- Click here for this week’s JEM "Here’s My Story".
- Click here for a list of our ongoing shiurim.
- Click here to pay up all your building fund, kibud or yiskor pledges and outstanding membership. Thank you to all of our supporters!!
Shabbos Schedule - Vayetzei
- Shabbos Candle Lighting: 4:25 pm
- Late Kabolas Shabbos: 6:15 pm
- Last Time To Read Shema: 9:14 am
- Chassidus for Early Minyan: 8:45 am
- Shiur Chassidus by Rabbi Raichik: 9:00 am
- Early Minyan Shacharis: 9:30 am
- Shacharis: 10:00 am
- Kol Yaakov Yehuda: 10:00 am
- Mincha: 4:25 pm
- Shabbos Ends: 5:28 pm
- Father & Son Learning: 7:00-8:00 pm
Kiddush Sponsors - Vayetzei
- Rabbi & Mrs. Simcha Frankel in honor of Rabbi Simcha Frankel’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
- Mr. & Mrs. Avrohom Aron Grunfeld in honor of their anniversary. May they have many more happy years together. Also, for the yahrtzeit of Mr. Avrohom Aron Grunfeld’s mother Sara bas Reb Avrohom Yakov ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
- Rabbi & Mrs. Yona Mordechai Weiss for the yahrtzeit of Mrs. Hadassah Weiss’s father Reb Ben-Zion Yisroel Meir ben Reb Menachem Monish ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
Early Minyan Kiddush Sponsors - Vayetzei
- Rabbi & Mrs. Yisroel Meir Munitz in honor of Rabbi Yisroel Meir Munitz’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
Women's Shabbos Shiur - Vayetzei
4:30 at the home of Mrs. Sima Zeifman
421 N Poinsettia
Speaker: Rabbi Yisroel Hecht
Mazal Tov To - Vayetzei
- Mr. & Mrs. Yermy Andrusier on the bas mitzvah of their daughter. Mazal tov to the grandparents Mr. & Mrs. Zalman Roth.
- Rabbi & Mrs. Ami Myers on the birth of their daughter Chana. Click here to join the meal train.
- Rabbi & Mrs. Hertzie Richler on the birth of their grandson.
- Mr. & Mrs. Reuven Solomon on the birth of their great grandchild.
Upcoming Birthdays
- Shmuel Thaler - 10 Kislev
- Shneur Zalman Arnold - 10 Kislev
- Rabbi Shmuel Thaler - 10 Kislev
- Nesanel Chananya Soussana - 10 Kislev
- Mr. Mendel-Hilel Ganzburg - 10 Kislev
- Rabbi Simcha Frankel - 10 Kislev
- Rabbi Moshe Levin - 11 Kislev
- Mendel Berger - 13 Kislev
- Rabbi Mendel Simons - 14 Kislev
- Mendel Fogelman - 14 Kislev
- Rabbi Gershon Schusterman - 15 Kislev
Upcoming Anniversaries
- Rabbi & Mrs. Sruly Yusevitch - 10 Kislev
- Rabbi & Mrs. Yossi Solomon - 14 Kislev
- Rabbi & Mrs. Moishe Carlebach - 14 Kislev
- Mr. & Mrs. Avrohom Aron Grunfeld - 15 Kislev
Upcoming Yahrtzeits
- Reb Ben-Zion Yisroel Meir ben Reb Menachem Monish (Mrs. Hadassah Weiss’s father) - 9 Kislev
- Sara bas Reb Avrohom Yakov (Mr. Avrohom Aron Grunfeld’s mother) - 9 Kislev
- Roza bas Reb Chaim (Mrs. Chana Ganzburg’s mother) - 9 Kislev
- Reb Menachem Mendel ben Reb Nochum (Rabbi Laizer Labkowsky’s father) - 10 Kislev
- Shulamis bas Reb Tzvi Hirsh (Rabbi Jonathan Glabman’s mother) - 12 Kislev
- Reb Leib ben Reb Julius (Mrs. Vickie Elson’s father) - 13 Kislev
- Henya Malka bas Reb Shmuel (Mrs. Yudka Etka Winograd’s mother) - 15 Kislev
Devar Torah - Vayetzei
It’s only with Hashem’s Help
that we get through Troubling Times
By Rabbi Shimon Raichik
The Rebbe teaches us that the most important thing in troubling times is to remain active both physically and spiritually. True we must remain active, but what is most important, how do we do it and what do we have in mind, as we remain active? Certainly we need add in saying Tehillim giving tzedaka, learning Torah and increasing in ahavas Yisroel. In particular this year it’s especially important to add in Hakel gatherings. We learn an important lesson from this week’s parsha about stay to stay focused during troubling times.
Once a young child in cheder asked his teacher a question on parshas Vayeitzei. He asked what the meaning of the all the differences between Laban’s sheep and Yaakov’s sheep; the white sheep and dark sheep, the spotted sheep, speckled sheep, and sheep with rings around their ankles. The teacher answered him: “Why do you need to know? The important thing is that Yaakov Avinu made a good parnassa, a good living, that’s the main point.”
What does the story of the flocks and that Yaakov was a shepherd teach us? What’s so important about the detailed description of Yaakov work life and his work in general? Do we need to know that Yaakov, the Chosen from among the Avos was busy making money by Lavan? What relevance does it have to our lives today?
Chassidus explains that Yaakov’s entire focus by working for Lavan was birur hanitzutzos, clarifying the Divine sparks hidden within Lavan’s property. By taking ownership of the flocks and using them in the service of Hashem he was able to convert the divine sparks within them to kedusha.
This explanation is very relevant to each one of us today because not everyone is able to learn all day. We see that most Jewish people do learn and daven a whole day. Maybe it’s financially not possible or it’s not our nature, but the reality is that we cannot or shouldn’t necessarily be ensconced in the Beis Hamidrash 24 hours a day. Most of us are involved in business or have a job or a home to take care of. Still however, just as Yaakov began the first part of his career in the tent of Torah and Tefillah, so too we begin each day with davening and learning. Specifically because we begin each day this way we impact, change and elevate this world. When we interact in business we elevate it to kedusha by acting according to Shulchan Aruch, and then by using our income to do mitzvos.
The Midrash asks: What would Yaakov say (when he was working by Lavan)? The Midrash answers that either he said Tehillim or the 15 Shir HaMaalos within Tehillim. Why does the Midrash ask such a question: What would Yaakov say? What does that matter, he was busy working!? The message of the Midrash is that by Yaakov there’s no such thing as “just work”. True, he worked, but more importantly he was doing what he needed to do to complete his mission in this world. In order to do this he needed to remain strong throughout and never falter. He needed a support system against the influences of the trickster Lavan. He had children that needed a proper education so that they too would remain above these influences. How did he do it?
Therefore the Midrash asks the question: What would Yaakov say (or how would he daven to stay above it all)? And then the Midresh answers that he would say the 15 Shir HaMaalos. Throughout many of the Shir HaMaalos there is a repetitive request for Hashem’s protection. The Rebbe brings for example (Shir HaMaalos, chapter 121) “I lift up my eyes…from where will my help come? My help will come from Hashem, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Hashem made the heavens, the spiritual realms as well as the earth, the physical. He gave me the power while I was in Yeshiva with studying the Torah (the heavens) as well as in business (the earth). Throughout it all Yaakov remained focused that all his support comes from Hashem the Maker of heaven and earth. This is what gave him the power to educate his children. This is what ultimately got him out of Charan and enabled him to return to his father Yitzchok in Eretz Yisroel.
This is a message to each one of us, to take along with us on our journey through this world: My help will come from Hashem, the Maker of heaven and earth, both in the physical and the spiritual. This is our focus and this is what brings us success in all that we do.
In these troubling times we look toward the example of Yaakov by Lavan.
By not getting lost and staying focused, we will educate our children in the ways of Torah, mitzvos and Chassidus and be proud of them like Yaakov was of his children (us). Then we too will return to Eretz Yisroel with the coming of Moshiach Now!
A Good Shabbos!
Mi Shebeirach List
PSA:
The Gaboim have placed Mi Shebeirach cards on the bima,
those who have names to add,
kindly write the names down neatly on the card.
There are separate cards for men & women.
Thanks