Shul Bulletin

• Shabbos Candle Lighting: 4:37 pm
• Late Kabolas Shabbos: 6:15 pm 
• Last Time To Read Shema: 9:26 am
• Shacharis: 9:00 in tent, 9:30 in the Kollel, 10:00 in shul
• KYY: 10:00
• Mincha: 4:35 pm
• Shabbos Ends: 5:40 pm

MOTZEI SHABBOS:

• 8:00pm Melava Malka online with Rabbi Raichik on Zoom - Meeting ID: 435 263 4589 Password: 770. Click here to Join.

• The Gaboim of the Shul in honor of Shabbos Chazak. May they and the entire community be blessed with kol tuv se’ela.
• Mrs. Miriam Fishman for the yahrtzeit of her mother Basya Rochel bas Reb Shmuel Hirsh 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.

4:00 at the home of Mrs. Tzirel Frankel
109 S Vista
Speaker: Mrs. Chana Rochel Schusterman

• Shlomo Nathanson - 18 Teves
• Yitzchok Tzvi Gorelik - 18 Teves
• Dr. Moshe Benarroch - 19 Teves
• Rabbi Zali Munitz - 21 Teves
• Sholom Dovber Friedman - 22 Teves
• Yitzchok Wolowik - 23 Teves
• Mr. Elozor Plotke - 24 Teves
• Rabbi Zalman ShemTov - 24 Teves

Upcoming Yahrtzeits

• Reb Dov ben Reb Pesach (Mrs. Chana Baila Burston’s father) - 19 Teves
• Reb Chaim Zeev ben Reb Avrohom Yitzchok Bastomski - 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
• Tova bas Reb Avner (Mr. David Sharabi’s mother) - 24 Teves
• Reb Avraham Dov ben Reb Yehoshua (Rabbi Yisroel Hecht’s father) - 24 Teves

The Torah ends this week’s parsha and Sefer Breishis by relating Yosef HaTzadik’s passing, being placed in a coffin and layed to rest in Mitzrayim. It is upon this ending verse that we exclaim “chazak chazak v’nischazeik”. As the familiar idiom states; “misayamim b’davar tov- we conclude on a positive note”, how is it that we conclude parshas Vayechi and the entire Sefer Breishis on such a note! The parsha could have ended with the oath that Yosef administered to his brethren that when they would go out of galus they would bring his coffin to Eretz Yosroel. What is the positive lesson can we learn from this ending?

There is a basic difference between Yosef and Yaakov. Yaakov was immediately taken back to be buried in Eretz Yisroel. Yaakov was so careful to assure that this would occur that he made Yosef swear. This vow was required even though Yosef already had agreed to do so. Didn’t Yaakov trust Yosef that he would take care of it without an oath? One possible answer is that by making Yosef take an oath he insured that Pharoh would have to agree. This actually worked as the oath was the only reason that Pharoh agreed. But this Yosef was also aware of and therefore should have also suggested the oath.

A deeper explanation relates to Yosef’s concern for the Jewish people left behind in Mitzrayim. Yosef feared that Yaakov’s internment in Eretz Yisroel would leave those in Mitzrayim feeling forsaken. Because of this concern he didn’t want to swear. For this reason Yaakov made him take the oath. Yaakov had a different approach. Yaakov remained beyond the galus from the very beginning as Hashem informed him before he arrived that He would take out. When he arrived the famine stopped and even while in Mitzrayim he lived away in the land of Goshen and was removed from directly interfacing with Mitzrayim.

Yaakov wanted to be beyond Mitzrayim in order to be more helpful as is known; “aiyn hachavush matir es atzmo- a prisoner cannot release himself from prison”. Mitzrayim was like a prison for the Yidden. For that reason Yaakov insisted that he be taken up from Mizrayim to Eretz Yisroel where he could be of the greatest assistance, to help them also leave Mitzrayim, as he had.

Yosef wanted Yidden to receive direct support in the place they were at that time. He wanted to meet their immediate needs to overcome the challenge of galus Mitzrayim, to insure that when they would leave that it they would be fully intact, with their Hebrew names and their Jewish identities.

This is the way that Sefer Breishis ends, with a message that Yosef is with us, and remains with us throughout the galus. He is with us to assist us to remain intact and overcome its challenge. To this we say “chazak chazak v’nischazeik”, we strengthen ourselves that we have the strength to overcome all the difficulties of the galus, and that the Tzaddikim are together with us. We are able to uphold our observance of all the Torah and Mitzvos in the best possible way. This is the approach of the Chabad Rabbeim. They remain with us throughout galus and will come together with us out of galus. Lo azav es tzon mariso- we are not forsaken.

(Adapted from Sichos on parshas Vayechi 5747 and volume 25)

• 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: Shloshim for Rabbi Feigelstock. Click here for more info.

• Shabbos Candle Lighting: 4:33 pm
• Fast Over: 5:20 pm 
• Last Time To Read Shema: 9:23 am
• Shacharis: 9:00 in tent, 9:30 in the Kollel, 10:00 in shul
• KYY: 10:00
• Mincha: 4:35 pm
• Shabbos Ends: 5:36 pm

MOTZEI SHABBOS:

• 8:00pm Melava Malka online with Rabbi Raichik on Zoom - Meeting ID: 435 263 4589 Password: 770. Click here to Join.

Yudi & Moria Schmukler
Invite the community to a sholom zochor
117 S Las Palmas

• The Greenbaum Family for the yahrtzeit of Reb Yakov ben Reb Shmuel Yosef Greenbaum ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
• Mr. Boruch Marshak for the yahrtzeit of his grandfather Reb Shmuel Zangvil ben Reb Ahron Yaakov ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
• Mrs. Shoshana Plotkin for the yahrtzeit of her mother-in-law Yenta bas Reb Nochum ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Yanky Raichik for the yahrtzeit of Mrs. Rivky Raichik’s father Reb Yakov Shlomo ben Reb Dovid ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya. 
• Rabbi & Mrs. Mendel Schwartz in honor of Rabbi Mendel Schwartz’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Eli Vcherashansky for the yahrtzeit of Rabbi Eli Vcherashansky’s mother Yehudis bas Reb Aba ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.

• Rabbi & Mrs. Sholom Ber Levine on the engagement of their grandson Aba Zajac to Chana Aron. Also, on the birth of their great-grandson(to Eli and Bassie Muchnik.)
• Rabbi & Mrs. Yosske Mishulovin on the birth of their granddaughter (to Aharon Eliezer & Chaya Mishulovin.)
• Rabbi & Mrs. Yudi Schmukler on the birth of their son. Mazal tov to the grandparents Rabbi & Mrs. Zalmen Schmukler.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Dovid Thaler on the bar mitzvah of their grandson & bris of grandson.

Upcoming Birthdays

• Rabbi Mendel Schwartz - 11 Teves
• Rabbi Shalom Elharrar - 12 Teves
• Mr. Betzalel Fleischman - 12 Teves
• Mr. Meilach Weiss - 14 Teves
• Mr. Zev Geisinsky - 15 Teves
• Chaim Binyomin Estulin - 16 Teves
• Mattisyahu Tzvi Stark - 16 Teves

Upcoming Anniversaries

• Rabbi & Mrs. Shmuel Stroll - 11 Teves
• Mr. & Mrs. Asher Katz - 12 Teves
• Mr. & Mrs. Yisroel Schochet - 16 Teves

Upcoming Yahrtzeits

• Yenta bas Reb Nochum (Mr. Avrohom Plotkin ob”m’s mother) - 11 Teves
• Chaya Soro bas Reb Dovber (Mrs. Rochel Anatian’s mother) - 11 Teves
• Perel bas Reb Naftoli (Mr. Betzalel Fleischman’s mother) - 12 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 Mordechai Meir ben Reb Chaim Elozar Hakohen (Mrs. Rivka Katz’s father) - 14 Teves
• Reb Tanchum ben Reb Moshe Yaakov (Rabbi Shaya Berkowitz’s brother) - 14 Teves
• Yehudis bas Reb Aba (Rabbi Eli Vcherashansky’s mother) 14 Teves
• Reb Yakov ben Reb Shmuel Yosef Greenbaum - 15 Teves
• Sulika bas Reb Shlomo (Rabbi Shalom Elharrar’s grandmother) - 15 Teves
• Reb Noson Notte ben Reb Yakov Yeshayohu Hakohen (Rabbi Yitzchok Arnold’s father) - 17 Teves
• Sora Golda bas Reb Yaacov (Mrs. Nettie Lerner’s mother) - 17 Teves

The Power of Yosef HaTzaddik (the Rebbe) in Everyone of Us 

By Rabbi Shimon Raichik

In this week's parsha Yosef HaTzaddik reveals himself to his brothers. 

After identifying himself he said* (Breishis 45:5-7):
“But now, do not be distressed or reproach yourselves for having sold me (into slavery) here, since it was (ultimately) in order for me (to be able) to provide for (your needs) that Hashem sent me ahead of you”....

“Hashem sent me ahead of you to ensure that you survive in the land, and to sustain you in (an act) of great deliverance.”

This is found in the second aliyah.

In the third aliyah of the parsha Yosef HaTzaddik continues  (Breishis 45:8-10):
“So now (you can understand) that it was not you who sent me here, but Hashem. He has made me Pharaoh's counselor, lord over all his household, and ruler over all Mitzrayim. Make haste and go up to my father and tell him, 'This is what your son Yosef has said: "Hashem has made me master of all Mitzrayim.”

The Rebbe explains the simple understanding of these verses. Yosef HaTzaddik explained  to his brothers that they should not be upset about  what they did to him, and that he is the ruler over Mitzrayim. 

The Rebbe asks  why there is a break between the second and third aliyos. It all seems to be part of one story. Yosef told his brothers to tell his father that he is alive and that they will go to the land of Goshen, and that he can supply them with all of their needs because he is the leader. Why break it into two parts? 

The Rebbe answers by explaining the difference between Yosef and his brothers and why he needed to be the first to go down to Mitzrayim. Chassidus explains in many places that the  brothers of Joseph, the Shevatim’s  way of serving Hashem was by being shepherds free to pursue  contemplation and meditation on Hashem’s greatness and the unity of creation. Their devotion stayed intact as shepherds by limiting their exposure to the distractions of physical pleasures and worldly pursuits. This is why Yosef recognized his brothers but they did not recognize him. It is because they could not imagine that Yosef HaTzaddik could live within the  Egyptian culture and life  while simultaneously remaining a Tzaddik connected to Hashem. 

Yosef was not in a position to lock himself away from the trappings of the world to pursue meditation of Hashem's oneness as a shepherd. He needed to be involved in guiding history and the destiny of the Jewish people. This is why Yosef HaTzaddik was sent to Mitzrayim first, to set the example and to give us the strength to persevere within the galus  without it pulling us down.

When Yosef told his brothers that he was sent down ahead of them in order to provide for their needs he was referring to their spiritual as well as physical needs. Hunger  in spiritual terms refers to the lack of revealed presence of Hashem during the galus. Yosef HaTzaddik provided their need to survive the galus spiritually. Until this very day Yosef HaTzaddik gives us the strength to sustain the galus  and to internalize that sustenance so that it becomes part of us. We too can be connected to Hashem in every situation and challenge that we face. This is the message of the second aliya  of the parsha. 

In addition to this basic need for spiritual survival Yosef provides an added strength during the galus.   The Torah tells us why Rachel Emeinu  gave Yosef his name.  The Torah relates that Rachel said “Yosef Hashem li, Hashem has added to me”, “Ben Acher, another child”. Chassidus explains in addition to the simple meaning of the Yosef’s name meaning ‘to add’ there is a deeper message about the conduct of Yosef. The verse is relating that Yosef has the power to take someone that is an ‘acher,  estranged’  from Hashem and  transform him into a ‘ben’ a son, someone who is connected to Hashem.  We see this in the manner that Yosef ruled and had the Egyptians circumcised. This is similar to how the Ramban explains the coming of Moshiach and the return of the Kingship of the House of David. At that time the Jewish people along with the entire world will serve Hashem like one community and call out together in the name of Hashem. This message of leadership in addition to survival is related in the third aliya of this week’s parsha. This is the power of Yosef HaTzaddik which is a power reserved for leaders. 

The parsha continues with Yaakov Avinu being told that his son is the ruler over Mitzrayim. He said "I am blessed with much joy, for my son Yosef is still alive! Let me go and see him before I die." 

The spirit of Yaakov Avinu returned when he found out that Yosef was alive and living like Tzaddik.  The life experiences of Yosef reminded Yaakov Avinu of his own life in the house of Lavan. When Yaakov Avinu said he is “blessed with much joy” there was an additional inference. Yaakov was alluding to the fact that Yosef reached a greatness which surpassed his own accomplishments.  Although he remained in constant contact and connection with Hashem throughout his ordeal in Aram, he did not become a ruler or change agent of Lavan’s ways.  Yaakov marvelled at this great accomplishment of Yosef as the ruler and  agent of change in the midst of Mitzrayim. It didn’t only bring him joy, it brought him much joy. This is what the fourth aliyah in this week’s parsha teaches.   

The lesson for us today is that the Rebbe is here and provides us with our needs, the power and energy to survive all of our challenges, both general and personal throughout the galus. In addition the Rebbe has made us into agents of change when we are his students and shluchim. We are successful when we act knowing that our strength to accomplish our mission comes through our connection to the Rebbe.  When  we assume our proper role as students and shluchim  of the Rebbe that are here to change the environment with the Rebbe’s strength, with the Torah, especially the  concepts of Geula and Moshiach, mitzvos, and spreading the seven mitzvos Noach to the world at large, we will merit to transform the galus to geula with the Rebbe’s kochos, with the coming of  Moshiach  now.

 A Good Shabbos

(Adapted from a Sicha on Parshas Vayigash Likutei Sichos v. 30)
*Translation borrowed from the Kehot Chumash

Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82444792545?pwd=LzgvM3h5djNLRXVVRTU1MVJYUFUydz09

Meeting ID: 824 4479 2545

Passcode: 770

Upon the Rebbe's instructions, Chassidim have a tradition of celebrating the 5th Teves not only with Chassidic gatherings but also with purchasing seforim, since the real victory for the seforim is when we fill our homes with volumes of Jewish books, and our days with their teachings.

To facilitate following the Rebbe's instruction, Chabad Atara's will be open tonight until 10:00 pm. 

Seforim will be discounted!

We therefore encourage all of Anash to join together at Chabad/Atara's to fulfill this special tradition.

Chabad/Atara's is located at:
369 North Fairfax Avenue #1. 
(323) 655-9282 

Shiva is outdoors 

3871 Old Topanga Canyon Rd. Calabasas

10 am to 9 pm daily

Shiva ends Thursday morning

No scheduled minyanim

Hamakom Yenachem Eschem B'soch Sheor Avalei Tzion V'yerushalayim. Vehukeetzu Veranenu Shochnay Ufur vehu besochom!  

Today through tuesday. Getting up Wednesday

2.30-4.30pm outdoors

6.30-9.30pm indoors

411 n martel ave 

Visitors welcome

323 449.0449

• 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 Candle Lighting: 4:28 pm
• Late Kabbalas Shabbos: 6:15 pm
• Last Time To Read Shema: 9:22 am
• Shacharis: 9:00 in tent, 9:30 in the Kollel, 10:00 in shul
• KYY: 10:00
• Mincha: 4:25 pm
• Shabbos Ends: 5:31 pm

MOTZEI SHABBOS:

• In honor of hay teves - Chabad Mid city will be open on motzei shabbos from 7 till 1030.
• 8:00pm Melava Malka online with Rabbi Raichik on Zoom - Meeting ID: 435 263 4589 Password: 770. Click here to Join.

4:00 at the home of Mrs. Yehudis Schneerson
364 N Fuller
Speaker: Rabbi Levi Kramer

• Mr. & Mrs. Yirmiyahu Andrusier on the marriage of their son Chaim to Leah Leinkram. Mazal tov to the grandparents Mr. & Mrs. Zalmen Roth.
• Mr. & Mrs. Eli Lasker on the engagement of their son Shlomie to Shani Freeman.
• Mr. & Mrs. Avrohom Nassy on the birth of their son. Mazal tov to the grandmother Mrs. Suzy Nassy.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Dovid Thaler on the birth of their grandson.

Upcoming Birthdays

• Rabbi Dovid Drizin - 4 Teves
• Mr. Yossi Rimler - 5 Teves
• Aaron Schneerson - 6 Teves
• Idan Schmeidler - 7 Teves
• Mr. Daniel Levin - 8 Teves
• Rabbi Levi Benjaminson - 8 Teves
• Rabbi Yossi Schneerson - 8 Teves
• Mr. Bruce Pollard - 9 Teves
• Shmuel Dovid Andrusier - 10 Teves
• Mr. Bob Meyer - 10 Teves

Upcoming Yahrtzeits

• Reb Chaim ben Reb Aryeh Leib (Rabbi Dovid Morris’s father) - 4 Teves
• Reb Chaim ben Reb Avraham 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
• 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

From Zos Chanukah to Yosef HaTzaddik’s rise to power to Hei Teves:
A Dramatic and Quick Pivot to the Days of Moshiach

 By Rabbi Shimon Raichik

Shabbos parshas Mikeitz which rarely does not occur during Chanukah, is special this year in that it falls after Chanukah.   This year Chanukah ends on Erev Shabbos followed by Shabbos parshas Mikeitz  which is immediately followed by Hei Teves, the anniversary of Lubavitch’s court victory for the return of the seforim of the Agudas Chasidei Chabad Library.

For every day of the eight days of Chanukah we add an additional candle. This represents constant ascendance in matters of holiness. On the 8th day of Chanukah ‘Zos  Chanukah’ the menorah is complete with all the candles burning brightly.  Every day of Chanukah we added a candle and thereby created a pattern of ascension in holiness. What do we do in the days that follow Chanukah? Do we stop this pattern or do we somehow continue to ascend in matters of holiness?

Chanukah was the dedication of the second Beis HaMikdash and the reading of the Torah during Chanukah is about the dedication of the Mishkan.  It says that the lights of Chanukah will never be extinguished.  The light of Chanukah will remain with us throughout the galus,  and will continue even  through the days of the Moshiach  and in the third Beis HaMikdash. 

Chanukah is special because of the self-sacrifice of the Jewish people. We recite the prayer of Al HaNissim  where it says  that the miracle of Chanukah was ‘in those days at this time’.  One might think that in our times that we are a minority and we are weak and we are unable to accomplish our mission. The light of the Chanukah candles teaches us that we should not be afraid of the darkness of the galus and that the light of Chanukah shines into the darkness. With the inspiration and the holiness of Chanukah we have the strength to convert the darkness of the galus and bring the light of redemption into the world which is our mission.

In Tehillim 132:17 it says:  “I prepared a candle for my anointed one”. The candle refers to the candle of Chanukah and my anointed one refers to the Moshiach. 

As we complete the holiday of Chanukah we don't stop ascending in matters of holiness.
Our pattern of ascending in matters of holiness continues on with the preparation for the third Beis HaMikdash. 

Some people  might feel that they are far from the days of the Moshiach because of all of the difficulties and challenges we face in these times. How could we possibly be quickly ushered into the days of the Moshiach?  It seems more a hope than a reality.

In this week's parsha, the Torah teaches an important lesson. The beginning of the parsha details how Yosef HaTzaddik was in jail. In just a few hours he was released from jail and became the Mishne lMelech,  the second-in-command over Mitzrayim,  the most powerful country in the world at that time. Just like Hashem took Yosef HaTzaddik in a few moments from prisoner to the pinnacle of power the very same thing will occur with Moshiach. In the next moment Moshiach can come and the third Beis HaMikdash will descend. We can all go to Eretz Yisroel and be together with Moshiach.

To be able to feel that Moshiach is not a dream rather Moshiach is imminent and to focus on the Geula  we need Hei Teves. Hei Teves is the day that it was proven to all that a Rebbe is alive through his children which are the Chassidim. Hei Teves was the day that the Previous Rebbe’s library was redeemed because they belonged to the Chassidim, Agudas Chassidei Chabad. They belonged to the Chassidim because a Rebbe’s life is in His children, Chassidim. The Rebbe's request was that we should buy new seforim on this day. The reason is not just to buy new seforim but to learn them. By learning them we connect ourselves to the Rebbe. In the Rebbe’s sichos and mamarim Moshiach  is not just a dream but also a reality.  When we learn from them it becomes that way for us as well.

By internalizing the message of the lights of Chanukah in their fullest measure, taking with us the lesson of Yosef HaTzaddik's sudden rise to power and learn Chassidus we will merit to immediately go with Moshiach to the third Beis HaMikdash  to witness the rekindling of the menorah.

A Good Shabbos 

With great sadness and pain we inform you of the untimely passing of
Reb Yrachmiel Stillman ob"m

The Levaya will iy"h be on Friday.
11:30 at CLY - 356 N La Brea
12:30 at Mt Olive Cemetery- 7231 Slauson Ave, Commerce CA

Shiva info will be posted when available

May we share only good news. 

The Labkowsky family will return tonight from New York IY'H

Shiva and minyanim will be at their home: 
151 South Detroit street

MINYAN INFO
Please try to come & bring a friend. There are 4 minyanim required
Shacharis at 8AM (2 minyanim) and 8:30AM (2 minyanim)
Mincha/Maariv (Sunday & Monday) at 4:30PM (4 minyanim)
Erev Shabbos Mincha at 1PM
Motsei Shabbos Maariv at 6pm 

Shiva Visiting hours:
Friday: 10AM-1:00PM
Motsei Shabbos - 7pm-10pm
Sunday & Monday: 10am-12:30pm, 2-6pm & 8-10pm

Please Respect these times

Shiva will end Tuesday after Shacharis

If you have any covid symptoms or have been in contact with anyone who has covid symptoms PLEASE DO THE RESPONSIBLE THING AND STAY HOME !!!! 

Hamakom Yenachem Eschem B'soch Sheor Avalei Tzion V'yerushalayim. Vehukeetzu Veranenu Shochnay Ufur vehe besochom! 

With sadness we inform the community of the passing of
Mr. George Weiss
Reb Asher Zelig ben Reb Baruch ob"m
Husband of Mrs. Gisele Weiss.
Father of Reb Meilech & Reb Yisroel Weiss
Grandfather to grandchildren and great grandchildren.

The Levaya will iyh be on Thursday
2 pm at Eden Memorial Park
11500 Sepulveda Blvd Mission Hills 91345

Gravesite service. Masks required
Social distancing requested
Cemetery limiting to 40 people.
Please text to 323.449.0449 if you plan on attending

 Shiva:

 Phone: 323.449.0449
Email: [email protected]
Address: 411 N Martel Ave.

Davening:
Sharchis: 9am.
Mincha/Maariv: 4.25pm (Friday 2.30pm)

Shiva times: 6.30-9.30pm nightly
(I will be at my mothers during the day.
We're not having visitors due to covid-19.)

Hamakom Yenachem Eschem B'soch Sheor Avalei Tzion V'yerushalayim. Vehukeetzu Veranenu Shochnay Ufur vehu besochom!

With great sadness and pain we inform you of the untimely passing of
Mrs. Mira Labkowsky
Miriam bas Reb Yehoshua ob"m

The Kevura will be in NY
The LA Levaya will be TODAY: 
3:30 pm at CLY 356 N La Brea
4:00 pm at Zlata's preschool (BCM)

Shiva info will be posted when available  

May we share in good news 

The new issue of the "Chabad Chodesh"
is now available online by clicking here

• 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!!
• TEHILLIM CLUB: The Rabbi has instructed that this month the Tehillim club will NOT be in person at Cly. Any child who says tehillim for 30 minutes will earn a pizza coupon and a treat. The parents should send me a text 323-678-6115 thank you. Coupons will be available at CHEDER and also at Bais Chaya Mushka. Light up the world with your Tehillim!
• 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.

• Mincha: 3:00 pm
• Shabbos Candle Lighting: 4:26 pm
• Last Time To Read Shema: 9:18 am
• Shabbos Mevarchim Tehillim: 8:15 am
• Shacharis: 9:45 in the tent, 10 am in shul and Kollel. 
• Mincha: 4:25 pm
• Shabbos Ends: 5:29 pm
• Molad Chodesh Teves: Tuesday, Kislev29/December 15, 4:51 AM and 2 chalakim.
• Rosh Chodesh Teves: Wednesday, December 16.

• 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. Ari Goldman in honor of Rabbi Ari Goldman’s birthday. May he 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. 
• 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.
• Mr. & Mrs. Michael Zaghi in honor of Mr. Michael Zaghi’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus. Also in honor of Rabbi Zali Munitz for the special soul that he is.

4:00 at the home of Mrs. Chana Weiss
411 N Martel
Speaker: Rabbi Yisroel Hecht

• Rabbi & Mrs. Levi Raichik on the engagement of their son Mendel to Chanie Lieberman.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Mendel Cunin on the engagement of their son Levi to Chana Sputz

Upcoming Birthdays

• Mr. Zechariah Davidson - 27 Kislev
• Sholom Yehuda Gorelik - 27 Kislev
• Chayim Eliyahu Mishulovin - 28 Kislev
• Rabbi Ari Goldman - 28 Kislev
• Menachem Mendel Yishai Antian - 28 Kislev
• Rabbi Chayim Mishulovin - 28 Kislev
• Mr. Michael Zaghi - 29 Kislev
• Mr. Amil Amilov - 1 Teves
• Mr. Yosef Avraham Targum - 2 Teves
• Rabbi Naftoli Estulin - 2 Teves
• Elchonon Dovber Grossman - 3 Teves

Upcoming Yahrtzeits

• Devorah bas Reb Yechiel Shraga Faivish Halevi (Rabbi Yitzchok Arnold’s mother) - 28 Kislev
• 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

Chanukah: With the Candle of a Mitzvah and the Light of the Torah we will Up-End Western Culture

By Rabbi Shimon Raichik

This week is Chanukah. The Rebbe has many Sichos which discuss the meaning and message of Chanukah (For example volume 4 of Likutei Sichos).  On Chanukah we light the menorah which represents the menorah that was lit in the Beis HaMikdash. Inside the Beis HaMikdash the menorah had seven candles but on Chanukah we light a menorah of eight candles. The reason given is that it took eight days to replace the oil defiled by the Greeks with pure oil. Since everything that happens is by Divine providence, certainly there is a reason for the miracle lasting specifically 8 days . It could have taken less time or more so what do these eight days represent?

There are a few obvious differences between the way the menorah was lit in the Beis HaMikdash and the way we light the Chanukah menorah. In the Beis HaMikdash the menorah was lit inside, while on  Chanukah it's lit facing outside. (During the times of galus we changed to light the candles inside only because of danger. Until this very day in Eretz Yisroel they still light the menorah facing outside). In the Beis HaMikdash the menorah was lit by day and during Chanukah it's intentionally lit close to sunset toward nightfall except when Chanukah falls out on Erev Shabbos.

To better understand the reason for all of these differences we need first to understand why the Greeks fought the Jews. The Greeks did not fight against the intellect or wisdom of the Jewish people, that was something they admired. What they fought against was the Holiness and purity of the Jewish people.  This effort is represented in them contaminating the oil. They didn't want to destroy the Jewish people or their culture, they wanted to defile the concept of Holiness and purity.  They didn't want to change the Jewish people on the physical level they wanted to  change their spiritual identity.  What is it about the centrality of Holiness and purity in Jewish life that they sought to eradicate by defiling the Beis HaMikdash? 

By explaining the hebrew name of the Greeks, Yavan according to Chassidus, the Rebbe explains the essential  difference between Greek culture and the Torah. Yavan is spelled yud, vav, nun. The yud represents wisdom. There are two types of wisdom, the wisdom of the Torah and Holiness, and secular wisdom, ‘chochmas chitzonis’.

In Tehillim (40:3) David HaMelech davens to Hashem:
וַיַּעֲלֵ֤נִי ׀ מִבּ֥וֹר שָׁאוֹן֮ מִטִּ֪יט הַיָּ֫וֵ֥ן וַיָּ֖קֶם עַל־סֶ֥לַע רַגְלַ֗י כּוֹנֵ֥ן אֲשֻׁרָֽי׃

He lifted me out of the miry pit, the slimy clay, and set my feet on a rock, steadied my legs.

The Metzudas David writes that when one stands in the slimy clay they begin to sink into it.

Chassidus explains that the ‘slimy clay’, the clay of Yavan, refers to Greek culture. Under normal and healthy circumstances when a Jew gives into a momentary animalistic desire,  it's like tripping and then hitting the ground.  The shock of hitting the ground  wakes him or her up to realize the mistake and then to do teshuva.  It starts with an intellectual recognition of how he should have acted followed by emotions of teshuva and then turned into corrective actions of good (teshuva and maasim tovim). The Greek model, the example of slimy clay, is different.  The intellectual capacities represented in the first letter in the name Yavan, the yud of Yavan are used to rationalize the passions, desires and lusts of the animal soul. From there it goes to the second letter of Yavan, the vav  which represents the emotions. These rationalized emotions mean that a person is free to chase after whatever his or her heart desires without any restraint. From there it continues on to the third letter of the name Yavan, the long nun  which represents actions that go below the line of acceptable. When the unacceptable behavior is clear and obvious, instead of regretting the mistakes and correcting the misdeeds, everything is rationalized as acceptable and no changes are made.  This is how one sinks into the slimy clay and how one is drawn deeper and deeper into the muddy impurity.

The super-rational approach of the service of Hashem, the life of Holiness and Purity that the Torah and Judaism represents completely up-end  this approach to life. It gets underneath the skin and irritates the Greek mindset. Then it becomes the obsession of the Greek to defile and to eradicate the spirituality of  the Torah and the Jewish people.

The Greeks waged their war against the Torah and the Jewish people by outlawing the practice of Bris Milah,  the Covenant of the Eighth Day, a covenant between Hashem and a Jew in a physical body beyond nature. They mandated the desecration of the Shabbos which recognizes Hashem as the Creator which is beyond nature. As mentioned above they didn’t try to destroy the Jewish people physically rather to contaminate their Holiness and purity that is beyond intellect and therefore contaminated the oil. 

To fight back against the Greeks and the slimy clay of their culture required self sacrifice, mesirus nefesh,  something that transcends intellect and  nature.  This is why the Chanukah lights are lit once it  starts to become dark. This represents to us that even when we're not in a place where we see the light and warmth of holiness we still need to persevere. We need to bring the light of Hashem into the darkness, outside into the world to show Hashem's unity throughout all of creation, even in the dark places. This kedusha  permeates through the intellect the emotions and all of our actions and shines into the streets.

Today we live under the influence of Greek culture in Western countries. In today’s culture everything is rationalized and then all is allowed. We are free to use our own logic to rationalize anything we want and it is honored. All lifestyles are embraced no matter what negative impact they bring upon society. The life of a chicken can supersede the value of a child. Partial birth abortions are legalized. If you steal less than $1000 you don't have to go to jail. This didn’t happen overnight. It’s like a slimy clay that little by little we sunk into. When these things began no one thought that it would go so far. For example with abortions, no one thought that it would lead to partial birth abortions but it’s a slippery slope. So too with many other things in Western culture. The secular physical wisdoms of the world have no place for Hashem. Once we bow to nature as the supreme and only power everything falls apart and we sink further and further into the slimy clay. The neshama  of each and every Jew knows that we need to fight this darkness with self sacrifice. This is the true meaning and message of Chanukah.

On Chanukah we light up our surroundings, even during lockdown.  We explain to ourselves and to our children the miracle and the message of Chanukah. We celebrate the candle of mitzvos and the light of the Torah. Let us merit to see the lighting of the menorah in the Third Beis HaMikdash together with Moshiach.

A Good Shabbos, a Freilichen Chanukah 

Rabbi Shimon Raichik fell a few days ago
and has been in the hospital since.
He is having a surgery now. 

Please say tehillim and have him in mind in your tefillos
especially on Shabbos Mevorchim. 

Harav Shimon Halevi ben Leah

May we only share good news. 
A Gutten Shabbos un a freilichen Chanukah!

Mrs. Malka Hayman is sitting shiva until Tuesday
on the passing of her father ob"m

Address: 539 N Fuller Ave
Phone: 323-841-2877

Visiting times between 12 noon and 8pm 

Hamakom Yenachem Eschem B'soch Sheor Avalei Tzion V'yerushalayim. Vehukeetzu Veranenu Shochnay Ufur vehu besochom! 

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• Shabbos Candle Lighting: 4:25 pm
• Farbrengen after Kabbolas Shabbos 
• Last Time To Read Shema: 9:14 am
• Shacharis: 9:00 in tent, 9:30 in the Kollel, 10:00 in shul
• Kiddush/Farbrengen after davening. 
• Mincha: 4:25 pm
• Shabbos Ends: 5:28 pm

MOTZEI SHABBOS:

• 8:00pm Melava Malka/Community Farbrengen, with Rabbi Moshe Kesselman.

• Rabbi & Mrs. Levi Benjaminson in honor of their anniversary. May they have many more happy years together.
• Mr. Arthur Diller in honor of his birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Zalmy Klyne in honor of Rabbi Zalmy Klyne’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Yecheskel Raeburn in honor of their anniversary. May they have many more happy years together.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Yosef Shagalov in honor of Rabbi Yosef Shagalov’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.

4:00 at the home of Mrs. Yehudit Schneerson
364 N Fuller
Speaker: Rabbi Shmulik Schneerson

• Mr. & Mrs. Chaim Elya Kreitenberg on the engagement of theirs on Zusha to Dini Hymen.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Danny Levin on the birth of their daughter. 

Upcoming Birthdays

• Rabbi Zalman Schmukler - 19 Kislev
• Mr. Martin Leaderman - 19 Kislev
• Rabbi Zalman Klyne - 21 Kislev
• Rabbi Yosef Shagalov - 22 Kislev
• Moshe Davidson - 23 Kislev
• Yaakov Wolowik - 24 Kislev
• Mr. Shmuel David Faynerman - 24 Kislev
• Mr. Arthur Diller - 25 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