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ב"ה

Shul Bulletin

Lermsn Shiva

Mrs. Sigalit Lerman
is sitting shiva in Eretz Ysroel on the passing of her father
Reb Yosef ben Rachamim ob"m.

The best way to reach her is to use Whatsapp @ 310-8694868,
either by writing or by calling. 
Mind that they are 10 hours ahead.

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

Bd"e: Mrs. Helen Levy

With sadness we inform you of the passing of 
Mrs. Helen Levy - Chana bas Esther ob"m
Mother of Efraim Levy. '

Funeral
2 pm at Mt Olive 7231 Slauson Ave. in commerce

Shiva info will posted once available

May we share only good news! 

Announcements - Beshalach

  • 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 - Beshalach

  • Shabbos Candle Lighting: 5:02 pm
  • Last Time To Read Shema: 9:28 am
  • Shacharis: 9:00 in tent, 9:30 in the Kollel, 10:00 in shul
  • KYY: 10:00
  • Mincha: 5:00 pm
  • Shabbos Ends: 6:05 pm

MOTZEI SHABBOS:

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

Kiddush Sponsors - Beshalach

  • Mr. & Mrs. Moshe Anatian for the yahrtzeit of Mr. Moshe Anatian’s father Reb Yoav ben Reb Dovid ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
  • The Fishman Family for the yahrtzeit of Mr. Moshe Fishman ob”m’s father Reb Yaakov ben Reb Moshe ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Simcha Frankel for the yahrtzeit of Mrs. Tzirel Frankel’s grandfather Reb Avraham ben Reb Yosef ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
  • Rabbi Lazer Handelsman in honor of his birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Yankee Raichik in honor of Rabbi Yankee Raichik’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
  • Mr. & Mrs. Zalmen Roth for the yahrtzeit of Mrs. Esther Roth’s mother Sheva bas Reb Yitzchok Aizik ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Yossi Schneerson for the yahrtzeit of Rabbi Yossi Schneerson’s grandfather Reb Yehudah ben Reb Tzvi Hirsh ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.

Women's Shabbos Shiur - Beshalach

4:30 at the home of Mrs. Yehudit Schneerson
364 N Fuller
Speaker: Rabbi Levi Kramer
***Shiur will be cancelled if wet and rainy***

Mazal Tov To - Beshalach

Upcoming Birthdays

  • Rabbi Yankee Raichik - 17 Shevat
  • Mr. Shaul Raigorodsky - 18 Shevat
  • Binyomin Wolowik - 18 Shevat
  • Rabbi Shmuli Pinson - 19 Shevat
  • Rabbi Yosef Bukiet - 19 Shevat
  • Rabbi Moshe Aron Weiss - 19 Shevat
  • Yechezkel Pinson - 22 Shevat
  • Mr. Sender Klein - 22 Shevat
  • Rabbi Aharon Eliezer Mishulovin - 23 Shevat

Upcoming Anniversaries

  • Mr. & Mrs. Chaim Lerner - 18 Shevat

Upcoming Yahrtzeits

  • Reb Yehudah ben Reb Tzvi Hirsh (Rabbi Yossi Schneerson’s grandfather) - 17 Shevat
  • Reb Yitzchok ben Reb Nochum Tzvi (Mr. Avrohom Plotkin ob”m’s father) - 19 Shevat
  • Reb Meir ben Reb Chaim Aryeh Leibesh (Mrs. Tova Levine’s father) - 20 Shevat
  • Sheva bas Reb Yitzchok Aizik (Mrs. Esther Roth’s mother) - 21 Shevat
  • Reb Yoav ben Reb Dovid (Mr. Moshe Anatian’s father) - 21 Shevat
  • Reb Yaakov ben Reb Moshe (Mr. Moshe Fishman ob”m’s father) - 22 Shevat
  • Reb Avrohom Yaakov ben Reb Meir Hakohen (Mr. Zechariah Davidson’s grandfather) - 22 Shevat
  • Chaya Soro bas Reb Note Moshe (Rabbi Fischel Grossman’s grandmother) - 22 Shevat
  • Esther bas Reb Volf (Mr. Zev Oster’s mother) - 23 Shevat

Devar Torah - Beshalach

It is the Light of even One Mitzvah that Dispels all the Darkness that Surrounds Us

By Rabbi Shimon Raichik

In this week’s parsha the Torah states that Moshe Rabbeinu took the bones of Yosef HaTzaddik with the Bnei Yisroel as they left Mitzrayim. It seems that the proper place to mention this would be in last week’s parsha, Bo when the Exodus is discussed. Why is it mentioned here in parshas Beshalach which speaks of the travel of the Jewish people in the midbar, the desert?

Because of the reference to Yosef HaTzaddik seeming out of sequence, the Rebbe asks questions about what this teaches us in our daily lives. First, what does Moshe Rabbeu specifically and no one else being the one to take the bones of Yosef HaTzaddik’s out teach us? Secondly, what does placement in the Torah of this by their travels in the midbar teach us?

The answers come from one last  question; isn’t the term the “aron-coffin” of Yosef HaTzaddik a more appropriate and respectful term than “the bones”? The Rebbe explains that the word “atzmos-bones” in Hebrew means essence. (Just like by a person, their bones are their essential structure) When Moshe Rabbenu took the aron of Yosef HaTzaddik, he took his essence (bones) with them. Rachel Emeinu, when naming him Yosef explained the meaning of his name Yosef means to add, to add a Ben Acher-another son. The Tzemach Tzedek explained that Yosef had the power to take an individual who was ‘acher’ different, estranged from Hashem, and reveal in him his ability to be a ‘Ben-a child’ of Hashem. Passing through the desert, Moshe Rabbeinu strengthened each and every Jew, to overcome his mentality of servitude from Mitzrayim, and brought that person them to identify as a Ben to Hashem.

If the Yidden would have gone directly to Eretz Yisroel they would not have needed that extra strength. Since, however, they needed to traverse the desert; a place of scorpions and snakes, a place of spiritual danger there remained a possibility that someone may not be able to endure the prolonged challenge. For this reason Moshe Rabbeinu the leader of Klal Yisroel needed to take the bones, the essence of Yosef, to help and guide those individuals with the message of Yosef HaTzaddik. This is why it is mentioned in parshas Beshalach and not parshas Bo because they were going through the desert and not yet in Eretz Yisroel.

There is a connection between this and the end of the parsha which speaks about how Amalek waged war with the Jews. Moshe Rabbenu told Yehoshua to choose men and fight the war with Amalek. Why was Yehoshua chosen and no one else, after all he was not a leader at that time? The answer is that he was a descendant of Yosef HaTzaddik. What has his being a descendant have to do with fighting a war with Amalek? It is because Amalek targeted their war against the weak, those whom the Cloud of Glory, the Ananei HaKovod had rejected. They stood outside the protection of the Anan. The Ananei HaKovod rejected them because of their weakness in emunah.  Their emunah had become weakened and led to a cynical and skeptical attitude toward Hashem. They asked; is Hashem with us or not? This weakness in their emunah and the attitude that came from it caused them to become estranged ‘acher’ from the Jewish people and from Hashem. Therefore Moshe sent Yehoshua a descendant of Yosef who has the power to repatriate those in a state of ‘acher’  and susceptible to the influence of  Amalek to make them once again a Ben to Hashem and return them to camp and the protection of the Anan.

Even today in 2021 the yetzer hara  wants us to forsake these people who are susceptible and weak. The yetzer hara within asks us; what will one  mitzvah done just one time accomplish in the long run? There is no long-term benefit. It's better for us to stay in our encampment, to focus on building within our insular communities and to ignore those that have been lost to the Anan of Hashem and its protection. This is the lesson that this story of Moshe Rabbenu and Yehoshua  teaches us today. It teaches us  that we have a responsibility to look out for each and every Jew including the most weak in their emunah and get them to do a mitzvah even if they are cynical or skeptical. It's a matter of survival, it’s pikuach nefesh.

The way we can accomplish this and be successful is by being ‘Anshei Moshe’  connected to the Rebbe, the Moshe Rabbenu of our time. This connection gives us the strength  to pull in this neshama from outside of the Anan.  It could be just one mitzvah because a mitzvah is a connection to  Hashem. A mitzvah is a candle. That connection is eternal and starts the process of returning to Hashem. There are stories of thousands of Baali Teshuva  who began their entire journey back to the Torah and mitzvos with just one mitzvah.

My father, whose Yahrzeit was on the 8th of Shevat, escaped Europe in 1946. He lost his entire family to the Nazi’s, yemach shemam. A central purpose of his shlichus was to find Jews spread out in little towns all across America. He reached out to them and brought them back to being a Ben to Hashem. There are numerous stories about how my father had a great effect on others with just one mitzvah, often the mitzvah of tefillin. From their experience of a mitzvah during that one encounter they began a life of the Torah and mitzvos. 

This is the mission of each and every one of us today and the way we finish our journey, this war of  galus  and usher in the era of Moshiach.

A Good Shabbos!

Announcements - Bo

  • 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 - Bo

  • Shabbos Candle Lighting: 4:56 
  • A (Yartzeit) Candle  should be lit to burn throughout the twenty-four hours. If possible, the candle should be of beeswax.
  • Friday night - after Mincha - Shiur on some mishnayos
  • Followed by the recitation of the first few chapters of a Maamar
  • It is customary for all men to get an aliya this Shabbos. Minyanim for Kriah will begin at 9:00 am. The Gaboim ask that everyone please come to shul before davening to get an aliya. 
  • Latest Time To Read Shema: 9:28 am 
  • Shiur Chassidus for early minyan 9:00 am 
  • Shacharis: 9:00 in tent, 9:30 in the Kollel, 10:00 in shul
  • The recitation of a few chapters of a Maamar will be during the farbrengen after davening. 
  • KYY: 10:00
  • Mincha: 4:50 pm
  • Followed by Seder Nigunim and Farbrengen
  • During the Farbrengen we will learn a few chapters of a Maamar & some of the Mishnayios.
  • Shabbos Ends: 5:59 pm
  • Melava Malka with Rabbi Schochet - 8:30 pm. Zoom: 435 263 4589 Pswd: 770 

Kiddush Sponsors - Bo

  • Yonatan Avila in honor of his birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
  • Mrs. Baila Greenbaum in honor of her birthday. May she have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
  • Dr. & Mrs. Ze'ev Rav-Noy for the yahrtzeits of Dr. Ze'ev Rav-Noy’s grandfather Reb Shaltiel Ze'ev ben Reb Mordechai ob”m and Dr. Ze'ev Rav-Noy’s brother Reb David ben Reb Aharon Yehuda Halevi H'YD. May the neshomo have an aliya.
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Mendel Schwartz for the yahrtzeit of Rabbi Mendel Schwartz’s father Reb Shlomo Yitzchok ben Reb Moshe ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
  • Eli Vcherashansky for the yahrtzeit of Mrs. Inna Vcherashansky’ mother Sima bas Reb Shimshon ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.

Women's Shabbos Shiur - Bo

4:15 pm at the home of Mrs. Henny Wolowik

412 N Alta Vista Blvd. 

Speaker: Rabbi Levi Kramer

Mazal Tov To - Bo

  • Rabbi & Mrs. Citron on the engagement of their grandson Eliyahu Citron to Chayale Turk.
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Mendel Greenbaum on the engagement of their son Levi to Brochi Shaikevitz.

Upcoming Birthdays

  • Rabbi Shmuli Chazanow - 10 Shevat
  • Rabbi Eyal Rav-Noy - 11 Shevat
  • Rabbi Yossi Solomon - 11 Shevat
  • Yisroel Noach Bastomski - 11 Shevat
  • Mr. Yacov Avila - 12 Shevat
  • Mr. Shea Bastomski - 13 Shevat
  • Rabbi Sender Munitz - 14 Shevat
  • Mr. Pesach Kornreich - 14 Shevat
  • Rabbi Nochum Pinson - 16 Shevat
  • Eli Feigelstock - 16 Shevat
  • Rabbi Lazer Handlesman - 16 Shevat

Upcoming Anniversaries

  • Rabbi & Mrs. Fischel Grossman - 10 Shevat
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Moshe Levin - 11 Shevat
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Mendel Dubinsky - 12 Shevat
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Sender Munitz - 14 Shevat

Upcoming Yahrtzeits

  • Menucha Vita bas Reb Aharon (Rabbi Nochum Pinson’s mother) - 11 Shevat
  • Reb Yehoshua Heshel ben Reb Aharon Eliezer (Mrs. Devorah Leah Mishulovin’s father) - 11 Shevat
  • Reb Shaltiel Ze'ev ben Reb Mordechai (Dr. Ze'ev Rav-Noy’s grandfather) - 12 Shevat
  • Reb David ben Reb Aharon Yehuda Halevi H'YD (Dr. Ze'ev Rav-Noy’s brother) - 14 Shevat
  • Reb Avrohom ben Reb Shmuel (Mrs. Frances Goodman’s father) - 14 Shevat
  • Nechomo Basya bas Reb Avrohom Yitzchok (Rabbi Yisroel Bastomski’s sister) - 16 Shevat

Devar Torah - Bo

Yud Shevat 

This Shabbos is Yud Shevat. The following is a story about the Previous Rebbe’s mesirus nefesh.

This story relates to the Previous Rebbe’s communal work in the days of the Czarist Russia. At that time the Prime Minister of Russia was Stalipin, who was famous for his dislike for Yidden and implementation of difficult decrees at every opportunity.

There was however, an individual from whom Stalipin learned his leadership skills, had great respect for and would listen to. His name was Minister and General Pabyadanastav. Although Pabyadanastav was far from being a lover of Jews, he nonetheless was a man of faith. He respected religious people and even l’havdil Rabbis. People involved in communal affairs knew that when Stalipin was going to activate a new decree, when all else failed they could try to approach Pabyadanastav to ask for his assistance.

The Rebbe Rashab became aware at that time that Stalipin had prepared a fresh decree against the Yidden. The communal leaders in Petersburg notified the Rebbe Rashab that they had tried every known way and every means at their disposal to influence Stalipin but nothing had been effective. With no other option, the Rebbe Rashab instructed the Previous Rebbe to become involved in trying to avert this decree. The Previous Rebbe went to Petersburg to see what could be done and decided to approach the minister Pabyadanastav. Pabyadanastav agreed to accept a visit from the Previous Rebbe because of his sentiments towards Rabbis, specifically a leader like the Rebbe. The only difficulty was that the minister Pabyadanastav agreed only to meet the Rebbe on Friday night, after the evening meal. Since it was so difficult to get the appointment, there was no other choice than to meet with Pabyadanastav at the time that he required. At that time, Pabyadanastav lived a few miles outside the city, in an area where there were no hotels (that allowed Jews) or any Jews (even highly placed Jews) living at all.

At that time Shabbos started at four o’clock. The Rebbe had a few hours from when Shabbos started until he would meet with Pabyadanastav. Since it was too dangerous and far too cold to wander in the streets, the Rebbe needed to find a place to wait before his appointment and afterwards throughout the rest of Shabbos until after havdalah. Since there were no Jews or hotels, the only possible place the Rebbe could find was the local bar. Although, he would have to wait amongst Russian drunkards and pretend to be involved in their activities an entire day, most particularly on Shabbos, aside from all this, he had to undergo the danger to be found amongst such people who were clearly anti-Semitic. The Rebbe was matzliach in his shlichus and spent the rest of the Shabbos at the bar.

Why would the Previous Rebbe tell us this story? This story teaches us a lesson in the service of Hashem. Even though, according to logic, perhaps one would have not been required to have done what the Rebbe did. One could think, if the Beis Din on high decided that this decree should stand, it wouldn’t help to try to influence the minister. On the other hand, if it was decided from on high then it would happen without any special effort. It is true, that one needs to put in effort in a natural way, which creates the kli for the brachos to come down, as it says, “Yivarechecha Hashem Elokecha bechol asher Ta’ase – Hashem would bless you in all that you do,” that would not include endangering one’s life and losing out on the kedusha of the neshama being able to spend Shabbos davening with a minyan, learning Torah, saying a ma’amer Chassidus etc.

It may be that this logic is true, and follows the ruling of the Shulchan Aruch. Nevertheless, when the Previous Rebbe heard that there is a decree that will cause suffering of Jews, it affected him in the core of his nefesh. In that place there is no place for making a calculation and therefore he did all of the above in the hope that perhaps he would be successful to nullify the decree.

This is the lesson for all of us who follow in his ways and listen to his voice. When we find out that another Yid is suffering physically or even more so spiritually; when we hear that he is lost in the vanities of the world and is far from Hashem and his Torah. True Ahavas Yisroel demands that one be touched to the essence of his nefesh. And therefore it is understood that one does all that he can with the possibility that he may help.

 (Adapted from a Yud Shevat Sicha 5720)

Yud Shevat Melava Malka with Rabbi Schochet

IMG-20210118-WA0024.jpg 

Palace Shiva

Reb Moshe Palace
is sitting shiva in Monsey until Friday
on the passing of his mother 

Phone: (845) 538-2495

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

Arnold Shiva

Rabbi Yitzchok Arnold
is sitting Shiva on the passing of his sister
Mrs. Rochel Kaufman
Rochel bas Reb Nosan Nota Hakohen ob"m

Phone:
323-935-9068 / 323-804-5196

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

Announcements - Va’era

  • 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!!

BL3.jpg 

Shabbos Schedule - Va’era

  • Shabbos Candle Lighting: 4:49 pm
  • SINCE SHABBOS IS STARTING LATER, THIS WILL BE THE LAST WEEK IN WHICH WE WILL TRY TO ENABLE YOU TO GET HOME & MAKE KIDDUSH BEFORE 6.  
  • Late Kabolas Shabbos: 6:15 pm 
  • Last Time To Read Shema: 9:30 am
  • Shacharis: 9:00 in tent, 9:30 in the Kollel, 10:00 in shul
  • KYY: 10:00
  • Mincha: 4:50 pm
  • Shabbos Ends: 5:52 pm

MOTZEI SHABBOS:

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

Kiddush Sponsors - Va’era

  • Rabbi & Mrs. Simcha Bart in honor of their anniversary. May they have many more happy years together. Also, for the yahrtzeit of Mrs. Sima Bart’s mother Sara bas Reb Chananya ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Levi Benjaminson in honor of Rabbi Levi Benjaminson’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
  • Mr. & Mrs. Yisroel Feiner for the yahrtzeit of Mrs. Miriam Feiner’s mother Mindel bas Reb Elyahu ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Binyomin Kaplan for the yahrtzeit of Rabbi Binyomin Kaplan’s mother Rochel bas Reb Dovber ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
  • The Raichik & Klyne Families for the yahrtzeit of Harav Menachem Shmuel Dovid ben Reb Shimon Halevi ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Yosef Wolowik for the yahrtzeit of Mrs. Henny Wolowik’s mother Shayndel bas Reb Yitzchok ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.

Women's Shabbos Shiur - Va’era

4:15 at the home of Mrs. Chana Weiss
411 N Martel
Speaker: Mrs. Chana Rochel Schusterman

Mazal Tov To - Va’era

  • Rabbi & Mrs. Chaim Citron on the engagement of their grandson Eliyahu Citron to Chayale Turk.
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Elozor Plotke on the birth of their granddaughter (to Mendy & Sara Aidel Grifkin.)

Upcoming Birthdays

  • Rabbi Reuven Wolf - 4 Shevat
  • Yosef Meir Feiner - 4 Shevat
  • Aryeh Yehuda Avila - 4 Shevat
  • Rabbi Yisroel Hecht - 5 Shevat
  • Rabbi Moshe Plotkin - 6 Shevat
  • Mr. Yosef Yitzchok Mishulovin - 6 Shevat
  • Moshe Nochum Plotkin - 7 Shevat
  • Rabbi Sholem Perl - 7 Shevat
  • Menachem Mendel Wolowik - 8 Shevat
  • Mr. Aryeh Leib Ehrlich - 9 Shevat
  • Rabbi Leibel Lipsker - 9 Shevat

Upcoming Anniversaries

  • Mr. & Mrs. Mitch Reichman - 3 Shevat
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Simcha Bart - 7 Shevat
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Nootie Gross - 7 Shevat
  • Mr. & Mrs. Reuven Solomon - 9 Shevat

Upcoming Yahrtzeits

  • Rochel bas Reb Dovber (Dr. Binyomin Kaplan’s mother) - 3 Shevat
  • Shayndel bas Reb Yitzchok (Mrs. Henny Wolowik’s mother) - 3 Shevat
  • Sara bas Reb Chananya (Mrs. Sima Bart’s mother) - 5 Shevat
  • Mindel bas Reb Elyahu (Mrs. Miriam Feiner’s mother) - 5 Shevat
  • Fayge Gittel bas Reb Gershon (Mr. Yisroel Koch’s mother) - 7 Shevat
  • Reb Sadya ben Reb Yigal (Mrs. Nechama Amilov’s father) - 7 Shevat
  • Harav Menachem Shmuel Dovid ben Reb Shimon Halevi - 8 Shevat
  • Reb Yosef Moshe ben Reb Elchonon Dovber (Mrs. Neshe Grossman’s father) - 8 Shevat
  • Reb Ariel Rav-Noy - 8 Shevat
  • Pesha bas Reb Yehoshua (Rabbi Jonathan Glabman’s sister) - 9 Shevat

Devar Torah - Va’era

We Will Never Back Down from the Mission the Rebbe Believes We Can Accomplish!

By Rabbi Shimon Raichik

In the beginning of this week’s parsha Hashem instructucted Moshe Rabbenu to tell the Jewish people in  His name (Shemos 6:6*):

“I am Hashem, who can be relied upon to reward those faithful to Him. I will therefore free you from the burdens of Mitzrayim, as I promised, save you from their servitude, and redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great chastisements.” This description continues and culminates in Hashem’s guarantee that we will be a Nation of Hashem and inherit Eretz Yisroel.

Nevertheless we see that the Jewish people did not respond well (Shemos 6:9):

“When things got worse after Moshe announced the redemption, the scoffers and skeptics again succeeded in demoralizing the people and making them despair of being redeemed. So Moshe related Hashem's message to the Jewish people, but they did not listen to Moshe, because of their anguish of spirit evinced by their shortness of breath, which had made them despair of being redeemed, and because of the harsh labor, which had made them skeptical of Moshe’s promises.”

The Rebbe explains that the Torah is everlasting and guidance to all generations and every one of us both collectively and individually. Although historically the Torah here is referring to the redemption of the Jewish people from Mitzrayim thousands of years ago there is a lesson for us here today in 2021. This is even more relevant than at any other time in history because as the Rebbe explained in the Basi l’Gani mamar, we are the 7th generation and our job is to complete the task of making this world a dwelling place for Hashem and to bring Moshiach.

Why would the Jewish people not listen to Hashem’s message of geula related by Moshe Rabbenu? They were preoccupied with their survival and traumatized by the treatment they endured under the oppression of Mitzrayim. They were so beaten down they fell prey to the scoffers and skeptics of their time. It obscured their inherent belief in the geula and their despair blocked their optimism and hope that they could shed the shackles of their galus and their suffering.

The word Mitzrayim is from the root metzar, which means a narrow place or a constriction. It can also mean distress or anguish. Some people live within the difficulties of physical hardships while others suffer from spiritual anguish or distress. Some may be constrained in that they may not even know what it means to be a Jew or the purpose of the Torah and mitzvos. There is also a Mitzrayim for those of us who keep the Torah but are just going through the motions without motivation and without any life. If our mood is up then we do everything, if not we miss a mincha here and a shiur there etc. So, how do we break out of our personal Mitzrayim? How do we break through the vicious cycle of following our moods?

The Rebbe explains that the cause for our constraints comes from being cold. This is the message of the first plague in this week’s parsha, the turning of water into blood. Water is a cold liquid. There may be a hot spring here or there but in general, water is cold. Blood is warm. A person who has a heart that pumps blood through his body is alive and warm. This is analogous to a difference in the way we live. Are we keeping the Torah and mitzvos but coldly cutting corners? Are we officially frum in what we are doing but not really living what we do?  We need a transfusion. We need to get out of Mitzrayim by injecting blood, life into everything and transform this coldness. Where does this life come from? We get life from the Torah that we learn, especially Chassidus, the neshama of the Torah. The inspiration of a Chassidishe vort, a Sicha or a Mamar gives us the strength and the desire to do a mitzvah with vitality. Whether it’s the next Shabbos or Tefillin we are always looking forward toward the next opportunity to do a Mitzvah.

In the Ba’si l’Gani mamar of 5720-1960 the Rebbe quotes a Torah of the Baal Shem Tov about misplaced humility. The Baal Shem Tov says that one’s misdeeds cause distance in avodas Hashem. Because of the low self esteem caused by misdeeds one’s inherent belief that all of us can, through our Torah and tefillah bring  a great influx of kedusha into all of the worlds is obstructed. Even the malachim are nourished. If we would only reveal our emunah, we would serve Hashem with simcha and awe. Hashem watches and pays close attention to our every word of the Torah and tefillah and kisses each one as it is said. Who would not be moved? Therefore how important it is to take to heart how great an effect our activities have on high and down here below. When a person chas v’Shalom feels devalued, unimportant and incapable of great effect and the heart becomes stubborn we fall prey to the scoffers and the skeptics.  The Rebbe explained that this false humility causes the destruction  of the Beis HaMikdash. When however we follow the message of geula related by Moshe Rabbenu we cause the opposite, the building of the Beis HaMikdash, a dwelling place for Hashem.  

 

The second plague mentioned in this week’s parsha was frogs. The frogs came out of the cold wet water and jumped to the hot dry ovens of Mitzrayim and cooled them down. The Rebbe says that this is a lesson for us; at times we also need to be cool. We need to be cool in order to cool off our desires for worldly pleasures. We need to be cold toward the attractions and the flash of the physical world, the cars, the restaurants and all the electronic gadgets. Instead we focus our warmth in kedusha. 

Thinking positively and being filled with warmth about who we are as Chassidim of the Rebbe and Chayolei Beis David we merit to help build the Beis HaMikdash in our times. If we allow ourselves to fall into skepticism or worse we become cold and miss a great opportunity chas’ v’Shalom. Today is our golden opportunity to fulfill the purpose for which we were created. We get there by learning Chassidus, especially the Sichos of the Rebbe about geula and Moshiach. Even fifteen minutes a day will illuminate our surroundings and fill our lives with warmth and change life for the good. 

Each one of us has been given a neshama which has the power to bring the geula. The Rebbe believes in us (perhaps even more than we believe in ourselves). We need to remember that “Toras Menachem Emes” (see Previous Rebbe’s Sicha 5697-1937 page 229) the Rebbe is emes and what the Rebbe said is emes. The Rebbe entrusted us and we can, as the Rebbe’s Chassidim and Chayolei Beis David persevere with warmth and enthusiasm for our mission while being cold to  pandemics, political and economic upheaval, to the very end, the coming of Moshiach today!

A Good Shabbos

*Interpolated Translation from Kehot Chumash

Chabad Chodesh - Shevat

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

Shloshim for Mr. Weiss ob"m

The sholoshim for George Weiss, asher zelig ben baruch ob"m
will be tonight immediately following mariv
at congregation levy yitzchok.

All are welcome. The event will be outdoors in the sukka area

Shloshim for Mrs. Mira Labkowsky ob"m

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82280426558?pwd=TlExaWZXalZmQWhocGdsa0tlTXpzUT09

Meeting ID: 822 8042 6558
Passcode: morahmira

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Shiur Sunday

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Announcements - Shemos

  • 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: We will be having the Tehillim club in person in the tent. We will be starting at 9:15 (new time) until 10 o’clock for girls and boys.
  • 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 - Shemos

  • Shabbos Candle Lighting: 4:42 pm
  • Late Kabolas Shabbos: 6:15 pm 
  • Last Time To Read Shema: 9:29 am
  • Shabbos Mevarchim Tehillim: 8:15 am
  • Shacharis: 9:45 in the tent, 10 am in shul and Kollel. 
  • Mincha: 4:40 pm
  • Shabbos Ends: 5:45 pm
  • Molad Chodesh Shevat: Wednesday, Teves 29/January 13, 5:35 (3 chalakim) PM.
  • Rosh Chodesh Shevat: Thursday, January 14.

MOTZEI SHABBOS:

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

Sholom Zochor

Shmuly & Leah Schapiro
Invite the community to a sholom zochor
at 420 N Citrus

Kiddush Sponsors - Shemos

  • Rabbi & Mrs. Simcha Bart in honor of Rabbi Simcha Bart’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus. Also, for the yahrtzeit of Rabbi Simcha Bart’s father Reb Mordechai ben Reb Yechezkel ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Yossi Goldman for the yahrtzeit of Mrs. Dina Tova Goldman’s mother Bracha Chaya bas Reb Refoel ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Zali Munitz in honor of the birthday of their triplets. May they have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Ari Markowitz in in honor of their daughter’s birthday. May she have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Reuven Nathanson for the yahrtzeit of Rabbi Reuven Nathanson’s mother Malka Chana bas Reb Yosef ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
  • Dr. & Mrs. Ze'ev Rav-Noy for the yahrtzeit of Dr. Ze'ev Rav-Noy’s father Reb Yehudah Mordechai ben Reb Baruch ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Gershon Schusterman for the yahrtzeit of Mrs. Chana Rachel Schusterman’s mother Chava bas Reb Yakov Yisroel ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Yonah Mordechai Weiss for the yahrtzeit of Rabbi Yonah Mordechai Weiss’s mother Miriam bas Reb Alter Mordechai ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.

Women's Shabbos Shiur - Shemos

4:15 at the home of Mrs. Berta Sandberg
543 N Martel Ave
Speaker: Rabbi Yisroel Hecht

Mazal Tov To - Shemos

  • Rabbi & Mrs. Shmuly Schapiro on the birth of their son.

Upcoming Birthdays

  • Eliyahu Binyomin Engelson - 25 Teves
  • Rabbi Yehudah Lerman - 25 Teves
  • Dovid Leib Bastomski - 26 Teves
  • Rabbi Dov Fine - 26 Teves
  • Mr. Dovid Leib Bastomski - 26 Teves
  • Rabbi Simcha Bart - 26 Teves
  • Ryan Leaderman - 27 Teves
  • Yitzchak Yosef Munitz - 27 Teves
  • Rabbi Yoni Sarue - 27 Teves
  • Elisha Lerman - 28 Teves
  • Mr. David Peretz - 28 Teves
  • Yonatan Avila - 28 Teves
  • Mr. Harvey Benton - 28 Teves
  • Mr. Mitch Reichman - 28 Teves
  • Menachem Mendel Morris - 2 Shevat
  • Rabbi Meir Ashkenazi - 2 Shevat

Upcoming Anniversaries

  • Mr. & Mrs. Boruch Greenbaum - 1 Shevat

Upcoming Yahrtzeits

  • Reb Mordechai ben Reb Yaakov (Mrs. Elisa Haratz’s father) - 25 Teves
  • Reb Mordechai ben Reb Yechezkel (Rabbi Simcha Bart’s father) - 25 Teves
  • Masha bas Reb Shlomo (Mrs. Nana Rushka Stark’s mother) - 25 Teves
  • Chava bas Reb Yakov Yisroel (Mrs. Chana Rachel Schusterman’s mother) - 26 Teves
  • Bracha Chaya bas Reb Refoel (Mrs. Dina Tova Goldman’s mother) - 26 Teves
  • Reb Yaakov Chayim ben Reb Mordechay (Mrs. Milka Elharrar’s father) - 26 Teves
  • Sima bas Reb Fivel (Mr. Steven Leaderman’s mother) - 26 Teves
  • Harav Chaim Meir ben Reb Avrohom Shmuel (Rabbi Yosef Bukiet’s father) - 27 Teves
  • Reb Shmuel ben Reb Moshe (Mrs. Marsha Alperin’s father) - 28 Teves
  • Pari bas Reb Shlomo (Rabbi Asher Habibian’s mother) - 28 Teves
  • Reb Avrohom ben Reb Nachum (Dr. Sholom Fine’s father) - 28 Teves
  • Malka Chana bas Reb Yosef (Rabbi Reuven Nathanson’s mother) - 29 Teves
  • Reb Shmuel ben Reb Avrohom (Mrs. Nana Rushka Stark’s father) - 29 Teves
  • Reb Yehudah Mordechai ben Reb Baruch (Dr. Ze'ev Rav-Noy’s father) - 29 Teves
  • Miriam bas Reb Alter Mordechai (Rabbi Yonah Mordechai Weiss’s mother) - 1 Shevat
  • Chana bas Reb Moshe (Mr. Jon Hambourger’s mother) - 1 Shevat

Devar Torah - Shemos

Restoring Truth and Honesty in the World begins with Us

By Rabbi Shimon Raichik

This week's Parsha relates that Pharaoh wanted to harm the Jewish people to prevent a future rebellion. He came up with the decree of drowning all Jewish sons in the Nile River. Before going through with his plan he consulted with his three  royal advisors, Bilaam, Iyov and Yisro. 

The Midrash Rabbah explains that Bilaam advised him to go ahead with his plan and as a punishment for his advice was killed. Iyov  was silent and as a result suffered greatly. Yisro protested and ran away. Because of this he merited to have descendants sit in the Sanhedrin who met within the area of  the Beis HaMikdash in the Office of Hewn Stone, Lishkas HaGazis, the highest court.

A question arises on this Midrash; why were Balaam and Iyov punished? After all it wasn't their job to help save the Jewish people. They were hired to  give the best possible advice to Pharaoh. If this was the best advice then what did they do wrong?

Another question is with Yisro’s calculations. Yisro could have assessed the situation that if he were quiet now maybe later he could help the Jewish people from within government. Now when he decided to openly oppose he was forced to run away to Midyan. Now he ruined his  chances of being any service to the Jewish people. What was he thinking? 

The Rebbe explains that Bilaam and Iyov were punished because they failed to do their job.  According to the Midrash, Bilaam was a prophet for the nations of the world on a level of prophecy similar to Moshe Rabbenu. Bilaam could see  that Pharaoh’s idea would be a disaster for both Pharaoh and Mitzrayim and that in the end they all would be punished. Bilaam knew that Pharaoh  had made a critical error in thinking that another flood could not come to the world.  While it was true that there will not be another flood for the entire world there could be one for a nation. Although Bilaam knew all of this nevertheless he backed Pharaoh to find favor in his eyes. For this reason he was punished because he did not fulfill his job, to advise Pharaoh faithfully. 

Iyov also realized that Pharaoh’s idea was not in his best interest and it wasn't the best approach. Nevertheless he did not speak up.  He abstained because he was a good politician.  He was hedging his bets to have a good answer for either side. Either way he could tell the Jewish people he didn't go against them. He could also tell  Pharaoh that he didn't oppose him.  He should have resigned because it’s not right to sit idly by when his job is to give his best advice.

Yisro  on the other hand did not make any political calculations. He faced the situation as it was and forthrightly stood up and did his job, speaking truth to power. He said it like it is and as a result had to run as a fugitive for telling Pharaoh something he didn't want to hear. Because of his truthful stance regardless of consequence, he lost his position in the royal cabinet but merited that his descendants provide truthful judgement in the highest Sanhedrin, a place of proper judgment. 

The lesson of this Midrash  for leaders is clear. A leader needs to take a stand and never compromise by looking the other way or make political calculations in how he formulates answers. What is the lesson for the rest of us who do not have positions of communal leadership? 

The answer comes from the following story that I heard from Rav Binyomin Klein, one of the Rebbe’s secretaries at about the time that the Rebbe came out with the campaign of Aseh Lecha Rav;  the campaign that everyone should appoint for themselves a personal Rav  and follow their advice. 

(When this campaign began my father took Rav Mendel Labakovski A”H  who was young enough to be his son. Age did not matter to my father. He knew that Rav Mendel was a Chassidishe Yunger Man and he needed to fulfill the Rebbe’s directive of Aseh Lecha Rav. Therefore he fulfilled this directive by speaking with him and following the outcome, regardless of the age difference.)

Rav Binyomin said that there was a bachur who wrote to the Rebbe that he wanted to go to college. He asked for the Rebbe’s agreement and bracha.  The Rebbe told Rav Binyomin to find out indirectly, (without the bachur realizing that it was the Rebbe who was asking), who is the Rav that he consulted with on this decision. In the meanwhile the bachur  wasn’t receiving an answer from the Rebbe. After coming a few times to find out if there was an answer and not having one, Rav Binyomin suggested he might receive an answer if he wrote in the name of the Rav that gave him permission to go to college. The bachur  agreed and Rav Binyomin asked if he could read it. It was a yunger man from Kollel.  The Rebbe advised Rav Binyomin to once again indirectly inquire, this time with the yunger man for the basis of his permission.   Rav Binyomin told the yunger man that this bachur  wasn't getting an answer and that perhaps if he wrote in the reason for the permission it would help him receive his answer. The yunger man said that  because he realized that bachur was so eager to go to college he didn't see any other option than to give him his approval. Rav Klein told me that this approach  undermines the entire concept of the Rebbe’s campaign.

When we are asked for our opinion or advice we need to tell the truth regardless of consequence. If we have bias we need to recuse ourselves and advise them to go elsewhere. It’s better than feeling pressure to give the wrong answer or to give an answer based on other motives or factors. If we are unfamiliar with the background or history or lack experience it’s better to pass and suggest someone else. If we do know the proper answer or advice,  we need to be courageous, stand up and tell the truth with ahavas Yisroel regardless of its effect on our personal situation.

When we follow the example of Yisro  in this week's Parsha and help others with true lasting advice, based on no motive other than to help with ahavas Yisroel  we end up helping ourselves and our children as well. May we all merit to see the Redemption of Truth where proper judgment is restored and decisions rendered from the Lishkas HaGazis  once again. May we all together merit to see the fulfillment of Moshe Rabbenu’s request of “Shlach na b’yad tishlach” to be led by Moshiach for the true and ultimate good of  the geula now.

A Good Shabbos, A Good Chodesh 

(Based on a Sicha from Purim 5731-1971)

Farbrengen for men

Farbrengen for men in Shul in honor of 24 Teves
Thursday, 8 pm
Speaker: Rabbi Shaya Berkowitz

Hachana for Yud Shevat - Tefillin

With the 70th year since Yud Shvat quickly approaching, we all want to strengthen our hiskashrus to the Rebbe and give a present to the Rebbe from the Anash in the LA community. 

One of the big chidushim of dor hashvi is mivtzoim. Every chosid can be a lamplighter and help other yidden do mitzvos even if they themselves are not the greatest chossid and don’t have the best understanding in chassidus. When we carry teffilin and neshek with us wherever we go, we are constantly reminded of who we are and the great mission we carry.

With this said iy"H we are starting a Mivtzoim Teffilin Drive. This Drive is to encourage all those who do not yet have a pair of mivtzoim teffilin to purchase one and carry it wherever they may go. For those who already have a pair, we encourage them to check it (if it had been over a year since they checked last), our goal is to get 70 people to either buy or check thier mivtzoim teffilin.

For buying teffilin: Chabad Ataras sell for $360 per pair. if needed we can subsidize up to 180.

Another way to join this program is to help others in purchasing teffilin by giving 180 towards a mivtzoim pair for someone else.

For checking Mivtzoim teffilin:  Rabbi Chaim Fyazakov will be having a deal for this project until yud Shvat and charge $70 (instead of $85) he can be reached at 619 386 6017

Advantages of having a mivtzoim pair over taking your own pair.

  1. Practically most people forget to take their teffilin sometimes wherever they go, an extra pair can be left in your office, or even car if you have a good protecting bag
  2. If you meet a yid who wants to purchase teffilin you can sell him yours on the spot

To sum up: We have 4 options of how you can join this program

  1. Buy a New Pair
  2. Buy a new pair at a subsidized rate
  3. Check your mivtzoim teffilin
  4. Sponsor 180 towards someones mivtzoim teffilin

We hope you will take part in the campaign. A Duch will be sent to the Rebbe of our present by Yud Shvat

May we see the Rebbe this yud Shvat with the coming of Moshiach!

Please fill out this form with how you will participate 
https://forms.gle/CQMjBv51sbztS1ne8

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