Printed fromChabadofLA.com
ב"ה

Shul Bulletin

Membership/Seats 5782

Elul 22, 5781
August 30, 2021

Dear Shul Member
Greetings and Blessings:

Tishrei is nearly here, and the Shul needs your help.  Boruch Hashem, our shul continues to grow in membership and services to the community.  The cost of running the Shul is enormous and has grown exponentially over the past few years.  Funds collected for membership and Yom Tov seats provide the majority of the money required to operate the shul.  Shul Membership dues and Yom Tov seats are therefore the most important contributions that you can make to keep the shul running.

Our shul has four minyonim on Shabbos, including Kol Yaakov Yehuda during the school year.  We have a full range of Shabbos programs for the kids.  We also have five official weekday shacharis minyonim with more in the later morning.   Hundreds of men use our shul on a daily basis for mincha and maariv.  Men and women from throughout Southern California participate in our shul sponsored shiurim and farbrengens.  Congregation Levi Yitzchok is a destination shul for out of towners visiting the area and for anyone that wants to experience our special environment.

Keeping the mortgage current, utilities paid and managing the other expenses that go into operating our shul is critical.  Our expenses for security guards and other security related items have leaped over the past year as well.  The Shul needs your participation and contributions to survive.  The cost of membership is being held at last year’s rate, and the Yom Tov seat fee schedule remains unchanged.

  • Family Membership - $1080
  • Single Membership - $500
  • Associate Membership - $500
  • Yom Tov Seats/Family - $300 member/$500 non-member
  • Yom Tov Seats/Single - $100 member/$250 non-member

We encourage you to submit your payments to the shul online by credit card or e-check at www.chabadofla.com/donate.  When paying online, you can easily set up a recurring monthly payment.  We thank the many members that have committed to paying $100 per month or more, and hope that you consider a monthly contribution that exceeds the minimum membership.  Of course, full membership payment in advance is also welcome. If you are paying by check, please make sure that it is clearly identified as membership.  Checks can be given to Levi Raichik, Leib Lerner, or David Kaufman.  Checks can also be left in the metal pushkas just inside the shul entrances in both the main shul and the kolel.

A limited number of lockers are available to members.  The annual fee for lockers is $180 and lockers that are not paid for will be released to members that have signed up on the waiting list on a first-come/first-served basis.

Wishing you a kesiva v’chasima tovah,
Members of the Volunteer Shul Operating Committee 

Announcements - Ki Tavo

  • Click here for this week's Lmaan Yishmeu publication.
  • Click here for Jem's 'My Encounter' 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!
  • OU is seeking foodservice mashgichim for local assignments. Very competitive salary. Please contact [email protected] 
  • In order to plan and adequately prepare for the yomin noraim, we need to know ASAP how many people plan to join us. If you have not done so, please fill out this form asap
  • SAVE THE DATE: Siyum & Hachnosas Sefer Torah by the Greenbaum family. Sunday, 13 Elul/Sep 19. Click here for more info. 

Weekly Shiurim - Ki Tavo

WhatsApp Image 2021-08-20 at 2.33.57 PM.jpeg

Tuesday.jpeg 

WhatsApp Image 2021-06-23 at 11.59.40 AM (1).jpeg

NOTE: Shiur is after maariv (not 8:45). 

Shabbos Schedule - Ki Tavo

  • Shabbos Candle Lighting: 7:07 pm
  • Last Time To Read Shema: 9:37 am
  • Shacharis: 9:30 & 10 am. 
  • Gemoro Shiur: 6:20 pm 
  • Mincha: 7:05 pm - Followed by Avos - Chapters 3-4
  • Shabbos Ends: 8:10 pm

MOTZEI SHABBOS:

  • 9:30 pm Melava Malka online with Rabbi Raichik on Zoom - Meeting ID: 435 263 4589 Password: 770. Click here to Join.
  • 1:00 am: Slichos 

Kiddush Sponsors - Ki Tavo

  • Rabbi Tzvi Burston in honor of his 40th birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Mendel Dubinsky for the yahrtzeit of their son Reb Dovid Yonah ben Reb Menachem Mendel Hokohen ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
  • The Raichik & Klyne Families for the yahrtzeit of Reb Yosef Yitzchok Halevi ben Reb Menachem Shmuel Dovid Halevi Raichik ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
  • Mr. & Mrs. Zalman Roth for the yahrtzeit of Mr. Zalman Roth’s mother Chaya Braina bas Reb Shlomo Mordechai ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.

Mazal Tov To - Ki Tavo

Upcoming Birthdays

  • Rabbi Noach Vogel - 20 Elul
  • Moshe Yaakov Berkowitz - 20 Elul
  • Rabbi Tzvi Burston - 21 Elul
  • Rabbi Moshe Hackner - 21 Elul
  • Shmuel Rotenberg - 22 Elul
  • Dovid Moshe Klein - 23 Elul
  • Yosef Yitzchok Raeburn - 26 Elul
  • Mr. Josh Zipp - 26 Elul
  • Mendel Rav~Noy - 26 Elul

Upcoming Anniversaries

  • Rabbi & Mrs. Elozor Fisch - 20 Elul
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Leib Lerner - 21 Elul
  • Mr. & Mrs. Mottel Polityko - 24 Elul
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Yankee Raichik - 26 Elul

Upcoming Yahrtzeits

  • Chaya Braina bas Reb Shlomo Mordechai (Mr. Zalman Roth’s mother) - 20 Elul
  • Reb Yechezkel ben Reb Nochum Yitzchok (Rabbi Nochum Pinson’s father) - 20 Elul
  • Ita bas Reb Aharon (Dr. Bassya Pinson’s mother) - 21 Elul
  • Reb Yosef Yitzchok Halevi ben Reb Menachem Shmuel Dovid Halevi Raichik - 21 Elul
  • Reb Dovid Yonah ben YBLCT”A Reb Menachem Mendel Hokohen (Rabbi Mendel Dubinsky’s son) - 22 Elul
  • Reb Avraham Zelig ben Reb Tzvi Hersh (Mr. Isser Goldstein’s brother) - 24 Elul
  • Reb Yisroel Issar ben Reb Dovber (Mrs. Tzirel Goldman’s father) - 24 Elul
  • Reb Mordechai Leib ben Reb Avrohom (Rabbi Yoel Edelson’s father) - 26 Elul

Devar Torah - Ki Tavo

Giving Our Investment Portfolio a Boost on Chai Elul 

By Rabbi Shimon Raichik

This past Thursday was Chai Elul, the birthday of the two great luminaries the Baal Shem Tov in 5458-1698, and the Alter Rebbe in 5505-1745. What does this mean to us today in 2021? The Previous Rebbe said that Chai Elul is the life of our service in Elul, the service of Ani L'Dodi V'Dodi Li.

Each of the last 12 days of Elul, beginning with the 18th, Chai Elul, are dedicated to retrospection and teshuva for an entire month of the past year. The day of Chai Elul corresponds to both the past and the coming month of Tishrei.

Nowadays, we are looking for inspiration from others. We are waiting to get motivation and encouragement from others to take us through the month of Tishrei. Because of today's fast pace we are rushed and distracted. We wait for the jolt of finely crafted 30 second sound bites to do the trick. We don't have enough focus for more.

The Baal Shem Tov revealed the essence of emuna within the neshama of every Jew. The Alter Rebbe's Torah brings that emunah into our hearts and minds when we apply ourselves to avodah.

The Baal Shem Tov revealed that emunah is already ingrained and a part of us. It may be covered or concealed at times but it's always there; it's our life and our essence. It's the same for everyone. In our core we know that Hashem is the essence of all of life. We arouse this essence through  stories of Tzaddikim.

The Alter Rebbe guided us on how to make ourselves a vessel, a keli, to incorporate this into our daily intellect. The purpose of Chassidus Chabad is to become a keli; to focus on growth and development of our minds and hearts. We need to learn and contemplate Chassidus in order to arouse our hearts to serve Hashem with true sincerity in the month of Tishrei.

Even though we feel the great inspiration of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkos and Simchas Torah nevertheless all too often this inspiration fades after Tishrei. What can we do so that the inspiration will last throughout the year? We need to prepare by making ourselves into a keli with the avodah of "Ani L'Dodi” in the month of Elul. Then when we are inspired in Tishrei, the time of “Dodi Li” it will have a lasting effect.

In a Sicha, the Rebbe speaks about the connection between Chai Elul and parsha’s Ki Savo. Chai Elul always falls either in the week, on the Shabbos of, or immediately after parsha’s Ki Savo. 

The parsha begins:

“It will be when you come into the land (eretz) that the Eternal your G‑d gives you for an inheritance, and you will inherit it and dwell in it.”

This parsha refers to the mitzvah of bringing Bikkurim, the first fruits after settling the land. The words Ki Savo is translated, “When you will come (to the land)”. Spiritually this refers to being completely immersed, to fully enter. There is no part of the person that is missing from being involved within the act of the mitzvah. This is similar to immersing in a mikvah. If even one hair is not immersed in the waters, then purification is not effective. So too with the mitzvah of Bikkurim. The Jewish people did not practice this mitzvah until everyone received their portion and was settled and had inherited their particular portion of the land. The land was not considered settled until everyone had their portion and was fully within the land. This teaches us a lesson about Chai Elul, as it says; Chai Elul came to bring chayos, renewal and energy into Elul. The Wellsprings of Chassidus were revealed to be spread over the entire globe to prepare the world for Moshiach. This is because Chassidus brings out the inner life and G-dliness in every neshama and in the world. This helps every neshama to fully engage with both mind and heart with all aspects of the Torah and mitzvos in their fullest sense. 

This is the meaning of entering, to fully enter, not only to dispense one’s obligation. Through Chassidus the neshama doesn’t stay separate, rather becomes united as one with Hashem through the Torah and mitzvos. This is because Chassidus is life and life is all one with no dichotomy or separation. There are two aspects of life; general life force, meaning that one is alive. This is true for every part of the body equally. Then there is a specific life force that is unique and discreet for every part of the body. There is life for the eyes to see which is different from the life of the ears to hear, the mind to think, the heart to pump or the feet to walk. The Baal Shem Tov emphasized and revealed emunah into the heart of every Jew. This is a general life force that is the same for everyone.   The Alter Rebbe  revealed that emunah into the intellect and from there into the heart and then into every aspect of our being. This is a specific life force. This relates to the parsha of entering the land, getting fully into it. Entering the land corresponds to the teaching of the Baal Shem Tov. 

Our avoda is (as the parsha continues) "...you will dwell in it" - to internalize all you have attained, "bringing it down" in a settled manner."You shall take...and place it in a basket," - draw down the (spiritual) lights into (appropriate) vessels. This corresponds to the teachings of the Alter Rebbe which is a specific way of  life. Both the Baal Shem Tov and the Alter Rebbe whose birthdays are on Chai Elul bring to us this life and enable us to prepare the world for the highest revelations of Moshiach.

The point of this teaching that Hashem has inherited to each one of us the desire to serve Hashem. When we get inspired we need to place it in a basket, a tena. The word tena is an acronym for taamim, nekudos and osios, the letters, vowels and cantillations of the words of the Torah. This is why we are given inspiration in the month of Tishrei; in order to invest. We invest well wherever we go by using every opportunity to make a dwelling place for Hashem.

This is our service in the month of Elul. We focus, review and contemplate how we managed what Hashem invested in us both physically and spiritually in the last year and how to best manage our “investments' in the coming year. 

Are we utilizing them for what they were intended? This is our ultimate purpose and this is what brings Moshiach.

A Good Shabbos

THURSDAY: THE GOY! Perfect class for mivtzoyim

Thursday: 8:00 
Shiur Topic: The Goy

1. Reuven’s elderly father has a non-Jewish caregiver. The caregiver wants to shake lulav and esrog like Reuven and his father. Is Reuven permitted to give them to him to shake?

2. Chaim is doing kiruv by blowing shofar for anyone who wants to hear it. Can he blow shofar for a goy?

3. If a goy wants to hear shofar, does he fall under the same category as a woman who is not mechuyav to hear shofar, but you can blow it for her.

4. Is it okay to give a mezuza to a goy if he asks you for one, or is it permissible to offer it to him?

Reminder! PLEASE HELP US FOR YOM TOV

Dear shul member

We need your help to know how many people to prepare for so PLEASE fill out the form, even if you do not plan on attending, it would be a tremendous help to respond  “ will not be attending “

 forms.gle/cd6ALEN1AtJtVSyv5

Thank you so much wishing you and your family a ksivah vichasima tovah

Farbrengen for men tonight

Farbrengen for men tonight in shul in honor of Chai Elul

The farbrengen with be with Rabbi Moshe Kesselman
Sichos Shiur at 8:05
Farbrengen at 8:45 

Hakumas Hamatzaiva

In recent years the community has had the zechus
to be mishtatef in the mitzvah of Mais Mitzva.

We discovered 9 unmarked graves, of which some attended our shul.
With the help of Abi Raichik, they all  not only got a matzaiva
but also a special pasuk  to highlight their special attributes as well as a border around the grave.

To honor their memory, this coming Sunday, first day of shlichos at 11 am, we will be having a Hakumas Hamatzaiva
and tehilim recited at mount olive cemetery
7231 E Slauson Ave, Commerce CA 90040.

The cost of this important and necessary project was close to $15000. 
If you would like to participate in this amazing Chesed Shel Emes,
you can use THIS link
or send a check - please memo chesed shel emes.

Thank you tizku lemitzvas

Hakumas Hamatzaiva

In recent years the community has had the zechus
to be mishtatef in the mitzvah of Mais Mitzva.

We discovered 9 unmarked graves, of which some attended our shul.
With the help of Abi Raichik, they all  not only got a matzaiva
but also a special pasuk  to highlight their special attributes as well as a border around the grave.

To honor their memory, this coming Sunday, first day of shlichos at 11 am, we will be having a Hakumas Hamatzaiva
and tehilim recited at mount olive cemetery
7231 E Slauson Ave, Commerce CA 90040.

The cost of this important and necessary project was close to $15000. 
If you would like to participate in this amazing Chesed Shel Emes,
you can use THIS link
or send a check - please memo chesed shel emes.

Thank you tizku lemitzvas

Panim

 

Monday, 15 Elul/Aug 23

Dear Friend
Greetings and Blessings:

As was my father’s yearly custom to bring the Panim of the Los Angeles community to the Rebbe, I will be leaving to the Ohel this Wednesday afternoon (17 Elul/Aug 25), bringing along the Panim of our community.

If you would like to send a pan with me, please give it to me or put it in my mailbox by Wednesday morning. I will not be reading your panim, I will bl"n try to tear each one as the custom is.

Wishing you and your family a good and healthy year!
Rabbi Shimon Raichik

Clarification

Dear shul member

We would like to clarify the previous email we sent regarding seats for Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur.

Bais Yehuda said unequivocally,  that the woman of our shul are  not welcomed to daven upstairs and only a limited amount of men can daven upstairs.

So like last year there will be minyonin  downstairs with a woman’s section and we also have another location off site if needed.

Just as in previous years, the shul made sure that all those who want to attend shul will have a seat, this year is no different. However we need your help to know how many people to prepare for so PLEASE fill out the form, even if you do not plan on attending, it would be a tremendous help to respond  “ will not be attending “

Thank you so much wishing you and your family a ksivah vichasima tovah

Announcements - Ki Teitzei

  • Click here for this week's Lmaan Yishmeu publication.
  • 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!
  • OU is seeking foodservice mashgichim for local assignments. Very competitive salary. Please contact [email protected] 
  • In order to plan and adequately prepare for the yomin noraim, we need to know ASAP how many people plan to join us. If you have not done so, please fill out this form asap

Weekly Shiurim - Ki Teitzei

WhatsApp Image 2021-08-20 at 2.33.57 PM.jpeg

Tuesday.jpeg 

WhatsApp Image 2021-06-23 at 11.59.40 AM (1).jpeg

NOTE: Shiur is after maariv (not 8:45). 

Shabbos Schedule - Ki Teitzei

  • Shabbos Candle Lighting: 7:16 pm
  • Last Time To Read Shema: 9:35 am
  • Shacharis: 9:30 & 10 am. 
  • Gemoro Shiur: 6:30 pm 
  • Mincha: 7:15 pm - Followed by Avos - Chapters 1-2
  • Shabbos Ends: 8:19 pm

MOTZEI SHABBOS:

  • 9:30 pm Melava Malka online with Rabbi Raichik on Zoom - Meeting ID: 435 263 4589 Password: 770. Click here to Join.

Kiddush Sponsors - Ki Teitzei

  • Rabbi & Mrs. Chaim Burston for the yahrtzeit of Rabbi Chaim Burston’s mother Chaya Baila bas Reb Yaacov ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
  • Mr. & Mrs. Yisroel Feiner for the yahrtzeit of Mr. Yisroel Feiner’s father Reb Moshe Menachem Mendel ben Reb Smaryahu ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Levi Liberow in honor of Rabbi Levi Liberow’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
  • Reb Dovid Rappaport for the yahrtzeit of his father in law Reb Meir Itkin ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.

Women's Shabbos Shiur - Ki Teitzei

5:45 at the home of Mrs. Berta Sandberg
543 N Martel
Speaker: Rabbi Yisroel Hecht

Mazal Tov To - Ki Teitzei

  • Rabbi & Mrs. Simcha Levenberg on the engagement of their son Efraim to Fayga Kagan. Mazal tov to the extended Kagan Family.
  • Mr. & Mrs. Yossi Mayberg on the marriage of their daughter Riva to Levi Cohen. Mazal tov to the grandparents Dr. & Mrs. Dauer.
  • Mr. &  Mrs. Shul Raigorodsky on the birth of thier grandson (to Dovid & Zelda Raigorodsky.) 
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Gershon Schusterman on the birth of their great grandson and granddaughter. 

Upcoming Birthdays

  • Mr. Aviv Topps - 13 Elul
  • Rabbi Shmuel Gurary - 16 Elul
  • Mendel Raichik - 17 Elul
  • Rabbi Shmuel Stroll - 19 Elul
  • Yisroel Pinson - 19 Elul

Upcoming Anniversaries

  • Rabbi & Mrs. Yossi Schneerson - 13 Elul
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Reuven Wolf - 15 Elul
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Naftoli Estulin - 15 Elul
  • Rabbi & Mrs.  Sholom Langsam - 16 Elul
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Eli Feiner - 17 Elul
  • Mr. & Mrs. Pesach Kornreich - 18 Elul
  • Dr. & Mrs. Binyomin Kaplan - 19 Elul

Upcoming Yahrtzeits

  • Chaya Baila bas Reb Yaacov (Rabbi Chaim Burston’s mother) - 14 Elul
  • Reb Yosef ben Reb Efraim Nachman (Mrs. Sima Bart’s father) - 15 Elul
  • Chaya Stera bas Reb Yisroel Boruch (Rabbi Shalom Ber Levine’s mother) - 15 Elul
  • Chaya Leah bas Reb Yom Tov (Mrs. Marci Kaufman’s mother) - 16 Elul
  • Reb Moshe Menachem Mendel ben Reb Smaryahu (Mr. Yisroel Feiner’s father) - 19 Elul
  • Leah bas Reb Shimon (Dr. Penina Rivka Watstein’s mother) - 19 Elul

Devar Torah - Ki Teitzei

Ki Teitzei:
Exercising our Option to win the War of Galus and Bring Moshiach;
Lessons from this Week in Afghanistan 

By Rabbi Shimon Raichik

In this week’s parsha of Ki Teitzei the Torah speaks about two types of war; obligatory war and optional war. What is the difference between the two? Obligatory wars refer to wars required to conquer Eretz Yisroel or to fight against Amalek. Optional wars are conducted to expand the boundaries of Eretz Yisroel. We are told in this week’s parsha that when we venture out on an optional war that we will be successful. We will be “al oyveicha” meaning victorious, above our enemies. Hashem will place the enemy in our hands and we will take them as captives.

What does this Torah portion teach us today in our daily service of Hashem?  An obligatory war refers to keeping the basics of Judaism. It refers to our obligation to fulfill the mitzvos. It also includes the obligations of conduct in the world as we go about making a living and raising our families. We are obligated to be involved for the sake of Heaven and to know Hashem in all of our ways. The outside world wants us to disappear into the melting pot. This is a war of survival.

An optional war refers to going out of our personal and insular boundaries, meaning our religious environment, and going out into the world to lift up others and bring the world closer to Hashem. Why would we or why should we do such a thing? The world is such a lowly place and seemingly so distant from having a receptive aptitude towards Hashem, the Torah and Judaism. Why bother? We are placing our own survival in jeopardy. The answer is because the entire world belongs to Hashem and Hashem wants a dwelling place down here, specifically in the most lowly places, not only within the frum community. When Moshiach comes, Hashem's glory will be manifested over the entire world. We are here to make a home for Hashem in every part of the world. 

How do we go out and help in the world? We do it on many levels; by creating educational and religious institutions for everyone, by doing mivtzoyim and teaching the Torah and the Seven Mitzvos of Bnei Noach, by doing deeds of goodness and kindness we accomplish this mission. 

The obvious question that many ask is; how can we possibly get involved directly and intimately with the lowliness of this world without getting swallowed up into the swamp of worldly pleasures and interests. We need humility to realize that it's not us rather it is Hashem that gives us the necessary power to succeed in our mission. This is found in the mitzvah of making a guardrail on our rooftops. The guardrail symbolizes following the Rebbe’s directives of how to succeed in our mission. 

The Baal Shem Tov says that everything we see or hear provides guidance in the service of Hashem. This past week we heard about the botched evacuation of the Americans from Afghanistan. As the Alter Rebbe explains in the Tanya there is a constant ongoing battle between our two souls. Both want sole control over the body which is the territory.  The lesson we learn from the terrorists in Afghanistan is that we do not compromise with the yetzer hara. The yetzer hara tries to trick us with peace treaties. The yetzer hara says; ‘I will let you learn and daven and you will allow me to handle your business matters as I see fit. Also you can’t be overly enthusiastic about doing mitzvos. You can do the basic mitzvah but don’t go overboard with so much passion and feeling and with so much care.’ 

We learned from this week in Afghanistan that when we give in or pull back in any way, the enemy immediately fills the void and makes even the most basic mitzvos very difficult.  Therefore we need to remain vigilant by increasing in all matters of Kedusha, especially teshuva. In this month of Elul we have been provided with a golden opportunity to do teshuva on any failings or compromises in the service of Hashem. If we jump on the wagon now we will be prepared for Rosh Hashana and have a Ksiva v'Chasima Tovah. 

Ashreinu, how fortunate we are that we have a Rebbe that knows that Hashem wants a dwelling place in the entire world with the coming of Moshiach.

Through our connection to the Rebbe and by the following of the Rebbe’s guidance we have the ability to exercise our option to bring Moshiach now.

A Good Shabbos

Letter from Local Rabbonim

mezE.jpg

mezE.jpg

Yomim Noroim 5781

This year, the Upstairs (Moshe Gantz) is only open for men.

We are looking to accommodate all who want to join us.

We need to know ASAP how many men and women are planning to join

Please click on this link https://forms.gle/cd6ALEN1AtJtVSyv5 

Please indicate how many men women and girls will be joining

Thank You 

Announcements - Shoftim

  • 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 - Shoftim

  • Shabbos Candle Lighting: 7:24 pm
  • Last Time To Read Shema: 9:34 am
  • Shacharis: 9:30 & 10 am. 
  • Gemoro Shiur: 6:40 pm 
  • Mincha: 7:25 pm - Followed by Avos - Chapter 6
  • Shabbos Ends: 8:27 pm

MOTZEI SHABBOS:

  • 9:45 pm Melava Malka online with Rabbi Raichik on Zoom - Meeting ID: 435 263 4589 Password: 770. Click here to Join.

Kiddush Sponsors - Shoftim

  • Mr. Don Scholl for the shloshim of his brother Aden ben Shmuel ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Reuven Nathanson in honor of their anniversary. May they have many more happy years together.
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Shmuel Raigorodsky in honor of their anniversary. May they have many more happy years together.
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Yudi Schmukler in honor of their anniversary. May they have many more happy years together.
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Yossi Schneerson in honor of their anniversary. May they have many more happy years together.
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Velvel Tsikman in honor of their anniversary. May they have many more happy years together.

Women's Shabbos Shiur - Shoftim

Mushka Fisch
Invites the community to her shabbos kalla
6 pm at 423 N Fuller
Speaker: Mrs. Doonie Mishulovin

Mazal Tov To - Shoftim

  • Rabbi & Mrs. Levi Benjaminson on the birth of their daughter. Mazal tov to the grandparents Rabbi & Mrs. Sholom Perl.
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Yossi Burston on the birth of their daughter. Mazal tov to the grandparents Rabbi & Mrs. Chaim Burston.
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Yisroel Feiner on the birth of their granddaughter (to Yossi & Brocho Feiner.)
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Sender Munitz on the birth of their great granddaughter (to Avremy & Tova Herszberg.)
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Yosef Wolowik on the birth of their granddaughter (to Mendel & Mushky Wolowik.)

Upcoming Birthdays

  • Rabbi Benyomin Hoffman - 6 Elul
  • Sholom Dov Ber Polityko - 8 Elul
  • Moshe Dov Ber Stark - 8 Elul
  • Rabbi Shalom Rubashkin - 8 Elul
  • Levi Gurary - 9 Elul
  • Rabbi Levi Zirkind - 9 Elul
  • Ezra Kaplan - 12 Elul
  • Mr. Aviv Topps - 13 Elul

Upcoming Anniversaries

  • Rabbi & Mrs. Shmuel Raigorodsky - 6 Elul
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Dovid Thaler - 7 Elul
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Velvel Tsikman - 8 Elul
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Yudi Schmukler - 9 Elul
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Reuven Nathanson - 10 Elul
  • Mr. & Mrs. David Kaufman - 10 Elul
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Simcha Frankel - 11 Elul
  • Mr. & Mrs. Moshe Kaszirer - 12 Elul
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Yossi Schneerson - 13 Elul

Upcoming Yahrtzeits

  • Yehudis bas Reb Shalom (Mr. Moshe Kaszirer’s mother) - 6 Elul

Devar Torah - Shoftim

The King’s Shining Countenance in Elul Awakens Us to Never Give Up on Ourselves and Others

By Rabbi Shimon Raichik

The month of Elul is called Chodesh HaRachamim because in the month of Elul the Thirteen attributes  of Mercy are revealed.   The theme of the month of Elul is “Ani l’Dodi v’Dodi Li, I am to my beloved and my beloved is to me”.  Our service of Hashem begins with Ani l’Dodi  which represents  the process of teshuva, returning to Hashem  from below to above. How  is this connected to there being a revelation  of the Thirteen attributes of Mercy which is a revelation from above to below?

In Likutei Torah the Alter Rebbe  analogizes this to a King who goes out into the field to greet his subjects with a shining countenance. In the discourse there is a distinction between the city where the King's palace is, the field and the desert. The King doesn't go to the desert; he goes only as far as the field.  Feeling one with Hashem is when we are learning the Torah and doing mitzvos. Then we are in Hashem’s city in proximity to the King’s palace. When we are involved in our mundane worldly affairs but they're all done for the sake of Heaven, then it’s like we're in the field which serves  the city and the palace. If we are trapped  by our base and mundane desires however then we are in the desert far from the King’s palace.

In the month of Elul the King goes out into the field. If our lives are basically in order and we are using our  routine activities to fulfill  the will of Hashem, then we will be inspired  by Hashem's shining countenance and aroused to return to Hashem in the month of Elul. However, if we are in the desert where the King does not go how will we become inspired? 

The Rebbe answers this question by explaining the specific wording used by the Alter Rebbe in the analogy of the King in the field; “When the King goes out into the field he receives all of them  with a shining countenance”.  The Rebbe asks why does it say “all of them”,  it should have only said “‘and he receives them’ (with with a shining countenance)” which means that he receives them when they come to greet Him?  The Rebbe explains that the people that are stuck in the desert, meaning stuck by their yetzer hara and feel that they can't escape their base desires, deep down really want to escape.  They want to get out of the desert, they want to do teshuva, they want to get closer to Hashem. They want to throw off their disregard for Hashem and all that is holy and accept Hashem’s yoke joyfully. 

For now they have given up however, considering themselves addicted to the yetzer hara  believing they cannot change and that it’s impossible to shake off physicality and their various addictions and attachments to the world. Hashem sees into the heart of a Jew and knows that he or she wants to change.  This desire is so important that Hashem accepts that will already at that point, even while seemingly as of yet disconnected from any change of behaviours. Hashem is saying to each of one of us that He accepts what we want, our desire to be connected. This gives us all the power to break out of our addictions to our thoughts, words and actions that separate us from Hashem and enable us to go out to greet the King. 

This week there was a 6 year old child that was lost in Brooklyn. There is a story  that a 56 year old man told after hearing about this lost child. An announcement had been  made to gather a search party to go out where the child had last been seen to find him before nightfall. It was a rainy afternoon. This man wasn't sure if he could make a difference. He said the following.

“I really wasn't going to go but then I thought about my six year old grandson. If it were him I would want every single person out there searching until he was found so I got dressed in my sneakers, a ball cap and a white shirt with long sleeves so I can be easily seen and also protected from the elements. When I arrived on the scene people were mostly milling about waiting at the command center in the marshes. They were drawing up a grid but I didn't want to wait. I just started walking and was searching with my flashlight. 

Most of the arriving crowd was behind waiting for instructions. Other people had been searching in that area for hours to no avail so I took an alternate route under the bridge by the Belt Parkway and then up and down the beach calling out his name but there was no answer. After walking around for maybe an hour and a half I was getting tired. I was feeling like I really shouldn't be staying out here too long because I have to watch out for my own health. When I started going back I noticed a dirt path and I turned onto it calling out the child’s name. I heard a child's voice say “Ta (Father)” so I said back “Is that you, is that you?” I didn't hear anything else. I looked behind me and saw another guy there and said did you hear that? He  said yes I heard it too. He went rushing off into the marsh, the youngster that he is. 

I happened to have the cell phone number of the top cop who was running the search, Richie Taylor the Deputy Inspector in the NYPD, so I called him. He didn't answer. I called him and I called him like a crazy person, over and over again. Finally he answered and I said to Richie that I had heard something and that he should send some units to where I was. 15 minutes later a few ATV’s showed up and then later a big truck with a massive light. Everyone was asking me from where I heard the voice and where I was standing at the time etc. I just stood there and felt stupid because what if I'm taking resources away and I didn't really hear anything. 

Once they had my location I asked if it's okay to go.  I started walking out and about two minutes later I heard loud shouting. Some people around me said they found the child and they're singing and dancing. I was so thankful and danced with everybody for a couple of minutes, I think that made it on the news. I then left because I was completely drenched from the rain.  Later I received a phone call from Richie saying that it was my call that made the major break in this case. Your tip brought us to the right place. 

I can't even tell you how much I was, and remain shaken from this experience. It just shows that that one person can make a difference. We need to just just go and take action. I was thinking, who am I just some 56 year old guy, but I went anyway.  Apparently that made a difference. Right when they were giving up hope, right when the sun was already set, the rain started coming down and eliminating any trail. When you just keep going to do and don't worry about looking stupid or feeling stupid, you just do. I'm so thankful that I got to be part of the story and that boy is okay and the family is okay and Klal Yisroel is going to be okay…”

Those of us who have wandered out into the desert are like that lost child who is drenched and covered in mud. Nevertheless there is a still faint voice within us calling out for our Father. When we don’t give up hope Hashem hears our call and finds us before nightfall, the end of the galus  and gives us the chance to return to His home. The Rebbe also gave us the responsibility to reach out to others that are lost, much like the man in the story. We don’t give up on others and we try to help them find their way back. When we don’t allow ourselves to feel that we can’t make a difference and just keep doing our best it may just be that our efforts will be the ones ‘break the case of galus’ and bring all of the lost children back to their Father’s table.  It's in one moment that we do teshuva  and then we are immediately redeemed.

May we all go out together to greet Hashem with Melech HaMoshiach before Rosh HaShana.

A Good Shabbos 

Benarroch Shiva

Mr. Shimon Benarroch
is sitting shiva until Monday on the passing of his sister
Sara Bas Avraham OB”M
 
Address: 110 N. Detroit St.

Visitation Times:
1:00pm-4:00pm, 6:00pm-9:30pm

Mincha will be at 7:30pm followed by Maariv

Ph: 323-687-4847

Kindly wear a mask.

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

New Shiur tonight/Wed Shiur canceled this week

NEW Shiur Starting tonight! See Below

PLEASE NOTE: Wednesday night Sichos shiur is canceled for this week! 

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Chabad Chodesh - Elul

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

Announcements - Re'eh

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Shabbos Schedule - Re'eh

  • Shabbos Candle Lighting: 7:31 pm
  • Last Time To Read Shema: 9:34 am
  • Shabbos Mevarchim Tehillim: 8:15 am
  • TEHILLIM CLUB: 9:15 until 10 o’clock for girls and boys in the kollel. Children who are not able to attend but send in a note or text message that they said TEHILLIM for 30 minutes are eligible for pizza coupons and a treat. 
  • Shacharis: 9:45 & 10 am.
  • Gemoro Shiur: 6:45 
  • Mincha: 7:30 pm - Followed by Avos Chapter 5
  • Shabbos Ends: 8:34 pm
  • Molad Chodesh Elul: Sunday, Av 30/August 8, 10:43 (10 chalakim) AM.
  • Rosh Chodesh Elul: Sunday & Monday, August 7 & 8.

MOTZEI SHABBOS:

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Kiddush Sponsors - Re'eh

  • Rabbi & Mrs. Eli Baitelman in honor of their anniversary. May they have many more happy years together.
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  • Mr. & Mrs. Avrohom Aron Grunfeld for the yahrtzeit of Mr. Avrohom Aron Grunfeld’s father Reb Moshe Yaakov ben Reb Aron ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Avrohom Klyne for the yahrtzeit of Rabbi Avrohom Klyne’s mother Esther Leah bas Reb Shmuel Tuvia ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Sender Munitz for the yahrtzeit of Rabbi Sender Munitz’s father Reb Yisroel Meir ben Reb Alexsender Sender ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Reuven Nathanson for the yahrtzeit of Mrs. Chana Leiba Nathanson's mother Rivka bas Reb Moshe ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
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Women's Shabbos Shiur - Re'eh

6:00 at the home of Mrs. Fradel Bukiet
343 N Formosa
Speaker: Mrs. Fradel Bukiet

Mazal Tov To - Re'eh

  • Mr. & Mrs. Yosef Yitzchok Mishulovin on the engagement of their daughter Bracha to Aizik Friedman.
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Shmuel Schapiro on the birth of their daughter.
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Upcoming Birthdays

  • Mendel Thaler - 29 Av
  • Mr. Pinchas Hirsch - 29 Av
  • Menachem Mendel Davidson - 1 Elul
  • Levi Bart - 1 Elul
  • Yechiel Dovid Yonah Friedman - 5 Elul

Upcoming Anniversaries

  • Rabbi & Mrs. Yoel Edelson - 30 Av
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Chaim Avrahom Mentz - 1 Elul
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Benyomin Hoffman - 3 Elul
  • Mr. & Mrs. Richard Rosenbloom - 4 Elul
  • Mr. & Mrs. Moshe Davidoff - 5 Elul
  • Mr. & Mrs. Asher Bastomski - 5 Elul

Upcoming Yahrtzeits

  • Esther Leah bas Reb Shmuel Tuvia (Rabbi Avrohom Klyne’s mother) - 29 Av
  • Musa bas Reb Yehoshua Halevi (Mrs. Debbie Tibor’s mother) - 30 Av
  • Reb Yaakov ben Reb Chaim (Mr. Chaim Lerner’s father) - 30 Av
  • Reb Refoel ben Reb Yitzchok (Mr. Avrohom Plotkin’s brother) - 1 Elul
  • Reb Moshe Yaakov ben Reb Aron (Mr. Avrohom Aron Grunfeld’s father) - 1 Elul
  • Sima Baila bas Reb Avrohom (Rabbi Yoel Edelson’s mother) - 3 Elul
  • Reb Yisroel Meir ben Reb Alexsender Sender (Rabbi Sender Munitz’s father) - 4 Elul

Devar Torah - Re'eh

Shabbos Mevarchim Elul

This week is Shabbos Mevarchim Elul. Elul, the last month of the year, is a month of Cheshban HaNefesh, a time that we make a spiritual accounting of all that has transpired in the past year. In business finance one needs to review the books to be eligible for a new line of credit. So too, in Elul we provide Hashem an assurance that we are committed to fulfill His will of learning Torah and doing Mitzvos. Then on Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur we ask Hashem to open a new line of credit.

In order to prepare for our new line of credit, we need to consult our ‘accountant’ to see how well we did with last year’s credit line. This accounting extends throughout the month of Elul which lasts thirty days. Each day of the month numerically corresponds to that day in all of the months from the previous year (e.g. The first Elul corresponds to the first of each month etc.) Beginning with Chai Elul, each day corresponds to an entire month. We ‘balance our books’ with Teshuva U’maisim Tovim in order to merit a good sweet year.

To make things easier Chassidus teaches us about Melech B’Sadeh and the Yud Gimmel Midos Harachamim. Hashem receives and welcomes each and everyone one of us as we are with a shining countenance and encourages us to approach and come close.

Therefore, beginning with Shabbos Mevarchim Elul, the last month of the year we begin to put our ‘house in order’ to protect from anything unwanted, and through this everyone will be bentched with a Ksiva Vechasim Tovah, a good g’bentched yohr.

This avodah is illustrated though the following story. One year, on Simchas Torah the Rebbe Rashab was not ready to begin Hakafos. He called over a business man and asked him about how he conducts his business. The man explained that he takes a loan and uses the money to buy the stock that he sells in the market. After a while he needs an additional loan. In order to qualify for the new loan, he makes payments on the first loan to show the bank that he has good credit. When he begins his payment plan the bank sees his good credit and then gives him a new loan.

The Rebbe Rashab concluded that so too is this true for us in Tishrei. Tishrei is the new line of credit. We begin our review and payment plan on last year’s loan in Elul. We increase in Teshuva, Torah, Tefilla and Tzedaka. Then Selichos arrives and we continue to increase even more in these areas. So too in Rosh HaShana and Eseres Ymei Teshuva and Sukkos. At the end of Sukkos and we arrive at Hakafos; and the meaning of Hakafos is a loan, we can now seal our new loan and be zocheh to a new good line of credit. At that point the Rebbe went to Hakafos. Hashem in His kindness gives us Elul to make good on our loan.

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