Shul Bulletin

• Shabbos Candle Lighting: 7:49 pm
• Last Time To Read Shema: 9:16 am
• Shacharis: 9:00 in KYY, 9:30 & 10 am. 
• KYY: 10:00 (mini-minyan and beinoni)
• Gemoro Shiur: 7:05  pm 
• Mincha: 7:50 pm - Followed by Avos - Chapter 5
• Shabbos Ends: 8:52 pm

MOTZEI SHABBOS:

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

• Rabbi & Mrs. Yossi Burson in honor of Rabbi Yossi Burson’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
• Rabbi Shaya Eichenblatt for all kindness Hashem has shown his family. May Hashem continue to shower them and the entire community with kol tuv sela.
• The Gordon & Pinson Families in honor of the marriage of their children Mendel & Rena. May they be Zoche to build a binyan aday ad.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Yossi Mayberg in honor of Rabbi Yossi Mayberg’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
• Mr. David Milner in honor of his birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Zalman Raksin for the yahrtzeit of Rabbi Zalman Raksin’s mother Baila bas Reb Yitzchok ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.

6:00 at the home of Mrs. Berta Sandberg
543 N Martel
Speaker: Rabbi Levi Kramer

• Rabbi & Mrs. BenZion Oster on the birth of their grandson.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Mendy Pinson on the marriage of their daughter Rena to Mendel Gordon. Mazal tov to the grandparents Rabbi & Dr. Nochum Pinson. 
• Mr. & Mrs. Zalmen Roth on the marriage of their son Meir Simcha.

Upcoming Birthdays

• Dovber Cherman - 10 Tammuz
• Yosef Chaim Kaufman - 11 Tammuz
• Rabbi Tuvia Helfen - 12 Tammuz
• Rabbi Yossi Mayberg - 12 Tammuz
• Rabbi Yossi Burson - 12 Tammuz
• Yosef Yitzchak Novack - 12 Tammuz
• Rabbi Nachman Kreiman - 13 Tammuz
• Sholom Dovber Raeburn - 13 Tammuz
• Rabbi Moshe Raichik - 14 Tammuz
• Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Plotke - 14 Tammuz
• Mr. David Milner - 14 Tammuz

Upcoming Anniversaries

• Mr. & Mrs. Eliezer Yaakov Kahan - 10 Tammuz
• Rabbi & Mrs. Gershon Schusterman - 12 Tammuz
• Rabbi & Mrs. Asher Habibian - 13 Tammuz

Upcoming Yahrtzeits

• Baila bas Reb Yitzchok (Rabbi Zalman Raksin’s mother) - 9 Tammuz
• Rachel bas Reb Aharon (Ms. Ofra Shipman’s mother) - 10 Tammuz
• Reb Leima ben Reb Avrohom Yaakov Halevi (Mrs. Chani Rotenberg’s brother) - 14 Tammuz
• Reb Yaakov Naftoli ben Reb Shlomo Zalmen (Rabbi Danny Rotenberg’s father) - 14 Tammuz
• Reb Noson Kalmen ben Reb Tzvi Meir (Mrs. Etty Bastomski’s father) - 15 Tammuz

What Does the Red Heifer Have to Do with Us Today?

By Rabbi Shimon Raichik

Gimmel Tammuz fell out on Sunday of this last week. What is the connection between Gimmel Tammuz and this week’s parsha of Chukas? The Alter Rebbe brings in Igeres HaKodesh (chapter 28) a Gemara (Moed Katan 28)  that says that Miriam’s passing is recorded in the Torah next to the parsha of the Parah Adumah to teach us that just as the Parah Adumah atones for sin so too the passing of Tzaddikim atones for sins.

The Rebbe asks the following questions about the Parah Adumah. 1. Why was it the only korban brought outside the Beis HaMikdash? 2. Why do those involved in preparing or offering the korban  become impure? 3. Why is the Parah Adumah called on Moshe Rabbenu’s name and why do all future Parah Adumahs require the addition of some of the ash from the original Parah of Moshe? 4. Why does the Torah require that the ash be guarded (l’mishmeres)?

The Rebbe answered these questions by bringing a Medrash. When Hashem taught Moshe the laws of the impurity of death (tumas meis) Moshe Rabbenu turned colors, thinking how will the Jewish people ever become purified from such a severe impurity. Hashem answered with the words: “Zos chukas ha Torah- This is the statute of the Torah”. Why was Moshe Rabbenu so bothered by this impurity and not any of the other forms of impurity? It’s because the impurity of death is the most severe (avi avos hatumah). This impurity represents spiritual death. It’s a state where the person’s lifeline has been cut off. As the pasuk reads “Those of you that are attached to Hashem your G-d are all alive today”. We can be lacking in many areas and even impure in some. As long as we are connected we can be revived, just like a leaf attached to a parched tree can be revived with some water. What can be done when there is no connection? How is there even a possibility for cleansing such an impurity? This is what troubled Moshe Rabbenu.

Hashem’s answer was; “Zos chukas HaTorah”; it’s not based on a logical calculation, it’s a statute. Go outside, leave the Beis HaMikdash and get involved in the challenges and limitations of the outside world, even those aspects that are opposed to kedusha. This is a message to everyone of us to get involved in the needs of others and to give of ourselves, of our time and yes even some of our spiritual stature and purpose to benefit others. Because of his involvement with the Parah Adumah, Elazar HaKohen was unavailable for service in the Beis HaMikdash for the entire day and then into the night while he went through purification. This is the chok, the decree of the Torah. We do this because Hashem instructed us to go into the difficulties of others outside the realm of holiness without an end gain for ourselves, even a spiritual benefit.

The one who helps us and gives us this power to be successful is Moshe Rabbenu who said “Anachnu Mah, who are we?”, (meaning that it is not by our strength or power, rather by our connection with Hashem that we succeed). Our connection to Moshe Rabbenu and the Moshe Rabbenu of our generation, the Rebbe, touches the self sacrifice within us that is beyond the intellect and any of its calculations. We have seen this characteristic on display endlessly by the Rebbe who gave so generously of his time and energy to others. This is why the Parah Adumah, Zos chukas HaTorah, is called on Moshe Rabbenu’s name and all subsequent one’s have some of the ash of the original, connecting us throughout to Moshe Rabbenu.

On the other hand we cannot suffice with self sacrifice alone. A person can not make his entire Judaism stand on Mivtzoyim alone. We need the additional reminder to guard the ash of the Parah Adumah, to protect ourselves and to preserve our connection and to maintain our purity as well. How do we do this? By using the spiritual ash of the Parah Adumah of Moshe Rabbenu. The ash represents the nullification of our will to Hashem. When do we express this nullification? When we recite the Shema. It’s not enough to say the Shema alone and to express our self sacrifice to the unity of Hashem, but we also need to sprinkle that ash throughout the day by remembering our devotion to Hashem. This enables us to overcome our animal soul’s trials and tribulations. With the strength we get through our connection to the Rebbe, we are guaranteed success in our efforts to purify our surroundings, even the parts that have contracted the impurity of death, by sprinkling others with the living waters of the wellspring of Chassidus with sincerity. Through our connection, involvement and efforts may we immediately merit the 10th Parah Adumah, the Parah of the Melech HaMoshiach, now!

A Good Shabbos 

(Adapted from Sichos Kodesh and Likutei Sichos parshas Chukas v. 4 and 33)

Magen Am has done so much for our city
and for OUR community specifically

Here is our opportunity to support Magen Am
and to show gratitude for them being here for us! 

www.magenam2021.com

https://youtu.be/Wwb4BLcLMaY

DONATE NOW!!! 

The Ezagui family is sitting Shiva for their father, 
Chacham Yitzchok ben Shlomo Ezagui Z"atzal. 
They are sitting shiva in New York 
706 Eastern Parkway #4E 

Mrs. Chanie Hecht: 310 753 9623 - [email protected] 
Rabbi Baruch Shalom Ezagui: 619 507 8340 - [email protected]
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Hamakom Yenachem Eschem B'soch Sheor Avalei Tzion V'yerushalayim. Vehukeetzu Veranenu Shochnay Ufur vehu besochom!

• Click here for this week's KYY newsletter. 
• Click here for this week's Lmaan Yishmeu publication.
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• Click here for a list of our ongoing shiurim. 
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• Shabbos Candle Lighting: 7:47 pm
• Last Time To Read Shema: 9:15 am
• Aliyos: 9:00 am 
• Shacharis: 9:00 in tent, 9:30 & 10 am. 
• KYY: 10:00 
• Pirkei Avos Shiur: 6:45  pm 
• Mincha: 7:45 pm - Followed by Avos - Chapter 4
• Shabbos Ends: 8:50 pm

MOTZEI SHABBOS:

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

• Dr. & Mrs. Ze'ev Rav-Noy in honor of Dr. Ze'ev Rav-Noy’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
• Mr. & Mrs. Shimon Benarroch for the yahrtzeits of Mrs. Kelly Benarroch’s mother Esther bas Reb Mordechai ob”m and brother Reb Avrohom ben Reb Moshe ob"m. May the neshomos have an aliya.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Yaakov BenZaquen in honor of Rabbi Yaakov BenZaquen’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Shmuel Fogelman in honor of their anniversary. May they have many more happy years together.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Eli Vcherashansky for the yahrtzeit of Rabbi Eli Vcherashansky’s father Reb Yosef Hirsh ben Reb Leib ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.

Rena Pinson
Invites all women to her Shabbos Kalla
5:30 at 45 N Martel

• Rabbi & Mrs. Mendy Cunin on the engagement of their son Shmulie to Mushka Bekhor. 
• Rabbi & Mrs. Asher Habibian on the engagement of their son Shlomo to Faigy Vail.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Dovid Schmukler on the birth of their daughter. Mazal tov to the grandparents Rabbi & Mrs. Zalmen Schmukler.

Upcoming Birthdays

• Schnuer Zalmen Raeburn - 2 Tammuz
• Rabbi Yaakov BenZaquen - 4 Tammuz
• Dr. Ze'ev Rav-Noy - 4 Tammuz
• Mr. Rami Tamir - 5 Tammuz
• Rabbi Dovid Thaler - 7 Tammuz
• Rabbi Eliyahu Newman - 8 Tammuz

Upcoming Anniversaries

• Mr. & Mrs. Gary Apfel - 2 Tammuz
• Rabbi & Mrs. Shalom Elharrar - 3 Tammuz
• Mr. & Mrs. Yankel Ginsburg - 3 Tammuz
• Rabbi & Mrs. Shmuel Fogelman - 5 Tammuz
• Rabbi & Mrs. Yehudah Lerman - 6 Tammuz

Upcoming Yahrtzeits

• Reb Yosef Hirsh ben Reb Leib (Rabbi Eli Vcherashansky’s father) - 2 Tammuz
• Reb Eli ben Reb Moshe (Mrs. Robin Hambourger’s father) - 3 Tammuz
• Reb Meir ben Reb Moshe Efraim (Mr. Mitch Reichman’s father) - 4 Tammuz
• Reb Avrohom ben Reb Moshe (Mrs. Kelly Benarroch’s brother) - 4 Tammuz
• Masi Mindel bas Reb Levi Yitzchok Halevi (Mrs. Debbie Fine’s mother) - 5 Tammuz
• Reb Itzchav Tzvi ben Reb Chaim Simcha (Mrs. Chaya Kornreich’s father) - 6 Tammuz
• Chava Rivkah bas Reb Avraham (Mr. Isser Goldstein’s mother) - 7 Tammuz
• Raizel bas Reb Yakov Hakohen (Rabbi Zalman Raksin’s grandmother) - 8 Tammuz
• Esther bas Reb Mordechai (Mrs. Kelly Benarroch’s mother) - 8 Tammuz
• Reb Yitzchok ben Reb Mordechai Tzvi (Rabbi Zalman Raksin’s grandfather) - 8 Tammuz
• Reb Moshe ben Reb Sholom (Mr. David Peretz’s father) - 8 Tammuz

From Koach Sivan to Gimmel Tammuz:
Strengthening our Connection to Fulfill our Mission

By Rabbi Shimon Raichik

This Shabbos falls out in between the 28th of (Koach) Sivan and Gimmel Tammuz. Gimmel Tammuz has been a day of great celebration by Chassidim, the day the Previous Rebbe was liberated from Soviet prison. 

This year Koach Sivan marks the 80th anniversary of the Rebbe and Rebbitzin’s arrival to America’s shores, arriving from France after being saved from the Nazi Holocaust. The Previous Rebbe worked tirelessly after being denied by the State Department and the American Counsel in France (in Nice and Paris), to secure their visas. Multiple miracles overrode all of the obstacles and they finally arrived on the 28th of Sivan. It is a day of great celebration by Chassidim. Koach Sivan, the strength of Sivan, the month of Matan Torah is known as the day that changed the entire outlook of America with the Rebbe’s arrival. It is coined the day of Matan Torah of the lower hemisphere. In retrospect, 80 years later the many fruits, the changes that occurred in America began on that day.

What does all of this teach us now and how does this help to prepare for Gimmel Tammuz? The liberation of the Previous Rebbe on Gimmel Tammuz teaches us about the Previous Rebbe’s efforts to promote Judaism and the dissemination of Chassidus with great mesirus nefesh. We relive the harsh experience of imprisonment in the pages of the Rebbe’s diary and in Sichos Kodesh of that time, 1927 and the Rebbe’s victory against a mighty regime.

On the Rebbe’s way out of prison, the Rebbe stood on the train platform and said the famous Sicha, that Hashem should be with us as He was with our forefathers. The Rebbe announced to make known to everyone that it was not with our will that we went into galus and it's not with our strength we will go out of galus. Hashem placed us in galus and Hashem will redeem us through Moshiach. No one has the right to change the education of our children. The Rebbe after all that He went through was unafraid and defiant while still in the lion’s den, with the Soviets recording this message.

This is a lesson for each one of us not to give up or be afraid. Although we are not the Rebbe, mesirus nefesh, using our willpower to overcome all obstacles is relevant to all of us. It reminds us to make conscious use of our willpower in the service of Hashem.

It’s been 27 years since Gimmel Tammuz, the Hilula of the Rebbe. There are more Shluchim all over the world than ever. How is it possible that young Shluchim that never saw the Rebbe but nevertheless fulfill the Rebbe’s shlichus with mesirus nefesh? This is because the Rebbe is with us. Although we do not see the Rebbe, we do not get a dollar or Kos Shel Bracha from the Rebbe’s hand. Nevertheless as the Rebbe said on many occasions about the Previous Rebbe that He has not forsaken His flock. We see this openly by the Rebbe and all of the Shluchim. 

On Gimmel Tammuz we reflect on what we can do to utilize our knowledge of the Rebbe’s connection with the us to fulfil our shlichus. To put all consideration on the side and spread Judaism and the wellsprings of Chassidus, educate our children properly, have a Chassidishe home filled with warmth all in order to bring Moshiach. On Gimmel Tammuz we look and see where we are and what we can do. If we have any doubts we have to be like Kalev in last week's parsha who went to daven at Ma’aras HaMachpelah for guidance, so too we need to go to the Ohel to ask for help.

After a year and a half of not being able to go to the Rebbe due to Covid, this week was my first flight to visit the Rebbe at the Ohel and 770. To have the opportunity to daven and ask the Rebbe to help and give the strength that I need to fulfill my mission. If we have the feeling that we need a deeper connection, that the Ohel and 770 are the places to go; to be like Kalev, to be strong; then we will be able to, as it says in the parsha, go up and inherit the land, to go and conquer the world so that Moshiach will reveal Himself to the world.

A Good Shabbos, A Good Chodesh