Shul Bulletin

 The Kiddush at the 1st Minyan is Sponsored by:

Rabbi Yitzchok Hakohen Arnold
In Memory of his Father - R' Noson Notte Ben R' Yakov Yeshayohu Hakohen Ob"m
May the Neshama have an Aliyah

The Kiddush at the 2nd Minyan is Sponsored by:

Rabbi Yisroel Hecht
In Memory of his Mother - Liba Bas R' Boruch Ob"m
May the Neshama have an Aliyah

Rabbi Shneur Z. Munitz
on his upcoming birthday

Rabbi Nachman Kreiman & family and Rabbi Amitai Yemini & family
For the Engagement of their children Berel & Zeecy

The Katz family and the Kreitenberg family
For the marriage of their children Asher & Chaya

Rabbi & Mrs. Yisroel Bastomski and family
For the birth of a new Enikel

Rabbi & Mrs. Yosef Bukiet and family
For the birth of a new Enikel

By Rabbi Shimon Raichik

When the Tzemach Tzedek was a boy and learned the passage, "Yaakov lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years," his teacher translated according to the Baal Haturim commentary: "Our father Yaakov lived his seventeen best years in Egypt." When he returned home from Cheder he asked his grandfather, the Alter Rebbe: How can it be that our father Yaakov, the elect of the Patriarchs, should have as the best years of his life the seventeen that he lived in Egypt, the land of corruption?

The Alter Rebbe answered: It is written, "And Yehuda he sent before him to Yosef to give instructions for Goshen." The Midrash states, and Rashi quotes this, R. Nechemya said - to establish a house of study so Torah would be there and the tribes would study Torah. "To give instructions for Goshen" means (in a deeper sense), when one learns Torah he comes closer to The Al-mighty, may He be blessed, so even in Egypt it was true to say vay'chi - he lived. [HaYom Yom, 18 Teves]

The Rebbe analyzes this well known HaYom Yom and asks what was the question of the Tzemach Tzedek?

Yaakov had not seen Yosef for twenty two years. Now Yaakov is told that Yosef is alive and that he is a tzadik! Yaakov never imagined he would see his son, and now sees him and his two children, Efrayim and Menashe, educated in the same way as Yaakov's own children. Yaakov is so happy, together with Yosef both physically and spiritually. 
 

The Rebbe explains that the Tzemach Tzedek was bothered; truly, Yaakov was happy to see the spiritual level of Yosef in Mitzrayim. But Mitzrayim stems from the word limitation and is called the land of corruption. How can the best years of Yaakov be in such a place, and not in Eretz Yisroel? We can understand that it could be similar to Eretz Yisroel, but why are these 17 years described as the best?

The Alter Rebbe's answer is that through the study of Torah, a person becomes close to Hashem. Meaning, he lifts himself through learning Torah the and he he is now lifted beyond all limitations, even the limitations of Mitzrayim, so therefore there can be Vayechi - True Life. Under the Mitzrim Yaakov and the Shevotim were not limited. As the Tzemach Tzedek later explained, they merited to convert the darkness of Mitzrayim to light.

What does this teach us? A person shouldn't want to be in Mitzrayim and we should run away from things that disturb us from our service to Hashem. As we say in davening “Hashem do not bring us to any tests,” but when we are tested and find ourselves in this position, knowing that by learning Torah and doing mitzvos we connect ourselves to Hashem, giving us the power to convert the test to the positive. This becomes the best of our life.

[Likutei Sichos Vol. 10]
 

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The Kiddush at the 1st Minyan is Sponsored by:
The Antian family
In Memory of Mrs. Antian's Mother Chaya Sara Bas R' Dovber Ob"m
May the Neshama have a Aliyah

The Kiddush at the 2nd Minyan is Sponsored by:
Rabbi Yossi Schneerson
On the occasion of his birthday
May he have a Shnas Hatzlacha Begashmiyus Ubruchniyus

Shabbos  Parshas Vayigash
December 25-26

Shabbos Candle Lighting:  4:32 PM
1st Minyan Kabolas Shabbos:  5:15 PM
2nd Minyan Kabolas Shabbos:  6:20 PM
Shacharis - Early Minyan:  8:20 AM
Chassidus by Rabbi Raichik:  9:00 AM
Shacharis - Main Minyan:  10:00 AM
Kol Yaakov Yehuda:  10:15 AM
Mincha:  4:25 PM
 Shabbos Ends:  5:35 PM 

Mrs. Gittie Munitz  is sitting Shiva For her Father
Yitzchok Yosef ben Avrohom Dov Zaidoff Ob"m
She is sitting at 321 N. Alta Vista Blvd until Wednesday morning
 Mincha Friday - 1:30 PM 
Mincha Monday-Tuesday - 4:45 PM
Maariv - Bizmano
No Shacharis

Hamokom Yenachem eschem Besoch Shaar Avaylay Tzion VeYerushalayim.
Vehukeetzu Veranenu Shochnay Ufur vehu besochom!

In the name of the entire Congregation Levi Yitzchok
we would like to wish a big Mazal Tov to our Rav - Rabbi Raichik
on his upcoming birthday on the 13th of Teves.
May he be blessed with a Shnas Hatzlacha Begasmiyus Ubruchniyus
May he have much Nachas from his family and this entire community

We also like to wish a Mazal Tov To:
R' Shalom Elharrar - on his upcoming birthday
R' Betzalel Fleischman - on his upcoming birthday
May they have a Shnas Hatzlacha Begashmiyus Ubruchniyus

Fast of Asarah B'Teves
Sunday December 27  

Fast Starts:  5:37 AM  
Minchah:  4:15 PM
Fast Ends: 5:26 PM

Refershments be served to break the fast Sponsored by:
Mr. Avrohom Plotkin
In Memory of his mother Yenta Bas R' Nochum Ob"m
May the Neshama have a Aliyah

Mr. Doron Israeli
In Memory of his Father Yona Ben R' Yitzchok O"bm
May the Neshama have a Aliyah

With sadness we announce the passing of
Yitzchok Yosef ben Avrohom Dov Zaidoff Ob"m
Father of Mrs. Gittie Munitz

The Levaya will be
Monday at 7:00 pm
At Congregation Levi Yitzchok
Interment will be in Eretz Yisroel

Shiva will be observed in Los Angeles
Starting Thursday Night, December 24
321 N. Alta Vista Blvd.

Hamokom Yenachem eschem Besoch Shaar Avaylay Tzion VeYerushalayim.
Vehukeetzu Veranenu Shochnay Ufur vehu besochom!

 Hey Teves Farbrengen

There will a Farbrengen for Men
Tuesday Night at 8:00 PM
At Congregation Levi Yitzchok