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ב"ה

Shul Bulletin

Announcements - Vayigash

  • Click here for this week’s JEM “Here’s My Story”. 
  • Click here for the KYY update.
  • Click here for a list of our ongoing shiurim. 
  • Click here to pay up all your kibud pledges and outstanding membership. Thank you to all of our supporters!!!
  • Please say tehilim for Shelomo Yehunoson Halvi ben Miriam.
  • Motzei Shabbos: In honor of Hey Teves Chabad/Atara's will be opening up Motzei Shabbos at 7:00 pm especially for our community to be able to fulfill the Rebbe's instructions to celebrate Hey Teves not only with Chassidic gatherings but also with purchasing books. They will also be having a special SALE!!! Ample parking available in the back.
  • Motzei Shabbos: Farbrengen for men at 8:30 in honor of Hey Teves. We will be showing the new video from Jem - ‘The entire story of hey Teves’. We will also write pidyonos to the Rebbe. 
  • SAVE THE DATE: Grand Siyum Harambam - Monday, 21 Teves/Jan 12, 8-9:30 pm at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Click here for more info.

Shabbos Schedule - Vayigash

  • Shabbos Candle Lighting: 4:32
  • Late Minayan for Kabolas Shabbos: 6:15 pm
  • Chassidus, Starbucks and babysitting: 8:40-9:30 sharp @ 118 S. Orange Dr. 
  • Chassidus for Early Minyan with Rabbi Zalman Friedman: 8:45 am
  • Shiur Chassidus by Rabbi Raichik: 9:00 am
  • Last Time To Read Shema: 9:25 am
  • Early Minyan Shacharis: 9:30 am
  • Shacharis: 10:00 am
  • Kol Yakov Yehuda: 10:15 am
  • Mesibas Shabbos For Girls: 3:30 pm
  • Mincha: 4:30 pm 
  • Shabbos Ends: 5:35 pm
  • FATHER AND SON LEARNING: 7:00-8:00 pm 

Fast of Asarah B’Teves
Thursday, Teves 10/January 1

  • Fast Starts: 5:39 am
  • Minchah: 4:15 pm
  • Fast Ends: 5:30 pm 

Kiddush Sponsors - Vayigash

  • Mr. & Mrs. Shimon Benarroch for the yahrtzeits of Mrs. Kelly Benarroch’s brother Reb Mordechai ben Reb Moshe ob”m and sister Simcha bas Reb Moshe ob"m. May the neshomos have an aliya.
  • Mr. & Mrs. Zechariah Davidson in honor of Mrs. Yehudis Davidson's birthday. May she have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus. Also for the yahrtzeit of Mr. Zechariah Davidson’s grandmother Bluma bas Reb Eliezer Hakohen ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
  • Rabbi Yossi Rimler in honor of his birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus. 
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Yosef Schneerson in honor of Rabbi Yosef Schneerson’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus. Also in honor of their son Aaron’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
  • Mr. & Mrs. Berel Sroka and Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Hayman in honor of the engagement of their children Nathan Sroka to Miri Hayman. May they be Zoche to build a binyan aday ad.
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Shmuel Stroll in honor of their anniversary. May they have many more happy years together. Also for the yahrtzeit of Rabbi Shmuel Stroll’s mother Tsharna Gittel bas Reb Yaakov ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.

Early Minyan Kiddush Sponsors - Vayigash

  • Mr. & Mrs. Moshe Anatian in honor of their son Menachem Mendel Yishai’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus. Also for the yahrtzeits of Mrs. Rochel Anatian’s parents Reb Moshe Pulat ben Reb Bechor and Chaya Soro bas Reb Dovber ob"m. May the neshomos have an aliya.
  • Anonymous in honor of hei teves. May he and the entire community be blessed with kol tuv se’ela. 
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Levi Benjaminson in honor of Rabbi Levi Benjaminson’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Yakov Greenbaum in honor of Rabbi Yakov Greenbaum’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus. 
  • Mr. & Mrs. Allan Stark for the yahrtzeit of Mr. Allan Stark’s father Reb Aharon Dovid ben Reb Yitzchok Aizik ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
  • Mr. Michael Zaghi in honor of his birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.

Women's Shabbos Shiur - Vayigash

4:15 pm - At the home of Mrs. Tova Levine
361 N Vista St.
Speaker: Mrs. Chana Rachel Schusterman

Mazal Tov To - Vayigash

  • Mrs. Miriam Gluck on the engagement of her great-granddaughter Shulie Shur to Avremel Vogel.
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Nachman Kreiman on the upsherenish of their grandson Yosef Shmuel Yemini.
  • Mr. & Mrs. Berel Sroka and Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Hayman on the engagement of their children Nathan Sroka to Miri Hayman. 

Upcoming Birthdays

  • Rabbi Yossi Rimler - 5 Teves 
  • Avraham Aron Moishe Gertz - 5 Teves
  • Aaron Schneerson - 6 Teves
  • Idan Schmeidler - 7 Teves
  • Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Schneerson - 8 Teves
  • Rabbi Levi Benjaminson - 8 Teves
  • Mr. Daniel Levin - 8 Teves
  • Mr. Bruce Pollard - 9 Teves
  • Mr. Bob Meyer - 10 Teves
  • Shmuel Dovid Andrusier - 10 Teves

Upcoming Anniversaries

  • Rabbi & Mrs. Shmuel Stroll - 11 Teves

Upcoming Yahrtzeits

  • Bluma bas Reb Eliezer Hakohen (Mr. Zechariah Davidson’s grandmother) - 5 Teves
  • Tsharna Gittel bas Reb Yaakov (Rabbi Shmuel Stroll’s mother) - 5 Teves
  • Reb Aharon Dovid ben Reb Yitzchok Aizik (Mr. Allan Stark’s father) - 6 Teves
  • Chaya Barbera bas Reb Binyomin (Mr. Jon Engelson’s mother) - 8 Teves
  • Reb Mordechai ben Reb Moshe (Mrs. Kelly Benarroch’s brother) - 9 Teves
  • Reb Yisroel Yitzchok ben Reb Mordechai Hakohen (Mrs. Miriam Feiner’s father) - 10 Teves
  • Reb Yona ben Reb Yitzchok (Mr. Doron Israeli’s father) - 10 Teves
  • Yenta bas Reb Nochum (Mr. Avrohom Plotkin’s mother) - 11 Teves
  • Chaya Soro bas Reb Dovber (Mrs. Rochel Anatian’s mother) - 11 Teves

Devar Torah - Vayigash

Living In the Glow of the Chanukah Lights All Year Long
By Rabbi Shimon Raichik

Once after the 1967 War the Rebbe said that we see hashgacha protis-divine providence more clearly in our times than in times past. In the War of 1967 there were open miracles. So too it’s possible to learn important open lessons from the current events of our times. We can use those lessons in the service of Hashem.

The Gemara says that we should believe that other nations have authentic wisdom (Chochma b’goyim taamin). We should not confuse their wisdom with the wisdom of the Torah. We should not believe that they have Torah. What’s the real difference between their wisdom and our Torah? The word Torah means ‘horah’ lesson or guidance that was given to us  by Hashem. The Torah teaches us what is good and what is life and how not to do the opposite. Someone can excel in studying science at a University, but they do not teach him not to refrain from using that knowledge to build a bomb. A person can attend Medical School but who convinced him it’s wrong to use that knowledge to create a poison that harms others? The Torah is our guide and though learning and davening we are given the insight and strength to address all of life’s challenges and prevail for the good in all aspects.

There are those that feel we are out of touch with modernity with all of our dedication to the Torah. They say that we don’t get it, that we’re living back in the 19th Century. They say things like “Move on” “Get with it”. The truth is that we really are “With it” because we have “It”, We have the light and guidance of the Torah that keeps us on our way moving forward toward the ultimate goal. Just take a look and see what is happening all around us. Today the modern culture has not only become a slippery slope, it’s far worse.  What happened to the fabric of our society? There was a time when there was a clear demarcation between right and wrong in the society at large. Nowadays where is the right and the wrong? Hamas are called freedom fighters instead of terrorists, killers of the police are dubbed mentally ill instead of assassins, and the perpetrators of stabbings in France are termed politically frustrated instead of murderers.  They don’t point to the constant barrage of incitement emanating from the mosques and madrasas or from violent protests. Sometimes we don’t realize that we’re falling down a slippery slope until we reach the bottom. 

After prayer was outlawed in schools the Rebbe campaigned for a moment of silence in its place. The Rebbe saw that when we take a moment to contemplate on there being an eye that sees and an ear that hears we act with responsibility and are aware of the difference between right and wrong.  The world becomes civilized and ethical when the average American has a solid foundation gained from taking the time to reflect that there is an eye that sees and ear that hears. The Rebbe spoke out repeatedly about its vital importance for our future.

Today in America, most of the leadership went through the public school system, a system that did not have prayer at the beginning of the day. Therefore their conscience and concept of right and wrong has become obscured. What this teaches us is that we have to strengthen our connection to learning the Torah of Hashem and davening and keeping mitzvos. This keeps us the way we should be and prevents us from falling into the pit of the darkness of the exile. Chanukah teaches us not be afraid of darkness neither physical nor spiritual. Together with the light of the Torah and mitzvos we are able to push through the darkness. We light the menorah and we bring light to the world, our homes and our neshama. Through this we diminish the darkness until we tip the scales and illuminate the world with an atmosphere of goodness, kindness and simcha and ultimately we turn the darkness into light with the light of Moshiach Now.

A Good Shabbos!

Announcements - Mikeitz

  • Click here for this week’s JEM “Here’s My Story”. 
  • Click here for the KYY update.
  • Click here for a list of our ongoing shiurim. 
  • Click here to pay up all your kibud pledges and outstanding membership. Thank you to all of our supporters!!!

Shabbos Schedule - Mikeitz

  • MINCHA EREV SHABBOS: 12:15, 3:00 & 3:30 pm.
  • Shabbos Candle Lighting: 4:28
  • Late Minayan for Kabolas Shabbos: 6:15 pm 
  • Shabbos Mevorchim Tehillim: 8:15 am
  • Followed by a Shiur Chassidus by Rabbi Raichik
  • Thillim Club: 9:15 am 
  • Last Time To Read Shema: 9:21 am
  • Early Minyan Shacharis: 10:00 am
  • Shacharis: 10:15 am
  • NO Kol Yakov Yehuda
  • Mesibas Shabbos For Girls (in KYY) 3:30 pm
  • Mincha: 4:30 pm
  • Shabbos Ends: 5:31 pm
  • Molad for Chodesh Teves: Sunday, Kislev 29/December 22, 10:31 pm.
  • Rosh Chodesh Teves: Monday & Tuesday, December 22 & 23.
  • FATHER AND SON LEARNING: 7:00-8:00

Kiddush Sponsors - Mikeitz

  • Mr. & Mrs. Milton Goodman for the yahrtzeit of Mr. Milton Goodman’s mother Risha bas Reb Tzvi Hirsh ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Yitzchok Arnold for the yahrtzeit of Rabbi Yitzchok Arnold’s mother Devorah bas Reb Yechiel Shraga Faivish Halevi ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
  • Mr. Arthur Diller in honor his birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
  • Mr. & Mrs. Pinchas Hirsch in honor of their anniversary. May they have many more happy years together. Also on the occasion of Mrs. Anzhela Hirsch receiving her Master’s Degree this week. May she continue to succeed in all her endeavors.
  • Rabbi Abi Raichik in honor of his birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
  • Mr. & Mrs. Chaim Lerner for the yahrtzeit of Mr. Chaim Lerner’s mother Bassya bas Mordechai ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Sender Munitz for the yahrtzeit of Mrs. Gittie Munitz’s father Reb Yitzchok Yosef ben Reb Avrohom Dov ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
  • Mr. & Mrs. Reuven Solomon for the yahrtzeit of Mrs. Roberta Solomon’s father Reb Gershon ben Reb Dovid ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
  • Mrs. Debbie Tibor for the yahrtzeit of her father Reb Chaim ben Reb Avraham Halevi ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.

Early Minyan Kiddush Sponsors - Mikeitz

  • Anonymous in honor his birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Ari Goldman in honor of their birthday’s. May they have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
  • Chonye Grossman in honor his birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
  • Mr. & Mrs. Avi Hecht in honor of Mr. Avi Hecht’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus. Also for the yahrtzeit of Mrs. Ariela Hecht’s father Shlomi ben Ezra ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
  • Rabbi Mendel Simons in honor of Rabbi Mendel Simons’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Menachem Rubinstein for the yahrtzeit of Rabbi Menachem Rubinstein’s father Reb Moshe ben Reb Nosson ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.

Women's Shabbos Shiur - Mikeitz

4:19 pm - At the home of Mrs. Chana Hecht
419 N Poinsettia Pl. 
Speaker: Rabbi Yisroel Hecht

Mazal Tov To - Mikeitz

Upcoming Birthdays

  • Hatomin Menachem Mendel Yishai Anatian - 28 Kislev
  • Rabbi Ari Goldman - 28 Kislev
  • Chayim Eliyahu Mishulovin - 28 Kislev
  • Menachem Mendel Yishai Antian - 28 Kislev
  • Rabbi Chayim Mishulovin - 28 Kislev
  • Rabbi Yakov Greenbaum - 28 Kislev
  • Mr. Michael Zaghi - 29 Kislev
  • Yosef Massoud Wagshul - 30 Kislev
  • Mr. Amil Amilov - 1 Teves
  • Mr. Yosef Avraham Targum - 2 Teves
  • Rabbi Naftoli Estulin - 2 Teves
  • Elchonon Dovber Grossman - 3 Teves
  • Menachem Mendel Gelb - 3 Teves
  • Rabbi Dovid Drizin - 4 Teves

Upcoming Anniversaries

  • Mr. & Mrs. Mordy Gluckowsky - 29 Kislev
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Sheye Eichenblatt - 2 Teves

Upcoming Yahrtzeits

  • Reb Gershon ben Reb Dovid (Mrs. Roberta Solomon’s father) - 28 Kislev
  • Devorah bas Reb Yechiel Shraga Faivish Halevi (Rabbi Yitzchok Arnold’s mother) - 28 Kislev
  • Bassya bas Mordechai (Mr. Chaim Lerner’s mother) - 1 Teves
  • Reb Moshe ben Reb Nosson (Rabbi Menachem Rubinstein’s father) - 1 Teves
  • Chaya Liba bas Reb Yosef (Mr. Mendel-Hilel Ganzburg’s mother) - 2 Teves
  • Reb Moshe Pulat ben Reb Bechor (Mrs. Rochel Anatian’s father) - 2 Teves
  • Risha bas Reb Tzvi Hirsh (Mr. Milton Goodman’s mother) - 3 Teves
  • Reb Yitzchok Yosef ben Reb Avrohom Dov (Mrs. Gittie Munitz’s father) - 3 Teves
  • Simcha bas Reb Moshe (Mrs. Kelly Benarroch’s sister) - 3 Teves
  • Reb Chaim ben Reb Avraham Halevi (Mrs. Debbie Tibor’s father) - 4 Teves

Devar Torah - Mikeitz

Al Hanisim
By Rabbi Shimon Raichik

In Al Hanisim which we say during Chanukah, we thank Hashem that for the deliverance of the “mighty into the hands of the weak, and the many into the hands of the few”. We also thank Hashem for delivering the “impure into the hands of the pure, the evil into the hands of the righteous and the rebellious into those who are involved in your Torah”.

The fact that the Chashmonaim were victorious over the Greeks who were mighty and many, teaches us about the great miracle of Chanukah.  However, what does the fact that they were impure, wicked and rebellious have to do with the miracle of Chanukah? It seems that there is no connection to the miracle of overcoming the Greeks during the time of the victory of Chanukah.

The Rebbe answers this question by explaining the historical background of the Greek decrees. Matisyahu and his children were the minority of the Jewish people. The majority of Jews at that time were Hellenists who accepted Greek philosophy. Therefore the Chashmonaim, the minority, were involved in a two-front battle, one from without and one from within. They were battling the decrees that the Greeks had placed upon them. They were also struggling with the Jewish Hellenists who consented to those decrees.

Now we can understand the greatness of the miracle of Chanukah from both angles. Chanukah comprised the victory of the physical battle against the Greek army. The miracle is magnified by the fact that we were victorious not withstanding the fact that many of our people were not deserving of the miracle. The miracle is that Hashem considered the minority, who were the pure, the righteous and those that were occupied in Hashem’s Torah, over the majority.

What does this teach us when we light the Chanukah lights? The lights of Chanukah represent the lights of the Beis Hamikdash of the future redemption with Moshiach. In the world, Jewish people are a minority. Those that keep Torah and Mitzvos are a minority of the Jewish people. How could a minority of a minority possibly change the entire world and bring Moshiach? This is the lesson that Chanukah teaches us. Because of the self sacrifice of the minority Hashem performed a miracle for the majority as well.

This is especially relevant to us today. Today the power of the individual is even more potent than ever. Most people today are no longer Hellenists. There are not many that have an ideology that stands in opposition to the Torah and Mitzvos. The majority of the Jewish people that do not perform Torah and Mitzvos do not do so because they are against the Torah per se (chas v’shalom). Rather the majority of the Jewish people today are Tinokos Shenishba, they don’t understand what Torah and Mitzvos really is.  Most Yidden are like the child at the Seder that doesn’t know how to ask. Therefore, the fact that they don’t perform Torah and Mitzvos is not held against them, nor can it hold back the Geulah. We cannot blame them, nor can they affect whether or not Klal Yisroel is ready for Geula. Therefore the individual, the minority will prevail in tipping the scales and bringing the redemption. Just as nothing stood in the way of the Chashmonaim from being victorious and bringing about the miracle of Chanukah, so too will we be victorious over the galus and bring Moshiach and rekindle the menorah in the Beis HaMikdash. May we merit the immediate revelation of Moshiach and the rekindling of the menorah in the Beis Hamikdash Hashlishi now!

Announcements - Vayeishev

  • Click here for this week’s JEM “Here’s My Story”. 
  • Click here for the KYY update.
  • Click here for a list of our ongoing shiurim. 
  • Click here to pay up all your kibud pledges and outstanding membership. Thank you to all of our supporters!!!
  • Special Chanukah Promotional offer on Jewish stories. Click here for more info. 
  • SIYUM HARAMBAM: Sunday night in shul at 8 pm.

Shabbos Schedule - Vayeishev

  • Shabbos Candle Lighting: 4:26
  • Late Minayan for Kabolas Shabbos: 6:15 pm
  • Chassidus, Starbucks and babysitting: 8:40-9:30 sharp @ 118 S. Orange Dr. 
  • Chassidus for Early Minyan with Rabbi Zalman Friedman: 8:45 am
  • Shiur Chassidus by Rabbi Raichik: 9:00 am
  • Last Time To Read Shema: 9:18 am
  • Early Minyan Shacharis: 9:30 am
  • Shacharis: 10:00 am
  • Kol Yakov Yehuda: 10:15 am
  • Mesibas Shabbos For Girls: 3:30 pm
  • Mincha: 4:25 pm 
  • Shabbos Ends: 5:29 pm
  • FATHER AND SON LEARNING: 7:00-8:00 pm 

Kiddush Sponsors - Vayeishev

  • Mr. & Mrs. Zechariah Davidson in honor of Mr. Zechariah Davidson’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Yosef Shagalov in honor of Rabbi Yosef Shagalov’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.

Early Minyan Kiddush Sponsors - Vayeishev

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

Women's Shabbos Shiur - Vayeishev

4:00 pm - At the home of Mrs. Tova Levine
361 N Vista Ave. 
Speaker: Mrs. Doonie Mishulovin

Mazal Tov To - Vayeishev

  • Rabbi & Dr. Nochum Pinson on the birth of their great-granddaughter. 
  • Mazal tov to all participants in Rabbi Bukiet’s morning gemoro shiur on the completion of maseches Eiruvin, they are starting maseches Pesochim on Sunday. A great chance to join!!!

Upcoming Birthdays

  • Rabbi Zalmy Klyne - 21 Kislev
  • Moshe Zalman Wachtel - 21 Kislev
  • Rabbi Yosef Shagalov - 22 Kislev
  • Moshe Davidson - 23 Kislev
  • Yaakov Wolowik - 24 Kislev
  • Mr. Shmuel David Faynerman - 24 Kislev
  • Mr. Arthur Diller - 25 Kislev
  • Mr. Zechariah Davidson - 27 Kislev
  • Sholom Yehuda Gorelik - 27 Kislev

Upcoming Anniversaries

  • Mr. & Mrs. Aviv Topps - 22 Kislev

Upcoming Yahrtzeits

  • Reb Avraham Yosef (Mr. Yosef Avraham Targum’s grandfather) - 22 Kislev

Devar Torah - Vayeishev

By Holding on to the Rebbe’s Door Handle
we Get Lifted Up to Fulfill the Shlichus!
By Rabbi Shimon Raichik

A Good Yom Tov. The Alter Rebbe said that whomever participates in his simcha, the simcha of Yud-Tes Kislev, the commemoration of his release from prison and the nullification of the heavenly decree against spreading Chassidus will merit three things. 1. To be taken from personal metzar-constrictions to merchav, an expansion: 2. To be taken out of physicality and lifted to ruach-spirit, and: 3. To be taken out of gehenom-pugatory. The Rebbe Rashab explained all of these three as spiritual elevations. To be taken out of gehenom is to be elevated from the hustle and bustle of our daily demands that block our vision so that all we think about is for today’s concerns and what we can get for ourselves. To be taken from physicality to spirit is to go from Yetzira to the world of Briyah-Creation, and to be taken from any constriction to an expansion is to go from Briyah to Atzilus, the world of Emanation.

The Rebbe the Tzemach Tzedek explained participating in the simcha in the following way. To participate means to “anhaltin the klemka” to take hold of the door handle of the Rebbe’s room. Taking hold of the door handle means to desire to enter the Rebbe’s room and be entirely united. What is the doorknob of the Rebbe’s room? The door handle is the time in our souls that we set aside for the study of Chassidus and the manner in which we live and act in the ways of Chassidus and follow the minhagim. The Alter Rebbe can lift you up from the lowest level to the highest place, but if we do not participate in the simcha, then all we see is ourselves. Until we participate we are stuck, and it’s like we are in gehenom surrounded only by our personal concerns. All of us can enter the Rebbe’s room because Chassidus has equality of access for all, not only for the very learned. With Chassidus even the simplest person can go out of gehenom and reach the highest heights (Based on the Yud-Tes Kislev fabrengen 5712-1951 and 5719-1958).

There is a story about the Rebbe Rashab who fought the Russian Government when they tried to legislate changes to Jewish education and Rabbbinics that would harm the proper observance of the Torah and mitzvos. When the Rebbe spoke strongly against the government at a public inquiry he was placed in house arrest. One of the Rabbonim attending the inquiry went to visit him in his room and found him distraught and crying. He asked him why he was so upset when he had done everything possible including mesirus nefesh.  The Rebbe answered that it didn’t matter what he had done, even the mesirus nefesh if the decree had not been rescinded.

When someone looks over a business, how is he able to tell the difference between a worker and an actual partner in the business? During the day you cannot see a difference because they both work hard although for different reasons. The worker puts in an honest day’s work, and the partner keeps careful watch over the business. At night however there is a real difference. If you visit the worker’s home late at night you will probably see that he is sleeping soundly. After all, he worked hard all day and he’s now getting a well-deserved rest. If you visit the partner’s house however you may well find him awake worrying about the bottom line and thinking of new ways to insure that the business prospers. The Rebbe Rashab has the concern of an owner and therefore although he really had done all that is possible, still he was inconsolable because the ‘business’ hadn’t prospered, the decree had not yet been annulled. It’s different for a worker, although it’s disappointing, you did your part and that’s what’s important to the worker.

Once we grasp the door handle we are connected, it is possible for us as well to begin to feel the same way. Participating in the simcha requires that we take hold of the handle each day with renewed energy by keeping our commitments to learning living and acting like Chassidim. By fulfilling what the Rebbe desires for us our families, our communities and for the world. And then we are in his room. 

We also need to always strive to bring Moshiach. This is what the Rebbe has called upon this generation to do. The Rebbe desires that we do all that we can to bring the geula now and to cry out uncompromisingly and in truth, Ad Mosai! To truly desire Moshiach’s coming like a real partner. To daven “Pada b’shalom nafshi- that Hashem should redeem my soul, that we should see it as our soul, our ‘business’ to get out of our focus on the daily demands and to go to receive Moshiach Now!

Announcements - Vayishlach

  • Click here for this week’s JEM “Here’s My Story”. 
  • Click here for the KYY update.
  • Click here for a list of our ongoing shiurim. 
  • Click here to pay up all your kibud pledges and outstanding membership. Thank you to all of our supporters!!!
  • SAVE THE DATE: Community wide Yud Tes Kislev Farbrengen for men and women, Thursday night, Kislev 19/December 11.

Shabbos Schedule - Vayishlach

  • Shabbos Candle Lighting: 4:25
  • Shiur in Sichos by Rabbi Raichik following kabolas shabbos 
  • Late Minayan for Kabolas Shabbos: 6:15 pm
  • Chassidus, Starbucks and babysitting: 8:40-9:30 sharp @ 118 S. Orange Dr. 
  • Chassidus for Early Minyan with Rabbi Zalman Friedman: 8:45 am
  • Shiur Chassidus by Rabbi Raichik: 9:00 am
  • Last Time To Read Shema: 9:13 am
  • Early Minyan Shacharis: 9:30 am
  • Shacharis: 10:00 am
  • Kol Yakov Yehuda: 10:15 am
  • Mesibas Shabbos For Girls: 3:30 pm
  • Mincha: 4:25 pm 
  • Shabbos Ends: 5:28 pm
  • FATHER AND SON LEARNING: 7:00-8:00 pm 

Sholom Zochor

Rabbi & Mrs. Mendel Greenbaum
Invite the community to a Sholom Zochor
at 138 N Mansfield Ave.

Kiddush Sponsors - Vayishlach

  • Mr. & Mrs. Moshe Davidoff for the yahrtzeit of Mrs. Esther Davidoff’s father Reb Aaron ben Reb Boruch ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Fischel Grossman in honor of Rabbi Fischel Grossman’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
  • Mr. & Mrs. Avrohom Aron Grunfeld in honor of their anniversary. May they have many more happy years together. Also in honor of Mr. Avrohom Aron Grunfeld’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
  • Mr. & Dr. Martin Leaderman in honor of Mr. Martin Leaderman’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.

Early Minyan Kiddush Sponsors - Vayishlach

  • Mr. & Mrs. Noteh Berger for the Bar-Mitzvah of their son Mendel. May he give them much nachas and may he grow up to be a true chossid yirei shomaim and lamdan.
  • Zalmy and Mendel fogelman in honor of their birthdays. May they have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus. 
  • Mr. & Mrs. Steve Zipp in honor of Mr. Steve Zipp’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.

Women's Shabbos Shiur - Vayishlach

4:30 pm - At the home of Mrs. Etty Bastomski
418 N Fuller Ave.
Speaker: Rabbi Levi Kramer

Mazal Tov To - Vayishlach

  • Rabbi & Mrs. Yitzchok hakohen Arnold on bar mitzvah of their grandson Shneur Zalman Arnold.
  • Mr. & Mrs. Shimon Benarroch on the birth of their granddaughter (to Zalmen & Simcha Minkowitz).
  • Mr. & Mrs. Noteh Berger on the bar mitzvah of their son Mendel.
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Yossi Bukiet on the birth of their granddaughter (to Shimon & Chani Eisenbach).
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Mendel Greenbaum on the birth of their son. Mazal tov to the grandparents Rabbi & Mrs. Yakov Greenbaum.

Upcoming Birthdays

  • Menachem Mendel Fogelman - 14 Kislev
  • Rabbi Gershon Schusterman - 15 Kislev
  • Mr. Israel Goldshmid - 15 Kislev
  • Mr. Avrohom Aron Grunfeld - 16 Kislev
  • Rabbi Zalmy Fogelman - 17 Kislev
  • Mr. Joseph Michael Dunn - 17 Kislev
  • Shneur Zalman Freeman - 17 Kislev
  • Levi Yitzchok Gross - 18 Kislev
  • Mr. Steve Zipp - 18 Kislev
  • Rabbi Fischel Grossman - 18 Kislev
  • Schneur Zalman Labkowsky - 18 Kislev
  • Rabbi Schneur Zalman Schmukler - 19 Kislev
  • Mr. Martin Leaderman - 19 Kislev
  • Shlomo Mordechai Brooker - 20 Kislev

Upcoming Anniversaries

  • Rabbi & Mrs. Yossi Solomon - 14 Kislev
  • Mr. & Mrs. Avrohom Aron Grunfeld - 15 Kislev
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Shaya Berkowitz - 19 Kislev
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Yecheskel Raeburn - 19 Kislev
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Levi Benjaminson - 19 Kislev
  • Rabbi & Mrs. Shloime Arnold - 20 Kislev

Upcoming Yahrtzeits

  • Henya Malka bas Reb Shmuel (Mrs. Yudka Etka Winograd’s mother) - 15 Kislev
  • Chana Etka bas Reb Note Zeev (Mrs. Chaya Leah Berger’s mother) - 17 Kislev
  • Reb Aaron ben Reb Boruch (Mrs. Esther Davidoff’s father) - 19 Kislev
  • Reb Yeshayohu ben Reb Aharon (Mrs. Fradel Bukiet’s father) - 20 Kislev
  • Chaya bas Reb Avrohom (Rabbi Benyomin Hoffman’s mother) - 20 Kislev

Devar Torah - Vayishlach

When We Stay Connected, Not Even the Sky is the Limit!
By Rabbi Shimon Raichik

Yud Tes Kislev is a time for fabrengens and stories. We tell the story of the imprisonment and release of the Alter Rebbe. On Yud Kislev we tell story of the arrest and redemption of the Mittler Rebbe. In addition to these stories we also need to tell stories about Chassidim. Why?  Isn’t it sufficient to tell stories about Rabbeim? What is gained from telling stories of Chassidim?

When we look into our lives and see all the challenges we face, we often look around towards others for examples of strength and courage that will help us to fulfill our shlichus. We need that kind of strength and inspiration to be able to speak back to ourselves when we hear a voice of weakness and compromise telling us to back off and take it easy. At these moments when we realize that we need to forge ahead and accomplish we need to have a sharp reply to the weakness: “What do you mean you cannot move forward? What do you mean it’s not relevant to you today? Sure it is, and surely I can and will succeed!” Where do we get the strength to speak that way and then act with such resolve? We get it from the inspiration found in the stories of Chassidim. These messages of inspiration and hope are not some far or distant thing that remains the sole domain of the Chassidim of a bygone era! Their real life stories about how they succeeded over and beyond their own personal difficulties offer us much inspiration and guidance! Once, the Chosid Abba Pliskin said at a fabrengen that the Rebbe clearly told him to tell stories of the Chassidim in addition to stories of the Rabbeim so that people would feel that the message is relevant to them.

In this week’s parsha Yaakov sends malachim to Eisav. The Previous Rebbe tells the story of the Maggid, who on the last Shabbos of his life in this world quoted this pasuk as he laid on his bed in the presence of the Chevraya Kaddisha. He quoted Rashi who says; malachim mamash, real malachim, and then added; the mamash (the body) of the malachim he sent to Eisav but the spiritual part remained with Yaakov.

The Rebbe asked; how is it possible to divide and separate between the body and the spirit? Do they divide so that the body can go to Eisav while their spirit can remain by Yaakov? Rashi’s comment taken simply means real malachim, not physical messengers. After everything is said and done Yaakov sent real malachim. They went to Eisav; nevertheless their spirit stayed with Yaakov and remained connected.

This is similar to each one of us in our shlichus here in this world. We have a neshama and we have a body. The neshama cannot make a dwelling place for Hashem in this world without the body. Nevertheless the neshama needs to stay connected to Hashem; the shliach has to stay connected to the mishaleiach, the one who sends him. So too a Chosid is connected to the Rebbe and he needs to stay connected.

When I was at the Kinus HaShuchim last year someone asked if I could confirm what he heard, that my father said Tefillas HaDerech every day he was away from 770. I told him that my father never told me but that it made sense for a few reasons. First, he was the kind of chosid that always wanted to be near to the Rebbe. It was very hard for him to be away. Also, he travelled a lot.

Another reason is the letter we found that he had always carried with him in his pocket for over 40 years to read and re-read wherever he went.  From the letter I understood that father had a tshuka, a desire to be together with the Rebbe (it wasn’t enough for him to be accomplishing things on his own). The basic content of the Rebbe’s letter was that he shouldn’t feel that he is so far away on shlichus. This feeling of distance creates a longing, and this longing causes him to always be waiting for later, to return to 770. Rather, he should be where he is now on his shlichus and be happy in his shlichus. With this kind of outlook it makes sense that he might have said Tefillas HaDerech every day. This was how all Chassidim felt about being on shlichus at that time. What kept them going, whether in Russia or in Shanghai was the feeling, the tshukah to be by the Rebbe. That we may be on shlichus in this or that place but our true home is by the Rebbe.

At a Chai Elul fabrengen in 5734-1974 the Rebbe told a story about HaRav HaChosid Reb Shmuel Levitan A”H after his shiva. It was very emotional. Once Reb Shmuel told the Rebbe that after the KGB caught him he was sent to prison in Siberia. He told the Rebbe all the details. One morning while he was saying Birkas Hashachar he forgot the pronunciation of one of the brachos. Since he didn’t have a Siddur he kept going back and forth between the words “hanosein l’ayeif” and “hanosein l’yaeif koach”. The Rebbe said how amazing it was that here was this Chosid, in Siberian prison suffering with all physical difficulties and deprivations and instead of thinking about his physical needs his mind was preoccupied the detail of a bracha! The Rebbe said that it was because of his connection to the Rebbeim that he reached the level where this was his focus. Even when he was looking back in his memory of the events in prison, what he remembered about his experience was how he was davening, not his suffering. Once he was connected, this is what he remembered, not the pain. The Rabbeim lift us up to a different way of thinking which is not normally possible. But that’s what hiskashrus does; it uplifts us above our pain or personal troubles to see higher vistas and issues of greater importance. We see more broadly than the confines of our personal concerns.

Just as Reb Shmuel, a great Chosid but also a real person like you and I with his own difficulties reached above and beyond, so too us through our connection today to the Rebbe now more than ever, are we able to see above and beyond our own difficulties. What will remain are memories about how we did a mitzvah and how we fulfilled our shlichus in this world. This gives us the strength to accomplish the main shlichus in this world (not withstanding all of today’s challanges), which is to do all that we can to bring the revelation of Moshiach Now. Yaakov said to Eisav that he would meet him later in Seir. When will that will that meeting occur? With the completion of our shlichus and the coming of Moshiach Now!

Gut Yom Tov, L’Chaim, and a Good Shabbos

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