Shul Bulletin

• Shabbos Candle Lighting: 6:52
• Shabbos Mevorchim Tehillim: 8:15 am
• Followed by a Shiur Chassidus by Rabbi Shimon Raichik
• Thillim Club: 9:00 am 
• Last Time To Read Shema: 9:51 am
• Early Minyan Shacharis: 10:00 am
• Shacharis: 10:15 am
• Kol Yakov Yehuda: 10:30 am
• Mesibas Shabbos For Girls (in KYY) 3:30 pm
• Shiur in Hilchos Pesach for men with Rabbi Raichik: 5:45 pm
• Mincha: 6:50 pm
• Shabbos Ends: 7:55 pm
• Molad for Chodesh Nisan: Monday, Adar-II 29/March 31, 3:54 am and 9 chalokim.
• Rosh Chodesh Nisan: Tuseday, April 1.

• Mr. & Mrs. Sholom Makhlin in honor of the birth of their daughter Rivkah. May they have much nachas from her and may she grow up to Torah, to Chupa and to Maasim Tovim.
• Mr. & Mrs. Zalman Roth in honor of their anniversary. May they have many more happy years together.
• Mr. & Mrs. Yitzchok Wiener in honor of Mr. Yitzchok Wiener’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.

• Rabbi & Mrs. Mendy Greenbaum in honor of their anniversary. May they have many more happy years together.
• Rabbi & Mrs. David Hoch in honor of their anniversary. May they have many more happy years together.
  Also in honor of Rabbi David Hoch’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Yisroel Munitz in honor of their anniversary. May they have many more happy years together.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Yossi Pinson in honor of Rabbi Yossi Pinson’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Berl Schustmern for the yahrtzeit of Rabbi Berl Schustmern’s mother Rochel Leah bas Reb Sholom Yeshaya ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.

We are honored that Rabbi YY Jacobson will be giving a shiur for men and women this Shabbos.

The topic of the Shiur is: The Chareidim (Religious) and Secular: Can we Build a Bridge?  To Cook or to Roast – That Is the Question

5:30 pm - At Young Israel of Hancock Park
225 S La Brea Ave.
Guest Speaker: Rabbi Yossi Jacobson

• Rabbi & Mrs. Yossi Bukiet on the birth of their grandson (to Nachum & Rivka Bukiet).  
• Rabbi & Mrs. Dovid Hoch for the birth of their daughter Soro Menucha. Mazal tov to the grandparents Rabbi & Mrs. Mendel Goldman.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Sholom Ber Levine on the bar-mitzvah of their grandson Meir Levine.
• Mr. & Mrs. Avrohom Plotkin on the birth of their granddaughter (Itche and Dini Gordon). 

Upcoming Birthdays

• Yosef Yitzchak Meyer - 27 Adar II
• Rabbi Yossi Pinson - 27 Adar II
• Mr. Yaakov Mark - 28 Adar II
• Mr. Yitzchok Wiener - 29 Adar II
• Dov Ber Burston - 29 Adar II
• Menachem Mendel Plotkin - 1 Nisan
• Rabbi Levi Eisenberg - 1 Nisan
• Avrohom Eliezer Goldman - 3 Nisan
• Rabbi David Hoch - 3 Nisan
• Mr. Berel Wilhelm - 4 Nisan

Upcoming Anniversaries

• Rabbi & Mrs. Danny Rotenberg - 28 Adar II
• Rabbi & Mrs. David Hoch - 1 Nisan
• Mr. & Mrs. Michael Mordechai Cohen - 1 Nisan
• Rabbi & Mrs. Yisroel Munitz - 2 Nisan
• Rabbi & Mrs. Mendy Greenbaum - 2 Nisan
• Mr. & Mrs. Zalman Roth - 2 Nisan

Upcoming Yahrtzeits

• Shterna Soro Dono bas Reb Yosef Cohen (Mr. David Peretz’s ) - 27 Adar II
• Bracha Gittel bas Reb Shaltiel Ze'ev (Dr. Ze'ev Rav-Noy’s mother) - 27 Adar II
• Reb Yitzchok ben Reb Avrohom (Mr. Shimon Benarroch’s brother) - 28 Adar II
• Esther Rivka bas  (Rabbi Moshe Aaron Kagan’s mother) - 2 Nisan
• Rochel Leah bas Reb Sholom Yeshaya (Rabbi Berel Schusterman's mother) - 4 Nisan 

The Key to the Geula is in our Hands
By Rabbi Shimon Raichik

This week Shabbos falls on the 27th of Adar. In general the month of Adar is reserved for simcha; “M’shanichnas Adar marbim b’simcha- when Adar enters we increase in joy”. Notwithstanding this fact, by Divine Providence we remember what occurred on this day 22 years ago. On the 27th of Adar Rishon the Rebbe suffered the first stroke, and on this same day two years later, he suffered the second stroke. In general, when we look back on days like these, be it the 27th of Adar or Gimmel Tammuz, our custom is to reflect upon the good memories and what they teach us. We think of the last Sunday before the first stroke, how the Rebbe stood all day giving out dollars. We reflect upon the endless Ahavas Yisroel the Rebbe displayed, addressing each person, each according to his or her specific needs with mesiras nefesh. On the day of Gimmel Tammuz we do the same. We meditate on how the Rebbe is still with us and never departs. We have heard many stories of the greatness of Tzaddikim in general and the Rabbeim in particular, of the miracles at the Ohel and Igros Kodesh all of which have occurred after Gimmel Tammuz.

When we look in retrospect over the many years between the 27th of Adar and where we are now, we ask how do we fit, both all of us in general and each one in particular, into the big picture. True, if we will go to a fabrengen with a desire to be inspired, we will walk away feeling good and uplifted. Nevertheless, on days like these, something calls us from within and tries to make sense of today, to affirm what it means today to be a Chosid. We look for a message that is most relevant to us and how best to integrate that message into the pressing needs of our situation personally, in our communities and globally.

I recently learned the maamar from the Rebbe “B’laila hahu” 5744-1984. The maamar explains that geula is likened to day and galus is likened to night. In the time of the geula we will merit to witness revelations of Hashem. During the galus we do not merit to see these revelations openly. During the day we can see how everything functions and the mind is able to understand and be involved in it’s surroundings. At night, when we sleep we cannot see how the world functions and our minds are not involved or understanding it’s surroundings. What happened to the mind? During sleep the neshama gets elevated. It goes above and gets rejuvenated. This rejuvenation is not felt inside the body. So too during galus, there are great powers at work right now but they are not felt. In a dream there can be two opposites and the contradiction is not felt.

The Gemara in Yoma tells a story of how the non-Jews entered the Kodesh HaKedoshim, the Holy of Holies during the time of the first destruction. They saw the Aron HaKodesh, upon it the Keruvim, which were embracing each other. They didn’t understand it’s meaning and assumed it to be a graven image that the Jews worshipped, G-d forbid. They took the Aron HaKodesh with the Keruvim out into the street and displayed it publicly to mock the Jews. They said that this image is what the Jews worship, G-d forbid.

Hashem is likened to the Groom while we, the Jewish people are likened to the Bride. When we do the will of Hashem by following the Torah and mitzvos, we are then likened to embracing Hashem and Hashem embracing us. The Gemara says that when the Jews did the will of Hashem the Keruvim would face one another. And when, G-d forbid, they would not do Hashem’s will they would turn away from each other. Since it was the time of the destruction when we had become estranged from proper observance of the Torah and mitzvos the Keruvim should have been turned away from each other. Why were they specifically hugging each other at such a tragic moment?

The Rebbe explains that the time of galus is compared to a husband that is travelling oversees. Before he departs he needs to be affectionate with his wife to give her encouragement and strength while he will be away on his long journey. So too by the destruction, Hashem gave all of us special strength to overcome any and all difficulties felt by the destruction. At that moment it was not felt, on the contrary what was felt was it’s opposite, destruction. Nevertheless internally, there was a very high revelation, the Keruvim were embracing.

The days of the 27th of Adar and the 3rd of Tammuz were for us the greatest concealment. At the same time we need to know that it is specifically now that Hashem is giving us the greatest strength and the greatest encouragement. We need to use these kochos to wake up from our sleep, which will wake up the ‘above’ as well.

Before the Rebbe Rashab’s passing on the 2nd of Nissan 5680-1920 he left us a message. He said; “I am going to Heaven and I’m leaving my writings with you”. The Rebbe was saying, that although I’ll be in the highest realms, wherever I’ll be, nevertheless when you will learn my writings, I will be with you from my place, wherever I will be. This is the same thing for us after the 27th of Adar. We have the Rebbe in his Sichos and Mamorim. By learning them we get the inner strength to accomplish what we need to do.

All of this reminds us, as we prepare for Pesach, the importance of getting ready in the best possible way. We should remind ourselves to: open up and study the Shulchan Aruch, the Rebbe’s Haggada, our minhagim and the Rebbe’s Sichos and Mamorim. Also we need to see to it that others have their basic needs for Pesach as we saw by the Rebbe. Everyone should have matzos and arba kosos, the children should all have their own special haggada.

We have the key; it was given to us. By using this key we will break through the night of galus so that the morning light of Moshiach will shine to us, and from us to the entire world.

• Click here for KYY update.
• Click here for this week’s JEM “Here’s My Story”.
• Chassidus, Cheese danishes, Starbucks and babysitting: Shabbos morning, 8:45-9:45 at 118 S. Orange Dr. 
• Sunday: Achdus Gathering for Neshei Chabad, 8 pm at Moshe Ganz Hall. Speakers: Mrs. Esther Rochel Moscowitz (live from Chicago), Rabbi Reuven Wolf and Mrs. Shula Bryski. 
• Monday: The Gorelik Bris will iy"h take place Monday, 22 Adar-II/March 24, 6 pm at the Feiner's 305 S McCadden Pl. Mazal Tov and may we share only good news. 
• Matzo: If you plan on ordering matzos through Rabbi Raichik, please do so by this Tuesday, Adar-II 23/March 25. 
• SAVE THE DATE: Special Shiur for men & women with Rabbis Nathanson & Raichik about products permissible on pesach. Sunday, Adar-II 28/March 30, 10 am in the Kolel. 

• Shabbos Candle Lighting: 6:47
• Chassidus for Early Minyan with Rabbi Zalman Friedman: 8:45 am
• Shiur Chassidus by Rabbi Shimon Raichik: 9:00 am
• Last Time To Read Shema: 9:56 am
• Early Minyan Shacharis: 9:30 am
• Shacharis: 10:00 am
• Kol Yakov Yehuda: 10:15 am 
• Mesibas Shabbos For Girls (in KYY) 3:30 pm
• Mincha: 6:45 pm
• Shabbos Ends: 7:50 pm

Dovi and Malkie Gorelik
Invite the community to a Sholom Zochor
at the Hauptman's 122 N Mansfield Ave.

Chaim and Mushki Perman
Invite the community to a Sholom Zochor
at the Schmukler's 601 N Citrus Ave.

• Dr. & Mrs. Zeev Rav-Noy for the yahrtzeit of Dr. Zeev Rav-Noy’s mother Bracha Gittel bas Shaltiel Ze'ev ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Meir Ashkenazi in honor of their anniversary. May they have many more happy years together.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Yisroel Bastomski in honor of their anniversary. May they have many more happy years together.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Fischel Grossman for the yahrtzeit of Rabbi Fischel Grossman’s grandfather Reb Tzvi ben Reb Naftoli Elimelech ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
• Mr. & Mrs. Reuven Horwitz in honor of Mr. Reuven Horwitz's birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus. 
• Rabbi & Mrs. Avrohom Klyne in honor of their anniversary. May they have many more happy years together.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Shalom Ber Levine for the yahrtzeit of Rabbi Shalom Ber Levine’s father Reb Aba ben Reb Yoel Halevi ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Yosef Mishulovin in honor of Rabbi Yosef Mishulovin’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Yossi Schneerson in honor of the birth of their granddaughter. May they have much nachas from her and may she grow up to Torah, to Chupa and to Maasim Tovim. 
• Mr. & Mrs. Shmuel Stroll for the yahrtzeit of Mrs. Malka Stroll’s father Reb Gedaliah Chanoch ben Reb Pinchus ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.

• Rabbi & Mrs. Alon Asefovitz in honor of their anniversary. May they have many more happy years together.
• Mr. Yossi Goldberger in honor of his birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Levi Raichik in honor of their anniversary. May they have many more happy years together.
• Mr. & Mrs. Mitch Reichman for the yahrtzeit of Mr. Mitch Reichman’s grandmother Rochel bas Reb Meir ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.

Sharit Stern
Invites all women to her Shabbos Kalla
5:45 pm at the Raichiks - 6724 Beverly Blvd.
Speaker: Ms. Mushky Raichik

• Rabbi & Mrs. Dovi Gorelik on the birth of their son. Mazal tov to the grandparents Rabbi & Mrs. Yisroel Feiner.
• Mr. & Mrs. Yerachmiel Kuzecki on the birth of their daughter.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Mayer Schmukler on the birth of their grandson (Chaim and Mushki Perman). Mazal tov to the great-grandparents Rabbi & Mrs. Zalmen Schmukler.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Shmulik Schneerson on the birth of their daughter. Mazal tov to the grandparents Rabbi & Mrs. Yossi Schneerson.

Upcoming Birthdays

• Rabbi Mayer Schmukler - 20 Adar II
• Rabbi Yosef Mishulovin - 20 Adar II
• Mendel Wolowik - 20 Adar II
• Dovid Revere - 21 Adar II
• Immanuel Mordechai Gutierrez - 21 Adar II
• Rabbi Sholom Glick - 22 Adar II
• Mr. Mottel Polityko - 22 Adar II
• Gedaliah Chanoch Stroll - 24 Adar II
• Yakov Chaim Goldman - 24 Adar II
• Rabbi Ezra Binyomin Schochet - 24 Adar II
• Levi Yitzchok Tsikman - 24 Adar II
• Yaakov Yehoshuah Klein - 25 Adar II
• Levi Yitzchak Freeman - 26 Adar II

Upcoming Anniversaries

• Rabbi & Mrs. Levi Raichik - 20 Adar II
• Mr. & Mrs. Elozor Plotke - 21 Adar II
• Mr. & Mrs. Simcha Kagan - 21 Adar II
• Mr. & Ms. Berel Wilhelm - 21 Adar II
• Rabbi & Mrs. Yitzchok Tennenbaum - 22 Adar II
• Rabbi & Mrs. Avrohom Klyne - 22 Adar II
• Rabbi & Mrs. Meir Ashkenazi - 22 Adar II
• Rabbi & Mrs. Alon Asefovitz - 25 Adar II
• Rabbi & Mrs. Yitzchok Arnold - 25 Adar II
• Mr. & Mrs. Yisroel Gurary - 25 Adar II
• Rabbi & Mrs. Yisroel Bastomski - 26 Adar II
• Rabbi & Mrs. Leibel Lipsker - 26 Adar II

Upcoming Yahrtzeits

• Rochel bas Reb Meir (Mr. Mitch Reichman’s grandmother) - 21 Adar
• Mindel bas Reb Nachum (Dr. Sholom Fine’s mother) - 23 Adar
• Reb Avram Shalom ben Reb Moshe (Mrs. Marsha Alperin’s husband) - 24 Adar
• Reb Gedaliah Chanoch ben Reb Pinchus (Mrs. Malka Stroll’s father) - 24 Adar II
• Reb Aba ben Reb Yoel Halevi (Rabbi Shalom Ber Levine’s father) - 26 Adar
• Reb Tzvi ben Reb Naftoli Elimelech (Rabbi Fischel Grossman’s grandfather) - 26 Adar

We will not waver; we will not tire;
we will not falter from our demand for Moshiach
By Rabbi Shimon Raichik

This Shabbos is Chof Adar. On this same day in History, an event occurred and is recorded in Megllias Taanis (Chapter 12). The story is as follows.

Once there was a drought and the people turned to Choni HaMe'agel and asked him to pray for rain. He prayed, but no rain fell. What did he do? He drew a circle and stood within it and called out; "Master of the Universe, Your children have turned to me because I am like a member of your household. I swear by Your great name that I will not move from here until You have mercy upon Your children."

A light rain began to fall. His students then said to him, "It seems like rain is only falling so you can be freed from your oath”. He then turned to Hashem again in prayer and said; "It is not for this that I have asked, but for rain to fill cisterns, ditches, and pools." The rain began to come down forcefully. He said, "It is not for this that I have asked, but for rain of favor, blessing, and bounty."  The rain then fell in the normal way.

It rained so much that everybody in Yerushalayim went to the Temple Mount to escape the flooding. They told Choni HaMe'agel, "Just as you prayed for the rain to fall, pray for the rain to leave." The Nassi, Shimon ben Shetach, sent a message to Choni, saying, "Were it not that you are Choni I would have decreed upon you nidui (a ban). But what shall I do to you? You make demands before G-d and He fulfills your wish like a son who demands from his father and his father fulfills his wish."

The rain then fell on the 20th of Adar after 3 years of drought and famine, and it became a day of rejoicing. The addition to Choni’s name, “HaMe'agel-the circle maker" is usually associated with this story.

The Rebbe asks the following questions about this story. Why didn’t Choni HaMe’agel’s prayers cause the rain to fall in the proper fashion in the first place? Why was the rain slow and prolonged to the extent that his students had to come to him and say; "It seems like the rain is only falling so you can be freed from your oath”?  Also, certainly it is known on high what kind of rain is needed down here. Why didn’t Hashem just answer Choni HaMe’agel’s prayers in the way they needed the first time he asked? Why did it have to go through so many steps?

The way things look from above is very different than from below. From above, when the rain falls it’s a bracha, it’s the true good, whether it’s in the form of a drizzle or in the form of a flood. From below however, it depends. It can be the greatest good, but it has to be in a way that can be accesable, absorbed and then be made useful. And that depends on the conditions down here. Therefore it was his students, those familiar with the conditions below that needed to tell Choni that changes were necessary.

In the prayer on Yom Kippur we say to Hashem; “M’otzarcha hatov lanu tiftach- please open for us your goodly treasure”. We say “for us”, meaning that your goodly treasure should reach us in a way that are able to see it and assimilate it as well.

The Rebbe explains that once this story has occurred and become part of the Torah it is a lesson for each and every one of us. Choni HaMe'agel has opened up the channel for each and every one of us, man, woman and child.  Choni's relationship with the Creator was like that of a son to a father. Although we may not feel that we are on the level to pray the way that Choni did, nevertheless because the channel is now open it is possible, and necessary for all of us to pray in this way. From Choni we learn the great power of prayer. We learn that we can and should pray for the greatest good of all, Geula and Moshiach, revealed in a way that we can see and assimilate. We learn from Choni HaMe'agel that even if it doesn’t happen the first or second time, we need to ask again and again. We should not move or waver in this demand in the zechus of all of the Tzaddikim and the entire Jewish people. May we merit to see the full and complete revelation of Moshiach now with happiness and revealed good.

(Adapted from Sichos Shabbos parshas Parah, 20th of Adar 5744-1984).

• Click here for KYY update.
• Click here for this week’s JEM “Here’s My Story”.
• Chassidus with Starbucks & cheese danishes: Please join us from 8:45-9:45 at 118 S. Orange Dr. as we learn the Maamor of the Mordechai in our generation -taught by one of his Shluchim- in which he explains the type of Mesiras Nefesh needed today. As always, Starbucks, cheese danishes and baby sitting is available. 
• Nichum Availim: Mrs. Mushka Shusterman is sitting Shiva in New York for the sudden and untimely passing of her sister Mrs. Rashi Minkowicz. She can be reached at [email protected]. Hamakom Yenachem Eschem B'soch Sheor Avalei Tzion V'yerushalayim. Vehukeetzu Veranenu Shochnay Ufur vehe besochom! 

• Shabbos Candle Lighting: 6:42
• Chassidus for Early Minyan with Rabbi Zalman Friedman: 8:45 am
• Shiur Chassidus by Rabbi Shimon Raichik: 9:00 am
• Last Time To Read Shema: 10:02 am
• Early Minyan Shacharis: 9:30 am
• Shacharis: 10:00 am
• Kol Yakov Yehuda: 10:15 am 
• Mesibas Shabbos For Girls (in KYY) 3:30 pm
• Mincha: 6:40 pm
• Shabbos Ends: 7:45 pm

Parshas Zochor
There is a Torah obligation to hear this parsha.  
There will a special Krias Hatorah 9 am in the Kolel 
for women who cannot come during the main minyan. 
If one does not hear it on Shabbos, hearing the reading of the Torah on Purim, before the Megillah will fulfill this obligation.

Purim Night - Motzei Shabbos

• 1st Minyan (In KYY): Ma'ariv: 7:55, Megillah: 8:05
• 2nd Minyan (In Kolel): Ma’ariv: 8:05, Megillah: 8:20 (Enter through the La Brea entrance).
• Main Minyan (In Shul): Ma’ariv: 8:15, Megillah: 8:30 

Important Message from Rabbi Duchman!!! 
The Grand Purim Extravaganza will begin IMMEDIATELY after the Main Shul Megillah Reading. 

Purim Day - Sunday

• Sunrise: 7:02 am
• 1st Minyan (in Shul): Shacharis 7:00, Megillah: 7:30
• 2nd Minyan (in Kolel): Shacharis 8:00, Megillah: 8:30
• 3rd Minyan (in Shul): Shacharis 8:30, Megillah: 9:00
• 4th Minyan (in KYY): Shacharis 9:00, Megillah: 9:30
• 5th Minyan (in Kolel): Shacharis 9:30, Megillah: 10:00
• 6th Minyan (in Shul): Shacharis 10:00, Megillah: 10:30
• Mincha: 4:00 & 5:00 pm
• Sunset: 7:01 pm
• Maariv: ??? :)

Reminders

• For all the laws of Purim please see the "Chabad Chodesh" by clicking here.
• Rabbi Thaler will be doing a special Megilah reading at his home 418 N Martel Ave. Purim Night: 9:30 pm. Purim Day: 1:00 pm. 
• Parking meters on La Brea require payment even on SUNDAY!!! Check the signs!
• Since this year Purim is on Motzoei Shabbos, the Megillah should be brought to Shul either Friday before Shabbos, or after Shabbos - as we are not allowed to bring a Megillah to Shul even where there’s an Eiruv, because we are prohibited to prepare from Shabbos to weekday.
• The same applies for children putting on their Purim costumes - it must be done after Shabbos. One should say after Shabbos is over “Boruch Hamavdil Bein Kodesh Lechol” before doing any work or preparation for Purim.
• Silly string, bomb bags, and any other items that cause smoke or endanger clothes and megillas are not permitted in shul. Please insure that your children do not bring items of this type to the Megilla reading.
• Mivtza Purim: There is so much Mivtzoim to do in our area, if you can participate please email the yeshiva Shluchim at [email protected].

• The Bastomski Family for the yahrtzeit of their father Avrohom Yitzchok ben Yisroel ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
• Mr. & Mrs. Shimon Benarroch in honor of Mr. Shimon Benarroch’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Simcha Frankel in honor of Mrs. Tzirel Frankel’s birthday. May she have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
• Mr. & Mrs. Yankel Ginsburg for the yahrtzeit of Mr. Yankel Ginsburg’s father Dov Reuven ben Dovid Helevi ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Avrohom Klyne for the yahrtzeit of Rabbi Avrohom Klyne’s father Betzalel ben Chaim Shneur Zalmen ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Leib Lerner in honor of Rabbi Leib Lerner’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
• Mr. Zev Oster in honor of his birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
• Mr. & Mrs. Mottel Polityko for the yahrtzeit of Mr. Mottel Polityko’s mother Chava Maryasha bas Ber ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.

Upcoming Birthdays

• Yaakov Moshe Friedman - 13 Adar II
• Mr. Shimon Benarroch - 13 Adar II
• Chaim Yehuda Leib Perl - 15 Adar II
• Dovid Raigorodsky - 15 Adar II
• Levi Raichik (ben R' Yankee) - 16 Adar II
• Rabbi Schneur Schneerson - 16 Adar II
• Yosef Gluckowsky - 16 Adar II
• Rabbi Leib Lerner - 16 Adar II
• Meir Israeli - 17 Adar II
• Mr. Jon Engelson - 18 Adar II
• Shneur Zalman Yisochor Getzel Rubashkin - 18 Adar II
• Mr. Zev Oster - 18 Adar II

Upcoming Anniversaries

• Mr. & Mrs. Ari Brown - 16 Adar II
• Rabbi & Mrs. Boruch Friedman - 16 Adar II
• Mr. & Mrs. Yehosuah Goldman - 16 Adar II
• Rabbi & Mrs. Mayer Schmukler - 17 Adar II
• Rabbi & Mrs. Yisroel Hecht - 19 Adar II

Upcoming Yahrtzeits

• Dov Reuven ben Dovid Helevi (Mr. Yankel Ginsburg’s father) - 14 Adar
• Avrohom Yitzchok ben Yisroel (Rabbi Yisroel Bastomski’s father) - 16 Adar II
• Avrohom Yitzchok ben Yisroel (Mrs. Sima Berkowitz’s father) - 16 Adar
• Shlomo Zalman ben Shmuel Nata (Mr. Moshe Kaszirer’s father) - 17 Adar
• Betzalel ben Chaim Shneur Zalmen (Rabbi Avrohom Klyne’s father) - 19 Adar II
• Chava Maryasha bas Ber (Mr. Mottel Polityko’s mother) - 19 Adar

5:30 pm - At the home of: Mrs. Ruchama Thaler 
418 N Martel Ave.
Speaker: Mrs. Doonie Mishulovin

Chill out, or Wipe out Amalek; Remember, it’s Our Choice
By Rabbi Shimon Raichik

This week is parshas Zachor. In parsahas Zachor we review the mitzvah to remember Amalek and to wipe out Amalek. The reason we read it this week, the week leading into Purim is because Haman came from Amalek. Why is this practice of remembering and wiping out reserved for Amalek and no other nation?

The only time that we actually carry out the mitzvah of physically wiping out Amalek is when there is a King.

Since right now we cannot carry out the mitzvah to wipe him out, why today do we need to know who he is by remembering, and what are we accomplishing?

As we know, this all began on our way out of Mitzrayim. Amalek was the first to start up with the Jewish nation. All the other nations were too petrified to get in our way after hearing of all the miracles of our exodus and of Krias Yam Suf. Although we didn’t do anything to harm Amalek and Amalek was not at risk, Amalek was the only one to brazenly, and at great personal risk jump in just to slow our momentum, even if a little bit, just to cool us off. Rashi brings the example of a burning hot tub of water that no one would enter. One person jumped in, got burned but cooled off the tub and then made it cooler for others to enter. So too, the actions of Amalek led other nations to attack us as well.

In our lives Amalek represents an irrational motivation to cool us off and cover over our excitement and inspiration for G-dliness. This then has a pervasive effect on our ability and power to act, and creates new adversaries in revealing G-dliness in this world.  In general, our good inclination wants to use our love and fear in the service of Hashem. Our bad inclination tries to trick us into subverting our love and fear into worldly and petty pursuits. When we fall and make mistakes, we have a voice that calms us down and tells us that we are ok, and that we are good Jews even if we do things that are wrong. We quietly compare ourselves to others, and take solace thinking; “I’m better than you”. 

Other times we convince our selves that no one will know. It’s not true! The next day it shows up in our behavior in the way that we walk, talk and act. We can’t really cover up 100 percent. People pick it up in the nuances of our behavior. When it reaches a certain point, a person realizes and regrets, then he wants to do teshuva. It becomes an auspicious time to come closer to Hashem and make changes for the good.

Amalek had a very different mindset and therefore went about in a different way. He knew he couldn’t get away with it but he still tried. Any calculation or consideration was irrelevant to him. It says that Amalek knew his master and intended to rebel. The spiritual Amalek knows what to do, he learned and understands and just flat out refuses to comply. It’s just as it was on the way out of Mitzrayim.

This attitude can show up in many different ways. Someone can see a miracle; something where the hashgacha is so clear and overwhelming that saying that it’s just by chance is silly. Nevertheless he will through a wrench in, just because. If the miracle is in health, he’ll give the doctor credit. If it’s in business he’ll say it’s the accountant.

There is another who will not deny the miracle at all but will nevertheless infuse the event with coolness. It can be the exodus or the splitting of the sea or a person that was saved. He will say; “Who did it? Hashem! For Hashem that’s not a big deal, He is capable of doing anything”

The point is, is that no matter what, Amalek has no scruples! He doesn’t care what it is. That’s immaterial; what matters to him is only to cool down the situation and to minimize anything and everything.

Who is the most vulnerable to fall prey to this attitude? It’s the one who went through the system without internalizing what he learned; it was just information. The greatest way to prevent Amalek from entering comes from internalizing and living what we learn into the way that we do mitzvos daven and act. (See last weeks article). 

We become amazed and inspired by stories of tzaddikim and the wonders that they bring about. These fellows say: Sure, that’s what tzaddikim are, why are you so excited. They have the same attitude for a hidur mitzvah or mivtzoyim or etc.

If we fall prey to regular desires there is room for discussion. We can convince ourselves as well as others to abandon them for something better. For Amalek, there’s no one to talk to and there’s nothing to talk about. Just remember. Remember that it’s there, and it needs to be irradiated, and that’s it. That’s the mitzvah of parshas Zachor for each person in his or her way.

The essential point here is that Amalek is against G-dliness. The Medresh says that if we remember Amalek and if we deal with it then we are from the children of Avraham Avinu. What is the connection between wiping out Amalek and being children of Avraham?  Because wiping out Amalek requires humility. Avraham had humility, he said, “I am ashes and dust" To wipe out Amalek requires acknowledging miracles, not just in the past, but nowadays as well. It also requires admitting that I have this attitude within. When we remember and confront the Amalek within, we can then set out to do our job, the purpose for our being in this world, to do the work of Avraham Avinu to reveal G-dliness in everything. By eradicating the Haman/Amalek of 5774-2014, we will merit the immediate revelation of Moshiach Now!

• Click here for KYY update.
• Click here for this week’s JEM “Here’s My Story”.
• Monday: Special Hachnosas Kallah Carnival Extravaganza. Click here for more info.
• Wednesday: SPECIAL SHIUR in the Halachos of sending food with a siman. Wednesday, 10 Adar-II/March 12, in shul after maariv.

Rabbi Mendel Lieberman Shliach in Ashkelon, is in LA for a visit. We will have the zechus of him joining us for this shabbos, he will be giving the drosho and farbrenging by the kiddush. 

• Shabbos Candle Lighting: 5:36
• Chassidus for Early Minyan with Rabbi Zalman Friedman: 8:45 am
• Shiur Chassidus by Rabbi Shaya Berkowitz: 9:00 am
• Last Time To Read Shema: 9:08 am
• Early Minyan Shacharis: 9:30 am
• Shacharis: 10:00 am
• Kol Yakov Yehuda: 10:15 am 
• Mesibas Shabbos For Girls (in KYY) 3:30 pm
• Mincha: 5:35 pm
• Shabbos Ends: 6:39 pm
• Change Clocks One Hour Ahead After Midnight 

Ta’anit Esther - Early
Thursday, Adar 11/March 13

• Fast Begins: 5:52 am
• Machatzis HaShekel / Minchah: 6:15 pm
• Fast Ends: 7:35 pm

• Mr. & Mrs. Zechariah Davidson in honor of their anniversary. May they have many more happy years together.
  Also for the yahrtzeit of Mr. Zechariah Davidson’s father Reb Moshe ben Reb Nachum Dov ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
• Mr. & Mrs. Moshe Fishman in honor of Mr. Moshe Fishman’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
• Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Hayman for the shloshim of Mr. Daniel Hayman’s father Reb Yeshayahu ben Reb Avraham Nissan ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
• Mr. & Mrs. Reuven Horwitz in honor of their anniversary. May they have many more happy years together. Also in honor of Tes Adar. May they and the entire community be blessed with kol tuv se’ela. 
• Mr. Joel Yachzel for the yahrtzeit of his father Reb Chaim ben Reb Yehoshua Zelig Halevi ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya. 

• Rabbi & Mrs. Meir Finck for all the miracles and kindness Hashem has shown their family. May Hashem continue to shower them and the entire community with kol tuv sela.
• Mr. & Mrs. Jack Soussana in honor of Mr. Jack Soussana’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus. 

5:30 pm - At the home of: Mrs. Sima Zeifman 
421 N Poinsettia Pl.
Speaker: Rabbi Shaya Berkowitz

• Rabbi & Mrs. Gershon Schusterman on the birth of their granddaughter Rochel Leah Goldstein (to Shmuly and Shula Goldstein).

Upcoming Birthdays

• Mr. Allan Stark - 7 Adar II
• Mr. Jack Soussana - 7 Adar II
• Mendy Chazanow - 7 Adar II
• Mr. Moshe Fishman - 9 Adar II
• Menachem Mendel Freeman - 9 Adar II
• Rabbi Laizer Labkowsky - 12 Adar II
• Rabbi Mendel Pinson - 12 Adar II

Upcoming Anniversaries

• Mr. & Mrs. Reuven Horwitz - 9 Adar II
• Mr. & Mrs. Yosef Yitzchok Mishulovin - 11 Adar II
• Mr. & Mrs. Zechariah Davidson - 12 Adar II

Upcoming Yahrtzeits

• Reb Moshe ben Reb Nachum Dov (Mr. Zechariah Davidson’s father) - 6 Adar
• Chaya bas Reb Aharon (Mr. Mottel Polityko’s grandmother) - 8 Adar
• Reb Chaim ben Reb Yehoshua Zelig Halevi (Mr. Joel Yachzel’s father) - 8 Adar
• Rebitzen Sara Rochel bas Reb Mordechai Shlomo Schochet - 10 Adar
• Reb Mordechai ben Reb Abraham (Mrs. Ester Gutierrez’s grandfather) - 11 Adar
• Reb Yitzchok Dovber ben Reb Shlomo (Rabbi Schneur Zalman Schmukler’s stepfather) - 12 Adar