Shul Bulletin

• Click Here for KYY Update.
• Click here for this week’s JEM “Here’s My Story”. 
• 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 kibud or yiskor pledges and outstanding membership. Thank you to all of our supporters!!!
• Bikur Cholim: Mr. Zev (William) Oster is in Brotman Medical Center and in need of visitors mainly to help him put tefilin on. He is a lefty and does not have his own pair of tefilin there. Please text/call Malkiel Gradon 323-206-0127 so we can schedule it properly. Address: ‎3828 Delmas Terrace Culver City CA 90232. Tizku lmitzvos. 
• Tehillim: Please say tehillim for Nachum ben Perl.
• SUNDAY: Sunday, 17 Kislev/Nov 29, 10 am to 1 pm, “Yom Iyun” for men and women in preparation for Yud Tes Kislev - Rosh Hashana for Chassidus. Speakers will include Rabbi Yosef Chazan, Rabbi Dov Wagner, Rabbi Gershon Schusterman and Rabbi Simcha Bart. Click here for more info.
• MONDAY: Monday night, 19 Kislev/ Nov 30, 7:30 pm in Moshe Ganz hall, Community wide Yud Tes Kislev farbrengen for men and women. Guest speaker: Rabbi Yosef Chazan from Manchester England. Click here for more info.

• Shabbos Candle Lighting: 4:26
• Late Minyan for Kabolas Shabbos: 6:20 pm 
• Chassidus for Early Minyan: 8:45 am
• Shiur Chassidus by Rabbi Raichik: 9:00 am
• Last Time To Read Shema: 9:09 am
• Early Minyan Shacharis: 9:30 am
• Shacharis: 10:00 am
• Kol Yakov Yehuda: 10:15 am
• Mesibas Shabbos for girls in shul: 3:30 pm
• Rabbi Raichik's Halacha Shiur: 4:00 pm 
• Mincha: 4:25 pm
• Shabbos Ends: 5:27 pm
• Father & Son Learning 7:00 - 8:00 pm

• Rabbi & Mrs. Shloime Arnold in honor of their anniversary. May they have many more happy years together.
• 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.

• In honor of Baruch Kreiman and Levi Lesches passing the bar, sponsored by Leib Lerner, Aryeh Kaufman, Menachem Rubinstein and Ami Meyers.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Levi Benjaminson in honor of their anniversary. May they have many more happy years together.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Zalmy Fogelman in honor of Rabbi Zalmy Fogelman’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
• 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.
• Mr. & Mrs. Steve Zipp in honor of Mr. Steve Zipp’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.

4:00 at the home of: Mrs. Tova Levine
361 N Vista St.
Speaker: Mrs. Chana Rochel Schusterman

• Rabbi & Mrs. Nootie Gross on the birth of their grandson (to Levi and Bassie Gross.)

Upcoming Birthdays

• Mr. Avrohom Aron Grunfeld - 16 Kislev
• Mr. Joseph Michael Dunn - 17 Kislev
• Rabbi Zalmy Fogelman - 17 Kislev
• Shneur Zalman Freeman - 17 Kislev
• Rabbi Fischel Grossman - 18 Kislev
• Mr. Steve Zipp - 18 Kislev
• Levi Yitzchok Gross - 18 Kislev
• Schneur Zalman Labkowsky - 18 Kislev
• Rabbi Zalman Schmukler - 19 Kislev
• Mr. Martin Leaderman - 19 Kislev
• Shlomo Mordechai Brooker - 20 Kislev
• Moshe Zalman Wachtel - 21 Kislev
• Rabbi Zalmy Klyne - 21 Kislev
• Rabbi Yosef Shagalov - 22 Kislev

Upcoming Anniversaries

• Rabbi & Mrs. Shaya Berkowitz - 19 Kislev
• Rabbi & Mrs. Levi Benjaminson - 19 Kislev
• Rabbi & Mrs. Yecheskel Raeburn - 19 Kislev
• Rabbi & Mrs. Shloime Arnold - 20 Kislev
• Mr. & Mrs. Aviv Topps - 22 Kislev

Upcoming Yahrtzeits

• Reb Aaron ben Reb Boruch (Mrs. Esther Davidoff’s father) - 19 Kislev
• Chaya bas Reb Avrohom (Rabbi Benyomin Hoffman’s mother) - 20 Kislev
• Reb Yeshayohu ben Reb Aharon (Mrs. Fradel Bukiet’s father) - 20 Kislev
• Reb Shlomi ben Reb Ezra (Mrs. Ariela Hecht’s father) - 21 Kislev

Yud Tes Kislev; The Bris of a Chosid!! 
By Rabbi Shimon Raichik

There is a known saying of the Previous Rebbe that Yud Kislev is the birth of a chosid and Yud Tes Kislev is the bris. What is the connection between birth and bris to Yud and Yud Tes Kislev?

Let’s begin with birth by understanding the greatness of a birthday. The Rebbe placed special emphasis on the importance of a birthday. For the first 25 years of the Rebbe’s nesius, chassidim would go into yechidus every year for their birthday. The Rebbe explained that the world celebrates Rosh Hashana because it’s the day that Adam HaRishon was born and not the day the world was created. In other words, the real purpose of the world is not for the trees or the flowers or the owls; the purpose is for man. This is because Adam HaRishon has a unique role. His role is to cultivate the world and bring it to fulfill its purpose. The purpose of creation is to make this place into a dwelling place for Hashem. Adam brought the world to serve Hashem and reveal Hashem’s presence down here. He said to every aspect of creation; “Come let us bow to Hashem”. With his service of Hashem he completed the creation. The Medrash says that the word Breishis means beis reishis, two beginnings, for the Torah and for Yisroel. Not just for the sake of the eagles and the elk.

Every single neshama is predesigned as to when it will come into this world. The specific time is set for this neshama to fulfill its unique purpose in completing Hashem’s plan for creation. By being born, by the very fact that this neshama is being brought down here, Hashem is saying; I cannot complete my desire without you. My desire is that the world be a dwelling place for me. When a neshama does this it brings the greatest joy and pleasure to Hashem. This is everyone’s personal Rosh Hashana.

Yud Kislev is the birth, the inner power to be a chosid. What does it mean to be a chosid? A chosid is not defined by his outer appearance, by wearing a hat or a long coat. The definition of a chosid is someone that transcends his self-interest and places the needs of others above his own. A chosid goes beyond the letter of the law. He goes out of the comfort of his environment to help another Jew. He’s a lamplighter. He inspires others with heartfelt words of chassidus and meaningful stories. He thinks about the physical and the spiritual condition of others and then forgoes personal gain to help others benefit. These are a few things that comprise a chosid.

In order to grow and develop as a chosid we need to learn chassidus. Chassidus brings warmth and feeling into all aspects of the life of a chosid. Having both aspects, both living as a chosid and learning chassidus is reflected in the Hayom Yom for Yud Tes Kislev; “L’Shana Tovah b’limud hachassidus u’’b darchei hachassidus”, for a good year in learning chassidus and the path of chassidus”. We do all of this together as chassidim, as one family.

What then is a spiritual bris? On the physical level there are three aspects. First, there is a skin that covers. Then we take action, we do the mitvah of cutting away the skin, and finally we have a circumcised person. If a person was born with a bris as it was by Moshe Rabbeinu then we still need to take action, we preform a hatafas dam bris where we take a drop of blood for the sake of the mitzvah. Once the act has been completed it’s not over, it’s an ongoing process. The Medrash says that as Dovid HaMelech stood in the bathhouse without his tefillin, he wondered how he was at that moment connected to Hashem. He then meditated on his mitzvah of  bris mila, the ongoing mitzvah that is with him 24/7, wherever he goes. So too each one of have an everlasting spiritual connection that is with us wherever we go. 

To be spiritually uncircumcised means that the animal soul is covering and hiding the G-dly soul. We remove that covering by turning away from the negative (sur m’ra) and being occupied with positive (asei tov). This is the ongoing state of being spiritually circumcised.  It doesn’t happen on it’s own. Once, a chosid came to the Rebbe the Tzemach Tzedek and asked for a bracha for his child. He wanted him to remember everything the Rabbeim said so that he would automatically, by default be a guaranteed yirei shomayim. The Rebbe answered that the entire focus of Chassidus Chabad for the last 50 years has been to make it possible and to demand that a chosid do the work on his own. In 1951 the Rebbe said, I am here to help you, to work with to not just to rely on the Rabbeim to lift us up butt to do the work that is meant for us. Yud Tes Kislev is the bris, it gives us the koach to throw away the negative and to pursue the positive. The Rabbeim help us get out of the rut and help us serve Hashem by learning and performing Torah and mitzvos with simcha.

The Baal Hasimcha is helping us but we need to do our part. The Rebbe explained on the 28th of Nissan that it is up to us to bring Moshiach together. We are bringing Moshiach Now by learning chassidus, by being chassidim, by being connected and by spreading chassdus, yefutzu mayonoseicha chutza. Good Yom Tov, Good Shabbos

TONIGHT (Sunday)
Farbrengen for Men in Shul
8:00 pm, in honor of Tes-Yud Kislev

• Click Here for KYY Update.
• Click here for this week’s JEM “Here’s My Story”. 
• 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 kibud or yiskor pledges and outstanding membership. Thank you to all of our supporters!!!
• Bikur Cholim: Mr. Zev (William) Oster is in Brotman Medical Center and in need of visitors mainly to help him put tefilin on. He is a lefty and does not have his own pair of tefilin there. Please text/call Malkiel Gradon 323-206-0127 so we can schedule it properly. Address: ‎3828 Delmas Terrace Culver City CA 90232. Tizku lmitzvos. 
• Tehillim: Please say tehillim for Nachum ben Perl.
• SUNDAY: Puah’s 2015 Conference in Los Angeles. Sunday, 10 Kislev/November 22, 9:15 am - 2 pm at Congregation Beth Jacob.Click here for more info. 
• SAVE THE DATE: Sunday, 17 Kislev/Nov 29, 10 am to 1 pm, “Yum Iyun” for men and women in preparation for Yud Tes Kislev - Rosh Hashana for Chassidus. Speakers will include Rabbi Yosef Chazan, Rabbi Dov Wagner, Rabbi Gershon Schusterman and Rabbi Simcha Bart.
• SAVE THE DATE: Monday night, 19 Kislev/ Nov 30, 7:30 pm in Moshe Ganz hall, Community wide Yud Tes Kislev farbrengen for men and women. Guest speaker: Rabbi Yosef Chazan from Manchester England.

• Shabbos Candle Lighting: 4:28
• Late Minyan for Kabolas Shabbos: 6:20 pm 
• Chassidus for Early Minyan: 8:45 am
• Shiur Chassidus by Rabbi Raichik: 9:00 am
• Last Time To Read Shema: 9:04 am
• Early Minyan Shacharis: 9:30 am
• Shacharis: 10:00 am
• Kol Yakov Yehuda: 10:15 am
• Mesibas Shabbos for girls in shul: 3:30 pm
• Rabbi Raichik's Halacha Shiur: 4:00 pm 
• Mincha: 4:30 pm
• Shabbos Ends: 5:31 pm
• Father & Son Learning 7:00 - 8:00 pm

Mr. & Mrs. David Sharabi
Invite the community to a Sholom Zochor
at 460 N Alta Vita Blvd.

• Rabbi & Mrs. Simcha Frankel in honor of Rabbi Simcha Frankel’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Jonathan Glabman for the yahrtzeit of Rabbi Jonathan Glabman’s mother Shulamis bas Reb Tzvi Hirsh ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
• Mr. & Dr. Martin Leaderman in honor of their 10th anniversary. May they have many more happy years together.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Yona Mordechai Weiss for the yahrtzeit of Mrs. Hadassah Weiss’s father Reb Ben-Zion Yisroel Meir ben Reb Menachem Monish ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.

• Mr. & Mrs. Ari Kaufman in honor of Mrs. Chanah Ainyah Kaufman’s birthday. May she have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.

4:00 at the home of: Mrs. Chani Pinson
453 N Martel Ave.
Speaker: Rabbi Shaya Berkowitz

• Mr. & Mrs. David Sharabi on the birth of their son.

Upcoming Birthdays

• Rabbi Sholom Raichik - 9 Kislev
• Shmuel Thaler - 10 Kislev
• Shneur Zalman Arnold - 10 Kislev
• Rabbi Shmuel Thaler - 10 Kislev
• Nesanel Chananya Soussana - 10 Kislev
• Mr. Mendel-Hilel Ganzburg - 10 Kislev
• Rabbi Simcha Frankel - 10 Kislev
• Rabbi Moshe Levin - 11 Kislev
• Mendel Berger - 13 Kislev
• Rabbi Mendel Simons - 14 Kislev
• Menachem Mendel Fogelman - 14 Kislev
• Mr. Israel Goldshmid - 15 Kislev
• Rabbi Gershon Schusterman - 15 Kislev

Upcoming Anniversaries

• Mr. & Dr. Martin Leaderman - 9 Kislev 
• Rabbi & Mrs. Sruly Yusevitch - 10 Kislev
• Rabbi & Mrs. Yossi Solomon - 14 Kislev
• Rabbi & Mrs. Moishe Carlebach - 14 Kislev
• Mr. & Mrs. Avrohom Aron Grunfeld - 15 Kislev

Upcoming Yahrtzeits

• Reb Ben-Zion Yisroel Meir ben Reb Menachem Monish (Mrs. Hadassah Weiss’s father) - 9 Kislev
• Roza bas Reb Chaim (Mrs. Chana Ganzburg’s mother) - 9 Kislev
• Harav Menachem Mendel ben Reb Nochum Labkowsky - 10 Kislev
• Shulamis bas Reb Tzvi Hirsh (Rabbi Jonathan Glabman’s mother) - 12 Kislev
• Reb Leib ben Julius (Mrs. Vickie Elson’s father) - 13 Kislev
• Henya Malka bas Reb Shmuel (Mrs. Yudka Etka Winograd’s mother) - 15 Kislev

It’s only with Hashem’s Help
that we get through Troubling Times
By Rabbi Shimon Raichik

The Rebbe teaches us that the most important thing in troubling times is to remain active both physically and spiritually. True we must remain active, but what is most important, how do we do it and what do we have in mind, as we remain active? Certainly we need add in saying Tehillim giving tzedaka, learning Torah and increasing in ahavas Yisroel. In particular this year it’s especially important to add in Hakel gatherings. We learn an important lesson from this week’s parsha about how to stay focused during troubling times.

Once a young child in cheder asked his teacher a question on parshas Vayeitzei. He asked what the meaning of the all the differences between Laban’s sheep and Yaakov’s sheep; the white sheep and dark sheep, the spotted sheep, speckled sheep, and sheep with rings around their ankles. The teacher answered him: “Why do you need to know? The important thing is that Yaakov Avinu made a good parnassa, a good living, that’s the main point.”

What does the story of the flocks and that Yaakov was a shepherd teach us?  What’s so important about the detailed description of Yaakov work life and his work in general? Do we need to know that Yaakov, the Chosen from among the Avos was busy making money by Lavan? What relevance does it have to our lives today?

Chassidus explains that Yaakov’s entire focus by working for Lavan was birur hanitzutzos, clarifying the Divine sparks hidden within Lavan’s property. By taking ownership of the flocks and using them in the service of Hashem he was able to convert the divine sparks within them to kedusha.

This explanation is very relevant to each one of us today because not everyone is able to learn all day. We see that most Jewish people do learn and daven a whole day. Maybe it’s financially not possible or it’s not our nature, but the reality is that we cannot or shouldn’t necessarily be ensconced in the Beis Hamidrash 24 hours a day. Most of us are involved in business or have a job or a home to take care of. Still however, just as Yaakov began the first part of his career in the tent of Torah and Tefillah, so too we begin each day with davening and learning. Specifically because we begin each day this way we impact, change and elevate this world. When we interact in business we elevate it to kedusha by acting according to Shulchan Aruch, and then by using our income to do mitzvos.

The Midrash asks: What would Yaakov say (when he was working by Lavan)? The Midrash answers that either he said Tehillim or the 15 Shir HaMaalos within Tehillim. Why does the Midrash ask such a question: What would Yaakov say? What does that matter, he was busy working!? The message of the Midrash is that by Yaakov there’s no such thing as “just work”. True, he worked, but more importantly he was doing what he needed to do to complete his mission in this world. In order to do this he needed to remain strong throughout and never falter. He needed a support system against the influences of the trickster Lavan. He had children that needed a proper education so that they too would remain above these influences. How did he do it?

Therefore the Midrash asks the question: What would Yaakov say (or how would he daven to stay above it all)? And then the Midresh answers that he would say the 15 Shir HaMaalos. Throughout many of the Shir HaMaalos there is a repetitive request for Hashem’s protection. The Rebbe brings for example (Shir HaMaalos, chapter 121) “I lift up my eyes…from where will my help come? My help will come from Hashem, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Hashem made the heavens, the spiritual realms as well as the earth, the physical. He gave me the power while I was in Yeshiva with studying the Torah (the heavens) as well as in business (the earth). Throughout it all Yaakov remained focused that all his support comes from Hashem the Maker of heaven and earth. This is what gave him the power to educate his children. This is what ultimately got him out of Charan and enabled him to return to his father Yitzchok in Eretz Yisroel.

This is a message to each one of us, to take along with us on our journey through this world: My help will come from Hashem, the Maker of heaven and earth, both in the physical and the spiritual. This is our focus and this is what brings us success in all that we do.

In these troubling times we look toward the example of Yaakov by Lavan.

By not getting lost and staying focused, we will educate our children in the ways of Torah, mitzvos and Chassidus and be proud of them like Yaakov was of his children (us). Then we too will return to Eretz Yisroel with the coming of Moshiach Now!

A Good Shabbos!

Please say Tehilim for Yeshurun ben Gaby 
who is need of a Refuah Shelaima

I would like to initiate a project, and I’m sharing it with you because I need your involvement. It is an initiative to stimulate enthusiasm for learning Chassidus.

In 770 there were, perhaps still are, 7 Kanim, Knei-Hamenorah, who would learn an extra hour of Chassidus every night. They would also present, in rotation, a Pilpul in Chassidus on a subject of their choice. Furthermore, once a year a Kuntres was published with these Pilpulim.  This was initiated by the Rebbe, and it worked. The learners learned, and vicariously or by osmosis, enthusiasm for learning Chassidus was generated amongst the Bochurim.

There are presently Shiurim in Nigleh among Anash of Los Angeles, but there is nothing of this sort in Chassidus for and by Balabatim.

I propose as we enter Kislev, the month of the Rosh haShana of Chassidus, to create such a program.

My vision is that once a month (or every three weeks or some other interval) the Lubavitcher Shuls (Cong. LY, Shaare Tefila, Ahavas Yisroel, Bais Betzalel, SOLA, etc.) will invite its members to get together and one Yungerman will present an Inyan for 30 or so minutes, followed by a Q&A period and discussion. If it takes hold, there’s no reason not to publish a Kuntres of their Pilpulim “by the people and for the people!”

If this appeals to you, join me please.  From you I need one or more of these three things:

1. A positive affirmation that you would like to participate as a member of an audience to learn and be stimulated.
2. A positive affirmation that you would like to be considered to participate as a presenter.
3. A positive affirmation that you would like to be considered to participate as an organizer. Three people are needed to work out the details and make it happen.

This is a trial balloon. If there’s a positive reaction, we can get this off the ground very soon. If there’s inadequate reaction, it is a Machshava Tova but not connected to Maaseh.

I’m counting on you to stand up and be counted so that it could become Maaseh.

For now, email me at [email protected].
Gershon Schusterman

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

• Click Here for KYY Update.
• Click here for this week’s JEM “Here’s My Story”. 
• 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 kibud or yiskor pledges and outstanding membership. Thank you to all of our supporters!!!
• Bikur Cholim: Mr. Zev (William) Oster is in Brotman Medical Center and in need of visitors mainly to help him put tefilin on. He is a lefty and does not have his own pair of tefilin there. Please text/call Malkiel Gradon 323-206-0127 so we can schedule it properly. Address: ‎3828 Delmas Terrace Culver City CA 90232. Tizku lmitzvos. 
• Tehillim: Please say tehillim for Nachum ben Perl.
• SAVE THE DATE: Puah’s 2015 Conference in Los Angeles. Sunday, 10 Kislev/November 22, 9:15 am - 2 pm at Congregation Beth Jacob. Click here for more info. 

• Shabbos Candle Lighting: 4:32
• Late Minyan for Kabolas Shabbos: 6:20 pm 
• Chassidus for Early Minyan: 8:45 am
• Shiur Chassidus by Rabbi Raichik: 9:00 am
• Last Time To Read Shema: 9:00 am
• Early Minyan Shacharis: 9:30 am
• Shacharis: 10:00 am
• Kol Yakov Yehuda: 10:15 am
• Mesibas Shabbos for girls in shul: 3:30 pm
• Rabbi Raichik's Halacha Shiur: 4:00 pm 
• Mincha: 4:30 pm
• Shabbos Ends: 5:35 pm
• Father & Son Learning 7:00 - 8:00 pm

Alexander and Sheyna Ganzburg
Invite the community to a Sholom Zochor
at 423 N Fuller Ave.

The Bris will iy"h take place Shabbos afternoon
12:30 pm at 825 N Alta Vista Blvd.
Kiddush to follow at
Congregation Ahavas Yisroel - 731 N La Brea Ave.

• The Bastomski Family for the yahrtzeit of their grandfather Yisroel ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Fischel Grossman for the yahrtzeit of Rabbi Fischel Grossman’s father Reb Nota Moshe ben Reb Tzvi ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Yosef Mishulovin for the shloshim of Harav Aharon Eliezer ben Reb Yehoshua Heshel Ceitlin ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
• Mr. & Mrs. Berl Sroka for the yahrtzeit of Mr. Berl Sroka’s mother Miriam bas Reb Pesach Halevi ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.

• Mr. & Mrs. Yirmiyahu Andrusier in honor of Mr. Yirmiyahu Andrusier’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Yisroel Munitz in honor of Rabbi Yisroel Munitz’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Yudi Schmukler in honor of Mrs. Moriah Schmukler’s birthday. May she have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus. 

4:00 at the home of: Mrs. Sima Zeifman
421 N Poinsettia Pl.
Speaker: Mrs. Doonie Mishulovin

• Rabbi & Mrs. Dov Fine on the birth of their daughter. Mazal tov to the grandparents Dr. & Mrs. Dr. Sholom Fine.
• Mr. & Mrs. Alexander Ganzburg on the birth of their son. Mazal tov to the grandparents Mr. & Mrs. Mendel Hilel Ganzburg.

Upcoming Birthdays

• Yecheskel Pinson - 3 Kislev
• Rabbi Eli Feiner - 3 Kislev
• Michoel Gavriel Wachtel - 4 Kislev
• Dr. Sholem Gimpel - 4 Kislev
• Menachem Mendel Levenberg - 4 Kislev
• Shneur Zalman Plotke - 5 Kislev
• Mr. Mordy Gluckowsky - 5 Kislev
• Rabbi Yerachmiel Helfant - 5 Kislev
• Mr. Tzvika Grossman - 6 Kislev
• Avremi Raichik - 6 Kislev
• Mr. Yirmiyahu Andrusier - 6 Kislev
• Mr. Nota Berger - 7 Kislev
• Rabbi Yisroel Munitz - 8 Kislev

Upcoming Anniversaries

• Mr. & Mrs. David Rafael Gutierrez - 3 Kislev
• Mr. & Mrs. Ariel Haratz - 4 Kislev
• Rabbi & Mrs. Yosef Mishulovin - 7 Kislev
• Rabbi & Mrs. Yonah Mordechai Weiss - 7 Kislev
• Mr. & Dr. Martin Leaderman - 7 Kislev
• Rabbi & Mrs. Yrachmiel Wolowik - 8 Kislev

Upcoming Yahrtzeits

• Miriam bas Reb Pesach Halevi (Mr. Berl Sroka’s mother) - 3 Kislev
• Chaya bas Reb Sendor (Mrs. Marsha Alperin’s mother) - 6 Kislev
• Reb Levi ben Reb Zalman Yudah (Mrs. Rochel Eisenberg’s brother) - 6 Kislev
• Yisroel  (Rabbi Yisroel Bastomski’s grandfather) - 6 Kislev
• Reb Nota Moshe ben Reb Tzvi (Rabbi Fischel Grossman’s father) - 7 Kislev

All for the Boss
By Rabbi Shimon Raichik

This Shabbos immediately follows Rosh Chodesh Kislev the day the Rebbe came out of his room after suffering a heart attack in 5738-1977. This Shabbos is Beis Kislev, the day 10 years later 5748-1987 when the Sefarim were returned to the Previous Rebbe's library.

This week's parsha speaks about how Yitzchok planted grain  in the land of Gerar and reaped an estimated 100 times greater than a regular crop.  Rashi asks why we need to know this, and explains that the reason the Torah gives this estimation is to teach about the need to give maaser.

Pirkei D'Rav Eliezer asks; is it possible that Yitzchok Avinu planted grain? Chav v'Shalom! What he planted was tzedaka. Why is the Pirkei D'Rav Eliezer bothered by the possibility that Yitzchok Avinu planted grain so much so that he had to negate the possibility by saying Chas v'Shalom? Why did he instead say that he planted tzedaka, which is not seemingly according  to the simple meaning of the verse?

The answer is because the Avos are a merkavah, a chariot of Hashem in this world. Nothing they do is for personal gain. By the Avos everything in this world is Hashem  and is for Hashem, everything is for Torah and mitzvos. In general when a person has wealth, he recognizes that he needs to share it with others. By Yitzchok this was different, it was the exact opposite. He didn't plant and then give, rather his first priority was only the mitzvah of maaser. Because he had a mitzvah to do he needed to plant grain in order to have something to give.

We see a similar approach by Avraham Avinu as well when Hashem praised him that his greatest accomplishment of all was l'maan yetzave, that he taught his children and passed on his way in the service of Hashem with all he had to them. His first priority was to serve Hashem and go in His ways, therefore he wanted a family to give to so that they too would follow in the ways of Hashem to give tzedaka etc.  (His son Yitzchok brought this service to an even higher level.)

This is the meaning of the Pirkei D'Rav Eliezer when it asks; is it possible that Yitzchok Avinu planted grain? Chav v'Shalom! The intention is  that he didn't plant to first have and then give, rather his only intention was to give maaser. This applies to all mitzvos. We have this in mind when we think while doing the mitzvah of learning Torah. It's in our speech when we do mitzvos such as saying the Shema. It's also our intention while we put on tzitzis for example, which is referred to as Hashem's garment (perusa d'Malka), when we intend to accept Hashem's kingship upon ourselves with this mitzvah which represents all of the 613 mitzvos. We have this same intention as we drink a cup of water. We would like to make a bracha to thank Hashem for everything but we need something that we can make a bracha upon, so we take some water and make the bracha, shehakol n'yehe b'dvaro.

This is also the reason that we bring our very best, not just our leftovers to Hashem. Whether it's by making the Shul the best building in the city or by bringing our best animal as a korbon or by sharing our best food with guests etc. This is what Avraham taught us. Yitzchok brought out the service of having singular focus on the Shul, the korbon and the guests therefore i have what is necessary to do those mitzvos.

When we reflect on this we might feel that this is beyond our level, something too unrealistic to actually achieve. It is for this very reason, that it is very difficult, that Hashem has provided us with our Rabbeim. This is what hiskashrus is all about, and this is what we celebrate on Rosh Chodesh Kislev and Shabbos Beis Kislev. When the Rebbe got well and emerged from his office, returning on Rosh Chodesh Kislev a great expansion began. Just as by the Avos, so too by the Rebbe; the new life provided was all for Hashem all for Torah, mitzvos and the spreading of Chassidus  and to continue preparing the world for Moshiach in an even greater and more expansive way.

In turn the Rebbe has explained that this is also true for each and every one of us. Once when the Rebbe met a newscaster he explained that his purpose is to reveal Hashem through his newscasting. We are all created to serve Hashem in a unique way according to each individual ("Ani nivrasi l'shamesh es Koni- My purpose is to serve my Creator).

As Chassidim, the Rebbe's focus is our focus: therefore our entire focus is on Hashem.

Once Rabbi Yitzchok Hendel from Montreal bought a house from another Jew. He asked the Rebbe a question about using a heter iska (a business permit) in making the purchase. The Rebbe instead asked him about the Jew and whether he kept Shabbos, put on Tefillin or kept kosher. When Rav Hendel seemed surprised because the Rebbe's answer seemed unrelated to the question about the heter iska the Rebbe, seeing his surprise said: "How is it possible not to take an interest in another Jew's ruchinus (his spirtual condition)?".
This is our focus,  we look at everything first and primarily as ways to serve Hashem (l'shamesh es Koni). May we immediately merit the revelation of the world being filled with the knowledge of Hashem together with Moshiach Now!

A Good Shabbos A Good Chodesh

Mazal Tov to Alexander and Sheyna Ganzburg
on the birth of their son
Meals are being arranged for them. 
Please click here to sign up for this important mitzvah.
NOTES:
We are cooking for 2 adults and 3 little children that do not eat milchig-dairy. The Kashrus standard is Chabad.

*   *   *   *   *

Mazal Tov to Dov and  Leah Fine
on the birth of their daughter
Meals are being arranged for them.
Please click here to sign up for this important mitzvah.
NOTES:
We are cooking for two adults.

Farbrengen for men in shul
Tonight (Wednesday), 8 pm
in honor of Rosh Chodesh Kislev.

GUest Speaker
Rabbi Dovid Schmukler 

Men

Please join the Kreiman family this Tuesday, 28 Cheshvan/Nov 10, 12 pm,
for tehilim and mincha for Yossi's 5th yahrtzeit
Mount Olive Cemetery: 7231 E Slauson Ave. 90040

Women & Girls
Please join in an evening of learning, inspiration and song

Reminder!!!

New Daily Minyanim!!!

Monday-Thursday

Mincha: 12:15
Maariv: 7:05

 Parking is available on La Brea after 7 pm!!! 

• Click Here for KYY Update.
• Click here for this week’s JEM “Here’s My Story”. 
• 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 kibud or yiskor pledges and outstanding membership. Thank you to all of our supporters!!!
• Tehillim: Please say tehillim for Nachum ben Perl.
• TUESDAY: An evening of learning, inspiration and song for women and girls in honor of the Yartzeit of Yossi Kreiman. Click here for more info.
• WEDNESDAY: Farbrengen for men in shul in honor of Rosh Chodesh Kislev.

• Shabbos Candle Lighting: 4:37 pm
• Late Minyan for Kabolas Shabbos: 6:20 pm 
• Shabbos Mevorchim Tehillim: 8:15 am
• Thillim Club: 9:00 am 
• Last Time To Read Shema: 8:56 am
• Early Minyan Shacharis: 10:00 am
• Shacharis: 10:15 am
• NO Kol Yakov Yehuda this week: :(((
• Guest Speaker: Rabbi Mendy Schapiro 
• Hakhel - Mesibas Shabbos for girls in Shul: 4:00 pm 
• Mincha: 4:35 pm
• Shabbos Ends: 5:40 pm
• Father & Son Learning 7:00 - 8:00 pm
• Molad for Chodesh Kislev: Wednesday, MarCheshvan 29/Nov 11, 6:35 pm & 11 chalokim.
• Rosh Chodesh Kislev: Thursday & Friday, November 12 & 13.

• Rabbi & Mrs. Yossi Schneerson for the yahrtzeit of Mrs. Yehudit Schneerson’s father Harav Shmuel Gronim ben Harav Yitzchok Meir ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.

• Rabbi & Mrs. Zalman Friedman in honor of Rabbi Zalman Friedman’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Ari Goldman in honor of their anniversary. May they have many more happy years together.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Sholom Ber Kesselman in honor of Rabbi Sholom Ber Kesselman’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.

Chaya Mushka Braude
Invites all women to her Shabbos Kalla
3:45 pm at 182 N Orange Dr.

• Rabbi Zalman Friedman - 26 Cheshvan
• Rabbi Moishe Kasowitz - 26 Cheshvan
• Mr. Eli Kagan - 27 Cheshvan
• Mr. Simcha Kagan - 27 Cheshvan
• Hershel Tsikman - 27 Cheshvan
• Rabbi Sholom Ber Kesselman - 28 Cheshvan

Upcoming Anniversaries

• Mr. & Mrs. Pinchas Hirsch - 26 Cheshvan
• Rabbi & Mrs. Ari Goldman - 1 Kislev
• Rabbi & Mrs. Dovi Goldman - 1 Kislev

Upcoming Yahrtzeits

• Harav Shmuel Gronim ben Harav Yitzchok Meir (Mrs. Yehudit Schneerson’s father) - 1 Kislev

Staying Focused on the Mission gives everyone the Chance
to Succeed in bringing Moshiach
By Rabbi Shimon Raichik

Last week we spoke about being able to live and thrive in today’s chaotic and challenging world without being effected and also having positive impact. This begins with us in our homes and communities and includes the world at large. Once we remove the narrow definitions that galus has placed upon us we are free to transform the world one deed at a time with the knowledge that every act makes a difference.

The Rebbe explains that the way this ‘being protected and being effective’ plays out in our daily lives revolves around: focus. Staying focused and engaged is the lynch pin of our daily success in serving Hashem. What is this focus and how do we do it? The Rebbe explains we accomplish this when we take a few minutes before davening to focus and to meditate on how Hashem stands above us and stares intently as it were on our conduct and sees the true substance of our daily intentions and behavior (Based on the pasuk; Henei Hashem nitzav alav etc., as explained in chapter 41 of the Tanya).

Hashem is not only looking to see if we make a bracha, but how we make that bracha. Hashem isn’t only looking to see if we daven but also how we daven. Hashem is looking through and through with all aspects of our lives understood and taken into consideration. He is looking directly into our kishkes to see if and how we take the time and energy to be focused and to direct ourselves, our mind and our will, our feelings and our thought speech and action toward Hashem and his Torah.

When we take this time to reflect and act according to the Rebbe’s guidance then we are in Eretz Yisroel because we have made our lives into Eretz Yisroel. We are then able to maintain this perspective of life, and bring with us this truth of life as we venture outside into the streets and engage in today’s environment. We are outside physically but inside we are focused with our eyes toward the Heichal (the Sanctuary) of Hashem.

Every day before my father left the house he would look at the two pictures hanging on the wall, one of the Previous Rebbe and one of the Rebbe. It was if he was saying to himself: “I am a Chosid and this, is my focus.”

When we are focused we come home and look to see how our children are doing. We can spend time with them and speak with them about their day and learn with them and tell them stories. It’s the only focus. The Internet or our smart phones don’t distract us; they can be put away. When we go to Shul we can be focused on davening. Then we are protected and effective. When our children see that their parents are focused on the most important things even after a long day of work it has a strong impact. They can see that even though they are tired and still have a lot to do they daven without distraction and learn Chitas without suddenly jumping to the buzz of a cell phone message and then they too are affected in their lives.

The Rebbe demonstrated this characteristic with each person he met with; his focus was on that person as if there was no one else in the world. Even business professionals understand the need for undisturbed focus. The Rebbe taught us and directed us that when we will strive, we will be successful.

With the month of Kislev approaching may we merit the immediate fulfillment of all of the effort of all the generations with the revelation of Moshaich now, and may we celebrate Yud Tes Kislev and Channuka together with Moshiach.

A Good Shabbos A Good Chodesh

Farbrengen for men
in honor of Chof Cheshvan - Birthday of the Rebbe Rashab

TONIGHT (Monday) 8 pm in shul

Guest Speaker:
Rabbi M.M. Greenbaum