Shul Bulletin

• Shabbos Candle Lighting: 7:36
• Chassidus, Starbucks and babysitting: 8:40-9:30 sharp @ 118 S Orange Dr.
• Chassidus for Early Minyan: 8:45 am
• Shiur Chassidus by Rabbi Raichik: 9:00 am
• Last Time To Read Shema: 9:31 am
• Early Minyan Shacharis: 9:30 am
• Shacharis: 10:00 am
• NO Kol Yakov Yehuda for the summer :(
• Mesibas Shabbos For Girls: 4:30 pm
• Pirkei Avos Shiur with Rabbi Raichik: 6:35 
• Mincha: 7:35 pm
• Pirkei Avos - Chapter 3
• Shabbos Ends: 8:39 pm

• Dr. & Mrs. Ze'ev Rav-Noy for the yahrtzeit of Dr. Ze'ev Rav-Noy's stepfather Avrohom Yehuda ben Dovid HaLevi ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Shalom Elharrar in honor of Chamisha Osor Be’Av. May they and the entire community be blessed with kol tuv se’ela.
• Mr. & Mrs. Ariel Haratz in honor of Mr. Ariel Haratz’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
• Mr. & Mrs. Reuven Horwitz in honor of Mrs. Sarah Horwitz’s birthday. May she have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
• Mr. & Mrs. David Kaufman in honor of Mrs. Marci Kaufman’s birthday. May she have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
• Mr. David Milner for the yahrtzeit of his mother Shein bas Reb Shlomo ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
• Mr. Zev Oster for the yahrtzeit of his father Reb Shlomo ben Reb David ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
• Mr. & Mrs. Meilech Weiss for the yahrtzeit of Mrs. Chana Weiss’s father Reb Yaakov ben Reb Meir ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.

• Yerachmial Soto in honor of his ufruf. May he be Zoche to build a binyan aday ad.
• Mr. & Mrs. Reuven Gradon in honor of Mr. Reuven Gradon’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Yisroel Gurary in honor of Rabbi Yisroel Gurary’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Ami Meyers for the yahrtzeit of Rabbi Ami Meyers’s mother Bina Rivka bas Reb Moshe ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Menachem Rubinstein in honor of Rabbi Menachem Rubinstein’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
• Mr. Izzy Soussana in honor of his birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.

6:30 pm - At the home of Mrs. Yehudit Schneerson
364 N Fuller Ave.
Speaker: Rabbi Levi Kramer

• The Roth & Bastomski Families on the marriage of their children Ari Roth & Tova Bastomski.
• Mr. & Mrs. Sholom Efune on the birth of their daughter. 
• Mr. & Mrs. Eli Feiner on the birth of their daughter. Mazal tov to the grandparents Mr. & Mrs. Yisroel Feiner.

Upcoming Birthdays

• Moshe Menachem Mendel Feiner - 16 Av
• Mr. Eliezer Yaakov Kahan - 16 Av
• Mr. Izzy Soussana - 17 Av
• Mr. Dan Schmeidler - 18 Av
• Rabbi Menachem Rubinstein - 19 Av
• Shlomo Mordechai Habibian - 19 Av
• Mr. Ariel Haratz - 20 Av
• Rabbi Yisroel Gurary - 20 Av
• Gavriel Soussana - 20 Av
• Mr. Reuven Gradon - 20 Av
• Levi Yitzchok Perl - 21 Av
• Menachem Mendel Raeburn - 21 Av
• Yitzchok Meyer Davidson - 22 Av

Upcoming Anniversaries

• Rabbi & Mrs. Tzvi Boyarsky - 19 Av

Upcoming Yahrtzeits

• Reb Shlomo ben Reb David (Mr. Zev Oster’s father) - 17 Av
• Bina Rivka bas Reb Moshe (Rabbi Ami Meyers’s mother)  - 19 Av
• Ester bas Reb Avrohom (Mr. David Peretz’s mother) - 19 Av
• Reb Yaakov Immanuel ben Reb Dov Yehuda (Mr. Yisroel Schochet’s father) - 20 Av
• Reb Yaakov ben Reb Meir (Mrs. Chana Weiss’s father) - 21 Av 

The Driving Force of Our Choice
By Rabbi Shimon Raichik

This week on Friday was the 15^th of Av. Among the reasons that make this day one of the greatest Yomim Tovim is that we celebrate because “the daughters of Jerusalem would go dancing in the vineyards”. Whoever didn’t have a wife would go there to find himself a bride. The daughters would say; “Young man, lift up your eyes and see which you choose” (Taanis 26b).

The Gemara describes different categories of "daughters" and how each would call out to her perspective bridegroom:

What would the beautiful ones among them say? "Look for beauty, for a woman is for beauty."

What would those of prestigious lineage say? "Look for family, for a woman is for children." etc. (Taanis 31a).

The Rebbe explains that the marriage of Hashem and His people also includes these different categories of "brides": the souls of Israel, which include "beautiful" souls, souls "of prestigious lineage," etc.

We can also learn a lesson today from the 15^th of Av and the custom of making shidduchim. Each man and each woman has something special to offer. We just need to assure that it’s a proper fit, one to the other. A marriage choice needs to be based solely on the needs of that couple not the expectations or desires of the parents. The daughter said; Young man, lift up your eyes”, she did not address the parents! Parents can help but they cannot choose for their children.

The narrative in the Gemara teaches another important lesson about making good choices. It shows us to choose life goals based on an overall outlook not on feelings alone. A person who gets married based on both the intellect as well as feelings stands a much greater chance of having an enduring marriage compared to those who choose based feelings alone. In the rapidly changing culture of today we see the opposite; a rapid disintegration of higher purpose and aspiration based on outlook.  What we are seeing are choices based on feelings, and feelings alone. Whether it’s the legal equality granted to any form of marriage or as in the case of the Iran deal endangering an entire nation (perhaps the world) in order not to feel warlike or seem unfair; unfortunately feelings seem to be in the drivers seat of choice today, and quickly running us off the road! People feel that the Ayatollah would never actually use the bomb if he had it. Chamberlin felt that Hitler would never attack. Kerry feels that his deal is the only solution. If we look around we can see the long-term disastrous results both to the individual and the world when choices are based on feelings alone.

If I were asked to place my finger on the starting point, the first step that allows us, or that we give ourselves permission to go after our feelings it would be the sentiment: “I don’t have to”. Any issue or any topic from the most personal to the most public that begins with these words or the feeling, “I don’t have to…” is where the gumption to go forward based on feelings alone comes from. Whether it’s the sentiment that I can be or do whatever I feel like or ignore whomever or whatever I like, it forms the basis of compromise, lack of aspiration as well as weakens personal and communal commitment and responsibility.

This is what the 15^th of Av teaches us and is more relevant today than ever before. “Young man, lift up your eyes and see which you choose!” The daughters of Jerusalem, (the neshamos that have fear of Hashem) remind us to lift up our eyes to look beyond ourselves, and only then make a choice. “Lift up your eyes- Sao Marom Aynechem” is an acronym in Hebrew for the word Shema in the pasuk: “Shema Yisroel Hashem Elokeinu Hashem Echod” Accept upon yourself the existence of Hashem in this world and upon your personal life, and than choose.

A famous Jewish personality often tells a story of his youth in Yeshiva. One day he approached his teacher, a Rabbi and said that although it’s time to daven Mincha, he doesn’t want to because he doesn’t feel in the mood of davening. The Rabbi listened patiently. When he finished the Rabbi said while slowly stroking his long white beard; “Dovid doesn’t want to daven Mincha, and the reason is because Dovid doesn’t feel like davening”. He then paused and finally said; So? This personality said that this interaction had a formative effect on his life and he repeats the story often because our choices need to be based on what’s best and not on how we feel. If we think about it it’s so obvious.

There is a story about the Rebbe’s youth when once in cheder on a Tisha B’Av they weren’t learning.  Instead they were having a theoretical discussion about the origins of man, whether man comes from humans or from apes. Is it our belief that we come from Adam or do we know based on factual evidence that we could not have evolved from apes. The Rebbe was explaining to the other children about how it’s factually impossible that we evolved from apes. His teacher stopped him and said; “if he feels that he come from apes then let him keep his yichus, we know that we come from Adam HaRishon”.

For those that think that their legacy is from apes, not men will say: “I don’t have to”.

We can now appreciate the deeper significance of the Gemara’s description of "those of prestigious lineage". 

The commandment in the Shema of "You shall love Hashem" is a crucial component of our relationship with Hashem. Aside from the fact that loving Hashem is itself a mitzvah, it is also a prerequisite for the proper observance of all the mitzvos. As the Alter Rebbe explains in the Tanya, mitzvos which are not motivated by a love of Hashem are performed mechanically and erratically; only one who loves Hashem serves Him in a manner that is both integral and enduring.

Our love for Hashem comes in different forms. By studying what Hashem has revealed about Himself to us in His Torah, and contemplating and meditating upon these truths, one develops a feeling of love toward Him; a desire to approach His great and magnificent being, to unite and become one with it. This is one of the primary purposes of davening; to generate a feeling of love for Hashem by meditating on His greatness and majesty.

The person who does not succeed in creating a "self-generated" love by these means (as does the beautiful souls described in the Gemara) can attain a love of Hashem by resorting to the inborn love for Him that each of us possess as "an inheritance from our forefathers." (These are the souls of prestigious heritage.) Abraham, the first Jew, was the very embodiment of love of Hashem as described in Sefer Yeshaya; "Abraham, who loves Me". Hashem rewarded him with the gift of "fatherhood", the ability to bequeath this love to his descendants. So each and every Jew has Abraham's love of Hashem encoded in his spiritual genes. As with all inborn characteristics, this love may be buried in the subconscious, stifled by the coarseness of material life and the culture with all of it’s subtle messaging; but it can always be wakened and called upon to stimulate and vitalize our observance of mitzvos. This innate love enables us to lift up our eyes and see beyond ourselves and not be drawn after the temporary styles and attitudes of todays culture and the feelings of the moment to make the right choices that bring the revelation of Moshiach Now.

A Good Shabbos

1.
2-4 pm
at the Wilshire Federal Building -
Wilshire and Sepulveda Boulevards
(-A big pro-Israel rally) 

2.
6:30 pm
at Nessah Synagogue
142 S Rexford Dr. Beverly Hills.

Thousands of yidden in both locations..
A great opportunity for Mivtzoim! 

Make the Rebbe Proud!!!!

• 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!!!
• Summer camp for Boys and Girls Ages 3-5. Wednesday, July 22- Wednesday, August 12. Click here for more info.
• Siyumim: The rebbe encouraged everyone to listen to a daily siyum from the beginning of the 9 days through tu b’av. You can participate in a siyum every night after maariv at the shul. If you have a siyum to make please contact Levi Raichik ASAP. For those who live out of town and/or are unable to make it to a siyum you can call in to listen live to our siyum. Dial (310) 372-7549 - Access Code: 685906.
• SAVE THE DATE: Sunday, 8 Elul/August 23, Hachnosas Sefer Torah in memory of Chaya Spalter. Click here for more info.

Friday, Menachem Av 8/July 24

• Shabbos Candle Lighting: 7:42

Shabbos, Menachem Av 9/July 25
Shabbos Parshas Devorim

• Chassidus, Starbucks and babysitting: 8:40-9:30 sharp @ 118 S Orange Dr. 
• Chassidus for Early Minyan: 8:45 am
• Shiur Chassidus by Rabbi Raichik: 9:00 am
• Last Time To Read Shema: 9:29 am
• Early Minyan Shacharis: 9:30 am
• Shacharis: 10:00 am
• Siyum will iy"h be made Shacharis in both minyonim. 
• NO Kol Yakov Yehuda for the summer :(
• Mesibas Shabbos For Girls: 4:30 pm
• Mincha: 6:00 pm
• NO Pirkei Avos
• Stop eating by: 7:59 pm
• Shabbos Ends: 8:45 pm
• Ma’ariv: 9:00 pm 

Sunday Menachem Av 10/July 26 
Tishah B’Av Nidche

• Shacharis: 8:00, 9:00 and 10:00 am
• Midday: 12:59 pm
• First minyan Mincha: 1:15 pm - Talis & Tefilin, Ashrei @ 1:30 pm
• Second Minyan Mincha: 6:30 pm - Talis & Tefilin, Ashrei - 6:45 pm
• Siyum#1 after 1st mincha - around 2 pm.
• Siyum#2 after 2nd mincha - around 7:15 pm.
• Siyum #3 after maariv - around 8:40 pm.
• If you are unable to make it to any of the siyumim, you can call in to listen live to our siyum. Dial (310) 372-7549 - Access Code: 685906. 
• Maariv: 8:30 pm
• Fast Ends: 8:34 pm
• *Light refreshments will be served*

You may find the laws and customs of Tishah B'Av by the end of this Email.

Levi and Shainy Benjaminson 
Invite the community to a Sholom Zochor
at 326 N Curson.

The Bris will iy"h take place
Shabbos, 1:30 pm at 326 N Curson.
Light refreshments will be served

• Mr. & Mrs. Nachum Cherman in honor of Mr. Nachum Cherman’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Dovid Thaler for the yahrtzeit of Mrs. Ruchama Thaler’s father Reb Yitzchok ben Reb Yakov ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.

• Mr. & Mrs. Mitch Reichman for the yahrtzeit of Mr. Mitch Reichman’s mother Roichel Devorah bas Reb Yaakov ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.

NO WOMENS SHIUR THIS SHABBOS

• Rabbi & Mrs. Levi Benjaminson on the birth of their son. Mazal tov to the grandparents Rabbi & Mrs. Sholom Perl.

Upcoming Birthdays

• Akiva Hoffman - 9 Av
• Mr. Nachum Cherman - 10 Av
• Alexander Sender Labkowsky - 11 Av
• Nadav Lerman - 11 Av
• Moshe Meir Polityko - 11 Av
• Pesach Newman - 12 Av
• Yosef Gorelik - 13 Av
• Rabbi Dovid Morris - 13 Av
• Asaf Levi Silver - 15 Av
• Rabbi Shaye Eichenblatt - 15 Av
• Yakov Yehuda Duchman - 15 Av

Upcoming Anniversaries

• Dr. & Mrs. Ze'ev Rav-Noy - 13 Av

Upcoming Yahrtzeits

• Reb Yitzchok ben Reb Yakov (Mrs. Ruchama Thaler’s father) - 9 Av
• Roichel Devorah bas Reb Yaakov (Mr. Mitch Reichman’s mother) - 10 Av
• Shein bas Reb Shlomo (Mr. David Milner’s mother) - 11 Av
• Reb Moshe Aharon Hakohen ben Reb Noson Notte (Rabbi Yitzchok Arnold’s brother) - 12 Av
• Kaila bas Reb Yedidya (Rabbi Danny Rotenberg’s mother) - 12 Av
• Harav Yaakov Yehuda ben Reb Yehoshua (Mrs. Chana Rochel Duchman’s father) - 15 Av

Shabbos Chazon is the Time to Convert Golus to Geula
By Rabbi Shimon Raichik

Traditionally in Jewish communities worldwide Shabbos Chazon is viewed and practiced as a time of distress and sadness. Shabbos Chazon is always the Shabbos that falls within the Nine Days, day’s of mourning over the destruction of the Beis HaMikdash. When Tisha B’Av falls out on a Shabbos the actual day of the destruction, then it is particularly vexing. There are special customs observed and special clothing that is traditionally worn to reflect the solemn mood and there is even a sad melody that is sung for the prayer of Lecha Dodi.  

The Rebbe explains how Chassidus views these days in general especially the Shabbos in particular very differently. Since Halacha forbids mourning on the Shabbos, we view it as above the Three Weeks entirely. Actually, the Shabbosim that fall out during the Three Weeks are their antidote, they give us the strength to counteract and eventually overturn the cause of mourning during the Three Weeks.

Rav Levi Yitzchok of Berditchev said that Hashem shows every Jew on the level of their neshama the 3^rd Beis HaMikdash on Shabbos Chazon. The Third Beis HaMikdash is already built and waiting for us to do our part to allow it to descend. Rav Levi Yitzchok analogized this with a parable of a father who sewed a beautiful garment and gave it to his beloved son. The son, not realizing its value wasn’t careful and soon ripped the garment. The father sewed him a second garment and the again the son ripped the garment. The father then sewed a third garment for his son but did not give it to him. Instead he just showed it to him from time to time and reminded him that when he will learn to take care of it, this is what he will get. So too on Shabbos Chazon; Hashem shows us the 3^rd Beis HaMikdash, and reminds us that when we will change and do teshuva this is what we will receive.  If a person will ask; I don’t see? There is a part of the neshama that does see that gets strength and pushes us to do our part.

Therefore the Rebbe teaches us that the message of Shabbos Chazon is positive. This is especially true when Tisha B’Av falls on Shabbos when the day of Tisha B’Av is left with only it’s positive parts. Because it’s Shabbos, which is above and beyond mourning there is no fasting or open mourning (see the Chabad Chodesh for details).  What is left of the day? It’s the birthday of Moshiach! We see this clearly in the way the Rebbe kept this day. He had a fabrengen where he stressed geula and Moshiach and all of the positive potential we have to convert darkness to light and mourning to celebration.

A Good Shabbos! 

Shabbos Chazon - Av 9/July 25

This Shabbos is similar to the previous Shabbos. There are no customs of mourning, except for abstaining from marital relations, unless Friday night is the night of the going to the Mikveh. We wear Shabbos clothes and it’s like a regular Shabbos. The Rebbe would demand that we should be B’Simcha, since it’s the day that Moshiach was born.

We don’t say Tzidkoscha at Mincha. We don’t say Pirke Avos. The Rebbe encouraged us to do our daily shiurim of Rambam and Chitas before Midday.

We can eat meat or drink wine until sunset; at sunset we stop ALL eating.

 The Fast
DEFERRED TO Motzei Shabbos & Sunday,  Av 9-10,   July 25-26

On Motzei Shabbos, change out of your leather shoes when the Chazan says “Barchu”. (He changes before Barchu, but first he says, “Baruch Hamavdil Bein Kodesh L’chol”.)  If you aren’t in Shul, say, “Baruch Hamavdil Bein Kodesh L’chol, and take off your leather shoes right after Shabbos.

We take the Paroches off the Aron Kodesh.  After Shemoneh Esrei we say Kadish Shaleim with Tiskabel. We dim the lights and read Megillas Eichah. We don’t say “Veyehi Noam”  but we say “V’ata Kodosh” followed by Kadish Shaleim with out Tiskabel.

We don’t say Havdalah, except to say the Brachah, “Borei Meorei Ha-eish”  Try to say it before Eichah.  In which we read “He placed me in darkness…”(3:6).  Men who forgot to say “Ata chonantanu” in Shemoneh Esrei, or women who don’t Daven Maariv must say “Boruch Hamavdil Bein Kodesh L’chol.”  We don’t say Veyitein Lecho.

The Restrictions

Five principal restrictions apply to the night and day of Tishah B’Av:  eating and drinking, washing, anointing, wearing leather shoes and marital relations. A couple should conduct themselves as they would during the Nidah period.

Pregnant or nursing women fast; a person feeling ill should consult a Rav.

We can’t wash, even with cold water.  In the morning and after using the bathroom, wash your fingers until the knuckles.  (We may wash dirt off our hands.)  We can’t rinse our mouth.  Oil, soap or cosmetics on the skin are forbidden, except for medical purposes.  

We can’t wear leather or partly leather shoes; rubber or canvas shoes are permitted.

We only study Torah that deals with the destruction of the Beis Hamikdash, or mourning:  Megilas Eichah and its commentaries, laws of Tishah B’Av and mourning in Shulchan Aruch, the tragic parts or Yirmiyahu and the third chapter of Moed Katan, etc.

It’s customary to sit on a chair lower than three Tefachim, (about nine inches) until after midday.  We don’t say “Good Morning” or “Hello.”  (If a person who doesn’t know the law greets you, answer softly, so you don’t hurt his feelings.)

We don’t say the Brochah, “She’asah Li Kol Tzarki” (the Brochah for shoes).  We don’t wear Tallis or Tefillin at Shachris, but at Minchah.

At Shachris we say Kinos after we put away the Sefer Torah.  After Kinos we say Ashrei and U’va  Letzion leaving out the posuk V’zois Brisi, followed by Kadish Shaleim without Tiskabel. Then Aleinu, skipping shir shel Yom and Ein Kelokeinu. No Tehillim is said. After Davening, we read Eichah on our own.

We don’t do any work until midday.  We don’t take pleasure walks or smoke.

Chitas may be learned after mid-day., Rambam after the fast.

Mincha is davened while wearing Tallis and Rashi Tefillin. We say Shma and finish what was omitted in Shacharis (Shir Shel Yom,, Ein Kelokeinu and Tehillim) then begin Mincha. Then Krias HaTorah and Haftorah. We add Nacheim and Aneinu in Shemoneh Esrei. After Mincha we put on Rabbenu Tam Tefillin.

After The Fast

After the fast, wash your hands three times, as you would in the morning, without a Brochah.

We make Havdalah on wine starting with Henei Keil without the Brachos for fire and spices) and drink the wine. 

We say Kiddush Levanah (preferably after changing into leather shoes, washing our face, saying havdala and eating something, ONLY IF we can do this and still say it with a Minyan.)

Those that need to make Havdalah at home should say kiddush Levana with a minyan before going home.

NOTE: One may not eat before Havdalah.

We don’t eat meat or drink wine (except for Havdalah) tonight. Since the fast was deferred to Tenth this year, washing clothes and showering are permitted after the fast.

This is a very brief summary of the laws of Tishah B’Av. Consult a Rav for special circumstances.

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

Rabbi Shimon Raichik

• Click here for this week’s JEM “Here’s My Story”. 
• 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!!!
• Summer camp for Boys and Girls Ages 3-5. Wednesday, July 22- Wednesday, August 12. Click here for more info.
• SUNDAY for MEN: Annual Yarchei Kallah at YOEC for 2 consecutive Sundays, starting Sunday, 25 Tamuz/July 12. Click here for more info.
• SUNDAY for WOMEN: Rabbi Yosef Bukiet will be giving his yearly class to the women about the Beis Hamikdosh in the KYY room from 10 to 11 am for 3 consecutive Sundays starting Sunday, 18 Tammuz/July 5. Rabbi Bukiet’s shiur will be followed by Rabbi Bart's regular shiur, Living with Moshiach, from 11 to 11:45 followed by Tehillim, from 11:45 to 12:00.
• Siyumim: The rebbe encouraged everyone to listen to a daily siyum from the beginning of the 9 days through tu b’av. You can participate in a siyum every night after maariv at the shul. If you have a siyum to make please contact Levi Raichik ASAP. For those who live out of town and/or are unable to make it to a siyum you can call in to listen live to our siyum. Dial (712) 432-0075 Access Code: 731783#. THE SIYUM ON MOTZEI SHABBOS WILL BE LERECH 8:55.
• SAVE THE DATE: Sunday, 8 Elul/August 23, Hachnosas Sefer Torah in memory of Chaya Spalter. Click here for more info.

• Shabbos Candle Lighting: 7:46
• Chassidus, Starbucks and babysitting: 8:40-9:30 sharp @ 118 S Orange Dr. 
• Chassidus for Early Minyan: 8:45 am
• Shiur Chassidus by Rabbi Raichik: 9:00 am
• Last Time To Read Shema: 9:26 am
• Early Minyan Shacharis: 9:30 am
• Shacharis: 10:00 am
• NO Kol Yakov Yehuda for the summer :(
• Mesibas Shabbos For Girls: 4:30 pm
• Pirkei Avos Shiur with Rabbi Raichik: 6:45 
• Mincha: 7:45 pm
• Pirkei Avos - Chapter 2
• Shabbos Ends: 8:49 pm
• Siyum around 8:55. Dial (712) 432-0075 Access Code: 731783#.

• The Gaboim of the Shul in honor of Shabbos Chazak. May they and the entire community be blessed with kol tuv se’ela.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Chaim Burston for the yahrtzeit of Rabbi Chaim Burston’s father Reb Yehuda Shmuel ben Reb Yitzchok ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Menachem Rubinstein for the yahrtzeit of Rabbi Menachem Rubinstein’s grandfather Reb Tzvi Hirsch ben Reb Yechezkel Yaakov ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya. 
• Rabbi & Mrs. Gershon Schusterman for the yahrtzeit of Mrs. Chana Rachel Schusterman’s father Reb Yaakov ben Reb Menashe ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
• Mr. & Mrs. Allan Stark in honor of Mrs. Nana Rushka Stark’s birthday. May she have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.

• The Gaboim of the Shul in honor of Shabbos Chazak. May they and the entire community be blessed with kol tuv se’ela.
• Mr. & Mrs. Levi Goldman in honor of the birth of their daughter Ella Rochel. May they have much nachas from her and may she grow up to Torah, to Chupa and to Maasim Tovim.
• Rabbi & Mrs Shaya Lowenstein in honor of Rabbi Shaya Lowenstein’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.

6:30 pm - At the home of Mrs. Sima Zeifman
421 N Poinsettia Pl.
Speaker: Rabbi Levi Kramer

• Rabbi & Mrs. Dovid Kaye on the birth of their daughter.
• Rabbi & Rebbitzen Shimon Raichik on the engagement of their daughter Mushky to Levi Zaltzman

Upcoming Birthdays

• Menachem Mendel Stroll - 2 Av
• Mr. Ephraim Levy - 3 Av
• Rabbi Shaya Lowenstein - 3 Av
• Dr. Sholom Fine - 3 Av
• Daniel Avraham Goldman - 4 Av
• Eliyahu Tzvi Lipsker - 4 Av
• Aharon Moshe Grossman - 5 Av
• Mr. Dennis Blauner - 5 Av
• Rabbi Heshy Mishulovin - 7 Av
• Mr. Reuvein Caplan - 8 Av
• Shnuer Zalman Berkowitz - 8 Av
• Mendy Lerman - 8 Av

Upcoming Yahrtzeits

• Malka bas Reb Yitzchok Yosef (Mrs. Chani Rotenberg’s mother) - 2 Av
• Reb Yehuda Shmuel ben Reb Yitzchok (Rabbi Chaim Burston’s father) - 4 Av
• Reb Yacov ben Reb Yehoshua (Mrs. Miriam Diller’s grandfather) - 7 Av
• Reb Yaakov ben Reb Menashe (Mrs. Chana Rachel Schusterman’s father) - 8 Av

How Seeing Good in Others Leads to the Rebuilding of the Beis HaMikdash  

By Rabbi Shimon Raichik

Parshas Maasei is always read in the week of Rosh Chodesh Menachem Av. The beginning of the parsha says that Aharon HaKohen passed away on the 1^st day of the 5^thmonth in the 40 years after the exodus from Mitzrayim. The fifth month is Chodesh Av. Because this yartzeit is the only yartzeit recorded in the Torah there must be a special connection between the month of Av and the yartzeit of Aharon HaKohen.

The Rebbe explains that the unique quality if Aharon HaKohen is ahavas Yisroel. It says in Pirkei Avos that everyone should be from the students of Aharon; that we should all “love peace and pursue peace etc.”. We see in the Torah that the mourning of Ahron’s passing was greater than anyone else specifically because of the way that he brought people together (friend to friend, husband to wife etc.) Although he went to great lengths to achieve this, he never bent his standards to succeed.

The fact that the memory of Aharon’s legacy falls out during the month of Av is because it is the month that the Beis HaMikdash was destroyed. The last Beis HaMikdash, the second Beis HaMikdash which began our long galus from which we suffer to this day was destroyed because of the sin of sinas chinam of baseless hatred. Therefore, we all have the vital need to study the example of Aharon and meditate on how we are his students, in thought, speech and deed, and thereby nullify the cause of galus and thereby convert the month of Av to a month where we see the comforting of the Jewish people and as a result the entire world, as the month’s name describes; Menachem Av, with the rebuilding of the Beis HaMikdash.

The Rebbe showed us through his example and his teachings how to see the best in others. There was a bachor in Yeshiva in the 1950’s who wrote music. As a result of his involvement in music he was often late or missed the schedule of the Yeshiva. Later, when the hanhala went into the Rebbe to discuss the Yeshiva they told him about this young musician their thought that since he wasn’t keeping the schedule he didn’t belong in Yeshiva. The Rebbe replied that maybe he needs money to support his lessons. Not only did the Rebbe not allow the bachor to be sent away from Yeshiva, he wanted to make sure he received support develop himself so that maybe one day he would be able to utilize his talents playing Chassidishe music.

There is another story I heard about Nachum Markowitz. As a bachor he came to New York but was not learning in Yeshiva. Instead he was involved in Shmira and other communal activities. Once he went into the Rebbe for yechidus where he poured out his heart about the void he felt in his life. The Rebbe told him that he should learn for 5 minutes a day. After that if he has time, every so often he can add another minute. Nachum said that this one thing completely turned around his life. No matter what he made sure to learn those 5 minutes each and every day. Those 5 minutes made all the difference. They gave him food for thought throughout the day and gave him direction.

There is a letter from the Rebbe in which he advised a Yeshiva to look out for all students, even those that were sent away. If there are times when they need to expel a student because of his poor influence on others, they must nevertheless keep in mind his immeasurable value. Although they need to take a drastic step at times in the best interests of the other students of the Yeshiva; nevertheless we need to think about and help this individual because he or she too is a Jew and deserves any help that we can provide.

The Rebbe did not say that they had to change the Yeshiva’s standard or not demand a high level of learning and chassidus. There are many that said they couldn’t do it and the Rebbe sent them back to try again. At the same time we must do all that we can to find a way to include those that truly cannot so they do not fall outside the system. One size does not fit all.

This is a lesson for everyone. When we see something happening in the community that is dangerous, we must make the safety of the community as our highest priority but at the same time be careful not to immediately attack the individual and engage in lashon hara in an unbridled fashion bringing collateral damage to innocent families. We do not have permission as an individual or as a representative of a institution to issue condemnations. Rather we need to follow the example of Aharon HaKohon and the Rebbe. We need to realize that the only solution is to address both sides simultaneously; the standards, safety and needs of the community and the best interests of the individual and their families. To be able to do this requires what Chabad Chassidus teaches us; “Moach shalit al halev; The mind must lead the heart”. Only with patience perseverance and ahavas Yisroel can we build and rebuild both the individual and our communities. It is important to be a good example so that our youth should see the unity and the harmony in our community and realize the positive that Chassidus and our Rabbeim teach us and that our community offers.

A Good Shabbos A Good Chodesh

The rebbe encouraged everyone  
to listen to a daily siyum  
from the beginning of the 9 days through tu b’av.

You can participate in a siyum every night in shul after maariv.

For those who live out of town 
and are unable to make it to a siyum 
you can call in to listen live to our siyum 
Dial (712) 432-0075 - Access Code: 731783#

STARTING TONIGHT!! Lerech 8:45 pm

If you would like to receive nightly remiders via WHATSAPP
please WhatApp Shmuly Gurary- 323-540-0485 your name and number.

Thank you to all those who volunteered to make siyumim.  
If you have a siyum to make, Please contact Rabbi Levi Raichik

Rabbi & Mrs. Reuven Wolf
Invite the community to a le'chaim
Celebrating the engagement of their daughter
Zisi to Mandel Zirkind.

TONIGHT - Wednesday, Tamuz 28/July 15,
7 to 10 pm
at Maayon Yisroel 140 N La Brea Ave. 

In the name of our shul
We wish a heartfelt MAZAL TOV to
Rabbi Shimon and Rebbetzen Chana Liba Raichik

On the engagement of their daughter Mushky
to Levi Zaltzman from Toronto.

The L'Chaim
will iy”h take place tonight (Monday)
at Eshel hall in Crown Heights.

Mazal tov Mazal tov
and may we continue to share only good news.

• Click here for this week’s JEM “Here’s My Story”. 
• 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!!!
• Summer camp for Boys and Girls Ages 3-5. Wednesday, July 22- Wednesday, August 12. Click here for more info.
• SUNDAYS for MEN: Annual Yarchei Kallah at YOEC for 2 consecutive Sundays, starting Sunday, 25 Tamuz/July 12. Click here for more info.
• SUNDAYS for WOMEN: Rabbi Yosef Bukiet will be giving his yearly class to the women about the Beis Hamikdosh in the KYY room from 10 to 11 am for 3 consecutive Sundays starting Sunday, 18 Tammuz/July 5. Rabbi Bukiet’s shiur will be followed by Rabbi Bart's regular shiur, Living with Moshiach, from 11 to 11:45 followed by Tehillim, from 11:45 to 12:00. 
• MONDAY: Mrs. Fradel Bukiet invites all women to a lunch and learn in honor of her mother's yahrzheit on Monday, 26 Tammuz/July 13, from 11:30 am at her home 343 N Formosa Ave.
• WEDNESDAY: Rabbi & Mrs. Reuven Wolf invite the community to a lechaim celebrating the engagement of their daughter Zisi's to Mandel Zirkind. Wednesday, Tamuz 28/July 15, 7 to 10 pm at Maayon Yisroel 140 N La Brea Ave. 

• Shabbos Candle Lighting: 7:48 pm
• Shabbos Mevorchim Tehillim: 8:15 am
• Followed by a Shiur Chassidus by Rabbi Raichik
• Thillim Club: 9:00 am 
• Last Time To Read Shema: 9:24 am
• Early Minyan Shacharis: 10:00 am
• Shacharis: 10:15 am
• NO Kol Yakov Yehuda in the Summer :(
• Mesibas Shabbos For Girls (in KYY) 4:30 pm
• Pirei Avos Shiur with Rabbi Raichik: 6:45 pm
• Mincha: 7:45 pm
• Pirkei Avos - Chapter 1
• Shabbos Ends: 8:51 pm
• Molad for Chodesh Menachem-Av: Thursday, Tammuz 29/July 16, 3:39 pm and 7 chalokim.
• Rosh Chodesh Menachem-Av: Fridy, July 17.

• The Gaboim of the Shul in honor Mr. Milton Goodman’s recovery and return to shul. May he live many more happy healthy years together with his wife, and may they be blessed with kol tuv se’ela.
• The Bastomski Family for the yahrtzeit of their grandfather - Mrs. Freida Bastomski’s father Reb Chaim Zeev ben Reb Moshe ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
• Mr. & Mrs. Simcha Levenberg for the yahrtzeit of Mr. Simcha Levenberg’s father Reb Velvel Efraim ben Reb Yisroel Halevi ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
• Mr. & Mrs. Shaul Raigorodsky for the yahrtzeit of Mr. Shaul Raigorodsky’s father Reb Dovid ben Reb Feivel ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Michy Rav-Noy in honor of Rabbi Michy Rav-Noy’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
• Mr. & Mrs. Richard Rosenbloom for the yahrtzeit his father Reb Hershel Tzvi ben Reb Avraham ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.

• Rabbi & Mrs. Levi Lesches in honor of Rabbi Levi Lesches’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
• Mr. & Mrs. Steve Zipp in honor of their anniversary. May they have many more happy years together.

6:30 pm - At the home of Mrs. Tova Levine
361 N Vista St.
Speaker: Rabbi Yisroel Hecht

Upcoming Birthdays

• Nochum Zalman Gorelik - 24 Tamuz
• Gavriel Abraham Gutierrez - 26 Tamuz
• Rabbi Levi Lesches - 26 Tamuz
• Mr. Yanky Bloch - 27 Tamuz
• Mr. Doron Israeli - 28 Tamuz
• Moshe Schneerson - 28 Tamuz
• Chaim Israeli - 28 Tamuz
• Rabbi Michy Rav-Noy - 28 Tamuz
• Menachem Mendel Lerner - 29 Tamuz
• Yoel Newman - 29 Tamuz

Upcoming Anniversaries

• Mr. & Mrs. Steve Zipp - 26 Tamuz

Upcoming Yahrtzeits

• Reb Chaim Zeev ben Reb Moshe (Mrs. Freida Bastomski’s father) - 24 Tamuz
• Reb Dovid ben Reb Feivel (Mr. Shaul Raigorodsky’s father) - 25 Tamuz
• Batyah bas Reb Shlomo Halevi (Mrs. Miryam Koch’s mother) - 25 Tamuz
• Sara Relka bas Reb Nochum (Mrs. Fradel Bukiet’s mother) - 26 Tamuz
• Chaika bas Reb Yosef (Mrs. Sarah Goldstein’s mother) - 28 Tamuz
• Reb Hershel Tzvi ben Reb Avraham (Mr. Richard Rosenbloom’s father) - 28 Tamuz
• Reb Tzvi Hirsch ben Reb Yechezkel Yaakov (Rabbi Menachem Rubinstein’s grandfather) - 29 Tamuz
• Reb Zalman Yudah ben Reb Shalom Yeshaya (Mrs. Rochel Eisenberg’s father) - 29 Tamuz
• Reb Shimon ben Reb Yaakov Reuven (Mr. Maayan Kerbel’s grandfather) - 1 Av
• Reb Velvel Efraim ben Reb Yisroel Halevi (Mr. Simcha Levenberg’s father) - 1 Av

Turning the Table on Ourselves during The Three Weeks:
Our Opportunity to
Use Public Opinions and Personal Judgments for the Good

By Rabbi Shimon Raichik

In the year 5728-1968, Rabbi Levin, the Chief Rabbi of Moscow came from Russia to New York to see the Rebbe and go on a speaking tour concerning Russian Jewry. During his tour he displayed pictures of a Talmud Torah, a Mikvah building etc. One person who saw these photographs commented that he wanted to see what is doing behind the doors, meaning; how many people were actually using the mikvah.

At the Yud Beis Tammuz fabrengen some time soon after this incident, the Rebbe referenced this comment by quoting the Mishnah in Pirkei Avos that says;  “Retribution is extracted from a from a person with his knowledge”. The Baal Shem Tov explains that when a person arrives on high, the Heavenly Court asks him to give his opinion on another person’s particular life experience. What do you think, he is asked, about one who has done such and such? After the person offers his verdict, they show him how these deeds and circumstances parallel those of his own life. Ultimately, it is the person himself who passes judgment on his own failings and his own achievements. When a person knowingly expresses his opinion on a certain matter, he is unwittingly passing judgment on himself.

The same occurred here (the Rebbe said referring to the question about the mikvah). The person who asked did not realize that the question relates to him.  Instead of asking what is doing behind a door in Russia, we must ask himself instead what is happening here in New York, Minneapolis, or in Connecticut.  When you ask what is happening behind a door of a mikvah or a yeshiva in Russia what is really being asked is how many families here in America are keeping Taharas HaMishpocha? What percentage of Jewish children are learning in a Yeshiva?  How much have you been involved in sending children to Yeshivos?  How many families did you speak to about mikvah?  Did you go knocking from door to door in your neighborhood to speak to the families and the parents about Jewish education and Taharas HaMishpocha? The Rebbe noted that Rabbi Levin was amazed to see the extent of Jewish Education for girls in America and then asked; what percentages of girls have a Jewish Education in America? One would cry to realize that it is not 99% or even 95% or even 85%, rather maybe one percent of Jewish children get a Torah true education.  Your heart is crying out about what happens over there.  Truly that is what a Jewish heart has to do.  But that does not free you from the pain in your community, in your city, on your block, in your daled amos  (your immediate surroundings.)

We can take a lesson from this story particularly during the Three Weeks. The greatest thing we can do to change the world in general and our direct environment in particular is to increase in all areas of ahavas Yisroel. Instead of reading articles on the Internet about others, forming opinions (judging others), and then leaving and reading comments below the articles, we can take the same time to say an extra chapter of Tehillim, give Tzedaka and be melamed zechos on others. We can reach out to others through all the Mivtzoyim. In a special letter dated the 15th of Tammus 5734-1974 the Rebbe made a 'request of the soul' that everyone should add in all Mivtzoyim...during (and even before) the Three Weeks. The truth is that we are all one and when we think or speak about others we are really speaking and thinking about ourselves. So next time we are checking our iPhone, Facebook or Twitter account, we can have in mind to use it to apply to ourselves to do a bit of Teshuva and have some rachmonos, some extra compassion for another person in thought speech and action during the Three Weeks.

Through our extra efforts may we merit the revelation of Moshiach during these Three Weeks and we will convert these days of sadness to days of happiness!

A Good Shabbos, A Good Chodesh

The Boyarsky Bris
Will iy"h take place on Friday, 23 Tammuz/July 10
9:00  am at Congregration Levi Yitzchok - 356 N La Brea Ave.

May we share in Simchos and may we all be reunited in Yerushalyim
with the coming of Moshiach speedily in our days.

• Click here for KYY updates.
• Click here for this week’s JEM “Here’s My Story”. 
• 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!!!
• Girls! Sign up today for Camp Gan Yisroel!! Space is limited and filling fast. Click here for more info.  
• Summer camp for Boys and Girls Ages 3-5. Wednesday, July 22- Wednesday, August 12. Click here for more info.
• SUNDAYS: Rabbi Yosef Bukiet will be giving his yearly class to the women about the Beis Hamikdosh in the KYY room from 10 to 11 am for 3 consecutive Sundays starting Sunday, 18 Tammuz/July 5. Rabbi Bukiet’s shiur will be followed by Rabbi Bart's regular shiur, Living with Moshiach, from 11 to 11:45 followed by Tehillim, from 11:45 to 12:00. 
• MONDAY, Tammuz 19/July 6, 8:30 pm “creating a centerpiece for your next simcha” Flower/Centerpiece class with Michal Poratti at the Chabad Persian Youth Center - 9022 W Pico. $18 per person. Sponsored by the Lubavitch Shidduch Network LA. Click here for more info.
• SAVE THE DATE: Annual Yarchei Kallah at YOEC for 2 consecutive Sundays, starting Sunday, 25 Tamuz/July 12. Click here for more info.

• Shabbos Candle Lighting: 7:50
• Chassidus, Starbucks and babysitting: 8:40-9:30 sharp @ 118 S Orange Dr. 
• Chassidus for Early Minyan: 8:45 am
• Shiur Chassidus by Rabbi Raichik: 9:00 am
• Last Time To Read Shema: 9:21 am
• Early Minyan Shacharis: 9:30 am
• Shacharis: 10:00 am
• NO Kol Yakov Yehuda for the summer :(
• Mesibas Shabbos For Girls: 4:30 pm
• Pirkei Avos Shiur with Rabbi Raichik: 6:50 
• Mincha: 7:50 pm
• Pirkei Avos - Chapter 6
• Shabbos Ends: 8:53 pm

Fast of Sheva Asar B’Tammuz - Nidche
Sunday, Tammuz 18/July 5

• Fast Begins: 4:16 am
• Minchah: 7:30 pm
• Fast Ends: 8:43 pm

Tzvi and Sheina Boyarsky
Invite the community to a Sholom Zochor
at 418 N Fuller Ave.

• Mr. & Mrs. Aryeh Leib Ehrlich for the yahrtzeit of Mrs. Meira Ehrlich’s mother Bracha Leah Chava bas Reb Shmuel ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
• Mrs. Dorothy Grossman for the yahrtzeit of her mother Genendel bas Reb Noach ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
• Mr. & Mrs. Elozor Plotke for the yahrtzeit of Mrs. Shoshana Brocha Plotke’s father Reb Yechiel ben Reb Chaim ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Yosef Shagalov for the yahrtzeit of Rabbi Yosef Shagalov’s father Reb Schneur Zalman ben Reb Yitzchok Elchonon ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.

• Rabbi & Mrs. Ami Meyers in honor of the birth of their daughter Rochel Leah. May they have much nachas from her and may she grow up to Torah, to Chupa and to Maasim Tovim.

6:30 pm - At the home of Mrs. Etty Bastomski
418 N Fuller Ave.
Speaker: Rabbi Shaya Berkowitz

• Rabbi & Mrs. Tzvi Boyarsky on the birth of their son. Mazal tov to the grandparents Rabbi & Mrs. Yisroel Bastomski.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Ami Meyers on the birth of their daughter Rochel Leah.
• Rabbi & Rebbitzen Shimon Raichik on the birth of their granddaughter Shterna Soro (to Yisroel Noach and Mushky Raichik.)

Upcoming Birthdays

• Shmuel Dovid Raichik - 17 Tamuz
• Rabbi Yrachmiel Wolowik - 18 Tamuz
• Mr. Joseph Gertz - 20 Tamuz
• Yosef Yitzchak Plotke - 20 Tamuz
• Menachem Mendel Lipsker - 21 Tamuz
• Yaakov Leib - 22 Tamuz

Upcoming Yahrtzeits

• Zlota Zelda bas Reb Yaakov (Mrs. Shoshana Plotkin’s mother) - 18 Tamuz
• Reb Tzemach ben Reb Yitzchok (Mrs. Fayge Estulin’s father) - 18 Tamuz
• Esther Fruma bas Reb Sholom (Rabbi Nachman Kreiman’s mother) - 18 Tamuz
• Bracha Leah Chava bas Reb Shmuel (Mrs. Meira Ehrlich’s mother) - 18 Tamuz
• Priva bas Reb Yisroel Dovid (Rabbi Dovid Thaler’s mother) - 19 Tamuz
• Reb Yechiel ben Reb Chaim (Mrs. Shoshana Brocha Plotke’s father) - 19 Tamuz
• Reb Avrohom ben Reb Yitzchak Elimelech (Mrs. Varda Rav-Noy’s father) - 19 Tamuz
• Genendel bas Reb Noach (Mrs. Dorothy Grossman’s mother) - 21 Tamuz
• Reb Shlomo Binyomin ben Reb Dovid Leib Halevi (Mrs. Debbie Fine’s father) - 21 Tamuz
• Reb Schneur Zalman ben Reb Yitzchok Elchonon (Rabbi Yosef Shagalov’s father) - 21 Tamuz
• Reb Yechiel ben Reb Yisroel Yitzchok (Mr. Dennis Blauner’s father) - 21 Tamuz
• Reb Boruch ben Reb Eliyahu (Rabbi Yisroel Hecht’s grandfather) - 22 Tamuz
• Reb Yehoshua ben Reb Tzvi Elimelch (Rabbi Yisroel Hecht’s grandfather) - 22 Tamuz
• Simcha Chaya bas Reb Yosef (Mrs. Milka Elharrar’s mother) - 23 Tamuz
• Yocheved bas Reb Mordechai (Mrs. Varda Rav-Noy’s mother) - 23 Tamuz