Shul Bulletin

• Shabbos Candle Lighting: 7:42 pm
• Last Time To Read Shema: 9:16 am
• Chassidus for Early Minyan: 8:45 am
• Shiur Chassidus by Rabbi Raichik: 9:00 am
• Early Minyan Shacharis: 9:30 am
• Shacharis: 10:00 am
• Kol Yakov Yehuda: 10:00
• Rabbi Raichik's Pirkei Avos Shiur: 6:40 pm 
• Mincha: 7:40 pm Followed by Pirkei Avos - Perek 1
• Shabbos Ends: 8:45 pm

• Rabbi & Mrs. Meir Ashkenazi for the yahrtzeit of Rabbi Meir Ashkenazi’s father Reb Noson ben Reb Moshe ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Boruch Braude for the yahrtzeit of Rabbi Boruch Braude’s mother Tova bas Reb Yerachmiel ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
• Mr. & Mrs. Yankel Ginsburg for the yahrtzeit of Mrs. Esther Ginsburg’s father Reb Mich'l ben Reb Shlaima ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
• Mr. & Mrs. Zalman Roth for the yahrtzeit of Mr. Zalman Roth’s father Reb Yaakov ben Reb Zalmen Leib ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.

• Mr. & Mrs. Moshe Anatian in honor of their anniversary. May they have many more happy years together.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Levi Goldman in honor of their anniversary. May they have many more happy years together. Also in honor of Mrs. Rayzi Goldman’s birthday. May she have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Mendel Goldman in honor of their anniversary. May they have many more happy years together.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Simcha Levenberg in honor of Rabbi Simcha Levenberg’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Shaya Lowenstein in honor of their anniversary. May they have many more happy years together.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Yosef Nathanson in honor of Rabbi Yosef Nathanson’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

• Mrs. Miriam Gluck on the marriage of her granddaughter Chanchy Kinn to Mendy Rubenstein.

Upcoming Birthdays

• Mr. Gary Apfel - 9 Sivan
• Mr. Yisroel Schochet - 9 Sivan
• Rabbi Yisroel Noach Raichik - 9 Sivan
• Rabbi Simcha Levenberg - 9 Sivan
• Shmuel Leaderman - 10 Sivan
• Yoisef Yitzchok Halevi Ginsburg - 11 Sivan
• Rabbi Yosef Nathanson - 11 Sivan
• Rabbi Chaim Burston - 14 Sivan
• Mendy Mishulovin - 14 Sivan
• Levi Mishulovin - 15 Sivan
• Menachem Mendel Habibian - 15 Sivan
• Yehoshua Ovadya Engelson - 15 Sivan

Upcoming Anniversaries

• Rabbi & Mrs. Sholem Perl - 9 Sivan
• Rabbi & Mrs. Yaakov BenZaquen - 9 Sivan
• Mr. & Mrs. Shmuel Eiferman - 9 Sivan
• Rabbi & Mrs. Noach Vogel - 10 Sivan
• Rabbi & Mrs. Levi Goldman - 11 Sivan
• Rabbi & Mrs. Yakov Greenbaum - 11 Sivan
• Mr. & Mrs. Yitzchok Michael - 13 Sivan
• Rabbi & Mrs. Avrohom Wagshul - 14 Sivan
• Rabbi & Mrs. Shaya Lowenstein - 14 Sivan
• Rabbi & Mrs. Mendel Goldman - 14 Sivan
• Mr. & Mrs. Moshe Anatian - 14 Sivan
• Rabbi & Mrs. Chaim Burston - 15 Sivan

Upcoming Yahrtzeits

• Reb Mich'l ben Reb Shlaima (Mrs. Esther Ginsburg’s father) - 9 Sivan
• Reb Yaakov ben Reb (Mrs. Baila Edelson’s father) - 10 Sivan
• Reb Yaakov ben Reb Zalmen Leib (Mr. Zalman Roth’s father) - 10 Sivan
• Bracha Toiba bas Reb Yitzchok (Rabbi Lazer Handlesman’s mother) - 10 Sivan
• Reb Shmaryahu Fishel ben Reb Binyomin (Mrs. Susan Blauner’s father) - 12 Sivan
• Reb Yosef ben Reb Aryeh (Mr. Yisroel Koch’s father) - 12 Sivan
• Tova bas Reb Yerachmiel (Rabbi Boruch Braude’s mother) - 13 Sivan
• Reb Noson ben Reb Moshe (Rabbi Meir Ashkenazi’s father) - 15 Sivan

Sometimes its the Smallest Effort
and the most Simple Deed
that Makes the Biggest Impact 
By Rabbi Shimon Raichik

This Shabbos, which follows Shavuos, is in middle of ‘the days of tashlumim, the days of completion’. These days afford an opportunity to make up for korbonos, which should have been brought on Shavuos. Therefore this Shabbos is an appropriate time to see if there is anything to complete in our avodah of Shavuos by asking ourselves what we have taken away from Shavuos in avodas Hashem.

We have a custom to make sure that our children hear the Eseres Hadibros. This is because our children are our guarantors. Our children join us by the reading of the Eseres Hadibros not just to commemorate but relive the receiving of the Torah at Har Sinai in an even stronger way than before.

We take this experience with us into the rest of the year by developing and shaping our children as our guarantors through the chinch, the education that we provide. Chinuch is a joint effort, a partnership between parents and the school. Parents spend a lot of money in an effort to give their children the best chinuch. The most important part of the chinuch parents provide however is our personal involvement with our children. As the Rebbe Rashab said; just like every day we put on Tefillin, so too we should spend a half an hour a day on the chinuch of our children. When we open the Sichos of the Previous Rebbe we read about the tremendous personal involvement of the Rebbe Rashab in the chinuch of the Previous Rebbe. Completing the Yom Tov of Shavuos reminds us of our separate, special, essential and irreplaceable part in the education of our children, our guarantors.

This message is equally true for the professionals, the mechanchim; the educators of our children on a daily basis. This week’s parsha, Naso, accounts for the jobs of the Leviim, their supplies their wagons and all of the details. All of these things were necessary and irreplaceable parts that went into the detailed effort that made it possible to maintain the Mishkon. In order to construct a Miskon, to travel with it in the desert, then to disassemble and reassemble it required an intricate team effort. If one detail would be left out then the entire operation would have to come to a screeching halt! Everyone and every detail were of paramount importance. So too the individual Mishkon of our homes requires a team effort between the father and mother. Together they create from their lives and their family a functioning Mishkon for Hashem. They are edified and effective when they remind themselves that they make an irreplaceable contribution to the family. With their part the entire family goes forward.

There are Sichos from the Previous Rebbe and the Rebbe (from the years 5704-1944 and 5712-1962) that explain how Moshe Rabbenu realized the virtue of the simple Jew and his important contribution to the point that not even one Jew can be left out. The simple and sometimes seemingly insignificant acts of simple people are of the utmost importance and have the greatest impact, an impact that transcends the intellect.  From the Sichos we learn that it’s the actual simple acts of ahavas Yisroel or any mitzvah that makes the difference.

For example, if we go on a trip to New York, perhaps the most important part of the entire trip is when we take off time from the trip to climb the four flights of stairs in Oholei Torah to go see our child and spend some time together. When we are personally involved it makes all the difference. So too for educators, the school is not a factory, every child is a world onto him or herself and is special. Educators fulfill their part when they set aside time for each and every student and address their personal and individual needs even in a simple way.

When each one of takes our part and our responsibility with sincerity and then act, then the Mishkon is intact.  Then also the well being of our children, our guarantors are intact, as well as our standards, our family, and our community. It’s not accomplished by doing a job that belongs to someone else but by focusing on the details in front of us that are our job even if they are simple. This is a message that we can take from Shavuos and this week’s parsha, and by living with it complete our service on the final day of tashlumim-completion for the Yom Tov of Shavous.  The Rebbe many times said that we just have to finish the small details; the final touches and then we will merit the revelation of Moshiach. May we merit immediately to the final completion, the completion of galus with the revelation of Moshiach Now.

A Good Shabbos

Tuesday, 5 Sivan/May 30
Erev Shavuos

• Light Candles (Shel Yom Tov and Shehechiyanu): 7:40 pm

Wednesday, Sivan 6/May 31 
First Day Shavuos

• Alos HaShachar: 4:13 am
• Last Time to Read Shema: 9:16 am
• Shachris: 10:15 am upstairs. Second minyan in Kolel
• Aseres Hadibros: 11:45 am
• After Davening: KYY's annual ice cream rally
• Mincha: 7:40 pm Followed by Tahalucha 
• Light Candles from a pre-existing flame after (Shel Yom Tov and Shehechiyanu): 8:40 pm

Thursday, Sivan 7/June 1 
Second Day Shavuos

• Last Time to Read Shema: 9:16 am
• Shacharis: 10:00 am
• Yizkor: 11:45 pm
• For men: Mincha /Farbrengen: 6:45 pm
• Yom Tov Ends: 8:43 pm

For all the laws and customs regarding Pesach 
please see the Chabad Chodesh

The Chassidus Initiative Presents...

This Sunday evening
as we complete the weeks of which the Sifira is ספירת המלכות

on the topic of
ספירת המלכות

 מראה מקומות:
שער היחוד לאדמו"ר האמצעי פמ"ח
ד"ה ויאמר כו' במה אדע עטר"ת ע' סג ואילך
ד"ה החדש הזה עטר"ת ע' שכד
ד"ה וביום שמחתכם תרפ"ז
ד"ה ביום השמיני עצרת תש"ח

Presented by
Gershon Schusterman
Entrepreneur

 This Sunday, May 28^th
אור לד' סיון
8:40 PM sharp

 At Cong. Levi Yitzchok
356 La. Brea Ave. Los Angeles

 Maariv will be at 8:25 PM sharp
The class will follow immediately thereafter.
It should be over and everyone out at 9:45 PM.

• Click here for this week's Lmaan Yishmeu publication. 
• 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!!!
• TEHILIM: Please say tehilim for Boruch Aharon ben Dina Nassy.
• SUNDAY: ‘The Chassidus Initiative’ Topic: ספירת המלכות. Presented by Rabbi Gershon Schusterman. 8:40 pm sharp @ Cong. Levi Yitzchok. Maariv: 8:25 pm the class will follow immediately thereafter. It should be over and everyone out at 9:45 PM. 

• Shabbos Candle Lighting: 7:38 pm
• Last Time To Read Shema: 9:17 am
• Chassidus for Early Minyan: 8:45 am
• Shiur Chassidus by Rabbi Raichik: 9:00 am
• Early Minyan Shacharis: 9:30 am
• Shacharis: 10:00 am
• Kol Yakov Yehuda: 10:00
• Rabbi Raichik's Pirkei Avos Shiur: 6:35 pm 
• Mincha: 7:35 pm Followed by Pirkei Avos - Perek 6
• Shabbos Ends: 8:41 pm

• Rabbi & Mrs. Reuven Nathanson for the yahrtzeit of Mrs. Chana Leiba Nathanson’s father Mordechai ben Shlomo ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya. 
• Rabbi & Mrs. Eli Vcherashansky in honor of Rabbi Eli Vcherashansky’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus. 

• Rabbi & Mrs. Shmuel Fogelman in honor of Rabbi Shmuel Fogelman’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Ami Meyers in honor of Rabbi Ami Meyers’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.

Shabbos Achdus Shiur
6:00 pm at the home of Mrs. Rivky Raichik
145 S Mansfield Ave.
Speaker: Rabbi Mendel Greenbaum

• Mr. & Mrs. Shimon Benarroch on the birth of their great grandson (to Arye Leib and Mushkee Pruss.)
• Mrs. Mira Labkowsky on the birth of her granddaughter (to Zalmy & Etty Labkowsky.)
• Rabbi & Mrs. Zalmen Schmukler on the birth of their granddaughter.
• Mr. & Mrs. Steve Zipp on the engagement of their son Josh to Shira Paffrath. 

Upcoming Birthdays

• Mr. Yisroel Koch - 2 Sivan
• Moshe Yitzchok Yusevitch - 2 Sivan
• Rabbi Shmuel Fogelman - 3 Sivan
• Rabbi Ami Meyers - 3 Sivan
• Rabbi Eli Vcherashansky - 5 Sivan
• Nosson Pesach Sroka - 6 Sivan
• Mr. Milton Goodman - 6 Sivan

Upcoming Anniversaries

• Rabbi & Mrs. Nachman Kreiman - 3 Sivan

Upcoming Yahrtzeits

• Mordechai ben Shlomo (Mrs. Chana Leiba Nathanson’s father) - 4 Sivan
• Dovid Anshil ben Eliyhu (Mrs. Rae Shagalov’s father) - 5 Sivan
• Yehoshua ben Moshe Yaakov (Rabbi Shaya Berkowitz’s brother) - 6 Sivan
• Lee ben Yacov (Mrs. Chana Weiss’s brother) - 7 Sivan

Seize the Moment, Change the World! 
By Rabbi Shimon Raichik

This week we begin Sefer Bamidbar.  A desert in the spiritual life of a Jew is the feeling or sense of being away from home and out of our element. We are in the desert, or in the galus, where we don’t belong. We belong in Eretz Yisroel our home and we are anxious to get there as soon as possible. We need to be careful not to become weakened or complacent in the meantime because we are caught in between where we are and where we would rather be. Sometimes, because of this protracted struggle we allow ourselves to give up responsibility for the outcome thinking that we have been overcome to some degree by circumstances. We would like to succeed in serving Hashem in all areas, but after all we are but a little spot in the midst of a vast desert..

Although we may be stuck in the galus, in the vast desert, nevertheless just as Hashem gave the Jews in the desert the ability to build a Mishkon for Hashem, so too He has given us great powers to succeed in our struggles. We have the power to transform the desert into a garden by making our homes an extension of Eretz Yisroel, as the Tzemach Tzedek taught: “Mach da Eretz Yisroel- Make Eretz Yisroel here” in each one’s own life home and environment.

What does it mean to make Eretz Yisroel here? It means that while there are many formidable obstacles and challenges in life, unique to each person, and it seems that the circumstances block our ability to fulfill our purpose in this world; nevertheless, just as Yaakov overcame Lavan as well as the Angel of Eisav so too, all of us have been given that strength.  Just as Yaakov was given the name Yisroel which means that he wrestled with and then overcame all difficulties so too hidden within us is a very strong will, ratzon to fulfill our purpose of making out of our life a Mishkon for Hashem. This is the meaning of making here Eretz Yisroel. Eretz means the will (as in the saying; ‘Eretz Yisroel is the land that runs [ratzesa] to do the will of Hashem).

Sometimes we may think; will one thought, one word or one action change the entire world? There are billions of people on this earth and my ‘lone voice in the desert’ will make all the difference? We know that we are a nation of Kohanim and a holy nation. Everything that we do 24/7 with all that we have is done to serve Hashem in one way or another. Our unique role in this world as a nation of Kohanim makes all the difference and transforms the world into Eretz Yisroel wherever we are found.

But where do we get the vitality need to reveal this will? We get the vitality from “Toras Chayim”, from receiving the Torah at Sinai, in the desert, Bamidbar Sinai. Moshe Rabbenu first received the Torah and then he gave it to us, as the pasuk says; Torah tzivah lanu Moshe morasha kehilas Yaakov. Everyone one of us, man woman and child has received the entire Torah on all levels, pshat, remez, drush, sod etc, with all the teachings of the Tanaim, Amoraim and Geonim etc, as a personal inheritance.  By studying and connecting to Toras Chayim we have the vitality to make Eretz Yisroel here. Because we are a Nation of Kohanim we can make a Mishkon for Hashem in this world. This is who we are, and our ability is unlimited because it is connected to Hashem’s Torah.

The Rambam says that one thought, word or deed tips the scales of the entire word toward salvation. This teaches us the greatness and the power of every moment. We reveal the greatness of every moment because we are connected to Toras Chaim, the living Torah, then every moment, every day, every week, month and year is infused with true life. This is the power to overcome all challenges and be victorious in our mission to bring Moshiach now!

(Adapted from the Sicha of  the 23rd of Iyar 5742-1992)

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

• Click here for this week's Lmaan Yishmeu publication. 
• 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!!!
• TEHILIM: Please say tehilim for Boruch Aharon ben Dina Nassy.
• WEDNESDAY: Shloshim for Rabbi Rodal a"h, 7:30 pm at Beis Betzalel. Click here for more info. 
• WEDNESDAY, 28 Iyar/May 24. Anash Lecture Series "Raising Kids & Sholom Bayis in an Ever-Evolving World" For women only. By Mrs. Rivkah Slonim. Click here for more info. 

• Shabbos Candle Lighting: 7:32 pm
• Shabbos Mevarchim Tehillim: 8:15 am
• Followed by Rabbi Raichik’s Shiur Chassidus 
• Tehillim Club: 9:00 am 
• Last Time To Read Shema: 9:18 am
• Early Minyan Shacharis: 10:00 am
• Shacharis: 10:15 am
• Kol Yakov Yehuda: 10:15
• Rabbi Raichik's Pirkei Avos Shiur: 6:30 pm 
• Mincha: 7:30 pm Followed by Pirkei Avos - Perek 5
• Shabbos Ends: 8:35 pm
• Molad of Chodesh Sivan: Thursday, 29 Iyar/May 25, 8:32 pm and 12 chalokim. 
• Rosh Chodesh Sivan: Friday, May 26.

• The Gaboim of the Shul in honor of Shabbos Chazak. May they and the entire community be blessed with kol tuv se’ela.
• Mrs. Nechama Amilov for all the miracles and kindness Hashem has shown her family. May Hashem continue to shower them and the entire community with kol tuv sela. 
• Rabbi & Mrs. Yisroel Bastomski in honor of Mrs. Etty Bastomski’s birthday. May she have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
• Mr. & Mrs. Yankel Ginsburg in honor of Mr. Yankel Ginsburg’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Fischel Grossman for the yahrtzeit of Mrs. Neshe Grossman’s mother Chana bas Reb Avrohom ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
• Levi Raichik in honor of his birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Yonah Mordechai Weiss for the yahrtzeit of Rabbi Yonah Mordechai Weiss’s father Reb Yissochor Dov ben Reb Yona ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.

• 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. Alon Asefovitz, in honor of their daughter’s birthday. May she have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.

6:00 pm at the home of Mrs. Chani Hecht
419 N Poinsettia Pl.
Speaker: Rabbi Yisroel Hecht

• Rabbi & Mrs. Yosske Mishulovin on the marriage of their daughter Chava to Tzvi Isikovitz. 

Upcoming Birthdays

• Rabbi Levi Raichik - 25 Iyar
• Noson Kesselman - 29 Iyar
• Mr. Moshe Susman - 1 Sivan
• Mr. Yankel Ginsburg - 1 Sivan
• Michel Revere - 1 Sivan
• Mr. Yisroel Feiner - 1 Sivan

Upcoming Anniversaries

• Mr. & Mrs. Meilach Weiss - 28 Iyar

Upcoming Yahrtzeits

• Chana bas Reb Avrohom (Mrs. Neshe Grossman’s mother) - 25 Iyar
• Reb Yissochor Dov ben Reb Yona (Rabbi Yonah Mordechai Weiss’s father) - 27 Iyar

A beacon of light in a time of darkness and confusion
By Rabbi Shimon Raichik

This week is parshas Behar-Bechukosai. In the parsha Hashem promises that if the Jewish people will study His Torah and keep His commandments they will enjoy material prosperity and dwell securely in their homeland. Hashem's promises everything good. This prosperity is both spiritual as well as physical. The Torah and the mitzvos are the abundance of light which shines through as well as the realization of physical abundance.

As Lubavitcher Chassidim we have been fortunate to see time and time again the clarity and depth of the Rebbe's vision. In many areas of life, be it the personal the spiritual or the global, the Rebbe's clarity of vision extends from beginning until end and over the horizon. The Rebbe's  has been known in matters that other leaders were unable to fathom.

Take for example during the 1970s and the 1980s when we saw this distinction clearly in two areas. Firstly when it came to the law of return in Israel known as the question of mihu Yehudi, who is a Jew. Eventhough many of the Rebbe's contemporaries were unable to see what problems would come from not amending the law to read "according to halacha" (meaning that the Torah is the only authority that defines what a Jew is) the Rebbe was strongly outspoken with clarity that this law must be amended. It is unfortunate that only now we are realizing the damage caused by regrettably neglecting to fulfill His call. 

So too did we see is clarity with regard to Shleimus Haaretz. The Rebbe was clear and  unambiguous about His opposition for any land for peace deal and was outspoken against the Camp David Accord saying that all it was was a piece of paper and that it was a security issue for Eretz Yisroel. Others could not connect the dots. Many leaders at the time including religious leaders voted for the camp David Accord. 

As Lubavitcher Chassidim we have seen this clarity times too many to count extend into all areas of life from the most personal to the most public. This foresight which extends from beginning until the very end is with us and part of our lives now more than ever. As the Rebbe  said in 5710 after the passing of the Previous Rebbe: "We are not alone". While we ourselves recognize that we ourselves do not have this kind of vision we know that by living and acting as Lubavitcher Chassidim we merit to be connected to the Rebbe and to his clarity of vision by learning his Sichos and Maamarim following in his ways, consulting his Igros Kodesh and keeping his Minhagim.

Our impact, to our children our communities and to the world at large depend on how we choose to live. When I was young and learning in France in the Yeshiva what I remember even more than the learning were the tremendous example set by Rav Nisan and Rav Yisroel Noach. When I saw the way they lived the life of true Chassidim I knew that Chassidus was real, not just a theory. The same is true for us. When our children, our students, our associates are friends see our effort they know that what we are striving for is real. Especially our children who understand far more than we give them credit for, when they see us challenge ourselves especially in the areas that don't come naturally or are against our nature they to know that Chassidus is real. We ourselves might not be up for the challenge, give me like a vision but if we make a sincere effort by expressing a thought in a Sicha at the Shabbos table or share a heartfelt story or trying to implement the Rebbe's guidance in an honest way, we make an impression. We have been witness to the unbelievable success of those who are connected. 

Maybe all merit the ultimate success, the arrival of Moshiach today.

A good Shabbos a good Chodesh

Rabbi Mordechai Katz
is sitting shiva in Eretz Yisroel until Wednesday
on the passing of his mother Mrs. Adrienne Katz ob"m.

He can be reached on his cell 310-663-3403
(keeping in mind the time difference of 10 hours ahead)
or via email [email protected]

Hamakom Yenachem Eschem B'soch Sheor Avalei Tzion V'yerushalayim. Vehukeetzu Veranenu Shochnay Ufur vehe besochom!

• Click here for this week's Lmaan Yishmeu publication. 
• 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!!!
• New biking camp this summer for 5th & 6th grade boys. Click here for more info. 
• If you have a son or if you know someone else in our community who is celebrating their upshernish this Lag Ba’omer please contact Chezky Vogel at (929) 294-4433, who is arranging a float for these boys. 
• NICHUM AVEILIM: Rabbi Mordechai Katz is sitting shiva in Eretz Yisroel until Wednesday on the passing of his mother Mrs. Adrienne Katz ob"m. he can be reached at [email protected].  Hamakom Yenachem Eschem B'soch Sheor Avalei Tzion V'yerushalayim. Vehukeetzu Veranenu Shochnay Ufur vehe besochom!
• TEHILIM: Please say tehilim for Boruch Aharon ben Dina Nassy.
• SAVE THE DATE: Wednesday, 28 Iyar/May 24. Anash Lecture Series "Raising Kids & Sholom Bayis in an Ever-Evolving World" For women only. By Mrs. Rivkah Slonim. Click here for more info. 
• MOTZEI SHABBOS: Lag Baomer Bonfire @ Ariel Glaat Market.
• SUNDAY: The Great Parade. Sunday Lag Baomer, May 14.
  If you didn’t pay your pledge for the Lag Ba’omer parade appeal, please click here to do so.

• Shabbos Candle Lighting: 7:27 pm
• Last Time To Read Shema: 9:21 am
• Chassidus for Early Minyan: 8:45 am
• Shiur Chassidus by Rabbi Raichik: 9:00 am
• Early Minyan Shacharis: 9:30 am
• Shacharis: 10:00 am
• Kol Yakov Yehuda: 10:00
• Rabbi Raichik's Pirkei Avos Shiur: 6:25 pm 
• Mincha: 7:25 pm Followed by Pirkei Avos - Perek 4
• Shabbos Ends: 8:30 pm

• Rabbi & Mrs. Boruch Braude for the yahrtzeit of Rabbi Boruch Braude’s father Reb Moshe ben Reb Shmuel ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Simcha Frankel for all the kindness Hashem has shown their family. May Hashem continue to shower them and the entire community with kol tuv sela.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Reuven Nathanson for the yahrtzeit of Rabbi Reuven Nathanson’s father Reb Yitzchok ben Reb Yaakov Shmuel of ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.

• Mr. & Mrs. Yirmiyahu Andrusier in honor of their anniversary. May they have many more happy years together.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Yitzchok Arnold for the yahrtzeit of Mrs. Chana Arnold’s father Reb Moshe Bunim ben Reb Shlomo ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Dovi Gorelik in honor of Rabbi Dovi Gorelik’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
• Mr. & Mrs. Ari Kaufman in honor of their anniversary. May they have many more happy years together.
• Mr. & Mrs. Yossi Nathanson in honor of their anniversary. May they have many more happy years together.
• Mr. & Mrs. Michael Zaghi in honor of their anniversary. May they have many more happy years together. Also in honor of their daughter Tzipora Simcha’s birthday. May she have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.

6:15 pm at the home of Mrs. Yehudit Schneerson
364 N Fuller Ave.
Speaker: Rabbi Shaya Berkowitz

• Rabbi & Mrs. Yossi Bukiet on the birth of their grandson (to  Zev & Lakey Frimerman.)
• Rabbi & Mrs. Yisroel Hecht on the birth of their grandson (to Yakov and Brachie Garfinkel.)
• Rabbi & Mrs. Elazor Plotke on the birth of their granddaughter Devorah Leah Grifkin (to Mendy & Sarah Aidel Grifkin.)
• Rabbi & Mrs. Danny Rotenberg on the engagement of his daughter Mushkie to Daniel Messing.
• Mr. & Mrs. Reuven Solomon on the bar mitzva of their grandson.

Upcoming Birthdays

• Rabbi Dovi Gorelik - 19 Iyar
• Mr. Ephraim Piperno - 19 Iyar
• Mendel Raichik - 19 Iyar
• Yaakov Moshe Sroka - 19 Iyar
• Menachem Moshe Cherman - 20 Iyar
• Elimelech Moshe Allison - 21 Iyar
• Mendel Schochet - 21 Iyar
• Zusha Lerman - 22 Iyar
• Schneur Zalmen Berger - 22 Iyar
• Rabbi Yoel Edelson - 22 Iyar

Upcoming Anniversaries

• Mr. & Mrs. Aleksandr Ganzburg - 18 Iyar
• Mr. & Mrs. Michael Zaghi - 18 Iyar
• Mr. & Mrs. Ari Kaufman - 18 Iyar
• Mr. & Mrs. Yirmiyahu Andrusier - 18 Iyar

Upcoming Yahrtzeits

• Reb Moshe Bunim ben Reb Shlomo (Mrs. Chana Arnold’s father) - 17 Iyar
• Reb Moshe ben Reb Shmuel (Rabbi Boruch Braude’s father) - 17 Iyar
• Reb Nosson Nota ben Reb Zalman Yudah (Mrs. Rochel Eisenberg’s brother) - 18 Iyar
• Shosha Vita bas Reb Yitzchok Aryeh (Mrs. Etty Bastomski’s mother) - 18 Iyar
• Etel bas Reb Gershon (Mrs. Roberta Solomon’s mother) - 19 Iyar
• Reb Mordechai ben Reb Eliyahu (Rabbi Gershon Schusterman’s father) - 22 Iyar
• Reb Yitzchok ben Reb Yaakov Shmuel (Rabbi Reuven Nathanson’s father) - 22 Iyar

Defending Our Brand
vs. testing the limits of Skepticism
By Rabbi Shimon Raichik

This week’s parsha of Emor begins; “Speak to the Kohanim, the sons of Aaron, and say to them”. Rashi explains (from a Gemara) that the words (“Emor “v’amarta”), “speak” and “say” means to caution the elders regarding the youngsters (“lehazhir hagedolim al hakatanim”).

The Rebbe explains that this pasuk constitutes a primary source for the concept of education. It also also offers an insight into the nature of education. The word used by Rashi (quoted from the Gemara),lehazhir, refers to the responsibility of the Kohanim to educate their children as their obligation “to caution” them. The word lehazhir also means “to make shine.” This implies that rather than being content with setting a basic educational standard for our youth or training them in the rudimentary observance of the commandments, we should teach them to perform the commandments optimally, even beyond the letter of the law, so that they, both the commandments and the children, shine.

This lesson is emphasized by the fact that the Torah teaches it to us through its instruction to the Kohanim. Their task is to help others rise spiritually and become close to Hashem (through the service in the Beis HaMikdash); so too, we should strive to educate our youth not to merely be well versed in the Torah in observing its commandments but through this study and reflection draw close to Hashem.

The Rebbe spoke many times that every person should have a Rav (“Aseh lecha Rav”) whom he or she consults with on a regular basis for guidance in all areas of life. Although we have spoken about this in the past, with people relying on answering questions though apps texting and emails it behooves us today more than ever to address this topic especially in light of recent events. When we turn to electronics for answers instead of Rabbonim we not only loose out on the necessary human interaction, the human touch, which is essential, we sometimes unwittingly go against Halacha. Take for example a recent app for taking pictures and sending them for questions regarding ritual purity and menstration. For reasons involving lighting etc., pictures are not allowable; therefore using this this app is clearly against Halacha.

We can read or watch a fabrengen of the Rebbe for 15 or 20 minutes or we can also speak to someone who was there. By hearing about it from someone who was there we learn about the fabrengen in a much more tangible way. We get a broader sense for the context, the intention, the purpose and the direction of that fabrengen. This we cannot get all of this just by watching it for 15 or 20 minutes. Without a living connection we lack the fullness of the experience and a complete understanding of what was intended. This is “lehazhir hagedolim al hakatanim”, this is how we both educate and inspire; when the elders share their knowledge and experience to the younger generation we create an unbreakable chain.   When the youth receive properly and they go on to fulfill their purpose optimally.

Unfortunately as of late this standard has been challenged and has been harmed. While it’s good thing to bust a myth, to clarify truth from fiction, that pursuit can also be hijacked for a less than noble purpose. Some seek to “squeak by” in their observance of Halacha and prefer to challenge inconsistencies of Rabbonim or demand to be shown the source instead of seeking to be a participant and striving to be a Chosid.   It’s fair to ask a question, we all need to get to the truth, but sometimes it can go too far and then the question defeats its purpose. Sometimes it’s pushback, an attempt to avoid having to accept the ways of the Rebbe and the minhagim of Chassidim. We live in open society and we see other approaches in other communities. Some ask why they too can’t have the leniencies they see others enjoy. Whether it’s the height of a mechitza, the positioning of a bima, if they can use an eruv on Shabbos or if they can meet with representatives of other religions. The job of the elders is lehazhir, to caution and to illuminate our lives in the ways of the Rebbe Chassidus and Shulchan Aruch.

Our purpose is best served when we seek the guidance of our elders our Rabbonim, Emor v’amartah. Those who were there and those who are knowledgeable know that the Rebbe was against meeting with representatives of other religions. He discouraged inter-religious dialogue. There are letters and fabrengens that say that these kind of things fall into the category of; “Al tifnu el elilim,  Do not turn it towards false entities”.

The job of a Lubavitcher Chosid is to spread authentic Judaism in addition to spreading the wellsprings of Chassidus.  On this the Rebbe was very clear saying that we see to it that everything that we do follows Shulchan Aruch and mesorah. Nowadays if the Rabbonim say that something is not appropriate (es past nisht) we get pushback. While it is true that every stringency needs a basis in Halacha at the same time we need take the advice and guidance of our Rabbonim. There have been differences of opinion amongst the Rabbis since time immemorial. No one has ever used that as a reason or as a free ticket not to listen. It’s great to dispel a myth.  We need to be careful however not to loose the most important part, to truly desire to receive the answers needed to follow in the ways of the Rebbe and Chassidus optimally.

There is a letter of the Rebbe written to HaRav Yaakov Landau OBM where the Rebbe asks him to explain exactly how the Rebbe Rashab blew the shofar (the shevarim) on Rosh Hashana. The Rebbe already knew everything that is written on the subject; nonetheless he sought the mesora. There is nothing so valuable and important.

May we all merit to appreciate and desire the opportunity to know and to live in the ways of the Rebbe and our minhagim by seeking out and following the guidance and advice of our elders, the Rabbonim, “lehazhir hagedolim al hakatanim” and together as one  go and  greet Moshiach.

A Good Shabbos

SUNDAY: Call to Anash!!!
We need you to do Mivtzoim at the Israeli festival!!!
15,000 Jews attending.

Sunday, Iyar 11/May 7, 11 am - 6 pm, in Rancho Park.
Proceed to Chabad booth at the park.
Men, bring your Tefilin.
Ladies, Neshek will be available at the booth.

20 free tickets available, pick up Sunday morning at 418 N. Fuller Ave.
please text 323-397-6503 to reserve tickets Moshiach Now!! 

A huge yasher koach to those anash that participated
in the Great Parade appeal, which took place in shul this morning.

On behalf of the Vaad,
Sincerely
Rabbi Mendel Duchman

Please go to tinyurl.com/kyy-lb to fulfill the pledge

• Click here for this week's Lmaan Yishmeu publication. 
• 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!!!
• New biking camp this summer for 5th & 6th grade boys. Click here for more info. 
• If you have a son or if you know someone else in our community who is celebrating their upshernish this Lag Ba’omer please contact Chezky Vogel at (929) 294-4433, who is arranging a float for these boys. 
• TEHILIM: Please say tehilim for Boruch Aharon ben Dina Nassy.
• SUNDAY: Call to Anash!!! We need you to do Mivtzoim at the Israeli festival!!! 15,000 Jews attending. Sunday, Iyar 11/May 7, 11 am - 6 pm, in Rancho Park. Proceed to Chabad booth at the park. Men, bring your Tefilin. Ladies, Neshek will be available at the booth. 20 free tickets available, pick up Sunday morning at 418 N. Fuller Ave. please text 323-397-6503 to reserve tickets Moshiach Now!! 
• MONDAY: Critical Prevention Evening. Monday, 12 Iyar/May 8, 6:30 pm @ YULA. Click here for more info.
• SAVE THE DATE: The Great Parade. Sunday Lag Baomer, May 14

• Shabbos Candle Lighting: 7:22 pm
• Last Time To Read Shema: 9:24 am
• Chassidus for Early Minyan: 8:45 am
• Shiur Chassidus by Rabbi Raichik: 9:00 am
• Early Minyan Shacharis: 9:30 am
• Shacharis: 10:00 am
• Kol Yakov Yehuda: 10:00
• Rabbi Raichik's Pirkei Avos Shiur: 6:20 pm 
• Mincha: 7:20 pm Followed by Pirkei Avos - Perek 3
• Shabbos Ends: 8:25 pm

• Rabbi & Mrs. Shalom Elharrar for the yahrtzeits of Rabbi Shalom Elharrar’s parents Reb Yihya Amram ben Reb Nissim ob"m and mother Chana bas Reb Moshe ob"m. May the neshomos have an aliya.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Jonathan Glabman for the yahrtzeit of Mrs. Julie Glabman’s father Reb Ozzie ben Reb Zev ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
• Mr. & Mrs. Isser Goldstein for the yahrtzeit of Mr. Isser Goldstein’s father Reb Tzvi Hersh ben Reb Shmuel ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
• Mr. & Mrs. Reuven Horwitz for the yahrtzeit of Mrs. Sarah Horwitz’s father Reb Sender Elya HaKohain ben Reb Avram Yosef ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Martin Leaderman for the yahrtzeit of Mr. Martin Leaderman’s mother Tzipora bas Reb Moshe ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
• Mr. & Mrs. Elozor Plotke for the yahrtzeit of Mr. Elozor Plotke’s father Reb Shmuel ben Reb Kurt ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.

 6:00 pm at the home of Mrs. SIma Zeifman
421 N Poinsettia Pl. 
Speaker: Rabbi Levi Kramer

• Mr. & Mrs. Nochum Cherman on the birth of their daughter.
• Mr. & Mrs. Moshe Davidoff on the engagement of their son Sadya to Shimona Leah Rapoport.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Meir Finck on the birth of their daughter. Mazal tov to the grandparents Rabbi & Mrs. Mendel Goldman.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Reuven Nathanson on the birth of their grandson (to Saadya & Chaya Sara Kaufmann.)

Upcoming Birthdays

• Shmuel Dovid Yehoshua Perl - 11 Iyar
• Mr. Yitzchok Michael - 11 Iyar
• Chaim Dovid Sroka - 12 Iyar
• Menachem Mendel Plotke - 14 Iyar
• Moshe Arnold - 15 Iyar
• Rabbi Shaya Berkowitz - 16 Iyar
• Mr. Aleksandr Ganzburg - 16 Iyar
• Mr. Yrachmiel Kahn - 16 Iyar

Upcoming Yahrtzeits

• Reb Ber ben Reb Isroel (Mr. Mottel Polityko’s grandfather) - 11 Iyar
• Reb Sender Elya HaKohain ben Reb Avram Yosef (Mrs. Sarah Horwitz’s father) - 13 Iyar
• Reb Emanuel ben Reb Kalman (Mr. Maayan Kerbel’s granfather) - 13 Iyar
• Reb Zeida Moshe ben Reb Alter Asher Anchel (Rabbi Sholem Perl’s father) - 14 Iyar
• Tzipora bas Reb Moshe (Mr. Martin Leaderman’s mother) - 14 Iyar
• Reb Tzvi Hersh ben Reb Shmuel (Mr. Isser Goldstein’s father) - 14 Iyar
• Chaya Mushka bas Reb Menachem Mendel (Rabbi & Mrs. Mendy Spalter’s daughter) - 14 Iyar
• Reb Daniel ben Reb Nochum (Mr. Efraim Lezak’s father) - 15 Iyar
• Reb Yihya Amram ben Reb Nissim (Rabbi Shalom Elharrar’s father) - 15 Iyar
• Reb Ozzie ben Reb Zev (Mrs. Julie Glabman’s father) - 16 Iyar
• Chana bas Reb Moshe (Rabbi Shalom Elharrar’s mother) - 16 Iyar
• Reb Shmuel ben Reb Kurt (Mr. Elozor Plotke’s father) - 16 Iyar

Walking in the ways of Moshe Rabbenu
and Aharon HaKohen
leads straight to the Geula
By Rabbi Shimon Raichik

This week's Torah portion of Achrei begins with Hashem instructing Aharon not to enter into the Holy of Holies except for on Yom Kippur, the day he is required to enter accompanied with the special avodah and korbonos.  The first verse also mentions what happened  to the two sons of Aharon to serve as a warning that he should be careful not to allow to happen to him what happened to his two sons, Nadav and Avihu.The Ohr HaChayim HaKadosh explains  that they expired while drawing so close to Hashem that their neshamos left their bodies.  He describes that  indescribable experience  of drawing close to Hashem  as drawing close to the attachment, the pleasantness, the attractiveness, the friendship, the preciousness, the desire and the sweetness until their souls expired. Hashem warned Aharon HaKohen lest the same desire  overcome him as well.  The message is to achieve a desire  to go up (ratzo) but to accompany it with a return back (shuv) into the service of the day. Not just to fly but also to to land.

What is the lesson to each and every one of us today? The Torah is everlasting and applies to  everyone in every generation. As the pasuk says; Zos Toras HaOlah, this is the Torah of the Olah. Chazal explain that  anyone who is occupied with the study of the olah offering it is as if he had brought the olah offering on the mizbeach in the Beis HaMikdash.  On one hand the advantage of the Torah  is that it is beyond time and space  and in that sense it is greater than mitzvos  which relate two specific objects and times with in time and space. Therefore an individual can be  outside the Beis HaMikdash and Israel in general. He  doesn't have to be a Kohen and it can even the middle of the night when the service is not allowed.  Nevertheless,  his study of the olah  is considered as if he had performed the service in the Beis HaMikdash as if he were a Kohen  in the middle of the day!

The Torah  is likened to blood which goes all over the body whereas the mitzvos are likened to limbs every one of which is separate  from the other. Since the Torah  is beyond time and space and the mitzvos are within time and space,  how can Torah study  replace a practical mitzvah? The answer is that the Torah,  while beyond time and space has its effect within  the boundaries of time and space.  The story of Aharon HaKohen  going into the Holy of Holies on Yom Kippur affects each and everyone of us  not just on Yom Kippur but whenever we learn about it in the Torah. Aharon was  being given a paradoxical message. On one hand he was being told to enter the Holy of Holies.  This entry into the Holy of Holies  is an act of unparalleled intimacy and closeness to Hashem.  At the same time Aharon  is being instructed keep it within a specific  range. He was being told by Hashem through Moshe Rabbenu and through his Torah  not to get lost in the attachment, the pleasantness, the attractiveness, the friendship, the preciousness, the desire and the sweetness until his soul expires but to also stay focused the specific tasks  through his shlichus on behalf of the Jewish people  and performing the services and offering the korbonos of Yom Kippur. This is the meaning of the words “Bzos yavo Aharon, with this did Aharon enter.” “This” refers to not entering the Holy of Holies for himself to be close, rather to enter because it is what Hashem wants, and he is fulfilling the will of Hashem.

Moshe Rabbenu on the other hand is on the level of the Torah, as it says “Zichru Toras Moshe Avdi, Remember the Torah of Moshe my servant”. Therefore Moshe Rabbenu just like the Torah itself which has no limits,  and therefore was able to enter the Holy of Holies  without restriction.  Every Jew has this power when he learns the Torah and is connected Moshe Rabbenu.  When a person davens  deep love for Hashem until the point of “b’kol me with all of one’s might”. A love  to this extent is to  draw close (ratzo) on the level that is beyond time and space.  At the same time we are required to touch our Tefillin at  specific times making sure they are in their specific places (shuv).  This is the paradox that we bridge with the help of the Torah and with the help of our connection to Moshe Rabbenu.

This reminds me of the story I've told many times about my father, HaRav HaChosid Menachem Shmuel Dovid HaLevi Raichik O.B.M.,  and about the letter from the Rebbe  he carried with him wherever he went. As mentioned before he was told in this letter to be fully involved in his shlichus in Los Angeles.  On the other hand  he never stop asking to come to New York for Tishrei to be with the Rebbe for Yom Tov,  and he never stopped reading that letter and drawing inspiration from it on a daily basis. He did not suffice to limit himself to Los Angeles rather he united it with the closeness and inspiration necessary from the Rebbe as a part of the shlichus.  This is because our service is to integrate both aspects; to complete our  purpose in this world while simultaneously drawing close. We  see this clearly from the way he lived.

We accomplish this in all that we do throughout our daily lives as we focus on  fulfilling the will of Hashem,  simultaneously drawing as close as possible beyond time and space  while fulfilling our purpose  in all that we do within time and with in space. This  is the most direct path to the ultimate destination, the geula, when the world  will be filled with the knowledge of Hashem the waters cover the sea.

A Good Shabbos