Shul Bulletin

• Shabbos Candle Lighting: 7:33 pm
• Last Time To Read Shema: 9:32 am
• Shabbos Mevarchim Tehillim: 8:15 am
• Followed by a Shiur Chassidus by Rabbi Raichik
• Thillim Club: 9:00 am
• Early Minyan Shacharis: 10:00 am
• Shacharis: 10:15 am
• NO Kol Yaakov Yehuda:((((
• Rabbi Raichik's Shiur in Pirkei Avos: 6:30 pm
• Mincha: 7:30 pm - Followed by Avos - Perek 4
• Shabbos Ends: 8:36 pm
• Molad Chodesh Elul: Shabbos, Av 30/August 11, 7:33pm and 9 chalakim..
• Rosh Chodesh Elul: Shabbos & Sunday, August 11 & 12.

• Rabbi & Mrs. Baruch Braude for the sheva berochos of Arye & Devory to Meijers. May he be Zoche to build a binyan aday ad.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Dovid Eliyahu Meijers for the yahrtzeit of Rabbi Dovid Eliyahu Meijers’s father Reb Eliezer Daniel ben Reb Shmuel Yakov ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Avrohom Klyne for the yahrtzeit of Rabbi Avrohom Klyne’s mother Esther Leah bas Reb Shmuel Tuvia ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
• The Raichik & Klyne Families for the yahrtzeit of their mother Rebbitzen Leah bas Reb Avrohom Abele Hakohen ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.

• Rabbi Mushi and Shterny Fogelman in honor of Village Synagogue acquiring a beautiful new center. May Rabbi Zalmy and Chana go from strength o strength..
• Rabbi & Mrs. Yankee Raichik for the yahrtzeit of Rabbi Yankee Raichik’s mother Rebbitzen Leah bas Reb Avrohom Abele Hakohen ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya. Also, in honor of Mrs. Rivky Raichik’s sister Nechomo Dina ob”m’s birthday. May the neshomo have an aliya.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Menachem Rubinstein in in honor of their birthdays. May they have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.

6:30 pm at the home of Mrs. Varda Rav-Noy
428 N Martel
Speaker: Rabbi Yisroel Hecht

• Rabbi & Mrs. Baruch Braude on the marriage of their daughter Devory to Arye Meijers.

Upcoming Birthdays

• Rabbi Tzvi Boyarsky - 24 Av
• Rabbi David Diamand - 24 Av
• Meir Rubashkin - 25 Av
• Mr. Joel Yachzel - 26 Av
• Mendel Perl - 26 Av
• Rabbi Mendel Dubinsky - 27 Av
• Mendel Thaler - 29 Av
• Mendel Rubashkin - 29 Av
• Mr. Pinchas Hirsch - 29 Av

Upcoming Anniversaries

• Rabbi & Mrs. Zalmy Fogelman - 24 Av

Upcoming Yahrtzeits

• Sima bas Reb Shmuel Dovid (Rabbi Tzvi Rauh’s mother) - 23 Av
• Rebbitzen Leah bas Reb Avrohom Abele Hakohen Raichik - 24 Av
• Chana Priva bas Reb Alter Yehoshua (Mrs. Leah Perl’s mother) - 24 Av
• Reb Mannis ben Reb Yitzchak Leib Halevi (Rabbi Simcha Frankel’s grandfather) - 26 Av
• Ratza Liba bas Reb Chaim (Rabbi Simcha Frankel’s mother) - 28 Av
• Esther Leah bas Reb Shmuel Tuvia (Rabbi Avrohom Klyne’s mother) - 29 Av

To the Point

By Rabbi Shimon Raichik

In this week’s parsha of Eikev Hashem commands Moshe Rabbenu to carve the second set of Luchos and to build an Aron where he can place them when he descends from Har Sinai. Later Moshe Rabbenu says, “I made for them (the Luchos) an Aron”.

The Gemara (Yoma 72b) asks why the Torah states in our parsha that Moshe Rabbenu made the Aron while in parsha’s Terumah it states that “they” meaning the Bnei Yisroel (not only Moshe Rabbenu) should make the Aron. The answer of the Gemara is that when Bnei Yisroel do the will of Hashem they are the builders of the Aron and when they do not do the will of Hashem Moshe Rabbenu has to build the Aron.

The Rebbe explains that when the Gemara speaks about the will of Hashem it is not referring to the past when Bnei Yisroel sinned by the golden calf rather it refers to today in our current state.  Not doing the will of Hashem corresponds to the state of galus when we do not feel or perceive the Shechina and therefore are not aligned with Hashem’s will because His will is hidden in galus.

Just as the Aron housed the Luchos, so too we are in constant need of thoughts of teshuva to build within ourselves the will of Hashem so that we can contain the Luchos HaBris. Though thoughts of teshuva the desire to do the will of Hashem latent within the neshama is revealed. The Luchos represent how the Torah and mitzvos are carved into and are one with the  neshama just as the Ten Commandments are carved into the Luchos.

How do receive thoughts of teshuva while feeling cut off and in a state of galus (a prisoner cannot release him or herself from prison)? These thoughts come to us from our connection to Moshe Rabbenu and as it states in the Tanya from the extension of Moshe Rabbenu found in each generation; to our Rebbe. This is the meaning of Moshe Rabbenu building the Aron. According to Chassidus the Aron represents the thoughts of teshuva that are with us throughout the galus when we have obstacles in fulfilling the will of Hashem that help us reveal the will of Hashem.

By increasing our bond to the Rebbe through learning his Sichos Mamarim Letters and fulfilling the Rebbe’s guidance we are holding on to the Aron of the Rebbe. Through this we have all the necessary powers to break though the ‘cover up’ of the galus and merit the presence of Moshiach now!

A Good Shabbos, A Good Chodesh!

With sadness we inform you of the passing of
Penina Gitel bas Shmuel Meir ob"m
Sister of Mrs. Mikhla Dauer

The funeral will be
Tomorrow (Monday), 10 am
at Mount Sinai in Simi Valley.

Shiva Times:
630 N Arden Dr.
Wed & Thur: 10-12, 2-4:30 and 7-9.
Fri:10-1
Motzei Shabbos: 9:30-11

May we share only good news!

Farbrengen for men in honor of Chof Av
TONIGHT (Tue), after Maariv - Around 8:30 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 building fund, kibud or yiskor pledges and outstanding membership. Thank you to all of our supporters!!!

• Shabbos Candle Lighting: 7:39 pm
• Last Time To Read Shema: 9:30 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
• NO Kol Yaakov Yehuda during the summer :(((
• Rabbi Raichik's Shiur in Pirkei Avos: 6:40 pm
• Mincha: 7:40 pm - Followed by Avos - Perek 3
• Shabbos Ends: 8:42 pm

• 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. Yerachmiel Soto in honor of their anniversary. May they have many more happy years together.
• Mr. & Mrs. Richard Rosenbloom for the yahrtzeit of Mr. Richard Rosenbloom’s father Hershel Tzvi ben Avraham 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. 
• Mrs. Leah Weintraub in honor of the amazing incredible Levi Yitzchok community, with much appreciation to Hashem for "allowing" me to spend these last months living amongst you. Your welcome and warmth is unprecedented, a true reflection of the Rebbe! 

• Mr. & Mrs. Reuven Gradon in honor of Mr. Reuven Gradon’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
• Rabbi & 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. Yisroel Munitz in honor of their son’s upsherinish. May they have much nachas from him and may he grow up to Torah, to Chupa and to Maasim Tovim. 

Devorah Braude
Invites all women to her Shabbos Kalla
5:30 pm at 182 N Orange Dr.
Speakers: The Kallah & Mrs. Chana Rochel Schusterman

• Rabbi & Mrs. Alon Asefovitz on the birth of their daughter.

Upcoming Birthdays

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

Upcoming Anniversaries

• Mr. & Mrs. Yerachmiel Soto - 17 Av 
• 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 ben Reb Meir (Mrs. Chana Weiss’s father) - 21 Av

What is truly New and Exciting?? 

By Rabbi Shimon Raichik

In the sixth aliyah of this week’s parsha of Ve’eschanan within the parsha of the Shema the Torah states: “These words, which I command you this day, shall be upon your heart.”  

“The Sifri (Ve’eschanan 93) explains the reason that Moshe adds the word Hayom, this day, as if he were commanding all the commandments on that day for the first time. This means that the mitzvos should forever be something fresh in our minds. We should not relate to them as something deja vu, something which has lost its freshness and therefore its appeal. It should always be like some new decree the depth of which we have not yet explored. You should view them as if you had received them from Mount Sinai only this day” (Rabbenu Bachaya)

In Likutei Torah (In the maamar “Tzion b’Mishpat”) the Alter Rebbe asks how commandments such as Krias Shema, Tefillin etc. can feel new every day if they are the same and seemingly unchanging. (When it comes to Kol Nidrei on Yom Kippur we see an outpouring of emotion but for an average “V’Hu Rachum” for Maariv nightly we don’t see the same excitement even though the  “V’Hu Rachum” (which contains Krias Shema) reaches a higher level than Kol Nidrei.)

Chassidus provides the answer.

When I was in yeshiva in France in 5735-1975 studying under R. Nisan I took note of his approach to saying Krias Shema in Tefillin before Chassidus in the morning. Every day R. Nisan would slowly and carefully, patiently and with much effort take 20 minutes to say the three paragraphs of the Shema...every day! As he stood there, rubbing his head, working in out with such toil and tenacity I realized what it means that the mitzvos should forever be something fresh in our minds, that every mitzvah is “These words, which I command you this day” and that they “shall be upon your heart. 

On an average Wednesday night the Rebbe Rashab once said to the Previous Rebbe: “This Wednesday night never was before and will never be again (meaning that every day is truly unique). The great opportunity that a neshama down in this world has to perform mitzvos even a neshama in Gan Eden pleasuring from a ray of the Shechina does not have. A neshama in Gan Eden would give it all away, all for one tzitza or to give a kiss to a Sefer Torah down in this world. This opportunity to have the direct connection with Hashem is only achieved through the Torah and mitzvos of this world. It is so special because Hashem has given it to us and it is for this that we were created.

The Alter Rebbe explains that this awareness, that the Torah and mitzvos are  so special because Hashem gave it to us, “Which I command you (literally ‘mitzavcha’ meaning connected with you) this day” is the source of of simcha and inspiration that makes the Torah and mitzvos new every day.

Since Hashem is infinite and beyond time and space, being connected with Hashem draws down Hashem’s presence from beyond time and space into our daily experience within time and space. This is the source and feeling of newness that comes with each and every day that we apply ourselves similar in our own way as R. Nisan did in his way.

Chassidus provides the insight so that we eventually come to realize that the Torah is speaking not to someone else or some other generation but to us, here and now, directly. Chassidus with avodah is not a subject or a philosophy, it’s life itself.

I am calling out to all of our youth to say that we don’t need to take trips to far away lands or to do other things to look for excitement and variety because it is truly found within Chassidus Chabad in the greatest possible way. All it needs is our participation. The Rebbe is welcoming all of us with open arms. We open our arms in return when we take “These words, which I command you this day” and place them on our hearts. With this may we merit the revelation of Moshiach now.

A Good Shabbos

• 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 building fund, kibud or yiskor pledges and outstanding membership. Thank you to all of our supporters!!!

Friday, Menachem Av 8/July 20

• Shabbos Candle Lighting: 7:44

Shabbos, Menachem Av 9/ July 21
Shabbos Parshas Devorim

• Chassidus for Early Minyan: 8:45 am
• Shiur Chassidus by Rabbi Raichik: 9:00 am
• Last Time to Read Shema: 9:27 am
• Early Minyan Shacharis: 9:30 am
• Shacharis: 10:00 am
• Siyum will iy"h be made after Shacharis in both minyonim. 
• NO Kol Yakov Yehuda for the summer :(
• Mincha: 6:00 pm - NO Pirkei Avos
• Stop eating by: 8:02 pm
• Shabbos Ends: 8:47 pm
• Ma’ariv: 9:10 pm. 
• Followed by Megilas Eicha around 9:25. 
• Followed by Siyum around 9:55 pm.

Sunday Menachem Av 10/ July 22
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, Korbanos @ 1:35 pm. Followed by Siyum around 2 pm.
• Second Minyan Mincha: 2:00 pm - Talis & Tefilin. 
• Third Minyan Mincha: 7:00 pm- Talis & Tefilin, Ashrei @ 7:15 pm. Followed by Siyum around 7:45 pm.
• Maariv: 8:25 pm. Followed by Siyum around 8:35 pm
• Fast Ends: 8:37 pm - ***Light refreshments will be served***

You may find the laws and customs of Tishah B'Av in the Chabad Chodesh by clicking here.

Shmuel & Rechama Raigorodsky
Invite the community to a Sholom Zochor
at 613 N Highland Ave.

• Dr. & Mrs. Ze'ev Rav-Noy in honor of their anniversary. May they have many more happy years together.
  Also, for the yahrtzeit of Dr. Ze'ev Rav-Noy’s stepfather Reb Ahron Yehuda ben Reb Dovid Halevi ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
• Shnuer Zalman Berkowitz in honor of his birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
• Mr. & Mrs. Nachum Cherman in honor of Mr. Nachum Cherman’s birthday. May he 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. & Mrs. Yerachmiel Soto for all the miracles and kindness Hashem has shown their family. May Hashem continue to shower them and the entire community with kol tuv sela.
• 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.
  Also, in honor of the birth of their two graddaughters in Milwaukee and in LA. May they have much nachas from them and may they grow up to Torah, to Chupa and to Maasim Tovim.

• Rabbi & Mrs. Zalman Friedman in honor of the birth of their daughter. May they have much nachas from her and may she grow up to Torah, to Chupa and to Maasim Tovim.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Yakov Greenbaum for the yahrtzeit of Mrs. Baila Greenbaum’s mother Chaya Soro bas Reb Moshe Monye ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Yossi Mayberg for the yahrtzeit of Rabbi Yossi Mayberg’s grandmother Freidel bas Reb Manachem Shnuer Zalman ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Yisroel Munitz for the yahrtzeit of Mrs. Nechama Munitz’s grandmother Zohara bas Reb Yemin 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.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Sholom Wilansky in honor of their daughter Sarah Nechama’s birthday. May she have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus. 

• Rabbi & Mrs. Yisroel Feiner on the birth of their grandson (to Yossi & Brocha Feiner.)
• Rabbi & Mrs. Zalmen Friedman on the birth of their daughter. Mazal tov to the grandparents Rabbi & Mrs. Dovid Thaler.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Shmuel Raigorodsky on the birth of their son. Mazal tov to the grandparents Mr. & Mrs. Shaul Raigorodsky.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Reuven Wolf on the engagement of their daughter Yitty to Leibel Gniwisch.

Upcoming Birthdays

• Rabbi Moishe Carlebach - 10 Av
• Mr. Nachum Cherman - 10 Av
• Moshe Meir Polityko - 11 Av
• Sender Labkowsky - 11 Av
• Nadav Lerman - 11 Av
• Pesach Newman - 12 Av
• Rabbi Dovid Morris - 13 Av
• Yosef Gorelik - 13 Av
• Rabbi Sheye Eichenblatt - 15 Av
• Yakov Yehuda Duchman - 15 Av

Upcoming Anniversaries

• Mr. & Mrs. Yrachmiel Kahn - 13 Av
• Dr. & Mrs. Ze'ev Rav-Noy - 13 Av
• Rabbi & Mrs. Dovid Drizin - 15 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 3rd 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 3rd 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! 

• 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 building fund, kibud or yiskor pledges and outstanding membership. Thank you to all of our supporters!!!
• Rabbi Michy Rav-Noy wrote a special Chidush Torah in memory of his brother a"h. To read it, please click here. 

• Shabbos Candle Lighting: 7:47 pm
• Last Time To Read Shema: 9:25 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
• NO Kol Yaakov Yehuda during the summer :(((
• Rabbi Raichik's Shiur in Pirkei Avos: 6:45 pm
• Mincha: 7:45 pm - Followed by Avos - Perek 2
• Shabbos Ends: 8:50 pm

• 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. 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.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Levi Lesches in honor of their birthdays. May they have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Simcha Levenberg for the yahrtzeit of Rabbi Simcha Levenberg’s father Reb Velvel Efraim ben Reb Yisroel Halevi ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
• 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 Berkowitz
435 N Poinsettia
Speaker: Rabbi Shaya Berkowitz

• Dr. & Mrs Sholom Fine on the birth of their grandson (to Nir & Alanna Ben-David.)
• Rabbi & Mrs. Levi Lesches on the birth of their daughter. Mazal tov to the grandmother Mrs. Miriam Fishman.  

Upcoming Birthdays

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

A lesson from this week’s rescue of
12 Thai soccer players and their coach:
Neither the lack of Air, the Raging Waters nor a safe Passageway
will deter our Escape from Galus!

By Rabbi Shimon Raichik

Since this week’s parsha of Matos-Masai always falls out during the Three Weeks there must be a connection between the two. Also everything that occurs in the world is by hashgacha protis, therefore the rescue of 12 Thai soccer players and their coach who were trapped in a cave in northern Thailand for more than two weeks and finally rescued against all known precedent or prediction is also connected to this time period and all serve as a timely message in the service of Hashem.

The Rebbe explains that the name of the first parsha Matos, translated as a hard stick represents the resolve and the decisive spirit of the Jew while in Galus. The name of the second parsha Masai, journeys, represent our spiritual travel through the Galus and reminds us that everything we experience throughout  is always and solely a journey to reach Yarden Yericho the edge of Eretz Yisroel which symbolizes the coming of Moshiach.

We also read parshas Pinchas during the Three Weeks. Pinchas represents self sacrifice and complete determination to the unwavering fulfilment of Hashem’s will even at the darkest of moments of Galus.

This week the dramatic story of the boys who hiked into the Tham Luang Nang Non cave system on June 23 and then became trapped by floodwaters has riveted people around the world. It took an increasingly happy turn over the last three days as an international team of divers brought out the boys in three stages.

The group was found trapped in the flooded area half a mile below the surface by two British divers a week ago in a chamber some 2.5 miles from the cave’s mouth.

Tuesday’s rescue mission succeeded in retrieving the remaining four boys and the coach. The last people to emerge from the cave were a doctor and three members of the Thai Navy SEALs at 10 pm Tuesday local time. The boys are in good overall health, according to Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health.

Certainly in the days and years ahead this unique story will become a long remembered historical event especially as more details surface. Most remarkable was the miraculous outcome of them all being extracted safely from a dangerous life threatening scenario with a collective international effort. Many of the rescuers heroic self sacrifice and resolve along with the positive yet innocent nature of the boys coupled with multiple close calls right up to the very end riveted the worldwide community.

In retrospect their journey into the cave can be seen as a mistake. Once they miraculously survived and then we're found, everyone mobilized with iron will and determination, to do all possible to save them. That determination not to give up or even falter when all seemed lost until they arrived to safety reminds us of the theme of parshas Matos-Masai.

Galus can be likened to a hole or even better yet by way of analogy in this situation to a cave system.  The dangers that we face in Galus are the raging waters, the lack of oxygen and the prospect of elongated entrapment with no escape.  

The raging waters represent the pleasures of this world. We can thrive if we keep them in check,  if we are unconcerned they could eventually drown us.

The potential loss of oxygen represents a lack in Torah study which is our life line in Galus. A Jew can remain strong and determined with a good supply of air from the life that we receive from the study of the Torah. At first it may go unnoticed as our oxygen supplies are slowly diminished, but by then it’s very close to too late when it finally happens.

Lastly we face the prospect of despair if we aren’t actively engaged in an escape strategy. If we do nothing, and push a solution off until some unknown and distant date we run the risk of becoming entirely lost in the cave.

The lesson of this week's parsha is to remain strong (Matos) and to move forward (Masai) with a clear vision of complete escape, our ultimate arrival to the banks of the Jordan River, the arrival of Moshiach.

When we look at the culture of today in 2018 I have noticed some lack a concern about the impact unbridled pleasures of the world can have on the long term survival of their Judaism. Some say they want to have it all, they want their Judaism together with all the pleasures this world has to offer. The lesson of the Three Weeks is not to be complacent about the dangers that the raging waters can present. Some of us have become experts at being indifferent to those dangers and with great skill close their ears the warnings of others to moderate the blessings of this world within the proper context of a Chassidishe lifestyle. It takes work but it’s well worth surviving.

Another essential thing we need to recognize today more than ever is the benefits of clean air,  the long-term benefits of daily Torah study in our life and it’s life transforming effects for ourselves our families and communities as well as the entire world.  If we lack Torah study we may not notice at first how deeply it is affecting us but over time we can lose consciousness, just as the one diver who lost his life when he fell asleep without his oxygen.

The complacency of living without an immediate escape strategy is the third danger. The urgency of needing to act immediately with all of our strength and resolve is critical just as it was to the rescue in Thailand. A sense that we have all the time in the world, that Mivtzoyim can wait till a later stage of life or that the Mivtza of Moshiach is only for our spare time or when the Rabbi speaks can delay our entire mission. The Rebbe gave us the power and responsibility to dive into the cold and murky water to pull all those that are drowning and give them life support and an exit strategy out of the Galus.

Underneath it all  we all know very well that we need air, that we’re out of time, and that we can drown (G-d forbid) in the Galus,  especially when we look at our children and our grandchildren and the future they face. Through the inspiration of this week's Torah portion we gain the clarity and decisive spirit,  the resolve and the positive attitude to travel immediately forward toward the final and complete escape from Galus.

During the three weeks we strengthen our vision of the future Redemption by learning Hilchos Beis HaBechira, the laws concerning the building of the Beis HaMikdash. The Rebbe is in charge of this operation and has brought us all together to complete our mission revealing Moshiach now!

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 (319) 527-9676

STARTING TONIGHT!!!
Thursday, L'Erech 8:45 pm

If you would like to receive nightly reminders 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

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

Dear shul member

We'd like to remind everyone that TODAY is the Masbia Program.

The shul kitchen will be open from 7am till 12pm. 

All foods are fine, including Milchig, Fleishig, Pareve, fruits, vegetables, frozen, canned and packed foods. All except foods cooked at home.

Please note: If you can send proteins such as- chicken, meat, fish, and cheeses, it would be tremendously beneficial to these families.

For your convenience, if you prefer having the food picked up from your front porch, please text 323-710-9954. Pick up time will be between 10am and 11:30am. 

Dear Anash

Because the Yeshiva is not here - we need help with the minyon by Rabbi Yitzi Hurwitz (tonight mincho/mariv at 8pm BEH - and Shachris 10:30 BEH

821 Formosa 2nd floor

please email [email protected] if you can come

Good SHABBOS

• 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 building fund, kibud or yiskor pledges and outstanding membership. Thank you to all of our supporters!!!
• SUNDAY:  Masbia Program. The shul kitchen will be open from 7am till 12pm. All foods are fine, including Milchig, Fleishig, Pareve, fruits, vegetables, frozen, canned and packed foods. All except foods cooked at home. Please note: If you can send proteins such as- chicken, meat, fish, and cheeses, it would be tremendously beneficial to these families. For your convenience, if you prefer having the food picked up from your front porch, please text 323-710-9954. Pick up time will be between 10am and 11:30am.  

• Shabbos Candle Lighting: 7:49 pm
• Last Time To Read Shema: 9:23 am
• Shabbos Mevarchim Tehillim: 8:15 am
• Followed by a Shiur Chassidus by Rabbi Raichik
• Thillim Club: 9:00 am
• Early Minyan Shacharis: 10:00 am
• Shacharis: 10:15 am
• NO Kol Yaakov Yehuda:((((
• Rabbi Raichik's Shiur in Pirkei Avos: 6:50 pm
• Mincha: 7:50 pm - Followed by Avos - Perek 50
• Shabbos Ends: 8:53 pm
• Molad Chodesh Menachem Av: Friday, Menachem Av 1/July 13, 6:49 am and 8 chalakim.
• Rosh Chodesh Menachem Av: Friday, July 13.

• The Bastomski Family for the yahrtzeit of Mrs. Freida Bastomski’s father Reb Chaim Zeev ben Reb Moshe 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.
• Mrs. Genya Sudilkovsky for the yahrtzeit of her husband Reb Faivel ben Reb Leib 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.

6:30 pm at the home of Mrs. Chani Hecht
419 N Poinsettia
Speaker: Rabbi Yisroel Hecht

• Mr. & Mrs. Shaul Raigorodsky  on the birth of their grandson (toMoishe & Naomi Adelist.)
• Rabbi & Mrs. Dovid Thaler on the birth of their granddaughter.

Upcoming Birthdays

• Moshe Dov Berger - 26 Tammuz
• Rabbi Levi Lesches - 26 Tammuz
• Mr. Yanky Bloch - 27 Tammuz
• Mr. Doron Israeli - 28 Tammuz
• Rabbi Michy Rav-Noy - 28 Tammuz
• Moshe Schneerson - 28 Tammuz
• Yoel Newman - 29 Tammuz
• Rabbi Mendel Eichenblatt - 29 Tammuz
• Rabbi Mendel Lerner - 29 Tammuz

Upcoming Anniversaries

• Mr. & Mrs. Steve Zipp - 26 Tammuz

Upcoming Yahrtzeits

• Reb Chaim Zeev ben Reb Moshe (Mrs. Freida Bastomski’s father) - 24 Tammuz
• Reb Dovid ben Reb Feivel (Mr. Shaul Raigorodsky’s father) - 25 Tammuz
• Sara Relka bas Reb Nochum (Mrs. Fradel Bukiet’s mother) - 26 Tammuz
• Reb Hershel Tzvi ben Reb Avraham (Mr. Richard Rosenbloom’s father) - 28 Tammuz
• Reb Tzvi Hirsch ben Reb Yechezkel Yaakov (Rabbi Menachem Rubinstein’s grandfather) - 29 Tammuz
• Reb Velvel Efraim ben Reb Yisroel Halevi (Rabbi 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

Fifty years ago - 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

Dear shul member

We'd like to remind everyone that this Sunday is the Masbia Program.

The shul kitchen will be open from 7am till 12pm. 

All foods are fine, including Milchig, Fleishig, Pareve, fruits, vegetables, frozen, canned and packed foods. All except foods cooked at home.

Please note: If you can send proteins such as- chicken, meat, fish, and cheeses, it would be tremendously beneficial to these families.

For your convenience, if you prefer having the food picked up from your front porch, please text 323-710-9954. Pick up time will be between 10am and 11:30am.