Shul Bulletin

• Shabbos Candle Lighting: 7:40 pm
• Last Time To Read Shema: 9:16 am
• Shabbos Mevarchim Tehillim: 8:15 am
• Followed by the Shiur Chassidus by Rabbi Raichik.
• Thillim Club: 9:00 am
• Early Minyan Shacharis: 10:00 am
• Shacharis: 10:15 am - ONE KIDDUSH FOR BOTH MINYANIM
• Kol Yaakov Yehuda: 10:15 am
• Rabbi Raichik's Pirkei Avos Shiur: 6:45 pm  
• Mincha: 7:45 pm - Followed by Pikei Avos - 5
• Shabbos Ends: 8:43 pm
• Molad Chodesh Sivan: Monday, 29 Iyar/June 3, 2:54am and 1 chelek..
• Rosh Chodesh Sivan: Tuesday, June 4.

Yudi & Moriah Schmukler
Invite the community to a Sholom Zochor
at 149 S Mansfield.

• 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. Moshe Anatian in honor of their daughter Esther Chana bas Rochel. May they continue to have much nachas from her and may she continue to grow to Torah, to Chupa and to Maasim Tovim.
• Mr. & Mrs. Asher Bastomski in honor of Mr. Asher Bastomski’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.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Shmuel Raigorodsky 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. 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.

Tzippy Davidoff
Invites all women to her Shabbos Kalla
6:30 pm at Mrs. Polina Tsikman’s home 257 S Mansfield.

Shabbos Mevorchim, achdus, and birthday shiur
5:30 pm at the home of Mrs. Varda Rav-Noy
428 N Martel
Speaker: Rabbi Yisroel Hecht

• Rabbi & Mrs. Yudi Schmukler on the birth of their son. Mazal tov to the grandparents Rabbi & Mrs. Zalman Schmukler.

Upcoming Birthdays

• Noson Kesselman - 29 Iyar
• Mr. Moshe Susman - 1 Sivan
• Mr. Yankel Ginsburg - 1 Sivan
• Michel Revere - 1 Sivan
• Mr. Yisroel Feiner - 1 Sivan
• Mr. Yisroel Koch - 2 Sivan
• Moshe Yitzchok Yusevitch - 2 Sivan
• Rabbi Shmuel Fogelman - 3 Sivan
• Rabbi Ami Meyers - 3 Sivan

Upcoming Anniversaries

• Mr. & Mrs. Meilach Weiss - 28 Iyar
• Rabbi & Mrs. Nachman Kreiman - 3 Sivan

Upcoming Yahrtzeits

• Reb Yissochor Dov ben Reb Yona (Rabbi Yonah Mordechai Weiss’s father) - 27 Iyar
• Reb Mordechai ben Reb Shlomo (Mrs. Chana Leiba Nathanson’s father) - 4 Sivan

The Rebbe the Writer and the Warden:
How any moment and any one of us is exceptional and capable of breaking the lockdown Galus and bringing the Geula Now!
By Rabbi Shimon Raichik

After this Shabbos we begin the final week of Sefiras HaOmer in preparation for Shavuos. We learn about the preciousness of time, how every moment is unique and every day important. During Sefirah we do our best to use and account for our time in the service of Hashem.

Matan Torah reminds us that every person is indispensable and valuable, even the most simple and unnoticed person. We see that Moshe Rabbenu was not allowed to receive the Torah until every single individual was present, even those that bowed to the graven image of micha.

Once when I was visiting the prisoners at the local jail. All of a sudden they placed the entire institution of over 1800 prisoners under complete lockdown. I was required to stay until they lifted the order. Why? Because they had a suspicion that one prisoner out of the entire facility might be missing. They had to account for each and every person before anyone could be released from lockdown. This first hand experience was a good reminder about how important everyone is to all of us. Even if there is a doubt if someone missing or left out it effects everything, maybe even bringing us all into ‘lockdown’ until we account for and help that one wandering soul. It is with this attitude and this perspective that we approach the Yom Tov of Shavuos. We go together and prepare to receive the gift of Hashem's Torah on Shavuos.

Nevertheless many of us feel so many time constraints. There's only so many hours in a day. How much can really accomplish with all the demands and   responsibilities we already juggle? Where are we going to get the necessary time and energy to devote to searching for and helping those around us that may be missing? It's daunting and unending task. There is a story from the Rebbe that teaches us that it is possible for each one of us to be successful. There was a Chosid by the name of Mayer Blizinsky in Israel who was in the baking business. He had a lot of contacts and friends in nonreligious circles. He befriended man by the name of Avigdor HaMeiri, a famous novelist at that time. He had just written a fictional story about a religious person that left Judaism. Through Mayer's contact with Avigdor, Avigdor decided to send the book to the Rebbe. Eventually he also went to see the Rebbe in New York. During his yechidus the Rebbe went through the book quoting different passages in detail, showing a deep understanding of what was written.  Avigdor HaMeiri was extremely impressed and touched with the Rebbe’s grasp and the fact that he had taken so much of his precious time from his very busy schedule to consider his thoughts. The Rebbe then asked him a question that got underneath his skin. The Rebbe asked: “What will the youth gain from your book?” This question in particular made him consider everything that he was doing and got him to reflect on the worth of his efforts. What indeed was the message that he was sending to the youth? In what way would their lives and lives of the next generation be improved by what he was writing? What was the purpose of his writing if the youth weren’t going to gain? Was he just enjoying the pleasure of writing and publishing or was there a real purpose behind his work? He then asked the Rebbe: “How did you find the time to read this book when you have so much to do and so many other responsibilities?”. The Rebbe answered that “time is infinite”. If we utilize time properly we have success. When we utilize time properly we can achieve on many levels. 

These two stories teach a lesson about the Rebbe’s call to all of us to do all that we can to bring Moshiach. Some say: “I'm really not a candidate to be successful at doing this. Someone else is far more fitting than I. He or she will be the one who will do what is necessary to bring Moshiach”. Others may accept that they have a job to do but at any particular moment in time in a particular situation may say: “Right now is just not the time to be inserting Moshiach into the conversation or situation. Another time during a different conversation or circumstance will be more fitting. I’ll do it then.” Others may accept that they have a job to do to help bring Moshiach and that they need to bring it into every situation, but nonetheless say:  “Yes its true, no doubt that I must do all that I can to bring Moshiach in the situation that confronts me but, today is just not that day, I’m too stressed out. Tomorrow will be a better day, I’ll do it then.”

The lesson from these two stories is clear. Today is a great day to do all that we can to bring Moshiach. It depends on each one of us and no one else. Each in our own way, exactly within the present situation. Time is infinite if we use it well. Do we ask ourselves and remember what the effect of what we are saying and what we are doing in this world? Standing before Shavuos let's ask ourselves just as in the story: “What will be gained, what will our children will gain from what we are doing?”

Every single one of us is important and every single one of us is necessary for the fulfilling the purpose of creation, the revelation of Moshiach now, today. May we all merit to receive together as one the Torah Chadasha of Moshiach this Shavuos.

A Good Shabbos

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.

Mrs. Brocha Richler
is sitting shiva in NY until shabbos
on the passing of her father Reb Berel Raskin ob"m

Phone: 323-344-1221
Email:[email protected]

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

• Click here for the KYY newsletter. 
• 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: 7:36 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 Yaakov Yehuda: 10:00 am
• Rabbi Raichik's Pirkei Avos Shiur: 6:35 pm 
• Mincha: 7:35 pm - Followed by Pikei Avos - 4
• Shabbos Ends: 8:39 pm

• 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.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Reuven Nathanson for the yahrtzeit of Rabbi Reuven Nathanson’s father Reb Yitzchok ben Reb Yaakov Shmuel ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Levi Raichik in honor of Rabbi Levi Raichik’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.

• Mr. & Mrs. Moshe Anatian for the first yahrtzeit of Mr. Moshe Anatian’s mother Esther bas Reb Rachamim ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
• Mr. & Mrs. Alon Asefowitz in honor of their daughters Chana Dina and Esti birthdays. May they have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Dovi Gorelik in honor of Rabbi Dovi Gorelik’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.

6:30 at the home of Mrs. Sima Zeifman
421 N Poinsettia
Speaker: Rabbi Shaya Berkowitz

• Rabbi & Mrs. Mendel Dubinsky on the birth of their granddaughter.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Simcha Frankel on the birth of their grandson.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Dovid Schmukler on the birth of their daughter Shterna Sara. Mazal tov to the grandparents Rabbi & Mrs. Zalman Schmukler.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Dovid Thaler on the marriage of their daughter Sara to Mendy Weinberg. 

Upcoming Birthdays

• Menachem Moshe Cherman - 20 Iyar
• Elimelech Moshe Allison - 21 Iyar
• Zusha Lerman - 22 Iyar
• Schneur Zalmen Berger - 22 Iyar
• Rabbi Yoel Edelson - 22 Iyar
• Rabbi Levi Raichik - 25 Iyar

Upcoming Yahrtzeits

• 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
• Esther bas Reb Rachamim (Mr. Moshe Anatian’s mother) - 25 Iyar 
• Chana bas Reb Avrohom (Mrs. Neshe Grossman’s mother) - 25 Iyar

Giving our very best, 
something that Rabbi Google cannot provide

In the end of 1980’s the Rebbe spoke many times about asei lecha Rav- that everyone should have a personal Rav. The Rebbe spoke about this one Shabbos after another. He emphasized that it says, ‘make’, meaning to force yourself to have a Rav. Until this point Chassidim always went directly to the Rebbe for advice. In 1988, the Rebbe gave specific instructions about who to speak to depending on the question. If it had to do with health he advised to ask a medical doctor. For halachic issues, he said to ask a Rav. Even though the Rebbe spoke about making for yourself a Rav to ask your questions to, chassidim still continued to write to the Rebbe and he answered their questions. Nowadays, people write to the igros and get answers.

Even though the Rebbe continued to answer questions, he still wanted to promote the inyan of asei lecha rav because the Rebbe wanted each person to have a personal Rav and guide in life. When we have our own Rav and madrich, it can be difficult to actually fulfill what we are told to do. For this we have, “knei lecha chaver-aquire yourself a friend”. A friend encourages us to go to the Rav and seek the advice. A friend also helps us implement the advice the Rav has given.

These days, some people walk around without a Rav. They will ask the igros. If they find an answer then they follow. If they don’t see an answer then often they do nothing. But this is not how Chabad is built. Chabad is built on mashpiim. My mashpia, Rabbi Greenglass A”H, had answers from the Rebbe that instructed him on the proper way to work with bochurim. The Rebbe did not always give answers to questions. Often it was upon the mashpiim to guide the bochurim. Today, in our yeshivas, where is the relationship between a mashpia and a bochur? In some places, the ratio is 75 bochurim to 1 mashpia. There is not enough time even to get to know each bochur individually. What does the bochur do? He goes to older bochurim for advice and guidance. Although this is a wonderful thing, an 18 year old guiding a 16 year old is not enough. Parents rely on the system, but the system doesn’t always come through. Children at times fall through the cracks. Often our children need someone to speak do and they don’t feel comfortable being honest with the mashpia in their yeshiva. What can be done?

Rabbi Binyomin Klein once told me a story about a bochur who wrote to the Rebbe for permission to go to college. He wrote that his Rav had given him his permission. The Rebbe didn’t answer him. The Rebbe asked Rabbi Klein to find out who the Rav was that gave him permission. When the bochur came in for an answer, Rabbi Klein said that the Rebbe didn’t give an answer and suggested that if he writes who his Rav is, then maybe it would help to get an answer. The bachur agreed. Rabbi Klein asked for permission to read the letter and the bochur approved. It said that the Rav was a yungeman from the kollel. The Rebbe asked Rabbi Klein to ask the young Rav why he said this without letting him know that it was the Rebbe who was inquiring. Rabbi Klein told the yungerman that the Rebbe didn’t give an answer and if he said the reason for his decision then maybe it would help in receiving an answer. The Rav answered, “What should I have answered him? Would it help if I said no? Would it really stop him from going?” 

A Rav is not a rubber stamp. A Rav needs to know that he needs to take into consideration the best interest of the individual asking. Before a Rav makes a decision he needs to listen with care to the person he is helping and only then consider his answer. When a Rav does this then the one asking will be open and will listen to the decision. In the old times when someone came to the Rav, the Rav looked into the person and life circumstance of the questioner. It wasn’t an email or a text message that is without personal contact.

Once I heard a bochur say; “Why should I go to the fabrengen? They will just repeat what they saw by the Rebbe. I can read it myself.” We don’t go to a fabrengen to hear the mashpia say what he heard. We go to hear what he felt from the atmosphere, the impact it had on him and the vort he took away from it.  At a fabrengen chassidim speak out their inner impressions, they clarify them, they live it. That is a chassidishe fabrengen, it’s not just information. We internalize it – “emor v’amarta.”

Years ago in Los Angeles, I used to meet with the old Yidden in the park for Mivtzoyim. We used to call them the UN. This is because they would sit outside and they would speak all their philosophies about how the world should work. They would say, “If I were President Johnson then I would…” “This is what Israel should do….” etc.. They were busy taking care of the whole world. They were calling out as if they were responsible. People would disturb in shul in order to say their opinions. Now with the internet, it has gotten even more widespread. Where do we have time for such things? The world doesn’t need to hear everyone’s opinion as if they are the leader of the free world. We need to ask ourselves; “What is our achrayus?” It is to our homes and our local communities.

Anyone who spent time by the Rebbe’s fabrengens was able to get fully into it. He experienced the Rebbe’s emunah in Hashem, in Torah and Mitzvos and other Yidden. It permeated and carved into us. We lived it and affected us to the level that we sensed that “this is what it is.” When we saw others who did not attend we felt they were missing out. This is the emes of bechukosai, engraving, l’hazir gedolim al haketanim.

The question we have today is how to best pass on this connection. The Rebbe demanded mashpiim, aseh lecha rav. We cannot just impart information. We need to listen to people, to evaluate and to connect with them. Then we need to find the right words to bring the Rebbe’s teachings into their lives and to guide them according to their circumstances. In the Rebbe’s letters to Rabbi Greenglass, the Rebbe spoke about this. The Rebbe demanded that mashpiim use their minds and hearts to guide, but not to demand beyond the level of their students. Still, we must keep the focus on the goal. Why does one need to have a mashpia when he can go to Rabbi Google and get any answer he needs? The answer is that the Rebbe’s teachings need to go through the mashpia, the person who lives it and connects with the circumstances of his student and helps him integrate it into his life.

Reb Hillel Paricher and a chosid named Reb Yaacov were both sent by the Tzemach Tzedek as his personal shadar to various communities. Usually before they went, the Tzemach Tzedek would say to them a maamer in private. They would take this maamer as the primary message that they would disseminate in the communities that they would visit. One time before a trip, Reb Yaacov told the Tzedek that he is ready go and he needs to hear the maamer. The Tzemach Tzedek said he already said the maamer to Reb Hillel and that he should have him say it to him. Rav Yaacov responded; “Yes, but he is a kli sheni – a secondary vessel.” He meant to say that it is not the same as hearing it directly from the Rebbe who is the primary source. The Tzemach Tzedek replied; “Yes Reb Hillel is a kli sheni but he is yad tzoledes bo.” He meant that Reb Hillel is hot and is therefore a good person to get the maamer from because with the heat it will penetrate. This is a message we need to take when being mashpia on others. We need to be yad tzoledes bo, and in this way the words we speak will have their proper affect and penetrate.

The Glick Bris
will iy"H take place
Wednesday, 17 Iyar/May 22, 8:15 am
at Cheder Menachem
Shachris 7:30 

• Click here for the KYY newsletter. 
• 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: Anash! Please join us this Sunday for Mivtzoim at the Israeli festival at Rancho Park 11-6 pm. Neshek available at 418 N. Fuller Ave., Sunday morning.

• Shabbos Candle Lighting: 7:31 pm
• Last Time To Read Shema: 9:19 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 Yaakov Yehuda: 10:00 am
• Rabbi Raichik's Pirkei Avos Shiur: 6:30 pm 
• Mincha: 7:30 pm - Followed by Pikei Avos - 3
• Shabbos Ends: 8:34 pm

• Dr. & Mrs. Zeev Rav-Noy in honor of Mrs. Varda Rav-Noy’s double birthday. May she have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
• 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. Shalom Elharrar for the yahrtzeit of Rabbi Shalom Elharrar’s parents Reb Yihya Amram ben Reb Nissim ob"m and Chana bas Reb Moshe ob"m. May the neshomos have an aliya. Also for the yahrtzeit of Rabbi Leible Raskin ob"m. May the neshomo 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. 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.
• Mr. & 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.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Yossi Schneerson for the yahrtzeit of Rabbi Yossi Schneerson’s grandmother Soro bas Reb Chaim Leib ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
• Mr. & Mrs. Reuven Solomon for the yahrtzeit of Mrs. Roberta Solomon’s mother Etel bas Reb Gershon ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya. 

• 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. Chaim Fyzakov in honor of Rabbi Chaim Fyzakov’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. Michael Zaghi in honor of their anniversary. May they have many more happy years together.

Sara Thaler
Invites all women to her Shabbos Kalla
6 pm at 126 N Sycamore
Speaker: Mrs. Devorie Kreiman

• Mr. & Mrs. Moshe Davidoff on the birth of their granddaughter (to Sadya Davidoff & Shimona Davidoff.)
• Dr. & Mrs. Sholom Fine on the birth of their granddaughter Sara (to Dov & Lea Fine.)  

Upcoming Birthdays

• Menachem Mendel Plotke - 14 Iyar
• Moshe Arnold - 15 Iyar
• Rabbi Shaya Berkowitz - 16 Iyar
• Mr. Aleksandr Ganzburg - 16 Iyar
• Mr. Yrachmiel Kahn - 16 Iyar
• Rabbi Dovi Gorelik - 19 Iyar
• Mr. Ephraim Piperno - 19 Iyar
• Mendel Raichik - 19 Iyar
• Yaakov Moshe Sroka - 19 Iyar
• Ephraim Piperno - 19 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 Sender Elya HaKohain ben Reb Avram Yosef (Mrs. Sarah Horwitz’s father) - 13 Iyar
• Reb Zeida Moshe ben Reb Alter Asher Anchel (Rabbi Sholem Perl’s father) - 14 Iyar
• Soro bas Reb Chaim Leib (Rabbi Yossi Schneerson’s grandmother) - 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 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
• 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

If the Rebbe were here 
he would agree that I am doing what he wants!?
By Rabbi Shimon Raichik

This week’s parsha contains the mitzvos of Sefiras HaOmer, counting the Omer and the Shtei Halechem, the offering of the two loaves on Shavuos. The counting of the Omer occurs between Pesach and Shavuos, days that are seemingly opposites. On Pesach chametz is completely forbidden to the extreme. The slightest trace of chametz is not tolerated on Pesach. On the other hand on Shavuos not only is chametz tolerated it is used as an offering as specifically required in the two loaves. If chametz is so wrong on Pesach that any trace must be obliterated why is it so welcome and required as a central focus on Shavuos? Chassidus explains that Pesach is the beginning. When we left Mitzrayim what we needed was pure emunah. We entered the uncertainties of the desert with no idea how to provide food and care for everyone. What was the plan? The answer is that there was no plan only pure emunah in Hashem.

What is emunah? It’s the strength to place our questions on the side and place our intellect on the side and rely on our unwavering connection to Hashem and his servant Moshe Rabbenu. Matzah represents bitul, our complete nullification and reliance on Hashem under all circumstances. On the other hand when we received the Torah on Shavuos we received Hashem’s will and wisdom. Our job in receiving the Torah was not just to accept (na’aseh) but to also understand (nishmah). We are not supposed to simply and robotically fulfill the mitzvos but also to use our intellect to understand and our hearts to feel them; to know the ways of Hashem to the best of our ability.

The order however is first Pesach and then Shavuos. We begin with the acceptance of the mesora, accepting Hashem’s overall plan for us without reservation. This bitul, our participation of nullifying our personal ambitions and opinions to Hashem’s mesora is message of Pesach. After this we can then continue in implementing Hashem’s plans by understanding intellectually and feeling in our own terms the best we can all that we can; this is the message of Shavuos. In order to get from Pesach to Shavuos we need Sefiras HaOmer. During the counting of the Omer we refine reorient and prioritize our perspectives.  We no longer rely solely on our emunah but we go on to integrate our emumah into our daily living during Sefiras HaOmer through the process of personal refinement. This is what prepares us for Matan Torah when it is no longer just naaseh (we will do) but also nishma (we will understand).

When we make a bracha before learning the Torah we shift our perspective. It’s not just having an idea of what we want and then looking into the Torah to support those ideas but the other way around. There is a story from the Chasam Sofer who told his students the following. If you’ll say my Torah in your own name I will have no complaints. If however, you will say your Torah’s in my name; that I won’t accept. This story also applies to us as Lubavitcher Chassidim. When we speak about how the Rebbe felt about something or what he said, we need to be accurate. Someone who isn’t sure or wasn’t there needs to go back and to learn. This is our mesora. When we leave the mesora we forget the Giver of the Torah. So too in general, when we make a bracha over the Torah first we have placed Hashem first. When we fail to make a bracha we are at that very moment off track because intellect has taken 1st place instead of second.

There is a pasuk in Devarim (32:7) that reads: “Remember the days of old, Consider the years of many generations; Ask thy father, and he will declare unto you, your elders, and they will tell you.” The message is clear, first listen then analyze. This applies to all areas of life and all issues, be it an eiruv, Eretz Yisroel, a beard, cholov Yisroel, chinuch or tznius. It all begins with a look into the mesora with acceptance and listening. When we don’t find the answer, we turn to ask those who do know or heard directly. We don’t use these situations out to decide how we want it to be. Once, when Chassidei Chabad went to visit Ariel Sharon they complained that what he was doing in Gaza (giving it to the Arabs) was blatantly against the Rebbe’s wishes. He responded by saying that if the Rebbe were here he would agree that I am doing what he wants. No one wants to feel they are not doing what the Rebbe wants. When it is not one hundred percent clear to me what the Rebbe said, we can end up saying our own ideas in the Rebbe’s name.

The Hayom Yom for the 8th of Iyar says:

“An emissary is one with his sender. This concept is similar to that of an angel acting as a Divine emissary, when he is actually called by G‑d's name. If this is so with an angel it is certainly true of the soul; in fact with the soul the quality of this oneness is of a higher order, as explained elsewhere.

Chassidim are emissaries of the Rebbe, the Alter Rebbe. So if the Chosid actively discharges his mission, he is bound up with his Rebbe, bound up in his entire being - there walks a Chosid, there eats a Chosid, there sleeps a Chosid.”

Surely by connecting to the source and then implementing our shlichus to the best of our abilities, using our minds and hearts we have the strength of the Sender and we will therefore be successful in accomplishing the goal of revealing Moshiach now.

A Good Shabbos

In an effort to make the shul a safer environment we have made several security changes and will implement others in the coming weeks.

As everyone has observed we have security guards between 9.00am -1.00pm on Shabbos. Privacy screening has been put up in the backyard and a combo lock has been installed on the rear gate.

Starting this Monday, the walk gate between the tent and the backyard with be locked down the entire week except for Shabbos when the parking gate in shut. Access to the shul will only be available through the main rear gate. The combination will be given out on a need to know basis. Others will have to wait for someone to open the gate or they can walk around to the front entrance of the shul. We are aware this may be an inconvenience but in the effort to make the shul a harder target we must lock down the multiple open and unguarded entries. On Shabbos afternoon, after the shul is cleaned and the parking gate is opened, the walk gate and rear doors to the shul will be locked down. Members coming to shul for Mincha will need to walk around to the front entrance  on La Brea.

The front doors will be retrofitted with combination locks. Anyone looking for entry into the shul will need to know the combination to get in. Other will have to knock or wait for a someone to open the door. Again, we know this will cause an inconvenience to some but this in a necessity in the current environment we find ourselves facing. Again, the combo will be given out on a need to know basis.

PLEASE DO NOT PROP OPEN ANY DOORS. IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT THEY STAY CLOSED. IF YOU SEE A DOOR PROPPED OPEN PLEASE CLOSE IT. IF YOU SEE SOMEONE PROPPING A DOOR OPEN PLEASE SAY SOMETHING.

Shul members should talk to their children and tell them they cannot leave the shul and hang out in unprotected areas i.e. the alley or on La Brea Ave, specially after Mincha on Shabbos as there will be no guards on duty or adults to supervise. Parents should  instruct their children not to open locked gates for strangers or really anyone they do not know. Our ability to stay as protected as possible will be a result of all members being a part of the solution.

As was mentioned in Shul a week ago, the shul is looking into security training for a handpicked group of members to conceal carry in shul. This will take some time and serious training before we implement such a program. At the present time, The Shul Board has not given permission for anyone except the security guards to carry a gun on Shabbos (concealed or open) on shul premises.

Lastly, an emergency plan of action is being developed and will be discussed at a later date. Most likely we will discuss this on a Shabbos when most members are present. This plan is a crucial component of the overall security plan. It puts in place a plan of action if G-D forbid an attack should occur.    

We are asking all members to take these changes seriously and help in their implementation. This will only be effective if everyone participates.

Thank you,

Congregation Levy Yitzchak Board

• Click here for the KYY newsletter. 
• 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: 7:25 pm
• Last Time To Read Shema: 9:22 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 Yaakov Yehuda: 10:00 am
• Rabbi Raichik's Pirkei Avos Shiur: 6:25 pm 
• Mincha: 7:25 pm - Followed by Pikei Avos - 2
• Shabbos Ends: 8:28 pm

Rabbi & Mrs. Sholom Glick
Invite the community to a Sholom Zochor
at 182 N Mansfield Ave.

• Mr. & Mrs. Reuven Horwitz for the yahrtzeit of Mr. Reuven Horwitz’s father Reb David ben Reb Yitzchok ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
• Rabbi & Dr. Leaderman in honor of Dr. Leaderman’s birthday. May she have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
• Rabbi & Rebbitzen Shimon Raichik for the yahrtzeit of Rebbitzen Chana Liba Raichik’s parents Reb Yaakov ben Reb Menachm Mendel Hilel ob”m and Rivka bas Reb Yisroel Noach ob"m. May the neshomos have an aliya.
• Mr. & Mrs. Berl Sroka for the yahrtzeit of Mr. Berl Sroka’s father Reb Leibish Ephraim ben Reb Aaron ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya. Also, for the yahrtzeit of Mrs. Mindy Sroka’s mother Shaindel bas Reb Moshe Yitzchok ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.

6:15 at the home of Mrs. Tova Levine
361 N Vista
Speaker: Mrs. Chana Rochel Schusterman

• Rabbi & Mrs. Sholom Glick on the birth of their son.

Upcoming Birthdays

• Aryeh Habibian - 6 Iyar
• Avrohom Menachem Arnold - 8 Iyar
• Mr. Avrohom Plotkin - 8 Iyar
• Mr. Dovid Kagan - 9 Iyar
• Sholom Dovber Berkowitz - 9 Iyar
• Mr. Sholom Berkowitz - 9 Iyar
• Shmuel Dovid Yehoshua Perl - 11 Iyar
• Mr. Yitzchok Michael - 11 Iyar
• Chaim Dovid Sroka - 12 Iyar

Upcoming Yahrtzeits

• Reb David ben Reb Yitzchok (Mr. Reuven Horwitz’s father) - 6 Iyar
• Reb Yaakov ben Reb Menachm Mendel Hilel (Mrs. Chana Leeba Raichik’s father) - 6 Iyar
• Harav Yisroel ben Reb Shneur Zalman Halevy (Rabbi Mendel Duchman’s father) - 6 Iyar
• Henya Chasha bas Reb Zusman (Rabbi Gershon Schusterman’s mother) - 7 Iyar
• Shaindel bas Reb Moshe Yitzchok (Mrs. Mindy Sroka’s mother) - 8 Iyar
• Reb Baruch ben Reb Yehudah Mordechai (Dr. Ze'ev Rav-Noy’s brother) - 8 Iyar
• Rivka bas Reb Yisroel Noach (Mrs. Chana Leeba Raichik’s mother) - 9 Iyar
• Reb Ber ben Reb Isroel (Mr. Mottel Polityko’s grandfather) - 11 Iyar

The Netkin Bris - grandchild of Melech and Chana Weiss
will iy"h take place on Thursday, 4 Iyar/May 9
9 am at Moshe Ganz Hall

May we share only simchos 

• Click here for the KYY newsletter. 
• 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.
• Monday: Yad Leachim Event. Click here for more info. 

• Shabbos Candle Lighting: 7:21 pm
• Last Time To Read Shema: 9:24 am
• Shabbos Mevarchim Tehillim: 8:15 am
• Followed by the Shiur Chassidus by Rabbi Raichik.
• Thillim Club: 9:00 am
• Early Minyan Shacharis: 10:00 am
• Shacharis: 10:15 am
• Kol Yaakov Yehuda: 10:15 am
• Rabbi Raichik's Pirkei Avos Shiur: 6:20 pm  
• Mincha: 7:20 pm - Followed by Pikei Avos - 1
• Shabbos Ends: 8:24 pm
• Molad Chodesh Iyar: Shabbos, Nisan 29/May 4, 2:10 pm.
• Rosh Chodesh Iyar: Sunday & Monday, May 5 & 6.

Yehuda & Rachel Netkin
Invite the community to a Sholom Zochor
at the home of the grandparents, Melech & Chana Weiss
411 N Martel

• Mr. & Mrs. Moshe Davidoff in honor of Mr. Moshe Davidoff’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus. Also in honor of their son Rabbi Ephraim Davidoff’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus. 
• Mr. & Mrs. Zalman Roth in honor of Mr. Zalman Roth’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Eli Vcherashansky in honor of the birth of their grandson. May they have much nachas from him and may he grow up to Torah, to Chupa and to Maasim Tovim.

• Reb Yossi Goldberger in honor of his son Simi’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
• Mr. & Mrs. Stave Zipp for the yahrtzeit of Al Singer ob"m - the lover of all Jews. May the neshomo have an aliya.

6:00 at the home of Mrs. Sima Zeifman
421 N Poinsettia
Speaker: Rabbi Yisroel Hecht

• Rabbi & Mrs. Simcha Bart on the bar mitzvah of their son.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Boruch Braude on the birth of their granddaughter. 
• Rabbi & Mrs. Reuven Nathenson on the bar mitzvah of their grandson.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Hertzie Richler on the engagement of their son Yossie to Miriam Grossman.
• Mr. & Mrs. Reuven Salomon on the birth of their granddaughter & great granddaughter.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Dovid Thaler on the birth of their grandson.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Eli Vcherashansky on the birth of their grandson. 
• Mr. & Mrs. Melech Weiss on the birth of their grandson (to Yehuda & Rachel Netkin.) 

Upcoming Birthdays

• Chaim Vogel - 30 Nisan
• Simi Goldberger - 30 Nisan
• Rabbi Mendel Goldman - 1 Iyar
• Aharon Yosef Kahan - 3 Iyar
• Ephraim Davidoff - 3 Iyar
• Mr. Moshe Davidoff - 4 Iyar
• Mr. David Rafael Gutierrez - 4 Iyar
• Mr. Zalman Roth - 5 Iyar 
• Rabbi Sholom Langsam - 5 Iyar
• Rabbi Ami Pykovski - 5 Iyar
• Aryeh Hoffman - 5 Iyar
• Rabbi Asher Habibian - 5 Iyar

Upcoming Anniversaries

• Mr. & Mrs. Shimon Benarroch - 1 Iyar

Upcoming Yahrtzeits

• Reb Leibish Ephraim ben Reb Aaron (Mr. Berl Sroka’s father) - 3 Iyar

We are all Schneersonites 
By Rabbi Raichik

This week Erev Shabbos was the 28th of Nissan, Koach Nissan, the day the Rebbe said; “I have done all that I can to bring Moshiach and now it is up to you”. This year marks the 28th year since the Rebbe made this statement in 5751-1991.

Many try to picture Moshiach’s coming, a changed world in the blink of an eye. The Haftorah for Acharon shel Pesach describes the times of Moshiach and gives us a picture of what the times of Moshiach will be. The beginning of the Haftorah relates to the reign of King Chizkiyahu in the times of the first Beis HaMikdash. The King of Ashur, Sancheriv amassed a giant army encircling the city of Yerushalayim. Many felt the only way out of their predicament was to make peace with Sancheriv by hand over control of the Beis HaMikdash and then to live under his rule as a vassal state. King Chizkiyahu refused to capitulate under any circumstances and instead went into the Beis HaMikdash and prayed to Hashem. He said that we have no ability to fight back such a large force. Nevertheless after placing his emunah and his trust in Hashem he went on to sleep a serine and restful night of sleep with complete trust in Hashem. That night Sancheriv’s entire army miraculously died. That’s real and lasting instantaneous change! Even though this story occurred on the first night of Pesach we read it on the last day because Hashem wanted to make Chizkiyahu Moshiach. The war with Sancheriv as described was supposed to have been the war of Gog and Magog. Acharon shel Pesach is connected with Moshiach as is known.

Things can change from one extreme to another in one moment! Without emunah we are nowhere.  With emunah and bitachon we see can see a completely different picture, a good outcome in one moment.

When the Rambam says that we should see the entire world as balanced between good and evil and with one act, with one mitzvah we have the power to tip the scale to the good of the entire world some cringe their noses. What me? C’mon, saying one chapter of Tehillim or putting Tefillin on one time with a person will do all that? This world is in serious trouble, look in the news, isn’t it a dream to think that we have the power to evoke such great change? The Rebbe answers that every mitzvah is everlasting and always present, it can never be taken away. This is not true for negative things, through teshuva and the pains of galus they are washed away. If we stop perceiving this world with galus colored glasses and instead switch to the Rebbe’s view that all good is with us and the bad and the galus is washed away (batul b’rov) then the next thing we do tips the scales for the good and for the geula.

We need however to be stubborn to be successful. Just as Nachshon ben Aminadav and Chizkiyahu was stubborn so too we need to be stubborn. This is the take way lesson of Pesach; learn (Torah), give (Tzedaka), do (Mitzvos and Mivtzoyim) live (Moshiach), and the next moment Moshiach arrives.

In Toronto there is a person by the name of Rappaport. He grew up in Russia with his grandparents because his parents were being held in jail in Russia. After 10 years, the father, R. Michel came out of prison and told his story of interrogation in prison. The interrogator said; “You are a Shneersonite; the proof is that you have a Chabad Siddur.” R. Michel responded; “That’s not a proof, I received that siddur as a present at my Bar Mitzvah”. The interrogator continued; “You are a Shneersonite, a Chabad Rabbi officiated at your wedding.” R. Michel answered; “What kind of proof is that, he was the local available Rabbi.” Finally R. Michel said; “Look, if you have real proof then charge me, if you have no proof then let me go.” The interrogator responded; “My father once said that if you find a Rabbi in Leningrad, sentence him to Siberia for two years and you will deprogram him without a problem. If you find a Shneersonite then there’s no way to deprogram him. If you send him to Siberia he’ll open a Yeshiva. The only answer for him is to sent him out to the woods with three soldiers (to be shot).” The interrogator then walked out of the room.

We are all Schneersonites. We don’t give in to the galus. There’s nothing to stop us, we can go forward and bring Moshiach Now.

A Good Shabbos, A Good Chodesh

27 Nissan 5779
5/2/19 

Dear Anash of CLY

Friday is 28 years since the sicah about “do everything you can to bring Moshiach.”

Coupled with this, everyone is shaken up by the tragedy in Chabad of Poway and is inspired by the Kiddush Hashem that Reb Yisroel Goldstein in making with his bringing the Rebbe’s message to fight darkness and evil by increasing light and goodness. I propose that this Thursday and Friday we should increase in Mivtzoim, especially Mivtzah Tefilin and Neshek. Certainly, also, this would be a good Shabbos to invite someone for a Shabbos meal. This week is Shabbos Mevorchim, so let's all come together and say Tehilim as the Rebbe directed

Thursday night there will be a farbrengen for men in Shul, and Mivtzoimbrochures will be available.

Additionally, I will Bezras Hashem be going to the Rebbe Sunday morning. If you write up what you did on Mivtzoim I will take it bli neder and bring it to the Ohelfor you.

We pray to Hashem that K'lal Yisroel should not have any more tragedies like this and Hashem should bring Moshiach Tzidkeinu NOW!

Rabbi Shimon Raichik 

Farbrengen for men in shul - Thursday after mariv
28 years from the famous sicah about
'do everything you can to bring moshiach'