Shul Bulletin

Dear Anash

To protect community members who have (or whose immediate family members have) immunocompromised health concern,
Dr Ravnoy has been hosting a daily minyan
in Michy's backyard - 423 N Fuller
where everyone wears a mask BH

Daily Shachris is 7am
Mincha/Marriv is Bizmano (this week micnha is 625)
Shabbos Shachris is 9am and sunday 8am BEH

 We can use a few more regulars for Shachris
if you can join or for more info
please email me [email protected] 
or Zvi Boyarsky zvi@aleph-institute.org 

Thank you VERY much.
Gut Yom Tov/Gut Yohr.

• Light Candles: 6:24 pm
  lehadlik ner shel yom hakippurim & Shehecheyanu
• Kol Nidrei: 6:35 pm (make sure to make bracha on talis before shkia)

MONDAY
Yom Kippur   

• Shacharis: 9:30 am
• Yizkor: 12:15 pm
• Mincha: 5:00 pm
• Fast Ends: 7:24pm

For all the laws and customs please see the Chabad Chodesh

https://thechesedfund.com/laskey

It is with a broken heart we regret to inform the community of the Petirah of Rabbi Aryeh Laskey. Rabbi Laskey was a member of the LA community for over 20 years. Despite his endless struggles you could never catch him without a smile. Recently he moved to Detroit. The levaya is scheduled for Friday morning. 

Pure. That’s the word that comes to mind when we think of Reb Aryeh Laskey. He taught young children Torah, and he showed them, by his example, how to love Hashem. It was the warmth of his lessons that set the foundation for Yiras Shamayim for his students.

Rabbi Laskey ZTL struggled with debilitating diseases—pulmonary fibrosis and rheumatoid arthritis—which caused him to become uninsurable. He continued to teach until his illness made working impossible.

Rabbi Laskey ZTL was relentless in his effort to make sure that his children with learning disabilities received the support they needed. Even as his health deteriorated, he forged on—carrying his oxygen tank and his ever-present smile—and doing whatever he could to care for his family.

We can’t look away: A widow and NINE children of which 6 are unmarried are bereft, missing not only their loving husband and father, but their source of parnassah as well. Help us to honor Rabbi Laskey and the purity of his dedication, by stepping up to help.

​Checks can be mailed to
Cong Levi Yitzchok
354 N La Brea Ave
LA CA 90036
Please put in memo "Laskey family"

Rabbi Berish Goldenberg 
Rabbi Boruch Gradon 
Rabbi Shimon Raichik
Levi Raichik

https://thechesedfund.com/laskey

Yom Kippur: Bringing Our Highest Connection to Hashem into the Entire Year 

By Rabbi Shimon Raichik

I would like to wish everyone a Kasiva uGmar Chasima Tovah and an easy fast. May all of our prayers be answered for a good sweet year with the geula and blessed with every letter of the aleph beis.

Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the year. We stay in shul throughout the day and daven five prayers which correspond to the five parts of the neshama.  On Yom Kippur the  highest level of the neshama, yechidah,  how a Jew is one with Hashem is revealed.

On a day like Yom Kippur one would think that the most important priority of the day is davening,  which emphasizes the feeling of the neshama.  As the day progresses we reveal deeper and deeper levels of the neshama and its power to reach a level beyond all limitation.  Once the neshama reaches this level we become cleansed, as it says “Lifnei Hashem ti’taharu,  In front of Hashem you shall be cleansed”.  Since the highest level of the neshama is revealed  we elicit a purity from even higher than Hashem’s name Havaya.

The entire theme of the day would not seem to place a priority on the needs of the body. Nevertheless we see that halacha states that if a person's effort in davening  would cause weakness that would lead to needing to break the fast it's better to lie down in bed than pray because fasting is the essential priority. Why is fasting which is a physical thing more important than the feelings and connection of the neshama prayer?  It would seem more appropriate to allow someone to drink if they need to pray.

We see another similar question about the Kohen Gadol  after Yom Kippur. The Rambam in the halachos of Yom Kippur says that after Yom Kippur the Kohen Gadol went home and made a festive meal with his family and friends.  The Rambam is a sefer of halacha not of stories. Therefore the Kohen Gadol’s schedule after Yom Kippur was not said to tell us a story but to teach us something important. What is that lesson?

Also in the Tur Shulchan Aruch  it states that a heavenly voice went out in the evening after Yom Kippur saying (based on a pasuk);  “Go and eat with joy your bread, Hashem has accepted your prayers.” Why was there a need for a heavenly voice to come down below and make this announcement after Yom Kippur?

The most striking question of all is with regard to the  Kohen Gadol when he left the Kodesh HaKodashim on Yom Kippur after making the incense offering. This was the highest and most spiritual moment of Yom Kippur, the most holy day of the year by the most holy person acting on behalf of the entire Jewish people in the holiest of places. On his way out he offered a short prayer including the following requests: “The coming year should be a year of  dew and rain if it is hot and dry, a year of plenty, a year in which all your people of the house of Israel will not be dependent for their livelihood upon another nor upon any other people. It should be a year that the House of David should continue. At the time of rain the prayers of travelers should not come before you.”

The entire prayer is talking about rain, making a good income and similar such things. Why was there no mention about the holiness and spirituality of that special moment?

The point is that physical and spiritual things are not two separate avenues of life rather they are part of a greater whole. On one hand we need to separate from crass physicality and raise ourselves to a lofty level of spirituality on Yom Kippur in order to become close, connected and one with Hashem.  On the other hand the Torah teaches us that the spiritual connection and closeness we achieve needs to penetrate, integrate and become absorbed into the physical body in order to fulfill the purpose for which we were created.

This is why  fasting on Yom Kippur which involves the body is of such great importance, even outweighing prayer so that we stop praying if necessary so as not to break the fast. This is also why the Rambam writes in a halacha that the Kohen Gadol  went home for a festive meal after Yom Kippur, after seven days of separation and having achieved the highest spiritual level. This is because the purpose of every spiritual pursuit is to bring spirituality and sanctity into our homes and  into mundane affairs after Yom Kippur and throughout the year. This is also why the heavenly voice announces after Yom Kippur to the Jewish people to eat with joy because Hashem has accepted their prayers.

We also now understand the reason for the Kohen Gadol’s prayer on his way out of the Kodesh HaKodashim. This because the ultimate goal is to bring the highest spiritual level, our absolute connection and oneness with Hashem into physical mundane activities after Yom Kippur and throughout the rest of the year.

The Rebbe said that this is the reason that the Previous Rebbe was particular to wash on bread and make a seudah after Yom Kippur.

May the inspiration of Yom Kippur carry over into the evening after and the entire year. May our requests that this year be a year of light, bracha, geula, Torah, tefilla, teshuva and techiyas hameisim be completely fulfilled with the coming of Moshiach this year.

 (Adapted from the Letters and Sichos of the Rebbe)

• Click here for this week's 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: 6:27 pm
• Last Time To Read Shema: 9:42 am
• Shacharis: 9:00 in the tent, 9:30 in the Kollel, 10:00 in the shul & 11:00 in KYY.
• Mincha: 6:25 pm.
• Shabbos Ends: 7:30pm

MOTZEI SHABBOS:

• 9:00pm Melava Malka online with Rabbi Raichik on Zoom - Meeting ID: 435 263 4589 Password: 770. Click here to Join.

SUNDAY
Erev Yom Kippur 

• Minchah: 2:00 & 3:30 pm   
• Light Candles: 6:24 pm
  lehadlik ner shel yom hakippurim
• Kol Nidrei: 6:35 pm (make sure to make bracha on talis before shkia)

MONDAY
Yom Kippur   

• Shacharis: 9:30 am
• Yizkor: 12:15 pm
• Mincha: 5:00 pm
• Fast Ends: 7:17 pm

For all the laws and customs please see the Chabad Chodesh

Dovid & Mushky Kaye
Invite the community to a Sholom Zochor
9 pm @ 170 N Poinsettia

• Rabbi & Mrs. Alon Asefovitz in honor of Rabbi Alon Asefovitz’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Velvel Tsikman for the yahrtzeit of Rabbi Velvel Tsikman’s father Reb Shmuel Meir ben Reb Yisroel Dovid ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya. 

5:30 at the home of Mrs. Ruchama Thaler
126 N Sycamore
Speaker: Rabbi Dovid Thaler

•  Rabbi & Mrs. Dovid Kaye on the birth of their son.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Sholom Ber Langsam on the birth of their daughter.

Upcoming Birthdays

• Shneur Lerman - 9 Tishrei
• Shmuel Chaim Plotke - 10 Tishrei
• Mr. Ari Brown - 10 Tishrei
• Yosef Yitzchok Habibian - 12 Tishrei
• Mr. Shmuel Freeman - 13 Tishrei

Upcoming Yahrtzeits

• Reb Shmuel Meir ben Reb Yisroel Dovid (Rabbi Velvel Tsikman’s father) - 11 Tishrei
• Chana Faiga bas Reb Moshe (Mrs. Ariella Bastomski’s mother) - 13 Tishrei
•  

• Schmukler Kaparos: Will IY"H be held at LA Fresh Poultry - 121 North Virgil Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90004. (near Beverly Blvd and the 101 Fwy). 
  Motzai Shabbos, 8 Tishrei/Sep 26, 8:45pm-10pm sharp. $35 each
  Sunday , 9 Tishrei/Sep 27, 6am-8am Sharp! $25 each - In Memory of R' Berel Weiss.
  Reserve www.chabadlc.org/chicken 
  MUST RSVP BY SEP 23rd.  MASKS REQUIRED.
• Schneerson Esrogim!
  We will iy"h be selling esrogim every night until sukkos at the shul outside. 8:00pm-10:30pm
• There is family of ten in our community that is is need of a sukka and sukka mats, if you can help, please respond. 

Baruch HaShem the teffillos on Rosh Hashana were organized and well attended. We are trying to have the same for Yom Kippur.

Please indicate on the attached form which minyan you plan on joining and how many men, women and children.

1. Upstairs Moshe Ganz (men only)
2. Main Shul
3. Kollel
4. Outside/early minyan (outside night only and in KYY starting 8am by day - socially distanced)

Link: https://forms.gle/3G3B4dgAD9tXqaqA8

• 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!!
• Schmukler Kaparos: Will IY"H be held at LA Fresh Poultry - 121 North Virgil Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90004. (near Beverly Blvd and the 101 Fwy). 
  Motzai Shabbos, 8 Tishrei/Sep 26, 8:45pm-10pm sharp. $35 each
  Sunday , 9 Tishrei/Sep 27, 6am-8am Sharp! $25 each - In Memory of R' Berel Weiss. Reserve www.chabadlc.org/chicken MUST RSVP BY SEP 23rd.  MASKS REQUIRED.

For all the laws and customs please see the Chabad Chodesh

Erev Rosh Hashanah
Friday, Elul 29/September 18

• Light Yom Tov Candles: 6:36 pm
  "Lehadlik Ner Shel Shabbos VeShel Yom Hazikaron" & "Shehechiyanu" 

First Day Rosh Hashanah
Shabbos, Tishrei 1/September 19

• Shacharis: 8:00 & 9:30 am
• Tehillim: 5:300 pm
• Minchah: 6:30 pm
• Light Yom Tov candles from a pre-existing flame after 7:38 pm
  "Lehadlik Ner Shel Yom Hazikaron" & "Shehechiyanu"

Second Day Rosh Hashanah
Sunday, Tishrei 2/September 20

• Shacharis: 8:00 & 9:30 am
• Tekias Shofar: 11:15 am
• Minchah/Tashlich/Farbrengen: 5:45 pm
• Yom Tov Ends: 7:38 pm

Tzom Gedaliah
Monday, Tishrei 3/ September 21

• Fast Begins: 5:22 am
• Minchah: 6:30 pm
• Fast Ends: 7:26 pm

• Mr. Yonason Allison - 2 Tishrei
• Mr. Yerachmiel Altman - 2 Tishrei
• Yosef Yitzchok Wolowik - 4 Tishrei
• Chaim Eliyahu Hoch - 7 Tishrei

Upcoming Yahrtzeits

• Reb Moshe ben Reb Menachem Mendel Hilel (Mr. Mendel-Hilel Ganzburg’s father) - 2 Tishrei
• Reb Binyamin ben Reb Hersch (Dr. Penina Rivka Watstein’s father) - 6 Tishrei

Awakening from our Slumber and seeing Hashem’s desire
to be Crowned as King by each and every Jew

By Rabbi Shimon Raichik

With Rosh Hashanah approaching I would like to wish everyone a Kasiva v’Chasima Tovah l’Shana Tovah u’Mesukah, a good and healthy new year in all that we need physically and spiritually. 

The first Rosh Hashanah  mentioned in the Torah, the day that Adam HaRishon  was created was a Friday, the 6th day of creation. The Machzor for Rosh Hashana makes the following statement about Rosh Hashanah: “This Day is the beginning of Your actions, a remembrance to the first day.” A question arises; why do we refer to  Rosh Hashanah as “the beginning of Your actions”  when it was already the sixth day of creation.  How are we to make sense  of it being called the beginning of your actions when 5 days of creation, 5 days of action had already passed? The answer is that on Rosh Hashanah the day Adam HaRishon was created is the day that the purpose of creation was revealed  and the day that creation was brought to its completion.

Hashem created a large world filled with many species of animals and plants, birds and fish, the earth, the sky and the sea. The purpose of it all was not for the wildlife, bird sanctuaries or Earth Day as great or as beautiful as they might be. The purpose of creation began when man arrived. It was man that made all of Hashem’s creations aware that Hashem created them. Man prepared the world toward the objective of making it into a dwelling place for Hashem’s presence. The only one who could carry this purpose to its fulfillment was man. Before man was created it was not possible. Once Adam HaRishon was created he succeeded in this mission by calling together the entire creation and proclaiming: “Come  let us kneel and bow before Hashem  the one who created us”.  

The focal point of Rosh Hashanah is to crown Hashem as King. How do we crown Hashem? By blowing the shofar. In the spiritual sense the shofar  is the  outcry of the neshama to Hashem with teshuvah,  to crown Him our King both in general and to each person individually. 

Why does Hashem need man, a soul in a physical body with all it’s limitations to crown Him and what is His goal in creation?. Chassidus explains that Hashem wanted a dwelling place in this physical world. Although Hashem could have done this by Himself without the help of man, nevertheless, Hashem specifically wanted this to be accomplished by a soul within a body within this physical limited world by learning His Torah and doing His mitzvos. It is under these particular circumstances and in this specific fashion that Hashem desired His dwelling place in this world.

All of this is represented within the mitzvah of the shofar. Why do we blow the shofar? It’s a gezeras haKasuv,  a decree without a reason. We blow the shofar because that's what Hashem wants. Even though there is no reason there is a remez, a hint. As the Rambam says there is a hint in the mitzvah of shofar, to waken from our slumber and return to Hashem to fulfill our purpose.

When Rosh Hashanah falls on weekdays we blow the shofar both days. When Rosh Hashanah falls out on the Shabbos we blow the shofar only one day. Why do we not blow the shofar on Shabbos? Also, how do we accomplish the same purpose of shofar without blowing it on Shabbos?  

The answer given why we do not blow the shofar on Shabbos is because someone  who is not familiar how to blow might forget about the Shabbos and take it out into the street to to inquire how to do the mitzvah and come to carry the shofar on Shabbos.  How can the entire Jewish people give up on such a great mitzvah just because there is a chance someone who forgets might carry on Shabbos?

The answer is that whatever is accomplished by the blowing of the shofar is automatically accomplished by the kedusha of the Shabbos. If the Shabbos, which is sanctified by Hashem takes the place of the shofar, then definitely the coronation of Hashem as King was done on the highest level possible. If that is so then why blow the shofar on the second day of Rosh Hashanah?   What more could possibly be added?

From the fact that we nevertheless do blow the shofar anyway, we come to see the greatness of the Jewish people and what we are capable of accomplishing. Even though the first day of Rosh Hashanah was on Shabbos and everything was accomplished in terms a crowning Hashem as King on the highest level, nevertheless Hashem says that that is not enough. Hashem is telling us; I need you to take the shofar, make a bracha and blow it to be heard throughout the world.  We, the Jewish people who are here in this physical world, soul within the body with all its limitations are wanted, valued and needed by Hashem to proclaim Him as King.

This year, a year when the first day of Rosh Hashanah is on Shabbos is a year that expresses the greatness of the service of each and every Jew. Hashem is saying “I need you”, “Ahavti Eschem Amar Hashem, Hashem says, I Love you”

Each and everyone of us no matter who we are or our station in life are like Adam HaRishon.  The fact that he was alone in the world teaches us that every person has to view themselves as alone in the sense of having a unique a sacred responsibility (as if he or she were alone and the only one available)  towards all of creation and has within themselves the inherent abilities to bring the world to its completion  by revealing Hashem’s  glory in this world today as we stand prepared to enter the year 5781.  As the Rebbe said “Turn over the world today!”. Each person in their own unique way has the power to reveal Moshiach, today.

A Shana Tovah uMesukah!

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

We are working very hard to ensure that you have a safe and comfortable Yom Tov

If you registered and your plans have changed, or if you did not register and would still like to join us, please respond to this email ASAP so we can make the proper arrangements. 

Schmukler Kaparos
will IY"H be held at LA Fresh Poultry
121 North Virgil Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90004
(near Beverly Blvd and the 101 Fwy). 

Motzai Shabbos, 8 Tishrei/Sep 26, 8:45pm-10pm sharp.
$35 each

Sunday , 9 Tishrei/Sep 27, 6am-8am Sharp!
$25 each - In Memory of R' Berel Weiss.

Reserve www.chabadlc.org/chicken

MUST RSVP BY SEP 23rd.  MASKS REQUIRED.

Before you go to slichos to ask for a good year for yourself and your family please take a moment to think about others. Give Tzedaka to those who are in need of YOUR help.

This year more than ever... we need more help than ever...
Please see letter below for link to donate...

May all your tefillos be heard and may you and your family have a
Shana Tov Umesuka both physically and spiritually.

 ********

As we stand in the days before Tishrei and it is customary to collect money to help families for Yom Tov we are making an appeal now online.

Due to the coronavirus situation the needs of those that rely on our support has grown. Also the overall number of requests have  increased with more families and individuals from our own community needing basic supplies due to lack of work.

Please give generously and as soon as you are able.

May the zechus of your Tzedakah protect you, your family and the community at large and may we be zoche to a Kesiva Vachasima Tova - Le'Shana Tova Umesuka!

 Chabadofla.com/donate 

• MASBIA: 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.
• ROSH HASHANA: If you have not yet done so,  please go to https://forms.gle/WxZ8Qk4rxVgDgcV18 to let us know if you plan to join us!
• PANIM: Rabbi Bukiet is bez"h traveling to the Rebbe on Sunday night. If you would like to drop off a Pan for to take along, please make sure to drop it off in his mailbox (343 N Formosa) before 7:30 pm Sunday night.

• 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!!
• Message From YOEC:  Due to the situation and neighborhood, we are in we are asking Anash NOT to come to Yeshiva Motzai Shabbos for Slichos.
• TEHILLIM CLUB: Any child who says Tehillim for 30 minutes can bring a note to Rabbi Frankel or Rabbi Braude. Girls can bring s note to Shternie Wolowik in Bais Rebbe. They will receive a treat and a pizza coupon.
• 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. 

• Shabbos Candle Lighting: 6:47 pm
• Last Time To Read Shema: 9:40 am
• Tehillim: 8:15 am
• Shacharis: 10:00 - Since we expect more people this week and the minyonim are not staggered, we request everyone wear a mask.
• Followed by a farbrengen.
• Mincha: 6:45 pm. Followed by - Pirkei Avos Chapters 5 & 6
• Shabbos Ends: 7:50 pm
• Selichos Motzei Shabbos: 1:00 am - In shul AND in tent

MOTZEI SHABBOS:

• 9:30 pm Melava Malka online with Rabbi Raichik on Zoom - Meeting ID: 435 263 4589 Password: 770. Click here to Join.  

• Rabbi & Mrs. Shmuly Schapiro in honor of Rabbi Shmuly Schapiro’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.

5:30 at the home of Mrs. Fradel Bukiet
343 N Formosa
Speaker: Rabbi Yisroel Hecht

• Dovid Moshe Klein - 23 Elul
• Mr. Michael Mordechai Cohen - 25 Elul
• Yosef Raeburn - 26 Elul
• Mr. Josh Zipp - 26 Elul
• Mendel Rav~Noy - 26 Elul
• Rabbi Shmuly Schapiro - 26 Elul 
• Mr. Richard Rosenbloom - 27 Elul
• Rabbi Levi Goldman - 27 Elul
• Mr. Ezra Sarue - 28 Elul
• Chaim Morris - 28 Elul
• Rabbi Yecheskel Raeburn - 29 Elul
• Mendel Arnold - 29 Elul

Upcoming Anniversaries

• Mr. & Mrs. Mottel Polityko - 24 Elul
• Rabbi & Mrs. Yankee Raichik - 26 Elul

Upcoming Yahrtzeits

• Reb Avraham Zelig ben Reb Tzvi Hersh (Mr. Isser Goldstein’s brother) - 24 Elul
• Reb Yisroel Issar ben Reb Dovber (Mrs. Tzirel Goldman’s father) - 24 Elul
• Reb Mordechai Leib ben Reb Avrohom (Rabbi Yoel Edelson’s father) - 26 Elul
• Reb Meir Eliezer ben Reb Chaim Yehuda (Rabbi Zalman Schmukler’s father) - 27 Elul
• Reb Mordechai Yosef Shimon ben Reb Yerachmiel Menachem (Mr. Noteh Berger’s father) - 27 Elul
• Reb Yehuda ben Reb Tzvi Hirsch (Rabbi Shmuel Stroll’s father) - 27 Elul
• Reb Sholom Dovid ben Reb Yoisef (Rabbi Nachman Kreiman’s father) - 28 Elul

Together as One we Stand United and Victorious on Rosh Hashana 

By Rabbi Shimon Raichik

First I would like to wish everyone a Ksiva v'Chasima Tovah l'Shana Tovah u'Mesuka. Hashem should fulfill everyone's requests both spiritually and physically together with the requests of Klal Yisroel. Most of all we should all merit the complete and ultimate redemption this year.

In Hayom Yom it’s written that the Alter Rebbe related: When I was in Mezritch I heard from my Rebbe, the Maggid, in the name of the Baal Shem Tov that Hashem blesses Rosh Hashana and the month of Tishrei. From that bracha we take the strength to bless the other eleven months. What is the nusach of Hashem’s bracha? It is the opening verse of parshas Nitzavim; “Atem nitzavim hayom kulchem- you are standing today (on Rosh Hashana) all of you”. We are all standing together as one unit before the King. It is because we stand together that we are meritorious in judgment. 

The greatness of the bracha at the beginning of parshas Nitzavim is that we stand firm on the great day of Judgement, Rosh HaShana, and when the greatness of the service of every Jew is revealed, the Heavenly Court decides in our favor. It is not just that Hashem overrides the Heavenly Court and gives us a pardon. Rather Hashem gives us a bracha that gives us the strength to stand firm unafraid because we trust that Hashem values our service of Him, and then Heavenly Court agrees. 

This teaching was revealed through the Baal Shem Tov. The bracha was in the Chumash before Baal Shem Tov. Why was this teaching revealed by the Baal Shem Tov and not in a previous generation? The reason is because the purpose of Chassidus is to reveal the deepest levels of the Torah, the neshama of the Torah. Chassidus was revealed to arouse our neshamos from the deep slumber and weakness that the Jewish people fell into in a particularly bitter moment of galus. This revelation of Chassidus continued to expand to the point that the arousal of the neshama on it’s deepest levels should be understood and absorbed, similar to food absorbed in the body. The Alter Rebbe explains this with the mashal of the precious stone in the crown of the King that was pulverized in order to create a medicine to save the life of the prince. This is a mashal for Chassidus. 

Why does the Torah enumerate 10 types of people, heads of tribes, judges, water carriers etc.? Isn’t the important thing that we are together as one? Also why does the pasuk say kulchem, all of you, isn’t that obvious?

The explanation brought in Likutei Torah and Sichos is that we are one unit from the vantage point of the neshama. Therefore it is necessary to emphasize that we are all one unit with regard to coronating Hashem as the King of all of us, kulchem. The reason that the 10 different groups are mentioned, the heads, hands, feet, men women and children until water carriers and woodchoppers is to show that we are like one big body.

Just as a body has different parts yet they all work together in complete harmony so too the Jewish people. Every part of the body has a discrete function necessary to complete the body. All the body’s systems and limbs need one other and come together as one. It is specifically because the body is one that each part can serve and be helpful to the rest of the body. So too with Klal Yisroel; we are all one essence. Therefore whatever unique quality each person has, it can be of use to another Jew. We can help each other like feet can help a head get to where it needs to go.

Therefore unity is both general and personal. I am both a servant of Hashem in general as well as an individual with a unique mission. Each one of us doing our best automatically serves the Klal. This is an explanation as to why the Rebbe gave his entire attention to each person he met. The Rebbe always brings out the special characteristic meant for that individual. Very often he then puts that characteristic to work for the sake of the individual and the Klal. 

By each of us recognizing and then best utilizing what we do best for the Klal, we stand as one, meritorious in judgment before Rosh Hashana.

On Rosh Hashana each one of us realizes that we are accepting Hashem as King together as one. At the same time we should also recognize that each one of us is accepting Hashem as our personal King and that Hashem values our particular service. By doing so we reveal Hashem's sovereignty in all aspects. This extends beyond our performance of Torah and mitzvos into every detail of our personal lives and daily activities. 

As we enter the time of Rosh Hashana and accept Hashem as the true and sovereign King we do so with two things in mind. We remember that Hashem is King over all of Klal Yisroel and all of creation. We accept Hashem as our King equally no matter who we are. We also accept Hashem's sovereignty personally, He is my King and I am His servant. We then relate it to all that we do in our lives and for others. By not just recognizing Hashem in general but by living with Hashem as our King in every detail of our daily lives in what we do for others do we reveal Hashem's Kingship the most, and have the greatest effect on the entire world. 

The unity in the bracha in parsha’s Nitzavim is even greater than the unity of Matan Torah. By Matan Torah we camped as one person with one heart without noticeable differences. In this bracha we count 10 types of people, heads of tribes, judges, water carriers etc. like a body with separate limbs. The simple folk aspire to the greatness of the leaders and the leaders are moved by the motivation of the simple folk to change and aspire beyond themselves with purity and simplicity.  Each type of person wants, sees and feels the special value of the other and wants to unite as one. This is a greater unity that includes the unique qualities of each in the other.

Wishing everyone a Ksiva v'Chasima Tovah l'Shana Tovah u'Mesuka and to be with the Rebbe in the Beis HaMikdash hearing Shofar Shel Moshiach

Mr. Al Stark is sitting shiva on the passing of his mother

If you can make it for minyan 
please let Al know 323-717-1808 

Address: 236 S Highland Ave.
Shachris: 8am, Mincha/Maariv: 7pm
Visiting hours:
9-1 & 5-8 

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

Farbrengen for men in shul tonight - after maariv - 8pm
with Rabbi Eli Friedman
in honor of Chai Elul

Please Please - Let us know if you are planning to come, so we can prepare accordingly

A gut Chodesh Elul.  We are looking forward to a safe, comfortable and spiritually fulfilling Yomim Noraim.  The shul intends to have as many minyanim as needed to accommodate social distancing and personal preferences.  Depending upon community response, there will be an outside minyan that starts at 8am (to try and beat the heat), and multiple inside minyanim that start at 9am.  All minyanim may be attended by men, women and children over the age of 10 that sit with their parents.  There will be two official tekias shofar for any man, woman or child that wants to hear shofar but cannot daven with a minyan, one at 12pm after the outside minyan finishes, and the other at 1:00pm inside.

We need your help in order to organize the above.  Please immediately go to this link https://forms.gle/WxZ8Qk4rxVgDgcV18, and respond with your preference and the number of anticipated people from your family that you think will attend.

1. Outside minyan
2. Inside minyan
3. 12:00 tekias shofar
4. 1:00 tekias shofar

Kesiva V’Chasima Tovah!!!

With sadness we inform the community of the passing of
Mrs. Handa Stark, Chana Bat Yitzchak A'H. 

 Mother of Al Stark, Rosie Silverstein and Susie serinevch

LEVAYA/KEVURAH

Today, Sunday, 17 Elul/September 6, 3:00 PM
at Home of Peace Cemetery 4334 Whittier Blvd. East Los Angeles.

Masks and social distancing required.

Shiva details to follow.

• 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!!
• MONDAY: Farbrengen for men in shul after maariv with Rabbi Eli Friedman  - in honor of Chai Elul.

• Shabbos Candle Lighting: 6:56 pm
• Last Time To Read Shema: 9:39 am
• Shacharis: 9:00am in the tent, 10:00am & 11:00am in the shul.
• Mincha: 6:55 pm. Followed by - Pirkei Avos Chapters 3 & 4
• Shabbos Ends: 7:59 pm

MOTZEI SHABBOS:

• 9:30pm Melava Malka online with Rabbi Raichik on Zoom - Meeting ID: 435 263 4589 Password: 770. Click here to Join.

• Mr. & Mrs. Yisroel Feiner for the yahrtzeit of Mr. Yisroel Feiner’s father Reb Moshe Menachem Mendel ben Reb Smaryahu ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya. 

6:00 at the home of Mrs. Chana Weiss
411 N Martel
Speaker: Rabbi Levi Kramer

• Rabbi & Rebbitzen Shimon Raichik on the birth of their grandson (to Dovid & Simi Ghods.)
• Mr. & Mrs. Shimon Benarroch on the birth of their great-grandson (to Moishe and Tonia Sperlin.)
• Rabbi & Mrs. Shaya Eichenblatt on the birth of their granddaughter (to Yisroel and Shayna Eichenblatt.) 
• Mr. & Mrs. Mottel Polityko on the engagement of their son Berel to Chani Hami.

Upcoming Birthdays

• Rabbi Shmuel Gurary - 16 Elul
• Mendel Raichik - 17 Elul
• Rabbi Shmuel Stroll - 19 Elul
• Rabbi Tzvi Burston - 21 Elul
• Rabbi Moshe Hackner - 21 Elul

Upcoming Anniversaries

• Rabbi & Mrs.  Sholom Langsam - 16 Elul
• Rabbi & Mrs. Eli Feiner - 17 Elul
• Mr. & Mrs. Pesach Kornreich - 18 Elul
• Dr. & Mrs. Binyomin Kaplan - 19 Elul
• Rabbi & Mrs. Elozor Fisch - 20 Elul
• Rabbi & Mrs. Leib Lerner - 21 Elul
• Mr. & Mrs. Bruce Pollard - 21 Elul

Upcoming Yahrtzeits

• Chaya Leah bas Reb Yom Tov (Mrs. Marci Kaufman’s mother) - 16 Elul
• Reb Moshe Menachem Mendel ben Reb Smaryahu (Mr. Yisroel Feiner’s father) - 19 Elul
• Chaya Braina bas Reb Shlomo Mordechai (Mr. Zalman Roth’s mother) - 20 Elul
• Reb Yechezkel ben Reb Nochum Yitzchok (Rabbi Nochum Pinson’s father) - 20 Elul
• Ita bas Reb Aharon (Dr. Bassya Pinson’s mother) - 21 Elul
• Reb Yosef Yitzchok Halevi ben Reb Menachem Shmuel Dovid Halevi Raichik- 21 Elul
• Reb Dovid Yonah ben yblcht”a Reb Menachem Mendel Hokohen (Rabbi Mendel Dubinsky’s son) - 22 Elul

Giving Our Investment Portfolio a Boost on Chai Elul

This week is Chai Elul, the birthday of the two great luminaries the Baal Shem Tov in 5458-1698, and the Alter Rebbe in 5505-1745. What does this mean to us today in 2020? The Previous Rebbe said that Chai Elul is the life of our service in Elul, the service of Ani L’Dodi v’Dodo Li.

Each of the last 12 days of Elul, beginning with the 18th, Chai Elul, are dedicated to retrospection and teshuva for an entire month of the past year. The day of Chai Elul corresponds to the both the past and the coming month of Tishrei.

Nowadays, we are looking for inspiration from others. We are waiting to get motivation and encouragement from others to take us through the month of Tishrei.

Because of today’s fast pace we are rushed and distracted. We wait for the jolt of finely crafted 30 second sound bites to do the trick. We don’t have focus for more.

The Baal Shem Tov revealed the essence of emuna within the neshama of every Jew. The Alter Rebbe’s Torah brings that emunah into our hearts and minds when we apply ourselves to avodah.

The Baal Shem Tov revealed that emunah is already ingrained and a part of us. It may be covered or concealed at times but it’s always there; it’s our life and our essence. It’s the same for everyone. In our core we know that Hashem is the essence of all of life. We arouse this essence through stories of Tzaddikim.

The Alter Rebbe guided us to on how to make ourselves a vessel, a keli, to incorporate this into our daily intellect. The purpose of Chassidus Chabad to become a keli; to focus on growth and development of our minds and hearts. We need to learn and contemplate Chassidus in order to arouse our hearts to serve Hashem with true sincerity in the month of Tishrei.

Even though we feel the great inspiration of Rosh HaShana, Yom Kippur, Sukkos and Simchas Torah nevertheless all too often this inspiration fades after Tishrei. What can we do so that the inspiration will last? We need to prepare by making ourselves into a keli with the avodah of “Ani L’Dodi” in the month of Elul. Then when we are inspired in Tishrei, the time of “Dodi Li” it will have a lasting effect.

There is a story of a wealthy man who lived in a village with two poor families. After watching their plight for some time he could no longer bear to see their suffering. He approached the father of each household with 10,000 rubles as a loan, a huge sum at the time. He told them to use it well, to invest it etc., in order to get themselves out of poverty.

The first man used the money to fix his house, buy his family new clothes and give them proper food to eat. Once they were in a better situation he carefully managed what was left. He diversified his investments, reinvested and saved. After a few years he was doing well in business and wanted to repay the loan. Instead of taking the money back the wealthy benefactor encouraged him to use the money to help others. He could teach them what he had learned and help them get out of poverty.

As you can imagine, the second man spent all of his money without making any investments. Soon enough he was back asking the wealthy man for another loan. The wealthy man told him to learn from the first man.

This analogy is relevant to the month of Elul. We have a precious opportunity to prepare. And then when Hashem “invests” in us with a Shana Tovah uMesuka we can make it last.

This is the message of the Hayom Yom for Chai Elul. Everyone should study it carefully. The point of the Hayom Yom is the Baal Shem Tov’s teaching that Hashem has inherited to each one of us the desire to serve Hashem.

When we get inspired we need to place it in a basket, a tena. The word tena is an acronym for taamim, nekudos and osios, the letters, vowels and cantillations of the words of the Torah.

This is why we are given inspiration in the month of Tishrei; in order to invest. We invest well wherever we go by using every opportunity to make a dwelling place for Hashem.

This is our service in the month of Elul. We focus, review and contemplate how we managed what Hashem invested in us both physically and spiritually in the last year and how to best manage our ‘investments’ in the coming year. Are we utilizing them for what they were intended? This is our ultimate purpose and this is what brings Moshiach.