Shul Bulletin

For details regarding the laws of preparations for Pesach 
Please see the “Chabad Chodesh” by clicking here. 

Thursday, Nisan 12/March 25
Fast of the Firstborn

• Start Bedikah After: 7:35

Erev Shabbos, Nisan 13/March 26
Hillulah of the Tzemach Tzedek

• Burn Chametz in the Morning

Shabbos HaGadol/Tzav/Erev Pesach
Nisan 14/March 27

• Light Candles Friday March 26: 6:52 pm
• Shachris: 7:30 & 8:00 am
• Finish Eating Chametz By: 10:53 am
• Flush Crumbs & Annul Chametz By: 11:55 am
• Mincha: 6:40 pm
• Followed by Seder Korbon Pesach & Avodim Hayinu. 
• Light Candles (from pre-existing flame) After: 7:55 pm
  Lehadlik Ner Shel Yom Tov & Shehechiyanu
• Try to finish eating Afikomen by Midnight: 12:57 am

Pesach Day One
Sunday, Nisan 15/March 28

• Last Time to Read Shema: 9:49 am
• Shacharis: 10:15 am
• Mincha: 6:50 
• Light Candles (From pre-existing flame) After: 7:55 pm
• Lehadlik Ner Shel Yom Tov & Shehechiyanu
• Sunday Night Start Counting Sefiras Haomer

Pesach Day Two
Monday, Nisan 16/March 29

• Last Time to Read Shema: 9:49 am
• Shachris: 10:15 am
• Shiur Sota: 5:45 pm
• Mincha: 6:50 pm
• Yom Tov Ends: 7:55

Upcoming Birthdays

• Boruch Dovber Stroll - 15 Nisan
• Rabbi Mordechai Katz - 17 Nisan
• Mr. Moshe Kaszirer - 19 Nisan
• Mr. Asher Bastomski - 19 Nisan
• Yechezkel Shraga Thaler - 20 Nisan

Upcoming Yahrtzeits

• Reb Meir ben Reb Chaim Volf (Mrs. Sima Zeifman's father) - 14 Nisan
• Reb Nuriel ben Reb Asher (Rabbi Asher Habibian’s father) - 16 Nisan
• Reb Michael ben Reb Dovid (Mr. Steve Zipp’s brother) - 17 Nisan
• Reb Scott Darin ben Reb Dovid (Mr. Steve Zipp’s brother) - 20 Nisan
• Tzivya Esther bas Reb Moshe (Mr. Steve Zipp’s mother) - 20 Nisan
• Reb Dovid ben Reb Shaul (Mr. Steve Zipp’s father) - 20 Nisan

• 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: 6:46 pm
• Last Time To Read Shema: 9:56 am
• Shacharis: 9:00 in tent, 9:30 in the Kollel, 10:00 in shul
• KYY: 10:00
• Mincha: 6:45 pm
• Shabbos Ends: 7:50 pm

MOTZEI SHABBOS:

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

• Rabbi & Mrs. Menachem Cohen for the yahrtzeit of. Mrs. Bassi Cohen's grandfather Reb Chaim ben Reb Yehoshua Shneur Zalmen Serebryanski ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Shmuel Fogelman for the yahrtzeit of Rabbi Shmuel Fogelman’s brother Reb Chaim Yosef ben Harav Yehuda Tzvi ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
• Mr. & Mrs. Pesach Kornreich for the yahrtzeit of Mr. Pesach Kornreich’s mother Sara Rivka bas Reb Elkana Halevi ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Shmuel Raigorodsky in honor of Rabbi Shmuel Raigorodsky’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Berel Schusterman in honor of Rabbi Berel Schusterman’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
• Mr. & Mrs. Allan Stark in honor of their anniversary. May they have many more happy years together.
• Mr. & Mrs. Berel Wilhelm in honor of Mr. Berel Wilhelm’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.

5:15 at the home of Mrs. Fradel Bukiet
343 N Formosa
Speaker: Mrs. Fradel Bukiet

• Mr. & Mrs. Shimon Benarroch on the birth of their great-granddaughter.  
• Rabbi & Mrs. Mendy Greenbaum on the marriage of their son Levi to Brochi Shaikevitz. Mazal tov to the grandmother Mrs. Beila Greenbaum.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Zalmen Schmukler on the birth of their twin granddaughters (to Shmuly & Mushky Raitman.)
• Rabbi & Mrs. Yosef Wolowik on the marriage of their daughter Chaya Mushka to Chaim Teitlibaum.

Upcoming Birthdays

• Mr. Gidon Fine - 9 Nisan
• Rabbi Shalom Ber Levine - 9 Nisan
• Mr. Gaby Silver - 11 Nisan
• Rabbi Shmuel Raigorodsky - 12 Nisan
• Mr. Boruch Greenbaum - 13 Nisan
• Mr. Chaim Chodorow - 13 Nisan
• Rabbi Berel Schusterman - 13 Nisan

Upcoming Anniversaries

• Mr. & Mrs. Allan Stark - 8 Nisan

Upcoming Yahrtzeits

• Sara Rivka bas Reb Elkana Halevi (Mr. Pesach Kornreich’s mother) - 8 Nisan
• Reb Avrohom Yitzchok ben Reb Mordechai (Mr. Yanky Bloch’s father) - 8 Nisan
• Reb Chaim Yosef ben Harav Yehuda Tzvi (Rabbi Shmuel Fogelman’s brother) - 12 Nisan
• Reb Avraham Yitzchok (Ms. Ofra Shipman’s father) - 12 Nisan

Keep it Great, Keep it Humble

By Rabbi Shimon Raichik

This week is parshas Vayikra. In a Sicha (Likutei Sichos v. 17) the Rebbe quotes the Previous Rebbe who discusses the Rebbe the Tzemach Tzedek’s education. The Alter Rebbe was the Tzemach Tzedek’s caretaker in matters of education and personally brought the Tzemach Tzedek to cheder. 

The Alter Rebbe gave the teacher guidance to teach the first parsha in Sefer Vayikra. When they completed the first parsha the Tzemach Tzedek asked the Alter Rebbe why the aleph in Vayikra is small, not the regular medium size letters that the rest of the Torah is written. 

The Alter Rebbe went into a state of deveikus and then said that Adam HaRishshon was created by Hashem Himself. Hashem testifies that the wisdom of Adam HaRishon was greater than even the ministering angels. Adam HaRishon could name all the creations of Hashem. The name represents the lifeforce. Adam HaRishon could see the lifeforce and therefore reveal their names. The angels were not able to give names while Adam could therefore we see that his wisdom was even greater than the angels.

Because of all of this Adam HaRishon knew of his own greatness and that greatness was important to him. This led to the downfall of the sin of the tree of good and evil. 

Moshe Rabbenu also realized his own greatness but reacted differently. He responded with humility. Moshe Rabbenu celebrated the greatness but didn’t attribute it to himself. On the contrary it made him feel contrite even broken hearted. When Moshe Rabbenu looked upon all of the wondrous qualities with which He was endowed such as being the son of Amram, the seventh generation from Avraham Avinu etc, he felt that they were not created by Him rather a gift from Hashem. However the question was if He had utilized them to their fullest and in the best way. With a humility that transcended anyone else Moshe Rabbenu concluded that if someone would have been so greatly endowed as Himself he would have certainly done far more and far better than He with these gifts.  

The Alter Rebbe went further in explaining to the Tzemach Tzedek in saying that the Torah contains small, medium and large size letters. The Torah is usually written with medium letters and with occasional small and large letters. The reason that the Torah is usually written with medium letters is because the Torah is meant for the average person. With the help of the Torah one can become a benoni. Because Adam HaRishon knew of his own greatness and this led to the downfall of the sin of the tree of good and evil, His name in Direi HaYamim is written with a large aleph. Since Moshe Rabbenu was the most humble of all men, when Hashem called out to Him the aleph of Vayika is written small.  

The Rebbe explains  the lesson relevant to us from this story. Although the Tzemach Tzedek had not yet studied about the large aleph of Adam HaRishon in Divrei HaYamim, the Alter Rebbe was educating the Tzemach Tzedek with the awareness that the Tzemach Tzedek was destined to be a Rebbe. Every one of us has a spark of Adam HaRishon within and needs to realize our spark of greatness. Nevertheless even if we realize the greatness that we have, especially a leader who needs that greatness in an even larger measure, at the same time we need the humility of Moshe Rabbenu. Just as Moshe Rabbenu realized that not only that every good quality He had was a gift but that if others would have them they would surpass His accomplishments.

Every one of us needs to know that we have a great and powerful neshama which is a portion of Hashem mamash. Especially when it comes to doing a mitzvah or anything good or important we should never make ourselves small as if we cannot accomplish great things. We need to tell ourselves that we have the power of Adam HaRishon on the level before the sin. It doesn’t matter what happened an hour ago or an hour from now. We should be focused on this present moment and the empowerment of Adam HaRishon. At that very same moment we need to realize that with all the greatness we have been gifted by Hashem here and now, we didn’t work for these good qualities and we aren’t better than others in any way either in learning or in good character. On the contrary others would do far better. This awareness reveals the spark of humility of Moshe Rabbenu which we have.

By strengthening in not being ashamed or fooled into inaction by the Yetzer Hara, and also by being humble and not boasting about our accomplishments we will merit to be successful in all areas and merit the geula shleima.

A Good Shabbos

1. Rabbi Raichik has started selling Chomatz in shul. Every day in shul after Maariv. For those who are still feel unsafe to to this in person there is also the option to sell chamtz online. Go to chabadofla.com/4699009
2. Mivtzoim Matza has arrived. Due to supplier shortage, the price has gone up. $9 for the 3 Matza Gift Box. $17 for the 1 lb Box. LIMETED SUPLLY available! 
3. We also have Pesach guides, Mechiras Chometz in English & Matza envelopes, Please come after Maariv to pick up all Mivtzoim Needs.
4. As in the past, the shul is hosting outdoor public sedroim, please pass around flyer to those who need, if you can help sponsor, please donate online - make sure to include 'public seder' in the memo.

The levaya of
Mr Alexander Tzirlunik (אלכסנדר בן משה)
father of Sammy and Suzzana
will be today at 1:00pm
at Mt Olive Cemetary 7231 Slauson Ave . Commerce CA.

Tragically 73 year old Mr Tzirulnik fell to his death
while on a hike in Malibu. 
Please help Misaskim cover the costs of the kevura of $5,000.
Please text/email Malkiel Gradon an amount you can help with to 323-206-0127 or [email protected] once we have reached our goal we will no longer accept donations

If you can help with the minyan pleaae call/text
Rabbi Label Korf 323-252-9218

• 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!!
• TEHILLIM CLUB: We will be having the Tehillim club in person in the tent. We will be starting at 9:15 until 10 o’clock for girls and boys, and then KYY starts right away afterwards at 10 o’clock. Children who are not able to attend but send in a note or text message that they said TEHILLIM for 30 minutes or eligible for pizza coupons and a treat.
• 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.
• SUNDAY: All you need to know about Pesach - With Rabbis Raichik & Nathanson. Sunday, 1 Nisan/March 14, 8pm. To pre-submit questions - click here. 

• Shabbos Candle Lighting: 5:41 pm
• Last Time To Read Shema: 9:02 am
• Shabbos Mevarchim Tehillim: 8:15 am
• Shacharis: 9:45 in the tent, 10 am in shul and Kollel. 
• KYY: 10:00 
• Mincha: 5:40 pm
• Shabbos Ends: 6:44 pm
• Molad Chodesh Nisan: Shabbos, Adar29/March 13, 7:03 pm + 5 Chalakim.
• Rosh Chodesh Nisan: Sunday, March 14.
• Motzei Shabbos: Move clocks one hour ahead!!! 

MOTZEI SHABBOS:

• 8:00pm Melava Malka online with Rabbi Raichik on Zoom - Meeting ID: 435 263 4589 Password: 770. Click here to Join.

• The Gaboim of the Shul in honor of Shabbos Chazak. May they and the entire community be blessed with kol tuv se’ela.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Alon Asefovitz in honor of their anniversary. May they have many more happy years together.
• Rabbi & Mrs. David Hoch in honor of their anniversary. May they have many more happy years together. Also, in honor of Rabbi David Hoch’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Yisroel Munitz in honor of their anniversary. May they have many more happy years together. Also, in honor of their daughter Leah’s birthday. May she have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.

4:45 at the home of Mrs. Berta Sandberg
543 N Martel
Speaker: Rabbi Yisroel Hecht

Upcoming Birthdays

• Dov Ber Burston - 29 Adar
• Mendel Plotkin - 1 Nisan
• Rabbi David Hoch - 3 Nisan
• Avrohom Eliezer Goldman - 3 Nisan
• Mr. Berel Wilhelm - 4 Nisan
• Mr. Shmuly Cohen - 5 Nisan
• Yehoshua Eliyahu Plotke - 5 Nisan
• Meir Reichman - 6 Nisan

Upcoming Anniversaries

• Rabbi & Mrs. David Hoch - 1 Nisan
• Mr. & Mrs. Michael Mordechai Cohen - 1 Nisan
• Mr. & Mrs. Zalman Roth - 2 Nisan
• Rabbi & Mrs. Mendy Greenbaum - 2 Nisan
• Rabbi & Mrs. Yisroel Munitz - 2 Nisan
• Rabbi & Mrs. Moishe Kasowitz - 5 Nisan
• Rabbi & Mrs. Levi Eisenberg - 5 Nisan
• Mr. & Mrs. Gaby Silver - 6 Nisan

Upcoming Yahrtzeits

• Reb Yitzchok ben Reb Avrohom (Mr. Shimon Benarroch’s brother) - 29 Adar
• Esther Rivka (Rabbi Moshe Aaron Kagan’s mother) - 2 Nisan
• Rochel Leah bas Reb Sholom Yeshaya (Rabbi Berel Schusterman’s mother) - 4 Nisan
• Rochel bas Reb Yaakov Moshe (Rabbi Mendel Greenbaum’s grandmother) - 6 Nisan
• Reb Chaim ben Reb Zalman (Mrs. Doonie Mishulovin’s father) - 6 Nisan

With Warmth and Good Intentions we will Complete the Final Lap of Galus

By Rabbi Shimon Raichik

This week is the double parsha of Vayakhel-Pekudei, Shabbos Mevorchim Chodesh Nissan and parshas HaChodesh. The Rebbe asks the following general question about this parsha compared to the parshios of Terumah and Tetzaveh (Likutei Sichos Vol. 1, p. 195). In the Torah every word and every letter is carefully reckoned. We find many halachos that are derived from one word or even one letter. Nevertheless, we find that in the parshios of Vayakhel and Pekudei, the entire lengthy description of the Mishkon, the Kelim and the Bigdei Kehunah, the priestly garments are repeated even though they were already described in detail in Terumah and Tetzaveh.

Seemingly it would have been possible to spare multiple pesukim by only writing briefly that the Jewish people made the Mishkon the Kelim and the Bigdei Kehunah as Hashem commanded Moshe Rabbenu. 

The Rebbe explains that there is a big difference between the two iterations in Terumah and Tetzaveh and then in Vayakhel-Pekudei by pointing out a similar question in parshas Naso. The question asked is why are the korbanos of the Nesiim described in parshas Naso repeated twelve times? The answer is that each of the Nesiim accomplished something unique with his korbanos, as explained in the Midrash and in Chassidus on parshas Naso. Therefore the Torah could not state that each Nasi brought the same korbanos as the other because each Nasi drew down a different hamshacha, a different effect based on their unique intention. This is why we say the Nasi from the 1st through the 12th (13th) of Nissan with the special ‘Yehi Ratzon”.

The question about the repetition of the parshios of Vayakhel and Pekudei can be answered  in a similar manner. The first description of the Mishkon etc., in the parshiyos of Terumah and Tetzaveh were from Hashem Himself to Moshe Rabbenu. About Moshe Rabbenu it says in the Torah that “None arose like him”. The Torah also says that Moshe Rabbenu when on Har Sinai, was on an incomparably higher level than when he was on this physical plane saying “He did not eat bread or drink water.”

The descriptions in the parshios of Vayakhel and Pekudei are very different. They describe the Mishkon etc., as they were made by the entire Jewish people  here on the physical plane made of physical gold, silver, and copper. Without focusing on the great difference between Hashem’s command in the potential first related to Moshe Rabbenu and the actual fact of construction by the Jewish people, when was Hashem’s ultimate desire of dwelling amongst the Jewish people in this world actually fulfilled? In the physical MIshkon described in the parshiyos of Vayakhel and Pekudei and not in the spiritual Mishkon that Moshe Rabbenu was shown on Har Sinai.

The lesson for each and everyone of us is that one should not be lost or feel unfit to fulfill our purpose and destiny of making this physical world an actual dwelling place for Hashem. We shouldn’t compare ourselves with past generations, thinking how is it possible for me to do Hashem’s will and have my intentions aligned with the lofty intentions on high? Who am I fooling anyway?  We all know our own humble station in life and lackings. This is especially true since we are found as we wait for geula shleima in the doubled and redoubled darkness of the galus. Nevertheless Hashem promises each one of us that if one will only be of a generous heart, and we will act with chassidishe warmth and feeling, all of us together, each with his or her unique contribution will bring about the “v’shechanti b’socham” the indwelling of Hashem’s presence with the dedication of the permanent and final third Beis HaMikdash with an even greater and more revealed presence of Hashem  than it was on Rosh Chodesh Nissan for the first dedication. Then we will merit not only to read about the Korban Pesach in parshas HaChodesh but we will be able to bring the physical Korban Peach with the coming of Moshaich now. 

A Good Shabbos, A Good Chodesh

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

• 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!!
• SAVE THE DATE: All you need to know about Pesach - With Rabbis Raichik & Nathanson. Sunday, 1 Nisan/March 14, 8pm. To pre-submit questions - click here. 

• Shabbos Candle Lighting: 5:35 pm
• Last Time To Read Shema: 9:07 am
• Shacharis: 9:00 in tent, 9:30 in the Kollel, 10:00 in shul
• KYY: 10:00
• Mincha: 5:30 pm
• Shabbos Ends: 6:38 pm

MOTZEI SHABBOS:

• 8:00pm Melava Malka online with Rabbi Raichik on Zoom - Meeting ID: 435 263 4589 Password: 770. Click here to Join.

• Rabbi & Mrs. Dovid Hoch for the Bar-Mitzvah of their son Ari. May he give them much nachas and may he grow up to be a true chossid yirei shomaim and lamdan.
  Also, in honor of the birth of their daughter BatSheva. May they have much nachas from her and may she grow up to Torah, to Chupa and to Maasim Tovim.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Ari Markowitz in honor of Rabbi Ari Markowitz’s 40th birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
• The Fishman Family for the yahrtzeit of Reb Moshe Boruch ben Reb Yaakov Fishman ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Mendel Greenbaum for the yahrtzeit of Rabbi Mendel Greenbaum’s grandfather Reb Shmuel Yosef ben Reb Mordechai Tzvi ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
• Mr. & Mrs. Ari Kaufman in honor of Mr. Ari Kaufman’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Avrohom Klyne in honor of their anniversary. May they have many more happy years together. Also, in honor of Rabbi Avrohom Klyne’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Sender Munitz for the yahrtzeit of Mrs. Gittie Munitz’s mother Leah bas Reb Yaakov ob"m. May the neshomo have an aliya.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Yossi Pinson in honor of Rabbi Yossi Pinson’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Yanky Raichik for the yahrtzeits of Mrs. Rivky Raichik’s grandparents Reb Lipman ben Reb Nochum ob"m & Reb Dovid ben Reb Meir Yechiel Yehuda ob"m. May the neshomos have an aliya.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Velvel Tsikman in honor of Rabbi Velvel Tsikman’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus. Also, in honor of their son Levi Yitzchok Tsikman’s birthday. May he have a shnas hatzlocho begashmiyus ubruchniyus.

4:30 at the home of Mrs. Tzirel Frankel
109 S Vista

• Rabbi & Rebbitzen Shimon Raichik on the birth of their granddaughter (to Moshe & Riky Raichik.)
• Rabbi & Mrs. Sholom Perl on the engagement of their son Yudi to Gitty Liberow.
• Rabbi & Mrs. Meir Schmukler on the birth of their granddaughter (to Yossi & Shaina Cohen). 
• Rabbi & Mrs. Zalmen Schmukler on the birth of TWO great-granddaughters (Granddaughters to Chaim Schmukler & Meir Schmukler)  

Upcoming Birthdays

• Mr. Mottel Polityko - 22 Adar
• Rabbi Avrohom Klyne - 22 Adar
• Mr. Yosef Goldberger - 24 Adar
• Yakov Chaim Goldman - 24 Adar
• Levi Yitzchok Tsikman - 24 Adar
• Rabbi Ezra Binyomin Schochet - 24 Adar
• Gedaliah Chanoch Stroll - 24 Adar
• Rabbi Mendel Duchman - 25 Adar
• Mr. Ari Kaufman - 25 Adar
• Yaakov Yehoshuah Klein - 25 Adar
• Rabbi Velvel Tsikman - 26 Adar
• Rabbi Yossi Pinson - 27 Adar
• Mr. Yaakov Mark - 28 Adar

Upcoming Anniversaries

• Rabbi & Mrs. Avrohom Klyne - 22 Adar
• Rabbi & Mrs. Meir Ashkenazi - 22 Adar
• Rabbi & Mrs. Munish Weiss - 23 Adar
• Mr. & Mrs. Noteh Berger - 23 Adar
• Rabbi & Mrs. Yitzchok Tennenbaum - 24 Adar
• Rabbi & Mrs. Dovid Morris - 25 Adar
• Rabbi & Mrs. Yitzchok Arnold - 25 Adar
• Rabbi & Mrs. Yisroel Gurary - 25 Adar
• Rabbi & Mrs. Alon Asefovitz - 25 Adar
• Rabbi & Mrs. Yisroel Bastomski - 26 Adar
• Rabbi & Mrs. Leibel Lipsker - 26 Adar
• Rabbi & Mrs. Shmuel Gurary - 28 Adar
• Rabbi & Mrs. Eliyahu Newman - 28 Adar

Upcoming Yahrtzeits

• Reb Shmuel Yosef ben Reb Mordechai Tzvi (Rabbi Mendel Greenbaum’s grandfather) - 22 Adar
• Mindel bas Reb Nachum (Dr. Sholom Fine’s mother) - 23 Adar
• Chana bas Reb Yeshaye (Rabbi Shaya Berkowitz’s mother) - 24 Adar
• Reb Gedaliah Chanoch ben Reb Pinchus (Mrs. Malka Stroll’s father) - 24 Adar
• Reb Gedalya Boruch ben Reb Velvel HaLevi (Mr. David Kaufman’s father) - 24 Adar
• Reb Avram Shalom ben Reb Moshe (Mrs. Marsha Alperin’s husband) - 24 Adar
• Reb Yosef (Mrs. Leah Perl’s father) - 25 Adar
• Reb Tzvi ben Reb Naftoli Elimelech (Rabbi Fischel Grossman’s grandfather) - 26 Adar
• Reb Aba ben Reb Yoel Halevi (Rabbi Shalom Ber Levine’s father) - 26 Adar
• Reb Moshe Boruch ben Reb Yaakov Fishman - 27 Adar 
• Bracha Gittel bas Reb Shaltiel Ze'ev (Dr. Ze'ev Rav-Noy’s mother) - 27 Adar
• Reb Lipman ben Reb Nochum (Mrs. Rivky Raichik’s grandfather) - 28 Adar
• Reb Avrohom ben Reb Yosef (Mr. Shimon Benarroch’s father) - 28 Adar
• Leah bas Reb Yaakov (Mrs. Gittie Munitz’s mother) - 28 Adar
• Reb Dovid ben Reb Meir Yechiel Yehuda (Mrs. Rivky Raichik’s grandfather) - 28 Adar

Mihu Yehudi, Who is a Jew?:
The Law of Return in Israel Then and Now

By Rabbi Shimon Raichik

In a 5730-1970 Purim fabrengen the Rebbe spoke about how the Israeli Parliament passed the law of return giving the right for any and every Jew to return to Eretz Yisroel and become an Israeli citizen. They defined a Jew as someone born to a Jewish mother or converted to Judaism. When they referenced conversion they omitted the word, ‘k’Halacha, according to Jewish law’.

On this occasion and on many others in the years to follow the Rebbe demanded that the law be amended to include the word ‘k’Halacha’. The Rebbe called upon the religious parties to leave the coalition if this amendment was not made to the law. It was clear from the Rebbe’s words that this was an issue of essential importance for the Jewish people and something of the highest priority. It was also clear that this issue was of great concern and deeply painful for the Rebbe.

The Rebbe went on to say that leaving this law without amendment created a loophole for anyone to come based on any standard and claim to be Jewish. Further this precedent would be detrimental to Jews all over the world. The Rebbe brought the example of someone going to a dentist to have a cavity filled. Anyone would certainly verify that the dentist is legitimately trained and educated. So too with conversion. Conversion changes the neshama to become Jewish. It needs to be done by an individual who is trained and dedicated to Halacha.

This began a multi decade struggle that the Rebbe waged on behalf of the Jewish people to change the law of return, referred to as Mihu Yehudi.There were many at the time who didn’t understand the Rebbe’s concern. Even the ultra religious parties didn’t see this as an item that should be on top of their agenda. They wouldn’t agree to refuse to be part of a government of either the Likud or Labor Party without that ultimatum. They only said that at the proper time they would deal with it. Well, that time never came.This week the Supreme Court of Israel ruled that any type of conversion, reform conservative or otherwise must be accepted. Everything is by Divine Providence. This week we read about the Golden Calf. What happened in the Supreme Court of Israel is the result of the modern day  Golden Calf. All the decisions that led to this tragedy revolve around gold (money or political power).

The Rebbe was saying that this was their opinion 50 years ago and they were accepting any type of conversion, they just weren’t saying it out loud. Now 51 years later they’re saying it out loud without any shame.

The Rebbe saw where all of this was leading and what the effects would be long-term to Jewish identity and the integrity of the Jewish people. The Rebbe did all everything possible to stop the damage that this would cause in its tracks before it got out of hand. It breaks the heart when we think about what has happened and the decades-long efforts of the Rebbe and where we are today. The Rebbe said “az es tout vey men shreit, when something is painful it’s natural to cry out”.There are two important lessons that this teaches us. First, whenever the Rebbe said something it was with the clarity of all the future impact in mind. The Rebbe said many times that if the law wasn’t amended it would be a “bechiah l’doros, a lasting tragedy”. (We saw this same clarity with the Camp David Accords in the land for peace deal).Secondly when we have an opportunity to accomplish something even if it’s hard or uncomfortable or requires that we take a stand we should not push for tomorrow thinking that there will be a better or easier time to get it done. Just like we see now with the amendment of Mihu Yehudi in 1970 1974, 1977 etc. that better moment never happened.

Looking back, regardless of the fact that it was uncomfortable or difficult, that was the right time to change the law. Now once the Supreme Court of Israel has passed this law it will be incomparably more difficult to change. Then was the right time, just as the Rebbe said.

We cannot rely on the polished words of politicians or people who promise but do not deliver. The Rebbe gave us the mandate from the beginning of the Rebbe’s nesius  70 years ago, that we are the seventh generation and our job is to bring the revelation of Hashem into this world.  May we fulfill our mandate and merit true and lasting leadership with the coming of Moshiach now.

A Good Shabbos