Mrs. Nechama Dina Arnold
is sitting shiva until Wednesday on the passing of her father
Rabbi Yechiel Dov Nelken ob"m.
Address:
Phone:
Times:
Hamakom Yenachem Eschem B'soch Sheor Avalei Tzion V'yerushalayim. Vehukeetzu Veranenu Shochnay Ufur vehu besochom!
MOTZEI SHABBOS:
6:00 at the home of Mrs. Berta Sandberg
543 N Martel
Speaker: Rabbi Levi Kramer
Upcoming Birthdays
Upcoming Anniversaries
Upcoming Yahrtzeits
Living Above the Influences of the Great and Awesome Desert,
the Secular World, Every Day
By Rabbi Shimon Raichik
In this week’s parsha of Eikev, Moshe Rabbenu reminds the Jewish people not to forget Hashem, His commandments and all the miracles. In this narrative (Devarim 8:15) Moshe Rabbenu says:
“[Hashem] Who led you through that great and awesome desert, [in which were] snakes, vipers and scorpions, and drought, where there was no water; who brought water for you out of solid rock..”
The Jewish people’s travels through the desert was a forerunner and an example of the state of galus, which is followed by the redemption and entry into Eretz Yisroel. The Torah here describes the stages through which both the Jewish people as a whole can descend into galus and we as individuals can descend into our own personal galus.
The first error lies in overestimating the power of the secular, mundane world and underestimating the power of kedusha. True, the G-dly soul and the Jewish people in general often seem to be at a disadvantage in every way, but the truth is that nothing can really oppose kedusha. Deluding ourselves into thinking that anything can oppose kedusha is the first psychological descent into the mentality of galus.
Exaggerating the power of the uncivilized and unpurified parts of this world leads us to granting it power over the Torah observance parts of life as well. We becom
e so afraid of the world’s power, we consider the desert so awesome, that we are scared to appear too religious, even in private.
This leads us to replace our natural enthusiasm for Judaism with enthusiasm for worldly pursuits. This is symbolized by the snake, whose venom is hot. Eventually, our enthusiasm for worldly things will consume our fervor for Judaism altogether; this is symbolized by the burning sting of the serpent.
Ultimately however, devotion to worldly pursuits leaves us jaded and our enthusiasm for them spent. This leaves us cold and deadened to any kind of stimulation, just as the scorpion’s venom is cold.
When Hashem tries to arouse us from this state with a thirst for true life, we will not be able to recognize what we are thirsting for. We will “thirst” but remain “parched.”
The way to avoid all of this, is not to begin this process altogether, by making the mistake of overestimating the weight of the world around us. By fostering our awareness of the power of kedusha within us, we can avoid the pitfalls of galus and live up to our true destiny.
The Rebbe brings two stories from the Rebbe Maharash which illustrate the enthusiasm and pride we have from being chosen to serve Hashem through learning the Torah and doing mitzvos.
There were many occasions when the Rebbe Maharash would have to leave the country on special missions to help others and to avoid pogroms. On one occasion the Rebbe took his coach to catch a train in the nearby town of Rudnia on a specific mission and was running a few minutes late. Although the person in charge knew the Rebbe was coming he nevertheless sent the train out on time. The Rebbe Maharash was upset. A few weeks later this man received his pink slip from Petersburg. He was fired even though Petersburg wasn’t aware of what happened with the Rebbe. This is because his purpose of facilitating the Rebbe’s travels wasn’t fulfilled; he was let go.
Another story occurred on the way home from one of the Rebbe Maharash’s journeys as he passed through a village. The non Jewish townsfolk heard about the Rebbe’s arrival and went out to greet him with bread and salt. When the Rebbe’s head emerged from the wagon they all kneeled and bowed down. The Rebbe was travelling with his nephew who said to look what they're doing. The Rebbe answered that he should not be foolish saying; by whom do you think it was said that you will be blessed by the nations of the world? They recognised this and therefore bowed down.
This is who we really are. We may not Rabbeim but we are Jews and this is what it means to be a Jew.
About a month or so ago the past President of the State of Israel, President Rivlin was visiting President Biden at the White House in Washington DC. He came with his head of staff, Mrs. Ravitz, a religious woman who had worked with him for over 23 years. When President Biden heard that this religious woman had 12 children, he kneed and bowed down to her. It is a fulfillment of the verse that their kings will serve you and their experts will be nursemaids. This applies to each and everyone of us not to be influenced by values of the secular world. When we go above the limitations that the world sets for us, the world respects and honors us.
By living beyond both our personal and collective galus we merit to experience the complete revelation in our personal lives and in the entire world the geula ha’amitis v’hashleima now.
A Good Shabbos
(Adapted from Likutei Sichot, vol. 2, pp. 372-375)
With profound sadness we share the news of the passing of
Harold Katz z"l
הערשל ישראל הכהן בן ברוך לייב ו'הינדא גיטעל
Father of Mrs. Leah Hoffman
Shiva
Address:
116 N. Vista St., Los Angeles, CA 90036
Visiting Hours
Friday 10:00am-1:00pm
Sunday 10:00am-Noon, 3:00pm-5:00pm, 7:00pm-9:00pm
Monday 10:00-Noon, 4:00pm-6:00pm
Tuesday 10:00-Noon, 4:00pm-6:00pm
Wednesday 9:00am-10:00am (conclusion of Shiva)
הַמָּקוֹם יְנַחֵם אֶתְכֶם בְּתוֹך שְׁאַר אֲבֵלֵי צִיּוֹן וִירוּשָלַיִם
The Meyers Bris
Will Iy"H take place on Thursday, 20 Menachem Av/July 29
6 pm in the Kollel room
May we share only Simchos
The Meyers Bris
Will Iy"H take place on Thursday, 20 Menachem Av/July 29
6 pm in the Kollel room
May we share only Simchos
MOTZEI SHABBOS:
6:00 at the home of Mrs. Tzirel Frankel
109 S Vista
Speaker: Mrs. Fradel Bukiet
Upcoming Birthdays
Upcoming Anniversaries
Upcoming Yahrtzeits
Learning and Living Chassidus Is the Bridge that Unites Every aspect of Our Lives, Both Spiritual and Physical as One
By Rabbi Shimon Raichik
This Shabbos is Shabbos Nachamu and the 15th of Av- Tu b’Av. Among the reasons that make Tu b’Av one of the greatest Yomim Tovim is that we celebrate and “the daughters of Jerusalem would go dancing in the vineyards' '. Whoever didn’t have a wife would go there to find himself a bride. The daughters would say; “Young man, lift up your eyes and see which you choose” (Taanis 26b).
The Gemara describes different categories of "daughters" and how each would call out to her perspective bridegroom:
What would the beautiful ones among them say? "Look for beauty, for a woman is for beauty."
What would those of prestigious lineage say? "Look for family, for a woman is for children." etc. (Taanis 31a).
The Rebbe explains that all of the daughters were speaking about family knowing that the purpose of marriage is to create a family dedicated to the study of the Torah and keeping mitzvos. The daughters that spoke about beauty were also speaking about family. The meaning of beauty they spoke of was the internal beauty of good character traits and every Torah virtue which also expressed itself in physical beauty and grace. We say this every Friday night in the Eishes Chayal: “Grace is deceptive, Beauty is illusory; It is for her fear of Hashem that a woman is to be praised.”. What is of value (praised)? A woman who fears Hashem. The next verse says: “Extol her for the fruit of her hand, And let her works praise her in the gates.” What are the fruits of her hand and her works? These are her children. Therefore we see that all of the daughters are expressing these values in different ways.
The name Shabbos Nachamu is taken from the opening word of the week’s haftarah: Nachamu, nachamu ami—“comfort, comfort My people.” It is with this sentence that we begin the series of seven haftaros known as shiva d’nechemta, “the seven [haftaros] of consolation.”
The reason why the Navi repeats the word of comfort twice, nachamu nachamu, is because we suffered a double punishment. The reason we received double punishment is because our sin was doubled. What is this doubling effect of first sin then punishment followed by comfort that the Navi refers to and what does it teach us in our service of Hashem?
We can understand this by first defining the two dimensions of the Bais HaMikdash. The Bais HaMikdash was a physical edifice as well as place completely infused with a spiritual purpose. Although the Bais HaMikdash was built from physical materials, its purpose is spiritual, to create a home for Hashem's presence, the kedusha of Hashem in this world . Every action that occurred in the Bais HaMikdash had both a physical and spiritual component. The korbonos for example had both the very physical requirements and specific procedures to make it valid. At the same time it was all carried out with spiritual intention and purpose by the Kohanim with the assistance of the Leviim singing etc. All in all the Bais HaMikdash was the physical house of Hashem with the spiritual glory and honor of Hashem revealed. The destruction of the Bais HaMikdash was a destruction of both of these physical and spiritual dimensions. When we mourn, we mourn over both the physical and spiritual loss. The comfort that follows and its rebuilding will therefore encompass both the physical and the spiritual.
We attempt to best reflect both of these modes in our personal service of Hashem. Whenever we say Kiddush or put on Tefillin for example we carefully complete the physical observance of the mitzvah while focusing and placing our spiritual intention on feeling and connecting with Hashem through the fulfillment of each mitzvah. We infuse the spiritual into each physical act. We look to Chassidus for the inspiration and hope necessary to complete our purpose in its fullest, both spiritually and physically. Just like when a physical heart is touched it beats differently so too spirituality. The double reference in this week's haftorah teaches us that not only can we be moved spiritually but that inspiration can go further to the point that we are also moved physically.
This is also what was explained above about the family approach of all of the daughters on Tu b’Av. Their purpose and focus was on the values and beauty of living a Torah life and most importantly the education of the children. It was one with their physical grace and beauty. Each daughter expressed this in their own unique and special way.
This is what the entire avodah of Chassidus and Chassidim is intended to accomplish. Chassidus has been given to us through our Rabbeim to awaken our higher understanding and sensitivity towards G-dlines and then to carry it into action. We saw this definitively by the Chassidim of the previous generations. They didn't just listen to a maamar from the Rebbe and enjoy its depth and power, they worked intensely to internalize its message and put it into practice in their lives.
Once Reb Nissan Neminov was by the Rebbe at a fabrengen. After the fabrengen he approached Reb Yoel Kahn saying that there were certain things from the fabrengen that he didn't understand. Reb Yoel went over the maamar with Reb Nissan in detail explaining various novel insights contained in the maamar. When he completed his review Reb Nissan said that he had not covered the part of the fabrengen he was having trouble understanding. He explained that in the fabrengen the Rebbe was clarifying a certain level in avodas Hashem to be achieved and he wanted to get to the bottom of it. Reb Nissan was after what the Rebbe's fabrengen demanded in our avodah. Reb Nissan as a Chosid was always aware that the Rebbe wants and waits for us to take the initiative to fulfill our part.
By never giving up, regardless of our spiritual stature or for any other reason may we merit through our involvement to take part in the comfort when we will see the third and eternal Bais HaMikdash. The third Beis HaMikdash, the work of Hashem will descend into the physical world from heaven and we will be able to see with our physical eyes the kedusha of every part of the Bais HaMikdash together with the Rebbe.
A Good Shabbos
(Based on a Sicha for Shabbos Nachamu 5750 and Likutei Sichos v 19)
Sunday Menachem Av 9/ July 18
Tishah B’Av
You may find the laws and customs of Tishah B'Av in the Chabad Chodesh by clicking here.
Upcoming Birthdays
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Shabbos Chazon is the Time to Convert Golus to Geula
By Rabbi Shimon Raichik
Because of the destruction of the Beis HaMikdash, the Nine Days, the time of the destruction, are days of mourning. We do not mend or clean our clothes. We do not make weddings or take haircuts. We don't eat meat or drink wine except on Shabbos or for a Bris.
The Rebbe has emphasized an alternative approach to the Three Weeks and the Nine Days. The Rebbe disrupts the pattern of mourning of the Nine Days and focuses on the rebuilding of the Beis HaMikdash and bringing the Geula. With this approach we do our part to nullify the mourning. Following the Rebbe’s guidance we learn about the Beis HaMikdash, make siyumim, increase in Ahavas Yisroel, add in Torah study and give additional Tzedaka.
The approach of the Rebbe to Shabbos Chazon, this Shabbos, has always been one of great simcha. It’s based on a statement of Rav Levi Yitzchok of Berditchev that on Shabbos Chazon Hashem shows every individual a vision of the Third Beis HaMikdash. Since Halacha forbids mourning on the Shabbos, we view Shabbos as above the Three Weeks entirely. Actually, the Shabbosim that fall out during the Three Weeks are their antidote, they give us the strength to counteract and eventually to overturn the cause of mourning during the Three Weeks. Rav Levi Yitzchok of Berditchev’s vision gives us the additional strength to change and to merit to convert the Galus into Geula both spiritually and physically.
The Third Beis HaMikdash is already built and waiting for us to do our part to allow it to descend. Rav Levi Yitzchok elaborated with a parable of a father who sewed a beautiful garment and gave it to his beloved son. The son, not realizing the value wasn't careful and soon ripped the garment. The father sewed him a second garment and then again the son ripped the garment. The father then sewed a third garment for his son but did not give it to him. Instead he just showed it to him from time to time and reminded him that when he will learn to take care of it, this is what he will get. So too on Shabbos Chazon; Hashem shows us the 3rd Beis HaMikdash, and reminds us that when we will change and do teshuva this is what we will receive. If a person will ask; I don't see? There is a part of the neshama that does see that gets strength and pushes us to do our part.
Although this sounds so beautiful, practically speaking we still find ourselves still immersed in the Galus. As we await with great anticipation for the emergence of the dawn of our Redemption, far from the vision of the Third Beis HaMikdash, the world seems to be getting darker from one day to the next. How do we rise above our daily experience and go on to see the vision of the Third Beis HaMikdash as described by Rav Levi Yitzchok of Berditchev?
To bring this about, the Rebbe advised us to learn about Moshiach and Geula in detail. The Rebbe also guided us to see the Geula and to live with Moshiach already now in our present situation. The fact that the Rebbe provided us with this guidance is a sign that we are fully capable of upgrading our perspective and sharing the Rebbe’s vision that we are in the final generation of Galus. As we develop and expand more we are able to sense that today is the last day of Galus and this hour to be the final hour of Galus, to the point that Moshiach is arriving now. But how do we, practically speaking, get there in our situation and share in the vision of Geula, Moshiach and the Third Beis HaMikdash?
The Rebbe gave us a remedy. Living with Moshiach means to understand the purpose of Moshiach. Learning about the Geula enables us to understand and to envision what the condition the world will be in with the Geula. The end result of our learning inculcates within us true hope and emunah in the final outcome which motivates our actions to transform that vision into reality.
The more involved and focused we are and the more attention that we give to assure that every deed we do for the sake of the Geula brings that reality closer. We are partners in the process. It's hard to live this way at first, but as time goes by we recognise that Geula is the deeper truth, and that with focus and purpose we fulfill our purpose of bringing Moshiach and rebuilding the Third Beis HaMikdash, today and everyday.
Getting ready for the Geula and having an attitude of expectation that it could come at any moment comes from learning about Geula and Moshiach. We have done our job when Galus is in our eyes as the dream and the Geula it is no longer a dream, it is reality.
A Good Shabbos
The Klein Bris
Will iy"H take place on Tuesday, 4 Av/July 13
10:20 am at YOEC - 7215 Waring
Shachris 9:30
May we share only Simchos
MOTZEI SHABBOS:
Rabbi Yossi & Menucha Klein
Invite the community to a sholom zochor
at 837 N Martel
6:00 at the home of Mrs. Berta Sandberg
543 N Martel
Speaker: Rabbi Yisroel Hecht
Upcoming Birthdays
Upcoming Yahrtzeits
The new issue of the "Chabad Chodesh"
is now available online by clicking here
The rebbe encouraged everyone
to listen to a daily siyum
from the beginning of the 9 days through tu b’av.
You can participate in a siyum every night in shul after maariv.
For those who live out of town
and are unable to make it to a siyum
you can call in to listen live to our siyum
Dial (319) 527-9676
STARTING MOTZEI SHABBOS!!!
L'Erech 9:00 pm
If you would like to receive nightly reminders via WHATSAPP
please WhatApp Shmuly Gurary- 323-540-0485 your name and number.
Thank you to all those who volunteered to make siyumim.
If you have a siyum to make, Please contact Rabbi Levi Raichik
Rabbi Leibel Korf
is sitting Shiva until Tuesday
on the passing of his father ob"m.
Address: 1932 N. New Hampshire Ave.
Minyanim:
Monday: Shacharis 8:00, Mincha/Maariv 7:45.
Tuesday Shacharis 7:30.
Hamakom Yenachem Eschem B'soch Sheor Avalei Tzion V'yerushalayim. Vehukeetzu Veranenu Shochnay Ufur vehu besochom!
MOTZEI SHABBOS:
6:00 at the home of Mrs. Chana Weiss
411 N Martel
Speaker: Mrs. Chana Rochel Schusterman
Upcoming Birthdays
Upcoming Anniversaries
Upcoming Yahrtzeits
Strengthening Our Foundations
By Rabbi Shimon Raichik
This past Sunday was the 17th of Tammuz. One of the reasons we fast on the 17th of Tammuz is because on this day the walls of Yerushalayim were breached by the Romans. Once the walls were breached we began to fast even though Yerushalayim was not yet destroyed. This is because as long as the wall is breached our situation is in peril, and we are vulnerable.
We are filled with pain and agony over what has occurred in Florida. 80 percent of the people in the Champlain Towers South collapse in Surfside were Jewish. What we are finding out is that there were structural issues with the building. There was water seeping into the foundation. Over two years ago engineers pointed out the need for repairs. It was during this prolonged period of delay while they were considering repairs that the tragedy happened; the building fell.
When we look into the Rebbe’s sichos on the 17th of Tammuz the lesson this teaches us is obvious. Our wall is the Torah which surrounds and protects us. The Torah teaches us how to act and to live. It’s not just information, it's our life. Sometimes our yetzer hara creates cracks in that wall. Often the cracks start out small; permitting one thing or another or being lax on opportunities to do mitzvos. Maybe it’s being unengaged or being distracted. Whatever the particulars, what it is at its base is a lack of willpower and self sacrifice. We lull ourselves into a false sense of confidence that regardless of what we do we will be okay, because it's just a small crack, here or there. The 17th of Tammuz and the tragedy in Florida teaches us that there is no such thing as a small crack. Small cracks become big cracks which lead to an entire breach or G-d forbid an entire collapse.
From time to time we need to consult with an engineer, a mashpia. We consult on how best to strengthen the foundations of our lives and ourselves. This is why the Rebbe wanted everyone to have their own mashpia. It’s essential that we strengthen one another to keep ourselves whole. It's not acceptable to drop our standards and expectations for maintaining a solid foundation. We shouldn’t look the other way or delay implementing plans of action based on our mashpia’s recommendations. We also don’t accept the constantly sinking ‘new normal’ of yet another round of lowered standards in our communities. Let’s not brush off people not coming for Shacharis or Mincha-Maariv. We all, as a community, need to feel responsible for each other’s spiritual wellbeing. We need to seek the welfare of our fellow members in the community by paying attention and trying to be a positive influence and example. Who is looking out for the young man who was doing well in yeshiva, or the young woman who finished seminary, got married and slowly tapered off coming to shul to find out what is happening with them to see if they are okay? No one; they are on their own. When a talmid or talmidah comes to yeshiva or seminary and finishes smicha or their program, what happens afterwards? No one knows unless they have a well founded ongoing relationship with their mashpia. If they don’t hear from them does the mashpia call from time to time to check?
We live in a world in which we can drown in the ocean of concerns about our livelihood. The waters erode the foundations if we don’t keep them strong and fortified with the guidance of our engineers, our mashpiim.
As parents and as educators in our schools we do not have the luxury of kicking the can down the road, pushing children through the system knowing full well that they are unprepared and lacking important skills that will affect their foundation down the line. We cannot ignore or delay addressing their needs or think that it’s no big deal. We are responsible to point it out to get guidance on how best to proceed and then to act. One small difference now can make all the difference later. We don’t need to scream or shout at our children about their grades, that is a thing of the past. We need to ‘retrofit’ our approach to work with the way our children are today with love and compassion. Today is not like yesteryear as many of us were raised. At the same time we need to be vigilant and make our voices heard. We don’t let children be ignored or allow them to slip between the cracks. We don’t file away the results of their progress on some paper and then ignore the problems. We have all seen in Florida what can happen when we ignore the warning signs. Now we cannot find all of these people.
Even though today is not like the past as many of us were raised, the Rebbe’s standards from the 1950’s still apply today. Growing up in Los Angeles in the 1950’s and 1960’s aside from limudei Kodesh, everyone received an English education for part of the day, even from the younger ages. My father, following the Rebbe’s guidance not to teach English to younger children, pulled myself and my brother Yossie A”H out of English studies. We ended up patching our schedule by having to wander from one limudei Kodesh class to another. My father didn’t follow the crowd. He was the only one in the entire city to follow through with an education of 100% limudei Kodesh according to the Rebbe’s guidance. His willpower and self sacrifice of him and his family served as an example to others. My classmates remember this approach, the approach of a dedicated chosid to fulfill his Rebbe’s directives until this very day.
The Three Weeks begin with the 17th of Tammuz with a crack in the wall. The lesson is to pay attention and avoid a churban. Let’s deal with the cracks while they are small both physically and spiritually. Please forgive my bluntness, however when something hurts we cry out.
By being proactive and looking out for others, consulting with mashpiim and following up with concrete action we will repair the breach of the galus and merit the geula shleima.
A Good Shabbos, A Good Chodesh
