PARSHA - Netzavim - Vayelach

This week we read two Torah portions, Nitzavim and VaYeilech. Nitzavim is always read on the Shabbat before Rosh Hashana.
Indeed the first verse says: "You are standing this day, all of you, before the L-rd your G-d." "This day" refers to the Day of Judgment, Rosh Hashana. "Today" we are standing upright and secure that we will be judged favorably, for we stand as one and are unified in the mitzva of loving our fellow Jew.

It is this special unity which gives the Jewish people the strength to endure, and it is the vessel in which G-d's blessings are fulfilled. Like a bundle of straw: each one, individually, is weak and can be easily broken, but once the straw is gathered and bound together it is impossible to bend. When we, the Jewish people, are bound together, we stand powerful and secure. We then become worthy of entering into G-d's covenant on Rosh Hashana.

A covenant is designed to preserve the love that exists between two people. It is established at a time when their love is strongest. This bond connects them and ensures that their love will last.

G-d's love for us is strongest on Rosh Hashana. By us being united one with another we then arouse His desire to establish a covenant with us.

The Jewish nation is compared to the human body that is composed of many different limbs and organs, which achieves perfection only, when all its limbs act in harmony. We are composed of different types and ranks of people, and we can only achieve perfection when WE all act - in harmony.

May G-d grant us all a good and sweet year!

Parshat - Nitzavim & Vayelech

This week's Torah portion of Nitzavim (& Vayelech) is always read on the Shabbat before Rosh Hashana.

It begins with: "You are standing this day, all of you, before the L-rd your G-d, your heads, your tribes, your elders... all the men of Israel, your children and your wives ... that you should enter into the covenant of the L-rd your G-d."

With these words, Moses brought the Jewish people into a state of collective and mutual surety. Indeed, our Sages declared, "All Jews are guarantors for one another."

Commenting on the verse "You are standing this day, all of you," Rabbi Shneur Zalman, founder of Chabad Chasidut, explained that Jews comprise a single entity. Metaphorically speaking, the Jewish people form one body, with each individual Jew being an integral part of the whole.

A physical body is composed of many organs and limbs, each one of which serves its own unique function. That the head is superior to the foot is obvious, but without the foot, the body is incomplete. A defect in the foot affects the entire person. In order to exist as a healthy entity, the body requires all of its organs to be in prime condition and to work in consonance.

So too is it in regard to the Jewish people. There are many different types and categories of Jews. Some are on the level of "head," while others may be said to be the "feet." Nonetheless, each and every Jew is of inestimable value, an essential part of the Jewish people without whom the "body" of Jews would be incomplete. For this reason, all Jews are "guarantors for one another," as each individual possesses unique qualities which are necessary for the health and integrity of the whole .

True unity is only possible when all Jews stand together as one!

Candle lighting time for L.A. is 6:49 p.m.

Shabbat Shalom!

Ayeko - Where are you??

In 1798, Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi was imprisoned on charges, put forth by the opponents of Chassidism, that his teachings undermined the imperial authority of the czar. For 52 days he was held in the Peter-Paul Fortress in Petersburg.

Among the Rebbe's interrogators was a government minister who possessed broad knowledge of the Bible and Jewish studies. He once asked the Rebbe to explain the verse: "And G-d called out to the man (adam) and said to him: 'Where are you?' Did G-d not know where Adam was?

Rabbi Schneur Zalman presented the explanation offered by several of the commentaries: that the "Where are you?" was merely a "conversation opener" on the part of G-d, who did not wish to unnerve Adam by immediately confronting him with his wrongdoing.

"What Rashi says, I know," said the minister. "I wish to hear how the Rebbe understands the verse."

"Do you believe that the Torah is eternal?" asked the Rebbe. "Do you believe that its every word applies to every individual, under all conditions, at all times?"

"Yes," replied the minister.

Rabbi Schneur Zalman was extremely gratified to hear this. The czar's minister had affirmed a principle which lies at the basis of the teachings of Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov, the very teachings and ideology for which he was standing trial!

"'Where are you?"explained the Rebbe, "is G-d's perpetual call to every man. Where are you in the world? What have you accomplished? You have been allotted a certain number of days, hours, and minutes in which to fulfill your mission in life. You have lived so many years and so many days," -- here Rabbi Schneur Zalman spelled out the exact age of the minister --

"Where are you? What have you achieved?"

The Mind rules the Heart

In his Tanya, Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi states: "By its very nature, the mind rules the heart." This is a cornerstone of the Chabad-Chassidic approach to life.

The renowned chassid Rabbi Moshe Meisels of Vilna, youngest of Rabbi Schneur Zalman's disciples, was an extremely learned man, was fluent in German, Russian, Polish and French. During Napoleon's war on Russia he served as a translator for the French High Command. Rabbi Schneur Zalman had charged him to associate with the French military officials, and to convey all that he learned to the commanders of the Russian army. Within a short while Rabbi Moshe had succeeded in gaining the favor of the chief commanders of Napoleon's army and was privy to their most secret plans.

Relates Reb Moshe:
"The High Command of the French army was meeting, and hotly debating the maneuvers for the upcoming battle. The maps were spread on the floor, and the generals were examining the roads and trails, unable to reach a decision.

They were still debating when the door flew open with a crash. The guard stationed at the door was greatly alarmed and drew his revolver. Everyone thought it was the enemy who had burst in.

But - it was Napoleon himself who appeared in the doorway. The Emperor's face was dark with fury. He stormed into the room and raged: 'Has the battle been planned?

And who is this stranger?!' he continued, pointing to me. In a flash he was at my side. 'You are a spy for Russia!' he thundered, and placed his hand upon my chest to feel the pounding heart of a man exposed.

At that moment, my mind commanded my heart to beat not an increment faster, as I was taught that 'the mind rules the heart'. In an unwavering voice I said: 'The commanders of His Highness the Emperor have taken me as their interpreter, as I am knowledgeable in the languages crucial to the carrying out of their duties...' "

The mind ruled the heart.

Mitzva - JUST DO IT!

What if I'm not in the mood to do a mitzvah? Is it better to do less of the obligations but with a fuller heart, or to fulfill them with an un-enthusiastic heart?

The Answer:

Judaism views life as a mission: we are here to make this world a better place through our actions. We Jews don't allow ourselves the luxury of "waiting until I can do it for the right reasons," which is actually a subtle form of selfishness—albeit a more spiritual expression of selfishness than the standard version.

There was once a wealthy man who was known for his philanthropy and kindness. No beggar left his home hungry and without a generous donation. Nevertheless, this man was plagued by inner turmoil. He felt that his charity lacked "truth"; his kindness was more the product of ulterior, subtly selfish, motives.

He traveled to his Rebbe, Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi,the founder of Chabad Chassidism, and poured out his spiritually troubled heart. "Is it all worth it," he asked, "if my mitzva is missing the most fundamental ingredient of truth?"

Rabbi Schneur Zalman responded: "But the hungry man you've fed is 'truly' not hungry now!"

On the other hand, it is certainly a worthy and important goal to do things "with all our heart," as we say in the Shema. But when facing the choice between doing something without feeling or not doing it at all—just do it!

CHAI ELUL / CHAYUS!

Today is the18th day of the Hebrew month of Elul.

18, is Chai. Chai Elul was the date of birth of the Baal Shem Tov -- founder of Chasidut in general, and also of Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, founder of Chabad Chasidut.

The Previous Rebbe described Chai Elul by saying that it introduces chayot - literally meaning, life energy -- into the service of the month of Elul.

The service of Elul includes Torah study, prayer and deeds of kindness as well as teshuva and redemption.

Every moment, as G-d totally recreates the world anew, it includes all previous and all subsequent moments.

Similarly, it is explained that in one moment of true Teshuva -- return and repentance - a person can compensate for inadequacies in his behavior, during his life.

And that is possible - because each moment contains within it the totality of time and can thus alter the nature of the events which occurred previously.

This concept, although true at all times, receives greater emphasis during the month of Elul.

And Chai Elul contributes the dimension of chayot - life energy - to all of this.

On this basis, we can understand the uniqueness of Chai Elul. As explained, Elul is a month of general significance which includes all the service of the Jewish people. Chai Elul emphasizes the chayot -- "life energy" -- of that service.

And the stock-taking which takes place from Chai Elul onwards is of a more essential nature than that which took place from the beginning of Elul.

Wishing you all a productive day, and rest of Elul, with much "life"!

18th Elul/chai elul. Alter Rebbe/ Tanya

Tomorrow, the 18th day of Elul, is the birthday of Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi -- also known as "The Alter Rebbe," the "Baal HaTanya". He was born in the White Russian town of Liozna, in the year 1745. He traveled to Mezritch to study under the tutelage of the Baal Shem Tov's successor, Rabbi Dov Ber, known as the Mezritcher Magid. Despite his youth, he was accepted into the inner circle of the great master's pupils.

Upon his return from Mezritch, there gathered about him a group of disciples whom he instructed in the ways of Chassidism. For twenty years he labored on his magnum opus, Tanya, in which he outlined the Chabad philosophy. It contains a concise outline of his philosophical system as a way of life, and attests to his vast knowledge and the depth of his understanding and mastery of both the exoteric and esoteric teachings of our Sages.

Tanya is the "bible" of Chabad Chassidism, upon which the hundreds of books and thousands of discourses by seven generations of Chabad Rebbes are based.

He taught that a Chassid was to train himself for a life of faith and service to G-d, which would carry him to the highest level of Chabad, the three powers of intellect: Wisdom, Understanding and Grasping, forming a bond between heaven and earth.

Upon this basic thought Rabbi Shneur Zalman built the structure of Chabad ideology. Total man serves G-d with mind, heart and deed in unison, each complementing the other. The mind understands, the heart feels and the hand performs

Today, the Chabad movement he founded is regarded as the most vibrant force in contemporary Jewish life, bringing the warmth of Chassidism and the profundity of its teachings to Jews, and to humanity as a whole.

PARSHA - Ki Tavo (Walk in His Ways)

There is a positive commandment in this week's Torah portion, Ki Tavo, "You shall walk in His ways", requiring us "to emulate the Holy One, Blessed be He." Maimonides writes, "Just as G-d is gracious, so shall you be gracious. Just as G-d is merciful, so shall you be merciful. Just as G-d is pious, so shall you be pious." Indeed, the commandment implies that a Jew is required to emulate G-d to the best of his ability, at all times and in all circumstances."

"You shall walk in His ways", the word "walk," implies an ongoing and perpetual sense of motion.

One of the differences between the soul of a Jew and an angel is that angels are stationary beings, fixed in their spiritual positions, whereas the Jewish soul constantly ascends from one spiritual level to the next. The Jew is constantly in motion, reaching higher and higher spiritual heights by virtue of his actions.

It sometimes happens that a Jew may observe mitzvot, yet he remains on the same spiritual rung as before. His performance of the mitzva did not cause him to progress or ascend any further. The commandment "You shall walk in His ways" comes to teach us that a Jew must never be stagnant, and that his performance of the mitzvot must always lead to an improvement of his overall spiritual condition.

By observing the Torah's mitzvot because they are "His ways" - because of our desire to emulate the Creator, will assure our spiritual ascent to higher and higher levels of G-dliness.

Candle lighting time for L.A. is 6:58p.m.

PARSHA - Ki Tavo (We Hashem's Bikurim)

This week's Torah portion, Ki Tavo, contains the commandment of bikurim, first fruits offering. As it says:

"And it shall be, when you come into the land...and you shall take of all the fruit of the earth...and put it in a basket...and you shall go to the priest...and the priest shall take the basket from your hand, and set it down before the altar of the L-rd your G-d."

The mitzva of first fruits applies to the "seven kinds by which the land of Israel is praised" -- grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives, dates, wheat and barley.

Whoever cultivated these special fruits on his portion of land was obligated to bring the very first of his harvest to G-d's representative on earth - the priest who served in the Holy Temple -- thereby thanking G-d for His bounty and joyfully acknowledging the Creator of all things.

In the mitzva of bikurim, the farmer must go against his natural inclination to retain for himself the very best of the fruits of his labor, and hand them over to the priest in Jerusalem.

Even though we dont have the Holy Temple now, we can still observe this mitzva, in the spiritual sense; by thinking of ourselves as the "first fruit" of G-d: every action we take, every thought we have and every word that comes out of our mouths must be our absolute best, the MOST choice and select we are capable of producing.
And this should be applied to all details of our lives, as our Sages said, "All of your deeds should be for the sake of Heaven."

Until Moshiach comes, every Jew must picture himself at all times as if he is standing in the Holy Temple, about to hand over his basket of offerings to the priest.

May our efforts to refine ourselves in this manner bring the Final Redemption speedily in our day, and with it, the opportunity to observe the mitzva of bikurim in the literal physical sense as well.

Candle lighting time for l.a. is 6:58

shabbat shalom!

Some of Baal Shem Tov's sayings...

Just over 300 years ago, on the 18th day of the Hebrew month of Elul, which is Monday, is the birthday of the holy Rabbi Yisroel Baal Shem Tov. In the course of his 62 years of earthly life he revolutionized the way we see ourselves, our world, and our place in it.

The following are some of his teachings:

1. Everything is by Divine Providence. If a leaf is turned over by a breeze, it is only because this has been specifically ordained by G-d to serve a particular function within the purpose of creation.

2. Every single thing that a person sees or hears, is an instruction to him in his conduct in the service of G-d.

3. "Love your fellow as yourself" is an interpretation of and commentary on "Love the L-rd, your G-d" . He who loves a fellow Jew loves G-d, because the Jew has within himself a "part of G-d Above".

4. G-d's love of each and every Jew is infinitely greater than the love of elderly parents to their only child born to them in their later years.

5. G-d loves all Jews without distinction; the greatest Torah genius and scholar and the most simple Jew are loved equally by G-d.

6. One must have total self-sacrifice and dedication for love of one's fellow, even towards a Jew whom one has never seen.

7. A soul may descend to this world and live seventy or eighty years just in order to do a Jew a material favor, and certainly a spiritual one.

Story - Tzedoko saved him from drowning - in dream

Rabbi Yehudah HaNassi used to say; “Be careful about how you do a small mitzvah, just as if it were a big one, for you do not know the reward of mitzvot.”


Once, Rabbi Yitzchak was on his way to the synagogue. He met a poor man holding a small coin in his hand worth only half a ma’ah, which was the smallest currency in those days.

“Please Rabbi,” the man said, “have pity on me. I have no food or money. My family have not eaten for days. Can you give me something?”

Rabbi Yitzchak looked sad. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I also have no money. How shall I help you?” He dug deep into his pocket. “All I have is this coin. It’s only half a ma’ah.”

“Bless you Rabbi,” said the poor man, “Your half a coin and my half a coin will make a whole coin, and that will be enough to buy a loaf of bread for my family.”

That night, he had a frightening dream. He dreamt he was standing by the sea, when a group of murderers suddenly grabbed him, and threw him into the water. Rabbi Yitzchak could not swim, and was about to drown…

Suddenly he saw his teacher, the great Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai. He was filled with hope. Rabbi Shimon saw his distress, and stretched out his arms to save him; but no matter how hard he tried, he could not reach Rabbi Yitzchak.

Rabbi Yitzchak was about to give up hope. Suddenly, in his dream, a poor beggar appeared out of nowhere, and pulled Rabbi Yitzchak out of the water. It was the same man to whom he had given the half a coin that morning.

Rabbi Yitzchak woke up with a start and trembling with fear. “Oh,” he cried, “what a strange dream! What could it mean?”

As he thought about it, he said to himself, “This is truly extraordinary! I must have been in terrible danger. Even my great teacher, Rabbi Shimon, could not help me, despite all his merit. Thank G-d, I helped that poor beggar. If I have been spared, it is only because of the charity I gave to him!”

Reb Yisroel Baal Shem Tov

Rabbi Yisroel Baal Shem Tov, the founder of Chassidism, was born on the 18th day of Elul (this coming Monday) in the year 1698 in a little town in the Ukraine. His father, Rabbi Eliezer, who was a member of the secret society of hidden tzaddikim, passed away when young Yisroel was only five years old; his last words to his son were, "Fear nothing, but G-d alone. Love every Jew with all your heart and all your soul."

The young orphan would spend much of his time wandering and meditating in the forests that surrounded his hometown; there, watching the great miracles of nature, and seeing the divine hand in every little flower and blade of grass left a profound impression upon him, and later on, in one of his lectures to his disciples, he said: "When you see a leaf blown from a tree and whirled along the pathway, don't think it's an accident, for it's moved by the will of G-d!"

Drawing from the mystical "soul of Torah" the Baal Shem Tov, "Master of the Good Name," as he came to be known, taught about the spark of G-dliness that is to be found in every creation and about the great love that G-d has for each and every one of His children, scholars and simple folk alike. He emphasized the importance of joy and simple faith in serving G-d.

Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov instilled new life and new hope into the scattered and shattered flocks of Israel in all lands, and fortified them with faith and courage.

He passed away on Shovuot, at the age of 62, but his teachings are still studied and followed. The movement he founded has become a vital force in Jewish life.