Shofar in Elul - Prince...

We presently find ourselves at the beginning of the month of Elul, a month, according to our sages, to be used for introspection and repentance.

A very special relationship between G-d and the Jewish people exists at this time:

There is a parable of a king had a son whom he loved dearly and who wished to travel amongst the king's many lands. The king, an indulgent father, allowed his son to travel.

Months passed. No word was heard from the prince. The king was worried. One day, a ragged looking young man approached the gates of the king's palace. He walked toward the entrance but was stopped by the guards.

"Don't you recognize me?" the young man cried out. "I am the prince. You must let me pass."

The guards laughed. Could this common beggar possibly be their beloved prince?

The young man reasoned, cajoled, demanded, that he be allowed to enter. Out of total desperation he began to cry. From deep within the palace the king heard the crying. Something sounded familiar. He listened until he was certain that, indeed, it was the voice of his own son. The king himself came running out to open the palace gates for his beloved son.

The Jewish people are, of course, the prince. Though we travel far, we ultimately return to the palace. And when we return, the sound of the shofar - a simple, wordless cry - brings the King to listen and open the gates of the palace and let us in. For this reason, it is customary to hear the cry of the shofar every day during Elul.

Let us all cry out to the King, with the shofar and with our own voices, that He let us into the palace. We will then be happiest, and, indeed so will He.

Even a small deed - is big

A man was once hired to paint a boat. As he was painting, he noticed a leak at the bottom of the boat and decided to fix it. When the painting was done, he collected his pay and went on his way.

The following day the owner of the boat came back to the painter with a large check. "Here", he said, "This is for fixing the leak".

"That was so small a thing", he replied. "Surely you are not paying me this huge amount for so small a thing?"

"My dear friend", the owner explained, "When I asked you to paint the boat I had forgotten to tell to you about the leak. When the boat was dry, my children took it fishing. I was frantic for I remembered the leak! Imagine my relief and happiness when I saw them coming back safely. I then saw that you had on your own repaired the leak. You have saved the lives of my children! I haven't enough money to repay you for your 'small' , as you call it, good deed...”

Very often, by doing what seems to us a "small" good deed we never know what wonderful thing we have really done. And conversely, in committing what seems to us a "small" transgression, we are causing a terrible catastrophe. As in the following story:

A wealthy merchant once bought a masterpiece of a chandelier for his home, it was made of crystal and precious stones. A real fortune.

To hang this massive beautiful chandelier a hole was drilled in the ceiling, through which a rope was run and fastened to a beam in the attic.

One day a beggar came for old clothes. He was told to go up to the attic, where their old clothes were stored. He went up, collected a bundle of clothes, then searched for a piece of string with which to tie it. He saw a rope wound around a nail and so with his pocketknife he cut the rope.

Crash! There was a terrific smash. The family then rushed to the attic crying: "You idiot! Look what you have done! You have ruined us!"

The poor beggar could not understand. "What do you mean, ruined you? All I did was to take a small piece of rope. Surely this did not ruin you?"

"Yes, all you did was take a small piece of rope. But it so happened that my precious chandelier hung by it. Now you have broken it beyond repair!

Each deed, no matter how seemingly small, may create or destroy worlds.

Story - Tzedoko saved from being drafted!!

One day a chassid came to see Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Lubavitch (the third Chabad Rebbe). He told the Rebbe that his only son was about to be drafted into the Russian army. "Please, Rebbe," he entreated, "help us, save us."

Rabbi Menachem Mendel shook his head sadly: "I'm sorry, I cannot help you in this matter."

This chassid happened to be close with the Rebbe's youngest son (and eventual successor) Rabbi Shmuel; known as the Maharash. And so when he left the Rebbe's room, he ran to Rabbi Shmuel and told him his problem. Rabbi Shmuel promised that he would do his best to influence his father, but when he went to the Rebbe and spoke on the chassid's behalf, he too was told, "I cannot help him at all.

A few days later, to every ones delight they heard that the chassid's son had been released, and for no apparent reason.

Being that Reb Shmuel, (the Rebbe's son) was very curious to find out the course of events that had transpired, he asked the Chasid and his wife to describe what had happened on that day their son was supposed to have been drafted.

"On that very day", they began to relate, "a poor person came to the house and asked us to give him something to eat. At first we told him that we were so worried about our son who was going to be drafted that day that we really couldn't deal with him. But then he pleaded with us: it had been a long time since he had eaten anything at all and he was starving, and how could it be that a Jew did not have time or food for another Jew who was so hungry! We realized our mistake and served him a huge meal, from what we had prepared to be a special farewell meal for our son. Then..."

At this point Rabbi Shmuel interjected, "Thank you, I heard enough. Everything is clear now."

PARSHA - Shoftim/ Cities of Refuge.

This week's Torah portion, Shoftim, talks about the cities of refuge whence a person would flee if he accidentally killed someone. There, the unintentional killer would be protected from the wrath of the victim's relatives, until the High Priest who served in the Holy Temple passed away.

The cities of refuge offered protection, even for someone who committed murder intentionally, he waited there till the court issued a ruling. Basically it protected anyone who had caused a loss of life.

After the destruction of the Holy Temple the cities of refuge ceased to exist in the physical sense. Yet the Torah and its lessons are eternal, therefore, the concept of cities of refuge finds expression in the spiritual dimension.

The Torah itself is the refuge in which all may seek asylum.

In the spiritual sense, "killing" symbolizes the act of committing a sin, causing a spiritual death to the G-dly soul.

We learn from this week's Torah portion that it is never too late to repent. Even the person who deliberately sinned can repent and seek protection in the refuge of Torah.

In the times of the Holy Temple, repentance alone was not enough to atone for a sin. The unintentional killer had to remain exiled in the city of refuge until the death of the High Priest. Yet after the destruction of the Temple, like now, teshuva, repentance alone can atone for even the gravest sin.

In the same way, the month of Elul, during which we take account of our actions of the previous year, is a "city of refuge" - in time, offering us the same opportunity to clear the slate and merit a good and sweet year to come.

Candle lighting time for L.A. is 7:16 pm

Shabbat Shalom!

PARSHA - Shoftim

In this week's Torah portion Shoftim we find the verse, "For man is the tree of the field." What is the connection between human beings and trees?

The unique characteristic of a plant is its connection with the ground, its source of life and sustenance. Humans and animals are not bound to the earth by their roots and are free to move about. A plant, must always be connected to the ground; if it is uprooted, it will wither and die.

Bound to the earth, a tree must suffer the harsh punishment of the elements throughout the four seasons of the year. A tree has such a strong connection to its source that even the changes in season do it no harm.

It is in this respect that man resembles the tree of the field. He, too, is unable to exist cut off from his source of life. His soul requires a constant and continuous bond with the source of his existence.

The source of life for the Jew is the Torah.

He draws his strength and vitality from it. Even though most of us cannot spend our entire day in Torah study we derive meaning and inspiration for the rest of the day from the time that we actually did spend time learning Torah. When we dedicate a small amount of time in the morning and evening to learning Torah, the influence is felt throughout the day.

We must always bear in mind that "man is the tree of the field" - we are always bound by our roots to our source of life. Even as we actively pursue a life of commerce, or whatever one's profession may be, we must strive to feel that intimate bond with our Creator. The Torah that is learned during those few moments will permeate our life and create a Torah-true atmosphere.

Candle lighting time for L.A. is 7:16 pm

ROSH CHODESH ELUL

Today is Rosh Chodesh Elul, the beginning of the final month of the Jewish year.
Just as a shopkeeper devotes a certain amount of time to taking inventory and evaluating the success of his enterprise, so too, each one of us must take time to evaluate his or her conduct and see whether we have been using our Divine potential successfully.

In one month's time, on Rosh Hashana, the beginning of the new year, G-d will judge us. This month of Elul is set aside as a time for us to judge ourselves - to take stock of the way we are living our lives and see whether there is a need for change.

Although Elul is a time for introspection, it is characterized by feelings of love and closeness to G-d. As is the acronym for Elul - Ani l'dodi v'dodi li - 'I am my Beloved's and my Beloved is mine'. We are bound to G-d in an intimate bond. Since a spark of G-dliness lies at the core of our being, we need not feel threatened by the process of self- assessment.

There is no worry that G-d will reject us, for our relationship with Him is an established fact. Taking the time out for self-appraisal is itself an act of love, spurring a response of love from G-d.

And through this preparation, one merits a good and sweet year, materially and spiritually.

THE KING IS IN THE FIELD

(Today's Torah message in honor of the birth of Baby Girl Levin and the birthday of Mushka. May they be a source of pride to their parents and to all of Israel.)

Tomorrow, Thursday and Friday is Rosh Chodesh Elul, the beginning of the Hebrew month of Elul.

In Elul we prepare for the upcoming High Holidays by blowing the shofar each morning, having our mezuzot and tefilin checked to make sure they are still fit, being more careful about keeping kosher and saying special selichot, penitential prayers.

Why do we do all of this in the month of Elul? Can't it wait until we're closer to Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur?

This can be answered by means of a parable of the "King in the Field", as told by Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, the founder of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement:

"Once each year, a very mighty king leaves his palace, his guards, his finery, and goes out in the field to meet with his subjects. Then everyone who so wishes may come out to greet the king, and the king receives everyone graciously and shows a friendly face to everyone. At that time, they do not need to wait in long lines or go through security checks. They can speak with him without hesitation. When the king returns to his palace, his subjects will once again have to go through all kinds of protocol to meet with him. So, of course, his subjects make the most of the opportunity.

"During the month of Elul, G-d is "in the field." G-d makes His countenance to shine on you, which refers to the emanation of the Thirteen Attributes. We don't need to go through all kinds of bureaucracy to reach Him. We need only come out to meet Him, as it were, with a humble heart, and He will listen to us. He will accept our repentance and consider our requests most carefully.

The king will soon be in the field. Let's make sure not to miss this opportunity."

And may we imminently merit the era when G-d will continuously be "in the field" the Messianic Era.

Story - spying on neigbours

(Today's Torah message is dedicated in appreciation of Moshe Reuven ben Bentzion Eliezer. May Hashem bless him in the most revealed and unlimited manner.)

One day, Rabbi Yisrael Baal Shem Tov instructed one of his followers, "If you want to learn how to be a pious man go to the city of Odessa. There, in a narrow lane in the harbor district, there lives a certain longshoreman. Go stay with him and from him you will learn the meaning of piety."

The follower eagerly traveled to Odessa and located the man the Baal Shem Tov had described. He offered the man a modest sum in return for a few weeks' lodging, and settled in to observe the conduct of his pious host.

The visitor expected long hours of prayer each morning, followed by study by candlelight through the night..but he was disappointed. His host proved to be a simple Jew, who arose early each morning, prayed simply and quickly, and went off to work at the docks. In the evening, he would return, recite the evening prayers, eat his simple meal, and go to sleep. And so, the follower spent the better part of the week growing no wiser.

Now the dock worker's garret consisted of a single dim room, its only window, a small pane set high in the wall. One day, while his host was away at work, the restless and curious visitor climbed up onto a table to look out the window. To his dismay, he found himself looking out into a backyard where all sorts of criminal activities seemed to be going on.

When his host returned that evening, the man asked him: "Tell me, how can a Jew live in such proximity to neighbors as these? Couldn't you find a place to live that is not back to back with such an establishment?"

I've lived here for twenty years," answered the longshoreman, "and not once did it occur to me to look into strangers' yards to see what they were doing. You, on the other hand, are hardly here a few days, and you're already climbing on tables and spying on every sinner in the neighborhood."

　

First Haircut - Upsherenish

Today's Torah message is dedicated to our very own Yisrolik Levin. As he is turning 3 years old today he is celebrating his first haircut.

The Torah compares man to a tree.There is a prohibition against benefiting from the fruits that grow in the first three years of a tree's life. In the fourth year, the happy farmer, takes his harvest to Jerusalem, to partake of it in an environment of holiness. Similarly, In the first three years of a child’s life, there are no edible fruits no tangible returns for a parent’s endeavors. During the fourth year however, there are harvests of holiness; the first fruits of the child’s education are seen. A child's third birthday signals a major transition in his education.

For a Jewish boy, this transition is marked with a ceremony. It is an age-old custom to allow a boy's hair to grow untouched until he's three years old. On his third Jewish birthday, friends are invited to a haircutting ceremony—an upsherin in Yiddish, called a chalakah by Sephardic Jews. The child's peyot, the distinctively Jewish side curls, are left intact; the initiation into his first mitzvah.

The child is taught to wear a kipah and tzitzit, and is slowly trained to recite blessings and the Shema. The world now begins to benefit from the Torah study and mitzvot of this young child.

The very first value we wish to teach our children is the importance of a fierce pride in their beautiful and unique heritage. We are different and unique. We are privileged to be G-d's "ambassadors of light" to a dark and difficult world. We are thankful that we are the Chosen People.

We thus tell the child, "You are yet young and have much to learn. But the first lesson we wish to teach you is that you are a Jew and must never be embarrassed to act and dress as a Jew. Your nation has the most glorious history, and an even more magnificent future awaits our people with the coming of the Moshiach. Come what may, always be a proud Jew!"

Wishing Yisrolik and his entire family many blessings and may we all be so proud of him.

PARSHA - Re'ei / ELUL

This Shabbat is Shabbat Mevarchim, when we bless the upcoming month of Elul. The month of Elul is a month of preparation, when we take stock of ourselves in anticipation of the upcoming holiday of Rosh Hashana.

In Elul, one contemplates the past year, utterly regretting whatever has been undesirable, and resolving to be vigilant in the meticulous observance of the commandments, to be conscientious in one's Torah study and in one's prayers, and to habituate oneself to positive character traits.

The name of the month, "Elul," is an acronym for the Hebrew words which mean, "I am my Beloved's and my Beloved is mine."

"I am my Beloved's" refers to serving G-d through one's own initiative. When a Jew serves G-d through his own initiative, the bond between G-d and the Jew is internalized. "My Beloved is mine" refers to Divine revelation which inspires this bond. Elul represents a month of complete connection, through revelation from Above and service from below.

This concept is also connected to this week's Torah portion, Re'ei, which begins with the words, "See, I am giving before you today." All of the aspects of our service to G-d should be seen and openly revealed, and not just something we hear about. Seeing implies the establishment of a deep and powerful connection.

In a deeper sense, we should use our sight to see not just the physicality of the world, but also the essence of G-d and His handiwork in our surroundings.

Candle lighting time for L.A. is 7:24p.m.

Jewish Birthday

Today's Torah Message is sponsored in honor of the birthday of our very dear friend Chaya Mushka Shapero. Wishing her an abundance of revealed blessings in all areas.

On our Jewish birthday our mazal, our good fortune, is dominant. It is when the Creator said, "Here, I am giving you a body, a soul, and a divine mission. I have absolute trust in your ability to pull through for Me." It is important to utilize this most special day of our lives to its utmost. A day to recommit to the mission that G‑d entrusted to us, that is to bettering and sanctifying ourselves and the world around us; transforming it into G-d's sanctum. And in accomplishing this goal, we are also given the ability to achieve incredible spiritual heights—heights unimaginable to the soul before it was dispatched from its lofty heavenly abode to inhabit a physical body.

Celebrating a birthday is thus also a demonstration of confidence. Confidence that we are and will continue to be worthy of G‑d's trust. No matter the obstacles, we will persevere and live up to G‑d's expectations of us.

On the anniversary of any momentous event, we have the ability to tap into the same spiritual energy that originally caused that event. On this day we have the ability to accomplish that which would perhaps be very difficult on another day.

Rosh Hashanah is special because it is the birthday of humankind—it is the day when Adam and Eve were created. Our birthday is our personal Rosh Hashana and we need to utilize it to its utmost.

20th of Av. Passing of Reb Levi Yitzchok

Today is the 20th day of the Hebrew month of Av. It is the anniversary of the passing of the Lubavitcher Rebbe's father, Reb Levi Yitzchok Schneerson. He was a renowned and brilliant scholar, a kabbalist, and a fearless, devoted community leader. Though he suffered greatly at the hands of the Communist government, throughout his ordeal, he remained steadfast in his commitment to teach Torah. He never ceased encouraging and inspiring those around him to observe the mitzvot.
In 1939 he was arrested for teaching Torah, an act which the Communists claimed undermined the authority of the government. Reb Levi Yitzchok was sentenced to five years in exile.

In a letter that Reb Levi Yitzchak wrote to his son, he emphasized the concept of faith in every little "dot and crown" of our G-d-given Torah, whereby each detail complements and perfects the others:

"Do not imagine that the process of argument and debate as engaged in by the Sages of the Mishna and Talmud and those who followed... falls into the category of regular human intellectual pursuit. No, it is not that at all... Rather, each of the Sages perceived the Torah's wisdom as it exists Above, according to the source of his soul.

"There is absolutely no doubt, that everything in both the Oral and Written Torah, and in all the holy books written by the sages and tzadikim who studied Torah, was said by G-d Himself, in that particular and exact wording."

Reb Levi Yitzchak lived with the realization of the importance of every aspect of Torah; he had utter self-sacrifice for the compliance to Torah's every detail and nuance.

May we be inspired to learn from his teachings and example. And may G-d help, that on this day of the tzadik's passing-a day when he is empowered to bring salvation to the world - each of us be redeemed from all worries and pains, ultimately leading to the uncomparable and everlasting salvation-the arrival of our Righteous Moshiach.