Thursday, December 26, 2013

Parshat Vaera- What's The Connection?

                     


Shabbat Starts:4:17pm
Shabbat Ends: 5:20pm





Parsha In A Nutshell:

 אני יה-ה

I am the Lord.
G-d speaks to Moses and tells him that He has heard the cries of the Israelites who have been oppressed by the Egyptians and that He remembers the covenant between him and our forefathers. G-d tells Moses that Moses should go to the Israelites and tell them that G-d will redeem them from Egypt and take them to the Promised Land. The Israelites do not listen to Moshe because of their broken spirit and hard labor. Moses refuses to go to speak with Pharaoh and G-d assigns his brother Aaron to be Moses spokesman. But Hashem hardens Pharaohs heart and he refuses to let the Israelites go.
G‑d reveals Himself to Moses. Employing the “four expressions of redemption,” He promises to take out the Children of Israel from Egypt, deliver them from their enslavement, redeem them, and acquire them as His own chosen people at Mount Sinai; He will then bring them to the land He promised to the Patriarchs as their eternal heritage.
G-d subsequently commences the series of ten plagues that He will bring upon Egypt. In this Parsha, we hear about seven of these plagues: Blood, Frogs, Lice, Wild Beasts, Death of Livestock, Boils, and Hail. Despite these punishments, Hashem continues to harden Pharaohs heart and does not let the Israelite people go.
Moses and Aaron repeatedly come before Pharaoh to demand in the name of G‑d, “Let My people go, so that they may serve Me in the wilderness.” Pharaoh repeatedly refuses. Aaron’s staff turns into a snake and swallows the magic sticks of the Egyptian sorcerers. G‑d then sends a series of plagues upon the Egyptians. The waters of the Nile turn to blood; swarms of frogs overrun the land; lice infest all men and beasts. Hordes of wild animals invade the cities; a pestilence kills the domestic animals; painful boils afflict the Egyptians. For the seventh plague, fire and ice combine to descend from the skies as a devastating hail. Still, “the heart of Pharaoh was hardened and he would not let the children of Israel go, as G‑d had said to Moses.”
Lessons To Learn:


We learn many intrinsic lessons from this parsha however; the one lesson that stood out the most in this parsha was middah keneged midda- measure for measure. Middah Keneged Middah works in a very straight forward way, the way I treat you is the way I will be treated in return. For example, Pharoh would kill the Jewish babies and bathe in their blood so the first plague that G-d did was Dam-Blood, the Nile river turned into blood and all the water was bloody besides the water of the Israelites. We need to understand that we must be very careful with how we treat others we need to love everyone like we love ourselves. We must always remember that even though we are living in darkness we must never forget that Hashem is crying with us and is waiting for the right moment to redeem us however; we need to show Him that we want to be redeemed. In Egypt, the Israelites didnt want to leave they were comfortable. They were being taken care of even though they were enslaved by the Egyptians. So, they thought in Egypt they receive what they need if they go to the desert they wont have anything so they didn't want to leave. We too, are living such comfortable lives that we don't really care to think about the day where we will be redeemed and the Beit Hamikdash will be rebuilt. We could honestly care less. We need to try to at least remember once a day that we are in exile even though we might be living luxurious lives in reality the Shchina of G-d is not at peace and if G-d isn't at peace so shouldn't we feel that nothing is wrong. Middah Keneged Middah: try to focus and understand why certain things are happening around the world how does it apply to your life?

Shabbat Shalom!
By: Esther Shamayev

Thursday, December 19, 2013

Parshat Shemot




                          "Thank You Hashem- Appreciation"

Shabbat Starts: 4:13
Shabbat Ends:  5:16
       
       In this weeks parsha, Shemot, we learn how Batya, Pharaohs daughter stretches out her hand to save Moshe from the water. Batya went to bathe in the Nile River because she had Tzarat- skin disease. Batya saw a baby in the basket on the water and she stretched out her arm to save him however; she couldn't reach him so Hashem saw her trying and He sent an angel to help her reach the basket. Batya was the Mateh- the "stick" of G-d. What does that mean? We know Hashem runs the world! He can do anything in His power. However, Hashem put us in this world to emulate Him and perfect our ways. If we just sit and wait for Hashem to do a miracle for us without us putting any effort then we are not showing Hashem that we care enough. Instead of talking about doing a Mitzvah, get up and get into action. Talk is cheap. We learn that its best to believe in a person who talks less and does more because those are the type of people who are ready to change the world. We are all Hashems extension, we need to share our gift that Hashem gave us to Klal Yisrael. We need to try and try until we can't physically do it anymore than you say Hashem I did as much as a human being can now its up to You. Put up a sail and let Hashem do the rest. Show Hashem you are putting effort and He will help you with the rest.
Another lesson we learn from this Parsha, is Hakarat Hatov- Appreciation. Moshe Rabenu couldn't hit the water because the water didn't harm him when he was in the basket. Even to something that doesn't have feeling we need to appreciate how much more so do we need to appreciate someone who has feelings.

WORKSHOP: This Shabbat stop and think... and ask yourself:
1.  How can I help myself, my family, my community with the talents that Hashem has given me to use as an extension of Himself?
2. Who did I not show my appreciation to that deserves a big THANK YOU!?

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Parsha Vayechi - We Each Play An Important Role




Shabbat Starts:4:11
Shabbat Ends: 5:13
Parsha in a nutshell: Yakov lives the final 17 years of his life in Egypt. Before his passing, he asks Yosef to promise him that he will bury his body in Israel. He blesses Joseph’s two sons, Menashe and Efraim, elevating them to the status of his own sons as progenitors of tribes within the nation of Israel.
Yaakov wants to reveal when Mashiach will come to his children, but didn't end up happening. Hashem didn't want that it should be revealed to us.
Jacob blesses his sons, assigning to each his role as a tribe: Yehudah will produce leaders, legislators and kings; priests will come from Levi, scholars from Isacchar, seafarers from Zevulun, schoolteachers from Shimon, soldiers from Gad, judges from Dan, olive-growers from Asher, and so on. Reuven is rebuked for “confusing his father’s marriage bed”; Shimon and Levi, for the massacre of Shechem and the plot against Joseph. Naftali is granted the swiftness of a deer, Benyamin the ferociousness of a wolf, and Joseph is blessed with beauty and fertility.
A large funeral procession consisting of Jacob’s descendants, Pharaoh’s ministers, the leading citizens of Egypt and the Egyptian cavalry accompanies Jacob on his final journey to the Holy Land, where he is buried in the Marat Ha'Machpelah Cave in Chevron.
Yosef, too, dies in Egypt, at the age of 110. He, too, instructs that his bones be taken out of Egypt and buried in the Holy Land, but this would come to pass only with the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt many years later. Before his passing, Joseph conveys to the Children of Israel the testament from which they will draw their hope and faith in the difficult years to come: “G‑d will surely remember you, and bring you up out of this land to the land of which He swore to Avraham, Yitzchak and Yaakov.
Yaakov blesses his children and assigned each one of his children to their role as a tribe. This shows us that we each play an important role in this world. Every action that we do has a tremendous effect on the Jewish nation. We might not see the effect however, we spiritually cause damage onto ourselves and the Jewish nation when we do a sin. Each and every one of us needs to look within themselves and see what their mission in life is. Ask yourself: What was the reason Hashem needed to create me that I can offer to the world? What do I have that I can change the world, that I can benefit others with? Take this Shabbat to connect to yourself as to what Hashem wants you to give to Bnei Yisrael.
By: Esther Shamayev

Asarah B'Tevet









On the 10th day of the Jewish month of Tevet, in the year 3336 from Creation (425 BCE), the armies of the Babylonian emperor Nebuchadnezzar aid siege to Jerusalem. Thirty months later—on 9 Tammuz 3338—the city walls were breached, and on 9 Av of that year the Holy Temple was destroyed. The Jewish people were exiled to Babylonia for 70 years.
The 10th of Tevet (this year, December 13, 2013) is observed as a day of fasting, mourning and repentance. We refrain from food and drink from daybreak to nightfall, and add selichot and other special supplements to our prayers. More recently, 10 Tevet was chosen to also serve as a “general kaddish day” for the victims of the Holocaust, many of whose day of martyrdom is unknown. (Chabad.org)
What is the essence of a fast?
 The Ramchal says that " A person should be careful with his actions and with what path he takes. If you don't pay attention to what you are doing you are leaving your soul open to spiritual destruction. A person who doesn't examine his actions will most likely be killed". One of the ways of the yetzer hara is that he keeps you  busy to the point that you don't have time to think of what you are doing with your life. To better understand this, we can look at how Pharoh worked the men in Mitzrayim.  He wanted to work the men so hard that they had no time to plan against him. This is a tactic of the Yetzer Hara. A fast day is supposed to be a time where we stop and think, "Why are we fasting?" What did we lose that we need to regain? When a person doesn't eat, their body is lacking its physical nutrients  it needs for that day. So to, as we fast for our Beit Hamikdash, we have to try to understand what we are lacking in our own spiritual life that is preventing the Biet Hamikdash from being rebuilt. When a person is distracted with materialistic things he is depriving his neshema from realizing what he needs to work on spiritually. These modern day distractions are unlike the ones in the past where even with  washing machines and microwaves which help get errands done quicker, we are still finding ourselves distracted and deprived. Due to the fact that we have many television programs and all types of electronics that take up our time, it prevents us from realizing what is missing within us. Apple iPods, iPhones, iMac etc. all have the symbol of a bitten apple. This bitten apple is a symbol which I'm sure no one has ever noticed to be a symbol of the sin with Adam, Chava and the snake. This apple represents the modern day yetzer hara-technology and materialism which is a struggle very hard to overcome. Lets use this fast day as an oppurtunity to focus and stop depriving ourselves of the spiritual nutrients due to the"bitten apple". 

                By: Esther Shamayev
Have an easy and meaningful fast!

Friday, December 6, 2013

Parshat Vayigash- Risk Your Life!



"And Yehudah approached him..." The Torah narrates the dramatic climax of the episode with Yosef and his brothers. Yosef deliberately frames his youngest brother Binyomin, "catching him" with his "stolen" silver goblet. "The one who was found with the cup will be my slave, and the rest of you will go up to your father in peace."

We know from the previous parsha that Yehudah took full responsibility to bring Binyomin back from Egypt alive and well. It was up to Yehudah to appeal for his release from Yosef, who was disguised. "Please, my master, we only came down here to begin with to buy food...and my master asked us if we had a father or a brother...and you said to your servants 'bring him (your brother) down to me so that I may see him. And we said to my master 'the young man is not able to leave his father...' And you told us 'if you don't bring your brother you may not see me again.' And now how can I go back up to my father without the young man (Binyomin) with us? Their souls are very closely bound to one another." Yehudah then suggested that he remain as a slave in Binyomin's place, "lest I see the evil that will befall my father." At that point Yosef was no longer able to contain his emotions, so he sent everyone out besides his brothers, and he began to cry, and he said "I am Yosef " and he revealed himself to his brothers. 

Yosef had guards by him at all times so no one would harm him. Yosef sent out his guards before revealing to his brother "I am Yosef". Yosef risked his life by sending his guards out of the room in order not to embarrass his brothers even though what they did towards him was wrong. When a person embarrasses another he loses his share in the world to come. We must be very careful and sensitive to the words that we utter and the actions that we do to other person in order not to embarrass them even if they are wrong. We need to aspire to a certain level of Yosef Hatzadik and be sensitive to the feelings and embarrassment of our "brothers".
Shabbat Shalom
By:Esther Shamayev

Sunday, December 1, 2013

"Theres A Light At The End Of Every Tunnel"




What was so special about the miracle of Chanukah that we remember it every year?
The uniqueness of the Chanukah miracle was that even though they were in a world filled with such darkness with the Greeks convincing the Jews intellectually by saying how G-d doesn't exist. No matter how hard the task was they were still searching for Hashem. They didn't give up until they found Him. So too, the Maccabees didn't give up searching for the sealed pure olive oil until they found it. They knew it was there even though it was hard for them to find a sealed jug of pure olive oil they didn't give up they knew that even though it's dark and they can't see Hashems kindness at the end of the day we will see it and understand why it had to happen in that specific way. 
The four exiles that the Jewish nation were in and are currently in is 
A) Bavel - tried to kill us spiritually- destroyed first temple
B) Persia- tried to kill us physically- final solution (Purim story)
C) Greek- tried to kill us intellectually - disproving our religion
D) Edom- Roman Empire - currently in the process of destroying us spiritually, physically and intellectually. The last exile we are in now is a monster.
On Chanukkah we play with a dreidel which symbolizes "Nes Gadol Haya Sham"- "a big miracle happened there." Nun stands for nefesh- soul- spiritually, Gimmel stands for Guf -body- physically, Hey stands for Hacol Hacollel and Shin stands for Sechel- intellect. On the dreidel there's one handle that spins it this is to symbolize that Hashem is orchestrating it all. Chanukkah is the story that we can see clearly how Hashem is helping us survive all three attacks. We sometimes feel so overwhelmed with darkness but at the end of the day we need to remember that there is light at the end of the tunnel. The miracle of the oil lasting for eight days was that they didn't give up on the search and 8 is a number which corresponds to above nature. Hashem is above nature only He can help us. So when you are feeling down and don't know what to do turn to Hashem our father and speak to Him and ask Him to help you see the light clearer. 
Chag Sameach =)
By: Esther Shamayev

Thursday, November 28, 2013

Know Where You Stand- Parshat Miketz




                                                  




         In this weeks parsha, parshat Miketz Pharoh has two dreams and needed someone to interpret them. The wine steward recommended Yoseph to Paroh. Yoseph was immediately taken out of prison and he shaved and changed his clothes before he came to Pharoh. Yoseph didn't want to get cleaned up because before he was put into prison he was very into his looks and how his hair looked so for as a rectification- tikkun he didn't want to look beautiful like he did when he was about to sin. However, since he saw his father Yaakov it prevented him from doing the act thinking it is what Hashem wants of him to do. Even though that time Yoseph felt a state of confusion whether he was to be with Potiphars wife or not he didn't know what the correct move was to make until he saw his fathers face. Yaakov was all about Emet- truth so right away Yosef knew it was wrong and he ran the other direction. We can many things from this act that Yoseph did. No matter where a person finds himself he always needs to remember "Who am I?" When a person is giving himself that constant awareness he will make sure not fall spiritually. Yoseph then interprets Pharos dreams that the first seven years Egypt will be plentiful and the seven years after that there will be a famine. Pharoh was getting worried and didn't know who to appoint to make sure that there will be food for the following seven years when there will be a famine. So, Pharoh decided to make Yoseph viceroy over Egypt. Yosephs brothers come down to Egypt to bring back food for their families. When Yoseph saw his brothers he accussed them of being spies and the brothers understood why this was happening to them. Since they did not pay any attention to Yoseph when he was being sold so too, in return they werent getting the attention that they need. Instead of Yoseph giving them food for their families and assisting them with their needs he is trying to show them that he is their brother Yoseph that they sold into slavery. The brothers took the situation and searched their souls and looked within themselves for the cause of their misfortune. When a person is admitting their fault usually what happens is that they will admit that they were wrong but then justify themselves and say "but..." When a person does proper Teshuva his averot-sins turn into reward. We learn another tremendous lesson, we need to be very careful with the words that come out of our mouth and the actions that we do because if we somehow pained another Jew Hashem doesn't forget He will remind you of the pain you caused the other person- middah keneged midda- what goes around comes around.

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Segulot For Chanukka

Special Segulot for Chanukah




1. It is a Segula to buy or prepare the most beautiful Menorah you have. This shows that you are thankful to HaShem for everything you have and for all the miracles that happen to you on a daily basis.


2. It is a Segula to light the candles of Chanukah with Olive Oil. As we learn this from Shlomo HaMelech, “Ki Ner Mitzvah v’Torah Ohr -- a candle represents a Mitzvah and the Torah is the light." Through performance of Mitzvot, we bring the Light of Torah to the world and illuminate the darkness around us. Therefore, lighting the Menorah is a precious Mitzvah and using olive oil is the best way to fulfill it, this gives us a zekhut(merit) for:

• Banim Tzadikim (Righteous Kids), who will be smart and great in the Torah

• Excellent memory for you and your family

• Great eyesight, will be able to see things with a clearer perception




3. It is a big Segula to light the candles of Chanukah in your house. Rabbi Nachman mi Breslev stated that when one lights the Menorah at home, it brings more blessing and light into the house. HaShem himself comes down and visits your home and provides you with all the blessings and miracles you want.


4. After you light the candles, it is a Segula to stay seated by the candles and to pray next to them for half-an-hour. This allows your Tefilot (prayers) to be answered much faster.


5. One must avoid speaking Lashon Hara (slander) while the Chanukah lights are on, because HaShem’s Shekhina and Kedushah dwells in your home while the candles are burning.



6. The fifth night of Chanukah is a Segula for miracles and to change the order of the world in a positive manner. The fifth night of Chanukah never falls out on Shabbat kodesh.


7. Segula for Single girls on Erev Shabbat of Chanukah:

• First have the father of the house light the Chanukiyah. The shamash of the Menorah symbolizes the mother, while the candles being lit symbolizes the children.

• After the Menorah has been lit, ladies usher in the peace and sanctity of Shabbat by lighting their candles as a symbol of "Shamor veZakhor" -- represents man and wife. This is the time to ask, pray to find your Zivug (soulmate) and build a proper Jewish home.


8. The eight day of Chanukah is called "Zot HaChanuka", a Segulah for Pri Beten, to get pregnant and give birth. When all the 8 candles of the Menorah are lit, you should recite Chapter 80 in Tehillim. This chapter mentions "look and impregnate this gefen(wine/grape)". Accordingly, when you pray you should mention "just like grapes are plentiful and come in bunches, HaShem should also make me fruitful, give me children like grapes." In addition, it is customary to add "just like my family and I had the zekhut to light all 8 candles of Chanukah, so too, I should be zoche (merit) to do the Brit Mila for my son on his eighth day." Ahhmen!



9. If you know of someone that needs to become more religious, on Erev Rosh Chodesh Tevet, December 2nd pray by the Chanukah candles that they should become more observant, find more meaning in life by growing on the path of Torah v'Mitzvot. Why specifically Rosh Chodesh Tevet? Because Avraham Avinu passed away on this day. Before he passed away, he saw that his son Yishmael was starting to become more religious. If Yishmael was able to become religious, then anyone can study Torah, observe Mitzvot  and live a beautiful, meaningful, sustainable Jewish life...  Rosh Chodesh Tevet is an auspicious time for Teshuva.


10. Giving Tzedaka before lighting the Menorah is a big Segula for getting your Tefillot (prayers) answered and having good parnassa (livelihood) . 



11. It is a Segula to read the following Chapters in Tehillim after lighting the candles on all 8 days of Chanukah in the following order:

• Chapter 90: Read the last Pasuk from this chapter. "Vayehi Noam HaShem …" Then go straight into reading Chapter 91

• Chapter 91: Segula for protection and salvation from any sicknesses or anything bad. Before the Jews went to fight the yevanim, they said this Perek and they were able to win.

How to say this Perek: 7 times out loud, 1 time quietly to yourself.

• Chapter 30: Segula to get rid of fears and anxiety

• Chapter 33

• Chapter 67: This Perek is in the shape of the Menora. Segulah for protection. Make sure you read it in the form and shape of the Menora

• Chapter 19

• Chapter 100

• Chapter 133

• Chapter 144



After you have recited all the above Perakim, its times to ask/pray for anything you want while the gates are wide open. It is important for each of us to ask for Mashiakh all throughout Chanukah.  משיח is hinted in the words: מדליקים שמונה ימי חנוכה 


Last but definitely not least; ask for a Miracle, a BiG miracle in the merit of Chanukah.  Ask for something that you think is impossible and that will be considered a miracle if it happens b'Ezrat HaShem! 


 


May we merit to see wondrous miracles this Chag and ultimately witness the most precious miracle of all: the arrival of Mashiakh Tzidkeinu and the rebuilding of the Beit HaMikdash  Bimhera Biyamenu, Amen.


Laws of Chanukkah



This year Chanukah begins on Wednesday night, the 27th of November, and continues through the 5th of December.
Below are some basic laws concerning the lighting of the Menorah.
 On the first night, 3 blessings are recited before the lighting:
שהחיינו )3 and שעשה ניסים )2 להדליק נר חנוכה )1
 On all other nights, only the first two blessings are recited. If one forgot to recite the 3rd blessing on the first night, he may recite it within a half hour of lighting the candles. Otherwise, the blessing may be recited on the 2nd night or on any one of the following nights of Chanukah.
 The Sephardic custom is that only 1 person in each household lights with the blessings. Anyone else in the
family that wants to
light must do so without
reciting the blessings. HaRav Ovadia Yossef warns that the one reciting the blessings
should light before anyone over the age of “chinuch” (approximately 7 yrs. old with knowledge about Mitzvot).
 The preferred practice is to light the candles by a window facing the public domain, or by the door post opposite the Mezuzah. Nevertheless, lighting on the dining room table would also suffice.
 One must provide enough oil or use long enough candles to sustain a flame for 30 minutes and must only light the candles in a location where they will not be blown out by the wind.
When Chanukah falls out on a Friday, such as in December,
Chanukah
should be lit right before lighting the Shabbat candles.

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Parshat Vayeshev- Fight That Challenge


                                                  

          This weeks parsha discusses the hard life that Yosef had. His brothers were jealous of him and through him into an empty pit filled with snakes and scorprions. The brothers ended selling Yosef to a caravan of Ishmaelites. Yosef had been brought down to Egypt. Potiphar, bought Yosef to work for him and saw that G-d was with Yosef so Potiphar found favor in Yosefs eyes and appointed him master over his household. Yosef was a very handsome man. Potiphars wife saw Yosef and wanted to lay with him. She saw through astrology that Yosef would have offspring from her however, it wasn't from her but from her daughter Osnat. Since Yosef didn't want to lay with her she got upset and told Potiphar that the hebrew slave you brought to us wanted to lie with me. Potiphar put Yosef in jail, he was imprisoned for thirteen years. Yosef had the desire to be with Potiphars wife, he too saw through the holy spirits -Ruach Hakodesh that he will have children from her. However, he wasn't sure if it was the proper act to do. Then his father, Yaakov appeared to him and Yaakov was all about Emet so once he saw his father face he knew that this act would not be the proper thing to do so he ran. We learn a very important lesson in this weeks parsha, sometimes in life we don't know what the right thing for us to do is. We are confused. We live in a world filled with darkness, filled with confusion and falsehood. We might think we are doing something good but in reality we are not. So how can we know whats the truth and whats false? We need to ask ourselves and truly be honest with ourselves if our Avodat Hashem, if our Service of G-d is Emet? Are we doing a Cheshbon Hanefesh, calculating the soul- working on oneself. Are we making sure that every step we take, every action that we do and every word that we say is a Kiddush Hashem. Even though, when times are tough in are life remember that it is all coming from one source, its coming from Hakadosh Baruch Hu, our Father, our King who loves us and adores us. We just need to find it in our hearts to accept the challenges that come our way and find the best way to overcome the battles in the times of darkness that we live in. Life is full of challenges we just need to be aware of its existence and be ready for battle with the yezter hara- evil inclination. The best way to overcome the challenge is to realize that you are put in a challenge and that you will find the ability to overcome the challenge just like Yosef Hatzadik did.
Shabbat Shalom,
Esther Shamayev

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Parshat Vayishlach





Parshat Vayishlach describes the prelude to what seems an inevitable and deadly battle between two brothers Yaakov and Eisav. Yaakov Avinu readies himself for this fight in three ways: by sending gifts, by praying and by preparing for war. Nowadays, we too continue this fight between the Jews and the Goyim. The struggle for our generation is the struggle of self hood is a battle that we fight every day. We really do not know who we are. We direct our energies in many directions and whichever one captivates us at the moment defines us. However, according to Rabbi Kagan, the true self is one and unified, just as G-d is one and unified. This is a consequence created betzelem Elokim- a part of G-d Himself. How do we access this oneness in ourselves? First we must understand what makes us unique among the rest of creation. What constitutes the soul of a human being? FREE CHOICE. This is what distinguishes the human being from the animal. Animals are reactive, their actions entirely are a product of environmental stimuli. To be a person means not to react, but to act. That is what responsibility is about, the ability to choose a response, the ability to make choices while understanding the consequences of those choices. When one chooses, one owns ones self. If one is reactive one is not using one's free choice and will be unable to develop one's self and individuality. Our experiences in life are not what make us who we are, but rather opportunities to make ourselves into who we can be. Hashem provides the background for our choices; He leaves it up to us to choose, to create ourselves. Our task is to discover who we are as a person. In order for this discovery to take place one needs to be aware of the choices he makes as to the way he acts and speaks. These are the two main things that can help a person discover himself. Once you have discovered yourself, you are now aware of the battle that you are facing and Bezrat Hashem you will be able to overcome all the challenges Hashem gives you. Amen!
Shabbat Shalom

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Parshat Vayetzei- "Reach Your Potential"







        In this weeks parsha, it speaks about Yaakov's dream and in the dream he sees a ladder set up on earth, and the top of it reached to heaven; and behold the angels of G-d ascending and descending on it (28:12).  Why are angels going up and down the ladder? We learn that a ladder is the only object that when a person goes down the person will still look up. Hashem was trying to tell Yaakov that life won't be great anymore, no matter how life is you'll always look up. During our hard times in life we can always "lean" towards Hashem just like when a person is climbing the ladder and is stuck he leans on the ladder for protection. A person needs to have Simchat HaChayim- happiness of life, even though at times things may be rocky and hard we should never stop to think who is in control-Hashem! When things aren't going your way and you get upset then you haven't yet understood that Hashem is in control. It says in the Gemara, that if a person gets angry its as if he is serving Avoda Zara- idolatry. Why? The Gemara is teaching us that even if we didn't plan it to be this way and it looks terrible we should understand that it's coming from Hashem and He knows what He is doing, so we should accept it with happiness and not get angry. Anger comes from lack of Emunah- Faith. When a person is struggling or in pain one should turn to Hashem, look up to the heavens and pray. In order to overcome the anger one must find it within their heart that Hashem is in control and Hashem knows whats best for His children. So, when we are put in difficult challenges that we cannot understand remember Hashem loves you and wants the best for you so don't get angry at the situation rather try to understand why this is happening to you? Try to understand how you can better your service of G-d.
Another interesting reason why the angels were going up and down the ladder is when a person uses a ladder he uses his entire body whereas when a person uses the stairs he just uses his legs. When we are serving Hashem the proper way to serve Him is we need to be dedicated with a full heart and dedication. We need to work on serving Hashem with all the body parts that He gave us. Guarding our tongue, guarding our eyes and guarding our ears etc. We need to make sure that every mitzvah we do is for us to get closer to Hashem.


Actions arouse the heart, a person is influenced by his actions and his emotions and all his thoughts always follow the actions in which he is involved in. Meaning to say, that even actions which are carried out without intention nevertheless exert an influence over our hearts.

The best way to serve Hashem is with HAPPINESS -"Ivdu et Hashem B'Simcha".
We need to devote our entire body and neshama to the Holy One, Blessed His Name.

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Parshat Toldot- "For Heavens Sake?!?"









            During the event where Yitzchak intended to give Eisav the blessing instead of Yaakov. "It was when Yotzchak became old and his eyes weakened, he called Eisav his older son and he said to him, 'My son..go out to the field and hunt for me game. And prepare for me delicacies like I love and bring them to me and I will eat so that my soul shall bless you before I die." Rivkah Emeynu was listening in on this conversation and she immediatlly rushed to tell her son Yaakov. She told him to dress up like Eisav and she prepared delicacies for him to bring to his father Yitzchak. Yaakov enters his fathers tent saying "Here I am, please bless me."
          This blessing was the ice breaker as to which son will be the father of the chosen nation. How could the righteous Yitzchak be so adamant about choosing Eisav over Yaakov? Why did Rivkah resort to such a blatant deception in order to secure the blessings for Yaakov? And how could Yaakov Avinu agree to lie to his father? Rivka Emeynu, Yitzchak Avinu and Yaakov Avinu were out of character. The only person who was doing what he was told to do was Eisav. Eisav at the end of the story didn't win but he did what he was told to do while Yitzchak, Rivka and Yaakov, on the other hand, whose behaviors seem at best questionable and deffinantely out of character, benefit at the end of the day. Why are these three successful in achieving their goals when their tactics seem problematic?
           The way we will understand the above circumstance is to understand an essential foundation in Judaism which is to succeed in life, we must grow beyond our nature. This is best accomplished when we are tested. Eisav wasn't being tested however, the other three were all put to a test fundamental to developing a high level of service-avodat Hashem, Yitzchak, Rivka and Yaakov were pushed beyond their nature. Hashem administers this kind of test to see if a persons actions are the result of his will or God's will. Sometimes, in life we are so used to acting in a positive way filled with emunah-faith in Hashem until we are put to a test to see if we really have faith or not. However, if we do what God wants from us even when it requires us to step out of our comfort zones, to do something out of character then it becomes 100% clear that we have real self control and that our service, of our avodat Hashem is true service.
        Each individual needs to sit down and think why s/he is doing this for the sake of Hashem or for the sake to please someone. One must be completely honest with himself in order for him to be able to spiritually grow higher. Take this oppurtunity to evaluate yourself, see how far you have reached spiritually. Examine your good deeds and bad deeds. Try to prefect yourself and really understand if what you are doing is for the sake of heaven or for the sake of convenience.
By: Esther Shamayev

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Chayei Sarah




              Eiyshet Chayil was the famous poem said in Sarah Emeynu’s eulogy by Avraham Avinu. The midrash goes through the entire chapter in Misheli (Proverbs), ascribing each verse to different attributes that Sarah Emeynu represented. “Darshah tzemer ufishtim..(she seeks out wool and linen)” was when Sarah Emeynu separated Yitzchak and Yishmael. Just like wool and linen are polar opposites, unable to be worn together, Sarah Emeynu knew that Yitzchak and Yishmael could not stay together. Sarah Emeynu separated good from bad by sending Yishmael away from her son Yitzchak. Yishmael acquired good and bad attributes. Yishmael, was also the son of Avraham who also had a brit mila at the age of thirteen so therefore there was good in Yishmael. However, there was plenty of evil within him as well. It is not easy to recognize this admixture in another person, and it was Sarah Emeynu who was able to do so. She had the wisdom and perception to see that the evil part of such a person will ultimately corrupt the good in him. When Sarah Emeynu took the intuitive to untangle good and evil she became the tikkun (correction) for Chava- Eve. Rivkah too, continued the tikkun by separating her sons Yaakov and Eisav. We learn from Sarah Emenynu that all women have this power of discernment.  The Torah teaches us, that women in general are more spiritually oriented and less affected by physical passions and drives. Throughout Jewish history, in Egypt, our Chachamim-Sages point out that it is the women who have been the guiding force in pushing towards the positive and steering away from the negative. That is their job: to separate, to detect the evil and the good. This is the nature of a woman, to the extent that the Sages say that a woman has deeper insights into a guest’s character- all the more so, Rabbi Feldman points out, into her husband’s character. That is why there should be openness between husband and wife in all aspects of life, both physical and spiritual; they should work together closely, because the wife has the ability to give her husband tremendous insight into himself. Avraham and Sarah together could rectify the sin of Adam and Chava. Chava introduced the good and evil into the world while Sarah separated between good and evil. Adam listened to Chava who gave him bad advice from eating from the tree, Avraham Avinu was told by Hashem "kol asher tomar eilecha Sarahh shema bekolah"- "everything Sarah will say to you- listen to her." Avraham, listened to Sarah and because of this he benefited of the development of his family. Rabbi Moshe Wolfson mentions that under the chuppah (marriage canopy) we mention Adam Harishon in the blessing "asher yatzar es ha'adam betzalmo" "who created man in His image" because every couple has the ability to rectify the sin of Adam and Chavah by following Avraham Avinu and Sarah Emeynus ways of partnership. We each possess the tools within us. By working together as one, each doing our own unique part, we can help to create a world where there is discernment between good and evil. (Shira Smiles, 2010)

Monday, October 14, 2013

Lech Lecha- Leave Your Negative Ways



In last week’s parsha it begins with G-ds commandment and promise to Abram. "Go for yourself from your land, from your relatives, and from your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation; I will bless you, and make your name great, and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who curses you I will curse; and all the families of the earth shall bless themselves by you." (12:1-12:3)
Abrams first test was to leave his father’s home in order for him to be able to build a true home where Hashems presence can dwell. Abram and his wife Sarai couldn't have children for many years. However, Hashem promised Abram that he will make of him a great nation, but how can he become a great nation if he doesn't have a child. Abram saw through astrology that he wouldn't have children. Hashem lifted Abram above the stars and showed him that the Jewish nation has no mazal (luck). The Jewish nation is above nature, they can change their fate. Hashem changed Abrams name to Abraham and Sari’s name to Sarah after their names were changed so too, were their mazals changed.
We learn from this parsha a very important lesson, we should never say that we won't be able to change our ways. The best way a person can change their destiny is to change their ways in the positive, to get closer to Hashem. When a person who wasn't religious becomes religious automatically they change their destiny. What once was is no longer the same when they get closer to Hashem.