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

"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

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.

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.

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

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