An all too familiar story of emigration is told to us in this week's Torah reading, a story that has actually been experienced by those of us who emigrated to the United states.
The story of emigration, leaving the known and familiar behind, not knowing what the future holds, where you will live, how you will survive....It is not easy.
Yet many of us have done just that, and have lived to thrive thanks to G-d's blessings, hard work and determination.
When Jacob moved with his family to Egypt because there was food in Egypt and to be with his son Joseph, he too faced uncertainty, but of a different sort.
The small Jewish family at that time faced the threat of spiritual uncertainty going to live in a land and amongst people who would be hostile to the Jewish way of life.
Yet Jacob knew the secret of survival.
He sent one of his sons Yehuda to Egypt ahead of their arrival to set up a house of study, so that when they arrive in Egypt they can immediately set out to continue their study and practice of their faith, all else would fall into place, but the spiritual matters were the priority.
Jacob understood all those years ago that Jewish survival depended on strong values and principles, that can not change, and nothing would ever be prioritized over them, even physical survival.
And so history has proven that nations who concerned themselves only with physical survival, have done so very well for a few hundred years at the most and then have vanished from the face of the earth leaving tracks only in history books and some archaeological ruins.
While a nation concerned less about their physical survival and more about the spiritual, have indeed survived, both spiritually and physically.
Sincerely,
Rabbi Mendel & Elke Zaltzman
SHABBOS TIMES
Friday, December 25
Candle Lighting: 4:16pm Evening service: 4:20pm
Saturday, December 26
Morning service: 10am
Kiddush Brunch 12pm Evening service: 4:20pm
Shabbat ends: 5:20pm
FAIR LAWN JEWISH DAY CAMP
SUMMER CAMP IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF A CHILD'S EDUCATION Sending your child to Fair Lawn Jewish Day Camp helps raise an independent child, it means teaching responsibility, encouraging exploration and providing a safe environment to make decisions independently. FLJDC nurtures all three of these elements in a Jewish environment, while having fun and making new friends. 2021 DATE & RATES | ENROLL NOW | NEW REFUND POLICY
CONCLUSION OF TOLIK'S TORAH
A new Torah was welcomed into our synagogue this Sunday, in memory of Tolik Rekhtman of Blessed Memory, a dear member of our community.
The Torah was commissioned by Tolik's family, with participation of his friends and community.
The traditional ceremony included writing the last few verses of the Torah, dancing with the Torah and taking out the current scrolls to welcome the new Torah scroll.
It was very meaningful that the Torah scroll was completed within one year of his passing and was taken out and read for the first time on the Hebrew anniversary of his passing, his Yortzeit.
We wish the entire community Mazal Tov on this rare and special occasion.
May we always celebrate happiness and joy together in good health and prosperity!
WEEKLY TANYA CLASS
Tanya Class- Tuesdays at 8pm
Discussing life in the light of Chabad Philosophy
On Zoom:
Meeting ID: 895 6598 0718
Passcode: tanya
Presented in English by Rabbi Mendel Zaltzman
Bat Mitzvah Club
Sunday, January 10, 2:00-5:30pm
We will be heading for an exciting trip to The Palisades Mall for a Jewish Scavenger Hunt and to Sareka On Saddle and Babka Bakery & Cafe in Airmont, NY.
Join for a live puppet show, book reading and craft.
Kids will learn about the Mitzvah of Kindness in an exciting and interactive way.
Social distancing and masks necessary.
No charge for this event, but registration required to attend in person.
If you cannot attend in person, you may participate live on Zoom or Facebook live.
For boys and girls in Grades 6th- 8th
At each weekly program MVP's will prepare special personalized packages for seniors that will be delivered safely in time for Shabbat.
Join the weekly meetings at the Bris Avrohom of Fair Lawn location, to prepare and personalize the packages and have some treats and fun while we work.
A BISSELE HUMOR
Going to the front desk of the exclusive Four Seasons Hotell, Mr. Mendelbaum requested some stationery.
The clerk asked, "Are you a guest at the hotel?"
Mr. Mendelbaum snapped indignantly, "No, I am not a guest. I am paying $800 a night!
WEEKLY eTORAH
The wisest of men said there is a time to weep, which implies that there will be occasions when weeping is inappropriate. Though King Solomon's exact words were there is a time to weep and a time to laugh, obviously there are times when other responses are called for. Clearly, life is not simply about crying or laughing.
This week's parshah relates the story of Joseph's dramatic reunion with his brothers. Though he embraces them all, he reserves his deepest emotions for his only full brother, Benjamin. Joseph was separated from his brothers when Benjamin was a mere child, and Benjamin was the only one who was not involved in the plot against Joseph. Theirs was, therefore, an exceptional embrace:
And he (Joseph) fell on his brother Benjamin's neck and cried, and Benjamin cried on his neck (Genesis 45:14).
Rashi, quoting the Talmud, explains that for both brothers, their cries were, beyond the powerful feelings of the moment, nothing short of prophetic. Joseph wept over the two Temples of Jerusalem, destined for destruction, which were in the land apportioned to the tribe of Benjamin. And Benjamin cried over the Sanctuary at Shilo, located in the land apportioned to the tribe of Joseph, which would also be destroyed.
The question is why: are they each crying over the other's churban (destruction)? Why do they not cry over their own destructions?
The Lubavitcher Rebbe explains that when it comes to someone else's problem, we may be able to help but we cannot solve other people's problems. Even good friends can only do so much. We can offer generous assistance, support and the best advice in the world, but the rest is up to him or her. No matter how strenuous our efforts, there can be no guarantee that they will be successful. As hard as we may try to help, the individual alone holds the key to sort out his or her own situation.
So, if we are convinced that we have done our absolute best for the other person and have still failed to bring about a satisfactory resolution, the only thing we can do is shed a tear. We can pray for them, we can be sympathetic. Beyond that, there is really nothing else we can do. When we have tried and failed, all we can do is cry.
But when it comes to our own problems and challenges, our own churban, there we dare not settle for a good cry. We cannot afford the luxury of giving up and weeping. If it is our problem, then it is our duty to confront it again and again until we make it right. For others we can cry; but for ourselves we must act.
When we have problems (and who doesn't?), so many of us simply moan and sigh and heave a good old-fashioned yiddishe krechtz (Jewish groan). How many times have we sighed, What can I do? And what does that leave us with? — with the moaning and groaning and nothing else. In the words of the fifth Chabad Rebbe, Rabbi Sholom DovBer of Lubavitch, One good deed is worth more than a thousand sighs.
Leave the krechtzing for others. If it's your problem, confront it, deal with it, work at it. You'll be surprised by the results.
