Congregation Agudath Jacob

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1 Congregation Agudath Jacob February Shevat/Adar I Rabbi: Ben-Zion Lanxner President: Abbye Silver Phone: Office Admin: Amanda Henson Fax: Editor: Ilsa Burns Rabbi@agudath-waco.org Cajassistant@grandecom.net This bulletin is published twelve times per year by Congregation Agudath Jacob a non profit organization. Founded in 1888 Celebrating 128 years Member of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. Rabbi Ben-Zion Lanxner As I reported a couple of weeks ago to the Board and to the Congregation at its semi-annual meeting, I have been teaching several classes in Hebrew reading skills, in Basic Judaism and in the work of the Alter Rebbe, Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, the TANYA, which is the foundational work of the Chabad movement which lays down the practical fundamentals of the Chabad philosophy and the Chabad approach to Hasidic mysticism. These classes are well attended. Since the month of February does not have a particular holiday to be observed, I have taken this opportunity to write a little about the TANYA in order to give the rest of the congregation an idea or a taste of what this class is all about. I will also delve into the topic of performing a mitzvah. As Rabbi Cotlar from Chabad explains, the major theme of TANYA is the common Identity Crisis. There are days when one feels inspired by Judaism and spirituality, and there are days when they are a real bore. There are times when nothing seems more important than studying Torah or praying, and there are times when nothing seems greater than a steak and a good ballgame. There are moments when one is disgusted by the world s immorality, and there are moments when one is tempted by it. So, who are we? Are we to ignore our beastly temptations, or come to terms with them? And how is it that people possessing a G-dly soul can be filled with such animalistic desires? It is the TANYA that guides us through our dual personality. It gives us the insight to understand and overcome the struggles we deal with on a daily basis. The TANYA teaches us how to create a unity between our Judaism and our inner psyche. It makes our Torah and Mitzvot true representations of our personalities. Finally, it allows us to truly feel, not merely act, like Jews. The TANYA is not an easy read. It takes concentration and dedication. The TANYA is not instant inspiration. It is not a quick fix. It s a guide to a journey that takes time and energy. The TANYA is a guide to a long and short road! It may be lengthy, but when you arrive, you feel that you are truly home. The TANYA is like a heart. It will pump life and energy into your reading of the Torah and your fulfilling the Mitzvot. To summarize, the TANYA will explain how, by observing and fulfilling the 613 Mitzvot, we can reach higher spiritual levels and connect with G-d. Having said that, let me try to explain what secrets are in the Mitzvot. The usual translation for the Hebrew word mitzvah is commandment. While this is certainly correct, it is further explained in the Talmud that the root of the word mitzvah means connection. A mitzvah, like the ladder in Jacob s dream, has the power to connect earth to heaven. A mitzvah is a conduit connecting man and G-d, and this awareness enriches immeasurably the performance of mitzvot. This definition is especially important for those who live in a secular community, where the mere concept of being told what to do runs against a superficial concept of freedom. Being free to most people in a modern context means to be free to call the shots, to do whatever one wants. Therefore, the mere mention of a commandment seems very politically incorrect. Understanding a mitzvah as an opportunity to connect to God may strike a more receptive chord to those Jews who are not accustomed to an atmosphere where mitzvot are observed or encouraged. Actually performing a mitzvah has a connective power on a number of different levels. When reading the TANYA, we might construct a

2 ladder with five rungs, explaining the intrinsic connecting power of a mitzvah. This ladder, similar to the ladder of dreams, is structured according to the five levels of the soul, as explained and defined by the TANYA, from the lowest to the highest level as Nefesh, Ruach, Neshamah, Chayah and Yechidah. According to the concept of inter-inclusion, mitzvot are not one dimensional; their connecting force works simultaneously on multiple levels. The lowest rung corresponds to how mitzvot connect us with our bodies and the lowest level of the soul, the Nefesh. The animal soul is essentially bound up with the body. When it is directed towards higher pursuits, its raw energy has great spiritual potential. Performing mitzvot connects the body and the Nefesh to higher levels of soul and God, and entails ongoing discipline and training. Over time, the body and Nefesh are refined and directed, resulting in a cooperative effort with the soul. Performing mitzvot demands not just a body/soul cooperation, but the subservience of our basic desires and urges of the body. However, these very desires are not extinguished, rather they find full release and expression through mitzvot, designed for that very purpose. Virtually all mitzvot include an action, or the use of a physical object or speech. In this sense, mitzvot connect our souls not just to our bodies, but to the physical world we live in. The constant interaction with the world through performing mitzvot reinforces the cardinal imperative of Judaism to rectify, uplift, heal and transform the world around us, or, Tikkun Olam. The next level of soul, the Ruach, refers to the emotional aspects of the human personality. Mitzvot are not meant to be cold and calculated actions divorced from our feelings and sensitivities. On the contrary, mitzvot bring us into contact with our deeper emotions. We are meant to feel deeply about the mitzvot we do, and they are designed to awaken the full gamut of emotions, including devotion, love, compassion, awe and gratefulness. Similar to the Nefesh, which needs constant refining, human emotions are in need of continual tempering and improvement. The Neshama is considered to be the seat of the intellect. The Written Torah provides few explanations as to the exact meanings and reasons for specific mitzvot. It was left to man to study, meditate, discuss and delve into the Torah in order to extract the nearly infinite depths of meaning contained in each mitzvah. Although we ultimately perform mitzvot because we are commanded to, and despite the fact that only G-d ultimately knows the reasons for the mitzvot, we use all our intellectual powers to unlock the abstract and concrete reasons and effects as well as possible. Learning Torah itself is a mitzvah, one that is compared to all the others combined. Nothing sharpens, elevates and clarifies intellect as does the study of Torah and then applying that knowledge in the actual performance of mitzvot. The level of soul termed Chayah, the living one, represents the connecting force between the superconscious source of the soul and the beginning of intellectual consciousness. The Chayah connects the lower levels of soul to their higher Divine origins. At this level, the performance of mitzvot activates and connects the soul to its deepest roots, awakening hidden recesses of spiritual delight and awareness. The Yechidah, the highest level of the soul, connects us directly to G-d. It is at this level where we experience a mitzvah as a reflection of G-d s will and goodness, for all the mitzvot were given with our good in mind. The last two letters of the Hebrew word mitzvah are identical to the last two letters of God s essential four-letter name. In one of the Kabbalistic alphabets, where letters are exchanged for each other according to a certain logical structure, the first two Hebrew letters of God s name (Yud and Hey), are exchanged for the first two letters of the word mitzvah (Mem and Tzadi). This shows that a mitzvah is ultimately a vessel for God s will and bounty in this finite world. Every mitzvah is ultimately an opportunity to connect and unite with God. The angels ascending and descending on the ladder allude to the connective power of mitzvot at all the above levels in the concept of inter-inclusion. God s will, expressed through a mitzvah, affects and activates all levels of the soul and body within the context of the physical world. In this sense, mitzvot are the quintessential ladder, connecting man and God, physical and spiritual, heart and mind, body and soul, masculine and feminine. May G-d bless you all. Rabbi Ben-Zion Lanxner

Friday, February 5 5:49 p.m. Saturday, February 6 6:45 p.m. Friday, February 12 5:55 p.m. Saturday, February 13 6:51 p.m. Friday, February 19 6:01 p.m. Saturday, February 20 6:56 p.m. Friday, February 26 6:06 p.

Please bring packages throughout the year and Susan Silver will see that they are delivered to caritas The monthly CAJ board meeting will be held at, Wednesday, February 10.

3 Friday, February 5 5:49 p.m. Saturday, February 6 6:45 p.m. Friday, February 12 5:55 p.m. Saturday, February 13 6:51 p.m. Friday, February 19 6:01 p.m. Saturday, February 20 6:56 p.m. Friday, February 26 6:06 p.m. Saturday, February 27 7:01 p.m. Cemetery Restoration Fund Justin Lynn Jeff Wolf & Colleen OConnor Wolf Kevin & Stephanie Twyeffort Food from the Faithful We will bring Cereals & pastas on an on-going basis. Please bring packages throughout the year and Susan Silver will see that they are delivered to caritas The monthly CAJ board meeting will be held at, Wednesday, February 10. Thank you to the out-of-town regulars who come long distances to help us make im! Your extra effort is always noticed and appreciated! February 1 Jeff Wolf February 3 Debbie Hersh February 10 Jennifer Hacker February 13 Kerry Wolpo February 15 Larry Taub February 17 Jeff Levin February 19 Norman Goldberg February 20 Howard Miller February 22 Rick Bauer Florence Hersh February 24 Lea Steele Levin February 25 Justin Lynn February 29 Jarrod Harelik

their conversion. If you would like to attend, Please RSVP no later than February 3. Donations will be accepted.

4 February 3 Mr. & Mrs. Harold Kamenetsky February 15 Mr. & Mrs. Steven Schwarz February 19 Mr. & Mrs. Benjy Bauer A special luncheon with Rabbis famous cholent will be held following services Saturday, February 6 for Ramey Wyble & Yaffah Miller on completing their conversion. If you would like to attend, Please RSVP no later than February 3. Donations will be accepted. Happy 65 th Anniversary Jake & Simone Bauer Abby Sobel Arthur Rubel Rina Ruttenberg Gay Grossenbacher King Fay Goldberg Norm & Margie Goldberg David Brickman Bobbye Brickman Dave Lebowitz Shirley Warshaw Pearl Jacobson Robin, Susan, Samantha, & Steve Weber January 2 Brent & Dianne demoville Miguel Perez Abbye & Susan Silver Shabbat Donations January 9 Miguel Perez Jeff & Lea Levin Yaffah Miller January 23 Howard Miller Abbye & Susan Silver Jerry & Candee Gerson Steven & Lilia Schwarz January 16 Brent & Dianne demoville George & Kathleen Keller Jeff & Lea Levin Abbye & Susan Silver

5 HOW TO OBSERVE THE YAHRZEIT It is traditional to kindle a Yahrzeit Candle in the home on the evening Yahrzeit begins. It should remain lighted until sunset the next day. Possible prayer before lighting a Yahrzeit candle: Eternal God, I/we light this candle in memory of (name), my/our beloved (relationship). The light of the flame rekindles all the warm memories of the moment we shared together, and reassures me /us that a piece of his/her soul dwells in my/our heart(s) forever. May his/her soul be bound up with the bonds of eternal life. Amen. Candles are available at the Gift Shop. Every effort should be made to say Kaddish at congregational services. It is meritorious to perform some Mitzvah or to contribute to the synagogue in commemoration of the deceased. Kaddish will be read on January 29 Shevat 19 Meyer Hoffman Shevat 20 Fannie Mark Louis Kantrovich Margaret Hoffman Shevat 21 Jeanette Levy Lemson Sam Israel Jacob D. Aronson Shevat 22 Hymie Greenspan Esther Anna Gulman Frances Segal Issie Polonsky Shevat 23 Sadie Schaevitz Naomi Smith Shevat 24 Ann Chodorow Sam Greenberg Raven Jornitsky Mark Harris Bernard Stewart Shevat 25 Zelig Feldt Ben Koffman Barney Brickman Bertha Genecov Miller Kaddish will be read on February 5 Shevat 26 Bella Levy Shevat 27 Sam Harelik Gertie Kantrovich Dave Knobler Abe Novich Shevat 28 Jacob Wolf Mrs. B. Coopersmith Mrs. I.F. Aronson Miriam Salpeter Shevat 29 Esther Anna Gulman Sharon Lee Slutsky Shevat 30 Bert Gardner Mrs. B. Levinson Adar 1 William Chernoff Naomi Levy Nathan Zidman Adar 2 Hyman Herzlich Kaddish will be read on February 12 Adar 4 Anne Goodman Deyo Sam Wolstein Adar 6 Morrie Alperin Joseph Wise Adar 7 Lois Helfer Adar 8 Joseph Smolensky Phillip Reich Marie Rosenberg Adolph Rubel Adar 9 Jacob Farbstein David Wizig Leon Berman Kaddish will be read on February 19 Adar 10 Morris A. Cohen Lauren Hoffman Adar 11 Bessie Offman L. Weisberg Adar 14 Helen Levy William Beville demoville Adar 15 Richard Sifuentes Adar 16 Gerald Abels Kaddish will be read on February 26 Adar 17 Bessie Genecov Bessie Zoblotsky Adar 18 Blanche R. Ellis Louis Esserman Rebecca Hayman William Lender Robert Todd Adar 19 Ben Keen Max Wise Adar 20 I.J. Gollob Adar 21 Harry Brodkey Frank Israel Thelma Lipinsky Pearl Greenfield Adar 22 Harry Levine Carlos Sifuentes Adar 23 Anna Goldman Hersh

6 February Shevat Adar I 5776 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 7:34AM/5:45PM 7:33AM/5:46PM 7:32AM/5:47PM 7:31AM/5:49PM 7:30AM/5:50PM :32PM 7:28AM/5:51PM 6:36PM Luncheon 12:00 p.m. 22 Shevat 23 Shevat 24 Shevat 25 Shevat 26 Shevat 27 Shevat Gittin 50 Gittin 51 Gittin 52 Gittin 53 Gittin 54 Gittin 55 7:27AM/5:52PM 7:26AM/5:54PM 7:25AM/5:55PM 7:24AM/5:56PM 7:23AM/5:57PM 7:21AM/5:58PM Rosh Hodesh I Rosh Hodesh II Board Meeting 5:40PM 7:20AM/6:00PM 6:45PM 28 Shevat 29 Shevat 30 Shevat 1 Adar I 2 Adar I 3 Adar I 4 Adar I Gittin 56 Gittin 57 Gittin 58 Gittin 59 Gittin 60 Gittin 61 Gittin 62 7:19AM/6:01PM 7:18AM/6:02PM 7:16AM/6:03PM 7:15AM/6:05PM 7:14AM/6:06PM 7:12AM/6:07PM :49PM 7:11AM/6:08PM 6:53PM 5 Adar I 6 Adar I 7 Adar I 8 Adar I 9 Adar I 10 Adar I 11 Adar I Gittin 63 Gittin 64 Gittin 65 Gittin 66 Gittin 67 Gittin 68 Gittin 69 7:09AM/6:09PM 7:08AM/6:10PM 7:07AM/6:12PM 7:05AM/6:13PM 7:04AM/6:14PM 7:02AM/6:15PM :57PM Purim Katan I 6:58PM Purim Katan II 5:57PM 7:01AM/6:16PM 7:01PM 12 Adar I 13 Adar I 14 Adar I 15 Adar I 16 Adar I 17 Adar I 18 Adar I Gittin 70 Gittin 71 Gittin 72 Gittin 73 Gittin 74 Gittin 75 Gittin 76 6:59AM/6:17PM :58AM/6:19PM 19 Adar I 20 Adar I Gittin 77 Gittin 78 [, Observance End, Printed January 28, 2016/18 Shevat 5776 for Canton, Ohio]

Congregation Agudath Jacob

February Shevat/Adar 5777 Rabbi: Ben-Zion Lanxner Phone: 254-772-1451 Fax: 254-772-2471 Rabbi@agudath-waco.org Congregation Agudath Jacob www.agudath-waco.org President: Jeff Levin Office Admin: Amanda