TORAH FAX. Blessings Beneath the Surface. Moshiach Matters...

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1 One of the least "popular" readings of the entire Torah is this week's Parshah of BeHar Bechukotai. It is known as the Tochachah (words of rebuke )and it describes the harsh suffering that would befall the Jewish people in the event that they stray from the teachings of the Torah. It must be noted that despite the way it sounds to us, all the words of the Torah are equally holy and positive. Even when the words sound harsh, since they are in the Torah, which is described by King Solomon as, "Its ways are pleasant and all of its paths are peace," we are compelled to conclude that beneath the harsh exterior lies a hidden positive meaning. One approach to understanding the positive nature of the Tochacha is to based on the fact that the Hebrew text allows us to translate and interpret each and every curse as a blessing. In other words, we can say that though the Tochechah appears to be terrible curses, they really are great blessings that are transmitted to us through the conduit of seemingly harsh words. To illustrate, let us look at one verse in the Tochechah, offer the standard translation, and then see how we can uncover the hidden, positive meaning that lies beneath the surface. "Venastem V'ein Rodef, and you shall flee when no one will pursue you (Lev 26:17)." The simple meaning of the text is clear. One of the greatest curses is when a person is filled with anxiety and there is no reason for it. It is even worse when this fear causes the person to flee as if being pursued by an enemy when in fact there is no one giving chase. A Chassidic master translated the same phrase in a positive fashion, but first a brief introduction is in order: King Solomon in Ecclesiastes states: "G-d looks out for the one who is pursued." One interpretation of this verse is that G-d looks out for the downtrodden and victimized individuals. There are some people who take this verse to undesirable extremes and develop a cult of victimization. They wallow in their own suffering and their sole claim to G-d's relationship with them is their status as one who is being pursued and threatened by others. Indeed, the Jewish people have been the perennial victims and for that alone we are entitled to G-d's protection and love. But there is danger in relying on being a victim for our connection to Moshiach Matters... TORAH FAX Blessings Beneath the Surface CHABAD WEEKLY BULLETIN G-d. There is great danger in putting inordinate emphasis on taking up for the victim because in some cases we forget about who is right and who is wrong, and instead look at the one who is weaker and assume that he or she is right just because they are the underdog. When Israel was yet a fledgling entity and its very existence was in peril, the Western world seemed to have supported Israel. But when Israel won the Six Day War and subsequent military victories, the tables were turned. Many people and countries began to look at the losing side as the ones that had to be supported. Israel was vilified only because they had the chutzpah to win! There is a story told of a prominent European personality who supported Israel before the Six Day War. After the Israeli victory he complained: "I was convinced they would lose; that's why I supported them." While being a victim does entitle you to more compassion and support, even from G-d, it is far better to earn G-d's protection when we are not victims. When we do what is good, defend our ourselves, and focus on our purpose in this world to be a force that influences it for the good, we earn G-d's love on a much higher level than if we simply lay claim to G-d's beneficence because we are the victim. All of our suffering in the past has turned many of us into cynics and pessimists. But, as important as it is to never forget the past, we must not allow our existence to be defined by our suffering. When we raise children thinking that the defining feature of their Jewish heritage is anti-semitism and suffering, they will be deprived of the much more desirable role of the Jewish people as a "Nation of priests and a holy people," and a "Light to the Nations." Now let us return to the foregoing Biblical "curse" and see how it has been retranslated in light of the above: Instead of translating the Hebrew word "v'nastem" as "you shall flee," the word can be translated as "and you shall be elevated." So now the verse reads: "And you shall be elevated when no one shall pursue you." This verse takes on a completely new and refreshing meaning: Even when you will not be pursued and you are no longer a victim, you will be elevated. Your relationship with G-d will not depend on your status as a victim. You will no longer have to quote Ecclesiastes to enjoy G-d looking out for you. May we see the complete realization of this imminently with the coming of Moshiach. The Previous Rebbe taught that when Mashiach comes people will regret that the best days, the last days of the period of exile, have passed. For those were times when one was able to engage in Torah and mitzvot despite all obstacles; times when one's divine service was more gratifying and more lovable, both for the mortal who did it and for his Maker Who commanded that it be done; times unlike the future time, when "I shall remove the spirit of impurity from the earth," and when there are no antagonists to contend with. Moshiach - It s a Jewish issue. For more info, visit

2 CHABAD WEEKLY BULLETIN Halachic Times Week of May Earliest Tefillin (latest of the week) :48 AM Latest Shma (earliest of the week).....9:15 AM Torah Reading: Behar-Bechukotai (Leviticus 25:1-27:34) Haftorah Jeremiah 16:19-17:14 Molad for the New Moon Thursday, 5/17, 1:29 & 14/18 AM Rosh Chodesh Sivan is Friday, May 18 Pirkei Avot Chapter 5 Shabbat is 39 days of the Omer Shabbat Parshat BeHar-BeChukotai Shabbat Chazak - Shabbat Mevarchim FRIDAY, MAY 11 Candle Lighting :44 pm Mincha :50 pm Dvar Torah Rabbi Kugel Kabbalat Shabbat :20 pm SHABBAT, MAY 12 Tehillim (Psalms) :15 am Shacharit :45 am Dvar Torah Rabbi Ossey ***Kids Shul & Junior Minyan....11:00-12:15*** Kiddush is sponsored by Moshe and Levana Kirschenbaum in honor of the Yahrzeit of her father Meir Avner Halevi Ben David 17 Iyar approx. 12:30 PM Rambam and Pirkei Avot classes :50 pm Mincha :50 pm Ma ariv & Havdallah :50 pm Each week, a Video of the Rebbe is shown after Havdallah. Parshat BaMidbar NEXT WEEK AT A GLANCE Friday, May 18 Candle Lighting...7:50 PM Saturday, May 19 Shabbat ends...8:58 PM Pirkei Avot Chapter 6 Halachic Corner - Some Laws of Tefillin * When purchasing a pair of Tefillin, care should be taken to buy it from a dependable store in order to be sure the Tefillin are hand-written by a duly qualified Scribe (Sofer). Those not produced in conformity with the specified requirements of Tefillin, may not be used. * Tefillin are worn during the morning prayers. However, if for some reason it was impossible to do so in the morning, Tefillin may still be put on later in the day, but not after sunset. * The straps, both of the Hand and Head Tefillin must always be placed black side up. * During the act of putting on Tefillin, it is prohibited to interrupt the procedure by conversation or gesture. * The Tefillin must be placed upon the bare arm and head, without anything intervening. * The procedure for removing the Tefillin is as follows: The person should stand. First the strap around the middle finger is unwound and is rewound around the palm. The Head-Tefillin is then removed from the head with the left hand, the straps rewound, and placed in the Tefillin bag. Then the Hand-Tefillin is removed, the straps rewound and placed into the bag. It is customary to put the Head-Tefillin on the right side and the Hand-Tefillin on the left side in the bag. * When a Talit is worn during the prayer, the Talit should be put on first and then the Tefillin; but when the prayer is concluded, the Tefillin are removed first, in the manner described above, and then the Talit. Do you need your Tefillin checked by a Sofer (Scribe) or do you need a new pair of Tefillin? Please contact our office.

3 CHABAD WEEKLY BULLETIN THE SIX DAY WAR AND 40 YEARS OF THE REBBE S TEFILLIN CAMPAIGN In anticipation of the 6 Day War, in the spring of 1967, the Rebbe introduced the Tefillin Campaign. He requested that as many men and boys over 13 as possible fulfill the Mitzvah of Tefillin each weekday. Special attention should be given to the soldiers of the IDF, for they have the holy task of protecting Jews in Israel, and Tefillin will be a conduit to bring them even more blessing from G-d. The Tefillin Campaign was the Preemptive strike of holiness that would ensure victory and safety for Israel. (continued...) KIDDUSH SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: Sponsoring a Kiddush is a great way to share you Simchah or special family event with the community! Kiddushim can be sponsored to celebrate a birthday, graduation or to commemorate the Yahrzeit of a loved one. Kiddush sponsors are encouraged to share some words of Torah at their Kiddush. Kiddushim cost $300, $400 or $500. To sponsor a kiddush, please Rabbi Fried at ryf@chabadwestside.org, or call at x 14. Kiddush Schedule: Shabbat Behar - Bechukotai - May 12,... Kiddush is sponsored by Moshe and Levana Kirschenbaum in honor of the Yahrzeit of her father Meir Avner Halevi Ben David 17 Iyar Shabbat BaMidbar - May 19,... Kiddush is sponsored by Donna and Jed Aber in honor of the Yahrzeit of her father Dr. Stanley Josephs - Shlomo Elimelech ben Moshe Aaron and Craindel, 1 Sivan. Shavuot, 2nd day - May 24,... Kiddush is sponsored by Anonymous in honor of Marc and Lisa Mandelbaum moving into their new apartment Shabbat Naso - May Kiddush is available Shabbat BeHa alotecha - June 2... Kiddush is sponsored by Abe & Emmi Goldstein in honor of the first Yahrzeit of his mother, Perel Bas Yaakov, 17 Sivan (...continued) From Truepeace.org: Today, it is hard to recapture the feelings that existed before the Six-Day War. At that time, people everywhere - including most of the Jewish community inside and outside Israel - sincerely believed the Arab threats to push Israel into the sea. They felt that it was only a matter of time before those threats would be carried out. As the war drew nearer and nearer, their premonitions of dread continued to increase. The Rebbe, in contrast, radiated strength and confidence. Before the war, he made both public and private statements, stating that this was a period of unique Divine favor for the Jewish people, and promising that they would soon be rewarded by wondrous miracles. When American students in Israel were streaming to the airport by the thousands, the Rebbe told his followers to stay in the Holy Land, assuring them that they did not face any danger. From Chabad.org: In spring of 1967, as the Arab capitals paraded their arms and openly spoke of overrunning the Land of Israel and casting its inhabitants into the sea, a great panic enveloped the land. The media was almost unanimous in its feeling that the small Jewish state was outflanked and outgunned by its enemies, and stood little chance of survival. It was obvious that the world was going to stand by once again and let happen whatever may happen. The Rebbe stood out as a voice of confidence and encouragement. The Guardian of Israel neither sleeps nor slumbers, he said, quoting the eternal words of Psalms; G-d watches over His people wherever they are, especially in the Holy Land. The Boston Globe November 24, 1967: Just before the outbreak of the war, an active campaign to push observance by Jewish males over 13 years of age to do the "mitzvah" of tefillin was launched by Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, the "Lubavitcher Rebbe" of New York--leader of a Hasidic sect with branches throughout the world. Since the Six Day War in June which resulted in the creation of a united Jerusalem as part of Israel, more than 400,000 members of the Jewish faith are estimated to have observed the commandment to wear Phylacteries-- tefillin In Hebrew--at the city's Western, formerly known as the "Wailing, Wall.

4 CHABAD WEEKLY BULLETIN Chabad Kids Shul invites you to its annual Join Chabad for a host of events for the entire family on Shavuot! Shavuot Dinner at Chabad Tuesday night, May 22, 2007 Ma'ariv: 9:00 PM. Yom Tov Dinner: 9:30 PM. Cost: $30 per person RSVP: Followed by all night learning Session I 12:00-1:15 AM Halachic Issues in the Messianic Age With Rabbi Yisroel Fried Session II 1:30-2:45 AM "Every Jew Has A Place In The World To Come" (Pirkei Avot) With Rabbi Meir Ossey Session III 3:00-4:15 AM Moses, Kind David and the Ba'al Shem Tov: The Three Central Figures of Shavuot With Rabbi Shlomo Kugel Coffee and plenty of refreshments Shavuot Children's Ice Cream Party! Hear the Ten Commandments read from the Torah and then enjoy a great party. Wednesday, May 23 Shacharit: 9:45 am Reading of the Ten Commandments: 11:15 am (approximately) Followed by our super delicious Ice Cream Party! See you at Chabad West 92nd Street

5 Chabad ELC Chabad ELC 101 West 92nd Street 166 West 97th Street Phone: Fax: Next Week at CELC Monday, May 14 Cheesecake Bake Monday, May 21 ~ 1:00 pm 101 West 92 nd Street Your Shavuot Preps Participate in a pre-shavuot discussion with Rabbi Kugel Bake and design a cheesecake with Morah Suri Childcare is available. To ensure sufficient supplies and staffing, RSVP to the school office. Music 92 Bookworms PK Tuesday, May 15 Music 97 Wednesday, May 16 Kinderdance 92 Thursday, May 17 Kinderdance 97 NO SCHOOL - SHAVUOT / MEMORIAL DAY Tuesday, May 22 - Monday, May 28 Regular sessions resume Tuesday, May 29

6 Morah Pearl s Birthday Farbrengen Pearl celebrated her special day in the company of very special people - Chabad Moms and Morahs - this past Wednesday evening. Birthdays are not just a time of celebration but one of reflection as well. It is a time to review the past year and make positive resolutions for the new year ahead. As we know so well, resolutions are easy to make and easy to break. Pearl discussed the concept of Pesach Sheni, the holiday that celebrates our opportunity for second chances. In the course of our hectic days we may miss opportunities to compliment and encourage our children. Instead of going to sleep with could have and should have thoughts, Pearl resolved to take a few minutes and write short, personal notes for her children to find in the morning. Pearl then invited everyone to join her on this endeavor and supplied fun notepads and stickers to get started on the right foot. The singing and discussion continued well into the night and was accompanied by the beautiful and delicious spread prepared by our hostess, Sarah Zitter Milstein. Many thanks to Sarah for hosting and for each person who participated and made this evening a lovely one for all of us. Happy Birthday, Pearl! Best wishes for a year of good health, happiness and blessings until 120! See Anything You Like? These are just some of the online shopping sites that will direct a percentage of your purchase towards the CELC Boxtops account. Register at the Boxtops Marketplace TODAY! It takes less than a minute to register and then you can enjoy online shopping knowing that it will directly benefit the children at Chabad ELC. Use this link to sign up: CHABAD ELC

7 Meetings with Leila Leila Silver, our early childhood consultant, spends time in all of our classrooms each week. She is a great resource for our teachers and parent body that you are welcome to tap into by scheduling a meeting to discuss your child s development. Please review the available time slots as listed below and contact the school office to schedule a meeting. If you are interested in having your child s teacher join the meeting, please work out a mutually convenient time. Day / Location Tuesday, May 15 97th Street Wednesday, May 16 92nd Street Tuesday, May 29 92nd Street Wednesday, May 30 97th Street 9:00-9:30 am UNAVAILABLE 12:00-12:30 pm 1:30-2:00 pm Don t Lose It! Summer Camp Season is Almost Here! Hang on to all your great stuff this summer. With Mabel s Labels stick-ons, your children will come home with their sports equipment, towels, swim bags and even their water shoes! Support the PA while getting your family organized! Ensure that 15-20% of your order goes directly to the PA by logging on to: If you have any questions or would like more information about this program, CHABAD ELC Mabel s Labels offers a wide selection of stick-ons, iron-ons, allergy alerts and even shoe labels. Mabel s Labels are tough, cute and easy to use. You can personalize labels with names, initials and even fun icons for non-readers. The labels are dishwasher, microwave, laundry & kid tested.

8 Field Trips We were lucky to be blessed with glorious weather on both of our trip days this week. Dressed in their Chabad T-shirts, the children (and adults!) had a wonderful day of outdoor fun. Thank you to the many chaperones who joined us on our excursions to help ensure that each child had a safe and fun experience. Raphy (PN97) Atara (PN3) Julia (T97) Toddlers on the Spider Web Setup Volunteers Needed Your help is needed for the setup of our Gala Dinner table centerpieces on Monday, June 4. If you are available during the day and can help us out, please contact Debbie Rudt for more information at or debrudt@rcn.com. Condolences We are saddened to inform you of the passing of Mr. Manfred Meyer, father of David Meyer and grandfather of Jack Meyer (PK). Hamakom yenachem etchem betoch sha ar avelei Tziyon v Yerushalayim. May the mourners be consoled among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.