| Lag B'Omer Picnic & Kumzitz |
The anual Lag B'Omer Picnic & Games will start at 6:30 pm. The Kumzitz & Bonfire will start at 8:00 pm.
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| New JLI course starting May 14th |
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Fans of Israeli Basketball Team Spend Shabbat in Madrid
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The Maccabi Tel Aviv basketball team may not have won this year's Eurocup, but the team and its fans had plenty to celebrate Friday night after besting Montepasci Siena, 92-85, to win Game 1 of the Euroleague Final Four in Madrid. Some 1,000 fans, students and members of the local Jewish community decided to toast the surprise victory by attending a Shabbat dinner sponsored by Rabbi Yaakov Gloiberman, director of Chabad-Lubavitch of Lod, Israel, and the European Centre for Jewish Students.
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| The Rebbe's Perspective... |
In the holy Zohar it is written that through the study of the secret wisdom, the final liberation will come with compassion. Not with judgement alone.
Now the wisdom is no longer secret. It's sages and masters have found ways to make it accessible to all. Those who learn it and spread it, they are bringing compassion and redemption to the world. |
| So What's the Answer? |
This week's pop quiz: let's see if you can connect the dots between these things.
There are three main sections in this week's portion, Emor. The first explains the scrupulous measures that must be followed by the priests in order that they not be profaned or defiled. Who they may be in contact with, and when. Who they may marry. What to eat. How to dress. Even down to the conduct of their children. In the second section, there seems to be an abrupt change. This part deals with the sacred seasons of the Jewish year: Passover; the counting of the Omer; Shavuoth; Rosh Hashana; Yom Kippur; Succoth and Simchat Torah. It tells why and how each should be observed, when we should and should not work. In the third section, yet another turn is taken. Now we are speaking of the priests again, but specifically of their duties with respect to the Ner Tamid, the Eternal Light that must burn in the Sanctuary to represent the omnipresence of G-d.
So the questions is: What is the common thread among these three topics?
It may have occurred to you that each part deals with a discussion of separation. Separating the holy activities of the priests from everyday matters. Separating the holy days from the mundane. Separating G-d from all the other deities that were worshipped in those times. But, of course, that idea has the seeds of its own contradiction. While we need to keep holy activities and thoughts untainted, we are also enjoined to bring the holy down to earth, to operate every day in our lives with the mitzvot in mind, with Torah in our hearts.
So which is it? Are we to distance the spiritual from the material? Or are we to weave them into a seamless whole that lifts all of life above the ordinary? Or is it both? And why does the answer to every question in Torah seem to lead to another question? The glory of Torah, of course, is that there can be many answers to all of these questions. (That's why the Talmud is twenty volumes long, and why there is, in addition, a vast and ever-growing library of commentary on the meaning of every word, period and space in Torah.) And the glory of our teaching is that every Jew has the same opportunity - the same obligation - to learn, to probe, to grow from Torah.
When moveable type was invented 450 years ago, the first book printed was the Bible, because this new technology was seen as a way of letting commonfolk have access to the Word. A democratic ideal! Everyone can read what G-d expects of us!
But, of course, that was the Jewish practice all along. What's the question? What's the answer? Come read what the Sages have said...and then become a commentator yourself. |
| Once Upon A Chasid |
A Muddy Opinion
An all-seasons mudhole graced the approach to the humble home of Rabbi Boruch Mordechai Atinga, rabbi of Babroisk. On one occasion, he related its primordial origins:
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| A Joke |
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The Four Questions
The Hebrew School lesson had just finished and the rabbi asked if the children had any questions...
Little David quickly raised his hand. "Yes, David? What question would you like to ask?"
"I have four questions to ask you, Rabbi: Is it true that after the children of Israel crossed the Red Sea, they then received the Ten Commandments?"
"Yes, David."
"And the children of Israel also defeated the Philistines?"
"Yes, David, that's also true."
"And the children of Israel also fought the Canannites and fought the Amalekites and built the Temple?"
"Again you are correct, David."
"So my last question is, Rabbi.. WHAT WERE THE GROWN-UPS DOING ALL THIS TIME?!"
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| Chabad Center |
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The Chabad Center For Jewish Enrichment, located in the heart of Brighton at 12 Corners, is a Jewish haven where "Jewish batteries" can be "recharged". Everyone is cordially invited to step inside to explore and discover our beautiful Jewish heritage. The Chabad Center is a no-strings-attached place for study, browsing, asking questions and receiving answers. A place where every single Jew will feel warmly welcome with a true sense of belonging.
Regular activities at the Chabad Center include: Saturday & Holiday Services at 9:30 a.m.; Adult Education classes; Lending Library (books, videos & cassettes); lunchtime Kosher cafeteria (pizza, fries etc.) on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays 10:30 am - 1:00 pm (whenever Brighton High School is in session); pizza takeout every Thursday 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. (call 271-0330 for advance orders).
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Video of the Week
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Some goodies
from our websit |
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| The Weekly Magazine |
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On the lighter side |
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Registration is now open
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