The Four Kinds - Chabad of the Conejo

The Four Kinds
U n iti n g T ogether
September 26-29
The Esrog
A rare citrus fruit, combines both
a taste and a fragrance that are
enjoyed by all – represents the Jew who is both
learned in Torah, as well as
observant of the mitzvahs.
The Lulav
A palm branch, is from a tree that
bears dates which is a pleasant
tasting fruit, but it is odorless –
represents those among Israel who
are Torah scholars, but who do not
particularly emphasize good deeds.
One of the special mitzvahs of Sukkot, which is
performed everyday except Shabbat, is the “The
Four Kinds” (described in detail below). We recite
a blessing over them and, holding them close
together, wave them to all six directions: right, left,
east, upward, downward, and west, to signify G‑d’s
presence is everywhere.
Like all other mitzvahs, it should be performed
because it is G‑d’s will. However, like all the mitzvahs,
it has its own particular significance and meaning.
The most famous interpretation is that these four
species represent the unity of all Jews.
The Hadasim The myrtle twigs, are fragrant but
We Are One
Putting these Four Kinds together teaches us that
no one, not even the “citrus” or the person who
represents the palm branch can be complete without
unifying with every single Jew—even the “willows.”
Without unity, the citrus alone is no mitzvah at all!
The Four Kinds also represent four personas within
each individual: Lulav is the intellectual within,
who does not allow feeling to cloud the purity of
knowledge; Hadas is the emotional self, where
feelings comprise the highest ideal, even at the
expense of the intellect; Esrog is the force that
strives for balance of mind and heart; while
Aravah is the capacity for setting aside both
intellect and feeling in an actual commitment
to a Higher ideal.
All My Bones Shall
Declare
tasteless – represent Jews who are filled with
good deeds but who are not learned
in Torah.
The Aravos
The willow branches, have neither
taste nor smell – represent those among Jews who
are unlearned in Torah and devoid of
good deeds.
The Four Species also allude to the body.
When one takes them on the Festival and
recites the blessing, it is as if he is subjugating
his heart, his limbs, his faculties of sight and
For instructions, blessings, and the schedule for
The Four Kinds, see chart on page 39.
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speech, to God alone. It is as if he declares to God: “All of
me is given to You alone and all my joy in this Festival is in
You alone.”
Our Sages expounded:
The psalmist states: “All my bones shall declare: God,
who is like You?” (Psalms 35:10). The verse is referring to
the mitzvah of lulav [i.e., the four species]. The spine of the
The Test
O
nce the Baal Shem Tov sat with his disciples for the festive
meal of Rosh Chodesh, but his mood was serious. From
previous occasions the disciples knew how to bring their
Rebbe into a more joyous mood, and they tried, but with no success.
Then, a certain village-dwelling Jew entered, named Reb Dovid. Immediately
upon his entry the Baal Shem Tov was full of joy-he treated him warmly, gave
him a place to sit next to him, and also gave him his own Kiddush cup.
This matter caused the disciples to have questioning thoughts: Why were
they not able to rouse joy in their leader; yet only a village-dwelling Jew was
able to do so?!
The Baal Shem Tov sensed their questions, and sent Reb Dovid off to do
something. After he left he said to them:
This Reb Dovid works hard, by the sweat of his brow, for every penny he
lulav (palm tree), is like man’s spine; the hadas (myrtle),
is like the eye; the aravah (willow), is like the mouth; and
the etrog (citrus), is like the heart. David said: There are no
more important parts of the body than these and they are
equivalent to the entire body. Thus [when one takes the four
species, he is saying,] “All my bones shall declare” (Vayikra
Rabbah 31).
earns. During the year he saves a penny at a time to buy an esrog for
Sukkot, until he assembles the sum and travels to the city and buys
an extremely fine one, and he has great joy from it. Since he is poor,
and his wife is of bitter spirit, it angered her considerably that he
does not care about the condition of his household, since he spends
money on an esrog and rejoices over it. In her bitterness she broke the
pitom of the esrog rendering it unusable.
Now, besides the hard earned money that he spent on the esrog, there were
many obstacles to getting it, water to cross, bad roads, so that it all added up to
a great effort. Yet, when he saw what his wife had done he was not angry, but
said: “It appears that I am not worthy of such an esrog. Truly, does a simple Jew
like me deserve such a fine esrog?!”
“From the time of the ‘akeidah,’” (our patriarch Abraham’s readiness to
sacrifice his son Isaac in response to G-d’s command) concluded the Baal
Shem Tov, “there was not such a test of character, and therefore I treated him
so warmly.”
It’s time to start preparing for Sukkot!
Make a blessing
on your own
Lulav & Esrog
Complete lulav & esrog sets
$58.00
and up
To order or for further information, please call
(414) 961-6100 ext. 208
Deadline for orders is September ??.
Don’t have a Sukkah? We can help!
Easy to erect, easy to store, lightweight Sukkah
A variety of Sukkot are available on a first come
first serve basis. Order your Sukkah ASAP.
SizeSukkah
Bamboo Mat
6x6$336 $120
6x8
$392
$120
8x8
$448
$120
8x10
$504
$140
Custom sizes and professional assembly are available
upon request. Deadline for orders is September ??.
To order or for further information, please call
(414) 961-6100 ext. 208
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C h e c k o u t o u r w e e k ly o n l i n e m a g a z i n e at w w w. c h a b a d w i . o r g
Sukkos Under
the Stars
Sunday, September 26
5:30pm
at the Lubavitch House Sukkah
3109 N. Lake Drive
Bring Family & Friends
We’ll Sing, Dance & Say L’Chaim
‘till the Roof Comes Down!
The Evening’s Events Will Include:
Spectacular Food • Music • Fun for All Ages
Separate program and menu for younger children.
Cost in Advance: $20 adults, $10 children;
$65 family max, Sponsor: $150
At the Door: $25 adults; $15 children
For more information, or to RSVP
call 414-961-6100 or visit www.chabadwi.org/sukkos
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Shemini Atzeret
Shemini Atzeret
& Simchas Torah
September 28-29
T he F i n a l s
September 28-30
A Private Party
Following the seven days of Sukkot are Shemini Atzeret
and Simchas Torah, which culminate all the holidays of the
month of Tishrei. The Midrash compares this holiday to
an “intimate family party,” before the long journey into the
world for the rest of the winter. For us, as well as for G‑d
Himself, it is difficult to separate from the holiness of these
festive days, when we feel so close to G‑d, and we are now
about to engage in the mundane life of the rest of the year.
So G‑d asks us to “Tarry yet another day.”
Keeping the Connection
The High Holiday celebrations in all their exciting shades
and forms are out of the norm. We are overwhelmed by
their powerful spirits. The Yom Tov of Smemini Atzeret and
Simchas Torah following Sukkot represent the “Quite Private
Party,” right before the time we move forward into the
rest of the year. It is the time when we internalize the past
month’s inspiration; the “last stop” when we embrace and
re-harness ourselves to incorporate the holiday inspiration
into the new year’s everyday life.
Shemini Atzeret and Simchas Torah, like all Jewish
festivals and holidays are observed with kiddush, festive
meals, and restriction of work.
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On Shemini Atzeret, we continue to eat meals in the
Sukkah, but we do so without reciting the blessing of
“Layshev Ba’Sukkah.” On Simchas Torah, the ninth day, we
resume eating meals indoors.
Simchas Torah
A n E n d l ess J oy
September 29-30
Dancing & “Hakafos” (Circling)
On the evening and in the morning of Simchas Torah (some
also do so on the preceding evening of Shemini Atzeret),
all the Torah scrolls are taken from the ark and carried in a
parade of seven Hakafos, encircling the Bimah (the platform
of the synagogue) singing and dancing with the Torah
scrolls.
Simchas Torah, which means “rejoicing with the Torah,”
is celebrated with exuberant dancing. The rest of the year,
we approach the Torah with serious study. On Simchas
Torah, we approach, the Torah with joyful dance. This
holiday emphasizes that the Torah is the inheritance of every
single Jew – scholar and simple person alike.
Infectious Love
In completing the annual cycle of reading the Torah, we read
the final section of the Torah, after which we immediately
start to read the Torah again from the beginning. By starting
to read the Torah anew, we demonstrate that learning never
ends, especially when it comes to the Torah and its infinite
C h e c k o u t o u r w e e k ly o n l i n e m a g a z i n e at w w w. c h a b a d w i . o r g
wisdom. Children are given gifts of candy and fruit, because
it is stated, “The commandments of the L-rd are sweeter
than honey.”
Every part of the body has its mitzvah. We pray with our
lips, read Torah with our eyes, light Shabbat candles and give
charity with our hands. We study with our brain, love G‑d
with our heart, and hear the shofar with our ears. Similarly,
every mitzvah has its day. On Simchas Torah, the feet have
their day, as we march and dance with our feet, elevating and
uplifting our whole body in honoring the Torah.
“ This Is My Torah Scroll!”
Henryk was very young in 1945, when the War ended and solitary survivors
tried frantically to trace their relatives. He had spent what seemed to be most
of his life with his nanny, who had hidden him away from the Nazis at his
father’s request. There was great personal risk involved, but the woman had
readily taken it, as she loved the boy.
All the Jews were being killed, and Henryk’s nanny did
not think for a moment that the father would survive the
infamous destruction of the Vilna Ghetto. He would surely
have been transferred to Auschwitz -— and everyone knew
that nobody ever came back from Auschwitz. She therefore
had no scruples about adopting the boy, having him baptized
into the Catholic Church and taught catechism by the local
priest.
But the father survived the war. It was Simchat Torah
when he came to pick up his son. The heartbroken nanny
had packed all of the child’s clothing and his small catechism
book, stressing to the father that the boy had become a good
Catholic. The father took his son by the hand and led him
directly to the Great Synagogue of Vilna. On the way, he told his son that he
was a Jew and that his name was Avraham.
Not far from the house, they passed the church and the boy reverently
crossed himself, causing his father great anguish. Just then, a priest emerged
who knew the boy, and when Henryk rushed over to kiss his hand, the priest
spoke to him, reminding him of his Catholic faith.
Everything inside of the father wanted to drag his son away from the priest
and from the church. But he knew that this was not the way to do things.
He nodded to the priest, holding his son more closely. After all, these people
had harbored his child and saved the child’s life. He had to show his son
The celebration of Simchat Torah again emphasizes
Jewish unity. While there may be great differences between
one person and another, all are equal when it comes to
carrying the Torah and dancing with it on Simchas Torah.
The scholar and the simple person, the committed and
the estranged, dance together their arms intertwined with
any differences between them forgotten amidst this joyous
celebration.
Judaism, living Judaism, and in this way he will be drawn in and love and
adopt Judaism.
They entered the Great Synagogue of Vilna, now a remnant of a past,
vibrant Jewish era. There they found some Jewish survivors from Auschwitz
who had made their way back to Vilna and were now rebuilding their lives and
their Jewish spirits. Amid the stark reality of their suffering and terrible loss, in
much diminished numbers, they were singing and dancing with real joy while
celebrating Simchat Torah.
Avraham stared wide-eyed around him and picked up a
tattered prayer book with a touch of affection. Something
deep inside of him responded to the atmosphere, and he was
happy to be there with the father he barely knew. He held
back, though, from joining the dancing.
A Jewish man wearing a Soviet Army uniform could not
take his eyes off the boy, and he came over to the boy’s father.
“Is this child... Jewish?” he asked, a touch of awe in his voice.
The father answered that the boy was Jewish and
introduced his son. As the soldier stared at Henryk-Avraham,
he fought to hold back tears. “Over these four terrible years,
I have traveled thousands of miles, and this is the first live
Jewish child I have come across in all this time. Would you
like to dance with me on my shoulders?” he asked the boy, who was staring
back at him, fascinated.
The father nodded permission, and the soldier hoisted the boy high onto his
shoulders. With tears now coursing down his cheeks and a heart full of real joy,
the soldier joined in the dancing.
“This is my Torah scroll,” he cried.
Abe Foxman, the national director of the Anti-Defamation League -- the
Avraham in our story -- remembers this as his first conscious feeling of a
connection with Judaism and of being a Jew.
From Chabad.org
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H akafot
The Five Books of Moses are divided into 53 portions, called
parshas. Each week, we read one parsha, completing the entire
scroll every year. The cycle begins on the last Shabbos of Tishrei
and ends on Simchat Torah. To celebrate, on the night of Simchat Torah, we, as well as on
the next morning, sing dance and sing with the Torah. Go find
another people that dance with a book. But for Jewish people,
Torah is not just a book to study, it is life. For over 3,300 years,
we have held tight to it, despite all odds, and it has kept us in
existence. On Simchat Torah, they say, the Torah itself wants to
rejoice – and we provide the legs.
It’s a Cycle.
It’s Dancing.
S
imchat Torah, coming as it does at the end of the
Holidays, is only the beginning. It’s a cycle. (Like
dancing in a circle.) Every year, Simchat Torah celebrates
completing the cycle of the annual Torah reading. Then we
begin anew. It’s a cycle. So Simchat Torah finishes off the
Holidays and begins the new year with a dance. We take the
Torah in a circle and dance. And dance and dance and dance.
And then dance some more.
It’s a time of completion, of new beginnings. A cycle. We take
the Holiday spirit, joy, and energy with us and dance into the
cycle of a new year.
And you’re invited! We’ll be having Simchat Torah dancing,
with refreshments and celebration, programs for the kids —
and more dancing.
So join us on Simchat Torah, as the Torah sweeps us off our
feet and we start off the year on the right foot.
SHEMINI ATZERET
Evening Service
Morning Service
SIMCHAT TORAH
Grand Torah Celebration
Morn. Service
Kiddush
Children Called Up
Wed, Sept. 22
Thu., Sept. 23
Thu., Sept. 23
Fri., Sept. 24
6:00pm
9:00am
7:30pm
9:00am
6:30pm 6:45pm 6:30pm 6:30pm
9:00am 10:00am 10:00pm 10:00am
6:30pm 6:45pm 6:25pm 7:30pm
9:00am 10:00am 10:00am 10:00am
Wed., Sep. 29
Thu., Sept. 30
6:00pm
9:00am
6:30pm 6:30pm 6:15pm 6:30pm
9:00am 10.00am 10:00am 10:00am
Thu., Sept. 30
Fri., Oct. 1
Fri., Oct. 1
Fri., Oct. 1
6:45pm 7:30pm 7:45pm 7:10pm 7:10pm
9:00am 10:00am 10:00am 10:00am 10:00am
10:20am 10:45am 10:45am 11:00am 10:50am
12:00pm 12:30pm 11:30am 12:30pm 11:40am
THE SHUL-EAST – Milwaukee
3109 N. Lake Drive
(414) 961-6100, ext. 205
THE SHUL – Bayside
383 W. Brown Deer Rd., (414) 228-8000
Agudas Achim Chabad – Mequon
2233 West Mequon Rd
(262) 242-2235
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Bnai Zedek Chabad
Kenosha –
Evening Service 1st Day
Morning Service 1st Day
Evening Service 2nd Day
Morning Service 2nd Day
Agudis Achim Chabad
Mequon –
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SUKKOT
The Shul East
Milwaukee –
There is no Mitzvah in the Torah to dance on Simchat Torah. But
on this day, we renew our endless love affair with G-d’s Holy
Torah—so who could we not celebrate? And when G-d sees us
celebrating the Torah He gave us, how could He not celebrate?
Even the Torah itself yearns to celebrate—so we provide it the
feet to dance.
The Torah, it would seem, is a book to study. Whoever got
it into his mind to dance with a book? But just think of it – we
Jews have given our lives for the Torah for over 3,300 years.
Our connection to it goes far beyond scholarship and the mind.
It’s something inner, something deep that resonates inside,
something we cannot describe with words or with ideas. But
with dance and song, an inkling of that inner bond comes out.
On Simchat Torah, even more than all the other high and
lofty days of Tishrei, the Jewish people rejoice in an awesome
oneness. When people study Torah, some understand more than
others. But you don’t dance with your head—you dance with
your feet. The feet are all at the same level.
The Shul
Bayside –
W hen a J ew B ecomes a F oot
for the Torah .
Chabad of Madison
With a dance.
Chabad of Madison
1722 Regent Madison, (608) 231-3450
Bnai Zedek Chabad – Kenosha
For info on locations contact
262-359-0770
t w e l v e M e d i tat i ons
in Preparation for the High Holidays August 28 – September 8, 2010
18th of Elul – Aug. 28th
“Chai” Elul (the 18th day of Elul)
is the twelfth to last day of the
year. Over the subsequent twelve
days, we examine the year gone
by, each day representing one
month. Chai Elul corresponds to
the first month of the year – last
Tishrei (Sept 19 – Oct 18, 2009).
On this day, we look back at the month which contains all
of the High Holidays.
Today we ask: Have we internalized the spirit of Rosh
Hashanah and Yom Kippur – the idea of putting our
relationship with G-d first? Have we absorbed the message
of Sukkot and Simchat Torah – taking joy in our special
closeness with G-d?
19th of Elul – Aug. 29th
This day corresponds to the
second month of the outgoing year
– Cheshvan (Oct 19 – Nov 17,
2009). It is in Cheshvan, following
the excitement of a full month of
celebration, that we come back
down to earth, so to speak, and
apply the holiday spirit to our everyday lives.
Today we ask: How well have we brought our spiritual
inspiration into the practical realm?. Have we undertaken to
do an additional mitzvah and made good on our resolutions?
Can we honestly point to a remarkable improvement in our
conduct since last year’s celebrations? Do we attempt to
sanctify the mundane?
20th of Elul – Aug. 30th
This day corresponds to the third
month of the outgoing year – Kislev
(Nov 18 – Dec 17, 2009). Kislev is
the month of Chanukah – when
we celebrate our feelings of warmth
and excitement toward Judaism,
even in the face of coldness and
darkness.
Today we ask: How have we ignited the spark of
our inner soul so that it warms us from the coldness of
apathy and shines bright in the face of the darkness of our
surroundings? Have we increased in acts of goodness and
kindness, always adding light and never decreasing it?
21st of Elul – Aug. 31st
This day corresponds to the
fourth month of the outgoing
year – Teves (Dec 18, 2009 – Jan
15, 2010), the month in which
intense cold sets in.
Today we ask: Are we “frozen”
in our ways, or have we shown a
willingness to overcome the ego’s
stubborn coldness and let go of set habits?
22nd of Elul – Sept. 1st
This day corresponds to the
month of Shevat (Jan 16 – Feb 14,
2010). In this month, we mark Tu
B’Shevat – “The Rosh Hashanah
for Trees” – when, following
winter, nature experiences the first
stirrings of renewed life – the
sap flowing in the trees. The fruit that the trees will yield
represent pleasure and delight.
Today we ask: Have we experienced our own inner
stirrings, a reawakening? Do we take pleasure in doing a
mitzvah and in our service of G-d?
23rd of Elul – Sept. 2nd
This day corresponds to the
month of Adar (Feb 15 – Mar 15,
2010) – the month of Purim. On
Purim, our joy knows no bounds,
for we realize that G-d’s hand
guides us even in the most strange
and unlikely circumstances.
Today we ask: Do we perceive G-d’s role in the events of
our lives? Do we allow this to make us happy?
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24th of Elul – Sept. 3rd
This day corresponds to the
month of Nissan (Mar 16 – Apr
14, 2010) – the month of our
redemption from Egypt. On the
Festival of our Redemption, we
commemorate that G-d removed
us from our physical, as well as
our spiritual limitations, so that we could freely serve Him.
We gratefully reflect on the freedom that G-d has given us.
Today we ask: Do we fully utilize the opportunity to
transcend our limits and rise above? Do we recognize that
G-d has done for us what we could not do for ourselves,
thereby allowing us to enjoy a life of maximum fulfillment
and usefulness?
25th of Elul – Sept. 4th
This day corresponds to the
month of Iyar (Apr 15 – May 13,
2010) – the only month in the
Jewish calendar in which there is
a special mitzvah to perform every
day. As we count the days of the
Omer, the 49-day period between
our redemption from Egypt on Pesach and our receiving the
Torah at Sinai on Shavuos, we appreciate the unique quality
of each day. Time is precious. Each day has the potential to
be made holy.
Today we ask: Do we respect the sanctity of time? Are we
mindful of how we spend our days, hours and even minutes?
Do we seek the G-dliness of the “now”? And simply, do we
do a mitzvah every single day?
26th of Elul – Sept. 5th
This day corresponds to the month
of Sivan (May 14 – Jun 12, 2010)
– the month of our receiving the
Torah on Mt. Sinai. As celebrated
on the holiday of Shavuot, G-d
gifted us with knowledge of His
will, permanently linking spiritual
with physical, the holy with the mundane.
Today we ask: Do we cherish the gift of the Torah? Do
we set regular times for Torah study? What is the level of our
Torah knowledge in comparison to our intellectual capacities
and our knowledge of other things?
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27th of Elul – Sept. 6th
This day corresponds to the
month of Tammuz (Jun 13 – Jul
11, 2010). The summer heat is at
its peak. We seize the opportunity
to channel this warmth into G-dly
things.
Today we ask: How do we
respond to easiness and comfort? Do we respond passively,
missing the opportunity for something special, or do we
capitalize on the chance to do something productive?
28th of Elul – Sept. 7th
This day corresponds to the month
of Av (Jul 12 – Aug 10, 2010) –
the month of the destruction of
Holy Temple. On Tisha B’Av, we
feel the pain of our people’s exile
and yearn for a better world for all
humankind that will be brought
through the coming of Moshiach.
Today we ask: How do we respond to the problems of
this world? Do we ignore them, bemoan them, or do we
channel our pain into positive action that will heal ourselves
and others?
29th of Elul – Sept. 8th
Today is Erev Rosh Hashanah. It is
the last day of the outgoing year.
This day corresponds to the last
month of the year – Elul (Aug 11
– Sept 8, 2010). This is the month
for personal stock-taking. We
reflect on our latest meditations
and the inventory we took. We consider the importance of
being honest with ourselves.
Today we ask: Do we have a realistic self-image? Can we
see our strengths as well as our weaknesses? Are we ready to
change whatever needs changing and stand before the King?
C h e c k o u t o u r w e e k ly o n l i n e m a g a z i n e at w w w. c h a b a d w i . o r g
In gratitude to the Rebbe’s, Rabbi Menachem M.
Schneerson, OBM, gift of love – we present the
following fascinating story.
A Jew in
Bangladesh
M
r. Max Cohen from Manchester, England received
a call from a business associate in Bangladesh.
“Mr. Cohen, we’ve prepared a large shipment
of merchandise for you. We are eagerly awaiting
your arrival, so we can close the deal.” Mr. Cohen was
equally keen on the deal. For years, he had benefited from
his association with the textile industry in that country. And
yet he had mixed feelings.
He was familiar with the country, rife with civil uprisings
and natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods, and
earthquakes.
Only a year earlier, he had fled the country without
concluding his business, after violent fighting had broken
out in the streets. Some months later, en route from Hong
Kong, he canceled a stop-over in Bangladesh because a fullforce cyclone had ripped through the country.
His associates tried repeatedly to calm his fears. “Things
are quiet now, Max,” they reassured him. “The streets are
calm and the worst is over. There’s nothing to worry about.”
Mr. Cohen was still not convinced. After considerable
deliberation, he proceeded with the arrangements for the
trip, but faxed the details of his plans to the Lubavitcher
Rebbe, asking his advice and blessing.
His flight was scheduled for the following Sunday.
Throughout the entire week, Mr. Cohen remained in contact
with the Rebbe’s office in Brooklyn, inquiring whether or not
he had received a reply, but to no avail. Sunday morning, Mr.
Cohen called the Rebbe’s secretary at his home. “Is there
anything you can do for me? I need an answer urgently.”
“It would be impossible for me to ask the Rebbe today.
As you know, the Rebbe spends much of his day on Sunday
distributing dollars,” the secretary said. (Beginning in 1986,
the Rebbe would stand for five to seven hours receiving
visitors, each of whom would receive a dollar to distribute
to charity, coupled with a blessing and advice.)
In the evening Mr. Cohen drove to the airport. There was
still time before the 10:30 PM departure from London. “If
an answer from the Rebbe comes, I’ll be ready to go,” he
thought as he checked in.
While other passengers relaxed in the departure lobby,
Mr. Cohen nervously called Lubavitch headquarters several
times. In his dilemma, he called his brother-in-law, David
Jaffe, who lived in the Rebbe’s neighborhood of Crown
Heights, for advice. After he hung up the phone, David had
an idea. He hurried over to the dollar line and asked the
Rebbe for a reply for his brother-in-law.
The 9:00PM news in London reported that another
cyclone had hit Bangladesh. That, and the fact that by 10:00
S p e c i a l H i g h H o l i d ay s p r e s e n tat i o n at w w w. c h a b a d w i . o r g / H i g h H o l i d ay s
29
PM he had not received an answer from the
who is involved in Lubavitch activity.” He
Rebbe, were enough to cause Mr. Cohen to
had traveled to Bangladesh many times.
‘This is for the
cancel his flight.
His business associates were all Moslems,
shaliach (emissary)
As his baggage was being removed
and so was almost everyone else he had
from the plane, he placed a final call to his
ever met there. A Jew in Bangladesh? A
in Bangladesh.’ I
father-in-law, Abraham Jaffe in Manchester.
Lubavitch activist? Even if so how was he
stood transfixed in
“I’ll have to stay overnight in London,” he
supposed to locate him in a population of
said. “I’ll return to Manchester tomorrow.”
114 million...?
amazement. ‘Jews
As they conversed, Mr. Cohen began to
Upon arriving in the city of Chaitong
in Bangladesh?
unwind and relax from the tense hours
in Eastern Bangladesh, Mr. Cohen checked
he had gone through. The men continued
into his hotel and set out to find the person
talking casually for a while when Mr. Jaffe heard a beep on
for whom the Rebbe had sent the dollar.
his line. “Excuse me, Max, I have another call. I’ll put you
After two days of searching, Mr. Cohen returned to his
on hold for just a moment.”
hotel weary and frustrated. Just then he noticed a man
On the other line was his son David from Crown
hurrying towards the elevator before its doors closed. There
Heights. “I have news for Max,” he said excitedly, “But I
was something striking in the man’s face. A thought flashed
don’t know how to reach him.” (These were the days before
through his mind. He retraced his steps towards the elevator.
cell phones). With a press on the button, the elder Mr. Jaffe
“Excuse me, sir, are you Jewish?”
connected Max with a conference call. The two men listened
The man turned around and stared at Mr. Cohen. The
in anticipation as David related his story.
elevator doors closed, but the man remained standing there.
“When I reached the Rebbe it was 5:00 PM, and already
“Yes.”
10:00 PM in London. I described Max’s situation to the
Minutes later, the two men were deep in conversation
Rebbe explaining that he was at the airport waiting for the
in Mr. Cohen’s hotel room. Two Jews, two worlds of
Rebbe’s blessing. ‘It’s tumultuous there,’ the Rebbe said. I
business, personal concerns, and interesting experiences
ventured to tell the Rebbe that things had become calmer.
came together in a meeting of chance in distant Bangladesh.
The Rebbe then handed me a dollar for Max and gave him
Or was it chance? As they conversed, Mr. Cohen sensed
his blessing for a successful journey.
that this indeed was the man he was looking for.
“I turned to go, but the Rebbe’s attendant called me
“The Lubavitcher Rebbe asked me to deliver a dollar to
back. The Rebbe gave me another dollar and said: ‘This is
a Jew who is involved in Lubavitch activity in Bangladesh.”
for the shaliach (emissary) in Bangladesh.’ I stood transfixed
The man, who had introduced himself as Walter from
in amazement. ‘Jews in Bangladesh?’ I wondered. ‘And a
North Carolina, was visibly moved. “Yes, I know the
Lubavitch shaliach at that?’ The Rebbe surely noticed my
Lubavitcher Rebbe, and from time to time I am involved in
astonishment, for he added: ‘There is a Jew in that country
Lubavitch activities,” he said slowly. “I suppose this is the
who is involved with Lubavitch work.’
Rebbe’s way of expressing his concern and encouragement
“Listen, I’m going to forward the dollars by special
to a simple Jew halfway around the globe.”
delivery to Max’s hotel in Bangladesh. I won’t keep you
And Walter began to tell his story: “My import-export
another moment.”
business takes me to many places throughout the world, but
There was no time to lose. Laden with his suitcases that
I have spent most of my recent years in Bangladesh. Come
had already been deplaned, and the Rebbe’s blessing, Mr.
what may, however, I always go back to North Carolina at
Cohen boarded in the nick of time. The long flight gave
least twice a year, for Passover and for the High Holidays.
him ample time to recollect his thoughts and muse at the
“Before my business brought me to Bangladesh, I was an
unbelievable chain of events. If David hadn’t had that idea;
active member of the Jewish community in Charlotte, North
if I hadn’t called my father-in-law; if we hadn’t prolonged
Carolina. We have a large community with many members,
our conversation; if David’s call would have come a minute
but like other communities in the States, many do not
later... what Divine Providence!
observe mitzvot. Intermarriage is on the rise and our youth
But what was mostly on his mind was the mysterious
lack direction. So I wholeheartedly welcomed the young
mission from the Rebbe to deliver a dollar to “a Jew
Lubavitch couple who arrived in North Carolina in 1980,
30
C h e c k o u t o u r w e e k ly o n l i n e m a g a z i n e at w w w. c h a b a d w i . o r g
Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak and Mrs. Mariasha Groner.
“I did my best to help them acclimate themselves into
our community and get started with their work. I maintain a
steady relationship with them even though seven years have
passed since I moved here.
“While phoning Rabbi Groner some years
ago, I discussed an issue which had been
on my mind. Over the years, I had met
a number of Jewish families who spend
extended periods of time here in Bangladesh
on business. They and their children had very
little, if any, connection with Jewish values
and observance.
“Rabbi Groner helped me organize a Jewish education
program for the children. Since then, he has been sending
me educational material from North Carolina.
“Once, about three years ago, Rabbi Groner mentioned
F ROM OUR
M A I LBO X
that he had included a report of my Bangladesh activities in
his periodic reports of his own activities to the Rebbe.”
Walter continued slowly and his next words were
emotionally charged: “Don’t ask me too many questions
about our providential meeting here. I
honestly have no rational answer, except that
the Rebbe saw fit to encourage me, a distant
Jew whom he heard about three years ago.
“I and all the families with whom I am
involved, live in Dhaka, the capital. My
business affairs have always been located in
the same area. I never traveled to other parts
of this country until this Monday morning, when I felt a
sudden urge to see some of the tourist attractions in this
area.
“This is how I happened to be here in Chaitong. I plan
to return to Dhaka tomorrow morning.” •
California… David teaches at a Jewish high school
in Mahattan. His wife, A, teaches kindergarten at
another Jewish school. They have two little boys,
Max and Sam. Y is married to S…. and doing editing and writing for internet publications. They have
a little boy, Eitan….
Again, I want to thank you for the wonderful
influence you had on my family and so many others. You and your family have brought light and true
“yiddishkeit” to Milwaukee. May G-d always bless you and your family.
S.D.
We wanted to tell
you how thankful we
are of having met you
and known you over all
these years. You have
made our lives bigger, better, more meaningful and
more profound. You opened our Jewish world and
introduced us to many wonderful spiritual, social,
educational worlds that have changed our lives
forever. Thank you for guiding us and always being
there for us, and the incredible place you helped us
belong to….
With love and sincerity,
I am moving to New York City as of July 19. I will
be living on the lower East side next to where David
and his family live. I want to thank you for all of your kindness over
the years. Your family, and Chabad in general, gave
strong reinforcement to the Jewish values my late
husband and I gave our family.
As you know, Devorah, you can take credit for
changing N’s entire experience years back when
you taught at Hillel Academy. Gan Israel also had a
tremendous positive effect on my children. N is head of Jewish studies at the University of
Dear Rabbi Shmotkin,
…I’d like to share with you the following. In the
early 1990s, after the Soviet Union began to allow
Jews to emigrate, my ex-wife and I volunteered
with the Milwaukee Jewish Federation to host a
family and assist with their resettlement here. Their
names were Mikhail (Misha) and Olga…. Misha
had a pretty good command of English but Olga’s
was rudimentary… They both applied to the
Marquette dental school… At the time I was on
the biology faculty at Marquette and was able to
convince the dean that although Olga’s English was
a work in progress, that she was very disciplined
and that I was sure she could succeed. They were
both accepted, and both are now licensed dentists
in Phoenix, AZ where they have a thriving practice.
Shortly after the family emigrated, Misha’s
parents also came over, also as refugees. However,
Misha’s sister and her family were denied refugee
status by the state department. The sister had
married a non-Jew and the state department had
decided that the whole family was not Jewish and
their application for refugee status was rejected.
We wrote our congressional delegation and Senator
Robert Kasten was very helpful. With the senator’s
help, the sister and her family were offered parole
status. Parole status required that an American
citizen take complete financial responsibility for
the family (they could not receive government
assistance). I went to my synagogue and was told
by my associate rabbi... that they could never take
on such a commitment and that they would not
assist in finding a member of the congregation that
would. I argued that according to Jewish law the
mother and children were Jewish and why did they
have a sign in front of the building for all of those
years demanding the release of Soviet Jews if they
weren’t willing to take responsibility for them.
Somehow, you got involved. I don’t know if I
asked you or Misha approached you, but you signed
the papers. At the time you said, “with all my
children, what are they going to do, put me in jail?”
The family did emigrate to Milwaukee….
So that’s the story; it’s been 20 years. Maybe, if
you remember more, you can fill in the blanks.
Warm regards,
A.F.
S p e c i a l H i g h H o l i d ay s p r e s e n tat i o n at w w w. c h a b a d w i . o r g / H i g h H o l i d ay s
31
32
C h e c k o u t o u r w e e k ly o n l i n e m a g a z i n e at w w w. c h a b a d w i . o r g
What’s Happening
at Lubavitch of Wisconsin
Gimmel
Tammuz Event
S p e c i a l H i g h H o l i d ay s p r e s e n tat i o n at w w w. c h a b a d w i . o r g / H i g h H o l i d ay s
33
Lag B’ Omer
34
C h e c k o u t o u r w e e k ly o n l i n e m a g a z i n e at w w w. c h a b a d w i . o r g
Camp Gan
Israel
S p e c i a l H i g h H o l i d ay s p r e s e n tat i o n at w w w. c h a b a d w i . o r g / H i g h H o l i d ay s
35
Jewish Beginnings
Lubavitch Preschool
Graduation
36
C h e c k o u t o u r w e e k ly o n l i n e m a g a z i n e at w w w. c h a b a d w i . o r g
Mequon
Hillel Academy
S p e c i a l H i g h H o l i d ay s p r e s e n tat i o n at w w w. c h a b a d w i . o r g / H i g h H o l i d ay s
37
High Holiday Candle Lighting Blessings & Schedules 5771 / 2010
Date
Holiday/Event
Blessing # Milwaukee Madison
Wed. Sept.8
Thu. Sept. 9
Fri. Sept. 10
Fri. Sept. 17
Sat. Sept. 18
Wed. Sept. 22
Thu. Sept. 23
Fri. Sept. 24
Wed. Sept.29
Thu. Sept. 30
Fri. Oct. 1
1st Eve of Rosh Hashanah 1, 5*
2nd Eve of Rosh Hashanah 1, 5**
2nd Day of Rosh Hashanah - Eve. Shabbat Shuva 2***
Eve. Yom Kippur 3, 5***
Fast Ends
1st Eve of Sukkot 4, 5*
2nd Eve of Sukkot 4, 5**
2nd Day of Sukkot - Eve. Shabbat Chol a Moed 2 ***
Eve of Shemini Atzeret 4, 5 *
Eve of Simchat Torah 4, 5**
Day of Simchat Torah - Eve. Shabbat “Bereshit” 2 ***
6:57
8:04
6:54
6:41
7:40
6:32
7.:39
6:29
6:20
7:27
6:16
7:03
8:10
7:00
6:47
7:46
6:38
7:45
6:35
6:26
7:33
6:22
Kenosha
6:57
8:04
6:53
7:52
7:39
6:32
7:39
6:28
6:19
7:26
6:16
Green Bay La Crosse
6:59
8:06
6:55
6:42
7:42
6:33
7:40
6:29
6:20
7:27
6:16
7:11
8:18
7:08
6:55
7:54
6:46
7:53
6:42
6:33
7:40
6:29
Beloit
Superior
Eau Claire
Wausau
7:02
8:09
6:58
6:46
7:44
6:37
7:44
6:33
6:24
7:31
6:21
7:17
8:24
7:13
6:59
7:57
6:46
7:53
6:42
6:32
7:39
6:28
7:13
8:20
7:10
6:56
7:56
6:47
7:54
6:43
6:34
7:41
6:30
7:06
8:13
7:02
6:49
7:49
6:40
7:47
6:36
6:26
7:33
6:22
* If lighting after sunset - light only from a pre-existing flame. ** Do not light before the time indicated. *** Do not light after sunset. # Light only from a pre-existing flame.
A pre-existing flame is a flame burning continuously from the onset of the festival, such as a pilot light, gas or candle flame.
1. Bo-ruch A-toh Ado-noi E-lo-hei-nu Me-lech Ho-olom A-sher Ki-desha-nu Be-mitz-vo-sov Vi-tzi-vo-nu Le-had-lik Ner Shel Yom Ha-zi-ko-ron.
Blessed are you, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe, who has sanctified us by
His commandments, and has commanded us to kindle the light of the Day
of Remembrance.
2. Bo-ruch A-toh Ado-noi E-lo-hei-nu Me-lech Ho-olom A-sher Ki-desha-nu Be-mitz-vo-sov Vi-tzi-vo-nu Le-had-lik Ner Shel Sha-bos Ko-desh.
Blessed are you, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe, who has sanctified us by
His commandments, and has commanded us to kindle the light of the Holy
Sabbath.
3. Bo-ruch A-toh Ado-noi E-lo-hei-nu Me-lech Ho-olom A-sher Ki-desha-nu Be-mitz-vo-sov Vi-tzi-vo-nu Le-had-lik Ner Shel Sha-bos V’shel Yom
Ha-ki-purim.
Blessed are you, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe, who has sanctified us by
His commandments, and has commanded us to kindle the light of the Holy
Sabbath and Yom Kippur.
4. Bo-ruch A-toh Ado-noi E-lo-hei-nu Me-lech Ho-olom A-sher Ki-desha-nu Be-mitz-vo-sov Vi-tzi-vo-nu Le-had-lik Ner Shel Yom Tov.
Blessed are you, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe, who has sanctified us
by His commandments, and has commanded us to kindle the light of the
Festival Day.
38
C h e c k o u t o u r w e e k ly o n l i n e m a g a z i n e at w w w. c h a b a d w i . o r g
5. Bo-ruch A-toh Ado-noi E-lo-hei-nu Me-lech
Ho-olom She-heh-che-yoh-nu Vi-ki-ye-mo-nu
Ve-he-ge-o-nu Liz-man Ha-zeh.
Blessed are you, Lord our G-d, King of the
universe, who has granted us life, sustained us,
and enabled us to reach this occasion.
Eiruv Tavshilin
Preparing for Shabbat
September 8, 22, 29
This year, Rosh Hashanah, Sukkot and
Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah fall
on Thursday and Friday. Generally, on
the Festivals we are only permitted to
prepare (cook, bake, etc.) foods necessary
for that day. How then are we to prepare
Shabbat?
An Eiruv Tavshilin allows us to “join” Thursday and Friday’s Shabbat preparations to
those begun on the eve of the Festival.
On the eve of each holiday, before sundown, we set aside one baked item (such
as Challah) and one cooked item to accompany it (such as meat, fish or eggs) as
designated for Shabbat.
Now, any further food we prepare
for Shabbat (on Thursday or Friday) is
regarded as a continuation of this initial
preparation.
We recite the following blessing:
Bo-ruch A-toh Ado-noi E-lo-hei-nu Melech Ho-olom A-sher Ki-de-sha-nu Bemitz-vo-sov Ve-tzi-vanu Al Mitz-vat Ei-ruv.
Blessed are You, L-rd our G‑d, King of the
Universe, who has sanctified us by His
commandments, and commanded us
concerning the mitzvah of Eiruv.
Then declare:
By means of this Eruv it shall be permissible for us to bake, cook, put away a dish
to preserve its heat, kindle a light (from a
pre-existing flame), and prepare on Yom
Tov everything we need for Shabbos.
The food from the Eruv should be put
aside to be eaten on Shabbos. The best
time to eat it is on Shabbos afternoon.
BLESSING ON THE SUKKAH
BLESSING ON THE FOUR KINDS
September 22-29
September 24-29
During the seven days of Sukkot when
Every day of Sukkot, except Shabbat, we make a blessing over the “Four Kinds.”
Preferably this mitzvah is performed in the morning, however, if missed, one may
do it all day until sunset.
eating bread or cake in the Sukkah,
recite blessing #8. Many maintain the
custom of eating or drinking nothing
outside the Sukkah. When observing
this mitzvah for the first time this
season, recite blessing #5 (see page 8,
bottom right box).
Here is how to do it: Take the lulav/palm branch bound with the myrtle and willow
in the right hand and say blessing #8. Then pick up the esrog/citron with the left
hand and hold it together with the lulav/palm branch.
When observing this mitzvah for the first time this season, recite blessing #5 (see
page 38, middle right box).
It is customary to wave the Four Kinds to all four points of the compass as well
upward and downward.
6. Bo-ruch A-toh Ado-noi E-lo-hei-nu
Me-lech Ho-olom A-sher Ki-de-sha-nu
Be-mitz-vo-sov Ve-tzi-vanu Le-shev
Ba-su-kkah.
Blessed are You, L-rd our G‑d, King of
the universe, who has sanctified us with
His commandments, and commanded
us to sit in the Sukkah.
7. Bo-ruch A-toh Ado-noi E-lo-hei-nu Me-lech Ho-olam A-sher Ki-desha-nu Be-mitvo-sov Ve-tzi-vanu Al Ne-ti-las Lu-lov.
Blessed are You, L-rd, our G‑d, King of the universe, who has sanctified
us with His commandments and has commanded us to hold the lulav.
Did you get your lulav & esrog?
See page 22 for details.
S p e c i a l H i g h H o l i d ay s p r e s e n tat i o n at w w w. c h a b a d w i . o r g / H i g h H o l i d ay s
39
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Celebration!
H i g h H o l i d ay s
5771 / 2010
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