Victory Rally in Binyanei Ha'Uma, tomorrow Sunday
Join us? tomorrow for the Victory Rally in Jerusalem tomorrow at 7p.m. in Binyanei Ha¡¯Uma
Be a part
of the dynamic groundswell of people seeking true victory and the return of the
Jewish people to the Gaza Strip.
It will be
a meaningful, moving and practical event.
Make
your voice, calling on the government for the re-settlement of the Gaza Strip, heard
by joining the Victory Rally tomorrow.
Gila
Slonim
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Today's Inspiration - Shavua tov!
The Garments of Esau
Several university students, unmistakably Jews, passed the Belzer Rabbi on a thoroughfare. The rabbi siged and said: "I am not opposed to non-Jewish education. Even our father Jacob adopted Esau's garments in order to obtain a blessing. I sigh, however, because, unlike our father Jacob, they do not return to the culture of Israel after they have received a blessing of secular learning. For the most part, they decline to remove the garmetns of Esau."
Source: Dor Deah
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SEFER CHOFETZ CHAIM
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Day 135 ¨C Sensitivities
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To cause outright animosity between Jews is to speak rechilus; to effect a minor degree of ill feeling between Jews is to speak Avak Rechilus. An example of the latter is where one relates that someone spoke about the listener
in a manner which is neither derogatory nor harmful, but which may cause the listener to be disappointed with that individual. The classic example of this is where Hashem spoke critically to Avraham of Sarah for her having expressed incredulity upon hearing
an angel (disguised as a wayfarer) say that she would bear a child. Hashem said, ¡°Why did Sarah laugh, to say, ¡®Shall I in truth bear a child, though I have aged?¡¯ ¡± (Bereishis?18:13).
In fact, Sarah had said, ¡°And my husband is old.¡± (V. 12). Talmud Yerushalmi (Pe¡¯ah 1:1) states that to repeat such a statement would be to speak avak rechilus. Now, to say that a man of ninety-nine is old is neither derogatory nor damaging. However, it is
a bit discomforting for a person of advanced age to hear that his spouse speaks of him as an ¡°old man;¡± therefore, to report such a remark is to speak avak rechilus.
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SEFER SHMIRAS HALOSHON
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More Points to Ponder
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One should ponder the severe retribution, both in this world and the next, which is liable to result from arrogance. The Talmud states that arrogance causes one¡¯s properties to become ruined (Succah 29b) and one¡¯s resources to become depleted (Sotah 5a). The
Sages further state (ibid.) that regarding an arrogant person, Hashem says, ¡°He and I cannot dwell together in the world.¡¯¡¯ Rabbi Elazar said: ¡°Whoever is arrogant will not awaken at the time of the Resurrection¡± (ibid.). This last punishment is measure for
measure. Instead of pondering the fact that he will ultimately be laid to rest in the earth, the arrogant person acts as if he will enjoy prominence forever, living a life of stature in which he will always be a notch above everyone else. Because of his sinful
attitude, when his body will become part of the dust of the earth, it will lack the power to come back to life. When everyone else will return to life, he will remain asleep, underneath the feet of the people above whom he had glorified himself.
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Furthermore, arrogance makes one repulsive before Hashem, as it is written, ¡°Despicable to Hashem are all who are arrogant of heart¡± (Mishlei 16:5). |
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The Coach had a heart attack
Even the health coach can have a heart attack. Read here about my health adventure. Click on the link in the comments to see my blog that appeared in The Jerusalem Post Thursday. ? ?
? Schedule your FREE consultation Our FREE 20 minute consultation can help you find the program best for you.
We offer Wellness coaching, Health and Fitness assessments,?and Exercise both in our office and ONLINE. ?? info@...
? 02- 651-8502;?050-555-7175 (between 8:00-19:00) ? ? Sign up for our newsletter¡ªinfo@...?? ?
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Advanced Training Program for Therapists
The Place invites New Practicing Therapists to Join our:
?? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?Advanced Training Program
Facilitated By Dov Moshe Litwin, MSW, JD, Certified
Supervisor And Trainer
Dov offers you 30 years of experience and 9 years as a
trainer and supervisor.
Learn more about this exciting new program at our
informational evening on:
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?Wednesday,
February 14, 2024 ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? 20:00
- 22:00?
Some of what you will learn when you join our training
program:
- Master
instinct and competence in the therapy room
- Learn
to individualize your client¡¯s process of healing
- Master
¡°safe¡± challenging
- Acquire
confidence with your clients
- What
books can never teach you
Very Practical...Very Experiential...Very Dynamic
RSVP: Call: 054-844-0868 Email: info@...?
----------------------------------------------------------------------- The Place, The Jerusalem Centre for Emotional Wellbeing Phone: 02-5818299 WhatsApp: 054-2601468 Website:? 2/19 Sheshet Hayamim, Kneissa Gimmel, Ramat Eshkol
Bus Lines:? 22, 25,
39, 45, 59, 65, 68, 69, 77, 77A Light Rail:?
Ammunition Hill Stop
The
Place is under the Rabbinical Guidance of Rabbi Yitzchak Breitowitz, Shlita -
Rav Kehillas Ohr Somayach
?
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SEFER CHOFETZ CHAIM
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Day 134 ¨C Seeking Assistance????????????
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When seeking a person¡¯s assistance, be it financial or otherwise, one may not mention that he knows of others who received similar assistance from this individual ¨C unless the individual is known to appreciate the publicizing
of that fact.
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This rule is based on the concern that a person may not want his charitable acts to become public knowledge, as this could bring about an endless barrage of requests for his assistance. By mentioning his having made a contribution to a certain person, one reveals
that the recipient shared the information with others ¨C which may cause the donor to be upset with that recipient.
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When reference to the recipient is made to bolster one¡¯s own request and not to cause animosity, it is categorized as avak rechilus.
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SEFER SHMIRAS HALOSHON
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Arrogance
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Among the root causes of loshon hora is arrogance. The arrogant person views himself as a man of wisdom and stature, and he looks down upon everyone else. It is therefore only natural that he will ridicule others. The arrogant person is also filled with jealousy
and enmity toward anyone in his community who is accorded greater honor than he. He tells himself, ¡°Were it not for him, I would be the recipient of all that honor!¡¯¡¯ This attitude brings him to delve into the other person¡¯s history until he finds something
derogatory to say about him, be it true or false, so that he can heap scorn and shame upon that individual and lower his stature among people.
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The Talmud states (Sotah 42b) that four groups will not merit to greet the Divine Presence: flatterers; liars; [habitual] speakers of loshon hora; and scoffers. Arrogance can cause a person to belong to all of the above groups. He will speak disparagingly of
his fellow so that the person will be shamed while he will be honored; he will scorn and mock him; he will falsely boast of personal qualities which he does not possess; and he will flatter the wicked and refrain from reproving them, so that they will not
hate him and seek to diminish his honor.
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Therefore, one who wishes to purify his soul of arrogance should forever ponder the shamefulness of this bitter sin. How can man be arrogant when he was created from a putrid drop and will ultimately go to a place of dust, worms and maggots? One should also
ponder the severity of this sin, which is one of the 365 negative commandments, as it is written, ¡°... and your heart will become haughty, and you will forget Hashem, your God¡± (Devarim?8:14);
and ¡°Take care, lest you forget Hashem, your God¡± (ibid. v. 11).
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When a person persists in seeking fame for himself, the opposite occurs. His reputation gradually becomes diminished and he becomes an object of disgrace in the eyes of others. |
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Today's Inspiration - Shabbat shalom!
Gifts for Justice
The Duke of Manheim complained to a rabbi that the Jews made gifts to the judges. The rabbi replied: "When your judges have before them a Jew and a non-Jew, they are inclined to decide in favor of the non-Jew, but the gifts induce them to mete out justice."
Source: Lustiger Hauz Freind
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Wanted: Merchandise for Emunah Mini White Elephant Sale
Requesting Donations for Emunah¡¯s Upcoming?Mini White Elephant Sale Date of Sale: Wednesday, February 28, 2024, 9:30 am ¨C 3:30 pm
What we need:
English and Hebrew Fiction and Non-Fiction Books,
Records/CDs/DVDs, Decorative and Household Items,
Hats, Purses and Scarves, Health & Beauty Aids, Jewelry,
Judaica and Art-work, Frames.
NO Sifrei Kodesh Please!
Emunah Building 6 Arlozorov Street Between
Ben-Maimon & Ramban Streets Buses: 17,19,97
Drop offs at Emunah ONLY by arranging with
Rella (058-766-7318) or Bette (054-344-7869)
German Colony, Julie Goldberg-Botwin, 7 Masaryk St.
(please place donations under porch white table),
Har Nof, Rella Borowski (058-766-7318)
Katamon/Talbieh, 13 Hagedud HaIvri, Brenda Coren (054-497-2777)
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Chaya Lagumsky/Sunday Night Shiur
?bs'd
"Who is a Righteous Convert?"
Sunday Night
9pm
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 899 8786 2494
Passcode: 421266
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Thoughts on the parasha and The Hague
Here are some thoughts relating current events to the parasha - by Rabbi David?Harbater.
Shabbat Shalom and Besorot Tovot!
The Amalek-Hamas Conundrum ? In its attempt to prove that the State of Israel is guilty of genocide against the Palestinian people, in the case brought before the International Court of Justice at The Hague, South Africa cited?Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu's declaration at the opening of the ground operation: "You must remember what Amalek has done to you.¡± ? What Netanyahu was referring to is an event described at the end of Parashat Beshalach that we read this week and in Deuteronomy 25:17-19. The Torah reports that Amalek, a group of marauding nomads living in the Negev and Sinai, attacked Israel as they were traversing the desert from the Sea of Reeds to Sinai. Unlike Israel's other enemies that engaged it in face-to-face combat, Amalek perpetrated a sneak attack targeting the weak and defenseless stragglers located at the rear of the Israelite camp. In this sense, the Amalekites were the first "terrorists" and, as such, Netanyahu's comparison between them and the Hamas terror organization seems quite apt. ? The problem is that in response to Amalek's terrorist attack the Torah (in Deuteronomy, but not in Exodus) commands the Israelites and their descendants to "blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven. Do not forget!" (Deuteronomy 25:19). The simple and straightforward meaning of the words to "blot out" is to "wipe out", i.e., to kill the entire nation: men, women and children alike. That this is the Torah's intent is clear from Samuel's orders to King Saul later on:?¡°Thus said the LORD?of Hosts: I am exacting the penalty for what Amalek did to Israel, for the assault he made upon them on the road, on their way up from Egypt. Now go, attack Amalek, and proscribe all that belongs to him. Spare no one, but kill alike men and women, infants and sucklings, oxen and sheep, camels and asses!¡± (I Samuel 15:2-3). In other words, God's command to "blot out" Amalek amounts to what, in contemporary times, is considered "genocide". ? Thus, when the Israeli Prime Minister calls upon the Israeli army to remember Amalek as it embarks upon its ground operation against Hamas, he is not merely suggesting that the two groups reflect similar patterns of behavior but that our response to both should be the same. This, South Africa argues, is clear evidence that?Israel's war against Hamas is tantamount to genocide, which leaves Israel in a serious conundrum.? ? Now while I cannot presume to know what the Prime Minister had in mind when he compared Hamas to Amalek, the fact is that South Africa's allegation reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of the way the command to "blot out" Amalek has been interpreted in post-biblical Jewish tradition. Already in the Talmud, there is some discomfort with this command: ? "At the time when the Holy One, Blessed be He, said to (Saul): ¡°go and attack Amalek¡(Saul countered and) said: Now, if (on account of) one life (that is taken, in a case where a slain person¡¯s body is found and the murderer is unknown), the Torah said to bring a heifer whose neck is broken (to a barren valley, in the atonement ritual described in Deuteronomy 21:1¨C9), all the more so (must I have pity and not take) all these (Amalekite) lives. And (he further reasoned): If the men have sinned, (in) what (way) have the animals sinned? (Why, then, should the Amalekites¡¯ livestock be destroyed)? And if the adults have sinned, (in) what (way) have the children sinned?" (Yoma 22b). ? It was apparently due to this discomfort that different interpretations have been offered over the years to limit its applicability. For example, some say that the command is only in force after Israel appoints a king, others say that Amalek, as a nation, no longer exists today, and yet others interpret it symbolically. Rather than blotting out Amalek in the literal sense, we are expected to make noise to blot out the mention of the name "Haman", a descendant of Amalek, during the recitation of the Megillah on Purim. Thus, what was once a call for us to?take up?arms?and wage war against our archenemy was later understood as a call for us to?lift our arms?with groggers and other noise-making devices. ? Against this background, the attempt by South Africa to ground its charges of genocide against Israel on Netanyahu's comparison between the war against Hamas and the war against Amalek is utterly unfounded. ? Nevertheless, to the extent that the Prime Minister was calling for the annihilation of Hamas as an organization, rather than to the Palestinians as a people, I wholeheartedly concur. For any organization that features, in its charter, the complete destruction of another country, that targets innocent civilians while hiding behind its own, and that plants weapons in every home, school, mosque and hospital, is an organization that should be blotted out, literally and unapologetically, from the face of the earth. ? If you are interested in more articles of this nature, please follow me on Facebook at: ? ? ? ? ?
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SEFER CHOFETZ CHAIM
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Day 132 ¨C Rechilus When Attempting to Avoid Rechilus?????????
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It is forbidden to tell someone, ¡°I¡¯d rather not tell you what so-and-so said about you,¡± for this is implying that ¡°so-and-so¡± said something negative about the listener. If the speaker honestly ¨C though naively ¨C intended to
avoid speaking rechilus, he violated only the rabbinical prohibition of ¡°avak rechilus.¡± However, if the implication was intentional, then the remark is classified as outright rechilus and he has transgressed the Scriptural prohibition.
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SEFER SHMIRAS HALOSHON
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Scoffing
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One of the root causes of loshon hora is scoffing. Some people are accustomed to scoffing at anything, and attach themselves to people who are of their own kind. It is natural for such people to scoff at others who are outside their circle and to speak degradingly
of them. Therefore, one who seeks to cleanse his soul should ponder the terrible sin of such behavior.
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Our Sages teach that scoffers are one of four groups that will not merit to greet the Divine Presence (Sotah 42a). In addition to his own sins, a scoffer is guilty of causing others to join him in his ridicule. It is well known that to cause others to sin is
an extremely grave offense, and prevents the perpetrator from being granted Heavenly assistance to repent (Avos?5:18).
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Aside from all of the above, to idle one¡¯s time away, even not in a sinful way, is to waste precious time that could be used for studying Torah and accruing reward for the World to Come. According to one Talmudic opinion, the verse ¡°... for he scorned the word
of Hashem¡± (Bamidbar?15:31) applies to one who squanders the opportunity to study Torah.
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How ashamed, then, should one be to have spent hour upon hour in the company of scoffers! Moreover, were they to restrain themselves from speaking the forbidden, they would thereby merit eternal life, for, as the Midrash states, for each moment that a person
refrains from speaking the forbidden, he merits a hidden light that no angel can fathom.
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Dedications and Sponsorships??????
Do you know someone who needs a refuah shleima? A shidduch? Or perhaps a meaningful yahrtzeit is approaching? As a merit for a recovery from illness or
for a departed family member you can sponsor a daily email and have over 8,000 people, every day, learn and be inspired as a z¡¯chus for your loved one. Please call?845-352-3505?#113?or
email?lozeri@...?to sponsor or for more information on other sponsorship opportunities. |
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Today's Inspiration - Happy Tu b'Shvat
Rav Kook said: "Every part of the vegetable world is singing a song and bringing forth a secret of the divine mystery of creation."
Source: Unknown
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FREE Webinar tomorrow - From the Holocaust to Hamas with Meir Panim
This is an amazing opportunity to learn about our incredible, resilient nation. Am Yisrael Chai! As Holocaust Memorial Day approaches, we feel so strongly now how the struggles of our past continue to shape our present. Meir Panim invites you to explore this important part of our history in our upcoming webinar: 'From the Holocaust to Hamas: How Zionism Fueled Jewish Survival'.
Reserve your space to be a part of this journey through history on Thursday, 25th January, 2024, at 8pm by clicking here:? Hosted by Rabbi Akiva Gersh, a local tour guide with over 20 years of experience in Israel education, this webinar is an opportunity to understand the history of our land and events that have defined Am Yisroel.
What will you learn about? Unravel History:?Discover how the British Mandate, established by the League of Nations after WWI, could have, if implemented on time, prevented the disaster that befell European Jewry during WWII. Courage in Darkness:?Explore the heroic stories of the Jewish resistance during the Holocaust and how its members were inspired by the Zionist movement. A Fight for a Homeland:?Gain insights into how post-Holocaust unjust British policies and Arab violence intensified Jewish efforts to establish the state of Israel.
Reserve your space on Thursday, 25th January, 2024, at 8pm to be a part of this journey through history by clicking here:? In these difficult times, the past seems more relevant than ever. The struggles and triumphs of the Jewish people, fueled by our deep love for Israel, and the resilience of our spirits, are what drives our enduring fight for survival.
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Prepare for Tu Be'Shvat with this heartwarming video
Shalom Friends
Prepare for Tu Be'Shvat with this beautiful, thought provoking video. Short in length but vast in the depth of ideas and concepts that is shares.
Remember to share it with your friends.
If you enjoy this video, remember to click like so that others can find it. There are six other videos that bring stories of the Talmud to life. Enjoy the others too.
Have a blessed rest of your week
Shoshanah Shear
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Updated: The Tu B'Shvat Page, Videos, Images, Humor, The Seven Species
Hi Everyone!
Tu B'Shvat, the New Year for Trees, falls on the 15th of the
Hebrew month of Shvat, January 25 this year - 5784/ 2024.
This Jewish mini-holiday is of major importance to our
appreciation of nature and our relationship to it.
It is customary to plant trees and partake of the fruits of
the land of Israel to mark the occasion.?
Many people in Israel and all over the world will participate in?
eating fruits at a Tu B'shvat Seder.
Here are the latest Tu B'Shvat Updates:
The Tu B'Shvat Page
77 Tu B'Shvat Videos
The Tu B'Shvat Humor Page
Tu B'Shvat Photo Gallery
The Seven Species
Enjoy eating an Israeli fruit!
Please share. Thank You!
Please continue to pray for and support Israel.
May the wounded have a complete and speedy recovery.
May the hostages be freed now.
May God protect the IDF, the police, the security forces
and all of Am Yisrael.
Tu B'Shvat Sameach!
Jacob
jrichman@...
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????!! ????? ???? ?????? ???? ?????? ??¡â???¡â????¡á?? ???? ????: 21:00-23:00
????? ???? | ?'???? | ????? ????? ????? | ??? ???? ???
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?? ?? ????? ????? ?????? ???- ?? ???? ???? ?????? ???? ??????? ????- ?? ???? ????? ??? ??? ?????? ??? ??? ?????? ?? ????? ??? ?????? ??? ???? ??? ??? ??? ???????, ????? ????? :)
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Sender notified by
| 01/24/24, 09:23:13 AM |
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Extra Covering
Said the Koretzer: "In the synagogue the Jews make use of an extra covering, the Tallith (prayer shawl), so that they may further separate the nakedness of the body from the spiritual. Non-Jews, however, remove their coats and their hats. They do not realzie that the body and the soul are distinct from each other."
Source: Nofeth Tzufim
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DATE CORRECTION: Chayim V'CHessed Event to Apply for U.S. Passports and Consular Reports of Births Abroad
Apply beginning today, JANUARY 24, for an appointment for a first time US passport and Consular Reports of Births Abroad and passport renewals.? Click here for information and to apply:?
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Thursday: Breathwork For Healing
The Place proudly invites the men of the community to:
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?Breathwork For
Healing
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ??Facilitated
by Mendel Weinberger
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ??Thursday, January 25th
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?20:00 - 22:00
Come To An Evening Of Deep Breathing, And Get In Touch With
Your Deepest Self.
The goal of mindful breathwork is to use deep breathing to
increase awareness of the self as well as release emotions rooted in traumas
from the past.
We as a Nation are feeling traumatized by the events that
occurred on October 7th. This process enables deep healing to take place for
you as an individual and as part of Am Yisrael.
To register, contact Mendel Weinberger at:
- MendelWeinberger@...
- 052-873-2733
100 NIS per person
For Men Only
----------------------------------------------------------------------- The Place, The Jerusalem Centre for Emotional Wellbeing
Phone: 02-5818299 WhatsApp: 054-2601468 Website:
2/19 Sheshet Hayamim, Kneissa Gimmel, Ramat Eshkol
Bus Lines:? 22, 25,
39, 45, 59, 65, 68, 69, 77, 77A Light Rail:?
Ammunition Hill Stop
The
Place is under the Rabbinical Guidance of Rabbi Yitzchak Breitowitz, Shlita -
Rav Kehillas Ohr Somayach
?
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Segula of Parshat HaMan for Parnassah -Tuesday daytime
Today is Yom Shlishi of Parshat Beshalach, a day in which there is a
Segula to daven for Parnasa.The Segula, which comes to us from the Chassidic Rebbe, Reb Menachem Mendel?of Riminov [a disciple of the Rebbe Reb Elimelech of Lizhensk], is to read?"Parshat HaMan", "Shnayim
Mikra v'Echad Targum," reading the Hebrew verses
twice and the Aramaic translation of Onkelos once.?Parshat HaMan can be found in Shemot Chapter 16, verses 4 - 36 [the end of
the chapter], or for those who prefer, from the middle of Chamishi - the
Fifth Aliya - to the end of Shishi [the Sixth].?There are two methods of reading "Shnayim Mikra v'Echad Targum": One is to?read through the entire portion, with the Hebrew once, then twice, and then?read through
the entire Targum. The other method is to read each verse at a?time, twice in the Hebrew and once in the Aramaic, before going on to the?next verse.?There is also a custom to light a candle in his memory. You don't have
to
light it specifically on his yahrzeit - it can be done at any time. If you
light a candle in his memory and have in mind a prayer, his zechut will
help with that tefila.
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Gila Slonim
Alan Fitness
Jacob Richman
