Another Tragedy. Uplift on my Birthday.

First, this week's Tanya (15) inspiration: Serving Hashem is a greater feat than being his servant. The means is greater than the end.

In horrow we watched the drama unfold when the young pure and holy life of Leiby Kletzky, a"h, was brutally snuffed out this week in Boro Park, NY. There are questions but there are no answers. Standing before thousands, Reb Nachman Kletzky, Leiby's father solemnly and tearfully declared: "G-d gives and G-d takes. Thank you G-d, for giving us Leiby for nine years. We have to thank You for what You gave us. Pray for your parents, your sisters and the rest of your family, including the entire Jewish nation, which is now part of our family". Our response to an outrageous act of evil must be with an outrageous act of goodness. Choose a meaningful deed of indiscriminate kindness to bring comfort to his Soul. May Hashem wipe away the tears of sadness and replace them with tears of gladness and redemption. (Related: When the unthinkable happens).

This past Monday found me back in NY for an inspiring full day conference with other Chabad Rabbis who do programs for Jewish Young Adults and Professionals. We had some very spirited conversations, including with Newsweek named America's #1 Rabbi Yehudah Krinsky and the founder of birthright Israel, Michael Steinhardt, discussing the future of the young adult & professional demographic.

This Shabbos the kiddush is sponsored by Dr. Louis & Sheila Train in loving memory and in commemoration of the yartzeits of her mother Alte Yita bas Yaakov Friedman, sister Rochel bas Chaim Kelman and brother in law Rabbi Chaim Yosef ben Tzvi Yehudah Kelman, a"h. May their memory be for a blessing.

July 4 is my birthDATE. However, 19 Tammuz is my birthDAY. That is when we celebrate and commemorate. As is customary among Chabad Chasidim, I will be making a birthday " farbrengen" (FOR MEN) in honor of my birthday on Thursday evening, 19 Tammuz, at my home at 4311 Bettis beginning at about 9 p.m, (after the Thursday evening Tanya class at 8). I fully understand if your schedule does not allow you to attend. Please let me know if you can make it. (For more about celebrating birthdays read: What is a Jewish Birthday? and related articles there on the right).

Shabbos Parshas Pinchas 

Friday, July 15
Services at 7:30 pm
    Candle lighting at 8:06 pm | RSVP for www.chabaduptown.org/shabbatdinner 

Shabbos, July 16
Pre Prayer Kabbala Study 9 am
Services at 10 am
    Followed by expanded Kiddush menu, with the same great Cholent, sponsored by the Trains (see above). 
Mincha at 8:15 pm
Maariv, Havdalla and Shabbos Ends at 9:04 pm
Living Torah

Sunday, July 17
BLT = Bagels, lox and Tefillin (and coffee too!) 

Tuesday, July 19 - fast of 17 Tammuz - 5:12 am - 8:49 pm
Tammuz 17 is a fast day, devoted to mourning the breaching of Jerusalem's walls and the other tragic events that occurred on this day and repenting and rectifying their causes. We refrain from all food and drink from "daybreak" (about an hour before sunrise, depending on location - in Houston at 5:2 am) until nightfall (in Houston 8:49 pm). Special prayers and Torah readings are added to the day's services.

The 17th of Tammuz also marks the beginning of The Three Weeks period of mourning which culminates on the 9th of Av, commemorating the conquest of Jerusalem, the destruction of the Holy Temple and the dispersion of the Jewish people. Weddings and other joyful events are not held during this period; like mourners, we do not cut our hair, and various pleasurable activities are limited or proscribed. (Consult the Code of Jewish Law (Shulchan Aruch) or a qualified rabbi regarding specific proscriptions). The Lubavitcher Rebbe urged that the Three Weeks should be a time of increased giving of charity and Torah study (in keeping with the verse (Isaiah 1:27), "Zion shall be redeemed by law, and her returnees by charity"), particularly the study of those portions of Torah that deal with the laws and the deeper significance of the Holy Temple.  Links: TheThreeWeeks.com; Some Laws and Customs of the Three Weeks, About Holy Temple

Wednesday, July 20
Class and social for Young Adults and Professionals

Thursday, July 21 - Tammuz 19
Tanya. Choice of 12 pm or 8 pm
Men's Farbrengen for Rabbi Chaim's birthday at 9 pm

See you on Shabbos!

Rabbi Chaim & Chanie

P.S. It was bad enough with all the phone numbers! Now, how do you keep track of all the websites?!
www.ChabadUptown.org 
www.chabaduptown.org/blog 
www.facebook.com/youngchabad
www.facebook.com/rabbichaim 
www.twitter.com/youngchabad 
www.foursquare.com/youngchabad 
www.youtube.com/youngchabad 
www.linkedin.com/in/rabbichaim