Dear Friends,
We are excited to host Saul Kaye for Shabbos dinner this week in preparation for the concert this Sat. night. Hang out with the artist, over food and great spirit! RSVP at www.chabaduptown.org/shabbatdinner
You can still buy tickets for the concert on Sat night at 7:30 pm at www.chabaduptown.org/saul to include drinks and Hors Devours prepared by the very talented Tali Bublil! Buy in advance and save some cash!! $12 in advance, $20 at the door.
Next weekend is the annual international conference of Shluchim in New York. This year, Mendel will be joining Rabbi Chaim for this trip to New York for a special concurrent program for the children, the young Shluchim in the Rebbe's army. You can watch the amazing banquet, with over 4,000 Chabad-Lubavitch emissaries, lay leaders and supporters at the culmination of a five-day International Conference of Emissaries, on Sunday Nov. 27 live at www.chabaduptown.org/live.
Parsha thought follows this schedule.... Scroll down more for inspiration! :)
Shabbos Parshas Chayei Sara
Friday, November 18
Services at 6:30 pm
Candle lighting 5:07 pm | RSVP for Shabbat Dinner with Saul Kaye
Shabbos, November 19
Preprayer Kabbala & Chassidus Study at 9 am
Services at 10 am
Followed by kiddush with the best cholent this side of the Mississippi!
Mincha at 5:15 pm
Maariv, Havdalla & Shabbos Ends 6:03 pm
Living Torah Video
Sunday, November 20
BLT = Bagels, Lox & Tefillin! at 9:30 am
Tuesday JLI as scheduled.
No Wednesday or Thursday classes next week, Nov. 23-24
A thought for the week:
I am a stranger and a resident amongst you (23:4)
The Jew is a "resident" in the world, for the Torah instructs him not escape the physical reality but to inhabit it and elevate it. Virtually all the mitzvot (divine commandments) of the Torah are physical actions involving physical objects, in keeping with the Jew's mission to make a "dwelling for G-d in the material realm" by sanctifying the everyday materials of everyday life.
At the same time, the Jew feels himself a "stranger" in the material world. His true home is a higher, loftier place, the world of spirit, the world of holiness and G-dliness from which his soul has been exiled and to which it yearns to return. Indeed, it is only because the Jew feels himself a stranger in the world that he can avoid being wholly consumed and overwhelmed by it, and maintain the spiritual vision and integrity required to elevate it and sanctify it as an abode for the divine presence. (The Lubavitcher Rebbe)
The story is told of the visitor who, stopping by the home of the great Chassidic master Rabbi DovBer of Mezheritch, was outraged by the poverty he encountered there. Rabbi DovBer's home was bare of all furnishing, save for an assortment of rough wooden planks and blocks that served as benches for his students during the day and as beds for his family at night. "How can you live like this?" demanded the visitor. "I myself am far from wealthy, but at least in my home you will find, thank G-d, the basic necessities: some chairs, a table, beds..."
"Indeed?" said Rabbi DovBer. "But I don't see any of your furnishings. How do you manage without them?"
"What do you mean? Do you think that I schlep all my possessions along with me wherever I go? When I travel, I make do with what's available. But at home--a person's home is a different matter altogether!"
"Ah, yes," said Rabbi DovBer. "At home, it is a different matter altogether..." (Likkutei Dibburim)
More at www.chabaduptown.org/parsha
See you on Shabbos!
Rabbi Chaim & Chanie
P.S. Come join us for an evening of entertainment with the Pioneer of Jewish Blues Saul Kaye! www.chabaduptown.org/saul
