Updates

Looking to enhance the divine security of your home? Consider participating in our mezuzah campaign!

As mentioned in this week's Torah portion, there are three Hebrew words – “olam” (world), “shanah” (year), and “nefesh” (soul), which represent the primary elements of the universe – space, time, and life. Everything in the world can be categorized under these three elements.. By placing a mezuzah on the doorways in our homes, we are fulfilling the commandment to inscribe the words of Hashem on the doorposts of our houses and on our gates, as a symbol of our commitment to the divine presence in our daily lives.

Through the generous sponsorship of the Pfrenger family, we are excited to offer up to two free mezuzahs for your home, to be placed on any doorways that do not yet have one. This is an opportunity to upgrade your home's divine security and ensure that holiness endures in your daily life.

Likewise, on Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the year, the high priest, who was the holiest living person, would enter the Holy of Holies, the most sacred place on earth. This event represented the entire universe.

Although this happened only once a year, the fact that it is mentioned in the Torah suggests that it is relevant to our daily lives. The message conveyed to us is that no matter what situation we find ourselves in, we should strive to find and draw out the best, the holiest, in it for the benefit of the universe.

In other words, we have the potential to transform every moment of our lives into a Yom Kippur-like experience where we connect with G-d at the core of our being, ensuring that holiness prevails all the time.

Shabbat shalom,

Rabbi Chaim & Chanie

P.S.  To learn more and participate in this mezuzah campaign, visit our website at www.chabaduptown.org/divinesecurity.

Upcoming Events:

• Wed.-Sun., May 3-7 Antigua Guatemala Trip - An adventurous weekend of nature, soulfulness, and connection with fellow young Jewish professionals.  www.yjphouston.org/guatemala
• Fri. May 5, 7:30 pm - Cinco de Shabbat May First Fridays, Pesach Sheni - Enjoy a Mexican Themed evening with other Young Jewish Professionals over Shabbat Dinner. www.yjphouston.org/cinco2023
• Mon. May 8, 8 pm - Lag B'Omer Artisan raBBiQ - Experience the mystical insights of this unique not-so-famous Jewish Holiday, with live music and BBQ with TV chef Rabbi Chaim. www.yjphouston.org/raBBiQ

🍦 Shavuot, Thursday-Shabbat, May 25-27 🧈:
www.chabaduptown.org/shavuotschedule

• Wed. May 24, 8 pm - Shavuos Treats and Eats Cooking Club! Prepare Shavuos holiday treats while we discuss what's behind the custom of eating dairy products on Shavuos
• Thurs., May 25, 11:30 pm Shavuos All Night Learn-A-Thon
• Fri. May 26, 11:15 am Shavuos Reading of Ten Commandments & Party followed by 1 pm dairy kiddush & ice cream party!
• Sat. May 27 11:45 am approx. - Shavuos Yizkor Memorial Service

Shabbos Parshas Acharei-Kedoshim

Friday, April 28, 7 Iyar
Services at 7:30 pm
Candle Lighting at 7:39 pm
Omer Count 23
RSVP for Shabbat Dinner www.chabaduptown.org/shabbatdinner

Shabbos, April 29, 8 Iyar
Chassidus at 9 am
Services at 10 am
Shabbos Kiddush sponsored by Michael Allon marking the yartzeit and in memory of his mother Rivka bas Aliza, obm and by Stefan Abergel in memory of his father Masud ben Masuda ben Shalom, obm.
Torah Study of Rebbe's teachings at 6 pm
Mincha at 7:40 pm
Pirkei Avot Chapter 3
Maariv, Havdalla and Shabbos ends at 8:35 pm
Omer Count 24
Living Torah

Sunday, April 30, 9 Iyar
Shacharis at 8:00 am

Mon.-Fri. May 1-5, 10-14 Iyar
Shacharis at 6:45 am

Friday, May 5, is Pesach Sheni & YJP Cinco de Shabbat First Fridays.

Good Shabbos!

The double Torah portion we read this week, Tazria-Metzora, contains a collection of laws pertaining to purity in Jewish life. Most notable are the laws of tzaraas, Biblical leprosy, which was more a spiritual ailment than a physical malady.

A person who suspected they had tzaraas would present themselves to a Kohen, who would determine if the skin condition was indeed tzaraas, in which case the person was impure for a period of time.

The first part of the Torah portion, Tazria, discusses the laws of determining whether a person has tzaraas. And the second, Metzora, is primarily about the purification process after being diagnosed.

The names of the sections, however, seem mixed up: Tazria (“shall conceive”) refers to birth, which is the opposite of the affliction of tzaraas. And Metzora (“leper”) refers to the person being afflicted rather than the purification process.

The reason for this is to remind us that any affliction a person might face, especially one resulting from a spiritual deficiency such as tzaraas, is always about the resolution at the end. There is birth and growth embedded within the affliction, and the metzora himself holds the keys to purification.

We may not see while in the midst of the suffering itself, but the Torah reminds us that everything has a purpose, even being stuck with tzaraas.

Even if we don’t see it now, with G‑d’s help we will experience it very soon with the coming of Moshiach!

Shabbat shalom,

Rabbi Chaim & Chanie

RAMBAM - This Shabbos, join Jews from around the world in celebrating the completion of the daily study cycle of Maimonides' Mishneh Torah with the Siyum HaRambam. This is the perfect time to start your own daily learning journey, whether you choose to study the daily mitzvah, one chapter or three chapters a day. Let's commit to making Torah study a daily practice and growing in our knowledge and observance of mitzvot. Learn all about the Rambam and find tons of resources to learn the text, audio and video classes to join this special daily study program! www.chabaduptown.org/rambam

ROBOTS - As we speak, there are hundreds of Israeli kids and teens joined by their team leaders, representing 16 teams in the FIRST Robotics Competition in Houston. We got to visit with all of the Israel teams who were very excited to meet a local Chabad Rabbi who came to cheer them on to victory! Shabbat Shalom! See some highlights here

Upcoming Events:

• Wed.-Sun., May 3-7 Antigua Guatemala Trip - An adventurous weekend of nature, soulfulness, and connection with fellow young Jewish professionals.  www.yjphouston.org/guatemala
• Fri. May 5, 7:30 pm - Cinco de Shabbat May First Fridays, Pesach Sheni - Enjoy a Mexican Themed evening with other Young Jewish Professionals over Shabbat Dinner. www.yjphouston.org/cinco2023
• Mon. May 8, 8 pm - Lag B'Omer Artisan raBBiQ - Experience the mystical insights of this unique not-so-famous Jewish Holiday, with live music and BBQ with TV chef Rabbi Chaim. www.yjphouston.org/raBBiQ

Shavuot, Thursday-Shabbat, May 25-27:
www.chabaduptown.org/shavuotschedule

• Wed. May 24, 8 pm - Shavuos Treats and Eats Cooking Club! Prepare Shavuos holiday treats while we discuss what's behind the custom of eating dairy products on Shavuos
• Thurs., May 25, 11:30 pm Shavuos All Night Learn-A-Thon
• Fri. May 26, 11:15 am Shavuos Reading of Ten Commandments & Party followed by 1 pm dairy kiddush & ice cream party!
• Sat. May 27 11:45 am approx. - Shavuos Yizkor Memorial Service

Shabbos Rosh Chodesh Iyar Parshas Tazria-Metzora

Friday, April 21, 30 Nissan, Rosh Chodesh Iyar I
Services at 7:30 pm
Candle Lighting at 7:34 pm
Omer Count 17
RSVP for Shabbat Dinner www.chabaduptown.org/shabbatdinner in memory Yitzchak ben Asher Zelig, a"h, the husband of Yocheved Shwarzman and father of Michal Shwarzman Zitvar, yartzeit 4 Iyar.

Shabbos, April 22, 1 Iyar, Rosh Chodesh Iyar II
Chassidus at 9 am
Services at 10 am
Special Rosh Chodesh Hallel, Torah reading and Musaf
Shabbos Rosh Chodesh Kiddush in honor of the Bas Mitzvah 
Torah Study of Rebbe's teachings at 6 pm
Mincha at 7:35 pm
Pirkei Avot Chapter 2
Maariv, Havdalla and Shabbos ends at 8:35 pm
Omer Count 18
Living Torah

Sunday, April 23, 2 Iyar
Shacharis at 8:00 am
Followed by breakfast sponsored by Dr. Michael Allon in memory and marking the yartzeit of his father, Yoseph Chaim ben Moshe, a"h

Mon.-Fri. April 24-28, 3-7 Iyar
Shacharis at 6:45 am

Good Shabbos!

On the first day of service in the Tabernacle—the sanctuary built in the desert—tragedy struck. Caught up in the excitement and spirituality of the moment, Nadav and Avihu, the two elder sons of Aaron the High Priest, decided to bring an incense offering in the Holy of Holies. Because it was not a Divinely requisite service, a heavenly fire consumed them and they died.

The Torah Sages discuss this episode at great length, attempting to uncover the real reason Nadav and Avihu died, and what they were actually trying to accomplish.

The consensus is that their goal in offering the incense without being instructed to was to become as close to G‑d as possible. They saw what their father accomplished through his service, and they wanted to experience the same high level of spirituality that he did. The problem, of course, is that achieving high levels of spirituality doesn’t occur on our terms; it can only happen when directed by G‑d. Their biggest mistake was thinking that following directions was for amateurs, and as a result they were unable to attain the spirituality they so desired.

The lesson for us today could not be more pertinent. Often we try to come up with our own ways to be Jewish, but the Torah gives us very specific instructions for how this is to be done, and anything outside of that is considered foreign and thus detrimental to our spiritual health. Only mitzvahs as G‑d commanded them can in fact bring us close to Him.

May the proper observance of mitzvahs usher in the ultimate closeness we can have with G‑d—the coming of Moshiach — speedily in our times!

Shabbat shalom,

Rabbi Chaim & Chanie

NEW SERIES: Pirkei Avot / Ethics of our Fathers - In preparation for the festival of Shavuos, we study one of the six chapters of the Talmud's Ethics of the Fathers ("Avot") on the afternoon of each of the six Shabbosim between Pesach and Shavuos; this week, being the first Shabbat after Pesach, we study Chapter One. (In many communities -- and such is the Chabad custom -- the study cycle is repeated through the summer, until the Shabbos before Rosh Hashanah.) Link: Ethics of the Fathers, Chapter 1

This weekend we celebrate Bluma's bas mitzvah!  This Shabbos we will have a lunch kiddush (tomorrow, Saturday, at 1 pm) celebrating Bluma's bas mitzvah! Let us know if you plan to stay for the kiddush, and how many guests...

Upcoming Events:

• May 3-7 Antigua Guatemala Trip - An adventurous weekend of nature, soulfulness, and connection with fellow young Jewish professionals.  www.yjphouston.org/guatemala
• May 5 - Cinco de Shabbat May First Fridays - Enjoy a Mexican Themed evening with other Young Jewish Professionals over Shabbat Dinner. www.yjphouston.org/cinco2023
• May 8 - Lag B'Omer Artisan raBBiQ - Experience the mystical insights of this unique not-so-famous Jewish Holiday, with TV chef Rabbi Chaim. www.yjphouston.org/raBBiQ

Shabbos Mevarchim Iyar Parshas Shemini

Friday, April 14, 23 Nissan
Candle Lighting & Mincha at 7:30 pm
Services at 7:30 pm
RSVP for Shabbat Dinner www.chabaduptown.org/shabbatdinner

Shabbos, April 15, 24 Nissan
Shabbos Mevarchim Tehillim at 8:30  am
Services at 10 am
Shabbos Mevarchim Kiddush & Farbrengen in honor of the Bas Mitzvah of Bluma Lazaroff
Torah Study of Rebbe's teachings at 6 pm
Mincha at 7:30 pm
Pirkei Avot Chapter 1 
Maariv, Havdalla and Shabbos ends at 8:25 pm
Living Torah

Sunday, April 16, 25 Nissan
Shacharis at 8:00 am

Mon.-Fri. April 17-21, 26-30 Nissan
Shacharis at 6:45 am

Rosh Chodesh Iyar Shacharis and Monthly Breakfast at 6:45 am

Good Shabbos!

A week after the Exodus from Egypt, the Jewish people experienced a most extraordinary miracle: the Splitting of the Sea. In addition to the literal miracle that occurred, there was an important message for the Jewish people of that time and of all generations:

Bodies of water, such as oceans and seas, naturally conceal everything beneath the surface. All you see is water. But once you “split” the sea and remove the outer layers, you will discover an amazing world of marine life, equal to or even greater than what exists on dry land. But you would never know that by simply gazing at the water’s surface.

As the Jews were leaving Egypt and heading towards the desert to receive the Torah, G‑d introduced them to this crucial aspect. Sure, you can read the text of Torah and take it at face value; you can even read the Talmud, Kabbalah, and Jewish law, and still only see the words. But Torah study means a lot more than that.

Torah is how we connect with G‑d’s infinite wisdom, and that can only be achieved by allowing our curiosity to lead us down the deepest burrows, so to speak, of Torah and Divine wisdom. The deeper we dig, the greater our connection with G‑d becomes and the more desire we have to learn. And the more we learn, the deeper we want to dig.

Good Yom Tov!

Rabbi Chaim & Chanie

The first days of Pesach was wonderful with overflowing crowds, wine and camaraderie. It was wonderful to have all the kids home, Rabbi Chaim's brother Peretz and family and Elliott & Rachel Levine and family for the holiday!

Tonight at 7:28 pm begins the last days of Pesach, a Yom Tov where we have services, festive dinners and lunches and refrain from work similar to Shabbos. For the complete schedule, see below. The highlights:

• Night of Learning - Tonight, Tuesday, it is customary to remain awake on the eve of the Seventh of Pesach and spend the entire night in Torah study and joyous celebration of the great miracle of the splitting of the sea.
• Reading of Az Yashir - Tomorrow, Wednesday, at 11 am, on the Seventh Day of Pesach we read how on this day the sea split for the Children of Israel and drowned the pursuing Egyptians, and the "Song at the Sea" sung by the people upon their deliverance.
• Yizkor - Yizkor, the remembrance prayer for departed parents, is recited Thursday after the morning reading of the Torah.
• Moshiach Seudah - The last day of Pesach ("Acharon Shel Pesach") is particularly associated with Moshiach and the future redemption. The Haftarah (reading from the Prophets) for this day is from Isaiah 11, which describes the promised future era of universal peace and divine perfection. Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov instituted the custom of partaking of a "Moshiach's meal" on the afternoon of the last day of Passover; in addition to the matzah eaten at "Moshiach's meal", the Rebbes of Chabad added the custom of drinking four cups of wine, as in the seder held on Pesach's first days.

Upcoming Events:

• Thursday, April 13 - Moshiach Seudah - Mystical Seder Grand Pesach Closing - Enjoy wine and matzah, discuss words of Torah and inspirational stories, sing Chassidic melodies, and find out why this final day of Pesach has a special energy related to the coming of Moshiach. www.chabaduptown.org/3967478
• May 3-7 Antigua Guatemala Trip - An adventurous weekend of nature, soulfulness, and connection with fellow young Jewish professionals.  www.yjphouston.org/guatemala
• May 5 - Cinco de Shabbat May First Fridays - Enjoy a Mexican Themed evening with other Young Jewish Professionals over Shabbat Dinner. www.yjphouston.org/cinco2023
• May 8 - Lag B'Omer Artisan raBBiQ - Experience the mystical insights of this unique not-so-famous Jewish Holiday, with TV chef Rabbi Chaim. www.yjphouston.org/raBBiQ

Last Days of Pesach

Tuesday April 11 | DAY 6
Candle Lighting at 7:28 pm
Evening Service at 7:30 pm
Omer Count
 
Wednesday April 12 | DAY 7
Late Night Torah Study (AKA Tues. night) at 12:00 am
Morning Service at 10:00 am
Evening Service at 7:30 pm
Omer Count
Light Candles AFTER 8:23 pm
 
Thursday April 13 | DAY 8
Morning Service at 10:00 am
Yizkor Memorial Service at 11:30 am
Mincha Service at 5:30 pm
Moshiach Meal at 6:00 pm
Evening Service at 8:24 pm
Omer Count
Havdalla & Holiday Ends at 8:24 pm

Shabbos Mevarchim Iyar Parshas Shemini

Friday, April 14, 23 Nissan
Candle Lighting & Mincha at 7:30 pm
Services at 7:30 pm
RSVP for Shabbat Dinner www.chabaduptown.org/shabbatdinner

Shabbos, April 15, 24 Nissan
Shabbos Mevarchim Tehillim at 8:30  am
Services at 10 am
Shabbos Mevarchim Kiddush & Farbrengen in honor of the Bas Mitzvah of Bluma Lazaroff
Torah Study of Rebbe's teachings at 6 pm
Mincha at 7:30 pm
Pirkei Avot Chapter 1 
Maariv, Havdalla and Shabbos ends at 8:25 pm
Living Torah

Sunday, April 16, 25 Nissan
Shacharis at 8:00 am

Mon.-Fri. April 17-21, 26-30 Nissan
Shacharis at 6:45 am

Rosh Chodesh Iyar Shacharis and Monthly Breakfast at 6:45 am

Good Yom Tov & Good Shabbos!