An extra tasty dish this Shabbos!

It was wonderful to see many of our Houston friends while in Israel to celebrate Mendel completing his semicha. Like everything in our lives, returning from Jerusalem this week, and it being in the news with the US President's visit, is not by chance! This Shabbos begins the "Three Weeks" mourning period, to mourn the breaching of Jerusalem's walls and the other tragic events that occurred on this day and repent and rectify their causes, Tammuz 17 was instituted as a fast day. This year, however, the actual fast is held on Sunday, due to the holiness of Shabbos.

Since the purpose of fasting is not just the mourning aspect, but also the call for prayer and repentance, this year that is accomplished through celebrating Shabbat is the most joyous way possible. Not only may we not mourn on Shabbat, but we must go out of our way to avoid any semblance of mourning. So this Shabbat must be even more joyous and celebratory than any other week. The Rebbe stated on numerous occasions that on these Shabbats we must increase our joy, and add an extra tasty dish to our meals, to emphasize that we are not in a state of mourning.

And we also pray that since the fast day is already being postponed, may it be permanently suspended with the arrival of Moshiach before the fast even begins!

Rabbi Chaim & Chanie

P.S. Did you get your tickets  yet to the YJP event of the year? The committee is putting together some great fun for The White Party with Illusionist Ilan Smith of South Africa! Get ready for some jaw dropping entertainment and business networking in your summer white cocktail attire! Get your tickets before they go up for Thursday, Aug. 11 at 7:30 pm. www.yjphouston.org/ilansmith

Conduct During the 3 Weeks - During this period, we lessen the extent of our rejoicing. We don't:

• Conduct weddings. (Engagement parties – without music – are allowed until Rosh Chodesh Av.)
• Play musical instruments or listen to music.
• Recite the Shehecheyanu blessing. Thus, we do not wear new clothing or eat fruit which we have not yet eaten this season so that we will not be required to recite Shehecheyanu.
• Take a haircut or shave. Many Sephardic communities permit haircuts and shaving until the week of Tisha b'Av.

(Speak to your rabbi if there are extenuating circumstances that prevent you from observing any of the above customs.)

Links: TheThreeWeeks.com, Some More Laws and Customs of the Three Weeks, About Holy Temple

UPCOMING EVENTS

• Game Night Shabbat (08.05.22) - Game themed Shabbat dinner and interactive games throughout the night.
• Thursday, August 11 - Tu B'Av The White Party with Illusionist Ilan Smith of South Africa - Join us for the annual party of the year in summer white cocktail attire for an evening of entertainment and fun on this special holiday of Tu B'Av! Check out these 2019 preCovid photos! TICKETS:  www.yjphouston.org/ilansmith
• Blood Drive (08.14.22) - Donate blood and save a life as we host a blood drive at Chabad of Uptown! Click here to reserve your spot!
• August 18-21  - YJP Encounter with Panama City!  An adventurous weekend of nature, soulfulness, and connection with fellow young Jewish professionals. LIMITED SPACE. www.yjphouston.org/panama

Mazel tov Omer & Elisheva on their marriage this week in Israel!

Mazel tov Mica and Gabriel Glaun on the birth of a baby boy!

Shabbos Parshas Balak
Friday, July 15, Tammuz 16
Mincha & Kabbalat Shabbat Services 7:30 pm
Candle Lighting 8:06 pm
RSVP for Shabbat Dinner www.chabaduptown.org/shabbatdinner

Shabbos, July 16, Tammuz 17
Chassidus at 9 am
Morning Service 10:00 am
Followed by lunch Buffet Kiddush
Mincha Service 8:05 pm
Ethics of our Fathers Ch. 6
Maariv Havdalla and Shabbos Ends 9:03 pm
Living Torah

Sunday, Fast of Shiva Asar B'Tammuz (Observed), July 17, Tammuz 18
Fast begins at 5:06 am
Shacharis (with Torah reading) at 8:00 am
Mincha (with Torah reading) at 6:45 pm
Maariv and Fast ends at 8:50 pm

Mon.-Fri.., July 18-22, Tammuz 19-23 - Shacharis at 6:45 am

Good Shabbos!