This week we complete the final portion of the Book of Bereishis with the chanting of "Chazak"! It describes the final years of Jacob's life. After spending the majority of his life moving from place to place, his final 17 years were the most peaceful and calm.
Interestingly, he did not spend those best years of his life in the Holy Land, but in Egypt, considered the most spiritually depraved land at the time. Yet of all places, that's where Jacob found serenity.
One reason those were his best years is because his son Joseph saw to his every need and ensured that his entire family was taken care of. But it's really more than that. When Jacob saw how his son, who despite being entrenched in Egyptian society, still maintained his commitment to G‑d and to the faith of his ancestors, he knew the nascent Jewish nation would be able to survive anything.
When we are strong enough to remain Jewish through all the ups and downs we experience, our ancestors can rest assured that their investment in our future is paying off, and will continue to propel us through to the coming of Moshiach.
Good Shabbos,
Rabbi Chaim & Chanie
Upcoming Events:
- Jan. 6, 6:00 pm - YJP Houston First Fridays 2023 - Bring in 2023 with other Young Jewish Professionals over Italian Cuisine Shabbat Dinner! www.yjphouston.org/shabbat2023
- Jan. 13-15 - LAST DAY TO REGISTER! Join our CYP Shabbaton to NYC! As we have hit a Hakhel sized group you can now use coupon code "YJPHouston" for the half price $200 rate, a $200 savings! Can not be used in conjunction with the $50 "refer a friend" promotion. www.cypshabbat.nyc
- Wed. Jan. 25, 8 pm - My Story: An Evening with Holocaust Survivor Bob Ullman - Hear Bob's story of his family's narrow escape of 26 people from Belgium in 1940 and what a being a Jew means to him today.
Produced by YJP Houston, by popular demand the evening is open to the community. www.yjphouston.org/bob RSVP "BOB STORY" via TXT: 7134193960 - 4 Wednesdays, Starting Feb. 1, 8 pm - The Jewish Dating Course - An intellectually exciting journey into what G-d has to say about love, relationships, marriage, and building an everlasting life together. www.yjphouston.org/dating
Shabbos Chazak Parshas Vayechi
Friday, January 6, 13 Teves
Candle Lighting and Mincha at 5:19 pm
Services at 6:00 pm
RSVP for First Fridays 2023 - Italian Cuisine Shabbat Dinner www.yjphouston.org/shabbat2023
Shabbos, January 7, 14 Teves
Chassidus at 9 am
Services at 10 am
Followed by Shabbos Lunch Kiddush celebrating the birthday of Baruch Shkertzi
Mincha at 5:20 pm
Torah Study
Maariv, Havdalla and Shabbos ends at 6:17 pm
Sunday, January 8, 15 Teves
Shacharis at 8:00 am
Mon.-Fri., Jan. 9-13, 16-20 Teves
Shacharis at 6:45 am
Good Shabbos!