When Yaakov foresaw that his passing was imminent, he asked his son Yosef to promise to bury him in the Holy Land, in the Cave of Machpelah, where his parents and grandparents were buried. As viceroy of Egypt, it was within Yosef’s power to fulfill his father’s request, and thus, when Yaakov passed away, Yosef ensured that his remains were indeed brought to burial in his ancestral land.
Yaakov knew that his descendants were facing a long and arduous period of bondage in Egypt. For close to two centuries they would be subject to some of the harshest slavery, nearly to the point of losing their national identity. For this reason, he insisted on being buried in Israel rather than in Egypt: so that the Children of Israel would have a continuous tie to the Holy Land. Even while exiled in Egypt, knowing that their ancestor Yaakov came to Egypt but was then buried in Israel prevented them from losing hope of eventually returning to their homeland.
It was this bond to the Land of Israel through their holy ancestors that kept the Jewish people’s spirit alive in that exile, and continues to keep the Jewish spirit alive today as well.
The ultimate redemption with Moshiach and our return to the Land of Israel, is central to our liturgy. With almost every prayer we recite we include a prayer for the return to the Promised Land. We know that it is coming soon, and we pray that we live to see it in our lifetime.
May we indeed be reunited with all our ancestors and all those that have given their lives for the sanctification of G-d’s name.
Good Shabbos!
Rabbi Chaim & Chanie
- Friday, Jan 5, 6 pm - Hot & Spicy Shabbat - Jan., 2024 First Fridays - Bring in the first Shabbat of 2024 with a hot & spicy themed with other Young Jewish Professionals over Shabbat Dinner. Shabbat Candle Lighting: 5:18PM, Friday Night Services: 6:00PM, Shabbat Dinner 6:45PM. RSVP
- Tuesday, Jan 9, 12 pm - Kabbala of Dreams - Monthly Lunch & Learn - Where do dreams come from and do they really mean anything? What Medicine, Torah and Jewish Mysticism (Kabbala) has to say about dreams. At the monthly Lunch & Learn the community has an opporunity to enjoy an upscale lunch with like minded friends for a spirited class and discussion! RSVP
- Jan 12-14, 2024 - CYP Shabbat in NYC! - The CYP Shabbat Experience - Meet the People. Explore the Sites. Feel the Energy. Immerse yourself in an unforgettable Shabbat weekend alongside an all-star lineup and hundreds of young professionals from around the world. Register by Dec. 17 and save $100! Including accommodations, meals and local transportation with group www.cypshabbat.nyc
Shabbos Chazak Parshas Vayigash
Friday, December 29, 17 Teves
5:34 pm Shabbos Candle Lighting & Mincha
6:00 pm Kabbolas Shabbos
RSVP for Shabbat Dinner www.chabaduptown.org/shabbatdinner
Sponsored by Norman Lazarus in honor of Kerry's birthday
Shabbos, December 30, 18 Teves
Chassidus at 9 am
Services at 10 am
Completion "Chazak" of the Book of Bereishis
Followed by Shabbos Lunch Kiddush & Farbrengen sponsored by Chaim Kamman in honor of his birthday and by Dovid Cohen & Family
Mincha at 5:15 pm
Seder Niggunim
Maariv, Havdalla and Shabbos ends at 6:11 pm
Living Torah
Good Shabbos!