On Wednesday night we celebrated Tu B'shvat with a fruit-tastic twist! The community came together for a fun-filled Fruitcuterie Fruit & Nut Board Workshop led by the talented Chanie Lazaroff. We savored delicious Tu B'Shvat fruits and snacks while creating our own edible masterpieces.
SHABBOS SHIRA - SHABBAT OF SONG
This week's Torah reading contains the "song at the sea" sung by the Children of Israel upon their deliverance from the Egyptians, when the Red Sea split to allow them to pass and then drowned their pursuers. Hence this Shabbat is designated as Shabbat Shirah, "Shabbat of song." Our sages tell us that the birds in the sky joined our ancestors in their singing; for this reason it is customary to put out food for the birds for this Shabbat (to avoid the possibility of transgressing the laws of Shabbat, the food should be put out before Shabbat). Links: Parting of the Red Sea, Miriam: Tambourines of Rebellion
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
After finally being released from Egypt, and after traveling for seven days in the wilderness, the Jewish people suddenly found themselves in a bind once again. They were now being pursued by Pharoah and the Egyptian army, caught at the sea with nowhere to go.
Miraculously, as we know, the sea split, allowing the Jews to cross safely while the Egyptian pursuers drowned in the water.
Once on the other side, Moses and the Jews broke out in song and praise, thanking G-d for all that He had done for them. In this song, they note that this most recent miracle, the splitting of the sea, came in the merit of the children. In fact, when the children saw G-d's presence at the sea, they immediately pointed it out to their elders.
The children were the ones that recognized G-d even in the most dire situation, and it was in their merit that the entire Jewish nation was saved. These same children who were born in Egypt and whose parents feared that they would never experience true Jewish life, were the ones to show their parents how to be better Jews.
This continues to be the case today and throughout history; it is the Jewish children that bring about salvation for all Jews, as in their most innocent state of mind, they see G-d everywhere.
May we all experience the ultimate salvation with the coming of Moshiach today!
Shabbat shalom,
Good Shabbos!
Rabbi Chaim & Chanie
UPCOMING EVENTS
- 6 Tuesdays, Jan 30 - March 5 - New JLI Course: Advice for Life: The Lubavitcher Rebbe's Guidance for Leading a More Purposeful Life - Experience the Rebbe’s exceptional approach to uncovering timeless meaning in everyday questions of health, work, family, fulfillment, struggle, and inner peace. Register
- Fri. Feb. 2, 6 pm - Rabbi Chaim Rolls on Shabbos - Sushi Shabbat February First Fridays Enjoy a four course Shabbat dinner including Rabbi Chaim's Sushi Rolls and his multi-course cooking with other Young Jewish Professionals, ages 21-39. $18 until Thursday, $25 after. Use promo code: advance www.yjphouston.org/rabbichaimrolls
- Wednesdays, Feb. 7-28, 7:30 pm THE DILEMMA - CYP ACADEMY: Relevant and fascinating topics, paired with delectable dinner. Not every debate needs a bottom line. Sometimes, the dialogue itself is everything. Introducing our new course, THE DILEMMA: step in to the study halls of Babylonia, and take an active role in discussions that are thousands of years old, and yet relevant as ever. www.yjphouston.org/dilemma
- Mondays, Begins Feb. 12 - HalachaU Shabbos Melabein and Boneh Bkeilim - In depth course on laws of opening packages and cleaning stains out of clothing on Shabbos. HalachaU is a weekly class that studies Torah in Depth, with an emphasis on modern application. Register here www.chabaduptown.org/6123170
- Tues., Feb. 20, 12-1:30 pm - Feb. Lunch & Learn Jewish Approach to Mindfulness & Meditation. At the monthly Lunch & Learn the community has an opportunity to enjoy an upscale lunch with like minded friends for a spirited class and discussion! RSVP
- SAVE THE DATE! March 29-31: CYP Encounter Texas - YJP Houston will host an exciting weekend of soulful connections and enriching encounters, fostering personal and spiritual growth. More & RSVP www.chabadyoung.com/tx
IN THE FAMILY
- Mazel tov to Guitel and Moshe Melnik on the engagement of their son Dan to Shiffy Carroll in Baltimore! Mazel tov to the entire family!
- We extend condolences to Dara Orbach on the untimely and tragic passing of her brother, Yehudah ben Yaakov, o.b.m.
- We extend condolences to Sherry Harwood and Annette Rosen on the passing of their mother, Thelma Kogut Harwood, Tamar Bas Shlomo, o.b.m.. Thelma would participate in the regular visits we made to Brookdale Galleria.
Shabbos Shira Parshas Beshalach
Friday, January 26, 16 Shevat
5:36 pm Shabbos Candle Lighting & Mincha
6:00 pm Kabbolas Shabbos
6:45 pm RSVP for Shabbos Dinner www.chabaduptown.org/shabbatdinner
Shabbos, January 27, 17 Shevat
Chassidus 9 am
Services at 10 am
Special Shira Torah Reading - “Song of the Sea”
Followed by Shabbos Lunch Kiddush & Farbrengen sponsored in part by Elyse & Andrew Goldstein marking the Yartzeit of her father, Chaim Leib ben Shmuel Binyamin, a”h and by Bob Ullman marking the yartzeit and in memory of his sister Yehudit bat Alexander Ziisskind, a"h.
Mincha at 5:35 pm
Seder Niggunim
Maariv, Havdalla and Shabbos ends at 6:32 pm
Living Torah
Good Shabbos!