This Shabbos, the 10th of Shevat, is the anniversary of the Rebbe officially accepting the mantle of leadership of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, on the first anniversary of his predecessor’s passing.
There will be a special Lunch interactive farbrengen lead by the Cohens, we hope you will join us.
Before the Sixth Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneerson, of righteous memory, passed away, he published a 20-chapter discourse titled “Basi Legani” on various esoteric Chassidic concepts, all with practical, down-to-earth applications. It served as a last will and testament of sorts, guiding his followers in the days and years after his passing.
Every year, on the yahrzeit, the Rebbe would deliver a discourse of his own, each year elaborating on another chapter of the original discourse.
The 15th chapter of the discourse focuses on how the only way we can experience G-dliness in our own finite existence is by G-d condensing His Essence in a way that allows us to relate to Him. This doesn’t mean that we don’t see actual G-dliness; rather, the condensing, or “tzimtzum” as it’s referred to, is also part of G-dliness. So whatever seemingly watered down version we are able to access, at the end of the day we can access it because Hashem wants us to.
So instead of viewing this as a deficiency, it is to be seen as Hashem’s greatest gift to us. He allows for His most sublime Essence, which is infinitely beyond anything we can imagine and relate to, to become part of our lives. This isn’t a secondary exposure to G-dliness, it is the actual ray of G-d’s Light right there, even when all we think we see is darkness.
This was the Rebbe’s mission from his first day as leader of Chabad—to remind us that everything we see around us is G-dliness, and therefore every interaction we have with a fellow Jew must be with the goal of increasing the Divine revelation wherever we are.
This will be fulfilled in its complete form with the ultimate redemption and the coming of Moshiach, may it happen in our times!
Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Chaim & Chanie
COHEN CORNER
Don't ask Hashem to guide your footsteps unless you're willing to move your feet."
When the Jewish nation stood at the Red Sea with the Egyptian army in hot pursuit, they were paralyzed and unsure, divided in their next step. Only when Nachshon ben Aminadav acted, stepping into the sea, Hashem removed the obstacle to Mount Sinai. Similarly, in our lives, we often face seemingly impossible challenges. We must take the first step, and then we will see Divine assistance guide our path forward.
Have a wonderful Shabbos!
Rabbi Yosef, Chanale and Mushka Cohen
UPCOMING EVENTS:
- Friday, Feb. 7, 7 pm - YJP Souper Salad February First Fridays - Enjoy a variety of hearty soups, salads and more with other Young Jewish Professionals over Shabbat Dinner. Sponsored by Geoffrey Kulp marking the yartzeit and in memory of his grandmother, Chava Miriam bas Shmuel. 5:47 pm Candle Lighting, 6:00pm Services, 7:00 pm Shabbat Dinner. $20 until Thursday, $36 after. Use promo code: advance. www.yjphouston.org/shabbatsouper
- Four Wednesdays, Feb 12-March 5, 7:30-9 pm - CYP Academy Jewish Course of Why with Rabbi Chaim Lazaroff- Your Answers to some of Judaism's Most Curious Questions www.yjphouston.org/why
- Thursday, Feb. 13, 7 pm - Community Tu B'Shvat Watermelon Carving - Branch out into the New Year for Trees with a fruitful watermelon carving for Tu B'Shvat. www.chabaduptown.org/carving
- Monday, Feb. 17, 12 pm - Community Lunch & Learn Living Life to the Fullest with Rabbi Yosef Cohen - Enjoy an upscale lunch with like-minded friends for a spirited class and discussion! https://forms.gle/szdra5faBYR1FUxh7
- Five Wednesdays, Feb. 19-March 19, 10:30 am - Mommy & Me with Chanale Cohen - Nurturing and engaging program designed for mothers and babies (newborn to 2 years) to learn, play, and connect in a warm Jewish environment. - www.chabaduptown.org/mommy
- Thursday, Feb. 20, 7:30 pm - YJP "Third Thursdays" Happy Hour at The Cellar Bar - No charge, no maximum capacity, no rsvp. Yes drinks, yes new people, yes fun. See you there! 3140 Richmond Ave
- Wednesday, Feb. 26, 8 pm - Virtual Speed Dating - Values Based Matches metatchabad.com/speeddating
- Wed-Sun., May 7-11 - CYP Encounter Guatemala - Join us for an adventurous weekend of nature, soulfulness, and connection with fellow young Jewish professionals. www.chabadyoung.com/gua
THIS WEEK'S CLASSES:
- Shabbos, Feb. 8, 9 am - Chassidus - Torah Or
- Monday, Jan. 10, 8 pm - Hebrew Language: The Tanya with Rabbi Menny Raichik
- Tuesday, Feb 11, 7:30 pm - JLI Decoding the Talmud
- Wednesday, Feb. 12, 7:30 pm - CYP Academy Jewish Course of Why - YJP Dinner, Class & Social
- Thursday, Feb 13, 8 pm - The Heart of Prayer
SHABBOS SHIRA, YUD SHEVAT, PARSHAS BESHALACH
Fri., Feb. 7, 9 Shevat
5:47 pm Light Shabbat Candles & Mincha
6:00 Kabbalat Shabbat
7:00 pm RSVP for Souper Shabbat Feb. First Fridays www.yjphouston.org/shabbatsouper
Shabbos, Feb. 8, Yud Shevat
9:00 am Chassidus
10:00 am Morning Services
Special Shira Torah Reading
Yud Shevat Shabbat Lunch Kiddush & Interactive Farbrengen
5:45 pm Mincha
Torah Study
6:42 pm Maariv, Havdalla and Shabbat Ends
Living Torah Video Magazine