Dear Friend,
This past Shabbos our community was blessed with many guests, including a French family who ended up here unexpectedly when their flight was canceled. At Shabbos Kiddush (with the best cholent this side of the Mississippi), the father shared with us a story from his grandmother that has stayed with us all week.
When he was a baby, his grandmother in Paris was diagnosed with cancer and given only weeks to live. With little hope and few resources, she asked for one last wish before she died: to see the Rebbe. Her husband sold their car to buy two tickets to New York. They spent Shabbos in New York, stood near 770 in Crown Heights on Sunday as the Rebbe walked from his car into 770, handing out coins to those waiting.
She was weeping, and a kind woman nearby explained her situation to the Rebbe in French. The Rebbe then looked at her and, to her astonishment, answered directly in French: “Tout ira bien. Tout va aller”, everything will be OK. He then gave her five coins, one for each of her four children and one for her grandson, the very man who stood with us here in Houston last Shabbos sharing this story.
When she returned to Paris, the doctors could not believe the scans. The cancer was gone, completely. The doctor was so shaken that he became a chassid, grew his beard, and left medicine. The grandmother went on to open the first cholov Yisroel dairy restaurant in Paris under Chabad supervision. Today, over forty years later, she is still alive, now 89 years old.
That moment of faith and blessing reminded me of what we experienced together this week. On Sunday, women from across Houston gathered for a beautiful Challah Bake. In a poignant moment, before the dough was braided, each woman shared what she was praying for: the safety of Israel, the release of the hostages, peace in the world, health for a family member, clarity of purpose, success, and blessing. The room was filled with tears, song, and the heartfelt power of Jewish women’s prayers rising together.
This week’s parsha, Shoftim, begins: “Judges and officers you shall appoint for yourself in all your gates.” Each of us has gates: the choices and moments that shape our lives. The Rebbe’s words to that grandmother were a reminder to let faith and hope stand guard at those gates. When we do, despair is replaced with blessing, and impossibility turns into promise.
And it all began because a husband had the faith to sell his car for a higher purpose.
May we all carry that certainty into the week ahead: Tout ira bien, everything will be OK.
Good Shabbos,
Rabbi Chaim & Chanie Lazaroff
THE COHEN CORNER
What we obtain too cheaply, we esteem too lightly.
In this week’s parsha, Shoftim, the Torah instructs: “According to the Torah that they will teach you... do not turn from what they tell you, right or left.” While the Written Torah reveals Hashem’s will, it’s the Oral Torah, debated, discussed, and passed through generations in accordance with Torah study guidelines, that brings it to life. Without it, we wouldn’t know how to put on tefillin or observe Shabbat. And this is by design. At Sinai, we declared Na’aseh v’nishma, making a primary commitment to obey Hashem’s command, followed by a deeper pledge to understand. Hashem wants us to partner in the process, to use our minds to engage with His wisdom; not just to receive it, but to earn it.
Just as unearned money is often wasted, the same is true with Torah. When we work for understanding by showing up to learn, ask, and wrestle with the text, it becomes part of us. Hashem doesn’t want passive followers; He wants active partners who fuse the spiritual with the physical to reveal G-dliness in the material world. As we approach Rosh Hashana, let’s renew our commitment not only to observance but to engagement. Let’s make space for mindful mitzvah observance and a renewed partnership with Hashem to bring holiness into our lives.
Have a spectacular Shabbos!
Rabbi Yosef, Chanale & Mushka Cohen
UPCOMING CLASSES & EVENTS:
- Shabbos, August 29, 9:00 am - Likkutei Torah - Kabbala of the Parsha - Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi's (ob"m) Masterworks on the weekly Parsha of Chassidic Philosophy, Torah Or & Likkutei Torah.
- Monday, Sept. 1, 8:00 pm - שיעור שבועי בספר התניא עם הרב מני לע"נ יונה דוד ע"ה בן יפה תחי' פרנגר
- Wednesday, Sept. 3, 8:00 pm - YJP Dinner, Class & Social - Weekly Contemporary Jewish Classes for Young Professionals Come discuss, agree, disagree, mingle and network with other young Jewish professionals, singles and couples at series of classes / discussions on contemporary themes! Class, discussion and FREE DINNER!
- Thursday, Sept. 4, 8:00 pm - The Heart of Prayer - In depth look at the prayer book, picking apart the prayer structure and meaning exploring the mechanics and mysticism that comprise Jewish prayer.
- Thurs.-Sun. September 4-7 - Men’s NYC Shabbos Trip Prepare for Rosh Hashanah with an uplifting weekend at the Ohel! Reply to this email to secure your spot!
- Friday, September 5, 7:30 pm - Chocolate Shabbat September First Fridays - Shabbat & Chocolate? Pass the challah please! Join Young Jewish Professionals For a Chocolate Themed Shabbat Dinner at YJP Houston – where spirits run high!
- Tuesday, September 9, 12 pm - Lunch and Learn: Prayer: Private or Performance? Explore the High Holiday paradox of intimate prayer in a communal setting www.chabaduptown.org/lunch
- Sunday, September 14, 6:30 pm - Pre-Rosh Hashana Women's Honey Cake Bake - Join us for an evening of connection and inspiration as we learn the art of baking fresh honey cakes to welcome the new year. Prayers and Raffles in support of our brothers and sisters in the holy land. www.chabaduptown.org/honey
SHABBOS PARSHAS SHOFTIM
FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, ELUL 5
7:29 pm Shabbos Candle Lighting
7:30 Mincha & Kabbalat Shabbat
RSVP for Shabbat Dinner www.chabaduptown.org/shabbatdinner
SHABBOS, AUGUST 30, ELUL 6
9:00 am Chassidus
10:00 am Services
Followed by Shabbos Kiddush & Farbrengen sponsored by Yossi & Karen Abeshouse in honor of their time at Chabad of Uptown
6:30 pm Torah Study
7:30 pm Mincha
Ethics of Our Fathers Chapter 6
8:22 pm Maariv, Havdalla and Shabbos ends
Living Torah
SUNDAY, AUGUST 31, ELUL 7
8:00 am Shacharis
MONDAY & THURSDAY, SEPT 1 & 4, ELUL 8 & 11
6:45 am Shacharis