SHABBOS BEREISHIS: THE WAY WE BEGIN IS THE WAY WE CONTINUE!
There is a well-known Chassidic saying: ווי מען שטעלט זיך שבת בראשית, אזוי גייט א גאנץ יאר. The way we establish ourselves on Shabbos Bereishis sets the tone for the entire year!
What an incredible month of Tishrei we have experienced! From the inspiration of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur to the joy of Sukkos and the dancing of Simchas Torah, we have filled ourselves with blessings, strength, and spiritual energy.
But now comes the real challenge: What do we do with everything we have gained?
The Rebbe taught that Tishrei is like a great marketplace where we acquire precious merchandise. We fill our bags with treasures, but when we return home, we must unpack them and put everything to use. Otherwise, what good are all those treasures sitting in our luggage?
Shabbos Bereishis is when we begin unpacking our bags! We take the inspiration of the holidays and bring it into our homes, our relationships, our Torah study, our mitzvos, and our everyday routines.
This is the meaning of ויעקב הלך לדרכו, "And Yaakov went on his way." The holidays may be behind us, but their inspiration travels with us. Each of us returns to our own path, bringing the holiness and joy of Tishrei into everything we do.
And we are already seeing that inspiration in action! This past Wednesday's Oct. 7 YJP Dinner, Class & Social was a wonderful indication of what's to come this year! The energy, meaningful conversation, and enthusiasm for learning showed us what happens when we carry the inspiration of the holidays into our weekly routines.
And we're just getting started!
We are excited to launch an all new CYP Academy course: FASCINATING FACTS! Exploring the Myths and Mysteries of Judaism Join the course: yjphouston.org/facts
And there's an exciting bonus! Complete the course and receive a $200 voucher toward the upcoming CYP Shabbaton in NYC! Even better, with your Academy voucher, you can register during Opening Week, October 12 to 19, for only $99! Shabbaton details: cypshabbat.nyc
And this Sunday and Monday are Rosh Chodesh Marcheshvan! What better way to begin the first month after Tishrei than by putting our inspiration into action? Join us for our monthly Rosh Chodesh minyan and breakfast, starting the new month together with tefillah, friendship, and a delicious breakfast!
As we begin the Torah anew with Bereishis, let's begin our year with renewed commitment to learning, growing, connecting, and celebrating Jewish life together.
Because the real success of Tishrei isn't only how we celebrated the holidays. It's how we live the rest of the year!
Good Shabbos Bereishis! May this be the beginning of a wonderful year filled with blessings, joy, good health, meaningful connections, and revealed goodness for us all!
Rabbi Chaim and Chanie
THE COHEN CORNER
Environment is the invisible hand that shapes human behavior.
We are constantly exposed to ideas and opinions, and even when we disagree with them, they can influence the way we think. In the first Torah portion, we read that after Adam and Chava ate from the Tree of Knowledge, Hashem banished them from the Garden of Eden to prevent them from eating from the Tree of Life and living forever. But why should eternal life suddenly become a problem?
Until they ate from the Tree of Knowledge, Adam and Chava had been unaware of evil, but once they encountered it, that awareness became part of them. Human beings are inevitably influenced by what they experience, and allowing Adam and Chava to live forever would therefore mean granting permanence to the evil they had absorbed. Herein lies an important lesson about the influences we allow into our lives. We may think that negative ideas and experiences cease to affect us once we stop engaging with them, but in reality, whatever enters our consciousness leaves an impression. We must therefore be mindful of what we choose to see and hear, and seek out positive influences and good company, knowing that these experiences gradually shape who we become.
Have a fantastic Shabbos!
Rabbi Yosef, Chanale, Mushka & Mendel Cohen
UPCOMING EVENTS
- 4 Wednesday, October 14, 21, 28 & November 4, 2026, 7:30 pm - Fascinating Facts: Exploring the Myths and Mysteries of Judaism - Join CYP Academy for a fascinating 4-part course exploring surprising facts, myths, and mysteries of Jewish tradition. Dinner and textbook included. $36 for the course, complimentary for CHAI Club members. Complete the course and earn a $200 voucher toward a CYP trip or Encounter! yjphouston.org/facts
- Sunday, October 25, 2026, 6:30 pm - Sparkle & Sushi: Women's Tehillim Bedazzling Workshop - Discover the power of Tehillim while creating your own beautifully personalized Tehillim book to take home. Enjoy sushi, creativity, and inspiration! Early bird pricing ends October 21. chabaduptown.org/bedazzle
- Friday, November 6, 2026, 6:30 pm - YJP November First Fridays Soupper Shabbat - Join YJP Houston in partnership with Moshe Pod for a cozy Shabbat dinner featuring delicious soups, fresh salads, and great company! Register before Thursday with the ADVANCE coupon for special pricing. yjphouston.org/firstfridays
The Chabad community extends condolences to Rachel Minchen on the passing of her mother, Sandy Poulin, Sarah bas Meir a"h
SHABBOS MEVARCHIM MARCHESHVAN, PARSHAS BEREISHIS
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, TISHREI 28
6:40 pm Shabbos Candle Lighting
6:40 pm Mincha and Kabbalat Shabbat
RSVP for Shabbat Dinner www.chabaduptown.org/shabbatdinner
SHABBOS, OCTOBER 10, TISHREI 29
8:00 am Shabbos Mevarchim Tehillim
9:30 am Chassidus
10:00 am Services
Haftarah Machar Chodesh
Followed by Shabbos Kiddush & Shabbos Mevarchm Farbrengen
6:40 pm Mincha
Torah Study
7:32 pm Maariv, Havdalla and Shabbos ends
Living Torah
ROSH CHODESH MARCHESHVAN I, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11, TISHREI 30
8:00 am Shacharis
Followed by monthly Rosh Chodesh breakfast - Sponsorship Available
ROSH CHODESH MARCHESHVAN II, MONDAY, OCTOBER 12, MARCHESHVAN 1
6:45 am Shacharis
Followed by breakfast sponsored by Norman Lazarus
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, MARCHESHVAN 4
6:45 am Shacharis