Dear Friends,
It is that time of year again... Thousands of women have converged on Crown Heights for the Annual International Conference of Shluchos. It is always held over the weekend closes to 22 Shevat, the Yartzeit of the Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneerson. Our daughter Chaya Mushka went up as well to join the concurrent conference for "young shluchos" chilldren of the families out on shlichus. She was accompanied by Chanie's sister Mushkie who came to visit this week - a very special treat! So now will be Chaya Mushka's turn to experience some snow! :)
Deadlines are coming up!
JAN 31: Early Bird Deadline to register for the Intercollegiate Texas Shabbaton! $36 now. $50 then. Register at www.TexasShabbaton.com. Many exciting things are planned for the event - see the updates on the facebook page (attendance at 95 and counting)! Read News Article Here
FEB 10: Appreciation Dinner Journal Book deadline to place an ad or a greeting in honor of Chabad of Uptown and the honorees. Please RSVP and reservce your ad space at www.chabaduptown.org/dinner! A formal invitation will be in your mailboxes this week.
We got Shabbos rolling.... Tonight Rabbi Chaim got done the gefilte fish, green dip, olive dip, soy sauce salad dressing, matzah balls and rice. He also got lined up: chicken, briscuit and green beans topped with mushrooms /onions to put in the oven tomorrow! Chicken Soup? That will have to wait for the AM. It takes too long to cool.... :) Tossed Salad? That has got to be fresh! So will you be joining us to eat all this fantastic Shabbos food?! www.chabaduptown.org/shabbatdinner
Shabbos Mevarchim Adar I - Parshas Mishpatim
Friday, January 28
Services at 6:30 pm
Candle Lighting at 5:38 pm / RSVP for dinner! www.chabaduptown.org/shabbatdinner
Shabbos, January 29
Shabbos Mevarchim Tehillim at 8:30 am
Services at 10:00 am
Followed by kiddush sponsored by Bernard and Marilyn Mendoza in memory and in commemoration of his father's yartzeit with the best Cholent this side of... Bernard will share a special Dvar Torah at the Kiddush and Farbrengen. Please jon us!
Mincha at 6:40 pm
Maariv, Havdalla and Shabbos Ends at 6:34 pm
Here is a thought for this week:
If you see the donkey of your enemy collapsing under its burden, and are inclined to desist from helping him, you shall surely help along with him (23:5)
The Hebrew for "donkey," chamor, also means "material." Thus, this verse also instructs us as to the proper attitude toward the body and physicality:
"When you will see the chamor of your enemy" -- initially you will see your material self as your enemy, as something that obstructs and hinders your spiritual growth.
"Collapsing under its burden" -- in such a state of animosity between body and soul, that the body resists the Torah and its commandments, making them an unbearable burden for it...
One's first inclination may be "to desist from helping him" -- to shun the body, suppress its instincts, and deny it its wants.
Says the Torah: "you shall surely help along with him." Aid the material self with its "burden," by training it to recognize that the Torah is the vehicle for its own refinement and elevation.
(Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov)
More at www.chabaduptown.org/parsha
See you on Shabbos!
Rabbi Chaim & Chanie
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