Three Tammuz. Three Boys. Three Pillars. Three Days. Three Celebrations.
Three Tammuz. The three of us, Rabbi Chaim, Chaya Mushka and Mendel, joined the many thousands who visited the Ohel on this special day. It was very special to spend just a few moments at the ohel on this auspicious day.
Three Boys. During our trip, the world was reeling with the horrific news of the horrific death of our three boys in Israel. What can we do when there is tragedy in the world of this magnitude?
Three Pillars. We must strengthen the three pillars upon which the world rests (Pirkei Avos 1:2) Torah, Prayer, and Acts of Loving Kindness. In memory of Eyal, Gilad and Naftali may Hashem avenge their murder we strengthen our dark world adding Torah, Prayer and Tzedakah. At our weekly young professionals dinner & social we had a game night, but, not without first including these three pillars.
Three Days. Uniquely, on this trip the kids had the opportunity to do some tourist stuff. Mendel went off to camp in upstate Michigan with a camp chartered bus on Wednesday night, that left us with an extra day to explore the city that never stops / sleeps. They got their first real subway experience, rode the Staten Island Ferris past the Freedom Tower and the Statue of Liberty, explored Times Square and the ToysRus four story store, ferris wheel, giant lego sculptures, while stopping for pizza.... And, it was nice to catch up with Josh Neuman...
Three Celebrations. This weekend, July 4, its back to reality. One. We thank Hashem for this great nation, that allows us to live and express our Judaism freely. Two. On this date, at 11:55 pm, just a few years ago, Chaim Tzvi Lazaroff breathed his first breath. When he was three years old, he (cutely) thought his name was Chaim Three. Naturally, when he turned four his name became Chaim Four. A subject of much fun
for his siblings to roll in laughter asking "What's your name?" "Chaim Four!" But, as the country burst the skies open with fireworks, we will greet the Shabbos queen as she descends to join us from on high with the Lecho Dodi. Rabbi Chaim's real birthday is 19 Tammuz, in a few weeks. Three. It is also the First Friday of the month and tradition is tradition, notwithstanding any vacationers plans. You know what that means.... Time for "First Fridays"!! Join other Jewish young professionals for a USA themed Shabbos dinner with Franks in blanks, fried chicken, apple pie and red, white & blue desserts among other USA eats and drinks (um, I mean l'chaims). RSVP atwww.chabaduptown.org/shabbatdinner
The character of Bilam remains ambiguous, in both the Torah and subsequent Jewish tradition. Was he a diviner (reading omens and signs), or a sorcerer (practicing occult arts)? Was he a genuine prophet, or a fraud? more...
Shabbos Parshas Balak
Friday, July 4
Services at 7:30 pm
Candle Lighting at 8:08 pm | First Fridays USA
Shabbos, July 5
Chassidus at 9 am
Services at 10 am
Followed by Shabbos Kiddush
Mincha at 8:10 pm
Ethics of our Fathers, Ch. 5
Maariv, Havdalla & Shabbos Ends at 9:07 pm
Living Torah
Have a good Shabbos!
Rabbi Chaim & Chanie