There are three reasons to Shabbos this week!
- Keeping Shabbos guards our brethern in Israel from harm.
- We complete the book of Bamidbar for a Shabbos Chazak
- It is Shabbos Mevarchim, blessing the new Month of Av.
This Monday we will have our monthly Rosh Chodesh minyan and breakfast sponsored by the Melnik family, for the month of Av at 6:45 am. Let us know if we can count on you for a minyan.
It also begins the "Nine Days Period". It says "When Av begins, we diminish [our] rejoicing" (Talmud, Taanit 26b). On the 1st of Av, " The Three Weeks" mourning period over the destruction of the Holy Temple--which began 13 days earlier on Tammuz 17--enters an intensified stage. During "The Nine Days" from Av 1st to the Ninth of Av, a heightened degree of mourning is observed, including abstention from meat and wine, music, bathing for pleasure, and other joyous and enjoyable activities. (The particular mourning customs vary from community to community, so consult a competent Halachic authority for details).
Consumption of meat and wine is permitted on Shabbat, or at a Seudat Mitzvah(obligatory festive meal celebrating the fulfillment of a mitzvah) such as a Bris (circumcision), or a "Siyum" celebrating the completion of a course of Torah study (i.e., a complete Talmudic tractate). The Lubavitcher Rebbe initiated the custom of conducting or participating in a Siyum on each of the Nine Days (even if one does not avail oneself of the dispensation to eat meat).
Citing the verse (Isaiah 1:27) "Zion shall be redeemed with mishpat [Torah] and its returnees with Tzedakah," the Rebbe urged that we increase in Torah study (particularly the study of the laws of the Holy Temple) and charity during this period. Links: When and (How) to be Sad, www.thethreeweeks.com
This Wednesday's young professionals dinner, class & social we will have a guest speaker Manya Lazaroff of Chabad in College Station. Topic: Does it matter what I think? - Morality of thought, speech & action.
Next week is also First Friday, August 1, is also August "First Fridays" - Holiest Happy Hour!!
- Mazel tov to Layn & Beatrice Chess on the birth of baby girl!
- Mazel tov Ori & Sara Getz on the birth of a baby boy!
- Mazel tov Chanie for a niece born to her sister Raizy & Rabbi Mendel Rubin or Albany, NY!
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Shabbos Mevarchim, Chazak Parshas Maasei
Friday, July 25
Services at 7:30 pm
Candle Lighting at 8:02 pm
Shabbos, July 26
Shabbos Mevarchim Tehillim at 8:30 am
Services at 10 am
Followed by Shabbos Mevarchim Chazak Kiddush & Farbrengen
Mincha at 8:00 pm
Maariv, Havdalla & Shabbos Ends at 8:58 pm
Living Torah
Have a good Shabbos!
Rabbi Chaim & Chanie