The mitzvah we are profiling this week is Tzedakah.
Although commonly understood to mean charity, the real translation is justice from the root word "צדק".
This sheds light on the age-old Jewish value of giving. It answers a simple question, "Why should I give away my hard earned money?"
In truth, G-d blesses us with the money that we have and entrusts us with these funds to act as his custodian to do good with them. When we understand this, giving is the correct and just thing to do, not only the kind thing to do.
Beginning your day with thinking of others sets the tone for the entire day.
A coin dropped into a Pushka - Charity Box - is a flex of your giving muscle.
#TzedakaConnect #CONNECT10N
Practically speaking:
- Place a Pushka in your house, car, or at work, and transform that space into a center of kindness.
- Give daily, even just a small coin. It’s the gift that benefits both the recipient and the giver.
- Put a few coins in every Friday before lighting Shabbos candles, today in Houston before 7:57 pm.
- We have charity boxes at Chabad of Uptown for pickup anytime that works for you.
- Leave behind a legacy in your will. This will be your final mitzvah on Earth that will be giving forever and also let your family family know what Jewish charity/charities are most important to you.
- Join the Chabad of Uptown Chai Club monthly giving circle at www.chabaduptown.org/donate
Short video lessons:
- 35 SECS: What happens if you give a penny every day? Watch here >
- 8.5 MIN: The connection of Tzedaka to Shabbos & Shema and it's lesson in life. Watch here >
This Shabbat after the Ninth of Av is called Shabbat Nachamu ("Shabbat of Consolation") after the opening words of the day's haftara. This is the first of the series of readings known as "The Seven of Consolation" read in the seven weeks from the Ninth of Av to Rosh Hashanah. Links: Seven Degrees of Consolation, Consolation, Shabbat Nachmu
SHABBOS NACHAMU & PARSHAS VA'ETCHANAN
Friday, Menachem Av 10 - July 31
Candle Lighting at 7:57 pm
Mincha and Kabbalat Shabbat at 8:00 pm
Evening Shema after 8:41 pm
Shabbos, Menachem Av 11 - August 1
Shacharis at 10:00 am
Latest Morning Shema at 10:02 am
Torah Reading of Ten Commandments
Mincha at 8:00 pm
Pirkei Avos, Chapter 3
Maariv, Havdalla & Shabbos Ends at 8:53 pm
Living Torah #27 at www.70years.com
Sunday, Menachem Av 12 - August 2
8:30 am Shacharis
VIRTUAL CLASSES
www.chabaduptown.org/liveclass
Tuesday
12:00 pm - Parsha Class
Wednesday
8 PM YJP CLASS - Tu B'Av Virtual White Party - Class on Family Purity #CONNECT10N
Thursday
12:00 pm - Kitzur Shulchan Aruch - Jewish Law
8:00 pm - Chassidus - Derech Mitzvosecha