Farbrengen Sunday night

There will be a farbrengen on Sunday night in honor of the yahrzeit of Rabbi Wichnin A”H, after the 9:30 Ma’ariv, led by his son Nachman Dov Wichnin.

Davening Times for the week of Parshas Matos-Masei for Tzemach Tzedek

Shacharis - Sunday                                                       8:00, 9:00, 10:00am

Shacharis - Monday thru Friday                                       6:48, 8:00, 9:00am

Shacharis - Friday (Rosh Chodesh)                                6:45, 8:00, 9:00am

Mincha - Sunday thru Thursday                                                7:00, 8:00pm

Maariv - Sunday thru Thursday                                                 8:45, 9:30pm

Parshas Pinchas Schedule for Tzemach Tzedek

The following is the Tzemach Tzedek schedule for Shabbos Mevarchim Parshas Pinchas:

Friday - ערב ש"ק

Licht Bentchen                                                                                           7:57pm

Minchah Erev Shabbos                                                                              8:13pm

Kabbolas Shabbos                                                                                     8:45pm

שבת קודש

Tehillim Shabbos Mevorchim                                                                      8:30am

Sof Zman Krias Shma                                                                              9:26am

Shacharis                                                                                                   10:00am

Kiddush/Farbrengen following Davening

Minchah Gedolah                                                                                         1:38pm

Women's Pirkei Avos Shiur                                                                          6:00pm

Rov's Halochoh Shiur                                                                                   7:10pm

Minchah                                                                                                        7:55pm

Motzoei Shabbos/Maariv                                                                              9:01pm

א גוטען שבת

הַקְהֵל אֶת־הָעָם הָאֲנָשִׁים וְהַנָּשִׁים וְהַטַּף ... לְמַעַן יִשְׁמְעוּ וּלְמַעַן יִלְמְדוּ וְיָרְאוּ אֶת־ה' אֱלֹקֵיכֶם

Parsha Perspective

By Rabbi Yisroel Shusterman

This week’s Parsha Perspective is dedicated by Mr. Binyomin Philipson  in memory of his late mother Mrs. Ellen (Elka bas Zisel) Philipson OBM 

Pinchas, the hero of this week’s Torah portion, Pinchas (Bamidbor [Numbers] 25:10-30:1) was previously unheard of. Though as a grandson of Aaron he belonged to the “royal family,” he was an unseeded young man, who, with a single act of bravery was catapulted to stardom.

The Talmud (Sanhedrin 82a) tells the behind the scenes story. Zimri, a prince of the tribe of Shimon, publicly flaunts his intimate relationship with a heathen Midianite princess. Moses is momentarily stymied. Pinchas respectfully reminds Moses that he himself taught the principle that one who behaves as Zimri did may be executed by the zealous. Moses responds that since Pinchas remembered this, he, Pinchas, should be the one to actually carry it out. Pinchas duly does just that and the terrible plague that had taken the lives of thousands is stilled. G-d blesses Pinchas with His Covenant of Peace and Pinchas goes down in history as the hero who saved the day.

Now Pinchas could have thought.  Here stand Moses and Aaron, other prominent elders and leaders and they are all silent. Who, then, am I to step forward? Surely I must keep quiet and hold my peace.

But Pinchas did not say that. And thank G-d he didn’t. Had he kept his silence, the plague might not have been averted and Pinchas would have remained a non-entity.

This, says the Lubavitcher Rebbe, serves a powerful lesson to all of us. If you witnesses a situation where you feel that you can make a difference, then you must. And the fact that greater people than you seem paralyzed should not necessarily mean that you too should remain idle. Perhaps you are earmarked for greatness and G-d is opening your window of opportunity. Deny yourself this moment and you deny destiny.

Sometimes the moment is yours. Sometimes greater people may vacillate and the responsibility and opportunity rest with you and you alone. Each of us has so much unlocked potential. Rare and precious are those crossroads of life when the chance to unleash that inner calling presents itself.

Similarly we find this thought played out in the story of Purim. The Megillah records how Queen Esther is asked by Mordechai to intercede with King Achashverus on behalf of her people. She explains that she fears this may be absolutely suicidal for her. Mordechai responds with rather strong words, Relief and deliverance will come for the Jews from another place, and you and your father’s house will perish. What Mordechai was telling Esther was that the chance to single handedly save one’s entire nation doesn’t present itself every day. It is a unique moment and ought to be seized. If you won’t do it, someone else will; but this once in a lifetime opportunity may be lost to you forever.

Pinchas reminds us that when opportunity knocks we should open the door quickly. Do not hesitate. Destiny may be beckoning.

 (Excerpts from Chabad.org - from Rabbi Yossy Goldman)

May  you have a meaningful and uplifting Shabbos 

Schedule for Ladies' Hilchos Bais HaBechira Classes Set!

Machon Chaya, the learning branch of Nshei Chabad of Monsey, is proud to again offer Hilchos Bais HaBechira for ladies in fulfillment of the Rebbe’s directive to learn these halachos during the Three Weeks. Everyone is invited and encouraged to attend these informational and inspiring classes. Look forward to seeing you there!

Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday Mornings - 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Monday and Wednesday Evenings - 8:15 p.m.-9:15 p.m.

Rabbis Liberow, Serebryanski, Simpson and Flamer will be teaching, iy"h

All classes will be held at the home of Chaya Webb, 26 Cameo Ridge Rd, Monsey.

$5 donation per class suggested.

While a donation per class attended is suggested, we've found that monies collected aren't always sufficient to cover the expenses. Please consider sponsoring a class for $36 to $50 to help us reach our goal!

Seeking Driver

Driver wanted to drive two passengers from Crown Heights to Monsey Thursday evening, returning to Crown Heights Sunday evening or Monday morning. Please call 718 604 8927 (home). If there is no answer, please call 917 750 0908 (cell). We will provide the car.

Mrs. Tzipora Reitman to Sit Shiva

Boruch Dayan HaEmes - It is with deep sadness that we inform you of the passing of Mrs. Shirley Jaffe OBM, the mother of Mrs. Tzipora Reitman.

The levaya will be held on Tuesday, July 19, at 1:00 PM at Gates of Zion Cemetery in Airmont, followed by the burial at Cedar Park Cemetery in Paramus.

Shiva will be at the Reitman home, 72 Southgate Drive, from 9:30 AM to 8:30 PM. 

המקום ינחם אתכם בתוך שאר אבלי ציון וירושלים

Yud Beis - Yud Gimmel Tammuz Farbrengen

There will be a grand farbrengen in honor of י"ב-י"ג תמוז tonight, Sunday July 17th, at Tzemach Tzedek shul, after the 9:00pm Maariv.

Davening Times for the week of Parshas Balak for Tzemach Tzedek

Shacharis - Sunday                                                                   8:00, 9:00am

Shacharis - Monday thru Friday                                       6:50, 7:00, 8:00am

Mincha - Sunday thru Thursday                                                7:00, 8:10pm

Maariv - Sunday thru Thursday                                                 9:00, 9:30pm

Parshas Chukas Schedule for Tzemach Tzedek

The following is the Tzemach Tzedek schedule for Shabbos Parshas Chukas:

Friday - ערב ש"ק

Licht Bentchen                                                                                           8:09pm

Minchah Erev Shabbos                                                                              8:25pm

Kabbolas Shabbos                                                                                     9:00pm

שבת קודש

Sof Zman Krias Shma                                                                              9:20am

Shacharis                                                                                                   10:00am

Women's Pirkei Avos Shiur                                                                          6:00pm

Minchah                                                                                                        8:10pm

Motzoei Shabbos/Maariv                                                                              9:16pm

א גוטען שבת

הַקְהֵל אֶת־הָעָם הָאֲנָשִׁים וְהַנָּשִׁים וְהַטַּף ... לְמַעַן יִשְׁמְעוּ וּלְמַעַן יִלְמְדוּ וְיָרְאוּ אֶת־ה' אֱלֹקֵיכֶם

Parsha Perspective

By Rabbi Yisroel Shusterman

This week’s Parsha Perspective is dedicated by Mr. Binyomin Philipson in memory of his late mother Mrs. Ellen (Elka bas Zisel) Philipson OBM

A life sentence for jaywalking? Twenty years for chewing gum in public? Singapore notwithstanding, surely that's over the top!

Well, was it so different for Moses, who, in this week’s Torah portion, Chukas, (Bamidbor [Numbers] 19:1-22:1), is punished and denied entrance to the Promised Land for the seemingly minor infraction of hitting a rock instead of speaking to it?

The people are clamoring for water in the wilderness. G-d tells Moses to speak to a certain rock (he was meant to ask nicely) and promises that, miraculously, water will flow from the rock. Commentary enlightens us as to the behind-the-scenes reasons for Moses striking the rock instead of speaking to it, but in the end the miracle happens anyway and the people's thirst is quenched.

If your average rabbi today would make a rock produce water, even if the rock needed more than mere gentle persuasion, surely it would be hailed as the greatest miracle of the century and the rabbi would win the Nobel Prize for chemistry. But for Moses it's a sin? Even if (as the Torah points out) it would have been a greater sanctification of the Divine had he only spoken to the rock, still, for such a minor infraction, such a severe penalty?

The answer, we are told, is that responsibility is commensurate with the individual. If a child messes up, it is entirely forgivable. For an adult who should know better, we are less likely to be as forgiving. Likewise, among adults, from a person of stature we expect more than from an ordinary fellow.

A blemish on a coarse garment is not nearly as bad as it is on a piece of fine material. A stain on a pair of denims is not only acceptable, it is absolutely desirable. In fact, some people pay a premium for pre-stained jeans. Put the same stain on a silk tie and it's simply unwearable.

Moses was like the finest silk and, therefore, even the smallest, subtle hint of sin was considered a serious breach of conduct and the repercussions were severe.

In one of Rabbi Dr. A. J. Twersky's early books, there is an exposition of the well-known Yiddish expression, "es past nit" -- "it is unbecoming." He writes that when he was a child and his father would admonish him for doing the something wrong, he would say "es past nit," i.e. for you, this sort of behavior is unbecoming. Not only did such a rebuke not shatter the child's self image, it reinforced it. A wise father was telling his child, "You are special, you are important; for someone like you this sort of conduct is unbecoming." There are behavior patterns that are not necessarily criminal or sinful. Yet for someone from an esteemed family background, es past nit, it is unbecoming. This was the kind of criticism that could actually build a child's self esteem.

How beautiful those words, for even in chastisement one can find validation and praise.

Moses was the greatest prophet that ever lived. For him, the standard could be no higher. Luckily for us mere mortals, we will not be held to that exalted benchmark. But we will be held to our own standard. The standard of Jews who were called upon by G-d to be "a kingdom of priests and a holy nation."

(Excerpts from Chabad.org - by Rabbi Yossy Goldman)

May you have a meaningful and uplifting Shabbos

Transportation from Montreal after Weddings

There will IY"H be a special Heimans minibus/bus next Thursday (15 Tammuz) leaving after both weddings - the Lesches-Cohen and Ezagui-Rabinowitz - to accommodate all the guests.

To return back to Monsey/Crown Heights after either wedding please TEXT or WhatsApp 514-999-6700 all the following information:

1) Your name 2) how many seats you need 3) your contact phone number (Heimans will be calling you directly on Monday IY"H to take your payment info) 4) which wedding you are going to be at pick up time.

The price is $65 USD. If one takes a Heimans bus to Montreal in the days prior as well, the price for the round-trip is the standard Heimans price $130 USD.

There are only 25 places. First come, first served! Please reserve NOW to guarantee your place(s).

Anash of Monsey mark Gimmel Tammuz

Over 150 men and women gathered in Monsey to mark Gimmel Tammuz with guest speaker Rabbi Isser Zalmen Weisberg at Khal Tzemach Tzedek Lubavitch.

The Farbrengen started with Master of Ceremonies Rabbi Yossi Krasnianski welcoming all of Anash to the event and Rabbi Boruch D. Lesches Mara D'asra of Tzemach Tzedek giving over warm divrei bracha.

He was then followed by the guest speaker, Rabbi Isser Zalman Weisberg of Lakewood, NJ, who kept the crowd at the edge of their seats as he recounted his fascinating journey to Chabad from the Litvishe Torah world. Rabbi Weisberg spoke about his tremendous hakoras hatov to the Rebbe who personally guided and encouraged him on a regular basis for many years until he fully developed his learning and writing skills to present the Rebbe's Torah in prestigious Torah publications. He concluded by sharing his perspective on the Rebbe's famous directive to bring Moshiach by using oros detohu bekeilim detikkun.

One yungerman commented, it's so refreshing to come to such a down-to-earth, genuine and "real" farbrengen which combined relevant guidance with so much inspiration.

The Farbrengen would not have been made possible without the organization of Rabbi Zalmen L. Markowitz and R' Yona Abenson, as well as the assistance of Hirshel Rosenbluh, Mendy Glick, Mendel Sandhouse and other anonymous people that greatly assisted in putting the event together. A special thanks goes to Shmuli Niasoff for putting together the audio and visual.

And last but not least, thanks to all the donors who made this event happen, starting from all of the local Chabad Shuls participating in the Farbrengen - Tzemach Tzedek, Beis Menachem, Beis MM Lubavitch of Pomona and Anash of Airmont.

Monsey Anash Directory

It's already summer time and people have been moving in and around the greater community.

Cheder Chabad of Monsey is updating its database in anticipation of a new format for the "Monsey Anash Directory" this upcoming Elul!

Anash who would like to send in an edit and add cell phone and email to their existing listing should contact directory@chedermonsey.org as well as new residents who can send in addresses, phone numbers etc.

Moshiach and Geulah Shiur

There will be a “Moshiach & Geulah” Shiur tonight, Tues July 12th, 2016, at 8:30 (till about 9:15pm) at Tzaddok Leib & Gwenn Messing’s home, 3 Mariner way. 

Schwartz Bris

Dov Ber and Elisheva Rachael Schwartz will be making the Bris for their newborn son on Tuesday afternoon at 7:15pm at the home of Bracha and Eli Meshchaninov, 32 N. South Gate Drive.

Davening Times for the week of Parshas Chukas for Tzemach Tzedek

Shacharis - Sunday                                                                   8:00, 9:00am

Shacharis - Monday thru Friday                                       6:50, 7:00, 8:00am

Mincha - Sunday thru Thursday                                                7:00, 8:15pm

Maariv - Sunday thru Thursday                                                 9:05, 9:30pm

Mazel tov Meshchaninovs!

Mazal tov to Meshchaninov and Schwartz families on the birth of a baby boy to Berry and Elisheva Schwartz! 

Sholom Zochor after the meal at the home of the Meshchaninov's 32 N South Gate Dr. 10977.

May we share many simchas!

Baruch L'chaim Sunday Night

Mazel tov to Levi Baruch on his engagement to Menucha Rochel Scheiner from Detroit!

The L'chaim will take place this Sunday night at the Baruch home, 80 Decatur Avenue in Spring Valley. 

Parshas Korach Schedule for Tzemach Tzedek

The following is the Tzemach Tzedek schedule for Shabbos Parshas Korach:

Friday - ערב ש"ק

Licht Bentchen                                                                                           8:12pm

Minchah Erev Shabbos                                                                              8:28pm

Auctioning of Shabbos Day Aliyos

Kabbolas Shabbos                                                                                     9:00pm

שבת קודש

Early Minyanim for Aliyos                                                              approx. 8:15am

Sof Zman Krias Shma                                                                              9:17am

Shacharis                                                                                                   10:00am

Kiddush/Farbrengen following Davening

Women's Pirkei Avos Shiur                                                                          6:00pm

Rov's Halochoh Shiur                                                                                   7:20pm

Minchah                                                                                                        8:10pm

Motzoei Shabbos/Maariv                                                                              9:21pm

א גוטען שבת

הַקְהֵל אֶת־הָעָם הָאֲנָשִׁים וְהַנָּשִׁים וְהַטַּף ... לְמַעַן יִשְׁמְעוּ וּלְמַעַן יִלְמְדוּ וְיָרְאוּ אֶת־ה' אֱלֹקֵיכֶם

Parsha Perspective

By Rabbi Yisroel Shusterman

This week’s Parsha Perspective is dedicated by Mr. Binyomin Philipson in memory of his late mother Mrs. Ellen (Elka bas Zisel) Philipson OBM

Moshe (Moses) was exceedingly distressed, and he said to the L-rd, "Do not accept the offering [of Korach and his cohorts]. I have not taken a donkey from a single one of them, and I have not harmed a single one of them." – Bamidbor [Numbers] 16:15

Humility was one of Moshe’s most outstanding qualities. In fact, the Torah affirms that "Moshe was exceedingly humble, more so than any person on the face of the earth." Yet, in this week’s Torah portion, Korach (Bamidbor [Numbers] 16:1- 18:32) when his leadership was contested by his scholarly and prodigious cousin Korach, Moshe responds with seemingly uncharacteristic righteous indignation. One would have expected Moshe to turn to G‑d and say, "A-lmighty, perhaps You should consider allowing Korach to assume my position - he is far more qualified than me! I am more than happy to abdicate my position to the worthier candidate!"

A proper understanding of how the Torah views humility, as discussed at length in the talks of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, whose 22th Yahrtzeit is observed this weekend (Shabbat, 3 Tammuz  / June 9), will explain how Moses' reaction to Korach's uprising was not inconsistent with his exceptional humbleness.

True humility is not a result of an undervaluation of one's talents and accomplishments. Such is a false humility, for it is built on a false foundation. Rather, the truly humble individual is keenly aware of all his strengths and qualities - but simultaneously recognizes that all these talents are G‑d-given, and therefore do not constitute a reason to feel superior to another whom G‑d has not bequeathed such talents. "Perhaps," the humble person thinks, "if that person had been blessed with the same gifts, he would have accomplished the same as me - or perhaps even more!"

Moshe recognized that G‑d had endowed him with tremendous leadership qualities, and he therefore absolutely rejected the notion of relinquishing his position to anyone. This cognizance, however, did not interfere with his genuine humility and respect for every Jew.

On a deeper level, the person who is entirely devoted to fulfilling the will of his Creator is naturally egoless, because he has no personal ambition - his goal is only to further G‑d's "agenda" on this world. While arrogance is a sense of self-importance, dedication to G‑d means realizing that life isn't about the individual or what he wants, it's about serving a higher purpose. Moses, despite all his greatness, of which he was keenly aware, was a dedicated servant of G‑d. And when Korach sought to impede his fulfillment of his divinely ordained mission in life – shepherding the Jewish Nation – Moses responded by firing on all cylinders.

Many confuse humility with meekness. In truth, the humble person is very driven and will not stomach any opposition. But he is not driven by his own ego; he is driven by a desire to implement the Divine plan.

(Excerpts from Chabad.org – by Rabbi Naftali Silberberg)

May you have a meaningful and uplifting Shabbos

Moshiach and Geulah Shiur

The weekly “Moshiach & Geulah” Shiur is on for tonight, Tues July 05th, 2016, at 8:45 (till about 9:15pm). Check it out, and at the same time fulfill our Rebbe’s advice to us, at Tzaddok Leib & Gwenn Messing’s home, 3 Mariner way. [we provide the seforim and light refreshments].

Dovid Kaplan

Shmuly Markowitz Wedding

Unfortunately, many of the invitations that were sent were returned. Please consider the following as a personal invitation.

Rabbi and Mrs. Zalmen Leib Markowitz

Gimmel Tammuz Farbrengen

Minyanim Time Change at Dr. Chaim Schild

The times for the upcoming minyanim at Dr. Chaim Schild's home will be:

Mincha/Maariv: 8:15/9:05pm

Shacharis tomorrow: 8:00am

Tuesday: 6:55am

Davening Times for the week of Parshas Korach for Tzemach Tzedek

Shacharis - Sunday                                                                         8:00, 9:00am

Shacharis - Monday, Tuesday, Friday                                     6:50, 7:00, 8:00am

Shacharis - Wednesday, Thursday (Rosh Chodesh)                       6:45, 8:00am

Mincha - Sunday, Tuesday thru Thursday                                       7:00, 8:20pm

Maariv - Sunday, Tuesday thru Thursday                                        9:10, 9:30pm

Minyan for Maariv Motzoei Shabbos

There will be a minyan for Maariv at Dr. Chaim Schild's home, 19 N. Southgate Drive, at 9:24pm.

Parshas Shelach Schedule for Tzemach Tzedek

The following is the Tzemach Tzedek schedule for Shabbos Mevorchim Parshas Shelach:

Friday - ערב ש"ק

Licht Bentchen                                                                                           8:14pm

Minchah Erev Shabbos                                                                              8:30pm

Kabbolas Shabbos                                                                                     9:00pm

שבת קודש

Tehillim Shabbos Mevorchim                                                                      8:30am

Sof Zman Krias Shma                                                                              9:14am

Shacharis                                                                                                   10:00am

Kiddush/Farbrengen following Davening

Minchah Gedolah                                                                                         1:38pm

Women's Pirkei Avos Shiur                                                                          6:00pm

Rov's Halochoh Shiur                                                                                   7:20pm

Minchah                                                                                                        8:15pm

Motzoei Shabbos/Maariv                                                                              9:24pm

א גוטען שבת

הַקְהֵל אֶת־הָעָם הָאֲנָשִׁים וְהַנָּשִׁים וְהַטַּף ... לְמַעַן יִשְׁמְעוּ וּלְמַעַן יִלְמְדוּ וְיָרְאוּ אֶת־ה' אֱלֹקֵיכֶם