Avos U'bonim - Starting at 7:30

This Motzoei Shabbos, the Avos U'bonim will be from 7:30 - 8:30 pm at the Tzemach Tzedek Shul, 2 Langeries Drive, Monsey. 

There are only a couple of weeks left for the official program of Avos U'bonim this winter season of 5776 - so come and take advantage of this beautiful program.

IY"H this new starting time will remain until the end of this year's Avos U'bonim season.

Please remember to bring your weekly attendance cards!!  

This week's program is sponsored by someone who asked to remain anonymous. May they enjoy much Chassidishe Nachas in good health and prosperity from all their children! 

Come with your father or older brothers and spend valuable time learning together! Followed by exciting raffles - great prizes, stories and treats.

Remember - boys seen learning nicely will receive raffle tickets for our bi-weekly grand prize. This grand raffle  - a big remote helicopter!

Also - as always - there will be a special raffle for boys coming within the first 10 minutes (7:30 - 7:40 pm).

If anyone would like the Z'chus of sponsoring an Avos U'bonim program - please call or speak to Rabbi Shusterman at: 917 282 3505.

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

The name of Moses does not appear in this week's Torah portion Tetzave (Shmos [Exodus] 27:20 - 30:10), even though he is alluded to. The reason for this is that Moses had requested of G-d, when the Children of Israel made the Golden Calf, that if He was not prepared to forgive the Children of Israel, then He should erase Moses’ name "from Your book..." Although the Jewish people were forgiven, the words of a righteous individual (tzaddik) are powerful and Moses' decree was realized through his name being left out from this one Parsha.

The commentators point out, however, that while Moses' actual name does not appear, Moses himself is very much present. The entire portion consists of G-d's words to Moses! Indeed, the first word is "and you [shall command...]" - the you being Moses.

A person's name does not reflect that person's essential self. A name, or a descriptive word applied to a person, is used by others to refer to that person. The essential self, the essence of the person, however, is beyond description and limitation.

The word "you" at the beginning of the portion connotes its subject's very self, in contrast to a person's name which is a mere "handle" on his personality. This means that although his name does not appear, Moses is, in essence, more present in our portion than if he would be mentioned by name, limited to the description that a name implies.

Because Moses was prepared to forgo mention of his name in the Torah for the sake of his people, he merited that his quintessential self - that level of self that cannot be captured by any name or designation - be included in the Torah. It is this level of Moses' self that is expressed by his "nameless" presence in this week's Torah portion.

We all have a tendency to label ourselves, and each other. So-and-so is a this-ist or a that-ist. A name provides only a limited window into what a person really is. There is a fundamental essence which we each possess and which transcends limitation. When we stop trying to label each other and focus on what is deep inside, on the essence, we realize that we are not really so different than our Jewish neighbors  and acquaintances, and in fact, it becomes much easier to get along with them.

(Excerpts from Chabad.org - by Rabbi Mordechai Wollenberg)

May you have a meaningful and uplifting Shabbos

Monsey Anash Directory - Placing Ads

Cheder Chabad of Monsey is updating its database in anticipation of a second edition of its "Monsey Anash Directory" for our ever expanding (B"H) community!

Anash who would like to add cell phone and email to their existing listing should contact directory@chedermonsey.org to edit their information. Please also alert new families!

Additionally, suggestions are being solicited for the "helpful" community phone numbers to make this directory the one-stop for assistance.

In addition to the "white pages" which will have the contact information for all members of our local and extended Anash community, the Directory will also have ads for local services and products.

If anyone wants to advertise or knows someone who would like to advertise, please contact Rabbi Shusterman at: 845 356 1213 ext 104 for details.

Thank you.