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This week we read of Jacob’s passing. In this context the Talmud makes a startling observation: Jacob did not die. How can he be alive? Was he not embalmed by the Egyptians, and subsequently buried by his sons in the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron? The Talmud answers: Just as his sons are alive, so is he alive. There are many ways to understand this. A personal favorite of mine: Just as his sons live together in peace and harmony (after some pretty rough years as teens), so is his soul and spirit now alive and at peace through them.
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| Volume 17 Number 15, 12th of Tevet 5776, December 24th '15 | |
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Chabad Weekly Update
A Heart-Felt Request – PLEASE RESPOND Dear Friends, As we approach the end of the year it is time to take stock. Just as we are meant to examine ourselves on the Jewish New Year, particularly regarding our spiritual situation, so too we should use the end of the secular year to examine our material situation. Thank G-d, we live in a place and time of unprecedented wealth and plenty. In all of human history there has never been a time of such riches finding their way into the hands of so many. Yet unfortunately, many do not feel rich. Somehow many people choose to focus on that which they do not have instead of that which they do have. For instance, I would wager ‘dimes to doughnuts’ that nobody reading this article is worried about where his next meal is coming from or if he will have a roof over his head next week. These are precisely the types of worries that all previous generations had. Every one of us should feel rich! While it may be true that we would like more (money, clothes, vacations etc.) it would probably be hard to argue that we need more. In the Ethics of Our Fathers (some of the most poignant ethical teachings in Judaism) we are taught; “Who is rich? He who is satisfied with what he has.” He who trains himself to be happy with his lot will be as happy as the richest person on the planet, in fact it can be argued that he is the richest person on the planet. It is with this in mind that I am asking for your help at this time. Many are thinking ahead to April 15th, Tax Day. Many are now making their decision about how much they want to contribute to a worthy cause and to therefore be able to maximize their tax deductions. I am asking that you include Chabad at La Costa / North County Jewish Center in your plans. Your tax-deductible contribution does so much! It enables us to do something as simple as keep the lights on or bring chicken soup to someone who is not well, and it also helps us do something as sublime as teach a child the beauty of his/her heritage or hold inspirational services every Shabbat. Your generous contributions help us do all that we do, which makes you our partner in everything we accomplish. Indeed you are being offered the opportunity of ‘getting in on the ground level’ of the best investment possible; an investment with guaranteed results! Please take a moment to share your gratitude for all that you have been blessed with by sharing with others. Please take a moment to log onto our secure websitewww.chabadatlacosta.com/donate, and make a profound difference in the life of all those whom we touch. You can also make your donation via check if that is more convenient. G-d has given you the ultimate privilege, and that is to be His partner in perfecting this physical and mundane physical world and transforming it into something G-dly and beautiful! G-d bless you for your generosity and support! Sincerely, Rabbi Eilfort
Kiddush this Shabbos This week’s Kiddush is being sponsored by Clive Walden in honor of his wife Cindy’s Yarzeit. Everyone is invited to join us for this beautiful weekly gathering! Kiddush Sponsors Needed If you have not sponsored a Kiddush for a while and/or if you have a birthday, anniversary, or perhaps a Yarzeit you wish to mark, please respond to this message. Kiddush sponsorship begins at $180. Minyan Needed Please note that a Minyan is needed Monday, December 18th at 7pm so Kaddish can be recited. If you can help us do this wonderful Mitzvah please let us know as soon as possible by sending an email to [email protected]. A Thought from the Rabbi This week’s Torah portion is titled “VaYechi,” (And He Lived) and discusses in large part the final days of Jacob’s life, including the blessings he conferred upon his sons – the 12 Tribes of Israel. As we know Jacob was a very holy person, nonetheless he went through several harrowing tests during his life. The series of tribulations he endured and how he responded to them is instructive to us today. Let us undertake a brief survey of some of the difficulties Jacob survived. Jacob’s twin brother, Esau, was a sinful/evil man, something that surely bothered Jacob. Esau cast aside the holy ways of his parents and grandparents and instead was a murderer and adulterer. Interestingly, Esau accuses Jacob of committing heinous crimes – something that many of our enemies have done throughout history (eg accusing the Jewish people of committing the sins that they themselves actually commit). Esau’s hatred of Jacob became so intense he planned on murdering him. Jacob at that point fled home and headed to his Uncle Laban’s home. Once there his own uncle swindled him and tried to destroy him spiritually. Not only did Jacob not succumb to these continual, profound tests, but he overcame them with flying colors. The troubles did not stop there, however. Finally upon Jacob’s return in triumph to the Promised Land to settle down his beloved wife Rachel tragically died in child birth. Still more trouble followed when the terrible sibling rivalry between his sons reared its ugly head and his beloved Joseph was sold as a slave to Egypt. Jacob thought that he had perished and mourned his son for many years. All of these tragedies exacted a price from Jacob, as he never achieved the same longevity of his father and grandfather. Why was such a holy person subjected to such dramatic difficulties? Are these the wages of Jewish ‘sainthood’? Perhaps we can find the answer by examining an interesting chapter from Psalms. King David wrote in Psalm 116, verse 15, “Grievous in the eyes of the L-rd is the death of His pious ones.” The Hebrew word for grievous is “Yakar,” which interestingly enough can also be translated as “Precious.” I recall a lecture I once heard from Rabbi Chaim Citron, a wonderful teacher I had when I was in Yeshiva, who discussed this alternate translation and how it befuddled him at first. After all, how can we possibly say that the death of the holy is precious to Hashem? Only with the wisdom of maturity can one begin to understand this concept. When the very righteous are judged severely it makes a much more powerful impression than when the wicked are judged. Those of us watching ‘from the sidelines’ will certainly conclude that Hashem’s attribute of truth and justice is not to be trifled with. On the simplest level we see that no one is above the law, and instead the higher up one is, the stricter he/she is judged (oh how I wish modern politicians would keep this mind). Imagine two students; one regularly gets A’s and the other struggles to get C’s, who will the teacher grade in a more exacting way? But on a deeper level think about this; when we get judged who is less likely to become embittered by the experience, the holy person or the sinner? Who is more likely to perceive the blessing inherent in the seemingly negative? Obviously, the righteous person will interpret difficult circumstances as being a form of intense blessing from the Creator – so intense that according to our limited perception it seems negative. When one has attained this level of holiness he/she begins to only perceive goodness! And this attribute is very dear and precious to the Almighty! The bottom line is each of us has our own set of challenges that we must navigate on a regular basis. Those tests are an expression of G-d’s love for us! The more we are tested, the more Hashem loves us! When we can (finally) learn to correctly interpret what seems as difficulties in our life, we will have achieved the ultimate component in living an overwhelmingly joyful life. Chinese Friday Night Dinner & Community Board Games THIS Week
Weekly Class Schedule Daily: Code of Jewish Law with Rabbi E – Following Minyan Shabbat: During Mincha – Women’s Issues with the Rebbetzin Cancelled - Monday: Caffeine for the Soul – A Class for Women @ Target, Encinitas – 12pm Cancelled - Tuesday: Jewish Mysticism – 7:30pm Cancelled - Wednesday: Torah Portion of the Week – 7:30pm. Special Wishes HAPPY BIRTHDAY wishes go out to Anna Mintz and all of those celebrating their birthdays this week! HAPPY ANNIVERSARY wishes go out to all of those celebrating their anniversaries this week! We remember Stewart Miller and Cindy Walden and all those observing Yarzeit this week. May Roz Mintz and Mel Bridge be blessed with a full and complete recovery! ### Hebrew School – NO Hebrew School this Week
Need a Minyan? If you need a Minyan to say Kaddish please give the office at least a few days notice. We are happy to provide this important service, but it takes time to arrange enough participants to assure the quorum is present. Please email [email protected] your request. Learn the Code of Jewish Law with Rabbi Eilfort A daily class in practical Jewish Law is held immediately following the Minyan taught by Rabbi Eilfort. Using the Code of Jewish Law, known in Hebrew as the Shulchan Aruch, participants are able to discuss the laws while learning about the ongoing opportunities one has to serve the Almighty on a moment-by-moment basis. The class begins at about 8:50am and lasts for about 20 minutes. There is no charge to attend. Memorial Plaques & Tree of Life Plaques Available Our beautiful Memorial Boards have been installed. We specifically designed our custom-built bookcases to ‘frame’ each of the boards. The first Memorial Board was dedicated by the Brunelle Family and the new Board was dedicated by the Alter Family. We are currently offering Memorial Plaques to those who wish to perpetually honor the memory of a loved one in a most dignified and permanent manner. Those who dedicate Memorial Plaques will also receive yearly reminders of the Yarzeit and the light on the Board will be illuminated each year on the Yarzeit. We also have a gorgeous Tree of Life dedicated by the Lieberman Family that will shortly be going up. The purpose of the plaques on the Tree of Life is to commemorate joyous occasions (like Bar/Bat Mitzvah, anniversaries, special birthdays, weddings etc.). The donation is only $360 per plaque for either the Memorial Board or the Tree of Life. Those who wish to participate should send an email to [email protected], or call Rabbi Eilfort at 760-943-8891. Cell Phones & Chatting During Services Needless to say the sanctuary on Shabbat or holidays is a place that must be conducive to reflective prayers and serenity. To help keep it this way, please refrain from engaging in any conversations during services and please do not bring in your cell phone. Thank you for your cooperation. Shul Etiquette Those who join us regularly for Shabbat services will agree that we have something very special going. The family-friendly atmosphere is unique and most inviting. We welcome everyone as though he/she is a long time member of the family. At the same time it is important to remember that we are a synagogue. Our sanctuary is meant to be a place where it is conducive to finding inner peace and tranquility. That is why the Rabbis have many laws concerning the decorum of a shul. It is appropriate to dress modestly and to dress somewhat formally in shul. Men should wear button down shirts, slacks (no jeans or shorts), with jackets and even ties when possible. Of course the head is to be kept covered at all times. Women should wear skirts that go past the knees and blouses with high neck lines and sleeves that cover the elbows. Married women should wear hats and the like. Children must be supervised at all times by the parents except during Junior Congregation (11:30am). While we want the children to have a great time together it is also important that they do not become so wild and/or boisterous that they disturb those of us who are participating in the services. We must remember that we should walk to shul and never park in the parking lot if there already eight cars parked. Finally, and we fully realize this goes against Jewish DNA, it is appropriate to come to shul ON TIME. While we know everyone is vying to be counted as the 10th, we are equally sure Hashem will give extra credit to those who come ON TIME at 10am (not to be confused with 11:30). We look forward to seeing you here! Please Patronize Our Sponsors Your Chabad Real Estate Agent & Mortgage Broker Jonathan Rozansky is a licensed realtor and mortgage professional. Whether you are Selling, Buying or Refinancing your home, do not proceed without calling Jonathan Rozansky first. Jonathan will look out for your best interest and can answer all your real estate and financing questions. Call for a free market analysis report today. Jonathan Rozansky Direct (619) 392-1234 DRE. # 01754457 NMLS ID : 315987 Ron Lewis Insurance Services 760.525.5769 / [email protected] Specializing in Medicare Supplements, Long-term care (LTC) plans, Individual health plans, Dental, and Term life insurance. Need health or life insurance or know someone who does? If so, please visithttp://InsuranceProductQuotes.com and get plan and rate comparisons INSTANTLY from the major insurance carriers in California and Washington. Apply directly online or call for more information. There is no charge for this service! Interested in having long-term care insurance WITHOUT purchasing an expensive LTC insurance plan? Watch this 10 minute video: http://www.westlandinc.com/downloads/10MinMG/player.html Neal Sperling Business Development Highly talented, highly experienced business development/marketing consultant to wide range of businesses and non-profits can help you to find innovative new ways to raise money, launch, brand, market, sell, merchandise, and promote your products, services, and organization. Has written and improved wide variety of business plans, marketing plans, obtained major grants/new funding for a wide variety of ventures. Has unique ability to study most any business, quickly and creatively identify new sources of potential revenue, reduce costs, increase efficiencies, and drive more sales in the quickest time frames. Recognized expert on how to drive new sales via the internet. Acclaimed speaker to Southern California business groups, and particularly known for being a great “connector” with ability to introduce you to a wide variety of hard-to-reach decision-makers in various fields. Strong background in consumer products, medical products, high tech, "clean tech," "green" products, non-profits, much more. Call for details: cell: 818-219-9585. Dream Home Cinema *Family Room Surround *Wholesale House Audio *Home Automation Joseph Markowitz: 760-415-8742 Energy, Health, Weight Loss I help people get resultswith having more energy, losing weightand improving their health with safe, natural, guaranteed kosher products along with free coaching. Leah/Linda Buckner 760-63+5-3405. For free samples, including Power Breakfast, call me or fill out contact info at www.FeelGreatSamples.com. For Skin Care samples,www.MySkinCareSurvey.com. Your referrals are appreciated. Cost Effective Advertising Available HERE Hundreds of people see Chabad at La Costa's Weekly Email Update. Those who are looking to effectively promote their business and at the same time support this important community resource are invited to become sponsors for only $50 per month (that's per MONTH, not per week). Call Rabbi Eilfort at 760-943-8891 to get your message out there. |
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Everyone knows of the ancient Jewish Tradition of having Chinese Food on December 25th. Well, this year December 25th happens to fall on a Friday – so we will have a beautiful Friday Night Dinner together featuring the most scrumptious Chinese Food. Candle lighting is at 4:30pm, followed by a word of Torah by the Rabbi and a family-friendly Friday night service. Dinner will be served at 5:30pm. Following dinner we will have board games available to play together. The cost to attend is $18 per adult and $10 per child – not to exceed $50 per family. Reservations are necessary to attend by sending an IMMEDIATE email to us at