CHASSIDIC PEARLS ON THE PARSHA BY RABBI LAZER BRODY PARSHAS VAYIGASH

"And the men are shepherds, for they've always been herdsmen" (Bereishit 46:32). Yosef (Joseph), when describing his brothers to Pharaoh, tells him that they are "shepherds, for they've always been herdsmen." This passage seems redundant indeed, for if we know that the sons of Yaakov (Jacob) are shepherds, why must we also learn that they're herdsman as well; isn't one term synonymous to the other? Also, why did so many of our most important ancestors and national leaders – Avraham (Abraham), Yitzchak (Isaac), Yaakov (Jacob), Yaakov's sons, Moshe (Moses), Shmuel HaNavi (Samuel the Prophet), and Dovid HaMelech (King David) – choose to be shepherds? Our holy forefathers found four distinct advantages of being shepherds: First, tending sheep is a relatively easy vocation that doesn't occupy a person's thought process; therefore, one can tend flocks and simultaneously think about other loftier endeavors. Second, sheep are profitable in that they yield wool, milk, and offspring; if the sheep graze on open land, then the flock owner has virtually no overhead. Third, one who tends flocks spends most of his time far away from other people, and therefore avoids committing a large list of transgressions including slander, gossip, swindling, and forbidden sights, just to name a few. Fourth, this vocation helped our forefathers to maintain their holiness by guarding them from assimilating with their Egyptian hosts, since shepherding was an anathema to the ancient Egyptians.

Friday, December 30, 2011

[chicago-aneinu] Updated Blood/Platelet Donation Request

CHAI LIFELINE NEEDS YOUR HELP! Lacey Horwitch, an 8 year old girl with a rare genetic disease, is in great need of many blood and platelet transfusions. We encourage you to please help Life Source replenish their blood/ platelet bank, and donate in Lacey’s honor. Life Source is located at 2436 Main Street, Evanston, 847-491-9338 and will have a scheduled drive on Sunday, January 8th, between 8:30 am and 2 pm. They are in the same area as Sam’s Club and Marshall’s. You can also check www.lifesource.org for other locations, and to schedule an appointment. When donating, please let the attendant know that you are donating for Lacey Horwitch (code below). If you are unable to donate during this time, please call the LifeSource inbound call center, and schedule a donation at your convenience, and it will be marked under Lacey’s name. Appointments are encouraged. Please call 877.543.3768. Please read the following details carefully. Tizku L’mitzvos and many thanks, Group Code: 152D (for people to use outside drives, at fixed LifeSource sites) Blood Drive Dates: Sunday, Jan 8th, LifeSource Donor Center Hours: 8:30 – 2:00 pm Address: 2436 Main St. Evanston, IL East of McCormick Blvd, next to Starbucks in mall with Sam’s Club, Food 4 Less Sunday, Jan 15th, Temple Beth Shalom, Northbrook Hours: 8:00 – 1:00 Goal: 60 Contact: Rabbi Walkin Address: 3433 Walters Ave., Northbrook, IL 60062 To prepare for donation: Bring a Photo ID Drink plenty of water day before and up to donation Eat well 16 yr old, can donate need a parental consent form signed or parent needs to be with donor 800 number to make appointments: 877.543.3768 800 number for donation specific questions (travel, medications, etc) 847.260.2647 Sylvia Abramson Case Manager Chai Lifeline Midwest 847-763-1818 office 773-814-1800 cell

Thursday, December 29, 2011

[chicago-aneinu] Update! White Supremacist Arrested

Anti-Defamation League SECURITY ADVISORY December 29, 2011 We wanted to notify you that Danny Lee Warner, Jr. has been arrested by local police in in Lake Havasu, Arizona without incident. He is being charged with being a convicted felon in possession of ammunition, and there are additional charges expected. At the same time, we must recognize that white supremacy and other forms of extremism remain a threat. It is always important to remain vigilant. We encourage you to continue to do the following: · Keep your eyes and ears open for anything unusual or suspicious and call law enforcement immediately if you come across something. Unusual behavior should be promptly reported to the police or security personnel. · Consider not letting anybody you don’t know into your facility, and not allowing any new visitor to your facility roam around unescorted. · Ensure that your staff members, including newly hired personnel, know what to do in the event of an emergency, and that they know your policy on when to allow persons to enter the facility. · Make sure to use the security devices you have in place and that access controls are being used properly. For example, ensure that communications equipment (for instance, walkie-talkies) and video cameras are working and properly used. · Review and practice security procedures. In particular, review with all personnel their role in security. For instance, if vigilance has slipped in mail and package delivery safety procedures, now is the time to revisit this area. · Renew/establish relationships with local law enforcement and discuss security. It has been our experience that local jurisdictions are working very hard to maintain close relationships with their Jewish institutions. If you have not established personal relationships with key police personnel, set up a meeting to do so. · Trust your instincts. If something strikes you as being out of place or problematic, call the police immediately. Security is a long-term process. It is important to review security procedures on a regular basis and to be thinking of ways to improve security. ADL’s security manual – Protecting Your Jewish Institution – and your local ADL regional office are important resources in your security planning. ADL’s security website is www.adl.org/security. For additional information, we may be reached at: 312-533-3939. Wishing you a happy, healthy, and safe new year. Shabbat Shalom, Lonnie Nasatir Regional Director Anti-Defamation League Greater Chicago/Upper Midwest Region

[chicago-aneinu] Community Alert! Beware of Dangerous White Supremacist

To ensure your safety, and the safety of your family and friends across the United States, we are attaching a bulletin issued by the State of Wisconsin, and disbursed by the Jewish Anti-Defamation League. There is no need for panic - but you should be vigilant! It is highly unlikely that there is an imminent danger to our campus and our students. Our Jewish institutions are being informed and extra protection has been arranged by the local police departments. However, the fugitive described in the attached bulletin has expressly threatened the lives of Jews, and indicated that he is "heading south" of Wisconsin to kill as many blacks and Jews as he can before the police get him. It is important that you be alert, remembering his facial features and his last known car and - should you see either - inform the authorities immediately. Since he may be headed east - particularly New Jersey and New York - it is advised that you spread the alert to friends and family there as well. As always, we are concerned for our security. While not wanting to sow fear, it is important to be responsibly cautious. Esther M. Shkop, Ph.D. Dean, Machon Torani L'Banot Blitstein Institute of Hebrew Theological College 2606 West Touhy Avenue Chicago, IL 60645 773-973-0241 SEE BOLO HERE

CCHF Request for tehillim

Please say tehillim for Sima Avivah bat Sora Leah (Lacey Horwitch) with bone marrow failure. Please say tehillim for Tinok ben Yocheved. He is a NICU recovering from heart surgery. Please say tehillim for Tinok ben Chana Baila. He is still in need of more surgeries.

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

COMING SOON The Family Lesson a Day, Pocket Version The laws of Speech with Stories and Parables, For all ages Written by Rabbi Shimon Finkelman

You can create an everlasting z’chus for a loved one And Make an End-of-Year Charitable Donation to Chofetz Chaim Heritage Foundation You can link a family member to the merit of Shmiras Haloshon by having thousands of people learn in their z’chus on the day of their yhartzeit Allow the great merit of Shmiras Haloshon to shield and protect your family. Tens of thousands of Jews around the world have joined together to learn two halachos of the laws of Shmiras Haloshon on a daily basis. This quiet revolution has created z’chusim beyond calculation for themselves, their families and all of Klal Yisrael. Dedicate a day or month in a new Sefer Going to Print on January 5!!! The Family Lesson a Day, Pocket Version The laws of Speech with Stories and Parables, For all ages Written by Rabbi Shimon Finkelman The cost to sponsor a day of learning is only $360 A VERY SPECIAL Z’CHUS IS AVAILABLE FOR $1,800 TO SPONSOR ONE MONTH OF LEARNING! That means one entire month of daily lessons, learned by families across the globe, all as a zechus for your loved one. Reserve your day or month in the sefer NOW, email bl@cchfusa.org , Fax the attached form to 845-738-1421 or call 845-352-3505-113 during the day and 845-371-0274 in the evening.

Fwd: [chicago-aneinu] Surgery Tonight - Please Daven



Sent from my iPhone

Begin forwarded message:

From: myysbyy@aol.com
Date: December 28, 2011 3:47:31 PM CST
To: Myysbyy@aol.com
Subject: [chicago-aneinu] Surgery Tonight - Please Daven
Reply-To: chicago-aneinu+owners@googlegroups.com

From an Aneinu member:
 
Our Precious Granddaughter Daphna is scheduled for December 29 (about midnight Chicago time tonight) to have the surgery to remove the tumor in her head.  They believe this is going to be an all-day surgery. We would like to ask if please The Community would daven for her, Daphna Yael bas Rivka, for all to go smoothly and successfully, for her, and among all the other patients of Israel. 
 
Thank you from the bottom of our heart.
 
Psalm Chapter 20
1. To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.
2. May the Lord hear you in the day of trouble! May the name of the God of Jacob defend you!
3. May he send you help from the sanctuary, and strengthen you out of Zion!
4. May he remember all your offerings, and accept with favor your burnt sacrifice! Selah.
5. May he grant you your heart's desire, and fulfil all your plans!
6. May we rejoice in your salvation, and in the name of our God set up our banners! May the Lord fulfil all your petitions!
7. Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed; he will answer him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand.
8. Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.
9. They are brought down and fall; but we shall rise, and stand upright.
10. Save, Lord; the king will answer us on the day when we call.
Psalms Chapter 6

1. To the chief Musician for stringed instruments, according to the Sheminith, a psalm of David.
2. O Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger, nor chasten me in your hot displeasure.
3. Have mercy upon me, O Lord; for I am weak; O Lord, heal me; for my bones shudder.
4. My soul is also much troubled. And you, O Lord, how long?
5. Return, O Lord, deliver my soul. Oh save me for the sake of your loving kindness!
6. For in death there is no remembrance of you. In Sheol who shall give you thanks?
7. I am weary with my moaning; all night I make my bed swim; I drench my couch with my tears.
8. My eye wastes away because of grief; it grows weak because of all my enemies.
9. Depart from me, all you evil doers; for the Lord has heard the voice of my weeping.
10. The Lord has heard my supplication; the Lord will receive my prayer.
11. Let all my enemies be ashamed and much troubled; let them return and be ashamed in a moment.

















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Fwd: [chicago-aneinu] Blood Donation Needed!



Sent from my iPhone

Begin forwarded message:

From: myysbyy@aol.com
Date: December 27, 2011 2:03:07 PM CST
To: Myysbyy@aol.com
Subject: [chicago-aneinu] Blood Donation Needed!
Reply-To: chicago-aneinu+owners@googlegroups.com

Lacey Horwitch,  is an 8 year old girl with a rare genetic disease is in great need of many blood transfusions.  She has A+ blood type.    To that end, if you are A+, please go to Life Source to donate blood or platelets.  They are located at  2436 Main Street, Evanston, 847-491-9338. They are in the same area as Sam's Club and Marshall's. You can also check www.lifesource.org   for other locations.  When donating, please let the attendant know that you are donating for Lacey Horwich.
 
Tizku L'mitzvos and many thanks,
 
Rabbi Shlomo Crandall
Chai Lifeline
 
Rabbi Shlomo Crandall
Chai Lifeline Midwest
Office  847 763 1818
Cell        773 814 4446

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[chicago-aneinu] Mitzvah Opportunity

A relative of our family (Yossi Abramovitz) is struggling with parnassah. He works very hard and is not making ends meet. His first child got engaged and he has no clue how he will be paying for this. If you can help in anyway it would be most appreciated. Tax deductible through the Chicago Chesed Fund if needed. shekerhachen@aol.com

CCHF AND [chicago-aneinu] Request for tehillim

Please say tehillim for Chaim Yitzchok B-n Shaina who has a brain tumor. Please say tehillim for Benzion ben Rachel. He is a young man who was just diagnosed with a brain tumor.

Sunday, December 25, 2011

[chicago-aneinu] Please Daven

I received the following request: I have a personal request for everyone. My grandfather was taken to a hospital and is in critical condition. If you can include him in your prayers for a recovery, I am sure that would go a long way to him improving. His name is Sholom Ber ben Esfir.

BAIS HAVAAD ON THE PARSHA 5772(CHANUKA/DECEMBER 25TH)Of Holy Days and Holidays

GIVING GIFTS TO NON JEWS B/4 OR ON CHRATMAX? TAKING OFF OF SCHOOL FROM DECEMBER 25TH THROUGH JANUARY 1ST? CALLING DECEMBER 25TH BY ITS HOLIDAY NAME ALL THOSE QUESTIONS ANSWERED HERE. PRINT VERSION PLUS Giving Gifts During The Non-Jewish Holiday Season By Rabbi Doniel Neustadt Shlit"a Dreidle, Chinese Auctions, and Other Forms of Gambling By Rav Dovid Grossman Rosh Bais HaVaad The Yom Tov of Chanuka, is associated in Jewish custom, with various forms of entertainment gambling. In Eastern Europe card playing on Chanuka was a traditional pastime for adults while the younger generation of Jews amused themselves with spinning the dreidel. Most of the researchers of Jewish customs associate this gambling custom with the fact that when the Greeks searched Jewish homes and caves for those studying the Torah, the Jews played with dice or cards to distract them and allow those being Moser Nefesh, to hide or escape. Chanuka and this type of entertainment gambling became an accepted part of the Chanuka celebrations in the general Jewish community over a millennia ago. Gambling, in all of its forms, was frowned upon if not actually forbidden by the rabbinic authorities of the ages. This article will discuss various forms of “accepted” gaming and analyze some possible explanations and leniencies. Choshen Mishpat Chiddush: Nittel Nacht- the custom not to learn Torah on the night of December24th Many Eastern European Jewish communities had a custom not to learn Torah on the night of 24-25 December every year. Some Chassidim still adhere to this custom today.

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Fwd: [chicago-aneinu] Please Daven for Skelener Rebbe's son



Sent from my iPhone

Begin forwarded message:

From: Myysbyy@aol.com
Date: December 24, 2011 7:43:23 PM CST
To: myysbyy@aol.com
Subject: [chicago-aneinu] Please Daven for Skelener Rebbe's son
Reply-To: chicago-aneinu+owners@googlegroups.com

 

the Rebbe's son Yishaya Yaakov ben Raizel has just gone into the hospital for a liver transplant.
please daven for a successful operation.
gut shabbos
a freleichen chanuka
--
Shaindy Kappel
Aneinu Tehillim
Psalm Chapter 20
1. To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.
2. May the Lord hear you in the day of trouble! May the name of the God of Jacob defend you!
3. May he send you help from the sanctuary, and strengthen you out of Zion!
4. May he remember all your offerings, and accept with favor your burnt sacrifice! Selah.
5. May he grant you your heart's desire, and fulfil all your plans!
6. May we rejoice in your salvation, and in the name of our God set up our banners! May the Lord fulfil all your petitions!
7. Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed; he will answer him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand.
8. Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.
9. They are brought down and fall; but we shall rise, and stand upright.
10. Save, Lord; the king will answer us on the day when we call.

Psalms Chapter 6

1. To the chief Musician for stringed instruments, according to the Sheminith, a psalm of David.
2. O Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger, nor chasten me in your hot displeasure.
3. Have mercy upon me, O Lord; for I am weak; O Lord, heal me; for my bones shudder.
4. My soul is also much troubled. And you, O Lord, how long?
5. Return, O Lord, deliver my soul. Oh save me for the sake of your loving kindness!
6. For in death there is no remembrance of you. In Sheol who shall give you thanks?
7. I am weary with my moaning; all night I make my bed swim; I drench my couch with my tears.
8. My eye wastes away because of grief; it grows weak because of all my enemies.
9. Depart from me, all you evil doers; for the Lord has heard the voice of my weeping.
10. The Lord has heard my supplication; the Lord will receive my prayer.
11. Let all my enemies be ashamed and much troubled; let them return and be ashamed in a moment.




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