Sunday, March 31, 2013

Rav Pam on Pirkei Avos

SEFIRA IS IS HERE ITS TIME FOR PIRKEI AVOS THIS YEAR PIRKEI AVOS PICK IS RAV PAM ON PIRKEI AVOS.

DIVAR TORAHS ON HAGGADAH 2013 PART 6(THE RAV 20TH YORTZEIT)

HA LACH MANIA THE RAV SAYS THE JEWISH SLAVES AND JEWS WHO WERE NOT SLAVES SHARED THERE MATZA WITH EACH OTHER.

DIVAR TOTAHS ON THE HAGGADAH 2013 PART 4

RABBI SACKS EXPLAINS THE RASHA QUESTION HE IS ASKING HIS PARENTS WHAT DOES JUDAISM MEAN TO YOU?HE SEES JUDAISM IS NOT IMPORTANT TO HIS PARENTS AND THEREFORE HE IS CONFUSED.WE MUST ALSO LIVE BY OUR FAITH THAT WE WANT HIM TO CONTINUE.

DIVAR TORAHS ON THE HAGGADAH 2013 PART 3

Chief Lord Rabbi Sacks asks why would Rabbi Elazar ben Azaria and Rabbi Eliezer who hold to eat the afikomen by midnight be at a seder with Rabbi Akiva and and Rabbi Yehoshua who hold you can eat the afikomen till dawn?Rabbi Sacks answers this was Roman times a time of baseless hatred and what was needed was a seder of achdus.

DIVAR TORAHS ON THE HAGGADAH 2013 PART 2

MA NISHTANA IT WAS 1943 WORLD WAR 2 MOISHELE ASKED HIS FATHER ARE WE GOING TO SURVIVE AND THE FATHER ANSWERED I DO NOT KNOW BUT I DO KNOW THERE WILL BE A MOISHELE SOMEWHERE B/C HASHEM PROMISED US THERE WILL ALWAYS BE ONE MOISHELE.

DIVAR TORAHS ON THE HAGGADAH 2013 PART 1

There is a beautiful dvar torah that Rabbi Shlomo Carlbach zt"l said over on the Hagaddah Shel Pesach. Why do we respond to the Rasha son in the Hagaddah in such a harsh way ("Hakeh es shivov"....strike him in his teeth)? Isn't it at least to his credit that he is here, sitting around the seder with his family, good enough? What does it mean, "Hakeh es Shinov"? So he answers, 'kedarko', with a fantastic and inspiring 'vertel'. He quotes a teaching in the name of the (4th) Belzer Rebbe, Reb Aharon Roke’ach zt"l. Reb Ahrele taught that everything in this world, every aspect of reality, has within it a pnimius and a chitzonius, an inner and outer manifestation. The word Rasha is spelled ר-שׁ-ע. The outer letters is ר-ע which spells רע - evil. That is what this person is - but only on the OUTSIDE! The שׁ, which is the letter on the inside has three branches each representing the 3 Avos of Klal Yisroel. And that is the pnimius, the INNER manifestation of this yid. That despite his evil wayward lifestyle and attitude, and regardless of our worthiness, b'zechus the Avos we are all included in this redemptive relationship with Hashem. Reb Shlomo says, do what the Haggadah says to do to the Rasha, strike his Shin[av] – his שׁ – his inner manifestation – agitate, stimulate and arouse the Shin, the awareness of our Avos to awaken the body to the existence of the Neshama. R' Carlbach’s teaching is profound. Don’t just hit the child, or reject the child, but find a way to encourage your child and to accept your child, let YOUR good speech bring out the best in your rebellious child’s speech.(summary from ywn coffee room)

Thursday, March 28, 2013

[Aneinu] Please Daven Now!

Please daven now for Gilbert Gertzfeld, Gedalia HaKohen ben Sara Freida, who needs a refuah shlema.

Saturday, March 23, 2013

JI Sameach Music & Jordan B. Gorfinkel present- A Cappella Treasury: Yom Tov [Audio Sampler]

Not long ago, when groups like Lev Tahor, Six13 and A.K.A. Pella were releasing their first albums, one of the most progressive a cappella albums of all times was released. The name of the album was A Cappella Treasury: Shabbos, presented by Sameach Music and acapella guru Jordan B. Gorfinkel. Gorf is the musical genius behind groups like Kol Zimra, Beat’achon and more recently Pella Singers. The collection, 21 tracks in all, featured breakthrough a cappella for its time including 10 NEW songs, 10 classics and an impressive 18 stars. The roster included; Kol Achai, Beat’achon, Six13, Lev Tahor, Abie Rotenberg, Yehuda!, Kol Zimra, Noah Solomon, 8th Day, Ophie Nat and more. Since then, music and a cappella fans have been amazed with the entertainment and quality level of a cappella that has been released. New groups and singles have helped grow the a cappella field and heighten the level of professionalism. Now the time has come for the release of the next level of a cappella evolution. Sameach Music and Jordan B. Gorfinkel present A Cappella Treasury: Yom Tov. Just the like first in the series, this album also includes several NEW compositions and well as many classics including several songs previously released as singles. The hit lineup includes names like the Maccabeats, A.K.A. Pella, Six13, Eli Gerstner and the Chevra, Lev Tahor, Pella Singers, Gershon Veroba, Kol Achai, Ari Goldwag, Nochi Krohn and more. A Cappella Treasury: Yom Tov songs cover nearly every Yom Tov festival and holiday from Rosh Hashana to Pesach, Succos and Shvuos, and also Chanukah and others. So this sefira/a cappella season, choose the CD sampler of not just one great artist but more than a dozen: A Cappella Treasury: Yom Tov.

Friday, March 22, 2013

[Aneinu] Please Daven

Please daven for a member of our community, Gedalia HaKohen ben Sara Fraida, who is in the icu.

Thursday, March 21, 2013

[Aneinu] Please Daven - ICU

From an Aneinu member: Please daven for Yehuda ben Bracha, a member of our Chicago community who is in ICU. Thank you.

[Aneinu] Please Daven - Surgery This Morning

Please daven for Levi Yitzchok ben Chaya Tzipa, a Chicagoan, who is having surgery this morning, Thursday 3/21/13.

The Schottenstein Edition Sefer Hachinuch / Book of Mitzvos - Volume #3 Mitzvos 131 - 183

Sefer HaChinuch is one of the great classics of the 13th Century. Although the anonymous author states that he wrote it for his son and the youth of his time to learn on Sabbath afternoons, it was embraced by the entire nation as a masterpiece. The author lists all 613 Commandments following the weekly Torah Readings. He explains the source of each mitzvah, suggests a reason for it and the lesson it contains for us, and provides a summary of its laws. Chinuch gives expression to the essence of the mitzvos in a manner that speaks to the heart of the Jew. No other work approaches it in presenting the grandeur and majesty of the 613 Mitzvos. Thanks to the gifted scholars of ArtScroll/Mesorah, English readers — scholars and laymen alike — can now study and understand Sefer HaChinuch with clarity and in depth, as never before. The Hebrew text, authoritatively researched by Machon Yerushalayim, is newly vowelized. Every word and phrase is translated and explained, following the pattern of the ArtScroll Schottenstein Talmud. Notes explain the background and concepts. Sources of the laws are cited and explained. References to other works and classic halachic sources are provided for those interested in further research. Illuminating “Insights” reveal broad dimensions of the mitzvos. An Overview discusses the inner meaning and spiritual uplift of the mitzvos. Includes full-color illustrations This major achievement brings profound understanding of the mitzvos within the reach of every Jew. The first volume also contains the Author's Introduction, which is an extensive treatise on issues such as the uniqueness of the Jewish People, their tribulations in Exile, and the coming Days of Mashiach. This illuminating perspective on these issues, from the pen of such an authoritative source, is a must-read.

Kleinman Ed Midrash Rabbah: Vayikra Vol 1 Parshiyos Vayikra - Metzora

If you want to unlock the spiritual and ethical treasures of Jewish thought... If you want to share the insights and brilliance of Midrashic commentators, both classic and contemporary... If you want to discover the depth and beauty of the Midrash... Now is the time to begin. A monumental and magnificent new Torah project: The Kleinman Edition Midrash Rabbah Like the Talmud, the Midrash is part of the Oral Law. The Midrash delves into the spiritual essence of the revealed Torah. It adds many missing details of the Torah's narrative, and provides the ethical tradition that was passed down orally from generation to generation. Midrash Rabbah is the best known and most widely studied of all the Midrashic works. The Kleinman Edition Midrash Rabbah is a 16-volume project covering all of Midrash Rabbah, on the entire Chumash and the Five Megillahs. The inaugural volume (volume 2 of the entire series) covers Sefer Bereishis/Genesis, from Parashas Lech Lecha through Parashas Toldos. The Kleinman Edition Midrash Rabbah features: The Hebrew text, newly typeset, on pages facing the English translation and commentary Many classic Hebrew commentaries, including Rashi, Matnos Kehunah, Eitz Yosef, and Maharzu, plus the out-of-print classic Eshed HaNechalim -- All newly typeset on the Hebrew page ArtScroll/Mesorah's acclaimed phrase-by-phrase translation and elucidation of the Midrash text, created by an international team of Torah scholars for optimum understanding of the Midrash Explanatory footnotes to help clarify difficult passages and concepts A special "Insights" section that amplifies or complements our elucidated text and notes and at times brings a contemporary focus to the timeless words of the Midrash "Insights": Midrashic teachings enriching our contemporary understanding The Midrash has been the source of Jewish ethical and spiritual teachings for millennia, and has been mined for its treasures particularly by the masters of Mussar and Chassidic thought. In the unique "Insights" feature, we see the Midrash through the eyes of classic early authorities as well as more contemporary giants of Torah thought such as Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch, the Sefas Emes, and Rabbi Eliyahu Dessler, and many others. 20% off at Kesher Stam.

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

[Aneinu] Message From Founder of Aneinu

Received from Shaindy Kappel, founder of Aneinu: The name of the woman is Soro bas Linda, she is not frum. She doesn't know her mother's hebrew name. She is a woman in her early 40's who was recently diagnosed with stage four cancer in her brain and other areas in her body as well. After 14 radiation treatments and starting chemo, she just found out yesterday that the tumors did not respond to the treatments and instead got larger. I am asking everyone to add her name to their tehillim list. Rabbi Dovid Weinberger, when he gave me the instructions for Aneinu explained that each community should have a community based cholim list and each aneinu group should say the names of those within their respective community. We need not say the names of cholim all over the world, because that becomes an impossible task, and l'zorainu harav, the list is endless. He explained that since we can assume the cholim are frum-their family, friends and community will daven for them. But he said, in a case of a baal teshuva or someone who is not frum-we can assume that there is NO ONE who will daven for them and in this case, we all become the family of the choleh and daven for them. this rule applies in the case of Soro Bas Linda. I will update you on the name every few months Tizku l',mitzvos Chag Kosher V'someach

[Aneinu] Please Daven

Please daven for Rachel bas Yafa 16-Year-Old Girl Calls from Trunk of Arab Car (Wednesday, March 20th, 2013) A mother called Learn and Live complaining that her 16-year-old daughter was hanging around with three Arab men from Shechem. When confronted, the teenage girl claimed that the Arabs treated her like a princess and they were all just friends. Learn and Live counselors called the girl and tried to make a time to meet with her but to no avail. Two days later, the girl called Learn and Live from the trunk of a car. “They are taking me into Shechem! They told me to stay in the trunk to get thru the Israeli checkpoint”. Frantic chase efforts were made to find the car and the girl but to no avail. Her mother and Learn and Live staff have not heard from her. The public is asked to pray for Rachel bas Yafa who is now in Shechem. (YWN – NYC World Headquarters)

JI AND JMR Six13 Volume 5: BELIEVE [Video Promo]

If there’s one group that’s continued to push the boundaries of Jewish music and redefine our understanding of the artistry that can be achieved with the human voice, it’s undoubtedly Six13. And now the ground- breaking Jewish a cappella group is turning heads once more with their latest release, Volume 5: BELIEVE, celebrating ten years of creating incredible music. On this album, you can expect more of the quality Six13 has come to be known for — virtuosic singing, impeccable arrangements and tight harmonies, in-your-face thumping bass and vocal percussion, and infectiously danceable up-tempo tracks interspersed among heartfelt, moving ballads. But as always, the boys never settle for the “same old same old”. The songwriting takes a decidedly dramatic turn on this record, with soulful, ethereal cuts like “Shema” and “Mah Rabu” true to the central theme of “EMUNAH” that will leave the listener with goosebumps. On the other end of the spectrum are comedic gems, both in the form of hilarious originals like “Chanukah Rights” and the group’s trademark pop parodies, like “Good Shabbos” and “Brei Brei Brei“. As if that weren’t enough, the guys manage to squeeze in to a power-packed track list their own unique spins on the hottest tunes in Jewish music today, joined by some of the hottest artists in Jewish music today. The Maccabeats join in with their mentors (and their original producer, Six13′s Mike Boxer) on “Ki Malachov” and “Mi Shema’amin” — and the lead vocals for “Yesh Tikvah” are provided by none other than the inimitable Benny Friedman. This one’s got something for everyone. The Six13 boys still insist that they make music to be enjoyed 365 days a year, but whether or not you’re in the need for something for sefirah, this is shaping up as the album of the year. Don’t skip “BELIEVE” over.

[Aneinu] Please Daven - Surgery Today

Please daven for a fellow Chicagoan who is undergoing serious surgery today, Yaakov Menachem Mendel ben Chava

[Aneinu] Pleaae Daven for Little Boy

I received the following from an Aneinu member: This is a little boy in pre1a in Boston who had emergency brain surgery last night. Yisroel Leib ben Nina is undergoing another procedure at noon. It may last 2-5 hours. The next 48 hours are critical and we ask that everyone please try to say tehillim especially during the procedure this afternoon. In the zechus of our tefillos may he have a refuah shleima

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

[Aneinu] Baby Critical - Please Daven

Baby Adelle Biton’s condition has worsened and she is in critical, life threatening condition at Schneider Children’s Hospital in Petach Tikva. “We regret to say that Adelle’s condition is deteriorating and we ask the entire public to pray for her health,” her father, Rafi, said today. Adelle’s name for Tehillim is Adelle Chaya Bat Adva, reports Arutz Sheva. Adelle’s mother, Adva, was listed in moderate to serious condition after the attack by rock-throwing murderous terrorists, which caused her car to crash into a truck. Two other daughters, Naama and Avigayil, suffered moderate wounds. The family lives in Yakir, according to Arutz Sheva. {Matzav,com Israel}

[Aneinu] Please Daven

Please daven for refuah shlema for Chicagoan Moshe Zalman ben Sarah, who is recuperating from a critical surgery.

Sunday, March 17, 2013

[Aneinu] 3-Year-Old Terror Victim Fighting for Her Life

Please daven for Adele bat Edva. Yeshiva World News 3-Year-Old Terror Victim Fighting for Her Life Little 3-year-old Adele Biton is fighting for her life after being critically injured in a vehicular accident near Ariel in Shomron last week. The accident was the result of rock-throwing at vehicles, and in this case, a bus was hit causing the driver to lose control, resulting in a private vehicle smashing into the rear of a truck. A mother and her daughters were injured in the accident, with Adele suffering the worst injuries. She underwent a number of brain surgeries since the accident and doctors in Schneider Children’s Hospital on motzei Shabbos Parshas Vayikra explain “She is far from out of the woods and we are fighting for her life”. Soldiers arrested at least eight suspects in the case, residents of Arab villages near Ariel. See the video footage released by the IDF Spokesman’s Office showing soldiers operating at night using night vision apparatus to make the arrests.

Friday, March 15, 2013

[Aneinu] Please Daven - Surgery Today at 3:00 PM

Please daven for Yosef Rafael ben Rochel who is going in for emergency surgery at 3:00 pm today.

[Aneinu] Please Daven

Please daven for Refoel Yisroel Chaim ben Shifra Chana, Harvey Paretzky, who needs a kidney transplant.

Thursday, March 14, 2013

[Aneinu] Kidney Needed

A message from Congregation Ohr Torah March 7, 2013 Dear Friends, I am writing about a very urgent matter. Harvey Paretzky, a dear friend and member of our community, is suffering from kidney failure and desperately needs a kidney transplant as soon as possible. He cannot survive long-term without a transplant. Saving a person’s life is a great mitzvah. By donating a kidney, you can literally save Harvey’s life. Harvey is working with Renewal, a Jewish non-profit organization, which facilitates and supports all aspects of the kidney transplants process. If you have type O blood, and meet certain other specific criteria, you will be a potential donor. For additional information, contact Renewal at: R612@renewal.org (718) 431-9831, ext. 311 (patient reference #R612) This letter was sent with Harvey’s approval. Rabbi Yaakov Luban

[Aneinu] Please Daven

From an Aneinu Member: There is someone in our community who needs a refuah shelaimah. He will be having emergency surgery to be scheduled within the next couple of days. Please daven for Yosef Rafael ben Rochel. Thank you and may all the choleh of Klal Yisroel be granted a refuah shelaimah!

JI Yonatan Razel Celebrates “Bein Hatzlilim” Reaching Gold Album in Sales and Releases for Pesach a Special Performance of the song “V’hi Sheomda”

Gracefully Yonatan Razel continues to enchant and captivate audiences in both the religious and secular circles. Four months ago he released his latest album “Bein Hatzlilim” which just reached gold album sales! “Katointi“, “Hagagua“, “Bein Hatzlilim“, “Nigun Belz” and “Ashira” from the new album continue playing in various radio stations and warm the hearts of listeners worldwide. Yonatan is continuing his national tour which included 2 previous performances were sold out. With Pesach fast approaching, Razel wanted to give a gift to the audience/fans and released the exciting song “V’hi Sheomda” with new arrangements and now being sung by Yonatan himself. The story of this song began when the Chasidic singer Yaakov Shwekey invited Razel to join him for a guest appearance during his show in Caesarea. Together they searched for new materials to help enhance the show. Razel played this song for Shwekey who immediately fell in love with the song. In 2008 they performed the song duet concert in Caesarea. That performance was recorded and included the CD and DVD. The duet became one of the biggest hits of the last decade in the orthodox religious world and won the title song of the decade at the radio station “Kol Chai”. Over the years Razel constantly gets requests from the audience in his performances to perform the song.

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

[Aneinu] Please Daven - Surgery Thursday Morning

Please daven for Aliza Chana bas Yehudis Aviva who is having surgery tomorrow, Thursday, at 8:30 AM.

[Aneinu] Audio: Pesach in Halachah by Rabbi Shmuel Fuerst

Click on the link below for a shiur on: Pesach in Halachah Enhance your Sedarim and increase your Yom Tov enjoyment. Learn about cleaning and preparing according to halacha, the halachos of the Four Kosos, amounts and manner of eating Matzah and Maror and many more pertinent halachos. given by HoRav Shmuel Fuerst, shlit"a Dayan Agudas Yisroel Illinois Sunday, March 10, 2013 at Yeshiva Migdal Torah http://www.migdaltorah.org/sermon_post/pesach-in-halachah-by-rabbi-shmuel-fuerst-erev-pesach-5773/