Fwd: Cheder Lubavitch Weekly Message

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From: Rabbi Yitzchok Wolf <rabbiwolf@clhds.com>
Date: Fri, Feb 14, 2025, 10:03 AM
Subject: Cheder Lubavitch Weekly Message
To: agentemes4@gmail.com <agentemes4@gmail.com>

View online ב"ה Seymour J. Abrams Cheder Lubavitch Hebrew Day School Candle Lighting Times for Skokie: Friday, Feb. 14 5:03 pm Message from the Dean This week's Torah portion describes the events at Mount Sinai, where G-d gave the Jewish people the Ten Commandments, and within it the entirety of the Torah. The Talmud describes two perspectives on how the Jewish people responded to G-d at Mount Sinai. One view suggests they said "yes" to positive commandments—embracing the "do's"—and "no" to prohibitions—the "don'ts." Another view holds that their response to all commandments, positive and negative, was a wholehearted "yes!" This teaches us that Judaism welcomes both approaches. For those beginning their spiritual journey, a "yes" mindset is crucial. Embracing mitzvot with enthusiasm, even when they feel unfamiliar or challenging, helps lay the foundation for a life rooted in Torah and mitzvot. For those more seasoned in observance, the "no" is equally meaningful. It represents the discipline to avoid the negative while appreciating the boundaries that sustain a Torah life. At the same time, even within the comfort of routine, we must remain ready to say "yes" to growth, to stretch beyond what feels easy when circumstances call for it. Whether you find yourself naturally saying "yes" or "no," Judaism embraces your unique personality and offers countless opportunities for spiritual growth. G-d meets us where we are and guides us to where we're meant to be. Shabbat shalom, Rabbi Yitzchok Wolf Parshah in a Nutshell Parshat Yitro The name of the Parshah, "Yitro," means "Jethro" and it is found in Exodus 18:1. Moses' father-in-law, Jethro, hears of the great miracles which G‑d performed for the people of Israel, and comes from Midian to the Israelite camp, bringing with him Moses' wife and two sons. Jethro advises Moses to appoint a hierarchy of magistrates and judges to assist him in the task of governing and administering justice to the people. The children of Israel camp opposite Mount Sinai, where they are told that G‑d has chosen them to be His "kingdom of priests" and "holy nation." The people respond by proclaiming, "All that G‑d has spoken, we shall do." On the sixth day of the third month ( Sivan), seven weeks after the Exodus, the entire nation of Israel assembles at the foot of Mount Sinai for the Giving of the Torah. G‑d descends on the mountain amidst thunder, lightning, billows of smoke and the blast of the shofar, and summons Moses to ascend. G‑d proclaims the Ten Commandments, commanding the people of Israel to believe in G‑d, not to worship idols or take G‑d's name in vain, to keep the Shabbat, honor their parents, not to murder, not to commit adultery, not to steal, and not to bear false witness or covet another's property. The people cry out to Moses that the revelation is too intense for them to bear, begging him to receive the Torah from G‑d and convey it to them. Learn: Yitro in Depth Browse: Yitro Parshah Columnists Prep: Devar Torah Q&A for Yitro Read: Haftarah in a Nutshell Play: Yitro Parshah Quiz     5201 West Howard Street, Skokie 847-675-6777

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