This Shabbos, Parsha Vayera is the Worldwide Shabbos Project!
It is a Worldwide Project of enhancing Shabbos!
I thought you would appreciate the enclosed message from Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein, the Chief Rabbi of South Africa, and founder of The Shabbos Project. It was written in a previos year (Parsha Vayera), however, the message is timeless.
Enjoy!!
Wishing you a wonderful Shabbos!!
Shabbat SHALOM,
Leah
Everyone can take advantage of this special momentum and do something extra special L'Kovod Kedushas Shabbos this week.
Learn with a friend(s)
Bake Challah
Give Shabbos flowers to a nursing home
If it is safe where you live:
Invite a guest(s)
Have a Shabbos / Bracha Party
Be Creative!!
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LISTEN IN as Rebbetzin Jaeger shares insights into the Special Sanctity of Shabbos and Shmittah.
USA Phone Number: (641) 715-3900
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L'ilui nishmas Ruchama a'h bas HaRav Naftali HaLevy Jaeger shlit'a
REPLAY
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To listen to the Parshas Vayera shiur with
Rabbi ZEV LEFF
USA Phone Number: (641) 715-3900
Ext: 355023 followed by the #
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Message from CHIEF RABBI DR. WARREN GOLDSTEIN, the founder of The Shabbos Project. Written in a previous year, (Parsha Vayera), however, the message is timeless:
"This is a special Shabbat as Jews gather in more than 1,600 cities and 100 countries around the world in a spirit of unity to welcome in this year's Shabbat Project. It is happening on the Shabbat we read the portion of Vayera. This is so fitting because the parsha recounts in meticulous detail our founding father Avraham's warmth, hospitality and kindness to others.
This idea is so central to the Shabbat Project. For the past six years, in thousands of cities and Jewish communities around the world, we've witnessed people coming together in unprecedented ways; we've seen Jews from different backgrounds connect at Challah Bakes and Havdallah Concerts and around Shabbat tables like never before.
In essence, through the power of Shabbat, and in a spirit of unity and goodwill and celebration, we've located the the Tzelem Elokim in one another. We've put all of our differences aside and – like Avraham – related to one another on a soul level, as beings created in the image of G-d.
Avraham's example is a rallying call to all of us to continue inviting people in – to make a space for others in our hearts, in our lives, and in our homes. As another mishna in Pirkei Avot says, "Let your home be wide open." (Avot 1:5), which we learn from Avraham whose home was open on all sides.
But there's another dimension here. We need to make our homes open and welcoming not just to other people, but to Shabbat itself. Our sages compare Shabbos to a bride. In the magnificent, Lecha Dodi, we sing "Lecha Dodi Likrat Kallah" – "Come my friends to greet the Bride." That's why Shabbos begins with the special service which we call Kabbalat Shabbat, which means the "welcoming in of Shabbat". We actively welcome Shabbos into our lives and ensure our home is a place in which the Shabbos bride can feel comfortable and welcomed – so that we, in turn, can share in her warmth and energy and inspiration.
On this Shabbat in particular, it is so inspiring to think of all the countless Jewish households around the world that will be preparing for Shabbos – making sure the food is ready, and the house is clean, and everyone is in the right mindset and spiritual state to receive the energy and the inspiration of the Shabbos bride. That is also what hachnasat orchim, welcoming guests is about.
We welcome people into our home, but we also welcome Shabbat. We make our homes Shabbos homes. That is the vision of The Shabbat Project, but it's also something we can take joy and inspiration and comfort from every Shabbos of the year – welcoming the Shabbos bride, and welcoming others into our lives, with open homes, open hearts and open arms. Just like our father, Avraham."
Email: 613leah@gmail.com and let us know how YOU
enhanced Shabbos!!
