weeklynewsletter · left alone he cries and says "i am joseph, is my father still alive?"...

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Schedule 14 . Dec , Friday Candle Lighting 4:11 pm Evening Service 4:15 pm Saturday, Dec. 15 Morning Service 9:30 am Evening Service 4:10 pm Shabbos Ends 5:15 pm WEEKLYNEWSLETTER Shabbos December 15, 2018 7 Teves 5779 Parshas Vayigash Weekly Schedule of Services: Morning Services: Sunday- Friday: 8:15 am Evening Services: (Mincha & Maariv) Sun - Thurs: 4:20 pm Office Hours H-School Sunday: 9:00 am - 1:00 Pm Monday - Thurs: 9:00am - 3:00 pm Friday: 9:00am - 1:00 pm UPCOMING EVENTS

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Page 1: WEEKLYNEWSLETTER · left alone he cries and says "I am Joseph, is my father still alive?" The brothers are silent. They are shocked and terrified. Is this man, the second to most

Schedule 14. Dec, Friday

Candle Lighting 4:11 pm Evening Service

4:15 pm Saturday, Dec. 15

Morning Service 9:30 am

Evening Service 4:10 pm Shabbos Ends 5:15 pm

WEEKLYNEWSLETTER Shabbos December 15, 2018 7 Teves 5779

Parshas Vayigash

Weekly Schedule of Services:

Morning Services: Sunday- Friday: 8:15 am

Evening Services:

(Mincha & Maariv) Sun - Thurs: 4:20 pm

Office Hours H-School Sunday: 9:00 am - 1:00 Pm Monday - Thurs: 9:00am - 3:00 pm

Friday: 9:00am - 1:00 pm

UPCOMING EVENTS

Page 2: WEEKLYNEWSLETTER · left alone he cries and says "I am Joseph, is my father still alive?" The brothers are silent. They are shocked and terrified. Is this man, the second to most

The wisest of men said there is a time to weep, which im-plies that there will be occa-sions when weeping is inap-propriate. Though King Solomon's exact words were there is a time to weep and a time to laugh, obviously there are times when other responses are called for. Clearly, life is not simply about crying or laughing. This week's parshah relates the story of Joseph's dramatic reunion with his brothers. Though he embraces them all, he reserves his deepest emotions for his only full brother, Benjamin. Joseph was separated from his broth-ers when Benjamin was a mere child, and Benjamin was the only one who was not involved in the plot against Joseph. Theirs was, therefore, an exceptional em-brace: And he (Joseph) fell on his brother Benjamin's neck and cried, and Benjamin cried on his neck. Rashi, quoting the Talmud, explains that for both brothers, their cries were, beyond the powerful feelings of the moment, noth-ing short of prophetic. Joseph wept over the two Temples of Jerusalem, destined for destruction, which were in the land apportioned to the tribe of Benjamin. And Benjamin cried over the Sanctuary at Shilo, located in the land ap-portioned to the tribe of Jo-seph, which would also be destroyed. The question is why: are they each crying over the other's churban (destruction)? Why do they not cry over their

own destructions? The Lubavitcher Rebbe explains that when it comes to someone else's problem, we may be able to help but we cannot solve other people's problems. Even good friends can only do so much. We can offer generous assis-tance, support and the best advice in the world, but the rest is up to him or her. No matter how strenuous our ef-forts, there can be no guaran-tee that they will be successful. As hard as we may try to help, the individual alone holds the key to sort out his or her own situation. So, if we are convinced that we have done our absolute best for the other person and have still failed to bring about a satisfactory resolution, the only thing we can do is shed a tear. We can pray for them, we can be sympathetic. Beyond that, there is really nothing else we can do. When we have tried and failed, all we can do is cry. But when it comes to our own problems and challenges, our own churban, there we dare not settle for a good cry. We cannot afford the luxury of giv-ing up and weeping. If it is ourproblem, then it is our duty to confront it again and again until we make it right. For others we can cry; but for ourselves we must act. Sixty years ago, the great spiri-tual leaders of Europe were counting their losses — in the millions! The great Chassidic courts of Poland, the prestig-ious yeshivas of Lithuania, were all destroyed by the Nazi hordes. What did these right-eous people do? Did they sit down and cry? Of course there

were tears and mourning and indescribable grief, but the em-phasis quickly shifted to rebuild-ing. And today, thank G‑d, those same institutions are alive and well, thriving and pulsating with spirit and energy in Israel and the United States. The leadership focused on the future. And painstakingly, over time, they were able to resusci-tate and rejuvenate their deci-mated communities. Those leaders cried bitter tears for their fallen comrades, but for themselves they did not sit and weep. They set about the task of rebuilding — and succeeded in the most inspiring, miraculous way. When we have problems (and who doesn't?), so many of us simply moan and sigh and heave a good old-fash-ioned yiddishe krechtz (Jewish groan). How many times have we sighed, What can I do? And what does that leave us with? — with the moaning and groan-ing and nothing else. In the words of the fifth Chabad Rebbe, Rabbi Sholom DovBer of Lubavitch, One good deed is worth more than a thousand sighs. Leave the krechtzing for others. If it's your problem, confront it, deal with it, work at it. You'll be surprised by the results. -adapted from Rabbi Yossi Goldman

A Word Of Torah

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Page 3: WEEKLYNEWSLETTER · left alone he cries and says "I am Joseph, is my father still alive?" The brothers are silent. They are shocked and terrified. Is this man, the second to most

Judah approaches Joseph and begs him to free Benjamin. He even offers himself as a slave—yes he offers to stay in Egypt as Joseph's slave in-stead of Benjamin!--as long as Benjamin is set free and allowed to return to his fa-ther's home in Canaan. At this point, when Joseph sees how much his brothers care about one another, he can no longer hold back his feelings. He sends all his servants and guards out of the room, and when he and his brothers are left alone he cries and says "I am Joseph, is my father still alive?" The brothers are silent. They are shocked and terrified. Is this man, the second to most powerful man in all of Egypt, really their brother? And so Joseph begs them to come closer and repeats himself. "I am Joseph!" The brothers finally realize that it is true,

this is their brother, but they are so ashamed at what they have done to him, that they sold him into slavery. But Joseph comforts them and makes them feel com-fortable, telling them that it was G‑d's will that he end up in Egpyt so that he would become powerful and have a chance to save the entire family from the terrible famine which was still go-ing on at that time. Joseph then sends his brothers home to tell Jacobthat he is alive as well as to invite him to come to Egypt where he will be able to live in peace. Pharaoh sends along car-riages to help Jacob move. When Jacob sees the wagons and hears the good news, he is overjoyed and stops the long 22 years of mourning for his beloved son Joseph. Jacob travels to Egypt together with his entire fam-ily, exactly 70 people (the 70th is born as they enter the city gates, the newborn is Jocheved, mother of Moses). On his way to Egypt G‑d promises Jacob that He will

make Jacob's children into a great nation, and that He will take them out of Egypt. Joseph goes out to meet his fa-ther as he gets closer to Egypt and when they meet, Joseph hugs and kisses Jacob. They then go to meet Pharaoh who gives the land of Goshen to Jacob, which is where Jacob and his family will live throughout the next generations. Jacob blesses Pharaoh.

chooses the nickel. One of Noah's friends feels sorry for Jacob so he takes him to one side and says, "You know, Noah is making fun of you. Even though the nickel is bigger, the dime is

Noah is always teasing his little brother Jacob. One day he shows his friends what he does: he offers Jacob a choice between a nickel and a dime and Jacob always

worth more." Jacob laughs and says, "I know that but if I took the dime, he"ll stop doing it. So far, I've made $20!"

Kids Parasha Lesson

A Biselleh Humor

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Daily Dose The natural tendency is to treat matters of the spirit as luxury items—sort of an ap-pendage to life. Eating, sleeping, making money—these things are given priority and the time

dedicated to them is sacrosanct. But prayer, meditation and study fit in only when you feel like it, and are pushed aside on the slightest whim. You’ve got to make your priorities faithful to your inner self. You’ve

got to ask yourself if this is what your life is all about. Set a schedule for exercising your soul as an athlete does for his body. Treat those things as though they were your proprietary business.

Page 4: WEEKLYNEWSLETTER · left alone he cries and says "I am Joseph, is my father still alive?" The brothers are silent. They are shocked and terrified. Is this man, the second to most

Rabbi Berel & Leah Zaltzman Rabbi Mendel & Elke Zaltzman Bris Avrohom of Fair Lawn 30-02 Fair Lawn Avenue. Fair Lawn, New Jersey 07410 201-791-7200 | [email protected] www.JewishFairLawn.org • www.Facebook.com/BrisAvrohomFairLawn

Ingredients:

10 pieces of chicken on the bone

¼ cup all-purpose flour (can use potato starch or other gluten-free flour)

kosher salt and black pepper to taste

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 ½ medium red onions, chopped, about 3 cups chopped

8 cloves garlic, roughly chopped

1 red pepper, chopped into ½-inch dice

1 Poblano pepper, seeds removed, chopped

1 ½ teaspoons red pepper flakes (more or less to taste)

2 bay leaves

1 cup white wine

2 tablespoons tomato paste

1 28-ounce can whole tomatoes, tomatoes cut up a bit

1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

2 tablespoons fresh marjoram leaves, chopped

ject or matter you may be dealing with, our Holi-day programs will allow you to celebrate your Jewish pride with your family and friends. Our fun Hebrew School and Day Camp will fill your chil-dren with an educated sense of what it means to be Jew-ish and our synagogue services will give you the opportunity to pray,

We are your center for every-thing Jewish, whatever your need may be, do not hesitate to contact us. Our ever popular holiday celebrations will enable you and your family to celebrate the Jewish holidays in style, with fun and educational ideas helping to make Judaism rele-vant to our youth. Our Torah classes will give you a second opinion on any sub-

be inspired and experience spirituality. From pregnancy and baby celebrations to weddings and after life services including Kaddish and unveiling, we will be there for you and help cre-ate a meaningful and memora-ble experience. We are here to help you and serve you and look forward to seeing you soon!

Bris Avrohom of Fair Lawn

Find out more & join online at www.JewishFairLawn.org/Partnership

This bulletin, and all archived weeks, are available on our website as well! http://www.jewishfairlawn.org/shabbos-bulletins.html

Consider a convenient online donation to help support your center for Jewish life. www.JewishFairLawn.org/Donate

Chicken Arrabiata By Paula Shoyer

Directions: 1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Heat oil over medium heat in a large, deep saucepan and have a large baking pan

ready nearby. Place the flour and some salt and pepper into a gallon freezer bag or large bowl and mix. Dredge the chicken in the flour, shake off excess and brown, about 4 pieces at a time, until browned, about 5 to 6 minutes per side. Place into the large baking pan.

2. When all of the chicken has been browned, scoop up and discard about 3 tablespoons of the oil in the pan. Reduce heat to medium-low. Add the onions and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add garlic, red peppers, Poblano, the red pepper flakes and bay leaves and cook for another 5 minutes.

3. Raise heat to high, add the white wine and stir. Cook for several minutes, stirring occasionally, until the wine has been reduced. Add the tomato paste, canned tomatoes and juices, vinegar and marjoram and stir. Cook for 3 minutes. Pour over the chicken in the pan. Cover with heavy-duty foil and bake for 1 hour. Uncover the pan, and bake for another 30 minutes.