Friday 22 Elul, 5780 / September 11, 2020 Parshat Nitzavim-Vayelech Issue #93
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Please take a moment to say a prayer for the complete recovery of all those who are ill and affected by Covid-19.
May Hashem protect them & their families, the Jewish people, & the whole world. May this devastating pandemic pass over us and usher us into a time of complete health and peace with the coming of Moshiach Now!
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Self liberator
This week we read the portion of Nitzavim. The portion contains a description of the ingathering of exiles to take place when Moshiach ushers in the Redemption. "Then G-d will restore your captivity... and will return and gather you from all the nations." Our Sages comment on the word "and will return - va'shav": "From this we learn that the G-dly Presence is in exile together with the Jewish people." G-d will only be redeemed when the entire Jewish nation is restored, as "He has dictated the terms of His own Redemption - when He will return with them."
What is so radical about the concept of G-d being in exile together with the Jews? Had not G-d already promised, back in the days of the Patriarchs, that He would accompany the Jewish people throughout their travails - "I will be with you" - "And behold, I am with you"? G-d specifically stated that He would accompany the Children of Israel during the Egyptian exile. What then, are we to learn from the above verse?
The fact that G-d is always with the Jews, even in their exile, implies two different things. On the one hand, G-d stands above the exile and its limitations, guarding and protecting His flock, who are likened to "one sheep among seventy wolves." Yet at the same time, the term "and will return" reflects the fact that G-d, too, is affected by the exile, having been banished from His dwelling place in the Holy Temple. G-d suffers together with the Jewish people and will continue to do so until G-d and the Jewish people are simultaneously restored to their rightful place.
Yet this explanation presents a paradox. According to the principle that "a prisoner cannot free himself from prison," how can G-d, Who is Himself in exile, bring about the Final Redemption? Our Sages addressed this problem by explaining that G-d "dictated His own Redemption." Even before the exile occurred, G-d determined how long it would last and fixed the date of the Final Redemption for Himself and for the Jewish people.
Our Sages further explained that, contrary to what one might think, G-d will not first redeem Himself and then redeem the Jews. "He will return together with them" - both will occur concurrently. The Divine Presence is in exile as long as even one Jew remains in exile.
Rashi, the great commentator, continues: "Great and difficult is the day of the ingathering of the exiles, for it is as if G-d will take every single Jew by the hand, wherever he may be." The redemption of the Jewish people is the redemption of the Divine Presence. May we speedily witness the rebuilding of the Holy Temple and the ingathering of the exiles through Moshiach.
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Dear Friends,
The High Holidays are a soulful and rejuvenating time, an opportunity for the community to plug in for a "Jewish boost." Each year, we feel uplifted from the sense of spirit and participation at services, and we're thrilled that so many avail themselves of our open-door policy.
Enter COVID, and its challenges. Clearly, we need to follow health regulations and protect ourselves. At the same time, people need the High Holiday connection, perhaps now more than ever.
We are proud to present a brand-new High Holiday schedule, with options that will hopefully meet each person's needs and sensitivities. Rosh and Hashanah and Yom Kippur are coming, COVID or not. We may be celebrating differently than other years, but let's make it a special start to a wonderful New Year of health and blessings.
Wishing you a happy, healthy, and sweet New Year!!
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Welcoming the entire Jewish community, no membership required.
Following Covid19 guidelines.
Reservations, masks, and social distancing are required.
RSVP on our website at ChabadWM.com/HighHolidays or contact us at 616.206.9654
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CTeen Grand Rapids Kickoff Event!!
This Sunday, September 13th
1:00PM
RSVP for zoom link & Pick up a bag with all supplies you will need!
RSVP below or or Text “KICKOFF“ to 616.206.9654
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For Jewish teens in Western Michigan, Grades 9-12!
CTeen is a dynamic network for Jewish teens of all backgrounds that offers awesome meaningful programs which harnesses the incredible potential of teenagers bringing purpose, self-discovery and giving to their communities.
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Virtual Torah & Tea
A Torah Study for Women, with Nechamy Weingarten.
Monday evening at 8:00pm
Meeting ID: 966 6623 3600
Password: jwc
To join by Phone call 929 436 2866 & enter Meeting ID and then this Password: 828451.
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ELIJAH the PROPHET
Tuesday Night Torah Class
with Rabbi Mordechai Haller
8:00 pm
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Challah & Chicken Soup for the Quarantined Soul
Enjoy some Delicious Challah and Chicken soup for Shabbos.
Please send us an email by Thursday afternoon to reserve your order!
Made with Love,
Packaged with gloves.
(Sponsorship available)
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~ JTEXT ~
Jewish Trivia Game
FOR JEWISH TEENS GRADES 6-12!
Be #7 & Win $20 to Amazon!!
Mazal Tov!!
Makeda Sanders & Avner Ravid
on winning $20 each to amazon!
Text "CTEENGR" to 616.207.1218 to join!
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Jewish Trivia Game for Adults in Western Michigan!!
Be #7 & Win Kosher Wine!
MAZEL TOV to
Sarah Berke on winning this week!!
Text "CHABADWM" to
616.207.1218 and start playing!!
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HAPPY JEWISH BIRTHDAY
Fabio Lando
Joe Warshawsky
Celeste N Kessler
May Hashem bless you with many years in good health, happiness, blessings and success, both materially and spiritually!
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A WEEKLY PARSHA POEM
IN MEMORY OF SHALOM SOLOMON OB"M
BY: HODAYA NISANOV-COCHAVI
The Freedom of Choice
This weeks parsha spoke to me in a loud, far too familiar voice
As Hashem gives us the beautiful mitzvah of the freedom of choice
This mitzva is not in heaven, not beyond us, nor remote from mankind
This mitzva is close to home, in our heart, in our mouth, in our mind
G-d set before us the path of goodness and the path of badness
The path of happiness and the path of sadness
Each and every moment we are faced with choices to be made
Whether its a new job, a new haircut, or a nailpolish shade
When I was a child I learnt in school
That we go by the ways of Hashem and listen to his rules
It was only once I grew up that I understood
How Hashem has directed me in the choices I make through adulthood
I learnt how to make my own choices and how to survive
I learn to stand up for myself and continue to thrive
Hashem built us with the ability to choose our own way
The ability and strength to make our life choices every single day
The choices you make build the person you are
So stay true to your heart and mind, dont stray too far
I used to take advantage of this freedom we hold
But now I appreciate this gift from Hashem more precious than gold
So at the end of the day its all in our hands
Hashem always knows the bigger picture but we play an important part in his plan
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WEEKLY TORAH CLASSES
(all Classes and events are pending or are Virtual on Zoom)
WOMEN'S TORAH CLASS
-A deeper look into the weekly Torah portion and Holidays-
Mondays 8:00-9:00pm
TANYA CLASS
-A Practical Guide to Spiritual Growth-
Tuesdays 5:30-6:30 pm
JLI CLASS
-With Rabbi Mordechi Haller-
Tuesdays 8:00 pm
TALMUD CLUB
Thursday's 8-9 pm
CHASSIDUT CLASS
-A look behind the scene of the weekly Parsha-
Shabbat Morning 10:00-10:30 am
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Special Dates
Slichot
The 1st day of creation, on which G-d created existence, time, matter, darkness and light, was the 25th of Elul. (Rosh Hashanah, on which we mark "the beginning of Your works", is actually the 6th day of creation, on which the world attained the potential for the realization of its purpose, with the creation of the first man and woman, Adam and Eve. Rosh Hashanah is therefore the day from which the Jewish calendar begins to count the years of history; the 1st day of creation thus occurred on the 25th of Elul of what is termed -1 from creation.
The series of Selichot ("supplication") prayers recited in preparation for the "Days of Awe" of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur begin this Saturday night, after midnight (after the Ashkenazic custom; the Sephardic community begins on the 1st of Elul). On subsequent days, the custom is to recite the Selichot in the early morning hours, before the morning prayers, each morning up to and including Elul 29, the eve of Rosh Hashanah.
Elul 25
The 1st day of creation, on which G-d created existence, time, matter, darkness and light, was the 25th of Elul. (Rosh Hashanah, on which we mark "the beginning of Your works", is actually the 6th day of creation, on which the world attained the potential for the realization of its purpose, with the creation of the first man and woman, Adam and Eve. Rosh Hashanah is therefore the day from which the Jewish calendar begins to count the years of history; the 1st day of creation thus occurred on the 25th of Elul of what is termed -1 from creation.
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YARTZEIT
Hershel Reifler
Boris Katz
Abe Warshawsky
May their memory be for a blessing.
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MINYAN SCHEDULE*
Minyan has resumed, please call for details.
If you need to say Kaddish please call to confirm that there will be a minyan.
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