CLD #391

Akedat Yitzchak

Baruch Hashem, the Chachamim (Sages) tell us to read Akedat Yitzchak (The binding of Isaac on the Alter) on the second day of Rosh HaShanah (Friday morning in Shul).

This is the main point of Emunah, belief in Hashem, meaning even if it means to SACRIFICE MY OWN SON I WILL DO IT for Hashem! In reality Hashem stopped Avraham Avinu from doing this, and we know already today that Human Sacrifice is 100% prohibited according to the Torah.

So, even though we learned from yesterday’s CLD that the essence of Rosh HaShanah is Fear of Heaven, we can still learn something huge from Akedat Yitzchak.
"And Abraham arose early in the morning, and he saddled his donkey, and he took his two young men with him and Isaac his son; and he split worrd for a burnt offering, and he arose and to the place of which G-d told him. On the third day, Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar” (Bereshit 22: 3-4). 

It says in the passage of the Akeda that Avraham only reached the place of the Akeda (Har HaMoriah, Beit HaMikdash location and creation of the world) on the third day. His journey was from present Be’er Sheva area to present Kotel (/Third Beit HaMikdash Bimhera BeYamenu Amen) location. According to Google maps (you can check it now) it takes approximately 21 hours TODAY to walk from Be’er Sheva, Avraham’s home, to Yerushalayim Ir HaKodesh. Add in the fact that this was 3,700 years ago and you probably need a nice 36 hours to get to Yerushalayim.  

So why does the Pasuk say “on the third day…?” The Midrash says that the ‘Sameach Mem’ (nickname for the devil) wanted to delay Avraham Avinu as much as possible to NOT get to the level he got to, which is having so much faith to the point of saying: “If Hashem is telling me to sacrifice my own son, then that is the best thing to do, no questions asked.” Why? Because this would add so much strength to the levels of Kdusha (holiness) in the world!

After three long days, which is double the amount of time getting to the destination, and with such an Evil desire to STOP the mission, Avraham Avinu passed with flying colors.

Last Rosh HaShanah we might have taken upon ourselves so many missions and goals. Have we reached them? Maybe some yes, maybe some no, but overall we have failed because we are Human and we are made from dust. We are not perfect robots. HOWEVER, the real fight against the Spiritual power that wants us to fail is the act of TRYING. I had the zchut (privilege) to hear a shiur this week. The Rabbi said the difference between a Tzadik and a Rasha (righteous and evil) person is that when the Tzadik falls, he pushes himself back up but the Rasha does not.

ONLY step by step, little by little
can one succeed spiritually.

We have Rosh HaShanah to continue thinking before Yom Kippur (10 days away) what did we do this past year? With what do I want to improve? How can I improve? Avraham Avinu pushed and pushed till he completed his mission, the Akeda. Sometimes we work on something over and over and it seems like the salvation is never going to come. We need to know that IT WILL! Rosh HaShanah is a day to decide: what are my goals this year and TO KNOW that I CAN AND WILL SUCCEED! Obviously #1 Priority: How can I do what Hashem is commanding me to do in the best way?

Be’ezrat Hashem we will bring in the New Year with Simcha (happiness), Ahavat Chinam (brotherly love), Yirat Shamayim (Fear of Heaven), and overall Kdusha (holiness).

I hope theCLD has not offended anyone in anyway and if it did, please forgive us.

theCLD is closing a year by starting a new one BE’EZRAT HASHEM with more Chizuk, more love, and more Yirat Shamayim.

We want to thank all theCLD ‘members’ who help out constantly with the spreading of the Blog and (G-d willing soon organization) who in EVERY SINGLE Event or Funraising Project support us, our friends, our families, our sponsors, and most importantly HASHEM who is in control of EVERYTHING (how awesome is it to have ‘someone’ to depend on ALL THE TIME?!).

CHAG SAMEACH & SHANA TOVA! MAY WE ALL PUSH OUR BOUNDARIES AND COMFORT ZONES TO FEEL THE TRUTH THAT HASHEM IS JUDGING US THROUGHOUT THE CHAG!

Want today’s CLD to be for the Ilui Nishmat (memory of) or Refua Shlema (the speedy recovery) of your loved one? Sponsor theCLD today! Click the Donate Button on the Right Sidebar and BH e-mail us (CLDFundraising@gmail.com) with the proper information! 

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KOL HASHONEH HALACHOT BECHOL YOM MUVTACH LO SHEHOO BEN HAOLAM HABA

From Yalkut Yosef:

1. It’s a good minhag to avoid sleeping on the days of Rosh HaShanah because the Talmud Yerushalmi (Gemara) says one who sleeps on these days has his/her luck ‘sleeping’ the entire year. If he/she cannot continue the day without sleeping, they should take a short nap after Chatzot (around 12:46pm EST).

2. The minhag (custom) of all Yisrael is to eat both nights special fruits and vegetables that have signs of sweetness and good taste to begin the year with a sweet taste. The Gemara says to bring “lubya” (green beans), “Dla’at” (pumpkin), “Tered” (spinach), and “Tmarim” (dates). Also pomegranates, apples dipped in honey, and the head of a Keves (lamb) have been added to this minhag.

3. For these types of foods, especially the fruits, it is best to eat them after doing Netillat Yadayim (the Beracha of washing of the hands) and HaMotzi (the Beracha for eating bread, which also means one needs to eat 28 grams of bread in 7 minutes) to avoid being in a situation of a Safek (doubt). This means that one would not know what to do in regards to which berachot to say for which foods. When one does HaMotzi, the Beracha covers for all the fruits.

4. The first fruit we eat is the Tamar (Date) because it is the highest level in regards to which fruit to say the Beracha for.  In the list of the Shivat HaMinim (Seven fruits of Eretz Yisrael) the first one is the Tamar. When saying Boreh Pri HaEtz, the Beracha for the Tamar, one should have in mind to include all the other fruits on the table with the same category, in order to avoid a situation where they cannot eat the fruit because they did not say the Beracha for it (even though they said the same Beracha for another fruit). For example, if you have a Tamar and a Rimon (pomegranate) seed, you hold the Tamar and say the Beracha and have intention that it will cover the Rimon seed also.

May we have this year filled with a number of Mitzvot like the number of seeds in the Rimon (613).

CHAG SAMEACH!

Want these Halachot to be for the Ilui Nishmat (memory of) or Refua Shlema (the speedy recovery) of your loved one? Sponsor these Halachot today! Click the Donate Button on the Right Sidebar and BH e-mail us (CLDFundraising@gmail.com) with the proper information! 

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CLD #390

For the Refua Shlema of Mordechai Tzvi ben Sara & Binyamin ben Blanka.

Baruch Hashem we heard an unbelievable Shiur live today (actually two) by an Israeli Rabbi who is doing Rosh HaShanah in Yeshiva (Shuva Yisrael in the City). He told us the main points of Rosh HaShanah and what one has to look to work on and pray for during this Chag. He explained that Rabi Nachman (Breslev) used to wake up every morning and ‘hand over’ to G-d his day by saying “Hashem, I want to have the intention of doing everything today for You! Meaning all my thoughts should be for Your will, all my actions should be because You commanded me to do them, all the words I say should have some connection to You! Even though this level of complete Emunah (faith) in Hashem is so high, we can all understand something from this.

The first thing is that the beginning of the day marks the entire day. Meaning the start of something directs the mood of that entire thing. For example, when Rav Nachman channeled his entire energy to serve Hashem with all his efforts IN THE START OF HIS DAY, that would already channel his efforts to that goal of trying to do Avodat Hashem, Mitzvot and learn Hashem’s Holy Torah! Another thing is that we can see that whenever beginning something we should have a set goal in mind for that action.

So what does that have to do with Rosh HaShanah? In the time the year actually begins, Sunset Tomorrow Night (time flew!), one should take a minute or two to literally say: Hashem I want x, y, z this year in regards to ANYTHING (spiritual or physical). I want to accomplish d, e, f and I want more g, h, i that I did not receive (enough of) last year! Hashem please help me reach a spiritual level a tiny bit higher than this year, so I can really grow and not grow in a turbo way and then after 2 weeks loose everything and give up!

Another thing the Rabbi told us to do was be careful with what we say and think about during Rosh HaShanah because this affects our spiritual level throughout the entire year. All of us have a Neshama (soul) which begs for Hashem’s closeness and connection. Just like the body wants bodily desires, such as food, a need to go to the bathroom, and even using the bed, etc. ; so too the Neshama (which is so much more pure and meaningful) needs Prayer, Limud Torah, Chessed, etc. Also Ka’as (anger) is extremely dangerous for one to have on Rosh HaShanah, because that means that one will have a year full of Anger, Hashem Yerachem! Therefore one should just surrender to other people and BE A PUSHOVER! It’s not worth it to get angry for nothing (even if it does seem like its worth it, it isn't).

One of the last pieces of advice were remarkable. It was about the Avodah, or the ‘work’ that one can successfully accomplish on the Yom Tov of Rosh HaShanah. The Rabbi explained that each Chag is symbolized in a certain way which means one can work on that Characteristic trait. For example because of the Torah when it speaks about Sukkot says “VeSamachta BeChagecha,” and you shall be happy in your holiday, Rabbis teach that the Avodah to work on during Sukkot is Simcha. This means that the Simcha ONE OBTAINS ON HIS/HER OWN on Sukkot is the Simcha that they will have for an entire year from the current Sukkot to the next.

What is Rosh HaShanah’s Avodah? Yirat Shamayim (Fear of Heaven). This means that the Yirat Shamayim ONE WORKS ON REACHING on Rosh HaShanah will be the Yirat Shamayim he/she will have throughout the year. It is known from Tehillim that one who follows a life of Yirat Shamayim reaches a life of Wisdom and overall happiness (Perek 111) People have a major flaw unfortunately. They believe that it is okay ONLY to believe in G-d (which is still great for our generation). However, it is simply not enough.

The real essence of success is to be Spiritually successful, meaning being in a life of Tshuva (repentance). What does this include and how do we know it? This is composed of Emunah (Faith that Hashem exists) and Torah (learning Torah and following a life strict to the Torah). The Gamtriyot (numerical values) of Torah and Emunah equal the Gematriya of Tshuva. Try it: Emunah=Aleph,Mem,Vav,Nun,Hei (102), Torah=Tav,Vav,Resh,Hei (611), Tshuva=Tav,Shin,Vav,Bet,Hei (713).

Its time to wake up. It’s the last night of the year.

AND

Rosh HaShanah is TOMORROW.

Are you spiritually ready?

Want today’s CLD to be for the Ilui Nishmat (memory of) or Refua Shlema (the speedy recovery) of your loved one? Sponsor theCLD today! Click the Donate Button on the Right Sidebar and BH e-mail us (CLDFundraising@gmail.com) with the proper information! 

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Jewish Baruch Students receive The Coming Revolution!

THANK YOU HASHEM FOR THE ZCHUT (PRIVILEGE) OF GIVING THECLD THIS HUGE MITZVAH OPPORTUNITY, especilaly right before Rosh HaShanah!
Remember how we've been collecting money the last 3 weeks?
Here are the results: Jewish Baruch College students, over 90 Science and Torah books, and handing them out at no charge (whcih means its FREE)!
Right before Rosh HaShanah trying to strengthen Jews!!
Check out the pics:

Over 70 books left. To get one contact theCLD.

We still have NOT reached our goal and are currently $90 away from it.

Also, we can definitely surpass our goal and just order in bulk again, :D!

SHANA TOVA UMETUKA To ALL!

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KOL HASHONEH HALACHOT BECHOL YOM MUVTACH LO SHEHOO BEN HAOLAM HABA

L’yilui Nishamt Avraham ben Ester, Shahin Shmuel ben Hadassa & Israel Ben Rivka.

From Yalkut Yosef:

1. There are those who say Sefer Tehillim (the book of Psalms) twice on Rosh HaShanah. Due to the 150 Perakim (chapters) in the Sefer, when one reads it twice he/she reads 300 Perakim. The word “Kaper” means atone, and its numerical value is 300, so we learn to say 300 Perakim of Tehilim to atone for the past year’s sins. One should avoid wasting Rosh HaShanah on conversation that has no Torah or Yirat Shamayim (Fear of Heaven) content. Therefore we propose to learn Torah, Gemara, Tehillim or anything of the same matter. If one does not understand, he/she should realize that its better to learn a little with much understanding then learn a lot with little or no understanding.

2. We eat, drink, and enjoy on the Yamim Tovim of Rosh HaShanah. There are those who have the minhag to eat the fruits that represent good things throughout both Yamim Tovim. One cannot fast on Rosh HaShanah or Shabbat Shuva (this Shabbat, in between Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur). However, one should not greaten the amount of food and/or drink being consumed to avoid reaching laziness and a mood of leniency in regards to the Fear of Hashem that one needs to hold on such a big day. “VeGilu Birada,” and rejoice in fear. This is the mood one should be in on Rosh HaShanah.

LAST NIGHT OF THE YEAR. TOMORROW IS ROSH HASHANAH. YOU READY YET?

Want these Halachot to be for the Ilui Nishmat (memory of) or Refua Shlema (the speedy recovery) of your loved one? Sponsor these Halachot today! Click the Donate Button on the Right Sidebar and BH e-mail us (CLDFundraising@gmail.com) with the proper information! 

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*HOLIDAY ALERT*

ROSH HASHANAH 5772 is TOMORROW!

ALEPH TISHREI, 5772 

WEDNESDAY NIGHT SUNSET - FRIDAY NIGHT SUNSET (which is when Shabbat begins)!

September 28-30

Judgment takes place on Thursday morning Sunrise until Sunset (which is why people suggest praying Netz, earliest minayn).

MAY WE HAVE A SWEET YEAR FILLED WITH SIMCHA!

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CLD #389

For the Refua Shlema of Mordechai Tzvi ben Sara & Binyamin ben Blanka.

However the amount times we went to the doctor this year, however the amount of times we went to Smachot this year, however the amount of times we went to the bathroom this year, however the amount of times we succeeded in a business transaction, however the amount of times Hashem prevented us form entering a dangerous situation, however the amount of times Hashem had sent one’s Zivug (soulmate) to a person this year, etc.

Everything that happened this past year, however the amount of times, it was all judged and decided upon on the last Rosh Hashanah a year ago. Therefore one should realize that on Rosh HaShanah they should wake up and do TSHUVA (repent) on their past sins in order to have a more stable and guaranteed happier upcoming year! Everything is revolved around one's behavior on Rosh HaShanah itself!

The Rabbanim say that one should be extra careful on Rosh HaShanah because the day of the Chag is a small 'picture' that represents the upcoming year. 

Therefore Rav Ovadya Yosef shlit’a writes in Yalkut Yosef many minhagim that show one needs to be cautious with everything he/she does. For example, one should eat sweet and tasty foods throughout the Seudot (meals) of the 2 days. 

Trying to avoid eating anything that resembles any type of negative trait. One should not eat an Egoz (nut) because it has a Gemtriya (numerical value) of Chet (sin). One should not eat Black Grapes because they represent a bad sign according to the Zohar. One should not eat Fish because in the Torah there is the word Fish (Dag) with an Aleph between Dalet and Gimel, which can also be worried as Da'ag. Da'ag means 'worry,' so just to be sure there are no worries throughout the year, even though this takes such a keen mind to pick this learning up, some hold not to eat Fish. 

Also Rav Ovadya says one should be determined to watch what he/she says, trying to focus one’s conversation in a Torah and Fear of Heaven related topics. Another thing that Rav Ovadya says is that one who sleeps on Rosh HaShanah is promised to have a year full of luck that also ‘sleeps.’

Be’ezrat Hashem we should all realize how strict we need to be with ourselves in regards to our behavior on the holy days of Rosh HaShanah.

May we be like a Rosh and not a Zanav (heads/leaders and not like tails).

Rosh HaShanah is in 2 days.

Want today’s CLD to be for the Ilui Nishmat (memory of) or Refua Shlema (the speedy recovery) of your loved one? Sponsor theCLD today! Click the Donate Button on the Right Sidebar and BH e-mail us (CLDFundraising@gmail.com) with the proper information! 

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KOL HASHONEH HALACHOT BECHOL YOM MUVTACH LO SHEHOO BEN HAOLAM HABA

Due to the necessity of notifying people of Rosh HaShanah's Halachot (law), these Halachot are repeated:
L’yilui Nishamt Avraham ben Ester, Shahin Shmuel ben Hadassa & Israel Ben Rivka.

From Yalkut Yosef:

1. We light candles to respect Yom Tov (Rosh HaShanah). When one does the candle lighting, he/she should say the Beracha (blessing: “…Lehadlik ner shel yom tov.”) and then light the candles, even if Rosh HaShanah falls on Shabbat Kodesh.

2. The minhag (custom) of all Yisrael is to eat both nights special fruits and vegetables that have signs of sweetness and good taste to begin the year with a sweet taste. The Gemara says to bring “lubya” (green beans), “Dla’at” (pumpkin), “Tered” (spinach), and “Tmarim” (dates). Also pomegranates, apples dipped in honey, and the head of a Keves (lamb) have been added to this minhag.

ROSH HASHANAH IS IN 2 DAYS > GET READY!

Want these Halachot to be for the Ilui Nishmat (memory of) or Refua Shlema (the speedy recovery) of your loved one? Sponsor these Halachot today! Click the Donate Button on the Right Sidebar and BH e-mail us (CLDFundraising@gmail.com) with the proper information! 

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CLD #388

For the Lyilui Nishmat of Avraham ben Ester & the Refua Shlema of Mordechai Tzvi ben Sara. Also for SHALOM in Eretz Yisrael!

Baruch Hashem we have the zchut to have Neshamot (souls) that make us directly connected to Him. Baruch Hashem we have such a rich way of life, Baruch Hashem we have such strong family values. And even in times of failure and difficulties, we tend to base our entire foundations on the dependence of Hashem saving us from all the evil.

Today I had the gift of another day, the gift of being with my Ima and Aba and my family. We went to the mall. Besides for the naked girls walking everywhere, we saw beautiful Jews dressed in Tzniyut and with Tzitzyot sticking out in the middle of masses of people.

Eze Kef (what a joy) is it to see Jews are still following the Torah HaKdosha. Still seeing Jews in today’s marketplace (the mall) buying luxuries and new clothes just for the Chag, for Yom Tov, for a couple of days that we take out of our lives to try to build a stronger relationship with HaKadosh Baruch Hu!

I’m phrasing it wrong, its not for a couple of days that we take out of lives, rather it’s the days of our lives. These Yamim Nora’im (the days of Rosh HaShanah, Yom Kippur, Aseret Yemei Tshuva, etc.) are hours upon hours where we have the ability to reach out to Hashem not like other times throughout the year.

Here Hashem tells us: go out and buy for yourselves new things to look sharp and ready for a celebration (under the Fear of Heaven obviously)! Yes, you are being judged and you should be scared, but you need to know there is a balance to everything.

Its so strengthening to see a “check for Sha’atnez” tailor shop packed the days before Yom Tov and Rosh HaShanah because Yehudim Tzadikim want to check if their new suits have something that is not in line with our Torah HaKdosha. The Yirat Shamayim that are in the hearts of us Jews cannot be found in another nation that unites them like this unites us. Besides for ‘where I came from’ other nations and groups of people are not a single unit, they are just from the same hometown, that’s it. The Yehudim have a strength that will never EVER be annihilated, even if achmadinejad Imach Shmo tries to seek power in the world. Hashem will always protect us, however we just need to constantly push to make Him WANT to protect us. Rosh HaShanah is this week (reality check), maybe we need to just take a couple minutes and say: Thank You Hashem for today.

SHAVUA TOV!

Rosh HaShanah is in 3 days.

Have you prepared?

Want today’s CLD to be for the Ilui Nishmat (memory of) or Refua Shlema (the speedy recovery) of your loved one? Sponsor theCLD today! Click the Donate Button on the Right Sidebar and BH e-mail us (CLDFundraising@gmail.com) with the proper information! 

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KOL HASHONEH HALACHOT BECHOL YOM MUVTACH LO SHEHOO BEN HAOLAM HABA

Repetition of Previous Halachot due to the need to repeat them:

L’yilui Nishamt Avraham ben Ester, Shahin Shmuel ben Hadassa & Israel Ben Rivka.

From Yalkut Yosef:

1. The minhag (custom) on Erev Rosh HaShanah (the day of Rosh HaShanah) is to get a haircut to respect the Chag (holiday). We also wear clean and ironed clothing to show that we are sure of Hashem’s mercy on us and that we will be judged innocently to have a good and peaceful life.  

2. Another minhag on Erev Rosh HaShanah is to dip in the mikveh (from the sin of wasting seed). This dip is not from the actual Halacha (law) and is just a minhag, therefore one does not need to be extra cautious (like a woman’s dip) and check that the entire body and hair was under water, etc. This minhag is only a nice minhag, therefore a man does not say a Beracha before dipping in the mikveh (which is best to do 5 hours after sunrise).

SHAVUA TOV!

Want these Halachot to be for the Ilui Nishmat (memory of) or Refua Shlema (the speedy recovery) of your loved one? Sponsor these Halachot today! Click the Donate Button on the Right Sidebar and BH e-mail us (CLDFundraising@gmail.com) with the proper information! 

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PIC OF THE WEEK!

theCLD wishes you a SHANA TOVA U'METUKA (Good and Healthy Year)!

She'Nekatev U'Nechatem LeChayim Tovim U'LeShalom (May we be judged and signed for a Good and Peaceful Life)!

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CLD #387

For the Lyilui Nishmat of Avraham ben Ester & the Refua Shlema of Mordechai Tzvi ben Sara. Also for SHALOM in Eretz Yisrael!

Rav Ovadya Yosef shlit’a, the Gdol HaDor, has a website/e-mail service that everyone can receive (halachayomit.co.il). This past  week the organization sent out an e-mail about the Customs for Rosh HaShanah that many people follow. But before they sent out the Halachot (law) regarding certain customs, they first began the e-mail with a piece of Torah from the Midrash on Sefer Devarim.

The Midrash explains that Rabi Chaninah and Rabi Yehoshua say: the only Nation in the world that knows the ‘personality’ (really the behavior and characteristics of judgment) of its G-d is Am Yisrael. What does that mean?

To the average person in the world, before going to a life-or-death, poor-or-rich decision factor court case, he/she dresses all in black (a sign of mourning), is depressed, and worried to the point where they reach distress and lack of sleep. There’s no chance this type of person goes out of his/her way to get a haircut, take care of their looks and hygiene, or even attempts to be happy before the date of the court case.

However, Am Yisrael is not like this. We dress in white, shave our beards/mustaches, clip our nails, and we drink/eat and have a feast filled with happiness, song and dance. Why? Because we know when we enter our court case with Hashem, He wants to find us innocent because of His all merciful quality, and then from some type of miracles He does find us innocent!

Therefore, we have the custom to dress and clean ourselves especially for the days or Rosh HaShanah.

However, we also need to understand that at the same type that all this is true, there is no such thing that Hashem finds us innocent for ‘free.’ Meaning at the same time that we believe Hashem loves us and wants to find us innocent (and write us in the year’s book of life), we need to believe that Hashem is not a sucker or pushover. There is no such thing as Hashem forgiving us of our sins without us doing Tshuva or wanting to come back to Him.

So what does this mean? We are actually 100% SURE that Hashem will forgive us after we do Tshuva, greaten our passion and kavana (intention) in Tefillah, and give Tzedaka. Only after these actions will Hashem for sure (and we have to believe it) forgive us and listen to our Tefillot, with the end result that we will be written in the book of the Tzaddikim (the book of life).

SHAVUA TOV!

Rosh HaShanah is in 4 days.

Have you prepared?

Want today’s CLD to be for the Ilui Nishmat (memory of) or Refua Shlema (the speedy recovery) of your loved one? Sponsor theCLD today! Click the Donate Button on the Right Sidebar and BH e-mail us (CLDFundraising@gmail.com) with the proper information! 

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VIDEO OF THE WEEK!

RABBI PINTO'S YEARLY 24 HOUR TRIP (WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES) TO PELEH YO'ETZ GRAVE WITH THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE!

SHAVUA TOV!

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KOL HASHONEH HALACHOT BECHOL YOM MUVTACH LO SHEHOO BEN HAOLAM HABA

L’yilui Nishamt Avraham ben Ester. Also for SHALOM in Eretz Yisrael!

From Ve’En Lamo Michshol:

1. We eat and drink on Yom Tov of Rosh HaShanah. There are those who have the minhag to eat the same fruits that were on the table from the night of Rosh HaShanah for a good sign. One is not allowed to fast on Rosh Hashanah, as well as Shabbat Shuva (the Shabbat after Rosh HaShanah). One should not be excessive with the amount of food and drink being consumed on the Yom Tov to keep a sense of Fear of Heaven like the Chachamim said “VeGilu Bira’da.” In a time such as this where there is joy there should be a sense of fear as well.

2. It’s a good minhag (custom) not to sleep on the day of Rosh HaShanah, because it says in Talmud Yerushalmi that one who sleeps on Rosh HaShanah makes his/her luck ‘sleep’ throughout the entire upcoming year. If someone is exhausted, he/she should sleep very little, after midday (around 12:45pm EST), to receive strength to do Avodat Hashem.

SHAVUA TOV!

Want these Halachot to be for the Ilui Nishmat (memory of) or Refua Shlema (the speedy recovery) of your loved one? Sponsor these Halachot today! Click the Donate Button on the Right Sidebar and BH e-mail us (CLDFundraising@gmail.com) with the proper information! 

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CLD #386

For the Refua Shlema of Mordechai Tzvi ben Sara & Binyamin ben Blanka.

IT IS THE LAST SHABBAT OF THE YEAR! (Just heard great advice: Maybe let’s all keep Shabbat another hour to show Hashem how much we care that He gives us life?)

Parshiyot Nitzvam-VaYelech:

There is an unbelievably simple Pasuk from Parashat Nitzavim:

“This day, I call upon the heaven and the earth as witnesses [that I have warned] you: I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. You shall choose life, so that you and your offspring will live; (Devarim 30:19)”

This Pasuk is the words that Moshe told Bnei Yisrael in the name of Hashem on HIS LAST DAY OF LIFE (he lived for a full 120 years!). If Hashem is the one giving us life, then why did He tell Moshe to tell Bnei Yisrael this pasuk? Isn’t it obvious that there are blessings and curses and there is simple good and evil in the world? Isn’t it obvious that there were (only in our generation alon) anything from Smachot to tsunamis Hashem yerachem! Obviously we all know this information just from day-to-day living. So what is the Pasuk telling us to do NOW, the last Shabbat before Rosh HaShanah, the final days before Yom HaDin (Judgment day)?

Its telling us to pick life. Ok, great, I am living already. So what do you mean?

We all have a potential and theCLD does not want to stop emphasizing that. The Yetzer Hara tells us we have a limit to that potential and we all need to stop where we’re at because “we are doing enough.” But we aren’t. Hashem wants us TO CHOOSE this way of reaching our Maximum spiritual potentials.

IT DOESN’T MATTER if we have been sinning the entire year and completely IGNORED Hashem! We can still turn the year around for the positive just by WANTING SINCERELY to keep Shabbat, or even just to say Kiddush, or just to say Birkat Asher Yatzar (Beracha after the bathroom, look in your siddur). Let’s just show something, some effort to Hashem, to say: Thank You for giving me life, Thank You for giving me a NESHAMA (soul) that is DIRECTLY Connected to You! Choosing life means choosing a world with Hashem as the manager.

Thank You Hashem for SHABBAT KODESH, to disconnect from society and therefore CONNECT TO YOU (even though we still connect to You when we connect to society)!

Rosh HaShanah is in 5 days.

SHABBAT SHALOM!

Want today’s CLD to be for the Ilui Nishmat (memory of) or Refua Shlema (the speedy recovery) of your loved one? Sponsor theCLD today! Click the Donate Button on the Right Sidebar and BH e-mail us (CLDFundraising@gmail.com) with the proper information! 

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KOL HASHONEH HALACHOT BECHOL YOM MUVTACH LO SHEHOO BEN HAOLAM HABA

L’yilui Nishamt Avraham ben Ester, Shahin Shmuel ben Hadassa & Israel Ben Rivka.

From Yalkut Yosef:

1. After Tefillat Arvit (Lel Shabbat-Friday night) one should hurry home to do Kiddush, because it is a Mitzvah to say Kiddush to make the day holy as early as possible. Therefore, one should not delay by speaking with other people who prayed in Shul with him, rather one should respectfully leave Shul and hurry home. There are those who have the minhag to bless their children before/after the Kiddush, and it is correct for the children to kiss the hands of their parents after Kiddush.

2. The Mitzvah of Kiddush on Lel Shabbat needs to be said before the Netilat Yadayim for the Seudat Shabbat. This is the obvious Minhag for all those who follow the Nosach of Edot HaMizrach. For those who do Netilat Yadayim before, they need to change their custom.

3. It’s a Mitzvah from the Torah to do Kiddush because we need to Lizkor (remember) Yom HaShabbat (the day of Shabbat), and by doing Kiddush one remembers the Shabbat from Creation. Chachamim (the Sages) say to do this act of Lizkor et Yom HaShabbat by saying Kiddush on wine.

SHABBAT SHALOM!

Want these Halachot to be for the Ilui Nishmat (memory of) or Refua Shlema (the speedy recovery) of your loved one? Sponsor these Halachot today! Click the Donate Button on the Right Sidebar and BH e-mail us (CLDFundraising@gmail.com) with the proper information! 

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CLD #385

 

For the Refua Shlema of Mordechai Tzvi ben Sara & Binyamin ben Blanka.

People always say: its my life, let me do what I want, OR why do you care what I do, OR its none of your business, leave me alone.

In Masechet Berachot there is a Limud (piece of learning) that is a little difficult to understand at first. The Gemara explains that if one eats food or enjoys a beverage without saying a Beracha then he/she STEALS from Hashem (which is logical because if Hashem owns/creates everything, then by eating from His creation and NOT saying a Beracha on it, one is stealing from Him) AND from Knesset Yisrael, which means all of Israel. So one asks him/herself: By not saying a Beracha how am I stealing from other people? It is known that one’s Koach Dibbur, or power of speech, is infinitely great in the spiritual world. When one says a Beracha (blessing), he/she brings Shefa (positive spritiual power) into the world for EVERYONE to enjoy. So when one refrains from thanking Hashem from consumption of a food/beverage by not saying a Beracha, he/she is stopping that Shefa from coming to the world to benefit everyone. This is why it is so grave not to say a Beracha (besides for stealing from Hashem Himself, it is a sign of selfishness to your friends and family and all of Am Yisrael).

The concept of caring for others is HUGE in the Torah. This is also interlinked with the famous quote from Masechet Sanhedrin: Kol Yisrael Arevim Ze LaZe, or All of Israel are responsible for each other’s actions. This can go both ways, for the good and for the opposite.

Let’s start with the negatives: In Yehoshua (Joshua), the first book of Nevi’im which continues the life of Am Yisrael, our ancestors, after Yetziyat Mitzrayim and right before the entrance to Eretz Yisrael, there are many battles. After Perek Shishi (6^th Chapter), Hashem instructed Am Yisrael not touch any of the spoils of war. In the beginning of Perek Shvi’I (7^th Chapter), Yehoshua is intrsucted to battle with Ai, the second city to be conquered. After a great victory with Yericho (Jericho), Am Yisrael expected a quick win. However, they encountered 36 deaths IMMEDIATELY. 36 deaths.

After a whole process of finding what caused such damage (which also teaches us that if anything happens ‘wrong,’ then we need to look at our past actions to see what WE did wrong, and not blame anyone else), Yehoshua the leader found out that ONE MAN, only a single Jew, touched the spoils of war (for benefit). This caused THIRTY SIX people’s deaths as a result! We see from here alone that everything one does can affect the world THIRTY SIX TIMES for the negative (minimum).

Let’s look at it in the positive:

Miriam, Moshe Rabbenu’s sister, was struck with a disease after saying ‘Lashon Hara’ (cannot be compared to actual Lashon Hara because her intentions when speaking about Moshe Rabbenu were positive and this is a piece of history simply to show us the stringency behind speaking about another person). After this disease began to affect her body, all of Israel waited for her to heal for SEVEN DAYS, imagine millions of people with babies and elderly, etc. all waiting for A SINGLE WOMAN to be healed! All of Israel are responsible for each other, this shows the unity and love Am Yisrael had for eachother in the time of the journey in the Midbar (desert).

We are SIX days before Rosh HaShanah. What does this mean? It is time to care about other people and do your BEST to show them (religious-non-religious, man-woman, Bucharian-Polish, doesn’t matter!) that we need to do TSHUVA by being an example on the street. We never know what a single action can cause one to do or how to act in the future. In spiritual terms to care means to get closer to Hashem and pray for others.

Judaism is Real. Judaism is THINK. Judaism is YOU.

Rosh HaShanah is 6 in days.

Have you prepared at all?

 It’s not too late.

SHABBAT SHALOM!

Want today’s CLD to be for the Ilui Nishmat (memory of) or Refua Shlema (the speedy recovery) of your loved one? Sponsor theCLD today! Click the Donate Button on the Right Sidebar and BH e-mail us (CLDFundraising@gmail.com) with the proper information! 

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