Sunday, September 30, 2012

*HOLIDAY ALERT*

SUKKOT 5773

September 30th (Sunset) - October 6th (Motzei Shabbat Nightfall)

Queens NY

Candle Lighting: 6:20 pm (Tonight)
Yom Tov Ends: 7:15 pm  (October 2nd)

Hag Sameah!
Don't forget your Lulav and Etrog to bring it with you to Shul tomorrow morning.
Don't forget to eat and sleep in the Sukkah tonight.

Most important: Don't forget to smile!

CLD #695



For the Ilui Neshama of Avraham ben Ester ZT’L & Yissachar ben Yona Z’L.
Love is something that is indescribable, however we can look at events that occur between two loved ones to maybe explain how the two show the love that makes them really a single entity. Hashem and Am Yisrael, literally us individuals, are similar to a Khatan and Kalah (Bride and Groom). A bride and groom, especially during the moments of the engagement, the Huppah (wedding ceremony), the Shevah Berakhot (7 days of celebration after the Huppah) are at their peak of love.

What do us Jews do? We bring Hashem into the picture, we dance and sing for the Mitzvah of Lesameakh Khatana ve Kalah and we say Divrei Torah and eat with the proper berakhot (blessings), etc. We make sure Hashem is in the picture. Sukkot is different in the fact that Hashem is the Sukkah, Hashem is the Zeman Simhatenu (which we are commanded to be in special happiness of this ‘time of happiness’). But the question is: how do we see this everlasting love between us and Hashem.

Everyday of the year we are obligated to remember different Mitzvot, like one of the Rambam’s 13 foundation principles we must remember which is to remind ourselves we cannot accomplish anything without Hashem, or in Shema Yisrael where we say to love Hashem with all our heart and soul and wallet and on and on. In reality, we show this love for Hashem throughout the year. So WHY IS SUKKOT SO SPECIAL?!

The answer is beautiful and it is said by the Rav of the Old City of Yerushalayim, Rav Avigdor Neventzhal shlit’a (may he reach 120 and stay healthy BH). Rav Neventzhal says like this: the days of Hodesh Elul (the month of Elul) is the shidduch (dates) between Hashem and us. We get to know Hashem, Hashem gets to know Am Yisrael. We recite Hashem’s characteristics: He is merciful, He is ever forgiving, He loves us, He provides for us, and on and. Then Rosh HaShanah is the meeting between the two families: we exchange all the tenaim (gifts/conditions) for the marriage. Yom Kippur is the actual wedding between us and Hashem, a covenant that will last forever. And SUKKOT IS THE SHEVAH BERACHOT >>> The time where we celebrate because of the Huppah.

What is real love? It cannot be explained. But it can be expressed through us sitting in the Sukkah, reminding ourselves that Hashem wants to wrap us inside His home. He wants us to know we are loved. He wants us to get closer to Him. He wants us to be happy because the Sukkah is a place of protection. Its actually funny because during Sukkot it gets colder and people warm up in their homes with fireplaces but we go into the Sukkah OUTSIDE IN THE COLD and SLEEP THERE OVERNIGHT! Why? Because we state: Hashem is the one warming me up, Hashem is the one protecting me! On a spiritual level, Sukkot is a time of Emunah and Bitachon (belief and trsut in Hashem) and on a bodily level it is a time of dancing an jumping and singing and sweating in the name of Hashem. When we join the two, we reach the ultimate peak of Happiness, aka Simhat Torah!

theCLD wishes you a Hag filled with eternal spiritual light of happiness and real love or Torah and Mitzvot. Tip: If you are having trouble feeling it, pray to Hashem that you feel it. Even if you don’t want to feel it, pray to Hashem for you to want to want to feel it.

Hag Sameah!
Judaism=Think.

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PIC OF THE WEEK!

A MITZVAH IS CHANNELED INTO YOUR HEART WHEN YOU ARE DOING IT WITH A SMILE. WHEN YOU ARE IN YOUR SUKKAH TONIGHT SMILE, BECAUSE HASHEM IS THERE WITH YOU SMILING BACK!

HAG SAMEACH!

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KOL HASHONEH HALACHOT BECHOL YOM MUVTACH LO SHEH'HOO BEN HA'OLAM HABA


For the Ilui Neshama of Avraham ben Ester ZT’L. Lehavdeel For the Refua Shlema of Yaakov Hai ben Margalit shlit’a.
Translated from Rav Ovadia’s Halacha Emails (Halachayomit.co.il):

1. It is a Mitzvat Ashe (positive) from the Torah to eat Kazayit Pat (27 grmas of bread) in 5 minutes in the Sukkah on the first night of Sukkot (tonight). If one eats the bread in 7 minutes they have fulfilled the obligation as well but on a bediavad level (minimum fulfillment). Hachamim (our Sages) teach from the Pasuk regarding Sukkot that one must make his/her Sukkah like their home and if they are suffering/unsatisfied with the Sukkah conditions they do not have to eat in the Sukkah, even if it falls on the first night where its an obligation from the Torah to eat in the Sukkah! Therefore, if its raining, the light turned off in the Sukkah, there are harsh winds, there are mosquitoes and bugs or anything of the like (ask your Rabbi) then one is exempt from sitting in the Sukkah. However, if one wants to be stringent and sit even in the rain in their Sukkah, they can sit but they are forbidden to say the Beracha (blessing) of sitting in the Sukkah (found in Mahzorim).

2. During all the days of Sukkot (except of Shabbat) we shake the Lulav (tied with Hadasim and Aravot) in our right hand and Etrog in our left in 7 directions and say the Beracha beforehand: Asher Kideshanu BeMitzvotav VeTzivanu Al Netilat Lulav. On the first day (tomorrow morning) we say the Beracha of Shehecheyanu as well. After Hallel the kehila (congregation) takes out a Sefer Torah and the Hazzan holds it in the center of Shul symbolizing an angel and the entire kehila dances around him to remember the days in the Bet HaMikdash, when Am Yisrael used to dance around the mizbeah (alter in the Bet HaMikdash) during Sukkot.

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CLD #694



For the Ilui Neshama of Avraham ben Ester ZT’L, Yissachar ben Yona ZT’L and Haviva bat Yocheved Z’L.
We just heard the extremely deep Parasha Ha’azinu (that is filled with secrets of the future). What is Ha’azinu in gematriya (numerical value)? Seventy Nine: Hei-5, Aleph-1, Zayin-7, Yud-10, Nun-50, Vav-6. With the Kollel (+1), Ha’azinu comes out to 80. It says in Tehillim Perek Tzadik (90): “The days of our years are seventy years, and if with increase, eighty years…” This Pasuk (verse) of Tehillim comes to teach us from David HaMelech that one’s lifetime is 80 years. IN 80 years we could do so much, but really: how do we know if we went in a life the way Hashem wants us to live? A lifestyle of Torah and Mitzvot and a pumping heart with every drop of blood living and moving around the body for Hashem’s praise? How do we know we were correct?

We have to look at the ‘fruits’ or ‘offspring’ of our actions. For example, the only way you know if you did well after an hour of studying is by taking a test. If you are not tested, you do not know if the studying was worthwhile. Therefore, we look at the number of pesukim (verses) Ha;azinu has. It has exactly 52, which is the gematriya (numerical value) of ben (son). The way you know if you spiritually succeeded or not is based on the fruit, the son, of your actions of your life.

Sukkot begins in less than 24 hours. Some of us don’t remember Sukkot last year and its spiritual outcome, but we certainly remember Yom Kippur a couple days ago and probably Rosh HaShanah. We must think: what did I do these past holidays that made it worthwhile? How did I prepare for these past holidays that caused my heart to really be ready for the spiritual light? Why not do the same for Sukkot? Preparation and planning is the key for success in the physical, so why don’t you think that’s true for the spiritual as well? Be’ezrat Hashem you should experience Erev Yom Tov (tomorrow) filled with happiness and emunah.
 
SHAVUA TOV!
Judaism=Think.

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Saturday, September 29, 2012

VIDEO OF THE WEEK!

BE HAPPY, WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO LOSE?


SHAVUA TOV and HAG SAMEAKH!

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KOL HASHONEH HALACHOT BECHOL YOM MUVTACH LO SHE’HOO BEN HA’OLAM HABA


For the Ilui Neshama of Avraham ben Ester ZT’L, Yissachar ben Yona ZT’L and Haviva bat Yocheved Z’L.
From Yalkut Yosef:

1. Because there is a Mitzvah to eat Kazayit (27 grams) of bread in the Sukkah tomorrow night, Lel Yom Tov, one should avoid eating bread on Erev Hag (tomorrow afternoon) from the tenth Jewish hour of the day and on (from 3:00 pm) so he can eat with an appetite on the first night of Sukkot. There are those who are stringent and don’t eat bread from Hatzot (12:44 pm), but the minimum is avoiding a meal from 3:00 pm and on. However, if one eats fruits, fish, meat or any other light foods (basically anything that doesn’t fill up the stomach), there is no concept to avoid eating these.

2. It’s a Mitzvah Aseh (Positive) from The Torah to eat Kazayit (27 grams) Pat (bread) while sitting in the Sukkah in memory of Yetziyat Mitzrayim (Exile from Egypt). One should also have the intention of fulfilling the obligation of sitting in the Sukkah in memory of the Anenei HaKavod (Clouds of Glory) that Hashem took to surround Am Yisrael with in the desert so they will be secured and protected from danger. And if bediavad (least best alternative) the person simply had the intention of fulfilling the obligation of the Mitzvah (without ‘in memory of…’ they fulfill it.

SHAVUA TOV and HAG SAMEAKH!

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Friday, September 28, 2012

CLD #693



For the Ilui Neshama of Avraham ben Ester ZT’L & Yissachar ben Yona Z’L.
We always ask ourselves: What do I need to do next? Will I go out to bowling with friends Saturday night, go to a Melaveh Malka, Singles Event, Shiur, Clubbing or all of them or both or none of them? The Ben Ish Hai answers that there is only one way to really know when someone has before them such similar options whether its for the good or for the opposite.

But before we get to the answer and how its directly connected to our Parasha, Parashat Ha’azinu, let’s talk about the Yetzer Hara and the Yezter HaTov. The Evil and Good Inclinations is something that Hashem created for us to grow and reach our spiritual potentials of a life with Torah and Mitzvot. Sometimes we find ourselves whining: I don’t want the Yezter Hara! All I want is to cling to Hashem’s goodness and holiness and just be in a spiritual high 24/7. Let’s pretend that there was no inclination to anything. We are just all day on this high. What good will come out of it? Its like doing things because you have to and without any spice or love for it.

Hashem impanted in us the Yetzer Hara because He does not want us to live like boring robots doing everything He says, that’s the job of the Malachim (angels). They are literally Hashem’s soldiers. We are human, we need to grow and battle the Yezter Hara because that is the only way we can reach completion. The same is with exercising. How do you expect to grow muscle? You have to rip the muscles in order to get more. This is why we rip open ourselves and break ourselves and work on ourselves to grow.

Then when we have a doubt whether we do Plan A or Plan B we are already above the debate. Good or bad? Bad or good? I don’t know what to do?! NO. I do know what to do! I look at my past or my friends/family’s past. The Ben Ish Hai ZT’L brings down Rabenu Alshech’s teaching that choosing the right or wrong thing to do is based on what will happen next. For example, one time a Rabbi came to my home for Shabbat and he explained to us in one of his Yeshiva Students’ wedding the bus going back to the dorms arrived very late at night. Before the students got off the bus the Rabbi said: We will only know if our actions tonight of the wedding were really for a Mitzvah or for the opposite based on us waking up for Shaharit (morning prayer) tomorrow morning. Everyone got scared so they made sure they are waking up. Look at your past, the last time I was in this situation: what did I choose? What came out of it? What can I do now BEFORE THE ACT to change it?

From the pasuk in our Parasha we see that directly. “Ki Goi Oved Etzot Hemah Ve’En Bahem Tevuna. Lu Hachmu Yaskilu Zot Yavinu Le’Aharitam (Devarim 32: 28-29).” Ki Goi Oved Etzot Hemah”: when the Yetzer Hara brings into our mind to do awful actions and pushes us to believe its GOOD DEEDS and “En Bahem Tevuna”: there is no spiritual background to these actions, “Lu Hachmu Yaskilu Zot”: how can I figure out if its for the good or the opposite? “Yavinu Aharitam”: after you did whatever action then you will see if its good or bad! It’s a couple of hours before Shabbat, what did we do last Shabbat, last Friday night, last Saturday morning, last Saturday afternoon, last Saturday night? Did we feel satisfaction from it? Did we feel full benefit from it? Was it only bodily satisfaction or satisfaction for the soul? Or both?

Ask these questions because this is how we change for the better.
Judaism=Think.
Shabbat Shalom!

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KOL HASHONEH HALACHOT BECHOL YOM MUVTACH LO SHEH'HOO BEN HA'OLAM HABA


For the Ilui Neshama of Avraham ben Ester ZT’L. Lehavdeel For the Refua Shlema of Yaakov Hai ben Margalit shlit’a.
Translated from Yalkut Yosef Kitzur Shulchan Aruch:

1. One who goes up to the Torah for an aliyah, whether on Shabbat or weekday, must read the Torah in a whisper with the Ba’al Koreh (Torah reader) and cannot fulfill the obligation of reading the Torah just by listening to the Ba’al Koreh. One would think because of the Halacha of Shomeah Ke’oneh (which states if one listens its as if he/she is saying it) they fulfill the obligation but in regards to Torah reading there is a special Halacha for the person going up to read it himself. If one does not read it in a whisper there is a suspicion that his Berachot (blessings) are Levatalah (said in vain, which is a Torah–level prohibition).

2. One is forbidden to walk out of Bet Kenesset (Shul) during Torah reading because it is written “Ozveh Hashem Yicalu” (the ones who leave Hashem should be destroyed). In any case, one is allowed to walk out between two people that go up for aliyah. Even though the individual is losing out from hearing the Torah reading for the tzibbur (congregation), the Mitzvah of Torah reading is upon the tzibbur and not the individual. However, in regards to Shenayim Mikrah Ehad Targum (reading the weekly Parsha every week) the mitzvah is upon the individual and the person must make it up.

3. The obligation of doing Kiddush HaYom (Kiddush for Shabbat day) does not befall upon someone until after the Tefillah (morning prayer), therefore one is only allowed to drink tea or coffee before going to Shaharit. Also one should be stringent not to add even the smallest amount of milk in the drink before Tefillah, unless he is a weak individual. The drinks may be consumed only after Birkot HaShahar and Birkot HaTorah.

Shabbat Shalom!

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Thursday, September 27, 2012

CLD #692



For the Ilui Neshama of Avraham ben Ester ZT’L & Yissachar ben Yona Z’L.
If I told you I can give you a diamond, but it has been through the dirtiest attic stuck in some box for years filled with who knows what, would you still take it? OBVIOUSLY, WHO WOULDN’T?! A diamond is a diamond.

Guess what just happened? We just went through Yom Kippur, one of the happiest and holiest days of the year filled with a spiritual uplifting. And guess what’s even better? Sukkot is in 4 days!!! Wait…hold up. What is the connection? What is going on here?

We are all diamonds, literally we come from the most expensive jewelry locations in the world (the Heavens) and we are directly connected to Hashem because our body’s engine is the Neshama (soul). The Neshama is part of Hashem and it was given to our body for basic survival. When doing a sin we literally scratch and dirty the diamond we got from Hashem. But what just happened? We went through all of Hodesh Elul, Rosh HaShanah, Aseret Yemei Teshuva and Yom Kippur. We were in 40 days of laundry service for our Neshama, our diamond. Its mavreek (clean in Hebrew). We took it to the best of the best diamond cleaner specialists.

Now what do all the robbers in the area want to do? They want to steal this diamond. All the specialists did all the work for them to make it brand new so it can be placed on the market. They just need to come and steal it. This is why after Yom Kippur we have Sukkot. Now we are in a vulnerable state of being attacked by all sorts of impure desires and wants that the yetzer hara (evil inclination) wants us to do and become impure. The goal is to be extra cautious and get away from them.

And this is where Sukkot comes in. A Sukkah is a tent that protects. Rav Shimshon Pinkus ZT’L explains that in Tefillah we say “Melech Ozer UMoshiya UMagen,” translation: Hashem The King (symbolizes Rosh HaShanah) Helps Us (symbolizes the Aseret Yemei Teshuva) and Saves Us (symbolizes Yom Kippur) and Shields Us (symbolizes Sukkot). The question is why does Hashem need to shield us? Because we are clean and pure after all the fasting and selihot and kaparot etc.

Stay clean, stay pure, stay Jewish.
Judaism=Think.

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KOL HASHONEH HALACHOT BECHOL YOM MUVTACH LO SHEH'HOO BEN HA'OLAM HABA


For the Ilui Neshama of Avraham ben Ester ZT’L. Lehavdeel For the Refua Shlema of Yaakov Hai ben Margalit shlit’a.
Translated from Yalkut Yosef Kitzur Shulchan Aruch:

1. The days between Yom Kippur and Sukkot are days where we pray without Vidui and Nefilat Apayim (Tahanoon), but an invdividual is allowed to do a Ta’anit Yahid (personal fast). The minhag (custom) of The Holy City of Yerushalayim is not to say vidui and nefilat apayim until the end of the month, beginning Bet Heshvan (2nd day of next Hebrew month).

2. Zerizim Makdimim LeMitzvot, the quick individuals are those who do Mitzvot the earliest and therefore immediately during Motzei Yom Kippur (after Yom Kippur ends) they are busy with the building of the Sukkah, in order to be constantly occupied in Mitzvot. From what level to the next.

Shabbat Shalom!

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Tuesday, September 25, 2012

CLD #691



For the Ilui Neshama of Avraham ben Ester ZT’L & Yissachar ben Yona Z’L.
Did you know that Erev Yom Kippur (today) is a day filled with tips to get ready for Yom Kippur? First thing: staying cautious in regards to your kedusha (holiness) by not seeing anything dirty, no prostitution, keeping one’s tzeniyut (modesty), trying to stay yereh shamayim (Fear of Heaven), etc. Another thing is performing the Mitzvah of eating a lot today to get ready for the fast. The final tip I want to add is the idea of Men going to the Mikveh. The Mikveh is like an engulfment of cleansing. When engulfed completely by the waters of the Mikveh, the individual is completely distanced from all the bad spirits they have created from their sins!
 
Now for theCLD: Throughout the entire prayers of Yom Kippur we say vidui after vidui (confessions of sin). We literally spill out all the sins of the past year and confess (to Hashem quietly in a whisper and G-d forbid NOT TO PEOPLE). The Vidui was processed from over 2,000 years ago and is the foundation of Judaism because the Jewish life is filled with ups and down and we must have confessions to live because we are only human.

Back to the Vidui, the basis of all of Yom Kippur! The Holy Ben Ish Hai asks a questions: Why do we go through all types of different words explaining different forms of sinning in Vidui, because the vidui prayer is in alphabetical order??? Simply just say: Hashem I sinned, forgive me for all my sins! Please, Hashem, you know I am made of dust just like Adam HaRishon with the Etz HaDa’at! It was a mistake. Have mercy on us!!! But no, we say 24+ words explaining our sins in detail by the alphabet. And the answer is because we are showing Hashem we actually THOUGHT ABOUT OUR SINS. We sat down and with all our hearts pondered about what mistakes we did this past year and what we need to change.

And with happiness, because the day of Yom Kippur is a day of atonement for all our sins whether we like it or not. It’s a day where Hashem’s mercy overflows the entire world and He says in A BOOMING SPIRITUAL VOICE: SALAHTI KIDVARECHA, I have forgiven according to your words! Whether we like it or not, we are forgiven. So why not pour our hearts in Thanks to Hashem to say: Thank you for this day. Why aren’t we jumping up and down that we have arrived to such a holy day of thanks!

B’H we will begin to take advantage, if we haven’t already done so, of such an awesome day.
Gemar Hatima Tova WITH A SMILE!

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KOL HASHONEH HALACHOT BECHOL YOM MUVTACH LO SHEH'HOO BEN HA'OLAM HABA


For the Ilui Neshama of Avraham ben Ester ZT’L. Lehavdeel For the Refua Shlema of Yaakov Hai ben Margalit shlit’a.
Translated from Yalkut Yosef Kitzur Shulchan Aruch:

1. There is no difference in regards to what is prohibited on Yom Kippur between Lel Yom Kipur (the nighttime, tonight) and Yom Kippur itself. Meaning, once the fast begins the individual is prohibited to eat and drink, bathe, apply creams/lotions, wear leather shoes and interact in marital relations.

2. Whoever said a beracha on food throughout Yom Kippur and forgot that it is a fast day may not eat the food. Rather, this person says Baruch Shem Kevod Malchuto Le’Olam Va’ed.

3. Every individual is allowed to swallow their own spit, whether it is on purpose or by accident because there is no prohibition in regarding one’s own spit on Yom Kippur and one should not be stringent in this matter.

4. Bathing for pleasure is prohibited on Yom Kippur, whether it be with cold water or hot water, his/her entire body or a part of it. However, if someone became dirty they can clean it off only in the place of dirt with the intention of cleaning for cleaning and not for pleasure. Therefore, when one wakes up Yom Kippur morning they should do Netilat Yadayim with three washes on each hand but not like a regular day. This means on Yom Kippur one can only wash up to their knuckles and not more than that.

Gemar Hatima Tova!

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Monday, September 24, 2012

*HOLIDAY/FAST ALERT*

Yom Kippur 5773

10th of Tishrei

Fast Begins: 6:28pm
Fast Ends: 7:26pm

September 25th Sunset - September 26th Nightfall


Have a MEANINGFUL Fast 
and 
Gemar Hatima Tova!

VIDEO OF THE WEEK!

On Yom Kippur the fate of Yerushalayim this upcoming year will also be determined.


Gemar Hatima Tova!

CLD #690

For the Ilui Neshama of Avraham ben Ester ZT’L & Yissachar ben Yona Z’L.
Before we begin theCLD we would like to remind everyone of a crucial tip to do before Yom Kippur enters tomorrow evening. From all the Txts and messages we will be receiving throughout the day tomorrow reminding us to reply “Yes, of course I forgive you!” and the like, we need to remember out parents. It is easy to ask for forgiveness from our friends who we have not spoken to in a month, but our parents who we take so little advantage of, that is something a billion times more important than your friend. Therefore, the Halachot books (Jewish Law) explain to go up to your parent(s) and kiss the back of their hands and ask for forgiveness for all the attitude, lack of respect, answering-back moments and everything in between throughout the year.

Now for theCLD: In the past week all theCLDs have been packed with the concept and importance of doing Teshuva (repentance) and taking it upon oneself to really stop sinning. The question is why? Its because the ‘metrocard’ for entering the secured doors of Yom Kippur with a “clean slate” is Teshuva and the declaration of not continuing the sin. Without this truthful act of Teshuva from the heart, no one can pass Yom Kippur.

Rav Shimshon Pinkus ZT’L teaches from the Gemara Masechet Keritut (18b) that the day of Yom Kippur itself atones for sin! But the single condition that goes along with that must be stressed: the only way Yom Kippur atones for sin is if we already did Teshuva beforehand. EVEN IF ITS 24 HOURS BEFORE! The whole inyan (concept) of Yom Kippur is the Siyata Dishmaya (Help from the Heavens).

What is it like? When a construction site has thousands of tons of metal blocks sitting on the floor and they need to lift it to a 40-story building they use a crane. Once these blocks are in the air even the tiniest wind can push it left and right. The same is with us, we are so heavy with sin! The entire year we run around doing who knows what with such aimless directions. Then Hashem lifts us to great spiritual heights where there is no chance we can do it alone. Then it is up to us, with the power of Yom Kippur to continue in that direction, because Hashem did all the work already!

Therefore the only way to reach this spiritual high THAT CAN STICK WITH US THE ENTIRE YEAR is by doing Teshuva beforehand. The power of Teshuva is enormous. There is only 24 hours left to abuse this rahamim (mercy) system! Take advantage just like you take advantage of Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

Time is running out. Judaism=Think.
Gemar Hatima Tova!

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Gemar Hatima Tova!

KOL HASHONEH HALACHOT BECHOL YOM MUVTACH LO SHEH'HOO BEN HA'OLAM HABA


For the Ilui Neshama of Avraham ben Ester ZT’L. Lehavdeel For the Refua Shlema of Yaakov Hai ben Margalit shlit’a.
Translated from Yalkut Yosef Kitzur Shulchan Aruch:

1. It is a mitzvah to greaten one’s intake of food and drink during Erev Yom HaKippurim (the day before the fast, this year falls TOMORROW September 25th). This Halacha was learned in the Talmud in Masechet Berachot (8b) and Rosh HaShanah (9a) from a Pasuk (verse) in the Torah. The Pasuk says to fast on the 9th of the month but we know Yom Kippur falls on the 10th of the month, so Hachamim (our Sages) taught that when one greatens his/her intake of meals on the 9th of the month its as if he/she fasted both on the 9th and 10th of Tishrei. It goes as far as lessening one’s limud Torah (learning) to have more meals! Therefore, one who does melacha (work, parnasa) during the 9th of the month does not see any beracha (blessing) from that money forever.

2. Lechatihila (the best option) is to have at least one meal with bread on Erev Yom Kippur (tomorrow) to fulfill the mitzvah of eating on Erev Yom HaKippurim. Women are also obligated to fulfill this mitzvah.

3. Those who wake up early Erev Yom Kippur (tomorrow morning before dawn) to say selihot can say vidui and nefilat apayim (tahanoon). However, in the Shaharit Tefillah (morning prayer), even if its immediately after selihot, we do not say vidui and nefilat apayim (tahanoon) because the ‘light’ of Yom Tov is nearing. We do not say the mizmorim and parts of Tefillah (prayer) that are also not said when Tahanoon is not said as well.

Gemar Hatima Tova!

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theCLD Fundraising Project Continued

24 Hours before Yom Kippur!
We officially received a delivery of 22 Garden of Riches books from the $ raised this past summer.
We are reaching people all over the Tri-State Area if you are serious about reading it.

Please contact us if you want a book.
And don't forget to smile, tomorrow is Yom Kippur: the happiest day of the year.


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Sunday, September 23, 2012

CLD #689


For the Ilui Neshama of Avraham ben Ester ZT’L & Yissachar ben Yona Z’L.
The fundamental way of warming up readers’ hearts is by relating to them. This is why theCLD began.
Today we had the privelige to be in a winery in a basement in Brooklyn, New York. In the small winery there are all these stations, machines and tools one needs in order to produce delicious wine. One of the machines used is a family of metal pieces that work together to filter and cut out the stems of the grapes in order to separate grapes from leaves, stems, dirt etc. From this act of helping out in checking the grapes and moving them down into the filter we get so much chizuk!

What are you talking about? It’s a simple filter and just cartons of grapes combined. That’s the whole beauty of it. If one takes all the spiritual ‘fruits’ he/she has created throughout the entire year, obviously fine juices will come out of them, unless the fruits are not so fine. Every action or in Hebrew, ma’aseh, we do is considered either a ma’aseh tov or ma’aseh rah (good or bad). 

Before Yom Kippur, I think it is time to filter through all our deeds this past year and begin taking out all the dirt, the leaves, the stems, etc. away from our fruits so we can produce some fresh wine and show it to Hashem before He seals the document that contains next year’s decrees.

The entire act of filtering and taking out all the bad from the good we have done this year is called Teshuva. Yes, we have been speaking about it for more than a month but its such a big deal so we cannot stop stressing it. Every Teshuva one does is unbounded and cannot fit in the realm of this world. Every time even a thought of teshuva enters a Jewish mind its as if he/she is filtering out all the bad from the past year. Therefore, lets stay united and head into Kippur with a positive attitude.

Let’s take at least 5 minutes of our next forty-eight hours and think a little about the major events this past year and about what we can ask for forgiveness from Hashem. Only this action alone awakens Rahamim (mercy) on us from Shamayim (the Heavens). Why? Because Hashem sees we are at least trying to get close to Him! G-d willing these small acts of Teshuva will shake up the spiritual realms so we will be signed into the Book of Life and all Good.

Gemar Hatima Tova!

Sponsor theCLD for the Ilui Neshama (memory of) or Refua Shlema (the speedy recovery) of your loved one! Click the Donate Button on the Right Sidebar and BH e-mail us (CLDFundraising@gmail.com) with the name(s)!

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