Wedding date & 5 Reasons Why You Should Gossip

Bs"d

Wedding date

Be honest with yourself. We both know that you've always dreamt of a chance to see the African jungles…. Well now you've got the perfect opportunity!

With G-d's help we will be getting married in Johannesburg South Africa on the fourteenth of Av (August 4^th). And we would love for you to participate in our Simcha!

Put away 10 dollars a day for the next three and a half months for this dream vacation and wedding package, and you're on your way for the adventure of a lifetime…Simple enough…

We would live to thank you all for your blessings and warm wishes. May we only share simchas with each other forever and ever, until the greatest simcha of all – the coming of Moshiach!

 

Chayele and Levi

 

A Project of
www.shabbattable.com

 And of Beit Chabad F. Bronzetti 18, Milan Italy

 

5 Reasons Why You Should Gossip

                                                             

Teacher to Student: If I lend your father one hundred dollars, and he returns only fifty, how much money does he still owe me?

Student: Nothing.

Teacher: You don't know math!

Student: You don't know my father!

*

Here are five reasons why you should gossip:

1. Why? Who cares why! It makes you feel good. And like the famous 'American dream' slogan goes: "I'm not hurting anybody" – ye sure. 

2. The media and tabloids have shown the world that it is a moral obligation to bring to light everyone's dirty laundry. No, there is no such a thing as privacy; your life is my life, and your mistake is my appetizer.

Not to mention new inventions like 'Google earth', where all sense of privacy has been thrown back to the dark ages, before the days of newspapers, phones (that's a big one), and the whole media business.

3. Because you are G-d's warrior. And just as G-d cannot tolerate falsehood, so too, you as His fighter, have a moral obligation to search, find and spread the neighbors' secrets, so that he should not 'heaven forbid' receive false respect and feel haughty.

It's all in the name of G-d.

4. It is a custom amongst families and communities from way back when, that on many an occasion, especially around the dinner table, a human sacrifice is laid on the table/altar, and slaughtered with verbal knifes and daggers.

Ah, don't you remember the old lady/man sitting on the porch sipping homemade 'Borscht' (beet juice), and screaming on top of her lungs, across a six lane avenue, the greasy details of the newest slice of gossip? It's just the custom.

5. Because you never heard this story:

Rabbi Shmuel, the fourth Rebbe of Chabad, was once sitting in his office studying, while his two sons, Zalman and Sholom, were playing in the yard. His studies were suddenly disrupted by loud cries and screams coming from outside. He rushed outside, and saw his younger son, Sholom, lying helplessly in a pit.

He quickly pulled the boy out of the pit, then turned to Zalman and asked: "What is the meaning of this?"

Zalman angrily responded: "It's not fair; I am the older brother, so I should be the taller one, but Sholom is taller than me. So I threw him into a pit, and now I'm taller!"

"My son, said his father, if you want to be higher than your brother, don't put him down in a pit; you climb on a chair!"

So reason number 6 is: Why feel guilty that you're not the best you should be? Just point out the negative of everyone else and then let the guilt disappear. Throw him in the pit and you will be higher.

Moshiach Now!

Gut Shabbos!

Why the Rush?

Bs"d

A Project of
www.shabbattable.com

 And of Beit Chabad F. Bronzetti 18, Milan Italy

 

 

Why the Rush?

When did the Jews leave Egypt? Exactly at noon on the fifteenth of Nissan. When did they start counting down the 49 days to the giving of the Torah on Sinai? Just a few hours later on the sixteenth!

Let's think about it for a moment. The Jews hadn't even crossed the Red Sea yet, Pharaoh was still bound to chase them and bring them back to slavery, (as he so daringly tried to do, and only by the miraculous miracle of the splitting of the sea, and the drowning of the Egyptians was his evil plan averted.)

If that's the case, then why were they rushing to begin the countdown to the next milestone – Sinai, immediately after the exodus?

Moreover, we can be sure that the Jews had a pretty decent hint about what would transpire at Sinai. They knew that Sinai would spell the end of doing what they want without accountability, and a whole new way of life with so many limitations and consequences/punishment.

The Jews hadn't even had the chance to live like free men, and they were already counting down to a new form of slavery and accountability? Is there anything wrong with enjoying the delicious taste of freedom for a few days, without thinking about the next leg in this historic journey?

The answer my friend, can be found in the Declaration of Independence of the USA. Let's take a peek:

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

Yup, those magic words "endowed by their Creator" are our answer. For in them lay the difference between the American Revolution which made the country the beacon of freedom and liberty to the whole world until this very day; to so many other revolutions crying the same cry of "democracy" or "all men are created equal" (communism) which did not last.

Freedom without a Creator, or in other words, without the understanding that the freedom is a gift of G-d, and that only when serving and being accountable to G-d is freedom possible, is not freedom. It might sound like freedom, it might even taste for a moment like freedom, but it is not freedom. It isn't even a democracy. For if there are no divine principals to be accountable for, then there are no principals at all.

Just look at so many countries claiming to be democratic, and how far they really are from earning that title. Democracy without G-d is simply not possible.

Our ancestors 3300 years ago were yearning to live like free men with rights such as Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. So they rushed to Sinai to be given those rights, and to live a life of true freedom – as servants of the Creator.

Moshiach Now!

Gut Shabbos!

 (Rabbi) Levi Avtzon

 

As if you don’t have enough what to read this Pesach…

As if you don't have enough what to read this Pesach…

This year as every year we will sit down to the Seder and go through the 15 steps. It's been a year since we've done it and it excites us. The thoughts, the wine, the Matzah, the chicken soup, even the Maror…

Finally, way past midnight with our heads dizzy and our stomachs growling we will head to bed…

…only to wake up the next day and do the whole thing all over again...

Ever wondered if there is a deeper reason why we do the whole long process twice two days in a row?

Kabbalah teaches that the Matzah we eat on the first night of Pesach is food of faith, and on the second night it's food of healing.

How about we take it a step further and say that the whole Seder process follows those same themes?

Let us say that night # 1 is a 15 step process of spiritual growth – soul steps. And night # 2 follows with fifteen steps of physical, psychological and relationship growth – body steps.

So, even though we say the exact same words and do the same actions on both nights; they are two different journeys altogether.

Ready for two rides in one article? Here we go!

Soul – Night 1	The Steps of the Seder	Body – Night 2
Kiddush comes from the Hebrew word 'Kadosh' holy. The first step in tapping into our soul power is to realize that our soul is a piece of G-d, and that we have G-d-ly power to achieve anything we set our mind on.	Kadesh – Say the Kiddush on a full cup of wine	Wine brings happiness, and when going on this journey we can either do it with sadness and anger or with joy and elation. The Jewish way is the happy way. L'chaim! For a successful journey.
When journeying toward holiness we must first remove all the dirt and filth of sin and impurity.	Urchatz – Wash hands	All those notions you developed of yourself "I can't do this, I can't do that!" just wash them away. If we are to change, we must believe that we can change!
A few tears of remorse for the times we didn't do what G-d pleases are a vital step of repentance and growth.	Karpas – Dip a vegetable in salt water, reminding us of the tears our ancestors shed in slavery	On this journey you might have to confront hurts from your past which will cause pain and tears, don't be afraid to take them head on, it will only make you stronger.
There is no grey area between what G-d wants and that which is against His will. The grayness and lack of clarity between good and evil is broken for the two just cannot mix.	Yachatz – Break the middle matzah in half, and hide the bigger half	Ok, let's go. The first step in healing is the acknowledgment that we are all good and the mistakes we made don't make us bad people. Separate the action from the person.
'Cheshbon Hanefesh' (accounting of the soul) is a basic tenet in Judaism, where one looks retrospectively back at his life and makes an account of all the decisions and actions he's done.	Maggid – tell the story of exodus	Talk it out. To yourself, to a trusted friend. Talk it out. If that's too hard, write it down. Put your life story in front of you. And appreciate the G-dly Hand in all of it.
Ok, enough with dealing the past. Now we can wash away what was, and start looking ahead into the future.	Rochtza – Wash the hands for the Matzah	Ok, enough with dealing the past. The past is past; your future is in your hands. Don't let your history keep you hostage! Wash it off!
There are three Matzos resembling every type of Jew. When reciting this blessing we hold all three in our hands. This is a sign unity, which according words of the great sage Hillel: "This is the whole Torah, the rest is merely commentary." What a great way to begin the future!	Motzi – recite the blessing HaMotzi.	When looking toward the future, you are not alone. There is Someone up there who loves you and watches over you every second. Why, He even takes time to make wheat grow to sustain us. He is there. He is here. He is everywhere.
Matzah with its lack of yeast resembles humility. Bringing in a feeling of humility and a broken heart, is the next step in making ourselves a vessel for holiness.	Matzah – Say the blessings on the Matza and eat the Matzah	Humility is not only a vessel for G-dliness. It's also a vessel for wholesome relationships, with family, friends, and even with ourselves. Put your ego aside, and your life will take a leap for the better.
Earlier we shed tears of remorse. This time we shed tears of yearning and love to G-d to Whom we are working to get closer to one step at a time.	Maror – Recite a blessing on the bitter herbs, then eat it	"Happily ever after" is a nice slogan for story tellers, but an untrue line for humans who live in this universe. Pain is a fact of life, the question is the perspective on how to look at it and deal with it. If we can accept the challenges that come our way, we are guaranteed a happier and more peaceful life.
Humility mixed with love to G-d?! Wow that is the whole Chassidus on one foot! Way to go!	Korech – Make a sandwich of Matza and Maror and eat together	Every one of us has his own 'pekel' - baggage of good things and of the not so good, be it family, parnasa, nachas, etc. we all have our own 'pekel'. Mix 'em all together and thank G-d for your 'pekel'.
So, you've become holy! Does that mean that you have to climb onto the Himalayas and starve yourself for weeks with your eyes closed to become holier? No! The Jewish way is to live in the world and bring holiness into the physical.	Shulchan Orech – Eat a festive meal	Enjoy life! Eat, sleep, enjoy each precious moment. Ok, don't go overboard… but it doesn't mean you can't enjoy the sunshine, nature and all its blessing. After all it was all created for you!
Judaism doesn't shun individuality; quite the contrary, it encourages the person to discover their talents and use it in the service of the Creator.	Tzafun – Eat the Matza that was hidden	Oh, don't say that you're not special, and that there's nothing unique about you. For if that's the case, then why would have G-d put you in this world? Obviously because you can accomplish things that no one else can accomplish! Bring out the real you, let yourself shine!
When using the physical (Shulchan Orech) and our talents (Tzafun), make sure not to get carried away and forget who gave it to us, and why they exist.	Barech – Say the blessing after meals	A good tool for any relationship: say "Thank you!" compliment people and say nice things about them. Tell a kid he's an animal and he'll act like one. Tell him he's a saint and he'll be one!
Wow! What an opportunity of growth was given to us. A song of praise and thanks is sung to the Creator who gave us the chance to repent and become closer to Him.	Hallel – Sing praises to G-d	Even though we are dealing with the body, we must remember that in Judaism body and soul are deeply connected. This is your chance for thanking G-d for everything He's given you and continues to give!
Yes, our journey has been a success, but we cannot forget about the greater journey which began at the dawn of creation and is about to conclude – the coming of Moshiach. Stand up and cry: We Want Moshiach Now!	Nirtza – Next year in Jerusalem	Look onto the horizon and envision for yourself a future. Once you have a clear vision, now it's time to start the journey to become the best you can.

In Chabad we don't say "The Seder is over", because in essence the Seder never really ends. On the contrary, the journey has just begun…