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		                                    Welcome to Chabad of NCI located in Rancho Bernardo.		                                </span>

Minyan Schedule at Chabad of NCI

 A Minyan is the backbone of a Shul and is the collective soul of the community.

Sundays 8:15AM
Monday - Friday 7:00AM
Shabbat Day  10:00AM
   

Let's Celebrate Chanukah 

Click HERE to RSVP for Chanukah Party.

Early bird special ends Thursday the 19th.Click HERE to RSVP for Menorah Lighting

A Letter from the Rabbis

Dear Friends,

The 19th of Kislev, the “Rosh Hashanah of Chassidus,” commemorates the 1798 liberation of Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, the first Chabad rebbe, known as the Alter Rebbe, from imprisonment. This event marked not only a personal redemption but a renewal of Chassidic teachings, particularly the Tanya, which the Alter Rebbe authored.

The Tanya provides a comprehensive roadmap for our spiritual lives. It teaches us how to uncover the divine spark within, navigate life’s challenges, and connect to G-d through love, awe, and joy. Studying Chassidus uplifts our understanding of Torah’s commandments and deepens our relationship with G-d, infusing everyday life with greater meaning and vitality.

This week’s Torah reading, Vayeshev, begins with Jacob settling in the land of his forefathers. Commentators explain that Jacob sought peace after a lifetime of struggle. Yet, his journey into spiritual growth continued. This is also the message of the 19th of Kislev: While we may seek comfort, our purpose lies in constant growth, transforming our challenges into opportunities for deeper connection to G-d.

The Alter Rebbe taught that Chassidus reveals the soul’s infinite potential. Just as Jacob found strength to persevere, we, too, can find resilience and clarity through Chassidus, especially the Tanya. Let us recommit to its study and integrate its teachings into our daily lives, ensuring that its light illuminates the world around us.

May we all experience personal redemption and the ultimate redemption with Moshiach soon!

Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Dr. Yehudah Trestman
Rabbi Hershy Weinstein

Question of the Week

QUESTION

I have been studying the Book of Tanya and find it fascinating. But I am stuck on one idea expressed there. Tanya says that a person has control over our thought, speech and action. I don't agree. We can usually control what we do, and also what we say. But can we control what we think? I can't help what pops into my head! Aren't some thoughts impulsive?
(just resending this question I wrote to you two weeks ago. I didn't hear back so maybe you didn't receive it the first time?)

ANSWER

Apologies for not responding sooner to your message. I actually did receive it the first time. But I ignored it. I didn't even open it. 

I decide which messages I open, and which I don't. Just because an alert pops up on my screen does not mean I have to react to it. I can't control what messages arrive in my inbox, but I can certainly control whether or not I open them. And I didn't open yours. 

My not answering your question is the answer to your question. Indeed, you can't control the thoughts that pop into your head. But you most certainly can control your reaction to them. If an inappropriate thought enters your mind, you have the choice to entertain it or reject it. 

And that is the challenge we are given, to take the reigns of our brains and push away negative thinking. When you reject a bad thought, you don't allow it to become yours, you don't identify with it. You become the master of your inbox.

Unless you are a very holy person, you will experience bad thoughts on a regular basis. Sometimes they will be about yourself - "I am a loser, I will never accomplish anything." Sometimes they will be about others - "I could kill that guy". Some of those thoughts may be pretty ugly.  You have no power to stop them flashing through your mind. But you do have the choice to leave those thoughts unopened.

Bad thoughts popping up into your head? That's normal. Delete and go to next message. 

Parsha in a Nutshell

Parshat Vayeshev

Genesis 37:1–40:23
The name of the Parshah, "Vayeshev," means "And he dwelt" and it is found in Genesis 37:1.

Jacob settles in Hebron with his twelve sons. His favorite is seventeen-year-old Joseph, whose brothers are jealous of the preferential treatment he receives from his father, such as a precious many-colored coat that Jacob makes for Joseph. Joseph relates to his brothers two of his dreams which foretell that he is destined to rule over them, increasing their envy and hatred towards him.

Simeon and Levi plot to kill him, but Reuben suggests that they throw him into a pit instead, intending to come back later and save him. While Joseph is in the pit, Judah has him sold to a band of passing Ishmaelites. The brothers dip Joseph’s special coat in the blood of a goat and show it to their father, leading him to believe that his most beloved son was devoured by a wild beast.

Judah marries and has three children. The eldest, Er, dies young and childless, and his wife, Tamar, is given in levirate marriage to the second son, Onan. Onan sins by spilling his seed, and he too meets an early death. Judah is reluctant to have his third son marry her. Determined to have a child from Judah’s family, Tamar disguises herself as a prostitute and seduces Judah himself. Judah hears that his daughter-in-law has become pregnant and orders her executed for harlotry, but when Tamar produces some personal effects he left with her as a pledge for payment, he publicly admits that he is the father. Tamar gives birth to twin sons, Peretz (an ancestor of King David) and Zerach.

Joseph is taken to Egypt and sold to Potiphar, the minister in charge of Pharaoh’s slaughterhouses. G‑d blesses everything he does, and soon he is made overseer of all his master’s property. Potiphar’s wife desires the handsome and charismatic lad; when Joseph rejects her advances, she tells her husband that the Hebrew slave tried to force himself on her, and has him thrown into prison. Joseph gains the trust and admiration of his jailers, who appoint him to a position of authority in the prison administration.

In prison, Joseph meets Pharaoh’s chief butler and chief baker, both incarcerated for offending their royal master. Both have disturbing dreams, which Joseph interprets; in three days, he tells them, the butler will be released and the baker hanged. Joseph asks the butler to intercede on his behalf with Pharaoh. Joseph’s predictions are fulfilled, but the butler forgets all about Joseph and does nothing for him.

Haftorah Commentary

Haftorah Vayeshev Commentary
(Amos 2:6-3:8)

In the haftarah for Vayeishev, Amos delivers Gd’s words of rebuke to the 10
northern tribes, the Kingdom of Israel. He chastises them for the corruption of
those in power over the common folk and for not listening to the prophets.
The connection to the parshah is that the haftarah speaks of the sale of “a
righteous person for silver and a poor man for a pair of shoes.” This resembles the
sale of Joseph as a slave to Egypt, spoken about in our parshah. It also speaks about
corrupt judges falsely charging innocent people for their personal benefit. Joseph,
full of integrity, did not take advantage of his position, but was thrown into jail on
false charges. His strength of character led him to become the viceroy of Egypt. The
haftarah continues with the truth of prophecy, and that it is directly fromG-d. This
alludes to Joseph’s dreams and his ability to interpret them, which were clearly
prophecies from Gd. Finally, the haftarah mentions the Exodus from Egypt, which
was the end of an exile that had begun with Joseph being sold to Egypt.
The haftarah begins with Gd saying that He could forgive us “for three” sins, (idol
worship, inappropriate relations and murder), “but for four” (the perversion of
justice), He “will not forgive.”  To Gd, taking advantage of people is the worst thing.
Gd is ready to forgive the most heinous crimes, but not this one.
Gd goes on to say that after all He has done for us—He brought us up out of Egypt,
fought wars for us, and gave us prophets and teachers—but those in power
silenced the voice of decency and truth. Then they used their authority to take from
the powerless and use for their own pleasures. He spells out what will be the
consequences for these deplorable actions.
Gd says: “I only loved you, from all the families of the earth. That is why I punish you
for all your transgressions.” Precisely because of this great love, our actions matter
to Gd, and that is why he punishes us for our wrongdoings.
“When a lion roars, who does not fear?” In Hebrew, “lion” is aryeh. Rearranging the
letters, you get yirah, which means “fear.” The Shaloh Hakadosh tells us that aryeh is
an acronym for Elul, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Hoshana Rabba. The fear and
awe of Gd is upon us at those times because He is close. The Yakult Shimoni tells us
that aryeh refers to the month of Menachem Av because its mazal (zodiac sign) is
the lion. So Gd is close then as well, which is reason to praise Gd and be joyous
on Rosh Chodesh Menachem Av.

It is in the merit of honesty, strength of character and integrity—especially from
those in positions of power—and the belief in the words of our great prophets that
we will hear Gd sounding the Great Shofar of freedom, announcing
that Moshiach is here. May he come soon!

1.    1. On the Haftara: The Lion’s Roar by Rabbi Yitzi Hurwitz

Chai Club

"Chai Partnership" is a unique way to support the work at Bais Betzalel Chabad of NCI.  It's a form of collaboration and together, we protect, perpetuate and build the essential identity that has been bequeathed to us by our parents, grandparents, and ancestors.  Chai Partnerships are available for anyone that contributes monthly.  

Together, we ensure a vibrant and joyful Jewish future!

Picture of Chai Club sign
 

THANK YOU TO THE CHAI CLUB PARTNERS THAT HELP MAKE PROGRAMMING AT CHABAD OF NCI POSSIBLE.
                                      

Michael Palais                                           Oscar and Lynda Stewart

Andrew Kwittken                                     Dr. Rob and Jill Reichman

Michael and Svetlana Kritzer                Jonathan and Esther Rosenberg

Ben Bebashkin                                           Moe and Sarah Shemirani

Sol and Ellen Pinczewski                        Scott and Sarit Reich

Jay Hecht                                                     Dr. Roger Acheatel

Jeff Eisman                                                 Josh and Rebecca Jacobs

Todd Frank                                                  Allen and Carole Lax 

Jordan and Debbie Alpert                       Dr. Gil and Erica Furman

Dr. Paul Neustein                                      Dr. Roneet Lev and Dr Steve Lee

Fred and Mitra Nasseri                           Norman and Ruth Berger                     

Michael and Larisa Sosis                       Dr. Ron Levin                                              

Dr. Phil Wrotslavsky.                              Danny and Hila Almog 

Hannah Kaye in Loving Memory of her Father Dr Howard Kaye OBM

Sam and Joyce Hoffman.                      Dimitry Tsimberg      

 Joseph and Minoo Anvari.                  George and Robyn White

Dr Ori and Amy Raz

                    

 

 

Kosher Recipes

 

Holidays A Wholewheat Shabbat Menu By: Tamar Genger MA, RD Ultimate Shabbat Guide Shabbat Menu With Angels By: Tamar Genger MA, RD World Cuisine Israeli Shabbat Menu By: Tamar Genger MA, RD Content Sponsored by

 

Sat, December 21 2024 20 Kislev 5785