Shiur Wednesday Night

Shiur Wednesday Night

There will be a shiur for women this wed. night [it is a segulah to have a "wed." soon:)] at 9:10pm at 115 Central Park West 72nd street apt. 9b.

Admission: A smile. If you can't pay at the door you will probably pay at some point during the shiur.

Blessings:)!

written by yosef shiminov

YOUR WAY, MY WAY, AND THE HIGHWAY

This Tuesday night we celebrate the holiday of Shavuot, the day Hashem gave us the Torah as a gift. It was a miraculous day, a day when G-d spoke directly to all the Jewish people at once. The day when we Jews proclaimed "WE WILL DO AND WE SHALL LISTEN" to all of G-d's 613 commandments. The day G-d crowned us and called us his chosen people, a light upon the nations.

The Torah was given to us to be our guide in life, to direct us and teach us the proper way in life in order for us to attain a good life in this world and the world to come. As is well known everything that a person does in life no matter how mundane could be considered a Mitzvah if done with the proper intentions. Likewise every person is unique and each person has certain talents that others do not possess, and everyone can use their own special abilities in their service of G-d.

Unfortunately, today many Jews think they must follow one rigid path in order to do what is proper in the eyes of G-d. Rabbi Yaakov Kamentzkey related when talking about how Yeshiva Torah Vodaath was different and greater than most Yeshivas, "most Yeshivas are like a bed in Sodom", they try to make you fit the bed, they try to mold you, they want everyone to be the same, walk the same, talk the same and just do everything the same. But this is not what G-d wants, we see this from the fact that on the first Shavuot G-d spoke to each and every Jew directly and therefore expects each and every Jew to use their special talents when serving G-d. It is as if there are many paths that lead to the same one goal, the goal of becoming a better person, and becoming holier Jew by drawing closer to G-d. This is possibly what King Shlomo meant when he wrote in Mishelay (the Book of Proverbs 3:17) "All its [Torah] ways are pleasant and all its paths are peace". That all the paths that are used to serve G-d are great, as long as it is consistent with Halachah (Jewish Law) and authentic Tradition.

In the first Mishnah of the second chapter of Ethics of our Fathers Rabbe (Rabbi Judah HaNasi, redactor and editor of all the Mishnayot) states "Which is the proper path that a person should choose for himself? Whatever [path] is a credit to himself and earns him esteem of fellow men." Based on this Rabbi Simcha Bunim of P'shis'cha would emphasize that people should maintain their own individuality while defining their way of serving G-d; merely to imitate others is a grave error. G-d invests every individual with a unique set of abilities, talents, and faults, and it is with these that G-d wants him to serve him. Because Rabbe could have simply said "The proper path is to adhere to the Torah and the Mitzvot" but instead Rabbe says to choose a path that "is a credit to himself" a path that is unique to the individual.

But let us also not forget to respect the pathways of others. The Midrash states: Just as one persons facial features are different from another person, so do people's ideas differ (Tanchuma; Pinchas 10). Just as one cannot be upset with another for having a nose that is different than his, so to one must respect the opinions of others. This concept is also reflected in this Mishnah as it says "and earns him esteem of fellow men" since by respecting others he is also gets respected. We must never fault legitimate choices of other just because it is different than what we do. As long as it is consistent with Halachah (Jewish Law) and authentic Tradition, it may and should, reflect the individuality of its practitioner.

It is well known that the second Temple was destroyed because gratuitous hatred was rampant in society. But hopefully this year when we understand and accept other peoples Kosher Paths to G-d, and we can rectify the hatred with love for our fellow Jews, Mashiach will come and establish the Third and final Temple in Jerusalem.

Chizuk for the day. Aish.com

Blessed are You, Hashem, our God, King of the Universe ... (Siddur)

Many times each day, we recite various blessings to remind ourselves that God is King of the Universe.
While a person may be tempted to do things that defy the Divine will, the Baal Shem Tov suggests a simple technique that can help withstand temptation.
He gave the parable of a king who wished to test the loyalty of his subjects. He summoned one of his officers and instructed him to go among the masses and attempt to incite a rebellion. By observing who acceded to this agitator, the king could gauge the loyalty or disloyalty of his subjects. One wise man approached by the instigator reasoned that it was unthinkable that so powerful a monarch would allow such a traitor to move about so freely. Hence, he concluded, the rebel must be acting with the king's consent, and his ultimate purpose was to test the loyalty of the populace. So the wise man immediately rejected the instigator.
Our recognition of God as a monarch, as the Absolute Ruler of the Universe, should make it apparent that any instigation to defy the Divine will is a test of our loyalty. Indeed, the evil inclination [
yetzer hara] is merely carrying out its mission to seduce us to sin, but since the
yetzer hara too is in the Divine service, it really does not wish us to submit to its seduction. Ironically, one who submits to the seduction of the
yetzer hara is not only transgressing the Divine will but even disappointing the
yetzer hara. It is like the diabetic who submits to his desire for sweets. Far from indulging himself, he is harming himself.

Today I shall ...... try to realize that nothing in the world can exist other than by the Divine will, and that anything that appears to be in defiance of the Divine will can only be a test

CHAG SAMEACH

-Divrei Chizuk-

Let's all be mispalel and say to Hashem

"PLEASE HASHEM

This Shavuos; Kabolas HaTorah!

PLEASE

Bring us all HOME

to be together again

AS ONE NATION

Do it for Your sake,

Do it for the sake of Your Holy Torah You gave us

for we are all unworthy,

Remember Avraham Yitzchak & Yakov

Remember all what we have gone through over 3,000 yrs

ALL FOR YOU-

OUR FATHER, OUR CREATOR, OUR FRIEND

We are so lost with out YOU

SAVE US-SAVE US-

LET'S GO HOME''.

HEY GUYS,

Hope you're all enjoying summer vacation so far.

I had the zechus this week to meet with a VERY special guy who started this organization called Am Segula... Am Segula is a non profit organization that will change the world. Using the drive of students and young adults with meaningful aspirations, it is our mission to give back to those who are in need. Because our unique and powerful life experiences we realize the importance of charity and the impact it has on the Jewish community. Only an Am Segula, a treasured nation, can revolutionize the world we live in.

How you can help:

With our multiple branches reaching out, we have the opportunity to impact others in many meaningful ways. Through Chagim for Chayaliim, The lone solder center, our unique connection with American Army bases, and many more programs, we have manifested our impact on the Jewish community.

I thought it would be an AWESOME SUMMER activity for us to get together and play dodgeball, and raise money for an amazing organization like this.

the date were aiming for is wednesday June 15Th!

I Know all these emails get annoying, but PLEASE email me back if youre interested in participating. and please feel free to forward to any other girl you think would be interested!

THANKS =)

Please contact Erin @ erinnweinreich@gmail.com

(Thank you Erin for all the chesed you do for Am Yisroel! and for planning this amazing event for us to take part in!)

some very holy girls are planning another bakesale....

A question was asked as to why we make brachos before acting out mitzvos.
We make a bracha for lulav, we make a bracha for matza,
we make a bracha for all the mitzvos were about to do.
We step back and focus on this amazing opportunity
Hashem gave to us to fulfill this mitzvah........
But there is one mitzvah where Hashem says, do not hesitate!!!
Don't even take a minute to think of Me or bless Me just do it!
And that mitzvah is the mitzvah of tzedaka..
Hashem is trying to show klal yisroel that we should always be quick
to help out our fellow Jews and we should do it with zrizus..without
any hesitation!

IyH on June 6, 230-600 there will be a bake sale for Shaalva. They
are planning a trip for the children to a park with all sorts of fun
games and rides and we have the zechus of contributing to this super
awesome fun day that's really going to brighten up their cute little
faces!!!! So bake ur goods and bring 'em over!! It'll be a great way
to do chessed and bring something home for your family for
shavuos!!!!!!!

JUNE 6 2011
230 - 6PM
SALIG HOME
411 MISTLETOE WAY
LAWRENCE NEW YORK

watch this before the last post...

an extremely worthwhile watch. wow.

From Rav Ehrman's blog

Sunday, May 29, 2011

THE VISION!!

Sweetest, beloved friends SHAAALOM!

After a week of soul searching I have made a decision about what I am going to attempt - and succeed at BS"D. As you may know in a few days I will no longer be affiliated with any Yeshiva or Seminary. This allows me to fulfill a DREAM which I hope will change many peoples lives for the better.

THE VISION


I would like to start a kollel. But not just any kollel.


A kollel unlike any other kollel in the world! A kollel where the curriculum consists primarily of mussar, character refinement, chassidus, Emuna, shalom bayis, raising children, learning how to daven, learning ahavas yisroel, with a stress on the emotional aspects of avodas Hashem etc.. Teaching and learning the writings of the Baal Shem Tov, Rav Yisroel Salanter, Ramchal, Maharal, Rav Kook etc. etc. A place where talmidei chachomim are only accepted to the program if they are true bnei aliyah. High intellect and vast knowledge is NOT ENOUGH [although if a person is not deeply grounded in Gemara then he will not be accepted. Part of Avodas Hashem is studying profound lomdus and svara]. We are searching for men who want to learn in order to purify their hearts and achieve true closeness with Hashem. The goal is that the members go out into the world and spread the light using the skills and knowledge they gained in the kollel. The future Rosh Kollel has many ideas to disseminate and just needs the means to do it. YOU can make it happen.

HOW?

I am planning on coming to the United States soon in order to drum up interest for the program [which will start BEZ"H next Elul]. You can help if you know of any place where I can speak, give a shiur or be scholar in residence for Shabbos. Also, if you could set me up with people of means who would be interested in furthering this ground breaking [not to mention yetzer hara breaking] project. The purpose is not chas vi'shalom to make money off of this but to spread Dvar Hashem in this world that seems all too often to be bereft of it. Money is a necessary means to make it happen. I have to pay to rent a beis midrash and also give a stipend to the kollel fellows. You can also forward this letter to a lot of people so that the idea becomes public knowledge.

It is very easy to read this and ignore it. Hey, I don't see you and you don't see me, so you remain completely anonymous. Cool. But Hashem knows and I really believe that this kollel will be a fulfillment of His will. If you do what you can to help I believe your reward will be eternal, not to mention the eternal debt of gratitude I will feel towards you. I believe that we can start a trend and make the world a more spiritual, holy, loving place.

The kollel will be non partisan. I personally see myself as a litvish-yeshivish-chassidish-charedi-tziyoni-american-israeli-yu-mercaz-harav-chaim-berliner who tries to incorporate EVERYTHING that contributes to his growth as a mentsch, Ben Torah and Eved Hashem and distance everything that separates me from Hakadosh Baruch Hu. I also don't like labels at all and just use them so that people get the idea ["Labels are for cans"]. I plan on accepting anybody open-minded enough to grow, who meets the high standards of this institution of higher learning and feeling.

So if you identify with my goals, PLEASE get involved. There are already a number of good yidden who have volunteered to help.

I was encouraged to pursue this by the Tolna Rebbe Shlita and will be following his Divinely inspired guidance.

My email address is ally.ehrman@gmail.com and will be thrilled if anyone takes the trouble to contact me.

On a personal note - I don't think I have EVER been as excited about ANYTHING in my life. I think that this is HUGE.

But I can't do it all alone.

LOVE AND BLESSINGS TO ALL OF MY SWEETEST FRIENDS!!

amazing video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1plnJI2iBA

Rav Pincus, Putting feeling into our Mitzvos

Rav Pincus z'l gave a really beautiful mashal that his father used to tell him about putting feeling into the mitzvos we do in our daily live. he tells the story about a tailor. this tailor was not a wealthy man and he was out of business for a long time until one day he was walking along the road and a man, a very wealthy man, was asking around saying that he was in desperate need for a tailor. he had a meeting very soon and his suit had torn and he needed someone to fix it as soon as possible. the tailor called out to him and said he can try to help, the wealthy man was relieved and the tailor was SO thankful to Hashem that he finally had a customer after all this time. he took the mans suit and with a tehillim in one hand and thread in the other,singing praises to Hashem with a heart filled with Hakaras Hatov for his new customer, he sewed up his suit. the wealthy man said that these stitches were PERFECT! he said that he was officially hired to be his tailor. wow baruch Hashem, this tailor is back in business. he took measurements for the whole family and would take his tehillim in one hand and needle in the other, with a overjoyed heart and made the most beautiful garments for this family. every stitch was perfect and neat. once the tailor gained popularity, he had a lot more business and was very happy and continued sewing stitch by stitch with his tehillim.

a big affair was coming up for the wealthy man and his whole family needed new outfits. the tailor had lots of work to do and not much time, so he decided to take his needle in one hand and thread in the other and get to work.. he finally finished and gave all the garments to the wealthy man...shortly after the wealthy man barged into his shop saying "all these clothing dont fit and the stitching is messy! the ball is in a couple of hours! how could you do this", the tailor replied and said "i dont understand how this happened, i did every stitch the way i do EVERY TIME i dont understand this, i did every motion the same like i always do"... the tailor went to his rebbe and told him the situation, the rebbe replied " yes, its true that you stitched each stitch exactly like you always do, but the difference between all the garments you made before and these, is that these new ones were not made with the same tefillah, and Chen that the others have inside every stitch, those garments were made with simcha and ahava for Hashem, these new clothing are made out of distress, the feelings you put into work totally changed the quality of the results" go home and restitch every stitch, but remember Hakadosh BAruch Hu and thank Him for this opportunity..the tailor went home restitched every stitch and made it just in time for the ball, the wealthy man was thrilled with his suit and the family looked beautiful...

what rav pincus was trying to stress here is that we can go through our daily lives, go through all the motions of our mitzvos and never feel our mitzvos. we can totally change the quality of our lives by changing the feelings we feel throughout our lives. there is a huge difference between doing a mitzvah because you are commanded to and doing it out of love. its obviously hard to do all mitzvos out of pure ahava but if we can just try to take one or two mitzvos and say "Hashem, i am so excited about this, i hope this truly brings me closer to you" we can make the mundane areas of our lives full of chen and beauty.

extremely amazing video to remember the fogel family

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/144016

Just wanted to thank Aviva for always always keeping TORAHSHARED on its feet and constantly asking people for words of TORAH and inspiration!

If anything that is posted on this blog is taken from somewhere else than yourself writing it, if possible please always write where its from- Thanks so much!

Just Try...

If you will go in the way of My ordinances ... I will give your rain in the proper time (Leviticus 26:3-4).



Rashi explains that "going in the way of My ordinances" means that one will "toil in the Torah." This toil and labor itself causes the abundant blessings that follow.

Our culture highly values achievement, and it confers various kinds of reward for academic and scientific excellence. But the world is interested in results, not in the effort expended. If one person of limited capacity were to labor continuously at a given project without achieving success, while another person who is extremely gifted achieves success in the project with a minimum expenditure of effort, the latter will reap the reward. This is not the Jewish attitude. The Talmud states, "Reward is commensurate with effort." In the study of Torah, in the performance of mitzvos, and in the development of character, God measures virtue not by how much we accomplish, but by how hard we try.

The Talmud further states that not only are people rewarded for extreme effort; they are also blessed with those very goals for which they have worked. They receive not only the many material blessings listed in the chapter cited above, but also the spiritual goals for which they strove, and which might not have been attainable through human effort alone.



Today I shall ...
...
try to advance myself spiritually, and realize that God wants me to try - the reward will come from God.

Please daven for a girl who got engaged about a week ago and then got into a car accident and is now in a coma please daven your heart out for chaya sara bas chava breindel

Avoda for Day 20

Day Six of Week 3: Yesod of Tiferet
20th Day of the Omer

For compassion to be fully realized, it needs bonding. It requires creating a channel between giver and receiver. A mutuality that extends beyond the moment of need. A bond that continues to live on. That is the most gratifying result of true compassion. Do you bond with the one you have compassion for, or do you remain apart? Does your interaction achieve anything beyond a single act of sympathy?

Exercise for the day: Ensure that something eternal is built as a result of your compassion.

AHAVAS CHINAM

Replace Hate With Love

The Torah (Vayikra 19:17) explicitly states, "Do not hate your brother in your heart." Even the simplest person is commanded not to have envy, hatred, and feelings of revenge and a grudge. This is such an important and basic obligation that the Jewish people's failure in this regard led directly to the destruction of the Second Temple.

Is there anyone you hate without a valid reason? Mentally visualize that hate melting away. In its place, visualize compassion, empathy. Now mentally bless that person. Bless him/her that they should treat you so wonderfully that you are filled with love for that person

Royal Weddings!

The world is abuzz with excitement as everyone awaits the royal wedding that will be taking place tomorrow.

I have been watching this Prince and soon to be Princess a little bit, and it amazes me how careful they both need to be with what they say, what they wear ,and how they act.

Then i stop for a minute and think- WAIT! IM ALSO A PRINCESS!

I am a Bat Melech, and my Father is the most powerful king in the entire world! If this so, shouldn't I also be cautious about what I wear, what I do, and what I say?

Why of course I should be! I would never want to let my Father down and embarrass him! I need to make him proud and live up to my role as princess.

Friends, while we may not have the opportunity to have the whole world watch us walk to Westminster Abby, (or stroll in a carriage? i dont know how it works) we cannot forget that we are just as important (probably more actually) because we are daughters to the most amazing King in the whole world!!

Have a beautiful Shabbos everyone!!!