B”H This weeks Good Shabbos Email is dedicated in honor of The TRIPLE MINKOWITZ SIMCHAS this weekend: The haircutting of ALTER; the Bar Mitzvah of YOLI; and the Bat Mitzvah of HENYA. May joy accompany this family for all their long lives. +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE: goodshabbosemail For archives, subscriptions and history. The website also features information about dedication opportunities, including future dedications of the Good Shabbos Email and donations through PayPal or any credit card. FOR MIKETZ-CHANUKAH BETWEEN STOMACHS AND HEADS Earlier this week, I awoke with my head feeling “heavy.” I could not seem to shake the cobwebs. It was cold outside, which I usually enjoy. I was, instead, on the brink of shivering, which I do not quite enjoy. It soon became obvious that something was amiss. As soon as I arrived home, I put myself back into bed. That felt really good. In no time, I was fast asleep. The sleep, however, brought no relief. My head was still feeling heavy. It turns out that, after all, it was not my head. It was an issue with some food I had ingested the previous day. The evening brought relief, but my head did not feel right until the next morning. Thank Heavens, all is back to normal. This trouble is not exclusive to me, and it is also not the first time it has happened to me. It made me think: Why was my head so affected by a struggle down in my intestines? True, any disturbance in the body impacts other sections of the body, especially the head, the nerve center of all. Still, the functions of my head were essentially out of commission as a result of this saga. Should the head, the top of a person, become this impacted by food-related malaises? A similar query is presented by this week’s Torah portion, “Mikeitz.” The opening story is about pharaoh’s dreams, in which seven emaciated cows swallow seven healthy ones, and seven beaten stalks of grain swallow seven healthy ones. Joseph interprets these dreams as seven years of abundance and then seven years of famine. Joseph recommends that the Egyptians store food during the coming years of plenty, and is immediately charged with implementing this idea. (B’reishis (Genesis) chapter 41 and on.) As a result of the famine and the available food in Egypt, Joseph’s brothers, who had sold him into slavery some two decades prior, arrived in Egypt from Israel. Joseph, recalling what they did to him, put them through the grinder – as it were. They eventually returned to Egypt as their food supply dwindled, only to be challenged further by Joseph. The next Torah portion records how Joseph revealed his identity to his brothers, and asked them to bring their father and that all should settle in Egypt to overcome the perils of the famine. After Jacob and Joseph pass, the Egyptian exile began, and the Jewish people were all enslaved – and eventually were freed at the Exodus. All of this occurred over… food! Food is life. No living organism of this world can survive without nourishment from food. Our lives depend on food, regardless of how spiritual a person may be. The main function of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem was food. Its altar was a place upon which all food items, from animals, to grain, to wine, to oil, to water, were offered. Moreover, inside the actual Temple building stood a table laden with twelve loaves. These loaves simply sat on that table from Shabbos to Shabbos. They were later shared to be eaten among the priestly workers. Food, therefore, is not merely a simple life necessity, but also possesses powerful spiritual components. This concept was discussed in the Good Shabbos Email some four months ago (August 15, to be accurate). The point made there was the spiritual source of food, its “soul,” is more advanced than the spiritual source of the human. This is the reason food has the power to provide sustenance, energy and even life itself. Conversely, a human, not the food on its own, has the ability to elevate the food (and its lofty source). This is when humans utilize the energy of the food for positive purposes. For Jewish people, this would also include the observance of Kosher laws. In continuation of this theme, another idea is present in the spirituality of food: At times, the consumption of food is a Mitzvah, a holy deed. By way of example, the eating of Matzah on the (first two) nights of Passover, or the many instances of consumption of offerings submitted upon the altar in the Temple of ancient Jerusalem. This also manifests itself in the context of the Shabbos meals, as well as on the Jewish festivals. To regard food as nourishment which can be utilized for spiritual purposes is one thing. It is quite another thing when the simple and mundane consumption of food becomes holy. The difference between a regular day and a holy one depends on the spiritual energies of the day or on the location. Days of spiritual significance – such as the Shabbos, festivals, and so forth – and spiritual locations – such as the Holy Temple – provide a spiritual enhancement to everything related to that day or site. Food on those days or in that spot now becomes elevated as well. In other words, the consumption of food in the weekday is an exercise in elevating the food. The consumption of food on a special day or location is an exercise in elevating mankind. The Talmudic Sages teach that every enjoyable food item consumed on the Shabbos is fulfilling another Mitzvah, another good deed. Enjoyable food, though, can also possess pitfalls of its own. If food can elevate a person on special days or in special locations, one must be mindful not to allow it to dominate the person. The Baal Shem Tov, founder of the Chassidic movement, was once at the Shabbos table surrounded by his students. The Rebbe was discussing the power of thought and how the mind can be manipulated by the thoughts occupying it. The Baal Shem Tov then mystically allowed his students to see a vision of a fellow who was enjoying his meat meal so intently that his face was imposed on the body of an ox wearing a festive fur hat called a “shtreimel”… Instead of the ox becoming part of the elevated man, the man assumed the identity of the ox. Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak of Lubavitch, the previous Rebbe, noticed that a guest at his Shabbos table was not partaking of the typical Shabbos dish called “Cholent.” The guest explained that the doctors forbade him from such food. “It’s on my shoulders,” exclaimed the Rebbe,” as the guest dug in. Soon enough, the guest was scraping the bottom of the plate, cleaning it up, as it were. “My responsibility ends here,” said the Rebbe… Even on holy days, when food can be a catalyst for human elevation, the ultimate focus must be on the spirituality of the food. One must be aware of not allowing the physical element of the food to consume oneself. The festival of Chanukah, presently being celebrated, emphasizes this point as well. It is the only Jewish festival in which a prescribed meal is absent. The celebration is about the kindling flames of the Menorah. This is because the threat from the Hellenizing Greeks essentially involved glorifying the human experience and removing the sacredness of Judaism. The Hasmonian Maccabees fought to maintain the focus on spirituality and on the spirit of the Almighty. It should come as no surprise that the Egyptian exile and its subsequent redemption came as a result of food, since the spirituality of food can be a formidable power and force. I also hope that anything any of us ever eats, especially the delicious foods of the holiday and Shabbos, will agree with us, and allow our heads to focus on the goodness of things… Happy Chanukah! SUMMARY: While food is critical to the existence of every life in this world, how humans approach it makes all the difference. Wishing you a wonderful Shabbos, a Happy Chanukah, and all the best. May the coming week bring you only good news, happy news and healthy news. Love, -RYL Candle lighting for this Friday evening in the city of PEACHTREE CITY, Georgia is: 5:16 p.m. The holy day of Shabbos concludes, on Saturday night, at 6:15 p.m. This Good Shabbos email is made possible through dedications of good friends and through generous donations of kind people just like you! Dedications of future Good Shabbos emails in honor of individuals, upcoming birthdays, anniversaries or Yahrtzeits are very welcomed. Or, you can donate as an annual member at one of three Mitzvah levels. All donations are greatly appreciated! Its very easy to donate with our secure website. Just click here: If you know of anyone who may be interested in being on this list, please send them here to subscribe. Rabbi Yossi Lew, writer. Mrs. Arlene Shapiro, editor. Mr. Jeff Kalwerisky, copy editor. Mrs. Sue Loubser, technical coordinator. WHATS HAPPENING Upcoming Events Shabbos Service Dec. 20, 2014 - 9:30 am - 11:30 am The services are geared towards the novice and the beginner...no prior experience necessary. A scrumptious Kiddush with CHOLLENT always follows services. Sponsorships for the Kiddush are always available. Kabbalah & Coffee Dec. 21, 2014 - 10:00 am - 11:00 am Concepts such G-d, soul, heaven, can be out of reach to many. The Kabbalah, the ancient Jewish philosophy of the mystic and esoteric parts of the Torah has been shrouded in secrecy. This is no longer the case. This class will explore and delve into these works, and will help deal with questions as well as doubts. Preceded by bagels and coffee, this class will study text, and will be lively, interactive and thought-provoking. Chanukah-Grand Menorah Lighting Dec. 21, 2014 - 6:00 pmFacebook event link Fun for the whole family! RSVP before the event to receive one free raffle entry. • View all upcoming events Opportunities are still available to study with the Rabbi one-on-one. This will be for those who wish to study something privately, in depth, or simply want to discuss issues in faith, Torah, Jewish law, afterlife, and so forth. Please email Rabbi Lew privately about this (rabbi@chabadsouthside) For any inquiries, please do not hesitate to contact Rabbi Yossi Lew at rabbi@chabadsouthside or call at 678-595-0199. LATEST BLOG POSTS VAYEISHEV-SECURING CRAZINESS FOR VAYEISHEV SECURING CRAZINESS (From a previous Good Shabbos Email) ... Read more » (0 Comments) | Good Shabbos Email Home VAYISHLACH-BARING THE BAR AND BAT MITZVAH FOR VAYISHLACH BARING THE BAR AND BAT MITZVAH Thirty-eight years ago, around this time of the year, I was occupied with an assignment, leading me to the most exciting time of my life till then: my Bar-Mitzvah.... Read more » (0 Comments) | Good Shabbos Email Home WEEKLY PARSHAH Parshat Mikeitz Joseph’s imprisonment finally ends when Pharaoh dreams of seven fat cows that are swallowed up by seven lean cows, and of seven fat ears of grain swallowed by seven lean ears. Joseph interprets the dreams to mean that seven years of plenty will be followed by seven years of hunger, and advises Pharaoh to store grain during the plentiful years. Pharaoh appoints Joseph governor of Egypt. Joseph marries Asenath, daughter of Potiphar, and they have two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. Famine spreads throughout the region, and food can be obtained only in Egypt. Ten of Joseph’s brothers come to Egypt to purchase grain; the youngest, Benjamin, stays home, for Jacob fears for his safety. Joseph recognizes his brothers, but they do not recognize him; he accuses them of being spies, insists that they bring Benjamin to prove that they are who they say they are, and imprisons Simeon as a hostage. Later, they discover that the money they paid for their provisions has been mysteriously returned to them. Jacob agrees to send Benjamin only after Judah assumes personal and eternal responsibility for him. This time Joseph receives them kindly, releases Simeon, and invites them to an eventful dinner at his home. But then he plants his silver goblet, purportedly imbued with magic powers, in Benjamin’s sack. When the brothers set out for home the next morning, they are pursued, searched, and arrested when the goblet is discovered. Joseph offers to set them free and retain only Benjamin as his slave. WEEKLY MAGAZINE This Week @ ChabadSouthside Chanukah 101 Your Menorah Lighting Guide How to light the menorah More... Chanukah Reading Does Chanukah Celebrate the Battle or the (Oil) Bottle? What does Chanukah actually commemorate? More... Parshah Why did Pharaoh accept Josephs dream interpretations and not the others? When Pharaoh had his two dreams (Genesis ch. 41), he wasnt short of interpretations and meanings... More... Women The Spinner of Our Lives It seems that every year the dreidel-makers try to outdo themselves. More... 219 Kelvington Way Peachtree City, GA 30269-5620 • 678-595-0199 • ChabadSouthside
Posted on: Sun, 21 Dec 2014 20:38:46 +0000
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