Dear Friends, Congratulations to our community! In the last 48 hours you responded magnificently to Chabads Chanukah Gelt End of Year Matching Funds Campaign. Over 30,000 precious dollars from over 140 people were raised to help support the many and diverse programs and activities that Chabad is bringing to our community. I would like to thank Andy Cohen, Michel and Nir Ifergen and Eldan Santcroos, our Matching Donors who helped make this exciting project possible. In this weeks Torah Portion of Vayigash we discuss the reconciliation of Joseph and his brothers. The reunion of Joseph with his only full brother is especially moving. The Torah relates, And he (Joseph) wept on the neck of his brother Binyomin, and Binyamin wept on his (Josephs) neck (Genesis 45:14). Rashi comments, that the weeping was not only an expression of the emotion of the moment but was related to a prophetic vision of the future. Joseph was weeping over the eventual destruction of the Temples which would be built in Binyomins portion of Israel and Binyomin was weeping over the eventual destruction of the sanctuary in Shiloh which was in the portion of Joseph. Asks the Rebbe, why did they not weep over the destruction of the Temples in their own portion. The Rebbe explains, that when you cry for the pain that others are feeling after you have done what you can to alleviate their pain it is a positive expression of your concern for others that actually can be source of comfort and support for them. For your own issues however, action is the key, taking responsibility and initiative is imperative to solving your problem and overcoming your challenges. The Rebbe Rashab, the fifth Rebbe, once said, one action is worth more than a thousand sighs. Together, this week we took action and proactively insured the continuity of Jewish life in San Antonio. Thank you. Wishing you and your loved ones a happy and peaceful Shabbat. Rabbi Chaim Block
Posted on: Fri, 26 Dec 2014 19:25:58 +0000