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Vayigash - No
Stress!
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B”H
Vayigash-No Stress!
NY City Candle
lighting 4:17. Shabbat ends 5:21
For Shabbat times anywhere
go to www.chabadgn.com/Candles and adjust location . The fast of
the Tenth of Tevet is Thursday, January 1st and ends in NY City
at 5:09 . For fast times go to
http://www.chabadgn.com/calendar/location.asp?AID=143790&z=11024&tdate=1/1/2015
and adjust the location
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VAYIGASH - NO STRESS!
By
Rabbi Yonassan
Biggs
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Shalom and Bracha!
The portion Vayigash continues the
narrative of Yoseph and his brothers. Yoseph had created a ruse
in order to be certain that his brothers had repented for
selling him into slavery. Once he was certain, he revealed his
identity to his shocked brothers. Immediately, he made one of
the most powerfully intense statements in history: “Do not worry
that you sold me… G-d has sent me before you to sustain you… it
is not you who sent me here, but rather G-d… and He has made me
a ruler in Egypt.
Let us think for a moment what Yoseph endured. His own
brothers wanted to kill him. Then they threw him into a perilous
pit. Then they decided to make some money and sold him. What
could be more traumatic? Now his brothers were in his hands. Who
could avoid venting anger and frustration?
Yoseph saw things through different eyes. Yoseph understood
that everything that happens to us in this world is the hand of
Hashem. As such, when he was thrown in the pit, and sold as a
slave, and imprisoned in Egypt, he attributed it to the decree
of Hashem. He may not have known why Hashem put him through all
of this, but he knew it came from Hashem. Either he deserved it,
or it was part of a greater plan, or both, but it came from
Hashem. As such, he cleansed himself from anger and malice. As
Hashem’s plan unfolded, he fully understood his mission. As
such, he truly bore no malice or anger and immediately through
himself into caring for his father and brothers.
The Talmud teaches that anger is like serving idols.
Further, it causes us to forget and do and say things which we
later regret. Malicious feelings stain our souls and burden our
lives. Imagine freedom from all anger, vengeance and malice!
The Tanya says that we all must learn from Yoseph. By
perceiving everything as an expression of Hashem’s will, we are
cured us from anger and stress. The Baal Shem Tov teaches that
creation is constant. Hashem is involved in every detail of our
lives, and the goal of each trial and tribulation may be
revealed many years later or remain a mystery to man. Although
the perpetrator is responsible for his acts, the recipient is in
the hands of Hashem. When we internalize this as Yoseph did, we
can free ourselves of anger and free the world of strife. Each
step in internalization cures our distress and brings peace to
our souls.
Strife brought the destruction of the Temple and any step
towards unity hastens Moshiach’s coming and the Temple’s
reconstruction.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Biggs
Dedicated in memory of Nissim Ben Mazal (Nathan) FrancoA”H.
May Hashem grant him perfect bliss in Gan Eden and bless and
comfort every member of his family.
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B”H
Asara B’Tevet-First
Responders
Shalom and Bracha!
Thursday, January 1st marks the tenth day of the Hebrew month of
Tevet. The tenth of Tevet is a fast day that commemorates the
beginning of the siege against Yerushalayim that concluded with
the destruction of the Temple on Tisha B’av. The fast is
observed from daybreak until nightfall. In New York the fast
ends 5:09 p.m.
Every fast has its unique lesson.
Unlike all of the fasts for the destruction of the Temple, there
is an opinion that the tenth of Tevet is so severe that we must
fast even were it to fall on Shabbat. In our times it never
falls on Shabbat. The reason for the severity is that the tenth
of Tevet was the opening of all of the problems. The further
tragedies were only the continuation of the course. This teaches
us a tremendous lesson concerning our own lives and the
education of our children.
The destruction of the Temple serves as a parable for our
failures. When we see ourselves beginning to develop a negative
trait or go on a negative path, we must use all of our energies
before it develops. Once a bad trait or path has begun, it is
very hard to break. Anytime a negative temptation arises we
should nip it in the bud. Later is much harder. Similarly, from
the earliest moment we must guide our children on the right
path. Early memories are ingrained in a child and early errors
are very hard to erase.
The Rebbe has recommended that in every synagogue time be
dedicated during Asarah B’tevet afternoon services to discuss
returning to Hashem by avoiding negative paths and more
significantly undertaking positive paths in following the Torah.
Those who cannot attend Synagogue should set aside time on
Thursday to reflect and rededicate themselves to Torah.
All of the fasts for the Temple also have one central theme.
As we mourn the destruction, we yearn for the rebuilding. We are
told that the destruction of the second Temple was because of
wanton hatred and that Ahavat Yisrael will bring Moshiach.
Sometimes we wonder: it’s very tough to give up our grudges and
self-centered behavior and to truly and unconditionally care
about others. The answer is that if we realize that the entire
world and Hashem Himself are waiting for us, we can overcome our
pettiness.
The Lubavitcher Rebbe has assured
us that our generation is the last generation of the exile and
the first generation of the Redemption. Moshiach is ready to
come and is only awaiting acts of good and kindness. Let us use
out this day of commemoration to affect the Redemption. May we
merit that this fast be transformed to the rejoicing of
Moshiach’s coming.
Have an easy and meaningful fast,
Rabbi Biggs
Dedicated in memory of Sarah Bat Yitzchak
V’Rivkah Wax.
May her soul be bound in the eternal
bond of life with Hashem and may she serve as a beacon of
inspiration and blessing for her familuy
A project of
Chabad of Great Neck 400 East Shore Rd.
Great Neck NY 11024
516 4874554 fax 516 487 4807
