HOLY SHABBOS

Dear Family,

I hope everyone is well.

I know we wished happy birthday to Yeshayah last week, but it is actually his birthday today. The emotional attributes of today's sefirah is Humility in Endurance. (Hod shebeNetzach). This means yielding in one's steadfastedness. This yielding (to Hashem) does not compromise one's drive. On the contrary, it strengthens it. Because human endurance can only go so far, whereas endurance that comes from the Divine soul is limitless. -Rabbi Jacobson. Mazal Tov again!

And tonight is the birthday of Shneur Zalman Davidoff (junior). Mazal Tov and a big kiss Shneur Zalman! Wishing you a happy year!

Mazal Tov Mendel (Kehaty) on your birthday next week. Looking forward to seeing you soon (and rest of Family) in Boston BEH! Wishing you a year of much hatzlocha with the fulfilment of all your needs in both the physical and spiritual.

We wish long life to Devorah Leah on the passing of her Aunt Debbie. You should know only simchos in the future.

This weeks Parshah is Acharei mos - Kedoshim.

Besides general Torah learning, we have a fixed daily learning of Chumash, Tanya, and Tehillim (abbreviated as Chitas) plus Rambam's Mishneh Torah. Each of these Books have been divided to be learnt over a year cycle. Rambam can be learnt either 3 chapters a day over a year, or 1 chapter a day over 3 years, and chitas is divided over a year.

So in this weeks Chumash one of the mitzvos listed in relation to Holiness (- Kedoshim), was the keeping of SHABBOS

And in Mishneh Torah (one chapter a day) the Rambam ends off the Book of Zemanim with a beautiful point about Shabbos, which I would like to share.

The last few laws in Zemanim were speaking about the Chanukah lights, and it was discussing about priorities if a person was poor as follows:

The mitzva of Chanukah candles is very dear and a person should be very careful in its observance to publicise the miracle Hashem did for us and to thus increase our praise for Hashem and gratitude.

Even if a person has no resources for food (and he receives this from charity) he should pawn or sell his garments to purchase oil and lamps for the mitzvah of Chanukah lights.

And what happens if it is also Shabbos?

On Shabbos there are 2 mitzvos (without going into too much detail) ie sanctifying the day with kiddush wine, and lighting the Shabbos candles.

So if he has only enough money for either the Chanukah candles, or wine for kiddush , which should he purchase?

Chanukah candles.

And if it has to be a choice between Chanukah candles (publicising to the outside) or Shabbos candles (for one's home)?

Or alternately choosing between kiddush wine, or Shabbos candles on a regular Shabbos?

In both these cases the SHABBOS LIGHTS FOR ONE'S HOME TAKE PREFERENCE.

Why?

BECAUSE THE SHABBOS LIGHTS GENERATE PEACE WITHIN THE HOME.

And Peace is of primary importance. As reflected by the mitzvah (with a sotah) which requires Hashems name to be blotted out TO CREATE PEACE BETWEEN HUSBAND AND HIS WIFE.

Peace is great, for the entire Torah was given to bring peace within the world. As it states in Proverbs 3:17 'It's ways are pleasant ways and all its paths are peace.'

Wishing everyone a beautiful Shabbos filled with peace.