Aug 27, 2017

Alisa Taub 08-27-17 (5 Elul 5777)

Alisa gives over 16 Practical ways to help us connect with Hashem.

1) Hakarat Hatov - Hashem’s goodness. (suggestions 1-5)
2) Hashgacha Pratis – everything is from Hashem. (suggestions 6-11)
3) Connection to the mitzvot. (suggestions 12- 16)



Ways To Connect With Hashem one sheet (click on image below):

Aug 20, 2017

Raize Guttman 08-20-17 (28 Av 5777)

We continue with Parsha Vayeira - Beresheit Chapter 18 - Verses 8 - 9 and the discussion of tzniut.

Last week, we defined tzniut as appreciating your inner self. It is not just a dress code – it is not just something on the outside. It is a deeper concept. It is probably the most important concept for a woman. Today we discuss how tziniut plays out in all different areas of life and what it really means.

Woman have all the benefits of being created from man, but also has a very special message from the way she was created by Hashem. She is the only creation mentioned in the Torah that says Hashem vayeven (Hashem built). To build comes from the word contemplate. Hashem thought deeply about how he should create her. She was created from a hidden place from a rib deep inside man bc it was tzanua (modest). A woman is supposed to be a modest person. and the message in all of our behaviors is how are we supposed to measure and understand what is considered modest behavior and what is considered immodest behavior. Raize sums it up by saying modesty really means living with Hashem, living for Hashem. The opposite of modesty is living for other people.

For more info, go to Gila Manolson's site: http://gilamanolson.com

Tuesday is Rosh Chodesh Elul.
We give over some Hashem Loves Me Stories.

Aug 13, 2017

Raize Guttman 08-13-17 (21 Av 5777)

Parsha Vayeira - Beresheit Chapter 18 - Verses 8 - 9

In Verse 8, the Angels made it appear as if they were eating. From here, we learn that people should not change from the custom of the place.

In Verse 9, The Angels ask Avraham where is Sarah? They ask in order to endear him to her. From this we learn, that no matter how old the couple, or how long they are together, it is important to endear each other. Avraham then answers the Angels "Sarah is in the Ohel". From this answer, we learn that the most special compliment one can say about a woman is she is tzniut (modest). Raize explains tzniut on a deeper level and why it is the highest compliment. Underlying all of the applications of the principle of tzniut is the notion that the soul resides within the body.
For more info, go to Gila Manolson's site:  http://gilamanolson.com

Aug 6, 2017

Raize Guttman 08-06-17 (14 Av 5777)

Shiva de Nechemta - the seven weeks of comfort stretch from Tisha B'Av until Rosh Hashanah. During this time on every Shabbas we lain a Haftorah that is meant comfort to us. In this past weeks Haftorah for Parsha Va'etchanan (Isaiah Chapter 40). Hashem is comforting us by saying, "You are my nation, and I love you not matter what, even though you sinned and were punished." And in the parsha we say the Shema. One of the most important verses in a Jews lexicon! We need to live the words in our hearts and on our lips. With our entire self.

We also discuss Parsha Vayeira - Beresheit Chapter 18 - Verse 7. As Avraham runs hurriedly to get a calf to feed his guests, we continue to learn about the mitzvah of Hachnasat orchim (welcoming guests).

Aug 1, 2017

Raize Guttman 07-31-17 (7 Av 5777)

Tisha B'Av shiur. As the 3 weeks move on toward Tisha B'Av, our mourning should intensify. We should be doing our own personal cheshbon hanefesh (accounting of ourselves).

Raize Guttman 07-23-17 (29 Tammuz 5777)

Tisha B'Av shiur - We are in the middle of the 3 weeks. The saddest period of the year for the Jewish people. Raize briefly discusses the Halachos for the 9 days and then discusses the prayer about the rebuilding of Jerusalem that we say every day in the Shemoneh Esrei. Now is the time to say it with extra kavanah(intension).



This shiur is dedicated in memory of Manny Dubinsky, Manis ben Tzvi Hirsch.