Feb 23, 2020

Raize Guttman 02-23-20 (28 Sh'vat 5780)

Rosh Chodesh Adar and Parshat Terumah

Mishenichnas Adar Marbim B’simcha – When Adar begins, we increase in joy.

Purim celebrates our survival as Jews. However, that can’t be the only reason why the month of Adar is so joyous. We say in every generation our enemies rise up to destroy us. If it is not Haman, then it is Pharaoh, if not Pharaoh, then Hitler, if not him then its Antiochus. In every generation, evil is trying to destroy us and, in every generation, Hashem saves us. What is unique about this month is that we get rid of Amalek (which is the force of all evil in the world, and all evil in our lives). Amalek is that which pulls us down and away from achieving connection to Hashem and perfection of the world.

Feb 16, 2020

Aliza Taub 02-16-20 (21 Sh'vat 5780)

Aliza gives over a personal story of emunah and hashgacha pratit.

Feb 2, 2020

Raize Guttman 02-02-20 (07 Sh'vat 5780)

Parsha Chayei Sarah - Chapter 24 - Verse 65

Eliezer tells Rivka that the man she sees in the field is Yitzhak (her betrothed), she then instinctually covers herself with a veil. In this verse, the Torah is teaching us the way of tzniut (modesty). Raize speaks about the 2 reasons WHY we cover something up (shame or value), and then talks about the 4 places in the Gemara/Talmud that say how beautiful modesty is. The beauty of modesty is referenced when speaking about the Tabernacle, a Torah Scholar, the Kohanim and with Women.

Sadly the word tzniut can get such a bad wrap. Sometimes just hearing the word, can turn people off. So many times we have to call it by other names ie: "the Dignity of a Jewish woman", or "the holiness of a Jewish woman" just so we can talk about it. But, Ladies, understand tzniut comes from how truly precious and special we really are. When we remember shame originated (in Adam & Chava), and how our bodies can work against us, we can better understand that we have to be careful. We need to cover ourselves properly so we deemphasize our physical bodies to emphasize the internal spiritual.



Our learning today is dedicated to Raize's son Ari and his kallah Elky who will celebrate their wedding tomorrow. May Hashem bless them with a wonderful, and long life together.

We also dedicate our learning to Liluy Nishmas precious Grandmother, Chaya bas Yaakov Yehudah (Andrea's Grandmother) who's Yahrzeit was on 6 Sh'vat. May her neshama have an aliyah.