Aug 30, 2020

Raize Guttman 08-30-20 (10 Elul 5780)

Parsha Toldot - Chapter 26 - Verses 6 - 12
Preparation in Elul

There was famine in the land, people were starving. That is why Yitzhak went down to Gerar in the first place. Yet, only after everyone knew that Rivka was his wife, did he decide that he was going to start working the field. Why ask the commentaries? Because Yitzhak knew that all blessing for a man comes through his wife. This is an important Jewish principle. Until it was known to everyone that Rivka was his wife he did nothing to bring the blessing onto himself.

And then it goes on to say that Yitzhak made calculations as to how much he was going to reap before he even started. Rashi says the purpose for this was so he could give miser. He wanted to give tithes immediately so he could help as many people as he could. One of the greatest ways to receive Hashem’s blessing is to give it away. This was the first thing on Yitzhak's mind, he wanted to give charity.

This leads us right into Elul. Before Rosh Hashanah, we want to have the most connected relationship with Hashem. The best way to build that relationship is by saying "I thank you Hashem", "I love you Hashem" and "I appreciate everything you do for me Hashem". Walk around for 30 days and keep thanking Hashem, and you will feel a real, strong relationship with Hashem. Remember ani le dodi ve dodi li, starts with Ani, with I, with you making the first step.

 

Mazal Tov to Raize on the birth of her grandaughter Yael Bracha!

Aug 23, 2020

Raize Guttman 08-23-20 (3 Elul 5780)

Parsha Toldot - Chapter 26 - Verse 4
"Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, cont - making blessings"

Aug 16, 2020

Raize Guttman 08-16-20 (26 Av 5780)

Parsha Toldot - Chapter 26 - Verses 1 - 3
"Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, cont - making blessings"


There is a famine in the land. Hashem tells Yitzchak not to go to Egypt as his father did but stay in Israel as holy people belong in Israel. Yitzchak having been bound as a sacrifice, is holy and cannot be around the immorality of Egypt. Hashem tells Yitzchak to dwell in this land of Israel, and He will be with him. We should think of oneself as a giyur (a convert) because we are temporary residents of this world. Don’t become so comfortable and settled in THIS world. DWELL in this world; we will LIVE in the next.

Raize Guttman 08-09-20 (19 Av 5780)

Parsha Toldot - Chapter 25 - Verse 31 - 34
"Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, cont - making blessings"


We come to the end of the story of Esav selling his birthright to Yaakov for a bowl of lentil soup. He wanted comfort and pleasure and he had to rationalize in his mind why giving his birthright was okay.

The last verse of this story says that he ate, drank and got up, and Esav scorned the birthright. And now we see the working of the Evil Inclination. Now he needs to justify what he did, so he justifies it by putting down that thing that he just gave up. He scorns it, he mocks it, as that is the only way he can live with himself.

Kitzur Shulchan Aruch:
1. A person should try to say 100 brachos a day. It saves him from 100 curses.
2. When you hear a bracha, you answer AMEN. Which mean means "I believe this to be true". Don't say AMEN too quickly or too late. Say each letter clearly. Don't say AMEN louder than the one who made the blessing. and don't say AMEN to your own blessing.
3. The blessing we say on all food except fruits and vegetables, pastries,(cake, cookies, crackers), wine and bread is the blessing of SHEHAKOL. This is how we say the blessing. It is highly commendable to say the holy Hebrew words and they are: Baruch Atah ADONOY, Eloheinu Melech HaOlam, Shehakol Nehiye Bidvaro!
Translation: Hashem, You are the Source of All Blessing, Our G-d King of the World, That made everything come to be, with His word!


Aug 6, 2020

Raize Guttman 08-02-20 (12 Av 5780)

This time of "comfort"- Shabbat Nachamu & the 2nd part of Av
"Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, cont - making blessings"


The first part of Av is known as Menacham Av, this is where we comfort our Father. The 2nd part of Av, he is comforting us.



Our class is dedicated to Ella Tal bas Rav Shlomo Zalman zt"l (Raize's best friend) , in memory of her yahrzeit today. May all our learning be in the merit of her neshama.