Study Schedule
Dear study group & friends,
With much thanks to HaShem I am happy to announce that this Sunday we will be concluding the Hakdamah (introduction) to Talmud Esser HaSifiros.
We I”YH will continue to move foward, and upon conclusion we will just start the very beginning of the Hakdamah (introduction) LeSefer HaZohar of which we be learning next. Afterwards time allowing ,we will learn a Mamor from Rav Ashlag on Chanukah.
Being that next week we will actually begin the new series of lessons on the Baal HaSulams Introduction to the Zohar, this will provide an excellent opportunity for any new student who would like to join. Studies as of now will continue to be from 10:30 AM -1:00PM, followed by a brief Yishivas Chavierim (get-together & LeChaim) ending by 1:30PM.
Happy Chanuka!
My old friend …
As we are now leaving Chanukah I just wanted to share with you a thought;
Chazall teach us that the difference between Purim & Chanukah is that Purim was an attempt to physically annihilate the Jews, while on Chanukah the Greeks wanted to annihilate the Jews spiritually.
This is what we say in the All Hanissim supplement on Chanukah; “when the evil Greek kingdom rose up against Your people Israel to make them forget your Torah, and to turn them away from the statutes of Your will”
The Greeks told the Jews that the Torah is OK, not as a religious book ,but rather as just another intellectual subject. A secular “science” to be studied by all intellectuals, not just the Jews!!!!!
How ironic, that the Holy works of the Baal HaSulam which were intended to bring the light of HaShem ” intoTorah study” are sometimes twisted to accomplish just the opposite!! Not unlike the Greeks!! (Rachmana Letzlan “HaShem should save us!!”)
I am not here to judge anybody, perhaps either they just really do not understand, or without bad intentions took things out of context, but I do know, that this is NOT the path of the Baal HaSulam!! And that only through the observance of Torah & Mitzvos can one begin the work of striving to reach Devakus with HaShem.
I hope you take these few words to heart, as It terribly distresses me, when I hear of precious Jews like yourself, who while seeking to develop there inner feelings towards spirituality B”H discovered the teachings of the Baal Hasulam, and invest much effort into these studies, yet unfortunately although they may feel “uplifted” with a sense of “mission & purpose” they are really on a trip to futility.
….extend to you the true path of the Baal HaSulam as I received it from my Rebbe Rav Ashlag. The Baal HaSulams writings are not works merely based on logic, but as being spiritual in nature, it is therefore although not indispensable, almost essential that it is learnt in a authentic study group.
Fievel Okowita
Parashas Vayigash
It says in the Parashah (46:29) describing the reunion between Yaakov and his long lost favorite son Yoseph “and he (Joseph) wept on his (Yaakovs) neck for a while”
Rashi explains that Yaakov did not fall on Yosephs neck, nor did he kiss him because our Rabbis said that Yakov was reciting the Shema at that moment.
Many ask that unless it coincidentally just happened to have been the time to recite the Shemah (which according to some does not seem to be the case, since we see Yoseph did not stop to say the Shemah) what does this mean that Yaakov after 22 years would suddenly recite Shemah, precisely at the moment, and seemingly forfeit such a potential unique feeling of boundless love for his son Yoseph?