Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Shlisssel Challah

See my guest posting on Shlissel Challah from last year at A Simple Jew.

Sanzer Rov Stories

See Heichal Hanigena for stories of Reb Chaim of Sanz ZY"A on his yartzeit.

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Breslov Telephone Shiurim

You can hear shiurim over the phone, free of charge from Otzrot Breslov. There are shiurim in English, Hebrew and Yiddish. Featured Rabbonim of the previous generation include Reb Levi Yitzchok Bender ZT"L and Reb Tzvi Aryeh Rosenfeld ZT"L. Some of the other featured Rabbonim include Rabbis Yaakov Meir Shechter, Moshe Kramer, Noson Libermensh, Avrohom Weitzhandler, Chaim Kramer, Noson Maimon, Ozer Bergman, Shlomo Gottlieb, Shlomo Goldman, Dovid Sears, Moshe Weinberger (of Aish Kodesh) and Lazer Brody. ( These are the ones that I'm aware of. There are others and more will be added.)
 
In the USA 718-855-2121
 
In Israel 02-995-0000
 

Breslov Telephone Shiurim

You can hear shiurim over the phone, free of charge from Otzrot Breslov. There are shiurim in English, Hebrew and Yiddish. Featured Rabbonim of the previous generation include Reb Levi Yitzchok Bender ZT"L and Reb Tzvi Aryeh Rosenfeld ZT"L. Some of the other featured Rabbonim include Rabbis Yaakov Meir Shechter, Moshe Kramer, Noson Libermensh, Avrohom Weitzhandler, Chaim Kramer, Noson Maimon, Ozer Bergman, Shlomo Gottlieb, Shlomo Goldman, Dovid Sears, Moshe Weinberger (of Aish Kodesh) and Lazer Brody. ( These are the ones that I'm aware of. There are others and more will be added.)
 
In the USA 718-855-2121
 
In Israel 02-995-0000
 

Monday, April 28, 2008

Spend Shavuos In Mezibuz

I was sent the following by Rabbi Tal Moshe Zwecker. It sounds like a great opportunity.
 
The Holy Ba'al Shem Tov is buried in the Ukraine in Mezibuz we are
planning on trying to organize a trip together with the Clevelander
Rebbe Shlit"a on Shavous to the Holy Baal Shem Tov in Mezibuz on his
yarzeit.

If you would like to join us please email me
tal.zwecker@gmail.com or
call me at 054-842-4725 or 02-992-1218 in the USA voip 516-320-6022.

Even if you cant join us and cant send in a donation send me a kvitel
as I did in Lizhensk ALL kvitels will be taken regardless.

If you would like to send us your kvitel a note with requests for
health blessings and parnassa etc. with your name and mother's name
and details together with your tax deductible contrbution mail it to:

Mosdos Cleveland 11 Har Sinai St Ra'anana Israel

The Rebbe Reb Melech and other tzadikim explain that a donation or
pidyon helps the kvitel be accepted however again all kvitels will be
accepted and taken happily to the holy Ba'al Shem Tov.

Thanks
Kol Tuv,
R' Tal Moshe Zwecker
Director Machon Be'er Mayim Chaim
www.chassidusonline.com
tal.zwecker@gmail.com
Phone: 972-2-992-1218 / Cell: 972-54-842-4725
VoIP: 516-320-6022 / 212-461-0035

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

The Most Exquisite Kiddush Cup

The halachic works bring down that one should bring out his most beautiful dishes for the Pesach seder. The choice of cup to use for the mitzva of the four cups of wine is usually a nice silver one. It was therefore somewhat strange that Reb Chaim Halberstam of Sanz, the Divrei Chaim, used to use a glass cup on Pesach for the seder. People attributed his choice of a glass cup to deep mystical reasons, such as saying that like this he can see the wine and have all sorts of kavonos, etc. His grandson, the Bobover Rebbe, used a silver cup for the seder. Someone asked him why he was using a silver cup for the seder, if the custom of his grandfather was to use a glass one. He replied that his grandfather had no such custom to specifically use a glass cup, and the reason he used a glass one was the following. It was well known that the Divrei Chaim was exemplary in the mitzvah of tzedaka, and would give away every cent he had daily, and especially before Pesach. Surely, said the Bobover Rebbe, his grandfather sold his silver in order to give the money to some poor families that didn't have their basic necessities for Yom Tov. Therefore, he used the cheapest cup he could use for the seder, a glass one. That indeed was the most exquisite kiddush cup that the finest artisans could never craft.

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Emergency Maos Chitim Campaign for Tzfas

Likutei Mohoran 201 says that the word מצת is an acronym for צדקה תציל ממות (Tzedaka saves from death). The Mishna Berura says the reason why we have a special mitzvah of tzedaka by Pesach, Maos Chitim – Kimcha D'Pischa, is that one has to feel, "cheirus" freedom on Pesach. Therefore, especially for Pesach we try to make sure that the needy have food and clothes for Yom Tov so they can feel "freedom". Perhaps, that is also the reason why צדקה תציל ממות is formed specifically from the word מצת. Since Pesach is the most desperate time, as the Mishna Berura says, and one needs to feel freedom, therefore it is alluded to by the word מצת.

One special organization that raises funds for Maos Chitim – Kimcha D'Pischa for the people of Tzfas is Eizer L'Shabbos. The orginazation is run by Rabbi Binyamin Rosenberg (he is known to many as "Binyamin HaTzadik), who I know personally. Rabbi Rosenberg works tirelessly to make sure the poor of Tzfas will have food to put on their tables. The situation is desperate in Tzfas; I believe there are over 800 families that need their assistance. I saw Rabbi Rosenberg several weeks ago in the USA, collecting funds. I saw him again recently and he said that due to the overwhelming need, he had to prolong his stay in the USA to raise the proper funds. See Eizer L'Shabbos's website to donate. You can also see videos and other information about their activities.

Lev Tov & A Broken Heart

See my guest post on "Lev Tov" and "broken heart" at A Simple Jew.

Wednesday, April 9, 2008