September 28, 2023

Geshmak Geshmak

Kinus Teshuva at Emek

Tomchei LA Rosh Hashana Food Packing

Tashlich at Maimo

Artwork by Simone Greenberg pg3

Dear Readers,

Earlier this month I wrote about the idea of death and dying, and how that alerts us to how precious our lives are. It not only makes us more grateful for every day we are given, but it should make us feel more alive if we utilize these ideas the right way.

We need these opposites. Some say you value wealth more if you’ve been poor. Another one is you may value your health more once you’ve been sick. I once learned that you can never know true joy unless you’ve known pain and suffering. When it comes to feelings and emotions, feeling the entire spectrum is necessary, otherwise we are stuck. For example, when you try to prevent an emotion from arising and fully feeling it (aka stay numb or push it down), that emotion will never truly process and will become stuck. We try to push down our negative feelings to avoid the pain, the hurt, the rejection. I know I have. And when I learned that you won’t feel true joy until you’ve allowed yourself to feel the opposite end of the emotional spectrum, I thought maybe I never experienced true joy either.

Sukkos is the holiday where we are commanded to feel joy and happiness - Zman Simchaseinu. How can we be commanded to feel an emotion? I don’t have a great answer for that, but if we are commanded to do something, that means we can. We have an opportunity during the many days of Sukkos to do mitzvos that bring us closer to Hashem, to have meals with our family and community (enjoying the LA sunshine!), to spend quality time during chol hamoed with others, and to dance and sing with the Torah.

Sitting in the sukkah is one of the few mitzvos we do with our entire body. And so is being joyous. I’m not saying this is always easy, especially if one is currently struggling. It’s not. Even on a good day, it’s not easy to feel joy. It’s something we need to work on; it does not come naturally. (If it does for you, can you call me and share your secret?)

Wishing you all a feeling of true joy with all your heart and body,

Ariela

Yoel Halpern PUBLISHER publisher@thelajewishhome.com

Ariela Kauffman

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Shabbos Zemanim

Friday, September 29

Sukkos Night 1

Candlelighting: 6:22 pm

Shabbos, September 30

Sukkos Night 2

Candlelighting: 7:17 pm / 7:51 pm

Sunday, October 1

Havdallah: 7:14 pm

Rabbeinu Tam: 7:49 pm

Friday, October 6

Shmini Atzeres

Candlelighting: 6:12 pm

Shabbos, October 7

Simchas HaTorah

Candlelighting: 7:07 pm / 7:42 pm

Sunday October 8

Havdallah: 7:06 pm

Rabbeinu Tam: 7:40 pm

The art on the cover, by artist Simone Greenberg, is titled “Ivdu Es Hashem B’simcha.”

I wanted to convey the joy of being Jewish and knowing that Hashem will always take care of us.

As we approach Simchas Torah, every Jew, no matter their affiliation, can celebrate the Torah that Hashem gave us and appreciate it as our divine guide for bringing us to true happiness.

www.SimoneGreenberg.com

ANNOUNCING THE LAUNCH OF THE AMUD HAYOMI PROGRAM

THE AMUD HAYOMI JOURNEY BEGINS

AND HAVE YOUR NAME INSCRIBED IN THE SEFER GIBBORIM!

The ‘Sefer Gibborim’ — to be placed at the kever of the Chasam Sofer — contains the names of all Amud HaYomi participants, including anyone who accepts upon himself to learn the daily Amud.

L: HaRav Binyomin Finkel at the Chofetz Chaim’s Kever at a previous Dirshu mission to Radin in 2015

R: Sefer Gibborim at the Chofetz Chaim’s Kever

Amud HaYomi will begin its 1st cycle through Shas with Masechta Brachos on Monday, October 16th / 1 Cheshvan . This historic initiative will enable deeper comprehension utilizing Dirshu’s proven retention and accountability methods through bechinos and stipends.

THE AMUD HAYOMI PROGRAM

• Program launches with Brachos 2a

• Limud of Daily Amud / 7 Amudim weekly

• Completion of Shas within 15 years

• Optional monthly bechinos with stipends

• Daily live shiurim and chaburos worldwide

• Convenient pocket luach

• Shiurim available at AmudHaYomi.com and on the AllDaf mobile app

• 4 unique levels

• Supplemental resource material

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO JOIN AMUD HAYOMI: 732-987-3948 ext. 105 | info@DirshuNJ.org | AmudHaYomi.com

TO START A SHIUR OR CHABURAH IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD: Contact Rabbi Eli Rudnicki at 732-987-3948 ext. 106 | er@DirshuNJ.org

WITH MASECHES BRACHOS ON ןושח

YES!

I would like to join Amud HaYomi* and have my name inscribed in the Sefer Gibborim, which will be placed at the kever of the Chasam Sofer, and for the Gedolim to daven there on my behalf.

HEBREW NAME

FULL NAME

MOTHER’S HEBREW NAME

ADDRESS

PHONE NUMBER

EMAIL ADDRESS

* A kabbalah, the sefarim teach us, strengthens one’s resolve. It is understood that the kabbalah is bli neder and that circumstances can crop up that will make it difficult to keep. There is no minimum time requirement.

Please fill in the pertinent information, take a picture and email Dirshu@DirshuGlobal.org, no later than Tuesday, Oct. 10 or visit: AmudHaYomi.com/Sefer

Get Matched Hosted Famous Mrs. Goldbaum in Los Angeles

On September 3rd, Get

Matched hosted the world-renowned dating coach and speaker, Mrs. Rachel Goldbaum. Mrs. Goldbaum delivered two lectures to the Los Angeles community, both at the Bais Yaakov high school. One was geared

date, to clear all images and expectations from one’s mind.

Parents Role in the Shidduchim

The topic presented for the parents emphasize their role in the Shidduchim process. There were over 80 parents

who attended. Mrs. Goldbaum started with discussing some of the relevant points that she has shared with the single women, and taught the parents how to do Shidduch research. She explained the importance of doing research and that once

Tashlich at Maimo

toward singles who are navigating Shidduchim, and the other toward the parents whose children are dating.

Keys to Clarity in the Shidduch Process

For the first lecture, Mrs. Goldbaum spoke to young adult women. The title of her lecture was Keys to Clarity in the Shidduch Process. The lecture was attended by over 70 single young women. During the lecture, she touched upon many important topics. They included:

1. Why get married?

2. How dating is like a staircase where one cannot skip steps. Many singles jump ahead of themselves, which causes them to get nervous or terminate the relationship unjustly or without reason.

3. Mrs. Goldbaum discussed the purpose of each date. She explained how for the first set of dates, one is supposed to go in only with their head. At some point, the dater graduates to using their heart. She discussed some of the impediments that prevent singles from moving from the head to the heart.

4. Mrs. Goldbaum discussed the importance of going on a second date and what considerations to take into account. She explained how the second date is really when one starts dating because at that point the dater is past the element of shock and surprise that presents itself on the first date.

5. Mrs. Goldbaum explained how one cannot and should not create an imaginary spouse for ourselves. She expanded upon the fact that Mr. Potato Head does not exist. She further explained how to press the delete button before starting to

parents give their children the go ahead, they should trust them to make their own decisions. She explained that when one’s child starts dating, they are mature enough to make their own decision and have to be trusted.

Partners in Tefillah

At the event, Get Matched launched a new initiative for singles and parents to partner up in tefillah with other singles and parents by praying for each other. The process is simple and all participants are anonymous. This initiative has been very well utilized as many people have signed up. If you are interested in participating please text your Hebrew name to Miss Mimi Abady @ (323) 6862055.

About Get Matched

Get Matched is a nonprofit organization serving the single population in North America, headed by Rabbi Moshe Yakoby, a seasoned Shadchan. Rabbi Yakoby was recently trained as a Dating Coach by Mrs. Goldbaum. To make an appointment in person or via Zoom, call (310)927-8618 or visit GetMatched.org.

Tefillat Tashlich came alive as a classroom was transformed into a complete aquatic experience. Students walked carefully to Tashlich as each stepping stone they walked on listed another message about Teshuva and coming closer to Hashem. Once

they reached the “aquarium,” they were immediately immersed in an undersea experience, complete with a pool filled with fish. Together with their Rebbeim and Morot, students recited the Tefila for Tashlich and learned experientially about the power of Teshuva.

Tomchei LA Rosh Hashana Food Packing

Volunteers rolling up their sleeves to assist Tomchei LA with their Erev Rosh Hashana Packing. This past Thursday hundreds of packages filled with Meat, chicken, Challah, Vegetables, Potatoes, Onions, Apples, Oranges, Bananas, Honey, Grape Juice, Eggs, Olive Oil, Tuna, Honey Cake, Pas-

ta, Tomato Sauce, Rice, Barley, Pomegranate, Star Fruit, Lettuce and lots of love were packed and delivered to families all through our communities with highest level of dignity and discretion. Creating “A Better Life for all of Us”!

A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO PREPARE FOR YOUR FUTURE NEEDS IF NOT NOW, WHEN?

• COMPLETE AN ADVANCE HEALTHCARE DIRECTIVE

• FREE HEALTH SCREENINGS

• WELLNESS FOR WOMEN SEMINAR

• LIFE INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL PLANNING

• DISCOVER IMPORTANT RESOURCES IN OUR COMMUNITY

If your organization or business would like to sponsor the event or set up an information booth, please contact: LA@EMATAI.ORG Special promotional opportunities available

SPONSORS (IN FORMATION)

LNG’s Pre-Rosh Hashana Challah Bake

Graciously hosted by Rivkah and Ron Hale in their oasis of a backyard, the event was set up invitingly and beautifully. On September 12th, the Hale family hosted a first-ever challah bake to benefit Love and Groceries. Sarah Pachter led the Challah bake and also shared words of inspiration that stirred the soul. In addition to taking home challah dough to be baked for the holidays, Geffen and Selah sold gorgeous and vibrant pomegranate at the event, where all proceeds went to Love N Groceries, who continues to help alleviate the burden of widows and wid-

owers within the LA Jewish community. The turn out was amazing with over 150 women in attendance. The event was de liciously catered by Next Door.

Kinus Teshuva at Emek

This week, the Kinus Teshuva event took place at the home of Paul and Judy Cohen. Rabbi Nosson Cohen introduced the evening as well as the speakers, Rabbi Mordechai Shifman, Head of School at Emek Hebrew Academy Teichman Family Torah Center, and Rabbi Avrohom Stulberger, Dean and Rosh HaYeshiva of Valley Torah High School.

Rabbi Shifman stressed that it is

important to recognize that how we have behaved this past year does not necessarily define us. Hashem’s gift to us of Teshuva requires that we commit to return to who we truly are and we beseech of Him to give us another year for this opportunity. We want to thank Paul and Judy Cohen for opening up their home to the entire community for such a lovely and uplifting event and for the beautiful dessert reception.

Shalhevet Launches New Torat Shalhevet Initiative

On Wednesday evening, Shalhevet’s newly renovated Beit Midrash was packed with members of the community eager to launch the Torat Shalhevet initiative with an Aseret Yemei Teshuva Erev Iyun (evening of learning). Current parents, alumni, parents of alumni, and community members, gathered together to learn with Head of School, Rabbi David Block, in preparation for Yom Kippur. Rabbi Block’s engaging shiur unpacked the meaning of the “Kol Nidrei” service and how it truly frames the goal of returning to our authentic selves.

The event marked the launch of the school’s Torat Shalhevet initiative, the school’s new Community Education initiative. Torat Shalhevet’s mission is to invite parents and members of the broader community to learn with and from Shalhevet’s educators. “Education is a

communal endeavor,” says Rabbi Block, and the ultimate goal of the initiative is to build the broader Shalhevet community around the shared ideas, values, and language of Torah study. The initiative will be spearheaded by Rabbi Gabe Falk, who has recently joined the Shalhevet faculty as both a Judaics teacher and the Director of Torat Shalhevet. Rabbi Falk moved to Los Angeles from Cleveland, Ohio where he was teaching at the Fuchs Mizrachi School and served as Assistant Rabbi in

Green Road Synagogue. Building off the momentum of this launch, Torat Shalhevet is heading into the new year with a full schedule for October – including a Simchat Beit HaShoeva over Sukkot, the launch of Coffee & Conversation, a weekly women’s Parsha

shiur with Shalhevet Chief Academic Officer, Ms. Malka Popper, and a 3-part ‘Parent Beit Midrash’ series on “Sanctifying

Bringing the Spirit of Rosh Hashanah to ETTA

As Rosh Hashanah approached, ETTA welcomed two exceptional individuals, Sarah Manne, ETTA’s newest staff member, and Aron Teleshevsky of Chabad Youth, to bring the spirit of Rosh Hashanah closer to the hearts of its clients.

Sarah Manne may have only started at ETTA a few short weeks ago but she has already made a remarkable impact on ETTA’s Group Home residents’ lives. Every week she brings a wealth of Jewish knowledge and enthusiasm to each of the Group Homes, filled with engaging and educational Jewish activities that captivate the residents. For Rosh Hashanah, she organized a delightful taste-testing session featuring apples and honey to symbolize a sweet and prosperous year ahead, made leek frittatas to incorporate some of the New Year’s meaningful omens, and ensured that each home had a selection of shofars to practice their t’kiyot.

However, the shofar experience didn’t stop there. Aron Teleshevsky made a special visit to ETTA, bringing The Shofar Factory to share his expertise on shofars with the entire ETTA community. Donning a hard hat and construction toolbelt, he not only explained the history and symbolism behind the shofar as the call to repentance and spiritual awakening but also engaged all in attendance in an amusing and educational workshop

on how to make and sound them. And his t’kiyah gedolah was simply next level. At ETTA, Rosh Hashanah was not just a holiday. It was a wonderful opportunity for ETTA’s clients to connect with their Jewish heritage and actively participate in these traditions and the spirit of the New Year.

our World: Topics in Kedusha”. For more information, contact the Shalhevet office or Rabbi Falk (g.falk@shalhevet.org).

Yavneh’s Rabbi Avraham Berman, Wins the Milken Jewish Educators Award

We are Hiring!

ADMISSIONS AND RECRUITMENT COUNSELOR

Yeshivat Yavneh is excited to announce that our master mechan ech, Rabbi Avraham Berman, has been honored with this year’s prestigious Milk en Jewish Educators Award, in conjunc tion with the Builders of Jewish Education (BJE), a recognition bestowed upon only four exemplary educators in the Jewish edu cation world in Los Angeles annually. Rabbi Berman was presented the award in front of talmidim in 5th-8th grade, and immediate ly after tefilla, a fitting time and location to do so. And while Rabbi Berman was caught off guard, his colleagues and talmidim were surely not. Rabbi Berman is one of Yavneh’s finest Judaic Studies teachers and has been for quite some time. His commitment to his students is undeniable and his care and pas sion for helping them grow is felt in all that he does for our school.

Rabbi Berman is the first teacher to ar rive each day, as he leads our morning min yan and does so with gusto and exuberance.

Rabbi Berman coordinates our Kol Rom Te fila Club, motivating the boys to reach for the stars in their davening to gain entry to this prestigious fraternity of committed mis pallelim/daveners.

As the point person for our Gemara program, Rabbi Berman leads two of our ad vanced tracks each morning. His 7th and 8th grade classes challenge themselves to reach the high bar that Rabbi Berman sets, all the

Responsible for recruitment and admissions to all programs of TCLA, including advertising, active recruiting, events and managing the admissions process through graduation, and member of sta for committees and general functioning of the college.

SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher, Knowledge of Hebrew a plus

• Familiarity with feeder schools and Israel partner schools

• Public speaking/Strong Interpersonal Communication both oral and written

• Proficiency in Microsoft O ce Suite including Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook. Able to learn in-house CRM, Admissions, and other systems

We o er a full array of benefits including all major Jewish holidays and shortened work hours erev Shabbos and Yom Tov. FOR

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while knowing that he will be there should they stumble. This trust is forged years earlier in 5th grade, as Rabbi Berman introduces Gemara to his students for the first time in their lives and passionately unveils the world of Torah She’baal Peh to his students.

Rabbi Berman is a role model par excellence for our students and a gem of our Yeshiva. We wish him continued mazel and bracha in his avodas hakodesh of chinuch habanim!

17,000 Adirei HaTorah Heroines Honored at Evening of Inspiration

A sea of women filled the N’Shei Adirei HaTorah gathering last week, in a splendiferous tribute to the women standing beside their husbands steeped in Torah. The attendees were not accessories to the peaceful warriors that grace the confines of the bais medrash, but rather the backbone of their limud hatorah - the n’shei chayil without whom their learning would be impossible. Throngs of these heroines attended the event - 17,000 strong, including 7,000 from 25 BMG kollelim across the world.

The event was headlined by the BMG roshei yeshiva, Rav Nochum Binder, and Rav Aharon Schustal, along with Dayan Aharon Dovid Dunner, who flew in from London to address the momentous gathering in person.

Speakers included Rav Malkiel Kotler, Rav Aharon Dovid Dunner, and video messages from Rav Reuven Feinstein, Rav Elya Brudny, Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, Rav Elya Ber Wachtfogel, and Rav Yisroel Neuman.

A gorgeous musical video tribute was shown, with a song composed by Chayala Neuhaus and sung by Shmueli Ungar. Musical accompaniment was performed at the gathering by the Yiddishe Nachas Choir and the Berko brothers.

The evening was filled with inspiration and tributes to the devoted bnos yisroel whose days are spent immersed in the yam hatalmud, leaving all in attendance with a newfound appreciation not only for their husband’s work, but indeed, their own.

Psychosocial Insights

Harvesting Joy: Exploring Sukkot and the Psychology of Happiness

As Yom Kippur comes to a close, we are quickly ushered into the Chag of Sukkot. There is a mitzvah to rejoice on all of the holidays, yet there is special emphasis on being joyful during Sukkot. The Yalkut Shimoni highlights that the Torah commands us to rejoice on Sukkot three times. This is as opposed to Shavuot, when we are commanded once, and Pesach, when we are not explicitly commanded to rejoice. Furthermore, in our holiday prayers, each holiday is given its own descriptive name with Sukkot being referred to as ‘Zaman Simchateynu’ – Season of Happiness.

Happiness, as understood in contemporary psychology, is not merely the absence of sadness but a state of well-being characterized by positive emotions, engagement, meaningful relationships, a sense of accomplishment, and purpose in life. Sukkot provides a beautiful meta-

phor for understanding the facets of happiness.

In Parashat Re’eh, Sukkot is characterized by the phrase “Vesamachta bechaggecha…vehayita ach sameach” - “You shall rejoice in your festival…and you shall have nothing but joy.” (Deuteronomy 16:14-15) The idea that one is obligated to be in a state of happiness may be a foreign concept to some, as the Torah is imposing an emotional state often uncontrollable by many people.

Sukkot is the time of the harvest when produce from the fields is gathered, which the Torah directly indicates is the reason for increasing our joy. On a deeper level, Sukkot is the time for us to reap the fruits of the labor, specifically, those we put in when cultivating our relationship with Hashem and those around us creating ‘Simcha – Happiness.’ Rabbeinu Bechaye, in Kad HaKemach, discusses

Shalom Bayit Through the Parsha

Succah of Peace

It’s the eve of Succot tonight and you’re hosting friends and family. Again. You seat them down, but when your wife shows up she seats them elsewhere, again. But then she runs into a problem, again.

Your brother-in-law follows the Ben Ish Chai. In your succah, he found only 2 possible spots where he’d feel comfortable. Your sister would need to sit next to him.

The kids don’t all get along with each other. Abe cannot sit next to Isaac, and Jacob can only sit in front of Ed. Ed in turn can only sit next to me or to Isaac but not both.

The kids are restless – that you can handle. But your wife is getting restless – that

you cannot handle.

You know that your brother-in-law is a stickler. Invite him to come and check out possible spots BEFORE Succot. Then prepare a seating chart, maybe even write names on napkins, and assign seats. Planning ahead promotes Shalom Bayit.

the idea of ‘Simcha’ in depth, writing that the frame of mind in which we perform a mitzvah is more significant than the performance of the mitzvah itself. This means that happiness must not only be an integral part of our emotional journey, but our spiritual one as well.

Here are some aspects of Sukkot that can help us harvest joy for the future:

Impermanence and Gratitude:

The sukkah symbolizes the impermanence of life and possessions. In psychology, the practice of appreciating the impermanent nature of things fosters gratitude. Gratitude is a powerful positive emotion associated with increased happiness and well-being. When we realize that our material possessions are transient, we are more likely to appreciate them and express gratitude for what we have.

Connection and Community:

Sukkot is a festival that encourages communal participation. It is a time when families and friends come together to celebrate, eat, and dwell in the sukkah. Studies consistently show that strong social connections and community involvement are key factors in achieving happiness. The sense of belonging, support, and camaraderie experienced in the sukkah mirrors the happiness derived from strong social bonds.

Mindfulness and Presence:

The focus on the Arba Minim encourages us to be present in the moment when we hold and shake them. Mindfulness involves being fully engaged in the present experience. The simple act of focusing on our Arba Minim prompts us to practice mindfulness, which is linked to increased happiness and decreased stress.

Simplicity and Contentment:

search indicates that a simpler lifestyle, focusing on essential needs and experiences rather than excessive materialism, can lead to greater contentment and happiness. During Sukkot, we are reminded of the joy that can be found in the simple pleasures of life.

Transcendence and Spirituality:

Sukkot is a time of spiritual reflection and connection by stepping away from daily work. Spirituality and a sense of purpose beyond oneself are recognized in psychology as fundamental components of happiness and life satisfaction. The act of focusing on our connection with Hashem invites us to reflect on our purpose, values, and connection to a higher meaning, fostering a sense of transcendence.

The happiest people don’t have the best of everything, they make the best of everything. The Ibn Ezra writes on the passukim above (Deuteronomy 16:14-15) that there is a commandment to be joyful on Sukkot and that by doing so Hashem will bless you with future happiness. Incorporating these psychological concepts into our understanding of Sukkot enriches our appreciation of this festive time and deepens our understanding of the pursuit of happiness. By embracing impermanence, fostering connections, practicing mindfulness, simplifying our lives, and nurturing spirituality, we can cultivate a sense of joy and contentment that extends far beyond Sukkot. May we enjoy a holiday leading to continued happiness all year long.

Rabbi Nir Yacoby

Rabbi Nir and his wife Atrian give regular classes on Shalom Bayit. His popular 3-minute podcast is funny and draws Shalom Bayit ideas from the Torah portion of the week. To register: ShalomInComics@gmail.com

Elan Javanfard, M.A., L.M.F.T. is a Consulting Psychotherapist focused on behavioral health redesign, a Professor of Psychology at Pepperdine University, & a lecturer related to Mindfulness, Evidence Based Practices, and Suicide Prevention. Elan is the author of Psycho-Spiritual Insights: Exploring Parasha & Psychology, a weekly blog. He lives in the Los Angeles Pico Robertson community with his wife and two children and can be reached at Elan.Javanfard@gmail.com.

Elan Javanfard

Nakdimon Ben Gurion and the 12 Pools of Water Rebbe’s Stories

Rabbi Mordechai Dubin

It hadn’t rained in Eretz Yisrael for over a year. The ground was hard, the rivers were dry, and there was no water for the people and the animals to drink. Nakdimon Ben Gurion was concerned. It was almost Sukkos and the Jewish people would be coming from all over Israel to celebrate Sukkos in Yerushalayim. How could they be happy during Zman Simchasainu if there was no water for them or their animals to drink?

Nakdimon knew that there was a Roman general living in Yerushalayim who had 12 pools of fresh water. Perhaps he could convince the Roman general to lend him these pools of water so that the people and their animals would have water to drink. Nakdimon approached the general with his request, but the general was reluctant to oblige. “What happens if you cannot return the water?” asked the general with concern. Nakdimon answered that if he does not return the water by the 23rd day of Tishrei he will pay the general one hundred thousand dollars in exchange for the water. The general reached out his hand and said to Nakdimon, “You’ve got yourself a deal”.

The water was distributed all over Yerushalayim. The people and the animals had plenty to drink. When

would Nakdimon be able to return the water to the general? On the 23rd day of Tishrei, the general sent a message to Nakdimon reminding him to return the water or pay up the money. Nakdimon responded that he still had until the end of the day to fulfill his responsibility. Late in the afternoon the general again sent his messenger to the house of Nakdimon with the message to return the water or pay the money. Nakdimon reminded the messenger that the day was not over.

When the general heard Nakdimon’s response he laughed and said, “This Jew is so foolish! There is not a cloud in the sky. From where does he expect to get the water?” The general was so excited about the large sum of money that he would soon receive. He decided to have a party to celebrate so he rushed off to invite his friends.

When Nakdimon saw that the sun was about to set, he rushed to the Beis HaMikdash and wrapped him self in his Talis and he began to pray. “Hashem, You know that I did not do this for my honor. Everything I did was for Your honor so that the people would have water to drink and they could rejoice over Yom Tov.” Imme diately the sky filled with dark clouds and it began to rain. It rained so hard that within a very short time, the gen

As Nakdimon walked home he crossed paths with the general. Nakdimon jokingly told the general to pay him for the extra water he received. The general responded, “I know that Hashem caused this downpour for your sake Nakdimon but you still owe me the money. The rain fell only after night began so you were late in returning the water!” Nakdimon rushed back to the Bais HaMikdash. He wrapped himself in his Talis and cried out to Hashem, “Hashem, show the world how much you love the Jewish people.” Immediately the winds began to blow and the darkness disappeared, and the sun was shining brightly in the blue sky. The general shook his head in disbelief. He went home very disappointed

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and amazed that he did not get the money that he hoped for.

This story is found in Moad Katan 5/a

Questions for Discussion

1. Why do you think that Nakdimon was willing to risk losing one hundred thousand dollars so that the Jewish people would have water for Sukkos?

2. Why did Nakdimon think that he could return the water to the general before the 23rd day of Tishrei if there had not been a cloud in the sky for over a year?

3. Why was the general amazed that he did not get the money that he was expecting?

Rabbi Mordechai Dubin is a Rebbe at Gindi Maimonides Academy. He is the author of three illustrated children’s books, I’ll Never Forget Yerushalayim, I Believe, and I Know 6; and has produced four Musical CD’s for children, I Made This World For you, Let My People Go, Al Shelosha Devarim, and Hashem is Always With Me.

If you want to share a story, recipe, D’var Torah, or something creative with us, we would absolutely love it! Please send them in to editor@thelajewishhome.com and

The Jokes On Him!

Moishe built a sukkah on the balcony of his apartment. Just before the holiday began, the landlord noticed it and demanded that it be removed immediately, claiming it was a violation of the terms of his lease. Moishe refused, telling the landlord that since this was a religious observance, he had the right to build the sukkah there. The landlord disagreed and immediately took the case to court. In court, the landlord argued that the sukkah was unsightly, against the terms of the lease, and was a fire hazard. Moishe argued his religious rights. The judge, who happened to be Jewish, listened patiently and then offered his verdict.

“I agree with the landlord in this case, and I therefore rule that you have eight days to take down your hut.”

Sukkahs from Around the World

Meira Levin

Sukkah on Bike

Photo credit: Chabad.org

Pedi-Sukkahs have taken off, a modern-day spin on the Talmudic examples of traveling sukkahs on camels and boats. Levi Duchman, the mastermind behind the wheel, partnered with the New York-based company Worksman Cycles to create these custom bikes. Cities across the globe feature these “mitzvah mobiles,” offering passersby the opportunity to fulfill the central mitzvos of Sukkos.

Sukkah at Burj Khalifa

Photo credit: Antonin Kellian Kallouche

/ Gulf News Photographer

A city icon and world-famous for its record-breaking height, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, U.A.E. boasts dizzying views of the city and beyond. However, in October 2020, attention was diverted to the bottom of this skyscraper when ] a Sukkah appeared at its base, in front of the first glatt kosher restaurant in this now-welcoming Arab state.

Sukkah on Camel

Photo Credit: Collive.com

It might not be too comfortable to eat a sandwich on this camel, but ask your L.O.R. if you can wash and bentch on this bumpy ride. This camel hump sukkah was featured at the opening festivities of Chabad of Rechavia, Jerusalem on Chol Hamoed Sukkos.

Sukkah in Afghanistan

Photo Credits: Aish.com

A Sukkah in Afghanistan - Mission: Impossible? Not to Navy Lieutenant Commander Rabbi Neal Kreisler. Nothing - not lack of funds, military deadlines, and missing parts - could deter the quest to supply a kosher Sukkah for Jewish servicemen stationed in the active mil itary combat zone of Afghanistan. Generously sponsored by Ari Werth of NY and supplied by Siegler Sukkah of Los Angeles, with help from rabbinic chaplain endorser Rabbi Fischel Todd of Yeshivas Pirchei Shoshanim, a sukkah was airlifted to Afghanistan by the U.S. Air Force. With some help from the Seabees, the construction unit of the Navy, the sukkah was built in Camp Leatherneck in time for Sukkos, providing about 10 Jewish servicemen a kosher sukkah for Sukkos.

Sukkah on Boat

Photo Credits: headlineplus.com

NCSY and Aish of the Rockies of Denver, Colorado set a new standard for the idiom “whatever floats your boat” on Sukkos 2021. In this case, it was the kosher Sukkah built on board the deck of a 60 ft double story yacht. The “Sukkah Cruise’’ event united the community with camaraderie, learning, and fun.

Sukkah Shipping Container

Photo Credits: myjewishdetroit.org

Repurposing shipping containers into new structures like homes, emergency hospitals, and restaurants is gaining popularity. Rabbi Yisrael Pinson of Chabad of Greater Downtown Detroit elevated this mundane metal container into a vessel of mitzvos. This shipping container turned Sukkah is on the lawn of the Chabad House of Greater Downtown Detroit.

Sukkah Eiffel Tower

Photo Credits: Mordechai Lubecki

This picture was captured at the base of one of the world’s most iconic architectural structures, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France. Staffed by a group of bochrim, this mobile sukkah built on the back of a truck gave visiting Jews the opportunity to do mitzvos of Sukkos, namely eating in the sukkah and Arba Minim.

Meira Levin is a recent seminary graduate and is currently working at Toras Emes and teaches at BYLA.

OUR PARTY MENU INCLUDES:

Jujeh Kebab: Tender and avorful chicken kebabs marinated to perfection.

Beef Kubideh: Juicy ground beef skewers, seasoned and grilled to perfection.

Two Kinds of Stew: Our chef's special stews bursting with rich avors and hearty ingredients.

White Rice: Flu y and fragrant, the perfect accompaniment to your meal.

Fancy Rice: A delightful blend of aromatic rice with a mix of exotic spices and herbs.

Two Kinds of Salad: Fresh and crisp salads, one with garden-fresh veggies and the other with unique, exotic ingredients.

Fruit Pla er: A colorful assortment of fresh fruits for a sweet and refreshing nale.

Bring Mosaica with You INTO THE SUKKAH!

Dr. Shalom Augenbaum

Learn to navigate the intricacies of 21st-century parenting by reconnecting with your innate wisdom and learning to parent intentionally.

Shlomo Ressler

Explore the weekly parashah through a thoughtful insight for every aliyah, corresponding to the seven days of the week. Available in full- and pocket-sized versions.

THE SHMUESSEN OF RAV MORDECHAI SCHWAB

Rabbi Asher Schwab

Now in English, the teachings of Harav Mordechai Schwab, exemplar of mussar and ahavas Yisrael and a link to the previous generation of Torah giants.

WELLSPRINGS OF TAHARAH

Rabbi Yitzchak and Miriam Goldberg

By a husband-and-wife team who have taught a wide spectrum of men and women for over a decade, this is the ideal guide to practical halachah and hashkafah for chassanim, kallahs, married couples, and marriage instructors.

THE WARMTH AND RADIANCE OF GEDOLEI YISROEL

Rabbi Avishai David

This book offers heartfelt stories of tzaddikim that instill yiras Shamayim and give honor to the Torah.

Rabbi Yonason Goldson

Rediscover Jewish holidays and learn how to approach them with fresh perspectives and renewed enthusiasm.

BESTSELLER

Rabbi Yaacov Haber

Discover the true relationship between man and God through the study of Sefer Bereishis

Rochel Miller and Rebecca Allen

Engage with Torah ideas and practical exercises to help you create a life and marriage filled with simchah

PETS IN HALACHAH

Rabbi Chaim L. Belsky

Navigate the complexities of pet ownership in Jewish law with Rabbi Belsky’s definitive guide on halachah and animals.

THE SOUL OF PARENTING

Slovie Jungreis-Wolff

Ignite the next generation’s flame with The Soul of Parenting your go-to handbook for purposeful, meaningful parenting.

Moishe Hershkowitz, MS, LCSW, CH lntroducing Cable Therapy, a unique 12-step method promoting healing and positive communication in relationships that will enlighten couples and marriage therapists alike.

Rabbi Moshe Kurtz

Delve into contemporary Jewish issues and rethink assumptions with this new sefer of innovative and in-depth halachic analyses.

Rabbi Yehoshua Dovid Portowicz

Unlock the profound insights of Targum Onkelos with this illuminating guide to the nuances and depth found in every parashah.

Historic Launch of Amud HaYomi Program in the Same Hall that the Original Daf HaYomi was Introduced 100 Years Ago

“Maalin bakodesh,” were the words of the Skverer Rebbe, shlita, when he was informed about the new Amud HaYomi program that promises to have a transformative impact on Klal Yisrael. “Torah ohr, Torah is fire, it is like a flame,” the Rebbe continued, “it spreads and spreads. What you are doing is spreading Torah in an unprecedented way.” The Rebbe’s warm words to the visiting Dirshu delegation were immediately backed up with action as three new Amud HaYomi shiurim were announced in Shikun Skver, one in the early morning, one in the late afternoon when people return from work and a third at night after Maariv.

HaGaon HaRav Yitzchok Sorotzkin, shlita, Rosh Yeshiva of the Mesivta of Lakewood, greeted the news with great simcha. He said, “HaGaon HaRav Moshe Shmuel Shapiro, zt”l, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Be’er Yaakov, would often bemoan the fact that avreichim do not have a wide ranging bekius in Shas. He would advise avreichim to take time during bein hasedarim or night seder to learn an amud yomi. My father, Rav Boruch Sorotzkin, zt”l, also had an amud yomi seder every afternoon. I think it is a wonderful idea and will meet a need for those who find that an amud yomi works better for them. It is a wonderful idea whose time has come!”

The new Amud HaYomi program that will begin its first machzor this coming Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan/October 16, will gift Klal Yisrael with a unique opportunity to learn an amud every single day, seven days a week. This will enable those who do not learn the Daf HaYomi to participate in a limud that will enable them to complete Shas in fifteen years while learning at a slower pace and with more depth. For those currently learning the Daf HaYomi, it will serve as an amazing chazarah tool to review what they have learned during the last three years since the beginning of the current machzor of Daf HaYomi. Lomdei Amud HaYomi will also have the opportunity to take tests on what they have learned and receive stipends for excellent results.

The inspiring, grand launch of the program will take place at the same historic hall, the Sofiensale Hall in Vienna, where the original Daf HaYomi was launched one-hundred years ago by Rav Meir Shapiro at the first Knessiah Gedolah. It is scheduled to take place on motzoei Shabbos Parshas Bereishis in conjunction with a siyum marking the completion of half of Shas in the current Daf HaYomi machzor.

Leading Gedolei Yisrael to Grace Event

The melave malka will be graced

by leading Gedolei Yisrael from all over the world including HaGaon HaRav Hillel David, shlita, Yoshev Rosh of the Vaad Roshei Yeshiva of Torah Umesorah, a member of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah, and Rav of Kehillas Yeshiva Shaarei Torah; HaGaon HaRav Dovid Cohen, shlita, Rosh Yeshivas Chevron and member of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of Eretz Yisrael; HaGaon HaRav Shimon Galei, shlita,; HaGaon HaRav Messoud Ben Shimon, shlita, Sephardic Rav of Bnei Brak and Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Ohr Elitzur; HaGaon HaRav Avrohom Salim, shlita, Rosh Yeshivas Meor Torah and member of the Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah; HaGaon HaRav Shlomo Eisenberger, shlita, Rosh Yeshivas Telshe; HaGaon HaRav Biny-

omin Finkel, shlita, Rosh Yeshivas Mir; and HaGaon HaRav Nissan Kaplan, shlita, Rosh Yeshivas Daas Aharon, amongst others.

Multiple Shiurim, Multiple Sources of Joy!

Skver is just

one of over 100 of new shiurim that have already been announced with hundreds more in formation.

“There is a tremendous amount of excitement among the public and also among the many talmidei chachamim who have committed to delivering a daily shiur. Multiple shiurim will be starting in Lakewood, Boro Park, Monsey, Williamsburg, and Flatbush. In addition, new shiurim will be opening in Toronto, Philadelphia, Miami Beach, Jackson, Toms River, Staten Island, Chicago and Los Angeles,” said Rabbi Moshe Fisher, Dirshu’s North American Co-Director.

Among the many maggidei shiur are HaRav Yitzchok Zalman Gips, shlita, Rav of Khal Birkas Avrohom of Boro Park;

HaRav Dovid Hofstedter, shlita, Nasi of Dirshu, in Toronto; HaRav Shmiel Duvid Friedman, author of the Sdei Tzofim; HaRav Ephraim Greenbaum, shlita, R”M in New Square; HaRav Herzka Greenfeld, shlita, of Staten Island. There will also be options to listen to shiurim on the phone or view shiurim online. There will be options to hear shiurim in English, Yiddish and Lashon Kodesh. In addition, there will be hundreds of new shiurim being given across the length and breadth of Eretz Yisrael. There will be many new shiurim opening in Europe and worldwide.

A comprehensive and marvelous kuntress called Iyun Ha’Amud, compiled by great talmidei chachomim, will be published and disseminated among

the lomdim of Amud HaYomi throughout the world. The kuntress, which includes the pages of the Gemara, explanations and supplements, marei mekomos and practical

applications of the halachah, is intended to assist the lomdim of Amud HaYomi with their learning and it will be part of the curriculum for the advanced tracks.

“The fact that I can embark on a plan to learn the entire Shas, at a pace and with the comprehensiveness and ability to find time for chazarah is extremely exciting!” exclaimed Rabbi Moshe B. from Lakewood.

Empowering Individuals to Learn

“L’fi Tivo”

The idea to establish a worldwide Amud HaYomi program was discussed by Rav Dovid Hofstedter, Nasi of Dirshu with HaGaon HaRav Gershon Edelstein, zt”l. Rav Hofstedter expressed apprehen-

sion that an Amud HaYomi program might discourage those who are capable of learning the Daf HaYomi from learning more. Rav Gershon, however, waved away his concern saying, “Every neshama finds its place in learning. Ish l’fi tivo, each person will choose a limud that fits his own nature.”

Indeed, HaGaon HaRav Shlomo Feivel Schustal, shlita, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Tiferes Yerachmiel in Lakewood, echoed those thoughts. When he heard about the new Amud HaYomi program he displayed great simcha. His primary joy was aroused by the realization that this program would increase limud haTorah and the numbers of lomdei Torah. “I heard from Rav Berel Soloveichik, zt”l,” he explained, “that his grandfather, Rav Chaim Brisker said, ‘The Torah wants there to be people who learn Torah.’ Rav Chaim continued, ‘The Torah says, “I want people to learn me.”

The Amud HaYomi program will undoubtedly fill a great void and enable so many more people to learn Torah l’fi tivam, in accordance with their nature.

“Yungeleit in the Workforce Learning Eight Hours a Sunday!!!”

Similarly, last week when a delegation from Dirshu came to tell the Vizhnitzer Rebbe of Monsey, shlita, about the establishment of the Amud HaYomi, his face lit up. He too was excited that so much more Torah will be learned and he related how his father, the previous Vizhnitzer Rebbe of Monsey, demanded that his Chassidim come into him every month with a completed card showing how many hours they learned every day. The Vizhnitzer Rebbe of Monsey, who has maintained that custom, exclaimed, “There are yungeleit in the workforce who come to me, and I see that they have learned eight hours on a Sunday. Eight hours! Why? Because they were preparing for a Dirshu test! The ol Torah, the yoke of Torah, the fact that there will be multiple testing options increases the dedication and hours of learning thereby empowering each lomeid to have a true chibur, connection to the Torah.”

The historic launch of the Amud HaYomi is almost upon us. Now is the time to make a kabbalah to join. You won’t regret it!

For more information or to establish or access a shiur in your community please contact Dirshu at er@dirshunj. org or 732-987-3948 x 106

Chaim Gold

HaRav Binyomin Finkel imparting divrei chizuk at the Ramchal’s kever

Rav Dovid Hofstedter discussing the Dirshu Amud HaYomi Program with HaRav Shlomo Feivel Schustal

Daniel Agalar

Rabbi Ephraim Wachsman recounted a remarkable story which happened to his grandfather that serves as a poignant reminder of how seemingly ordinary moments can transform into extraordinary events, ultimately altering the course of history. The central figure of this tale is Rabbi Betzalel Stern, a London resident who hailed from Vienna and who found himself enmeshed in the tumultuous backdrop of World War II.

As the German forces infiltrated Vienna, Rabbi Stern witnessed firsthand the hunt for Jewish inhabitants. In a desperate bid for safety, many fled the city, and Rabbi Stern sought refuge in France. However, the relentless advance of the Germans soon reached Paris, prompting a surge of refugees, tens of thousands strong, all seeking an escape route from the clutches of impending danger.

Amid this chaos, an unexpected encounter emerged. Rabbi Stern crossed paths with a well-dressed sailor donning the distinct attire of the British Navy. Intrigued, Rabbi Stern inquired about the sailor’s purpose, to which the man revealed his destination – England. The sailor’s clothing signaled his impending journey across the seas to safety.

A spark of hope ignited within Rabbi Stern. He dared to ask the sailor if he could join him on this voyage to freedom. A glimmer of kindness prevailed, as the sailor welcomed Rabbi Stern’s request. How-

The Forgotten Passports

Based on a story told over by Rabbi Ephraim Wachsman

ever, a critical hurdle loomed: visas, the essential documents required for entry into England. These visas were a formidable barrier, seemingly insurmountable.

Undeterred by the challenge, Rabbi Stern embarked on a journey to secure the necessary visas. Yet, as he approached the consulate, a disheartening scene greeted him. A throng of people, numbering in the hundreds if not thousands, had amassed at the entrance, clutching papers that symbolized their hopes for survival. The guards, however, stood firm, refusing entry to all.

In a twist of fate, torrential rain suddenly poured from the heavens. The deluge was so intense that the guards hastily sought shelter indoors, followed by many of the hopeful refugees. Rabbi Stern, caught in the midst of this downpour, found himself unintentionally swept into the consulate. The rain, in its unanticipated generosity, had opened a path to salvation.

Inside the consulate, Rabbi Stern stood before an officer, his heart racing. With utmost sincerity, he relayed his plight – that of a father seeking refuge for his extensive family. However, a new obstacle emerged: the absence of departing ships. The officer questioned the viability of their journey, given the lack of available boats.

Nevertheless, Rabbi Stern shared the sailor’s assurance that seats on an immi-

nent voyage were contingent upon possessing the coveted visas. The officer, demonstrating unexpected empathy, offered a solution. He agreed to process the visas upon presentation of their passports, the key to their passage.

Here, the story takes an unforeseen twist. In a moment of despair, Rabbi Stern reached into his pocket for the passports, only to discover their absence. Panic surged, leading him to faint, collapsing to the ground in a state of hopelessness.

Awakening to a splash of cold water, Rabbi Stern was confronted with the gravity of his situation. The officer, sensing his distress, extended a compassionate offer. He proposed issuing an official document, bearing the English stamp, that would ensure entry into England. This document, complete with the names of Rabbi Stern’s family, held the promise of safety.

In a remarkable turn of events, Rabbi Stern’s quick thinking brought about an unforeseen opportunity. Recognizing the potential of this document, he realized that he could expand its scope to include additional names, thereby saving more lives. With courage and determination, he listed fifty individuals, affording them the same lifeline to escape that he had secured for himself.

Here lies the crux of the tale, a twist that reverberates with the lessons of Sukkot. Had Rabbi Stern possessed his passports, the opportunity to extend salvation

Midlife Mu ical Musings

Lyrics to Live By: No Regrets

Miriam Hendeles

Recently I came across the song “Teardrop” by Abie Rotenberg. The song depicts a widow who had remained childless, and she had so many reasons to cry with memories of the Holocaust, and yet, she never shed a tear. “She asked for no answers; had nothing to fear….today there’s no reason…to cry…”

A client of mine requested a song by a country singer, Garth Brooks, “The Dance.” The song talks about the possible feelings of regret about one’s experiences in love. Based on the concept of “better to have loved and lost, than to never have loved and not lost,” the song’s narrator speaks of how he thinks of having regrets for the loss of a relationship that he had, but then thinks again about the good mem-

ories with that person, and the “dance” that they shared. The client together with his spouse shared with me how they believe that it’s better to have shared that dance, and left things to chance, or fate, and let things play out the way they were supposed to.

As we age, some of us may feel pangs of guilt or shame for how we did things during our life. We also might experience regret that we couldn’t change our situation to make things better.

In our mesorah, we believe that we do our best, and Hashem does the rest; everything in life is for the good. Gam Zu L’Tovah. We can think “if only,” or “What if?” but the reality is that everything happens for a purpose, and looking back with

regret only puts on in a position of depression.

A few days before Yom Kippur was the yahrtzeit of my baby daughter, Aliza Leah Bas Chaim Shlomo, who passed away when she was just under 3 months, from complications after cardiac surgery. Back when I was in the early stages of grief, I thought to myself, would it have been better had she not been born? But then I recalled the joy we had amidst the pain of her illness, her pretty brown eyes, the smile she had, her creamy soft skin and her brown hair. I am grateful for all the tzedaka given in her zechus since her passing. We learn from the challenges, and from every event – good or bad.

There’s a temptation to feel regret

to others might have been missed. The “neglect” of the passports, viewed as a misfortune, became the conduit through which countless lives were preserved.

The narrative of Rabbi Betzalel Stern resonates as a profound testament to the interplay between human actions and divine intervention. It encapsulates the essence of Sukkot, a holiday of shelter and refuge. Sukkot invites us to step into temporary booths, sukkahs, symbolic of life’s impermanence and vulnerability. Rabbi Stern’s journey echoes this theme, demonstrating how unexpected events and divine providence intersect to usher in salvation and renewal.

As we celebrate Sukkot, we are reminded that even in the face of uncertainty, we can trust in Hashem’s guiding hand. Rabbi Stern’s story encourages us to see setbacks as potential stepping stones to unanticipated blessings, a theme deeply ingrained in the tapestry of Sukkot’s message. Just as Rabbi Stern’s “oversight” led to the rescue of generations, Sukkot teaches us to find meaning and purpose even in the most unexpected of circumstances.

Daniel Agalar is the founder of Stories to Inspire, an organization dedicated to sharing curated inspirational stories from renowned Rabbonim. With a widely popular podcast that has surpassed 4 million downloads, Daniel’s passion for spreading positivity shines through. Join their daily Whatsapp broadcast by messaging 310-2101205 or explore over 4,250 stories on their website at www.storiestoinspire.org. The stories can also be accessed on their hotline at 718-400-7145.

and guilt, but things happen exactly the way they are supposed to dance. I’ll keep that in mind for the future. When my mind goes to “if only things were another way,” I’ll remind myself of those in the Holocaust as depicted in Abie Rotenberg’s Journey song. “She asked for no answers; had nothing to fear…”

Miriam Hendeles, MT-BC, is a music therapist for hospice patients and a writer for Binah Magazine and other publications. She’s the author of “Mazel Tov! It’s a Bubby!” and “Best Foot Forward.” She’s a member of a recently launched website for frum women in midlife, www. jewishwomenofwisdom.org, where frum midlife women connect, communicate, and grow through online and virtual interaction. Miriam keeps busy with her various hobbies and skills, like piano, harp, art, and more recently, physical therapy. She considers this midlife time of life a very exciting period full of lots of growth potential.

Hope Domestic Violence Services

Are you in an abusive relationship and looking for compassionate and personalized care for you and your children?

JFS Hope offers…

Shelter

At our two emergency shelters and transitional housing, you can meet with staff and social workers who will provide you with a wide range of supportive services such as:

f Crisis Intervention

f Legal advocacy

f CalWORKS client advocacy

f Case management

f Housing assistance

f Food & basic necessities

f Kosher kitchen available

NEED HELP?

Please call our 24-hour crisis lines: 818-505-0900 323-681-2626

Counseling & Support

JFS Hope offers counseling and ongoing support at our two counseling centers  in the San Fernando Valley and Mid-City area. Services are available in English and Spanish, and include:

f Individual therapy

f Weekly support groups

f Parenting education

f Court accompaniment

f Supportive services for older adults

f CalWORKS client services

GET MATCHED presents a new initiative:

PARTNERS IN TEFILLAH

an organized initiative to facilitate singles, parents and loved ones praying for others to find their right match and in exchange having others pray for them or their loved one.

Here is how it works:

Participants will remain anonymous. You text the Hebrew name of the person and their mother’s name to the number below and in return you will receive the name of the person you should pray for. Each side commits to pray for 40 days.

This process can be repeated as many times as desired once the 40 day period is over.

We thank Miss Mimi Abady for taking on this initiative. Her number is (323)686-2055.

Shana Tova and BzH it should be a year full of bracha and semachot for the entire klal Yisrael.

Se habla español.

All services are confidential. Visit us at www.jfsla.org/hope

Moshe & Orah Yakoby (310)927-8618

GetMatchedLA@gmail.com GetMatched.org

The Los Angeles Jewish Home Activity Guide for Sukkos

ARTS & CULTURE MUSEUMS

Norton Simon Museum 411 W Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91105 (626) 449-6840

Vincent Price Art Museum

1301 Avenida Cesar Chavez, Monterey Park, CA 91754; (323) 265-8841

USC Fisher Museum of Art 823 Exposition Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90089 (213) 740-4561

Skirball Cultural Center 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90049 (310) 440-4500

Santa Paula Art Museum 100 E. Main Street, Ventura, CA 93001 (805) 525-5554

Santa Barbara Museum of Art 1130 State Street Santa Barbara, CA, 93101 (805) 963-4364

Riverside Art Museum 3425 Mission Inn Avenue, Riverside, CA 92501 (951) 684-7111

Palm Springs Art Museum 101 Museum Drive Palm Springs, CA 92262 (760) 322-4800

Orange County Museum of Art 1661 W. Sunflower Avenue, Santa Ana, CA 92704 (714) 780-2130

Orange County Great Park Palm Court Arts Complex 8000 Great Park Blvd. Irvine, CA 92618

Museum of Latin American Art 628 Alamitos Avenue Long Beach, CA 90802 (562) 437-1689

MOCA Grand Avenue 250 South Grand Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90012 (213) 626-6222

The Long Beach Museum of Art 2300 E Ocean Blvd Long Beach, CA 90803 (562) 439-2119

Laguna Art Museum 307 Cliff Drive Laguna Beach, CA 92651 (949) 494-8971

LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes 501 North Main Street Los Angeles, CA 091030 (213) 542-6200

The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens 1151 Oxford Road San Marino, CA 91108 (626) 405-2100

Hammer Museum 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90024 (310) 443-7000

Getty Villa 17985 Pacific Coast Hwy, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272 (310) 440-7300

Getty Center 1200 Getty Center Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90049 (310) 440-7300

The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA

152 North Central Avenue Los Angeles, CA 9001 (213) 625-4390

Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art 24255 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90263 (310) 506-4851

Fowler Museum at UCLA 308 Charles E. Young Drive N Los Angeles, CA 90095 (310) 825-4361

Catalina Museum for Art & History 217 Metropole Avenue, Avalon, CA 90704 (310) 510-2414

Carolyn Campagna Kleefeld Contemporary Art Museum Horn Center 1250 Bellflower Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90840 (562) 985-5761

Armory Center for the Arts 145 North Raymond Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91103 (626) 792-5101

AMOCA / American Museum of Ceramic Art 399 N Garey Avenue Pomona, CA 91767 (909) 865-3146

HISTORY MUSEUMS

La Brea Tarpits Museum 5801 Wilshire Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90036 (213) 763-3499

San Diego Natural History Museum 1788 El Prado San Diego, CA 92101 (619) 232-3821

Santa Monica History Museum 1350 7th Street Santa Monica, CA 90401 (310) 395-2290

Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center 211 Stearns Wharf Santa Barbara, CA 93101 (805) 962-2526

Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History 2559 Puesta del Sol Santa Barbara, CA 93105 (805) 682-4711

ANIMALS & SEALIFE

Palm Springs Living Zoo 47900 Portola Ave Palm Desert, CA 92260 (760) 346-5694

La Brea Tar Pits Museum 5801 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036 (213) 763-3499

Aquarium of the Pacific 100 Aquarium Way Long Beach, CA 9080 (562) 590-3100

America’s Teaching Zoo at Moorpark College

7075 Campus Rd., Moorpark, CA 93021; (805) 378-1441

Big Bear Alpine Zoo at Moonridge 747 Clubview Dr. Big Bear Lake, CA (909) 584-1299

California Living Museum (CALM) Zoo

10500 Alfred Harrell Hwy, Bakersfield, CA (661) 872-2256

The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens

47900 Portola Ave. Palm Desert, CA 92260 (760) 346-5694

Santa Barbara Historical Museum

136 East De la Guerra Santa Barbara, CA 93101 (805) 966-1601

Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County 900 Exposition Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90007 (213) 763-3466

Museum of Tolerance 9786 W Pico Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90035 (310) 772-2505

Holocaust Museum LA 100 The Grove Drive Los Angeles, CA 90036 (323) 651-3704

Autry Museum of the American West 4700 Western Heritage Wy Los Angeles, CA 90027 (323) 667-2000

Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens 5333 Zoo Drive

Los Angeles, CA 90027 (323) 644-4200

Orange County Zoo 1 Irvine Park Rd. Orange, CA 92689 (714) 973-6847

The Reptile Zoo 18818 Brookhurst St. Fountain Valley, CA 92708 (714) 500-0591

San Diego Zoo 2920 Zoo Dr. (in Balboa Park), San Diego, CA 91201 (619) 231-1515

San Diego Zoo Safari Park 15500 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido, CA 92027 (619) 231-1515

ANIMALS & SEALIFE continued...

Santa Ana Zoo at Prentice Park

1801 E. Chestnut Ave.

Santa Ana, CA 92701

(714) 836-4000

Santa Barbara Zoo

500 Ninos Dr. Santa Barbara, CA 93103

(805) 962-5339

Roundhouse Aquarium

Manhattan Beach Pier

Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

(310) 379-8117

Ocean Institute

24200 Dana Point Harbor Dr, Dana Point, CA 92629

(949) 496-2274

Sea Life Aquarium at Legoland

1 Legoland Dr

Carlsbad, CA 92008

(760) 786-0034

Birch Aquarium in La Jolla

2300 Expedition Way

La Jolla, CA 92037

(858) 534-3474

California Living Museum

10500 Alfred Harrell Hwy, Bakersfield, CA 93306

(661) 872-2256

Ostrichland USA

610 E Hwy 246

Solvang, CA 93463

(805) 686-9696

Shambala Preserve

6867 Soledad Canyon Rd

Acton, CA 93510

(661) 268-0380

Cabrillo Marine Aquarium

3720 Stephen M White Dr San Pedro, CA 90731

(310) 548-7562

Heal the Bay Aquarium

Santa Monica

600 Ocean Front Walk

Santa Monica, CA 90401; (310) 393-6149

Gentle Barn Santa Clarita

15825 Sierra Hwy

Santa Clarita, CA 91390

(661) 252-2440

Wildlife Learning Center

16027 Yarnell St

Sylmar, CA 91342

(818) 362-8711

Montebello Barnyard Zoo

600 Rea Dr

Montebello, CA 90640

(213) 718-5442

RAILROAD MUSEUMS

Orange Empire Railway Museum

The Orange Empire Railway Museum is the perfect day trip destination if you love trains. Located in Perris, California, the railroad museum was founded in 1956 at the Pinacate Station as the “Orange Empire Trolley Museum.” Many locomotives on display came from scrap yards after serving their everyday duties. They and historic trolley cars have been brought out of retirement and restored for train fans to enjoy.

2201 S A St, Perris, CA 92570; (951) 943-3020

Pacific Southwest Railway Museum

Pacific Southwest Railway Museum is on the grounds of what used to be Camp Lockett. The gymnasium building of the camp is now the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum car shop. On the property, you will find numerous pieces of railroad equipment in various stages of repair, from passenger cars to locomotives and everything in between. Train excursions run on weekends.

750 Depot Street, Campo, CA 91906; (619) 478-9937

Weekends Only!

South Coast Railroad Museum

South Coast Railroad Museum is housed inside a 1901 Southern Pacific Railroad Depot. The museum’s most popular visitor attractions are miniature train and handcar rides. The Goleta Short Line miniature train ride operates year-round on weekends.

300 N Los Carneros Rd, Goleta, CA 93117; (805) 964-3540

Seal Beach Red Car Museum

You can find the Seal Beach Red Car Museum inside Car No. 1734, a restored Pacific Electric Railway car on the corner of Main and Electric. The museum is a rare and unique glimpse into the mass transit system that once served Southern California using streetcars. The interior of this car houses historical artifacts and is open to the public every second and fourth Saturday of the month between noon and 3 pm.

800-840 Electric Ave, Seal Beach, CA 90740: (562) 453-9762

Travel Town Train Museum

Visitors can view a collection of locomotives, cabooses, passenger cars, and motor cars from 1880 to the 1930s. Kids can climb aboard some locomotives and experience what it would be like to be an engineer on one of the massive train engines. Visitors can ride a miniature train that circles the museum.

5200 Zoo Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027: (323) 662-9678

Lomita Railway Museum

Housed in a turn-of-the-century railway depot, the little museum is the cornerstone of a community park. A small but impressive collection of rolling stock is on the property, including a Union Pacific caboose, Santa Fe caboose, boxcar, oil tank car, and the museum’s pride, a 1902 Baldwin steam locomotive. Inside the train, the depot is a collection of railway artifacts, including conductor hats, railroad lanterns, railroad spikes, clocks, whistles, and photographs.

2137 West, 2137 250th St, Lomita, CA 90717: (310) 326-6255

AIRCRAFT MUSEUMS

Santa Monica Air Museum

Inside the 22,000-square-foot museum, two-story structure planes on display range from replicas of a Wright Flyer to a single-seat BD-5 microjet featured in the opening scenes of the James Bond movie “Octopussy.” There is also a replica Lockheed plane like

the one flown by aviation legend Amelia Earhart, a Lockheed T-33, and a Boeing 727 cockpit exhibit.

3100 Airport Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90405: (310) 398-2500

Palm Springs Air Museum

Palm Springs Air Museum is home to one of the nation’s most extensive collections of World War II flying aircraft displayed in modern, climate-controlled hangars. Over 30 fighters and bombers are in the group, including a P-51 Mustang, a Lockheed Shooting Star, a Spitfire, and even the famous F-14 Tomcat, many of which are available for special events where visitors can take a seat in the cockpit for a once in a lifetime experience.

Parking, lot 745 N Gene Autry Trail, Palm Springs, CA 92262: (760) 778-6262

Yanks Air Museum

Yanks Air Museum is perfect for those that can’t get enough of those magnificent men and their flying machines. Over 200 historic aircraft from the early days of flight to modern-day aircraft are displayed here. The west hanger houses 37 aircraft, several vehicles, military armament, and aviation memorabilia covering the period of 1903-1931. It consists of a 1918 Curtiss JN-4d “Jenny,” North American Mitchell III B-25, and a pair of P-51 Mustangs.

15121 Stearman Dr, Chino, CA 91710: (909) 597-1735

Planes of Fame Air Museum

See the world’s first all-metal monoplane (the Boeing P-26), and the only surviving examples of the Northrop N9MB Flying wing, Horton brothers glider, and various carrier aircraft, attack aircraft, fighters, fighter-bombers, and the legendary B-17E, “Swamp Ghost.” Also, the air museum is the best collection of Japanese military warplanes that including the only flyable Zero-sen with an original Sakae engine.

14998 Cal Aero Drive, Chino, CA 91710: (909) 597-3722

March Field Museum

March Field Air Museum is home to over 70 historic aircraft and many inside displays relating to the history of March Field, now known as March Air Reserve Base. Inside the museum hanger, you will find vintage aircraft and exhibits about military aviation history. Outside you will find a vast collection, including the famous recordbreaking Lockheed SR-71 “Blackbird” and a B-29 Super fortress.

22550 Van Buren Boulevard, Riverside, CA 92518 (951) 902-5949

Lyon Air Museum

Lyon Air Museum is adjacent to the runway of John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana. Exhibits include WW2 aircraft, vintage autos, military vehicles, and motorcycles. The museum also features military artifacts and photos.

19300 Ike Jones Rd, Santa Ana, CA 92707: (714) 210-4585

AUTOMOTIVE MUSEUMS

NHRA Motorsports Museum

This 28,500-square-foot museum is well curated and is pretty much the king of drag racing history with an incredible collection of cars, from nostalgic drag racers, street rods, vintage gassers, funny cars, and even a dozen or so motorcycles.

1101 W McKinley Ave, Pomona, CA 91768: (909) 622-2133

AUTOMOTIVE MUSEUMS

Continued...

Automobile Driving Museum

The Automobile Driving Museum has a remarkable, rotating collection of nearly 150 classic, antique and historic cars, all with retro color schemes and attractive hood ornaments. On Sundays, guests can take a drive in a piece of history as they are whisked around in a pristine classic car.

610 Lairport St., El Segundo, CA 90245; (310) 909-0950

Nethercutt Collection

The main museum is a single-level building that contains rare, primarily beautifully restored automobiles from the 20s and 30s. You will find a few Ford, Dodges, and Chevy’s, but this collection is more about luxury cars. There is also a massive collection of hood ornaments and an extensive library for automotive research.

15151 Bledsoe St, Sylmar, CA 91342: (818) 364-6464

Petersen Automotive Museum

With three full floors and over 300,000 square feet of exhibit space, the Peterson houses one of the most extensive galleries of cars and motorcycles, intended to show the beauty of vehicles and educate its visitors.

6060 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036: (323) 930-2277

Motte Historical Car Museum

Motte Car Museum houses an eclectic collection of cars all on display, including a 1928 Ford Model A pickup, a 1931 Cadillac Cabriolet, a 1924 Model T school, and a World War II transport vehicle — one of only four of its kind known to exist.

28380 CA-74, Sun City, CA 92585: (951) 928-3210

Cable Car Museum

A San Francisco must-see for history buffs or visitors who love to ride down the hilly SF streets in style.

1201 Mason St, San Francisco, CA 94108: (415) 474-1887

MARITIME MUSEUMS

Battleship USS Iowa

The USS Iowa is a floating naval museum located in San Pedro, California. Self-guided tours let visitors explore seven decks of this massive ship. One of the many highlights of this trip is the enormous 16-inch big guns on the main floor.

250 S Harbor Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90731: (877) 446-9261

USS Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum

USS Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum is in downtown San Diego at Navy Pier. Visitors to this historic warship can view restored aircraft above and below deck along with exhibits and displays about the aircraft carrier.

910 N Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101; (619) 544-9600

Maritime Museum of San Diego

The Maritime Museum of San Diego is located downtown and offers one of the country’s largest collections of historic ships. You can see ferry boats, tall ships, and the museum star, the 1863 tall ship Star of India.

1492 N Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101; (619) 234-9153

Kosher Day Trips for Chol HaMoed Excursions

Rochel Chana Shenker

Vasquez Rocks Natural Area and Nature Center in Santa Clarita

This is a wonderful option for Chol HaMoed. We were there last Chol HaMoed Pesach (and so were a lot of other Yidden). Vasquez Rocks is a massive outcropping of jagged, sandstone rocks jutting up from the desert floor and forming fun stone hills to explore. If you want to climb to the highest points, wear sneakers or hiking shoes. There are plenty of places to walk around for people who are unable to climb up the large rocks. Also, there is a nature center near the entrance to the park with a collection of reptiles as well as information about the history of Vasquez Rocks. The park is part of the LA County Park system and is free.

To reach Vasquez Rocks, take the 5 North to the 14 North to exit 15, left on Agua Dolce Rd. continue straight onto Escondido Canyon Rd. 0.4 miles. You’ll see the park on your right. Please note: It is closed on Mondays.

El Dorado Nature Center in Long Beach

Suddenly, it’s nature. As soon as you take the path from the parking lot into the reserve, you are surrounded by wildlife and indigenous trees. The nature center has a small collection of reptiles, informational displays, and even artwork, but the real displays are outside on the trails. There is a small, paved path near the nature center for wheelchairs and strollers, but the big trail loop is not paved. It winds around a big pond with turtles and waterfowl and disappears into the trees, following a small creek with more critters to chance upon.

This is an easy hike that slips from pine groves to open meadows where hawks can be spotted perched in the trees overhead. Across the street from the nature center is a very big regional park with grassy areas to play frisbee or try to fly a kite on a windy day.

Weekday vehicle entrance fee: $6. To get there: take 405 South, exit Studebaker (North), and turn left. Turn right on Spring Street. Turn right at Nature Center entrance.

Descanso Gardens in La Canada Flintridge

If Descanso isn’t on your list of places to go on a regular basis, now is a good time to add it. Descanso is a big collection of different gardens, including a rose garden, a Japanese garden, and an “Ancient Forest” to name a few. There is also a viewing house overlooking a small pond where birdwatchers can see a variety of birds enjoying the habitat. And there is the Boddy House, built in 1930 on the property as a private home but now serves as a museum, and the Sturt Haaga gallery, with sometimes interesting exhibits.

Call before you go to make sure the Enchanted Train is running. It is a little passenger train that loops around part of the garden and is an absolute highlight of Descanso. Admission to the gardens: adults: $15, children 5-12 $5, under 5 free. Train tickets: $5 per rider. (train lunch break: 12:30-2:30, so plan accordingly) Directions to Descanso: get to the 2 North, exit 21A, right on Verdugo Blvd, right onto Descanso Drive.

Oak Glen

Driving to Oak Glen sometime in autumn is an annual family outing. It is only an hour and a half drive from Los Angeles, but because of the elevation, Oak Glen is about 10 degrees cooler, making it a happy environment for apples to grow. There is nothing like a crisp, freshly picked apple and there are several locations for you to buy a variety of apples and even places to pick your own. Snow-line is an old farm with a very fine selection of apples (if they have a good season).

Down the road is another farm, Los Rios Rancho, that also has a store with several different kinds of apples. And if you are looking to pick your own apples right off the trees, Los Rios will sell you a bag to roam through their orchards and pick what you want. They also have an elaborate corn maze that is worth doing on the north side of the street.

Conveniently located across the big parking lot at Los Rios is the Wildlands Conservancy Oak Glen Preserve. This is a wonderful walk in the woods with trees (including redwood) and wildlife all around. You may choose to hike the full loop over a steep hill and back down to the parking lot. Hiking in the preserve is an essential part of any visit to Oak Glen. The preserve is free (but will take donations).

A little further down the road from Los Rios and the preserve is the Oak Glen Schoolhouse Museum, a historic one-room schoolhouse built in 1927. It is closed most weekdays so this year, unless you go up on Monday of Chol HaMoed, you won’t be able to go inside. The museum is set up for class with old school desks and displays on the walls, including class pictures from decades past.

To reach Oak Glen, take the 10 E. and get off at exit 85 to Oak Glen Road. Stay on Oak Glen Road to reach all the above-mentioned destinations. Everything closes around 5pm.

Solstice Canyon

Finally, if you’d like to see the Pacific Ocean and hike near the coast, there is a very woodsy trail in Solstice Canyon, just off the PCH in Malibu. It is a partially paved walk alongside a creek that takes you to the mysterious ruins of the Roberts house, stone foundations, and broken walls overgrown with birds of paradise. The house was built alongside a waterfall, which is like the prize at the end of the trail (and should be satisfactory to those who won’t go on a hike unless there is a waterfall). The shorter and easier way to return to the parking lot is by going back the way you came, but if you are up for a much more demanding hike, cross over the little creek and go up and over the hill on Rising Sun Trail.

For the quintessential Malibu Hills view of the ocean, this is the trail to take. But it’s not easy, and it can get pretty hot, so please keep that in mind.

To get to Solstice Canyon Trail, go north (if you are south of Malibu) on PCH (CA1), turn right onto Corral Canyon Rd.

Mrs. Rochel Chana Shenker is a homemaker and writer in Los Angeles who loves exploring California and beyond with her family.

Deportee

Baskets and Suitcases Confiscated from Deportees to Auschwitz

Mirrors and Windows: The Secret of Succos

The journey from Rosh Chodesh Elul through Yom Kippur is a forty-day experience of self-awareness, teshuva, and spiritual growth, whereby we come closer than ever to Hashem and our true selves. This process of closeness culminates in the holiday of Succos, which represents the ultimate connection between Hashem and the Jewish People. The center of this connection is the succah, which represents the marriage canopy as Klal Yisrael marries Hashem. As we approach this time of closeness, let us delve into the meaning of the succah and the lessons it holds for us.

Chazal enigmatically compares the schach of the succah to the ideal form of beauty. What does this mean?

The spiritual concept of beauty, and its relevance to marriage, is central to the connection we aim to develop through the process of Succos. In order to understand this connection, let us delve into the spiritual concept of beauty. To do so, we must understand the unique beauty of Sarah Imeinu.

Sarah Imeinu

Sarah Imeinu was the most beautiful woman in the world. We know Sarah was physically beautiful, that her beauty was not just of an ethereal, spiritual nature. When Sarah and Avraham descended to Mitzrayim (Egypt), the Mitzrim (Egyptians), and even Pharaoh himself, desired her (Bereishis 12:14-15. See Rashi). The Egyptians were steeped in immorality, interested only in beauty that ran skin deep. However, we know that Sarah Imeinu was immensely spiritual as well, that she reached the loftiest of spiritual levels (See Rashi, Bereishis 23:1).

At the end of Parshas Noach, Rashi (Bereishis 11:29) explains that one of Sarah’s other names was Yiscah. A name always reflects essence, so we must ponder the meaning of this name and what it reveals about Sarah Imeinu. “Yiscah” means transparent, and Sarah’s true beauty lay in her transparency. Her inner beauty completely permeated and was loyally reflected through her physical body. Genuine beauty requires the middah (character trait) of transparency, where the physical body reflects the inner and spiritual beauty, something infinitely greater than any external beauty. True beauty is oneness, where the physical and spiritual melt into a oneness, where the physical doesn’t hide the inner self, but reveals it!

It is therefore fitting that the shoresh (root) of the word “Yiscah” is also the shoresh of the word “schach”, the roof of the succah. According to Halacha (Jewish law), the schach is the most important part of the succah, which is why “schach” is the shoresh of “succah” as well. What, then, is the connection between transparency and schach? The answer lies in one of the deepest themes of Succos. Succos is about seeing past the illusion of independent self-se-

curity, recognizing that Hashem is our true source of protection. This is why we leave our sturdy homes and enter a diras arai, a temporary dwelling place. We show that our faith and trust lie in Hashem, not our “safe” homes. While on the surface, our security and safety seem to come only from our own efforts and hishtadlus, when we look past the surface, we recognize that everything comes from Hashem. This is why the schach is the main part of the succah- it trains us to see past the surface. The schach must be transparent, allowing you to see the stars at night. It must also be loose enough to allow some sunlight and rain to enter the Succah. Only when we have a transparent surface can we truly see what lies behind it.

The Two Stages

Amongst the Yamim Noraim (High Holidays), Succos is an anomaly. Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur are overtly spiritual and transcendent days, with intense rounds of prayer and spiritual elevation. Succos, on the other hand, is grounded in the physical. The centerpiece of Succos is a physical object - the lulav we shake, and much emphasis is put on going through our physical routines in a physical hut. It is the “zman simchaseinu”, a time of physical joy and festivities, highlighted by the celebrations of the simchas beis hasho’eivah. How is this the ultimate culmination of the spiritual growth we have worked towards throughout the last month and a half? The answer to this ques tion is the secret behind the power of Succos, as well as a fundamental principle in Jewish ideology.

While the physical can be dangerous if misused, the ideal is not to transcend the physical, but rather to use the physical in or der to reflect something higher. Think, how many mitzvos are commandments of the mind? Almost none. You can count them on your hand: Believe in Hashem, love Hash em, be in awe of Hashem, don’t be jealous, and just a few more. The overwhelming ma jority of mitzvos are physical actions which connect you to the spiritual source, Hashem! The act is physical, while the spirituality and mindfulness are contained within that phys ical act. We eat matzah, shake a lulav, blow shofar, and wear tefillin; all actions, all phys ical. We don’t believe in transcending the physical, we believe in using the physical to connect to the transcendent.

Succos embodies this lesson in em bracing the physical. The purpose of this physical world is for us to use everything it has to offer for a spiritual purpose. This requires us to immerse ourselves in the physical world, but for this immersion to be proper we must maintain control and focus while using the physical. In other words, our root must be transcendent, grounded firmly in the spiritual, and then atop that foundation we can descend into the physical and use it in a transcendent way. This is the key behind the process we undertake through the Yamim

Noraim.

We first experience Elul, then Rosh Hashanah, and then Yom Kippur, a developmental process of raising ourselves higher and higher above the physical world and deeper and deeper into the spiritual world. It is only once we create this transcendent root that we then re-immerse ourselves into physical living, but this time on an entirely new scale. We must infuse the totality of our spiritual acquisition into our physical life, elevating our actions and intentions as we move this physical world towards its ultimate spiritual root. Succos is the ultimate expression of this ideal, as we infuse the entirety of our spiritual gains from Elul, Rosh Hashanah, and Yom Kippur into a physical life of connection with Hashem inside the Succah. It is in that simple and mundane hut that we draw the connection between the transcendent spirituality we just experienced and the elevated physical existence we are about to throw ourselves into. This is how a Jew lives a life of spirituality.

Two Levels of Reality

This is the most powerful message of life. There are always two levels of reality: the surface level and the deeper, spiritual level. The surface is meant to reflect the spiritu-

al, reveal it, and emanate its truth and beauty. But often we struggle, we forget, and we get caught up in the deception that the surface is all that there is. But even when we fail, even when we fall, there is always hope, there is always a path back to our true selves. This is the message of Succos; this is the message of life. To strive to see more, feel more, learn more, become more. May we all be inspired to not only see past the surface, but to then reveal that truth through the surface, to live holistic lives of truth, spiritual beauty, and true oneness.

Rabbi Shmuel Reichman is a bestselling author, international speaker, and the CEO of Self-Mastery Academy. He is also a business, executive, and leadership coach, with a unique approach based on Torah values and principles. His bestselling book, The Journey to Your Ultimate Self, serves as an inspiring gateway into deeper Jewish thought. After obtaining his BA from Yeshiva University, he received Semicha from Yeshiva University’s RIETS, a master’s degree in education from Azrieli Graduate School, and a master’s degree in Jewish Thought from Bernard Revel Graduate School, and then spent a year studying at Harvard as an Ivy Plus Scholar. He currently lives in Chicago with his wife and son where he is pursuing a PhD at the University of Chicago. To enjoy more of Rabbi Reichman’s content, to contact him, or to learn more about his services, visit his website: ShmuelReichman.com

Chani Heyman

Dear DIL and Mom,

What an excellent question, especially during this season! I’m sure many people face this dilemma.

Going to your in-laws comes with numerous advantages, the foremost being that you don’t have to make the whole yontif! There’s the opportunity for cousins to spend time together, enjoy family moments, and perhaps even travel! So many exciting things to look forward to.

Then there is the parenting clash. Your Mother-in-law runs a tight ship. The kids will be expected to make their beds, clear their plates, clean up after playing, things that maybe you don’t enforce at home.

That is perfectly OK!

Different homes have different rules. Mostly because every person is different, and everyone has their own tolerance and preferences. It sounds like your mother-inlaw cannot handle the mess, so she needs everyone to do their part.

Before heading to your in-laws, it would be a good idea to let your children know about the expectations at Bubby’s house. You can turn it into a learning opportunity by teaching them how to make their beds and explaining any other rules they should be aware of. This way, they’ll be prepared in advance.

Your attitude is crucial. If you approach it positively, highlighting the benefits of spending time with your in-laws, your children are likely to follow suit. Our children very much feed off of our attitude. If you feel that this is ridiculous, unnecessary, borderline child labor (we can go overboard sometimes!), then your children will probably feel the same. But, if you present it as a matter-of-fact situation, just like stopping at stop signs and going at green lights, they’ll probably accept it without much fuss.

Once you’ve communicated the expectations, I would encourage “enforcing” the rules with slight reminders or different cooperation techniques to maintain a positive environment with your children. Hopefully, your mother-in-law will appreciate your efforts and harmony will reign in the home.

Navigating differing parenting styles during the Chagim with in-laws can be a delicate matter, but it is manageable with open communication and a positive attitude. Accepting that different households have different rules can be a valuable learning experience for your children.

Remember that the primary goal is to create a beautiful Yom Tov while enjoying time with family. Consider this as an added bonus—the possibility that your kids might pick up some of these cleanliness habits and continue practicing them at home!

Wishing you a wonderful Sukkos!

Dear Chani, We will be going to my in-laws for Sukkos. As nice as that is, I am slightly apprehensive about our different parenting styles. They have certain rules in their home that I don’t enforce in mine, such as making beds and cleaning up after themselves. I don’t want to cause friction, but do I have to enforce my Mother-inlaw’s more strict rules?

Thank you, Daughter-in-law and Mom

Chani Heyman is a parenting coach who has been giving parenting classes, based on the teaching of Rebbetzin Spetner, for over 9 years to hundreds of mothers across the US. You can reach her at chaniheyman@gmail.com. Follow Chani on Instagram for daily parentings tip @parentingwithchani.

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Is Hunter Biden Receiving Special Treatment?

Lou Shapiro

If you turn to any news program these days you are probably going to hear about the latest legal issues that either former President Trump or Hunter Biden are facing. This week it was Hunter Biden’s turn. The question before is whether Hunter Biden is receiving special treatment since after all, he is the President’s son.

To recap, earlier in the summer, Hunter Biden was supposed to plead to misdemeanor tax charges, earn the dismissal of a gun charge, and put to bed accusations that have been haunting him and his father since his laptop was abandoned and found in a computer repair shop in Delaware in 2020.

The deal fell through in court pursuant to a dispute that arose between his lawyers and federal prosecutors as to whether the agreement precluded the filing of other tax and bribery-related charges down the road.

On September 14, 2023, Hunter Biden was indicted with three felonies for allegedly lying about his drug use when he bought a firearm in October 2018, a period when he acknowledged

struggling with addiction. He was indicted for unlawfully possessing a firearm while being an addict.

Technically the charges carry potential prison time but the likelihood of Biden actually going to prison for them is remote. This is because he doesn’t have a criminal record, no one was physically injured, and he was dealing with substance abuse addiction during the commission of the offense.

Like everything else these days, the responses to criminal charges run the spectrum. Biden’s lawyers consider the filing of charges to be prosecutorial overreach. Abbe Lowell, one of Hunter Biden’s lawyers, dismissed the new charges as a reaction to political pressure. He said that after a five-year investigation, the evidence hadn’t changed in the six weeks since prosecutors decided charges were not warranted. Lowell argued the charges are barred under the plea agreement and that the statute is unconstitutional.

“Hunter Biden possessing an unloaded gun for 11 days was not a threat to public safety, but a prosecutor, with all

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the power imaginable, bending to political pressure presents a grave threat to our system of justice,” Lowell said. “We believe these charges are barred by the agreement the prosecutors made with Mr. Biden, the recent rulings by several federal courts that this statute is unconstitutional, and the facts that he did not violate that law, and we plan to demonstrate all of that in court.”

GOP leaders see the latest round of charges as a mere slap on the wrist.

“Ironically, that’s the one crime you can’t tie Joe Biden into,” Rep. James Comer, chairman of the House Oversight Committee, told reporters in response to the indictment. “The Justice Department’s sweetheart plea deal fell apart after a federal judge refused to rubber stamp it,” Comer added in a statement. “Mountains of evidence reveal that Hunter Biden likely committed several felonies and Americans expect the Justice Department to apply the law equally. Today’s charges are a very small start, but unless U.S. Attorney Weiss investigates everyone involved in fraud schemes and influence peddling, it will be clear President Biden’s DOJ is protecting Hunter Biden and the big guy.”

Comer said Republicans are looking for indictments related to “money laundering, violation of the Foreign Agents Registration Act, tax evasion, the list goes on and on.”

“These should not be the last charges Hunter Biden faces,” Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., also wrote in a post.

These GOP leaders may be onto something. Out of all the allegations that have been made against Hunter Biden, the only charges that would carry significant punishment are ones that would be in reference to his collecting millions of dollars, not paying taxes on it, and using

his father’s name to fill his pockets. If Hunter Biden in fact misrepresented to individuals that payments to him would result in political favors by his father then that would constitute federal bribery and wire fraud charges, which would almost certainly result in incarceration if convicted.

If Hunter Biden’s criminal woes end with weapon charges, and he avoids more egregious charges when there is a factual basis for them, then it suffices to say that he would have received preferential treatment.

In an ironic twist, Biden’s weapon charges might be dismissed on 2nd Amendment Constitutional grounds. Last month, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans tossed out the criminal conviction of a Mississippi man who was facing very similar charges to Hunter Biden. It did so based on last year’s Supreme Court ruling that expanded the scope of the 2nd Amendment. Appellate Judge Jerry Smith ruled that there is no early American history of restricting guns for addicted people, except a few ordinances that prohibited drunken people from firing off weapons at New Year’s celebrations. “At no point in the 18th or 19th Century did the government disarm individuals who used drugs or alcohol at one time from possessing guns at another,” Smith wrote.

If the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals follows the 5th Circuit of Appeals, then Hunter Biden will have a clear path to victory. Perhaps that’s why President Biden recently proclaimed that he would not pardon Hunter Biden. If everything stands, he won’t need to.

Lou Shapiro is a criminal defense attorney-certified specialist and legal analyst, but most importantly, makes the end-of-shul announcements at Adas Torah. He can be reached at LouisJShapiro@gmail.com.

Dear D ni

Dini Gres

I have an etiquette question. I am a man in my 60’s and on Yom Tov when I am walking back and forth to shul on Shabbos and sometimes there are people with strollers when there is not enough room on the sidewalk, someone must move out of the way. Am I crazy to think that the mom’s with the strollers should move out of the way to let me through, or am I supposed to move out of the way for them? I come from a generation where my mother or my wife would have moved to the side for an elderly person, but these days that is not so common. I have watched this repeatedly and most of the time, the mothers are waiting for me to step aside. Do the mothers have the right of way, or should they respect their elders and step aside?

Dear Reader,

My mother would be proud that someone is asking me an etiquette question, or rather my grandmother since I feel like her voice is in my head as I answer this. It is my hope that while I am answering YOUR question, those who are reading this learn a thing or two, because it’s a lost art, and by that, I mean respect.

Webster’s dictionary defines the word etiquette to mean “the customary code of polite behavior in society or among members of a particular profes-

sion or group.” I want to establish something right away: I know for sure I did not write the book on etiquette behavior, but I did learn it growing up, and in our group, as in us Jews, it is called being a mensch. Maybe in other cities or societies, they would define this differently, but the community that I am in and the one you are in, being a mensch is polite behavior. It also means treating people with respect, integrity, and honor.

Do I believe the mom with a stroller should move out of the way for you? Yes.

When I was a young mom, I would have moved out of the way. Or if I was walking with my daughter who is a young mother, would I tell her to move out of the way for you? Yes again. We know that we can believe something to be true, but it is not always that way and not always that simple.

I would be remiss if I did not bring to light a safety concern. You did not specifically mention what type or how big the stroller is. Or what your physical status is. I mention both of those things because I believe logistically it makes a difference for safety purposes. If it was a mother with a single stroller and no other children with her, I could see how the space would allow her to walk around you. If the stroller is a double and she is with other children, it is not safe for her to step into the street. Not only is it not safe, it’s not practical. If you are walking with a cane, or something to help you, as a walker, I would expect the mother to be respectful and wise to move out of your way, again providing it is safe for both her and her children.

My experience and upbringing

(shameless plug for my parents) has taught me to always respect my elders, not to mention there is a mitzvah in the Torah to do so. We are living in a generation where sometimes it gets lost in the day to day events. What you can do is say a huge thank you to someone who moves out of the way for you. Anyone who has a stroller that is reading this can hopefully understand that, while the road and sidewalk are for sharing, giving way to someone older is not only a nice thing to do, but also teaches your young children good manners.

Adina (Dini) Gres is a wife, mother of 4 adult daughters, business owner, writer, speaker, and certified life coach. Through her role as owner of Financial Concierge LLC and coach for personal and financial clients, Adina recognizes that trying to get ahead without managing a healthy mentality is the primary reason blocking individuals from success. When working with her clients, Dini helps them understand how they themselves can change the narrative of their lives. You can hear more from Adina by listening to her podcast titled “Things I think you should know.” Adina also shares on her Instagram page @financialconcierge.

What Do Placentas and Wounds Have to Do with Each Other?!?

Michael Farah

Let’s review what we’ve learned over the last 2 weeks about stem cells, amniotic placental tissue, and wound care.

Over the past two weeks, we have covered significant ground on the use of stem cells and amniotic placental tissue and the exciting role they play in wound care.

Two weeks ago, we highlighted the profound potential of using stem cells when it comes to biohacking. This isn’t just about enhancing one’s biology but can be used for healing and even potential cures. As previously mentioned, these potentials include their use in orthopedic surgeries to improve joint recovery, in improving neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, and even in regenerating cardiac muscle postheart attack.

Last week, our topic of discussion was about the largest organ of the human body: the skin. We discussed the role of the skin, ways to maintain its health, and methods to heal it when it has sustained a wound. Oftentimes, deep wounds can be especially challenging to heal because they often compromise multiple layers of the skin.

Regenerative medicine brings a new approach to wound care by using stem cells from human placental amniotic tissue. This innovative treatment has become almost essential for treating deep wounds that remain unresponsive to other, traditional forms of wound care. The amniotic tissue contains growth factors, cytokines, and other essential molecules that promote tissue regeneration and healing. In the same sense that biohackers want to optimize recovery from injuries or surgeries by using amniotic tissue, wound care practitioners can also harness the same biologics to accelerate healing and tissue repair.

Obtaining Placental Tissue for Wound Care

The growth factors and stem cells present in amniotic placental tissue can accelerate wound healing and tissue regeneration at incredible rates. This has led to the development of advanced wound care products that utilize these properties to treat chronic wounds, burns, and ulcers.

Many new parents are encouraged by their obstetrician to bank their baby’s cord blood. The reason for this would be to save the stem cells within the cord blood in case it’s needed in the future for medical reasons. This procedure removes stem cells from the cord immediately after the baby’s birth. This cord blood is then independently banked (stored) for the family’s private use.

Amniotic placental tissue is also retrieved after birth, but oftentimes after a cesarean birth. Amniotic tissue removed in this way is usually cleaner and safer to use, leading to better outcomes for the recipient. Nevertheless, the tissue is still genetically screened to ensure that there are no diseases, it is cleaned in a specialized manner, and then the tissue is minimally processed into sheets to be used specifically in wound care. This placental tissue is donated. The use of placental tissue raises ethical and legal considerations, including that of proper sourcing. Ensuring that the tissue is obtained and used ethically is paramount.

Dr. Mobicare Specializes in Wound Therapy

You may have seen Dr. Mobicare tents popping up on Los Angeles corners during the pandemic, offering quick Flu, RSV, and Covid testing. Or perhaps you’ve used us for a telemedicine appointment. However, you may not know that Dr. Mobicare specializes in Regenerative Wound Care using cellular tissue products such as amniotic placental tissue, and we are one of the only companies that does so.

There are zero risks of harm involved to a patient receiving wound therapy involving amniotic placental tissue, in fact, there has never been a reported adverse event, thereby making this type of treatment extremely safe. It is highly effective even after many other wound treatments may have failed.

When considering the use of human placental amniotic tissue products, it’s crucial to ensure that the products come from reputable sources and are regulated by health authorities to ensure safety and efficacy.

Our lab uses placental tissue that has only been derived through a caesarian section, comes from screened donors, and is very safe for the patient. The manufacturing process does not involve heat, chemicals, or harsh detergents, because we want to keep the product as viable as possible. The tissue must be handled with extreme care so that the stem cells are not compromised.

Innovation

In the past, when patients wanted to use stem cells for regenerative therapy, whether that’s to improve mobility or for hair loss, they had to pay out of pocket for this expensive therapy. Oftentimes these are professional athletes who want to recover from an injury so they can continue playing or a CEO or high-level executive who is getting IV stem cells for wellness or anti-aging. Another example already mentioned is the banking of a baby’s cord blood which is not only expensive to collect, but there’s an annual storage fee. Additionally, there is no research to indicate how one will use their child’s cord blood, if it will be viable when needed, and if it will help for their specific situation.

Now is the very first time that stem cells and human tissue products are available to patients and can be billed through their insurance company. This wound care product is the first stem cell product that insurance companies are paying for, with little to no out-of-pocket or cash expense for the patient. In the past, patients who could have wanted or benefited from this did not have the option if they could not afford it. Now it’s available and accessible to anyone with insurance or Medicare.

Over the past five years, researchers and physicians have been using biologics and tissue products to help heal wounds. Many of them are collagen-based, sourced from a cow (bovine), from a pig (porcine), or from fish skin. The research and use of amniotic placental tissue to treat wounds is relatively new and only began about two to three years

ago. There are many physicians who do not commonly use this treatment. Unfortunately for the patient, wound care has become very routine and commonplace, and has changed into “wound management,” where a wound is treated for months or even years, but never fully cured or healed. It’s an ugly side of medicine because physicians profit every time they perform wound care, and therefore some are not motivated to heal the wound entirely. The use of amniotic placental tissue may heal a wound too quickly, thereby having a doctor lose a wound care patient from his roster.

Doctors, however, should always have the goal to maintain and improve the health of their patients, and wound care is no different. Doctors must look for innovation, try new treatments and methods, and be willing to change from what they’ve “always done.” Dr. Mobicare is changing the mentality of wound care, to be patient-centric, and try to heal wounds as quickly as possible even if that means discharging a patient.

Implementation

Dr. Mobicare treats wounds by coming to the location of the patient, whether it’s at a long-term care facility, or the patient’s home.. The amniotic placental tissue is manufactured by the lab through dehydration, into a sheet that is a translucent piece of parchment tissue. The wound itself must be the perfect environment for healing. It must be cleaned, needs to have healthy tissue surrounding the wound, and the tissue of the wound itself should be granulated and viable. The translucent piece of tissue is placed onto the wound, and covered with a dressing. Ideally, it should stay there for an entire week. This is helpful for the patient and the caretaker because there are other wound treatments that need to be changed daily or more frequently, and this can impair the healing process if new layers of cells or skin are removed, pulled off, or exposed too soon. Dr. Mobicare also combines modalities such as low-frequency ultrasound on the wound in addition to the placental tissue paper.

As with any biohacking approach, individual responses can vary. What works for one person may not work the same way for another due to factors like genetics, health conditions, and lifestyle. However, we can proudly say that we have never seen a patient not respond to these treatments.

Education

Dr. Mobicare is highly invested in the progress of the wound and the patient’s overall healing. Providing the actual wound care is not all we do. Oftentimes, patients who receive this type of wound care reside in nursing homes. Dr. Mobicare’s physicians and practitioners work together with the nursing home and other facilities by providing education to the staff so that the wounds have the best chance of healing in their environments.

Dr. Mobicare goes into facilities, educates staff on what the treatment is, where it comes from, how it’s used, and answers all of their

questions. This may be the first time they are learning about the clinical advances of these products. The staff is provided a lunch-andlearn to introduce the product, many of whom have never heard of it before. Patient success stories are shared, the clinicians are educated, and provided with continuing education quarterly. Emphasis is placed on how the staff can manage the wound to improve healing and how important it is for us to work together to maximize the benefit for the patient. We can provide guidance on safety, appropriate usage, and potential benefits based on individual needs. We provide that professionalism and expertise to the clinical staff.

Dr. Mobicare also takes the time to educate families who may not want their loved ones serving as “guinea pigs” to new innovative medical techniques. They can be rest assured that there is significant testing already done on these products and they’ve shown to be extremely safe and effective. The treatment is not only FDA-approved but is also approved and covered by Medicare for its use. It may be somewhat new, but it is not a trial, it is already accepted as a treatment, although unfortunately it’s still currently under-utilized so some people may think it’s still in its trial phase or is part of a study.

Our Clients

Many of our clients receiving this specialized wound treatment are in the geriatric population. Unfortunately, those living in nursing facilities are often bedbound and can develop pressure sores that are difficult to heal and treat. Since Medicare is the primary insurance that covers this product, which makes a majority of our clients 65 years and older. Within the geriatric population, even those living at home, can be susceptible to developing chronic wounds if they are immobile or can not care for themselves properly.

Diabetic patients can also benefit from the use of amniotic placental tissue because studies show this population has a one in four chance of developing a non-healing diabetic foot ulcer in their lifetime. We also offer bedside vascular testing for patients who we have determined are great candidates and will experience transformative results from our wound care treatment.

Dr. Mobicare also offers home visits, to residents in assisted living facilities, and even for those in hospice care. Nursing home operators benefit from our services because oftentimes healing a wound allows for a patient to be discharged home. In assisted living facilities, we are able to treat wounds and heal them before they worsen or become infected, thereby preventing a possible hospitalization. This allows facility operators to keep their residents healthy and in-house. Dr. Mobicare is truly changing the game when it comes to wound care. If you have a loved one who suffers from chronic wounds please reach out to us to see how we can help.

Shana Tova V’ Gmar Chatima Tova

To learn more about our services and products, please visit our website at www. drmobicare.com

Michael Farah is the co-founder of Dr. Mobicare, the country’s first Regenerative Wound Care Provider. Dr. Mobicare is currently providing Regenerative Wound Care in six different states across the country.

CONCIERGE JEWELER

A Moment or Lifetime of Joy?

he Pouring of the Water was performed on all seven days [of Sukkot] . . .”

“T-Talmud, Sukkah 42b

The Talmud declares: “One who did not see the joy of the water-drawing celebrations, has not seen joy in his life.”

I have always had trouble with this one.

I don’t have trouble with the Yidden experiencing a happy occasion. I could imagine a nation swept up in a wave of joy; singing and dancing through the night. That is not hard to understand or appreciate. I could even see myself getting lost in the crowd and its tumultuous roar of happiness. The part that was always hard for me to understand, was the part about seven days.

Seven days? How on earth?

I have experienced joy before. It’s not entirely foreign to me. But I have yet been able to maintain a sense of joy for longer than a few moments. Seven days??

Joy has always been an elusive experience for me. I am happy. I would say genuinely satisfied and grateful. But an experience of joy; the surging, tingling experience that is quiet and clamoring all at once. The feeling that fills your heart and brings tears to the eyes and overwhelms your senses...

Yeah, that only lasts for a minute or two. Can’t say more.

Why is that?

What is quite literally the killjoy? Why is it challenging to maintain the joy for longer than that?

It may have to do with something interesting that I’ve noticed any time that I have felt happy or satisfied or flowing. As soon as I was “good”, a fear would come up. Some examples of this were:

“Ah, the kids are playing so nicely with each other” and then the next thought would be, “How long is this going to last? Someone is going to start crying soon...”

“Look how beautiful this child is,” and then, “What if, when she gets older she gets pimples?”

“I am so grateful that I had some time to daven today”, would turn into “What about all those days that I didn’t

daven this year, will Hashem forgive that?

Notice the pattern. I have a happy, satisfied, or excited thought and immediately the next thought is a negative one racing to shut it down. It was automatic. Fascinating. I observed it time and time again. Why would that happen? It was almost like predicting something to fail, fall through, or get ruined. It was almost like an expectation that life could not be that good. Life had to fail me at some point because hey, life isn’t easy, right? So obviously, if something is going well it’s going to have to end or stop soon. It was as if I had to prepare myself for that shock, or else I would crash land and then…

And then I would be really really sad.

So the conclusion is, that in order to protect ourselves from the lows, we play down the highs. We don’t even want to fully experience those moments of happiness or satisfaction because it will be too much of a steep fall into dejection. It almost became routine to maintain a certain collected aura with steeled emotions in check all in order to avoid the vulnerability of joy.

Vulnerability of joy? Yes. It is scary to be in a state of joy. All the fears come up because of what might come next. Picture yourself in a joyous moment. Your heart is open, your eyes are shining, your body is bursting with happiness. You are an open book at that moment. Anyone can see your emotions. All of your guards are down. Someone could come and knock you over with a feather you are so lost in it. And so yes, it is vulnerable.

So my question still stands; How on earth did they maintain joy for seven days???

It might have to do with the deeper significance behind the drawing of the water. During the times of the Beit Hamikdash, the daily offerings were accompanied by pouring wine on the altar. During the holiday of Succos, water was poured in addition to wine. Chassidus offers a beautiful interpretation of the difference between water and wine. Wine is flavorful, scented, and rich while water is exactly the opposite; tasteless, scentless, and colorless. Chassidus likens these liquids to two differ-

Hindi Kalmenson

ent ways of serving G-d. Wine represents the rich experience of serving G-d with a deep understanding of Torah and mitzvos and a love for one’s relationship with Him. Water represents serving G-d with Kabbalas Ol, “accepting the yoke of heaven.” Serving Hashem because G-d has commanded us to, not because we relish a deep appreciation for a Jewish lifestyle.

Now it seems even more confusing. What about Kabbalas Ol brings about so much joy? It seems the very opposite of joy!

Kabbalas Ol is an absolute recognition of G-d as our master and a deep commitment to obey His will. It is the foundational basis for learning Torah and keeping mitzvos. Unlike the service of Hashem where we are relishing in the delight of His Torah, Kabbalas Ol is an abnegation of self. We look less at ourselves and more at the Aibeshter, we feel less of our worthiness and are lost in the Awe of His greatness.

It is precisely because there is a lack of self that one is able to experience the joy so meaningfully. His Joy is my Joy. His will is my will. I am able to fully experience the depths of joy because I have no fears coming up to stop me. There is less of me and more of Him, and so fear doesn’t come into the equation. Vulnerability isn’t scary when you have an absolute recognition of G-d in your life. The joy can flow and sustain itself without obstruction.

If I could channel a little more Kabbalas Ol into my everyday life, I might one day think about the Seven days of joy and think...seven days? Easy peasy.

Hindi is a certified Relationshift Coach based in Los Angeles. She is passionate about relationships and selfgrowth. She educates women on Torah’s perspective of marriage at her workshops and retreats and helps women around the world through her personal coaching program. Hindi lives with her husband and four children in Los Angeles.

Chef Nir Weinblut

Blackened Salmon with Chimichurri Sauce and Grilled Corn Tomato Salsa

I like to start by preparing the chimichurri first, allowing it to sit for a while to “marinate” and all the flavors can come together.

Ingredients

Chimichurri:

• 1 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped (You can also substitute with a double portion of Italian parsley)

• 2/3 cup fresh Italian parsley, finely chopped 1/4 cup fresh oregano or thyme, chopped

• 2-3 garlic cloves, finely minced

• 1/4 cup red wine vinegar

• 2/3 cup olive oil

• Kosher salt and pepper

• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

• 1 medium-sized red pepper, seeded and diced small

Tomato and Grilled Corn Salad:

• 3 ears of grilled corn, kernels cut off the cob

• 1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, sliced

• 1 avocado, cubed

• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped (Alternatively, use 1 cup whole baby arugula, kept whole for a nice presentation)

• 1/8 cup fresh chopped fresh chives

• Kosher salt and pepper

• A squeeze of fresh lime

• 1 small serrano pepper or jalapeno (optional, for those who enjoy some heat)

Blackened Baked Salmon

Filet:

• 2-2.5 lb salmon filet, cleaned with skin on

• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder

• 1/2 teaspoon dry thyme

• A small pinch of coriander

• A small pinch of mustard powder

• Kosher salt and pepper

• A pinch of crushed red pepper flakes

Directions

Chimichurri:

• Combine the parsley, cilantro, oregano, and garlic in a food processor. Pulse until you have small leaves and pieces.

• Add the red wine vinegar and pulse once more.

• With the processor running, slowly pour in the olive oil and mix until just combined.

• Stir in a generous pinch of salt, pepper, and a small pinch of red pepper flakes. Then, mix in the diced red peppers. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary.

Tomato and Grilled Corn Salad:

• Place the corn on a hot grill or BBQ and lightly char them.

• Cut the corn off the cob and allow it to cool. Slice the cherry tomatoes in half and cube the avocado.

• In a bowl, combine all the ingredients for the salad. For those who enjoy some heat, add the serrano or jalapeno into the salsa. You can also grill the peppers; just be sure to remove the seeds for a milder flavor.

Blackened Salmon:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

• Mix all the spices together in a small bowl. Lightly spray a sheet pan with cooking oil.

• Place the salmon filet, skin-side down, on a large nonstick cookie-style sheet tray.

• Generously sprinkle the spice blend all over the salmon filet.

• Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes. Check that the salmon is firm, as oven times can vary. Keep in mind that convection ovens cook faster but can also dry out the food due to the fan.

To Serve the Salmon:

• Place the salmon on a large platter. Drizzle the chimichurri sauce over the salmon and serve it with the tomato and grilled corn salad. Enjoy!

Now that we enjoyed all that meat on Rosh Hashanah and those heavy sukkot dinner meals, Let’s enjoy a light Salmon recipe that I like to make for Lunches in the sukkah.

Arugula Pear, Beets and Goat Cheese Salad

Ingredients

• Juice of 1 whole lemon

• 1 tbsp red wine vinegar

• 1 tsp dijon mustard

• 2 tsps honey

• 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

• 1 tbsp pomegranate molasses

• kosher salt & black pepper, to taste

Directions

• 1 bunch arugula

• 2-3 medium sized beets, sliced thinly(boiled or roasted)

• 2 bosc pears, sliced thinly

• 3 oz goat cheese

• 1 cup of candied pecans

• In a jar or bowl, combine the lemon juice, vinegar, mustard, pomegranate molasses and honey. Start whisking while slowly drizzling in the oil. Keep whisking until fully incorporated and emulsified. Season with salt and pepper.

• Place the arugula, beets, and fennel in a large salad bowl. Add some of the dressing and toss to combine. Add the pear, pecans and crumbled goat cheese and toss gently to combine. Add more dressing as needed. Serve and enjoy as a nice side salad for a lunch in the Sukkah.

The only hot plate that folds for easy storage and travel!