FALL `08 - Chabad-Lubavitch of Wisconsin

Transcription

TORAH
course Catalog of
the Institute for Jewish Literacy
“Your center for adult Jewish learning”
Fall ‘08
w w w. c h a b a d w i . o r g
*OTUJUVUFGPS+FXJTI-JUFSBDZ
Lubavitch of
Wisconsin
L o c at i o n s
Milwaukee
Lubavitch House
Bais Menachem
3109 N. Lake Dr.
Milwaukee, WI 53211
(414) 961-6100
The Shul East
3030 Kenwood Blvd.
Milwaukee, WI 53211
(414) 332-7485
Chabad of Downtown
633 W. Wisconsin Ave. #770
Milwaukee, WI 53203
(414) 841-6464
shorewood
Jewish REACH
3510 N. Oakland Ave.
Milwaukee, WI 53211
(414) 758-0331
D e d i c at i o n
The Rebbe,
Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson
of blessed memory
The Institute for Jewish Literacy is
dedicated to the Rebbe’s vision of Klal
Yisrael, raising Jewish consciousness and
promoting Torah knowledge.
Whitefish Bay
jewish beginnings
lubavitch preschool
6401 N. Sta. Monica Blvd.
Milwaukee, WI 53217
(414) 962-2444
bayside
The Shul
383 W. Brown Deer Rd.
Milwaukee, WI 53217
(414) 228-8000
Mequon
Peltz Center for
Jewish Life – Mequon
Agudas Achim Chabad
2233 Mequon Rd.
Mequon, WI 53092
(262) 242-2235
wisconsin dells
Chabad of the Dells
Ohr Yehudah – Chabad
409 Broadway St.
Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965
(608) 231-3450
Madison
Chabad of Madison
1722 Regent St.
Madison, WI 53726
(608) 231-3450
Chabad at the University
of Wisconsin-Madison
450 W. Gilman St. #2
Madison, WI 53726
(608) 257-1757
Kenosha
Chabad of Kenosha
206 55th Street
Kenosha, WI 53140-3775
(262) 359-0770
I n th i s Iss u e
Let’s Get Together.
How often does a family get together? What if your
relatives are dispersed all over the world?
In the days when the Temple stood in Jerusalem, the
entire Jewish nation – every able-bodied man, woman and
child – would congregate once in seven years on Sukkot in
the year following the sabbatical.
Wouldn’t you know it but the outgoing year of 5768
is a Sabbatical Year and the coming year of 5769 is a
Gathering Year (shnat hak’hel in Hebrew).
Although we Jews like to get together whenever we
can, this year in particular is an especially auspicious time
for joining together in groups and recommitting to our
Jewishness as a community and as a nation.
Accordingly, we at the Institute for Jewish Literacy, in
conjunction with Lubavitch of Wisconsin, have endeavored
to bring you even more events and programming this year
than ever before. In addition, Lubavitch of Wisconsin is
celebrating its 40th anniversary this year and there’s no
better way to celebrate and show our appreciation than
to provide more and more opportunities for Jews to come
together as one.
We ask each and every one of you to come join us this
semester for a class, a lecture or a special program; to take
part in new and bigger ways; to increase your level of
involvement; and to catch the spirit of the Gathering Year
and its message of unity.
This Fall Semester, in addition to our plethora of regular
classes, we are presenting several special events:
On September 16, join Rabbi Laibl Wolf for a talk on
the Kabbala of intimacy.
Enroll in our Fall JLI, Soul Maps, being offered in
Mequon and Bayside and authored by our very own
Rabbi Shais Taub (see story in Highlights, p. 12)
Come to a lecture by Rabbi Asher Crispe, What
Kabbalah Tells us About Science Technology, Tuesday,
November 4, in Mequon.
On Sunday morning, December 14, we will celebrate
the 19th of Kislev (the anniversary of the liberation of R’
Schneur Zalman of Liadi in 1798). Join us for a brunch
buffet, and a presentation by our very own Rabbi Shais
Taub, overviewing the practical, mystical system presented
in Tanya.
And get ready for a year of gatherings and special events.
It won’t be complete without you.
TORAH
Lubavitch of Wisconsin
Adult Education
S u mm e r 2008
Dedication 2
Introduction
3
Our Staff
5
Special courses & events 7
On-Going classes
Kabbalah and Mysticism
16
Law and Ethics
21
Biblical Studies
25
General Judaic Studies
26
Languages
29
Torah Thoughts
Special Emphasis:
Hakhel: The Year of Gathering
Introduction
6
Insights into the Year of Gathering from
the Teachings of the Rebbe, obm
14
A collection of short, but powerful articles based
on the teachings of the Rebbe on the topic of the
Year of Gathering.
Highlights 12
Highlights of adult Jewish education in Wisconsin
calendar 30
Wishing you a truly happy and healthy new year,
Rabbi Mendel Shmotkin
Director
Inst. For Jewish Literacy
Rabbi Shais Taub
Associate Director
Inst. For Jewish Literacy
visit us on-line
www . c ha b adw i . org 3
Help Support
the Institute for Jewish Literacy
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testing and identify their interest in the Institute for Jewish Literacy.
Health care cost are the highest they’ve ever
been. The majority of Americans, with and
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consider other economical ways to lower their
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The mission of Metro Medical Testing is to
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Compare prices and save.
Any questions, please call.
10040 N. Port Washington Rd.
Mequon, WI 53092
(262) 241-2929
4 o n - l i n e torah st u d y
www . c ha b adw i . org
o u r sta f f
T he men and women of
Lubavi tc h of Wi sconsi n’s
Insti tute for Je wi sh Li terac y
ar e here for you i n all
of your adult Je wi sh study needs.
Rabbi Yisroel Shmotkin
Rebbetzin B. Devorah Shmotkin
Rabbi Yoseph Samuels
Rabbi Yonah Matusof
Rabbi Dovid Rapoport
Rabbi Mordechai Spalter
Rabbi Shmaya Shmotkin
Rebbetzin Chashie Samuels
Rebbetzin Faygie Matusof
Rebbetzin Faygie Rapoport
Rebbetzin Rivkie Spalter
Rebbetzin Devorah Leah Shmotkin
Rabbi Moshe Rapoport
Rabbi Mendel Shmotkin
Rabbi Menachem Rapoport
Rabbi Shais Taub
Rabbi Mendel Matusof
Rebbetzin Dini Rapoport
Rebbetzin Devorkie Shmotkin
Rebbetzin Hudi Rapoport
Rebbetzin Brocha Taub
Rebbetzin Henya Matusof
Rabbi Avremi Schapiro
Rabbi Yaakov Elman
Rabbi Betzalel Wischanski
Rabbi Meni Sudakevitz
Rabbi Yaakov Litvin
Rebbetzin Sheindy Schapiro
Rebbetzin Chedva Federman
Rebbetzin Rivkie Wilschanski
Rebbetzin Dvori Sudakevitz
Rebbetzin Gila Litvin
visit us on-line
T orah T ho u ghts
I n tr o d u cti o n
Eventually, however, the Temple was
Hakhel: The Year
of Gathering
even in observant circles the mitzvah of Hakhel
destroyed. Over 1900 years passed by, and
was spoken about very little. In recent times, it
was the Rebbe, obm, who restored this mitzvah
In ancient times, when the Temple
stood in Jerusalem, the Jewish people would
converge on Jerusalem once every seven years
to fulfill the mitzvah of Hakhel. There, as
the king read out selected passages of the
Torah, they would all relive the experience
of the Giving of the Torah at Sinai.
to the forefront of Jewish consciousness,
explaining that even when the physical frame
of the Beis HaMikdash is no longer visible on
the Temple Mount, the spirit of the Hakhel
assemblage continues eternally to inspire Jews
everywhere. The message of Hakhel motivates
us to reach out to our fellow Jews and assemble
The goal of this assembly was to inspire all
those present with an awe of G-d. The Torah
them in appropriate settings to teach them
Torah and instill in them an awe of G-d.
states this explicitly (Devarim 31:12-13): “...
Today, with the approach of the upcoming
so that they will hear, and learn to stand in
Hakhel year of 5769 (2008-2009), we
awe of the L-rd your G-d, and vigilantly
anticipate the ultimate Hakhel – the
observe all the words of this Torah. And
ingathering of the exiles. Then, together with
their children who do not know will hear,
all of our brothers and sisters, we will assemble
and will learn to stand in awe of the L-rd
in the Third Temple and eagerly quench our
your G-d, as long as you live in the land...”
thirst with the Torah teachings of Mashiach.
s p e c i al c o u rs e s & e v e n ts
Special Courses and Events are one-time or
limited engagement offerings.
For regular weekly and bi-weekly classes,
see On-Going Classes starting on page 13
of this catalog.
Rabbi Dr. Laibl Wolf Lecture
8
The Kabbalah of Intimacy, Commitment, and Exploitation
Jewish Learning Institute
Soul Maps: Kabbalah to Navigate Your Inner World
9
Future Trends
What Kabbalah Tells us About Science & Technology
10
19 Kislev
Celebrating the life of R’ Schneur Zalman of Liadi
11
visit us on-line
Rabbi
Dr. Laibl Wolf
LL.B M.Ed.Psych. D.Div.
Don’t Bare Your Body
– Bare Your Soul
The Kabbalah of Intimacy,
Commitment, and Exploitation
Rabbi Laibl Wolf
Dean, Spiritgrow - The Josef Kryss
Center, Australia
Internationally acclaimed
lecturer, lawyer, and spiritual
teacher, Rabbi Laibl Wolf, of
Melbourne, Australia, is a
Tuesday, September 16
7:30pm
Join this best-selling author, lawyer and spiritual
mentor and discover an exciting systematic
approach to loving truly and finding your soulmate through the courage of commitment.
mending broken relationships
Mind/emotion balance lies at the very core of
personal success and of true intimacy. It also lies
at the heart of all inter-personal conduct. At this
session you will learn:
in family and business
• The difference between love and exploitation
settings. He has presented at
• How the ego plays tricks
celebrated personal counselling
& business consultant who
has had extensive success in
the American Psychological
Association Annual Convention;
• To look for the tell-tale signs of inadequacy
at the International Gawler
• How frightened men learn to commit
Foundation Mind/Body and
• How pliable women learn assertiveness
Wellness Conference, at the
Fortune 500 Convention,
• All is not fair in love and war
and others. He is founding
lecturer in Jewish Mysticism
and Spirituality at Melbourne
University (Australia).
Location: The Shul
Fee: $10
Contact: (414) 228-8000
Kabbalah
to Navigate
Your Inner
World
Soul Maps
A
s the “captain of your soul”, how can you ensure safe arrival at your port of
call? This course investigates Tanya, a fundamental text of Chassidic thought.
Its theme is how the average person may find self-actualization through
self-knowledge. Learn to understand and navigate your inner conflicts so you can live
more purposefully.
To learn more about this course or to enroll
on-line, visit www.myjli.com
TWO LOCATIONS:
b ay s i d e
Mequon
Wednesdays, 7:30pm
Tuesdays, 7:30pm
Instructor: Rabbi Shais Taub
Location: The Shul
Fee: $100
Contact: (414) 961-6100 ext. 309
Instructor: Rabbi Menachem Rapoport
Location: Peltz Center for Jewish Life - Mequon
Fee: $100
Contact: (262) 242-2235
Nov. 12 - Dec. 17
Nov. 11 - Dec. 16
visit us on-line
Rabbi Asher Crispe
Future
Trends
What Kabbalah Tells us
About Science & Technology
Tuesday, November 4
7:00pm
Rabbi Crispe the is the director of the Institute
for Jewish Thought & Culture. He is a warm and
engaging speaker whose talent is taking esoteric
and often inaccessible concepts of Kabbalah
and making them palpable and relevant to the
general public.
Location: The Peltz Center for Jewish Life
Contact: (262) 242-2235 ext. 204
19 Kislev:
Chasidic New Year
Sunday, December 14
10:00am –11:45am
Brunch Buffet
This date marks the anniversary of the
liberation of R’ Schneur Zalman of Liadi in
1798.
Join us as we celebrate the life and the
message of this great spiritual teacher and
his magnum opus, The Book of Tanya.
Our very own Rabbi Shais Taub, author of
the JLI course Soul Maps, will be presenting
an overview of the practical, mystical system
presented in Tanya.
Location: The Shul
Fee: $12/person
$100/sponsor
Contact: (414) 228-8000
visit us on-line
Highlights
of Adult Jewish Education in Wisconsin
Taste of Yeshiva
Taste of Yeshiva Brings Intensive Torah Study
to Milwaukee Adults
How often does a regular, hardworking adult get to attend a
Torah class? One hour a week? Two hours a week? Anymore
than that may be pushing it.
mark the 17th of Tammuz (July 20), the historical date of the
breech of the walls of Jerusalem which led to the Temple’s
destruction by the Romans in 69 CE.
Capping off the two weeks was a lecture by Rabbi Aaron
Gancz, dean of the Rabbinical Academy of America in
Morristown, New Jersey, who spoke on the topic “A Love for
Learning: Passionate Torah Study.”
This past summer, over fifty adults from all
over Milwaukee committed to the closest
thing to a real yeshiva experience you can
get without quitting your job and moving
into the yeshiva dormitory — twelve and
a half hours of organized Torah study a
week!
For two weeks (July 13 - 24) students
converged upon The Shul in Bayside each
weeknight for two and a half hours of
intensive yeshiva-style learning. Each
evening, students could pick from a variety
of classes whose subjects ranged from
Jewish law to mysticism and from Bible
study to philosophy.
Above:
Rabbi Zalman Simon, one
of the yeshiva students who
helped run Taste of Yeshiva,
gives a “Virtual Tour” of the
Holy Temple in Jerusalem.
On hand to facilitate and lead classes were
post-rabbinic students, Zalmy Simon from
Albany, NY, Zalman Deren from Pittsburgh,
PA, Tzvi Altein from Winnipeg, Canada, and
Milwaukee native, Yudi Shmotkin.
Bottom:
Rabbi Aaron Ganz speaks on
“A Passion for Torah Study”
This year’s “Taste of Yeshiva” marked the
third consecutive year of the program.
Highlights included a special “Temple
Tour,” a multi-media presentation which
simulated a walk-through of the Holy
Temple in Jerusalem which was held to
“Soul Maps”
Jewish mysticism, its approbations make clear that Tanya is
first and foremost a book of advice in the practical service of
G-d. This is the point which Taub has sought to bring out in
his course. “Tanya is not a book that you read,” said Taub, “It’s
a book that you do.”
The Jewish Learning Institute, the world’s largest Jewish adult
education network with over 300 affiliate branches in 16
countries, is known for its innovative and highly professional
academic curricula. Each year the JLI features three 6-week
courses on subjects covering the gamut of Jewish studies.
The conclusion of the course, which will be taught in two
Milwaukee locations, Tuesdays in Mequon and Wednesdays
in Bayside (see p. 9), coincides with the week of 19 Kislev,
the anniversary of Rabbi Schneur Zalman’s liberation from
prison after having been acquitted of libelous charges of
treason against the Czar. Upon his release, the rabbi went on
to further disseminate his teachings in a manner of openness
unprecedented in the history of Jewish mysticism thus
establishing the date of his release as a watershed event in
the proliferation of mystical thought which continues to be
observed by Jews the world over as a day of celebration of
his teachings.
Fall JLI to Showcase Milwaukee Rabbi’s
Curriculum
This Fall’s course, Soul Maps: Navigating Your Inner World,
was devised by our own Rabbi Shais Taub. Taub, a recognized
world authority on the 18th century mystical Chasidic text,
The Tanya, wrote the course to introduce novices to the
intricacies of the book.
“This is the first Jewish self-help book,” said Taub, adding, “If
a book can change your life, this is the book. But it’s so dense
with information that unless someone breaks it down for
you, it can be overwhelming. The point of the JLI course this
Fall will be to give everybody a chance to discover Tanya and
immediately apply it directly to their own quest for personal
growth.”
Tanya was written by the first Rebbe of Chabad, Rabbi
Schneur Zalman of Liadi (1745 - 1812). Unlike other early
Chasidic works, this book is not a collection of sermons or
stories, but rather a systematic exposition of step-by-step
personal spiritual growth and fulfillment. Although many
view the Tanya as a work of explanation on Kabbalah or
Sunday, Dec. 14, 2008, students of the Soul Maps course
along with the entire Jewish community of Milwaukee will be
joining for a celebration of 19 Kislev (see p. 11) Participants
will study Rabbi Schneur Zalman’s teachings, hear stories of
his life and honor the graduating students of the Soul Maps
course. Also, Taub will present his one-hour overview of
Tanya, a “bird’s eye view of the book” as he calls it.
For more information or to enroll in the course, go to
www.myjli.com or call the Institute for Jewish Literacy at
(414) 961-6100 ext. 309.
Scenes from last semester’s JLI class, “You Be the Judge.”
visit us on-line
T orah T ho u ghts
What is the
From the Writings of Maimonides
Mitzvah
Hakhel?
Insights
into the
Year of
Gathering
from the teachings of the Rebbe, obm
Si na i Re visit e d
The Children of Israel who stood at the foot
of Mount Sinai saw the sounds of the mighty
thunder. A man can hear something and yet remain
aloof from it, because the sense of hearing is more
abstract and indirect; to see something is to know it
and experience it as an immediate reality. At Mount
Sinai the people saw the sounds: they experienced the
truth of “I am G-d your G-d” as a personal reality.
At the seven-yearly gathering of Hakhel, the
generations who had not physically experienced Sinai
were now enabled to see Divinity, and this empowered
them to obey all the words of the Torah. Instead
of merely recalling their presence at Sinai from
an academic distance, the Jews who assembled in
Jerusalem and relived it were able to truthfully regard
themselves as once again receiving the Torah from the
mouth of G-d.
•
Continued on page 19
14 of
o n - l i n e torah st u d y
It is a positive commandment to assemble the entire
Jewish people, men, women, and children, after the close
of every Shemitah year, when they have gone up [to
Jerusalem] to make the pilgrimage, and in their hearing
to read passages from the Torah that will vitalize their
observance of the commandments and fortify them in the
true religion. As it is written (Deuteronomy 31:10-12):
“At the end of every seven years, at the appointed time
of the Shemitah year, in the festival of Sukkos, when all
Israel have come to appear [before the L-rd your G-d in
the place which He shall choose, you shall read this Torah
before all of Israel and in their hearing]. Assemble the
people, the men and the women and the little ones, and
your stranger who is within your gates...” When did they
read? At the close of the first festive day of the Festival of
Sukkos, which is the beginning of the intermediate, semifestive days of the festival, in the eighth year.
It is the king who reads in their hearing; and the reading
took place in the Court of the Women.... How does he
read? Trumpets are sounded throughout Jerusalem to
assemble the people and a large dais of wood is brought
and set up in the middle of the Court of the Women. The
king ascends and sits there so that they may hear his
reading… This mitzvah was observed only while the
Temple stood and “the Jewish people dwelled upon
their land.” With the Destruction and the exile, it fell into
disuse…
As for those who are not learned in Torah, they must ready
their hearts and alert their ears to listen with awe and
with trembling joy, as on the day that [the Torah] was
given on Sinai. Even great scholars who know the entire
Torah must listen with the utmost devout attention....
•
o n - go i n g c lass e s
On-Going Classes meet regularly for a full semester
or more. “Rolling enrollment” allows students to join
these classes at any point in the semester.
All classes are one hour unless otherwise indicated.
Kabbalah and Mysticism
16
Jewish mysticism, spirituality and meditation.
Law and Ethics
21
Legal aspects of the Torah as expounded in
the recorded texts of the oral tradition
including Mishnah, Talmud, ancient and
modern responsa and other sources.
Biblical Studies
25
Examine the canon of Jewish Scripture
(Tanach). Everything from studies on the
weekly Torah portion to the writings of the
Prophets.
26
Wide range of topics such as Jewish history,
contemporary social issues and basic Jewish
observance and traditions.
NEW!
Classes for Hebrew Speakers
27
Languages
29
Offerings which teach or explore the
significance of Jewish languages from
classical Hebrew liturgical reading to
conversational Yiddish.
visit us on-line
O n - go i n g c lass e s : Kabbalah and Mysticism
K a b b a l a h a n d M ys t i c i s m
Classes on Jewish mysticism,
spirituality and meditation.
Discourses of the Rebbe
Text based study of the Rebbe’s ma’amorim,
Chasidic discourses on themes of mysticism
and spiritual development.
Date: M
on – Fri 6:30 – 7:00 am;
Sun 8:00 – 8:30 am
Instructor: Rabbi Yisroel Shmotkin
Location: Lubavitch House
Fee: $18 per semester
Contact: (414) 961-6100 ext. 310
Mystical Themes of the Bible
Spiritual perspectives on the weekly Torah
reading based on the teachings of the great
Chasidic masters.
Date: Sat 9:00 am
Instructor: Rabbi Yonah Matusof
Location: Chabad of Madison
Contact: (608) 231-3450
Kabbalah
The inner mystical secrets of the Torah.
Date: Tue 7:00 – 8:30 pm
Instructor: Rabbi Yoseph Samuels
Location: 2415 W. Mequon Rd., Mequon
Fee: No Charge
Contact: (414) 841-6464
Biblical Personalities
Learn how the stories of Biblical
personalities can teach us about the inner
workings of the soul.
Date: Thurs 8:30 am
Instructor: Rabbi Mendel Shmotkin
Location: The Shul
Contact: (414) 961-6100 ext. 301
The Chassidic Approach
A mystical look at the weekly Torah reading as
explained by the Chassidic masters.
Date: Sat 8:50 – 9:30 am
Instructor: Rabbi Moshe Rapoport
Location: Peltz Center for Jewish Life - Mequon
Fee: $18
Contact: (262) 242-2235
Mystical Rhapsody
This class meets two Wednesdays each month
for a lively discussion of various classic and
contemporary Jewish texts. Call for dates.
Date: Wed, Bi-Weekly, 8:00 pm
Location: 2710 N. Shepard Ave., Milwaukee
Fee: No Charge
Contact: Liz Crawford (414) 687-0400
The Rebbe’s Farbrengens
Study transcripts of the Rebbe’s public addresses.
Date: Sat, 5:30pm
Fee: No Charge
Contact: (414) 841-6464
visit us on-line
Studies in Tanya
Tanya, the magnum opus of the
first Rebbe of Chabad, Rabbi Shneur
Zalman of Liadi (1745-1812), sets
forth a comprehensive system for
mastering the soul-body relationship
and actualizing one’s true spiritual
potential.
The Longer Shorter Way
Tanya study class in Russian.
Men’s Tanya Class
An introduction to the ideas and
structure of the book of Tanya.
Date: Tue 6:00 pm
Instructor: Rabbi Yaakov Elman
Contact: (414) 213-8023
Date: Wed 9:00 pm
Location: 3211 N. Summit Ave.
Contact: (414) 961-6100 ext. 309
The World of Tanya
A survey of the themes and ideas of
Tanya. Open to men and women.
Women’s Tanya Class
An introduction to the ideas and
structure of the book of Tanya.
Date: Thu, 7:30pm
Location: The Shul
Fee: $18
Contact: (414) 961-6100 ext. 309
Time: 10:00 am
Date & Locations:
Sun, Lubavitch House
Tue, Mequon
Thurs, The Shul
Contact: (414) 961-6100 ext. 309
Advanced Tanya
Line-by-line, text-based study for those
with a background in the key themes
and ideas of Tanya. Hebrew reading
required.
NOTE: These three classes on Tanya
do not cover the same material or go at
the same pace. Call for information on
which class is best for you.
Date: Sun 7:30 am
Contact: (414) 961-6100 ext. 309
T orah T ho u ghts
T he H ak h e l Y e ar
F o llow s t h e S h e mitah
Y ear
Je wi sh Un ity
In addition, this massive assembly of all the Jewish
people — men, women and children — fused
them into one united community. And one
prominent factor that unified them was the fact
that Hakhel inspired an awe of G-d.
As far as the knowledge and comprehension of
the Torah are concerned, there are Jews of all
levels. When we speak of awe, however, all Jews are
on the same humble level. Awe brings about selfnullification: as people of different levels become
increasingly aware of the awesome presence of
G-d, they become less preoccupied with their own
individual worth and relative status.
This was the degree of awe that the revelation
of Divinity at Sinai engendered. Echoing this
experience, the goal of the Hakhel assembly was
not so much to increase knowledge as to nurture
the awe and fear of Heaven. And, just as at Sinai,
this awe dwarfed the people’s preoccupations with
their individual differences and relative worth, and
brought together all levels and all types of Jews.
•
It now becomes obvious why the Hakhel assembly
always followed the year of Shemitah. During
Shemitah, which was a Shabbos year — a year of
rest — all agricultural work was suspended. In
this way the fallow year proclaimed G-d’s sole
sovereignty over all existence — man rested,
the earth rested, and the produce of the earth
was ownerless. This relinquishment of mortal
self-assertion in the Shemitah year expressed the
people’s awe of G-d, as a foretaste of the awe
which they were soon to experience at the Hakhel
assembly.
During the year of Shemitah the people could
devote themselves to spiritual pursuits. Even field
workers, when given the opportunity to be free
during Shemitah, “will be awakened to seek G-d.” And indeed, the Shemitah year enabled the people
at large to devote increased time and attention to
their Divine service, whether through Torah study,
through prayer, or through the observance of the
commandments. And the upgraded closeness
to G-d, which they now shared with all their
contemporaries, in turn intensified their sense of
unity as His people.
The Shemitah year thus served as a fitting
preparation for the awe and unity which the mass
pilgrimage of Hakhel aroused.
•
Continued on page 20
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H akhel in ou r T ime s
The eternity of the Torah leaps over the bounds of
time and place.
Chasidus explains that every mitzvah exists at
three levels — thought, speech and action. Thus,
when a particular mitzvah cannot be carried out
physically in action, it may still be fulfilled in
the dimension of speech or thought. Our daily
prayers, for example, were instituted to substitute
for the sacrifices, for prayer, which the Sages term
“the service of the heart,” is a corresponding form
of Divine service, except that it is fulfilled in speech
and thought.
Though the historic Hakhel was observed on one
day in the holiday of Sukkos, the concept applies
throughout the year, and the entire year is known as
the Hakhel year.
True, the physical observance of Hakhel is
suspended for the duration of the present exile, but
its spiritual content applies at all times and at all
places.
Since the purpose of Hakhel is not the assembly in
itself, but rather the heightened awe of G-d that
results from it thereafter, the whole of that year is
permeated with the spirit of Hakhel.
T he H ak h e l Y e ar
•
Moreover, whereas all the commandments are
comprised of the revealed and the hidden, only the
physical aspect of the mitzvah is usually revealed,
while its inner meaning remains esoteric. Hakhel
however, is explicitly intended to arouse an awe
of G-d — and awe knows no bounds of time or
place. •
20 Continued on page 22
O n - go i n g c lass e s : Law and Ethics
L aw a n d E t h i c s
Talmudic Studies
Business, marriage, holiday observance,
civil law, ethics, philosophy and the
gamut of human experience as understood
through the sayings of the Sages recorded
throughout the thousands of pages of oral
tradition recorded in the Talmud.
Weekday Mornings
Date: Mon, Thu 6:00 – 6:30 am
Fee: No Charge
Contact: (414) 841-6464
Weekday Evenings
Date: Sun-Thu 8:30 – 9:15 pm
Instructor: Rabbi Mordechai Spalter
Location: 2917 Chestnut Ave., Mequon
Contact: (262) 242-2235
Beginners Talmud
Text based Talmud study for beginners.
Date: Wed 7:30 pm
Location: Th
e Shul
Contact: (414) 961-6100 ext. 309
The Department of Law and Ethics
provides classes on the legal aspects of
the Torah as expounded in the recorded
texts of the oral tradition including
Mishnah, Talmud, ancient and modern
responsa and other sources.
Shulchan Aruch
In-depth study of the halachic rulings of
the Shulchan Aruch HaRav.
Date: Tue 6:15 – 6:30 am
Instructor: Rabbi Mordechai Spalter
Location: Peltz Center for Jewish Life Mequon
Contact: (262) 242-2235
Practical Halacha
Practical applications of Jewish law for day
to day observance.
Date: Wed 7:15 pm
Contact: (262) 242-2235
Hardcore, Yeshiva-Style Gemorah
If you want to know how to learn
gemorah, this class for serious beginners
will plunge you straight into the sea of
Talmud. Basic Hebrew reading skills
required.
Date: Tue 9:00 pm
Location: Th
e Shul East
Contact: (414) 961-6100 ext. 309
visit us on-line
A C all to Ac ti o n
The opportunity beckons for everyone to be
involved in the spiritual mitzvah of Hakhel at
all times, in all places. Today, too, every Jew is
obligated to disseminate Yiddishkeit by gathering
together fellow Jews and teaching them Torah and
the awe of G-d. And this must of course be done
in a spirit of true ahavas Yisrael and Jewish unity.
Such initiatives are most appropriate in the year
of Hakhel, when the potential for their success is
great, because at this time we are granted additional
powers from Above. The spiritual dynamics of
the days of old are then not only recalled in their
season; they are also brought into being.
Active involvement in Hakhel in our times is not
merely a matter of remembrance — and for this
reason we find that the Jewish leaders of past
generations did not organize Hakhel gatherings
after Shemitah. Rather, we are speaking of the
intrinsic, spiritual spark of Hakhel, which today,
too, must be fanned in the spiritual sanctuary
within every Jew.
Experience has shown that people are enthusiastic
when they are told how in Temple times the
coming year would be a Hakhel year. Furthermore,
in the spiritual sense one can fulfill the mitzvah
now, too, by attending a Hakhel gathering which
will encourage its participants to stand in awe of
their Maker and which will foster Jewish unity.
T he H ak h e l P l an
At opportune times and on auspicious days, such
as Shabbos and festivals, assemblies should be
convened in an atmosphere of sanctity to motivate
Jewish unity and the awe of Heaven, by means of
collective endeavors in Torah study, charity and
prayer.
Every individual who fits the role of “king” in
his/her sphere of influence — a spiritual leader,
educator, parent, and so on — and in fact anyone
who can generate a positive reaction in his fellow
Jews, whether relatives or friends, should utilize
such opportunities to foster the goals of Hakhel.
At such gatherings Torah should be taught with
diligence and sincerity, so that it will leave a lasting
impression on people’s daily lives from this Hakhel
year to the next. An appropriate time to initiate
these joyous gatherings would be the festival of
Sukkos, the Season of our Rejoicing, and they
could then be continued at least once a month
throughout the year of Hakhel.
•
•
O n a Co mmu nal Le v e l
H armon izing t h e Vo i ce s
Wit hin
Just as individual Jews can be brought together to
form cohesive communities, every individual can
organize his own personal Hakhel — by marshaling
and harmonizing all the diverse faculties within his
own spiritual personality. He can gather together
the man, woman and child within himself and
instill in them the fear of G-d. An individual’s
leadership qualities, his housekeeping instincts, his
receptivity, his ability to learn from others — all
these inner thrusts can be mobilized and directed
toward the goals of Hakhel.
In this way the ideal of Hakhel can direct a man
to bring his microcosm in touch with its intrinsic
sanctity, recharging his determination to heed the
words of the King, the Holy One, blessed be He.
•
The goal of Hakhel imposes a weighty responsibility
on Jewish communal organizations. For the
true role of every Jewish organization is to bring
together individuals who share some common
outlook. Thus, bodies serving G-d-fearing Jews
should seek ways of encouraging the shared
endeavors of their members or students in the
observance of Torah and mitzvos. Reciprocally,
encouragement of this nature will of course
upgrade the sense of responsibility that members
will develop towards their organization.
Every Jewish congregation, association, federation
and institution — and certainly every yeshivah,
cheder, Talmud Torah, kindergarten, and every other
educational framework — would be well advised
to lead the way in the Hakhel project proposed
above. Gathering together from time to time —
say, once a month — to study Torah, give tzedakah
and pray in unison will also enable them to reach
out to parents, relatives, friends and acquaintances,
and include them all in activities which will foster
the awe of G-d, and Jewish unity.
In addition, teachers may seek to encourage their
students to organize themselves into groups for
the periodic study of particular areas of Torah
literature.
•
visit us on-line
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of thousands of classical and
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Classic Jewish Texts
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Philosophy
Contemporary Jewish Thought
Parenting
Relationships
Health
Life Cycles
Holidays
Biblical Personalities
Weekly Parshah
O n - go i n g c lass e s : Biblical Studies
The Weekly Torah
Reading
Studies on the Parshah
These classes examine the text of the weekly
Torah portion with discussion based on
various Biblical commentaries.
Date: Mon 7:00 pm
Instructor: Rabbi Betzalel Wilschansky
Location: Chabad of Kenosha
Fee: No Charge
Contact: (262) 359-0770
Date: Tue 7:00 pm
Instructor: Rabbi Yonah Matusof
Location: Chabad of Madison
Contact: (608) 231-3450
Date: Fri at sunset
Instructor: Rabbi Yaakov Elman
Location: Jewish REACH
Fee: No Charge
Contact: (414) 213-8023
Chabad on Campus
Falafel served while studying the weekly
Torah reading.
Date: Thu 12:00 Noon
Location: Red Gym (University Building)
Instructor: Rabbi Mendel Matusof
Fee: No Charge
Contact: (608) 231-3450
Date: Fri 1:30 – 2:00 pm
Location: The Jewish Home,
1400 N. Prospect Ave., Milwaukee
Fee: No Charge
Contact: (414) 841-6464
Date: Tue 12:00 pm
Location: Chabad of Downtown
Fee: No Charge
Contact: (414) 841-6464
Date: Sun 8:30 pm
Instructor: Rebbetzin Rivkie Spalter
Contact: (262) 242-2235
Bi b l i c a l S t u d i e s
Biblical Studies classes examine the canon of
Jewish Scripture (Tanach). Everything from
studies on the weekly Torah portion to the
writings of the Prophets
Date: Sat 1:30pm
Instructor: Rabbi Shmaya Shmotkin
Location: The Shul
Fee: No Charge
Contact: (414) 228-8000
The Genesis Series
In-depth discussion of the book
of Genesis based on classic and
contemporary commentaries. Highlights
from the coming semester include G‑d’s
covenant with Abraham and the births of
Isaac and Ishmael.
Date: Wed 1:00 pm
Location: Café Osher, 333 W Brown
Deer Rd
Contact: (414) 961-6100 ext. 309
The Prophets
Study of the writings of the prophets
from Tanach.
Date: Tue 1:00 pm
Location: 5000 W. National Ave., Room
8239, Milwaukee
Fee: No Charge
Contact: (414) 841-6464
Bible Study
Study of the Five Books of Moses.
Date: Sat 8:30 – 9:30 am
Location: 2830 N. Prospect Ave.
Fee: No Charge
Contact: (414) 841-6464
25
O n - go i n g c lass e s : General Judaic Studies
Jewish Parenting Class
The class will focus on using the wisdom
of the Torah and Judaism to help parents
cope with the challenges of child-rearing
in today’s modern world. The class will
also use the book The Blessing of a
Skinned Knee: Using Jewish Teachings to
Raise Self-Reliant Children by Dr. Wendy
Mogel as a guide.
Date: 8:20am or 7:00pm, last Wednesday
of each month
Instructor: B. Devorah Shmotkin
Location: Jewish Beginnings
Fee: No Charge
Contact: (414) 962-2444
The Living Torah Video Series
Twenty minute video presentation of the
public addresses of the Rebbe, O.B.M.,
relating to the holidays or Torah portion
of the week.
Date: Sat (after sundown)
Location: The Shul East
Contact: (414) 961-6100 ext. 309
And
Date: Wed 8:15 pm
Location: Peltz Center for Jewish Life
– Mequon
Contact: (262) 242-2235
Judaism 101
A discussion of basic concepts and
practices of Jewish life.
Date: Wed 12:45 pm
Instructor: Rebbetzin Rivkie Spalter
Contact: (262) 242-2235
This department provides classes on
a wide range of topics such as Jewish
history, contemporary social issues and
basic Jewish observance and traditions.
The Wisdom of the Torah and
Life Issues
A discussion of the Torah’s view on real
life dilemmas.
Date: Wed 7:30 – 9:00 pm
Location: 11003 N. Wyngate Ter.,
Mequon
Contact: (414) 841-6464
The Holy Temple
Study of the Holy Temple that stood in
Jerusalem, its functions and importance
to Jewish life.
Date: Mon 7:00 pm
Contact: (262) 242-2235
Beyond Belief
A deeper look into Maimonides’ Thirteen
Principles of Faith.
Date: Tue 7:00pm
Instructor: Rabbi Mendel Matusof
Location: Chabad on Campus
Fee: No Charge
Contact: (608) 231-3450
Men’s Tefillin Wrap
Get together once a month for a bagle
and lox breakfast and a meaningful
discussion about tefillin. Bring your own
tefillin to wrap or we’ll supply you with
some.
Date: Sun, Monthly 9:30am
Contact: (262) 359-0770
O n - go i n g c lass e s : General Judaic Studies
Beginning Judaism
Introduction to Jewish thought and
practice for beginning students.
Date: Wed 9:30-10:00 am
Instructor: Rabbi Dovid Rapoport
Contact: (262) 242-2235
Basic Judaism
Survey of basic ideas in Jewish belief and
practice.
Date: Sun 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Instructor: Rabbi Menachem Rapoport
- Mequon
Contact: (262) 242-2235
NEW!
Toward a Meaningful Life
Discussion of the book, Toward a
Meaningful Life, provides a springboard
for discussion of pertinent issues.
Date: Mon 8:00pm
Location: The Shul
Contact: (414) 228-8000
Women’s Book Club
Discussion of books of particular interest
to Jewish women.
Date: T
ue 10:30am – 12:00pm
(2nd and 4th Tue of every month)
Location: The Shul
Contact: R
aizel Schectman
(414) 962-3521
Chabad of Kenosha Women’s Circle
Date: Tue, Monthly 7:00pm
Fee: $6 per class
Contact: (262) 359-0770
Classes for Hebrew Speakers
‫שיעור בתלמוד‬
‫בסוד הפרשה‬
‫צלילה לעומקן של סוגיות התלמוד‬
‫בבלי העוסקות בהלכה ואגדה‬
‫מבט אקטואלי לפרשת השבוע בראי‬
‫ מתוך משנתו של הרבי‬,‫החסידות‬
‫ השופכת אור חדש על‬,‫מליובאוויטש‬
‫הפרשה ומלמדת אותנו כיצד לחיות‬
‫יום‬-‫עם התורה ביום‬
‫ בערב‬7:00 ‫ יום שני‬:‫תאריך‬
‫ הרב מני סודקביץ‬:‫מוסר השיעור‬
Contact: 414-375-0643
‫ בערב‬7:00 ‫ יום רביעי‬:‫תאריך‬
‫ הרב מני סודקביץ‬:‫מוסר השיעור‬
Contact: 414-375-0643
visit us on-line
Donate a Dream
Your old car may
be history, but it
could be a young
person’s future.
Just donate that old car you wanted
to get rid of, running or not, and we’ll
pick it up in 24 hours and hand you a
tax-deductible receipt for a substantial
tax break. (Sometimes that means
getting more than you can by selling it
or trading it in.)
Choose a Dream:
Lubavitch House • Jewish Beginnings
Lubavitch Preschool • Milwaukee
Community Cheder • Camp Gan Israel
• The Ohr Menachem Living Legacy
It’s easy and convenient. But the main
thing is that you’ll be donating a dream.
• Teen Discovery and Leadership
Your dream donation can send a
child to a Jewish nursery school or
to summer camp. Or help ten adults
study Torah. Or sponsor a teen-age girl
for Bat-Mitzvah Club. Or get a child
a scholarship. You decide which one.
That old car can do a lot of good.
Teen Camps • Camp K’ton Ton • Chabad
So remember, it may be your old car,
but it could be someone else’s dream
come true.
Library • Youth Zone • Bat Mitzvah Club
D o n at e A D r e a m .
Teen Center • Mequon Torah Center •
Institute • The Friendship Circle • CGI
of Downtown • Chabad House at UWMadison • Institute for Jewish Literacy
• Jewish REACH • The Shul • The Shul
East • The Women’s Circle • Mikvah
Chaya Mushka • Torahs Menachem
• Peltz Center for Jewish Life • Mequon
Jewish Preschool • Mequon Jewish
Agudas Achim Chabad • Mikvah Mei
(414) 961-6100 x320
donateadream@milwaukeechabad.com
Menachem • Pelz Hebrew School •
Call us. We’ll do the rest.
Biyachad • Lipskier Judaic Library
Mequon Outreach Center • Women
O n - go i n g c lass e s : Languages
L a n g uag e s
In this department you will find offerings which
teach or explore the significance of Jewish
languages from classical Hebrew liturgical
reading to conversational Yiddish.
Basic Hebrew Reading
A beginners class in Hebrew phonetic
reading.
Date: Tue 2:00 pm
Contact: (414) 961-6100 ext. 309
Conversational Yiddish for Beginners
Basic conversational Yiddish made fun and
easy.
Date:
Contact: (414) 961-6100 ext. 309
Date: Wed 10:00 am
Instructor: Rabbi Dovid Rapoport
- Mequon
Contact: (262) 242-2235
visit us on-line
W e e kl y c lass s c h e d u l e
s Practical Halacha, 7:15pm, Mequon
Sunday
s Beginners Talmud, 7:30pm, The Shul
s The Wisdom of the Torah & Life Issues, 7:30pm, Mequon
s Advanced Tanya, 7:30am, Lubavitch House
s Mystical Rhapsody, 8:00pm, Milwaukee
s Tanya Basics, 7:45 – 8:15am, The Shul
s The Living Torah Video Series, 8:15 pm, Mequon
s Men’s Tefillin Wrap,9:30am, Kenosha (monthly)
s Talmud Evenings, 8:30 – 9:15pm, Mequon
s Women’s Tanya Class, 10:00am, Lubavitch House
s Talmud,
s Men’s Tanya Class, 9:00pm, Milwaukee
8:30 – 9:15pm, Mequon
thursday
Monday
s Talmud Morning, 6:00 – 6:30 am, Lubavitch House
s The Holy Temple, 7:00pm, Mequon
s Biblical Personalities, 8:10 am TBA
s Parshah, 7:00pm, Kenosha
s Women’s Tanya Class, 10:00am, The Shul
s Toward a Meaningful Life, 8:00pm, The Shul
s Parshah, 12:00 Noon, UW
s Conversational Yiddish for Beginners, 2:00pm, Lubav. House
Tuesday
Friday
s Shulchan Aruch, 6:15 – 6:30am, Mequon
s Parshah, Fri 1:30 – 2:00 pm, Mequon
s Women’s Tanya Class, 10:00am, Mequon
s Women’s Book Club, 10:30am (2nd & 4th Tue monthly),The Shul
s Parshah, 12:00 pm, Chabad of Downtown
s The Prophets,1:00pm, Milwaukee
s Basic Hebrew Reading, 2:00pm, Lubavitch House
s The Longer Shorter Way, 6:00pm, Lubavitch House
s Beyond Belief, 7:30 pm, UW
s Parshah, 7:00pm, Chabad of Madison
s Kabbalah, 7:00 – 8:30pm, Mequon
s Kenosha's Jewish Women's Circle, 7:00pm (monthly)
s Parshah, At sunset, Jewish REACH
Saturday
s Bible Study, 8:30 – 9:30am, 2830 N. Prospect Ave.
s The Chassidic Approach, 8:50am,
s Mystical Themes of the Bible,
9:00am, Madison
s Parshah, 1:30 pm, The Shul
s The Rebbe’s Farbrengens, 5:30pm,
s Hardcore, Yeshiva-Style Gemorah, 9:00pm, Shul East
s Kabbalah and Mysticism
s Jewish Parenting, 8:20 am or 7:00pm, last Wed. of the
month, Jewish Beginnings
s Law and Ethics
s Biblical Studies
s Beginning Judaism, 9:30-10:00 am, Mequon
s General Judaic Studies
s Judaism 101, 12:45 pm, Mequon
s Languages
s The Genesis Series, 1:00pm,
30 Café Osher
Milwaukee
s The Living Torah Video Series, after sundown, Shul East
Wednesday
Mequon
s p e c i al c o u rs e s & e v e n ts c al e n dar
September
December
16 Rabbi Dr. Laibl Wolf – Bayside, 7:30 pm
2 JLI: Soul Maps – Mequon, 7:30 pm
3 JLI: Soul Maps – Milwaukee, 7:30 pm
14 19th of Kislev, Brunch and Lecture – Bayside, 10:00am
16JLI: Soul Maps – Mequon, 7:30 pm
November
4 Rabbi Asher Crispe – Mequon, 7:00 pm
The Dayy Of JJudgment
g
InANon-Judgmental
R
THE SHUL-EAST 3109 N. Lake Drive - Milwaukee
(414) 961-6100, ext. 309
THE SHUL 383 W. Brown Deer Rd. - Bayside
(414) 228-8000
Chabad of Madison 1722 Regent - Madison
(608) 231-3450
Agudas Achim Chabad 2233 West Mequon Rd
Mequon • (262) 242-2235
Bnai Zedek Chabad Kenosha
For info on locations contact 262-359-0770
Madison – Chabad on Campus
223 West Gilman , Madison • 608-257-1757
Chabad of the Dells Ohr Yehudah – Chabad
For info call: (608) 231-3450
visit us on-line
The Spice House
1031 N. Old World Third Street
Milwaukee
Institute for Jewish Literacy
3109 N. Lake Drive
Milwaukee, WI 53211
*OTUJUVUFGPS+FXJTI-JUFSBDZ
A Division of
The Spice House will give 18% of all your
purchases to Lubavitch Institute for Jewish
Literacy. To qualify your purchase, you must say
that the purchase is part of the Lubavitch Adult
Education program. You may make purchases in
person, by phone, 414-272-0977,
888-488-0977 or by fax, 414-272-1271 only
at the Milwaukee store, which is certified by
Kosher Supervisors of Wisconsin, LLC.
Please call or fax to receive our free catalog that
lists approximately 330 kosher spices, herbs,
blends, baking extracts and more. Delivery is by
UPS. Rates may be quoted over the phone or are
available in our catalog.
Non Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Milwaukee, WI
Permit No. 2432

FALL `08 - Chabad-Lubavitch of Wisconsin

Transcription

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