Message From The Rabbi

 
A famous question is asked by the commentaries concerning the Yom Tov of Succos.  If the Jewish people left Mitzrayim in the month of Nisan, why then do we celebrate Succos in Tishrei?  Succos commemorates the time when Bnei Yisroel were enveloped and protected by the Clouds of Glory, ???? ????? .  The exodus from Mitzrayim took place in Nisan and at that time we entered the desert and were granted the ???? ????? .  Would it not then be more appropriate to celebrate Succos in Nisan?

 

The Vilna Gaon ??''? explains that the ???? ????? had disappeared due to the

??? ???? , the sin of the Golden Calf.  On Yom Kippur we were forgiven for that sin and the next few days were spent amassing funds necessary for the construction of the Mishkan.  On the 15th of  Tishrei the construction began and the ???? ????? returned.  When we celebrate Succos, says the Vilna Gaon, we are commemorating the time when the ???? ????? were returned to us, which was a sign that Hashem is once again willing to dwell amongst us.

 

This time of year is therefore very appropriate to plan for the construction of a ???? ??? , a Bais Haknesses and Bais Hamedrash that will ???????''? be a place for ????? ?????? , a place for the Divine Presence, as was the Mishkan.

 

Recently, our Shul mailed to each of our members a dinner invitation and brochure which offers a brief overview of the Shul’s proposed expansion along with dedication opportunities.  Our Shul is ?''? experiencing growth in many vital areas. Shul membership, minyan attendance in the morning and evening, Shul programs for youth, learning programs, etc.  However, we find that our facilities are inadequate to properly service our members. The Bais Hamedrash is often crowded, there is an insufficient number of rooms during the week and on Shabbos morning to house the various Shul programs, the Hornfeldt Social Hall is too small for Shabbos morning Kiddush, the Ezras Nashim requires more seating and the list continues.

 

Moshe Rabeinu instructed Betzalel and Ahaliav to build the Mishkan. Upon its completion, they tried to erect it but were unable to accomplish this task. They brought the parts of the Mishkan to Moshe and expressed to him their concern.

 

The Medrash comments, the Divine Presence rested upon Moshe and he erected the Mishkan, as the posuk relates, ???? ??? ?? ????? .  However, the Medrash continues to explain that in fact Moshe did not erect the Mishkan himself, rather it was miraculously erected on its own, ?????? ???? ?? ???? ???? ????? ????? ???? ????? ????? ???? ????? .

 
The question is posed: Why was it unnecessary for Betzalel and Ahaliav to construct the Mishkan and then have it erected by itself though a miracle?  If Hashem wanted them to construct it, why could they not erect it as well?  And if Hashem wanted the Mishkan to be created through a miracle, why was it necessary for Betzalel and Ahaliav to go through the effort of working on it?

 

The commentaries explain, Hashem wanted to teach us the proper approach to building a Bais Hamikdash and any ???? ??? thereafter.  One may not entirely rely on a divine miracle, that Hashem will make it happen on His own.  Rather we must extend ourselves, investing the time, energy, funds and other necessary ingredients to create the formula that will lead to the construction and erection of the ???? ??? .
However, at the same time we recognize that the ultimate creation of such an edifice, a home for Hashem to dwell and rest his Divine Presence, is not entirely within our reach.  We must merit the ?????? ????? , the assistance of Hashem in order to create it.  We are fully reliant on Hashem, for it is only with His divine input that we can be blessed with success in our endeavours, even those of spiritual nature.

 

Rabeinu Bachya in his classical sefer ?? ???? writes, ???? ?? ??? ????? ???? ????? ??? ????? ??? ?? ???? ???? ??? , the power of a Shul is great for it is considered a sample of the Bais Hamikdash, a miniature sanctuary,?? ????? ???? ??? ???? ????? ?? ??? ???? ????? ??? ???? ??? ?? ???? ???? ,  if one builds a wall of a Shul or is involved in any part of its construction, he/she has acquired great merit.

 

Our Shul is well known throughout our community for its diversity, warmth and hospitality.  This is a tribute to our members, who create this atmosphere which allows people to feel at home in our Shul.  The objective of this expansion is to make our Shul more spacious, in order to accommodate the needs of our members, while preserving its wonderful qualities and reputation.

 

Building a Shul is not limited to physical construction.  Long after the edifice is completed, much time and effort must be expended in order for it to be true ???? ??? , a place of vibrant Torah learning, tefilah, and chessed.

 

We are standing at the threshold of a momentous time in the glorious history of Shomrai Shabbos Chevrah Mishnayos.  The dream of our expansion is turning into a reality.  Many of our members are giving of their precious time, talents and financial resources to assist in this major project.  As we approach the Yomim Noraim and the Yom Tov of Succos, I encourage each of you to participate in the renovation and expansion of our Shul.  Become a partner in shaping the future of our ???? ??? , the home of our Shul family.  Join us as well in the various minyanim, learning programs, ???????, ?????? , events and projects of our vibrant and growing Shul.  With your participation, we join together in partnership to move forward with all our plans and aspirations and pray for the ?????? ????? , the Divine assistance necessary to be successful in all our endeavours.

 

In the merit of our efforts towards enhancing our ???? ??? , may Hashem enhance our lives ???????? ???????? , and grant us the ????? ??? , the Bais Hamikdash.

                                                      ????? ????? ?????? ????

                                            ???? ???? ??????  




 

A Message from the President

 

 

I would like to begin my message with a note of acknowledgement and thanks. Starting with the Rav, to our Administrator, Director, Maggidei Shiur, and everyone who contributes in their own ways to our shul. In fact, calling Shomrai Shabbos-Chevra Mishnayos merely a shul is not accurate anymore. The shul has become much more than that. It is now a place that we come to daven, learn and get together for so many events and programs.

The shul has enjoyed tremendous growth over the last few years. We now have multiple minyanim on Shabbos and during the week. We offer shiurim on various topics, morning and evening, every day of the week. On that note, I would like to encourage those who learn elsewhere to consider our Bais Medrash for their learning. The Gemara in Brochos Daf 8a says, “Abaye says, I used to learn in my house and daven in shul but since I heard what R’ Chiya the son of R’ Ami said in the name of Ulla, from the time the Bais Hamikdash was destroyed, Hashem only has the four amos of Halacha, I would only daven where I learned. R’ Ami and R’ Asi, even though there were 13 shuls in Tiberias, they used to daven in between the pillars that supported the Bais Medrash”. The message is clear. There is something to be said for davening and learning in the same place.

However, it is not just the davening and the learning. We have Shabbos morning programs for children of all ages. We have children’s parties. We even have 2 baseball teams! But we have no plans on slowing down. In fact, we are also looking into introducing even more programs and events for people of all ages. On that note, if you have any ideas or suggestions about other events or programs you would like to see in the shul, or would like to volunteer your time, please let us know. 

All this growth explains the need for our shul to expand its physical premises. This is a huge undertaking that will be that much more successful if it has the backing of the membership. I encourage everyone to actively support this important endeavor. More information will be shared with the membership as details become finalized.

On behalf of my family, the Executive and the Board, I would like to wish all the members of Shomrai Shabbos along with all of Klal Yisroel a K’siva V’chasima Tova.

Yours truly,

  

Abe Gottesman

Letter from the Sisterhood President, Devorah Mason

 

Dear Members,

As the end of this year draws near, I am reminded of the many wonderful moments that we have shared together. We have davened together, learned together, celebrated together and worked together. We have gained many new and certainly welcome members and we have said goodbye and bid good luck to others who have moved away. Programs that have been a great success hold good memories for us; the bat mitzvah program, Rosh Chodesh Adar, meals for moms, Shavuot flowers, our Ohel-Sarah Succah, and Purim with more Megillah readings than I can remember Bli Ayin Harah.

With the coming of Rosh Hashana I am reminded of how the concept of Teshuva mirrors the daily life of a frum person so perfectly. The true essence of a Jewish person is that one must never live completely in the ‘now’. Our life is filled with the need to learn from the past and live with hope and planning for the future. We see this in teshuva, which also represents self-awareness and introspection.  We must recognize our errors, be aware of them, proclaim them, feel regret for them and finally we must commit ourselves to not err in the same way again.

We felt despair when our fellow Jews were uprooted from their homes and forced to leave. But we cannot lose hope; this is not the Jewish way. We must learn from the past and live for the future. That is the path of life, that is the path of Teshuva and that is what will bring the greatest Geulah from the depths of Galut.

Now the world has taken its focus off the Jews and G-d has turned their focus towards the people of America who have lost their homes and their lives. This is a time when all of our focus and all of our strength should be turned towards helping those Jews who need our help and towards our internal need for repentance. ‘All of Israel is Responsible for One another” “Kol Yisrael Areyvim Zeh Lazeh”.

We are excited to be launching a new program in our shul that will enable all of our members to interact with each other more extensively and more frequently. Through our hachnasas orchim endeavors we will continue to uphold the unity and caring that Shomrai Shabboth is known for and strives towards and BE”H we will be zocheh to see the future that we all live for- Mahiach Tzidkaynu, Beemhayra Beyamanu- The Righteous Moshiach, speedily in our days.

Keteevah Vechateemah Tovah,

Devora Mason and family