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Good Shabbos & Shabbat Shalom

Candle Lighting    5:04 P.M.
Fri. Eve. Services  5:00 P.M.
Sat. Morning Ser. 10:00 A.M.
Sat. Evening Ser.  6:10 P.M.
Shabbos Ends      6:01 P.M.

PARSHA……Bshalach

Shabbat Shira- The Shabbat we read the song of splitting of the sea.

KIDDUSH:
Sermon by Dr Howard Kaye

GUEST LECTURE & MOVIE FROM ISRAEL
Rabbi Hammer from Israel.
This Monday Eve. 7:00 PM. @ Chabad Poway.

This Friday, February 3rd, corresponds to the 10th of Shevat on the Jewish calendar, the day that marks the passing of the previous Rebbe in 1950 and the assuming of the mantle of leadership by our generation's Rebbe (Master Teacher and Guide) on the 10th of Shvat 1951. I consider myself a member of a very fortunate generation to have been educated and had my character molded by the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneersohn. The Rebbe did not nurture followers. He nurtured leaders. He nurtured each of us (which includes each of you reading this email) not to be daunted by a challenge that may come our way but rather to recognize the very gift that may lie within the challenge.

This Friday join us, either in shul or in spirit. Let's re-dedicate ourselves to making the world a better place. Let's grow from a challenge the may come our way. Let us find the potential that may be sitting passively within us. Let us take on the challenge that the Rebbe would always put forth to those asking his advice to double our efforts and redouble them again as we reach and succeed ever higher and ever more.

 
Birthdays:
Donna Howard 2/5, Sunday
Doris Okonsky 2/5, Sunday
Aaron Nimetz 2/6, Monday
Perla Kimball 2/7, Tuesday
Stanley Herman 2/8, Wednesday
Mia Neustein 2/8, Wednesday
Lori Lipkes 2/9, Thursday

Anniversaries:
Dr. & Mrs. Larry Herring 2/4, Saturday
Mr. & Mrs. Ben Sofer 2/4, Saturday

Yahrtzeits:
The Nasseri Family has Yahrtzeit for Ckodad Nasseri on Sun. 2/5. (Eve Sat. 2/4)
Dr. Ray Poliakoff has Yahrtzeit for . Shirley Poliakoff on Sun. 2/5. (Eve Sat. 2/4)
Mr. Arnie Lewin has Yahrtzeit for Bernice Lewin on Wed. 2/8. (Eve Tues. 2/7)

Condolences:
We offer our most sincerest condolences to Mr. Barara Ostroff on the loss of her Mother Mts Lily Bialar OBM may they all be blessed with long life.

GET WELL:
Mr Joe Goetz form heart procedure Mr Joe is recovering well B”H.

May G-D guard our brethren in Israel and the world over from harm and send us Moshiach speedily. May He protect the armed forces of the United States wherever they may be.  Shabbat Shalom! Chazak! L'Chaim.

Parsha
The Jewish nation had to wage war on two separate occasions as it left Egypt and made its way to receive the Torah on Mount Sinai. The first war was against Pharaoh and his soldiers, and the second was the war against the Amalekites. This week's Torah portion, Beshalach, gives us an account of these two battles and illustrates the different reactions the Jews had to these two adversaries.
When the Jews were threatened by Pharaoh, they were commanded, "G-d will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace." But later, when attacked by Amalek, G-d enjoined them, "Go out and fight Amalek." Why was there a different attitude towards these two enemies?
The two nations posed different threats. Pharaoh presented a physical threat to Jewish existence, whereas Amalek posed a spiritual danger. The Jewish People were instructed to entrust their physical safety to G-d, but it was necessary that they themselves take action against Amalek's spiritual onslaught.
Pharaoh's pursuing army did not directly challenge the Jews' relationship with G-d and their beliefs. In this instance, G-d took their defense upon Himself, saying, "and you shall hold your peace" - just leave things to Me. G-d proved to the Jews that military might and victory is not what distinguishes Jews from all other nations.
Amalek, however, symbolizes a totally different sort of war. Amalek only dared to attack the Jewish People after they had passed through the Red Sea and were on their way to receive the Torah. It was precisely at that juncture that Amalek tried to intercept them. The Torah uses the words, Amalek "met you (korcha) on the way" - from the Hebrew word "k'rirut," meaning coldness. Amalek came and cooled off the enthusiasm the Jewish people had for holiness, at a time when they were at the apex of spirituality. Against such a threat the Jews had to retaliate themselves, and immediately.
Whenever anything, anyone, or any power prevents Jews from learning Torahor performing mitzvot, we cannot wait for G-d to come to our aid. All steps must be taken, including the prospect of waging physical war, to ensure that Jews be able to continue learning and maintain their Jewish way of life without hindrance.
The struggle against Amalek is of such importance that we are reminded of what they did to us every day in our prayers. The lesson we draw from this week's Torah portionis that in the battle against Amalek there can be no compromise. We each have our own personal, internal "Amalek," the evil inclination, which stands ever ready to deter us from the right path by cooling off our ardor, enthusiasm, and the love of G-d that burns within the heart of every Jew. To combat him we must remember how to deal with this old enemy - to take an immediate stand, and to once and for all banish Amalek with any means at our disposal. Only after he is vanquished can we continue on our way to Mount Sinai.
Adapted from the works of the Lubavitcher Rebbe .

About the 10th of Shevat
The Chasidic discourse that the Previous Rebbe prepared for publication on Yud Shevat, 1950 (in honor of his grandmother's yartzeit), begins "Basi L'Gani - Come into My garden." Each year on Yud Shevat, from 1951 on (when the Lubavitcher Rebbe officially accepted the leadership of Chabad-Lubavitch), the Rebbe would deeply expound on one of the chapters of the discourse. The theme of a "garden" is especially pertinent to Yud Shevat this year as it occurs on Friday, the day that concludes the previous week and joins together the upcoming week which contains within it Tu B'Shevat - the New Year of Trees.
Trees and tzadikimbear a strong connection. In the book of Proverbs by King Solomon, it states, "The fruit of the righteous is a Tree of Life."
Although the Torah is referred to as the "Tree of Life," the Midrash Yalkut Shimoniexplains that an actual Tree of Life stands in the center of the Garden of Eden with its branches covering the entire garden and it contains "five hundred thousand varieties of fruit all differing in appearance and taste."

According to Kabalist Rabbi Yitzchak Ginsburg, "The Tree of Life was planted in the center of the Garden of Eden, which symbolizes the garden of the souls of Israel from which sprouts the soul of Moshiach, a tzadik who represents the Tree of Life. The Tree of Life serves as a symbol for Moshiach, the descendent of King David, about whom it is said (Zechariah 6:l2), 'Behold, a man, his name is Tzemach and from the space underneath him he will grow (yitzmach).'"
In Psalm 92 we read, "A tzaddik will blossom like a date-palm tree, like a cedar tree he will prosper" The Baal Shem Tov explains that there are two kinds of tzadikim, those who are like a date-palm tree and those like a cedar. The unique qualities of a cedar are that it is very tall and strong. However, it does not bear fruit. A date-palm, on the other hand, bears fruit, that is, has an affect on and benefits others. This is the kind of tzadik that the Baal Shem Tov, founder of Chasidism, enjoined his successors to be - a tzadik who has an affect on others. This is the tzadik par excellence that the Rebbe embodies.
May we all merit that on this Yud Shevat, we truly "Come into the Garden" with the revelation of our righteous Moshiach NOW!.

2 Good Stories
As told by Rabbi Leibel Groner of the Rebbe's secretariat.
A young couple in Israel had been married for a number of years but had not yet been blessed with children. Friends of theirs who were Lubavitcher Chasidismsuggested that they travel to New York and come to "Sunday dollars."(Every Sunday the Rebbe received thousands of people who came to ask his advice or blessing. The Rebbe gave each person a dollar, or its equivalent, to be given to the charity of their choice.)
The couple travelled to the Rebbe. That Sunday, when they approached the Rebbe, even before they were able to say anything, the Rebbe gave the husband four dollars and then gave the wife four dollars after which he blessed them, "B'surot tovot," (good news).
Over the course of a number of years, the couple was blessed with three children. After the birth of their third child, five years passed before the woman became pregnant again. In the interim, the family had moved from Israel to Toronto and had become involved with Chabad in that city.
Late in the woman's pregnancy, complications arose and the doctordetermined that the pregnancy would have to be terminated. The doctor said he could give them a week to think about it as they seemed reluctant to abort.
On Shabbat, the family attended services at the Chabad House. The rabbi spoke after the Torah reading. He interspersed his words of Torah with miracle stories of the Rebbe.
Suddenly, the woman remembered her encounter with the Rebbe years earlier at "Sunday Dollars." She excitedly called out her husband before the Shabbat prayers recommenced. "Do you remember when we went to the Rebbe for a blessing for children? The Rebbe gave both of us four dollars and said 'B'surot tovot.' Four dollars means that we are to have four children!" she said with certainty.
After Shabbat, the woman contacted the doctorwith their decision. "We are going ahead with this pregnancy. We are not going to abort."
The woman wrote a letter to the Rebbe informing him of their decision and asking for a blessing for herself and her unborn child. The pregnancy continued and the woman gave birth in a normal delivery to a healthy child.
________________________________________
This story took place in 2006. A Lubavitcher Chasid was giving a weekly class in the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn. The curriculum is based on Likutei Sichot ("Collected Talks") of the Rebbe. After hearing that the Rebbe encouraged the retelling of miracle stories of the Chabad-Lubavitch Rebbes, the Chasid resolved to tell a story of the Rebbe at each class.
The next week, the Chasid told a story about Rabbi Moshe Wolfson. Rabbi Wolfson is the mashgiach ruchani (spiritual dean) of Mesivta Torah Vodaathand rabbi of Beis Medrash Emunas Yisrael in Brooklyn.
The Chasid began: "Once Rabbi Wolfson was diagnosed with a blocked artery. The attending doctor said that normally he would recommend a stent. But because of the rabbi's weakened state, he could not wholeheartedly recommend the procedure. He would leave the decision up to the rabbi.
"Rabbi Wolfson chose not to do the operation. He decided that each night he would recite the verse from Psalms (51:12), 'Lev Tahor - G-d, create for me a pure heart and renew a steadfast spirit within me.' He prayed to G-d that in the merit of reciting this verse, he would not need the operation.
"After a number of days passed Rabbi Wolfson chided himself: 'I always ask the Rebbe questions, why didn't I ask him this, as well?'
"The following Sunday, Rabbi Wolfson came to 'Sunday Dollars.' Before Rabbi Wolfson had a chance to say anything, the Rebbe said, 'In the merit of you saying the verse "lev tahor" each night you won't need the operation.' And of course, Rabbi Wolfson didn't need the operation."
It was midnight when the Chasid finished giving the class and began the drive home to Crown Heights. As he drove, he saw a Jewish man looking for a ride. The man was from Israel but was staying in Boro Park. Although Boro Park was totally out of the way, the Chasid decided to take the man anyway.
The Chasid mentioned something about the Rebbe and the passenger asked, "You're a LubavitcherChasid?" When the driver answered "yes," the passenger started to make derogatory remarks about the Rebbe. The Chasid didn't respond but instead offered, "Let me tell you a story that I just told in the class that I gave." He repeated the story about Rabbi Wolfson.
"I can't believe Rabbi Wolfson has a connection to Lubavitch and the Rebbe! I am praying in his shul in the morning. I'll ask him if this story is true. Give me your number and I'll call you after I speak to Rabbi Wolfson!"
The next afternoon, the Chasid received a call from the passenger. He sounded extremely agitated. "Rabbi Wolfson told me that the story is very true. He called the Rebbe a gaon olam (universally accepted scholar), tzadik (righteous person), kadosh v'tahor (holy and pure) and more. He said that he had other miracles from the Rebbe, and he told me stories about miracles of the Rebbe with other people as well! What can I do to rectify my mistake?"
"Add teachings from the Rebbe into the classes that you give. No one even has to know that they are the Rebbe's insights."
The man readily agreed to the suggestion. He also told the Chasid about his brother. "He is the dean of a yeshiva and I will make sure that he, too, knows who the Rebbe is, changes his ways and rectifies his mistakes.

Story# 2

Reb Aryeh, a Chasidof the Alter Rebbe(Rabbi Shneur Zalman, founder of Chabad Chasidism), had been appointed by the authorities as "burgomaster" of his town. As chief magistrate and official record keeper for the government, Reb Aryeh was responsible for keeping track of all marriages, births and deaths (G-d forbid) in the Jewish community, entering them in a special register.
It happened once that a local gentile converted to Judaism. This was a grave offense in those times and in that place. Anyone even remotely suspected of having helped in the conversion process was subject to stiff penalties. This being so, Reb Aryeh was asked to conveniently "forget" to record the name of a certain Jew who had just died. The convert, who was approximately the same age as the deceased, would be given the dead man's papers and assume his identity.
It was a clever plan, and it might have worked if not for the informer who brought the plot to light. The burgomaster was caught and a trial date was set. Reb Aryeh was in grave danger. Being a true Chasid, he went to the Alter Rebbe and explained his predicament. The Rebbeadvised him to postpone the trial, and it was rescheduled for a later date.
When the second trial date rolled around Reb Aryeh returned to the Alter Rebbe. Again, the Rebbe advised him to defer it. This happened several times, until finally Reb Aryeh was unable to push it off any longer. At long last the burgomaster would be tried for his "crime." The Chasid begged the Alter Rebbe to save him.
Oddly enough, the Alter Rebbe responded by inviting Reb Aryeh to his grandchild's wedding, which was about to take place in the town of Zlobin. It was a union between two rabbinical dynasties: The Alter Rebbe's grandchild was marrying the grandchild of Rabbi Levi Yitzchakof Berditchev. "Why don't you come and present your problem to Reb Levi Yitzchak?" the Alter Rebbe suggested. "I'm sure that he can help you."
Reb Aryeh traveled to Zlobin, but getting in to the see Reb Levi Yitzchak was very difficult, as thousands of other people had arrived with the same idea. Unwilling to give up, Reb Aryeh decided to come back in the middle of the night and stand outside Rabbi Levi Yitzchak's door. The following morning he would be first in line.
That night, Reb Aryeh positioned himself outside Rabbi Levi Yitzchak's room and peeked inside. What a strange sight met his eyes! On one side of the bed of the tzadik (righteous person) stood a gabbai(synagogue official) with a volume of Mishna; on the other side stood a second gabbai with the holy Zohar. Both men were reading aloud - at the same time - while Reb Levi Yitzchakappeared to be sleeping. Yet when one gabbaimispronounced a word, the tzadik turned and protested, "Nu! Nu!" This continued for some two hours, after which Rabbi Levi Yitzchak arose from his "nap" and Reb Aryeh was allowed to enter.
The first thing Reb Levi Yitzchak asked Reb Aryeh was who had sent him. "My Rebbe," the Chasid replied.
"And who might that be?"
"The Alter Rebbe," Reb Aryeh answered.
"Ah, him!" Reb Levi Yitzchak exclaimed. "My in-law is your Rebbe? Such a tzadik and scholar, such a holy man of G-d!" He continued in this vein for some time, praising the Alter Rebbe to the skies. "So tell me," he said fondly, "what can I do for you?"
Reb Aryeh explained that he was the burgomaster of his hometown. "A burgomaster?" the tzadik repeated after him. "What does that mean?"
The Chasid described his various duties and responsibilities.
"You mean to say that a Jew is in charge of the whole town?" Rabbi Levi Yitzchak asked, duly impressed. "How can that be?"
"To tell you the truth," Reb Aryeh replied, "the only reason I took the job was that the Alter Rebbe urged me to do so."
"Ho!" the tzadikdeclared emphatically. "My in-law - the sage, the saint, the learned scholar, the righteous one - guided you to take this position. In that case you have nothing to worry about. G-d will surely help and guard you from all harm."
Reb Aryeh went back to the Alter Rebbe and related his conversation with Reb Levi Yitzchak. "So what do you think?" the Alter Rebbe asked. "Did I give you good advice?" He then repeated the question. "I gave you good advice, didn't I?"
On the day before the trial was due to begin, a fire broke out in the courthouse. All the important documents in the building were completely burned - including the official indictment against Reb Aryeh. With no other record the case was dropped, and that was the end of the accusation.

From HaYom Yom Compiled by the Lubavitcher Rebbe,

for Shabbos the 11th of Shevat, This Shabbos we read Parshas Beshalach, Shabbos Shirah.
During the reading of the Song of the Red Sea, we stand. Haftora: U'Devora isha nevee'a.
There is a custom of eating black buckwheat on this Shabbat.

[A Jew’s] day begins with Modeh Ani. This is recited before washing negel-vasser(ritual washing of hands in the morning) even though one’s hands are [still] impure, for there is no impurity in the world that can taint a Jew’s Modeh Ani, [his grateful acknowledgment of G-D]. He may lack this or that [element in his Divine service], but his Modeh Ani remains intact,

Probing Beneath the Surface
A name delimits and defines. That is why G-D’s Name does not appear in Modeh Ani, because that prayer relates to a level of G-dliness that transcends any definition. It is simply the essence of a Jew connecting to the Essence of G-d.

Let them eat kasha!
This Shabbat is known as "Shabbat Shira." On this day it is customary to eat kasha - buckwheat groats. Some also have the custom of putting kasha or bread crumbs out for the birds before Shabbat so that they, too, can partake. This custom stems from the Midrash that says that during the crossing of the Red Sea, trees miraculously grew instantaneously and the birds plucked fruit from them and fed them to the Jewish people.
In memory of Rabbi Gavriel and Rivka Holtzberg and the other kedoshim of Mumbai.

 About The 15th of Shevat new year for Trees
"The righteous person shall flourish like the date palm..." wrote King David in Psalms. A righteous person is compared to a date palm as it bears exceptional fruit. Dates are one of the seven species for which the Land of Israel is praised. The Torah describes the Land of Israel as "a land of wheat, barley, vines, figs and pomegranates, a land of olives that produce oil and honey (dates)." Next Wednesday the 8th of February, we will be celebrating Tu B'Shevat- the "New Year" of trees - thus, it is fitting to briefly discuss these seven types of produce and how they connect with our spiritual service:
Wheat: Our Sages described wheat as "food for humans," an allusion to that aspect of our existence that makes us human - the G-dly soul. Like actual food, our G-dly soul's mission must be assimilated into the totality of our being.
Barley: Barley is described as "food for animals." It refers to the elevation of the animal soul.
Grapes: Grapes are used to produce wine, which "gladdens G-d and people."
Figs: The Torah relates that figs were used to make the first garments worn by Adam. Later, G-d gave man "garments of leather" ("ohr" spelled with the letter "ayin"), which Rabbi Meir in the Talmud refers to as "garments of light" (spelled with an "alef"). From this we learn that a Jew's service must involve spreading G-dly light.
Pomegranates: We must always remember that every Jew is "as filled with mitzvot as a pomegranate is filled with seeds."
Olives: Olives are bitter. A Jew's life should be characterized by sweetness, but in times of introspection he must come to a state of bitterness when evaluating his spiritual achievements.
Dates: Dates refer to the Torah's mystical dimensions, the study of which strengthens the inner dimensions of the Jewish soul.
Through developing our spiritual potential that relates to all these qualities, and spreading these concepts to others, we will merit to proceed to the Land of Israel with Moshiach, where we will "partake of its produce and be sated with its goodness."

Humor
The rumpus
Maurice has a business appointment, and he arrives a little early. The receptionist points to a comfortable easy chair and asks him to be seated for a while.
Maurice settles down, picks up a glossy magazine opens it, and tries to read. However, he finds that he cannot concentrate because he is distracted due to a rumpus coming from behind one of the doors leading off the reception area. Maurice goes over to the receptionist and asks, "What's going on in there?"
She replies, "It's a partners' meeting."
"But why are they shouting at each other?" Maurice asks.
"It's a battle of wits," she replies.
Maurice asks: "Who is in there?", and she answers, "Horowits, Lebowits, Rabbinowits and Abramowits."

 HUMOR#2
The Headache.
Sadie goes to see her rabbi and complains about her bad headaches. She whines, cries, and talks about her poor living conditions for hours.
All of a sudden, Sadie shouts, overjoyed, "Rabbi, your holy presence has cured me! My headache is gone!"
To which the rabbi replies, "No Sadie, it is not gone. I have it now.