Dvar Torah- Terumah

Hey everyone,



Sorry for so many posts this week, but I guess I just got a lot to say. Hope everyone is doing well, and getting ready for what I am sure will be a sweet shabbos.


In this weeks Parsha, parshas Terumah, the torah states " Speak to the children of Israel, and have them take to ME a portion, from every person, who's heart will motivate him.... 25:2).


In the sefer Amud Haemes a collection of teachings from the Kotzker Rebbi, Reb Menachum Mendel of Kotzk, it brings down two very beautiful approaches as to how to understand this pasuk.


But first a brief history. Menachem Mendel Morgensztern of Kotzk, better known as the Kotzker Rebbe was a chassidic leader. He is considered to be the spiritual founder, upon which the Ger dynasty is based. He was well known for his incisive philosophies, and sharp-witted sayings.But most importantly in Kotzk it was all about the truth. Nothing was as important as the truth. However The Kotzker, had a best friend, another giant in the chassidic world and his name was Rav Yitzchak Kalish of Vorka. In Vorka Reb Yitzack was famous for his loving kindness , his compassion, and caring for every Jew. These two approaches were very different ,however never prevented them from having such a strong friendship.


Each one interprets this pasuk based on their approach to yidishkeit, however lets start with the Kotzker.The Kotzker starts by explaining, that if we look at the passuk, the passuk is teaching us that if a person wants to make himself Terumah, a portion/person dedicated towards Hashem, then the best way to do so is by separating himself from others. Even others who may be dedicated and " whos heart motivates him" to the same lofty goals of committing themselves to Hashem, the best way to focus on your relationship with Hashem is to separate yourself and focus on yourself.

However the Vorker takes the direct opposite approach. He says that if a person wants to make himself Terumah, a portion/ person dedicated towards Hashem, then the best way to do it is by looking at someone else " whos heart motivates him" , and saying what can I learn from that person. By looking at someone who is motivated and dedicated to living a life that is geared towards service of Hashem, and saying what can I learn from that person, that is how someone will come closer to Hashem. That says the holy Vorker is what the passuk is teaching us.

Each one of us is so unique in our own special way. So many times we fail to recognize and acknowledge how special we and those around us are. We dont see ourselves or others strengths, rather we focus on weaknesses. We must all know that Hashem has blessed us all, with our own special talents. Each one of us is capable of something, that no one else is capable of. Each one of us posses certain skills and ability's that make us great. That makes us unique, that makes us unlike anyone else in the world. We just have to start viewing ourselves in that light. We must look at ourselves and at every single Jew and realize how truly special we are, and how we are capable of achieving anything,because with Hashem by our side nothing is impossible NOTHING. We are all capable of greatness, but we have to start believing in ourselves. Each one of us can do anything we set our minds to, because each one of us is a child of the ultimate and loving King. I hope and pray for all of us that we see how truly special and talented we are, each of us in our own unique way.May we learn from both of the interpretations of the passuk, and may Hashem help use whichever approach speaks to our heart more, in coming closer to Him.




GUT SHABBOS GUT PURIM


Chaim Yissachar






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Refuahforchaim.blogspot.com

Some Adar humor..

Hey sweetest Friends


I hope everyone is doing well. A good friend of mine sent this joke my way, and I mamish could not stop laughing, i just found it to be very funny. Skoyach to the one who sent me the joke, and in honor of Rosh Chodesh Adar, I thought it would be a good idea to share. Hope you find it as funny as i did.



Shaindy gets on a bus with her baby. As she goes to pay her fare, the bus driver says to her, "I've seen a lot of babies in my time but that's the ugliest one I've ever seen in my life."


Shaindy is shocked and very angry at this insensitive remark. She sits down and starts to cry. The man next to her asks her what's the matter.


Shaindy replies, "The bus driver just insulted me."


The man replies. "I wouldn't let him get away with it. You go give him a piece of your mind. Go on - I'll hold your monkey for you."



GUT CHODESH -GUT PURIM

Chaim Yissachar

Rosh Chodesh Adar

Hey everyone,


I hope everyone is having a good week. We are entering a very exciting time of the Jewish calender, and I am sure you can all feel the excitement in the air.

I saw a very nice idea by Rabbi Chaim Kramer in his book Crossing the Narrow Bridge, that I would like to share. He writes that Reb Nosson of Breslov once attended the funeral of someone he hardly knew. When asked why he attended, he said, “A person should always cry out before God. Therefore whenever an opportunity presents itself, I make the most of it” (Siach Sarfei Kodesh1-635). Says Rabbi Kramer,we must do the same when it comes to happiness, and seize every opportunity and make the most of it.

Rabbainu, Rebbe Nachman of Breslov said that we must take advantage of days such as Shabbat and the Festivals by making an even greater effort to be happy and joyous on these days. As we celebrate Rosh Chodesh Adar, a month filled with revach, simcha, and hatzala for the Jewish people, may we head the message of Rebbi Nachman, and try to make a greater effort to fill our homes, hearts ,families and lives with simcha and joy in these upcoming days. May we try and smile a little more, laugh a little more, sing a little more ,and dance a little more. And may Hashem bless us that this happiness carry over into all areas of our lives, for the rest of our lives.

Wishing everyone a Gutten Chodesh and a Gut Purim

With much love,
Chaim Yissachar

Two shiurim coming up!

Shiur this Wednesday @ 8:15 pm
at the home of Kenny and Meredith Yager 65 Lee Place Bergenfield NJ .

This shiur will be the second of a weekly shiur that will given by rotating speakers on the topic of
 'Deepening our Connection with Shabbos'. This week R' Moshe Tzvi  (Matt) Weinberg will be speaking.
The shiur is open to men and women.

For those that can't make it, there will be a call in number:
Call in number 1-610-214-0000
Participant access code 450754#
Host access code 450754*

*Please remember to mute your phone when calling in*

ALSO,
Shiur for women!
Tues night Feb 28th @ 8:15 pm
on the topic of Purim given by Charlie Harary
The shiur will take place in Queens at the Spitz home
70-15 170th Street
Hillcrest NY 11365

May these gatherings of learning torah b'rabim, bring Chaim Yissachar ben Chaya Mushkit a refuah shelaima bkarov!

Treatment

Hey Everyone,

Hope you all had a good shabbos. As i say every week , there is nothing better then being home with one's family for shabbos. Thank you Hashem for Blessing me with that.

Anyway I just wanted to let you all know, that with Hashem's help and blessing I will be starting my chemo treatments on Monday. We are not sure of the full schedule yet, but we know we start Monday and we will take it one day at a time.What the effects will be and when they will hit me only Hashem knows, but we will do what we have to do and take whatever comes our way. No matter what it is, we know its all from Hashem, it all for the best, and all for a purpose. We hope and we pray that the chemo will work the way we would like it to, and Hashem should bless me and all cholei yisroel with nothing but a full refuah bikarov. Thank you all for your constant love and support. I will try to keep you up to date.

With much love
Chaim Yissachar

Magnet Update

Hey everyone,


I hope everyone is doing well, and all set for what i am sure will be a beautiful shabbos. Anyway i just wanted to let you all know that baruch hashem we are almost completely out of the first order of emunah magnets. There are currently no more available for pickup, however please have no fear. Earlier this week, thanks to three anonymous donors we were able to place a much larger order this time, and hopefully by next week we should have plenty more to distribute. Baruch Hashem there were many people who contacted us about sponsoring more magnets but i think for now we will have enough. I cant thank these 3 donors enough for helping us spread the great name of hashem to the world, as well as spreading the call for all of us to strengthen our Emunah. Hashem should bless them and all of klal yisroel with nothing but bracha, simcha,shalom,love and sweetness. Thank you all so much for helping us spread Emunah and spreading the name of Hashem. May we be blessed to run out of this shipment of magnets as well, and have to order more soon.

Gut shabbos Gut Purim

Chaim Yissachar.

Little note..

Hey Everyone,

Today in the hospital, someone gave me such a beautiful compliment I just had to share.

She said " Marc, you have a really beautiful heart".

Granted she was doing an echo- cardiogram on me, but i appreciated it none the less.

Gut Shabbos Gut Purim
Chaim Yissachar
(Marc Steven)