TOPSY-TURVY PRIORITIES

The parsha that we read immediately after the Holiday of Shavuos, the anniversary and the reenactment of the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai, is the longest parsha in the Torah. Likewise, the Midrashic material on this parsha is far more extensive than for any other parsha. Commentators point out that the reason for the substantial amount of knowledge imparted in this parsha, in the Written as well as in the Oral Torah, is precisely because it comes on the heels of Shavuos. To be sure, in some years it is the parsha read before Shavuos; nevertheless its close proximity to Shavuos, before or after, is an indication that these two events are intertwined.

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CONFIDENCE IN AVODAS HASHEM

The menuchas ha’nefesh which results from placing complete trust in Hashem is uplifting. By contrast, when one feels burdened by life’s responsibilities, ultimately due to the lack of Bitachon in Hashem, one might be more accurately described as dispirited and disheartened.

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YEAR ROUND SUNSHINE AND G-DLINESS ON ISLA MUJERES

For many years, Jewish tourists who went to the tiny island called Isla Mujeres in northern Mexico were surprised to find out that this popular tourist spot did not have a Chabad presence. * Not any longer. Four years ago, R’ YY Ben Shimon and R’ MM Dayan opened a Chabad House there. * They tell about searching for a big menorah on the rooftops, about someone who donated $10,000 for Pesach outreach, about a tourist named Menachem Mendel whose story moved the tourists, and much more

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A CHASSID OF CHESED

R’ Bentzion Shagalov, who recently passed away at the age of 91, was born to a life of mesirus nefesh. His early years were spent fleeing the communists who murdered his father. * After marrying, he settled in London and became one of the pillars of the community and the Chabad activity there. * He was mekushar to the Rebbe and traveled to see him nearly every year. * His chesed specialty was hachnasas orchim. * In his later years he moved to Ramat Shlomo in Yerushalayim where he continued his amazing acts of chesed along with shiurim for Russian immigrants

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MIRACULOUS HEALING FORTY YEARS LATER

R’ Farkash is a posek in Yerushalayim and an author of an important series of halacha books. A few months ago, R’ Yekusiel Farkash’s story was publicized in a number of places, including a JEM video

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PUTTING IN THE ALEF

“The truck came,” announced Rochel excitedly, as she closed the window and ran toward the door. On her way, she nearly overturned one of the heavy boxes that was on the floor.

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MOSHIACH MENTIONED BY NAME

From Chapter Six of Rabbi Shloma Majeski ’s Likkutei Mekoros (Underlined text is the compiler’s emphasis

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The Survivors’ Talmud Set

Shavuos Special :After World War II, the American Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) teamed with the United States Military, to print a special edition of the Babylonian Talmud in Germany * This special edition included drawings of the Nazi Death Camps and was distributed to survivors * Once the set was complete, the JDC sent courtesy sets to various Rabbis who were involved with the work of the JDC * What did the Rebbe say about this Talmud set

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THE COVER UP

The end of this week’s parsha describes the manner in which the Levites transported the Mishkan, the portable sanctuary in the desert.

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THE BAAL SHEM TOV’S LEGACY

Any object belonging to a tzaddik acquires some of his sanctity. All the more, that which was owned by the holy Baal Shem Tov, whose holiness suffused even his material belongings. Some of these items were passed down through the generations in various inheritances and some amazing stories are told about them. * Presented for Shavuos, which marks the passing of the Baal Shem Tov

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AT WHAT AGE IS ONE ELIGIBLE FOR A WHOLESOME CONNECTION TO HASHEM?

One of the fascinating aspects of Bitachon, in the sense that it represents a complete, wholesome and all-inclusive connection with Hashem, is the fact that people of all ages are able to experience this unique connection to Hashem, even little babies.

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YOU SOUGHT TRUTH, YOU FOUND TRUTH, AND YOU LIVE TRUTH!

The Chassid, R’ Avrohom Sender Nemtzov got up and announced, “The crowd wants the Rebbe to say a maamer Chassidus. The sichos are good but the crowd wants Chassidus.” There was silence and then the Rebbe began to say the first maamer Chassidus, his coronation maamer. * Profile of the Chassid, Rabbi Avrohom Sender Nemtzov who, as soon as he heard about the passing of the Rebbe Rayatz, sent a consolation telegram to 770 which he concluded with the words, “and may Hashem console us with Menachem.” * Presented to commemorate his passing on the second day of Shavuos

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ONE PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED T’FILLIN

Leibel Khazanovich and Adam Nesenoff decided to give a unique gift to the Rebbe for his birthday, his picture comprised of 1500 photos of Jews putting on t’fillin, many of them for the first time in their lives. * We met with the two bachurim to hear all about it. * Their tip is never leave the house, not even for the nearby grocery store, without a pair of t’fillin. There are opportunities to use them all around us. * Presented for the start of the fiftieth year since the launch of Mivtza T’fillin

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