MAGAZINE: The Myth of Charity, A Jewish Response to Suffering (and more...)

Chabad.org
This email dedicated by:
Anonymous
In honor of my parents Rachel bat Chana and Yacov Reuven ben Reizl
Adar 19, 5772 · March 13, 2012
Editor's Note:

Dear Readers,

Synergy is just an educated way of saying 1 + 1 = 3. It means that we're more than just the sum total of our individual parts, and it's what happened in this week's Torah portion, Vayakhel, the very title of which means "he gathered," referring to Moses bringing the Jews together. This assembly occurred immediately following Yom Kippur, for only after a day of atonement and purification could the nation truly join as one.

Synergy is what happened in the Purim story we celebrated last week. Mordechai instructed Queen Esther to risk her life and approach the king to plead on behalf of her people. She responded, "Go gather all the Jews . . . and fast for me." The nation was to fast and pray that G‑d grant Esther success and send them salvation, but first they needed to gather. Only the strength of their unity could lend potency to their prayer.

Synergy is how we will achieve G‑d's purpose in creation. And when we do, it will be part of our ultimate reward. As the prophecy reads, "And I will make them into one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel . . . neither shall they be divided anymore" (Ezekiel 37:22).

Enjoy your read!

Malkie Janowski,
Responder for Ask the Rabbi @ Chabad.org


This Week's Features Printable Magazine
By Yanki Tauber
Family
What are the "little improvements" that can make a world of difference for spouses, parents and children?

By Manis Friedman
Watch Watch (35:53)
Did she know how much I loved her? Did she know what she meant to me? Did I ever tell her?

By Dina Friedman
G‑d forgives those who forgive others. What does the Torah teach us about getting rid of resentments and forgiving those who have hurt us?

By Goldie Plotkin
Watch Watch (59:12)
The Secret of Jewish Femininity
What is spiritual purity in Judaism? It has nothing to do with hygiene or personal cleanliness . . .

By Nechoma Greisman
The secret of the Jewish woman is bound up with the secret of our survival.

By Lazer Gurkow
Parshah - The Tabernacle Is Built
The Mishkan is completed, and all its components are brought to Moses, who erects it and initiates Aaron and his four sons into the priesthood.

Couldn't Shabbat be observed on Sunday, and couldn't Chanukah candles be kindled on Thanksgiving?

By Lazer Gurkow
The choices you make as a firestorm heads your way say a lot about you as an individual.

By Elisha Greenbaum
Why G‑d created the world with language, the lid of the ark as a metaphor for the human heart, and the importance of living an "integrated" lifestyle.

By Chaim Miller
Watch Watch (10:06)
The Ari gazed intently at Rabbi Moshe for a moment and murmured, "Borderline theft."

By Yerachmiel Tilles
Perspectives
Soon after, Rabbi Elimelech began to cry. "Why are you crying?" said Rabbi Zushe.

By Yossy Gordon
The link between the 613 commandments and the human body.

By Tali Loewenthal
Even When We Suffer...
Rabbi Dr. Abraham J. Twerski tackles the big questions of why G‑d allows suffering, and how to best handle the challenges of loss and grief.

By Abraham J. Twerski
Watch Watch (46:18)
As they breathe in peace, so too does she.

By Simcha Wasserman
A Russian chassidic melody expressing courageous and defiant declaration of absolute faith in G‑d.

Listen Listen (3:54)
...We Look Forward
There is no doubt that today man has all the resources, if channeled correctly, to create a good standard of living for all mankind.

By Nissan Dovid Dubov
Who decides who is the most qualified individual? Who assesses his piety?

By Naftali Silberberg
Living Jewishly
It's not a Jewish doorbell. It's a home security device called a mezuzah. The software inside this gadget is a scroll with the words beginning, "Hear O Israel, the L‑rd is our G‑d; the L‑rd is one" . . .

For the next few days I kept staring at my son, who suddenly looked older. My baby was gone, replaced by a toddler.

By Deena Yellin
Do you define yourself by who you are, or by what you do?

By Chana Weisberg
Watch Watch (25:52)
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Featured Judaica:

Children's Book of Berachos
Berachos are such marvelous things, connecting us to our Creator and giving us an enhanced appreciation of the blessings that He bestows upon us every day. And they're easy enough for our little ones to say with gusto and excitement.

Price: $15.99  $14.39


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