From the Desk of Rabbi Shlomo Rizel(My Dad)

 

ב״ה View this email online   From the Desk of Rabbi Shlomo Rizel Candle Lighting Times for Hebron: Shabbat Candle Lighting (Noach): Friday, Oct. 24 5:25 pm Shabbat Ends: Shabbat, Oct. 25 6:30 pm Torah Portion: Noach   Chabad of Kiryat Arba     Message from the Rabbi     Dear Friends, Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov, founder of the Chassidic movement, taught that the people we meet in life are like mirrors, they reflect back to us something about ourselves. When we get irritated or judgmental toward someone else, it’s G-d’s way of nudging us to look inward. Maybe the thing that bothers us in them is something we need to work on in ourselves. We see this idea in the story of Noah. After the flood, Noah experienced a moment of weakness. His sons responded very differently. Cham mocked him and exposed his shame, while Shem and Yaphet quietly covered him, preserving his dignity. Their reaction wasn’t just about respect, it showed that they chose compassion over criticism. That’s a powerful lesson for us today. We live in a world where judgment comes easily. Social media, politics, and even family conversations can quickly turn harsh. But before we roll our eyes or write someone off, we should pause and ask, “What is this moment teaching me about myself?” Instead of criticizing, try getting curious. What’s behind this person’s view or behavior? What might they be afraid of or hoping for? We don’t have to agree, but we can listen, respect, and look for the shared humanity underneath. Like Shem and Yaphet, we can choose to “cover” rather than expose; to protect dignity, build understanding, and bring more kindness into the world. That’s how real unity begins. Shabbat shalom, Rabbi Shlomo Rizel       Assistance and Support During these difficult times you are not alone. If you need to speak with someone or need assistance, please click here to email one of our staff rabbis. Remember Hashem loves you!     Parshah in a Nutshell Parshat Noach The Parshah is named "Noach" (Noah) after the protagonist of its major event: The Great Flood. It is found in Genesis 6:9. G‑d instructs Noah— the only righteous man in a world consumed by violence and corruption—to build a large wooden teivah (“ark”), coated within and without with pitch. A great deluge, says G‑d, will wipe out all life from the face of the earth; but the ark will float upon the water, sheltering Noah and his family, and two members (male and female) of each animal species (and 7 of the " pure" species). Rain falls for 40 days and nights, and the waters churn for 150 days more before calming and beginning to recede. The ark settles on Mount Ararat, and Noah dispatches a raven, and then a series of doves, “to see if the waters were abated from the face of the earth.” When the ground dries completely—exactly one solar year (365 days) after the onset of the Flood—G‑d commands Noah to exit the teivah and repopulate the earth. Noah builds an altar and offers sacrifices to G‑d. G‑d swears never again to destroy all of mankind because of their deeds, and sets the rainbow as a testimony of His new covenant with man. G‑d also commands Noah regarding the sacredness of life: murder is deemed a capital offense, and while man is permitted to eat the meat of animals, he is forbidden to eat flesh or blood taken from a living animal. Noah plants a vineyard and becomes drunk on its produce. Two of Noah’s sons, Shem and Japheth, are blessed for covering up their father’s nakedness, while his third son, Ham, is punished for taking advantage of his debasement. The descendants of Noah remain a single people, with a single language and culture, for ten generations. Then they defy their Creator by building a great tower to symbolize their own invincibility; G‑d confuses their language so that “one does not comprehend the tongue of the other,” causing them to abandon their project and disperse across the face of the earth, splitting into seventy nations. The Parshah of Noach concludes with a chronology of the ten generations from Noah to Abram (later Abraham), and the latter’s journey from his birthplace of Ur Casdim to Charan, on the way to the land of Canaan. Learn: Noach in Depth Browse: Noach Parshah Columnists Prep: Devar Torah Q&A for Noach Read: Haftarah in a Nutshell Play: Noach Parshah Quiz         Support Tank Chabad Providing the IDF with tefillin is the Rebbes heart. If you can assist us please email Rabbi Montanari by clicking here.     This Week @ www.chabad.org     By the Numbers 15 Wild and Wonderful Things Jews (Don’t) Do With Fish For Jews, fish are much more than a scrumptious supper—they play a key role in many cherished, time-honored traditions and customs. More...     Your Questions Ask the Rabbi: Why Do Jews Bury in a Simple Pine Casket? Long ago the wealthy would be buried in expensive materials, and the poor were embarrassed. More...     Halachah for Life What You Need to Know About Unlocking Doors on Shabbat With advancements of technology, locks and keys have become more sophisticated, posing a host of potential problems. More...     Podcasts The Israeli Musician Who Was Born a Russian Gentile After she saw her Soviet-bred Jewish father embrace Judaism, she and her siblings followed. A performer since childhood, she now sings only for women and inspires audiences all over the world. More...     Today's Quote In the days of the Alter Rebbe [Chabad founder Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadoi, 1745-1812] Chassidim had a familiar saying: "The piece of bread that I have is yours just as it is mine." And they would say the word "yours" first--"yours just as it is mine." — Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak of Lubavitch (quoted in Hayom Yom, Iyar 15)     Chabad World News     Israel Hostages and Families Celebrate Freedom with Expressions of Faith More…     Middle East Hostages Come Home After Two Years in Hamas Tunnels More…     North America Jewish Life Rekindled in Cincinnati's Eastside The community is enthusiastic about the new Chabad presence. More…     Feature Finding G-d in Gaza More…     Chabad Guide Synagogue Services » Adult Education » Hebrew School » Women's Circle » Mikvah » Kids' Program »   This email is sent from Chabad of Kiryat Arba. 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