B"H

The situation in Israel is desperate. Chabad is providing food, shelter and comfort to victims of Hizbullah attacks and physical and spiritual help to soldiers on the front. The expenses are tremendous and the funds are dwindling. Although there is a cease fire there is tremendous work to be done. Please support these efforts by sending a generous donation to

Chabad Israel Emergency Fund

400 East Shore Rd.

Great Neck NY 11024

 May Hashem grant immediate and true peace in the Land if Israel and bless you, your entire family, and all those who are dear to you with a healthy, happy, and prosperous New Year and may we see the redemption through Moshiach immediately!

In this week's portion, Ki Teitzei, the Torah commands three things that we should remember: the story of Miriam, that we were slave is Egypt, and the story of Amalek. As we prepare for Rosh Hashanah, the concept of remembering has a special importance, as do each of the three specific remembrances.

 The prayers of Rosh Hashanah are unique in that we say three special blessings. The middle of the three blessings is Zichronot (remembrances), in which we request that Hashem remember His covenant with the Jewish people and remember us in a positive light. We affect this through our remembering Hashem. The Rambam writes in Hilchot Teshuva (3; 4) "Although the blowing of the Shofar on Rosh Hashanah is a divine decree, there is a hidden meaning: "Sleepers! Awake from your slumber and return in Teshuvah and remember your creator! This refers to those who forget the truth through distraction throughout the year." When we remember who we are and our role in the purpose of Creation, we return to Hashem and to the ways of the Torah. We remember to fulfill our good resolutions of the past and make even better ones for the future.

 The Torah commands us to remember when Miriam was punished with leprosy for rebuking Moshe. Although her intent was good, her reproach lacked the necessary respect. This is a critical lesson as we approach Rosh Hashanah. Concern for each other is the pillar of our people. As such, while we seek to improve ourselves, we must also encourage others to become closer to Hashem. However, it is imperative that we encourage others in a respectful manner. If not, we may be committing a grave sin rather than an act of good.

The remembrance of the Egyptian servitude is mentioned twice, once concerning the prohibition of taking a widow's garment as security for a loan (24; 18), and once concerning the commandments to leave various parts of the harvest for the poor (24; 22). The underlying theme in both is remembering that everything in the world belongs to Hashem and we must use both share our possessions and use them respectfully towards others. As we seek to correct our ways, we are hindered by our love for our possessions. The remembrance that all belongs to Hashem allows us to overcome this nature.

 Amalek is the first nation to have attacked the Jewish people and the Torah commands that we erase their memory. In describing Amalek, the Torah uses the words "Asher Karcha Baderech", which means "who cooled you on the path". By attacking the Jewish people after the Exodus, they cooled their enthusiasm. Each evil nation represents a negative trait. As we approach Rosh Hashanah, just as we begin to take real steps to improve ourselves, our Amalek comes to us and says wait! Take it easy! What's the rush? You've been on the wrong path for so long and you've been just fine! Cool down! The Torah enjoins us to eradicate these thoughts and replace coldness with the fire within us.

May Hashem fulfill His promise to remember His covenant with Avraham Yitzchak and Yaakov and to remember the Land and grant the redemption now!

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Biggs

Dedicated to Meir Eliyahu Wahba on the occasion of his Brit. May he showered with Hashem's blessings and a source of joy and pride to his family.

As the holidays approach, now is the time to make sure that all of your holiday needs are taken care of. If anyone needs a place to pray for the holidays or help attaining a Sukkah or Lulav and Etrog, please contact my office.

If anyone would like to help needy families with holiday necessities, please contact me at the number below.

A project of Chabad of Great Neck

400 East Shore Rd.

Great Neck NY 11024

516 4874554       fax 516 4874807

The Talmud teaches that increasing Torah study brings Hashem's protection to the Jewish people and particularly to the people of Israel. In light of the current situation, I am seeking to multiply the number of people studying Torah. If you know of anyone who might enjoy Torah e mail, please send me their addresses.