Chabad Tokyo Japan Blog

This year Chabad Tokyo Japan, directed by Rabbi Binyomin Edery, made a ‘’Parade of light’’. The cars with beautiful menorahs on them traveled as far as 1,000 km, from Tokyo, to Chiba, Saitama, Yokohama, Nagoya, Kobe, Kyoto, meeting many Jews along the way. Even Mount Fuji merited a menorah lighting. Most of the Jews are assimilated, but the heart of the Yid is always awake. They were all so happy and moved by Rabbi Edery’s visit with the menorah parade.
On the first nigh of Chanuka, a big celebration was held in a beautiful hall in Tokyo, celebrating the 9th anniversary of Chabad of Japan. Rabbi Edery spoke of all the open miracles that he experienced from the moment he and his wife arrived in Japan to this day, in the merit of the Rebbe Mh’’m’s blessings. Among the guests were many of the Japanese who greatly respect and help the activities that Chabad of Japan does. There were local Jews , travelers and Jews from the local American bases who partook in the celebration. There was a great awakening among the participants, to continue doing more good..
There were public Menorah lightings in 3 major areas in Tokyo.
On the last day of Chanuka, Rabbi Edery made a special Chanuka food tasting in National Azabu, a big supermarket in the heart of Tokyo. After the great success of previous times, the staff of the supermarket turned to Rabbi Edery and requested to do it again for Chanuka. It was a big Kiddush Hashem. Many Jews participated in the menorah lighting.

The story of Chanuka took place over 2000 years ago. It was a time when the land of Israel was under control of the Greek-Syrian empire. The Jews were under attack physically by the large armies and spiritually by Hellenistic culture and its worship of the human body. During this time a Syrian king known as Antiochus began to persecute the Jew’s religion and enforce idol worship.

Tensions came to bloodshed in the town of Modin. It began when a Syrian officer made an altar and demanded that a priest named Matityahu make a sacrifice. When Matityahu refused, a Hellenistic Jew came to make an offering in his stead. Matityahu struck the man with a sword and his sons and followers proceeded to kill the officers and destroy the altar. From there, Matityahu and his followers fled to the hills of Judea. Over some time, Matityahu’s son, Judah Macabee, led a vastly outnumbered Jewish force in guerilla warfare against the Syrian army. The Syrians were miraculously defeated again and again and eventually withdrew.

When the victorious Jews returned to the Holy Temple, they cleared the idols and the mess left by the Syrians and built a new menorah. They only found enough oil, with High Priest Yocheved’s seal, to last for one day. A great miracle proceeded to occur as the oil lasted eight days, enough time for the new oil to mature　and thus assure that the Holy Temple’s light would shine continuously. The miracle served as a message from Heaven, proclaiming that the Jews were still G-d’s chosen people.

The bottom line of the Chanuka story is that wars are not won through large armies and horses, but by faith in the Almighty.

Today we celebrate the miracles by lighting a menorah for eight nights. Each night of Chanuka, we take one candle and light the others, progressively making one to eight lights. This teaches that we should use the fire of our spirit to light the wicks others. If we take our good fortunes and joy and use it to satisfy ourselves, our light will eventually go out. But, if we use it to enlighten the lives of those around us with acts of kindness and teaching the ways of G-d and the light of the mitzvot, our own lives will be much brighter, and we will be surrounded with light and refueled when our fire runs low.

So, in this season of miracles, may we all merit to spread the fire and live in light and warmth.

Written by Moshe Silver

On Sunday, December 21 at the Il Barbero Restaurant (near the Chabad Tokyo)
Grand Chanuka Celebration at 5:00 pm
We will be having great holiday food, lots of music and wonderful entertainment and surprises.

Children’s program will include special performer, arts and crafts, games, prizes and lots of fun.

Join in the festival of Lights, victory of light over darkness, holiness over impurity, goodness over negativity.
We hope that this Chanuka we will light the Menorah in the 3rd Temple, with the Rebbe Melech Hamoshiach.

Price per person 2,000 Yen, child 1,000 Yen

The activities of this month of Kislev is in memory of
Rabbi Gabi and Rivky Holzberg, who were killed in the
Chabad House of Bombay. May we merit the resurrection of the dead
with the coming of Moshiach Now.
Looking forward to seeing you

Rabbi Binyomin Edery
Chabad Tokyo Japan

Rosh Hashana we celebrated in a hall near Chabad Tokyo. There were over 100 participants.Many families and local Jews, and also many visitors from abroad.
There was a wonderful atmosphere, and inspiring New Year feeling.
Many participated in the services and the blowing of the Shofar.
On Sunday before Yom Kippur we did Kaparot.This is the first time in Chabad Tokyo that Kaparot are done on chickens.
Motzei Yom Kippur a big meal was served to all the people who came to pray.
For Succot, Rabbi Binyomin Edery director of Chabad of Tokyo made a Succa mobile, and drove all around Tokyo and the outskirts.Everyone who entered blessed on the Lulav and had some refreshments. There was an overwhelming great response from the people who he met on the way.

SUCCOT
You are welcome to join us for Succot and Simchat Torah.
Succot starts this Monday evening, October 13, at 4:45 pm.
Services will start at 6:30 pm followed by a festive meal.
Tuesday- Wednesday, October 14-15, 1st and 2nd day of Succot,
services start at 10:00 am
Holiday meal at 12:30 pm
Evening services at 7:00 pm, followed by holiday meal
All Succot meals are eaten in the Succa.

During the Intermediate days of Succot (half festival), Rabbi Binyomin Edery will be driving all around Tokyo and the outskirts (Yokohama, Saitama, Chiba) with the Succa Mobile, to let people bless on the Lulav and Etrog (Palm branch and citron). Refreshments will be served.
If you are interested to be on the ‘’Succa Route’’ please emailrabbi@chabadjapan.org
To sponsor the Succa Mobile for one day, in honor of, or in memory of someone, please email info@chabadjapan.org. One day ‘’Succa Sponsor’’ is 28,000 Yen.

Every evening of the Intermediate days there will be Simchat Bet Hashoeva in Chabad Tokyo.
The Mitzvah of Succot brings unity among people. It also helps us to conquer our negative traits and habits. When one takes part in the customs and mitzvos of Succot, one is able to reveal the light of Succot in ourselves and in our daily lives.
Here are the mitvot of Succot:
Making a blessing over food in a succa, blessing on the 4 species, taking part in the happiness of Succot, praying and eating the holiday meals.

SIMCHAT TORAH
Simchat Torah starts on October 20th in the evening, at 4:45. Services will start at 6:30 pm, followed by festive meal. Hakafot, dancing with the Torah will be on Monday evening, right after the meal.
Same schedule will be on Tuesday evening, October 21st, Services, meal and dancing with the Torah.
Morning services for Tuesday and Wednesday, October 21- 22 will be at 10:00 am.
Looking forward to seeing you and celebrating together.
Chag Sameach!