Chabad Tokyo Japan

Reprinted with permission from an article written by Rabbi Bernstein Moshe for all, including non-Jews. This issue is about this week’s Parashah, Yitro.

In this Torah portion, Yitro, we read about the revelation on Mt. Sinai. Mt. Sinai is situated in a desert. The desert has no owner. By giving the Torah in the desert, G‑d showed that everyone regardless of what he has can accept the Torah. The Jewish people accepted the 613 commandments while the 7 Noahide commandments were given to all the nations with no exception. Torah was given with the 7 laws on mount Sinai in order to enable man below to build G‑d a dwelling place in the lowest levels of creation. G‑d gave us the task of revealing the true essence of the world, and transforming its darkness into light, into an environment in which G‑d’s Presence is felt.
The first Noahide commandment, The Prohibition of Idolatry also includes the belief that there is no supreme entity except the creator. The Essence of G‑d is totally independent of any other existence. All other existence depends on G‑d, but He does not need or depend on any other existence. He may therefore be defined as the true existence. It is a principle of our faith that G‑d is One, a belief that not only means a singular being but also that G‑d is everything and everywhere. He was, is, and will always be. He has no beginning and no end. There is nothing whatsoever that resembles Him. It is a principle of our faith that G‑d is One, a belief that G‑d is everything and everywhere. The Divine light undergoes stages of constriction, in order for Him to create the finite world. There is a concealment of His infinite light, however, there is no concealment of His true essence.
“The purpose for which this world was created is that the Holy One, blessed be He, desired to have a dwelling place in the lower worlds,” says the Chassidic master Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi.
This revelation on Mt. Sinai was an introduction to the Era of Redemption where all of mankind will be able to comprehend that the world is G‑d’s dwelling place. May this happen in the immediate future.

BH

I am very shocked to hear the news of the attack on former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and I am very concerned that such an evil event should take place.

The Chief Rabbi of Japan, Rabbi Binyomin Y. Edery, calls on all.
Let us all pray for the safety and recovery of the life of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

The Creator commands mankind as the Law of Noah.
Do not commit murder.
Not only physical murder or injury.
Mental harm, insults, etc. are also among murder.
We must willfully turn away from such evil.
Man was made in the image of his Creator. We need to treat everyone with respect, including ourselves.
This must be observed regardless of political beliefs.

Let us focus on educating our children so that all people can respect all people, and so that we can achieve a peaceful society. Without these basics, society cannot exist.

Our hearts are with the family of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Japan.

Rabbi Binyomin Y. Edery
Chief Rabbi of Japan
Chabad House of Japan

Added at July 8th 17:58

I’ve heard just now the very sad news of passing away of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. May he rest in peace.

My sincere condolences to his family.

We need to work hard to repel such darkness and to bring light to the world.

What is the secret to success of the Jewish education?

This is one of the top five questions we get asked. There are several reasons.System of learning from young age is with a lot of review, repetition and study by heart. Students are taught from a young age the different parts of Torah according to their level.

As they get older they learn on a deeper level and the classical ”pair learning” system is practiced.In junior high school, they learn more and more hours in pairs- ”Chevruta” and just several hours a week, they have a formal lesson/lecture. A lot of revision time is given. The idea is to give the student the skills to be able to study independently and in depth. The teacher is in the room and always available to answer any question or issue that needs clarification. This system of learning instills self discipline and responsibility in the young students.

Tzedaka and kindness is emphasized as an integral part of learning. Students are encouraged to bring a coin every morning to put in the charity box at school emphasizing the importance of helping people in need as the basis of our day. Each school has volunteer hours every week and encourages the students to use their free time to help people in the community. The idea behind this is to show our gratitude for the gifts that we were given on a daily basis and not to take for granted the good opportunities that we have.

Prayer, time for connection and thankfulness is set aside each day to instill awareness of the Creator and develop a relationship with G-d Almighty on a daily basis. The students sing many parts of the prayer aloud and together, especially when they are young. 

The beginning is important. There is a beautiful tradition from the time of the Talmud, for the first day of school –”cheder”. When the father brings his child, the teacher puts him on his knees and asks him to read the ”Aleph” and then lick the honey that’s put on the letter for that purpose. The young child feels the love and sweetness of the study of Holy Torah.

This year, Chanukah starts from the evening of November 28th! We are providing Happy Chanukah Set -Chanukah to Go! (Box includes Menorah and Candle), for people who hopes to have before the coming Chanukah. Feel free to contact us from our e-mail!

Also in the first evening of Chanukah, Japanese visitors are welcome and donut, tea, coffee, wine and many other delicious food will be provided!! For kids, Dreidel is also available!

If you are visiting Chabad House of Tokyo for the first time, visitors need to fill out the visitors form beforehand. Our staff will send you after contacting us.

We are looking forward for your visit!

Tomorrow, Wednesday evening, September 15 will begin Yom Kippur.

The day that the deepest and purest part of our neshama is revealed. The day of eternal forgiveness, when one stands before the Creator, as an angel. We pray and wish that each of you will be sealed in the book of life for a good and sweet year. May it be a year of revealed good in every aspect of your life. From Corona(COVID-19), we will have the Crown of King Moshiach. Now. This year in Jerusalem!

We are joyously preparing for the meal before the fast and break the fast. Our generous friend Shlomi from Nagoya sent such fresh produce, large beets, special peppers and superbly sweet kabocha and many other delicious vegetables for the Holidays. Loads of Challah rolls and appetizing foods are ready for the great mitzvah of adding in meals on Erev Yom Kippur.

Yom Kippur was chosen as the day of forgiveness and atonement by G-d Almighty, 3,334 years ago. When the Jewish people were forgiven for the sin of the Golden Calf. To join for Yom Kippur please RSVP. Due to Corona(COVID-19), we have to know in advance.

Yom Kippur Schedule:

Wednesday, Sep 15
　2 PM　meal before the fast
　5:30 PM　Candle lighting
　6:30 PM　KOL NIDREI

Yom Kippur day:
 Thursday, Sep 16
　10 AM　Morning services
　11 AM　YIZKOR
　4:30 PM　Mincha
　5:00 PM　Neilah and Blowing shofar
　6:30 PM　MEAL AFTER THE FAST

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