Chabad Tokyo Japan

This week Rabbi Edery traveled to Yaotsu city in Gifu, 350 km from Tokyo, to organize a brit for a newborn baby boy.

It was very moving to see the grandparent, family and guests who came to celebrate this important mitzvah, and were especially happy to see the Rabbi drive all the way from Tokyo with his children in honor of the Brit.

Mazal Tov to the Kabati on the birth of their new baby, may you bring him up to Torah, Huppa and good deeds.

In the 1960’s the Lubavitcher Rebbe asked to open a vocational school in Kfar Chabad, Israel. Rabbi Moshe Edery (Rabbi Binyomin’s uncle) ran the school for many years and received many blessings and directives regarding this school. Interestingly, the father of the baby boy is a graduate of this school in Kfar Chabad, and remembered with great love the special care and dedication of the teachers.

The town of Yaotsu is famous as it is the birthplace of the Consul Sugihara, who helped many Jews escape Nazi Europe during World War two. There is a Holocaust Museum in this city in his honor.

The Chabad Tokyo kids, aged from two to eleven, set out for their hands on another agriculture learning experience. This time, not only ”mikan” or tangerine, but also “daikon” or Japanese white radish. They worked with interest and fun, and after all the long hours of work and driving, they enjoyed eating their harvest.

The first day a child is taken to the Cheder (Jewish boys school) it is customary to make it a very memorable event. Here are some of the customs that are done, that trace back to the times of the Talmud, 2,500 years ago.

The child is wrapped in a Talit (prayer shawl), as he is taken from his house to the cheder, so as not to see things that are not kosher, as it is a holy day.

Once in the classroom, the teacher (Rebbi) gives the child from a honey cake, with holy verses inscribed on it. He also eats an egg with verses from the Tanach written on it.
The Rebbi smears honey on the Hebrew Aleph Bet, and the child says each letter and licks the honey.

The guests throw candies on the child and say that it is from the Angel Michael.
Coins for charity and baggies (sweets) are distributed among the students of the class, then Tzedaka is given and blessings are said on the food.

Last week Rabbi Edery took 3 year old Levi Yitzchak to the Or Menchem Yeshiva, where Rabbi Yitzchak Fuchs, renowned educator and teacher of grade 1, graciously welcomed the guests from Tokyo and did all the beautiful traditions with Levi Yitzchak leaving a very strong impression on him.

We had a great Sukkot. Many guests visited Chabad House and ate and celebrated together in a big Sukka in its garden.

Rabbi Edery traveled with Sukka Mobile for “Peopel Hoping”, all over Japan. In the picture is a group of Jews from Nagoya and nearby cities, who got together with their families to eat and bless in the Sukka Mobile.

With thanks to G-d, this week we celebrated the Circumcision of Nissim Ariel Edery.
May he grow up to Torah (Bar Mitzvha), Chuppah (marriage) and good deeds, and be a Hassid, one who fears G-d and a Torah scholar.
We would like to thank all the wonderful guests who honored us by coming.
May G-d bless you all with all the blessings of the Torah.
May Elijah the prophet who comes to every circumcision come and give us the good news, that Moshiach is here!