On Sunday evening, December 31, community members gathered at Beth Gavriel Center for a stirring night of inspiration hosted by Chazaq and Beth Gavriel in commemoration of the six-month yahrzeit of Carmela Yakubov’s father, Rafik Ribihav ben Frida, and in memory of those killed in the current war in Israel, for release of the hostages, and for the safety of our soldiers.
Robbie Aboff, Director of Operations of Chazaq, welcomed everyone. He spoke about Rafik Ribihav, who was such a special person who had an impact on people, and was loved, and is so missed by his family. Robbie shared that everyone came together to be inspired by the power of Torah and brachos, which has an impact on the world and on Eretz Yisrael.
The first speaker, Rabbi Yaakov Mizrahi, well-known speaker, began by suggesting everyone go to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to pray for one person who is being held hostage.
Next, he said we must remind ourselves that we are in galus and how we were able to leave the galus in Egypt. “We are not bystanders. B’nei Yisrael have to do something. If you think there is nothing you can do, then you are wrong. You are here. You have a mission and a purpose.”
What is the master key to get into the g’ulah? He answered that the source of blessing in our life is Shabbos. We say this in the song L’chah Dodi. “You want brachah in your life? Run to Shabbos.” G’ulah is hiding in Shabbos. In Egypt, B’nei Yisrael were keeping Shabbos, and we were redeemed. The greatest way to leave galus is by strengthening Shabbos observance.
When people would come to the Chofetz Chaim for a brachah, he would tell them to go to Shabbos because that gives you the brachah. He taught that when Yehoshua led us, the Jordan River split. In our first battle against the fortified city of Jericho, we were successful. The city was fortified with a strong wall, yet it crumbled and fell. No Jew was injured or killed.
While in the next battle, against the city of Ai, we lost 36 Jews and we were not able to destroy it. The reason was that one Jew committed a sin. He took spoils, and Rabbi Mizrahi explained that he took them on Shabbos, so not only was he not supposed to take any, but also they were muktzah. Achan, who took the spoils, did t’shuvah and, before he died, he composed the second paragraph of Aleinu that we recite every day. Rabbi Mizrahi emphasized that one Jew’s chilul Shabbos can bring churban.
Shabbos is for Hashem’s honor. That is why it is so important for us to strengthen our observance, and it will be a z’chus for g’ulah. He taught that “you will never gain from any chilul Shabbos!”
Next, Rabbi Tomer Zino, well-known speaker, shared that tonight we are gathering together to be m’chazeik Torah and mitzvos. It takes research, belief, and dedication to realize the tremendous brachah in everything our Sages say.
He shared a story of how the Gerrer Rebbe gave a boy, who was inducted into the Russian army, a pamphlet on how to do bris milah and that helped him to eventually leave the Russian army. At first glance, it didn’t seem to be anything that would help, but the Rebbe knew better. We need to realize there is tremendous power in what the Sages say.
Sometimes we make the mistake of not realizing we can be successful with what we have. Each of us has a mission and we need to give the benefit of the doubt to ourselves.
He shared how in Asia there is a custom to fill the cracks in a bowl made of pottery with gold. So, the cracks end up adding to the beauty of the bowl. In the same way, when we encounter obstacles and push ourselves, then just as a bowl with cracks becomes more beautiful, so too, we become stronger and better. We need to stay strong and to delve into our heritage and stick to it.
He shared a story about an Israeli soldier on October 7, who found himself hiding behind a wall and being shot at by Hamas. He said a prayer that if he survived, he would start keeping Shabbos. He was outnumbered but miraculously the gunshots became more distant, and he and his friend escaped. He shares his story and says that he felt that Hashem was right with him.
If you don’t feel Hashem, ask yourself where you are. Are you dedicating yourself properly and looking for Hashem in your life?
Following this, Rabbi Paysach Krohn, well-known mohel, speaker, and author, taught that we come into this world in order to grow and to be the best we can be. Hashem wants us to be ehrlich, honest, wonderful Jews who contribute to the lives of others. He acknowledged that we owe tremendous gratitude to Chazaq for this program and all they do.
We are all gifted with talents, and Hashem wants us to use them to bring out the best in ourselves and in others. The Zohar teaches that there are 600,000 letters in the Torah and there were 600,000 men who left Egypt. ”Every man has a letter that is his, in the Torah. All of us, as their descendants, have a letter in the Torah. We are all one big collective sefer Torah.” This means three things, Rabbi Krohn taught:
First, if a Torah is missing a letter, then we can’t use it. “So, if one Jew is out there and he is not fulfilling his role to be an Orthodox, ehrliche Yid, then it is a question on us.” We have to know that kiruv is for all of us. We can have neighbors, relatives, or co-workers who are not religious. We need to sure everyone reaches his purpose of being a wonderful Jew.
The second lesson is that the letters in the Torah cannot overlap on each other. Each letter is distinct and special. This teaches us that every one of us is special. We each have a different mindset and talents and ways of doing things.
The final lesson is that in English you have one letter words like “I” or “a.” In the Torah no word has only one letter. “This is because we can’t do it alone. We need each other.”
The S’fas Emes lived to be only 58. At his funeral, one of his sons said he had length of days. His brother said no, he died young. The other son explained that length of days is different from length of years. No one can guarantee length of years, but every one of us can guarantee length of days. That means making every day count. That is what Hashem wants to see from us. That is the gift we give to Hashem.
A friend shared a special idea with Rabbi Krohn on his birthday that Rabbi Krohn said applies to all of us. The day you were born was the day Hashem decided that the world couldn’t exist without you. That is why Hashem put us here. No two people are alike. So, if Hashem brought us into the world, then we have a role to fulfill.
Rabbi Krohn then shared ways to make every day count. He referenced the song by Abie Rotenberg titled “Butterfly,” which was composed in memory of Rabbi Zechariah Wallerstein z”l. There is a line in the song that teaches an important lesson. “You can fly and you can soar if you’ll only open the door.”
Rabbi Krohn taught that you have to open the door and use your talents to help others. He shared a story about how Yaakov Shwekey helped someone in need and gave him and his wife a private free concert. Rabbi Krohn emphasized how important it is to use our talents to help others. He shared another story that showed how you should never believe someone who tells you that you can’t do something. “If you believe in yourself, then you can do it!”
Then, he shared a story that taught how important it is to make your family your priority. Your family is most important, and your children need you more than anything.
The last speaker was Rabbi Menachem Nissel, well-known author and speaker. He shared stories and he shared a beautiful teaching of the Zohar. Everyone is given an instrument to play in his mother’s womb. Hashem wants all to play their instruments together in exquisite harmony.
The program can be viewed on TorahAnytime.com.
By Susie Garber
