Shabbat Highlights  

For the safety of our community, RSVP is required for all Shabbat meals.  Text Shabbat to 607-797-0015 to RSVP

* 4:14 ~ Light Shabbat candles in the Chabad social hall
* 4:15 ~ Mincha
* 4:30 ~ Pirkei Avot study in memory of Omer Neutra A"H, at the JLIC house 
* 5:30pm ~ Spirited Kabbalat Shabbat services
* 6:30pm ~ Delicious, full course, home cooked dinner 
* Dessert buffet 

* 9:30am ~ Shabbat morning services 
* 12:00pm ~ Shabbat lunch
* Mincha services 
* 415~ Seudah Shelishit 
* 5:15pm ~ Maariv and Havdallah
* 7:30pm ~ Chabad cafe opens

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Live downtown? Join Chabad at 60 Henry Street
Kabbalat Shabbat Services at 7:00pm
Dinner at 7:30pm
Text SHABBAT DOWNTOWN to RSVP

Week of December 8

Sunday: Shacharit at 9:00 AM, Mincha/Maariv at 4:15 PM
Monday-Friday: Shacharit at 8:00 AM, Mincha/Maariv at 4:15 PM

The relationship between individuals often requires balance—navigating personal needs, moral principles, and the needs of others. This is highlighted in this week’s Parshah, where Jacob faces a moral dilemma.

Jacob worked for seven years to marry Rachel, his uncle Laban's younger daughter. On the wedding night, Laban deceived him, giving Leah, the elder sister, instead. When Jacob protested, Laban proposed that Jacob also marry Rachel after Leah’s celebration week, in exchange for another seven years of work. Jacob agreed, marrying both sisters.

The Sages raise a question: how could Jacob marry two sisters, which the Torah later prohibits? While the Torah hadn't been given yet, the Patriarchs are said to have intuitively observed its laws. The Lubavitcher Rebbe offers insight: Jacob kept Torah laws as a personal stringency, but his promise to Rachel was a universal moral obligation. When forced to choose, he prioritized his promise over personal stringency.

This teaches us a vital lesson: sometimes, personal rigor must give way to universal responsibility. Bold action and prioritizing the needs of others, as Jacob did, reflect true spiritual balance.

Chabad.org

It’s the time of year we are all dreading: Final exams. Not only are we taking approximately 10 tests at once, this is also the last time for another 6 weeks that we will see each other. In order to make the best of this precious time together, here is a go-to list of mine to ensure everyone will end the semester off strong.

1. Say thanks to the Rabbis and the E-board for an amazing semester: It’s incredible how much goes on behind the scenes at Chabad. The Rabbis of Chabad and E-board work really hard to ensure events such as Shabbos meals, Supper and Study, Pizza and Parsha, Toy Drives, Panoply, Mega Challah Bakes, and many more run smoothly. By showing our gratitude, it will make them proud and motivated to keep up their amazing work for our community. 

2. Study at Chabad: You know what’s better than having chicken soup on friday night? Having chicken soup everyday of the week. That is of course if you study in the Chabad basement downstairs next week. There will be Rivky’s famous chicken soup and other delicious food to enhance your studying. If food isn’t enough, you can play pool at the chapool table or take a “short” nap on the bean bags.

3. Exercise: Sometimes all it takes is hitting a PR on your bench press or going on a 5k run to empty your mind of all the stresses of finals week. Plan out a time within the next week to get some well-needed exercise!

Wow…what a journey it has been for Berman’s Blog this semester! I hope I was able to bring entertainment, enthusiasm, and words of wisdom to the shabbos table. May we all be blessed with a great winter break and come back stronger than ever for next semester!