Chabad Lubavitch of Northern Virginia• Email: [email protected]• Phone: 703-426-1980 • www.ChabadNoVa.org
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Special 19 Kislev Kiddush at Shul — Tomorrow!

To RSVP — Call the Office, 703-426-1980 ASAP!
Yud-Tes Kislev is the anniversary of the passing of R. Dovber, the Maggid of Mezritch, in 1772. It is also the anniversary of the release from capital sentence and imprisonment of his disciple, Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, in 1798 and is celebrated as a Chassidic holiday among Chabad Chassidim.
This day marks the "birth" of Chassidism: the day it was allowed to emerge from the womb of mysticism into the light of day, to grow and develop as an integral part of Torah and Jewish life.
Join us at Chabad Lubavitch of Northern Virginia as we celebrate in our community with joy and energy.
Sincerely,
Rabbi Sholom Deitsch
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This weekend, on Shabbat, we mark the most important date on the Chabad calendar: Yud-Tes Kislev, the 19th of the month of Kislev, which is the anniversary of Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi’s release from prison in Czarist Russia in 1798. Also known as the Alter Rebbe, he was the founder of the Chabad movement, and was imprisoned as a result of fabricated charges that he was aiding enemies of the Russian Empire. (In fact, he was sending money to the Jews in the Holy Land, then under Ottoman rule.)
After his release, the Alter Rebbe penned a letter to his followers, quoting a verse from this week’s Torah portion, “I have become small from all the kindnesses and from all the truth that You have rendered Your servant.” With these words Jacob acknowledges that all of G‑d’s kindness has rendered him small and humble.
Knowing that everything we have comes from G‑d is simultaneously empowering and humbling, and the Alter Rebbe reminded his followers that although his release from prison should be commemorated and celebrated every year, we must not forget about humility.
Be humble and know where all your blessings come from. That will empower you to continue growing and expanding your reach. That’s how it was with Jacob—with his family growing and expanding from that point on, that’s how it was with the Alter Rebbe—with the nascenant Chabad movement he started flourishing tremendously after his release, and that’s how we should act as well—with great humility that will lead to exponential growth!
Shabbat Shalom.
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Chanukah/Shabbos Dinner - Under the Stars (and Tent!) - Friday Night, December 11 |
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RSVP - chabadnova.org/shabbatlight
Join Chabad of NOVA for the epic event of Shabbat Chanukkah in the tent! With a heated tent, indivodual catered meals, and great company, we will not forget this memorable night. Bring a mask, your smile, and that Shabbat feeling. Spots limited so RSVP asap at chabadnova.org/shabbatlight
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Shabbat Times
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Shabbat Candle Lighting: |
Friday, Dec. 4
4:29 pm
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Shabbat Ends: |
Shabbat, Dec. 5
5:31 pm
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Sharing Light
When you share material things, you have less than when you started.
When you share a flame, you lose nothing at all.
When you share wisdom, understanding, knowledge, kindness, courage, and beauty, you only gain and everyone else also gains.
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Donate to Chabad at No Cost to You |
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Parshat Vayishlach
Jacob returns to the Holy Land after a 20-year stay in Charan, and sends angel-emissaries to Esau in hope of a reconciliation, but his messengers report that his brother is on the warpath with 400 armed men. Jacob prepares for war, prays, and sends Esau a large gift (consisting of hundreds of heads of livestock) to appease him.
That night, Jacob ferries his family and possessions across the Jabbok River; he, however, remains behind and encounters the angel that embodies the spirit of Esau, with whom he wrestles until daybreak. Jacob suffers a dislocated hip but vanquishes the supernal creature, who bestows on him the name Israel, which means “he who prevails over the divine.”
Jacob and Esau meet, embrace and kiss, but part ways. Jacob purchases a plot of land near Shechem, whose crown prince—also called Shechem— abducts and rapes Jacob’s daughter Dinah. Dinah’s brothers Simeon and Levi avenge the deed by killing all male inhabitants of the city , after rendering them vulnerable by convincing them to circumcise themselves.
Jacob journeys on. Rachel dies while giving birth to her second son, Benjamin, and is buried in a roadside grave near Bethlehem. Reuben loses the birthright because he interferes with his father’s marital life. Jacob arrives in Hebron, to his father Isaac, who later dies at age 180. (Rebecca has passed away before Jacob’s arrival.)
Our Parshah concludes with a detailed account of Esau’s wives, children and grandchildren; the family histories of the people of Seir, among whom Esau settled; and a list of the eight kings who ruled Edom, the land of Esau’s and Seir’s descendants.
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