Take the "Chitas" Challenge & Chanukah Just One Week Away!

Chabad of Cary Learning Center

B"H

Candle Lighting: 4:45 pm PArsha : VaYeshev

picture of self3.jpg Dear Friend,

Many of you were at Chabad last Shabbos when Rabbi Shais Taub spoke about a special daily study of Torah each day called CHITAS. Rabbi Taub mentioned how learning CHITAS is applicable for every Jew and its study contains many special qualities.

After his talk, it was suggested that we send out an email explaining the WHAT, HOW, AND WHY of Chitas. Thank you to the many who reminded us over the last few days to get this email out!

What is CHITAS?

ChiTaS (Hebrew: חת"ת‎) is an acronym for Chumash (the five books of Moses), Tehillim (Psalms), and Tanya (a key work of Chassidic philosophy by Rabbi Zalman of Liadi known as the Alter Rebbe). There is a custom within Chabad to study these works according to a yearly cycle, which is known colloquially as "doing ChiTaS.”

How does one study CHITAS?

CHUMASH The weekly Torah Portion is divided into 7 readings. Each day of the week one studies that portion associated with that day along with commentary of Rashi, the most fundamental commentary of the Torah. On Sunday, the first reading; On Monday, the second reading…until the 7th reading is studied on Shabbat.

TEHILIM The book of Psalms contains 150 chapters. These are divided by the days of the Hebrew month so that on every day one recites approximately 5-6 chapters of Psalms. Most editions of Tehilim have this division as so the Psalms available on Jewish sites online. Note that the Psalms portion of Chitas is more like a prayer than a study. Jews have always used these words of King David in our prayers during both times of thanksgiving and distress.

TANYA Tanya, the fundamental text of Chabad Chassidic philosophy, is divided in a yearly cycle based upon the date on the Hebrew Calendar. The study consists of learning about a half a page of Tanya/day. You can read a short article on the basic theme of Tanya here.

These studies can all be done in any language. It is preferable to actually say the words audibly as you study.

Why the emphasis on studying Chitas right now?

The yearly cycle of Tanya starts all over today, the 19th of Kislev. (More on the specialty of today here) It is therefore a wonderful opportunity to begin studying Chitas!

What resources are available for study of Chitas?

The text of Chumash,Tehilim, and Tanya is available online here. There are also apps (both iphone and android) for these texts.

Daily video classes from Rabbi Josh Gordon (a clear and easy-to-understand teacher) on the Chumash and Tanya is available here. These are also available as MP3 downloads.

You can get an email with the daily Tanya Study here: (Go to Daily Study section of the subscriptions)

Like holding a text in your hands? If you’d be interested in purchasing a Hebrew/English Chumash with Rashi, Psalms, and Tanya, please email [email protected]. There's also a wonderful new booklet called "Chayenu" that can get mailed to your door with these daily study texts (mailing every 2 weeks) so you can have them in an light and easy-to-carry print edition wherever you go. More on Chayenu here.

What if there are days that I don’t understand the study?

That’s OK! Each time one studies Chitas, one understands things a little bit better. And even after learning Chitas for many years, one always sees things in a deeper manner. While some days (especially of Tanya) are more complex than others, the subject matter changes quickly and even on the difficult days there is always some message you can take. The video classes are also a great resource to turn to on the trickier days.

It’s also helpful to keep in mind that the holy words of these texts themselves have a purifying affect on the one who learns them, even when one does not fully understand them.

How much time does it take to study CHITAS

Chumash- Depending on the length of the Parsha and how well it is studied, the Chumash can take 10-15 minutes.
Psalms –About 5 Minutes
Tanya – About 5-10 minutes

Some days you may have more time and study the texts in greater depth while other days may be a quicker read at the end of the day, but the beauty of CHITAS is this daily commitment to Torah Study.

What is so special about this specific study?

Education – The study of Chitas will help make one an educated Jew.

Well-rounded knowledge of all 5 books of the Torah.
Understanding of basic concepts in Jewish Mysticism.
Familiarity with Psalms and the many verses from our prayers that come from it.

Jewish Unity

Hundreds of thousands of Jews study these exact texts every day. Think of the power of joining that spiritual energy. There is also that instant conversation starter when meeting another Jew who studies Chitas!

Connection to the Rebbe

The study of Chitas was especially dear to the Lubavitcher Rebbe, of righteous memory. When people would write to the Rebbe with requests for blessings or advice, the Rebbe would frequently ask the person whether or not they already study Chitas, stressing how its study is a source of tremendous blessings in our life. Studying Chitas deepens ones relationship to Chabad and their Rebbes.

A Mitzvah!

Torah study is not meant for just occasional classes or Shabbos. We are actually commanded to study Torah each day on our own, and the study of Chitas is a wonderful way to fulfill this Mitzah.

Bringing the Holiness of Torah to Every Day

Every day brings its challenges and ups and downs. The consistency of daily Torah study will elevate your entire day and fill your mind with Torah’s holy teachings. And you’ll be surprised to see how often that day’s teachings can relate to something in our life that day.

If you have any questions about the study of Chitas, feel free to email [email protected]

This Shabbos, davening at 909 Reedy Creek Rd. begins at 9:30 am with Torah Reading and discussion at 10:30 am and a kiddush at around 12:30pm. The kiddush is sponsored by the Keller family in honor of the yahrzeit of Larry’s father.

Good Shabbos,

Rabbi Yisroel and Rebbetzin Chana

What a weekend - thank you!
Between the 3 days, more than 200 people had the opportunity to hear the thought-provoking words of Rabbi Shais Taub. We have received wonderful feedback and want to give a special thanks to the planning commitee, sponsors of the Shabbaton, and the community sponsors of Sunday's Lecture at Temple Beth Or. This uplifting weekend could not have happened with you!

We're looking for kiddush sponsors

Please help fill out kiddush sponsor calendar - Most weeks available!

Click here to Choose a Week

Celebrate your birthday, anniversary, the Yahrzeit of a family member or other family occasion with a kiddush lunch at the Chabad of Cary. The kiddush is very affordable, and it's a beautiful way of celebrating with the community.

Chabad of Cary has a number of kiddush menu options to choose from. To sponsor a Kiddush luncheon, pick an available date from our calendar online and then complete the Kiddush Sponsorship Form. We thank you!

Chanukah wonderland, band, & menorah lighting just a week away

Please spread the word about this exciting holiday program!

Sunday December 21st @ Downtown Apex

2pm - Chanukah Wonderland at the Halle Center at 237 N Salem St. Perfect for children of all ages, the Wonderland will feature educational and exciting holiday activities and games.

4:15 pm - Live Concert at the Halle Center by the Rogers Park Band from Chicago

5:00 pm - Grand Menorah Lighting across the street at 220 N Salem St. The lighting will be followed by outdoor music by the Rogers Park Band.

THE CHANUKAH WONDERLAND WILL STAY OPEN MON AND TUE MORNINGS

The Jewish cultural festival is back!

Monday Dec 22nd 4:30 - 8:00 pm

Join us on the seventh night of Chanukah to celebrate Jewish culture in Cary! The festivities kick off at 5 p.m. with the lighting of a nine-foot Menorah. Throughout the evening there will be hands-on activities for children, Israeli falafel and doughnuts, and entertainment by singers, a puppeteer, and a Klezmer band! There will also be a collection point for hats and gloves to be donated to Note in the Pocket.

Presented by the Town of Cary, Chabad of Cary, Beth Shalom, and The Jewish Federation of Raleigh/Cary.

We're looking for more hands to help with the food preparation or selling at the festival Festival. Please email [email protected] with the subject line - Chanukah Food Help. Thank You!

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Weekly Parshah

Parshat Vayeishev

Jacob settles in Hebron with his twelve sons. His favorite is seventeen-year-old Joseph, whose brothers are jealous of the preferential treatment he receives from his father, such as a precious many-colored coat that Jacob makes for Joseph. Joseph relates to his brothers two of his dreams which foretell that he is destined to rule over them, increasing their envy and hatred towards him.

Simeon and Levi plot to kill him, but Reuben suggests that they throw him into a pit instead, intending to come back later and save him. While Joseph is in the pit, Judah has him sold to a band of passing Ishmaelites. The brothers dip Joseph’s special coat in the blood of a goat and show it to their father, leading him to believe that his most beloved son was devoured by a wild beast.

Judah marries and has three children. The eldest, Er, dies young and childless, and his wife, Tamar, is given in levirate marriage to the second son, Onan. Onan sins by spilling his seed, and he too meets an early death. Judah is reluctant to have his third son marry her. Determined to have a child from Judah’s family, Tamar disguises herself as a prostitute and seduces Judah himself. Judah hears that his daughter-in-law has become pregnant and orders her executed for harlotry, but when Tamar produces some personal effects he left with her as a pledge for payment, he publicly admits that he is the father. Tamar gives birth to twin sons, Peretz (an ancestor of King David) and Zerach.

Joseph is taken to Egypt and sold to Potiphar, the minister in charge of Pharaoh’s slaughterhouses. G‑d blesses everything he does, and soon he is made overseer of all his master’s property. Potiphar’s wife desires the handsome and charismatic lad; when Joseph rejects her advances, she tells her husband that the Hebrew slave tried to force himself on her, and has him thrown into prison. Joseph gains the trust and admiration of his jailers, who appoint him to a position of authority in the prison administration.

In prison, Joseph meets Pharaoh’s chief butler and chief baker, both incarcerated for offending their royal master. Both have disturbing dreams, which Joseph interprets; in three days, he tells them, the butler will be released and the baker hanged. Joseph asks the butler to intercede on his behalf with Pharaoh. Joseph’s predictions are fulfilled, but the butler forgets all about Joseph and does nothing for him.

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