UPDATE: If you can't listen to the shuir with the above link please try this link.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
AUDIO of Rabbi Eytan Feiner at Sharfman's
A continued thank you to our readers...Someone just emailed us with a link to listen to the shuir by Rabbi Eytan Feiner that he recently gave at Sharfman's. Click here and receive chizuk from his words!!!
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Mailbag Time: Chizuk from Redondo Beach, CA
Since it's a mitzvah to publicize a miracle, then I'm obligated to tell how Tinok ben Aviva was directly responsible for a revelation of Hashem this past Shabbos, at our shul, the J.C.C. Chabad in Redondo Beach, California. Whenever I have tried to tell it, it always seems to come out as a "I guess you had to be there..." type of story, and so I hope Hashem will help me to give it over so that a reader will get some of the "juice" that I get just remembering it.
A couple of weeks ago, I paid a visit to one of several blogs I visit regularly, Yeranan Yaakov. His new post was entitled, "Pray for Tinok ben Aviva". Besides referencing another blog, "Modern Uberdox" as the source of his post, he also linked to Elchanan Shoff's wonderful article. I have to confess, I only glanced over the article briefly, but I added Tinok's name to my list of regular "mishabeirachs" for Mondays, Thursdays, and other Torah reading days.
Fast forward to this past Shabbos Tetzaveh. A good friend of mine has a family from out of town staying at his home for Shabbos. Aside from one of the sons, Matthew, who's visited our community once before I'd never met any of them before. After the Torah reading, the Rabbi started making the call for "Mishebeirachs - first for men, please." When my turn came, I called out, "Tinok ben Aviva" and after he repeated it, I turned around for a second, and I saw that my friend was having a somewhat serious discussion with two of his guests, the father and the son, Matthew. What was a little disturbing was that they kept looking at me with something like surprise on their faces, and seemed to be talking about me. I couldn't help but wonder what was up as I saw the son, break away from the discussion and start making his way up to me. At that point the Rabbis finished his bracha for the men, and made the call for, "Mishabeirachs - for women now, please" so i turned around to submit the two names who are always on my women's list. When I turned around again, Matthew had caught up to me, and asked me, "What connection do you have to Tinok ben Aviva? How did you know that name?" I told him about how the call to pray for this child was posted on this blog i regularly visit, and that although I didn't really know the full story, Baruch Hashem, I'm a father, and for that reason alone, I can sympathize with the parents of a sick child, so I was happy to take on adding his name to my prayers. Before I could ask him "why do you ask?" he was already into, "because Tinok ben Aviva... his family... that's my cousin! When my father heard someone call out that name, it made him jump. Who out here in Redondo beach would possibly be asking about Tinok ben Aviva? Thank you so much for doing that, that is so kind..."
At this point, we started to look at each other with that Yirat Hashem look on our faces, as it settled in that Hashem was "drawing back the curtain just a little extra" and revealing Himself to us, just a little more. The obvious precision coordination of events over a span of months that brought all of us together at that one moment, just to reveal Him ... wow, and I mean WOW. I barely made it back to my spot, I was so dizzy trying to process the Hasgacha Pratis that just happened, but when I did, something wonderful clicked with me. My "fear" aspect of the experience was replaced by an overwhelming sense of joy, and, I had to do everything to restrain myself from laughing and dancing right there. I was so overflowing that I went to the back of the room and spent the rest of the service pacing back and forth as i davened to keep myself in check. This little tzadik whom I had never met, was the catalyst that brought these four Jews to revealing Hashem.
It's a bittersweet feeling to somehow have merited a part in this story. As i thought about the events from this past Shabbos, I told Hashem that if I did anything of any merit that resulted in your being just a tiny bit more revealed in this world, while I don't think that I have anything coming to me, I can imagine you "rewarding" me in some way. I imagined a conversation which really was more like a prayer, "Hashem, the only reward I want is that You reveal Yourself even more, and give that boy a refuah shlaima. You want to reward me? I will accept an invitation to dance at his Chasoner in a few years, if you insist on giving me something.
I apologize for the ramble of this letter, and I sincerely hope that I have been able to give some measure of comfort or chizuk. My greatest hope is that by my publicizing what Hashem did this past Shabbos, that the little shliach who was catalyst for the whole series of events will have achieved whatever it was that he needed to be sick for, and begin down the road to a long, full, healthy life full of simcha and bracha and nachas, for him, his parents, and everyone else his life touches.
A couple of weeks ago, I paid a visit to one of several blogs I visit regularly, Yeranan Yaakov. His new post was entitled, "Pray for Tinok ben Aviva". Besides referencing another blog, "Modern Uberdox" as the source of his post, he also linked to Elchanan Shoff's wonderful article. I have to confess, I only glanced over the article briefly, but I added Tinok's name to my list of regular "mishabeirachs" for Mondays, Thursdays, and other Torah reading days.
Fast forward to this past Shabbos Tetzaveh. A good friend of mine has a family from out of town staying at his home for Shabbos. Aside from one of the sons, Matthew, who's visited our community once before I'd never met any of them before. After the Torah reading, the Rabbi started making the call for "Mishebeirachs - first for men, please." When my turn came, I called out, "Tinok ben Aviva" and after he repeated it, I turned around for a second, and I saw that my friend was having a somewhat serious discussion with two of his guests, the father and the son, Matthew. What was a little disturbing was that they kept looking at me with something like surprise on their faces, and seemed to be talking about me. I couldn't help but wonder what was up as I saw the son, break away from the discussion and start making his way up to me. At that point the Rabbis finished his bracha for the men, and made the call for, "Mishabeirachs - for women now, please" so i turned around to submit the two names who are always on my women's list. When I turned around again, Matthew had caught up to me, and asked me, "What connection do you have to Tinok ben Aviva? How did you know that name?" I told him about how the call to pray for this child was posted on this blog i regularly visit, and that although I didn't really know the full story, Baruch Hashem, I'm a father, and for that reason alone, I can sympathize with the parents of a sick child, so I was happy to take on adding his name to my prayers. Before I could ask him "why do you ask?" he was already into, "because Tinok ben Aviva... his family... that's my cousin! When my father heard someone call out that name, it made him jump. Who out here in Redondo beach would possibly be asking about Tinok ben Aviva? Thank you so much for doing that, that is so kind..."
At this point, we started to look at each other with that Yirat Hashem look on our faces, as it settled in that Hashem was "drawing back the curtain just a little extra" and revealing Himself to us, just a little more. The obvious precision coordination of events over a span of months that brought all of us together at that one moment, just to reveal Him ... wow, and I mean WOW. I barely made it back to my spot, I was so dizzy trying to process the Hasgacha Pratis that just happened, but when I did, something wonderful clicked with me. My "fear" aspect of the experience was replaced by an overwhelming sense of joy, and, I had to do everything to restrain myself from laughing and dancing right there. I was so overflowing that I went to the back of the room and spent the rest of the service pacing back and forth as i davened to keep myself in check. This little tzadik whom I had never met, was the catalyst that brought these four Jews to revealing Hashem.
It's a bittersweet feeling to somehow have merited a part in this story. As i thought about the events from this past Shabbos, I told Hashem that if I did anything of any merit that resulted in your being just a tiny bit more revealed in this world, while I don't think that I have anything coming to me, I can imagine you "rewarding" me in some way. I imagined a conversation which really was more like a prayer, "Hashem, the only reward I want is that You reveal Yourself even more, and give that boy a refuah shlaima. You want to reward me? I will accept an invitation to dance at his Chasoner in a few years, if you insist on giving me something.
I apologize for the ramble of this letter, and I sincerely hope that I have been able to give some measure of comfort or chizuk. My greatest hope is that by my publicizing what Hashem did this past Shabbos, that the little shliach who was catalyst for the whole series of events will have achieved whatever it was that he needed to be sick for, and begin down the road to a long, full, healthy life full of simcha and bracha and nachas, for him, his parents, and everyone else his life touches.
Rabbi Feiner: Emunah and Bitachon Speech
Thanks to a reader for sending us this link of a speech given by Rabbi Eytan Feiner at Bnot Torah Institute that wowed the audience!
Tinok ben Aviva Update from R. Feiner!
BS"D
YET ANOTHER BRIEF UPDATE…(early morning in Eretz Yisroel, 12 Adar I, Feb. 18) First and foremost, my wife and I feel an overwhelming sense of hakaras ha'tov to each and every one of you who continue to daven so intensely and continue to be marbeh zechuyos for the refuah shi'leima of Klal Yisroel's adorable little tzaddikel. A tremendous Yasher Koach is extended to you all- mei'omek ha'lev. Thank you so very much. To quickly update all the chashuv mispallelim, tzaddikel is now continuing to breathe on his own, and his breathing is B"H slowly, but gradually, improving. He can be held (and bathed- he really loves baths…) outside the incubator for a nice duration of time without decreases in his saturation level. He has also been steadily gaining weight and is now at approximately 6.5 pounds. We have recently had some very positive news: He has started to cough periodically, thus demonstrating a gag reflex not previously seen. Even more importantly, we have- as he just passed his 'first month' birthday- heard him cry, ever so slightly, for the first time. Can you imagine—almost five weeks old now, and we are davening to hear him cry…and B"H he has begun to emit short bursts of crying…his vocal chords are working… Chasdei Hashem. Certain essential reflexes and other important areas are still in need of rachamei Shamayim, so please maintain your incredible dedication and outpouring of precious tefillos. They are all so very much appreciated, and have truly accomplished a great deal thus far. May we only share in constant and overflowing besoros tovos for all of Klal Yisroel. Wishing you all only Kol Tuv always and thanking you once again for everything,
EF
YET ANOTHER BRIEF UPDATE…(early morning in Eretz Yisroel, 12 Adar I, Feb. 18) First and foremost, my wife and I feel an overwhelming sense of hakaras ha'tov to each and every one of you who continue to daven so intensely and continue to be marbeh zechuyos for the refuah shi'leima of Klal Yisroel's adorable little tzaddikel. A tremendous Yasher Koach is extended to you all- mei'omek ha'lev. Thank you so very much. To quickly update all the chashuv mispallelim, tzaddikel is now continuing to breathe on his own, and his breathing is B"H slowly, but gradually, improving. He can be held (and bathed- he really loves baths…) outside the incubator for a nice duration of time without decreases in his saturation level. He has also been steadily gaining weight and is now at approximately 6.5 pounds. We have recently had some very positive news: He has started to cough periodically, thus demonstrating a gag reflex not previously seen. Even more importantly, we have- as he just passed his 'first month' birthday- heard him cry, ever so slightly, for the first time. Can you imagine—almost five weeks old now, and we are davening to hear him cry…and B"H he has begun to emit short bursts of crying…his vocal chords are working… Chasdei Hashem. Certain essential reflexes and other important areas are still in need of rachamei Shamayim, so please maintain your incredible dedication and outpouring of precious tefillos. They are all so very much appreciated, and have truly accomplished a great deal thus far. May we only share in constant and overflowing besoros tovos for all of Klal Yisroel. Wishing you all only Kol Tuv always and thanking you once again for everything,
EF
Sunday, February 10, 2008
R. Feiner: Letter Addendum KEEP DAVENING!!!
We just received an addendum to the above letter:
"only a few days after this email was written by Rabbi Feiner, tzaddikel was put back on the respirator, and is not, in fact, breathing on his own. IMY"H he will be very soon- its unbelievable what can change in just a matter of hours..."
"only a few days after this email was written by Rabbi Feiner, tzaddikel was put back on the respirator, and is not, in fact, breathing on his own. IMY"H he will be very soon- its unbelievable what can change in just a matter of hours..."
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
EMAIL UPDATE: From Rabbi Eytan Feiner
We just received the text below from a person who said that R. Feiner sent the text below, and asked that it be spread around to inform people with a proper update of Tinok ben Aviva.
A BRIEF UPDATE… BS"D
Shalom U'vracha to all the chashuv mispallelim on behalf of Tinok ben Aviva:
As the father of Klal Yisroel's adorable little tzaddikel- and on behalf of our family- I would like to humbly ask that you please intensify your already potent and precious tefillos. We just returned from the hospital and an important meeting discussing numerous test results. Without going into much detail, we are dealing with a situation that, just to reiterate, the medical world and literature has never before seen. There have been some very positive signs, but some, unfortunately, not-so-great ones as well. (His breathing has, B"H, gotten much better- he is now breathing fully on his own- but certain significant reflexes are not yet working properly. And this is only part of the story.)
What the future holds in store? These renowned doctors are all in agreement that they haven't the slightest clue. In their words, there is nothing more they can really do but sit and wait and see. As time goes on, tzaddikel can, IY"H, experience a full recovery both mentally and physically, or chalila not. They, too, readily admit that tzaddikel's future is completely dependent on our koach ha'tefilla arousing rachamei Shamayim.
Please don't let up. Please do your utmost to daven sincerely and powerfully on behalf of Tinok ben Aviva bas Chana- TOGETHER WITH SHA'AR CHOLEI YISROEL- and may we only share besoros tovos always.
Yeshuos vi'nechamos for all of Klal Yisroel bi'karov.
Thanking all of you, mei'omek ha'lev, for all of your incredible and inspiring efforts thus far and hoping for the ongoing tefillos and zechuyos to bring a speedy refuah shi'leima.
Chodesh Tov and Kol Tuv,
A BRIEF UPDATE… BS"D
Shalom U'vracha to all the chashuv mispallelim on behalf of Tinok ben Aviva:
As the father of Klal Yisroel's adorable little tzaddikel- and on behalf of our family- I would like to humbly ask that you please intensify your already potent and precious tefillos. We just returned from the hospital and an important meeting discussing numerous test results. Without going into much detail, we are dealing with a situation that, just to reiterate, the medical world and literature has never before seen. There have been some very positive signs, but some, unfortunately, not-so-great ones as well. (His breathing has, B"H, gotten much better- he is now breathing fully on his own- but certain significant reflexes are not yet working properly. And this is only part of the story.)
What the future holds in store? These renowned doctors are all in agreement that they haven't the slightest clue. In their words, there is nothing more they can really do but sit and wait and see. As time goes on, tzaddikel can, IY"H, experience a full recovery both mentally and physically, or chalila not. They, too, readily admit that tzaddikel's future is completely dependent on our koach ha'tefilla arousing rachamei Shamayim.
Please don't let up. Please do your utmost to daven sincerely and powerfully on behalf of Tinok ben Aviva bas Chana- TOGETHER WITH SHA'AR CHOLEI YISROEL- and may we only share besoros tovos always.
Yeshuos vi'nechamos for all of Klal Yisroel bi'karov.
Thanking all of you, mei'omek ha'lev, for all of your incredible and inspiring efforts thus far and hoping for the ongoing tefillos and zechuyos to bring a speedy refuah shi'leima.
Chodesh Tov and Kol Tuv,
Friday, February 1, 2008
Tinok ben Aviva: UPDATE!!!
At the behest of many readers we are posting this Erev Shabbos update as to the status of Klal Yisrael’s Baby. Baruch Hashem, he is off the respirator, his eyes are (now) open, his feet and hands are moving! That said, doctors the world over are still searching for remedies to allow for him to function fully—despite the missing amino acid. Until then…we need to all continue to daven and perform righteous deeds in the merit of a speedy refuah shelemah and the coming of Mashiach.
PLEASE REMEMBER: Take in Shabbos even just 5 minutes early and say Tehillim immediately after in the zchus of Tinok ben Aviva.
PLEASE REMEMBER: Take in Shabbos even just 5 minutes early and say Tehillim immediately after in the zchus of Tinok ben Aviva.
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