Gimmel Tammuz is coming our way, What are we doing to prepare for this day? As always the Bnos Chabad has a Hachana in store, It’s connected to Hayom Yom, but wait! There’s more! The Rebbe compiled the thoughts of each day, And we will be learning them, in a creative way. Each morning, when you log onto class you will see, A slideshow Hachana on the board for you and for me. You’ll read the Hayom Yom and discuss it too, The main thing – you’ll see what ACTION you can do, That connects to that day’s thought and to Moshiach as well, And you’ll fill out a form – what did you do? Please tell! Submit your form, and then you can grin, Because who knows? The raffle you may win!

A young woman went to her grandmother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved a new one arose. Her grandmother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water. In the first, she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs and the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil without saying a word. In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her granddaughter, she asked, "Tell me what do you see?" "Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied. She brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they got soft. She then asked her to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg. Finally, she asked her to sip the coffee. The granddaughter smiled, as she tasted its rich aroma. The granddaughter then asked. "What's the point, grandmother?" Her grandmother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity--boiling water--but each reacted differently.

The carrot went in strong, hard and unrelenting. However after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior. But, after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water they had changed the water. "Which are you?" she asked her granddaughter. "When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?“ Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity, do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength? Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and a hardened heart? Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you. When the hours are the darkest and trials are their greatest do you elevate to another level?

חסיד אחד או תלמיד אחד כאשר נותן לבן דעתו ונפשו על תורה וחיזוקה, פועל ישועות בעיר גדולה בכל עניני העיר, והוא בדרך מלמעלה מדרך הטבע בזכות אבות העולם. One single Chossid who devotes his heart, mind and soul to Torah and bolstering Torah, effects wonders in a large city, in all that city’s affairs, in a manner that transcends the natural order, by the merit of our Avos, “Fathers of the World”.

There was once a city, so big and nice, Which had a main street, Peach Boulevard, which gave it much spice. It was the center of town, of that you can be sure, It changed the atmosphere of the town from the front and back doors! One day a rabbi moved to this block, Just a new neighbor, not much shock. Over time they realized indeed it was so, The rabbi was a big Talmid Chacham and Tzaddik, and wouldn’t you know,

The people on the block, and the whole city indeed, Suddenly to do Mitzvos felt a urgent need! They became better people, since even one, Tzaddik, can influence every daughter and son! Just like by the Avos, and the Shvatim too, Who brought Brochos to wherever and who, Surrounded them, it is true, YOU can influence YOUR surroundings too!

Brainstorm! What does this Hayom Yom mean to YOU? What can YOU do today that connects to this Hayom Yom which will also bring Moshiach closer? What can we learn from this Hayom Yom, בפעול (in action)?

 Go on the Bnos Chabad website and fill out a form once you take this into action!  Every day there will be a raffle for all the girls who submitted the form. 1 lucky winner will receive $15 to a store in Crown Heights that you can use in store/over the phone! BONUS: Give one example from Chumash where one of the Avos or Shevatim made their surrounds prosper.

Here’s how you go to the form.