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told them that he hadn't come seeking a Saturday Night Melody blessing or a segula for anything in par- ticular. Nevertheless, he of course imme- In many Chassidic circles, the diately went to follow the Rebbe's direc- "firen tish", that is, he enlarges his Mitz- tives; washing his hands, eating a slice vah Meal table on night and of bread and other edibles. day, Saturday nights, Festivals, and spe- cial occasions to allow his followers and Ten days or so later, during one of the others interested to participate with him. nights of the Sukkot festival, a number Throughout the meal, the Rebbe distrib- of Chabad Chasidim were sitting utes some of the leftover ("sher-ayim") and in the large sukkah on food from the different courses to his the patio of 770 Eastern Parkway, the eager chasidim. These occasions are Rebbe's synagogue and Lubavitch World nearly always full meals, which require Headquarters. the washing of one's hands in order to They were startled when the Jew from eat bread, at least by the Rebbe. Boro Park burst in and shouted in high Not so in Chabad. Although the Lubav- emotion, "L'Chaim! L'Chaim, my Jewish itcher Rebbe led Shabbat and festi- brothers and L'Chaim to the holy Rebbe. Photograph by Moshe Schlass This is truly a story - so val "farbrengen" get-togethers quite fre- facebook.com/mosheschlass quently, these took place in his syna- amazing!" gogue and were primarily teaching occa- He was clearly both shaken and excited. sions. He frowned on the idea of the of Tishrei 5735 (September 21, 1974) After he calmed down somewhat, he Chasidim eating his leftovers. A bit of reviewed for them his unusual encounter cake and more than a bit of wine and on the occasion of his mother's 12th yahrzeit. with the Rebbe two Saturday nights pre- vodka were present, but almost never did viously, and then continued. the Rebbe wash for bread. At the end of the meal, the Rebbe gave "At 4 a.m. this morning, my son set out The exceptions were at the end of festi- everyone who approached him a bit of wine, this time from "the cup of bless- for Monsey by car with his wife and vals when the Rebbe would declare a children. On the way, a large freight meal in order to extend the holy occa- ing" upon which the concluding prayer for the meal was recited. truck crashed into them and their car was sion. These took place towards the com- totally destroyed. pletion of Rosh Hashana, Simchat , One such visitor, a Jew from the rela- , & . tively near-by Boro Park section of "Miraculously, and by "miraculously" I Brooklyn, was quite surprised when the mean there is absolutely no possible ex- These meals would continue into the planation according to natural law, no night, as would Shabbat Day far- Rebbe called him back after he had re- ceived his wine. one was seriously injured. In fact, no- brengens in the winter, after which the body was hurt at all. All the policemen at Rebbe would recite havdalah, and thou- "Did you participate in the farbrengen the scene and all the passersby said they sands (no exaggeration!) of Lubavitch- and did you wash your hands for Ma- had never seen such a miracle. ers, members of other Chasidic groups, laveh Malka?" the Rebbe asked him. and non-chasidim, from all over the Continued on page 3 Greater New York area, some driving for "No," answered the Jew wonderingly, hours, would arrive in the Crown Hei- and added that he had just arrived a few ghts district of Brooklyn to file by the minutes before. He had come for the Shabbat Times "cup of blessing." Rebbe for a bit of havdalah wine that the Candle Lighting Motzei Shabbat Rebbe would pour into the person's cup. "So, go wash now," instructed the Reb- Jerusalem 74:5 7475 be, "and eat something for Melaveh Mal- A Saturday night farbrengen, however, Tel Aviv 74:6 7476 was especially rare (except in 5738, after ka." Haifa 7475 7476 the Rebbe's major heart attack, when he "After all," added the Rebbe, "It is a needed a microphone in order to speak to eat the Malaveh Malka meal, Beer Sheva 74:: 7476 publicly). And for the Rebbe to wash in and a segula (propitious thing) for pro- New York 74:5 54:: public for "Malaveh Malka" ["Escorting tection and success. As it says on the the Queen"…the official Saturday popular traditional Saturday night song Chabad Of Israel night mitzvah meal], was virtually un- 'Do not be afraid, my servant Yaa- Rabbi Joseph I. Aronov heard of. kov'." Published by M.L.S. Kfar Chabad (03) 3731777 Nevertheless, there was one Saturday The man was quite taken by surprise, as Editor: Aharon Schmidt [email protected] night when the Rebbe did wash publicly were the people around him who heard Please guard the sanctity of this publication and ate bread. This took place on the 6th the exchange, especially when the man Dwelling in the Sukkah From G‑d’s perspective, however, both the with them. material and the spiritual are expressions The Torah commands: “For seven days of Himself and can be fused harmoniously. Victory in Togetherness you shall dwell in sukkos.” In defining Living in a sukkah helps us adopt this this mitzvah, our Sages explain that for the mind frame and attune ourselves to this Our Sages explain that the and duration of the Sukkos holiday, these small inner unity. the esrog are a victory symbol, indicating huts with roofs of branches and leaves our vindication in the judgment of Rosh must be considered as our homes. All of HaShanah and . When we our daily routines should be carried out stand bound together in unity, as the lulav within them. As our Sages explain: “A and esrog teach, we can be assured of posi- person should eat, drink, relax... and study tive blessings in the year to come. in the sukkah.” Mitzvah of Lulav and Esrog Adapted from the teachings of the Rebbe. Proverbs tells us to, “Know Him in all Shabbos Table and Sukkos Guests reprint- your ways”; and our Sages comment, The mitzvah of lulav and esrog requires us ed from Keeping in Touch, Vol. 2, Sichos “This is a short verse upon which all the to take branches or fruit from four different in English; From our Sages and Moshiach fundamentals of the Torah depend.” species of trees (these two and the myrtle Now! reprinted from LchaimWeekly.org - and the willow) and combine them in the LYO / NYC For G‑dliness is present not merely in the performance of this mitzvah. Our Sages synagogue or in the house of study, but in explain that each of the species used for every dimension and corner of our lives. this mitzvah refers to a different type of person, from the most spiritually devel- Sukkos Guests Uniting Spiritual and Physical oped to the least refined.

This concept becomes manifest through Therein is an obvious lesson. The mitzvah Reb Pinchas of Koritz was beloved by all dwelling in a sukkah. The sukkah teaches cannot be fulfilled with only the esrog, the the inhabitants of his city. People would us that every aspect of our conduct can most elevated of the species. The willow seek out his sage counsel on a variety of serve as a means to relate to Him and be- — which in the analogy to people refers to matters, involve him in their family af- come linked with His oneness. those on the lowest levels — is also neces- fairs, and look to him for guidance in sary. their Divine service. As a result, Reb The unity established by this mitzvah re- Pinchas’ schedule became overburdened. solves the differences that exist between So, too, no person can attain fulfillment by He no longer had the time to study and spirituality and material existence. Usual- remaining isolated, out of touch with oth- pray as he desired. Turning to G‑d in ly, we see the two as opposite. Spirituality, ers. Even the realization of his individual prayer, he petitioned: “Make people hate we often think, is otherworldly in contrast potential cannot be complete without him me. Let them flee my company so I will to physicality which is tangible and real. reaching out to others and joining together have time to pray and study.”

Reb Pinchas’ prayer was accepted and people began to shun him. They would not speak to him or do favors for him. Reb Pinchas, however, was happy. He And you shall take unto yourself on the Torah and mitzvot. "You shall draw water was able to focus on his Divine service first day… with joy," the mitzva to pour water upon without distraction. the altar, thus alludes to a Jew's uncondi- According to the Midrash, the festival of tional obedience to G-d. Then came Sukkos. Reb Pinchas wanted Sukkot is considered the first day in the to invite guests, but no one desired to calculation of sins. Why? On Yom Kip- At the same time, our total submissive- come to his house. He was displeased, for pur, the 10th of Tishrei, the slate was ness to G-d engenders a feeling of joy and on the festival it is a mitzvah to have wiped clean. gratitude in being able to carry out His guests grace one’s table. Ultimately, how- Will. When a Jew rejoices in a mitzva, he ever, he accepted the fact. It was better to For the next few days, the 11th through merits that his "water," his non- lack guests for the holiday than to be dis- the 14th, every Jew is busy eagerly pre- intellectual acceptance of G-d's will, is turbed the entire year. paring for the holiday. The first day of transformed into the "springs of salva- Sukkot, on the 15th, is the first opportuni- tion." For just as a spring is perpetually On Sukkos, our Patriarchs Abraham, ty an individual could have possibly had connected to its source, so too does the Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, together to commit a sin! Furthermore, according Jew become perpetually bound to G-d, with Joseph, Moses, Aaron, and King to some opinions, the fruit of the Tree of meriting deliverance in all his endeavors. David, visit the sukkos of the Jewish peo- Life eaten by Adam and Eve in the Gar- (the Rebbe) ple. As Reb Pinchas was about to enter den of Eden was an . The first day of his sukkah, he saw our father Abraham Sukkot therefore marks the beginning of waiting outside. “Welcome to the calculation of sin for all mankind. And you shall rejoice in your festival and my sukkah,” Reb Pinchas told him. (Kerem Hatzvi) be happy - "ach sameach" (from the holi- day ) “Sorry, I will not enter,” Abraham re- plied. “If none of my descendants feel at You shall draw water with joy (Isaiah Without certain boundaries, unrestrained home as guests here, I don’t think I will 12:3) rejoicing can lead to levity and frivolous- either.” ness. By using the word "ach" (literally, Water is tasteless; wine has flavor. Water "but"), the Torah cautions that even while That was enough for Reb Pinchas. He symbolizes our performance of mitzvot we rejoice, we must always be conscious prayed for his original good graces to be purely because G-d has so commanded of the reason for our rejoicing. restored and for him to find favor in peo- us. Wine symbolizes the pleasure that is (Sefat Emet) ple’s eyes again. derived from a rational comprehension of Chol HaMoed - The Intermediate Days of the Festival The Mishna says that one who relates Learning Torah Honoring Chol HaMoed disrespectfully toward the moados (holidays), forfeits his share in the World The Yerushalmi teaches: Work is forbidden on Chol HaMoed in order to to Come. The famous Torah commentator The fruit in Rabi Yannai’s orchard re- enable us to devote our time to rejoice and Bartenura explains that this refers to one quired harvesting on Chol HaMoed, and study Torah, not to celebrate and party. who works on Chol HaMoed or drinks since this was an unexpected monetary The author of Sefer HaChinuch writes: and eats his meals as if these were loss, he picked them at that time. ordinary weekdays. The days of Chol Hamoed were not instituted for work, but for rejoicing The following year, other orchard owners At the level of pshat (this simple before HaShem. This means gathering in postponed their fruit picking until Chol meaning), the two words Chol HaMoed shuls and listening to the sweet words of HaMoed. Seeing this, he made his or- mean “the mundane days of the festival.” Torah, learning the halachos of Pesach chard hefker (ownerless) and did not pick during Pesach and the halachos of Sukkos At a different level, the Rebbe the its fruit, because through him others had during Sukkos. Tzemach Tzedek explains that the service been brought to sin, by working during Chol HaMoed. of Chol HaMoed is to transform the R. Moshe Ben Machir, a mekubal in the mundane and weekday (chol) into a Yom- generation after the Arizal, writes in his Ravina once had an opportunity to make Tov (moed). work Seder HaYom: One should not think a sale on Chol HaMoed that would earn that since he is not working, his time him six thousand zuz. He decided to wait should be occupied with eating and until after Chol HaMoed, and the price Clothing During Chol HaMoed touring. In truth, these days are days of soared to twelve thousand zuz, bringing The Alter Rebbe rules in the Shulchan Divine goodwill (yemei ratzon) and were him a significant profit. given to Yidden so that they can be free to Aruch that on Chol HaMoed there is a mitzva of simcha just as on Yom-Tov learn Torah. There is heightened holiness itself. Due to this obligation, one’s during these days, as can be understood (Moed Katan, 12B & 10B) clothing on Yom-Tov and also on Chol from the extra offering and the HaMoed should be finer than one’s extra aliya in shul. One should enjoy Shabbos clothing. himself physically but should not forget to attend to his neshama, which should be The Rebbe records in his diary how the his primary focus. Previous Rebbe would wear a silk kapote throughout the entire Chol HaMoed, as The Rebbe explains that since during Saturday Night Melody was his custom on Shabbos and Yom- Chol HaMoed one is forbidden to do any Tov. work, one should study Torah day and Continued from page one: night, like someone who has all his work The Rebbe himself did the same. On the done by others, as explained in Hilchos "And that's not all," he went on with third day of Chol HaMoed Sukkos, 1979, Talmud Torah of the Alter Rebbe. when the Rebbe came into shul, he turned great excitement, "from the force of the to the photographer Reb Levi Itche The above and Honoring Chol HaMoed crash all of their belongings were Freiden and said, “Today is Yom-Tov; reprinted from The Weekly Farbrengen by crushed. When they came back home I today one should wear Yom-Tov clothes.” Merkaz Anash, on-line at noticed that among the crushed things TheWeeklyFarbrengen.com was a siddur, totally unusable and illegi- ble, except that one page had torn loose and was dangling out - the page on which was printed the Melaveh Malka song, "Don't be afraid, my servant Yaakov!" The Jew and the Esrog Translated, adapted and expanded by Yerachmiel Tilles from Kfar Chabad The esrog is a unique fruit in that it remains on the tree for an entire year, thriving pre- Magazine. This story is printed in Rabbi cisely on the changes in climate of the different seasons. Tilles’ book, Festivals of the Full Moon Rabbi Tilles of Tsfat is a co-founder of For this reason the esrog is symbolic of the Jew, the eternal wanderer who must endure ASCENT. His email list for stories is in all kinds of trials and tribulations as he suffers in exile. its 24th year. To join the list a/o his WhatsApp group for Saturday night Au- Yet like the esrog, the Jew will thrive even in the most adverse conditions and emerge dio, Video and Zoom stories, go to As- triumphant with the coming of Moshiach. centOfSafed.com or WhatsApp +972-526 -770-137. (Beit Yaakov) Levi Yitzchak Mentorship Question: My wife keeps saying how this is going to be the most depressing Sukkos with all the restrictions because of Corona. She is Since Levi Heintz’s passing on the 6th really bringing down the whole family. When I of Elul at the age of 24, friends and point out to her how she is depressing the mood family have worked to keep his in the house, she says that she is just sharing memory alive and his legacy flourish- how she’s feeling and why can’t I deal with a ing. Levi wanted to empower people. wife sharing her feelings. I try and help her and Whether at work with a smile (at she ends up turning the tables on me! Do you Kingston Pizza in Crown Heights), on think she should be able to express herself in the street with a helping hand, or as a facilitated with the combined exper- such a negative way around the house in front of shoulder to lean on. He made sure the kids? people felt heard, seen, and respected. tise of Aliyah Institute and Neshamos. This vital work will be overseen by a trained staffer and undergo continu- The best gift we can give the world is Answer: Being married requires a certain ous, advanced development. A web- awareness, a certain wisdom. When a husband to continue Levi’s deeds with a com- site is being built for registering/ says to his wife (or even thinks!), or vice versa, munity wide mentoring program. Ac- screening mentors and mentees. Once what you are doing is not right, the spouse be- cordingly friends and family have matched, participants will have one- comes defensive. Of course, we are usually not established the Levi Yitzchak Mentor- on-one mentorship and individual ship Fund for Young Adults, to be so direct as simply saying, “what you are doing therapy sessions. Group events will is not right”, but we express the same idea in also be held, with a special emphasis different words, gestures or facial expressions. Cooking Tip of the Week on health, safety and privacy. A helpful technique: When we are going to say Slow cooked : With thanks The Levi Yitzchak Mentorship Fund something to our spouse, imagine how we to Judy Yerushalmi for this recipe. is partnering with families and com- would feel if he/she said the same thing to us. Sear meat in a large pot or Dutch munity, in a campaign to raise Often, this exercise will cause us to change what oven. Take out and put 3 cups sliced $100,000, every dollar given to the we wanted to say. onions in the pot and sauté. Spice campaign is another crack in the wall with a bay leave, basil and thyme. of isolation. To breathe life into this People in general, and a wife in particular, need Put the meat back in and cover with essential project, Levi’s family is giv- to be able to express their feelings. This can be red wine. Cook slowly for 3 hours. ing the first $12,000. To join with hard for husbands as they can feel attacked, ac- Cool, slice and cook in the sauce. your neighbors near and far, please cused and responsible. From your wife’s re- Alizah Hochstead, visit charidy.com/mentorme. Adapted sponse, “why can’t you deal with a wife sharing [email protected] from Chabadinfo.com her feelings” it would seem that she does not feel you are receptive to her sharing.

Halacha Corner – Hoshana Raba Consider the two following scenarios: Scenario #1: Your wife vents in front of the family, “this All are accustomed to remain awake and study Torah on Hoshana Raba, is going to be the worst Sukkos ever!” You “the Night of the .” During Sukkos, the world’s water needs are cringe and tell her to not share her negativity in judged and apportioned. Mankind cannot survive without water, and tonight front of the kids. She gets defensive and there is is the final day of Sukkos – the conclusion being the moment of ultimate tension. Scenario #2: Your wife vents in front decision. We therefore remain awake and recite the Tikkun Leil Hoshana of the family, “this is going to be the worst Suk- Rabbah, which is comprised of the entire book of Devarim, followed by the kos ever!” You respond (either now or when entire book of Tehillim, and selections of Zohar. We read the book of Deva- alone), “I know, it’s really hard. I know how rim (as opposed to earlier books of the Torah) because the concepts and much you love Sukkos…” She feels understood directives regarding love and awe of Hashem are primarily recorded there. and heard. This creates closeness. Simply lis- ten, understand and empathize. This is what she Read the book of Tehillim after chatzos (halachic midnight). Recite Tehillim needs. When a wife shares, a husband does not together with the congregation. Wear a gartel while reciting Tehillim. Do not need to feel defensive or attacked. draw out the reading with time consuming concentration or the like. After each of Tehillim’s five sefarim, recite the special yehi ratzon prayer for the Assessing whether she is right or wrong will not eve of Hoshana Rabbah, as well as the yehi ratzon for Tehillim "after the help you achieve your goal - a happy, peaceful appearance of the moon", for Tehillim recited at night. Traditionally, the yehi family. She needs to feel you accept her as she ratzon for Shabbos and Yom Tov was not recited tonight. Yet, as mentioned is. Also, you do not have to have all the an- in numerous sichos of the Rebbe and in keeping with the practice in 770 in swers. Most likely, she will discover on her recent years, the yehi ratzon for Shabbos and Yom Tov is recited tonight. own the solution that works for her. She just The gabba’im distribute sweet apples to the congregation who arrive to recite needs you to be there for her - not against her. Tehillim. After reciting Tehillim, return to your home or place of lodging to eat the apple in a sukkah. Dip the apple in honey. Aharon Schmidt - marriage, family & individual coaching. For an appointment By Yosef Yeshaya Braun, shlita, member of the Badatz of Crown contact: [email protected] Heights, reprinted from crownheightsconnect.com