Shabbat Parshat Sh‘lach

M ining the D ep ths Living with the Once when the was asked to elaborate on the nature of his position, he explained that he is a miner. Just as a miner digs into the depths of the earth, sifts through much dirt and stone, and R eb b e ultimately comes up with jewels and precious metals, so, too, the Rebbe teaches and empowers us to penetrate to the depths of our Adapted from the works of the Rebbe, being and reveal the inner G-dliness dormant within our souls. Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson Now going beneath the surface of our personalities is not In this week's Torah portion, Shelach, we read about the particularly new. For over a century, psychologists have spoken report of the spies whom Moses sent to explore the Land of about this goal, and in the last decades motivational specialists and Israel. The reaction of the Jewish people to the spies' negative personal growth coaches have become a major part of even the report was immediate: "Our wives and children will surely be corporate structure of western society. So what's new about the taken captive by the strong people living there. Let us appoint a new leader and go back to Egypt." G-d, therefore, decreed that Rebbe's approach? they would not be allowed to enter the Land. "But your children, The novelty is not in the idea of digging, but what one comes up of whom you said 'they will become prey,' them I will bring in, with when one digs. and they will know the land you have despised." The children, Secular psychologists have dug and come up with passions and the younger generation, will be the ones to enter Israel, G-d fears that diminish rather than enhance our humanity. Humanists promises. have dug and come up with existential despair and emptiness. The Why is there such an emphasis on children, in both the Rebbe dug and came up with G-dliness. complaint of the Jewish people and in G-d's response? Because children played a role of great significance, both in the Why do the psychologists come up with fears and passions, or the inheritance of the Land and the mission with which the Jewish humanists with despair, when they try to probe beneath a person's people are entrusted. surface? Concerning young children our Sages comment: "A baby Because that is their own inner mindset. They do not set out to breaks into crumbs more than he manages to eat." This means diminish man's potential. Quite the contrary, they want to help; they that a young child utilizes only a small portion of the food he is are well-intentioned and honest. given, while most of it ends up on the floor. But that very honesty causes them to project their own image This saying can also be understood in the spiritual sense. A baby symbolizes a person who possesses little wisdom and over humanity as a whole. You can't blame them for that. They are understanding. The food stands for the Torah and its human and this is the way they see man. But what is their image of commandments which sustain the G-dly soul. A person who is an themselves or of man in general? And what is the image of man the "adult," who utilizes his time on earth wisely, devotes the major Rebbe projects? portion of his life to doing mitzvot and fulfilling his mission in life. They look around at their environment and try to make sense out A child, in the spiritual sense, wastes most of his time by of the different forces and factors they see. They discover patterns becoming involved with foolish and extraneous matters, losing sight of the Divine purpose for his soul. Most of his spiritual and share them with others. By doing so, they reinforce the patterns sustenance, the Torah, ends up unassimilated and undigested, that they discover. "crumbs on the floor." The Rebbe operates from a different perspective. What is This, in fact, was the claim made by the spies: "Why must we significant is not what he or other people see or want in this world, enter the Land of Israel and waste our precious time involving but what G-d wants. Why did G-d create the world? And why did He ourselves with physical matters? Here in the desert where all our create this particular person, this particular situation, and this physical needs are miraculously met, we can devote ourselves particular moment? totally to learning Torah. For even if we will have time to learn once we enter the Land, most of our day will be wasted! It is far The question motivates the answer. It frees a person to look better to stay in the desert than to lower ourselves to that level!" beyond his own individual horizons and see a larger picture - a they claimed. Divine picture. To which G-d responded: "Your children...will be the ones to Most of us do not ask these questions naturally. But as we inherit." Even though the generation of Jews which left Egypt connect with the Rebbe, study his teachings, follow his directives, was on a very high spiritual level, devoting their lives to studying and endeavor to understand his motivation, we learn to do so. the Torah, it was precisely the children, those possessing little Extending this approach further, one looks to the era when G-d's Torah knowledge, who would be allowed to enter the Land of Israel. The new generation would be required to pursue a conception of the world will blossom into manifest fulfillment: the different path, working hard to provide the physical necessities of era of the Redemption. For just as every particular entity was life, while at the same time imbuing their surroundings with G- created with a purpose, so, too, the world at large was brought into dliness and holiness. For this is what G-d really wants Jews to do. being with a goal. As our Sages comment, "The world was created Our mission in life is to lead a normal, physical existence, while solely for Moshiach." at the same time following the precepts of the Torah. For that reason it is important to learn about the era of the The Torah learning of young children is also especially dear to Redemption and appreciate the mindset that will prevail at that time. G-d. "The learning of little children may not be disturbed, even to build the Holy Temple!" we are told. Their pure faith and belief in As we become more acquainted with G-d's purpose for creation, we G-d has the power to arouse G-d's mercy and foil the evil plans are more capable of prodding that purpose into fulfilment and of the enemies of the Jewish people. enabling the world to reach that desired state.

L‘C ha im W eek ly N ewsletter

such requests had been approved. However, he held an excellent position as a top engineer, and as soon as he would submit his application he would be fired from his job, and if the request was refused, he would be left without any means of support. Rabbi Pinchas Teitz of Elizabeth, N.J. made 22 trips to Russia in Rabbi Teitz was very moved by the fiery dedication of the two the 60s, 70s and 80s. Even in the heyday of the Communist empire Chasidim. He promised to memorize their names and their questions and the secret police, he managed to secure permission for his to tell the Rebbe, as it would be too dangerous to write them down visits. He had good contacts in the government and they trusted and have such a paper in his possession. The three men relaxed and him. Nevertheless, he was often able to utilize his visits to secretly engaged in conversation. The rabbi mentioned that the Rebbe had smuggle in important Jewish paraphernalia, such as tefilin and given him a to keep with him on the trip. prayer books, for the benefit of the oppressed Jews of the U.S.S.R. "Do you mean to say that you have this Tanya from the Rebbe in Although Rabbi Teitz was born and educated in Lithuania and its your possession? Now? Here?" they exclaimed enthusiastically. yeshivas, it was impossible to be involved in Jewish life in the Soviet Rabbi Teitz silently took the Tanya from his coat pocket and Union in those days and not laud the activities of the showed it to them. They eagerly examined it from all sides and Chasidim who had dedicated their lives to preserve Judaism there. angles. Their increasing excitement was palpable. Clearly they were Thus, many times he merited to bring objects from the Lubavitcher overjoyed to be holding a book that less than a week ago had been Rebbe to his Chasidim in Russia, and vice versa. in the Rebbe's own holy hands. Once, when Rabbi Teitz was preparing for another trip, a While holding the book, one of them shouted out in amazement. representative of the Rebbe brought him a package. This was no He pointed to what their intense scrutiny had uncovered: a page had surprise; he was already used to and even expected the arrival of an been folded down at the top corner, as a person sometimes does in emissary and the usual package. place of a bookmark. But this time the messenger from the Rebbe also took out a small- They opened to the page and were awestruck by the very first sized volume of Tanya, the foundation book of Chabad teachings, words! "...he is extremely pressed for time and finds it utterly and handed it to the rabbi. He explained that the Rebbe asked that impossible to delay... Rabbi Teitz take it and carry it with him while in Russia, but didn't "That's my answer from the Rebbe!" cried out the older Chasid, say who to give it to. visibly shaking with emotion. The Rebbe is telling me to hurry and "I was astonished," related Rabbi Teitz afterwards. "To cooperate escape from here." with the Rebbe to deliver basic Jewish necessities to the deprived The younger Chasid quickly picked up the book and eagerly Jews of Russia was one matter, but to go with a copy of Tanya in examined it even more closely, hoping to find another crimped page. my luggage? To Russia? It seemed unnecessarily dangerous. The And there was one! Again they were overwhelmed. This time it only KGB knew very well what is a Tanya. took two words! "...l'heekaneis l'aretz... - to enter the Land..." What plausible explanation could I give if it were detected?" "That's the answer for me!" he shouted excitedly. "I should apply In the end, he decided to take it. If the Rebbe was making such to make aliyah to the Holy Land now." an unusual request of him, he must have a good reason. The two pleaded with Rabbi Teitz to allow them to keep the book. On the third day of his stay in Moscow, while he was walking back He refused, saying that the Rebbe had instructed him to carry it with to his hotel from the Great Synagogue after the Evening Prayer, two him, but had said nothing about giving it to anyone. young men approached him as he passed through a dark side street. They forced him quickly into a nearby parked car. The rabbi was taken by surprise and of course frightened. Were they the KGB? Was this a kidnapping? His fears were soon dissipated, however as his two "snatchers" turned out to be local Chabad Chasidim. They apologized for the rough treatment, explaining that this was the only means by which they could possibly bring him to a safe house, and they needed to discuss with him matters of emergency. Only after they were safely in the house, did the two introduce themselves. They said they had investigated and discovered that he could be trusted, and what they wanted of him was that he should deliver a message to the Rebbe for each of them. They had major life decisions to make for which they needed the Rebbe's input, and they couldn't wait for an official emissary. The older one had recently found out that the KGB was actively pursuing him, so he wanted to know if the Rebbe thought he should flee Moscow and move to another city, or should he remain despite the obvious danger in order to maintain and further his important educational activities in the Jewish underground, which the Rebbe already knew about.

The second, the younger, wanted the Rebbe's advice whether he should apply for an emigration visa to Israel. Recently, a number of

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SHABBAT PARSHAT SH‘LACH SHABBAT PARSHAT KORACH

Friday, 23 June œ 27 Sivan Friday, 30 June œ 4 Tamuz Candle lighting...... 4:33 pm Candle lighting ...... 4:35 pm Mincha ...... 4:45 pm Mincha ...... 4:45 pm Kabbalat Shabbat...... 6:30 pm Kabbalat Shabbat ...... 6:30 pm

Shabbat, 24 June œ 28 Sivan Shabbat, 1 July œ 5 Tamuz Shiur in Chassidic Thought ...... 7:30 am Shiur in Chassidic Thought ...... 8:30 am Tehillim ...... 8:00 am Shacharit...... 9:30 am Shacharit...... 9:30 am Shiur in Practical Halacha...... 4:00 pm Shiur in Practical Halacha ...... 4:00 pm Mincha followed by Seuda Shlishit ...... 4:30 pm Mincha followed by Seuda Shlishit ...... 4:30 pm Maariv and Shabbat ends...... 5:38 pm Maariv and Shabbat ends ...... 5:36 pm

YAHRTZEITS SHABBAT MEVARCHIM LUNCH Wishing you long life. THIS SHABBAT 24 JUNE 2006 Vivienne Colman Father Shlomo Eliezer ben Yehuda Idel 28 Sivan Please join us today for our monthly Shabbat Mevarchim lunch Veronica Kessel Mother Chava bas Avraham 3 Tamuz kindly sponsored by Ilan and Linda Ben- Menashe.

KIDDUSH LIBRARY BOOKS The Kiddush this week is kindly sponsored by Simon and Leora Segal in honour of the Yahrtzeit of Simon‘s father, Mervyn Segal Please check for any unreturned library books and return to the obm. Moshe Menachem Lending Library as soon as possible.

BAR MITZVAH ANNIVERSARY JLI PARSHA SERIES Journeys Mazal Tov to Dale Rubinstein who is celebrating his Bar Mitzvah An eight part series of the Book of Bamidbar (Numbers) anniversary this week. Monday evenings, 8:00 œ 9:00pm At Chabad House, with Rabbi Nochum Schapiro Evening of Warmth & Inspiration $5/lesson In honour of Gimel Tamuz, the Rebbe's Yahrtzeit Sunday, 25 June @ 7:30 pm MINCHA/MAARIV THIS SUNDAY @ Guest Speaker Rabbi Leibel Groner 4:45 PM Personal Secretary to the Rebbe for over 40 years

Cover Charge: $10 Light Refreshments

YOUTH/CHILDREN SERVICES FRIDAY NIGHT Pre-school 7:00 œ 7:30 pm Chaya Israel/Gila Zeff LEFT CHEDER CLASSROOM Years K-4 Bat Mitzvah Girls 7:15 œ 7:30 pm Sharon Sinclair THE RABBI‘S OFFICE High School Boys 6:45 œ 7:30 pm Bochurim œ Shmuli & Levi RIGHT CLASSROOM

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By Yehudis Cohen Continue to Write

After praying at the , Mr. Steinberg felt his concerns with Nachum, saying that Nachum Markowitz is an Israeli-born Chasid more confident that the surgery would go well. physically he felt fine but that he was sick with well known for his good deeds. Soon after his worry. Now Nachum wrote again to the Rebbe, marriage, Nachum established himself in the Over the years, Mr. Steinberg had been a this time about Mr. Steinberg's concerns about trucking business, renting trucks from Salem supporter of the Chabad schools in Ofakim, a his operation. The letter he opened to began Truck Leasing, the Steinberg brothers' family poor development town in the South of Israel. with the words, "following up on our business. Whenever he visited their office, the The schools were run by Nachum's cousin, conversation of Friday and the subsequent warm, gregarious Nachum would be sure to Rabbi Yisrael Hershkowitz. Nachum felt that telephone call, I remain firm in my conviction share a Torah thought, or a story about the since Rabbi Hershkowitz was Mr. Steinberg's that there is no reason to be concerned and Rebbe. "partner" he should be informed of the that the main thing is to remove your mind impending operation. Rabbi Hershkowitz like completely from all worries." The letter many Chasidim, was accustomed to obtaining contained a promise for long life. Nachum When the Rebbe founded the Machne Israel couldn't contain his excitement and called Mr. Development Fund to aid the emissaries in advice and blessings from the Rebbe by opening at random a volume of the Rebbe's Steinberg a number of times that evening, financing new projects, Nachum got Allan leaving messages on his phone, until he finally Steinberg on board. letters, Igrot Kodesh. Rabbi Hershkowitz related to Nachum that he had written to the reached him after midnight. Rebbe about Mr. Steinberg's condition and The members of the Machne Israel that he wanted him to convey the contents of Thank G-d, the operation was successful and Development Fund were all able to have a the letter (which had been written in Yiddish) Mr. Steinberg was able to return to his private audience with the Rebbe. That was the to Mr. Steinberg. Nachum was in shock at just demanding business and active lifestyle. first time that Steinberg met the Rebbe. When how precise the answer was. Mr. Steinberg returned to his office after the meeting, he related to his brother, Steve, "If Recently, Mr. Steinberg's niece was seriously there is a place close to G-d in this world, I Nevertheless, Nachum was unsure, even a hurt in a car accident. The letter Nachum was there today." little skeptical, of this manner of receiving opened after visiting the Ohel expressed the answers from the Rebbe. Although he knew of wish that the situation had already changed countless stories where people had received for the better. It also suggested that an Mr. Steinberg was very impressed by the blessings through the Igrot Kodesh, he had "alternative" kind of medicine for the migraine Rebbe's discussion of the partnership between also seen the dangers when people misuse the headaches would be to carry a kosher mezuza business people and students of Torah, and Igrot to find the answer they want to hear. at all times (properly wrapped in deference to how supporting Jewish institutions is a key to Still, he had the letter translated into English its holiness). material success. He mentioned to the Rebbe and he decided to give it directly to Mr. about a business proposition he was Steinberg without commentary. considering and appreciated the Rebbe's far- When Nachum related to the parents the part reaching vision in advising him to have of the letter about migraine headaches, the patience and not to make premature moves. Uncomfortable with what had transpired, mother stopped him in surprise. "How does Nachum himself sat down and addressed a the Rebbe know about my daughter's letter to the Rebbe. He placed it in a volume of migraines?" she asked. "Two weeks ago, my Years passed and the relationship continued. letters, and when he opened the volume, he daughter blacked out at home. When we took From time to time, Nachum would try to understood immediately that the letter he was her to the doctor, he told us it was due to a persuade Mr. Steinberg to do a mitzva but Mr. reading was addressed to him. The content of migraine headache. The doctors believe that Steinberg, afraid that he was being pressured the letter was to the effect that: when one her accident probably occurred because she to "become religious," would counter, "You translates from Yiddish to English one must lost consciousness again from a migraine while can't turn a cat into a dog." Nachum would indicate that the material is a free translation she was driving." reassure his friend that each mitzva had its and may not be exactly true to the original; own value and that the connection it created when communicating to people who are not was important without any agendas. Nachum sent a mezuza to the hospital. The familiar with Chasidic teachings, one must niece's condition had already begun to explain the ideas fully to them before giving it improve and continued to improve. She was A few years ago, Mr. Steinberg encountered a to them in writing; but since you already did it soon out of danger and a little while later left serious health problem that required a differently, it will be fine this way too. the hospital. complicated operation. He was understandably very worried about the outcome of the The Rebbe's letter had also mentioned about surgery. Nachum cautions that it is important to consult celebrating Yud Tet Kislev, the "New Year" of with an elder advisor to clarify advice from the the Chabad movement. Nachum very much Rebbe, especially when the response is not as Nachum urged Mr. Steinberg to go with him to wanted to bring Mr. Steinberg to a Chasidic direct as those he received for the Steinbergs. pray at the Ohel (the resting place of the gathering on that day since he felt that it was And answers do not only come through the Rebbe). "But you can't go empty-handed," tied to the blessing for the operation. Mr. Igrot. He recalls the words of the Rebbe at a explained Nachum. "Tell the Rebbe that you Steinberg had been reluctant, again time when Chasidim of his father-in-law, the will put on tefilin every week-day, ask your protesting, "You can't turn a cat into a dog." previous Lubavitcher Rebbe, were unsure wife to start lighting Shabbat candles Friday Finally, on Friday, he agreed to meet Nachum about writing to him and receiving his afternoon, and promise that when you are on Sunday at the Ohel to review the procedure blessing, "Continue to write," the Rebbe told healthy you will have a class once a week at for putting on tefilin, to which Mr. Steinberg them, "and the Rebbe, my father-in-law will your office. In this way you will make a vessel was still a little new. find a way to answer." for the Rebbe's blessing. With simple faith, tell the Rebbe that you are putting your life in his When they spoke by phone on Saturday night, hands and the Rebbe will take care of you." to finalize their meeting, Mr. Steinberg shared

Although in chronological order, the advent of Moshiach will precede the Resurrection of the Dead, special individuals will nonetheless be resurrected prior to Moshiach's coming. First and foremost, the Rebbe, my father-in-law, will once again enclothe himself in a body, and return. (In reality, it makes no difference how he comes, whether through the door, the window, or the roof...) He will then gather all the Jewish people together and proclaim, "The time has come to leave Exile. Come, let us go to our Holy Land!" (The Lubavitcher Rebbe, 2nd day Shavuot, 5710-1950)