B”H Erev Shabbos Vayishlach, 18th of Kislev, 5781; December 4th, 2020 767

When he had grown older, he contin- The Moon Over the River ued, and had grasped the approach of Chassidism more profoundly, he un- After his arrest, Rabbi Shneur Zalman derstood that there was a point of prin- (the Alter , founder of the Cha- ciple involved. The Rebbe had been bad movement) was at once escorted obliged to act as he did, for a mitzvah to the secret cells of the dread Peter- is made to be performed only when it Paul fortress in St. Petersburg, where is clothed in the ways of nature, and he was to spend over seven weeks, not through supernatural miracles. until his miraculous release on Yud- Tes (19) Kislev, 1798. He added incidentally that the very fact that a manuscript page of Rabbi For the first three weeks he was held Yechiel Offner, yoffner.com Shneur Zalman's handwriting should under the severe conditions which be found in the hands of a gentile is a were the lot of those imprisoned for mystery known only to the Knower of rebellion against the Czar. The ra- Secrets. ed it in writing, and the Rebbe record- tionale for this was simple. One of the ed it on a note in his own handwriting. principal charges against the Rebbe Biographical note: Rabbi Shneur Zal- In later years, when that official rose to was that he had treacherously raised man [18 Elul 1745 - 24 Tevet 1812], a position of power and enjoyed an old funds for Russia's traditional enemy, one of the main disciples of the Mag- age of honor and prosperity, he treas- the Turkish sultan. (He had collected gid of Mezritch, is the founder of the ured that note, which he kept under money through the charity boxes of the -Chassidic movement. He is glass in a heavy gold frame. Rabbi Meir Baal Haness Fund for the the author of HaRav and as well as many other major support of his chasidim in the Holy Indeed, it was seen and read by a re- works in both Jewish law and the mys- Land, which was then under Turkish nowned chasid by the name of Rabbi tical teachings. rule!) Dov Ze'ev who, before he was ap- pointed Rabbi of the Chassidic com- The interrogation took place not there, Adapted by Yrachmiel Tilles from Si- munity in Yekaterinoslav, lived in but in the headquarters of the Tainy purei Chasidim by Rabbi S. Y. Zevin Stradov, where he was the communi- Soviet, the Secret Council on the other and Likutei Diborim by the sixth Lub- ty's - that is, the elder chassid side of the Neva River, so that the avitcher Rebbe, R. Yosef Yitzchak charged with the teaching of Chassidic Rebbe had to be taken across each time Shneersohn, both translated by our philosophy and the guidance of the by ferry. On one such occasion the esteemed colleague Uri Kaploun. chassidim in observance and self- Rebbe asked the gentile official ac- Rabbi Tilles of Tsfat is a co-founder of refinement. companying him to stop the ferry so ASCENT. His email list for stories is in its 24th year. To join the list a/o his that he could stand and recite Kidush He had heard from an aged chasid that Levana, the blessing recited over the there lived a gentile squire not too far WhatsApp group for Saturday night Audio, Video and Zoom stories, go to New Moon. He refused, whereupon from Stradov who was the son of the As-centOfSafed.com or WhatsApp the Rebbe said: "If I want to, I can stop official who had received that written the boat myself." blessing from Rabbi Shneur Zalman +972-526-770-137. halfway across the River Neva. The And indeed, after the man again re- son too revered the note in the frame, fused to oblige, the boat stopped in the Shabbat Times he said. Hearing this, Rabbi Dov Ze'ev middle of the river. The Rebbe then made it his business to locate that no- Candle Lighting Motzei Shabbat recited the verses of Psalm 148 which bleman, and was thus able to see the Jerusalem 0044 40:0 are said before the blessing over the note. moon, but did not pronounce the bless- Tel Aviv 00:0 40:5 ing itself. The ferryman realized that One Yud-Tes Kislev, on the anniver- Haifa 0044 40:4 unusual forces were at work. He sary of Rabbi Shneur Zalman's release, Beer Sheva 00:4 40:5 begged the Rebbe to release the boat. Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak, the Previous The ferry then proceeded on its way. Lubavitcher Rebbe, related the above New York 00:4 40:4 episode and added that as a boy he had When the Rebbe again asked the offi- Chabad Of Israel been left with a question. Since the cial to stop the boat, he asked: "What Rabbi Joseph I. Aronov Rebbe had already stopped the boat, will you give me in exchange for the Published by M.L.S. (03) 3731777 why did he not recite the blessing as favor?" Editor: Aharon Schmidt well, and then he would not have to [email protected] In reply, Rabbi Shneur Zalman gave depend on the favor of the gentile? Please guard the sanctity of this publication him a blessing. The man then demand- Like Mother, Like Daughter Leah's motives were admirable when she among them, or to acquaint herself with “went out,” (see Rashi, Bereishis 30:17: their ways, but to attract them to hers—the “She desired and was seeking means to righteous path of Yaakov. The Torah's account of Dinah’s abduction increase the number of tribes,”) Dinah’s in this week's Torah portion, Vayishlach, intentions were noble too. Indeed, like her mother, Dinah went out begins with, “Dinah, the daughter of with the purest of intentions. Leah…went out to see the daughters of the land.” Ability to Influence From the teachings of the Lubavitcher Rashi notes the Torah’s emphasis on Di- Rebbe, Likutei Sichos, vol. 35, pp. 150- nah being Leah’s daughter, and explains What were Dinah’s intentions? 151. Reprinted from Ohr HaChassidus. that Dinah inherited her social nature from From our Sages & Moshiach Now! re- her mother: “She is identified as ‘the When Yaakov prepared his family to meet printed from LchaimWeekly.org - LYO / daughter of Leah’ because she ventured Esav, he hid Dinah in a crate so that Esav NYC out. For Leah, too, was an ‘out-goer,’ as it would not see her and desire her. Yaakov is written, ‘And Leah went out to greet was later punished for doing so, because had they married, Dinah might have posi- him’ (Bereishis 30:16). Regarding her it Then All The People Will See has been said, ‘Like mother, like daugh- tively influenced the wicked Esav (Rashi ter.’” on Bereishis 32:33). Certainly, if Dinah’s chances of affecting When the Alter Rebbe was arrested, the Esav were slim, Yaakov would not have journey to the prison in S. Petersburg took several days. They left Liozna, the Noble Intentions been punished for hiding her! Evidently, Dinah’s remarkable character meant that Alter Rebbe’s place of residence, on On the surface, it seems that the Torah she was more than likely to succeed in Thursday night, Isru Chag Sukkos, and views these two “out-goers” disapproving- transforming the wicked Esav, had she soon enough, Shabbos was approaching. ly—their excursions considered excessive only been given the opportunity. The Alter Rebbe asked the officer to stop by the Torah’s standards of modesty. off at the side of the road, but his request was refused. But would the Torah really go out of its way to disparage not only Dinah, but Leah Going Out For Good Reason The wagon was beset by a series of too, when we know that “the Torah avoids strange events. First an axle broke, and shaming even a non-kosher animal” (Bava As such, we can understand that Dinah’s then a horse died. The officer realized Basra 123a)? excursions were likewise motivated by her that he didn’t have a choice, and they ability to affect people outside the pure spent Shabbos at the side of the road. environment of her family. It must be that the Torah associates Di- In later generations, the Chassidim of nah’s conduct with Leah’s as an indication She did not go out “to see the daughters of nearby Nevel were able to point out the of praise, rather than criticism. Just as the land” in order to see and be seen exact place the Alter Rebbe spent Shab- bos, where a large beautiful tree stood out among the other broken and dead trees. After several days of travel, the Alter Rebbe arrived in S. Petersburg and was And Jacob was left alone (Gen. 32:25) Why didn't Jacob bury Rachel in the Cave imprisoned in the Petropavlovsk fortress, of Machpela where Adam and Eve, Abra- the most infamous and secure prison in This concept of "alone," of the absolute ham and Sara, and Isaac and Rebecca unity and Oneness of G-d, was be- the country, situated on an isolated island were buried? Instead he buried her at the in S. Petersburg. queathed by Jacob to his descendants crossroads of Bethlehem in accordance forever. For whenever the Jewish people with a Divine Command. “When the Alter Rebbe entered the pris- would be forced to do battle with Esau, on,” the Previous Rebbe related,” there they would yearn for the time when G-d's When Rachel's children would, in the were secretaries sitting there. He came in Oneness will be manifested openly, i.e., future, be exiled by Nebuchadnezzer to with his tallis and tefillin under his arm. the era of Moshiach. Babylonia, they would pass Rachel's They had heard that a revolutionary was tomb. She would entreat Gd for mercy for (Rabbi Boruch of Mezhibozh) being brought in, but they were very sur- her children, and G-d would listen to her prised such a person could be a traitor. prayer. “The Alter Rebbe faced east, put his tallis And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced (P'sikta Ravti) over his shoulder, inspected his tzitzis him (Gen. 33:4) and began putting on the tallis and Rabbeinu Tam’s tefillin. When he donned When a small flame is brought close to a I am not worthy of all the mercies and of burning torch, the smaller fire is nullified the head tefillin, he used both hands to all the truth You have done with Your ensure it was in place, while facing the within the larger one. So too was it with servant (Gen. 32:11) Jacob and Esau. Jacob was the great light, people that were sitting there. whereas Esau contained tiny, hidden The more benevolence G-d demonstrated “[At that moment,] whoever was sitting sparks of holiness. When Esau spotted to Jacob, the more it made him feel hum- couldn’t stand up, and whoever was Jacob these sparks were aroused, prompt- bled and small. When G-d bestows His standing couldn’t sit down. As the Sages ing him to run over and be nullified in the loving-kindness upon a person, it indi- said on the verse: Then all the peoples of greater holiness. cates a special closeness between the in- the earth will see that the name of the dividual and G-d. Thus the closer one's (the Mitteler Rebbe, Torat Chaim) Lord is called upon you, and they will relationship with G-d, the more humble fear you (Devarim 28:10) — the head and self-effacing he must be. tefillin strikes fear into the hearts of the Rachel died, and was buried on the road (the Alter Rebbe, Tanya) nations.” to Efrat, which is Bethlehem (Gen. 35:19) Adapted from Derher Yud Tes Kislev - Rosh Hashana of Chassidus

The Alter Rebbe’s release from prison on of nigleh and Chassidus publicly, and to Celebrating Yud Tes Kislev the Yud Tes (19th) Kislev, 5559, marked strengthen the ways of chassidim in true Reb Hirshel grew up in the town of Dis- the beginning of a new era; not only for friendship.” na, one of the chassidishe communities. Chabad Chassidim, but for the world at When the Rebbe was a young boy, his This is his recollection of how chassidim large. From after the Alter Rebbe’s re- in his hometown celebrated the festival lease, the mission given to the Baal Shem father, Levi Yitzchok, used to far- breng for hours late into the night, pour- of Yud Tes Kislev, when he was a Tov by Moshiach really began its fulfill- youngster of eight or nine years old. ment: disseminating the wellsprings of ing out words of Chassidus and Kabbalah Chassidus to the outside. and offering meaning into the nature of the day and the story of the Alter Rebbe’s Three days before Yud Tes Kislev, it The Rebbe Rashab (the fifth Rebbe of liberation. The children in Yekaterinoslav already became noticeable to all of us Chabad) declared Yud Tes Kislev as also held their own special “.” that something special is happening. The “Rosh Hashanah L’Chassidus.” About men, women and children, old and Rosh Hashanah it is said, “Today is the Reb Nochum Goldshmid, who was a child young, began cleaning the shul so that it beginning of Your works” - this day, the there at the time, later related: “Through- should be sparkling: floors and walls day that man was created (Rosh Hashana), out the year, the Rebbe was generally were scrubbed, windows were washed is when the purpose of the entire creation more reserved and spent little time with and all the metal was polished. No one was potentially fulfilled. The same is true other children. He was always engrossed abstained from the work. To the contra- of Yud Tes Kislev: on this day, when in Torah study. But the one exception was ry, it was everyone’s honor to participate. Chassidus was revealed, the complete and on Yud Tes Kislev. A few days before the Yom Tov, the children would put together The women and daughters were also ex- ultimate purpose is actualized by bringing tremely busy preparing the festive meal G-dliness into this world. some money and purchase food and drink for their farbrengen. The one in charge of which would be served on this special Throughout the generations, this special holding the money and overseeing all the day. Every lady baked, cooked or pre- day was celebrated by the Rabbeim and arrangements was the Rebbe.” pared their favorite dish. Everyone felt as Chassidim with joyous . It if it was their day of celebration. When was the day that Chassidim expressed The Previous Rebbe writes: The same Yud Tes Kislev arrived everyone dressed their gratitude to Hashem for having been teshuvah that emerges as a result of a ter- in their finest clothing and hundreds of exposed to the great light of Chassidus rible pogrom, chas v'shalom, or a wicked candles were lit in the shul. The shul and being connected with our Rabbeim; king or minister like Haman, can also was shining as bright as in the middle of the tree of life. The Alter Rebbe promised come as a result of a chassidisher far- the day and the atmosphere was one of that whoever will rejoice in his celebra- brengen and chassidic childhood memo- happiness and friendship. tion, he will take them out of distress and ries. But in this case it is all good, without any pain and suffering. This made an everlasting impression on bring them to a better place. us children; especially when we saw the A most important component of the Yud On each Yud Tes Kislev, a new light illu- Rov, the most respected person in the Tes Kislev celebration is of course the minates the world that was never here community, who at every occasion was chassidisher farbrengen. In before, similar to each year on Rosh given a seat of honor at the head of the for , the Rebbe categorizes the Hashanah. table, enter the shul on Yud Tes Kislev day as a “...a day for farbrengen and tak- Adapted from Derher and sit among the chassidim, as one of ing resolutions to establish times for study them, participating in the farbrengen. He was a chassid celebrating with his broth- ers this momentous occasion.

This story was told by Rabbi Shlomo Galperin at a Yud Tes Kislev farbrengen in Crown Heights. Hearing this, one of Foretaste of Moshiach the participants remarked: now I under- stand why I was taught that in our homes, "Before Rabbi Shneur Zalman was imprisoned in Petersburg, his Chasidic teachings when we celebrate Yud Tes Kislev or 'burned the world'...no one who heard him delivering his Chasidic discourses remained other special days in the chassidic calen- the same as before. But after Rabbi Shneur Zalman's release, his Chasidic teachings dar, with our family and children, can- were more able to penetrate. And even more so after the release from his second im- dles are to be lit, just as one does by a prisonment in Petersburg. seudas mitzvah. It demonstrates to our children the importance of the day. The main goal was the revelation of the inner aspects of Torah; for in the times of Rabbi Avtzon is a veteran mechanech and Moshiach these inner teachings will be fully revealed. Thus, at the time of his release, a the author of numerous books on the Reb- foretaste and sample of the Days of Moshiach was revealed. beim and their chassidim. He is available to farbreng in your community and can be (Torat Shalom, the Rebbe Rashab, page 26) contacted at [email protected] Question: My wife stopped making me Chanukah Creativity dinner. It was somewhat my fault in that I tend to complain. If the chicken wasn’t Many lightings cooked enough; if there was a soapy taste around the world are now faced with because the plates weren’t rinsed enough; if local governments refusing to give the vegetables or rice were under cooked; I permits for outdoor gatherings due would say so. She said that if I am not happy to Covid-19. Of course, the Chabad with the way she cooks I should do it myself! centers have come up with creative I have apologized and tried to appease her but ways to promote the miracle of it’s not helping. How can I appease her and lights in a safe environment. have her agree to make dinner again? Many concerts, celebrations and Menorah lightings will still take Answer: In our relationship with Hashem, place around the world, some in there are a number of aspects to teshuva: 1. outdoor settings, many as drive- committing not to do the sin again; 2. re- through events, and some fully vir- come together to produce unique morse; 3. confession; & 4. asking for for- tually. Chanukah mini-virtual concerts that giveness. Remorse expresses an inner trans- will be shown on large screens and formation and is the foundation that infuses Chabad centers from Australia to on the backs and sides of LED sincerity into the other three elements of New Jersey and California have trucks driven through cities around teshuva. If there is no remorse, the teshuva the world. The 8th Day band is har- might be the result of ulterior motives, such as Cooking Tip of the Week nessing green screen technology to wanting to receive something in return. When allow each center to have a custom Syrian Lentil Soup: A quick easy a person appreciates the greatness, loftiness festive celebration and virtual con- and beauty of the Creator, his feelings of soup to make on a short Friday is cert. a big hit. Combine in your soup remorse intensify. He thinks, “how could I pot 2 tbls olive oil, 2 1/2 cups “When it comes to spreading light, have actually transgressed the Will of the Cre- rinsed red lentils, 10 cups of water there’s very few that manage to do it ator!” Remorse creates the environment for a and start cooking. Once boiling, the way Chabad centers have been true relationship with Hashem. lower the heat and add 1 1/2 tsps doing for the past 60 years!” says Based on the above, perhaps we can under- cumin, 1 tbls dried cusbara, 2 1/2 Shmuli Marcus of 8th Day Band. stand why your apology is not helping. As tsps Himalayan salt and 2 tsps or “With Covid-19 restrictions, Chabad you write: How can I appease her and have more granulated garlic. Lower the has found new ways to spread light, her agree to make dinner again? heat, stirring from time to time. joy, and the message that just like After about 1 hour it will thicken. G-d did miracles in those days, he If the motivation for your apology is to re- surely will do them nowadays!” ceive dinner, your wife probably feels that Alizah Hochstead, nothing has changed in your relationship. An [email protected] Adapted from COLlive.com insincere apology can be the result of an ulte- rior motive; a sincere apology stems from awareness and a desire to change. Halacha Corner – Where to Light the Menorah Husbands do not always appreciate the effort The mitzvah of lighting the menorah is a mitzvah incumbent upon each that goes into making dinner: planning, shop- individual - man, woman, and child. One cannot fulfill their obligation ping, preparation and juggling children, home, through being present at the menorah lighting in shul or at a public meno- work, appointments, etc., etc. In addition, the rah lighting. Our custom is that boys under Bar Mitzvah light a separate entire process of making dinner is an act of menorah, preferably at the entrance to their bedroom, opposite the mezu- giving: the wife giving to her husband. Too zah, in a safe manner. often, we take things for granted. However, when a spouse is appreciative and thankful, Women and girls do not light their own menorah, but fulfill their obliga- they are less likely to be critical. tion through their husband’s or father’s lighting. However, girls in semi- nary or living away from home need to light the menorah at their place of An apology is comparable to a body and soul. residence or ensure that they have someone light the menorah for them The body of the apology are the words that there. are spoken and the soul of the apology is the awareness and remorse. When your wife If a person has their meals in one place and sleeps in another, they should feels the soul in your words, she will most light the menorah where they eat. However, if a person is eating at some- likely accept your apology. one else’s home just for the evening and then returning to their own home, they should light the menorah at home. Aharon Schmidt - marriage, family & individual counseling; Rav Yosef Yeshaya Braun, member of the Badatz of Crown Heights, One [email protected] Munute Halacha, #182, crownheightsconnect.com