1 CROWN HEIGHTS NewsPAPER ~February 06 2009 כאן צוה ה’ את הברכה פרשת בשלך | שבת שירה | יב' שבט , תשס”ט | WEEKLY VOL. II | NO 15 FEBRUARY 06, 2009 | SHEVAT 12, 5769 TU B'SHVAT THE HUMAN TREE PAGE 10 TU B'SHVAT Q & A PAGE 10 STORIES PAGE 11 RECIPES PAGE 12 LIVING IN SDEROT page 15 WE ARE SUSPENDING PUB- LICATION OF THIS PAPER HAGAON HACHOSSID HORAV FOR THE TIME BEING. THANK YOU FOR READING CHAIM MEIR BUKIET PART II Beis Din of Crown Heights 390A Kingston Avenue, Brooklyn, NY Tel- 718~604~8000 Fax: 718~771~6000 Rabbi A. Osdoba: ❖ Monday to Thursday 10:30AM - 11:30AM at 390A Kingston Ave. ☎Tel. 718-604-8000 ext.37 or 718-604-0770 Sunday-Thursday 9:30 PM-11:00PM ~Friday 2:30PM-4:30 PM ☎Tel. (718) - 771-8737 Rabbi Y. Heller is available daily 10:30 to 11:30am ~ 2:00pm to 3:00pm at 788 Eastern Parkway # 210 718~604~8827 ❖ & after 8:00pm 718~756~4632 Rabbi Y. Schwei, 4:00pm to 9:00pm ❖ 718~604~8000 ext 36 Rabbi Y. Raitport is available by appointment. ☎ 718~604~8000 ext 39 ☎ Rabbi Y. Zirkind: 718~604~8000 ext 39 Erev Shabbos Motzoei Shabbos Rabbi S. Segal: ☎ 718~604~8000 ext 39 ❖ Sun ~Thu 5:30pm -9:00pm or ☎718 -360-7110 Rabbi Bluming is available Sunday - Thursday, 3 -4:00pm at 472 Malebone St. ☎ 718 - 778-1679 Rabbi Y. Osdoba ☎718~604~8000 ext 38 ❖ Sun~Thu: 10:0am -11:30am ~ Fri 10:am - 1:00 pm or 5:02 6:03 ☎ 718 -604-0770 Gut Shabbos Rabbi S. Chirik: ☎ 718~604~8000 ext 38 ❖ Sun~Thu: 5:00pm to 9:00pm 2 CROWN HEIGHTS NewsPAPER ~February 06 2009 The Vaad Hakohol REBBE'S STORY “When one tells a story about his Rebbe he connects to the deeds of the Rebbe” Enhancing Achievement (Sichos 1941 pg. 68) Reprinted from the book “And yet,” continued Rabbi Pieka- and Bar Ilan University, afforded culty,” he asked. Reb Levi Itche was To Know and To Care - Volume 1 rski, “perhaps more than these the large crowd of viewers a mix of touched by his request and resolved Published and copyright © by Sichos miracles, is the tremendous concern spiritual experience and professional to bring up the subject in his brief in English for others that the Rebbe displays. expertise. encounter with the Rebbe. His willingness to deal with the most On the whole, the exhibit was highly As he described the man’s troubles, The Rosh Yeshiva Horav insignificant and minute details applauded. However, one journalist the Rebbe gazed sternly at Reb Levi touches me most deeply. Piekarsky OBM with the commented in the guest book: ‘With Itche while the secretary, Rabbi Bin- Rebbe “Before my annual summer trip, all due respect to the superb photog- yamin Klein, waited nearby to drive the Rebbe always asks about my raphy, the subject you have chosen the Rebbe to “770”. When Freiden Great Torah giants of our day stand itinerary and the length of my stay is extremely clerical and takes us concluded, the Rebbe responded: in awe before the magnitude of the in each country. He always gives back to the primitive darkness of “Tell the young man to write a all-encompassing knowledge of me shaliach mitzvah coins in the the Middle Ages.’ note with his name, his wife’s name Torah texts and sources which the currency of the countries I will visit. and the names of their mothers. I Rebbe displays in all realms and “Upon my next visit to the States,” As a rule, Switzerland is usually my will take it to the Previous Rebbe’s levels of study. The illustriousR abbi Freiden continued. “I presented the first stop. grave.” Yisrael Yitzchak Piekarski, Rosh Rebbe with the guest book. Leaf- Yeshivah in Lubavitch for many “Once, the Rebbe spent a consider- ing through it quickly, the Rebbe Then, as he often did, the Rebbe years, said: “Appreciation of the able amount of time searching his noticed that negative remark. “ invited Reb Levi Itche to accompany Rebbe’s unparalleled knowledge of drawers for Swiss coins. Waiting ‘Please compliment the journalist him in the car to “770”. Usually, Reb Torah takes priority over describing uncomfortably, I finally said that the on his strength of character. It takes Levi Itche would decline. However, his miraculous feats. Nevertheless, Swiss accept U.S. coins as well. Only fortitude to differ from all of the this time he entered the car, hoping there is a connection between the then did the Rebbe seem satisfied other responses,’ the Rebbe said, to put in another good word for two. If I am not mistaken, the Rebbe and stop his search. ‘But tell him that not everything the young man. He did not have himself once said, ‘One who is great in the Middle Ages was dark. Fur- the opportunity. During the short “On another occasion, shortly before in the study of Torah law (nigleh) is thermore, ask him to review his own ride, the Rebbe asked Freiden about the wedding of a certain yeshiva also great in other things.’ “ newspaper. Today’s news is not all his family and inquired if he had student of limited means, the Rebbe that bright either.’ purchased a gift for his wife and His preference for highlighting questioned me in detail about the children. the Rebbe’s scholarship did not, wedding arrangements. I could not “The Rebbe then handed me a dol- however, prevent Rabbi Piekarski understand how the Rebbe knew of lar, asking me to deliver it to that When the car arrived at “770”, from relating some of his own per- all these minute details, nor could I journalist.” Freiden took leave of the Rebbe sonal experiences with the Rebbe. understand his concern. TheR ebbe and rushed to the man’s home. Before he “Once, prior to a journey, I visited noticed my discomfort in discuss- He quickly gave him the Rebbe’s returned the Rebbe. When I informed him ing these details and explained, ‘I response, took off for the airport and to Eretz of the details of my return flight, he manage the distribution of funds boarded his plane to Israel. Yisroel responded, ‘Why should you stay from several charities. This is a each year, Less than a year later, on the twenty- away so long? You can return two responsibility that I don’t want to Reb Levi fifth of Elul, Freiden returned to days earlier.’ I was very surprised. give up.’ “ Itche New York. As he arrived in Crown I had already made all the arrange- would Heights, his host, Rabbi Gavriel ments and booked my flight. The “There is no need for you to get wait Shapiro, was just leaving his house. departure date fitted my itinerary excited” a t t h e “Welcome, Reb Levi Itche. Remem- perfectly. A colorful combination of adept sidewalk ber when you requested a blessing for professionalism, personal charm “Of course, I did not question the before that childless couple at the begin- and downright chutzpah blended Rebbe’s remark, and immediately the ning of the year? Well, you’re just in in the “770” photographer, Reb Levi changed my plans. Later, I learned Rebbe’s time for the bris.” Yitzchak Frieden. that the flight on which I was origi- home to take leave of the Rebbe. Freiden glanced at his watch. It was nally scheduled to depart met with Reb Levi Itche, as he was affection- He always thanked the Rebbe for almost 10 o’clock, when the Rebbe disaster. The plane was involved in ately called, has visited “770” from allowing him to take photographs, would be leaving his home for “770”. a tragic accident in Bulgaria and its his home in Eretz Yisroel during excused himself for any disturbance Without a second thought, he dashed passengers perished. each of the High Holidays since he may have caused, and also asked over to President St. “Rebbe,” said 1975. His camera’s lens captured for a blessing for his family. Frieden, “the blessing you gave last many touching incidents, such as One year, he waited with increased fall was fulfilled.T oday is the bris.” the Rebbe’s blessing of yeshivah emotion. He had just met a young students moments before Yom TheR ebbe listened patiently, radiat- man who sorrowfully confided of his Kippur began. With one eye on his ing composure. “Don’t make an issue distress at having been married ten watch, as he dared not desecrate of everything,” he said waving his years without having children. “You 392 Kingston Avenue the holiest day of the year, and the hand in dismissal. “There is no need have your own way of approaching Brooklyn, NY 11225 other eye focusing his camera, Levi for you to get excited.” [email protected] the Rebbe. Please mention my diffi- Itche took shot after shot of this Published & edited weekly by the Vaad Hakohol memorable moment. of Crown Heights. He was so involved in his work that Moshe Rubashkin, Rosh Hakohol Dr. Tzvi (Harvey) Lang, Chairman the Rebbe once told Frieden to tell Rabbi Plotkin, Secretary the yeshivah students studying Layout: SimplyUnique ([email protected]) at “770” that if their enthusiasm All material in this paper has been copyrighted. It would match Frieden’s passion for is the exclusive property of this newspaper, unless otherwise attributed., and cannot be reproduced photography, things would look without the consent of the publisher. much better. Composition responsibility: This newspaper will not be liable for errors appearing in advertising, beyond Freiden was eager to share the scenes the cost of the space occupied by the error.