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

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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. Advertiser of “770” with other Jews in Eretz assumes responsibility for errors in telephone orders. All advertisement designed and prepared by the CH Yisrael. In 1976, he held an exhibit Community Newspaper are the property of the called “770” at Tel Aviv’s journalist newspaper and cannot be reproduced without the center, Beit Sokolov. The exhibit, consent of the publisher which later moved to Jerusalem February 06, 2009 ~ crOWN heights Newspaper 3

The Rebbe's Sicha Parshas Bo

A thought for the Week And so it is in all generations. REFERENCES: In maintaining, supporting and Based on Likuttei Sichos A thought For the Devora(4) (Deborah the Judge and Reprinted from defending the basic fundamentals Vol. VI p. 307 Week prophetess), a woman. It is the Song of the Jewish home, the woman Exodus 15:1 of Devora that was chosen to be read By Rabbi YM Kagan —”foundation of the home” — leads Ibid : 20 as the Haftora. the way. Samuel II, Chap. 22 THE SONG OF MOSHE . MIR- The choice of thisH aftora underlines Judges, Chap. 4 IAM . . . AND DEVORA the fact that there are certain areas Sedra Beshalach is highlighted by and roles in Jewish life in which the the dramatic account of the splitting Jewish woman has a particularly cru- HEAP of the Red Sea, at which two songs cial role, mission and responsibility. The HEAP Program Outreach Workers receive mention — the Song of One such area is the home — to lead The scheduled appointments are on Moshe with the men, and the song the home and ensure that it is a Jew- of Miriam with the women: After ish home, in the very fullest sense, a TUESDAY, February 10 -- 9:15 AM--3:30 PM. the sea had returned to its original home permeated with the light and at the Crown Heights Jewish Community Council, form, drown­ing the Egyptians, Then warmth of Torah and Mitzvos. 387 Kingston Avenue (corner Crown St.). Moses and the Children of Israel When we examine the historical Please come early -- First come, first served sang this song to G-d and they said background of the songs of Moses, etc . . .(1) When Moses had ended his Miriam and Devora, an interesting GREAT NEWS. The outreach workers will accept BOTH regular praises, Then Miriam the prophetess, and important distinction comes to and emergency applications. (To apply for emergency heap you Aaron’s sister, took the drum in her light. The Sidra is describing a period must have a shut-off notice.) hand, and all the women went out in which the Jews were in the desert after her . . . and Miriam answered Those families on Food Stamps with a child under 8 need not on their way to conquer the land of them, “Sing to G-D etc. . . (2) apply unless you pay your own heating bill. You will receive it Israel, to gain a home for themselves. automatically. All other families must apply. Persons 60 and over The Haftora, the special weekly In such a period, the men led; it is can apply with DFTA 212-442-1000. Households on Section 8 reading from N’ach (post-Mosaic the Song of Moses that receives the are only eligible if they pay their own heating bill. bible including Judges, Samuel, most prominent and detailed men- Kings etc.) was selected to reflect tion. TheH aftora however, describes Please bring in the following documentation: the content of the weekly Sidra, events taking place when the Jews 1) Proof of income, Soc. Sec., or support letter for the past two months the Torah-reading. There are two were already in Israel and it was 2) Rent, mortgage or tax papers portions of N’ach that seem equally necessary to defend and maintain 3) Birth certificates and social security cards for family members suited for the Haftora to follow the the “Jewish home” — our homeland. 4) Fuel or utility bills reading of Moses’ song and Miriam’s It is Devora that leads now; Barak, 5) Proof of Citizenship (Citizenship paper). song. One is the Song of David,(3) the general of her army, is secondary 6) Letter for child 18 and over that he/she is in School. a man, and the other is the Song of and insignificant to her! Thank you

Adapted from Shmais.com Mazal Tov! - Los Angeles, CA Shaya & Esther Channa Zirkind Engagements - Montreal, Canada Eliyav Ben-Atar (Jerusalem) to Meir Szokovski (Melbourne, Aus- Ariel Spiegel (Los Angeles, CA) Soudie Milecki (Sydney, AU) Births – Girls tralia) to Chevee Hein (Morristown, to Rozy Brashevitzky (C H) Yossi & Toba Leah Charytan Moshe Bloch (Los Angeles, CA) to NJ) - Seattle, WA Miriam Ellenberg (London, UK) Births – Twins Chesky Wasserman (Crown Shimon & Chanie Kramer – Moshe & Chani Gourarie Sammy Fraenkel (London / Jerusa- Heights) to Rochel Gould (Monsey, TWIN GIRLS!! - Merrick, NY - Toms River, NJ lem) to Rina Zagauri (Casablanca, NY) Morocco) Shneur & Ruty Kramer – TWIN Mendy & Mattie Hecht Menachem Yarmush (Crown GIRLS!! - Tel Tzion, Israel – Crown Heights Mendy Hershkop (Crown Heights) Heights) to Sima Rabinowitz (S. to Chiena Borenstein (C H) Monica, CA) Births – Boys Yehuda & Shayna Tilles - Jerusalem, Israel Shloimy Sandhaus (Buenos Aires, Pesach Zirkind (Crown Heights) to Tzali & Chaya Camissar Argentina) to Malky Goldstein Sarah Leah Groden (Long Beach, - Crown Heights Yosef Yitzchok (YaYa) & Devorah (Jerusalem) CA) Wilhelm - Crown Heights Meyer & Tziporah Fischer Yechiel Schmerling (Zurich, Swit- Weddings - Crown Heights zerland) to Dina Lozenik (Miami Avrohom Kaufman (Rockaway, Levi & Chaya Risa Sabol - Monsey Beach, FL) NJ) to Channah Jones Yitzchok & Malky Schmukler Yehoshua Schreibman (Highland (Brisbane, Australia) - Houston, TX Park, NJ) to Rivka Shaffer B( alti- Osher Klein (Melbourne, AU) to more, MD) Zalmy & Dinah Shapiro Ilana Kahn (Melbourne, AU) – Jerusalem Menachem Mendel Shushan Yankel Potash (London, UK) to (France) to Zohara Dery (C H) Avremi & Nissa Bracha Yarmush Shternie Rabin (Edgware, UK)

READ THE CROWN HEIGHTS COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER @ CROWNHEIGHTS.INFO 4 CROWN HEIGHTS Newspaper ~February 06 2009 Our Heroes

Hagaon Hachossid Horav Chaim Meir Bukiet

1919-27th of Teves 1998 Meir heard about them, he visited Rebbe, and he responded as this A telegram was received from the them daily, took care of them and young man responded.” Previous Rebbe which stated that Part II gave them what food he had man- the wedding should be held on Fri- By Rabbi Michoel Seligson “ A R o s h day, Rosh Chodesh Kislev, instead Yeshiva Darf of the 3rd of Kislev. With special thanks to Reb Dovid Nisht Shlepen Zaklikowski Zeklach” The bride recounted that when they received the telegram the family Some years later, Trip from Vilna: “Not to Sleep” wanted to inform everyone who when Reb Chaim Reb Chaim Meir recalled. “For the had been sent an invitation that the Meir was the Rosh trip from Vilna we needed to have wedding date had been changed. Yeshiva in the visas. There were different opinions Reb Chaim Meir did not let the Lubavitch yeshiva among the various non-Chabad family inform anyone except those in Brooklyn, he yeshiva students regarding whether who after the wedding would be would stop at the it was worthwhile to travel through able to return home before Shabbos store on the way Russia. Many were of the opin- began. back from yeshiva ion not to go through Russia. The to purchase gro- In the summer of 1948 Reb Chaim Lubavitch students unanimously ceries as his wife Meir was offered the position of supported traveling through Russia requested. Once, Rav in the Oneg Shabbos Shul in since this was the Previous Rebbe’s Reb Chaim was East Flatbush and in Elul the family directive. walking on East- relocated to East Flatbush. The officer who was responsible ern Parkway with TheL ubavitch Yeshiva in Brooklyn, for issuing visas in the Russian packages in his founded in 1940 on the tenth of consulate in Vilna was a Jew and a hand. The Rebbe Adar, the day after the Previous communist. It seemed that he knew walked over to Rebbe arrived in the United States, Chabad chassidim, since he made a him and took the was established initially in this very comment about our being Lubavitch packages out of shul. chassidim. To our astonishment he his hands saying, requested that we supply him with “A Rosh Yeshiva In 1957 Reb Chaim Meir was selected a talis for his father. This is how we aged to find one way or another. In darf nisht shlepen zeklach” - A Rosh to be the Rosh Yeshiva of the Central developed a relationship with him. this fashion he risked his own life in Yeshiva should not carry packages. Lubavitcher Yeshiva, located, until order to save the lives of others.” Reb Chaim Meir answered, “Than 1969, on Bedford Avenue and Dean He pointed out that the Lubavitch for sure the Rebbe should not carry Street. He continued until his last bochurim walked very slowly. Actu- Kiruvim from the Rebbe the packages.” The Rebbe did not day in this position, at the yeshiva’s ally, this was because we were cau- In Shanghai, Reb Chaim Meir return the packages. Reb Chaim next location on Ocean Parkway and tious with every step we took. At established his first contact with the Meir said to the Rebbe “I will find a then in the Chovevei Torah Shul on one point he instructed a student, Rebbe, then referred as the RaMaSh. bochur to carry them”. The Rebbe Eastern Parkway. ‘Tell them to be quicker and not to At that time the Lubavitch publica- did not release the bags until a sleep.’ tion house, Kehot, printed sforim in bochur passed by. The Rebbe gave Concern for Others When this student relayed the Shanghai, some of which were used the bags to the bochur to take to Reb Reb Chaim Meir gave a shiur twice a message to the other students, the in the yeshiva. The remaining copies Chaim Meir’s home. week, impacting the lives of many of mashpia Reb Aizik Boruch heard were sent to New York to be sold. the students by talking to them and In 1988, a letter which Reb Chaim about it and gathered the students appealing to their hearts with the One of the students involved in Meir wrote to the Rebbe regarding for a Farbrengen. Over the course warmth and love of a father to a son. the printing was Reb Chaim Meir. several sforim was discovered. The of a full hour he elaborated on the Reb Chaim Meir showed a special At that time the RaMaSh was the letter contained the RaMaSh’s words of this communist. He added, concern for students who were from administrator of Kehot. He would handwritten response. ‘I constantly demanded of you not out-of-town and his warmth was send instructions from New York to sleep, but to hasten and do avodas reciprocated by the students. regarding which sforim needed to be Member of the Lubavitch Yeshiva Hashem with full energy and my printed and in which format to do so. Faculty One parent recounted one of the words were not accepted. [But] Reb Chaim Meir would correspond In 1946, the last group of students many stories about Reb Chaim when the communist demands not with the RaMaSh regarding Kehot from Shanghai arrived in New York Meir’s interactions with the students. to sleep, you are immediately on business. City. Reb Chaim Meir was asked to “My son loved to do childish things. the run.’” become a Rosh Yeshiva and join the When my son brought shlach manos The esteem and kiruvim from the In Shanghai, there were three yeshi- faculty of the Central Lubavitcher to him, Reb Chaim Meir sat down Rebbe to Reb Chaim Meir grew. vas. One was Yeshiva Tomchei Yeshiva located in 770. with my son to speak with him and Once the Rebbe asked Reb Chaim Tmimim Lubavitch, where the was able to reach him. After that he Meir about a certain law regarding The Shidduch students sat and learned through changed his silly ways.” Brich Shmeh, which is recited at hunger and good times and bad. When Reb Chaim Meir came to the open Aron Kodesh. Reb Chaim After theR osh Yeshiva of 770, Horav New York, he entered into Yechidus TheL ubavitch Yeshiva was in Shang- Meir responded according to what Hagaon Hachossid Reb Mentlik, with the Previous Rebbe to receive hai for almost five years. The lack of he remembered from Otwock. was nifter. Reb Chaim Meir took a brocho to find a shidduch. The food caused a susceptibility to the The Rebbe then approached dis- over the maintenance of the Kupas Rebbe told him, “You have a cousin many illnesses rampant in Shanghai. tinguished elderly chassidim from Bochurim fund, which paid for in Uruguay. Go there to meet her, This eventually took the life of one Russia and asked them the same clothing for bochurim. His house and it should be in an auspicious of the students, who was nifter in question. Their response was the was open to all and it reflected his time.” With that the Yechidus ended. Shanghai. exact opposite of Reb Chaim Meir’s. good heartedness. Reb Chaim Meir left for Uruguay The Rebbe then called Reb Chaim Rabbi Mordechai Bryski told this to meet his future wife. She came One of his famous quotes, constantly Meir and again asked the same story. “An epidemic spread through to greet him at the port and a short repeated, was the Rebbe’s Maharash’s question in the presence of the older the Jewish ghetto. The sick that were while later they agreed to marry. saying of the 8th of Menachem Av chassidim. Reb Chaim Meir gave contagious were brought to a house published in the Hayom Yom.“From the same answer as before. The older The wedding was scheduled to take at the outskirts of the ghetto. For my grandfather’s aphorisms: What chassidim dismissed it saying, “It is a place on Sunday, the 3rd of Kislev. a while no one took care of them good is Chassidus and piety if the Polishe maaesh (story)”. TheR ebbe All the preparations were nearly fearing that they themselves might main quality is lacking - Ahavat said, “I asked my father-in-law, the completed as the big day grew closer. become infected. When Reb Chaim Yisrael, love of another - even to February 06, 2009 ~ crOWN heights Newspaper 5

the extent of causing (G-d forbid) to New York to collect money for During the period when he was sick, In addition to Reb Chaim Meir’s anguish to another!” an institution there. He asked Reb the family made a gathering over involvement in rabbinic matters and Chaim Meir if he could stay in his Shabbos in his house and brought leadership of the yeshiva, he was Chizuk Hashechuna of East house for a few weeks. Reb Chaim the Sefer Torah from the shul. In the among the elite members of Vaad Flatbush Meir agreed and he moved into the afternoon after Mincha on Shabbos Rabbonei Lubavitch, and served Reb Chaim Meir and his wife, basement of the house. Mrs. Bukiet it is a Chabad Chassidic custom as the Rav of the Chevra Kadisha. may she live and be well, lived in would prepare supper for him every to recite a Maamar orally. As Reb When the Rav of Crown Heights, East Flatbush, a five-minute drive night. Chaim Meir saw that no one started Horav HaGaon Hachossid Reb from Crown Heights. Reb Chaim saying a Maamor, he began saying Zalman Shimon Dworkin would A few weeks passed and he did not continued to serve as the Rav of the a long Maamor. Despite his pain he convene a Din Torah, he would leave. After a month and a half, and Oneg Shabbos Shul. East Flatbush, exerted himself to say a chassidic generally choose Horav Hachossid then two months he was still there. after years as a vibrant Jewish com- discourse from memory, something Reb Yitzchok Duber Ushpal and Reb So it went for months. All that time munity, became a place where one that younger and healthier men Chaim Meir to join him on the Bais Reb Chaim Meir did not let anyone seldom saw a Jew. When Mrs. Bukiet consider a strenuous venture. Din. Referring to Reb Chaim Meir, ask this man why he did not leave. A was asked why they stayed all those Rav Dworkin said, “He has a straight year after his departure, he returned Chabad Houses years, even when there were no Jews, mind”. When Vaad Horabbonim to the United States and again asked she related the following. Reb Chaim Meir had a special Hakloli was established, Reb Chaim if he could stay with the Bukiets. Reb fondness for the Chabad Houses Meir was one of the first members Chaim Meir again agreed to let him Remaining in East Flatbush of his children, Rabbi Alter Bukiet chosen. stay. The same thing happened as “My husband wanted to move to in Lexington, MA and Rabbi Zal- before. At no time, did Reb Chaim Reb Chaim Meir left thousands of Crown Heights a long time ago to man Bukiet in Boca Raton, FL. Meir treat him any differently or less his manuscripts, written scholarly live as close as possible to the Rebbe. He traveled there often, coming courteously. texts on everything from Chumash I wanted to live close to the friends to dinners and special events. He to Gemoro, currently being prepared in East Flatbush that I had made was accustomed to call up his son Choosing Esrogim for publication by his children. over the years. My husband wrote Zalman every Motzoei Shabbos, Reb Chaim Meir was very particular to the Rebbe asking his advice. The and ask him what he had said in his In his last months, Reb Chaim Meir about not hurting another Jew. The Rebbe responded, “It is up to the speech that week. suffered terribly from his illness. following story displays this quality. wife where to live, since she is home Rabbi Bryski related that when he Reb Chaim Meir would go out of Almost every Chanukah and Purim the whole day and would like to be asked Reb Chaim Meir about his his way to ensure that everything he traveled to Lexington. This story around her friends.” pain, he responded that pain refines was according to Halacha. It is an transpired there. the person. He was nifter on Mot- “Later on when there was no longer old custom to buy the four minim Mark was a young man who had no zoei Shabbos on the 27th of Teves. a community of Jews, I wanted to [species] for Sukkos from a Rav who interest in anything Jewish. All he In Hebrew, the letters for 27 are , כז move. Since the Rebbe came out is knowledgeable in the standards of wanted to do was study to study at pronounced zach in English, which with a declaration not to move out Halacha and could choose a kosher university and have fun. His mother means refinement. His ptira was a of a Jewish community, my husband and nice set of the four minim. Many worked in the Chabad House and he great loss for his family, students would never have the audacity to people were accustomed to come helped her out there from time to and the Chabad community. leave and he did not even want to to Reb Chaim Meir to buy the four time but he was never seen at any of write a letter to theR ebbe about it.” minim which he chose especially He left, may she live and be well, his the Chabad House functions. for them. wife, Rebbetzin Esther Bukiet; his So there he lived till his last day, tak- Once when Reb Chaim Meir asked daughter, Mrs. Rochel Stillman, the ing care of the Mikva and the Shul, Giving Away His Esrog her where her son was, she answered wife of Horav Hachossid Reb Yer- gathering a Minyan every Shabbos There was an individual who once it was a waste of time trying to get achmiel, Mashpia of the Lubavitch and Yom Tov. Daily, he traveled back called Reb Chaim on the eve of Suk- her son to the Chabad House. “Your shul in Los Angeles, California; his and forth to the yeshiva on Ocean kos and told Reb Chaim Meir that son tried all day to get him to come son, Horav Hachossid Reb Yosef Parkway in Flatbush. his esrog had a blemish on it. Reb here, but he refuses to come.” Reb Yitzchok, the Rebbe’s Shliach of A few times a year Reb Chaim Chaim Meir had already distributed Chaim Meir asked her for her home Yeshiva Ohr Elchonon Chabad, Meir was accustomed to make a all of his sets. Knowing that this phone number. Los Angeles, CA; his son, his son, Farbrengen for his students in his person would have an unpleasant Horav Hachossid Reb Avrohom Reb Chaim Meir called Mark and home and in later years in the shul. Yom Tov if he did not receive a Shmuel, the Rebbe’s Shliach in Israel asked him, “Why don’t you come The shul was located five blocks from new esrog; he took his own esrog and Mashpia for the girls school in to the Chabad House?” After a few his house. Once, students wanted to and exchanged it for the blemished Lod; Horav Hachossid Reb Levi, minutes of disagreement he agreed escort him home at the conclusion of esrog. The next morning, the first of Chicago, Ill; his daughter, Mrs. to come, out of respect. From the the Farbrengen, since East Flatbush day Yom Tov, he went looking for Chaye Bukiet of Crown Heights; minute he came until the end of the was not so secure in those days. Not another esrog.” his son, Horav Hachossid Reb Alter party, Reb Chaim Meir danced with wanting them to go even a block out Bukiet, the Rebbe’s Shliach in Lex- Reb Pinchos Blatt recalled. “Reb him without letup. Today Aryeh of their way, Reb Chaim Meir told ington, MA; his daughter, Mrs. Sara Chaim was weak his last year, and (Mark) is married and learning them, “I am not scared of them, they Kramer, the wife of Horav Hachossid unable to choose esrogim. When I in the Kolel Tiferes Bachurim in are scared of me.” Reb Shmuel, a member of the board visited him, he told him that he had Morristown. of Tomchei Tmimim Lubavitch Throughout the years, Reb Chaim already requested that someone in Montreal and administrator of Meir walked to the Rebbe’s Far- should choose an esrog for me.” “Long years on his reign” the yeshiva Zal; his son, Horav brengens, on Shabbos and Yom Tov. In 1991, on his birthday on the 24th Hachossid Reb Zalman, the Rebbe’s When there were Farbrengens every The Oneg Shabbos Shul of Av, Reb Chaim Meir went to the shliach in Boca Raton, FL; and Shabbos, he would walk for thirty- In shul he was accustomed to give Rebbe for a dollar and the Rebbe grandchildren serving as Shluchim five minutes to CrownH eights. His a shiur every Shabbos in Likkutei told him that he should have long across the globe, from Brazil to the son remembers until this day how Torah. A number of non-Chabad years in his reign. The Rebbe then Ukraine, to Canada and the United they were accustomed to run home individuals participated in the shiur. gave him an additional dollar, say- States. from Crown Heights to notify their Someone related that he once spoke ing, “Shnas Hatzlacha”. Suddenly father that there was going to be a in a shul in Boro Park and one of the the Rebbe turned to him and said, Yehi Zichro Boruch! Farbrengen that Shabbos. individuals told him afterwards that “This is for the Rebbetzin.” Reb We should speedily witness “The his speech did not coincide with Chaim Meir was puzzled since the ones who dwell in the dust will Exceptional Hospitality what he had learned in Reb Chaim Rebbe had never given him a dollar awaken and rejoice” with Horav His love for every Jew was beyond Meir’s Shul on Shabbos morning in for his wife. HaGaon Hachossid Reb Chaim bounds. Whether relating to spiritual Likutei Torah. That summer Mrs.B ukiet was bitten Meir Bukiet among them. or physical matters, he was willing to His knowledge in Chassidus was in camp, poisoned and had to be do any Jew a favor. There was once great and throughout the years he hospitalized. Reb Chaim Meir then an individual who came from Israel continuously learned Chassidus. understood the Rebbe’s foresight. 6 CROWN HEIGHTS Newspaper ~February 06 2009

A Rabbi’s Northern Adventure

From the Heights of Alaska to the Golan Heights gray at the temples, icy blue eyes—a double for John Wayne. His jacket Reprinted with special permission issued a parka and a full wardrobe law. Colonel Gabrielsen watched was top-heavy with medals. by the author and Merkos L'Inyonei of Arctic survival gear, since I would as I opened the boxes and set a few Chinuch be traveling throughout the state in large volumes of Talmud and the Walking over to me, he gave me a all kinds of weather. Shulchan Aruch on the table. Unable smack on the back. By Rabbi Yisrael Haber to contain his curiosity, he opened That evening, as some of our packages “Welcome aboard, rabbi,” he greeted. My fantasy was shattered immedi- them up and stared like a blind man were being brought into out lodging, “Please, have a seat. You too, Chap- ately. The office looked nothing like at the Hebrew and Aramaic texts. there was a noisy knock at the door. A lain Gabrielsen, glad you’re along.” the recruitment advertisements for soldier came in with an order. “Explain to me,” he commanded. the Air Force on television. Instead So there we sat—the Catholic gen- “On one leg?” I thought. It had taken of a large desk with American flags “You are requested, Chaplain, to eral, the Lutheran minister, and me many, many long months to all around it, and a view of the United meet with Lieutenant General the Jewish rabbi—what might have learn the laws of Niddah and family States Capitol outside the window, Gamble tomorrow morning at 0900 been, in another situation, the start purity, and he wanted it all in five Chaplain Gabrielsen’s office was hours.” of an off-colored joke. Though you minutes. tiny, flagless,with a view of a truck would think the base commander Quickly, I make the calculation in parked in the lot outside. The chap- So as Miriam went about unpacking had more serious things to worry my head: 0900 hours is nine o’clock lain was reading a newspaper, his legs our things, I sat for four hours with about than the new Jewish chaplain, in the morning. propped up on his desk. He looked the Lutheran minister, delving into he looked uncomfortably nervous up at me, and without saying a word, “Very well,” I said, returning his the intricacies of Jewish Halacha. He to me. he picked up his phone and dialed salute. A few minutes later, the base sat with his mouth opened, totally “Is Mrs. Haber well?” he asked another office in the building. chaplain, Colonel Gabrielsen, came impressed. He had heard about the politely. running frantically up to the door. Talmud, but he had never actually “Hello, come in here a minute,” he “Yes, thank G-d, she’s fine. Thank seen a volume in his life. His eyes said, still looking at me. “There’s “Izrel,” he said in a Southern twang, you for asking, sir.” seemed to say, “Not only are all of something I want you to see.” “there is a serious problem with you.” “I am asking because I have been these laws written here, but here are “What problem?” I asked. “I’ve just requested by the Congress to issue He stood up and smiled. “At ease, a husband and wife who actually live been here a day.” emergency orders for your wife.” chaplain,” he said. in this way!” “You have to meet the Lieutenant “Emergency orders?” I asked. A moment later, a master sergeant General tomorrow morning.” When the crash course in mikvaot “That’s right. I have been asked to came into the office. “Fine with me.” was finished, he said, “Listen, Izrel, approve that your wife fly alone He stared at me in wonder. “You’ve when we go in to see the Lieutenant once a month to Seattle on one of Looking at me up and down, both been here only one day and you are General in the morning, do me a our transport aircraft. Normally a men enjoyed a good laugh. “What’s given appointment with a Lieutenant favor. Don’t say anything. Just let spouse can only fly if she is traveling the matter?” I thought. “Had I put General. I have been in the Air Force me do the talking.” with her husband in his official Air something on wrong? Had I forgot- for twenty years and I don’t even Force capacity. ten to close one of my buttons? He was my boss, so I said okay. know what a Lieutenant General For a dependent to fly without her Was my hat tilted in the wrong looks like. What’s going on?” Next morning, I dressed in my new sponsor, she needs emergency orders direction?” Then Colonel Gabri- “Beats me,” I said. casual uniform, not realizing that as cut out by the highest ranking officer elsen apologized and welcomed me “Well, I am going to find out what a three star general and the highest on the base, which in this case hap- to Elmendorf. Patting me on the this is about,” he promised before commanding officer in the region, pens to be me.” shoulder, he said, “The first thing hurrying away. Lieutenant General Gamble was we are going to do is to get you out responsible for American security I nodded my head. What could I Fifteen minutes later, he came back of that uniform. against military attack from Soviet say? Was it my fault that there was out of breath. territory which was only a few miles no mikvah in all of Alaska, compel- You look like a poster for Air Force “It’s about the Congressional order,” away from the tip of Alaska. In fact, ling my wife to travel every month recruitment. This isR on Applegate, he said. “I want to know everything just the day before, he had been in to the nearest mikvah—nearly two our section’s head N.C.O.” there is to know about this mixer.” Washington for a personal pow-wow thousand miles away? I remembered that N.C.O. stood for “Mikvah,” I corrected with President Nixon. TheL ieutenant General was staring non-commissioned officer. “Chap- “That’s what I said—mixer.” Chaplain Gabrielsen came to get at me with a look of displeasure. lain Gabrielsen,” I began. “Why do you want to know about me first thing in the morning. As “Call me Lou,” he said. it?” I asked. “Well you see…,” I stuttered. he led me into base headquarters, I “Thank you, but I would like to know “It’s the subject of tomorrow’s meet- “Izrel,” Colonel Gabrielsen warned, immediately sensed that Elmendorf what was so funny.” ing with the Lieutenant General.” cutting me off. “I can explain, sir,” he wasn’t just a backwoods base of little “Izrel,” he said, “it has been years “In all due respect, sir,” I hedged, said, facing the Lieutenant General. importance, but a vital component since I have had the chance to meet “a mikvah concerns many intricate “I spent the better part of last eve- of the country’s defense. Uniforms someone fresh out of chaplain school laws of ritual purity, and I’ve just ning with the rabbi, and believe me, were starched and stiff. Personnel so slickly dressed and polished. arrived from a very long trip.” sir, do yourself a big favor and—just performed their duties with a no- And your official greeting was most sign the papers.” What could I say? How could I begin to nonsense officialness down to the refreshing. But it won’t be neces- “I think I should know what this explain? The man was aL utheran min- tiniest detail of military protocol. sary here. Ron will take you over is about,” the base commander ister. Was I supposed to sit down with Before we got through to the Lieu- to the Base Exchange where you answered. him with an opened Shulchan Aruch tenant General’s second-floor office, can purchase a more casual zipper “Please sir,”Colonel Gabrielsen said. and start to explain Jewish law? we had to pass through two secretar- jacket, a more casual flight jacket, “This is a religious matter. I am the “I have to know everything,” he ies and the major who acted as the a more casual flight cap, and some base chaplain, and I advise you to insisted. Lieutenant General’s chief aide. authorized open-collar summer sign without further protocol.” “It’s all codified in the Jewish law shirts. We only wear full uniform “Good morning, chaplain,” they “Well Lou, you are my head chap- books. I’ll need them to explain all on special occasions. all said, greeting me politely. “By lain,” the Lieutenant General said. the details.” all means, please step inside. The “If you think it’s the right thing to TheL utheran chaplain didn’t stand “You’ve got them don’t you? I’m Lieutenant General is expecting do.” on ceremony. He was friendly, expe- not leaving. I’ll sit here while you you.” “Absolutely. Take my word for it. Just rienced, and genuinely eager to assist unpack. sign the order.” his new rookie rabbi. He introduced If, back in Brooklyn, someone had Fortunately, or unfortunately as the me to the staff and turned me over asked me how a Lieutenant Gen- Nodding, the Lieutenant General case may be, I had taken a lot of my to Ron and Chaplain Kennedy, who eral looks, I would have answered, signed the paper and handed it over books along on the plane, in order to helped me with my processing. We “Exactly like Lieutenant General to me. have a basic Jewish library until all of went to many buildings and filled out Gamble.”He was the picture of an our possessions arrived. There were “Have a Happy Mikvee,” he said. many forms. In addition to receiv- Air Force commander. Tall, broad boxes of Talmud, Mishna and Jewish ing a more informal uniform, I was shoulders, square jaw, short haircut, February 06, 2009 ~ crOWN heights Newspaper 7 Parshas Hashavua

Vedibarta Bam ~ Beshalach QUESTION: Moshe should have of Israel”? only said, “Do not fear. G d will fight By Rabbi Moshe Bogomilky actually “Atzmut Yosef” (lit. the Targum Yonatan ben Uziel explains for you.” Why did he add “You shall bones) — the “essence” of Yosef, and that originally Moshe told Paroah ?”be silent "ויקח משה את the philosophy he embodied. Moshe that the Jews would leave Egypt עצמות יוסף עמו" “carried” this legacy and imparted it ANSWER: The Midrash says: Con- to serve Hashem and that the trip “Moshe took to Klal Yisrael. tinuously Hashem has an argument would take only three days. Thus, ,with Satan. Satan complains to when the time came to leave Egypt )מצאתי בכתבי אבי הרב שמואל פסח ז"ל the bones of Hashem that the Jewish people the infamous trouble makers, Datan באגאמילסקי( ”.Yosef with him commit various crimes. Hashem and Aviram decided not go because "ויגד למלך מצרים כי ברח העם ויהפך (13:19) tells Satan, “Instead of speaking it was not worth the effort to make לבב פרעה ועבדיו" QUESTION: In evil about the Jewish people, let us such a big trip in three days. Hence, the Gemara (Sotah 13a) there is a “And it was told to the King of Egypt compare their record with that of the the “B’nei Yisrael” — “Children of dispute as to where Yosef was buried. that the people fled; Pharaoh and gentile world, and you will see how Israel” — to whom Paroah will speak According to one opinion he was his servants had a change of heart.” upright the Jewish people are.” are Datan and Aviram. interred in the crypt where the Kings (14:5) of Egypt are buried, and according to However, Hashem has a problem When Paroah and his select armies another opinion he was buried in the QUESTION: The people did not when Satan complains that the Jew- chased after the Jews, Datan and Nile river. Yosef was definitely one run away. Were they not asked to ish people speak in shul during dav- Aviram joined him. Hashem told of the greatest personalities of his leave? ening and the reading of the Torah. Moshe to tell the people not to fear time. It would be logical to assume It is difficult forH im to defend them the Egyptians, whereupon they ANSWER: In Parshat Beshalach that his burial place was a national because in church the gentiles are started going into the sea. The sea the term “am” — “people” — refers monument; how then is it possible very quiet and well behaved. then miraculously split, and the to the “eirev rav,” a mixed multi- for such diverse opinions as to where waters stood like a wall on their left tude of Egyptians who left Egypt Alluding to this Moshe told the he was buried? and on their right. Afterwards, when together with the Jewish people, Jews, “Do not worry about any prob- Paroah and his army came after ANSWER: The name “Yosef” can and the expression “B’nei Yisrael” lem Satan tries to create, because them, the waters covered over them refer to the Jewish people. As the refers to the members of the Jewish Hashem will fight him and defend and they were drowned. Psalmist says, “O Shepherd of Israel community. you. However, the condition is (Hashem), You who leads Yosef (the “Ve’atem tacharishun” — The Torah is relating that another Jewish people) like a flock” (80:2). “You should be silent in shul miracle occurred while the Egyp- Since Yosef provided for his brothers during davening and the tians were drowning. Namely, there and their families throughout the Torah reading. Do not speak was a special splitting of the sea so years of the Egyptian famine, all of any devarim betteilim — idle that, “B’nei Yisrael” — “the Children Jacob’s descendants who survived talk — because Hashem finds of Israel” — i.e. Datan and Aviram, by Yosef’s benevolence are called it difficult to defend us from could go through in safety and join by his name (Rashi). this complaint of Satan.” with the rest of the Jews on the other .side of the sea )ילקוט האורים בשם חידת שמשון( The views expressed in the Gemara means " "ו The word chomah with a "ויבאו בני ישראל בתוך הים can be explained as a metaphor for it can be read "ו" a wall. Without a ביבשה והמים להם חומה the survival of the Jewish people which means ,( חֵ מָ ה) as chaimah מימינם ומשמאלם.... ובני .throughout the galut .anger ישראל הלכו ביבשה בתוך הים והמים להם חמה מימינם The issue is what is the source of The first time the waters split for ומשמאלם." strength of the Jewish people. What When Pharaoh asked the Jewish secret power is “buried” within them people to leave Egypt, he sent along “The Children of Israel came within the sea on dry land, the entire Klal Yisrael, they happily that helps them endure and survive with them a contingency of his own stood like a wall on their right and and the water was a wall for them, all the persecutions they encounter Egyptians. He anticipated that this on their left. However, when they on their right and on their left.... The throughout their lengthy exile? “fifth column” would assure the had to split a second time for “B’nei Children of Israel went on dry land One opinion is that it is due to the return of the Israelites to Egypt. Yisrael” — Datan and Aviram — in the midst of the sea; the water was “crypt of Kings” — their political Suddenly, word reached Pharaoh they were angered to have to change a wall for them on their right and on connections to the highest officials that “barach ha’am” — his own their free-flowing nature for these their left.” (14:22,29) in government. Fortunately, often people whom he sent along with the wicked people. Therefore, the word to "ו" the intelligence, wisdom, and con- Jewish people had fled. QUESTION: 1) Why, after relating chomah is written without a tribution for the betterment of the that the Children of Israel walked indicate that this time they stood as Pharaoh now had a change of heart country made by members of the through the sea on dry land and a wall — chaimah — angrily. for permitting the Children of Israel )הגדה מוצל מאש( Jewish people has been recognized, that the entire Egyptian entourage to leave, because not only did he lose gaining them access to government. was drowned, does it repeat that the "ויסר את אפן מרכבתיו וינהגהו his slaves, but he also lost his own In turn, these individuals used Children of Israel went on dry land בכבדת" subjects who enriched his coffers their influence on behalf of their in the midst of the sea? (אור החיים) .with taxes brothers. “And He took off the wheel of their 2) Why when first describing the chariots, and He made them drive Another view claims that their source splitting of the sea, is the word cho- heavily.” (14:25) wall — written with — (חומה) of strength is the “Nile river” — a Originally, the Children of Israel mah and when the Torah describes QUESTION: Why does the pasuk "ו" body of water completely separate were destined to be slaves for 400 a from the land. This symbolizes that years in Egypt, but were only there the miracle a second time it is written say “ofan” — “wheel” — in the singular, although a chariot has four ?"ו" without a ( )ברח ”the Jewish people have nothing to do 210 years. The word “barach with the inhabitants of the country — “fled” — has the numerical value wheels? ANSWER: When the Jews started in which they dwell. Their absolute of 210. When the Egyptians began their travel in the wilderness, ANSWER: Had Hashem removed detachment and isolation from to complain to Pharaoh that “barach Hashem told Moshe to change all four wheels of their chariots, the Egyptian society helped preserve ha’am” — the Jews were there only direction and start traveling back horses could have exerted them- their identity and ultimately enabled 210 years — again his heart hard- towards Egypt, so that “Paroah will selves and dragged the chariots on them to survive the alien forces ened and he regretted sending out say livenei Yisrael — to the Children the ground. However, by removing which sought their destruction. the Jewish people pre¬maturely. of Israel — they are locked up in the only one wheel, Hashem caused their )רבינו בחיי( In reality, both views are correct. land; the wilderness locked them ride to be turbulent and agonizing in” (14:3). with the chariots violently swaying "ויאמר משה אל העם אל תיראו...ה' -Even when the Jew rises in govern from side to side. Thus, the riders ילחם לכם ואתם תחרישון" ment circles and in the eyes of its Commentaries ask, since all of the leaders, he must always remember were pummeled and pounded by “Moshe said to the people, ‘Do not Children of Israel left Egypt, how to maintain his identity and his the damaged chariots. fear...G d will fight for you, and you can Paroah possibly say something )שער בת רבים unique Jewish spirituality. This was shall be silent.’ ” (14:13-14) “livenei Yisrael” — “to the Children 8 CROWN HEIGHTS Newspaper ~February 06 2009

You are invited to Participate in a Workshop on Life/ Career Visions, led by Career Counselor (25 years experience) on

Sunday, February 8, 2009 from 1-3PM

Walk away with a Posterboard and a clearer life vision! Where: Crown Heights Center 305 Kingston Ave. between Eastern Parkway and Union Street Brooklyn, NY When: Sunday, February 8, 2009 from 1-3 PM Cost: $36.00 Interested? Please register no later than Wednesday, Feb. 4th at 12 Noon through email: [email protected] February 06, 2009 ~ crOWN heights Newspaper 9 Tznius: "America Is Nisht Andersh”

The Courage to Break a Tai’ve country, where the Alter Rebbe hold of youth to our lives today? By Mrs. M. Resnick The Alter Rebbe told his grandson lived, Yidden had started to adopt Here are some suggestions that that if he would be willing to tear, the fancy attire (putzen zich) of the How often do we look at some fad or occurred to me. Perhaps our readers and remove from the “katinke” nations of the world.(Ed. note: A new style taking a hold of these beauti- could come up with others. (over-coat), the special leather trim, trend was in the works.) ful, pure Neshomos, that are our although that portion of the coat How about every mother and children and we rationalize, ‘what’s When the Alter Rebbe discerned represented its particular beauty father taking this Sicha and read- wrong with that’? It’s only a flower that this was a new ‘Klipa’ in the and worth, he would promise the ing it and discussing it with their ornament, it’s only a feather trim, it’s field of Tai’ves (desires) that was at boy - that teenagers, both girls and boys and only a trend. It will pass. “Iti, Imi, Bimchitzosi” the onset of the peak of its strength, he would merit to be with the Alter asking them if they can think of he decided that it had to be broken How often do my friends urge me: Rebbe in Oilom Habo . similar ‘katinke’s in their lives? and annulled before it had a chance “Leave well enough alone! Why make The boy asked if he had to com- to grow and spread. How about every Rebbe and mountains out of mole hills?” ply with all his inward essence Mechaneches teaching the Sicha The breaking of aT ai’ve has to take How often do our Mechanchim (b’Amitius, b’Pnimius) or whether and using it as a springboard for place in those who have that Tai’ve and Mashpiim turn a blind eye to it would be sufficient for him to do discussion with their students? and in this case it mostly affected infractions so they can ‘see only the it only because he was obeying his young men, especially after their Why not have this Sicha be the positive’? grandfather. wedding when there is a desire to guide for the next Hiskashrus or And sometimes these ‘chessidike’ It seems that the young man was not adorn oneself (oisfeinen zich). Tznius, week, month or fair that is questions and urgings almost suc- up to the level of doing it for its own set up in our schools? Since this particular Tai’ve had ceed in creating doubts in my mind sake, and ‘Azoi iz dos guebliben’ - particular relevance to the subject For example, would it be too great a but inevitably the Rebbe always so it remained. (Editor’s note:He (the grandson), the Alter Rebbe was leap to take the idea of the removal of sends some ‘Igros’ or rather ‘Sichos’, removed it because the Rebbe asked willing to promise such a special the trimming from the ‘Katinke’ and my way, that keep me staying the and not from his own P’nimius the reward. apply it to the curbing of the Tai’ve course. way the Alter Rebbe wanted) for manicures - the new weekly From this it is understood that if one Here is one such example of Hash- Later on at the end of his life the ‘hygiene’ routine which has taken notices that there is a special place or gocho Protis that showed up as soon grandson spent several years in hold of our teenage girls? time when there are those who are as I opened my Dvar Malchus this Hodich, the location of the Ohel lusting after a certain element Perhaps we should start training week: of the Alter Rebbe, to be Mechaper that ourselves to think in terms, not of (atone) for not having had the ability has no place according to Torah, and one acts to break that particular “what’s wrong with it” but rather in Sicha of Yom Daled, Parshas to tear the ‘katinke’ in the proper element it can have an effect in other terms of “what’s right with it?” Beshalach, Yud Shvat, Tof Shin manner. (my free translation): things and for years to come.” Tes Vav. Maybe that paradigm shift would When the Frierdiker Rebbe told There is a story that the Frierdiker (End of that portion of the Sicha not rate the reward of this story he explained why this “Iti, Imi, Rebbe told about an incident that – interestingly the next portion but I am sure that it ‘sacrifice’ (that theA lter Rebbe was Bimchitzosi,” occurred after the wedding of the is about not putting emphasis on would certainly bring us closer to asking from his grandson) merited to Alter Rebbe’s grandson (son of the ‘Tachlis’ i.e. secular education and our Rebbe on this Yud Shvat. have such a special reward attached MittelerR ebbe). (It was customary career goals at an early age, in fact to it, being that this is one of the at the time to marry at a young age, not to embark on it until almost the greatest gifts and promises that can almost after Bar Mitzvah). Among age of 20, and staying strong with Comments & Questions: Tznius1@ be awarded. the gifts the young man received was learning Torah.) Verizon.net. a beautiful and expensive fur coat, The Frierdiker Rebbe’s explanation: So how do we apply this breaking of with a special leather trim. In that particular place, county or a Tai’ve, that has a tendency to take

Horav Hachossid great challenges to raise his children Shevat Yahrzeiten Hatomim Reb in a chassidishe atmosphere and was Yehuda Chitrik a role model despite all the obstacles This week we continue with the Yahrzeiten of people who lived in our against Yiddishkeit. AfterWW II, he The son of Horav shechuna. We are also including the Yahrzeiten of Shluchim. In mention- relocated to Antwerpen, Belgium, Hachossid Reb ing them we come to “v’Hachai yiten el Libo”. We learn from their lives, with the intention of mov- Tzvi Hirsh, he lessons that we can incorporate into our own. This column includes the ing to the United States, was among the Yahrzeiten from the 12th through 17th of Shvat. The respective resting but the Previous Rebbe few people who merited to see the places of the individuals noted in this column are near the holy Ohel, instructed him to remain Rebbe RaShaB, the Previous Rebbe unless otherwise specified. in Belgium in order to and the Rebbe. Born on Rosh spread Yiddishkeit Hashana 5659/1898 in Kras- Men and the warmth of naluk to a distinguished family 14th of Shvat Chassidus among Horav Hachossid which traced its origins to the the refugees who Hatomim Reb Alter Rebbe’s chassidim, Horav Hachossid came in Belgium. Yisroel (Izzy) Reb Yehuda studied in Hatomim Reb In later years, Reb Halevi Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim Shmuel Dovid Yehuda moved to Rosenfeld in Lubavitch and later Belinow Montreal, Can- The son of Horav moved to Kharkov where The son of Horav ada, where he was Hachossid Reb he studied with the noted Hachossid Reb appointed mashpia Yitzchok Eizik Halevi, over the Rosh yeshiva HaGaon Avrohom Osher, in Yeshiva Tomchei course of the years he merited Hachossid Reb Yehuda he sacrificed himself to study in Tmimim and in the many kiruvim from the Rebbe. Eber, after which he had to Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim in Rus- 1970’s he settled in Reb Yisroel was very involved in flee from government agents. sia, and was among the devoted Crown Heights to live the shechuna and its vital interests, In 1926 he was married to Miss mekushorim of the Previous Rebbe near 770. He was nifter in and assisted many people. He was Kayla Tumarkin, the daughter of and the Rebbe. He was born on the 2006 at the age of 106. nifter in 2008. the Rav of Kharkov, Hachossid Reb 18th of Kislev 1910 in Klimovitz and Aharon, and served as a shochet until was nifter in 2003. 17th of Shvat the government closed the shechita plant. He sacrificed himself amidst 10 CROWN HEIGHTS Newspaper ~February 06 2009

15th of SHVAT

The Human Tree TU BESHEVAT Q & A Based on the teachings of the Rebbe some of its spiritual nurture, the bulk By Rabbi Moshe Bogomilky eral judgment that only creates the .potential for the water to be given "באחד בשבט ראש השנה לאילן כדברי Courtesy of MeaningfulLife.com of our spiritual sustenance derives The detailed practical determination בית שמאי בית הלל אומרים בחמשה Reprinted from Chabad.org from its roots, from our faith in and commitment to our Creator. concerning the water takes place on עשר בו" For man is a tree of the field Sukkot. Deuteronomy 20:19 A soul might grow a majestic trunk, “The first day of Shevat is the New numerous and wide-spreading According to the Jerusalem Talmud “Man is a tree of the field,” and the Year for the tree according to Beit branches, beautiful leaves and lush (Rosh Hashanah 1:2), the signifi- Jewish calendar reserves one day Shamai. Beit Hillel says it is on the fruit. But these must be equaled, cance of the New Year for trees is that each year -- the New Year for Trees 15th of Shevat.” (Rosh Hashanah indeed surpassed, by its roots. Above until then all trees live on the water on the 15th of Shevat -- for us to 2a) the surface, there might be much wis- of the previous year. After Rosh contemplate our affinity with our dom, profundity of feeling, abundant QUESTION: Why is it necessary Chodesh Shevat the trees derive botanical analogue and what it can experience, copious achievement for us to know the date of the New their life source from the water of teach us about our own lives. and many disciples; but if these are Year for trees? the new year. Thus, the effect of the The tree’s primary components are: not grounded and vitalized by an new water occurs four months after ANSWER: The Hebrew calendar the roots, which anchor it to the even greater faith and commitment, the period of judgment. is set up according to a seven year ground and supply it with water and it is a tree without foundation, a tree cycle, and the seventh year is known Hence, the dispute between Beit other nutrients; the trunk, branches doomed to collapse under its own Shamai and Beit Hillel concerns the and leaves which comprise its body; weight. significance of the potential ( ) בכח and the fruit, which contains the On the other hand, a life might be and the actual ( ). Beit Shamai is בפועל seeds by which the tree reproduces blessed with only sparse knowledge, of the opinion that the potential is of itself. meager feeling and experience, scant primary significance. Consequently, The spiritual life of man also includes achievement and little fruit. But if according to Beit Shamai, since in roots, a body, and fruit. The roots its roots are extensive and deep, it potential the judgment of water took represent faith, our source of nur- is a healthy tree: a tree fully in pos- place on the first of Tishrei, four ture and perseverance. The trunk, session of what it does have; a tree months later we celebrate the New branches and leaves are the body of with the capacity to recover from Year for the trees, when the potential our spiritual lives -- our intellectual, the setbacks of life; a tree with the begins for them to derive nurture emotional and practical achieve- potential to eventually grow and from the waters which were included ments. The fruit is our power of develop into a loftier, more beautiful in the judgment of the entire world spiritual procreation -- the power and fruitful tree. four months ago. to influence others, to plant a seed However, according to Beit Hillel, in a fellow human being and see it Fruit and Seed priority is given to that which is sprout, grow and bear fruit. The tree desires to reproduce, to actual. Thus, the actual decision on spread its seeds far and wide so that as the shemittah year. During this water takes place on the fifteenth of Roots and Body they take root in diverse and distant year the land is left idle and no work Tishrei. Therefore, four months later, The roots are the least glamorous of places. But the tree’s reach is limited is done in the fields. In the first, on the fifteenth of Shevat, the trees the tree’s parts, and the most crucial. to the extent of its own branches. second, fourth and fifth year of the start living from the new waters. Buried underground, virtually invis- It must therefore seek out other, )לקוטי שיחות ח"ו( six year cycle, the farmers have to set ible, they possess neither the majesty more mobile couriers to transport aside ma’aseir rishon (first tithe) for of the tree’s body, the colorfulness its seeds. the Levi, and ma’aseir sheini (second of its leaves nor the tastiness of its QUESTION: All the different New So the tree produces fruit, in which tithe) is brought to Jerusalem to be fruit. But without roots, a tree cannot Years discussed in the Mishnah are its seeds are enveloped by tasty, eaten. On the third and sixth year, survive. mentioned in the plural. Why is this colorful, sweet-smelling fibers and ma’aseir ani is given to the poor New Year mentioned in the singular, Furthermore, the roots must keep juices. The seeds themselves would people in lieu of ma’aseir sheini. “for the tree,” ( ) instead of “for לאילן pace with the body: if the trunk not rouse the interest of animals Ma’aseir must be given from the the trees” ( )? לאילנות and leaves of a tree grow and spread and men; but with their attractive fruits which grow on the tree each without a proportional increase in packaging, they have no shortage ANSWER: The Torah commands year. One cannot give from produce its roots, the tree will collapse under of customers who, after consuming that on the yom tov of Sukkot we of the current year for another year. its own weight. On the other hand, the external fruit, deposit the seeds take a “peri eitz hadar” — “a beauti- For purposes of ma’aseir from trees, a profusion of roots makes for a in those diverse and distant places ful fruit of a tree” (Vayikra 23:43). the new year is calculated from the healthier, stronger tree, even if it has where the tree wants to plant its Our sages say this refers to the time when the fruits of the trees a meager trunk and few branches, seeds. etrog — the citron. People spend begin to blossom. Tu BeShevat is the leaves and fruit. And if the roots lavishly to purchase a beautiful etrog When we communicate with others, cut-off date between one year and are sound, the tree will rejuvenate in order to fulfill the mitzvah in an we employ many devices to make the next. In the year which follows itself if its body is damaged or its exceptional way. The Mishnah tells our message attractive.W e buttress shemittah, fruits which blossomed branches cut off. us that Tu BeShevat is the New Year it with intellectual sophistication, before Tu BeShevat belong to the for the tree, and by using a singular Faith is the least glamorous of our steep it in emotional sauce, dress it first year of the cycle, and fruits term it informs us that we should spiritual faculties. Characterized by in colorful words and images. But which blossom after Tu BeShevat pray particularly “la’ilan” — “for the a simple conviction and commitment we should bear in mind that this is belong to the second year of the tree” — namely the etrog tree, which to one’s Source, it lacks the sophis- only the packaging--the fruit that cycle. is very important to us. On this day, tication of the intellect, the vivid contains the seed. The seed itself is one should beseech Hashem that He color of the emotions, or the sense essentially tasteless--the only way grant us a beautiful etrog with which of satisfaction that comes from deed. that we can truly impact others is by QUESTION: What is the basis of to perform the Torah’s command- And faith is buried underground, its conveying our own simple faith in their dispute? (בני יששכר) .ment true extent concealed from others what we are telling them, our own ANSWER: The Mishnah R( osh and even from ourselves. simple commitment to what we are Hashanah 16a) states that on the espousing. The word “ilan” ( ) — “tree” אילן (Yet our faith, our supra-rational festival of Sukkot (15th Tishrei — has the numerical value of 91, commitment to G-d, is the founda- If the seed is there, our message will the world is judged in regard to which is also the numerical value tion of our entire tree. From it stems take root in their minds and hearts, water. This does not contradict to of ------(The L rd G d). This א ד נ י י ה ו ה the trunk of our understanding, and our own vision will be grafted the opinion in the Gemara that on emphasizes the fact that the trees from which branch out our feelings, into theirs. But if there is no seed, Rosh Hashanah (1st Tishrei) the of the field are not the work of man, motivations and deeds. And while there will be no progeny to our effort, entire world is judged, because the but that of A-mighty G d. the body of the tree also provides however tasty our fruit might be. judgment on Rosh Hashanah is gen- February 06, 2009 ~ crOWN heights Newspaper 11

The New Year for the Trees Suddenly, the entire scene became beyond the bark of oaks and birches transformed. The melamed was able and the poplars that lined the streets Courtesy of Chanan and His Violin- man was wondering in what manner to see through the glittering, spar- of his village. He had never dreamt of Reprinted from Chabad.org Published the trees celebrated their “Rosh kling snow, as if the bark was made life and sprouting twigs deep within and copyright by Kehot Publication Hashana.” Were they budding and of pure, transparent glass. From the the trunks of those impersonal trees. Society putting on their coat of green, or marrow of each little branch, tender Now he saw and understood that was there any other form of celebrat- sprouts pushed closer to the surface; day, too, were individuals, each one By Gershon Kranzler ing New Year of in his own right and own way of life; Once upon a time there lived a poor which he did not each one with his proper soul and melamed, a Hebrew teacher, in a know? living spirit. The NewY ear of Trees small village in Poland. He had his was no longer meaningless to him. W h e n h e daily troubles with the hardheaded reached t he A sudden gust of wind sprayed farmer boys who were his students. forest, he was millions off fine snow-stars into the For they would rather roam the deeply disap- crisp air, and the melamed’s eyes countryside than learn the alef bet, pointed to find were closed as by a curtain. when he the difference between the daled and the trees and was able to see again, the wondrous the resh, or the hey and the chet. bushes covered scene had disappeared. Only the All through the summer the melamed with thick coats slender fir-trees swayed back and had plenty of time for himself. The of crystal-white forth, and their naked branches Jewish farmers needed their children snow. “ W ho seemed to shake with mockery. Yet to help in the fields, and his pupils knows,” he pon- the man who returned home to the would any time prefer mowing corn dered, “perhaps village was no longer the same poor or loading hay to learning how to they were tal- melamed. Poor were only the clothes read and write Hebrew. That was leitim (prayer that covered his thin body. Poor was summer. But now it was winter, and shawl s) a nd only the little hut that served him a heavy fall of snow covered every kittels (white as a shelter. Yet, deep within him inch of the ground upon which the robes) like pious budded spirited life, the blossoms poor melamed walked. Yet this was Jews on their of a hopeful future. his day off. For it was Tu B’shvat High Holidays!” yet they were careful not to go too What did it matter that his students the fifteenth day of the month of Just then a strong wind blew through far. It was still too cold for them were hardheaded farmer-boys? He Shvat. the treetops, and the sounds of the to face the harshness of the world realized that deep within them swaying branches sounded like the You know that this day is the New beyond the casing of the branches. lay seeds of knowledge and much whispering of devout prayers. Our Year of the tree world. Our melamed, But within, life was stirring, and the learning. He knew that he had only melamed stood quietly amidst the too, thought of the meaning of Tu beginnings of new, strong branches to supply the warmth of loving noise of the windy forest, as fervent B’shvat, as he left the village and were marking time until the Master understanding to lure the sprouts out melodies passed through his head. walked towards a nearby forest. of the trees and bushes would bring of their hiding, so that they would He knew very little about trees Again he asked himself: What them. blossom and show the fruits of their and nature in general. For he had kind of a New Year do the trees harvest. They, too, would yet become The melamed eagerly drank in the hardly ever left his study and his celebrate? Don’t they look as if they good Torah students some day! full beauty of this tender spectacle. beloved books. Thus, you will not were dead? His strained eyes had never looked be surprised to hear that the learned

gogue was a Holocaust survivor cutting cold evoked the unspeakable broken twigs, but these cuttings have Cuttings who afterwards said the following pain and suffering of theH olocaust, flourished and borne fruit in all areas Courtesy of Chabad.org to me: "Rabbi, I don’t know how I and my own inability to ever truly of religious and communal endeavor ever survived dozens of days colder grasp it, in a very poignant way. throughout the Israeli, American By Shlomo Yaffe than this during the Holocaust. We and European Jewish communities But something else came to me: As we approach Tu B’Shvat (the where they resettled, making those These words came from a man who 15th of the month of Shevat on the communities far greater than they came to this country after the Shoah Jewish calendar) which is designated ever were before. and, notwithstanding everything as the "New Year for Trees" it's time he had endured, raised a beautiful We, who have merited being healthy, to listen to what the trees have to family, and is very active in our whole "trees" all our lives, must ask say to us. Synagogue and Jewish communal ourselves: How much more is asked (Trees don't talk but have a great deal life. This experience of unstinting of us, who have not suffered!L et us to say, in contrast to candidates for contribution to Judaism and the challenge ourselves to carry on the political office who talk a great deal Jewish community is the rule, rather work of this most shattered yet most and have very little to say.) than the exception, among the Holo- fruitful generation. caust survivors that I have met. They One of the most amazing things a May our deeds serve as a good may have come here as scattered and tree tells is about survival. Even if a answer. terrible storm or vicious beast will tear apart a fruit tree and smash it utterly, as long as one twig remains, JOB: Office Position we can plant it on its own, or graft Well established importer with friendly atmosphere seeks candidate it onto another far less fruitful tree. with: This cutting will flourish as a tree • Excellent organizational and Problem-solving skills. bearing beautiful fruit -- fruit of the same flavor the original tree had; or • Knowledge of computers including Word and Excel alternatively, it will greatly enrich required. had to stand motionless outside for and increase the productivity of the more than two hours in nothing but • Works well with math/numbers. Attention to detail. tree into which it was grafted. a thin pair of pajamas. As the years Send Resume/Salary Requirements to [email protected] or Call Recently, on a particularly frigid go by I see my survival more and 718-498-1130. Our offices are located only 15 minutes from Crown Friday night, one of the people more as a miracle." Heights by car. Parking available. Public Transportation nearby. who braved the elements to attend Hearing these words as I was about Salary commensurate with experience. Shabbat Eve services at our syna- to go warmly bundled up into the 12 CROWN HEIGHTS Newspaper ~February 06 2009

Tu BeShevat Recepes

CHICKEN CASSEROLE WITH DRIED FRUIT ON A BED OF COUSCOUS Inspired by Moroccan tagine cook- 1/2 cup oil Note from Norene: Jerusalem arti- 3. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees ing, this dish contains modern 2 Tbsp sesame oil choke is not truly an artichoke but C (350 degrees F). additions: wine, balsamic vinegar 2 Tbsp brown sugar a variety of sunflower, sometimes 4. Bake uncovered for 40 minutes and soy sauce. Like the Moroccan 3 Tbsp honey known as sunchoke. With its lumpy or until the chicken turns shiny and original, it is served over a bed of 1/2 cup soy sauce brown skin, it strongly resembles brown. Baste the chicken occasion- couscous, which lovingly absorbs the 5 cloves garlic, chopped ginger root. The white flesh of this ally with the liquid from the bottom rich sauce. Chicken is considered an 3 sticks cinnamon root vegetable is nutty, sweet and of the pan. The dish up to this point “everyday” food, but this dish is fit 1 Tbsp coriander seeds crunchy. It can be eaten raw or may be prepared in advance and later for the most festive occasion. 1 level tsp turmeric cooked. If you can’t find it, replace heated in the oven. 1 Tbsp cumin seeds, crushed with parsnips or turnips, cut in Ingredients: 2 Tbsp sesame seeds chunks. 5. Before serving, prepare instant Salt and freshly ground black couscous as per the manufacturer’s 12 chicken drumsticks 1. Mix all the ingredients for the pepper instructions. 6 whole, small red onions, peeled marinade. 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar 12 pieces (each 4-5 cm/2 inches long) 6. Arrange the chicken casserole and 2 cups dry red wine 2. Arrange the chicken, onions, of Jerusalem artichoke, peeled sauce over a mound of couscous, Jerusalem artichoke and dried fruit 250 g (9 oz) dried figs To Serve: sprinkle the walnuts on top and in a baking dish and pour over the 200 g (7 oz) prunes serve immediately. 1/2 kg (1 lb 2 oz) instant couscous marinade. Cover and refrigerate 200 g (7 oz) dried apricots 1/2 cup walnuts, roasted for a minimum of 3 hours, up to 24 Serves 4 to 6 The Marinade: hours.

TU BI’SHVAT CAKE 1/4 tsp nutmeg DRIED FRUIT COMPOTE Small pinch of ground cloves Lots and lots of dried fruits and Simple, refreshing and delicious, this Half a lemon nuts and just a little bit of dough to 1. Preheat oven to 150 degrees C is the traditional ending to a rich 1. Put the ingredients in a large hold them all together. The choice (300 degrees F). Shabbat dinner or any other festive saucepan. Add water to twice the of fruit is all yours, the more the meal. Feel free to alter the ratio of the 2. Mix flour, sugar, eggs and spices. level of the fruit. merrier. Just remember to combine fruits according to personal prefer- different colors to make the cake 3. Chop larger dried fruits (apricots, ence. Remember to go easy on the 2. Bring to a boil, lower the heat and more attractive. This dense, juicy, prunes, papaya) coarsely. Add them apple rings as they swell considerably cook for about 30 minutes. Adjust not overly sweet cake will keep for with the rest of the fruits and nuts to during cooking. the seasonings, a long time. the dough and mix thoroughly. adding sugar if you Ingredients: like it sweeter. Ingredients: 4. Transfer to a greased loaf pan and bake for 1 1/2 hours, until the cake 1 cup dried apricots 3. Refrigerate and 60 g/2 oz (7 Tbsp) flour is a deep golden-brown. 1 cup prunes, with serve well chilled. 60 g/2 oz (7 Tbsp) sugar pits (to maintain the Serves 6 to 8 3 eggs 5. Cool completely and slice very shape) 200 g (7 oz) assorted dried fruits thin with a bread knife, but only 1/2 cup dried apple (prunes, apricots, raisins, figs, what you plan to serve. The unsliced rings papaya, cranberries) cake keeps better. 3/4 cup raisins From: The Book of 200 g (7 oz) assorted nuts (walnuts, Makes 1 loaf pan 1/2 cup sugar New Israeli Food pecans, hazelnuts, almonds) 1 cinnamon stick by Janna Gur 1/2 tsp cinnamon Note: There is no oil in this cake.

CARBONNADE FLAMANDE beef. You don't need to be precise brown the meat in batches. here, just eyeball the beef and trim Serves: 4 "smoking point" (the temperature OK, then. Leave the meat to brown to size. I know that the second joint that oil smokes) from the vegetable on one side for two, three minutes 1 12-oz. bottle dark beer on my index finger is just a little more oil. Pour the oils into a heavy 3-quart and take the time to assemble the 2 tbsp. olive oil than 1-1/2" so I don't need to waste pot and heat them on medium- rest of the mis-en-place (order of 2 tbsp. vegetable oil time hauling out a measuring stick low. the workplace, as we've discussed 3 cups onion (sliced in) rings or tape or anything like that. I just before). Don't turn it until you see 1/2 tsp. salt Slice the onions into 1/2"-wide rings. look and compare and cut as needed. juice beading up on the "up" side. 1-1/2 cups stewing beef, cut in 1-1/2" How you do that is easy-sneezy. Again, easy easy easy--look at a few Then flip it, be prepared for a bit of to 2" cubes pieces, stir the onion rings, look at Core out the root end by sticking sizzle, and again, brown for a couple 2 tbsp. tomato paste (1 more tbsp., the beef, stir the onion rings, rinse, in the tip of your knife and slicing minutes. Then flip it around so it's optional) lather, repeat. around it. You can pull it out with browned on both sides. What's 2 tbsp. brown sugar the tip of the knife or leave it in 'cuz Now we brown the beef. Turn the browned? Dark brown, with almost 1 tsp. dried thyme (1 tbsp. fresh) it'll drop after the first couple rings. heat up to medium-high, and add crusty streaks, that is to say, carbon- 1 tsp. salt or to taste Now, hold one end of the onion, and more oils (mixed half-and-half) to ized. When that's occurred, then 1/4 tsp. pepper just slice from end to the other. See? the pan if necessary. Then place the toss the pieces around the pot until 2 bay leaves Easy. That's that with that. cubes/pieces in the onion-flavored they're browned on all sides. Don't Open the bottle of beer and pour oil in ONE (count it, one) layer, worry about the bottom of the pot- Toss the onions in the oils with the into a bowl or glass. Don't bother with at least 1/4" separation from -most of that schtuff will dissolve 1/2 tsp. salt. Let braise for about avoiding a head, we want it become the pieces. This is really important. into the stewing liquid and b'lieve 10 minutes until onions rings have flat. Give it a stir to make it foam a me, what's left won't be that difficult separated and are translucent. Turn You need to give the pieces room to bit every couple of minutes while to scrub off later. Remove beef and up the heat a bit and continue cook- sear or else they'll steam and become we work on the onions. Or, if you put on the plate with the onions. (if ing, stirring every couple of minutes. an unappetizing gray. That's not have time, pour it out a couple hours necessary, repeat steps for the second When they've colored a bit (another SO very important in the long run before you start cooking to give it batch and even third). 10 minutes or so) and are completely because the "sauce" will color them, time to go fizzless. limp and volume has reduced by half, but we want to develop a "fond" Now to assemble the stew. Take the Mix the oils--the idea is that you get remove them to a large plate. (base) that will dissolve into the dark beer that was set aside and pour the flavor from the olive oil and the stewing liquid later. If you have to, While that's going on, prepare the Continued on page 14 February 06, 2009 ~ crOWN heights Newspaper 13

Shaalos Utshuvos in Modern Times

Can I find G-d in Birkat Hachamah From Chabad.org school? FAQs By Moshe Goldman Where and when is this blessing ceremony. So make every effort to I thought the sun was created on performed?... How long is the ser- attend the service—and bring along Rosh Hashanah? Question: vice?... Can I do Birkat Hachamah your spouse and kids too! Though we celebrate the anniversary I know that everything I do can at home?... of all of creation – including the be meaningful. My rabbi says that Is Birkat Hachamah any different sun – on Rosh Hashanah, approxi- everything we do has to be an What is Birkat Hachamah? this year because it falls on the mately six months before the spring act of preparation for Moshiach. Birkat Hachamah literally means morning before Passover? equinox, there is actually a debate But how can studying for my high "the Blessing on the Sun." Its text: The ceremony will be no different in the Talmud whether the world school diploma be a preparation for "Blessed are You, Lord our G‑d, than any other Birkat Hachamah. was created in Tishrei or Nissan. Moshiach?? King of the universe, who reenacts However, because of the day's many The consensus reached is that with the works of creation." (Though it is other Passover-related responsibili- regards to the counting of years Response: traditionally accompanied by a few ties – such as finishing and burning we count from Tishrei, but in all Great question! brief prayers and Psalms.) the chametz and preparing for the areas of Jewish law that pertain to night's Seder – it will probably be Dr. Paul C. Rosenbloom was a This blessing is recited once every the calculations of seasons (and time-efficient and brief. religious Jew and a professor of 28 years, when the sun reaches the equinoxes falls under this category) mathematics. He once told the point where it was at the time of its Additionally, your local Chabad we calculate from Nissan (click here Rebbe about a rabbi who had visited creation—at the exact same time Center will likely combine this for more on this topic). his home and expressed disapproval of day and on the same day of the service with the customary Passover of the bookshelves. "How can you week. Eve Firstborn Feast and/or provide Is there any connection between keep secular books together with those attending with the opportunity Birkat Hachamah and Passover? Torah books on the same shelf?" the Where and when is this blessing to sell and burn their chametz. There is no connection between the rabbi lamented. performed? two. The timing ofB irkat Hachamah This blessing will be recited on What if the sky is obscured by is related to a solar event, whereas The Rebbe replied that to place Wednesday morning, April 8, 2009, cloud cover? the Jewish calendar – and the date Torah in one world and science in after sunrise and before a quarter of The blessing can be recited as long of Passover – is determined by the another borders on having more the day has elapsed. If one missed as the sun can be seen, even if not lunar orbit. Birkat Hachamah always than one G‑d. Rather, all knowledge this time, the blessing can be recited clearly, even if only its outline is occurs on a Wednesday morning should have the same purpose, to until midday. Click here to find out visible through the clouds. in the beginning of April, which further our awareness of the one these exact times for any location. will always be around the time of Creator of All Things. If the sun is completely obscured, Passover—but could be before, after, Technically, you can say this blessing then one should wait until right So, too, your high school studies are a or even on Passover. anywhere the sun is visible (prefer- before midday, with the hope that way that you can further your aware- ably while standing outdoors). perhaps the sun will appear. If ness of G‑d. And since Moshiach Is there also a blessing recited on Ideally, though, try to join up with that does not happen, then right means a time when G‑dliness will the moon? others; celebrate this special mitzvah before midday the blessing should be be obvious, furthering your aware- Yes, on a monthly basis, a few days amongst throngs of fellow Jews! recited—while omitting G‑d's name ness of G‑d and making Him more after it begins to wax. For more ("Blessed are You who reenacts the obvious in your life fits right in to the information on this blessing, see How long is the Birkat Hachamah works of creation"). preparations for Moshiach. service? Thank G‑d for the Moon! Why does Birkat Hachamah take Here are some suggestions on how The actual blessing and accompany- Is this related to ancient sun- place once every 28 years? to find G‑d in your studies: ing prayers take no longer than 5-7 worshipping rites? minutes. Add in some words from According to tradition, the sun was When you study biology, you can The blessing is addressed to G‑d, the rabbi, and still it shouldn't take created at the moment of the spring marvel at the complexity, detail and the creator of the sun—and all longer than 15 minutes—especially equinox which coincided with the precision of G‑d's creations. How else. Jewish tradition absolutely for- on this super-busy Passover eve first moment of the fourth day of can a person praise G‑d without bids worshipping or praying to any day. creation. When the sun reaches contemplating the many miracles entity other than the one G‑d—and this starting point again at the exact of life? numerous times the Bible singles out Will we witness an unusual solar same time of day and on the same the sun as one of those entities we When you study history, you can phenomenon on this date? day of the week, we recite the Birkat may not worship! ponder the Divine Providence with From an astronomic point of view, Hachamah. which G‑d ran the show at that par- nothing unusual will happen. The According to the astronomical Is this biblical, rabbinic, or ticular period, and His mysterious sun, moon, planets and stars will not calculations of the 3rd century sage kabbalistic? reasons behind it. be aligned in any specific pattern. Shmuel, the length of a solar year is It is a rabbinic ordinance – first The arrangement of the heavenly When you study English, you can 365.25 days, or 52 weeks plus 1¼ mentioned in the Talmud – as are bodies will not even resemble the think about how G‑d split the world days. It thus follows that precisely virtually all the blessings recited way they were at the time of creation. up into many different languages at one year after creation, when the sun according to Jewish tradition. Birkat Hachamah marks the sun the time of the Tower of Bavel, and returned to its original position, it reaching a specific (and not unusual) how prior to that there was a unity would be 1¼ days (one day and six Do Sephardic and Ashkenazi position – the same one it occupied prevalent among all mankind— hours) later in the week. After two customs differ on this? at the moment of its creation – at which we need to bring back. years, it would be 2½ days later in Yes, slightly. The blessing and core the same time of the week when it the week. Only after 28 years, would prayers are the same, but different These are all just examples. Do was created. the sun return to that position at communities will say different the same with every subject—find the same time—at the onset of the Psalms and prayers based on their the point in it that you can use to I won’t be able to make it to "fourth day," Wednesday. ancestral tradition. connect it with something G‑dly. my synagogue, can I do Birkat Hachamah at home? When you open up your books, Why is Birkat Hachamah on the Can this phenomenon be proven don't think "I hate this pointless stuff Technically, there is no requirement 8th of April when the equinox falls scientifically? that has no connection to Judaism to say the Birkat Hachamah in the 18 days earlier? The phenomenon that prompts or anything real," rather think that presence of a congregation. So if This has to do with the fact that the Birkat Hachamah is the vernal "I am now going to dig until I find you can't make it to your synagogue, the length of the "tropical year" equinox—definitely a scientifically something that is real here, and print out the text of the service and used to compute the date of Birkat verifiable event. As for the timing then I will focus on that and make say it wherever you may be. Hachamah is slightly longer than the of the Birkat Hachamah ceremony it the most important aspect of this However, due to the momentousness actual tropical year. See Calculating (which is several days after the subject for me." of the occasion, it is customary to the Date of Birkat Hachamah for an equinox), see Calculating the Date I hope this helps. make a big public to-do out of the extensive discussion on this issue. of Birkat Hachamah. 14 CROWN HEIGHTS Newspaper ~February 06 2009 Notes

No Vacation classes, and almost no writing, there provided. Just who is looking at these pictures were long walks, life discussions, and and why? By Lieba Rudolph But I knew I had to hit the ground pleasant visits with friends and fam- running—ice and all—when I got Aren’t there tznius implications I know there’s no such thing as a ily I don’t get to see often enough. home and here? Not to mention, if I waste time vacation from the battle to bring heard about scrolling through the pictures, com- Moshiach, but my children’s school our Chabad menting on Chavi’s sheitl or Chaya’s had a week off last week and the air women’s nose, how different am I than the fare to Los Angeles was just too rea- beauty women who sit at home wasting time sonable, so away the family went. pageant in watching TV? Even the most dutiful soldier gets response to a little R&R but I was still nervous Susie Ess- Shouldn’t we be showing the world about what it would do to me. I man’s com- through our actions that true made sure to tell people who com- ments on beauty comes from within? mented on the terrible ice storm At nearly every turn there was good “TheV iew.” I’ll admit that I watched Painful events of the last few months back east—which is pretty much food made even better by the fact the piece online (I was “on vacation” indicate an “outer” urgency in the everyone since Californians love that it’s not easy to get at home. And after all…) and I even emailed them fight to bring Moshiach, but this winning the climate comparison I’m happy to say that the only stores a brief comment suggesting they response to “The View” shows a game-- that we actually didn’t come I entered were grocery ones, almost invite a real Chabad woman on the frightening “inner” urgency as for the weather. a pleasant diversion since I wasn’t show, not to clarify our style, but well. rushing through them. our content. I’d like to think that I’d go anywhere Boruch Hashem, my reaction was to visit my children and grandchil- I was worried I had mellowed too But I must also admit that I am to jump at the opportunity to have dren, but I must admit a special much in the week I was there. shocked that we are now putting a Yud Shevat farbrengen at my house fondness for visiting them in the ourselves on Facebook to defend tomorrow. I am grateful to be back Sure, I was calling it the Stupid Bowl, middle of winter. the notion that we are as beautiful in battle. but in the next breath, I was justify- as…as whom? So while there was no mivtzoyim, no ing the healthy outlet that football

dealing with them was Jewish History Personality unique in the world. He never became upset about Horav Chaim Falagi any household issue; to the contrary, he always Rav of Izmir, Turkey: worldly matters as a broker. Never- made peace overtures . . Kabbalist, Halachist. theless, whenever I had no work, I . He never became upset Rabbi Chaim Palagi was born did not turn to frivolity and wasteful at the children’s noise. He in Turkey in 1788 a prolific author. things, but rather I returned to my used to call them to him Seventy-two of his works are known, studies. From age 40, when I was each morning to recite but it also is known that some of appointed to be a rabbinical judge the morning blessings, his manuscripts were destroyed in and teacher and to handle matters and they prayed out loud. the great fire which struck Izmir of concern to the public, until this Very patiently, every day, in 1841. Every time Rav Falagi day, there is not a minute when he performed the mitzvah published a new book, he made a I am not surrounded by litigants of “You shall teach them to festive meal and ate a new fruit, on or by public affairs. These matters your children.” He would which he would recite the blessing come both from this city and its instruct his children in of “She’he’cheyanu.” (There is a environs, and also various decrees fearing Hashem . . . and dispute amongst poskim/halachic of the government keep me busy never to make fun of any authorities whether one may recite with matters affecting the public. person. Once, a member this blessing in honor of printing a Therefore my heart worries within of his household offended sefer.) me that I do not spend sufficient time another person and he studying. I therefore force myself to In one of his works, Rav Falagi [i.e., Rav Falagi] did not use the limited time that I have for describes his own life as follows: I rest until that person had studying, and many others see me call heaven and earth to testify that been appeased. A number and do the same; may they learn from the age when I could control of times, he even gave from me that when distractions my faculties until I was 20, I used money to a person who come along, whether they come from to devote myself single-mindedly had been offended. public or private matters -- for one’s to Torah study, day and night, with blessed. eyes and heart search for a spare He was nistalek in Izmir, Turkey, no wasted time. I had no involve- moment -- that spare time, when it Rav Falagi’s son wrote of him: His 17th of Shvat 1858 ment with worldly matters. From comes, should not be wasted. If one behavior with his family and the age 20 to age 40, when my children The most famous book written by lives thus, his Torah studies will be excellence of his character traits in were dependent on me, I dealt with Rabbi Falagi is Kaf HaChaim.

Recipes Again, no need to be thorough on blend in. Remove bay leaves (really, Continued from page 12 this, it's basically campfire cooking they won't soften and are inedible) indoors. Then add the onions and and serve. it into the hot pan. Unless it's totally beef, including any collected juices, completely flat flat flat it will foam RECAP: and the bay leaves. Bring up to a boil, up. When that subsides, and beer is then turn down to a bare simmer 1. Make onion rings and braise them boiling, take a spatula and scrape (time to rhyme to get you through until semi-caramelized. the bottom of the pot. No need to any stew: higher heat toughens the be ultra-thorough about it, maybe 2. Brown beef. meat). Cover, and let cook s-l-o-w-l-y 10-20 scrapes, just to get the fond for 45 minutes. If you have the time, 3. Deglaze pan with beer. up and into the beer. then certainly, an hour won't hurt 4. Add rest of ingredients and sim- Add the rest of ingredients, except for it at all. Check the carbonnade and mer on low heat for 45 minutes (or the onions and beef and bay leaves, if the liquid seems *too* thin, add longer). Remove bay leaves and and stir until mostly dissolved. another tbsp. Tomato paste and serve. February 06, 2009 ~ crOWN heights Newspaper 15 Shleimus Haaretz

An Analysis of the Camp David Peace Process we do not prevent their coming] they may conquer the city, and from there before us: The peace process may based on the Rebbe’s talks to obtain that which he could not the [rest of the] land will be easy for avoid loss of life, but surrendering gain through war? He could easily them to conquer [since it is a city on I. The Halachah • II. The Folly • III. the lands constitutes a threat of life, break off relations once every­thing the bor­der].” Fallacy and Truth G‑d forbid. Both acts seem­ingly are is in Egypt’s possession. And even for the purpose of pikuach nefesh. From this halacha we learn the fol- Part II if Sadat was per­sonally trustworthy, The crucial ques­tion is: which takes lowing: Even if the entire purpose there is no guarantee that his succes­ Pikuach Nefesh is Preeminent precedence? and intention of the enemy is only sors will be. Moreover, Egypt is not a to take ‘straw and stubble,’ and not The critical issue here is pikuach sound democracy. Who knows what What does the Halachah say? to kill; and should we succumb nefesh, saving of life. The Torah upheaval will produce which type of Torah is the Jew’s guide in all aspects to the enemy’s demands and give tells us that pikuach nefesh assumes leadership? Egypt is unstable, a fact of life, and we look to it for direction him the straw and stubble there priority in almost every situation: demonstrated by Sadat’s assassina- in all things. There is a halachah in will be ‘peace’ and no need for war; Shabbos is desecrated to save life, tion; and a new regime may not feel Shulchan Aruch, the Jewish Code of nevertheless, Torah tells us that the the laws of Kashrus are discarded obligated to keep its predecessor’s Law, which gives a clear directive in very threat of non-Jews taking over to save a life, etc. Jews en­tered the commitments. We will have more just such a case as ours. In the Laws a city close to the border constitutes Camp David peace process hoping to say about this later. of Shabbos, Orach Chaim, Ch. 329. a state of pikuach nefesh — and it would lead to peace, and hence In short then, the peace is not an paragraph 6, it states: “When non- the Shabbos must be desecrated to prevention of loss of life. Whether assured one, but merely a gamble Jews besiege Jewish cities, if they prevent its occur­rence. For since this goal is attained, however, is for peace. Perhaps the peace will came for money purposes, we do not the non-Jews would then be in a another matter. last — but perhaps it will not. That desecrate the Shabbos because of strategic position to conquer the No one can maintain that the ‘peace’ is the idea of taking a chance. them [by war­ring against them]. But land itself, the security of the coun­ arrived at in Camp David is, or can if they came [with the intention] to try is in jeopardy. Hence, although Conversely, the concessions made be, assured. A treaty is only as good take lives, or even if they came with it is only a possibility in the future, by the Jewish people are not mere as the word of the man who signs it, no announced purpose and there Torah bids us, because of pikuach verbal or written pronouncements, and nothing on earth can guarantee is reason to suspect that per­haps nefesh, to un­dertake all measures, but very substantial indeed. So much its permanence. History is too full of they came to take lives; then, even including actual warfare if necessary, so, that these concessions may put instances where treaties were broken if they have as yet not come, but are to prevent such a situation from Eretz Yisroel into greater danger as casually as the tearing up of the making preparations to come, we developing. Or in other words: the than before — as we shall shortly paper on which they were written. In go forth against them with weapons mere possibility that the security discuss. In other words, while the this case, there are several complica- and desecrate the Shabbos be­cause of the country’s borders will, in the concessions were made to avoid dan- tions which further compound the of them. When it is a city close to future, be weakened by the enemy’s ger to life, they result in the reverse: uncer­tainty. No one can really be the border, then, even if they want ac­tions now, is deemed by Torah to they themselves are a danger to the sure of Sadat’s intentions in signing to come only for the purpose of [tak- be a situation of immedi­ate pikuach lives of the Jews in Eretz Yisroel. We the treaty. Did he really desire a ing] straw and stubble, we desecrate nefesh — and must be prevented have then the following dilemma lasting peace? Or was it just a way the Shabbos because of them; for [if now.

Living in Sderot Welcome to your life. A life between For the last eight years, Kassam them and, "The mother lost one leg, Eden and Hell. rockets have been fired from Gaza the child was killed." into Sderot. For eight years, Sderot By Elad Nehorai Welcome to Sderot. And if you survive the attacks, but has been receiving sustained attacks your house is destroyed, "There could Sderot is a beautiful town located of, "Ten, twenty even forty Kasams a Courtesy of Chabad.org be damage estimated at 300,000 out of sight of the big cities and is day", according to Rabbi Pizem. You walk towards your home. Per- Shekel, but the government comes only minutes away from the now haps you are coming home from Ten to forty times a day of, "CODE and says we will only give you Palestinian-controlled Gaza. Its work. Perhaps school. RED" 120,000 Shekel," says Rabbi Pizem. growth was spurred by its first Jew- There are many who are forced to You've lived here since the day you ish inhabitants, such as the parents Ten to forty times a day of as Rabbi leave simply for this reason. were born. This is where you grew of Avi Asido, a up. Where you prayed. Where you carpenter, who, Even in the moments where the fell in love and married. This is your "sta r ted f rom rockets do not fall, the people of community. This is your home. scratch, fighting Sderot must constantly live with the for everything scars that the Kasams have left. As you walk home, you suddenly they had. Liter- hear a siren. A siren you've learned As Avi says, "Everyone is afraid all ally building the to consider routine. the time." town and their "CODE RED" livelihood." Adults, children, entire families receive psychological and psychi- "CODE RED" In the nineties atric attention. People suffer heart Sderot reached a You don't think. You run. attacks. renaissance, dou- You have twenty seconds. bling in size as He has "witnessed families who immigrants came absolutely fell apart as a result of the Luckily, a shelter happens to be Pizem puts it, "Huge, terrible, in droves from the former Soviet situation." across the street. Within seconds extreme noise. So loud that your Union. you are there, surrounded by your head explodes." Many have left. Many have left their community. Children are scream- The city of Sderot still reflects this families and livelihoods behind. The And with each attack, you hope that ing. Women are crying. Men are history. It looks like most modern, residents that have stayed rarely the rockets have missed your city, crying. progressive cities in Israel. Accord- get to see their families, since the hope not to hear the stories that ing to the Chabad Rabbi, Zev Pizem, families are too scared to visit. You hear a whistling sound. A deaf- have become so familiar here. Stories "Sderot is a wonderful, peaceful, ening explosion. The entire shelter like that of Avi's neighbor, "Ela, a 32 "Meanwhile," Avi says, "we go to quiet place." shakes. year old mother, who was killed by a sleep at night not knowing whether In fact, a little too quiet. For a city so Kasam... She died on the spot, right we get up in the morning." Slowly, people calm down. Slowly, large, there aren't that many people next to my carpentry business." people come out of their shelter. And, yet, the majority of residents of around. The streets don't have as Slowly, they look around for the Or like the story Rabbi Pizem shared Sderot have stayed. For eight years, many cars as you might expect. destruction. They try to forget what of the mother who had tried for years ten to forty times a day, the people You may begin to wonder what is just happened. Until the next time. to conceive a child. A Kasam fell by of Sderot and their children have going on. Continued on page 16 16 CROWN HEIGHTS Newspaper ~February 06 2009

Financial Interest

On Tithing Business Profits no objections could be raised. But have been blessed also with true if both considerations do not apply Yiddish Nachas8 from your Ben Correspondence by Rabbi Menachem should run on normal commercial in this case, a revision of policy is Yochid9 (G-d bless them both), in M. Schneerson, The Lubavitcher credit and interest. Incidentally, it indicated. I repeat, however, that a way which you also recognize was Rebbe is not quite clear from your letter this is outside my competence, and quite unexpected. One of the ways whether you acted on my suggestion I have made this observation only for you and Mrs. Jaffe as the blessed 3rd of Nissan, 5723 [March 28, 1963] to obtain credit from another bank, for what it is worth. parents to say to G-d “ThankY ou” is Brooklyn, N.Y. though I assume that you did obtain by a greater devotion to all matters With the increase of business and Mr. Shneur Zalmon Jaffe credit from a second bank, and for a of Torah and Mitzvoth in general, profits in an unusual way, I do not Salford, England substantial sum. and Tzedoko in particular, since think it is justifiable to approach the Tzedoko is “weighed against all the Sholom uBrocho: 2) What is perhaps even more question of Tzedoko with precise Mitzvoth.” important is to remember that calculations You have no doubt received my cable, your business turnover has grown To turn now to the other “matter advising you that the loan has been 4) A further essential point is this, quite remarkably since we began to of contention”, namely, Mrs. Jaffe’s arranged. The terms are outlined namely, inasmuch as the business and discuss your Tzedoko contributions. complaint that you are doing too in the enclosed letter, and may G-d profits have, thank G-d, increased in I believe I mentioned to you that much community-wise and exerting grant that it bring you an abundant an unusual way, I do not think it is sometimes the order is “asseir” first, yourself too much, etc. Needless measure of Hatzlocho. justifiable to approach the question and then comes the “tisasheir,” and to say, it is difficult to express an of Tzedoko with precise calculations, I duly received your recent letters, sometimes it is reversed, namely, G-d opinion at this distance as to what etc. and the reply that follows is in the extends His “credit” first, increasing should be the time limit allotted to main an extension of my previous the turnover of business and a pro- 5) It is self-understood that a person communal responsibilities. Besides, letters to you in reply to yours. portionate increase in profits, expec- residing in a community is obliged it is difficult to make a hard and fast ting confidently that the “asseir” will to participate in the community rule, since the need is not the same Specifically, I wish to refer to the follow in a commensurate measure. charities, especially on whom Divine in a uniform way, in every matter differences of opinion which you In your case the latter order was fol- Providence has bestowed a position and at all times. However, the way write have arisen between you and lowed. Hence, the increase of your of prominence and influence, which of the Torah is, generally speaking, Mrs. Jaffe in regard to yourT zedoko Tzedoko contributions should be at must be reflected in every aspect, the golden rule, avoiding extremes, contributions relative to your finan- least proportionate to the increase in including philanthropy. Needless but occasionally to lean over “to cial position, etc. the volume of business, especially, to say, when I speak of an increase the right.” As to what should be The increase of your Tzedoko con- as in your case, bli ayin-hora, the in Tzedoko, I do not mean at the the “golden mean” in your case in tributions should be at least propor- volume increase has been lma’alo expense of the Tzedoko which terms of actual time, I trust you will tionate to the increase in the volume miderech hateva. has been practiced before, but an both together be able to arrive at an of business. Generally speaking, increase in Tzedoko which is indi- acceptable solution... 3) Though what follows here is one should give Tzedoko of his own cated by the growth of the business, entirely not in my field, nor can I ...I will no doubt have occasion to money. However, I do not quite as mentioned above. base it on “statistics,” it seems to me write to you again before Pesach, agree with your evaluation of your that your mark-up on the goods (as All that has been said above is rela- but in any case I will wish you and business results, and your position in I gathered from a word dropped by tive to financial profits. Important as everyone of your family a kosher and general calls for a special approach. you during one of our conversations) they are, they are by far exceeded by happy Pesach. I will outline my views: is rather low. Of course, if this is the gains which cannot be measured in With blessing, 1) A part – and not a small part, at standard profit margin prevailing in terms of money. And thank G-d, you that – of the profits is consumed by this line in England, or even if your have been blessed with such a fine M. Schneerson exorbitant interest, and this is not mark-up is intended as an initial Shidduch6 for your Bas Yechida7, warranted by the business, which incentive to gain new customers, and quite unexpectedly, and you

Can the Jewish Community Survive the Crisis? and atheists just party. Meanwhile, Jews gather to hear the wise words By Tzvi Freeman world is falling apart. be--simple, and sublimely doable. of a revered rabbi. After concluding That solved, we went back to his Hold together now. Times are tough. When this whole crunch started, I the afternoon prayer, the rabbi turns "current crisis." And, miracle of In two years, we'll be laughing about met with one of its more unfortunate to the microphones and announces, miracles, he had solutions to every it. The market will be up, real estate victims, promising I would try to "Jews! We have three weeks to learn last problem. prices will be rising again, and people help him. I paid for the lunch--he how to live under water!" will be finding great jobs. ordered a hamburger and fries-- How did I know? Because I had We already know how to live under and sat there listening to his woes. been through the same conundrum. The question is, will the Jewish water, under fire, on the road and Problem was, I had no money to I had seen first hand that the most community come out unscathed--or anywhere else. We have inexhaust- give him, no one to turn him to and damaging approach a person could will we wake up one morning to ible experience at all those things. no clue about social services in his take to life was to spend 24/7 putting discover we've got back our jobs and The question now is, can we huddle town. I felt physical pain. out the fires.W hen things are going our money, but there's no kosher res- together while the storm rages good, you can survive without a taurants left where we can celebrate But I had to help somehow. So, I outside? Can we preserve all that long term strategy. It's when you're that, our children's schools have dug into my own experience of past we have built together by making speeding downhill at 120 that you closed down, and our community financial crisis and I asked, "What sacrifices to help the other guy, to better have a very clear idea of where is left desolate? are your long term goals? You're help him keep kosher and his kids in you want to get to. almost fifty. What do you want to a Jewish school when he doesn't have I had no money to give him, no one to be doing at fifty-five?" That was true for me, it was true for a job? Can we consolidate forces and turn him to and no clue about social him, and it's true for our community amalgamate duplicate institutions services in his townThat depends on It sounded crazy to him--how is any as a whole. by overcoming differences? Can we what kind of community we are. On of this going to help him now?--but learn to buy low and invest in our whether we lend a hand only when eventually I got him talking about it. Decades ago, an imaginative Jewish fellow Jew so that we can reap the we feel secure, or even when we are He had some training in electrical microbiologist named Dr. Velvl profits in the near future of a vibrant tottering ourselves. On whether we wiring. He could finish that off and Green told a story of a world where community with everyone still here look just to save our own skin when get a better job. There were other some irresponsible nuclear testing and going strong? the fire is burning, or do we look out opportunities, but he had turned has initiated a meltdown of the polar for one another as well. On whether them all down because, well, he had cap. The entire world has three weeks If we can, we will not just survive. it's every family for itself, or we are this crisis to deal with. before all inhabitable land will be We will be stronger than ever. all really one family and we hold submerged by the oceans. Muslims We kept focused. We worked out a together no matter what when the gather in Mecca, Catholics in Rome, plan to get him where he wanted to February 06, 2009 ~ crOWN heights Newspaper 17

All that might change very soon. But one thing is clear. Sderot is at Sderot surgery. Continued from page 15 Since June 2007, there has been a a crossroads. After some time of When they were done, his wife delicate truce between Hamas and quiet, Sderot has become aware that stayed in this city. received the news. He had the government of Israel. Except for it has always been in a state of war, Why? survived. random rocket attacks, it was mostly even during the truce. Even when honored. there is peace, they are waiting to be Besides the physical beauty of Says Avi: "There attacked.E ven though G‑d watches Sderot, there is a palpable sense were about 5,000 Until now. over them, they feel the need to take of a tight-knit love between the Kasams raining On November action. people here. They believe that, as on us, can you 4th, "Hamas the Rabbi puts it, "Sderot has some- imagine the trag- And yet, they are stuck. They are too fired approxi- thing special. People have a sense of edies and dam- busy trying to live that they simply mately 45 rock- togetherness." age it could have cannot take action. They cannot ets and dozens caused? So many move an inch; every resident in In addition, the people of Sderot of mortar shells times people were Sderot is living on a tightrope. believe that they are the first line of [at Sderot]," miraculously A shelter in Sderot. Families have 20 defense for Israel. When you live in according to the And this is why they are looking to spared - a woman seconds from when the siren sounds to Sderot, you are a soldier of Israel. Jerusalem Post. the world for some help. This is why who just left her when the rockets hit Sderot wants the Jews of the world "Imagine if everyone left, what kitchen, and a to understand the world they live would have become of Sderot, and Kasam fell into it, in. To remember the screams of the what is next? Ashkelon, Kiriat Gat a man leaving his children in the shelter. The cries of and so on?" says Avi. car seconds before the people. a Kasam fall on But there is something more happen- it, whole families Sderot wants the world to hear their ing here. Something deep that roots spared in a matter story. To know the truth. They want many of the people in Sderot. of seconds." This gaily-painted tunnel in a playground is also a... bomb the world to know what it means That is the presence of G‑d. shelter to live in Sderot. And they want Everyone seems Jews to understand what Sderot Two years ago, Nati Engel was driv- to have a story represents. ing his jeep through Sderot when, to share. Some people talk about And, for the first time in over a year, according to his wife, "a Kasam fell the time a Kassam landed in a Israel responded to an attack from Welcome to Sderot. You're its newest and a very small piece of the rocket Synagogue during a celebration, just a Kassam. According to the same citizen. penetrated his stomach". when there happened to be no one article, "The army said it identified in there. Everything in the room was a rocket launcher and fired in his For two months he laid in a coma. destroyed. Except the holy books. direction... one person was killed." The doctors thought he would not And pictures of two rebbes. make it. They said his chances of At the moment of this writing, both surviving were incredibly low. Welcome to Sderot. Between Eden sides claim that they are committed and Hell. Home of tragedies and to maintaining the truce. He went through seven hours of miracles. Swimming is great low impact exercise! Come to the Rec-Center! February 2009-

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