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Wishing our readers a k’siva va’chasima tova l’shana tova u’mesuka! The next issue will be printed, G-d willing, for Sukkos.

FROM PERSONAL EXILE TO GENERAL  REDEMPTION D’var Malchus

A GREAT TUMULT IN THE CHAMBER  OF MOSHIACH Yom Kippur Story | Menachem Ziegelboim

THE DIVINE MESSAGE OF THE NEW  YEAR Rosh HaShana | Interview by Menachem Ziegelboim

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OPEN HOUSE FOR EVERY JEW EDITOR-IN-CHIEF:  Shlichus | Rabbi Yaakov Shmuelevitz M.M. Hendel ENGLISH EDITOR: Boruch Merkur [email protected] MY TISHREI WITH THE REBBE ASSISTANT EDITOR:  Story | Ofra Badosa Dr. Aryeh Gotfryd HEBREW EDITOR: Rabbi Sholom Yaakov Chazan [email protected] A ENCLAVE IN WARTIME  Feature | Shneur Zalman Berger Beis Moshiach (USPS 012-542) ISSN 1082- 0272 is published weekly, except Jewish holidays (only once in April and October) for $140.00 in the USA and in all other places for $150.00 per year (45 issues), by Beis HAKHEL – GATHERING BEFORE THE Moshiach, 744 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn,  NY 11213-3409. Periodicals postage paid at KING Brooklyn, NY and additional offices. Insight | Shmuel Chaim Abrahamson Postmaster: send address changes to Beis Moshiach 744 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11213-3409. Copyright 2008 by Beis Moshiach, Inc. Beis Moshiach is not responsible for the content of the advertisements. A¤S>OJJ>I@ERP FROM PERSONAL EXILE TO GENERAL REDEMPTION

Translated and adapted by Dovid Yisroel Ber Kaufmann

This week’s Torah reading, Nitzavim, is always it. And He will do you good and multiply you over read the Shabbos before Rosh HaShana. Further, your fathers.” this week’s Torah reading contains a clear, The wording of this passage teaches a deep lesson unmistakable reference to Redemption. We may about the nature of exile and Redemption. In therefore ask what is the connection between Hebrew, there are several verb forms, or Nitzavim, Rosh HaShana and Redemption. conjugations. Here, we would expect the causative The Torah reading begins as follows: “You are conjugation, since G-d is causing the Jewish people standing today, all of you, before the Lord your G-d to return. Indeed, that is the sense in which the – your leaders, your tribal chiefs, your elders, your verses are translated. However, the Torah does not officers, every Israelite man, your children, your use the causative conjugation; rather, it uses the women, and the converts in your camp – even your simple active conjugation. The literal meaning of the wood-cutters and water drawers.” These verses verse is that, “The Lord your G-d will return with follow the severe rebuke recorded in last week’s your captivity.” portion. There, the Torah predicts that the Jewish Obviously, the causative reading is the primary people will not observe the mitzvos, thus violating reading: G-d will cause the exiles to return. the covenant with G-d. As a result, they will Nevertheless, grammatically speaking, the verse experience devastation, hardship and suffering. says that G-d Himself will return with the captives Nevertheless, the Torah assures them that, after the of the Jewish people. Therefore the Sages explain torments of exile, they will be redeemed. They stand that in this verse G-d refers to His own exile, as it together before G-d this day, to enter into the were. G-d and the Jewish people are so closely covenant. Part of the covenant is the assurance that, attached, they cannot be separated; it is as if G-d just as the prediction of exile will be fulfilled, so will went into exile with the Jewish people. When the the promise that the Jewish people will return and Jewish people return to G-d, when they do t’shuva, repossess the land. This is the concept of Nitzavim, G-d will end their banishment. Their exile will end or standing. and G-d Himself – the Divine Presence – will return Shortly thereafter, there is an explicit promise of with them. Redemption. The Torah declares that: “Then the What is the relationship between this passage, Lord your G-d will return your captivity and have that “The Lord your G-d will return with your mercy upon you. He will return and gather you from captivity,” and the beginning of the Torah reading, among all the nations where the Lord your G-d has “You are standing today, all of you, before the Lord scattered you. [Even] if your dispersed are at the your G-d”? On the simplest level, it means that so ends of the heavens, the Lord your G-d will gather long as one Jew remains in exile, the ingathering of you up from there, and from there He will take you. all the Jewish exiles – the Redemption – is not And the Lord your G-d will bring you to the land complete. On a deeper level, it also means that so which your fathers possessed, and you shall possess long as one Jew remains in exile, so does the Divine

 #OBS0LPE&>1E>K> #'1 +-1&' !& existence, is a type of exile. The Nitzavim is always read the Shabbos exodus from this personal, inner before Rosh HaShana. The Torah exile requires us to truly perceive G-dliness, and act upon that reading contains a promise of perception. Thus our Sages tell us that the day of the gathering of the Redemption. The conjunction of the exiles is so great and so difficult that it seems as though G-d verb allows the verse to be read two Himself must take each individual out of exile with His own Hand. ways: one, G-d caused the exiles to An individual’s personal exile return, or two, G-d will return from and redemption includes, and is part of, the general exile and exile with them. The connection redemption of the Jewish people as a whole. The verse itself alludes to between the promise of Redemption this when it says, “The Lord your G-d will return with your and the beginning of the Torah captivity.” The phrase, “The Lord your G-d” is in the singular, reading is that so long as one Jew meaning that, aside from the remains in exile, so does the Divine collective relationship of the Jewish people with G-d, each Presence. Ending exile and gathering individual has a particular relationship, whether he is a leader all the Jews is a difficult task. Each or a drawer of water. When G-d seizes the hand of individual, whatever his or her status, the first Jew and takes him out of exile, then automatically, the has a personal exile which is part of Divine Presence itself should also and contributes to the general exile. go out of exile. At that moment, the complete and final All Jews must be redeemed to take the Redemption should occur. But redemption does not occur when Divine Presence out of exile. The the first Jew leaves exile. When G-d actually “seizes the hand” practical lesson is that all Jews must and takes a particular Jew out of exile, only the particular and go out of exile for the Redemption to condensed radiation of the Divine be true and complete. We are Presence connected with that individual is redeemed. Thus other responsible not only for our personal Jews, and the Divine Presence itself, remain in exile. Only the redemption, but that of the entire Redemption of all Jews redeems the Divine Presence itself. Jewish people. How does all this apply practically, on a personal level? It’s possible to think that going Presence. out of one’s own exile is sufficient. All that is Taking each and every Jew out of exile is a required is individual redemption – raising my level laborious and strenuous task, for there is both the of Torah study, my observance of mitzvos, etc. But general exile of the Jewish people as a whole, and the the opposite is true: when a Jew is redeemed from his particular exile of the individual. Any distancing from own personal “exile,” he must see what other Jews Torah and mitzvos, any moment that passes without need for their own “exodus.” All Jews must go out of an awareness that G-dliness permeates all of

#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  established. True, there is a When there is Ahavas Yisroel – love for hierarchy, an order – from the leaders down through the water- a fellow Jew – between the leaders and drawers. This hierarchy has its the drawers of water, and all levels and importance. But first there must be an ingathering – the types in between, then the Jewish Redemption – of all the Jewish people, in a general sense. This people, “all of you,” will be inscribed for must include not only the leaders, but the wood-choppers and water- a sweet, good year. Indeed, it will be the drawers. This brings us to the year of Redemption. connection of Nitzavim and Redemption with Rosh HaShana. exile for the Redemption to be true and complete. For the verse says, “You are standing, today, all of Therefore, whatever depends on him, he must do. you, before the Lord your G-d.” This “today,” is Acting on this awareness counteracts a mistaken Rosh HaShana, which is why the portion of Nitzavim notion one might have. A person who has gone out of is always read the Shabbos before Rosh HaShana. “exile” may look condescendingly on others. After When the Jewish people are gathered today, on Rosh all, the “other” is in the lowest possible state, still in HaShana, “all of you,” together, then G-d assures us a state of exile, distant from G-dliness, Torah and He will judge us favorably. When there is Ahavas mitzvos. “He,” on the other hand, is superior – Yisroel – love for a fellow Jew – between the leaders “ready” for the Redemption, well-learned, observant. and the drawers of water, and all levels and types in How is it possible that his redemption is connected between, then the Jewish people, “all of you,” will be with and dependent upon the other? inscribed for a sweet, good year. Indeed, it will be The answer connects the beginning of the Torah the year of Redemption, when “the Lord your G-d portion to Redemption. For Nitzavim begins, “You will return your captivity,” and “the Lord your G-d are standing today, all of you, before the Lord your will return with your captivity,” for G-d Himself will G-d.” This emphasizes that the covenant requires take every Jew out of exile, one by one, gathering us every Jew. Only when the Jewish people stand together, all of us, today. together – “all of you” – before G-d is the covenant (Based on 9, pp. 175-183)

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 #OBS0LPE&>1E>K> #'1 +-1&' !& eup, rchbu eup, Kupas Rabbeinu vnahj nkl tsnu"r f"e bahtu, ,j, Lubavitch (718) 467-2500 P.O.B. 288 Brooklyn, New York 11225 )817( 7333-657

Boruch Hashem, Elul 5768

Mivtza: HELPING THE NEEDY To every member of the Lubavitcher community:

During this month of preparation for Rosh Hashonoh, the ”head” of the New Year, we fondly recall our Rebbe’s words that this is an especially auspicious time for strengthening our deep bond of Hiskashrus with the ”Rosh Bnei Yisroel,” the ”head” of the Jewish people and leader of the generation. Our Rebbeim explain that an important way to strengthen Hiskashrus is by participating in the Rebbe’s activities and concerns, consequently, by supporting an organization that brings together a number of these activities, the Hiskashrus is greater and stronger. Such an organization is Kupas Rabbeinu, which seeks to continue many of the Rebbe’s activities and concerns without change from the way he would conduct them himself. Every year at this time, the Rebbe would call upon us to contribute generously to help needy families with their extra expenses for the coming month’s many Yomim Tovim. This also coincides with the special emphasis during this month of giving extra Tzedokah, (indicated in the Hebrew letters of the word ”Elul,” as explained in many Sichos etc.), as a vital way of preparing ourselves for the new year and arousing Divine mercy upon us. See sicho in the Hebrew text of this letter. We therefore appeal to every individual man and woman to contribute generously to Kupas Rabbeinu, enabling us to fulfill the Rebbe’s desire to help all those who anxiously await our help. The greater your contribution, the more we can accomplish. Your generous contribution to Kupas Rabbeinu will be the appropriate vessel for receiving the abundant blessings of the Rebbe, who is its Nasi, that you may be blessed with a Ksiva Vachasima Tova for a good and sweet year, materially and spiritually. May it help to bring the full revelation of Moshiach - our Rebbe - immediately now! Wishing a Ksiva Vachasima Tova for a good and sweet year, In the name of Vaad Kupas Rabbeinu

Rabbi Sholom Mendel Simpson Rabbi Yehuda

P.S. Of course, you may send to Kupas Rabbeinu all contributions that you would send to the Rebbe; all will be devoted to the activities to which the Rebbe would devote them. You may also send Maimad, Keren-Hashono (this coming year 5769 - 354 days), Vov Tishrei, Yud Gimmel Tishrei Magbis etc. to Kupas Rabbeinu.

P.S. Please send all correspondence only to the following address.

KUPAS RABBEINU / P.O.B. 288 / BROOKLYN, NEW YORK 11225 Eretz Yisroel address: KEREN KUPAS ADMU"R / P.O.B. 1247 / KIRYAT MALACHI / ISRAEL VLJHHFMMROPPQLOV A GREAT TUMULT IN THE CHAMBER OF MOSHIACH

By Menachem Ziegelboim

congregation but unlike his usual R’ Yekil said the words but the Baal manner, he spoke in terms that Shem Tov did not repeat them. R’ Yekil terrified his disciples. He fell before the holy Ark and cried out, said it again but once again, the Baal “Vei, They want to take the Torah away from us! How can we exist Shem Tov did not say them. * R’ Yekil among the nations even half a looked at the tzaddik and was shaken. day?” He saw that the tzaddik’s face was red PART II If anyone thought that thanks with sweat running in rivulets. He was to their t’fillos, the judgment would be sweetened, they were bent over until his head was near his wrong. After Kol Nidrei the Baal Shem Tov said that the accusation knees, almost falling. was stronger. The next day, the Baal Shem PART I grew thicker and obliterated the Tov urged the chazanim to hurry That year was etched into the light which was the merit of the up so they could daven N’ila memories of the holy disciples of tzaddik. while still daytime. This t’filla was the Baal Shem, for a terrible The Baal Shem Tov was one that the Baal Shem Tov decree was almost promulgated tremendously worried and himself led. He hoped that with against the Jewish people. It was distressed all day and towards this exalted prayer, said before only at the last moment, with evening, when all the people of the gates of Heaven were locked, superhuman effort, that the Baal Mezhibuzh came to him in order he would be able to break the Shem Tov was able to annul the to receive his blessing, as was the barriers and pierce the skies. decree. annual custom, the Baal Shem Moments before he began Before Yom Kippur, the Baal Tov blessed one or two but could N’ila, the Baal Shem Tov once Shem Tov felt that there was a not continue. again spoke words of repentance, weighty accusation against the The sun had nearly set and the which pierced the heart. His voice Jewish people as a result of which Baal Shem Tov went to his beis was broken and sometimes he the Oral Torah would depart from midrash. As he always did, he cried, putting his head down, them. The clouds of accusation spoke words of inspiration to the while groaning and sobbing

 #OBS0LPE&>1E>K> #'1 +-1&' !& bitterly. This is how he began and was shaken. He saw that the in this world but was walking the N’ila, not in his usual enthusiastic tzaddik’s face was red with sweat pathways of Heaven on a mission manner. He finished the silent running in rivulets. He was bent known only to him. The Rebbe’s Amida and began the repetition. over until his head was near his face was horrifying with bulging The Baal Shem Tov’s custom knees, almost falling. Some of the eyes. was not to daven from a Machzor holy brotherhood and other This scene lasted two long on the Yomim Nora’im. Rav Yekil people present feared that the hours. As people waited in of Mezhibuzh would stand near tzaddik would fall and they trepidation, some recited T’hillim the tzaddik and read out loud supported him. in their attempt at helping the from the Machzor and he would A tense silence filled the beis Baal Shem Tov. repeat it after him word by word. midrash. The disciples looked at Then, all at once, the Baal If it seemed that the Baal one another, knowing that Shem Tov straightened up and Shem Tov was making more something was afoot, but had no quickly finished the chazan’s efforts in his davening than usual, idea what to do. They had never repetition. In a loud and it turned out that more was yet to seen their master looking like celebratory voice, as though come. When the tzaddik reached this, so suffused with emotion nothing had just happened, he the words “open the gate for us” that it was frightening to behold. proclaimed, “L’shana ha’baa (or the words “open the gates of Some went over to R’ Zev b’Yerushalayim!” Heaven”), R’ Yekil said the words (Wolf) Kitzis and asked what was but the Baal Shem Tov did not going on. He went over to his PART III repeat them. R’ Yekil said it again Rebbe and looked at his holy face As in previous years, the but once again, the Baal Shem and after a few seconds he people came on Motzaei Yom Tov did not say them. motioned not to touch him. He Kippur to the beis midrash in R’ Yekil looked at the tzaddik realized that the tzaddik was not order to see the Baal Shem Tov and join in the holiday meal. Some of the disciples dared to ask what had happened with the Heavenly accusation on the Oral Torah. The Baal Shem Tov’s face clouded over, and after a pause he said: “As I stood there at N’ila I went from world to world and in every place I accomplished what I had to accomplish. During chazaras ha’shatz too I went from world to world until I arrived at one chamber and there was only one gate left before I would reach the Holy One blessed be He Himself. In that chamber I found millions of prayers that Jews had prayed for fifty years but which had not risen upwards. Since we davened with such concentration on Yom Kippur, all these prayers ascended and illuminated like the light of dawn. “I said to those prayers: Why didn’t you rise further? “They said: This is what we were told, to wait for you to lead us.

#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  Mezhibuzh. I tried to open the can you leave me in this “I went with a lock with my prayers and my distressful time? spiritual unifications but could “He said: I don’t know what great tumult to not. to do for you but you and I “I rushed to my master and should go to the chamber of Moshiach’s teacher, Achiya HaShiloni and Moshiach. Perhaps salvation will chamber and pleaded with him: Under usual come from there. circumstances I would not want “I went with a great tumult to when Moshiach to force my way in because if the Moshiach’s chamber and when gate is locked that means I don’t Moshiach saw me he said: Do not saw me he said: belong there. However, Yisroel scream. are in great distress and they do “He gave me two letters of a Do not scream...” not let me enter. holy name. I went to the gate and “My master and teacher said: I thank G-d, I opened the lock and “I said: Come with me. will go with you and if I can help opened the gate and I brought in “I saw that the gate was ajar you open the lock, I will open it. all the prayers. Thanks to the and it was a very large gate, like “My master and teacher went great simcha in heavens over the the entire world. When I began to with me but he too, with his ascendancy of all the prayers, the walk with all the prayers, an powers, was unable to open the accusation was quieted and I did angel came and locked the door gate and he sadly said to me: not have to make a case. The and put a lock on the gate. It was What else can I do for you? decree was annulled.” a big lock like the entire town of “I began to complain: How (Shivchei ha’Baal Shem Tov)

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 #OBS0LPE&>1E>K> #'1 +-1&' !& OLPEEE>¤PE>K> THE DIVINE MESSAGE OF THE NEW YEAR

Interview by Menachem Ziegelboim

is to nullify oneself to the Master of What is unique about Chabad teachings the Will, through an inner and about Rosh HaShana? What is the essential bond, and devotion to the Essence of the Divine, Master of the practical approach to Rosh HaShana Will, in a manner that transcends all rational thought. for the working man? What does As the Rebbe Rashab said: If throughout the year, I need to malchus mean for us today * A understand with the vessels of Chochma, Bina and Daas; on Rosh fascinating interview with renowned HaShana the avoda is above reason kabbalist and physicist, Rabbi Yitzchok and understanding, to operate on a level of faith alone. One can say that Ginsburgh. is the defining innovation of Chabad Chassidus. We are discussing lofty Chabad Chassidus emphasizes blood, who will lead the Jewish Chassidic concepts. If possible, we the idea that Rosh HaShana is a people. need to break it down to “small day of Kabbalas HaMalchus, Additionally, simply perusing the change” for the ordinary Jew who accepting Hashem’s kingship, and text of the prayers makes it bears the daily burden of providing not only a day of judgment. What abundantly clear that the main topic for his family. What does the above in fact, did Chabad teachings of the day is the coronation of say to him, in practical terms? innovate in this matter? Hashem in the world, with the main In Chassidus it is explained that The idea of Kabbalas HaMalchus addition to the liturgy being the as the name indicates, this day is the and Hamshachos HaMalchus verses of Malchiyos, Zichronos and “head” of the year, not just the (drawing down Hashem’s kingship) Shofaros. “beginning” of the year. Just as the on Rosh HaShana is not the However, Chabad Chassidus head incorporates and controls all innovation of Chabad Chassidus. It offers a deeper insight into the inner the other organs, so too Rosh is brought at length in the writings essential core of the matter. HaShana includes within it and sets of the Ari z”l, as well as the work Chassidus draws a distinction the tone for all the days of the year. Yesod V’Shoresh HaAvoda (by a between the self-nullification to the The way a person establishes himself Lithuanian kabbalist). In that book, Will of the King and the self- on this day is the way it will be for throughout the section dealing with nullification to the King himself. him throughout the year. (There is a Rosh HaShana and the Ten Days of Nullifying one’s will to the will of the difference between Rosh HaShana Repentance, he focuses on the King is the avoda of the rest of the and Shabbos B’Reishis, about which aspect of establishing Hashem as days of the year. This is it also says that the way a person king over the world. He even draws accomplished by the fulfillment of establishes himself on that day is the a connection between the coronation the commandments with kabbalas way it will go for him all year, but of Hashem as king and the ol, because this is the Will of the this is not the place for that coronation of a king of flesh and King. The avoda on Rosh HaShana discussion). The head is elevated; it

 #OBS0LPE&>1E>K> #'1 +-1&' !& includes all the specifics; it is the brain and it guides and directs the avoda of the whole year. The manner in which a person bonds and nullifies himself to the Master of the Will on Rosh HaShana, is how he will merit to perform the mitzvos in the most perfect manner on a daily basis. On this day, we need to connect to He who commanded us the mitzvos. One of the sins cited as the cause for the destruction of the Beis HaMikdash is that “they did not recite a blessing on the Torah first.” Chassidus explains that the sin involved is that although they did study Torah, they didn’t keep in mind the Giver of the Torah, G-d himself. Conversely, according to the degree of connection to the Divine Essence on Rosh HaShana, so will one experience the manifestations thereof throughout the year, in a way of “action is the primary thing.” How is a Jew actually supposed to “connect” on Rosh HaShana? As mentioned, Rosh HaShana is about bonding to the Master of the Will and nullifying oneself to Him. In simpler terms; this is along the lines of naaseh v’nishma, “we will do and we will listen.” We must first have a deep commitment to doing whatever He will tell us, before we even know what the actual commandment is about. This is called hiskashrus, bonding, to the Master of the Will, out of a total sense of self-nullification. Only after this step do we have the self- nullification to the Will - when a Jew fulfills the mitzvos as commanded. The above ideas would seem to apply equally to every Rosh HaShana since creation. Despite this, is there some unique element to each generation, or even each individual year? The answer to that is yes, absolutely. During the Rosh HaShana prayers we recite “Avinu Malkeinu.” We first mention Our Father. Similarly, after each set of

#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  t’kios, we say “if like sons, if like servants.” These represent two distinct levels of self-nullification; that of a servant to his master and that of a son to his father. There is a third and higher level, explicated in the classic Hemshech 5666, of a “son who becomes a servant,” which is higher than the level of an ordinary son, as we shall see. The simplest level is that of a servant to his master who does what he is told out of a sense of obligation to fulfill his master’s instructions. A higher level is that of a son to his father. A son derives from the essence of his father, and as such, his bond is much deeper and more innate. A son has the instinctual ability to sense his father’s deepest and truest desires. He can sense when a thing is proper and suited to his father’s wishes, even when those wishes aren’t expressed verbally. The bottom line is a father and son are of one essence, with one drawn from the other. Therefore, a son who senses his father’s disposition can plan and do things that express the father’s true desire, even without being told explicitly. This is a wondrous level in avoda, but there is a higher level of a “son who becomes a servant.” This level has all the qualities of a son, but it has the additional element of the kabbalas ol that a servant has towards his master. This is a son who does not simply act upon his the deep and subtle obliteration of king down below, unless we first own sense (which could have some self as only a son can experience, coronate Hashem. The avoda of degree of self-interest mixed in) of along with the total acceptance of Rosh HaShana is effecting his father’s desire and inclination, the yoke that a servant has, towards coronation Above and down here. but rather he is particular to act out Hashem. To wit: One can have the self- of kabbalas ol. (This is one of the This is the idea of coronation, as nullification of a servant, one can main topics covered in Hemshech it says regarding the commandment attain a state of self-nullification of a 5666. The Rebbe Rashab once said to appoint a king over the Jewish son, but we need to reach the level about himself regarding his people, “Place, shall you place upon of a “son who becomes a servant.” relationship to his father, the Rebbe yourself, a king.” The Zohar This is the ultimate objective. Maharash, that it was in a way of a explains; “place” - up Above, “shall Although this has always been the “son who becomes a servant.”) you place” - down below. Above, we case, the Alter Rebbe raises a This is the ultimate goal of our coronate Hashem as King over us, question in Igeres HaKodesh on the service on Rosh HaShana; “If like and below, we are commanded to verse, “Constantly, the eyes of sons, if like servants,” to integrate appoint a king of flesh and blood to Hashem, your G-d, are upon it from lead us. We cannot appoint a human the beginning of the year until the

 #OBS0LPE&>1E>K> #'1 +-1&' !& end of the year.” Why is it that the Divine effluence that Rebbe is the one who senses the inclinations of our is drawn down at the beginning of the year doesn’t last Father in Heaven, and through him we receive directives indefinitely? Why only until the end of the year, if the and the ability to perceive Hashem’s true desires, in the verse says explicitly that His eyes are upon the earth here and now. constantly? The Alter Rebbe explains that each year the Today, when we have no sichos and , spiritual light of the previous year returns to its source, and no new explicit instructions, how can we know and then a brand new and loftier light is drawn down, what new spiritual energy needs to be drawn down the likes of which was never in this world since its into the world in accordance with the Divine Will? inception. That is the unique quality of Rosh HaShana, a day in This new light is an aspect of Torah Chadasha, a which it is possible and necessary to discern, to merit to “new Torah,” as it says, “a new Torah will go forth from perceive, out of absolute inner self-nullification to the Me.” Each year we draw down a new light from the Master of the Will, the innermost desire of Hashem, Essence of the Ein Sof through total self-nullification to even when it is not stated explicitly. the Master of the Will. Why is it necessary to repeat this Actually, we have an endless supply of sichos in each year? Why isn’t it enough that we are subservient writing and on tape, but in order to move forward, we to the Divine Will in our observance of the mitzvos, after need to renew the self-nullification, and the day to do having nullified ourselves to Master of the Will one this is Rosh HaShana. What we learned from the sichos time? The reason is that each year we need a day that of the Rebbe in past years is not sufficient, because with enables us to truly apprehend what it is that Hashem the advent of the new year there comes a new light along wants from us. A day that we can sense and understand with new desires from Above, and we as sons of Hashem the inner-essential desire and inclination of the King, as need to sense what He wants, and to act accordingly. only a child can understand his father. Every year this Just as we know that Torah Chadasha doesn’t mean an repeats itself, because each year there are new things entirely new Torah unconnected to the Torah given to us that have never existed previously, and as such, we need by Moshe, chas v’shalom, but rather a deeper dimension to renew and intensify our self-nullification to the of that Torah which was never before revealed in the Master of the Will. world, so too with the Torah of the Rebbe. Jews like ourselves have the capacity to sense and This is the significance of saying Avinu Malkeinu, know what is the new Divine Will that descends to us namely, that we need to try to be suitable “vessels” in a in the coming year?! manner of a “son who becomes a servant.” We start with This is the avoda of Rosh HaShana; to know what is Avinu, that we should merit to be like a son who is a the new Will from Hashem. Since the Baal Shem Tov, part of his father, and who can sense the heart and inner we know that the conduit through whom we can hear desire of his father, and from this proceed to the level of the latest desires from Above is the Tzaddik and Rebbe servant, who serves with absolute kabbalas ol. of the generation. He is the one that reveals to us the The ambition to reach such an exalted level where Divine Will, and we must follow his instructions. The one can “perceive” and “receive” the Divine Will is something that everyone can strive for? The Rebbe spoke about this on Hoshana Raba 5752, saying that everybody must strive to reach levels that in The avoda on Rosh HaShana previous generations were “exclusive territory.” It’s true that in all previous generations they said Avinu is to nullify oneself to the Malkeinu, which included the aforementioned explanation, but in our generation we have to strive with Master of the Will, through greater measure, especially in our current situation when an inner and essential bond, “our desire is to see our king,” and we want to know and discern the inclinations of the Master of the Will. and devotion to the Essence Since the year 5753, Chabad Chassidim have the custom of adding before t’kios the acceptance of the of the Divine, Master of the kingship of the Rebbe. Is this the same idea as accepting the kingship of Hashem? And what does it Will, in a manner that mean to us that we renew the coronation of the Rebbe? transcends all rational As mentioned before in the name of the Zohar, there thought. is a direct link between the kingship of Hashem and the kingship of the Rebbe, the Jewish king. We have been

#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  given the power from Above to regarding Eretz Yisroel from the here? accept the kingship of the Rebbe as Rebbe, in the context of Shleimus The Rebbe always teaches to Melech HaMoshiach. The Rebbe is Ha’Aretz as the key to the true and look, think and talk positively, even the shofar of HaKadosh Baruch Hu, complete Redemption through our when things don’t appear to be we need to hear in the sound of the righteous Moshiach. The Rebbe going in a positive direction. Along shofar a renewal of the kingship, and always came out with a new thing, a with his protests against the renewed kingship comes along with new campaign, a new instruction negative, the Rebbe always sees the new decrees, as is known that every regarding what needs to be done in good that will come out of every king at the beginning of his rule connection with Eretz Yisroel. The situation. No doubt, the collapse of imposes new decrees. bulk of the new instructions from the established institutions contains “The kingdom of earth the Rebbe were specifically in something positive; good will emerge corresponds to the kingdom of connection with Eretz Yisroel and from this breakdown. Even now, we Heaven.” As we know, amongst the Shleimus Ha’Aretz. Today, we have need to begin building on the ruins; nations of the world it is accepted a problem in that we don’t hear new to build something new, healthy, practice that a new king begins his things from the Rebbe in these everlasting and Messianic. reign by instituting a good decree matters, and therefore we have an What exactly are we supposed for the benefit of the nation as well even bigger problem that people to build? as of the individual. That is the don’t know how to respond to This is a big topic onto itself, but practice of human kings. Similarly, current events on a daily basis. clearly today it is easier than ever to Hashem, whom we crown anew, Terrible things are happening, bring the teachings of Chassidus and Moshiach to every place and every type of Jew. Today, we see many That is the unique quality of Rosh signs of awakening as never before. HaShana, a day in which it is possible Countless members of all different communities are searching for a new and necessary to discern, to merit to way, and we only need to reach them. What should we say to these perceive, out of absolute inner self- people? People are seeking Emes, truth, nullification to the Master of the Will, and that is what you need to tell them. The search for truth is going the innermost desire of Hashem, even on at all level, whether with every when it is not stated explicitly. individual on a personal level or as relates to global issues and events. Moshiach is the ultimate truth of all begins his reign with a positive and now more than ever we need truths. decree for the Jewish nation as it true Daas Torah, capable of knowing Today, everything is false. says regarding Rosh HaShana, “Eat what is the inner desire of our Everything is smoke and mirrors delights and drink sweets,” “the joy Father and King Above, and our perpetuated for personal interest. of Hashem is your fortress.” father and king below. We as That is why we are seeing the Similarly, about Sukkos it says, Chassidim need to refine our senses, public’s total disappointment with “Didan Natzach” (we have emerged to want, to strive and truly pray, their leaders, and all the institutions victorious), that Hashem should specifically on Rosh HaShana, that are collapsing. On the other hand, decree for us good things. we be able to hear what needs to be science and technology are You mentioned previously the done today; what is the inner desire, advancing rapidly. Why do I verse about Hashem’s eyes being the inclination of the Will of the mention the sciences? Because constantly upon the land, which Master of the Will. people who are looking for the truth refers particularly to Eretz Yisroel. When we analyze the current want us to help resolve the seeming Does this have any particular situation in Eretz Yisroel, there contradictions between Torah and significance as we go from a seems to be chaos and anarchy, science. People want truth and Shmita year to a year of Hakhel? with leaders behaving in ways that Moshiach is truth. As our sages say, Shmita and Hakhel certainly run counter to rational thought “There is no Emes aside from have particular significance in Eretz and even to normal survival Torah,” and the inner dimension of Yisroel. We heard many innovations instincts. What is actually going on Torah is the core of the truth.

 #OBS0LPE&>1E>K> #'1 +-1&' !& @EFKR@E THE SECRETS OF THE LETTERS AND THE SOULS

By Yisroel Yehuda Translated By Michoel Leib Dobry

Kitchener, Ontario. His home Rabbi Boruch Menachem Mendel conveyed a genuine warmth Kumer learned reading twice: once as towards Judaism. His father and grandfather worked on the Chevra child, and again when he opened a thin Kadisha. His grandfather would even take him to shul on Shabbos booklet that the Rebbe printed, and and Yom Tov, and Mendel always loved to hear the niggunim and the discovered the solution to problems davening. His mother would occasionally send him to Jewish many children encounter when children’s rallies in order to give learning to read. In honor of the new him a little taste of Yiddishkait. Thus, his life progressed peacefully academic year, we conducted a and with tranquility. Then, when he was sixteen fascinating interview with someone for years old, tragedy struck with the untimely passing of his mother. As whom the world of children is his own. a result, young Mendel grew up quickly, and began a search for * Part 1 of 2. greater meaning in his life. His turning point came at the Western You can find R. Mendel Kumer over a decade. This project Wall in Yerushalayim. “After the almost every morning in the “Gan established the foundations for passing of my mother, of blessed Kippot” kindergarten in Tzfas, solving reading problems among memory, the idea arose that our where he teaches reading with love children, and is based upon a family should move to Eretz and affection before a group of booklet about reading instruction Yisroel. As a result, my father, of delightful little children. He is not that the Rebbe himself printed! blessed memory, and I traveled to only a “melamed,” he also serves as Rabbi Kumer is a chassidic Jew, tour the Holy Land. the supervisor over a team of nine smiling and happy. But he is also “We arrived in Yerushalayim on highly trained instructors who very serious, knowledgeable, and ‘Yom Yerushalayim’ 5730, and we teach reading in fifteen totally connected to the Rebbe, made our way to the Western Wall. kindergartens throughout the Holy Melech HaMoshiach. At the entrance to the Western Wall City of Tzfas. About a year ago, he His life’s journey began with his courtyard, there stood the famous completed a project that lasted for birth in the Canadian city of t’fillin stand, and we responded to

 #OBS0LPE&>1E>K> #'1 +-1&' !& the request and rolled up our mind even after he returned to bringing Jewish students for sleeves. My father placed the t’fillin Canada. Around this time, he Shabbos in order for them to see upon his arm and his head. began his university studies while what Shabbos was all about. Suddenly, I saw that he was also starting to daven and keep Not long afterwards, he began crying… He stood and cried like a Shabbos. studying with the local rabbi, and child for several minutes, and I R. Mendel is a very unique Jew. about six months later, one of his thought to myself: Why is he In spite of the fact that his acquaintances convinced him to go crying? What does he feel what I knowledge in Judaism was rather and learn in . don’t feel? I realized at that scanty at the time, nevertheless, he His first encounter with Chabad moment that there was a gap began his involvement in outreach took place shortly before he between me and my father. My activities. “This wasn’t ‘mivtzaim’, entered yeshiva. At this same time, father possessed some feeling that rather it was a type of activity that he traveled to London, Ontario, for was lacking within me – what was stemmed from simple logic,” he his cousin’s bar-mitzvah. Since it?” recalled. “If you know about Mendel was already keeping This question continued to something good, get your friend to Shabbos, he couldn’t stay in his gnaw away at his heart and his take part as well!” He started uncle’s house and he opted instead

#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  to spend Shabbos at the home of Mendel continued to go out on Professor Yitzchak Block, a “I thought to mivtzaim. “It’s my nature,” he Lubavitcher chassid from Toronto admitted. He participated in the who was also involved in outreach myself: Why is he mitzvah campaigns on Shabbos activities bringing Jewish students candle lighting, Chanukah, closer to their roots. Professor crying? What does kashrus, Pesach, and more. Again, Block invited the young man to he feel what I it’s not that it was “mivtzaim,” participate in the Shabbos program rather it was just something that he for youth that would take place on don’t feel? I loved and saw that it was right and Shabbos Parshas VaYechi in New proper to do. “Everyone said that I York. Mendel, who was thirsting realized at that will eventually be a Chabadnik. for Yiddishkait, was pleased by the Everyone – except me…’” invitation and decided to go. moment that there Yet, some delicate and hidden On that Friday, the city of bond seemed to connect him to Kitchener was hit by a powerful was a gap between Lubavitch. Since his arrival at the winter storm. Heavy fog and snow me and my father. yeshiva, he began making periodic covered the streets. The authorities visits to 770. “These weren’t trips warned local residents not to leave My father to the Rebbe,” he explained. “I their homes due to low visibility. simply felt that something in this There wasn’t a living soul outside. possessed some place attracted me. I would come But this didn’t interest Mendel to daven and participate in in the slightest. “I’d caught the feeling that was farbrengens. I was even there a bug,” he smiled, “and I decided couple of times for Simchas Torah, that nothing would stop me from lacking within me but my connection was with the going for Shabbos. I invited a – what was it?” physical place.” friend to come with me, and we set How was your connection with out together on our adventurous the Rebbe? journey.” His miracle was that all Shabbos program. “I don’t “For me, the Rebbe was a great other citizens of Kitchener followed remember much since then,” Rabbi Jewish scholar, the greatest rosh instructions and didn’t go out into Kumer recalled. “I only remember yeshiva in the world. I had a feeling the street. “You could only see in one small episode from the of tremendous appreciation front of you a few meters! The fog with Professor Block. towards a great man, a giant – but was unbearably thick. The slippery He said to us, ‘Anyone who doesn’t not as a chassid towards his rebbe. snow threatened to make the car have the Alef of Emes (Truth) is a I didn’t even try to go in for veer off the road at any moment. dead duck.” I sat directly across ‘yechidus’. It took me time to We eventually made our way out of from him and whispered to myself, realize that the ‘nekuda’ of 770 – the stormy weather successfully, ‘That’s right, what he says is the place that attracted me so and after ten hours of road travel, absolutely right.’ It took me forty much – is the Rebbe himself. To a we arrived in the New York area.” years to understand the sentence, certain extent, I felt that the Rebbe Rabbi Kumer has never but even then I already knew that it would ‘take away’ my forgotten that Shabbos. The meals, was correct. When we left after independence. I had recently set the singing, the discussions – Shabbos, I simply cried…” out on a new path, the path of everything was simply wonderful. Despite that wonderful Judaism, and I apparently felt that As the Shabbos began, Rabbi Shabbos, Rabbi Kumer was not yet entering Chabad meant losing my Zalman Posner of Nashville turned a “vessel” to enter Chabad. “I felt freedom and personal choice on to the students and said, “The that I had to acquaint myself with how to progress in my purpose of this Shabbos is not to the world, even without chassidus,” Yiddishkait.” make you religious, but in order he said almost apologetically, and R. Mendel diligently continued that each of you will move one step so in 5732, he went to study at the with his studies for four years, and forward in your Judaism.” This Toronto branch of “Ner then got married. He learned for suited the students, who were Yisroel.” His father also moved to another five years in yeshiva, and captivated by the rabbanim and live in Toronto, and R. Mendel sat then decided that the time had mashpiim who participated in the and toiled in the study of Torah. come to emigrate to Eretz Yisroel. During this time period, R.

 #OBS0LPE&>1E>K> #'1 +-1&' !& The next great turning point came when he began his preparations to travel to Eretz Yisroel. “Someone told me that in Eretz Yisroel, there can be no ‘grey area.” You have to define yourself as a Chabadnik or not,” and R. Mendel decided to take a stand. As a first step, Rabbi Kumer specifically decided to check things out among the “misnagdim.” He traveled to the yeshiva in Lakewood, New Jersey, and celebrated the Shavuos holiday there. Lakewood didn’t particularly satisfy him, and so immediately after Shavuos, he found himself once again in 770. This was during the summer, and 770 was more empty than full, as is customary at that time of year. R. Mendel took close notice of the T’mimim sitting and studying, and then proceeded to write a letter to the Rebbe. In his letter, he asked a number of questions, starting with “Should we travel to Eretz Yisroel via the Jewish Agency?” He also had and the latter was shocked to hear store, and…bought a gartel. several questions on Avodas him speaking with praise about the With his new gartel and bittul Hashem, e.g., “How does one deal Communist system. R. Mendel towards his Rebbe, he sat and with the yetzer ha’ra? Is listened attentively to the wrote another letter to the Rebbe, “mivtzaim” considered a form of interesting defense and how the in which he naturally mentioned his bittul Torah? Where should we live friend bluntly cut him off and said, Chabad decision. After a few days, in Eretz Yisroel? Where should I “You’re lying to me.” The thin man he received the Rebbe’s holy reply study? How long shall we live tried again to explain from a of a bracha for his journey. there?” different angle, but he encountered Regarding his stay in Eretz Yisroel, He submitted the letter to the the same response – “Stop lying.” the Rebbe wrote, “They will decide Rebbe’s secretariat and waited for Despite all passionate explanations on Eretz HaKodesh in any event an answer. A day or two passed, that “Communism is good,” the big when they consider the situation and the Rebbe still had not replied guy replied, “You’re lying to my there.” to the letter. A week passed, and face!” R. Mendel notes that he grasped there was still no answer. R. This was enough for R. Mendel! years later that in the Rebbe’s Mendel started becoming a little He saw in this strange conversation answer, he removed all worry about impatient, but there was still an answer from the Rebbe: “Stop joining Lubavitch. “The Rebbe nothing. lying to me…” He returned to 770, granted me full independence, as it One day, R. Mendel went to the and to his surprise, one of the were, to decide and act as I wished, “Ess Un Bentch” restaurant near bachurim approached him, carrying and this nullified the concern over 770 to get something to eat. As he a portion of one of the Rebbe’s ‘taking away my independence.” sat near one of the tables, his ears letters. “Look what the Rebbe says Rabbi Kumer came to Eretz picked up an interesting about ‘mivtzaim’ and bittul Torah,’ Yisroel as a chassid in every conversation. A skinny Jew sitting the bachur said. For a Jew like R. respect. “My wife arrived in Eretz at the opposite table was chatting Mendel, this was already more than Yisroel after me. When I greeted with his friend, a brawny fellow, enough. He left 770 again, made her at the airport, I told her for the his way to the nearest Judaica first time about the new path I had

#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  chosen – “We are Lubavitchers.” “I stood at the entrance of a follow-up and individual progress She looked at me with a puzzled class of small children and waited comes with greater difficulty this expression, but she accepted my together with them for the way, nevertheless, R. Mendel decision. At the suggestion of melamed to arrive. He came in a claims that specifically in this Rabbi Yankel Gluckowski of the few minutes later – a real happy fashion, greater progress is Chabad shul in Toronto, who was type – carrying a white placard achieved. very involved in my process of under his arm. As he entered, he “Every child is naturally t’shuva, we made our way to Kfar picked it up and called out joyfully, stronger in certain areas and Chabad and spent our first two ‘Children! Today, we’re going to weaker in others. A child who has months in Eretz Yisroel at the local learn Alef, everyone say ‘Hello, greater weaknesses in the area of new immigrant absorption center. Alef!’ and the children happily said reading or lacks self-confidence, if Then, at the suggestion of his son, after him. He then passed by each he is pushed up against the wall in Rabbi Menachem Mendel child and said, ‘Everyone give a a small group on a one-to-one Gluckowski, now rav of the kiss to Alef!’ You could clearly see basis, he will become more Chabad community in Rechovot, how in just a few minutes, the pressured and will make no we proceeded to Tzfas as full- melamed succeeded in instilling a progress. When they all learn fledged chassidim.” sense of love within the children together, and the weaker child towards this thing called Alef, even thinks that neither the melamed THE LETTERS’ TEST though a few minutes earlier, they nor his classmates know about his neither knew nor recognized what weakness, this provides him with In Tishrei 5740, a year after Alef was. I learned from this the space he needs to grasp the their arrival in the Holy City of melamed the first and most learning material or to get his Tzfas, R. Mendel was offered a important principle in teaching confidence up. Thus, after a brief position to replace R. Yaakov reading to children – getting them period of time, he too begins to HaKohen Steinberger (today with to love reading and to see it as make progress and participates the IDF rabbinate) as a melamed in something friendly.” more. the kindergartens. R. Mendel In the coming years, R. Mendel “Let’s take for example a child accepted the offer, and after they dove headfirst into the world of with a lack of self-confidence who offered him the job on a permanent reading. He taught for eight years is afraid to call out the letters with basis, he wrote about it to the at the Kiryat Chabad kindergarten, everyone because he’s concerned Rebbe and received a positive reply and then afterwards he was about failing. As time passes, and on the matter during Chol HaMoed transferred to a Chabad Sukkos. Thus, R. Mendel began his kindergarten on Tzfat’s South thrilling journey into the pure and Side, where he taught for another “Professor Block. untainted world of the tender twelve years. young flocks. The work in the “Darom” (as said to us, ‘Anyone R. Mendel, who never learned Tzfat’s southern neighborhoods are in “cheider” during his youth, called) forced him to go out from who doesn’t have decided to pay a visit to several the regular learning framework and Talmud Torahs in order to learn the Alef of Emes to seek various other methods. R. “how to be a melamed.” During his Mendel was appointed to teach tour, R. Mendel encountered (Truth) is a dead ninety children in four different various styles and approaches on kindergartens! duck.” It took me study and education. There were Every morning, it was his those who wielded an iron fist with responsibility to achieve progress in forty years to their students, while others used reading for an enormous number competition as a means to spur the of children! He had no choice understand the children on to make progress in except to look for different ways to their studies, and some rewarded sentence, but even meet the objective. For example, in the students with prizes, etc. R. contrast to what one might think, Mendel was particularly pleased then I already R. Mendel tried to teach in each with the approach of a certain kindergarten with a group knew that it was melamed from “Eitz Chaim” in framework. While it’s true that the Yerushalayim. correct.

 #OBS0LPE&>1E>K> #'1 +-1&' !& he discovers that what he thinks is e.g., vision problems, dyslexia, and with their ability to understand. the right answer usually is, he gets the like. Thus, when he teaches another up the courage to start R. Mendel has developed his type of children, he brings out participating as well, and stops teaching methodology over the special worksheets suitable for being afraid about failure.” years. While he teaches according them as well. Another of his innovations is to the traditional “masores” One person who recognized “The Letters’ Test.” R. Mendel approach, he still makes every even then the value of these unique teaches the children the letter Alef effort to adapt the exercises to the sheets was the director of the and then tests them with a page children in the most complete way “cheider,” Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak that concentrates on letter shape possible. This creates a situation Levkivker, who served as R. recognition. In this manner, he whereby he arranges educational Mendel’s “” on matters of immediately picks up on those games and flash cards for each education. “Every page that you disabilities not related to learning, group of children, in accordance put out,” Rabbi Levkivker instructed him, “put in a file.” This led to a virtual treasure house of teaching approaches, more precious than gold – educational games, worksheets, and more. With most children, R. Mendel delved deeply into reading. “He developed this on the level of an art,” testified one of the members of the staff of melamdim. Thus, when you speak with R. Mendel about reading, you get a clear picture of letters, vowels, and everything in between. Not just the small table of letters on the first page of the siddur, but complete and basic information that grants special abilities to experts on how to transmit reading skills to young children.” (IY”H to be continued)

#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  QFPEOBF MY FIRST TISHREI WITH THE REBBE

Nosson Avrohom interviewed four mashpiim who described their first Tishrei with the Rebbe. All agree that today’s chassid still needs to go to the Rebbe, and all the hashpaos are there for the taking.

 #OBS0LPE&>1E>K> #'1 +-1&' !& ~ Tishrei ~

I think there is nothing more special than Rosh HaShana with the Rebbe. Whatever we learn in THE AWE- and sichos, “hamshachas ha’malchus,” “histalkus ha’malchus,” we saw with the Rebbe on Rosh HaShana. We witnessed the INSPIRING T’KIOS awe-inspiring scene of the blowing of the t’kios, seeing the Rebbe throw his tallis over himself and the Rabbi Dovid Offen, Mashpia, Beitar Ilit pidyonos – we could see the Rebbe davening for Klal Yisroel. I remember that in Tishrei 5736 That year, Rosh HaShana was on something frightening happened. Shabbos and the Rebbe had the aliya of That year, Rosh HaShana was on Shabbos and the Rebbe had the aliya Maftir, as usual. As he read what Eli of Maftir, as usual. As he read what Eli originally thought of Chana, he originally thought of Chana, he burst burst into tears. The Rebbe cried for a long time and it was into tears. The Rebbe cried for a long heartbreaking. At the farbrengen held afterwards, the Rebbe asked time and it was heartbreaking. At the why Chana cried and why Eli farbrengen held afterwards, the Rebbe thought she was inebriated. The Rebbe explained that Eli asked why Chana cried and why Eli knew that Rosh HaShana is the time of hamshachas ha’malchus and so he thought she was inebriated. maintained it wasn’t the time to ask for children. Chana replied that her I had the privilege of spending request for a child was not a selfish many Tishreis in 770. Those who one but for Hashem. As we know, were there know that this month she gave birth to Shmuel HaNavi gives you the kochos for the entire who played a key role in carrying year. out the ultimate intent of creation My first trip to the Rebbe was with the anointing of Dovid actually for Purim and I remained in HaMelech, thus bringing down to 770 for five years. It was 5734/1974 the world the inyan of Moshiach. and I was a yeshiva bachur in Kfar The Rebbe added that we see Chabad. As we prepared for our trip, Jews crying during the Rosh the atmosphere was charged with an HaShana davening when they get to excitement that grew day by day. the part about requests for parnasa The hanhala of the yeshiva ran a etc. Why do they cry on Rosh Mivtza Limud of 100 pages of HaShana for these trivialities when Gemara by heart and ten maamarim. this is the lofty time of kabbalas Whoever learned that amount was first Maariv that we davened with ha’malchus? The Rebbe explained given half the price of a ticket. the Rebbe, the Rebbe turned around this along similar lines. When a Jew The mashpia in the yeshiva, R’ and looked at us, surveying each asks for gashmius, it is intended to Mendel Futerfas, devoted all his bachur separately. We felt that the complete the Divine plan to make a farbrengens to how wonderful it is Rebbe’s eyes pierced through to our dira ba’tachtonim. to travel to the Rebbe. No wonder neshama. The person does not necessarily then, that when we arrived at 770 I will mention a few moving feel this but the neshama knows it. we were swept away by merely events that I experienced. Tishrei The verse says, “Hungry, thirsty too, seeing the Rebbe! At the end of the 5735 was my first Tishrei with the their souls cloaked within them.” Rebbe.

#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  Sometimes, a person is hungry or us that we should have a successful that this is what we did. The thirsty and it’s a hunger and thirst year and he said that the T’mimim farbrengens took place in 770. R’ that the G-dly soul arouses in order are like the tribe of Levi who are Mendel Futerfas sat in the small zal to raise up a G-dly spark in the food separated from the rest. He and when he wanted to say l’chaim or drink. mentioned this several times in the he would put his head and most of This astounding sicha at the blessing. “You have a special his body out the window into the Rosh HaShana farbrengen which shlichus, as the legion of the king, sukka and drink. followed the heartbreaking tears whose primary function is ‘teach On Simchas Torah 5748 Rashag during Maftir, complemented one Your judgments to Yaakov.’” These (the Rebbe’s brother-in-law) did not another. At the time, I thought about words and brachos are not only feel well and the Rebbe danced a fascinating sicha said by the Rebbe deeply engraved but are still felt by alone. It was an unusual sight to see Rayatz that on Rosh HaShana there every Tamim who was there. how the Rebbe energized the is the avoda of the t’kios and the We got to know and internalize enormous crowd with the Torah in avoda of Maftir, each one separately. the fact that the Rebbe sees us from his arms. What was unusual that Explained the Rebbe Rayatz, the one end of the world to the other. time was after the seventh hakafa the Rebbe’s Maftir is more important Every Tamim who saw the Rebbe felt Rebbe went back to his place near than the t’kios. The t’kios are avoda what I am telling you now. When the bima and he danced there too. It “from below, upward,” while Maftir the Rebbe looked at us we felt was like he did another hakafa in is the Word of the Living G-d from ashamed, we hid, we fled. However, addition to the two hakafos that he the throat of the Rebbe. we always wanted to see the Rebbe always did. Another interesting thing I so we would watch him in such a We didn’t know what was going remember happened in 5748. way that we wouldn’t be directly in on but the crowd was very excited. During the t’kios I remember clearly front of him. In general, Simchas Torah 5748 was that when the Rebbe said the verse, The days of simcha of the month unusually b’simcha. “Al ya’ashkuni zeidim,” the Rebbe of Tishrei have a special place in my I could sit an entire night and repeated the word “al” and I think memories of those incredible days of talk about the giluyim and reminisce that the second time he said “bal.” light. I remember Sukkos 5736 about those majestic and moving Later on I remembered a story when, from the first day of Sukkos moments that inspired you to about the Rebbe Rayatz that on until the last, it rained nonstop. t’shuva and gave you such simcha Rosh HaShana 1926 during the There wasn’t a day that we sat in the that were a part of all the Tishreis t’kios he gave a bitter sigh and from sukka without it raining, except for over the years. The young the depths of his heart he exclaimed, the first meal of the Yom Tov. One generation must know that p’nimius, “Arov avdecha l’tov – ai gevald – al of the men wrote to the Rebbe, nothing changed. The Rebbe spoke ya’ashkuni zeidim.” People sensed saying in Shulchan Aruch it says that many times that when you go to 770 that something was behind this. if it rains on Sukkos it’s like a you go to learn together and daven After all the terrible things that took servant pouring a cup for his master together. The truth is that today too, place that year, the Chassidim felt and the master throwing it in his everybody ought to visualize how the that this is what prompted that face, and he raised the possibility Rebbe is with him, davening and prayer before the t’kios. that the rain wasn’t a good sign for learning with him, and consider In Shevat 5748, Rebbetzin Chaya the Jewish people. every moment precious and perceive Mushka a”h passed away and then I The Rebbe’s response was the Rebbe actually standing right thought (and this is my personal interesting. He negated the idea that there before his very eyes. That is hergesh) that maybe that is why the it was a bad sign and said that since the truth. Rebbe repeated the word on Rosh they ate the first meal without rain, If everybody visualized the Rebbe HaShana. they fulfilled the mitzva and from standing next to him, and as the I remember another special this we see that Hashem did not Rebbe himself said on many moment during the bracha of the throw the mitzva away. occasions, “In another little while T’mimim right before Yom Kippur. Why did it rain? The Rebbe said the Rebbe, my father-in-law, will It was terribly crowded in the small that since Hashem wanted the enter and ask: What did you do? zal and when the Rebbe came in we farbrengens of Simchas Beis How did you prepare?” This will felt on the most essential level the HaShoeiva to be with yeshivas serve as a tremendous motivation idea of “bless us, our father, all ha’daas (calmness of mind) they and he will use his time properly to together as one.” The Rebbe blessed took place indoors, and I remember hasten the coming of Moshiach.

 #OBS0LPE&>1E>K> #'1 +-1&' !& ~ Tishrei ~

big loans and flew to the Rebbe. In 5720 the Chassidim decided to charter an El-Al flight for A DREAM Chassidim-only which would lower the cost of a ticket. Later, this flight was referred to as “the first charter.” COME TRUE Things moved along but there were problems too, to the point that it sometimes looked as though the Rabbi Avrohom Maizlich, Mashpia, charter would not work out. Back then there was a Cold War between the United States and the Soviet I have kept that passport even though I Union and the American consulate refused to give visas to people of have thrown out the four passports I Russian nationality which prevented many Chassidim from traveling. It used afterwards, because on the visa is was only after much pressure was exerted that the embassy decided to written, “Visa to Rabbi of give a collective visa to whoever Lubavitch.” I remember the feeling we would be on this chartered plane. I have kept that passport even who were flying felt when we saw that though I have thrown out the four passports I used afterwards, because stamp. Even the goy at the consulate on the visa is written, “Visa to Rabbi Schneersohn of Lubavitch.” I understood that Chassidim flew to the remember the feeling we who were flying felt when we saw that stamp. Rebbe and they have no desire to be in Even the goy at the consulate America for other reasons. understood that Chassidim flew to the Rebbe and they have no desire to be in America for other reasons. When I was a bachur in yeshiva, I joined the charter when I was traveling to the Rebbe was only a newly married and after I, and my dream and this was for two reasons. friend, the mashpia R’ Velvel First, it was enormously expensive. Kesselman, did our army service, Traveling by ship was a lot cheaper which is why we were given but it took a terribly long time. In permission to leave the country. addition to the financial issue, the It is hard to describe our inner Defense Ministry was very tough feelings and outward enthusiasm about allowing bachurim out. In about a plane full of Chassidim on order to get a visa you had to go their way to the Rebbe. It was like a through an arduous process. Even dream come true. Many Chassidim after they gave the visa to you there came to say goodbye to us at the was a lengthy procedural nightmare airport and there were lively circles until you got a visa from the of dancing Chassidim. They cried American consulate. and they urged everyone to go and but were happy for us too. That was the case until 5716. not to be satisfied merely with the Chassidim were moser nefesh to That year is when the first shluchim information that came from Beis fly to the Rebbe. The flight cost to Eretz Yisroel arrived and they Chayeinu. 1400 liras and my monthly salary as made a big fuss about the need to The first one to go was Rabbi a melamed was 300 liras. In other fly to the Rebbe. They described Meir Friedman of Kfar Chabad. words, a ticket was equivalent to what it was like to be with the Before Tishrei 5717/1956 he took nearly half a year’s salary. But we Rebbe, about the giluyim, the light,

#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  thought only of the z’chus of being didn’t seem feasible. luggage. I turned down my relatives with the Rebbe. Once I picked up my luggage who had come to take me with The flight itself was an and cleared customs, I headed to them, because I wanted to be close unforgettable experience. Picture the exit. Immediately upon opening to Beis Chayeinu and preferred dancing on the plane as the the door I saw a crowd of staying there with my belongings. It “Partisan,” R’ Zushe conducted the Chassidim who had come to was 9:00 and so I put on my tallis festivities with a bottle of mashke in welcome us. There were hugs and and the Rebbe came out for Krias hand. In the front of the plane sat kisses, tears and joy. R’ Ben-Tzion Ha’Torah. I nearly fainted at the the mashpiim and rabbanim Shemtov and some shluchim were sight of the Rebbe. I said the bracha including Rabbi Shmaryahu there. I knew them from when they that you say when you see the Sasonkin, Rabbi Chaim Shaul had come to Eretz Yisroel on Rebbe and stood rooted to my spot, Brook, Rabbi Dovid Chanzin, Rabbi shlichus in 5717. In the midst of the gazing at the Rebbe in amazement Avrohom Pariz and others. hubbub I felt someone pull me as he had an aliya. During the flight I decided to sit aside. It was Yudel Krinsky who I remained in 770 until Mincha near them and listen to their said, “Avrohom – you were the lucky when the chazan finished the conversation. One of the points I one.” Shmoneh Esrei, looked at the Rebbe remember is what R’ Sasonkin said Yudel went on to explain that in and began saying Kaddish, without to his friends, “This is not the way the morning, after Slichos, the saying Tachanun. Afterwards, I asked the chazan why he had not said Tachanun and he explained that I asked the chazan why he had not said it was on the Rebbe’s instruction. Apparently, the arrival of guests Tachanun and he explained that it was from Eretz Yisroel was reason enough not to say Tachanun. on the Rebbe’s instruction. Apparently, After the davening the gabbai announced that there would be a the arrival of guests from Eretz Yisroel farbrengen to welcome the guests, in the zal upstairs. The farbrengen was reason enough not to say was very crowded. I stood almost in Tachanun. the front row, near the Rebbe, and I remember that sweat dripped into my eyes and I couldn’t even raise to go to the Rebbe. We would travel Rebbe had asked him to go to the my hand to wipe it away, there was to the Rebbe in roundabout ways secretaries’ office. There he was told such a crush. and with much effort; on a flight to go to the airport and to call the The Rebbe began the farbrengen you can’t feel the preciousness and office from there. There were no cell with the reason for the farbrengen. importance of traveling to the phones back then. As soon as he It was the eve of the third day of Rebbe.” called in from the airport and Slichos when the Rebbeim had the For many hours they told identified himself, the Rebbe custom to say maamarim. They sang personal stories and reminisced. immediately got on the line and the niggun that is sung before a One told of yechiduyos with the asked whether we had arrived yet. maamer is recited and the Rebbe Rebbe Rayatz, another about his He said no, and the Rebbe asked said the maamer, “Lecha Omar Libi learning in Tomchei T’mimim, and a him to wait on the line and every …” The Rebbe cried a lot at this third about Chassidic personalities few minutes he asked again. When farbrengen. This was my first time of old that he knew. These were Krinsky saw me come out he in the Rebbe’s presence and I was fascinating conversations. immediately told the Rebbe we had overwhelmed with emotion. Our Due to strong winds, the plane arrived and that the first person to personal comfort mattered not at all. had to land on an island near come out was R’ Avrohom Maizlich. Our only desire was to see the Canada and we arrived in New York The Rebbe responded with a happy, Rebbe and to follow every move he on Monday. At first we hoped we “a groiser yashar ko’ach!” I was made. would be able to say Slichos with thrilled that hearing my name made I spent that night on a folding the Rebbe, but as time passed and the Rebbe so happy. bed in the kitchen of Rabbi we still hadn’t left the terminal, it We arrived at 770 with our Avrohom Korf who was then newly

 #OBS0LPE&>1E>K> #'1 +-1&' !& married. I knew him as one of the that a cousin wanted me to join him Rabbi Chadakov said, “We are shluchim who went to Eretz Yisroel on a shopping trip in Manhattan. all present,” and I realized they had in 5716. He told me, “This isn’t Eretz waited for me. “The Rebbe asked That gives you a bit of an idea of Yisroel. In every store there is a me to call the four of you and to what my first day with the Rebbe phone and you have to call the give you a mission to travel together was like. secretaries every half an hour.” to Montreal. Rabbi Garelik will be That’s what I did. I went shopping the dominant figure of the SHLICHUS IN and one of the times I called, he delegation when you meet with the MONTREAL asked where I was and when I Beis Din there; Rabbi Maidenchek answered, he told me to hurry back will be the dominant figure when Motzaei Isru Chag Sukkos I to the office. I took the first train you meet with the mayor. Rabbi went on a special mission for the back and went straight to the Leibel Cohen will be the Rebbe that was a fitting secretariat. representative of the girls’ school in continuation from the day I had first When I entered Rabbi Kfar Chabad and Rabbi Maizlich arrived. I met Rabbi Yisroel Leibov Chadakov’s office, I was surprised will represent the school for boys in who asked me where my passport to see, in addition to Rabbi Kfar Chabad. May it be successful.” was. I said it was in my pocket and Chadakov who was sitting at the Rabbi Chadakov gave us the asked him why he wanted to know. head of the table, Rabbi Shneur passports and we left. He said that in Lubavitch you Zalman Garelik, the rav of Kfar Since the entry visa to the don’t ask questions but follow Chabad, R’ Shloimke Maidenchek, United States was a collective one orders. He asked where I would be who was head of the Vaad in Kfar and was good for only one entry, the next day after Mincha and I said Chabad, and Rabbi Leib Cohen. they had taken our passports to

#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  arrange for this trip. As we stood on respected askan, R’ Garelik was a forgiveness for my going to the the stairs at the entrance to 770, R’ distinguished rabbi, R’ Cohen was Rebbe without being sure that I Leibel Groner asked us to wait. The an educator, but I was a young man would be able to lead the davening four of us stood there not knowing without experience! R’ Groner at every minyan. why but in Lubavitch, so I was told, thought a bit and said, “Probably On my way back from the you don’t ask - you follow orders. because you gave the Rebbe nachas cemetery, I was rushing and I broke Then the door opened and the when you were the first off the my leg. I barely made it to my Rebbe came out. We were very charter flight to come out of the father-in-law who lived in Beis surprised. R’ Avrohom Pariz stood terminal. The Rebbe heard your Yisroel and from there I traveled to there too and the Rebbe asked him name and he never remains in the hospital where I was given a in surprise, “Are you also one of debt.” cast. They said there was a fracture those traveling?” He thought the The shlichus to Montreal was and I had to stay in bed for ten Rebbe was referring to those who very successful. The local papers days. That was a Tuesday, two days had traveled from Eretz Yisroel and covered our visit at length. before the flight. I was beside he answered in the affirmative but myself. I called the travel agent, R’ the Rebbe smiled and waved his WHERE YOU STAND Yisroel Alperowitz and he was able hand dismissively. AND BEFORE WHOM to postpone my flight until Motzaei The Rebbe said, “As is known, Shabbos. the custom in Lubavitch is that on YOU STAND The last thing I thought of doing Motzaei Simchas Torah ‘Yaakov went You can farbreng all night about was canceling my flight to the Rebbe and so on Motzaei Shabbos, in a cast and with crutches, I boarded The Rebbe saw me standing with the flight. Since I didn’t want the crutches. The Rebbe stopped, looked at Rebbe to see me with crutches, I stood in the second row near the me and gestured with his hand as path where the Rebbe walked through. At first I tried to put down though to say, “What’s that? You don’t my crutches as I walked into 770 but that was impossible. I couldn’t need that.” * I immediately threw away stand on my broken foot and when I tried, it was extremely painful. the crutches and from that moment on, Once during Aseres Yemei I no longer needed them. T’shuva, I was standing in the second row near the path when the man standing in front of me on his way’ is announced. The verse the giluyim and the great light in the suddenly moved and the Rebbe saw continues, ‘And angels of G-d met Rebbe’s presence but it is important me standing with crutches. The him,’ and Rashi says they were actual to know that today there is no less; Rebbe stopped, looked at me and angels. The Zohar says it refers to on the contrary. I remember that gestured with his hand as though to Hashem, He and the Sh’china. Since one of the gabbaim who would say, “What’s that? You don’t need you are about to meet with Jews and announce the farbrengens would that.” non-Jews, Hashem will accompany add, “You should all know where I immediately threw away the you to the Jews; angels are enough you stand and before whom you crutches and from that moment on, for the non-Jews. May you have a stand.” Those who want to feel the I no longer needed them. My foot good trip.” Rebbe have to make the felt better and better and soon I was The Rebbe went back to his preparations and know where they walking normally. One look from room and R’ Groner urged us to are traveling to. the Rebbe made all the difference. hurry so we wouldn’t miss our In conclusion I want to tell an We must always keep in mind flight. amazing personal story that I that even now the Rebbe sees us and On the way to the airport, I experienced in Tishrei 5742/1981. he can change the order of Creation. asked R’ Groner, who was the That month I was in the middle of With this attitude, when we travel to driver, why I had been included in the Shloshim for my father a”h and the Rebbe, we come out full of the delegation. R’ Shloimke was a I went to his grave to ask chayus and Chassidishe enthusiasm.

 #OBS0LPE&>1E>K> #'1 +-1&' !& ~ Tishrei ~

and so that all these activities would be the proper preparation for our trip to the Rebbe. OUR LONGING FOR “Picture yourselves standing before the Rebbe looking filthy,” he would say. We always yearned to fly to THE REBBE LED US the Rebbe. Every year we wanted to go so badly but the difficulties that stood in our way prevented us from going. A ticket cost a TO FORMULATE A fortune and even those who managed to borrow money had to deal with all the red tape or getting a visa approved by the SECRET PLAN army. One year, before Tishrei, we found out that a rabbi had been Rabbi Yeshavam Segal, Mashpia, Kfar Chabad appointed to the Zim shipping line. We came up with a plan to R’ Kesselman demanded that contact him in order to get him to connect us with a shipping line hiskashrus to the Rebbe be expressed abroad and we would get to New York (i.e. the Rebbe) as in iskafia, in davening at length, in employees. We constructed an elaborate meditating in davening, in Krias plan how to reach that rabbi who lived in Chaifa and explain to him Shma al HaMitta, and paying special why he had to help us. Before we attention to every detail. However, the got to him, by way of spiritual preparation, we devoted three reason for all these demands was so days to the Rebbe. In those days, a sicha about the avoda required we would be able to better connect to in the month of Elul, which had been said in 5711, reached us in the Rebbe. Eretz Yisroel. We printed it and over three days we went to From the first day I started dozens of yishuvim and towns in learning in the yeshiva in Pardes, the Galil and spoke about the I heard the mashpia, Rabbi Rebbe and left copies of those Shlomo Chaim Kesselman talk amazing sichos. excitedly about the need to In the end, our plan did not connect to the Rebbe. The main work out but it enables you to point of all the farbrengens was understand how much we dreamt the demand that the T’mimim be of going to the Rebbe. We were devoted to the Rebbe. preoccupied with this day and R’ Kesselman demanded that night. hiskashrus to the Rebbe be In 5720, when I was still a expressed in iskafia, in davening bachur in yeshiva, a charter for at length, in meditating in Chabad Chassidim was davening, in Krias Shma al announced. It was as clear as day HaMitta, and paying special demands was so we would be able to me that I was going to be on attention to every detail. to better connect to the Rebbe that flight. The price of a ticket However, the reason for all these

#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  was high, a half a year’s wages. explained what t’fillin are. older Chassidim had. That year I worked at different The pilot was helped to put on Simchas Torah that year was jobs. I took part in taking the t’fillin and he also actively special. The Rebbe taught the census which was conducted that participated in the atmosphere of Chassidim the niggun, “Ata year by the Interior Ministry as our farbrengens and dancing on Vechartanu.” At that farbrengen well as other side jobs. the plane. Before we landed, they the Rebbe said that whoever Nevertheless, the amount of informed the control tower at committed to additional learning money I managed to save was Kennedy that Chabad Chassidim of Chassidus could come over nowhere close to what I needed. were on this flight and if they saw and get mashke. There was a My father, R’ Moshe, who was a plane shaking, they should table the length of the room. The a man of mesirus nefesh and a know it’s ours … Rebbe stood at the table facing commander in Lechi, gave me a On the way to New York, we the Aron Kodesh and the large sum of money and with the made another stop in Canada and Chassidim passed in a line, with addition of loans I bought a from there we arrived in New each one saying his commitment ticket. York on Monday morning. We and the Rebbe poured l’chaim. The day I found out that I was were welcomed by many Behind the Rebbe sat the elder on the list of passengers, there Chassidim when we exited the Chassidim. Suddenly the Rebbe was no happier man than me. (By terminal. turned around to them and the way, before I returned to This was the first flight to the apologized for having his back to Eretz Yisroel, I bought a tape Rebbe of this size and it was them. “What can I do, the Aron recorder which was still a dream tremendously exciting. As I stood Kodesh is on that side.” in Eretz Yisroel and I sold it and there in a daze, a tall Chassid While the Rebbe distributed the money I made covered most took me by the elbow and asked l’chaim, R’ Sholom Morosov who of my loans). my name. I told him my name was drunk, cried as he lay on the The plane we flew on was and he asked or rather stated that table and the Rebbe stood over called Brittania. It was the I was going to be his guest for him. From time to time the Rebbe flagship of El-Al at that time. The Tishrei. It was Moshe Dubinsky stopped pouring and looked at other flights in those days were a”h and I lived with him that him and spoke to him. I couldn’t on smaller planes that had to month. I was lucky compared to hear what was said because it was make stops on the way to New my friends because he lived too noisy. York for refueling. Our plane had opposite 770. I made another trip for Tishrei 100 seats and only needed to I cannot describe my emotions 5734. I was already married and make one stop. the first time I saw the Rebbe. I had children. The morning of The flight, together with the trembled and said the Yom Kippur I stood next to the great Chassidim, and the very fact “SheHechiyanu” blessing and was Rebbe’s bima. R’ Itche Noach that I was realizing my dream, simply overcome. Rivkin burst in and announced was indescribably thrilling. Our That day, the Rebbe held a that a war had broken out in stopover was in Paris. A large Kabbalas Panim for the guests Eretz Yisroel. This was the Yom delegation of Chassidim, led by R’ and said the maamer, “Lecha Kippur war. Nissan Nemenov, welcomed us. amar libi.” I’ll never forget the The secretary went over to the You could see the excitement on tremendous crowding at that Rebbe and reported to him. The R’ Nissan’s face. “Chassidim are farbrengen as well as the Rebbe’s Rebbe turned around but he did going to the Rebbe,” he said terrifying tears. The Rebbe loudly not look surprised by the news. emotionally, several times. said, “See how precious the body He just nodded. Whoever stood While they refueled the plane, of a Jew is, that for his sake, near the Rebbe and saw his they took us to a side room and Hashem poured forth so much reaction realized that the Rebbe they had police there for our Torah and mitzvos.” These were already knew about it and was in protection. While we waited I put very intense moments. the middle of spiritual avoda to on t’fillin and the policemen Throughout that month I annul the terrible decree. thought they were wrote letters to my parents in Three days later, the Rebbe communications devices and which I described the atmosphere held a farbrengen in honor of 13 special spy equipment. One of the in 770. I felt the great bittul Tishrei. During the farbrengen, Chassidim who spoke French towards the Rebbe that even the the Rebbe asked why they should

 #OBS0LPE&>1E>K> #'1 +-1&' !& be farbrenging while Jewish blood go back into his room but Levi cannot relate. I will only say that was being spilled. The Rebbe Yitzchok Freidan the they outlined my path in life. I answered in the spirit of the baal photographer, who was standing will tell two small things. At the ha’hilula, the Rebbe Maharash, on the steps, said loudly as he yechidus I had in 5720, when I who said, “l’chat’chilla aribber,” held his large camera, “Chassidim gave the Rebbe a paper with my that through the farbrengen all wish that we meet again with the name on it and my request, the the terrible decrees would be Rebbe healthy and whole in the Rebbe took a pen and added nullified. coming year.” The Rebbe turned “HaLevi” next to my name. He Since people felt terrible that back around and said, “Amen, but pointed out that I am a Levi and the Arabs had managed to in Eretz Yisroel.” why didn’t I write that. Since surprise us and they seemed to be Freidan was so surprised that then, I am particular to include winning, the Rebbe’s message his camera slipped out of his “HaLevi” when I write my name. gave us hope and calmed us hands and if not for the strap, it In another yechidus, with my down. would have fallen on the ground. wife a”h, the Rebbe blessed me *** After a fraction of a second, he with nachas from my children and I have a picture on my wall at recovered and said, “Of course, my students-who are my children. home that reminds me of a in Eretz Yisroel.” The Rebbe I was very moved by the Rebbe’s smiled broadly and said, “And bracha. Giluyim and moving moments are not lacking but we older folk The pilot was helped to put on t’fillin have to say the truth. The devotion of the T’mimim and and he also actively participated in the anash today to the Rebbe’s inyanim is not only not less than atmosphere of our farbrengens and what it was in the past, it’s much more. I say this with certainty. dancing on the plane. Before we landed, The fact that we don’t see the Rebbe doesn’t mean that the they informed the control tower at Rebbe is not active and not with Kennedy that Chabad Chassidim were us. The Rebbe Rayatz writes that on this flight and if they saw a plane Lubavitch is Yerushalayim and the Beis HaRebbi is the Beis shaking, they should know it’s ours … HaMikdash and the Rebbe’s room is the Holy of Holies and in it is the Aron HaBris about which it special moment I experienced. It then you will save on your tickets says, “the place of the Aron is not was Tishrei 5748 and R’ Leibel here” and returned to his room. included in the measurements.” Groner called me and another A few weeks later, I met The reason the Jewish people three people from Kfar Chabad, Freidan at a wedding and he told made aliya l’regel when the R’ Velvel Kesselman, R’ Abba me, “You won’t believe this but Mikdash stood was in order to Levin, and R’ Shimon Bekerman, when the camera slipped it was see and be seen. The seeing was and told us that the Rebbe chose banged and unbeknownst to me it self-nullification before G-d. The us to receive the Dalet minim. took a terrific picture of the same is true when going to 770. The four of us were the Vaad Rebbe smiling and you were Even when we look at the chair Ruchni of Kfar Chabad and we standing nearby.” and see nothing, we have to were thrilled to hear this. After Of course I asked him to believe it isn’t empty and that the each of us got the four minim, develop a copy for me and this is Rebbe is there and everywhere. the Rebbe began to bless us as he the picture I have hanging on my The Rebbe gives kochos. This is a did every year. Some Anash from wall. feeling that grows year by year Kfar Chabad came in too, to hear At the yechiduyos I had in because each day we move closer the bracha. When the Rebbe several of the years, I experienced towards the revelation of the true finished blessing us, he wanted to wondrous things, most of which I and complete .

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we prayed and hoped that they would give us our visas. A few days went by and the army’s answer, to THE REBBE our sorrow, was negative. Their stated reason was there were 170 bachurim in the United States who had received visas or left another CALLED ME IN way, and they still had not returned. “When they return, you can go,” they said. We were very down about this THE MIDDLE OF and indeed, back then, a bachur who had already managed to get an exit visa did not hurry back to Israel. In 5721 three bachurim returned: THE FARBRENGEN Moshe Slonim a”h, Avrohom Dunin, and Avrohom Sasonkin. The hanhala, along with other pressure Rabbi Nachum Kaplan, Mashpia, Shikun Chabad Lud that was exerted, told the army, “You see that talmidim who left are Throughout this time we prayed and beginning to return. Nobody is planning on being there forever. hoped that they would give us our visas. Please give visas to the new group.” The army did not agree and they A few days went by and the army’s said that only after they all returned would they give additional visas. answer, to our sorrow, was negative. After much effort and pressure Their stated reason was there were 170 were exerted by various people including R’ Pinye Altheus a”h, we bachurim in the United States who had got a visa for one month only. That year there was a charter received visas or left another way, and flight and the price was 1200 liras, a huge amount in those days. I don’t they still had not returned. “When they remember where I got that money from which goes to show how return, you can go,” they said. strongly we desired to go to the Rebbe. The T’mimim would take on any work in order to be able to go. The first year I spent Tishrei with The spiritual preparations for the the Rebbe was during my K’vutza trip were top priority. Our mashpia, year, Tishrei 5722/1961. The R’ Shlomo Chaim Kesselman, T’mimim yearned to be in 770 a few constantly demanded of the years before that, but there were talmidim, especially those who were many obstacles. We T’mimim had about to go to the Rebbe, to value moved that year from the building in their time and to learn maamarim by Pardes to another building in Lud. heart. He would “attack” a different Tishrei was approaching and we bachur every day and not leave him were about ten bachurim who alone until he promised to learn. wanted so badly to be with the Of course the news about the Rebbe and experience the giluyim visas for our trip to the Rebbe and not just hear about them second thrilled us. Every bachur understood or third-hand. authorities in Tel Aviv so we could the significance of a trip to the The hanhala of the yeshiva get exit visas. Throughout this time Rebbe and it was clear to see how submitted our names to the IDF

 #OBS0LPE&>1E>K> #'1 +-1&' !& this affected the T’mimim. There Rebbe passed by to his room and we was a more serious atmosphere. On could see him, but the bachurim did It was a day Shabbasos the T’mimim spent much not even pay attention because we time on t’filla and meditated before were occupied with our learning. It before we were the davening. The learning of was all on a smaller scale. Chassidus was different and all On Rosh HaShana, during t’kios, leaving for Eretz conversation revolved around the it was very crowded in 770, more Rebbe and the trip to 770. than usual. Everybody pushed in Yisroel and we When we arrived at Beis order to be able to hear the t’kios. Chayeinu, the Rebbe came out of That year, the air conditioners did had yechidus at 770 to welcome us. Each of us felt not work. I went to daven wearing a 2:15 in the that the Rebbe personally cared for new suit and after the t’kios I each one of us. couldn’t wear it anymore. It was morning. We During Tishrei and the following soaked with sweat and torn, but months, the Rebbe made sure that nobody thought about petty things fasted that day as the bachurim who came from Eretz like that. Yisroel were dressed right, ate Those who were with the Rebbe Chassidim do. sufficiently, and slept well. The during t’kios know that it was the Rebbe’s concern for us was one of the most moving events of the After the yechidus, personal. I have to give you an month of Tishrei. It was silent in the Rebbe told R’ example from something that 770 and the Rebbe went up to the happened a few months later when bima as the secretaries brought him Chadakov, “Surely we finished K’vutza. the sack of panim. The Rebbe It was a day before we were covered himself and the pidyonos the bachurim will leaving for Eretz Yisroel and we had with his tallis. Whoever was near the yechidus at 2:15 in the morning. We Rebbe could hear his crying. That now review the fasted that day as Chassidim do. was enough to arouse one to After the yechidus, the Rebbe told R’ t’shuva. The enormous crowd, yechidus,” and he Chadakov, “Surely the bachurim will despite the crush, stood silently. It asked him to let now review the yechidus,” and he was possible to hear a pin drop asked him to let us know, in his when the Rebbe began to recite the us know, in his name, that first we should go eat. p’sukim. They were moving, The first hint of winter could be spiritually uplifting moments, name, that first felt and on more than one occasion, another world entirely. Just recalling someone from the hanhala would those moments can bring one to we should go eat. chastise a bachur who was out t’shuva. without a coat. We knew that this On Simchas Torah of that year, was coming from the Rebbe. something unusual happened. It was p’sak din of a beis din has, they Throughout that time that we the second farbrengen when people should pasken that this suffering were close to the Rebbe, especially washed at 6:30, before sunset, and cease. The Rebbe cried and cried. It during Tishrei, we felt spiritually the farbrengen lasted ten hours! At was heartrending. In the middle of elevated. Our talking was different; midnight the Rebbe began to speak Simchas Torah, such tears … We our davening certainly was. We about the Mitteler Rebbe. I don’t knew something was afoot. constantly followed the Rebbe, remember the exact order of what The next day, when the janitor observing when the Rebbe came out the Rebbe said but it revolved came to clean 770 he said that he and went in; it was a feeling of around the mesirus nefesh of the had heard on the news that many connection. Jewish soldiers of that time. Jews had been arrested by the Remember that back then there Then the Rebbe’s tone of voice Russian authorities. weren’t as many Chassidim in 770 changed and he began to speak *** as in later years and the atmosphere sadly about the many Jews in Russia Yom Kippur with the Rebbe was was more intimate. For example, who suffered, and since there were very moving. It entailed standing all when we learned in the small zal and many minyanim of Jews present in day, fasting, and the only thing that the door was open, sometimes the 770, and we know the power that a kept you going without thinking about your personal comfort was the

#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  smilingly said l’chaim. It was At the last minute, the Rebbe turned amazing to see how the Rebbe related to him at just the right time. his gaze upon him and smilingly said That Chol HaMoed Sukkos something unusual happened. Some l’chaim. It was amazing to see how people went to bring simcha to the Rebbe related to him at just the various shuls. Since I had arrived only a few days earlier, I decided to right time. remain in 770. When the Torah scroll was taken out, the Rebbe suddenly began to encourage the Rebbe. Every move the Rebbe made, and arranger) asked for a bracha for singing of “Ana Avda d’Kudsha every hint, energized you for another his father who did not feel well. The Brich Hu.” It was done in an few hours of standing. At N’ila Rebbe asked him to sing and blessed unusually vigorous fashion and especially, we could feel the Rebbe him. The Rebbe said that people lasted ten long minutes. Everybody lifting us up to another world. We should say the “leisheiv ba’sukka” jumped up and down and the felt no hunger or weakness. blessing even if they were only simcha was enormous, as though the Erev Yom Kippur 5726, four drinking wine. Rebbe was celebrating Simchas years after the first flight, I was The Rebbe said something Torah early. A few days later, when invited to eat with the Rebbe in the unusual. He said that since this the Rebbe had a heart attack, Rebbe Rayatz’s apartment because I farbrengen was for the T’mimim everybody felt there was some had won the raffle that year. I sat at who are the inyan of date trees, they connection between it and the the table on the same side as the should start shaking like a lulav. encouraging of the singing. Rebbe and was terrified. I washed *** *** but I didn’t dare to eat. How could I In 5738 I went to the Rebbe only There are so many memories. eat while sitting near the Rebbe? for Sukkos because back then I Those were days of amazing giluyim. I had a thrilling experience that worked for the Education Ministry The truth must be said. In the past, Chol HaMoed Sukkos. The Rebbe and I couldn’t take off more days. At the Chassidim needed more kiruv held a farbrengen in the sukka for a farbrengen on one of the days of from the Rebbe in order to work the T’mimim. During the Chol HaMoed, I saw something that while today we see that people work farbrengen, the Rebbe asked, remains etched in my memory. Next no less than in the past. It’s “Where is the one who won the to me stood a bachur who held a important to remember that we have raffle? He should come forward to cup with l’chaim and waited for the to go to the Rebbe. 770 itself gives get l’chaim.” Rebbe to say l’chaim. He stood there kochos, as the Rebbe explains in It’s hard to describe my emotions for at least a quarter of an hour. As kuntres “Beis Rabbeinu Sh’B’Bavel.” as I approached the Rebbe and the time passed, it looked as though if Whoever wants to fill up his Rebbe noted my name. the Rebbe did not say l’chaim, he storehouses needs to go as people At that farbrengen R’ Ben-Tzion would faint. At the last minute, the always went, and will get chayus as Shenker (famous chazan, composer Rebbe turned his gaze upon him and Make a “Mivtzah Kashrus” in your own computer! Introducing JNET-The world wide web without the world wide worryTM While The Internet can be a helpful tool for business, education Most important, you can now get the JNET Advantage for only and personal use it can also be a potentially dangerous one. a bit more than non-filtered on line providers. That's why J Net was created. If you're ready for the world wide web without the world wide Using exclusive multi-tiered intelligent filtration, the J Net portal worry, you're ready for JNet. is probably the most effective consumer resource for eliminating DIAL UP DSL Unlimited Access 24 Tech Support material not conducive to our needs. More than virtually foolproof, J .NET is also easy - both to 4 Profiles per Account Web Mail install and use. Plus its available in both dialup and high speed Call us toll free at 1-866-866-JNET (5638) DSL and backed by highly trained customer service experts that will solve your problems fast. (mention code “770” for special ANASH Rate)

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By Rabbi Yaakov Shmuelevitz, Shliach, Beit Shaan

Every shliach can tell you about A DESERTER WHO WAS had remained in the CIS (each in a lonely people, Jews without family or “REDEEMED” TWICE different country). a social circle, who came to the At first he had attended a yeshiva Rabbi Yisroel Gliss, shliach in and were revived. in Yerushalayim but he found it Dimona, relates: There they found friends, they found difficult and he enlisted in the army. About ten years ago I went to a Torah and an atmosphere, and When military service was hard for family event in Kiryat Malachi. As sometimes they found their way him, he ran away and since then he soon as I walked into the hall I back. wandered among friends and hung noticed a soldier in uniform out of I compiled a few stories from my out in various places. the corner of my eye, who was fellow shluchim about Jews who I invited him to my house in walking idly about, looking lost. I were alone and how they helped Dimona, and he was happy to went over to him and asked him these people. accept. He actually lived with us for some questions to get acquainted. three months. During this period of He was from Russia, and his parents time he became more involved in

#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  Judaism, joining shiurim and the sale. end, Danny joined us. He joined t’fillos at the Chabad house, going The Chabad house director told the davening and shiurim and on mivtzaim etc. He left after three the detective that he knew nothing understood Chassidic ideas and months but by then he was on his about stolen mezuzos but he could when he left Beit Shaan he was R’ feet as far as mitzva observance is offer shiurim. The officer attended Danny. We meet occasionally and concerned. shiurim, became more observant, he always says that in Beit Shaan He’s now married with a returned to Beit Shaan and then he found not only a place to eat Chassidic home in a Chabad needed a place to eat with kosher and sleep but also meaning in life. community in the center of the food. Of course we were happy to country. After having five children, accommodate him for several FROM THE CLOSED he started to experience parnasa years. Eventually he married and WARD TO BEING AN problems. That was precisely when settled in a Chabad community in official representatives of the IDF the center of the country. He has a ACTIVIST entered his home and said they had lovely Chassidishe family. I’ll conclude with a moving been searching for him for years. story from a fellow shliach. For He spent a few days in military ODD SHABBOS obvious reasons I have left out identifying information. prison but ended up with a job as a TABLE TALK member of the regular army. He has Dalia (a pseudonym) is a smart parnasa and the army gained a Another person who had woman who is known in our town. Chassidishe soldier who does the himself adopted by our Chabad She’s a career woman who even Rebbe’s mivtzaim with people near house for a few years was Danny published a book that she wrote and far. G. Danny is a former farmer. His about herself. At a certain point in her life she began to suffer from mental problems and for a while In the course of his investigation he had she was even hospitalized in a closed ward. gone to the Chabad house in Ramle and After a lot of hard work she slowly recovered but still did not asked whether anybody suspicious had get entirely back to herself. She offered mezuzos for sale. did not go back to work but she did not want to sit idly at home either. She felt lonely and THE MILITARY wife died, his daughter was killed wondered what she could do. POLICEMAN in an accident, his other children She came to the Chabad house Twenty years ago, a young man cut off ties with him following the (even though she was not at all walked into the Chabad house in accident, and he moved from city religious) and asked what Beit Shaan and it was obvious that to city until he found a small volunteer work she could do and he had recently started growing a apartment in Beit Shaan. what shiurim she could attend. She beard. He said he lived in Beit Danny had never received a was happy to take on the job of Shaan, his father died a few years religious education and his entire head chef in the soup kitchen. She before, but “Now I can’t eat at my spiritual world was based on also helped with sewing, fixing mother’s house,” he said. Why? newspapers and other media. It curtains etc. and she attended the He was a detective for the would happen that in the middle of shiurim. military police. There had been a the Shabbos meal in our house he Today she is one of the most robbery at the office of the would raise topics unfamiliar to us beloved women in the N’shei chaplain at the big base near Kfar and our children. We politely Chabad in her city. She helps out Chabad. Mezuzos, money and hinted to him that it wasn’t with all their projects, very many items were stolen and he was appropriate to discuss these things successfully and on a volunteer asked to find the thief. In the in front of the children. Sometimes basis. “What do you think … The course of his investigation he had he understood and other times he Chabad house is my house and the gone to the Chabad house in merely raised his voice and asked children here are like my Ramle and asked whether anybody what was wrong with discussing grandchildren. I should take suspicious had offered mezuzos for some titillating story or another. money for helping out?!” It took many years but in the

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By Ofra Badosa Photos by Rinati Dvorski

A DESCENT FOR THE Hashem, this itself can open doors since they were born, without SAKE OF AN ASCENT in surprising ways. stopping for a minute and looking That’s what happened to me back or seeing what was going on When I think back about my about three years ago. It all began around me. story, I see that it all begins and when I left my job and I found Then, in one moment, suddenly ends with strong faith. Emuna and myself sitting at home when I had everything stopped, nothing moved. ratzon are what make dreams come been used to running around all day I began to feel that my life was true. Although there are times when between work and errands. I would stuck. I stayed home and didn’t a person is spiritually down, and as see my two daughters in the evening want to see anyone. a result feels more distant from and on vacation. I worked fulltime SOME BACKGROUND My name is Sophie. I live with my family in Bat Yam. We are originally from the Caucasus region, from the city of Chatchakla. Life there is vastly different than life in Israel. Over there, in order to be a Jew you have to work very hard. My grandmother was a very religious woman. She sat and learned Torah. Everything my daughters learn in school, I learned with my grandmother at home. She would read to us from the Hebrew and translate, so we would understand. I remember how my father would run to buy a whole lamb or bring chickens to be shechted so my grandmother would have kosher meat. There was no supermarket with kosher, prepared meat. My mother would sit in the kitchen for hours and remove feathers from the chickens. At my parents’ house we observed less of the mitzvos but identified very strongly as Jews. We made aliya in 5752 with the big aliya from Russia.

 #OBS0LPE&>1E>K> #'1 +-1&' !& wanted something nearby, trip to Yerushalayim! He insisted convenient, and my husband Alfred and said he wanted me to get out of The connection and I went to a preschool associated my slump. with the Shas political party to “If you really want me to get out forged between me check it out. When we left, Alfred of this, take me to the Rebbe!” said he wasn’t going to put our girls “Really?! You would go?” and 770 and the in this school. He doesn’t like “Of course! What’s the anything extreme and always says question?” Rebbe during that extremes aren’t good. “Fine, let’s take care of our those days was a When my sister heard we were visas.” looking for a school, she said that The next day we went to B’nei deep, soul her daughter was going to a Chabad Brak to the travel agency and tried school and that they gave special to arrange visas and tickets for connection. It attention to the children. The Sukkos. The travel agent said there closest Chabad school to us was in was no way we could get visas and seemed to me that Cholon and we decided to go there. tickets in just two weeks. She We arrived at a rundown consoled us by saying maybe we people in 770 did apartment complex, but the minute should go for Pesach. not know the we walked into the gan, we felt it We asked her to begin the was wonderful. The teacher was a process because maybe we would be meaning of charming woman and after meeting able to arrange it. I explained to her with her Alfred said this was the that if the Rebbe wanted me to tiredness. They place for our girls. He said he didn’t come for Sukkos, he would arrange care that it looked neglected outside the visas and tickets for us. She davened all day because the moment he met the smiled and politely said that she teacher he knew that he could leave would do what she could. Alfred left and learned and his children in her capable hands. her our phone number and money at night, they The first year, the girls had for visas. transportation but after that, over Three days later she called and danced. I don’t the next three years, I had to bring said we had an appointment with them to school and then continue the consulate in another three days. know from where from there to my job in Tel Aviv. Friday morning we went to the That complicated my life. Everybody American embassy and after a brief they get the asked me why I was looking for interview we were given approval trouble, it took a lot of time and and the visa arrived three days later. strength. gas, and there were plenty of The travel agent couldn’t believe it preschools in Bat Yam. I told them and I reminded her that if the Rebbe that I didn’t know but this was what wanted it, we would get there for Before I got married, my mother I wanted. I liked the education in Sukkos. explained the laws of family purity Chabad. They learned values of The next step was to buy tickets. to me. Although it wasn’t with the tznius and Ahavas Yisroel which was The dollar was very strong at that finer points that I know today, we very close to the chinuch that I had point and before I began looking I knew the basics and this was received in the Caucasus. asked the Rebbe to help me find a transmitted from one generation to cheap ticket. I told my husband that the next. In my home I kept kashrus TAKE ME TO I would buy a ticket only if the and lit Shabbos candles. THE REBBE dollar went down to 4.24. My husband was incredulous. “The So there I was, sitting idly at UNCOMPROMISING dollar is only going up. There’s no home, feeling down. One day, way it’s going to come down.” CHINUCH before Rosh HaShana, Alfred came The next day, the dollar began I encountered Chabad when my home from work and suggested that going down and within a few days it daughters reached school age. We we travel to Czechoslovakia so I reached the amount I had specified. began looking for a preschool. We could relax and recover. I thought Even on the radio they spoke about our finances did not allow us even a

 #OBS0LPE&>1E>K> #'1 +-1&' !& When I returned, there was a message for me from Chani Tzik from Bat Yam. She suggested that we come stay where they were, near 770. We took the address and the next day we went. We arrived at an apartment house and went up to the fourth floor. I finally felt like I was back in Israel. It was an old apartment where Elana Schanowitz, her husband, and seven or eight children lived. After our stay in the mansion in New Jersey, I felt much more comfortable here. I was sure that we would stay there for a few hours and then return to the mansion but that’s not how it worked out.

WHAT IS AHAVAS YISROEL? When I walked into the women’s section of 770 I was shocked. You could barely breathe, it was so crowded. If a match had fallen among us, I think it would have remained upright. From the front rows I heard someone call out, “Tissue, tissue,” and from all sides they tossed boxes of tissues. Chani said we should move closer to the glass. I said there was no way we could do that but she insisted, “Come and I’ll show you what Ahavas Yisroel is.” She moved forward and said, “Girls! Let us show someone new what Ahavas Yisroel is. Let us allow how surprising it was that the dollar $800 on El-Al. And that’s what her to get close to the front.” And had gone down so quickly. I began happened. suddenly there was room to move. It looking for tickets and designated A MARBLE PALACE OR AN was like a miracle. I didn’t say no more than $800 per ticket. We OLD APARTMENT? anything and she pushed me and looked on the Internet and through We arrived in New York with El- whispered from behind, “Keep travel agencies and only found Al. A friend of my husband, whom going.” I was like a puppet on tickets with Italian or Canadian he hadn’t seen since high school, strings. airlines. I was afraid to travel with came and took us to his home in When I got to the glass partition, them and only wanted El-Al. New Jersey. It was more of a palace I looked downward and couldn’t My husband was getting than a house. Inside it was believe my eyes. If I thought it was annoyed, and rightly so. “Your luxurious with colorful marble and crowded in the women’s section, the Rebbe wants to you come so much, had many stories. One day, he took crowding down below was in an so drop everything and go!” I stuck us to Manhattan so we could tour a altogether different league. Yet, to my guns. If the Rebbe wants us, little. I felt like it was a movie with despite the crowding they managed we will be able to get a ticket for all the skyscrapers and long streets. to dance in a circle.

#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  When we got back to the third day. As the days passed I The connection forged between apartment, the hosts had arranged a realized that there was one place in me and 770 and the Rebbe during bed for me in the baby’s room and the world that you can’t get used to those days was a deep, soul my husband was given a mattress. I and that is 770. connection. The night of hakafos didn’t think Alfred would be willing we went to the dancing. It seemed to stay since he likes to be THE WORLD IS IN 770 to me that people in 770 did not comfortable and I was sure we know the meaning of tiredness. One day, a friend of my would be going back to the marble They davened all day and learned husband’s paid for us to tour mansion. I looked at him and at night, they danced. I don’t Washington as a gift. I usually like apprehensively, not wanting to say know from where they get the touring and getting to see the anything, because then he would do strength. world, but I couldn’t do it. On the the opposite! I looked at him to see I returned home in a state of way to Washington I didn’t stop what he would decide to do. He sat euphoria. I was sure that after I had crying. My neshama did not want on the mattress and with a smile he received so many brachos that my to be separated from 770. My said that he wouldn’t exchange the life would work out. At first I sat husband tried to understand what I mattress for any mansion. and waited for things to move on was feeling. “I don’t recognize you Chani and Elana were like their own. Big mistake. I’m sure like this. You love the world!” mothers to me. They took me that if I had applied all the kochos I explained that I felt I was everywhere and looked after me. that I received in Crown Heights wasting my time and that all that I Their love filled a place within me sooner, I would have become an wanted to do was return to 770. that was empty since I had left even better vessel for bracha. Still, My husband did not understand me home when I got married. I saw Alfred began to keep Shabbos and said, “But you were there for a how much I missed it. which is a big thing for him and for few days. Come, let’s see the The first day I was completely in me. Thanks to Tishrei with the world.” I tried to explain that the shock; ditto for the second and Rebbe. world is in 770 …

 #OBS0LPE&>1E>K> #'1 +-1&' !& CB>QROB A CHABAD ENCLAVE IN WARTIME

By Shneur Zalman Berger

THE SORRY PLIGHT (the ) and the second names, generally with the help of OF THE REFUGEES concentration in Corso, a local officials who were open to neighborhood on the edge of the bribery. Bloody battles and the fear of city. Later, most of the Chassidim The tremendous wave of war led millions of Russian settled in Stari-Grad. refugees in Tashkent flooded the citizens to flee towards the The winter of 1942 made the area mainly between the summer interior of the Soviet Union. They refugees’ plight even worse. At of 1941 through 1942 when most hoped to find refuge from the first the government tried to ease of the Chassidim came too. As terrors of war and from the the plight of the refugees but the the numbers of refugees German troops that had nonstop stream of humanity was diminished, the medical and conquered vast expanses, felling impossible for it to handle. economic situation improved millions. Housing and employment for the somewhat. It was only at the Many Chabad Chassidim were refugees were insurmountable beginning of 1943 that food and among these refugees. They went tasks. The available wheat and medicine packages came from primarily to Samarkand, the bread were quickly used up and it America which eased the situation second largest city in Uzbekistan, was not enough for all. Citizens a bit. and Tashkent, the capitol of were forced to stand on line all The starvation and diseases Uzbekistan. The first Chassidim night in order to get a loaf of affected the Chassidim too of arrived in Tashkent in the bread and even then, they did not course; men, women, children, summer of 1941. Unlike always get what they wanted. and babies fell sick. Some died Samarkand, where help from the Food on the black market was and they were buried in the old local community was quickly very expensive. Ashkenazic cemetery which organized, the refugees in Hunger, filth, and crowding tragically, was destroyed over the Tashkent had to rely on the contributed to the typhus years. Many of the gravestones meager help of the few who epidemic that decimated the cannot be identified today. opened their homes and hearts to refugees. The overcrowded Some distinguished Chassidim their brethren. hospitals could not take more died in Tashkent in those days, Hundreds of thousands of patients. The Angel of Death including outstanding scholars refugees came to Tashkent, most appeared everywhere. Corpses lay and G-d fearing men such as: of them bereft of all, without food in the streets for days with no Rabbi Dovid Kievman or money and only scanty one to dispose of them. (Horodoker) who was considered belongings. Many of them It took a year before the to be a beinoni of ; Rabbi wandered the streets, homeless. government began to distribute Chaim Ezra Bronstein who was The Chassidic-familial glue food coupons that provided just called “Ezra HaSofer” by the united the Chassidim even when 400 grams of bread daily per Rebbe Rayatz for being an expert the situation seemed almost person. Many used the food scribe; Rabbi Zalman Pruss, hopeless. In the first months of coupons of dead people to Rabbi Feitel Levin, brother-in-law their stay there, two main supplement their meager meals. of the mashpia R’ Shlomo Chaim Chassidic centers formed, the There were other ways of getting Kesselman, and others. larger one in the area Stari-Grad food coupons, under fictitious One of the tragedies that took

 #OBS0LPE&>1E>K> #'1 +-1&' !& While most Chabad communities in Eastern Europe were uprooted because of World War II, the Chabad k’hilla in Tashkent was actually founded because of the war. Hundreds of Chabad Chassidim from all over Russia arrived there as refugees. Despite the difficult financial hardships, they united in brotherly love and formed a beautiful k’hilla with chinuch and chesed. * The story of the Chabad k’hilla in Tashkent. place was the passing of Ita Henia Levin, daughter of R’ Yisroel Neveler. Ita Henia, an exceptional Chassidishe young woman, could not bear the sight of her father dying of starvation and she brought him her daily bread. She told him that she had gotten bread on the black market. She became sick with dysentery and died on 26 Shevat at the age of twenty. Her death was the most difficult of the many trials the family had to contend with. She had been one of eleven children and seven died young under various tragic circumstances. She was the eighth to die. Purim was during the Shloshim. R’ Yisroel, who was a happy person by nature, did not allow sadness to overtake him. When he returned from Shacharis in shul he brought some Chassidim with him who sat down to a meal that included leftover food and a little mashke. Simcha soon prevailed and R’ Yisroel was one of the main speakers at the farbrengen. At the farbrengen that took place the following Purim, after he said l’chaim several times, his

#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  found places to stay with the himself what he managed to He suddenly began “veteran” refugees who had come obtain. Before Pesach, my mother not that long ago themselves. In bought 100 grams of schmaltz to cry but after a R’ Yechiel Rivkin’s home lived and two kilograms of potatoes. twenty people in one room! Sometimes we didn’t have even few minutes he His son, R’ Zushe Rivkin, that and many people died of remembers the privation of those starvation. Nowadays it’s hard to opened his eyes days, “It was an absolutely imagine that 100 grams of abnormal situation. We were schmaltz sufficed for an entire and wiped his twenty people in a one-room family for eight days of Pesach! tears. He cried apartment that belonged to “If that wasn’t enough Uzbeks. It didn’t have a floor. suffering, one day, my husband out, “Even when Straw was scattered on the Berel became sick with typhus, a ground and that’s where twenty terrible and contagious disease they tear out people lay. On one side lay the that is spread by lice. Those sick men and on the other side, the with typhus were immediately pieces of your women.” taken by the authorities to the R’ Zushe’s sister, Freeda hospital, even against their will, flesh, say that it’s Levin, describes the hardships so they would not infect others. good!” then, “Each person cooked for People from the Ministry of sorrows overwhelmed him. He suddenly began to cry but after a few minutes he opened his eyes and wiped his tears. He cried out, “Even when they tear out pieces of your flesh, say that it’s good!” He repeated this several times. Some say he repeated it eight times, to correspond to the number of children he had lost. He cried once again and his tears wet the table. People couldn’t help but join in with the father’s crying. A few minutes passed until R’ Yisroel recovered and he exclaimed, “It is Purim today and we need to be happy, say l’chaim!”

HELL ON EARTH Despite the hardships, the extended Chassidic family did what it could to stick together and help one another to the extent possible. People shared the little that they had. If they didn’t have, at least they were consoled by the fact that they had each other. A drawing that The new refugees that came depicts the refugees

 #OBS0LPE&>1E>K> #'1 +-1&' !& We were twenty people in a one- room apartment that belonged to Uzbeks. It didn’t have a floor. Straw was scattered on the ground and that’s where twenty people lay.

A 12 Tamuz farbrengen 1965 of the Chassidim who remained in Tashkent after the war. From right to left: R’ Shlomo Galperin, (?), husband. I gave him my portion Rabbi Shneur Zalman Pevsner, R’ Mendel Garelik and I ate rice and nuts. “A year later I gave birth to Health came to our house and somewhat appeased. For some our first child, but due to the took him to the hospital. I knew reason, they liked my husband terrible living conditions he did that the doctors didn’t even and they treated him with great not survive but died five days bother trying and some of Anash dedication until he recovered. It later. A year after that, I gave had died. was an open miracle because in birth to a girl.” “At the hospital I saw that the those days only a few were cured head doctor was a Jew as were of this disease. OPEN DOOR the nurses who devotedly treated “After having typhus a person As mentioned before, many the sick. They did all they could has a tremendous appetite but Chassidim opened their homes to and when I saw that, I was there was hardly any bread for my families who had just arrived and

R’ Chaikel Chanin R’ Shmuel Menachem Klein R’ Dovid Kievman- R’ Yisroel Neveler Horodoker

#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  hadn’t found shelter. These Chassidim had recently found RABBI SHLOIMKE MAIDANCHEK homes for themselves just days or During the war, many non-Lubavitchers were also in Tashkent. The week earlier, and now they hosted unity among the Lubavitchers, as well as their radiant vitality, made an individuals or families. impact on them and many became niskarev to Chassidus. Some even The family of R’ Shlomo became Chabad Chassidim. One of them was Rabbi Shloimke Chaim Kesselman were guests for Maidanchek who later became a leading Chabad figure in Eretz Yisroel. a long time in the home of Rabbi R’ Maidanchek was born to a religious family but the winds that Shmuel (Mulle) Pruss, as were blew at that time drew him off the path of Torah and mitzvos. Before T’mimim who lived in his home the war he attended a school for locomotive engineers since he wanted during different periods. Rabbi to be an engineer who worked on trains. The war broke out and he Berel Rickman suffered from had to run for his life. He went to Tashkent where he finished his poverty and worked hard to buy studies and became an assistant engineer. bread for his family. One day he entered the Chabad shul, as he later recounted: Nevertheless, he took in a refugee “I saw Jews with beards that reminded me of my father. In my by the name of Yeshaya Garber town there were maybe ten Jews with beards and here there were who became like a member of his dozens. I saw how they prayed and their great simcha. I felt I had household until the end of the entered paradise. After that I went to the shul many times. The first war. time, they were afraid of me. They kept Among the main activists were their distance, fearing lest I be an Rabbi Mordechai Sirota and informer.” Rabbi Mendel Klein. The two of Rabbi Aharon Chazan dispelled these them worked on behalf of the fears as he relates: refugees in general and the “It was Pesach night, 1944 and Rabbi Lubavitchers in particular. Naftali Greenberg, who was my R’ Mordechai and his wife neighbor, came to see me. He asked me Rivka were born in the Ukraine to go with him to the Machnovka Rebbe and in their youth they moved to who had come to Tashkent as a refugee. Tashkent where they married. R’ At first I refused because it was late at Mordechai, who was originally a night and it would be a burden on him, Breslover Chassid, got to know but R’ Greenberg convinced me and we distinguished Chabad Chassidim went. and became a Lubavitcher. “When we arrived at the Admur’s In their three small rooms, the home, we were amazed to see the R’ Shloimke Maidanchek Sirotas hosted many refugees Admur and Rebbetzin sitting there with who were given not only a place a young man who did not look religious. to sleep but food too, despite the I was curious as to what brought this young man to the Rebbe. The scarcity. The house was very young man said, ‘I wanted to celebrate Pesach. I asked the Chabad crowded yet this did not stop R’ Chassidim here but they were afraid of me so one of them referred me Mordechai from going to the here. Indeed, the Admur agreed to have me.’ train station when he heard a “The young man said that he wanted to be in the company of Jews. train had arrived with Jewish The truth is that at first, I was also nervous because I had started the refugees and looking for Jewish underground chadarim and if he would be in touch with me and would faces. When he found them, he know about them, who knew who would find out about them? In any would bring them to his house case, I liked him. He seemed honest about wanting to be among Jews. and provide them with food. “I connected him with Lubavitchers and explained to them that I Some people ate, thanked him, thought he really wanted to learn Torah and daven and that he and went on their way, while wouldn’t inform on us. I brought him in, step by step, into the Chabad others lived with him for months. minyan, to farbrengens, and also to work in a shomer Shabbos factory A Lubavitcher who lived in his which was run by a Lubavitcher. He eventually became a Lubavitcher house for a long time relates: and much later, he became the Chairman of the Kfar Chabad City “I arrived at his house late at Council and Chairman of Agudas Chassidei Chabad in Eretz Yisroel.” night. I saw numerous people

 #OBS0LPE&>1E>K> #'1 +-1&' !& sleeping on beds and on and they took my parents for under tables. I looked for the interrogation. We cried and cried. To the sound of balabus and didn’t find him and We were very afraid for mother so I planned on just lying down. who was very sensitive. the cries of family Then I noticed him sleeping on “Our prayers helped and they and guests, they the floor in the hallway together returned late at night. From the with the other guests.” sparkle in their eyes we took my parents R’ Mordechai even hosted very understood that they would sick people who were in dire continue hosting guests as for interrogation. straits and helped them till they always.” recovered. He not only concerned With time, R’ Mordechai We cried and himself with providing food, forged good connections with lodging and medical assistance people in the government of cried. We were but also tried to find them Tashkent. He used these ties to very afraid for employment so they could obtain papers for the refugees, support their families honorably. arrange exemptions from the mother who was Hosting refugees in the house army and other things. This all was no simple matter. Most of cost a lot and entailed plenty of very sensitive. them had no identification papers bribe money. or permits. The NKVD conducted R’ Shmuel Menachem Klein “My father tried to help each searches for refugees who and his wife Miriam were also one in any way he could, like by remained in the city without leading figures when it came to getting sewing machines, finding papers. Nevertheless, R’ helping the refugees. They hosted employment in factories, help for Mordechai hosted them. people and their home was also orphans and widows of which One night, he found out that the place where weddings, brissin there were plenty, giving advice searches were being conducted in and farbrengens were held. or even founding a school,” said the area. He quickly woke up his Rabbi Nosson Kanelsky their son, Shneur Zalman. guests and took them down to the relates: “Some of Anash told me that cellar and covered the opening “During the war, I arrived in when they arrived in Tashkent with a table. This time, the search Tashkent with my mother, lacking bereft of everything, starving, wasn’t that thorough and they everything. We were often hosted with some of them swollen from didn’t find anything. by the Klein family. Mrs. Klein hunger, they knew that R’ Chaikel His daughter, Mrs. Chaya treated every guest like a king. had food for them, a place to Goldschmidt, recalls those days: The moment you entered their sleep, and support until they “The NKVD once showed up house she would hand you a plate could find a livelihood.” with no prior warning. of delicious food. Dozens of Some of the Chassidim were Sometimes my father would give guests ate at their home every regular guests of the Chanins, them money or vodka and they day.” including Rabbi Avrohom Eliyahu would leave but this time they R’ Eliyahu Volovik, then a Plotkin, a distinguished Chabad took him for interrogation. I was young bachur, lived in their home rav of the previous generation. R’ a little girl and very frightened. I for half a year. He greatly Plotkin came with his wife and thought my father would come admired R’ Shmuel Menachem children. He was sick and back (an interrogation usually Klein: suffered due to protracted took a few hours) and would say “He was a quiet man, modest starvation. He stayed with them that we could not have guests and pleasant. He never raised his until he recovered, thanks to R’ anymore. But my father wasn’t voice. He would sit and learn Chaikel who brought doctors and frightened and he continued to until late into the night.” got the requisite medication. bring more guests. R’ Chaikel Chanin, his wife So even in those dark days of “One night they came back Chaya Leah, and their two hunger and plague, the love and knocked at the door. As daughters arrived in Tashkent as Chassidim had for one another usual, my father tried to explain refugees. They arrived on Rosh stood by them. The many acts of that the people in the house were Chodesh Elul 1942 and from then chesed sparkled like diamonds in poor relatives but they didn’t until the end of the war they the darkness. want to listen. To the sound of devoted their energy to helping (To be continued b’ezras Hashem) the cries of family and guests, Lubavitcher refugees.

#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  'KPFDEQ

Chassidim.” Over the generations, the Rebbeim spoke highly of coming to see and be seen face to face in the holy four cubits. There is the HAKHEL – famous account about one of the earlier Chassidim who traveled to the Rebbe when he was a child and he described very vividly what the trip was like and the GATHERING feelings that they had. This account was printed in “HaTamim,” which was the public forum for the talmidei ha’T’mimim and Chassidim of BEFORE THE those days. The Rebbe once spoke highly about the visit to Beis Chayeinu and said “although there are KING those who did not come, but remained to sit in their hole, imagining that they were sitting By Shmuel Chaim Abrahamson in the king’s palace …” and the Rebbe concluded “obviously, it’s a great pity on them.” The Rebbe Rashab once said, “How is it The reason for the trip to the that a Jew is not in Lubavitch on Rosh Rebbe is that spending time in the Rebbe’s presence gives a Chassid HaShana? Where else is he? * The renewed chayus (spiritual vitality), as the Rebbe said, “The Rebbe wrote to someone, “I thought we very inyan of a Chassid traveling to the Rebbe is simple. From time would meet during Sukkos (as was your to time the Chassid goes to his Rebbe and this trip affects his custom to come to the Rebbe, my father- avoda throughout the year until in-law for these days) to be blessed with the next time he goes.” Or as the idea is expressed in the famous a piska tava for a good and happy year; Chassidic saying in a play on words, “Rebbi lo shana, chiya I was sorry to see that you did not come minayin” (lit. if Rebbi did not record it in the Mishna, where this year.” * An overview of the custom did R’ Chiya get it from) – if one does not go to the Rebbe at least of Chassidim and T’mimim to travel to once a year, where will the the Rebbe for Tishrei, particularly in a chayus come from? On another occasion, the year of Hakhel. Rebbe explained that really, the ideal place for every Jew in general and a Chassid in Traveling to the Rebbe was Shem Tov, we found a special particular, is where the Rebbe is. always an important aspect of enactment in which he instructed The Rebbe explains that Hashem hiskashrus and the darkei his disciples to come from time to designated the place of the ha’chassidus. Back with the time to see him, and as the Rebbe Rebbeim as rest stops on our long founder of Chassidus, the Baal Rayatz put it, “a statute amongst

 #OBS0LPE&>1E>K> #'1 +-1&' !& trip in the desert of galus. These meet during Sukkos (as is your down and bring about the inyan locations are like roadside inns custom to come to the Rebbe, my of achdus during the rest of the where we Chassidim can relax a father-in-law for these days) to months of the year when people bit from the road and learn and be blessed with a piska tava for a are home. daven with peace of mind. good and happy year; I was sorry In Tishrei 5747 the Rebbe to see that you did not come this spoke highly of going for Tishrei SEEING THE REBBE year.” and explained that now that we ON YOM TOV The Rebbe also said many don’t have a Beis HaMikdash, the times that the trip to the Rebbe place where we can fulfill a tiny The trip can take place any on the three major holidays in bit of the inyan of “bowing before time, since any day and date is general is the inyan of aliya You” is mainly in the shul of Nasi suitable for seeing the Rebbe. l’regel in general and “kabbalas Doreinu. The Rebbe noted the However, it becomes more p’nei rabo b’regel” (going to see amazing fact that “many, many, important to go on Yom Tov and one’s rebbi on the holiday) in dozens and hundreds of Jews special dates, the month of particular. This inyan is remove themselves from their Tishrei in particular. underscored in the month of homes and place in order to The Rebbe Rashab said, “How Tishrei which has many Yomim spend the holidays of Tishrei in is it that a Jew is not in Lubavitch Tovim, when the gathering of the four cubits of Nasi Doreinu. on Rosh HaShana? Where is “many Jewish people from around This is similar and reminiscent of he?!” The Rebbe once wrote the world” in the shul of Nasi the inyan of aliya l’regel in the someone, “I thought we would Doreinu, empowers us to draw time of the Beis HaMikdash.”

#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  The fact is that in this last HaMikdash and the Holy of importance in a way that we did generation in general, and in Holies was destroyed until not see with the earlier Rebbeim. recent years in particular, Tishrei Hashem has mercy and sends us In the winter of 5752, a few has become the main time that the righteous Redeemer who will months before 27 Adar, the date people go to the Rebbe. This gather us from the four corners on which the great concealment month begins with the Yomim of the earth and lead us to Eretz of “he bears our illnesses” began, Nora’im and the beginning of the Yisroel … Lubavitch is our the Rebbe produced a kuntres year is auspicious to be blessed Yerushalayim and the shul where devoted to explaining what makes for a good year, and continues the Rebbe davens is our Beis 770 special in our generation, the with the second part, the Time of HaMikdash, and the room where seventh generation in general and our Rejoicing. The Rebbe the Rebbe sits is our Holy of the period right before the transformed Simchas Torah, the coming of Moshiach in particular. peak of the Tishrei season, into The Rebbe kept this kuntres in the most special date of the year “Yasher ko’ach to his Siddur throughout the and it became known as the following months, an unusual Rebbe’s day. all the guests custom. In addition to the importance In this kuntres, the Rebbe says of traveling to see the Rebbe face whose Chassidic that 770 is the home of the Nasi to face, the import of such a trip HaDor and light goes forth from includes simply spending time in feeling was openly it to the entire world. The Rebbe the Rebbe’s four cubits. The illuminated and said that 770 is the main Rebbe’s place, in and of itself, is “miniature sanctuary” during extremely important. Even if you was expressed galus until the coming of don’t see the Rebbe, there is the Moshiach. advantage of being with the practically in the The Rebbe said that Beis Rebbe. Rabbeinu is where the Geula of A well-known Chassidic fulfillment of ‘go the Sh’china from galus begins response illustrates the point. A and the Beis HaMikdash will Chassid in the time of the forth from your descend there first. This is why Tzemach Tzedek went to the land,’ in order to the Rebbe calls it “Beis Rebbe but since the maamarim Moshiach.” were said quietly and the Chassid be in the four These are just a few highlights couldn’t hear them, he from that amazing kuntres which complained to one of the elder cubits (the shul everyone should learn (it is Chassidim. “What did I come translated into English). for?” and beis midrash) The elder Chassid answered SHNAS HAKHEL with a quote from Dayeinu in the of the Nasi HaDor The upcoming year is a special Hagada, “If He brought us to during the time of one being a “Hakhel” year, a year Har Sinai and did not give us the following a Shmita year. Hakhel Torah, dayeinu – that would be Hakhel.” was a mitzva (see D’varim 31: enough for us.” By this he meant, 10-13) in which all the Jewish just being there with the Rebbe is people went to hear the king read enough. Holies and the Rebbe is the Aron from the Torah on the Sukkos which contains the Luchos of the following a Shmita year. Torah.” BEIS MOSHIACH – 770 In the Rebbe’s sichos about a As for our generation, the In the written account Shnas Hakhel, he speaks about seventh generation, the final mentioned earlier in “HaTamim,” the spiritual aspect of this mitzva generation of galus and the first a definition of the Rebbe’s house even nowadays, after the of Geula, the concept of Beis was given by a Chassid. This was destruction of the Mikdash, Rabbeinu is that much more publicized afterwards, in part, in whether with children’s rallies, important. The Rebbe referred to an edited sicha of the Rebbe. Hakhel membership cards etc. 770 and accorded it great “From the day the Beis But without a doubt, Hakhel is

 #OBS0LPE&>1E>K> #'1 +-1&' !& fulfilled by going to the king in order to hear one of from your land,’ in order to be in the four cubits the Rebbe’s sichos, hearing Chassidus from the Nasi (the shul and beis midrash) of the Nasi HaDor HaDor which is like the king reading from the during the time of Hakhel, ‘gather the nation, men, Torah. and women and children’ (on the Yom Tov of In Likkutei Sichos volume 34, p. 192, the Rebbe Sukkos) – at least for an hour or a day and all the says “the main innovation of the giving of the Torah more so those who were here throughout Sukkos.” at Sinai was not Torah study and hearing G-d’s Following this sicha, many Chabad Chassidim commandments … but that it was in a way of and those who were not Chabad, who did not spend seeing … One can say that this is the reason that in Tishrei with the Rebbe, hurried to do so in the order for the generation that follows the generation months that followed. of Mattan Torah and the In a yechidus with R’ following generations ‘to Dov Teichman and his fear Hashem your G-d wife on 11 Cheshvan and keep to do all the 5734 – a Shnas Hakhel, words of this Torah’ – it the Rebbe said, “Why is not enough to didn’t you bring the remember that we stood children? We are making at Sinai, that we a fuss about Hakhel, the remember something in men, women and the past, which means it children!” is distant. We need something special, the GOING TO THE mitzva of Hakhel; that all REBBE TODAY Yisroel, men, women, and children gather TOO together like they did at We see how precise is Sinai.” that which Chassidim We can say that in our say, “Chassidim are not times we cannot remain alone,” because wherever at home and suffice with they go, the Rebbe is learning the Rebbe’s with them. Today too, sichos about Shnas even when we don’t see Hakhel, because that is the Rebbe, the Rebbe not the inyan of Hakhel. took care of this ahead of We have to go to 770 in time. He infused us with order to relive “Hakhel life about the importance with the Rebbe.” of 770 which is the home In a sicha of 5741, a of the Nasi HaDor, the Shnas Hakhel, the Rebbe place from which light explains that unlike all goes forth to the entire the other aliyos l’regel world until the coming of every year, in which the Redeemer! people drew strength and May we immediately chayus for the coming see the third Beis year, the aliya in a Shnas Hakhel is different in that HaMikdash descend and join Beis Rabbeinu the kochos and chayus it provides have an effect on Sh’B’Bavel with the hisgalus of the Rebbe MH”M, “all the days that you live on the earth.” now! After Tishrei 5748, a Shnas Hakhel, the Rebbe As the Chassidic song says: “Dear brothers, we said something unusual about the guests who came will see one another again, Hashem will give health for Sukkos that year. He said (on Shabbos Parshas and life, we will travel to the Rebbe, we will see one Lech Lecha), “Yasher ko’ach to all the guests whose another again!” Chassidic feeling was openly illuminated and was Yechi Adoneinu Moreinu V’Rabbeinu Melech expressed practically in the fulfillment of ‘go forth HaMoshiach L’olam Va’ed!

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