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contents
CHALLENGE, GROWTH, & TRANSITION 4 D’var Malchus
BRINGING MOSHIACH – DO YOU 6 BELIEVE? Thought | Rabbi Zvi Homnick
A WAR OF MIRACLES AND WONDERS 10 Miracles | Rabbi Avishai Afergon
HE SAW IT COMING 18 Shleimus HaAm
OVER FORTY-FIVE YEARS OF TANYA 22 USA SHIURIM 744 Eastern Parkway Feature | Avrohom Ber Brooklyn, NY 11213-3409 Tel: (718) 778-8000 Fax: (718) 778-0800 THE RUFFIANS OF RAMOT RETURN [email protected] 26 Profile | Nosson Avrohom www.beismoshiach.org EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: M.M. Hendel ENGLISH EDITOR: SCIENTIFIC THOUGHT IN MESSIANIC Boruch Merkur HEBREW EDITOR: 32 TIMES Rabbi Sholom Yaakov Chazan Moshiach & Science | Prof. Shimon Silman [email protected]
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d’var malchus
committed Himself to give the Jews the Torah. This opened the possibility for a higher and deeper CHALLENGE, bond with G-d than could have possibly been reached before.
THE STORY GROWTH, & A NAME TELLS These two polarities are reflected in the name of the Torah reading Shmos, which means “names.” There are two dimensions to a TRANSITION person’s name. On one hand, a name represents the external aspects of a person’s being, as apparent from the fact that Sichos In English a person’s name is necessary only insomuch as he relates to others. CONFRONTING G-dliness. For himself, as he is involved in his own matters, he does not require CHALLENGE Instead, our focus must become internal; the challenges of exile a name. On one hand, people shy away arouse our deepest resources of soul, Moreover, several individuals of from challenges. and elevate our connection to G-d to totally different natures can share the There is a danger of failure - were a higher level. [1] same name, demonstrating that on there not, it would not be a challenge the surface, a person’s name does - and no one appreciates a brush not show who he is. [5] with failure. THE PARADOX OF EXILE Nevertheless, as the Alter Rebbe On the other hand, we seek These concepts are reflected in writes in Tanya, [6] a name challenge, for confronting a our Torah reading which describes represents an entity’s nature and life- challenge taps our inner resources, the successive descents experienced force. lifting us out of the mundane by the Jewish people in Egypt. It is the channel that allows that doldrums of ordinary experience. As long as Yosef and his brothers inner nature to be expressed. [7] Similar concepts apply with lived, the Jews lived in prosperity and And this is not merely an essential regard to our divine service. security. factor, it affects a person’s day- to- G-d does not want our divine But with the death of Yaakov’s day conduct; we see that when a service to be in the doldrums. sons came the conscription of the person is called by name, he turns to And so, He presents us with Jewish people to hard labor, and the caller with attention. challenges. Some of these challenges afterwards, the casting of their And for many people, no sound is are limited in scope, and some are offspring to the Nile and other acts dearer than that of their own names. deeper, forcing us to summon up our of cruelty. Moreover, we find that when a deepest resources of commitment. Even after Moshe returned with person faints, it is possible to rouse This is the nature of the challenge the promise of redemption, the him to consciousness by calling him of exile. oppression of the Jewish people grew by name, or whispering his name in During the Era of the Beis to the extent that Moshe himself his ear. HaMikdash, the open revelation of cried out: [2] “Since I came to To relate these points to the G-dliness inspired the Jews to serve Pharaoh to speak in Your name, he concepts of exile and redemption: G-d with heightened feeling and has done evil to this people.” As long as what is revealed is deep intent. Nevertheless, coupled with these merely the external dimension of the In the era of exile, by contrast, difficulties, the Torah reading also Jews’ name, it is possible for the Jews G-dliness is hidden, and we are relates how the Jews cried out to G-d, to be subjugated to worldly powers. presented with many different awakening His attention. [3] But when the essence of the Jews’ hurdles in our observance of the In response, G-d conveyed the name, Yisroel, is expressed there is Torah and its mitzvos. promise of Redemption and His no potential for exile. We can no longer rely on our pledge that, “when you take this For the name Yisroel indicates external environment to motivate people out of Egypt, you will serve how “you contended with G-d and deeper understanding and feeling for G-d on this mountain,” [4] i.e., G-d 725_B_Beis Moshiach 04/01/2010 6:48 AM Page 5
with men and prevailed.” [8] existence will not by nullified by the as a whole. [18] This points to the fundamental challenges of exile. Adapted from Likkutei Sichos, Vol. III, 843ff, difference between exile and The Torah mentions, not the Vol. XVI, p. 36ff; Vol. XXVI; p. 301ff, Sichos Parshas redemption. name of our people as a whole, but Shmos, 5751 For exile does not represent a rather, the names of each of the Notes: change in the essence of our tribes. 1. More specifically, the reference is to the relationship with G-d. The tribes represent different level of yechida, the dimension of soul which From His perspective, even in approaches to divine service. is absolutely one with G-d. This level is exile we are “[His] children. And to This indicates that not only the revealed through the challenges of exile. change [us] for another nation, [He] essence of the Jewish people, but also 2. Exodus 5:23. cannot.” [9] the various different individual 3. Ibid. 2:23-24. And with regard to the Jewish approaches of the Jews are endowed 4. Ibid. 3:12. people, on the verse,,[10] “I am with the strength to endure the exile, 5. And yet a person with insight can see how asleep, but my heart is awake,” our and advance and grow through this an individual’s name tells us volumes about his Sages comment, [11] “Although I experience. character. In that vein, Yoma 83b relates that Rabbi Meir would be able to recognize a am sleeping in exile, my heart is person’s character by his name. awake for the Holy One, blessed be FROM EXILE 6. Shaar HaYichud V’HaEmuna, chapter 1. He.” TO REDEMPTION 7. Likkutei Torah, Behar 41c. What is the difference between 8. Genesis 32:29. exile and redemption? The cycle of exile and redemption Whether “our name is being is significant, not only for Jewish 9. Kiddushin 36a; Rus Rabba, Pesichta 3; people, but for the world at large. Likkutei Sichos, Vol. XI, p. 3 and sources called” and we are responding, i.e., cited there. The purpose of creation is to whether this relationship is openly 10. Song of Songs 5:2. expressed or concealed, and establish a dwelling for G-d. [16] This dwelling is fashioned by the 11. Zohar, Vol. III, p. 95a, see Shir HaShirim remaining merely as a potential. [12] Rabba on the verse. Jewish people who involve themselves in different aspects of worldly 12. This concept also gives us insight into the DESTINY AND nature of redemption: that redemption does experience and reveal the G-dliness not require the creation of anything new, but DIRECTION enclothed in these elements of the revelation of a potential which already The cycle of exile and redemption existence. exists. is not a coincidental circumstance, During the exile, the Jews are Similarly, this idea points to the manner in but a Divinely ordained process. scattered in different lands and which we can endeavor to bring this potential into expression by all Jews regardless of their G-d desired that the Jews reach brought into contact with diverse immediate level of Jewish involvement. What higher peaks of divine service, and so types of encounters. is necessary is to call the person by his name He structured a setting, the As the challenge of exile lifts the Yisroel, and to give him an opportunity to challenges of exile, which would Jews to a deeper level of connection reveal who he is. Since he is a Jew and by nature, he “desires to fulfill all the mitzvos and compel them to express their deepest to G-d, it also elevates the separate himself from sin” (Rambam, Hilchos spiritual potentials. And at the surroundings in which their service Gerushin 2:20), he will respond, showing who outset, He gave them the potential to is carried out, making manifest the he is, and expressing his inner nature. overcome these challenges. G-dliness which permeates our 13. Shmos Rabba 1:3 (quoted by Rashi in his This is also alluded to in the world as a whole. commentary to Exodus 1:1) in response to the question why the names of the tribes are Torah’s mention of the names of the The saga of exile and redemption repeated in this Torah reading after having tribes at the beginning of the Torah is not merely a story of the past. been mentioned in the Book of Genesis. reading. On the contrary, at present the 14. Z’vachim 73a, Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh Our Sages explain [13] that this concept is most relevant, for this is Deia 110:1. is an expression of how deeply G-d the essence of the transition whose 15. See also Peia 7:1 (and Rambam, Hilchos cherishes our people. “Since they are ripples are affecting all dimensions of Matanos Aniyim 5:23) which states that an like stars, He called each of them by existence at present. entity with a name is never considered as forgotten. The fact that its owner gave it a name.” To borrow an expression from the name indicates its constant importance in his In Torah law, [14] we find the Previous Rebbe, [17] “Everything is eyes. principle: “An important entity can ready for the Redemption; even the 16. Midrash Tanchuma, B’Chukosai, sec. 3. never be nullified.” buttons have been polished.” See Tanya, chs. 33 and 36. By repeating the names of the All that is necessary is a change of 17. Sichos Simchas Torah, 5689. Jewish people, [15] the Torah focus, that we open our eyes, see 18. Sound the Great Shofar (Kehot, N.Y., emphasizes how important they are Moshiach’s influence, and create a 1992), p. 112-113. to G-d and ensures that their setting for it to encompass mankind 725_B_Beis Moshiach 04/01/2010 6:48 AM Page 6
thought
“neshama/soul”? This was not simply an analytical exercise for me, but a key issue in BRINGING my internal spiritual wanderings. I never doubted my gifts, talents and abilities, and, unlike the little engine burdened with an inferiority complex, I was more than confident MOSHIACH that “I could.” The part that was difficult to navigate was not about “could,” but about “should.” So what if I can, but why should I bother? Is it all just about personal DO YOU achievement and the attendant rewards, or avoiding the horrific punishments in store? The answers that I was given at that time were less than satisfactory. So, perhaps if BELIEVE? I could unlock the mystery of “emuna in self,” I might progress from “could” to an inner sense of “should” and thereby motivate and By Rabbi Zvi Homnick invigorate my “would.” The answer is actually contained in the Hebrew word emuna. It understand how it was perceived BELIEF IN SELF? doesn’t mean simply to believe, but prior to the revelation of Chassidus, As I began my initial journey in rather a faith in that which is beyond and what new soul-aspect Chassidus studying works of Chassidus from human comprehension. Self- revealed on this given topic. the Baal Shem Tov and his disciples, confidence comes as a result of Therefore, when I encountered a I discovered that many of the ideas knowing and understanding what teaching of Reb Nachman of Breslov expressed could be found in Chazal you are capable of. To believe in that a person has to have and earlier classical Torah works. anything beyond that is delusional. emuna/faith in himself, I couldn’t This left me wondering what the Even ambition in Torah for those help but wonder what was uniquely whole fuss of the early war against who are less gifted, comes from the “Chassidic” about that idea. Chassidus was about. The popular belief that if “I put in the effort,” G-d Any American kid who grew up cultural explanation, that the whole programmed the Torah and the with “The Little Engine that Could,” difference between Chassidim and person that “I will find” and enjoy should have absorbed from an early Misnagdim is one of emphasis, success beyond my natural abilities age the importance of self- didn’t satisfy. The severity of the and efforts. This, too, can be confidence, and in fact, the entire oppression on the part of the demonstrated as a rational cause and culture (at least before the age of persecutors and the degree of self- effect. Even without a belief in the political correctness) celebrated sacrifice on the part of the absolute truth of the words of the those who achieved great things as a persecuted, to my mind, had to be Sages, I can rely on the experiences result of believing in themselves. about a lot more than a dispute over and testimony of those who came Even in the yeshiva world I grew up emphasis, or a handful of customs, before me, which does not require in, there was a tremendous emphasis or subtle exegetical disputes “emuna.” on inculcating the belief that one regarding mystical esoterica. However, the belief that I have a was capable of achieving “greatness” A theme that seemed to repeat neshama that has powers beyond in Torah, and the strong itself throughout a number of the anything I can imagine and the belief encouragement of personal ambition early seminal works of Chassidus is that G-d loves and cares about me in Torah and spiritual growth. So “that the Baal Shem Tov came to beyond my wildest imagination, and what exactly is the Chassidic idea of reveal the neshama (the soul) of all the belief that every move I make is “emuna in self,” and how is this the things.” Based on this, I began to of profound significance to G-d and result of revealing the analyze each Chassidic teaching to the entire course of history - that
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requires a huge leap of faith, as well as assiduous reinforcement if it is actually to impact my daily life and behavior. Reb Nachman goes on to posit that there are many people who had great faith and superior talents but remained spiritually stunted due, primarily, to a lack of emuna in themselves. No, don’t worry, this is not a treatise on Breslov philosophy! A few years later, as I began looking tentatively into Chabad, I would pick the brains of people I encountered who had any prior experience with Lubavitch. At that time, I encountered a Breslover Chassid who told me that the reason he left Chabad for Breslov was because Chabad was all about telling you how you are nothing and nobody in the name of bittul/self- nullification, yet most Lubavitchers comport themselves in a forceful, sometimes even brash, manner. Breslov, on the other hand, was all about building you up and the importance of believing in yourself, and still most of the Chassidim were self effacing and humble. Aha! Now I had something specific that certainly bore looking into.
SEEING AND BELIEVING Shortly before the passing of the Alter Rebbe in the village of Piena on Chabad was all about telling you how the 24th of Teves, he wrote a missive addressing and elaborating upon you are nothing and nobody in the name many deep Kabbalistic concepts. This letter was later published by his of bittul/self-nullification, yet most sons in the fourth section of Tanya, Igeres HaKodesh, chapter 20. The Lubavitchers comport themselves in a core point of the letter was to show forceful, sometimes even brash, manner. that despite the seeming lowliness of the physical in relation to the Breslov, on the other hand, was all spiritual, in actuality the latter originates from a higher source. about building you up and the Because the spiritual cannot create the physical, the “bringing into importance of believing in yourself, and existence of the physical is from Atzmus” (the Essence of G-d still most of the Chassidim were self himself) as opposed to it coming effacing and humble.
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the study of Chassidus that I had Though Chabad Chassidus addresses absorbed from my Misnagdishe myriad aspects of a person’s inner upbringing, I still found myself wrestling with the issue of Chabad world, it all revolves around bittul. versus other Chassidic points of view. This entailed confronting many Because after all, who are you to issues, some more obvious and others more nuanced. One of the perceive yourself as a separate being protests I heard came from a friend who said, “All they talk about in and who do you think you are, trying to Chabad is bittul, bittul and more serve G-d? bittul.” So yes, even though Chabad Chassidus addresses myriad aspects from any spiritual, albeit infinite, creates and sustains it. This is of a person’s inner world, it all revelation and manifestation of G-d. consistent with what the Alter Rebbe revolves around bittul. Love of G-d, In a talk given on Acharon shel writes in chapter 3 of Shaar and certainly fear of G-d, prayer, Pesach, 5694 (1934), the Previous HaYichud V’Ha’Emuna, “However, Torah study, mitzva performance, Rebbe provides a colorful and if the eye were permitted to see and inner refinement and character captivating description of how this to apprehend the life-force and development; it all has to be with letter was received by the Chassidim spirituality which is in every created bittul. Because after all, who are you of that time and the impact it had thing, flowing into it from ‘that to perceive yourself as a separate upon them. He concludes, regarding which emanates from the mouth of being and who do you think you are, the aforementioned point, “When G-d’ and ‘His breath,’ then the trying to serve G-d? this statement was first revealed, not physicality, materiality and Superficially, this may seem to be only did it lend the physical world a tangibility of the created being a very limited and limiting approach more beautiful countenance in the would not be seen by our eyes at all. to divine service. However, once a eyes of Chassidim, but it released a It is completely nullified in relation person fully processes the wellspring of exuberance in the to the life-force and spirituality philosophical teachings of Chabad fulfillment of the practical mitzvos” within it.” Chassidus, to the point that he (for English version, Likkutei We know that the end of the life actually experiences reality that way Dibburim vol. 2 ch. 1). In fact, the of a Tzaddik in this world is the (even if only for brief moments in Alter Rebbe himself concludes that culmination of his divine service time), then it becomes obvious that letter: throughout his lifetime, and yet the experiential impact of true inner “And after these words and truth, regarding the final days and bittul actually frees the person from knowledge comes easily to the moments of the Alter Rebbe we his prior limitations in all areas of discerning, to understand through seem to be getting conflicting divine service. all the above the great loftiness of messages. At the time that he The more one is capable of the practical commandments, which reached the pinnacle of his life, he perceiving his own nothingness in are the ultimate purpose for the revealed for the first time the relation to G-d, the more he is able descent of souls to this physical superior quality of the physical over to function as an extension of the world. As it says, ‘Today, to do the spiritual as will be revealed in the Divine Will, which is infinite. them,’ and ‘better one hour of future time. And yet he is described Internalizing the concept that if we repentance and good deeds in this as experiencing the total nullification saw the G-dly energy within the world, than all the life of the World of the physical to the spiritual life- physical then we would not see the to Come.’” force within so that he no longer physical object at all, and applying In the tradition handed down by saw the tangible physicality of the that to oneself and the world around Chassidim regarding the actual ceiling [indicating the total us, enables us to achieve levels of passing of the Alter Rebbe, it is worthlessness of the physical relative love of G-d, fear of G-d, climbing reported that the Alter Rebbe told to the spiritual]. the spiritual ladder of prayer etc, far his grandson the Tzemach Tzedek, beyond our natural abilities. It is not about “be all you can be,” but “be all who was present at the time, that he YOU BETTER BELIEVE IT no longer could see the physical that being one with G-d enables you Long after I had overcome the ceiling, only the “Word of G-d” that to be.” inner psychic inhibitions to exploring The more you transcend “belief
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in self” as a result of nullifying One must first “see” how the operating as “you.” yourself to G-d, the more you physical is totally nullified to the The week following the well empower your not-self to achieve, as spiritual, but this is only in order to publicized talk of 28 Nissan, 5751, a result of seeing oneself as a part of see the truly infinite source and when the Rebbe said that “I am the larger G-dly reality. The more potential of the physical. giving it over to you to do all that you “see” the nothingness of the And that is the apex of the Alter you can to bring Moshiach,” the physical “ceiling,” (the finite and Rebbe’s life and teachings on the Rebbe addressed the objection that limiting aspect of physicality), the 24th of Teves, to not see the physical people might have as to “Who am I more you can truly appreciate the “ceiling” and to reveal the futuristic to bring Moshiach?” (see sicha physical as a manifestation of the reality, of the physical being higher Shmini, 5751). The answer is Divine Essence, “lending the than the spiritual. simple. If you think it’s about you physical world a more beautiful This is also the concept behind and your abilities, then at best you countenance and releasing a the institution of shlichus. Through are delusional. There is a long letter wellspring of exuberance in the “bittul, bittul and more bittul,” from the Rebbe Rayatz where he performance of the practical before G-d and “Moshe, His addresses a whole host of questions mitzvos.” servant,” the Rebbe, even people of sent to him by the correspondent, at It is true that a lack of belief in limited strengths and abilities can the end of which he writes, “this that self at the outset can cause a person accomplish things that are you write that you feel that you have to not even take the necessary steps “impossible” and require “infinite” a special role to play in bringing to transcend belief in self. As the power to execute. As the Rebbe said Moshiach – yevaker eitzel rofei Rebbe expressed it, self-doubt in the regarding the transformation of nerven mumcheh (you should visit form of the question “who am I and France into a place of holiness, it an expert psychologist).” what am I” is one of the most could only be accomplished with the It is only when we undertake this destructive forces of our time. But “power of Atzmus.” The ability to mission with the realization that this the ultimate goal is to leave “belief in access that power doesn’t come is what G-d wants from us at this self” behind, because it is actually from belief in self; it comes from time, as He revealed it to us through limiting relative to the belief in what nullification of self. When you truly the Rebbe, and we nullify ourselves G-d can accomplish through me believe that you can accomplish to this will – then you better believe (not-me) and my (not-my) actions. anything because it’s not you who that we have been given the ability to Yes, if one sees the physical as the are doing, it is G-d acting through get the job done, immediately, primary reality, he will never you, then your demeanor is strong NOW! transcend its limitations and will be and forceful, sometimes even brash. pulled away from G-d and G-dliness. Self effacement is for when you are
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miracles A WAR OF MIRACLES AND WONDERS
By Rabbi Avishai Afergon Rosh Yeshivas Chabad in Kfar Saba
Last Chanuka marked the by Grad rockets or Kassams. rockets (carrying payloads of up to beginning of Operation Cast Lead, From a military standpoint there 26 kilograms), and even heavier as Israel finally retaliated against the was no explanation for this. That a Iranian rockets (with payloads up to almost constant barrage of Hamas large, crowded civilian population 40 kilograms), as well as heavy missiles. For three weeks, the IDF for the most part lacking in mortars (120 mm) which are fought the terrorists in Gaza. Since defensive protection, was bombarded considered military grade artillery then, the miracle stories have not with 600 rockets and mortars and weapons. stopped – the hundreds of soldiers sustained only a few casualties is an Desiring to copy Hezbollah, who were miraculously saved from open miracle. Hamas took advantage of the booby-traps, and ordinary people The miracle is more pronounced imaginary ceasefire to thoroughly who left only moments before the in light of the fact that the terror prepare a large scale delivery system. place they had been was demolished organizations used large Grad About 3000 rockets were stockpiled
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and hundreds of launchers day of the campaign. a veritable miracle-story camouflaged with vegetation. Some Despite the heavy shelling, it competition. The word “miracle” of them were even hidden deep in seems that the command personnel became the catch-phrase that the earth, requiring cranes to bring and civilian leadership managed to everybody used to describe what was them up and deploy them. In order survive and continued to wage war going on. We even got used to it … to determine the best locations, they with a vengeance. The and even began to take it for measured distances and angles of disproportionately small number of granted. Each time we heard about a fire towards crowded civilian areas. casualties could hardly be a natural rocket that landed in a civilian area, This careful preparation made it very occurrence. It was Hashem’s we waited to hear sensational stories hard for even the air force to stop kindness that led to hundreds of of survival. the shooting, enabling dozens of miracles for thousands of Jews. It was a supernatural way of life rockets to be fired even on the last One incident followed another in within the nature of every day
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Hezbollah’s patrons) in the guise of The house sustained a direct hit – right “defending the Palestinian people into the children’s bedroom! A huge and Lebanon.” The splintering of the IDF forces would have given hole gaped in the ceiling. The terrified Syria an advantageous position to father ran in, anticipating the worst, attack the Golan Heights. and found his daughter lying in bed, MIRACLES IN THE SOUTH sleeping peacefully, completely We can divide the war into three stages: 1) the air force’s preliminary unharmed. The noise of the explosion work (the surprise opening air raid, didn’t even wake her. softening up the targets). 2) The ground force (initial push followed by a holding battle to gain control happenings. residents were gathered for over vital area and part of the urban We cannot forget the description breakfast. No one was hurt. areas). 3) Increasing the pressure on of a father whose house sustained a This particular assault could have Gaza City (where the main urban direct hit – right into the children’s had far-reaching consequences. Had battles took place). bedroom! A huge hole gaped in the something far worse resulted, the In each of these stages the Yad ceiling. The terrified father ran in, Israeli government would have been Hashem was apparent: anticipating the worst, and found his forced to react strongly against In the initial stage, dozens of daughter lying in bed, sleeping Hezbollah (who were, directly or fighter planes simultaneously peacefully, completely unharmed. otherwise, responsible for the attacked many targets and The noise of the explosion didn’t attack). That would have opened a concentrations of Hamas. The one even wake her. second, far more dangerous front that stands out is a graduation Or the incredible miracle of the against the Hezbollah and maybe ceremony for policemen attended by protected area where the city’s many even Syria. hundreds of people, most of whom workers would assemble when they An expansion of the war fronts were wounded or killed. Boruch heard the siren, which was hit by a would have dramatically increased Hashem, the aerial attack was a rocket and destroyed completely... the dangerous potential of the surprise and the strikes were the one time that the siren didn’t situation. Remember that the amazingly accurate. work. governments of the Arab nations Despite the great tension and the The instructions from the Rear were under enormous internal numerous daily attacks, Hamas did Command and the assembling in pressure to declare war against not change its modus operandi and protected areas, though undeniably Israel. The Arab media reported did not take any extra precautions. important, in no way explain the non-stop, in a distorted and Apparently even the Hezbollah small number of casualties. The vast fraudulent fashion, the results of the experts in the Gaza Strip were not majority of the population does not air force bombing and the IDF’s forewarned, and the attack was an live in buildings with steel reinforced artillery shelling - the tremendous utter surprise. On the first day of the concrete shelters (which became destruction, the many civilians fighting, about 200 Hamas men mandatory only after the Gulf War), wounded (especially women and were killed, most of them in the and even these protected areas children), the “humanitarian initial surprise air attack. cannot withstand a direct hit of situation,” etc. They used terms like According to press releases, the Kassam rockets, and certainly not “genocide” and blamed Israel for IDF figured that Hamas would Grad or long-range rockets. deliberately killing innocent people. respond accordingly, anticipating a Katyushas were shot twice from These reports caused large massive attack of 200 rockets a day. Lebanon. One of them struck a demonstrations in Arab countries In actual fact, on the first day they senior citizen center in Kiryat and increased the internal pressure, sent only about 80 rockets and in Shmone. The Katyusha penetrated especially on the Syrian government. the weeks to come the number went all the floors of the building and A second front against Lebanon down to only 20-25 a day. wreaked great havoc. All, that is, but could easily have led to Syria’s The fear of a wave of terror the bottom floor - where all the involvement (since they are attacks, whether from the direction
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of Yehuda-Shomron towards the cities in the center of the country, or from terror cells in the south (via the tunnels), boruch Hashem was not realized. The warm weather with few clouds and rain, which was spoken about a lot last year, turned out to be a major factor in the success of the fighting. The excellent visibility (without clouds, fog, or winds that affect the planes and interfere with the bombs) enabled them to be remarkably successful in their air attacks. As the campaign went on, and the ground forces entered the area, the weather would become even Those living in the south were amazed time after time by the open miracles. more critical since the primary help for these forces is from combat and transport helicopters and unmanned That a large, crowded civilian drones which, because of their low altitudes and smaller dimensions, are population, for the most part even more affected by visibility and unprotected, was bombarded with 600 the weather. It was obvious that the good weather was a gift from rockets and mortars and sustained only heaven for both the air and the ground forces. a few casualties is an open miracle.
THE CHIEF OF STAFF hundreds of new model RPG SAID: “THIS IS THE rockets. HAND OF HASHEM” Hamas used the supposed ceasefire to line the roads that lead During the ground incursion, to cities in the Strip with hundreds four brigades of infantry soldiers of explosive devices and mines. An entered the area, backed up by enormous amount of explosive armored troops, artillery, material was used to build these engineering corps, and Special fortifications. Mortars and other Forces - according to the reports, missiles were shot towards the about 10,000 soldiers. We drew roads, and snipers and machine encouragement from the sheer size gunners lay in wait in houses nearby. of our invading force, but still The soldiers were in great danger. recognized that we were all that The Jewish nation listened to the much larger of a target at the same losses from new generation Russian news of the start of the ground time. anti-tank missiles. These “smart” incursion with an apprehension During the Second Lebanon missiles are used for armored tempered by bitachon in Hashem, War, already in the initial battles (in vehicles and include two explosive and prayed for good news. which they moved towards their heads for every missile. The first And miracles happened. Lots of objectives), dozens of soldiers were blasts a hole through the armor them. The soldiers moved forward in wounded and killed. Even the while the second enters through the foot formations as well as in Merkava tanks and Achzarit hole to the compartment where the armored vehicles and tanks and were armored half-tracks of the infantry, crew is. Hamas bought advanced able, with Hashem’s help, to cross which are considered of the finest anti-tank missiles and smuggled the booby-trapped and targeted quality in the world, took heavy
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made a hole but the second one, that went through that hole, did not explode! The Chief of Staff himself was quoted at the time as saying “this is the hand of Hashem.” The soldiers then took control of the perimeters of the urban areas and the missile launching sites. The battles took place in crowded civilian neighborhoods (Gaza is considered the most densely populated area in the world). The terrorists took refuge behind children, family homes, schools and mosques, thus making a response very difficult. The terrorists had a definite advantage in that they knew the territory and our operational capabilities intimately. In addition, Hamas had prepared for war by digging numerous tunnels and even an underground city where the terrorists hid, emerging only to conduct surprise attacks on Israeli soldiers who moved about, exposed in the streets. Hamas also placed booby-traps in the streets and alleyways. In a war like this, that is conducted house to house and from In general, it was apparent that the room to room, face to face with the enemy, the combatants are in great soldiers did not go to war with the danger. The IDF’s great advantages feeling of “my strength and the power of in space, the air and at sea were not very helpful when the fighting was my hand,” but with prayer, emuna and limited to foot soldiers forced to fight within neighborhoods and bitachon in Hashem. Entire units asked houses. There is no question that the limited number of casualties is solely for tzitzis and dozens of pairs of t’fillin the result of miracles and wonders. In the third stage, the Israeli that were donated “on condition that army began to up the pressure on they be used every day” were grabbed Gaza while improving their positions and penetrating deep into the urban up. centers (up to only a kilometer away from the center of the city). At this areas with very few losses. The explode, and advanced anti-tank point most of the fighting was done effects of those t’fillos became missiles that were shot and missed in developed areas and hundreds of apparent as word came back about or did not explode. Last year Beis terrorists were killed in face-to-face explosives that did not explode, Moshiach reported about a missile combat in the alleyways, houses and mortars shot at the foot soldiers that that hit an armored bulldozer. The neighborhoods. landed among them but did not first explosive head detonated and Hundreds of private and public buildings (including schools) were
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discovered to be booby-trapped. Every movement and the touching of any item was liable to set off a series of fatal explosions. In the houses they discovered that even furniture and dolls concealed explosives within. The rigging of the Palestinian zoo was publicized, along with the story about the group of soldiers that found a place to sleep in a classroom. The next morning the soldiers found that the piano was booby-trapped. If any of them had decided to try it out, the ending would have been a sad one. The Palestinians even booby- trapped mosques. One time, the Miracles in battle. Above: an F15 loaded with bombs. soldiers opened fire in the direction Below left: an Apache helicopter. Right: IDF artillery. of a mosque that looked suspicious. Before their astonished eyes the entire front of the building collapsed, exposing dangerous tunnels that were prepared nearby in order to attack or kidnap soldiers. The tunnels were also used in other kidnapping attempts, all of which failed, boruch Hashem. Before the start of the campaign, the accepted assessment was that Hamas, as an extremist Moslem organization, would put up a good throughout the war, that a Higher The soldiers fought bravely with fight. When it came down to it, Power was leading them to do the mesirus nefesh on behalf of Klal though, a sizable part of Hamas did right things, to avoid danger in time, Yisroel. The percentage of Reservists not fight at all. The distinctive and was watching over them. who showed up was 100%. The uniforms of those units were found In general, it was apparent that soldiers in these units, already in houses while the fighters the soldiers did not go to war with middle-aged, were not afraid to themselves wore civilians clothing so the feeling of “my strength and the participate in the most difficult as not to get hurt. Other units were power of my hand,” but with prayer, battles. The Rebbe mentioned more attacked and disbanded. Entire battle emuna and bitachon in Hashem. than once that all the military areas were empty of terrorists. Entire units asked for tzitzis and failures are the fault of the political Countless soldiers reported hair’s dozens of pairs of t’fillin that were sector and not the Israeli soldiers breadth survival of missiles aimed donated “on condition that they be who are moser nefesh. directly at them. One soldier even used every day” were grabbed up. The army learned their lesson related that a bullet shot at him Many songs of faith in Hashem were from the Second Lebanon War, and penetrated his armored vest and sung by soldiers. Even in the rear were far better prepared this time stopped only because of the dog tags there was a great interest in saying around. Ample and up-to-date he wore on his chest. T’hillim for the welfare and equipment was purchased (including At a thanksgiving gathering held protection of the soldiers and weapons that they never had before, at the Chabad house in Kfar Saba, civilians living in the south. In like bunker-penetrating explosives) two soldiers (who are not yet various yeshivos they announced a and a lot of training was done observant) told many miracle stories campaign in which each bachur especially for those in the Reserves. that happened to them and their dedicated his learning to the welfare Still, senior military officials said buddies and how they felt, of a soldier whose name he received. that they expected the losses to be
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far greater than in Operation “return” of a certain number of Arab negotiations stopped, and were not Defensive Shield (which took place refugees. These insane developments renewed since. We saw clearly that in 5763) because of the difficulty in were forestalled thanks to the Hashem was watching over us. waging war in a congested area and military action. The negotiations The true face of Turkey, which facing at least 15,000 terrorists in were immediately halted because served as “a trusted mediator” in the addition to tens of thousands of Abu Mazen did not want to look as negotiations between Israel and armed civilians. They estimate that though he was collaborating with Syria, was exposed. The president of in the Gaza Strip there are over Israel, who was fighting his people. Turkey attacked the government of 100,000 people who have weapons! Another negotiation that was Israel with threats and anti-Semitic They knew that the area was full of going on was between Israel and diatribes that do the president of bombs and booby-traps and Syria. After a few rounds of Iran proud. enormous quantities of anti-tank preliminary talks in Turkey, the Hashem’s help was also obvious weapons and explosives had been former prime minister went there in the international arena. The smuggled in. These are some of the himself. On Shabbos, when United States and Europe did not reasons why the political leadership Operation Cast Lead began, he was exert significant pressure to stop the was afraid, in recent years, to there. Before his flight, Olmert fighting. Even Egypt supported respond militarily in Gaza. announced that the “Syrians will be Israel and said Hamas was to They estimated that 200 of our surprised by his positions towards blame. The Egyptian government soldiers would be killed but what them.” In plain terms that meant withstood internal pressure to actually happened is that only 10 that Olmert was ready to do what declare war on Israel. Boruch were killed (tragically, four of them his predecessors did not dare – to Hashem that possibility was averted. were killed accidentally by our own relinquish the Golan Heights. These miracles and wonders that forces). The truth is that every In an interview with the media took place in all aspects of the Jewish soldier is an entire world and on April 27, the president of Syria fighting, on the front and in the rear, may these be the last losses we said that in his negotiations with the ought to strengthen our awareness sustain. Olmert government, the Syrians that “hinei Moshiach ba.” A gilui were closer to getting the Golan Elokus like this and the great MIRACLES ON THE Heights than during the negotiations number of miracles was something POLITICAL-SECURITY with Barak in 5760. According to we experienced only in the Six Day him, during the preliminary talks in War (and maybe in the Gulf War). FRONT Turkey, the sides were up to Chabad Chassidim know, based on There were miracles on this front discussing the borders after Israel the Rebbe’s sichos, that these were as well. Throughout Olmert’s retreated. You can imagine what the auspicious times for the Geula. That leadership he negotiated with the consequences would have been if the is how we ought to feel now, Palestinians, especially since the negotiations would have continued especially when the miracles, the Annapolis summit. According to as direct talks with Olmert himself gilui Elokus and the chasdei what was reported to the public, it present. Hashem, continue till this day. seems that on the eve of the war the However, boruch Hashem, that Recognition of the miracles, sides were about to make significant Shabbos when Olmert was in thanking Hashem for them, and “progress” in the course of which Turkey, Cast Lead began, and even publicizing the miracles are the Israel was going to give up the Olmert had no choice but to Rebbe’s horaa (sicha VaYeishev territories - including Yerushalayim! respond with force. He had to 5752) and they hasten the Geula. - and would even agree to allow the quickly return to Israel, the
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Until then, there had never been an explicit decision on this charged issue and no one wanted to touch it. This is a very positive development, HE SAW together with Rabbi Druckman’s dismissal from the Prime Minister’s Office’s national conversion authority. This has shocked the entire conversion system. Rabbis IT COMING involved in the process of preparing converts have begun a serious self- examination when they realized that Translated By Michoel Leib Dobry these conversions were not valid according to the halacha handed down to us from generation to An emergency conference of leading generation since Moshe Rabbeinu. Nevertheless, the problem has rabbinical authorities in Eretz Yisroel is regrettably not been solved at all, contending with the looming issues of because the chief rabbis have not expressed their support for Rabbi fake conversions and efforts to force Avraham Sherman’s ruling. Therefore, the conversion institutes rabbanim to perform marriages that work according to Rabbi Chaim Druckman’s formula maintain their between Jews and Gentiles. HaRav operations, which leads us to the great disaster that threatens the very HaGaon R’ Gedalia Axelrod, rav of the existence of the Jewish People and Chabad community in Haifa, who creates fear of the worst possible form of assimilation. initiated the fight against bogus I understand that when the rav conversions decades ago at the express initiated this struggle thirty years ago, he was the only one speaking instruction of the Rebbe, Melech out on this matter. That’s quite true. In fact, when I HaMoshiach, speaks to Beis Moshiach was serving then as an av beis din, I Magazine about this tremendous proved that most converts never accepted the yoke of Torah and catastrophe, the problem facing mitzvos, and thus the conversions are not in accordance with Torah rabbanim in Eretz Yisroel, and the way law. There are no two ways about it. Such people are still non-Jews, and to a solution. Shai Gefen reports. any effort to include them among the Jewish People causes only Rabbi Axelrod, the issue of fake Since we began this battle at the disaster and terrible assimilation. conversions has moved to the direct order of the Rebbe, Melech Furthermore, rabbanim today are forefront of the public agenda in HaMoshiach, there has been being obligated to marry couples, recent months. As someone who progress on this matter, particularly even when it is clear that one of dealt with this issue for decades at since the ruling of the High them is a total Gentile, and this is the direct instruction of the Rebbe, Rabbinic Court that the conversions the greatest tragedy. Melech HaMoshiach, can the rav performed by Rabbi Chaim When I began this fight, I was explain to us what, essentially, has Druckman are halachically null and concerned about how things would been taking place in this public void because the converts did not actually be accepted and whether I struggle? sincerely accept the yoke of mitzvos. should make a furor on the issue.
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When they wanted to Russia, who were then interview me, I asked staying in transit camps the Rebbe. It was Lag in Vienna. The Rebbe B’Omer, 5744, and his MH”M turned to Rabbi prompt reply came just Zevin and demanded his as he was leaving 770 to forceful involvement, go to the Ohel. The since the Chief Rebbe said, “Since he Rabbinate had elected is a rav and initiated to remain silent on the this mitzvah, where is matter. After much there room for a urging, Rabbis question now?”, and he Unterman and Kolitz instructed me to do the were sent to Europe, interview with full force where they determined against this outrage. In that all of these fact, I am happy to say conversions were a that the sense of colossal joke with no awareness among legitimacy whatsoever. rabbanim continues to The main point grow, and even more behind the Rebbe’s rabbanim have declared forty-year struggle that they will not give regarding the terrible further sanction to edict on the question of marry such mixed “Who is a Jew?” is the couples that underwent issue of admitting questionable Gentiles within the conversions. Jewish People, which has relevance to the very Is there a difference essence of Judaism. between a Reform This is exactly what they conversion and this want to do – to remove type of conversion? all barriers separating None whatsoever. At between Israel and the the conversion nations of the world. It institutes, they teach the seems ridiculous “converted” so far according to “converts” to lie to the rabbanim considering that it is a known fact this approach? and tell them to respond as if they that even the simplest Jew is According to our estimates, there have every intention of fulfilling prepared for self-sacrifice to prevent have been approximately eighty mitzvos, when in fact, the the deliberate assimilation of Am thousand such conversions, and they overwhelming majority of them – Yisroel. claim that they still have to convert more than ninety-five percent (!) – all of the non-Jewish youth. There have never observed mitzvos at any How many assimilated are there are hundreds of thousands en route time. These are absolutely “wink and today in Israel? to conversion through this approach, a nod” conversions, and they aren’t Today, they’re already talking without any commitment to mitzvah even embarrassed to admit this about tens of thousands of observance. openly. assimilated. There are those who Forty years ago, in 5730, the The damage caused is thought that part of the solution Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach, was immeasurable when rabbanim would come by removing the the first to cry out against the perform marriages between Jews and nationality from the teudat zehut “Viennese conversions.” This was a these “converts”, creating terrible (identity card issued by the Israel form of bogus “quickie” giyur being assimilation among the Jewish Ministry of the Interior), which carried out at the time by People. demonstrates how far they’re willing representatives of the Jewish Agency to go against any shred of Jewish upon immigrants from Poland and How many have been identity. The whole concept of these
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RABBI AXELROD AND THE FIGHT FOR “WHO IS A JEW” the ‘Who is a Jew?’ issue and the matter of “In 5747, I organized a petition signed by the wholesale conversions. Since I didn’t know how to majority of rabbinical judges in Eretz Yisroel, stating respond to the request, I asked the Rebbe what I that no one has the right to establish anything on the should do, emphasizing that it was ‘urgent’, since the matter of the “Who is a Jew?” which contradicts the paper needed to know as soon as possible before it Torah of Israel. A huge public outcry arose went to print. My son, Moshe, who serves as the throughout the country, and calls were made for my Rebbe’s shliach in Atlit, brought my letter to the dismissal from my judicial post. Even the police secretary, Rabbi Yehuda Leib Groner, on Lag came to question me on the matter. I was summoned B’Omer. When he saw the note, Rabbi Groner said to an urgent meeting at ‘Heichal Shlomo’ in there was no chance that the Rebbe would respond Yerushalayim, seat of the Chief Rabbinate, where that day, since there would be a parade and the there would be a discussion regarding the issuing of Rebbe was going to the Ohel immediately an apology over this petition. afterwards. A few hours later, Rabbi Groner was “When I arrived at the meeting, the chief rabbis urgently looking for my son. The Rebbe had issued were already seated, and then something totally an answer right before he went to the Ohel: ‘Since fantastic happened. Just as I was entering the he is a rav and initiated this mitzvah, where is conference room, the secretary rushed in and told there room for a question now?’ After receiving me, ‘You have a phone call.’ On the line was the such a clear and totally unexpected response, I gave Rebbe’s secretary, who informed me that I have a the interview with all the proper shturem. bracha from the Rebbe for the judges’ petition – ‘I “As a result of the Rebbe’s wonderful answer, will mention it at the Tzion.’ By an incredible case of about one hundred and eighty rabbanim and Divine Providence, the Rebbe’s answer had come dayanim, constituting the majority of rabbinic justice just as I was going in for a hearing with the chief authorities, signed the petition calling upon all rabbis of Israel. marriage registrars not to make any wedding “I returned to the conference room with a ceremonies for converts who have not accepted the renewed sense of strength, and I gave a very forceful yoke of Torah and mitzvos. speech, declaring that judges have no need to “Due to all the publicity stemming from this apologize, since the matter was done with the power interview, the Chief Rabbinate established a special of the Torah. There was a serious debate in the committee to check the status of conversions in conference room over whether they should express Eretz Yisroel. I issued a special booklet on the any regret over the ‘judges’ petition’, but in the end, subject, called ‘A Conversion Certificate Under no apology was issued. I saw clearly how the Rebbe Halachic Examination,’ and sent it to all marriage was running things. registrars and rabbinical authorities. The “In 5744, R’ Asher Zuckerman, a very prominent committee’s findings were astounding: Rabbi Yisroel journalist with the ‘Erev Shabbos’ newspaper, Lau brought me a survey made among ‘converts,’ approached me with a request to do an interview on showing that eighty percent don’t even light Shabbos candles!”
fictitious conversions is a means to Jews. The rabbanim are simply being that the legal advisor of the Ministry remove all tenets of religion from the coerced by the legal advisor of the of Religious Affairs be fired Jewish state. It is their desire to Ministry of Religious Affairs. immediately for interfering in compel the rabbanim to act against Recently, the case of Rabbi Blau of rabbinical matters. The legal advisor the holy Torah, and this is the most Ashkelon was publicized. He was then had the incredible chutzpah to frightful thing of all. ordered to preside at weddings of turn to the rabbis with a demand for Jews and these false “converts” who written clarification as to whether What is the main battle being never accepted the yoke of mitzvos. they intended to marry Jews and waged today between the rabbanim When he steadfastly refused, he was non-Jews in the future. and the government? threatened with prosecution for I want to mention here a most The struggle today is to make committing a criminal act. amazing fact: Back when the certain that the rabbanim are not At my own initiative, I turned to question of “Who is a Jew?” was an forced to conduct marriage the Chief Rabbis and the Chief especially front-burner issue, I asked ceremonies between Jews and non- Rabbinical Council with a demand Rabbi Shmuel Chefer, chairman of
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the Committee for the Preservation of the Jewish People, why the Rebbe The whole concept of these fictitious had instructed them to stop taking conversions is a means to remove all action on the matter. He replied that he had asked the Rebbe about the tenets of religion from the Jewish state. issue, and the Rebbe told him that the Chief Rabbinate is supposed to It is their desire to compel the rabbanim be handling it. At that same time, the huge waves of immigrants from the to act against the holy Torah, and this is Soviet Union began to arrive in Eretz HaKodesh, and through his the most frightful thing of all. tremendous ruach ha’kodesh, the Rebbe had already seen that nothing deemed trivial, a joke, and utter check out every conversion several would help any longer. It was the nonsense. generations back, so as not to bring primary responsibility of the Chief After all the noise that I made in ch”v any non-Jews into the House of Rabbinate to stand in the breach and the past at the Rebbe’s instructions, Israel. There must be an increased protect the People of Israel – a committee of inquiry was sense of public awareness regarding something which regrettably did not established, and the majority of the harsh and difficult problems of happen. rabbinical judges demanded an mixing Jews and Gentiles. investigation regarding whether Eretz Yisroel today is run by a Is there a chance for change? converts to Judaism continued to Hellenist regime that has the The rabbinical authorities today observe Torah and mitzvos after objective of removing all partitions operate “in name only”, compelled their conversion. The results were between the Jewish People and the to do the state’s bidding and not surprising: Eighty percent don’t nations of the world. This applies in officiate at weddings between Jews fulfill even one mitzvah! The status equal measure to the battle for the and Gentiles – or lose their jobs. It of the conversions made in the preservation of the entire Land of is literally a case of pidyon shvuyim armed forces is far worse. Israel and halting the breach of the to help these rabbanim prevent walls of Judaism. They are assimilation. What is the rav’s position on inexorably connected with one what a shliach is supposed to do another. Is there any official data on the when a Gentile comes to him and status of these fictional converts asks to be converted? Does the rav have a few words produced by these conversion It is forbidden for a shliach to to say in conclusion? institutes? deal with matters of conversion. We recently celebrated the I have an amazing statistic that We’re talking about a very holiday of Chanukah, and the Kohen proves how these converts represent complicated issue, requiring the HaGadol who guards the pure cruse such ridicule and contempt. involvement of a rabbinical authority of oil in our generation is the Rebbe, It is stated in the laws of divorce who is trained and experienced on Melech HaMoshiach, who will soon that when someone who converted this issue. The situation today is redeem us. This year, we mark forty in accordance with halacha and then simply catastrophic. I have heard years of the Rebbe’s struggle on the later stopped observing the mitzvos numerous hair-raising stories that issue of “Who is a Jew?”, and it is gets divorced, the words “ben resulted from conversions made by our holy obligation to do everything Avraham” are not written in the get unqualified rabbis. I receive possible to actively promote after his given name. However, if he telephone calls from bachurim awareness and pressure on this continues keeping Torah and learning today in some of the most campaign in which the whole house mitzvos, when he gets divorced, he prominent yeshivos, whose maternal of Israel is at risk. is called “ben Avraham Avinu”. grandmothers underwent improper The Guardian of Israel will surely According to an official computer conversions. While they (the protect the remnants of His People, data analysis, we find that in 97.2% grandsons) became baalei t’shuva, in and the very essence of this just and of all halachic divorce certificates truth, they are actually Gentiles in holy struggle will bring us to the involving converts during the last every respect. In order to prevent True and Complete Redemption with fifteen years, the words “ben this form of assimilation, it is the Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach, Avraham Avinu” do not appear. This important to know that there exists leading the way. shows clearly how the whole thing is an absolute halachic obligation to
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returned from visiting Camp Emuna and he found out that the driver, who came from a non-Lubavitch OVER FORTY- family, had spent his summers in Gan Israel along with his brothers and remembered having him as a counselor). Part of the day’s routine included FIVE YEARS shiurim. I had to give a shiur every day, each time to a different age group. I didn’t want to prepare a daily shiur that would suit a different age group each time so I would OF TANYA learn the laws of the Three Weeks with all of them and then tell stories of tzaddikim. Since most of the children were not from Lubavitcher families, I didn’t want to tell them SHIURIM stories only about tzaddikim who were no longer alive; I mainly told stories about the Rebbe so the children would know that tzaddikim By Avrohom Ber were not just history. Years later, one of the campers called me. He had already married R’ Meir Roness, an inseparable part of and had a few children. He told me that one of his children was seriously the 770 scene and responsible for ill with an illness that they hadn’t diagnosed yet (they later figured out arranging Tanya shiurim in yeshivos, it was a genetic disease). He asked tells of many bachurim who were me for the phone number of the Rebbe’s secretaries. He had mekurav to Chassidus and the Rebbe remembered the stories I had told about the Rebbe and decided to ask through these shiurim. for his bracha. That’s when it registered – look how influential “Tz’daka, Hoshana Raba, which he heard or saw in connection stories of tzaddikim are when told to chevra” – there is hardly anybody with these shiurim. young children, and how it affects who has been in 770 who has not them their entire lives. After camp ended, I kept in met R’ Meir Roness announcing, in STARTING OUT his exuberant way, one line or touch with many of the children, I worked in camp Gan Israel another. Not everybody knows that who were learning in non-Chabad from the end of the fifties until the behind R’ Meir and the “tz’daka” yeshivos. They were young bachurim middle of the sixties. I was a that he collects, are over forty-five who had a good connection with substitute counselor. Every three years of experience in organizing Chabad and were prime candidates weeks, each counselor had two days Tanya shiurim in non-Lubavitch for learning Chassidus. I spoke with off, and my job was to replace them yeshivos, under the auspices of Rabbi Dovid Raskin and we on those vacation days. Every two Tzeirei Agudas Chabad. concluded that I would start days I had a different bunk. There During these many years, dozens organizing Chassidus classes in all were times I had five year olds and of bachurim became deeply involved these yeshivos. fifteen year olds in the same week. I in Chabad Chassidus and many of At first, R’ Raskin saw to the ended up being the counselor of them are shluchim today. money and then I began raising my most of the kids in the camp (R’ R’ Meir shared some anecdotes own funds. We found Maggidei Meir added that he had recently Shiurim, Tmimim and balabatim
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who were able to explain Chassidus well, and we began bringing them to those yeshivos. During the summer the bachurim would go to camps and give shiurim there. These shiurim continue till this day. Many of the bachurim who were niskarev and came to Lubavitch later gave shiurim themselves and discovered more neshamos who were chosen to learn in Tomchei Tmimim.
THIS MERIT WILL STAND BY HIM R’ Meir recalled an interesting story that happened with one of the bachurim who undertook to arrange the shiurim in his yeshiva. R’ Meir Roness receiving a dollar from the Rebbe Rabbi Shloma Majeski was sent by the Rebbe in the first group of bachurim-shluchim to Melbourne, Years later, one of the campers called and when he returned from there he me... He had remembered the stories I had regularly visited one of the famous Litvishe yeshivos to give a Tanya told about the Rebbe and decided to ask shiur. At that shiur was a bachur who for his bracha. That’s when it registered – had made nice progress and was one of the organizers of the shiur. Before look how influential stories of tzaddikim Pesach vacation he fell and broke his elbow. The doctor put his arm in a are when told to young children, and how cast and told him that as it was a it affects them their entire lives. very bad fracture, he would have to have it in a cast for at least eight to 770 a while, farbrenging. At five While it was being developed, the nine months. The bachur and his o’clock he heard that the secretary, doctor began examining his arm. He family were understandably very R’ Binyamin Klein was looking for immediately noticed that his palm concerned; after all, a cast usually is him. R’ Klein told him that right did not look the way you would on for only two months, so this after yechidus, the Rebbe read his expect it to look after a month of injury was severe indeed. note and had an answer for him. (It inactivity and asked the bachur When he came back to yeshiva was unusual for the Rebbe to read a whether he had used the hand after Pesach , he approached R’ note and answer immediately after during that month. The bachur said Majeski after the shiur and yechidus). that since his hand wasn’t in the requested that he ask for a bracha The Rebbe circled the words that cast, he thought he could use it and for him. When R’ Majeski returned he had written about the bachur had played some basketball. to 770 it was around two in the organizing the shiur and made an When the shocked doctor morning on Thursday night, arrow and wrote: this merit (and he digested this information, he began yechidus night. He wrote a note with should also increase) will stand by yelling at him for possibly having the bachur’s name and his mother’s him in his request. done irreparable damage. Basketball name and said that he was one of with a broken arm could move the the organizers of the Tanya shiur in THE RESULTS bone out of place. his yeshiva. The nurse walked in with the X- A few days went by and the Yechidus ended at about four in ray and showed it to the doctor. The the morning. R’ Majeski remained in bachur went for a routine X-ray.
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know about this. When I went home About my father writing that college for Pesach, my brother told me that wouldn’t hurt me (in my observance), a letter from the Rebbe had come. “In the letter, the Rebbe the Rebbe wrote that he knew many who explained to my father that Hashem is the one that provides parnasa and had gone to college and all of them had He also gives it to those who don’t attend college. About my father been harmed. writing that college wouldn’t hurt me (in my observance), the Rebbe doctor checked it and looked back at privilege reserved for talmidim of wrote that he knew many who had the bachur with a frown. The Tomchei Tmimim. gone to college and all of them had nervous bachur asked the doctor “The bachur asked me to help been harmed. The Rebbe negated why he was looking at him that way. him out,” related R’ Roness, “and I the idea of my being half a day in The doctor, one month after seeing was able to convince the secretary yeshiva and half a day in college, the X-rays that showed the break, that he learned Chassidus and was a explaining that it’s like jumping from said that he could not believe his Lubavitcher in every respect. He a hot room into cold water a few eyes. reminds me of this now and then times a day – it wasn’t possible for “I am looking at the X-ray and and says that he is grateful to me for this not to be harmful.” don’t see a break.” it till this very day.” Another worried parent had a When the bachur explained that It wasn’t easy for those few children who had gotten he had been given a blessing by a bachurim. There was pressure from involved with Chabad and he was great rabbi, the doctor was even the outside, from parents who did concerned they wouldn’t find good more surprised. He told him to not always like their child’s new shidduchim. He shared his worry continue wearing the cast for the “meshugaas,” while at the same time with a friend who had himself come next month to be sure there was no many of them felt that they did not to Lubavitch through Tanya shiurim. mistake. fully belong in Chabad. The clever Chassid asked him A month later the X-ray was whether he knew R’ Nissan Nemenov. perfect. The fracture had healed. WORRIED PARENTS Instead of eight to nine months, the “Oh, R’ Nissan? Sure I know “There was a bachur who learned cast was on for only eight-nine him.” He knew R’ Nissan from the in yeshivas Achei Tmimim in the weeks. time after the war. Bronx and then in Tomchei Tmimim “After I came from Kamenitz to on Bedford. His parents wanted him Lubavitch I did a shidduch with his DIFFICULTIES ON THE to go to college and the bachur granddaughter,” the Lubavitcher WAY TO LUBAVITCH refused. The shocked and upset placated his friend. In yeshivas Torah Vodaas, the parents arranged a yechidus with the Tanya classes began in the thirties, Rebbe in the hopes that he would SHIUR BY WAY convince their son to go to college before the Rebbe Rayatz came to OF THE CEMETERY America, and were given by Rabbi (in those days it was the norm for Yisroel Jacobson. From these bachurim to go to college after some R’ Meir tells about underground shiurim, Tmimim were “born” with years in yeshiva). shiurim: whom the Rebbe Rayatz started “When they saw they would not In a yeshiva in Monsey there was yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim, people convince the Rebbe to allow their a large shiur with about eighteen like Rabbi Meir Greenberg and son to attend college, they got up to talmidim, which was given by R’ Rabbi Mendel Feldman a”h. Over leave, feeling greatly disappointed. Avrohom Stone. At first the shiur the years, these shiurim also became The Rebbe told them that they took place in a shul near the yeshiva R’ Meir Roness’ responsibility. couldn’t leave the room that way and but someone must have tattled to the One of the bachurim who they had to smile. hanhala, because one time he learned Chassidus in Torah Vodaas “I had a similar story. My father showed up, and was confronted by wanted to have yechidus before his wanted me to go to college but I the Mashgiach, who threw him out wedding but R’ Groner said no, that refused. My father wrote to the and told him not to return. He also yechidus before the wedding is a Rebbe asking him to explain to me warned the bachurim not to attend that I had to go to college. I didn’t the Tanya shiur.
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This was a little too late in the game since the bachurim who had To their astonishment, they discovered learned there had already gotten a that the Rosh Yeshiva and the taste of Chassidus and wanted to continue. To their astonishment, Mashgiach were patrolling the area they discovered that the Rosh Yeshiva and the Mashgiach were around the yeshiva in a car in order to patrolling the area around the yeshiva in a car in order to catch catch anybody who committed the crime anybody who committed the crime of learning Tanya. The talmidim of learning Tanya. were very scared. Some bachurim decided that they Crown Heights at the time, he would learning with some yeshiva would continue the shiur, no matter get a ride with the bachur who gave bachurim. They saw that he was what. They wanted to learn the shiur on his way back to 770. more knowledgeable than they were Chassidus! A Lubavitcher by the On the way they would talk in in every subject and sent one of the name of Dr. Hayes a”h, a learning. lamdanim of the yeshiva to talk to psychologist, opened his office in When Rabbi Boruch Lesches, rav him in learning. Within a few Monsey for this holy purpose. But in the Chabad k’hilla in Monsey, minutes the lamdan saw that he was how could they get out from under once went to give the ongoing Tanya no match for the Tamim. the watchful eyes of the patrol shiur in Lakewood, Rabbi Shneur Chassidishe cleverness was also without being caught? Kotler a”h, the rosh yeshiva, was an important tool in debates like Next to the yeshiva was a standing in the entrance. When he these. One time, Rabbi Sholom cemetery. At night, the bachurim saw the car turn in, he asked why Lipskar (today a shliach in Miami would go out the back door to the the bachur had come and when he Beach, Florida) was in a Litvishe cemetery, where they would meet up was told, he nodded and said, “Gut, camp and they wanted to test him in with the Maggid Shiur, and from gut.” learning. He said they could test him there they wend their way to the in any masechta they wanted. He office. They returned the same way, TO SHOW THAT knew that in our yeshivos and their with a circuitous route to the THEY KNOW yeshivos they learned the same cemetery and from the cemetery to mesechtos and so what could they the yeshiva. Three out of six of the When the Rebbe Rashab started ask him already? The exam ended bachurim who attended this shiur yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim, he when the bachurim discovered to eventually came to Lubavitch. explained that the name “Tmimim” their amazement that he knew all of One of these bachurim met me is because the bachurim study Shas … years later. He hugged and kissed “Toras Hashem T’mima”- Nigleh I have a relative who is a Litvishe me and gave me a $50 donation for and Chassidus. In connection with rosh yeshiva. I knew he would the shiurim, explaining, “If not for this, R’ Meir related: attend my wedding and I arranged your shiur I would have remained a It wasn’t only shiurim in with three Tmimim who knew how Misnaged.” Chassidus that brought bachurim to to learn well (Rabbi Leibel Kaplan Lubavitch. Many bachurim who a”h, Rabbi SZ Labkowski, and R’ considered themselves b’nei Torah THE LITVISH ROSH Sholom Lipskar) that I would point met learned Tmimim, and were out who he was and they should YESHIVA GETS A RIDE amazed to discover that in Lubavitch speak to him. WITH THE MAGGID they know how to learn Nigleh. For At the wedding, they respectfully SHIUR many of them, this is what gave approached him and asked him to them a feeling of respect for Not all roshei yeshiva were so tell them something in learning. Lubavitch and Chassidus. For opposed. R’ Zushe Feldman, for They spoke in learning with him for others, it was the first step on their example, would give a shiur in Beis a while. Two days later he attended way to Tomchei Tmimim. Midrash Elyon in Monsey, where one of my Sheva Brachos and told I remember how one of the Rabbi Gedalia Schorr a”h was the me in amazement that he didn’t Tmimim who would give Tanya rosh yeshiva. R’ Schorr knew about know that Chabad had iluyim shiurim at one of the Litvishe camps, the shiurim and, since he lived in (geniuses) like that. got into a deep conversation in
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profile
hear about a Chassid who is so very mekushar to the Rebbe. A seemingly unrealistic answer in the Igros THE Kodesh turned into a shlichus. He is called “the spiritual father of the fringe kids,” by people in the neighborhood. He puts all his energy into working with them and “when RUFFIANS you plant and water, you see success,” he says.
FOUR TENSION-FILLED DAYS OF RAMOT Before we got to discussing his work with wayward youth and the messages he wants to share, R’ Binyamin told us how he came to Chabad nearly two decades ago. RETURN “For many years I lived in yishuv Shaalavim and attended the schools there. I was a religious-nationalist through and through. I studied the By Nosson Avrohom Musar approach for many years and was convinced that this was the best A multifaceted person, R’ Moshe approach to life. “My worldview was changed Binyamin is a director of a high-tech abruptly starting with a phone call from my wife. She sounded firm, founder of a shul, rav of a k’hilla, hysterical and she asked me to leave work and come home immediately. I an inventor, and mentor for kids off the left in a hurry and prayed that all derech. * In this fascinating interview, would be well. When I arrived home I saw that one of my daughters was R’ Binyamin talks about his life, his lying on the floor unresponsive. “We rushed her to the clinic, work, and a miracle. where the doctor instructed us to take her to the nearest hospital. He One evening a few months ago, the kids have in him. The police said that it looked like meningitis. R’ Moshe Binyamin’s cell phone chief understood. At the end of their They confirmed his diagnosis at the rang. On the phone was the police conversation he said, “You should hospital and one of the doctors chief of Ramot. R’ Moshe wasn’t know that since your work has gone called me into his office. He looked surprised since many of the youth he into high gear, not only has crime by grim and he didn’t mince words. In works with have deteriorated into youth gone down in this his experience, my daughter was on lives of crime. He is successful in neighborhood, but the phenomenon her deathbed. bringing these children back on of fringe kids has dropped “Within four days, he said, she track and parents praise him to the tremendously.” would lose consciousness and a few skies. He assumed this was the R’ Moshe has received such calls days later she would die. It took a reason for the call. – both the compliments as well as few moments for his words to He was right. The police chief requests for collaboration – before, register. Coming from a senior praised him for his work and offered from various offices and doctor, I was inclined to believe his his help. R’ Moshe had to turn him organizations that work with these diagnosis and I didn’t know what to down because any connection with kids. I wanted to hear about his do. I did not tell my wife what he the police would undermine the trust professional success but also got to said; there was no point in worrying
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her further. “This happened on a Tuesday. On Thursday she lost consciousness. When that happened I thought all was lost. On Motzaei Shabbos at one in the morning I left the department and went home to rest. I was swamped at work and as strange as this might sound, I tried to maintain my routine as much as I could. I guess I didn’t fully digest what the doctor said. “When I parked near my house I saw R’ Michoel Kalman, a Lubavitcher Chassid who lives in Afula. He would come every few weeks to visit his mother who lived in Shaalavim. We would say hello whenever we met, but we were nothing more than acquaintances. “He noticed that I wasn’t myself and he gently asked me what was wrong. I told him the situation and that I was coming from the hospital. I didn’t expect him to be able to help me in any way; I was merely unloading my burden to him. When he heard my story he said that the Rebbe says that in cases like this the mezuzos in the house should be checked. ‘Listen, I’m very tired,’ I told him. ‘Come to me tomorrow.’ “He was persistent and said we would check the mezuzos then and there! I was sorry I had told him my woes. I had checked all the mezuzos just four months prior, but he didn’t My worldview was changed abruptly give up and stubbornly insisted that Y. I take down all my mezuzos. starting with a phone call from my wife. “‘It’s a matter of pikuach nefesh,’ he insisted, and I grudgingly She sounded hysterical and she asked complied. All went smoothly until we me to leave work and come home got to the mezuza on the front door. Before I had put that mezuza up, immediately… one of my daughters was four people had checked it and they all said it was beautiful and was lying on the floor unresponsive… my good for at least twenty more years, so I had installed it tightly. I told daughter was on her deathbed. him that this mezuza could be left alone but insisted that they all had to “It was already two in the matter of saving lives. be checked. When he had all the morning. I tried to protest that it “After a few rings, a tired voice mezuzos he asked for my phone and was too late and why not wait until answered the phone. Michoel said called a sofer who lived in Shikun morning, but he wasn’t listening. As his piece and the sofer agreed that Chabad in Lud. far as he was concerned, this was a we could come over immediately.
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her smiling face all my fears TORAS HA’CHASSIDUS FOR ALL dissipated and were overtaken by In recent months the tremendous joy. What happened? many viewers of Chabad.info How did it happen? When did it have been enjoying the happen? I bombarded her with shiurim on D’var Malchus questions and she answered that the given by R’ Zalman Notik. night before, between three and four These shiurim are given in R’ o’clock, our daughter had opened Binyamin’s shul in Ramot. In her eyes, asked that the IV be addition, R’ Binyamin records removed and said she wanted to go and videotapes all of R’ to the bathroom. My wife had nearly Notik’s shiurim and posts fainted. Quickly, she summoned a them on his website, as well nurse, who was no less shocked by as articles and explanations about the eternality of the soul and, of the turn of events. She, in turn, course, inyanei Moshiach and Geula. called a doctor, who examined her “This week I was happy to find that in a one day period there were and was equally amazed. over 600 viewers of R’ Notik’s D’var Malchus shiur. “Some said it was a heavenly “I saw that R’ Notik has a very positive power of influence and he is miracle. I realized that someone is terrific at explaining deep things. He opened my eyes with Chassidus running the show, that there is a and showed me how it doesn’t all work with reward and punishment. A Rebbe in the world. I told my wife Torah life also gives us a good material life. When I saw how talented what I had done the night before. I R’ Notik is, I decided to share this with others, and that is how I came slowly began to come to the to make the site.” realization that there is no such After last Rosh HaShana a woman sent her feedback to the site. She thing as Judaism and mitzvos that said that previously she had been fearful of the Day of Judgment but are separate from the world; they are now, after hearing R’ Notik’s shiur, she experienced a calmer and interdependent. wonderful Rosh HaShana. “The doctors didn’t release our daughter so quickly. They spent hours examining her and doing tests When we arrived in Lud the sofer gave me a replacement mezuza and to make sure she was perfectly fine. was waiting for us in the street in his returned the other mezuzos. I put They soon realized that a miracle pajamas. He brought us into his them back up at four in the had taken place. house and began checking the morning. Of course I got almost no “That week we made a big mezuzos. All were kosher. Then he sleep. I woke up a little late the next thanksgiving celebration at the got to the mezuza of the front door. morning and yawning, I got into my yishuv, where I told my friends It was only after he used a special car and went to work. about the miracle we experienced screwdriver that he was able to get “When I arrived at my office, the thanks to the Rebbe.” the case open. manager told me that my wife had “I couldn’t believe how the called and wanted me to go to the LEARNING CHASSIDUS parchment looked. It was burnt and hospital right away. I was terrified, IN DEPTH all the letters were blackened. You fearing that the doctor’s prognosis couldn’t read a single word. had been right. At the thanksgiving celebration, Apparently, I had sealed it too well “I drove to the hospital like a Moshe Binyamin decided that to and the summer heat had scorched madman. I was sure it was all over. I express his thanks for the Rebbe’s it; the plastic had melted onto the hurried toward my daughter’s room, miracle, he would begin to devote parchment and the mezuza was but my wife intercepted me. “What himself to the Rebbe’s activities: ruined. happened to her?” I asked in a “The first step was to learn what “The sofer looked at me and panic. “I called you to come and get Chabad Chassidus is all about. After stated, ‘Now that we’ve found the her,” she replied calmly. “She’s a lot of searching I discovered the problem, your daughter will recover, fine.” mashpia, Rabbi Zalman Notik. It with Hashem’s help.’ “I felt that soon I would be the wasn’t easy for me. It took me time “‘From your mouth to G-d’s one needing hospitalization. I looked to disconnect from the Musar ears,’ I responded emphatically. He at her incredulously but when I saw approach and to internalize the way of Chassidus. I remember how
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surprised I was to see Lubavitcher bachurim learning enthusiastically and not just learning because that’s what you have to do. I couldn’t believe that this was possible. Today I know where this chayus comes from.” In the past decade, R’ Binyamin moved to the Ramot neighborhood of Yerushalayim. “I never thought I would work with off-the-derech kids,” he confides. “It was the Rebbe who got me involved in this. “It got underway one Motzaei Shabbos when I was in the Chabad house run by Rabbi Nosson Oirechman in Akko. In a video that Boys learning with R’ Moshe Binyamin was shown that night, I saw the Wednesday and things took off from them about the really important Rebbe saying that we don’t know there. Every week more and more things in life and it works. what is delaying the Geula and boys joined until it reached a point “A few weeks ago, I met R’ Erez therefore we have to try every where I couldn’t pay for the shiur Markowitz from Ramot Alef. I saw possible avenue. myself. Now the manager of the he was excited about something and “I was very affected by this and store, Avi Bitton, contributes the asked him what happened. He told decided to take action. I went to the refreshments. me that the previous Shabbos, his library, took a volume of Igros “My approach is to first get the sister-in-law had joined them for the Kodesh and said, ‘Rebbe, I want to boys away from the street, away meal. As she walked home, alone, know what I should do. Please guide from the things that lead to their late that night, a group of drunken, me and tell me what I, as an deterioration. I discovered that it wild boys accosted her and threw individual, can do.’ I opened the doesn’t matter what I talk about water and rocks at her. She was volume and read a long letter in during our meetings. I can just terrified. Then another group of which the Rebbe spoke about the schmooze with them too. The main boys passed by and chased the first importance of working with youth. I thing is they shouldn’t be idle on the group away. She heard them saying, was very excited by this and I street. ‘R’ Binyamin does not permit committed to working in the area of “On Shabbos I sit with them violence in the neighborhood.’ chinuch.” until one and two in the morning. “There are challenging times too. People wonder whether I’m normal There are boys who don’t know how MEETINGS UNTIL TWO but what can I do? This is what to be grateful, how to appreciate IN THE MORNING prevents them from going to town what is being done for them. I have There is a pizzeria near R’ and spending their time in idle thought on occasion that maybe this Moshe’s house that attracts all the pursuits. is not for me, but each time the dropouts. He decided to start with “After a few weeks they forget Rebbe manages to send me chizuk. them. The very next day he went about the street and associate with The last time I had these depressing into the pizza store and approached things that are real. At the Friday thoughts a kid came over to me and a group of boys and asked them who night meals I tell them stories of asked me to walk with him. I had no wanted free pizza. Of course they Chassidim with a lesson and it has a idea what he wanted. were all happy to take him up on his tremendous effect. There are usually “He was one of the toughest offer and he said it was on condition questions and I spice my answers boys and various scenarios went that they listened to a shiur in with more ideas from Chassidus. It through my head as to what he had Chassidus. touches them deeply. Many of the in mind. When I got to the doorway “At the first shiur there were boys I worked with went back to of the building he lived in, he asked seven boys. When we finished, I school. They go back to believing in me to wait a moment. He returned arranged to meet with them every themselves and their abilities. I tell within a few minutes with a carefully
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satisfaction that I helped avert HE’S AN INVENTOR TOO bloodshed.” R’ Moshe Binyamin is a multifaceted individual. A conversation with a friend of mine in his neighborhood brought to light yet another aspect SEVENTY PEOPLE of this interesting person. ON SHABBOS R’ Binyamin has many patents in the field of communications. At the present time he is working together with the Disney Corporation on a In addition to his work with revolutionary invention in children’s toys. He could not give me any youth, R’ Binyamin is the founder details about it but only said, “Chassidishe messages will enter millions and rav of the Mishkan Menachem of homes throughout the world.” shul, where dozens of people daven every day. He does not mix the shiurim and farbrengens that take wrapped gift. him to take over for me since I had place there with his work with the “Apparently, he had collected something to take care of outside. youth, even though it was that money from all the guys and they “Outside, I met four impatient, outreach work that led to his bought me a gift as a token of their rough and tough kids. From what I opening the shul. thanks. understood, it was because they “I looked for a place where I “I just got a call from the father respected tradition and did not want could expand my work with the kids. of one of the boys that I had helped to walk in and disturb in the middle The pizzeria was too small. I went to straighten out. He said to me, ‘You of a shiur. I guess killing a Jew the local sports center and rented a deserve a big thank you. My son got didn’t bother them as much. hall from them. When the guys back to himself and I have a lot of “I spoke to them softly and asked wanted a minyan, too, I opened a nachas from him now.’” them to join the shiur. When I saw shul there. R’ Binyamin tells me these them hesitating I approached the “Since I couldn’t rely on the boys thrilled reactions without any leader of the gang, patted him on for a minyan, I advertised a new arrogance. He tells the parents and the shoulder and gave him a hug. I shul, Nusach Chabad, and the clerks in offices that work with told him to come inside and I would minyan grows from Shabbos to youth the same thing he told me in make sure to straighten out their Shabbos. At this point we have the interview - that the success isn’t money argument. The other guys about 70-80 people on a Shabbos. because of him but because of the standing there were taken aback. In addition to t’fillos we have Rebbe, and it is the Rebbe who One of them told me afterwards that shiurim on Shabbos and weekdays. deserves thanks. he was afraid that the leader would Every Shabbos there is a big vent his anger on me, and if he farbrengen. AN ARGUMENT THAT didn’t like something, he could kill. I “Another area that I deal with is writing to the Rebbe. Many people LED TO A DRASTIC wasn’t afraid of him, though. I knew I was working with the z’chus of the who daven at the shul write to the CHANGE Rebbe and in the end, they agreed to Rebbe and see amazing things R’ Binyamin told me how he come in. happen. The same is true for the saved the life of a kid who dealt in “Throughout the shiur the four many people who call in to my drugs: of them threw murderous looks at broadcast segment on the program “One day, I was sitting in the the boy they wanted to attack but I hosted by R’ Revach on Moreshet pizza shop with the guys and a kid made sure to keep things calm. At Radio.” walked looking absolutely petrified. the end of the shiur I started a dance R’ Binyamin is the kind of person He begged me to let him hide under with all the boys. After the others you talk to for hours. He’s a people the table. went on their way, we sat down and person with outstanding social skills “I asked him what happened and within a few minutes had resolved and has amassed a sizable collection he said that four drug dealers the problem which had nearly taken of stories that way. I asked him to wanted to kill him because he owed a Jewish life. pick one story and it was only after them money. I told to him calm “The leader, who had cast his lengthy deliberation that he was able down and join the shiur. fear upon the neighborhood, became to select one. Interestingly, the shiur was about the very close with me and turned into a “One of the regulars at the shul mitzva of Ahavas Yisroel. After a few decent person. When his mother called me and said, ‘I have a serious minutes, my friend Uri Revach, of meets me she can’t thank me problem.’ His wife, who had recently television fame, walked in. I asked enough. I feel tremendous given birth, was suffering from
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serious depression. He called me at eleven o’clock at night and said his She was very disappointed and hung up wife had chased him out of the on me. A few days went by and I got a call house and did not let him back in. It was her fifth baby and there had from her husband. I could hear shouting been no problems with the previous births. Whoever he had tried to get in the background. It sounded like involved, whether relatives or close friends, had been unsuccessful with bedlam and chaos. What was going on? her. a positive answer then she would *** “I asked him to give me their keep Shabbos. home phone number. I called the R’ Binyamin told me another “I wrote a letter for her but I wife and introduced myself and interesting story that happened this explained that the Rebbe couldn’t be suggested that we write to the Rebbe past summer: bribed. When I opened the Igros with the Igros Kodesh and that “This summer I decided to go on Kodesh, the Rebbe, once again, was whatever the Rebbe would say, she vacation with my family to the opposed to her moving. I had to would do. Although she was not Keinar Hotel in Teveria. Before we disappoint her and tell her that the religious, she agreed. went, I asked the Rebbe for a bracha Rebbe did not give his bracha to the “The Rebbe’s answer was through the Igros Kodesh that the move. She was very upset and said, amazing. The Rebbe referred to the trip go well. I wanted to renew my ‘What – the Rebbe doesn’t want me story of Sarah Imeinu and wrote to energy both physically and spiritually to keep Shabbos?!’ I told her that someone that he had to remain with with this vacation. In the letter that I the Rebbe doesn’t take bribes. He his wife despite the suffering this opened to, the Rebbe wrote that sees with a different sort of vision caused him. I called her back and physical health is not at the expense and gives brachos accordingly. told her the answer, that she had to of spiritual health and that they are “After another three weeks she let her husband into the house. After connected. He advised that when called me again and said, ‘Tomorrow some hesitation she agreed. When I you go on vacation you must still I have to give 100,000 shekels told him that she would be allowing make set times to learn Torah. towards the purchase price. Please him back, he didn’t believe me until “We set out but I had no idea ask the Rebbe again.’ I agreed to the actual moment that he walked who I was supposed to learn with. write and this time the letter was into his house. The very first night, after I davened written to someone who wanted to “A week went by and the woman Maariv in the hotel shul, someone move and the Rebbe said he called me and said that since her came over to me. He was a shouldn’t rush to leave his present family had grown, they decided to Lieutenant Colonel in the army, and location since he was already set up move to a more spacious apartment was traveling on the road that there. and maybe this was the source of passed the hotel and remembered “She was very disappointed and their shalom bayis problems. She that there was a minyan for Maariv hung up on me. A few days went by said that a big building was going up there, so he stopped in. He was and I got a call from her husband. I in the neighborhood and the disappointed to find out that the could hear shouting in the apartments being sold in it were davening was over. I suggested that background. It sounded like bedlam reasonably priced. since he had already come, we and chaos. What was going on? “We wrote to the Rebbe and the should at least sit down and learn “‘You won’t believe how Rebbe’s answer was to stay put and Chassidus together, and he happily farsighted the Rebbe is!’ he not move. She thanked me for my agreed. We got to talking and it exclaimed. ‘After a long argument, help but two weeks later she called turned out that he was originally we decided to listen to the Rebbe back and said that she had not from a Chassidishe family. and not give the contractor the listened to the Rebbe. She loved the “When we finished learning, he 100,000 shekels. I am at the idea of moving and had given suggested that since he lived in the building site and during the 10,000 shekels to the contractor. area, perhaps we could learn every excavations they discovered an Now she wanted to write again night, and so we did. The Rebbe ancient cemetery. Now there are because her conscience was suggested that I have set times to demonstrations going on against bothering her. She apologized for learn and he even found me a good further excavations. The building not listening to the Rebbe and chavrusa.” won’t be built in the end.’” promised that if the Rebbe gave her
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moshiach & science
the mind and the search of the soul seem to conflict. After all, the conclusions of the scientists SCIENTIFIC have often been very different from the teachings of the Torah. In fact, historically, those who studied the sciences often did so with the intent of substituting THOUGHT IN human perceptions and reason for belief in G-d, and atheistic ideologies would typically refer to science in an attempt to negate belief in G-d. MESSIANIC In light of this, one would imagine that the belief in Moshiach, a personality who will bring the whole world to believe in G-d and to be concerned only TIMES with the knowledge of G-d, is diametrically opposed to everything that science represents. Surprisingly, that’s By Prof. Shimon Silman, RYAL Institute and Touro College not the case. On the contrary, some of the greatest scientists of the 20th The more that science reveals of the century say that their study of the universe brought them to an unity inherent within nature, the more awareness of a Supreme Being the unity of G-d is revealed – from above and beyond the universe, a Creator who created the universe below. This sets the stage for the with a definite purpose. Some have even characterized their complete revelation of the unity of G-d research as an attempt to find out what G-d had in mind when He from above in the Era of Moshiach. created the universe. The greatest 20th century SCIENTIFIC THOUGHT truth and for instruction on how scientist, Albert Einstein, There are two searches — the to live in accordance with that expressed this as follows: “I want search of the mind and the search truth. to know how G-d created this of the soul. The ultimate goal is that the world. I am not interested in this or that phenomenon, in the The search of the mind is the two searches converge, for the spectrum of this or that element. search of the scientist who seeks same truth must be reached from I want to know G-d’s thoughts. wisdom from within the world in whichever direction it is The rest are details.”2 The order to describe the world as he approached. But this goal is famous theoretical physicist, sees it. He examines, attained only in the Era of Stephen Hawking, said “If we do experiments, and constructs Moshiach (the Messianic Era) discover a theory of mathematical models and theories when “the earth will be filled with everything...it would be the to describe what he sees. the knowledge of G-d as water covers the sea.”1 At that time all ultimate triumph of human The search of the soul is a knowledge will converge to and reason—for then we would truly search for wisdom from beyond be covered by the knowledge of know the mind of G-d. the world in an attempt to explain G-d. In 1992, another famous why it is this way. The soul looks theoretical physicist, Paul Davies, to the Torah for the underlying At first glance the search of
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published a book discussing the Messianic Era. eye that sees and an ear that relationship between science and The opening of the “gates of hears”. We believe that G-d is religion called “The Mind of G-d” wisdom above” refers to the always watching everything we do. which won him the Templeton tremendous revelation of the Now that we are familiar with prize of $1,000,000. The scientist deeper levels of the Torah — the communication technology which who led the team that cracked the teachings of Chassidus, especially transmits audio and video signals human genome, Francis Collins, the publication of the works of across the world so that people director of the U.S. National the Alter Rebbe, Rabbi Schneur can be seen and heard instantly Human Genome Research Zalman of Liadi, founder of on the other side of the world, it Institute, in his book “The Chabad Chassidus, which give us is easy to comprehend — to Language of G-d,” writes, “When a deeper understanding and actually visualize and not just you have for the first time in front greater knowledge of G-d. This believe in — the omnipresent of you this 3.1 billion-letter prepares the world for the coming watchfulness of G-d. instruction book that conveys all of Moshiach when “The world Secondly, by making use of the kinds of information and all kinds will be filled with the knowledge technology derived from the of mystery about humankind…I of G-d.” sciences. For example, can’t help but look at those pages The “fountains of wisdom communication technology can be and have a vague sense that this is below” refers to the discoveries used to spread knowledge of G-d giving me a glimpse of G-d’s and development of modern -Torah — throughout the world. mind.” science. This requires some As mentioned, the Era of Something must have explanation — how could Moshiach is characterized as a happened to break the barrier scientific progress actually play a time when “The earth will be between the search of the mind role in preparing the world for filled with the knowledge of G-d.” and the search of the soul and Moshiach? Science has always The electromagnetic waves which enable their convergence to begin. been considered the enemy of carry knowledge of G-d over But what happened and when? religion. How could it come radio or TV bring this information The answer to this question is about that science not only not only to listeners and viewers to be found in one of the sichos becomes a friend of Judaism but all over the world, but even to (talks)3 of the Rebbe Melech actually helps prepare the world places where there are no HaMoshiach based on the Zohar, for the greatest Jewish religious listeners, since the the classic text on Kabbala, event of all time — the coming of electromagnetic waves spread written nearly 2,000 years ago by Moshiach?! throughout the whole world. Thus the great sage Rabbi Shimon Bar In the sicha, known in Torah- these broadcasts actually fill the Yochai. The Zohar makes an and-science circles simply as world with the knowledge of G-d. amazing prediction based on a “The Sicha of Parshas Noach”, On the deepest level, the verse in the Torah about the flood the Rebbe MH”M discusses three sciences themselves — the in the time of Noah. ways in which the sciences theories developed and the The Torah says that, “In the prepare the world for Moshiach: knowledge derived — prepare us 600th year of the life of In describing the unique for the Era of Moshiach in a Noah...all the fountains of the character of the knowledge of G-d third way: the ultimate depths split open and the in the Era of Moshiach, the knowledge of G-d that will be windows of heaven opened up”4 Prophet Isaiah says, “All flesh will revealed in the Era of Moshiach Referring to this, the Zohar see that the mouth of G-d has is the absolute unity of G-d. But makes the following statement: spoken,”5 i.e. that G-dliness itself the world as we perceive it “In the 600th year of the 6th will be visible. The first way in appears to present an opposite millennium [the year 5600 on the which modern science and picture of reality — many Jewish calendar which technology prepare us for the Era different forces of nature and corresponds to 1840 on the of Moshiach is by enabling us to many different substances rather secular calendar] the gates of visualize certain concepts relating than any kind of unity. In the last wisdom above will open and the to G-d which would otherwise be 160 years, however, it has been fountains of wisdom below and understood only abstractly. As an shown through scientific research thus the world will be set to enter example, the Mishneh in Avos tells that the various forces of nature the 7th millennium,” the us to be aware that there is “an are just combinations of a few
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to deeper levels of truth. Some The famous theoretical physicist, seek transcendence in meditation Stephen Hawking, said “If we do or prayer….Another way of engaging life’s deepest questions discover a theory of everything...it is science…If they are physicists, they want to know about space would be the ultimate triumph of and time, and what brought the world into existence.” human reason—for then we would truly For Smolin, it seems that know the mind of G-d.” science itself is a search for G-d. Similarly, it has been asserted that mathematicians whose field basic forces and the various Planner who designed and of interest is mathematical logic substances in the world are built created the universe with a (like me) are not like other from a few basic components — certain purpose in mind. mathematicians whose primary protons neutrons and electrons. Theoretical physics, in interest is the mathematics itself This deeper understanding of the particular, seems to have or the applications of unity within the physical world developed into a search for G-d. mathematics to other areas. which was discovered through Earlier, we quoted Albert Mathematical logicians, it is scientific research helps prepare Einstein, Stephen Hawking and claimed, are engaged in a us for the revelation of the Paul Davies who described their metaphysical quest – they are ultimate unity – the Achdus quest to know the “mind of G-d.” searching for G-d.9 P’shuta6, the absolute unity of Davies once wrote that science An outstanding feature of G-d which is revealed in the time offers “a surer path to G-d than Smolin’s book is his emphasis on of Moshiach. religion.”7 Another prominent unification. As he traces the The unity that exists within theoretical physicist, David development of modern scientific nature is an expression of the Finkelstein, described his life’s theories, he explains how each unity of G-d, the Creator. Since work as a quest to understand new stage of development He is one, His creation, with its “how G-d might have thought the brought greater unification multitude of materials and forces, world into existence.”8 among the existing theories. has an intrinsic unity. Thus, our An “exception that proves the (Perhaps Smolin’s emphasis on awareness of the unity within rule” is the recent book The unification is related to his nature is essentially an awareness Trouble with Physics by Lee feeling that science is a search for of the unity of G-d. The more Smolin, a prominent theoretical the divine.) This, of course, is of that science reveals of the unity physicist. It is a survey of the fundamental importance to us inherent within nature, the more history and current state of affairs since the unification of the forces the unity of G-d is revealed – of modern theoretical physics. It and materials of nature is the from below. This sets the stage is not about science and religion. aspect of modern science that for the complete revelation of the Yet the first sentence of the book prepares the world for the Era of unity of G-d from above in the reads, “There may or may not be Moshiach. Era of Moshiach. a G-d…” All of a sudden he’s Thus we may say that the 20th talking about G-d! century scientists, who came to What happened here? Was he ...IN MESSIANIC TIMES an awareness of the Creator copying from the wrong The Zohar says that this new through their scientific research, manuscript? No. For him flood of knowledge is a prelude to were merely riding the crest of a theoretical physics is nothing less the Era of Moshiach. But what new wave — a wave from the than what we have described as exactly is the Era of Moshiach flood of a new type of knowledge the “search from below,” as he and who is Moshiach? The Era of flowing into the world. This was goes on to explain, “Yet there is Moshiach and Moshiach himself knowledge of a type that showed something ennobling about our are discussed extensively in the unity in the world and induced search for the divine…which is Prophets, the Talmud and the scientist with an open mind reflected in each of the paths Kabbala, and in many subsequent and a sensitive heart to recognize people have discovered to take us books throughout the the Supreme Power, the Master generations. The readers of this
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The deer is “hiding” in plain view – just open your eyes!
magazine are certainly already Moshiach), a descendant of King addressed him as Moshiach familiar with much of this David, will arise and restore the received a positive response, information. But for now we want dynasty of King David. He then myself included.11 to make the point that we are describes the gradual emergence As the Persian Gulf War currently in the Era of Moshiach. of the Jewish leader from the began to brew at the end of 1990, There are actually two points to House of David who will speak in the world braced itself for an address — one identifying the era Torah, deal in Mitzvos, return the intense, high technology war and one identifying Moshiach Jews to the observance of expected to last for months, while himself. Judaism, strengthen the the fear persisted that the The emergence of the great observance of Judaism where it international entanglements might Jewish leader who is ultimately has been broken and fight the naturally lead to a world war as revealed as Moshiach, is wars of G-d. This leader is had happened twice before. The described by Rambam assumed to be Moshiach. This Rebbe MH”M, however, in his (Maimonides) in his work on description has characterized the talks during those months, Jewish Law, Mishneh Torah.10 leadership of the Rebbe MH”M repeatedly quoted a Midrash from He describes the sequence of since 1950, bringing many Jews the Yalkut Shimoni 12 which events leading up to the to look to him as the leader who foretold the war. The Midrash revelation of Moshiach. He begins would be revealed as Moshiach. says that these events would take by stating that Melech While he was opposed to place in “the year that Melech HaMoshiach (the King publicizing this until recently, HaMoshiach is revealed”, that the over the years some people who
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would be followed by the singing “Some seek transcendence in of “Yechi Adoneinu….” The meditation or prayer… Another way of Rebbe MH”M encouraged this enthusiastically and, on occasion, engaging life’s deepest questions is it was broadcast worldwide via satellite. science… If they are physicists, they In the Talmudic writings there is a description of a conversation want to know about space and time, and that will take place between the what brought the world into existence.” Jews and Moshiach after he is revealed. The Jews approach him, addressing him by the title entire world and especially the Melech HaMoshiach comes...he Rabbeinu Melech HaMoshiach, Jewish people would be worried announces to the Jews, ‘O, (“our Rebbe, King Moshiach”) but that G-d would say (through humble ones, the time of your and ask him certain questions a prophet) to the Jews, “My redemption has arrived!’ ” The about the redemption.14 This is children, do not be afraid...the Rebbe MH”M made it clear that the title by which countless Jews time of your redemption has he was making the declaration throughout the world now refer arrived.” that identified him as Moshiach. to him and thus in this book we Thus the Rebbe MH”M said In a very powerful speech on refer to him as the Rebbe Melech prophetically that Israel would be 28 Nisan, 5751 (1991), the HaMoshiach or the Rebbe MH”M. safe and encouraged Jews to Rebbe MH”M addressed himself On 27 Tishrei 5754 (1993), I travel there, and indicated that to the Jewish people with the was part of a group that had the the war would be over by Purim. message, “Do everything in your privilege to pass before the Rebbe Everything happened exactly as power...to bring about the MH”M and receive from him a he said. Even though 39 Scud actualization of Moshiach 15 13 dollar-for-tz’daka. As I passed missiles fell in Israel, no Jews Tzidkeinu immediately.” before him, I greeted him saying, were killed by them. And the war Moshiach had already been “Shalom Aleichem, Melech ended on Purim. It was then clear revealed and we were being HaMoshiach!” and he nodded to that this was the revelation of instructed to bring this revelation me in acceptance. Melech Moshiach. In his talks to the world. Many projects to Melech HaMoshiach has during 1991-92 the Rebbe implement this were initiated with emerged and has been clearly MH”M stated many times that the Rebbe MH”M’s identified and we are now living this was in fact the case and encouragement. in the Era of Moshiach as the made it clear that he is Melech In the spring of 1992, he Rebbe MH”M himself said on 19 HaMoshiach. On two occasions suffered a stroke, following which Kislev, 5752 (1991): “In these in May, 1991, he publicly the activities to bring Moshiach days — the Days of Moshiach — encouraged the singing of the intensified with his which we are now in, all we need declaration “Yechi Adoneinu encouragement. Two hundred to do is open our eyes and then we Moreinu V’Rabbeinu Melech Rabbinical authorities worldwide see that the true and complete HaMoshiach L’olam Va’ed!” signed a P’sak Din (Halachic Geula is already here, literally.”16 (“Long live our master, teacher ruling) dated 11 Nisan, 5752 The idea that one “opens his and Rebbe King Moshiach (1992), declaring that the eyes” to see something means forever”) and subsequently Lubavitcher Rebbe has the that the thing is already there in encouraged many people who assumed status of being front of him, but that he doesn’t were publicizing the fact that he Moshiach (B’chezkas Moshiach) really see what he’s looking at. is Moshiach to continue doing so. as stated in Rambam. This may mean that he must take It should be emphasized that Throughout the year 5753 a deeper, more penetrating look, this phrase, “The time of your (1992-1993), whenever the possibly on a more abstract or redemption has arrived,” is the Rebbe MH”M would enter “770” spiritual level. But it could simply key phrase by which Melech for davening (prayers), sometimes be that he is looking at HaMoshiach is identified, as we three times a day, the service, in something, or listening to see from the continuation of the which thousands participated, something, and he doesn’t grasp Yalkut Shimoni: “At the time that
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or notice certain aspects of it, chirping of a certain bird that “simple unity,” which means a unity even physical aspects. This may sounded to the human ear as a that does not consist of parts. There be because his senses are not one tone tweet. But when he is only one G-d and He has no attuned to it or because his mind played it at a much slower speed, subdivisions. is not focused on it or is one could hear that this single 7 Reported in the Albany Times distracted by some other aspect tweet was actually an entire song Union, March 9, 1995 of it. with different tones, high notes 8 Quoted in Lee Smolin, The Trouble This happens frequently when and low notes etc. All this was with Physics (Boston: Houghton one is so preoccupied with the blurred at normal speed and thus Mifflin, 2006), p. 322 details of what he is considering inaudible to the human ear. 9 David Leavitt, author of The Man that he misses the overall picture. The story is the same for all Who Knew Too Much: Alan Turing This is described by the famous our senses, as well as our and the Invention of the Computer metaphor “he can’t see the forest intellectual perception. For that (Norton, 2005) in a radio interview for the trees.” matter, the history of science is on the John Batchelor Show. 10 In recent years, a technique replete with the misperceptions of Laws of Kings, ch. 11-12 known as “magic eye” has been one generation being corrected by 11 In 1985, my family sent a gift to developed to generate certain the revolutionary new theories of the Rebbe MH”M for his birthday, 11 st computer images that appear to the next generation. Nisan. It was the 1 edition of the the viewer as a certain two The Rebbe MH”M is telling us seifer Beis Aharon V’Hosafos, dimensional scene. For example, that the same is true of the world compiled by his ancestor (on his mother’s side) Rabbi Avraham Dovid in the image reproduced here, it as we are used to looking at it – a Lavut. I wrote a cover letter in which is a field of flowers. When the world of Galus. But this is a I addressed him as Moshiach viewer deliberately “blanks out” misperception due to our past Tzidkeinu and to which I received a his focus and “opens his eyes” he experience and former ways of positive response expressing thanks. sees a three dimensional image looking at things. He is now 12 Yalkut Shimoni, Isaiah, sec. 499 instead of a two dimensional telling us to open our eyes and 13 image, with new objects visible in see Geula in the world. Seifer HaSichos 5751, vol. 2, p. 474 the scene.17 In this image it is a 14 deer standing in the middle of the NOTES: P’sikta Rabsi, Chapter 15, sec. 71 15 field of flowers. The deer – a 1 Isaiah 11:9 This has been the only such event metaphor for Moshiach – is since the stroke. 2 The Expanded Quotable Einstein 16 hiding in plain view! The viewer (Princeton University Press, 2000), p. Seifer HaSichos 5752, vol. 1, p. need only open his eyes. 202 173 As another example, a few 17 3 Likkutei Sichos, vol. 15, pp. 42-48 The magic eye technique, in years ago I heard a report on 4 addition to being fascinating and fun, NPR radio by someone who was B’Reishis 7:11 it is also used in various vision researching the chirping of birds. 5 Isaiah 40: 5 therapies. In one case he recorded the 6 Achdus P’shuta literally means
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shlichus
answer, that it’s a day of kappara (atonement) for all the Jewish people, and then asks: Who knows THE LIGHTER what “kappara” is? Answer: Kappara is like neshama or motek (terms of endearment). “Like when my mother calls me, ‘Come, my kappara.’” SIDE OF Question: Why does the fourth son not know how to ask? Answer: Because he is embarrassed that everyone will know SHLICHUS - that he doesn’t know how to ask. HOW COME WE DON’T “PLANT” PLAY EQUIPMENT Questions and answers such as these are not exclusive to children. TAKE 2 An older man went to the shliach in his city before Sukkos and asked where he could buy the four minim. He said that in previous years he By Rabbi Yaakov Shmuelevitz had looked enviously at the people Shliach, Beit Shaan going to shul with their minim but he had never known where to buy After last week’s column, some them. That year, in order to be shluchim contacted me with amusing prepared, he had searched up and down the aisles of the big stories of their own. These were just too supermarket but had not found where they kept the four minim. good not to share... In another incident, a municipal worker asked the city administrator Here’s a sampling: THE “FOUR QUESTIONS” why they weren’t completing the city Question: Who knows why we FOR PURIM playground. “It’s missing a see-saw, eat dairy foods on Shavuos? Out of respect for the yishuv, I slide etc. and parents are Answer: It’s because of Sarah will not mention its name, but there complaining.” and Golyas. is a lovely yishuv somewhere in the The administrator somehow got Question: Who knows why we north where, due to their great things mixed up, explaining that the eat doughnuts on Chanuka? admiration for the Rebbe and playground equipment was made out Answer: Because of the flour that Chabad, the administration of this of wood and was not allowed to be rose when they left Egypt. public school agreed to have a installed in the ground in a Shmita Question: Who knows why shliach serve as the school’s rabbi. year. Avrohom Avinu made a tent with He visits all the classes once a week, four doors? gives a shiur, and invites the children Answer: So he would have fresh WONDER OF WONDERS and their parents to all the Chabad air from all directions. ON LAG B’OMER house activities. Question: Who knows why we This beloved rabbi asks the For some reason, due to a call the upcoming holiday Yom children questions during the course widespread error among certain Kippur? of his lessons. The children usually Jews, they refer to all the days of the Answer: It’s because of the Yom know the right answers but Omer as “Lag B’Omer.” In Dimona, Kippur War. sometimes, they’re a little off the someone told the shliach, R’ Yisroel The rabbi explains the real mark. Gliss, that he had three sons and
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they were all born on Lag B’Omer. A shliach bringing joy. They called one Shimon, the second Bar, and the third Yochai. The shliach was quite surprised that all three were born on Lag B’Omer until he found out that the man meant the period of S’firas HaOmer. Another person once approached the shliach in his town on Lag B’Omer and excitedly told him that he had checked the calendar over many years and he had discovered that every single year Lag B’Omer falls out on the same day in the Omer, the 33rd. And amazingly, the numerical value of the letters Lamed and Gimmel (LaG) are 33! How incredible that Lag B’Omer always falls out on the day that we count 33. Another widespread error is to call all the first Nine Days in Av week he left the sheet in various what he had thought previously. The “Tisha B’Av.” Someone once said places around the house so his wife bachur asked, “If Hashem is really that in his community they did not would see it. not in the bathroom, then can we sin eat meat on Tisha B’Av. I thought Lately, said R’ Tor, he is looking there?” this pretty obvious, considering that for the most strategic places to The rabbi thought about it and it’s a fast day. It took a while till I ensure that his wife will read it. He finally replied, “No, because realized that he meant he does not discovered that the bathroom is an Hashem can do anything and He eat meat during the Nine Days. excellent spot because people read sees you through the keyhole!” whatever they find there. PARSHA SHEET The story reminds me of how T’FILLIN ON IN THE BATHROOM Rabbi Pinchas of Koretz was FRIDAY NIGHT The following story is sad but annoyed (about pages of Chassidus One of the shluchim told a story moving - sad because of the blowing around outside) and the that happened around the time of ignorance but moving because it Alter Rebbe found merit … We all the terrorist attack in Bombay. You shows how interested Jews are in hope that soon we won’t need will remember that until Shabbos matters of holiness. methods such as these because the began we did not know what had Rabbi Roi Tor, shliach in the Beit earth will be covered with knowledge happened. One of the mekuravim of Shaan Valley, is constantly making of Hashem like waters cover the sea. the shliach in our story went to shul great efforts to expand the circle of *** Shabbos morning and told the talmidim-mekuravim to Chassidus. When I first began getting shliach excitedly, “Last night (Friday He began publishing a colorful involved with Chabad, there was a night) I heard on the news what weekly parsha sheet that he calls story going around about a yeshiva happened in India. I was so upset Likrat Kalla and he distributes it bachur who had gotten interested in when I heard the shluchim were among members of the kibbutzim. Chabad and learned that Hashem is murdered that I decided I had to do One of the mekuravim, a everywhere including impure places a mitzva to triumph over the member of an irreligious kibbutz, and He sees everything. terrorists. I immediately went to the began keeping mitzvos after reading This was a chiddush to him closet, took out my t’fillin, put them this page and participating in a because he had always learned that on and recited the entire t’filla.” shiur, but sadly, his wife wasn’t Hashem is not in impure places. He Rabbi Levi Yitzchok of interested in shiurim and mitzvos. asked one of the rabbanim in his Berditchev would love this story. What did the mekurav do? Every Litvishe yeshiva, who confirmed
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his passing. But that year, another candle somehow got lit - the candle of my soul - as a result of what A PEEK BEHIND seemed like a chance encounter with a Chabad rabbi. The experience would not have been more transformational if I had walked into the room a caterpillar THE CURTAIN and left, a butterfly. My cocoon was a six-hour argument with a man who had questions for all my answers and answers for all my questions. By Dr. Aryeh Gotfryd I was intrigued by his message of how to live a passionate yet dignified life, but did not want to be sucked Usually we can find a way to write off into any dumb religion. After all, to my view then, religion was a crutch these coincidences to random chance. and G-d was just a theory. And with all the religions around, why would But then there are coincidences that do Judaism be the true one, and who more than raise eyebrows - they blow says that there’s a soul or an afterlife, and what about the age of minds. the universe and Darwin and the big bang, and Moses’ nepotism, and the Freaky. Spooky. We’ve all had memory of him. It was late oral tradition’s broken telephone, that feeling when those random December and my mother took me and all those crazy miracles details that comprise daily life to visit him in the hospital during his and even if they did happen, why suddenly fall into place as if... as if... final days. don’t they happen today? Besides, they are not really random after all. We stopped in the gift shop and how could the Jews be “chosen” Like when you have just as little kids do, I set my fancy on a since all people are alike, and what mentioned someone’s name and they little something and would not be about the six million and why do bad unexpectedly call or walk into the swayed. It was a cute little wooden things happen to good people if G-d room. Or when you suddenly feel evergreen tree with some red is just? you’re being watched and you turn decorations and snow-white Somehow, as educated as I was, to surprise some stranger who had trimmings. My mother said, “No, and by that time you could say I was been mindlessly gazing in your let’s get daddy something else,” but in Grade 20, on every single issue, direction. I started to cry and make a fuss and this Chabad rabbi Usually we can find a way to soon the prized little gift was in my presented challenging perspectives write off these coincidences to hand. and information that turned my random chance. After all, the guy Daddy was lying in the hospital questions back on me, and also behind me had to be looking bed when we arrived. I handed him opened my eyes to the fact that the in some direction, and there are only the little seasonal memento and he rabbinic tradition has involved more so many people I could be speaking took a good look at it and then set it than spending three millennia trying about who are likely to call or walk down on the bedside table. Then he to memorize the ten into the room. turned and picked me up with his commandments. Did that leave me a But then there are coincidences strong arms and held me over him, believer? Not exactly, but it certainly that do more than raise eyebrows - playing with me and turning me this suspended my disbelief and left me they blow minds. Here’s a personal way and that... and that was all. He open to the possibility that when story to exemplify. passed away a few days later on the Jews pray and say the word “ata,” My father died when I was three 24th of Teves in 1959. Someone may in fact be listening. years old and because he was sick Twenty-two years later, I lit Within a few weeks, I was for quite a while, I never got to a yahrtzait candle for my father, as I praying and studying a little every know him. In fact, I have only one did every year on the anniversary of day. By three months I was keeping kosher and Shabbos. And after a
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year, I was engaged to a nice Jewish girl, a miracle in and of itself. The experience would not have been On the afternoon of the 24th of more transformational if I had walked Teves 1982, a year to the day from my transformational encounter with into the room a caterpillar and left, a Chabad, I found myself hurrying through the final pages of a book butterfly. My cocoon was a six-hour that I really wanted to finish before rushing off to the other side of argument with a man who had campus to close a very big open bracket in my life. I was going to say questions for all my answers and the Kaddish prayer for my father for answers for all my questions. the very first time. The book was called The Philosophy of Chabad and as I about the Alter Rebbe’s yahrtzait for overdue. turned to the final page, a curtain the first time, on the date itself, Even my one and only memory suddenly lifted and I caught a which is also my father’s of my father seemed like a link in glimpse of the invisible Hand of G-d. yahrtzait, as well as the anniversary the chain, for what could possibly be The book, which is mainly a of my doing t’shuva a year before on going through the mind of a biography of the Alter Rebbe who the same date as a result of an holocaust survivor from a chassidic founded the Chabad movement, encounter with the very movement family as he receives a toy Xmas tree concludes with mention of that inspired me to t’shuva. on his deathbed from his three-year- his yahrtzait, the 24th of Teves. And all this at the moment that old son? Only t’shuva - a t’shuva The synchronicity was I’m about to mark the date with my that reverberated in heaven and overwhelming. Here I’m reading first Kaddish prayer, so long spilled out into my life decades later in an awakening from above. Freaky? Spooky? Not for me. I have an explanation. But for those readers who are skeptically inclined to invoke “dumb luck” rather than the invisible Hand of G-d, refer to the article, The Whole Megillah on www.arniegotfryd.com, which also serves as a good warm up to our next big holiday, Purim. When Moshiach comes, there will be no Argument for Design, there will just be the Artistry of the Designer, revealed for all to see, and no more will we have to satisfy ourselves with little glimpses behind the curtain for “our eyes will behold our Teacher,” with the coming of Moshiach NOW!
ADD IN ACTS OF GOODNESS & KINDNESS TO BRING MOSHIACH NOW!
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